The Kingdom message is one of great Biblical truth yet has formed many controversial concepts and theologies in this present age. A wrong teaching of the Kingdom message can mislead a believer; hinder the necessity of evangelism; or even cause one to miss salvation of the soul. False theories of the Kingdom can destroy confidence in a resurrected Lord and even promote a feeling that Christianity is a failure. Incorrect understanding of the Kingdom message has caused many Christians to lose faith in Christ and lose their hope of His future coming, to physically reign as King over all the earth.
This Kingdom message will take the Bible further than believing in Christ from the four Gospels only. It contains a future hope and a future Kingdom based on Old Testament prophecies that are yet unfulfilled. Rightly dividing the Kingdom message from the Old Testament and the four Gospels is more than looking back 2000 years to the earthly ministry of Christ and His crucifixion. It takes the believer to a resurrected Lord, who is alive, exalted, and the head of the body of Christ, the Church. Who NOW...rules and reigns in all power and authority from His Throne in heaven seated at the right hand of the Father.
The intent of these posted expositions are to clarify the (present tense) work of Christ from the Throne Room as well as His (future tense) work in a promised earthly Kingdom. The central theme of these writings pertain first, to the work of Christ in the life of a believer (the Kingdom of God): second, that Christ will establish a future Kingdom when He returns (the Kingdom of Heaven) and restores all land to Israel according to Old Testament prophecy.
A right division of the Old Testament, the four Gospels, and the New Testament pertaining to the Church and Israel, the Jew and Gentile, and Law and Grace will clarify and confirm the vast distinction between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. May these posted expositions assist the teacher, the student, and the babe in Christ, to understand the truth of the Holy Scriptures and use them as a basis of their faith that can be added to, and built upon for a lifetime, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Why did Jesus teach parables?
The Parables
After hearing the message of the Kingdom of Heaven...many people ask the question, "Are the parables to be applied to the Church now?" The parables of the Kingdom were not given to the Gentiles but only to the Nation of Israel because Israel was the subject of the parables. Israel was blinded to the Messiahship of Jesus Christ. Jesus' reason for speaking in parables is given in Matthew 13:14 where He quotes from Isaiah,
Matt 13:14...And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
The parables of the Kingdom show Israel's rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven message that He preached. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 is an example. The Jewish people are likened to the different types of soil. The message of the Kingdom is sown on four different types of soil. Only one "the good ground" produced a crop, teaching that the majority of Israel was going to reject the Kingdom message and the King.
Matt 13:3-13...And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables:
In the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-41, the lord of the vineyard sent his servants to collect his share. The wicked tenants beat his servant's and stoned them to death. Finally the owner said, "Then will I send my son." When the son arrived, the people said, "He's the heir. Let's put him to death." So they killed him. Likewise, Jesus Christ the Son was rejected and put to death. The Lord will come back again and bring vengeance upon the caretakers of the vineyard.
Matt 21:33-39...Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Throughout the parables, we see object lessons of good fish and bad fish, wheat and tares, foolish virgins and wise virgins, all part of the message being given to Israel in relation to establishing the promised Kingdom on Earth. Parables do not teach the mystery of the Church. There is a vast difference between the Church and the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. *
*Some teachers in our generation have misapplied the parables to the Church and taught "sowing" money as seed, expecting to get 30, 60, or 100-fold as a return. The 30, 60, and 100-fold increase was to the Israelites that received the message of the Kingdom and had no reference to the Church or to money. There is no "sowing of money" in the parables of the Kingdom to Israel. Also, they could not sow the message of the Kingdom to the Gentiles for it was given to Israel only.
Matt. 25:1-13 is the parable of the 10 virgins and deals with the coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom on Earth. The virgins show the attitude of the two types Jew that either accept or reject the Bridegroom at his coming.
Matt 25:1-11...Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
This Parable is not to be mistaken for the Rapture of the Church. The Rapture is not taught in the four Gospels because the Rapture relates to the Church. The Church was not prophesied or taught in the four Gospels. The four Gospels relate primarily to the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. That's why Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was likened unto 10 virgins. Please note...when Jesus returns a second time to set up the Kingdom of Heaven...He returns (with the Raptured Saints) in Divine Judgment to separate the sheep and goats. This Judgment will come primarily on Israel who (rejects) the Messiah. After Divine Judgment the Promised Kingdom will first begin in Jerusalem with Christ and all His saints.
This Parable had to relate to the (2) types of Jew awaiting their promised Messiah (the bridegroom) because there are no "foolish virgins" in the Church, the body of Christ. "Are there wise virgins in the Church, Yes?" "Are there Foolish virgins in the Church, No?" There are however; (2) types of Jew at the time of the Messiah's return to set up the Promised Kingdom in Israel. Wise virgins and foolish virgins! Wise virgins have "oil" in their lamps. Foolish virgins have no oil in their lamps.
Oil in the Bible relates to God's ownership...Everything that oil had reference to in the Old Testament related to God's ownership.
The lamps are the Word of God (the Torah, the prophets, and the Psalms)
Ps. 119:105...Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The wise virgins that have oil in their lamps are those in the Jewish Nation who recognize Christ as their Messiah. Israel's faith in the "Word of God" allowed God to have possession of their hearts and lives. Israel's faith in the word of God allowed them to recognize the Bridegroom when he returns. These are the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins are out looking for oil (God has no ownership of this people) when the Bridegroom returns. These foolish virgins are not subject to the Torah either. These foolish virgins will receive the Judgment of Christ because of their rejection of the Torah and the Messiah both. Jesus said if they would have believed Moses they would have believed Him.
The only thing that applies to Gentiles in the four Gospels is after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ where Christ purchased the Church with His own blood...Acts 20:28 When you learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth there will be no confusion caused from wrongly dividing God's Word. There will be confirmation to your heart and contentment that follows in your life. Get into the Throneroom where Christ is exalted! Don't live in the earthly ministry of during the Kingdom Age. Get into the Church Age "now" where the Spirit of God controls a child of God's heart and life by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul did not teach the parables or the four Gospels. Nowhere will you find Paul teaching Jesus parables in the Epistles! The Word of God mentioned in the Epistles makes reference to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms...not the four Gospels! The four Gospels were not canonized until latter centuries.
After hearing the message of the Kingdom of Heaven...many people ask the question, "Are the parables to be applied to the Church now?" The parables of the Kingdom were not given to the Gentiles but only to the Nation of Israel because Israel was the subject of the parables. Israel was blinded to the Messiahship of Jesus Christ. Jesus' reason for speaking in parables is given in Matthew 13:14 where He quotes from Isaiah,
Matt 13:14...And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
The parables of the Kingdom show Israel's rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven message that He preached. The parable of the sower in Matthew 13 is an example. The Jewish people are likened to the different types of soil. The message of the Kingdom is sown on four different types of soil. Only one "the good ground" produced a crop, teaching that the majority of Israel was going to reject the Kingdom message and the King.
Matt 13:3-13...And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables:
In the parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21:33-41, the lord of the vineyard sent his servants to collect his share. The wicked tenants beat his servant's and stoned them to death. Finally the owner said, "Then will I send my son." When the son arrived, the people said, "He's the heir. Let's put him to death." So they killed him. Likewise, Jesus Christ the Son was rejected and put to death. The Lord will come back again and bring vengeance upon the caretakers of the vineyard.
