Category Archives: THE NATION ISRAEL

ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, THE NATION ISRAEL, When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?, When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?

When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?

WHEN WILL THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS BE RESURRECTED?

by Shawn Brasseaux

When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected? Will that resurrection include those saved before the Dispensation of Grace? Let us be Bereans and search the Scriptures to see what they say about this topic (Acts 17:10-11).

Whenever I use the term “Old Testament saints” in this study, I am referring to every person who was saved outside of the ministry of the Apostle Paul. Technically, for the sake of simplicity, we can include in the term “Old Testament saints” those who will be saved after our dispensation as well (all the saints from the seven-year Tribulation), since they too are part of the prophetic program that began in the “Old Testament” Scriptures. Another term we can use is “Israel’s kingdom saints.” The reason why we lump all the believers in the prophetic program together is because the Bible calls their resurrection “the first resurrection” (Revelation 20:5-6).

Everything that is in the Holy Bible that is outside of our “mystery program” (the Dispensation of Grace and the Apostle Paul’s ministry) is what Scripture calls the “prophetic program” (contrast Acts 3:21 with Romans 16:25-26). The goal of the prophetic program is to have redeemed Israel fulfilling God’s will in the earth (Exodus 19:3-6; Psalm 24:1; Matthew 5:5; Revelation 5:10; Revelation 11:15)—that is what we call the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, or the 1,000-year kingdom, or what the Bible calls “the kingdom of heaven,” et cetera.

Notice what Jesus Christ said in Matthew 25:34 in reference to His earthly kingdom: “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” The promise of God’s earthly kingdom goes all the way back to Adam when God first placed man on the Earth (Acts 3:21) and it continues with Israel (Genesis 12 onward until we come to Paul, and everything after our dispensation): everyone justified before God from Adam all the way up to those saved outside of Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts, they have an earthly hope. The oldest Bible book, Job, makes it clear in Job 19:25-27 that these saints had a hope, not to die and go to heaven [our hope], but a hope to be raised again and go into that earthly kingdom. Job 19:25-27: “[25] For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: [26] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: [27] Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

All who will be saved after our Dispensation of Grace, they too have an earthly hope: our Dispensation interrupts Israel’s prophetic and earthly program. Thus, all people saved unto eternal life outside of our Dispensation of Grace, outside of Paul’s ministry, they will all be resurrected together, for they all need go into the earthly kingdom that God promised them. They need to be resurrected after Jesus Christ comes back at His Second Coming, but before He initiates His kingdom on Earth. After the Rapture (when the Church the Body of Christ is taken into heaven), and after the seven-year Tribulation, Jesus Christ will return to Earth (Revelation 19:11-21).

It is here on the Bible timeline that Revelation 20:4-6 will be fulfilled: “[4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. [5] But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Note the believing Jews slain during the Tribulation, are clearly referenced in verse 4. This is the “Old Testament saints’ resurrection,” the resurrection of Israel’s kingdom saints, and it will occur just after Jesus Christ returns to Earth at His Second Coming. Notice how verse 6 speaks of Israel’s ministry as a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 61:6; 1 Peter 2:8; Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10).

According to Jesus Christ, Israel’s patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be resurrected to enter and reign in their kingdom; obviously, their resurrection would be before the 1,000 years begin. Matthew 8:11: “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”

Please understand that Israel’s 12 apostles also need to be resurrected before the Millennial Kingdom can begin, for they will sit on 12 thrones judging Israel’s 12 tribes in her kingdom: “[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. [30] But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first” (Matthew 19:27-30). Mark records similar statements in Mark 10:28-31, which see.

