Has God abandoned Israel? Has the Church “replaced” Israel? What does the Bible say?
In this updated briefing package, Chuck Missler explores the Biblical origins, roles, and destinies of Israel and the Church. As we watch the world events, it is clear that Israel is following her prophetic scenario, and a new chapter is about to be written—and there may be a big surprise on our near horizon!
Israel and the ChurchSession 1: “My People Israel”
Introduction: Origin, History, Destiny
• History – BC: Pattern of failures – AD: Betrayals of the Chosen • The Coming Kingdom• Modern Myths 1) Replacement Theology 2) Primary Source of the Problems in the Middle East [The 1400-Year War?]
Divisions of Theology
Bibliology The BibleTheology Proper Attributes of God Christology Lord Jesus ChristPneumatology Holy SpiritAngelology Angels, fallen and unfallenAnthropology ManSoteriology SalvationEcclesiology The ChurchEschatology End-Times; Last Things
[Notice what’s missing? 5/6th of the Bible!]
Israelology Israel as God’s Instrument
Israel and the Church: The Prodigal Heirs
• Distinctions: Different Origins, Missions, Destinies.• The “70 Weeks” deal specifically with Israel.• Paul’s trichotomy: Jews, Gentiles, Church.• Paul’s definitive statement of Christian doctrine: Israel’s: Past, Present, Future (Rom 9, 10, 11).• Purpose, Tragedy, and Triumph of all history (Mt 23:37-39). From Augustine to Auschwitz!
BC History: A Pattern of Failures
• Stephen’sSummaryofHistory(Acts7): – Their unresponsive history—yet God’s persistent purpose; – Characterized by rejection the first time, then acceptance the second time.
• Abraham: – A 25-year lapse in responding to God’s call! – He didn’t leave until his father died…
• Joseph: – Joseph was hated by his brothers. – It was on a 2nd visit that he was recognized (Acts 7:13). – “The Stone which the builders rejected has become the head stone of the corner.”
• Moses – Was rejected the 1st time (Acts 7:25-28). – Was accepted the 2nd time (Acts 7:35,36).
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
Acts 7:52
Israel’s national trait: Deadly hostility to the messengers of God. Stephen’s presentation was interrupted and ended in martyrdom…He apparently was leading to the same pattern: They would accept their Messiah on the 2nd time…
• Jesus’OwnSummary: – The Vineyard Owner (Isa 5, Mk 12; Lk 20). – The husbandmen beat and killed the servants sent—they even killed the Son and heir.
– “The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner” (Mk 12:10; Lk 20:17).
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Jesus’ Summary (Matthew 23:37-39)
1) The Purpose of all history2) The Tragedy of all history3) The Triumph of all history
The Purpose of All History
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings…
Matthew 23:37The Tragedy of All History
...and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Matthew 23:37b, 38The Triumph of All History
For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Matthew 23:39
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me earnestly.
Hosea 5:15
AD History: Betrayals of the Chosen
• The Fall of Jerusalem (and the Temple) 70 a.d.: – The Council of Yamnia (redefinition of Judaism) • Astonishing Anti-Semitism of the Early Church: – “Replacement Theology” Heresy – Augustine to Auschwitz: saga of defamation• Nationhood: – Saga of libels and global misrepresentations
Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy Place.
Daniel 9:24The 69 Weeks
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the King shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
Daniel 9:25
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The Interval
And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
Daniel 9:26
“...cut off”: tr;K’ karat, to cut off, eliminate, kill, execute. “...not for Himself”: nothingness: rejection, substitu-tion. An interval, or gap, clearly required by v. 26: events described are after the 69th and prior to the 70th week.
The 70th Week
Israel’s Destiny
• Ezekiel 38 & 39 • Psalm 83• The Davidic Kingdom
Four Prerequisites1) The Nation reestablished as a sovereign state…2) A nation militarily secure?3) A nation at apparent peace in the Middle East?4) A nation of restored material fortunes?
Current Preparatory Steps?
• The Arab-Israeli conflict• The Iranian nuclear emergence• The oil discoveries in the region (over $1 trillion of energy discoveries recently!)• …all are but preparatory steps in advance of the big show.• But why no mention of Israel’s immediate neighbors?