Matt 21:33-39...Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
Throughout the parables, we see object lessons of good fish and bad fish, wheat and tares, foolish virgins and wise virgins, all part of the message being given to Israel in relation to establishing the promised Kingdom on Earth. Parables do not teach the mystery of the Church. There is a vast difference between the Church and the message of the Kingdom of Heaven. *
*Some teachers in our generation have misapplied the parables to the Church and taught "sowing" money as seed, expecting to get 30, 60, or 100-fold as a return. The 30, 60, and 100-fold increase was to the Israelites that received the message of the Kingdom and had no reference to the Church or to money. There is no "sowing of money" in the parables of the Kingdom to Israel. Also, they could not sow the message of the Kingdom to the Gentiles for it was given to Israel only.
Matt. 25:1-13 is the parable of the 10 virgins and deals with the coming of Christ to establish His Kingdom on Earth. The virgins show the attitude of the two types Jew that either accept or reject the Bridegroom at his coming.
Matt 25:1-11...Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
This Parable is not to be mistaken for the Rapture of the Church. The Rapture is not taught in the four Gospels because the Rapture relates to the Church. The Church was not prophesied or taught in the four Gospels. The four Gospels relate primarily to the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. That's why Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven was likened unto 10 virgins. Please note...when Jesus returns a second time to set up the Kingdom of Heaven...He returns (with the Raptured Saints) in Divine Judgment to separate the sheep and goats. This Judgment will come primarily on Israel who (rejects) the Messiah. After Divine Judgment the Promised Kingdom will first begin in Jerusalem with Christ and all His saints.
This Parable had to relate to the (2) types of Jew awaiting their promised Messiah (the bridegroom) because there are no "foolish virgins" in the Church, the body of Christ. "Are there wise virgins in the Church, Yes?" "Are there Foolish virgins in the Church, No?" There are however; (2) types of Jew at the time of the Messiah's return to set up the Promised Kingdom in Israel. Wise virgins and foolish virgins! Wise virgins have "oil" in their lamps. Foolish virgins have no oil in their lamps.
Oil in the Bible relates to God's ownership...Everything that oil had reference to in the Old Testament related to God's ownership.
The lamps are the Word of God (the Torah, the prophets, and the Psalms)
Ps. 119:105...Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The wise virgins that have oil in their lamps are those in the Jewish Nation who recognize Christ as their Messiah. Israel's faith in the "Word of God" allowed God to have possession of their hearts and lives. Israel's faith in the word of God allowed them to recognize the Bridegroom when he returns. These are the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins are out looking for oil (God has no ownership of this people) when the Bridegroom returns. These foolish virgins are not subject to the Torah either. These foolish virgins will receive the Judgment of Christ because of their rejection of the Torah and the Messiah both. Jesus said if they would have believed Moses they would have believed Him.
The only thing that applies to Gentiles in the four Gospels is after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ where Christ purchased the Church with His own blood...Acts 20:28 When you learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth there will be no confusion caused from wrongly dividing God's Word. There will be confirmation to your heart and contentment that follows in your life. Get into the Throneroom where Christ is exalted! Don't live in the earthly ministry of during the Kingdom Age. Get into the Church Age "now" where the Spirit of God controls a child of God's heart and life by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul did not teach the parables or the four Gospels. Nowhere will you find Paul teaching Jesus parables in the Epistles! The Word of God mentioned in the Epistles makes reference to the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms...not the four Gospels! The four Gospels were not canonized until latter centuries.
Why did Jesus forbid the Kingdom of Heaven to be preached to the Gentile?
During the Earthly ministry of Christ this is what Christ told the disciples to do. Simply put, "This was Christ's first commission to Israel". Jesus "forbid" the Kingdom of Heaven message to be preached to the Gentile! Yes. Jesus forbid it!
Matt 10:5-8...These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Here's a comment from Christ about that "first commission". Jesus said He was directly sent to the House of Israel!
Matt 15:22-27... And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
Mark 7:27...The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
Gentiles were considered "dogs" in the Old Testament. Even Jesus recognized Gentiles to be "dogs". Jesus also said let the children first be filled making reference to Israel.
John 1:11...He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 4:22...for salvation is of the Jews
In order to understand why Jesus forbade the Kingdom of Heaven message to be preached to the Gentiles and Samaritans you have to understand who the Old Testament was written to. You have to understand that Old Testament Promises were given to the Hebrew nation and to the nation of Israel. Gentiles knew nothing about the Levitical Priesthood , the Law of Moses given on Mt. Sinai, or the Prophets of Old who were given all of God's Promises.
The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies that pertain to the establishment of God's Kingdom on Earth...but the Gentiles however; knew nothing of these promises or the Holy Scriptures.
The Samaritans had Jewish blood by descent but were set aside by God because they broke their covenant relationship with God as a result of Babylonian religious persuasion. Samaritan's blended pagan religion with Jewish worship of Jehovah...thus they were put out of covenant relationship with Jehovah during the Babylonian captivity.
The Kingdom of Heaven (Heaven on Earth) was promised strictly to the Jew. All Jews knew about the Promise of the Messiah given in Old Testament records. What did Gentiles know about God's Promises given to Israel? Nothing.
Here's the Apostle Paul's description of the Gentiles from the New Testament records.
Eph 2:12...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:
That's the Biblical explanation of why Jesus openly forbade the disciples to take the Kingdom message to the Gentiles.
You may find this teaching to be unusual compared to mainstream teaching but you will find out the truth behind it. Truth takes away confusion! The more you learn about this teaching the more you will learn to rightly divide the Holy Scriptures. May the Lord open the Scriptures to you and bless your future studies!
Matt 10:5-8...These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Here's a comment from Christ about that "first commission". Jesus said He was directly sent to the House of Israel!
Matt 15:22-27... And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel".
Mark 7:27...The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.
Gentiles were considered "dogs" in the Old Testament. Even Jesus recognized Gentiles to be "dogs". Jesus also said let the children first be filled making reference to Israel.
John 1:11...He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
John 4:22...for salvation is of the Jews
In order to understand why Jesus forbade the Kingdom of Heaven message to be preached to the Gentiles and Samaritans you have to understand who the Old Testament was written to. You have to understand that Old Testament Promises were given to the Hebrew nation and to the nation of Israel. Gentiles knew nothing about the Levitical Priesthood , the Law of Moses given on Mt. Sinai, or the Prophets of Old who were given all of God's Promises.
The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies that pertain to the establishment of God's Kingdom on Earth...but the Gentiles however; knew nothing of these promises or the Holy Scriptures.
The Samaritans had Jewish blood by descent but were set aside by God because they broke their covenant relationship with God as a result of Babylonian religious persuasion. Samaritan's blended pagan religion with Jewish worship of Jehovah...thus they were put out of covenant relationship with Jehovah during the Babylonian captivity.
The Kingdom of Heaven (Heaven on Earth) was promised strictly to the Jew. All Jews knew about the Promise of the Messiah given in Old Testament records. What did Gentiles know about God's Promises given to Israel? Nothing.
Here's the Apostle Paul's description of the Gentiles from the New Testament records.
Eph 2:12...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:
That's the Biblical explanation of why Jesus openly forbade the disciples to take the Kingdom message to the Gentiles.
You may find this teaching to be unusual compared to mainstream teaching but you will find out the truth behind it. Truth takes away confusion! The more you learn about this teaching the more you will learn to rightly divide the Holy Scriptures. May the Lord open the Scriptures to you and bless your future studies!
Israel's backslidden state during the earthly ministry of Christ
Did you ever wonder why Israel "rejected" the Promised Messiah when He came? Think about all the miracles Christ performed? Think about the fulfillment of so many Old Testament prophecies that Israel should have recognized from Old Testament records! Think about John the Baptist who prepared the way for Christ according to the prophets! So many things were prophesied and so many things happened yet Israel still rejected both the King and His message of the Kingdom! Why?