Daniel 12:11-13 provides more info about the timeframe of the Old Testament saints’ resurrection: “[11] And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days. [12] Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. [13] But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

Usually, the seven-year Tribulation, Daniel’s 70th week, is divided into 3 1/2 years and 3 1/2 years, or 42 months and 42 months, or 1260 days and 1260 days (see Revelation 11:2-3, Revelation 12:6, Revelation 13:5, et cetera). According to Daniel 12:12 above, from the time the Antichrist defiles Israel’s newly-rebuilt temple to one important event associated with Christ’s coming is 1290 days. Notice this is 30 days past the often-used figure of 1260 days. Daniel chapter 12 also speaks of 1335 days, or 75 days past the 1260 days. At this time, we cannot be sure what the 30-day mark and 75-day mark actually signify, but there is a “window of time” involved with Jesus’ Second Coming and the Old Testament saints’ resurrection. According to Daniel 12:12 (quoted above), it seems like the Old Testament saints will be resurrected approximately a month or two after Jesus Christ returns. Verse 13 leads me to conclude that they will be resurrected at the very end of those days listed, and that would be the 75-day mark, or 1335 days after the Antichrist defiled the temple. Generally speaking, the Old Testament saints, such as Daniel, will be resurrected after the seven-year Tribulation, after Jesus Christ returns to Earth at His Second Coming.

CONCLUSION

“When will the Old Testament saints be resurrected?” They will be resurrected within a month or two after Jesus Christ’s Second Coming to end the seven-year Tribulation and establish His literal, physical, visible earthly kingdom. “Will that resurrection include those saved before the Dispensation of Grace?” Yes, the Old Testament resurrection will include all those saved before our Dispensation of Grace and all those saved after our Dispensation of Grace, too. That would be all saints from Adam to those saved under Peter and 11’s ministry in early Acts, as well as all believers martyred during the seven-year Tribulation. They will all be resurrected to enter and enjoy Jesus Christ’s literal, physical, visible, earthly kingdom. Remember, none of these events have anything to do with us!

Also see:
» Who will accompany Jesus at His Second Coming?
» What will the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ be like? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Why does Israel have 12 apostles?

THE NATION ISRAEL, Why does Israel have 12 apostles?

Why does Israel have 12 apostles?

WHY DID JESUS SELECT EXACTLY 12 APOSTLES FOR ISRAEL?

by Shawn Brasseaux

Why did the Lord Jesus Christ choose twelve apostles during His earthly ministry? The Bible gives us the simple answer.

When God separated Abram (Abraham) from the human race in Genesis chapter 12, He purposed to create a nation for His name. Using Abraham’s bloodline, God would also send the King-Messiah-Redeemer (Jesus), the seed of the woman, that He promised in Genesis 3:15. As God swore, elderly Abraham and Sarah had their son Isaac (Genesis 17:1-22). Isaac fathered Jacob, and Jacob had twelve sons (Genesis 35:22-26). Jacob’s twelve sons head “the twelve tribes of Israel” (Genesis 49:1-28; Acts 7:8).

In Bible numerics, 12 is the number of the nation Israel. God used twelve men and their wives to give birth to the Jewish race. According to Matthew 19:27-28, when Jesus Christ came (First Advent), He chose 12 men to be His apostles, individuals that He sent out to evangelize the rest of Israel (Matthew 10:5-7). But, not only that… we gather from the Bible that Christ had actually chosen the twelve rulers of Israel, who would govern Israel when He would set up His kingdom!

Matthew 19:27-28 explains: “[27] Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? [28] And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”  Luke 22:29-30 elaborates even further: “[29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; [30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

The program operating during Christ’s earthly ministry was the prophetic program, which God had operated since the world began (Acts 3:21). Today, Israel’s program is currently interrupted by our mystery program, the Dispensation of Grace (Romans 16:25-26a). When this present dispensation is concluded (at the rapture), God will return to Israel’s program. After Jacob’s trouble (Daniel’s 70th week, the seven-year Tribulation), Jesus Christ, at His Second Coming, will return to establish His earthly kingdom. Then, He will fulfill Matthew 19:27-28. (Albeit, Matthias will assume Judas’ position; Acts 1:21-26.)

Why twelve apostles? Simply put, so Israel can one day have twelve princes, one prince for each tribe!