In Israel’s recent history, the invading forces have been its Islamic neighbors—Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the displaced Arab refugees referred to as the “Palestinians.”
So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding[ly] great army.
Ezekiel 37:10Four steps in the “Dry Bones” vision:1) They were scattered.2) They came together, with flesh and skin (still represented as “dead” bodies).3) They came to life.4) They become an daom. me`od “exceedingly” (adverb!) great army.
A Surprise Coming?
Is there an overlooked event that may precede the ill-fated invasion attempt featured in Ezekiel 38 and 39?
Psalm 83: The Forthcoming Scenario?
1] <A Song or Psalm of Asaph.> Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
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2] For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
This is the last psalm of the Asaph series (Ps 50, 71-83) and a rather timely one. Whoever these enemies are here, they hate God and are “lifting their head.”
3] They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Who are [the, your, His] “Hidden ones”? ^yn< )Wpc.-l[; “against His hidden treasured ones.”
4] They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5] For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
The very commitment of Islam: “to wipe Israel off the face of the map!” This is the primary basis of their confederation.
6] The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes;
7] Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;
8] Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.
“...tabernacles of Edom”: Edomites were the traditional enemies of Israel. The “tents of Edom” = Palestinian refugees.
Edomite HistoryAscent into the Land of Israel officially began in 586 b.c., with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylo-nians. Hebron, 19 mi S of Jerusalem, began their new frontier. At 3400 ft. above sea level, established 1500 years earlier, unlike Jerusalem it was left intact as prime real estate.
Migration into “Idumea”
The nomadic Nabateans migrated out of Arabia into Edom and drove the Edomites westward. Directly west of Edom were established routes of passage. The land there was historically more prosperous and resource-ful than the land of Edom: infertile deserts and jagged mountains. The land bore a family association: Esau with Jacob and was vacated due to the Jews being exported into captivity.
“...and the Ishmaelites”: An embittered Esau spite-fully marries a daughter of Ishmael named Mahalath, continuing the hb’yae ~l’A[ olam ebah, “the ancient hatred” (Ezek 25:15; 35:5).
“...Moab”: A descendant of Lot: Palestinian refugees and Central Jordan.
“...the Hagarenes”: The descendants of Hagar were Egyptians.
“...Gebal”: Idumeans; Southeast of the Dead Sea.
Gebal
Heb: gebhal; a line or natural boundary, as a mountain range: two possibilities: 1) A tract in the land of Edom southeast of the Dead Sea; now called Djebal. Called Gobolitis by Josephus (Ant., II, i, 2) or 2) A Phoenician city, not far from the sea coast, to the north of Beirut called by the Greeks Byblos. Now Jibeil (Ezek 27:9). Also mentioned in the Amarna tablets. The position of Gebal between the “Hagarenes” and “Ammon” favors them being Idumeans.
“...and Ammon”: Palestinian refugees and Northern Jordanians. (The capital of Jordan is Amman.)
“...and Amalek”: Arabs south of Israel. (Agag was the king of the Amalekites; also, Haman of Esther.)
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“...the Philistines”: Palestinian Refugees and the Hamas of the Gaza Strip.
“...with the inhabitants of Tyre”: Hezbollah and South-ern Lebanese.
“...Assur also”: Assyria: Today, Syria and N. Iraq.
“...holpen”: [;Arz> zerowa “been an arm to.”
“...the children of Lot”: “The children of Lot” would be Moab and Ammon.
9] Do unto them as unto the Midianites; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the brook of Kison:
10] Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
The Psalmist petitions God to undertake the destruc-tion of their enemies as He did in the events of the past…
“...the Midianites”: An Arabian tribe descended from Midian, 4th son of Abraham by Keturah. They inhabited principally the desert north of the peninsula of Arabia (Gen 25:2 1 Chr 1:32).
“...Sisera”: Captain of the host of Jabin, the Canaanite king who reigned in Hazor; routed by the army of Barak on the plain of Esdraelon; killed by Jael (Judg 4 & 5).
“...Endor”: On the northern slope of Little Hermon, about 7 miles from Jezreel; The place in the territory of Issachar near the scene of the great victory gained by Deborah and Barak over Sisera and Jabin (where Saul resorted to consult the witch on the eve of his fatal engagement with the Philistines).
11] Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
12] Who said, Let us take to ourselves the houses of God in possession.