Christ was born under the Law of Moses. Christ was circumcised according to the Law of Moses. Christ lived under Law of Moses. Christ taught the Law of Moses in the Temple and in the synagogues. Even Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" taught the moral righteousness of the Law of Moses to the multitudes. Did some Israel receive? Yes. Did the majority receive? No. Israel's backslidden state hindered the "nation of Israel as a whole" from recognizing the Messiahship of Christ. Backslidden Israel was the reason why Christ taught in His sermon on the mount that Israel's righteousness was to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees.
Matt 5:20...For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Israel as a whole nation was living in a backslidden state. Israel was not keeping the Law of Moses. Their backslidden state pointed to the fact that Israel had made the commandment of God (the authority of the Torah) of none affect by their traditions. Jesus said in Matthew...
Matt 15:6-9...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
This traditional teaching of men (Israel's interpretation of the Torah) was the teachings of the Babylonian Talmud that had crept into Israel from Israel's Babylonian captivity in 600 BC. This Talmudic teaching had caused Israel to deviate from the true authority of the Torah which contained 613 Laws and Commandments given to Israel to keep them holy.The Law of Moses kept Israel busy recognizing the God of Israel... and prevented them from drifting into pagan and heathen religions. The Law of Moses ministered holiness to the hearts and lives of Israel as a chosen nation separate from all Gentile nations. The holiness of heart and conduct taught from the Law and Commandments would cause Israel to recognize the fact that Christ was the promised Messiah recorded in their Holy Scriptures. Jesus told Israel if they would have believed Moses they would have believed in Him for Moses in his law taught of Christ.
John 5:46-47...For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
John 5:39...Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The holiness that Israel was to have according to the Law of Moses allowed Israel to focus on the Promised Messiah which was foretold in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Luke 24:24-49 These holy writings birthed by the Jewish nation all pointed to Christ the Promised Messiah. Jesus during His Earthly ministry taught the moral holiness of the Law in all His messages. Jesus told Israel to have faith in His Messiahship... but He also told them to do as Moses commanded. Israel lacked faith which caused them to lack obedience to the Law of Moses. Note how Jesus told the leper that He healed to do as Moses commanded...for a testimony to Israel.
Matt 8:3-4...And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Jesus made another statement about Israel keeping the Law when He reproved the Pharisees for their religious works in the public.
Matt 23:3... All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
The backslidden state of Israel is a reason why Israel as a complete nation rejected John the Baptist, the 12 disciples, and the 70 disciples Christ sent 2 by 2. Israel rejected the King and His message of the Kingdom during the earthly ministry of Christ that lasted about 2 1/2 years. Through Israel's rejection, Old Testament Prophecies continued to be fulfilled. 18 prophecies said Israel would reject the Messiahship of Christ. No prophesies in the Bible say Israel would accept Him as the promised Messiah.
From Israel's rejection of the King and the Kingdom... both the prophecies of the crucifixion of Christ and His Earthly reign in the Kingdom of Heaven are fulfilled or to be fulfilled after the Rapture of the Church. Remember, because of Israel's rejection...God's promise of the Earthly Kingdom was postponed until the 1000 year reign of our Lord where " all" of Israel will accept the Messiahship of Christ. Notice what John's Revelation said about "Thrones", and those who will reign with Christ for 1000 years.
Rev 20:4-6... 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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
All the Raptured saints (members of the Church, the body of Christ) will return with Christ and step down to the Mount of Olives after the Great Tribulation (which by the way is a Jewish Tribulation prophesied in the Old Testament).
Zech 14:4-5...And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
At that time after the seven year Tribulation... all of Israel will "accept" Christ at the beginning of this 1000 year reign. No more backslidden state for Israel. The Law will flow from Zion. No more Jewish captivities. No more deviation from the truth about God's holiness. All of Israel will have a holy heart at this time. All the Raptured saints will have a holy heart at this time. Holiness will be the only standard on Earth where Christ will physically be seated on the Throne of His father David in Jerusalem. The holy King our Christ, the holy members of the Church (Raptured Saints), and the holy nation of Israel (Tribulation saints) which will then begin in Jerusalem... is where Christ will reign for 1000 years with all His saints.
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
This early Kingdom promised from the foundation of the world will spread throughout the whole earth for the 1000 year period. In the beginning it's not a universal Kingdom but will spread during the 1000 year reign. The reason the 1000 year reign of Christ was never mentioned in the Old Testament but only in John's Revelation is because Israel had a chance to receive the Kingdom of Heaven before Christ went to Calvary. Unfortunately because of Israel's backslidden state from keeping the Law... the Kingdom and the King were both rejected! This Message of the Kingdom (a simultaneous message of both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven preached to Israel) was the central theme recorded in the four Gospels. Also remember this return of Our Lord is return with the Church where Christ comes back in Divine Judgment to purify an bless His chosen people Israel! The goat nations are Egypt who also help Israel in the Great Tribulation! All this was God's plan from the foundation of the world!
Matt 25:31-34...When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 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:
I'm glad Christ went to Calvary and is now exalted in the Throneroom! We now have the Church the body of Christ! We now have the ministry of the Spirit instead if the ministry of the Law! We now have God's Divine Grace which is a greater blessing than the Law given to Israel only. We now have a greater holiness than the holiness of the Law that Israel backslid from. It's called the Grace of God. Glory! The beautiful Grace Covenant! The Grace of God that produces a greater holiness than the holiness of the Law because the Holy Spirit minsters to our hearts. Remember the Holy Spirit had not been given during the earthly ministry because Christ had not been glorified. John 7:39. We today have a greater blessing than the the Law of Moses and it's the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the body of Christ (present tense). Glory! No man could keep the law of Moses but any man can keep Christ in the heart through faith in the Grace of God. Glory! I'm getting blessed just thinking about the splendor of God's Divine Grace! When we get out of the Kingdom message to Israel and get into the Gospel message to the Jew and Gentile we get the to great power of God's Divine Grace. God's Grace Age is where He keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives! I truly like what the Grace of God teaches today as a result of Christ's death, burial, and exaltation! Glory!
Titus 2:11-14...For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
Christ was born under the Law of Moses. Christ was circumcised according to the Law of Moses. Christ lived under Law of Moses. Christ taught the Law of Moses in the Temple and in the synagogues. Even Christ's "Sermon on the Mount" taught the moral righteousness of the Law of Moses to the multitudes. Did some Israel receive? Yes. Did the majority receive? No. Israel's backslidden state hindered the "nation of Israel as a whole" from recognizing the Messiahship of Christ. Backslidden Israel was the reason why Christ taught in His sermon on the mount that Israel's righteousness was to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees.
Matt 5:20...For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Israel as a whole nation was living in a backslidden state. Israel was not keeping the Law of Moses. Their backslidden state pointed to the fact that Israel had made the commandment of God (the authority of the Torah) of none affect by their traditions. Jesus said in Matthew...
Matt 15:6-9...Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
This traditional teaching of men (Israel's interpretation of the Torah) was the teachings of the Babylonian Talmud that had crept into Israel from Israel's Babylonian captivity in 600 BC. This Talmudic teaching had caused Israel to deviate from the true authority of the Torah which contained 613 Laws and Commandments given to Israel to keep them holy.The Law of Moses kept Israel busy recognizing the God of Israel... and prevented them from drifting into pagan and heathen religions. The Law of Moses ministered holiness to the hearts and lives of Israel as a chosen nation separate from all Gentile nations. The holiness of heart and conduct taught from the Law and Commandments would cause Israel to recognize the fact that Christ was the promised Messiah recorded in their Holy Scriptures. Jesus told Israel if they would have believed Moses they would have believed in Him for Moses in his law taught of Christ.