Also see:
» Why is the nation Israel in the Bible? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» Who replaced Judas—Matthias or Paul?
» What is “Replacement Theology?”

DENOMINATIONS, CULTS, & FALSE TEACHING, ESCHATOLOGY (END TIMES) / PROPHECY, Is God finished with the nation Israel?, THE NATION ISRAEL, What is “Replacement Theology?”, What is “Replacement Theology?”

What is “Replacement Theology?”

WHAT IS “REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY?” IS GOD FINISHED WITH THE NATION ISRAEL?

by Shawn Brasseaux

According to adherents of “Replacement Theology” (also called “Covenant Theology” and “Supersessionism”), God is permanently finished with the nation Israel. He has given all of Israel’s covenants and promises to us and we are now “spiritual Israel:” that is, the Church the Body of Christ has replaced Israel. While it makes good church tradition, it is bad Bible doctrine!

Throughout the Old Testament, the Four Gospels, and early Acts, we read about an imminent literal, physical, visible earthly kingdom. In that kingdom, there would be no sickness, no sin, and no death (Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 8:1; Acts 3:19-26; Hebrews 2:3-5; et cetera). Israel would be redeemed and protected from her enemies and Jesus Christ would reign over her in a Davidic kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 61:1-11; Zechariah 14:9-11; Luke 1:31-33; Acts 1:6; et cetera). The entire world, but especially Israel, would be free from Satanic captivity and oppression (Isaiah 49:24-26; Zechariah 13:1-2; et cetera). Israel would possess her Promised Land (Deuteronomy 30:1-5; Jeremiah 30:3; Ezekiel 37:21-23; et cetera) and her people, the Jews, would live in that land forever and ever with God Himself in their midst (Genesis 17:8; Joel 3:17,21; et cetera)! God would marry Israel, she would forsake all her idols and pagan religion, and God would make her His people after her captivity and dispersion amongst the Gentiles concluded (Hosea 2:19-23; et cetera). Israel would be resurrected spiritually and given new life (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 37:1-28; et cetera). Through the New Covenant, God would forgive Israel of all her sins and He would give her every spiritual and physical provision she would ever need (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Joel 3:18-21; Amos 9:11-15; Zephaniah 3:14-20; et cetera). Israel would be free from all Gentile oppression (Daniel 2:35,44): the Jews would be priests, and they would bring their JEHOVAH and His salvation to the Gentiles (Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 60:1-3; Isaiah 61:1; Zechariah 8:20-23; et cetera).

Yet, that earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ never came. We are 2,000 years removed from Jesus’ earthly ministry, and the above verses still have not been fulfilled (some of those promises are over 3,000 years old). Today, people still grow sick and die. There is still widespread evil in the world, Satan is still operating his program of evil in governments and religions, and Israel is dispersed worldwide and without a homeland. The Middle East has no rest from war and strife. What happened to that earthly kingdom promised throughout much of the Bible? Was God lying when He promised all these wonderful things to Israel? Will Israel ever enjoy her JEHOVAH in that heaven-on-earth kingdom? (Or, are these prophecies “spiritual”/“allegorical” promises that should not to be taken literally, as the adherents of Replacement Theology teach?)

While much more could be said about this topic, it is most conducive to learning to give three major and specific reasons why Replacement Theology / Covenant Theology / Supersessionism is not the conclusion of the Bible-believer:

 

1. JEREMIAH 31:35-37 DOES NOT PERMIT ISRAEL’S PERMANENT FALL

The Holy Ghost moved the Prophet Jeremiah to write regarding Israel’s future: “[35] Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: [36] If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. [37] Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

Here, the Bible is very clear about Israel’s temporary dispersion and captivity—God Himself will restore Israel one day. According to the Bible, the only way God would ever completely do away with the nation Israel is if the ordinances of the heavens (such as the law of universal gravitation) departed. Before God could even cast off Israel forever, the entire universe would have to fall apart, and the Bible says that will never happen. Indeed, God would be most certainly justified in destroying Israel for her constant rebellion against Him, but He cannot break His Word to her (“It is impossible for God to lie;” Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). He is bound by His covenants to never forsake Israel. Yes, God is not dealing with Israel today, but the Holy Ghost through the Apostle Paul says Israel has a hope, for, despite her unfaithfulness, her God is faithful. Israel has a glorious hope that our human minds cannot even begin to fathom!