Oreb and Zeeb were the prince generals of Midian; Ze-bah and Zalmunna were their kings. They were defeated by Gideon: the men of Ephraim intercepted the Midi-anites and slew with great slaughter (Judg 7:25; 8:3).
13] O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind.
14] As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire;
15] So persecute them with thy tempest, and make them afraid with thy storm.
16] Fill their faces with shame; that they may seek thy name, O LORD.
17] Let them be confounded and troubled for ever; yea, let them be put to shame, and perish:
18] That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.
“JEHOVAH”: hw”hoy> YHWH, In contrast to Al-Ilah, the Moon God…
Judgment Upon the Nations (Ezek 25-32)
Ammon, Moab, Edom, Philistia, Tyre, Sidon, Egypt = all are Islamic!
The Judgment against Edom is mentioned in more Old Testament books than it is against any other foreign nation: Isa 11:14; 34:5-17; 63:1-6; Jer 9:25-26; 25:17-26; 49:7-22; Lam 4:21-22; Ezek 25:12-14; 35:15; Joel 3:19; Amos 1:11-12; 9:11-12; Obadiah 1:1-21; Mal 1:4.
The Enemies
At the present time Israel is surrounded by immediate neighbors committed to “wiping them off the map.” It is misleading to represent them as “Arabs”: they are Muslims. It would appear that a prerequisite victory
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for Israel will set the stage for the subsequent ill-fated attempt of the “outer ring” nations seeking spoils…
They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Psalm 83:3
Who are [your, His] “Hidden ones”? ^yn<)Wpc.-l[; “against His hidden treasured ones.” (Thus, a possible post-Harpazo reference?)
Unconditional Covenants
1)TheAbrahamicCovenant Gen 12 – Challenged by the world2)TheLandCovenant Gen 15 – Challenged by Islam3)TheDavidicCovenant 2 Sam 7 – Challenged by the Church4)TheEverlastingCovenant Jer 31:31
The Millennium
• PromisedtoDavid:2 Sam 7:12-17; 23:5; under oath: Ps 89:34-37.• PredictedinthePsalmsandtheProphets:Ps 2; 45; 110; Isa 2:1-5; 4:1-6; 11:1-9; 12:1-6; 30:18-26; 35:1-10; 60, 61:3-62; 66; Jer 23:3-8; 32:37-44; Ezek 40-48; Dan 2:44-45; 7:13-14; 12:2-3; Mic 4:1-8; Zech 12:10-14:21.• PromisedtoMary:Luke 1:32; Micah 5:2; Isa 9:6, 7; Dan 2:44; • ReaffirmedtoApostles:Luke 22:29-30.• Lord’sPrayer: “Thy Kingdom come”: Mt 6:10, 13; Acts 1:6; Ps 45, 46, 47, 48.• Rule:Psalm 2; 110. “Rod of Iron” (Rev 12:5; 19:15); “Every knee will bow” (Phil 2:6-11).• Note:The Millennial Temple only open on Shabbat and the New Moons (Ezek 46:1).
The Return of Christ to Rule
• 1,845 references in the Old Testament – 17 books give prominence to the event• 318 references in the New Testament – 216 chapters – 23 of 27 books give prominence to the event For every prophecy of Christ’s 1st Coming there are 8 of His 2nd Coming!
Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream: Daniel 2
And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
Daniel 2:44,45Modern Myths
1) “Replacement Theology” Heresy2) “Israel is the Primary Source of Unrest in the Middle East”
Replacement Theology Heresy: A non-Biblical outgrowth of anti-Semitism in the early church that denies Israel’s place in God’s redemptive program (this also be further dealt with in our next session).
“Israel is thePrimary Source ofUnrest in theMiddleEast”: Iran/Iraq War: 8 years; over 1 million deaths; the 1400-Year War, et al.
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1400-Year War
“The most dominant threat on the near horizon.” Nobody in the Pentagon will talk openly about it. No-body in the White House knows what to do. As many as eight key Islamic countries are presently heading toward a bloody “new” war—with each other—that’s been fourteen centuries in the making! To understand the undercurrents within the House of Islam one needs to understand that these two Houses hate each other (almost) as much as they hate the Jews.
But it’s only now that this pressure has found its ulti-mate release—with Iran driving a new Shia uprising right in the middle of the most dangerous place on Earth—the oil-soaked Middle East.
But no matter how it starts, Saudi Arabia will be a key focus: Not only is Saudi Arabia home to Mecca, Islam’s holiest place... but it’s also home to the corrupt and U.S.-allied Royal House of Saud, considered an insult to all Islam. Iran is getting ready to assert its place in the world. (Think Japan or Germany in the 1930s.) The threat is there, it’s large, and it’s not going away…
Your Challenge
“We are being plunged into a period of time about which the Bible says more than it does about any other period of time in history . . . including the time that Jesus walked the shores of Galilee or climbed the mountains of Judea.”
Two Basic Challenges
1)FindoutwhattheBiblesays:Not to be delegated to others (Mt 5:17). Take advantage of our unique envi-ronment of Today (Advanced Information Appliances, Internet Resources, role of small groups, etc.).2)Find out what is really going on: “What is truth?” The Age of Deceit…
Your Action Plan?
What is God calling YOU to do? “Raise the bar” on your personal walk with Him. Commit to a systematic pro-gram to really learn your Bible. Join (or start) a weekly Small Study Group. Respond to His calling…NOW!
Israel and the ChurchSession 2: “My Body, The Church”
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:13-18
“...Peter...the rock”: “Petros”: Part of a rock, that which is hewn out of a rock, a stone. “Petra”: the rock out of which a stone is hewn (Mt 7:24, 25).Who is the Rock? (1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; 1 Cor 10:4; 1 Pet 2:4-7).
The first use of the word “church” occurs in Mt 16:18: “I will build my church.”
“...I” = Christ alone.
“...will”: Prophetic aspect. It did not exist before, or when Christ was speaking. (It is not expressly included in the scope of the Seventy Weeks of Daniel, et al.)
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“...build”: A process. “Being built” is the literal transla-tion of Eph 2:20; Heb 3:6.
“...My”: The blessed reality, “purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28; cf. Eph 5:25).
“...church”: Establishing a distinction which exists between this heavenly company and every other clas-sification of human beings. Loved to an infinite degree (Jn 13:1; Eph 2:7; 5:25).
Promises to Israel
Fivefold covenants with Israel are everlasting in every respect: 1) a national entity Jer 31:36 2) a land in perpetuity Gen 13:15 3) a throne 2 Sam 7:16; Ps 89:36 4) a King Jer 33:21 5) a kingdom 2 Sam 7:14
Aspects in Common
1) co-sharers in the purpose of His incarnation; 2) as the subjects of His ministry; 3) as the objects of His death and resurrections; 4) as the beneficiaries of His second advent; 5) as related to Him in His Kingdom reign.
Distinctions
1) Extent of revelation: 4/5 vs. 1/5.2) Divine purpose: every covenant, promise, and provi- sion of Israel is earthly; every promise for the Church is for a heavenly reality.3) Seed of Abraham: two figures—the dust of the earth (Gen 13:16) and the stars (Gen 15:5; cf. Heb 11:12).
A vital distinction is drawn between Israel after the flesh and that portion of Israel within Israel who are saved. These are styled “the Israel of God” (Gal 6:16)
and the same distinction appears in the statement that “they are not all Israel which are of Israel” (Rom 9:6).
Origin of the Church
• Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost) in Acts 2 – Peter’s use of Joel 2• Uniqueness – John the Baptist closes the OT (Mt 11:13; Lk 16:16) – The sealing role of the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:13; 4:30)
Cracks in the Foundation?
FruitsofAnti-SemitismintheEarlyChurch:• Amillennialism: a by-product of the allegorical teachings of Origin and the subsequent eschatology of Augustine.• “Replacement Theology”: The view that the prom- ises, covenants and blessings ascribed to Israel in the Bible have been taken away from the Jews and given to the Church, which has now superseded them. This heresy was a by-product of the allegori- cal teachings of Origin and the subsequent amillen- nial eschatology of Augustine.
Anti-Semitism of the Early Church
• IgnatiusofAntioch(ca50-117a.d.): Taught that those who partake of the Passover are partakers with those who killed Jesus.• JustinMartyr(100-106a.d.):Claimed God’s covenant with Israel was no longer valid and that the Gentiles had replaced the Jews.• Irenaeus(ca130-202a.d.):Declared the Jews were disinherited from the grace of God.• Tertullian (ca 155-230 a.d.): Blamed the Jews for the death of Jesus and argued they had been re- jected by God.• Origen(185-254a.d.):He was responsible for much anti-Semitism, all of which was based on his asser- tion that the Jews were responsible for killing Jesus.
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• TheCouncilofElvira(305a.d.inSpain):Pro- hibited Christians from sharing a meal with a Jew, marrying a Jew, blessing a Jew or observing the Sabbath.• TheCouncilofNicea(325a.d.inTurkey): Changed the celebration of the Resurrection from the Jewish Feast of First Fruits to “Easter” in an at- tempt to disassociate it from Jewish feasts. The Council stated: “For it is unbecoming beyond mea- sure that on this holiest of festivals we should follow the customs of the Jews. Henceforth let us have noth- ing in common with this odious people...”• Eusebius(ca275-339a.d.):Taught that the promises of Scripture were meant for the Gentiles and the curses were meant for the Jews. Asserted that the Church was the “true Israel.”• Hilary of Poitiers (a.d. 291-371): wrote: “Jews are a perverse people accursed by God forever.” • GregoryofNyssa(died394a.d.),BishopofCap- padocia:“...the Jews are a brood of vipers, haters of goodness...” • St.Jerome(347-407a.d.): describes the Jews as “... serpents, wearing the image of Judas, their psalms and prayers are the braying of donkeys.” • St.Augustine(354-430a.d.):Asserted that the Jews deserved death but were destined to wander the earth to witness the victory of the Church over the synagogue.
Quartrodecimens (Latin for “Fourteens”) If a believer attempted to observe the Resurrection based on Passover on the 14th of Nisan, he was excom-unicated! (Attempts to adopt a date for Easter which would even avoid the Biblical date resulted in years of confusion and conflict among various denominations…)
Anti-Semitism Continued
During the Middle Ages, “Passion Plays” abounded and they were used to cultivate hatred toward the Jewish
people. In 1478, Pope Sixtus IV granted the monarchs of Spain—Ferdinand and Isabella—the right to estab-lish a special inquisition in Spain to deal with baptized Jews who were suspected of remaining faithful to Ju-daism. Thousands were burned at the stake by order of the Spanish Inquisition.
In 1492, King Ferdinand decided that all Spanish Jews should be banned from Spain. It was feared that Jews were a danger to Christianity. Approximately 150,000 Jews were forced to leave Spain. The Edict of Expulsion expired on the 9th of Av, August 3, 1492. On August 3, boarding before midnight, sailing before sunrise, Columbus and his crew set out on their famous voyage. (They were Jewish.)
Seven Epistles by the Messiah Himself
Why these seven? Why not Jerusalem? Antioch? Rome? Lystra? Iconium? et al… [“He that hath an ear…” 7X elsewhere] Levels of application:
1) Local: actual churches. Researched archaeologically by Sir Wm. Ramsey...2) Admonitory: “..churches”: all of them. Each message applies to each, to some extent.3) Homiletic: “He that hath an ear...” Applies to us.4) Prophetic. In their particular order, they lay out the history of the church. [They fill the gap implied in Daniel 9:26, and between Rev 12:5 and 6, etc.]
Seven Design Elements in Each Letter1) Name of the Church2) Title of Christ Chosen3) Commendation4) Concern5) Exhortation6) Promise to the Overcomer7) “He that hath an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
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Unconditional Covenants
TheAbrahamicCovenant Gen 12 – Challenged by the worldTheLandCovenant Gen 15 – Challenged by IslamTheDavidicCovenant 2 Sam 7 – Challenged by the ChurchTheEverlastingCovenant Jer 31:31
The Davidic Covenant
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10
Nothing in heaven or on earth is more certain. Every Christmas we are reminded…Yet, a Child born, and a Son given, are not synonymous!
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to
establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
Isaiah 9:6,7New Testament Confirmations
• Annunciation Luke 1:31-33• Ascension Acts 1:6-9• Council of Jerusalem Acts 15:15-18• Kingdom Parables Matthew 13• Millennium Revelation 20
Annunciation (Luke 1:31-33)
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Luke 1:31-33Ascension (Acts 1:6-9)
When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Acts 1:6,7
Council of Jerusalem (Acts 15:15-18)
And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the Tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles,
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upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Acts 15:15-18Kingdom Parables (Matthew 13)
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.