John 5:46-47...For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
John 5:39...Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
The holiness that Israel was to have according to the Law of Moses allowed Israel to focus on the Promised Messiah which was foretold in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms. Luke 24:24-49 These holy writings birthed by the Jewish nation all pointed to Christ the Promised Messiah. Jesus during His Earthly ministry taught the moral holiness of the Law in all His messages. Jesus told Israel to have faith in His Messiahship... but He also told them to do as Moses commanded. Israel lacked faith which caused them to lack obedience to the Law of Moses. Note how Jesus told the leper that He healed to do as Moses commanded...for a testimony to Israel.
Matt 8:3-4...And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
Jesus made another statement about Israel keeping the Law when He reproved the Pharisees for their religious works in the public.
Matt 23:3... All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
The backslidden state of Israel is a reason why Israel as a complete nation rejected John the Baptist, the 12 disciples, and the 70 disciples Christ sent 2 by 2. Israel rejected the King and His message of the Kingdom during the earthly ministry of Christ that lasted about 2 1/2 years. Through Israel's rejection, Old Testament Prophecies continued to be fulfilled. 18 prophecies said Israel would reject the Messiahship of Christ. No prophesies in the Bible say Israel would accept Him as the promised Messiah.
From Israel's rejection of the King and the Kingdom... both the prophecies of the crucifixion of Christ and His Earthly reign in the Kingdom of Heaven are fulfilled or to be fulfilled after the Rapture of the Church. Remember, because of Israel's rejection...God's promise of the Earthly Kingdom was postponed until the 1000 year reign of our Lord where " all" of Israel will accept the Messiahship of Christ. Notice what John's Revelation said about "Thrones", and those who will reign with Christ for 1000 years.
Rev 20:4-6... 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. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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
All the Raptured saints (members of the Church, the body of Christ) will return with Christ and step down to the Mount of Olives after the Great Tribulation (which by the way is a Jewish Tribulation prophesied in the Old Testament).
Zech 14:4-5...And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
At that time after the seven year Tribulation... all of Israel will "accept" Christ at the beginning of this 1000 year reign. No more backslidden state for Israel. The Law will flow from Zion. No more Jewish captivities. No more deviation from the truth about God's holiness. All of Israel will have a holy heart at this time. All the Raptured saints will have a holy heart at this time. Holiness will be the only standard on Earth where Christ will physically be seated on the Throne of His father David in Jerusalem. The holy King our Christ, the holy members of the Church (Raptured Saints), and the holy nation of Israel (Tribulation saints) which will then begin in Jerusalem... is where Christ will reign for 1000 years with all His saints.
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
This early Kingdom promised from the foundation of the world will spread throughout the whole earth for the 1000 year period. In the beginning it's not a universal Kingdom but will spread during the 1000 year reign. The reason the 1000 year reign of Christ was never mentioned in the Old Testament but only in John's Revelation is because Israel had a chance to receive the Kingdom of Heaven before Christ went to Calvary. Unfortunately because of Israel's backslidden state from keeping the Law... the Kingdom and the King were both rejected! This Message of the Kingdom (a simultaneous message of both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven preached to Israel) was the central theme recorded in the four Gospels. Also remember this return of Our Lord is return with the Church where Christ comes back in Divine Judgment to purify an bless His chosen people Israel! The goat nations are Egypt who also help Israel in the Great Tribulation! All this was God's plan from the foundation of the world!
Matt 25:31-34...When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 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:
I'm glad Christ went to Calvary and is now exalted in the Throneroom! We now have the Church the body of Christ! We now have the ministry of the Spirit instead if the ministry of the Law! We now have God's Divine Grace which is a greater blessing than the Law given to Israel only. We now have a greater holiness than the holiness of the Law that Israel backslid from. It's called the Grace of God. Glory! The beautiful Grace Covenant! The Grace of God that produces a greater holiness than the holiness of the Law because the Holy Spirit minsters to our hearts. Remember the Holy Spirit had not been given during the earthly ministry because Christ had not been glorified. John 7:39. We today have a greater blessing than the the Law of Moses and it's the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the Church, the body of Christ (present tense). Glory! No man could keep the law of Moses but any man can keep Christ in the heart through faith in the Grace of God. Glory! I'm getting blessed just thinking about the splendor of God's Divine Grace! When we get out of the Kingdom message to Israel and get into the Gospel message to the Jew and Gentile we get the to great power of God's Divine Grace. God's Grace Age is where He keeps the Holy Spirit present in our lives! I truly like what the Grace of God teaches today as a result of Christ's death, burial, and exaltation! Glory!
Titus 2:11-14...For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works
Kingdom authority or Throneroom authority? Which applies today?
The Bible must be rightly divided to see the difference between the Kingdom message given to Israel and the Gospel message given to the Church, the body of Christ today.
In the four Gospels we see the parables being taught. In the Epistles we never see the parables being taught or even mentioned. During the Earthly ministry of Christ we take note that Christ and His disciples preached the Kingdom of Heaven message. In the Epistles we only see the Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection being preached. In the four Gospels the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven are the object toward Israel. In the Epistles the mysteries of the Church are the object toward both Jew and Gentile.
So, why such a vast distinction? Why the law of Moses before the death of Christ? Why the Grace of God after the death of Christ? Why Israel? Why the Church? Here is a for instance...
During Christ's Earthly ministry He delgated authority to his disciples.
Matt 10:11... And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
These disciples were given authority by Christ...but why? They were given authority by Christ to "spread" the Kingdom of Heaven message throughout all Israel. To declare the Messiahship of Christ and establish the promised Kingdom on Earth. This Christ given authority would show God preparing His people for a complete restoration on planet Earth as prophesied in the Old Testament. But Israel as a complete nation "rejected" this Kingdom message and Kingdom authority because of doubt and unbelief. Even the disciples doubted the Messiahship of Christ because of the Adamic nature. So what happened?
The Kingdom of Heaven was postponed until Israel as a nation accepts the Messiahship of Christ and His Kingdom on Earth. This event will take place in the 1000 year reign of our Lord after the Rapture of the Church. Christ's parables simply showed the rejection of Israel toward the King and Israel's rejection of the message of Christ's Earthly Kingdom that was promised to be restored in Jerusalem. This is Kingdom authority not to be mixed up with Throneroom authority! Also this is a brief glimpse of Kingdom authority that Christ delegated in His earthly ministry...but what about authority now in the Church...since the death and resurrection of Christ. In this present Grace Age?
Unlike the Kingdom teaching under Law...The New Testament after the death of our Saviour describes the fact that Christ has all power today in the Throneroom. A Christian's position in this present Grace Age is to realize Christ as the one in authority. Christ's authority is not delegated to us today like it was in the Kingdom Age. Christ's authority from the Throneroom is simply granted to believer's because of their faith and trust in Christ. This is the Christian position that's taught in the records of the New Testament...in this present Grace Age. This revelation is simply the mystery of the Church...and is not taught in the four Gospels.
Eph 2:4-6... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Because of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ we have the privilege to exercise faith in the authority of Christ. We (the Church) realize who Christ is, where Christ is presently, and what Christ is doing for all the members of His body. With the ministry of the Holy Spirit (not omnipresent in the earthly ministry of Christ to the lost sheep of Israel only) we (Jew and Gentile) both have access to the Father.
Eph 2:18...For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
It must be understood Christians have a consciousness to Christ's Divine presence in the Throneroom. It must be understood the Holy Spirit takes Christians to the Throneroom where Christ is seated with "all power and authority". Christ from the Throneroom is exalted! Christ has all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth. All the Church has to do is to live with a consciousness to Christ's Divine presence in the Throneroom. Consciousness comes through belief, trust, and acceptance of Him. Christ meets the needs of our lives, delivers us from our problems, and gives us victory over every circumstance in life when we trust in Him for everything!
If you want more power in your life get out of the earthly ministry of Christ under Law. Get into the Throneroom of the Grace of God where Christ is exalted with all power and authority! Exercise your faith in His present tense authority. Exercise your faith in His presence now. Be conscious to Him in 2010. Put your faith into the person of Christ where He reigns from the Throneroom...today present tense!
Remember, Christ is the builder of the Church... Mat. 16:18!
Remember, Christ purchased the Church with His own blood...Acts 20:28!
Remember, Christ is the head of the Church where He governs His body from the Throneroom...Eph. 1:22.
Remember, Christ gives gifts unto men from the Throneroom...Eph. 4:11!
Remember, Christ sets Apostles, Prophets, and teachers in the Church from the Throneroom...1 Cor. 12:28!
This is Throneroom authority where Christ controls all things in time and eternity...not man! Throneroom authority is not to be mixed up with Kingdom authority!
This comparison between Kingdom authority taught in the four Gospels and Throneroom authority taught in the Epistles must be understood! This is rightly dividing the Holy Scriptures. Right division is necessary! Thank God we are under Grace today where we can have the constant victory in our lives... from the authority of Christ in the Thronerom. He's exalted! He's alive taking care of our needs! The devil is subject to Christ! Glory! All things must be put under His feet!
1 Cor 15:25-27...For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet.
This is Throneroom authority! Glory to Christ! I'm glad we're not under Law living in the four Gospels but under Grace living in the New Testament Epistles. Glory! Rightly divide God's Word! Learn it! Study! God will show you!
In the four Gospels we see the parables being taught. In the Epistles we never see the parables being taught or even mentioned. During the Earthly ministry of Christ we take note that Christ and His disciples preached the Kingdom of Heaven message. In the Epistles we only see the Gospel of the death, burial, and resurrection being preached. In the four Gospels the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven are the object toward Israel. In the Epistles the mysteries of the Church are the object toward both Jew and Gentile.
So, why such a vast distinction? Why the law of Moses before the death of Christ? Why the Grace of God after the death of Christ? Why Israel? Why the Church? Here is a for instance...
During Christ's Earthly ministry He delgated authority to his disciples.
Matt 10:11... And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
These disciples were given authority by Christ...but why? They were given authority by Christ to "spread" the Kingdom of Heaven message throughout all Israel. To declare the Messiahship of Christ and establish the promised Kingdom on Earth. This Christ given authority would show God preparing His people for a complete restoration on planet Earth as prophesied in the Old Testament. But Israel as a complete nation "rejected" this Kingdom message and Kingdom authority because of doubt and unbelief. Even the disciples doubted the Messiahship of Christ because of the Adamic nature. So what happened?
The Kingdom of Heaven was postponed until Israel as a nation accepts the Messiahship of Christ and His Kingdom on Earth. This event will take place in the 1000 year reign of our Lord after the Rapture of the Church. Christ's parables simply showed the rejection of Israel toward the King and Israel's rejection of the message of Christ's Earthly Kingdom that was promised to be restored in Jerusalem. This is Kingdom authority not to be mixed up with Throneroom authority! Also this is a brief glimpse of Kingdom authority that Christ delegated in His earthly ministry...but what about authority now in the Church...since the death and resurrection of Christ. In this present Grace Age?
Unlike the Kingdom teaching under Law...The New Testament after the death of our Saviour describes the fact that Christ has all power today in the Throneroom. A Christian's position in this present Grace Age is to realize Christ as the one in authority. Christ's authority is not delegated to us today like it was in the Kingdom Age. Christ's authority from the Throneroom is simply granted to believer's because of their faith and trust in Christ. This is the Christian position that's taught in the records of the New Testament...in this present Grace Age. This revelation is simply the mystery of the Church...and is not taught in the four Gospels.
Eph 2:4-6... But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Because of the death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ we have the privilege to exercise faith in the authority of Christ. We (the Church) realize who Christ is, where Christ is presently, and what Christ is doing for all the members of His body. With the ministry of the Holy Spirit (not omnipresent in the earthly ministry of Christ to the lost sheep of Israel only) we (Jew and Gentile) both have access to the Father.
Eph 2:18...For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
It must be understood Christians have a consciousness to Christ's Divine presence in the Throneroom. It must be understood the Holy Spirit takes Christians to the Throneroom where Christ is seated with "all power and authority". Christ from the Throneroom is exalted! Christ has all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth. All the Church has to do is to live with a consciousness to Christ's Divine presence in the Throneroom. Consciousness comes through belief, trust, and acceptance of Him. Christ meets the needs of our lives, delivers us from our problems, and gives us victory over every circumstance in life when we trust in Him for everything!
If you want more power in your life get out of the earthly ministry of Christ under Law. Get into the Throneroom of the Grace of God where Christ is exalted with all power and authority! Exercise your faith in His present tense authority. Exercise your faith in His presence now. Be conscious to Him in 2010. Put your faith into the person of Christ where He reigns from the Throneroom...today present tense!
Remember, Christ is the builder of the Church... Mat. 16:18!
Remember, Christ purchased the Church with His own blood...Acts 20:28!
Remember, Christ is the head of the Church where He governs His body from the Throneroom...Eph. 1:22.
Remember, Christ gives gifts unto men from the Throneroom...Eph. 4:11!
Remember, Christ sets Apostles, Prophets, and teachers in the Church from the Throneroom...1 Cor. 12:28!
This is Throneroom authority where Christ controls all things in time and eternity...not man! Throneroom authority is not to be mixed up with Kingdom authority!
This comparison between Kingdom authority taught in the four Gospels and Throneroom authority taught in the Epistles must be understood! This is rightly dividing the Holy Scriptures. Right division is necessary! Thank God we are under Grace today where we can have the constant victory in our lives... from the authority of Christ in the Thronerom. He's exalted! He's alive taking care of our needs! The devil is subject to Christ! Glory! All things must be put under His feet!
1 Cor 15:25-27...For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet.
This is Throneroom authority! Glory to Christ! I'm glad we're not under Law living in the four Gospels but under Grace living in the New Testament Epistles. Glory! Rightly divide God's Word! Learn it! Study! God will show you!
Christ is setting the Kingdom up "Now". How? Sanctification by fire!
In Paul's letter's to the Thessolonians the subject of fire from Heaven is often overlooked!
2 Thess 1:7-10...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
As Christian's draw closer to the coming of the Lord we are able to see that Christ "sets up" His Millennial Kingdom with fire from Heaven. This fire from Heaven not only renovates the Earth and melts the elements with fervent heat...The Apostle Peter made this profound statement...
2 Peter 3:10... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
This fire from Heaven also purges the heart of the believer (today in the Church Age) from the inner conflict caused from the Adamic Nature that man is born with. The Prohet Malachi and john the baptist both forseen this sanctifying power I'm writing about.
Mal 3:2-3...But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Matt 3:11-12...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
The baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire "purifies" and "purges" the heart of a believer from all dross that causes the inner conflict to arise (in Christians) at this present time. For instance...
"Sanctifying fire from the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, will burn out...Ill will toward other men; worry about the problems of life; depression; uncertainty and instability with your everyday walk with Christ; flying off the handle in anger; wavering faith toward God; all things that try to arise from man's still existing fallen nature. Fire from the Spirit of God can rid man of carnal inclinations! Fire will burn out and remove the old nature from the heart of a Christian...completely!"
God wants "full possession" of the heart of a believer. Sanctified people are "purged" with the fire of the Spirit of God that cleanses man from the inherited carnal inclination. This inner conflict can cause many believers to fall away from Christ...unaware! This inner conflict I speak of can cause many to be unaware when Christ actually returns! This inner conflict I speak of is dangerous and deceptive! That mindset caused from the inner conflict can even cause people to fall away from the Lord of Glory before He returns!
2 Thess 2:3...for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
God's fire from Heaven purifies and takes away this inner conflict that hinders the believer from having peace, like God. Sure, men can weave back and forth and in and out of peace with God...but I said, "Peace like God". When I say peace like God I mean man can get to a place in life where he's not disturbed or upset with the problems of life. God doesn't get disturbed or upset! The sanctified man like God can have this "full certainty" that every problem and every need in his life is taken care of by the God of our Salvation. God doesn't get upset or disturbed with anything! Glory! So, likewise sanctified men don't either. This kind if peace (Peace like God has) is the blessing of the "entirely sanctified" heart.
Col 3:15...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
This kind of peace and this kind of foundation and establishment of the believer (with a sanctified heart) allows the believer to delightfully await, and look forward to the glorious return of the Lord. I'm ready for Christ's return, are you? Examine the following...Notice Paul says... to the end which means the end of this Age, or the end of your Christian life!
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
When Christ has full sway of man... this sanctified man is prepared for Christs return. Those sanctified people I speak of are also scattering this truth about entire sanctification and Christ's preparation to set up His Kingdom on Earth with fire. In the 1000 year Reign every man that rules and reigns with Christ in that Millennial Kingdom will have a sanctified heart purified from the carnal nature. Sanctified people are "preserved" in this life...as they wait for Christ's soon return to set up His Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Sanctified people look forward to Christ's coming because they are not distracted by the the problems of life, or the cares of the world, nor are they entangled in the devices of the Devil.
1 Thess 5:23...And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This preservation described in the above Scripture is a result of the Holy Ghost and fire that "purifies" the believer in Christ from "all" the dross and all the impurities that upset, disturb, or hinder the child of God from being "entirely taken over" or "preserved" until the day of Christ's coming. This Sanctification or preservation I write about and preach... is the will of God for the saints! Glory!
1 Thess 4:3-4... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Sanctification with fire is not limited to man's "heart purity and preservation" only. The fire from the Spirit of God also renovates the entire earth in preparation for Christ to set up His earthly Kingdom of Heaven in the Millennial Reign. Notice once again the fire from Christ... in the following verses...
2 Thess 1:7-10...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
2 Peter 3:10-12...But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Every man that rules and reigns with Christ for 1000 years in the blessed Millennial Kingdom will have a sanctified heart! Sanctification is necessary for man to rule and reign with Christ! Today in this present Church Age the doctrine of entire sanctification is not taught like it should be. As a result, many people will not be ready when Christ comes to Rapture His Church before the Great Tribulation, and the great and terrible dy of our Lord. Christ will come when some men are unaware or yielding to the outer conflicts of life. There's a chance they can miss Christ. A sanctified man is never unaware of his walk in the Spirit, never discontented with the problems of life, and never upset with what's going on around him. A sanctified man is always ready for the Lord's return...in season and out! A sanctified man walks with a consciousness and obedience to Christ every day of his life. A sanctified man lays his head on the pillow with Christ, sleeps with Christ in mind, and wakes up ready to serve Christ everyday...with a whole heart!
Sanctified people have "put off" the war in their members caused from the inner conflict. Sanctified people have put off the carnal heart, the carnal ambitions, the carnal interests, the carnal plans, and the carnal habits! By doing such they have crucified and put to death...the old man that causes many Christians to miss their entire sanctification and preservation in Christ! PUT OFF THE OLD MAN, LIKE TAKING OFF A COAT!
Eph 4:22...That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
You have to die to self! Sanctified men are dead men! Sanctified men don't die daily! To be honest that progressive mindset causes certain men to miss the "actual death to the Old Man". This tradgety can leave men unaware of deliverance from the carnal heart and the delightfulness of looking forward to Christ's coming with no conviction! What a dangerous place to be! Sanctified men are "dead to the old life". Dead men are sanctified men filled with the Holy Ghost and fire. The fire has burnt up all the dross of the inner conflict that still tries to rule and conflict with the divine nature. Sanctified men are blessed enough to have "put off" or "crucified" the Old man! Sanctified men are "dead" to the old things they were interested in. They are dead to the old habits and ambitions! Sanctified men are dead men and martyrs for Christ in their witness! Dead men don't show the old life".
Col 3:3...For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Old Testament prophecy teaches that Christ is like a "refiners fire."..and that He will purify...
Mal 3:2-3...But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Glory! I'm glad we're under the blessing of the New Testament where sanctification is produced by the Grace of God! I'm glad God's sanctifying fire burns up "all the dross" in the heart of Christians! We are more than saved we have the complete victory over every circumstance in life! We're contented! Christ takes away the struggle, completely! We have victory because of Jesus! The Grace of God sanctifies us from the old man, completely and entirely! Glory! This writer preaches the Holy Ghost and fire! I preach Christ's renovation with fire when He comes back to set up His Kingdom on Earth in the Millennial Reign of 1000 years. I preach sanctification with fire and renovation with fire... at ChristianBlog.com! GLORY!
All this teaching came from the theme of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians...FIRE , SANCTIFICATION, and THE PRESERVATION OF HIS SAINTS... UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS TO SET UP HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS! GLORY!
2 Thess 1:7-10...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
As Christian's draw closer to the coming of the Lord we are able to see that Christ "sets up" His Millennial Kingdom with fire from Heaven. This fire from Heaven not only renovates the Earth and melts the elements with fervent heat...The Apostle Peter made this profound statement...
2 Peter 3:10... But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
This fire from Heaven also purges the heart of the believer (today in the Church Age) from the inner conflict caused from the Adamic Nature that man is born with. The Prohet Malachi and john the baptist both forseen this sanctifying power I'm writing about.
Mal 3:2-3...But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Matt 3:11-12...he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
The baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire "purifies" and "purges" the heart of a believer from all dross that causes the inner conflict to arise (in Christians) at this present time. For instance...
"Sanctifying fire from the baptism with the Holy Ghost and fire, will burn out...Ill will toward other men; worry about the problems of life; depression; uncertainty and instability with your everyday walk with Christ; flying off the handle in anger; wavering faith toward God; all things that try to arise from man's still existing fallen nature. Fire from the Spirit of God can rid man of carnal inclinations! Fire will burn out and remove the old nature from the heart of a Christian...completely!"
God wants "full possession" of the heart of a believer. Sanctified people are "purged" with the fire of the Spirit of God that cleanses man from the inherited carnal inclination. This inner conflict can cause many believers to fall away from Christ...unaware! This inner conflict I speak of can cause many to be unaware when Christ actually returns! This inner conflict I speak of is dangerous and deceptive! That mindset caused from the inner conflict can even cause people to fall away from the Lord of Glory before He returns!
2 Thess 2:3...for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
God's fire from Heaven purifies and takes away this inner conflict that hinders the believer from having peace, like God. Sure, men can weave back and forth and in and out of peace with God...but I said, "Peace like God". When I say peace like God I mean man can get to a place in life where he's not disturbed or upset with the problems of life. God doesn't get disturbed or upset! The sanctified man like God can have this "full certainty" that every problem and every need in his life is taken care of by the God of our Salvation. God doesn't get upset or disturbed with anything! Glory! So, likewise sanctified men don't either. This kind if peace (Peace like God has) is the blessing of the "entirely sanctified" heart.