 

2. ROMANS 11:25-32 DOES NOT PERMIT ISRAEL’S PERMANENT FALL

According to the Apostle Paul, even on this side of Calvary’s cross (as opposed to when Jeremiah wrote), God is not through with the nation Israel. The Holy Ghost moved the Apostle Paul to write regarding Israel’s future:

“[25] For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. [26] And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: [27] For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. [28] As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes. [29] For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. [30] For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: [31] Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. [32] For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all” (Romans 11:25-32).

Yes, Paul acknowledges that Israel is currently “fallen,” “cast away” and “blind” spiritually (Romans 11:11,15,25), but after our Dispensation of Grace, he affirms that Israel will be “saved” (verse 26). Prophecy will be fulfilled with Israel, for God cannot revoke His Word to them: “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance” (Romans 11:29). While God is operating our mystery program, “kept secret since the world began” (Romans 16:25), He must hold in abeyance Israel’s prophetic program “spoken since the world began” (Acts 3:21). We have not been given Israel’s promises; they still belong to Israel. The key to remember is that that program in which Israel’s promises belong, is currently suspended, and the program in which we live today involves a whole new set of promises and doctrine.

The nation Israel, which God intended to use to evangelize the world, is currently set aside. Today, the Gentile (non-Jewish) world is hearing God’s Word through the ministry of the Apostle Paul (the Bible books of Romans through Philemon), apart from Israel (see Romans 11:11-13). Today, Israel’s prophetic program is temporarily suspended (note that it is not eternally suspended). Their kingdom is still postponed, for their Messiah has not yet returned at His Second Coming to bring in their kingdom. Paul, quoting Isaiah 59:20-21 in Romans 11:26-27, writes that God will one day take away Israel’s sins (as per the New Covenant). The Apostle Peter mentioned this restoration of Israel in 1 Peter 2:10.

Ephesians 2:11-12 talks about the when God made the distinction between the nation Israel (“Circumcision”) and the Gentiles (“Uncircumcision”): “[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; [12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:”

This is what the Bible calls “time past,” and would include the “Old Testament,” the Four Gospels, and the first nine chapters of Acts. But, verse 13 says, “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Dispensational Bible study enables us to “rightly divide” the “time past” and the “but now.” Before Paul and the Dispensation of Grace (the “but now,”), God dealt with mankind on the basis on Jew and Gentile. Now, God is not making a distinction between Jew and Gentile. God has changed the program: this is the dispensational change that occurred with the conversion of the Apostle Paul. Those who do not understand this end up embracing Replacement Theology (Covenant Theology / Supersessionism).

The three studies listed at the end of this study should also be consulted regarding this topic, because they go into greater detail about why Replacement Theology (Covenant Theology / Supersessionism) is not safe theology.

 

3. IF GOD DID NOT KEEP HIS PROMISES TO ISRAEL, THEN HOW CAN WE BE SURE HE WILL KEEP HIS WORD TO US?

A third reason to reject Covenant Theology (Replacement Theology / Supersessionism) is that if God did not keep His promises to Israel, then what are we doing trying to claim Israel’s promises? Who is to say God would not take them away from us, supposing He did give them to us (which He did not)? Who is to say that God will keep His promises to us in Paul’s epistles, if He did not keep His promises to Israel? We can see just how dangerous Replacement Theology (Covenant Theology / Supersessionism) is. Avoid it! It causing doubt in God’s Word, and that is obviously how Satan operates (Genesis 3:1).

 

Also see:
» Have I blasphemed against the Holy Ghost?
» Are we under the New Covenant? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)
» What is Romans 11:16-24 teaching? (LINK TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE)