I was responding to an earlier reply of yours when you said there's no rapture verse in the Bible.
I believe I gave you verse
1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"
I didn't say it was a dispensational view.
It's a rapture verse used by Post and Pre-trib groups.
The debate issue is when it happens not if!
And that don't define dispensational as you say it do.
We're all saved by one way. Christ!
No matter the time period.
However We're not gathered with Israel as a Nation.
Paul makes that clear in Romans.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness "IN PART" is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. ( That means temporarily Gigi )
Now here's a difficult verse that troubles most people.
Romans 11:26-27. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Paul is talking about his Kinsman of the flesh!
The Nation, when he take away their blindness.
Has the "Nation" turned to Christ? No.
Will they turn to Christ? Yes.
When? During the tribulation. "70 of Daniel"
THE TRIBULATION CENTERS AROUND ISRAEL.
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge THEIR OFFENCE, and seek my face: IN THEIR AFFLICTION they will seek me early. Hosea 5:15.
THEIR OFFENCE IS REJECTING CHRIST!
He'll come when they call on him.
Matthew 23:39. 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.
As I presented my view of a "to the day" accurate 69th weeks, I believe if one holds the view that there is no interval, and these weeks are consecutive. SEVERAL YEARS PAST BEFORE TITUS DESTROYED THE TEMPLE. 70weeks dosent add up.
This brings us to Matthews 23:37-39
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, and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
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.
Notice vs 39. "Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord".
Now we know they saw him again so I believe this means to Behold him as a nation. Remember Luke 19:42.
Also see Hosea 5:15. I will go and return to my place, TILL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR OFFENCE, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
ISRAEL AS A NATION SIN IS THEIR REJECTION.
Paul hammers on this rejection, Blindness, and restoration in Romans 9,10,and 11.
Paul summarizes this very well in Romans 11:25-28.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS, I BELIEVE IT STRENTHENS MY ARGUMENT DANIEL 9:24 HASNT HAPPENED YET.
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLYNESS FROM JACOB:
For this is my covenant unto them, WHEN I SHALL TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching THE ELECTION, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
Richard, I was reading the thread you posted and I made a mistake and sent Part 1 to you. I was trying to start a new thread. Sorry.
Daniel 9:24-27.
Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
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.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY. This is Israel!
These verses have to be interpreted correctly in order to understand eschatology.
Associate these verses with Mathew 24 and Romans 11:25.
Hosea 2:1-23.
and Acts 15:13-16.
Notice verse 16.
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:
After what?
"The fulness of the Gentiles Paul speaks of in Romans 11:25.
The apostle revealed to the Corinthians a Mystery (that which was unknown to men before - now revealed: 1 Corinthians 15:51). As was the mystery in Romans 11:25 (that Israel's blindness in part was for the fullness of the Gentiles salvation); in Ephesians 1:9,10 (God's Will that He would bring together to be one, all who are in Christ); Ephesians 5:32 (as husband & wife are one flesh, so is the union of Christ & His Church); Colossians 1:26,27; & many other examples. All indicating that what was revealed to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:51 was unknown before, which Paul was revealing now: that the believer's death was not a requirement for the resurrection (which was once believed), but that those who are alive at Jesus' Coming will also rise with the dead, to be with Him.
The one in Christ won't face the Wrath of God that was meant for those who spurned His Love shown in Christ, and that both those who have died in Christ & are alive in Him will together be taken away, it seems clear that the Rapture must happen before the Great Tribulation. But if one believes that the Great Tribulation is not God's Anger poured out, then it could well be believed that Christians living at that time will suffer (or, in some way protected) from the devastation that is to take place. If I take the Scriptures together, I cannot subscribe to a post-tribulation Rapture.
A very telling verse is Romans 10:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." In this chapter the apostle writes about the weakness & finality of the Old Law & the righteousness of the Law that becomes us by the working of the Spirit ( Romans 10:4). If re-birth occurs at the resurrection or later, then there is no Holy Spirit given to indwell believers - it can't be as we're still unregenerate. If no Holy Spirit, we are then subject to the Law or laws we wish to obey, to obtain our righteousness. The Jews tried to obey the Commandments - they failed - the Law was given to show them their sin & need of a Savior ( Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:19).
Every other religion of the world teaches that man has to do his best to please his god, & even after all that, there's no certainty of a 'happy future'. I know this more certainly of Islam, where a Muslim can never know if God has been pleased with his life. He might have all the boxes ticked in accepting & applying the six Articles of his faith & five Pillars of Islam, even going on Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), but that dreaded angel overlooking his left shoulder weighing up his bad deeds, being more than the good ones weighed over the other shoulder. The concerned Muslim must dread the day of his death because he doesn't know which way his path to eternity will go. Now is that any different from the Christian who says that only at death can there be any certainty? We might have the worth of Jesus' Sacrifice & the true justice of God in our minds, but have we done enough, obeyed enough, to know an abundant entrance. The message of the Cross is one that's wholly based on God's Grace through Faith in Christ's Work & nothing of our efforts. For if we applied our works, even obedience to the Laws, to guarantee acceptability, then it is no more of Grace, but of our efforts ( Romans 11:6). See Page 3.
When God created Adam and Eve (the first two humans) they soon disobeyed Him, believing the lie of Satan that they would be like God if they ate of the forbidden tree. Adam and Eve did not know what sin was, and did not know that disobedience would make them more like the tempter and unlike God. God knew this would happen, and before creation the Godhead chose to become the Savior of mankind by grace through the vicarious death of the Son of God after He incarnated in human form.
Another decision that the Godhead made before creation was to commit every human person over to disobedience and unbelief in order to have mercy upon humankind. ( Romans 11:32) He decided that the sinful nature would be passed on to every human when a new person is conceived. From conception, every human is corrupted by sin. With this one exception: Jesus was conceived by the power of God, not by the input of man, so He was not conceived with a sin nature. He remained the holy, pure, undefiled Son of God from conception on. He never sinned, never mis-spoke or made a mistake, ever.
because every other human was corrupted by the sinful nature, no one but Jesus could be the Saviour of Mankind. He alone of all humanity was without sin. No one else would qualify to be the perfect human to die for the sins of humanity, not an angel, not an animal, but the pure and spotless Son of God was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Sometimes we get very caught up in the death and resurrection of Jesus that we forget what qualified Him to be our sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. It wasn't because He loved us, or that He could just decide to do so. No, it was because He was perfect in all of His ways as God and as a man. We should look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, at Who He is and how He lived and died for us. It was all for us - to the glory of God.
What my first statement means; or I should have said is that we ALL go through a phase more or less known as the "honeymoon" phase after being saved. The proof of true salvation; however next has us go through trials to test us to see if we are truly in the faith or not. There are some who as the parable points out weren't truly "rooted" in Christ hence it was the emotional high which was the cause of the initial excitement rather than joy as say a spiritual gift or proper response to the Holy Spirit's prompting.
I hadn't considered your second point. I'm not sure in the context if it is valid. In one sense the gifts and calling are irrovocable or "without repentance" ( Romans 11:29). Again; much as with the first point; people can get more caught up in the gifts than the giver of the gifts. We also have to consider people's natural intelligence; physical prowess or social standing as something more in line with the idea in James that the rich tend to be oppressors. We also need to realize that someone operating at one time in spiritual gifts doesn't mean their overall walk will be one of great reward if they allow bad fruit to be maintained or sin to gain a foothold. There are those who may not manifest things at least obviously but are committed to loving the Lord and obeying His commandments ( John 14:15). There is also the need for proper use (such as interpretation of tongues); and sharing different gifts with the Body of Christ. These include discernment and wisdom which may not be as dramatic as some others "signs and wonders" type which some believe exist today and some don't. Of course we need to make sure that the "light in us isn't darkness" ( Luke 11:35). Without discernment than anything goes and demons can mimic true gifts. Therefore we have to make sure that "doctrines of demons" don't maintain a foothold ( 1 Tim. 4:1).
[47]Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48]Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Confession comes after the net has been cast into the sea 'that is the preaching of the gospel Romans 10:14-15,17
[14]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15]And how shall they preach,(casting of the net) except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
[17]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
As I likely posted earlier there are certain limits to understanding God's counsel as stated in Deut. 29:29. There is a point such as with Pharaoh where God Himself hardens a man's heart once he has irrevocably hardened his own heart; that is something in His foreknowledge that God determines for every man who is unsaved. We as believers have been "grafted in" ( Romans 11:11-25). The scripture makes it clear that man has no excuse as we see evidence in the Creation and of the Godhead ( Psalm 19; Romans 1). We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" ( Psalm 139:14) and therefore human life is sacred. Or; as the Declaration of Independence states "we hold these truths to be self-evident".
God is a God of Covenants and as He states "all the souls are mine" ( Ezekiel 18:4). This whole chapter I have found as an excellent rebuttal and witness to the Jewish community who occasionally insists on doing a "Mizpah" when they find out one side of my family is Jewish. It states in the same passage that the "soul who sins will die" thus removing any parental privilege in being of any physical descent as well as making all individuals responsible for their behaviors. We need to see here that someone can turn from wickedness to righteousness; and the opposite is true. Ultimately; I would say that Ephesians 4:30 makes it clear that we don't lose our salvation IF truly saved. There are many tares mixed in with the wheat however. Again; that is part of God's plan; as well as using Satan to refine us through temptations and persecutions. Since God created everyone then we are all to be eternal beings in our spirit.
Also as Jesus pointed out to Thomas "blessed are those who haven't seen and yet believed" ( John 20:29). Just look at the Tribulation where; by the way Revelation 13:8 shows Predestination for all those NOT in the Book of Life. Just as in the time Christ was here the first time seeing ISN'T necessarily belief TO SALVATION. REV6:17
Conclusion on last post (2 concepts were things we give up and gain in becoming a Christian).
We therefore; lose our old affiliations and at times family and friends when coming to faith. There are some cases; when these acquaintances can be transformed and the relationship becomes a new dynamic and it becomes better understood how God originally designed them and why.
We also become adopted sons and daughters ( Romans 8:14-17). We are also "grafted in" to the olive branch ( Romans 11:24).
We are now therefore part of that great Body of saints and tied in with those in Hebrews 11. Whatever loss we have now; as Paul stated is rubbish; or as KJV puts it "dung" compared to the surpassing greatness of Christ (Phillipians 3:8).
I do not agree with your dispensational view of Scriptures and especially that we are to focus on Paul rather than on Jesus or to not heed the Gospels or all of Scripture. I do not divide the Scriptures, prophecy, and history the way dispensationalist divide it up into dispensations.
I do not think that 2 Tim.1:9-11 is speaking of dividing Scriptures up this dispensational way. Jesus never told us to do so and I believe He is the Sovereign of the universe, not Paul, Darby, Scofield, nor Bullinger. I believe this verse is speaking about correctly understanding and teaching about Scripture, not dividing it up into dispensations, whether 7, 9, or whatever a dispensational teacher might say. I also believe that 1 Tim. 3:16-17 tells that "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" So, to me, ALL means ALL. I don't think Jesus or any apostle said that any part of Scripture is not "for us". That idea is an addition to Scripture made by Darby, Bullinger and other leaders of dispensationalism.
In Romans 11:13 Paul is simply speaking of the scope of his ministry, to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of JESUS not the gospel of Paul. He was not making a directive to the Gentiles that we are only to follow what he teaches. JESUS is who we follow. Paul would cringe and be so adamant against what is taught by Darby and Bullinger, and Scofield. He would never amplify himself at the expense of any believer minimizing the teachings JESUS in the Gospels.
Ryan, I say this because I am just as strong in my non-dispensational view as you are in your dispensational view. We do not need to dispute one another on this, in my opinion, but should allow believers to express their view and quote from all books of Scripture without others dismissing any of God's Word as being in applicable to believers.
My understanding, Jesus coming, the Messiah/Christ was not a secret, Daniel 9:25 prophesied when He would come. Jesus came to fulfill the prophets and the law, and when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and Jesus was filled without measure, John 3:34.
John the Baptist proclaimed it, John 1:34 and His disciples did as well, John 1:41 Jesus told the woman at the well He was the Messiah, John 25:25-26 and Martha John 11:27. It was confirmed by all the miracles Jesus did by the Spirit of God, Matt. 12:28 the kingdom of God has come, but the death and resurrection were, at that time a secret/mystery, Rom. 11:25.
The kingdom of God has come, John said it was at hand, Matt. 3:1-2. After John was put in prison Jesus came preaching Mark 1:14-15. The mystery of the kingdom; they were looking for the stone to crush Rome and the kingdom would be set up then Daniel 2:44, but it was like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast Matt. 13, increasing even today until the crushing blow at Jesus second coming.
The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah/Christ, so I am sure that was part of their preaching, but Jesus' death and resurrection were hidden even from the disciples Luke 9:45. We see how they fled when Jesus was arrested, Matt. 26:56, and they did not believe He resurrected Mark 16:10-11Luke 23:10-11 it was hidden from them for if Satan had known the results, he would have tried to stop it.
Jesus spoke mainly to the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables to fulfill the prophecy, Matt. 13:10-15Mark 4:10-13Luke 8:10. The mystery was not revealed until after Jesus was resurrected as Jesus told them the Holy Spirit would bring remembrance and teaching to them John 14:26John 16:3-4Romans 11:25Romans 16:25 the promise to Abraham Genesis 17:4-7 and that seed was Jesus the Messiah/Christ.
This is my understanding may someone else have another, pray and study for your understanding.
One general rule that I believe needs to be practiced is to take any scripture as literally and specifically as possible unless otherwise indicated (such as overt symbolism which is usually defined within the passage as such and the meaning intended).
John 7:38 about "rivers of living water" would be such an example. Ezekiel 47; however gives no indication of the need to make the "fresh water" and the very literal descriptions within the text as being anything but an actual event. In other words; it SHOULDN'T be a cross reference to the John 7:38 verse. We can see even currently fresh water that comes from underground sources that is infiltrating into the Dead Sea; just as we can see the desert starting to bloom as described in Isaiah 35:1. If that verse is taken literally the other should be as well.
There are other things such as 1 Peter 2:9 (cross referenced with Deut. 14:2) that are describing in context the church in the same light as God was delineating His chosen people within the nation of Israel. In both cases there is a REMNANT who are truly called and chosen. Romans 10 describes how we are grafted in and there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile; however the very next chapter shows how eventually the veil is lifted and the blindness of the Jews will change ( Romans 11:25). Isaiah shows how eventually the Gentiles will be blessed; and Zechariah shows how the nation will have to be broken enough to finally recognize their Messiah. The problem in all the cases I've mentioned so far is not the validity of a parallel passage existing but the application of it.
There certainly are cases where things are referred to as cross references when they are really not. Daniel 12:4 is not really tied into any other specific scripture; but in this case the application can be exaggerated especially when other verses that sound similar are referring to another historic event. Nahum 3 is case in point.
The concept of individual salvation as opposed to that of a family or larger association of individuals also can relate to our understanding of the Rapture. As Psalm 40 indicates; "many will see and fear" (verse 3) when we are lifted up from the miry clay possibly a reference to the Rapture/Resurrection of the saints. Romans 11:25 and other verses in Romans 12 may indicate that the Jews finally are provoked to jealousy when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. That could also relate to the Second Coming according to some sources citing the Age of the Gentiles ending only when the Temple is cleansed and Christ returns at that time.
That is not something I am debating here. I have stated before that the many testimonies of visions or dreams of the Rapture if not almost all of them only talk about some experience as viewed by the individual themselves; whereas scripturally the whole Body of Christ is called out as a peculiar people; and a Holy Nation ( 1 Peter 2:9). We should note that in Revelation 13 the Beast who is Satan's emissary will curse those on earth AND those who dwell in heaven. The victory of the Rapture and Resurrection of the dead in Christ is for the church and of course primarily to glorify Christ within His church. At the end of every Dispensation there is a remnant preserved from it (such as Enoch and Elijah) and preserved THROUGH it such as Noah and Lot. Such principles; of course are also for the nation of Israel at large being saved (the one third that makes it through) seen in Zechariah 13:9. From Christ until the 144,000 are either translated or resurrected (again a controversy I won't get into here) there is the "firstfruits" (the first of which; of course was Christ). See 1 Corinthains 15 for further insight into these matters.
Concept Five: The unknown (children; infants and mentally disabled) in regard to those Raptured.
My next post will discuss this as well as what may precede this event.
It is true that the Roman Epistle was directed primarily to believing Gentiles, but when we read the whole letter, we see that Paul wanted to bring out the doctrine of Justification by Faith and its ramifications - and this he did in a systematic manner unlike his other epistles. And if one is to properly handle such an important doctrine, then one would have to appeal to where it all began: with God's chosen people, Israel.
The Law was given to them ("the law of righteousness", as Paul calls it in Romans 9:31), but they failed to apprehend it "because they sought it not by faith" (v32). But the Gentiles on the other hand, "attained to righteousness" (v30), not having been given the Law, because they attained it by faith.
Had Israel found righteousness by faith (i.e. through Christ, Who ultimately was their "stumbling stone" (v33)), maybe much of what Paul wrote in Romans chapters 9 to 11, would need not be shared with the Roman believers. But what Paul did share, serves to show how Israel, who was in such a privileged blessed position, lost it; and their loss was the gain of the Gentiles. The Roman believers can now better appreciate the Gospel brought to them & the salvation received through Christ, when they know that "through their (the Jews) fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy" ( Romans 11:11). To a Church that neither Paul nor Peter founded, this was an important history & spiritual lesson to the believers: why the Gospel had to be brought 'first to the Jew & then to the Greek' ( Romans 1:16), and that it is by faith alone we all stand (Jew & Gentile) & not by the "works of the law" ( Romans 9:32). From this brief explanation, I hope you can appreciate Paul's need to share this part of Jewish spiritual history in his discourse with the gentiles.
Dear "Ray", the best thing you can do for you and yours is to read and understand this yourself. If you do not have any references that strengthen their/your statements, there are no firm rules that can come and they mislead and seduce. It doesn't matter who they are. That will only cause confusion. Scripture came first to the Jews. Romans 11:16-24 Moses received the 10 commandments. Deuteronomy Chapter 5. You can read all this here on the web or if you have a Bible at home. If you want to understand more, Genesis is a good place to start. It is basic. Personally, I do not dispute any of the books, or any of the stories in the Holy Script. Psalms 91:11
The best thing for everyone is to read the King James Version. It is absolutely the best understanding translation. An example is: You have probably been to the library and taken a book out of one of the shelves. It seems interesting, but when you open it and read a sentence, you don't understand a single word. The mind is unable to understand what the author wants to say. And other times your eyes run over the sheets and they register everything and you understand everything. Look and you will find, knock and it will open up for you. Pray to the Lord Jesus if you can get revelations and understanding, You can ask for anything, for example that you pray to get a new spirit so that you understand lies. It's good to have with you today. All people who confess Jesus as Lord are from God. Romans 10:9 Fillipians 2:11 Amen. In Jesus name, love u in Christ.
Preaching the rapture doesn't bring salvation. The Good news is the message of the cross.
We should be Preaching consequences of sin if we don't accept Christ as Lord and savior.
I engage in discussions on eschatology to show the Lord is going to make good on his promises to Israel. And those unfulfilled promises will be fulfilled in the Millennium. Also the Church and Israel are distinctive.
Acts 15:14-16. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
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:
Romans 11:25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Revelation is a climax of what you studied in the 65 other books.
If you don't have some understanding on those books you won't have much understanding on eschatology.
Ronnette Part 2 Galatians 1 Only God can explain this well.Glory to God! on Galatians 1:16 - 2 years ago
Galatians 1:19 Paul did not see any other apostles but James the brother of Jesus. Now read on and absorbed what God revealed to us. There is a reason why this verse is important. Other Scholars said that the Book of James was written by James the brother of Jesus. How could that be? The message in James was that faith without works is dead James 2:20 & James 2:26. How can you explained the opposition on Pauls messages Ephesians 2:8-9? It is because the author of James is James the brother of John the sons of Zebedee. That James was killed by King Herod Acts 12:2 about 44 AD or CE. He was not seen by Paul after Paul went to Arabia. That James had written the book of James before James died to tell the 12 tribes what is about to happened in the tribulation ( my opinion after the church age will be raptured) James 1:1. If this was written by James the brother of Jesus, he would have not contradicted what he heard from Paul because he saw Paul right after Paul went to Arabia Galatians 1:17-19. The second part of 2 Timothy 2:15 we are not ashamed to tell all that we must rightly divide the word of truth. Know the physical and spiritual messages of God. It is only revealed when you trust Jesus and not yourself. If you do not rightly divide you will be confuse of your salvation. We are saved by the blood of Jesus Christ. Amazing God we have. I glorify God by telling you this revelation. I please only God and not men. My life is a true testament of God's glory. Who has the mind of God Romans 11:33-36, 1 Corinthians 2:15-16. My brothers and sisters in Christ, if you are a leader in church, let the Spirit of God speaks to you..Take, I pray thee, my blessing that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough. And he urged him, and he took it. Genesis 33:11. But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
Hiya Robert GBU .....Lemme tell you that we are now under a new COVENANT by the blood of Jesus....Being a Jew now means we must be bornagain by Promise....Which is the H.G. a Spiritual being....Its only the H.G. that is born by Promise ,Only he is the seed of Jesus....That Promise seed....Its exactly like Romans 9:8 ... says....The Children of the flesh are not the real Children of God its only the Children of PROMISE that are counted for that goodly seed....The seed of Jesus, as his Words are his seeds...If you are not bornagain by his SEED THE WORDS OF God ....He neva knew you thus you will not bring forth any fruit unto God which is the H.G. that Child of Promise....Remember in Acts 1:4 Jesus said behold i send the PROMISE OF MY FATHER upon you which was baptism of the H.G. a birth of a baby Christ in them....That Child of Promise...And it was also new Jerusalem and mt Sion the city of that great King...Gbu Robert.....There is a Child in your future.....Unless ya receive the Kingdom of God as a lil CHILD YOU WILL IN NO WISE ENTER THERE IN...
Hi Robert. Was there a particular verse in Romans chapter 11 that leads you to believe that being a Jew is a matter of choice? We are indeed "all seeds of Noah", but not all of us are descended from one of Noah's sons, Shem then many others through to Jacob.
Here are few Scriptures that tell us of this special people, chosen of God, to be His Own: Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Chronicles 16:13; Psalm 89:3,4; Psalm 105:6, & many more. So Israel, because of their rejection of their Messiah & depending on the Law (to gain righteousness - Romans 10:3,4) have been rejected (cut out of the olive tree). But those amongst them who believe & also from the Gentiles who have turned to Christ, are God's true Israel ( Romans 9:6,7). Maybe, you're thinking of the true Israel that belongs to God.
So reading Romans 11 I was thinking if I wanted to be Jewish couldn't I be one, after all it is a choice right. We are all seeds of Noah and that being true how can one group of people be more Jewish or in Gods favor if we are all from the same seed?
Therefore; there is no more holding back judgment (See Jeremiah 15:1 for example). The "plumbline" is drawn ( Amos 7:7-9).
There is a distinct time frame where God says "enough" and Christ is set free with the righteous angels to procure judgment.
We see in the following chapters that in fact He uses Satan by giving him what he always wanted; control over the entire world.
Geographically; he doesn't gain all the territory; but surely with technology and his minions can enforce his mark worldwide through the 10 nations or regional confederacy that rule with him for "one hour". ( Rev. 17:12). It is an interesting sidenote; which I pointed out before about some who fight in the Ezekiel 38 war AGAINST Antichrist. Since one sixth survive it is possible that they did NOT recieve the mark of the Beast and have a chance at surviving into othe Millenium. In Isaiah 49:23 we see kings and queens being "nursing fathers" and mothers as it were (part of that obviously symbolic). In Jeremiah 31:16-17 we see further confirmation of this. This isn't the main point of the passage; but it shows how God may use captivity and even kidnapping to ultimately preserve the lives of children into the Millennium; the alternative being killed in Israel by Antichrist.
We need to see several larger themes here. God is using all this so that FINALLY as Christ is returning the nation will repent; and that in weeping. (see Zechariah 12:12). It seems hard to believe that the nations get it in regard to Christ and God in the sixth seal; and Israel remains blind that long. Romans 11:25 sheds some light on this; in regard to the "fullness of the Gentiles" which could be indicative of the Church Age ending; complete with the Rapture/Resurrections discussed previously.
Altogether; He uses Satan's own planning to draw men to the snare and trap of Armageddon where things come to a swift conclusion. No more delay can occur or no flesh would live ( Matt. 24:22
Further comment. Yes; I agree that those who are "kings and priests" will have a rulership that those who endure martyrdom to produce fruit and prove faithfulness will not as far as the Millenium Kingdom is concerned. Clearly the issue of being raised from the dead isn't just confined to Lazarus but to those that Elijah perfomed this on. In fact; Elijah and the other prophet themselves also will die for 3 1/2 days and rise again. The issue here is the complete decay of the flesh; which didn't occur in that short period of time. All of these individuals died who were miraculously raised from the dead in history. This was a temporary condition; therefore albeit they were dead for a few days. With the 2 prophets they are a type and shadow of Christ NOT having their bodies decay before their permanent Resurrection.
In light of the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiaha 30:7) it is clear that God has a plan for the Jews as a nation and as a whole. We see this also in Romans 11:25; indicating the "fullness of the Gentiles coming in" which would be the end of the church age.
I am not one who argues between dispensation and covenants; as I see both at play here. God has in a sense at that point ended the "Age of Grace" although obviously those saved in all dispensations were saved by grace ( Romans 4). Right now the wickedness is being restrained by the presence of the Body of Christ; the true remnant who are Spirit filled. God did have promises as to the Promised Land and its boundaries; as well as the house of God being a place for prayer for all people. The atoning sacrifice of Christ was able to bring a New covenant as to how God's people were required to worship; and it opened it up in general for Gentile nations. As Christ stated the "Gospel of the Kingdom" ( Matt. 24:14) won't be preached to all the cities of Israel until the Son of Man returns. It was cut short and is held back by politics; it will resume in full after the Rapture.
I was responding to an earlier reply of yours when you said there's no rapture verse in the Bible.
I believe I gave you verse
1 Thessalonians 4:17 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be CAUGHT UP together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord"
I didn't say it was a dispensational view.
It's a rapture verse used by Post and Pre-trib groups.
The debate issue is when it happens not if!
And that don't define dispensational as you say it do.
We're all saved by one way. Christ!
No matter the time period.
However We're not gathered with Israel as a Nation.
Paul makes that clear in Romans.
Romans 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness "IN PART" is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. ( That means temporarily Gigi )
Now here's a difficult verse that troubles most people.
Romans 11:26-27. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Paul is talking about his Kinsman of the flesh!
The Nation, when he take away their blindness.
Has the "Nation" turned to Christ? No.
Will they turn to Christ? Yes.
When? During the tribulation. "70 of Daniel"
THE TRIBULATION CENTERS AROUND ISRAEL.
I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge THEIR OFFENCE, and seek my face: IN THEIR AFFLICTION they will seek me early. Hosea 5:15.
THEIR OFFENCE IS REJECTING CHRIST!
He'll come when they call on him.
Matthew 23:39. 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.
This whole concept parallels
Psalms 118:18-29.
God bless.
Part 2.
As I presented my view of a "to the day" accurate 69th weeks, I believe if one holds the view that there is no interval, and these weeks are consecutive. SEVERAL YEARS PAST BEFORE TITUS DESTROYED THE TEMPLE. 70weeks dosent add up.
This brings us to Matthews 23:37-39
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, and ye would not!
Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
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.
Notice vs 39. "Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord".
Now we know they saw him again so I believe this means to Behold him as a nation. Remember Luke 19:42.
Also see Hosea 5:15. I will go and return to my place, TILL THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR OFFENCE, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.
ISRAEL AS A NATION SIN IS THEIR REJECTION.
Paul hammers on this rejection, Blindness, and restoration in Romans 9,10,and 11.
Paul summarizes this very well in Romans 11:25-28.
PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THIS, I BELIEVE IT STRENTHENS MY ARGUMENT DANIEL 9:24 HASNT HAPPENED YET.
"For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, AND SHALL TURN AWAY UNGODLYNESS FROM JACOB:
For this is my covenant unto them, WHEN I SHALL TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.
As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching THE ELECTION, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
This hasn't happened yet.
See Part 3.
Part 2.
Richard, I was reading the thread you posted and I made a mistake and sent Part 1 to you. I was trying to start a new thread. Sorry.
Daniel 9:24-27.
Seventy weeks are determined upon THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.
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.
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.
THY PEOPLE AND UPON THY HOLY CITY. This is Israel!
These verses have to be interpreted correctly in order to understand eschatology.
Associate these verses with Mathew 24 and Romans 11:25.
Hosea 2:1-23.
and Acts 15:13-16.
Notice verse 16.
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:
After what?
"The fulness of the Gentiles Paul speaks of in Romans 11:25.
The apostle revealed to the Corinthians a Mystery (that which was unknown to men before - now revealed: 1 Corinthians 15:51). As was the mystery in Romans 11:25 (that Israel's blindness in part was for the fullness of the Gentiles salvation); in Ephesians 1:9,10 (God's Will that He would bring together to be one, all who are in Christ); Ephesians 5:32 (as husband & wife are one flesh, so is the union of Christ & His Church); Colossians 1:26,27; & many other examples. All indicating that what was revealed to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:51 was unknown before, which Paul was revealing now: that the believer's death was not a requirement for the resurrection (which was once believed), but that those who are alive at Jesus' Coming will also rise with the dead, to be with Him.
The one in Christ won't face the Wrath of God that was meant for those who spurned His Love shown in Christ, and that both those who have died in Christ & are alive in Him will together be taken away, it seems clear that the Rapture must happen before the Great Tribulation. But if one believes that the Great Tribulation is not God's Anger poured out, then it could well be believed that Christians living at that time will suffer (or, in some way protected) from the devastation that is to take place. If I take the Scriptures together, I cannot subscribe to a post-tribulation Rapture.
A very telling verse is Romans 10:9: "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." In this chapter the apostle writes about the weakness & finality of the Old Law & the righteousness of the Law that becomes us by the working of the Spirit ( Romans 10:4). If re-birth occurs at the resurrection or later, then there is no Holy Spirit given to indwell believers - it can't be as we're still unregenerate. If no Holy Spirit, we are then subject to the Law or laws we wish to obey, to obtain our righteousness. The Jews tried to obey the Commandments - they failed - the Law was given to show them their sin & need of a Savior ( Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:19).
Every other religion of the world teaches that man has to do his best to please his god, & even after all that, there's no certainty of a 'happy future'. I know this more certainly of Islam, where a Muslim can never know if God has been pleased with his life. He might have all the boxes ticked in accepting & applying the six Articles of his faith & five Pillars of Islam, even going on Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca), but that dreaded angel overlooking his left shoulder weighing up his bad deeds, being more than the good ones weighed over the other shoulder. The concerned Muslim must dread the day of his death because he doesn't know which way his path to eternity will go. Now is that any different from the Christian who says that only at death can there be any certainty? We might have the worth of Jesus' Sacrifice & the true justice of God in our minds, but have we done enough, obeyed enough, to know an abundant entrance. The message of the Cross is one that's wholly based on God's Grace through Faith in Christ's Work & nothing of our efforts. For if we applied our works, even obedience to the Laws, to guarantee acceptability, then it is no more of Grace, but of our efforts ( Romans 11:6). See Page 3.
When God created Adam and Eve (the first two humans) they soon disobeyed Him, believing the lie of Satan that they would be like God if they ate of the forbidden tree. Adam and Eve did not know what sin was, and did not know that disobedience would make them more like the tempter and unlike God. God knew this would happen, and before creation the Godhead chose to become the Savior of mankind by grace through the vicarious death of the Son of God after He incarnated in human form.
Another decision that the Godhead made before creation was to commit every human person over to disobedience and unbelief in order to have mercy upon humankind. ( Romans 11:32) He decided that the sinful nature would be passed on to every human when a new person is conceived. From conception, every human is corrupted by sin. With this one exception: Jesus was conceived by the power of God, not by the input of man, so He was not conceived with a sin nature. He remained the holy, pure, undefiled Son of God from conception on. He never sinned, never mis-spoke or made a mistake, ever.
because every other human was corrupted by the sinful nature, no one but Jesus could be the Saviour of Mankind. He alone of all humanity was without sin. No one else would qualify to be the perfect human to die for the sins of humanity, not an angel, not an animal, but the pure and spotless Son of God was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Sometimes we get very caught up in the death and resurrection of Jesus that we forget what qualified Him to be our sacrifice to take away the sins of the world. It wasn't because He loved us, or that He could just decide to do so. No, it was because He was perfect in all of His ways as God and as a man. We should look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, at Who He is and how He lived and died for us. It was all for us - to the glory of God.
continued...
I hadn't considered your second point. I'm not sure in the context if it is valid. In one sense the gifts and calling are irrovocable or "without repentance" ( Romans 11:29). Again; much as with the first point; people can get more caught up in the gifts than the giver of the gifts. We also have to consider people's natural intelligence; physical prowess or social standing as something more in line with the idea in James that the rich tend to be oppressors. We also need to realize that someone operating at one time in spiritual gifts doesn't mean their overall walk will be one of great reward if they allow bad fruit to be maintained or sin to gain a foothold. There are those who may not manifest things at least obviously but are committed to loving the Lord and obeying His commandments ( John 14:15). There is also the need for proper use (such as interpretation of tongues); and sharing different gifts with the Body of Christ. These include discernment and wisdom which may not be as dramatic as some others "signs and wonders" type which some believe exist today and some don't. Of course we need to make sure that the "light in us isn't darkness" ( Luke 11:35). Without discernment than anything goes and demons can mimic true gifts. Therefore we have to make sure that "doctrines of demons" don't maintain a foothold ( 1 Tim. 4:1).
Agape.
[47]Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:
[48]Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Confession comes after the net has been cast into the sea 'that is the preaching of the gospel Romans 10:14-15,17
[14]How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
[15]And how shall they preach,(casting of the net) except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
[17]So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I had to pray many times as I was reading & trying to understand the Bible when I was serious about turning my life to GOD.
If there are certain situations you need help with, in life, you can even use this site to research scripture, questions & answers, or ask questions.
I've found any time I've questioned scripture seemingly contradiction, after deeper reading, prayer & study I find it doesn't.
You can search words, names, phrases.
Hopefully this is helpful
As I likely posted earlier there are certain limits to understanding God's counsel as stated in Deut. 29:29. There is a point such as with Pharaoh where God Himself hardens a man's heart once he has irrevocably hardened his own heart; that is something in His foreknowledge that God determines for every man who is unsaved. We as believers have been "grafted in" ( Romans 11:11-25). The scripture makes it clear that man has no excuse as we see evidence in the Creation and of the Godhead ( Psalm 19; Romans 1). We are "fearfully and wonderfully made" ( Psalm 139:14) and therefore human life is sacred. Or; as the Declaration of Independence states "we hold these truths to be self-evident".
God is a God of Covenants and as He states "all the souls are mine" ( Ezekiel 18:4). This whole chapter I have found as an excellent rebuttal and witness to the Jewish community who occasionally insists on doing a "Mizpah" when they find out one side of my family is Jewish. It states in the same passage that the "soul who sins will die" thus removing any parental privilege in being of any physical descent as well as making all individuals responsible for their behaviors. We need to see here that someone can turn from wickedness to righteousness; and the opposite is true. Ultimately; I would say that Ephesians 4:30 makes it clear that we don't lose our salvation IF truly saved. There are many tares mixed in with the wheat however. Again; that is part of God's plan; as well as using Satan to refine us through temptations and persecutions. Since God created everyone then we are all to be eternal beings in our spirit.
Also as Jesus pointed out to Thomas "blessed are those who haven't seen and yet believed" ( John 20:29). Just look at the Tribulation where; by the way Revelation 13:8 shows Predestination for all those NOT in the Book of Life. Just as in the time Christ was here the first time seeing ISN'T necessarily belief TO SALVATION. REV6:17
We therefore; lose our old affiliations and at times family and friends when coming to faith. There are some cases; when these acquaintances can be transformed and the relationship becomes a new dynamic and it becomes better understood how God originally designed them and why.
We also become adopted sons and daughters ( Romans 8:14-17). We are also "grafted in" to the olive branch ( Romans 11:24).
We are now therefore part of that great Body of saints and tied in with those in Hebrews 11. Whatever loss we have now; as Paul stated is rubbish; or as KJV puts it "dung" compared to the surpassing greatness of Christ (Phillipians 3:8).
Amen.
I do not agree with your dispensational view of Scriptures and especially that we are to focus on Paul rather than on Jesus or to not heed the Gospels or all of Scripture. I do not divide the Scriptures, prophecy, and history the way dispensationalist divide it up into dispensations.
I do not think that 2 Tim.1:9-11 is speaking of dividing Scriptures up this dispensational way. Jesus never told us to do so and I believe He is the Sovereign of the universe, not Paul, Darby, Scofield, nor Bullinger. I believe this verse is speaking about correctly understanding and teaching about Scripture, not dividing it up into dispensations, whether 7, 9, or whatever a dispensational teacher might say. I also believe that 1 Tim. 3:16-17 tells that "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" So, to me, ALL means ALL. I don't think Jesus or any apostle said that any part of Scripture is not "for us". That idea is an addition to Scripture made by Darby, Bullinger and other leaders of dispensationalism.
In Romans 11:13 Paul is simply speaking of the scope of his ministry, to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of JESUS not the gospel of Paul. He was not making a directive to the Gentiles that we are only to follow what he teaches. JESUS is who we follow. Paul would cringe and be so adamant against what is taught by Darby and Bullinger, and Scofield. He would never amplify himself at the expense of any believer minimizing the teachings JESUS in the Gospels.
Ryan, I say this because I am just as strong in my non-dispensational view as you are in your dispensational view. We do not need to dispute one another on this, in my opinion, but should allow believers to express their view and quote from all books of Scripture without others dismissing any of God's Word as being in applicable to believers.
Who are you talking about?
Don't answer that.
lol.
My understanding, Jesus coming, the Messiah/Christ was not a secret, Daniel 9:25 prophesied when He would come. Jesus came to fulfill the prophets and the law, and when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and Jesus was filled without measure, John 3:34.
John the Baptist proclaimed it, John 1:34 and His disciples did as well, John 1:41 Jesus told the woman at the well He was the Messiah, John 25:25-26 and Martha John 11:27. It was confirmed by all the miracles Jesus did by the Spirit of God, Matt. 12:28 the kingdom of God has come, but the death and resurrection were, at that time a secret/mystery, Rom. 11:25.
The kingdom of God has come, John said it was at hand, Matt. 3:1-2. After John was put in prison Jesus came preaching Mark 1:14-15. The mystery of the kingdom; they were looking for the stone to crush Rome and the kingdom would be set up then Daniel 2:44, but it was like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast Matt. 13, increasing even today until the crushing blow at Jesus second coming.
The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah/Christ, so I am sure that was part of their preaching, but Jesus' death and resurrection were hidden even from the disciples Luke 9:45. We see how they fled when Jesus was arrested, Matt. 26:56, and they did not believe He resurrected Mark 16:10-11 Luke 23:10-11 it was hidden from them for if Satan had known the results, he would have tried to stop it.
Jesus spoke mainly to the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables to fulfill the prophecy, Matt. 13:10-15 Mark 4:10-13 Luke 8:10. The mystery was not revealed until after Jesus was resurrected as Jesus told them the Holy Spirit would bring remembrance and teaching to them John 14:26 John 16:3-4 Romans 11:25 Romans 16:25 the promise to Abraham Genesis 17:4-7 and that seed was Jesus the Messiah/Christ.
This is my understanding may someone else have another, pray and study for your understanding.
God bless,
RLW
One general rule that I believe needs to be practiced is to take any scripture as literally and specifically as possible unless otherwise indicated (such as overt symbolism which is usually defined within the passage as such and the meaning intended).
John 7:38 about "rivers of living water" would be such an example. Ezekiel 47; however gives no indication of the need to make the "fresh water" and the very literal descriptions within the text as being anything but an actual event. In other words; it SHOULDN'T be a cross reference to the John 7:38 verse. We can see even currently fresh water that comes from underground sources that is infiltrating into the Dead Sea; just as we can see the desert starting to bloom as described in Isaiah 35:1. If that verse is taken literally the other should be as well.
There are other things such as 1 Peter 2:9 (cross referenced with Deut. 14:2) that are describing in context the church in the same light as God was delineating His chosen people within the nation of Israel. In both cases there is a REMNANT who are truly called and chosen. Romans 10 describes how we are grafted in and there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile; however the very next chapter shows how eventually the veil is lifted and the blindness of the Jews will change ( Romans 11:25). Isaiah shows how eventually the Gentiles will be blessed; and Zechariah shows how the nation will have to be broken enough to finally recognize their Messiah. The problem in all the cases I've mentioned so far is not the validity of a parallel passage existing but the application of it.
There certainly are cases where things are referred to as cross references when they are really not. Daniel 12:4 is not really tied into any other specific scripture; but in this case the application can be exaggerated especially when other verses that sound similar are referring to another historic event. Nahum 3 is case in point.
The concept of individual salvation as opposed to that of a family or larger association of individuals also can relate to our understanding of the Rapture. As Psalm 40 indicates; "many will see and fear" (verse 3) when we are lifted up from the miry clay possibly a reference to the Rapture/Resurrection of the saints. Romans 11:25 and other verses in Romans 12 may indicate that the Jews finally are provoked to jealousy when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. That could also relate to the Second Coming according to some sources citing the Age of the Gentiles ending only when the Temple is cleansed and Christ returns at that time.
That is not something I am debating here. I have stated before that the many testimonies of visions or dreams of the Rapture if not almost all of them only talk about some experience as viewed by the individual themselves; whereas scripturally the whole Body of Christ is called out as a peculiar people; and a Holy Nation ( 1 Peter 2:9). We should note that in Revelation 13 the Beast who is Satan's emissary will curse those on earth AND those who dwell in heaven. The victory of the Rapture and Resurrection of the dead in Christ is for the church and of course primarily to glorify Christ within His church. At the end of every Dispensation there is a remnant preserved from it (such as Enoch and Elijah) and preserved THROUGH it such as Noah and Lot. Such principles; of course are also for the nation of Israel at large being saved (the one third that makes it through) seen in Zechariah 13:9. From Christ until the 144,000 are either translated or resurrected (again a controversy I won't get into here) there is the "firstfruits" (the first of which; of course was Christ). See 1 Corinthains 15 for further insight into these matters.