Col 3:15...And let the peace of God rule in your hearts,
This kind of peace and this kind of foundation and establishment of the believer (with a sanctified heart) allows the believer to delightfully await, and look forward to the glorious return of the Lord. I'm ready for Christ's return, are you? Examine the following...Notice Paul says... to the end which means the end of this Age, or the end of your Christian life!
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
When Christ has full sway of man... this sanctified man is prepared for Christs return. Those sanctified people I speak of are also scattering this truth about entire sanctification and Christ's preparation to set up His Kingdom on Earth with fire. In the 1000 year Reign every man that rules and reigns with Christ in that Millennial Kingdom will have a sanctified heart purified from the carnal nature. Sanctified people are "preserved" in this life...as they wait for Christ's soon return to set up His Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. Sanctified people look forward to Christ's coming because they are not distracted by the the problems of life, or the cares of the world, nor are they entangled in the devices of the Devil.
1 Thess 5:23...And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This preservation described in the above Scripture is a result of the Holy Ghost and fire that "purifies" the believer in Christ from "all" the dross and all the impurities that upset, disturb, or hinder the child of God from being "entirely taken over" or "preserved" until the day of Christ's coming. This Sanctification or preservation I write about and preach... is the will of God for the saints! Glory!
1 Thess 4:3-4... For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
Sanctification with fire is not limited to man's "heart purity and preservation" only. The fire from the Spirit of God also renovates the entire earth in preparation for Christ to set up His earthly Kingdom of Heaven in the Millennial Reign. Notice once again the fire from Christ... in the following verses...
2 Thess 1:7-10...when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
2 Peter 3:10-12...But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
Every man that rules and reigns with Christ for 1000 years in the blessed Millennial Kingdom will have a sanctified heart! Sanctification is necessary for man to rule and reign with Christ! Today in this present Church Age the doctrine of entire sanctification is not taught like it should be. As a result, many people will not be ready when Christ comes to Rapture His Church before the Great Tribulation, and the great and terrible dy of our Lord. Christ will come when some men are unaware or yielding to the outer conflicts of life. There's a chance they can miss Christ. A sanctified man is never unaware of his walk in the Spirit, never discontented with the problems of life, and never upset with what's going on around him. A sanctified man is always ready for the Lord's return...in season and out! A sanctified man walks with a consciousness and obedience to Christ every day of his life. A sanctified man lays his head on the pillow with Christ, sleeps with Christ in mind, and wakes up ready to serve Christ everyday...with a whole heart!
Sanctified people have "put off" the war in their members caused from the inner conflict. Sanctified people have put off the carnal heart, the carnal ambitions, the carnal interests, the carnal plans, and the carnal habits! By doing such they have crucified and put to death...the old man that causes many Christians to miss their entire sanctification and preservation in Christ! PUT OFF THE OLD MAN, LIKE TAKING OFF A COAT!
Eph 4:22...That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
You have to die to self! Sanctified men are dead men! Sanctified men don't die daily! To be honest that progressive mindset causes certain men to miss the "actual death to the Old Man". This tradgety can leave men unaware of deliverance from the carnal heart and the delightfulness of looking forward to Christ's coming with no conviction! What a dangerous place to be! Sanctified men are "dead to the old life". Dead men are sanctified men filled with the Holy Ghost and fire. The fire has burnt up all the dross of the inner conflict that still tries to rule and conflict with the divine nature. Sanctified men are blessed enough to have "put off" or "crucified" the Old man! Sanctified men are "dead" to the old things they were interested in. They are dead to the old habits and ambitions! Sanctified men are dead men and martyrs for Christ in their witness! Dead men don't show the old life".
Col 3:3...For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
Old Testament prophecy teaches that Christ is like a "refiners fire."..and that He will purify...
Mal 3:2-3...But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifer of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Glory! I'm glad we're under the blessing of the New Testament where sanctification is produced by the Grace of God! I'm glad God's sanctifying fire burns up "all the dross" in the heart of Christians! We are more than saved we have the complete victory over every circumstance in life! We're contented! Christ takes away the struggle, completely! We have victory because of Jesus! The Grace of God sanctifies us from the old man, completely and entirely! Glory! This writer preaches the Holy Ghost and fire! I preach Christ's renovation with fire when He comes back to set up His Kingdom on Earth in the Millennial Reign of 1000 years. I preach sanctification with fire and renovation with fire... at ChristianBlog.com! GLORY!
All this teaching came from the theme of Paul's letter to the Thessalonians...FIRE , SANCTIFICATION, and THE PRESERVATION OF HIS SAINTS... UNTIL CHRIST RETURNS TO SET UP HIS MILLENNIAL KINGDOM ON EARTH FOR 1000 YEARS! GLORY!
The "promised land" in Israel...where Christ's earthly Kingdom will begin
In the Garden of Eden Heaven was on Earth and man had dominion over every animal, every plant, and natural law. It was a perfect earth and man lived in perfect harmony with God. The Kingdom of Heaven didn't need to be restored until Adam violated the Law of God and lost his dominion over the Earth.
In order to restore this perfect Kingdom of Heaven the Old Testament teaches that the land of Israel was first promised to the Hebrew nation. God gave the land of Canaan to the Hebrew nation...not to the Gentile! Abraham was the father of the Hebrew nation. Gen. 14:13. Here is God's promise of the land to Abraham.
Gen 15:7...And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Gen 15:18...In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gentiles today are heirs to this promise because of Christ the seed of Abraham. But before Christ died, the Gentile had no claim to this land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God only promised this land to Abraham because Adam had lost the original Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Now, God was going to restore the land and use the Hebrew nation as His vehicle to restore such Kingdom! God is the builder of the Kingdom...not man! God's promise of the land to Abraham to restore His Kingdom was 430 years before the Law of Moses was given to Israel on Mount Sinai. The Bible calls this land of Canaan a good land that flowed with milk and honey.
Lev 20:24...But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.
Deut 1:8...Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
Ex 6:4...And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers
The above verses are not to be spiritualized or taught in a sense that we in the Church today (Jews and Gentile) are Spiritual Israel! If the above verses are misapplied to the Church today Israel is robbed of its promises and the student of God's Word has a misconception of what the Bible actually teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven! False teachings have caused much confusion in the religious world and have plagued the truth of God's Word for hundreds of centuries!
Israel was the inheritor of the land of Canaan! The Law of Moses was given to Israel prior to inheriting or possessing this land. In fact, Abraham recieved the Promise of the land 430 years before the Law of Moses was given on Mt. Sinai. Then it was another 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness before they entered Canaan to possess the land!
Deut 11:7-12...But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did. Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
When "Spiritual Israel" is taken out of the picture... verses like the following will not be overlooked! Here's an unusual passage concerning this promised land given to Israel. In the Law of Moses we read the following words...
Ex 20:12...Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
The promised land was promised to Israel never to the Gentiles. The promised land was honored in the commandments and all of Isreal was aware of such teaching. What would the Gentile world know about such teaching? The language of the Old Testament records also speak of the land in Israel sinning. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4 we see an illustration of Israel's violation to God's law which in turn causes the land to sin:
Deut 24:1-4... When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
This expression of the land sinning is found many times in the Old Testament records. For example, "thou shalt not cause the land to sin" or "their land was filled with sin" Jeremiah 51:5 which meant Israel had violated the Law of Moses. For that very reason, Israel also had to be in perfect obedience to the Law of God in order to have peace in their land with other nations.
Lev 26:3-6...If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
To stop neighboring nations from rebelling against Israel and to cause Israel's crops to prosper God required perfect obedience to the Law of Moses.
