Thursday, October 18, 2012

What the Gospel really is…



The Gospel is what the Old Testament Scriptures and Prophets said about Christ…1 Cor. 15:1-4

The Gospel reveals the person, power, and presence of Christ…Romans 16:25,26

The Gospel is the power of God that generates Salvation in the human soul…Romans 1:16

Jesus opened the Scriptures and preached the first Gospel sermon to His disciples…Luke 24:44-49

Jesus commanded the Gospel to be preached in all nations upon the Earth…Mark 16:15, 16, Mat. 28:19-21

The Gospel is what birthed the Church, the body of Christ…Acts 20:28

The Gospel is what brings forgiveness of sins to the human soul…Acts 13:38, Eph. 1:7

The Gospel is the instrument God uses to bring Saving Grace into the human soul…Titus 2:11-14

The Gospel is what brings the Holy Spirit into the human soul…Eph. 1:13



Monday, October 15, 2012

They shall look upon me whom they have pierced…

Zechariah prophetically wrote these words…Zechariah 12:10. God prohetically spoke through His prophets who were inspired by the Holy Ghost. “They” speaks of the nation of Israel as a whole. Isreal is not to be spiritualized or taken out of Biblical context when examining this scripture.

Israel is the nation who rejected the Messiah when He came the first time. Israel is the nation who rejects the Gospel Message of this present Church Age (since Christ’s death until now). Israel is the nation who will miss the Rapture of the Church. Israel is the nation who will be opposed by the Gentile World (the Beast) during the seven year Tribulation. Israel is the nation who will face the battle Armegeddon. Israel is the nation who will look upon the Messiah (whom they pierced) when He returns the second time.

At the second coming of Israel’s promised Messiah, Jesus will step down physically upon the Mount of Olives. All nations of the Earth will be gathered together in unison…against Israel at that time…as the battle of Armageddon will be on the brink of occurring. Zechariah’s prophecy speaks of the end of the Great Tribulation when all nations of the Earth turn against Israel and gather together to destroy God’s elect, Israel. On that very day Christ “steps down” from Heaven and all the Raptured saints will be with Him. A physical appearing will take place. At that time Divine Judgment will take place upon humanity on earth and upon the nation of Israel as a whole. Two thirds of the nation of Israel will be cut off and die. The other third will come through the fire by saying, “The Lord is my God”. Zechariah 13:1-9

Israel will look upon Christ whom they pierced. Through realization and acceptance of Christ, Israel will driven to great mourning in that great and terrible day. Christ will return in flaming fire and take vengeance upon those who obey not the Gospel. (2 Thess. 1:7-10) Christ will sanctify humanity and the earth with fire. Christ will establish His earthly Throne in Jerusalem (like David’s Throne in Zion). Faithful Israel will admire the glory of their promised Messiah in who their forefathers turned over to Rome to be crucified and put to death. In great mourning and sorrow at the beginning of Christ’s Kingdom on Earth…Israel as a whole nation will look upon Christ in whom they pierced.

On that very day every Jew on planet Earth who “accepts” Christ as the Messiah will enter the Kingdom on Earth (a visible and tangible Kingdom). The 1000 year reign of our Lord will begin on that day in Jerusalem. Christ will be admired by every Jew on planet Earth. They will look upon Him as their God. They will look upon Him as their Messiah. They will look upon Him whom they pierced…

Zechariah 12:10…And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son

Israel’s eyes on Christ is the context of the prophecy. The future hope of Israel lies within this Messianic prophecy made by Zechariah. In this manner of study the Bible is rightly divided and the student learns the word promised to Israel in its proper context. Knowledge will build your faith. Please study Zechariah chapters 12, 13, and 14 for the full context of this text. To Christ be the glory!