Concept Five: The unknown (children; infants and mentally disabled) in regard to those Raptured.
My next post will discuss this as well as what may precede this event.
The Law was given to them ("the law of righteousness", as Paul calls it in Romans 9:31), but they failed to apprehend it "because they sought it not by faith" (v32). But the Gentiles on the other hand, "attained to righteousness" (v30), not having been given the Law, because they attained it by faith.
Had Israel found righteousness by faith (i.e. through Christ, Who ultimately was their "stumbling stone" (v33)), maybe much of what Paul wrote in Romans chapters 9 to 11, would need not be shared with the Roman believers. But what Paul did share, serves to show how Israel, who was in such a privileged blessed position, lost it; and their loss was the gain of the Gentiles. The Roman believers can now better appreciate the Gospel brought to them & the salvation received through Christ, when they know that "through their (the Jews) fall, salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy" ( Romans 11:11). To a Church that neither Paul nor Peter founded, this was an important history & spiritual lesson to the believers: why the Gospel had to be brought 'first to the Jew & then to the Greek' ( Romans 1:16), and that it is by faith alone we all stand (Jew & Gentile) & not by the "works of the law" ( Romans 9:32). From this brief explanation, I hope you can appreciate Paul's need to share this part of Jewish spiritual history in his discourse with the gentiles.
1) If Paul is speaking to The actual Gentiles(non Israelites), why does he state this;
- Romans 9:3-4
- Romans 11:1
- Romans 11:25-27
The best thing for everyone is to read the King James Version. It is absolutely the best understanding translation. An example is: You have probably been to the library and taken a book out of one of the shelves. It seems interesting, but when you open it and read a sentence, you don't understand a single word. The mind is unable to understand what the author wants to say. And other times your eyes run over the sheets and they register everything and you understand everything. Look and you will find, knock and it will open up for you. Pray to the Lord Jesus if you can get revelations and understanding, You can ask for anything, for example that you pray to get a new spirit so that you understand lies. It's good to have with you today. All people who confess Jesus as Lord are from God. Romans 10:9 Fillipians 2:11 Amen. In Jesus name, love u in Christ.
Preachers are to preach the gospel.
Preaching the rapture doesn't bring salvation. The Good news is the message of the cross.
We should be Preaching consequences of sin if we don't accept Christ as Lord and savior.
I engage in discussions on eschatology to show the Lord is going to make good on his promises to Israel. And those unfulfilled promises will be fulfilled in the Millennium. Also the Church and Israel are distinctive.
Acts 15:14-16. Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
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:
Romans 11:25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Revelation is a climax of what you studied in the 65 other books.
If you don't have some understanding on those books you won't have much understanding on eschatology.
Gid bless.
Galatians 1:4-5 Amen. Galatians 1:3.
Here are few Scriptures that tell us of this special people, chosen of God, to be His Own: Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Chronicles 16:13; Psalm 89:3,4; Psalm 105:6, & many more. So Israel, because of their rejection of their Messiah & depending on the Law (to gain righteousness - Romans 10:3,4) have been rejected (cut out of the olive tree). But those amongst them who believe & also from the Gentiles who have turned to Christ, are God's true Israel ( Romans 9:6,7). Maybe, you're thinking of the true Israel that belongs to God.
Leviticus 18:26, Leviticus 19:33,34,
John 1:12, Romans 8:14,
Acts 13:39, Galatians 2:16, Deuteronomy 10:16, Galatians 6:15, Romans 2:25, Romans 4,
Romans 3:29-30
Here are just a few, there are many, hopefully these are helpful to your study & decision
Matthew 21:28-29,
Hopefully these are helpful
Therefore; there is no more holding back judgment (See Jeremiah 15:1 for example). The "plumbline" is drawn ( Amos 7:7-9).
There is a distinct time frame where God says "enough" and Christ is set free with the righteous angels to procure judgment.
We see in the following chapters that in fact He uses Satan by giving him what he always wanted; control over the entire world.
Geographically; he doesn't gain all the territory; but surely with technology and his minions can enforce his mark worldwide through the 10 nations or regional confederacy that rule with him for "one hour". ( Rev. 17:12). It is an interesting sidenote; which I pointed out before about some who fight in the Ezekiel 38 war AGAINST Antichrist. Since one sixth survive it is possible that they did NOT recieve the mark of the Beast and have a chance at surviving into othe Millenium. In Isaiah 49:23 we see kings and queens being "nursing fathers" and mothers as it were (part of that obviously symbolic). In Jeremiah 31:16-17 we see further confirmation of this. This isn't the main point of the passage; but it shows how God may use captivity and even kidnapping to ultimately preserve the lives of children into the Millennium; the alternative being killed in Israel by Antichrist.
We need to see several larger themes here. God is using all this so that FINALLY as Christ is returning the nation will repent; and that in weeping. (see Zechariah 12:12). It seems hard to believe that the nations get it in regard to Christ and God in the sixth seal; and Israel remains blind that long. Romans 11:25 sheds some light on this; in regard to the "fullness of the Gentiles" which could be indicative of the Church Age ending; complete with the Rapture/Resurrections discussed previously.
Altogether; He uses Satan's own planning to draw men to the snare and trap of Armageddon where things come to a swift conclusion. No more delay can occur or no flesh would live ( Matt. 24:22
In light of the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiaha 30:7) it is clear that God has a plan for the Jews as a nation and as a whole. We see this also in Romans 11:25; indicating the "fullness of the Gentiles coming in" which would be the end of the church age.
I am not one who argues between dispensation and covenants; as I see both at play here. God has in a sense at that point ended the "Age of Grace" although obviously those saved in all dispensations were saved by grace ( Romans 4). Right now the wickedness is being restrained by the presence of the Body of Christ; the true remnant who are Spirit filled. God did have promises as to the Promised Land and its boundaries; as well as the house of God being a place for prayer for all people. The atoning sacrifice of Christ was able to bring a New covenant as to how God's people were required to worship; and it opened it up in general for Gentile nations. As Christ stated the "Gospel of the Kingdom" ( Matt. 24:14) won't be preached to all the cities of Israel until the Son of Man returns. It was cut short and is held back by politics; it will resume in full after the Rapture.