Josh 1:7-8...Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success
Notice the language, Israel was instructed to walk in His statutes, keep the commandments, and do them! Israel had to obey all the commandments in order to prosper and be successful. It's important to understand that Israel's obedience to God under the Law brought prosperity, and Israel could not prosper unless they obeyed "all the commandments". There are 613 laws in the Law of Moses, and they had to obey "all the laws" to prosper. Unfortunately because of the Adamic nature Israel was not able to keep Divine Law...therefore without obedience to the Law of God Israel could not recognize Christ as the promised Messiah.
If Israel would have kept the Law of Moses they would have "accepted" Christ when He came the first time. If Israel would have kept the Law of Moses they would have prospered and had success according to Josh. 1:7. If Israel would have kept the Law they would have had peace with the all the surrounding nations. No more Wars! No more captivities! No more being scattered! No more curse! They would be blessed among all nations!
Many prophecies say that Israel would reject Christ. There are no prophecies that say Israel would accept Him! If Israel would have kept the Law they would have accepted the Kingdom message preached by John the Baptist and the King before Christ went to the Cross. The Kingdom of Heaven would have been restored on Earth in the promised land and Christ would be ruling right now from the Throne of His father David in Jerusalem! In the promised land where God will bring the latter rains upon Israel's crops the Kingdom of Heaven will be restored first, in Jerusalem. In that promised and restored Kingdom the land will once again flow with milk and honey like it did in the Garden of Eden! There are (2) Kingdoms taught within this message...
Both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were presented to Israel simultaneously. The simple reason for this is that both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were to be restored by Christ. Christ brings the Kingdom of God (to restore the divine nature), and Christ brings the Kingdom of Heaven (to restore Heaven on Earth). Neither Kingdom is the work of man! Neither Kingdom is the effort of mans intellect, nor the effort of mans will, nor the effort of some physical ceremony man goes through. Both Kingdoms are strictly, the work of God.
It is important to understand that until Jesus Christ comes back, the earth will never be ruled by the righteous. Nor will man have dominion over all the Earth like Adam had in the Garden until that earthly reign. Only when Jesus returns with all the saints to reign on earth will God and his saints enjoy this peaceable Kingdom as it was in the Garden of Eden.
Zech 14:4-5...And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints
Only then will the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of our Christ and our God when He reigns on the earth.
Rev 11:...And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
In order to restore this perfect Kingdom of Heaven the Old Testament teaches that the land of Israel was first promised to the Hebrew nation. God gave the land of Canaan to the Hebrew nation...not to the Gentile! Abraham was the father of the Hebrew nation. Gen. 14:13. Here is God's promise of the land to Abraham.
Gen 15:7...And he said unto him, I am the LORD that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land to inherit it.
Gen 15:18...In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:
Gentiles today are heirs to this promise because of Christ the seed of Abraham. But before Christ died, the Gentile had no claim to this land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God only promised this land to Abraham because Adam had lost the original Kingdom of Heaven on earth. Now, God was going to restore the land and use the Hebrew nation as His vehicle to restore such Kingdom! God is the builder of the Kingdom...not man! God's promise of the land to Abraham to restore His Kingdom was 430 years before the Law of Moses was given to Israel on Mount Sinai. The Bible calls this land of Canaan a good land that flowed with milk and honey.
Lev 20:24...But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people.
Deut 1:8...Behold, I have set the land before you: go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give unto them and to their seed after them.
Ex 6:4...And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers
The above verses are not to be spiritualized or taught in a sense that we in the Church today (Jews and Gentile) are Spiritual Israel! If the above verses are misapplied to the Church today Israel is robbed of its promises and the student of God's Word has a misconception of what the Bible actually teaches about the Kingdom of Heaven! False teachings have caused much confusion in the religious world and have plagued the truth of God's Word for hundreds of centuries!
Israel was the inheritor of the land of Canaan! The Law of Moses was given to Israel prior to inheriting or possessing this land. In fact, Abraham recieved the Promise of the land 430 years before the Law of Moses was given on Mt. Sinai. Then it was another 40 years Israel wandered in the wilderness before they entered Canaan to possess the land!
Deut 11:7-12...But your eyes have seen all the great acts of the LORD which he did. Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, that ye may be strong, and go in and possess the land, whither ye go to possess it; And that ye may prolong your days in the land, which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land that floweth with milk and honey. For the land, whither thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs: But the land, whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
When "Spiritual Israel" is taken out of the picture... verses like the following will not be overlooked! Here's an unusual passage concerning this promised land given to Israel. In the Law of Moses we read the following words...
Ex 20:12...Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
The promised land was promised to Israel never to the Gentiles. The promised land was honored in the commandments and all of Isreal was aware of such teaching. What would the Gentile world know about such teaching? The language of the Old Testament records also speak of the land in Israel sinning. In Deuteronomy 24:1-4 we see an illustration of Israel's violation to God's law which in turn causes the land to sin:
Deut 24:1-4... When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man's wife. And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.
This expression of the land sinning is found many times in the Old Testament records. For example, "thou shalt not cause the land to sin" or "their land was filled with sin" Jeremiah 51:5 which meant Israel had violated the Law of Moses. For that very reason, Israel also had to be in perfect obedience to the Law of God in order to have peace in their land with other nations.
Lev 26:3-6...If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them; Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give peace in the land and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid: and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
To stop neighboring nations from rebelling against Israel and to cause Israel's crops to prosper God required perfect obedience to the Law of Moses.
Josh 1:7-8...Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success
Notice the language, Israel was instructed to walk in His statutes, keep the commandments, and do them! Israel had to obey all the commandments in order to prosper and be successful. It's important to understand that Israel's obedience to God under the Law brought prosperity, and Israel could not prosper unless they obeyed "all the commandments". There are 613 laws in the Law of Moses, and they had to obey "all the laws" to prosper. Unfortunately because of the Adamic nature Israel was not able to keep Divine Law...therefore without obedience to the Law of God Israel could not recognize Christ as the promised Messiah.
If Israel would have kept the Law of Moses they would have "accepted" Christ when He came the first time. If Israel would have kept the Law of Moses they would have prospered and had success according to Josh. 1:7. If Israel would have kept the Law they would have had peace with the all the surrounding nations. No more Wars! No more captivities! No more being scattered! No more curse! They would be blessed among all nations!
Many prophecies say that Israel would reject Christ. There are no prophecies that say Israel would accept Him! If Israel would have kept the Law they would have accepted the Kingdom message preached by John the Baptist and the King before Christ went to the Cross. The Kingdom of Heaven would have been restored on Earth in the promised land and Christ would be ruling right now from the Throne of His father David in Jerusalem! In the promised land where God will bring the latter rains upon Israel's crops the Kingdom of Heaven will be restored first, in Jerusalem. In that promised and restored Kingdom the land will once again flow with milk and honey like it did in the Garden of Eden! There are (2) Kingdoms taught within this message...
Both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were presented to Israel simultaneously. The simple reason for this is that both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven were to be restored by Christ. Christ brings the Kingdom of God (to restore the divine nature), and Christ brings the Kingdom of Heaven (to restore Heaven on Earth). Neither Kingdom is the work of man! Neither Kingdom is the effort of mans intellect, nor the effort of mans will, nor the effort of some physical ceremony man goes through. Both Kingdoms are strictly, the work of God.
It is important to understand that until Jesus Christ comes back, the earth will never be ruled by the righteous. Nor will man have dominion over all the Earth like Adam had in the Garden until that earthly reign. Only when Jesus returns with all the saints to reign on earth will God and his saints enjoy this peaceable Kingdom as it was in the Garden of Eden.
Zech 14:4-5...And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.
1 Thess 3:13...To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints
Only then will the Kingdoms of the world become the Kingdoms of our Christ and our God when He reigns on the earth.
Rev 11:...And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
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