Matthew 13:11
“...mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”: This term in the New Testament referred to truths not revealed in the Old Testament but which now were made known to those instructed. More accurately translated “kingdom from heaven.”
The Millennium
• PromisedtoDavid:2 Sam 7:12-17; 23:5; under oath: Ps 89:34-37.• PredictedinthePsalmsandtheProphets:Ps 2; 45; 110; Isa 2:1-5; 4:1-6; 11:1-9; 12:1-6; 30:18-26; 35:1-10; 60, 61:3-62; 66; Jer 23:3-8; 32:37-44; Eze 40-48; Dan 2:44-45; 7:13-14; 12:2-3; Mic 4:1-8; Zech 12:10-14:21.• PromisedtoMary:Luke 1:32; Micah 5:2; Isa 9:6, 7; Dan 2:44; • Reaffirmedtoapostles:Luke 22:29-30.• Lord’sPrayer: “Thy Kingdom come”: Mt 6:10, 13; Acts 1:6; Ps 45, 46, 47, 48.• Rule:Psalm 2; 110. “Rod of Iron” (Rev 12:5; 19:15); “Every knee will bow” (Phil 2:6-11).• Note:The Millennial Temple only open on Shabbat and the New Moons (Ezek 46:1).
The Return of Christ to Rule
• 1,845 references in the Old Testament – 17 books give prominence to the event
• 318 references in the New Testament – 216 chapters – 23 of 27 books give prominence to the event
For every prophecy of Christ’s 1st Coming there are 8 of His 2nd Coming! Are there allusions to the Harpazo (the “Rapture”) in the Old Testament?
Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead...Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.
Isaiah 26:19,29
For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
Psalm 27:5
Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’S anger.
Zephaniah 2:3 The Church’s Birthday
John the Baptist predicted the baptism of the Spirit (Mt 3:11-12; Acts 1:5-6). Peter clearly identifies the Day of Pentecost as the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s baptizing ministry. Is it possible that the Feast of Pen-tecost is still only partially fulfilled? How many people were saved from the Flood of Noah? 4 + 4 + 1 = 9.
Enoch as a Prophetic Type?
Three groups involved with the judgment of the Flood:1) Those who perished in the Flood 2) Those who
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were preserved thru the Flood and, 3) Those who were removed prior to the Flood (Enoch was not “post-flood” or “mid-flood”! He was “pre-flood”…).
There is an interesting Jewish belief that Enoch was “translated” on his birthday. The Jewish tradition is that Enoch’s birthday is celebrated at the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost). Is possible that there are pro-phetic aspects of the Feast of Shavuot that are yet to be completed?
Is there (an overlooked) event that may precede the ill-fated invasion attempt featured in Ezekiel 38, 39?
Psalm 83: The Forthcoming Scenario?
1] <A Song or Psalm of Asaph.> Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.
2] For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate thee have lifted up the head.
This is the last psalm of the Asaph series (50, 71-83) and a rather timely one. Whoever these enemies are here, they hate God and are “lifting their head.”
3] They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
Who are [the, your, His] “Hidden ones”? ^yn< )Wpc.-l[; “against His hidden treasured ones.”
4] They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance.
5] For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee:
The very commitment of Islam: “to wipe Israel off the face of the map!” This is the primary basis of their confederation.
As we watch the world events, it is clear that Israel is following her prophetic scenario, and a new chapter is about to be written...Stay tuned!
Fruchtenbaum, Arnold G., Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, Ariel Ministries Press, Tu-stin CA, 1993.
Lewis, David Allen, Can Israel Survive in a Hostile World, New Leaf Press, Green Forest AR, 1994.
Lindsey, Hal, The Road to Holocaust, Bantam Books, New York NY, 1989.
Hunt, Dave, Cup of Trembling, Harvest House, Eugene OR, 1995.
Hunt, Dave, A Woman Rides the Beast, Harvest House, Eugene OR, 1994.
Salus, Bill, Isralestine, HighWay, a division of Anomalos Publishing House, Crane MO, 2008.
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Notes: Notes:
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