Posted on 12/29/2005 8:17:39 AM PST by kindred
Note from Bill:
Today there are approximately 100 million American church members who have very little to no understanding of Bible prophecy. These church members are from replacement theology churches that don't teach Bible prophecy and who look at prophetic scriptures as allegorical and not literal. Consequently, they do not understand the importance of Israel to the God of Israel or God's redemptive plan for Israel and the nations. (To Read "The Error of Replacement Theology" - By Clarence H. Wagner Jr. click here.)
These church members also have no understanding of the biblical significance of what is transpiring today in Israel, Russia, China, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Turkey, and in other Middle East nations. They are also not aware of the significance of the formation of the European Union, new ID technologies and much more.
I have shared the biblical significance of our times with some of these people and almost all of them can't process the information mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. And due to fear they do not want to hear more. They also have no point of reference in which to start if they had interest.
The good news is those who understand Bible prophecy are fully aware of the significance of Israel, God's time clock, and are watching the times with great interest and expectancy.
We will continue to post articles under Update and Commentary and under the Error Exposed category under Page Two News to inform you of the official church positions, their recent statements calling on Israel to leave her land, and writings and statements that speak against pro-Israel Christians.
Below is a list of the 25 largest churches in America. The churches that are highlighted in bold are confirmed replacement theology churches. We are still attempting to confirm a few of the smaller church positions.
The Church
U.S. Membership Denominational Ranking: Largest 25 Denominations/Communions --2004 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches
1. The Roman Catholic Church - 66,407,105 2. Southern Baptist Convention - 16, 427, 736 3. The United Methodist Church - 8,251,042 4. The Church of God in Christ - 5,499,875 5. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 5,410,544 6. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - 5,038,006 7. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc. - 5,000,000 8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc. - 3,500,000 9. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) - 3,407,329 10. Assemblies of God - 2,687,366 11. The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - 2,512,714 12. African Methodist Episcopal Church - 2,500,000 13. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America - 2,500,000 14. Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc. - 2,500,000 15. The Episcopal Church - 2,333,628 16. Churches of Christ, Corsicana, Texas - 1,500,000 17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America - 1,500,000 18. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. - 1,500,000 19. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A. - 1,484,291 20. African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - 1,430,795 21. United Church of Christ - 1,330,985 22. Baptist Bible Fellowship International - 1,200,000 23. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Joplin, Mo. - 1,071,616 24. Jehovah's Witnesses - 1,022,397 25. Church of God, Cleveland, Tenn., - 944,857
Hmm, none of them 40,000 member "mega" churches on that list?
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent (precede) them which are asleep.
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 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."
These Bible verses explain that:
The saints at the end of this age are "alive and remain" (on earth) unto the coming of the Lord. They are not in heaven.
The saints who are still alive at Christ's second coming shall not precede those saints who are asleep (dead).
The dead in Christ rise first, then the saints who remain still alive on earth are caught up with the saints who were dead to meet Christ in the air as He returns to earth.
Canada is a majority Catholic nation as well, even though our government tends to ignore that fact.
Yeah, I don't really put much stock in it myself. In fact I don't know where some of these crazy ideas originate, certainly not in the Bible. No offence to any Evangelicals out there, but I question some of the end times stuff, at least the stuff that to me seems to have been extrapolated from some pretty vague Biblical references. As long as you have faith in Him, you don't really need to concern yourself with some of the other stuff.
No offence to any Evangelicals out there, but I question some of the end times stuff, at least the stuff that to me seems to have been extrapolated from some pretty vague Biblical references.
The Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsay Scofield Bible, pull the trigger on 7 years of down to the minute tribulational scheduling model is not by any means universally held among evangelicals. The badmouthing of "replacement theology" is part of one side of an in-house debate. Their model requires them to see Israel as a seperate people of God.
In fact I don't know where some of these crazy ideas originate, certainly not in the Bible.
Where they came from is pretty well documented. See the last couple chapters of Iain H. Murray's The Puritan Hope for a discussion of the rise of modern premillenial eschatology.
As long as you have faith in Him, you don't really need to concern yourself with some of the other stuff.
Disagree. You do need to think about it and be aware of the issues, as part of a defense againse deception.
Eschatology, however, is not at the top of the list of things I'd check to evaluate someone's orthodoxy -- Christology and soteriology are. Who is this Jesus, why did he come, what did he do, how do I respond? Not that eschatology doesn't enter in to the equation -- there are eschatological views that are, IMHO, beyond the pale. For instance, my understanding is that adherents of "full preterism" (all NT prophecy was fulfilled when Jerusalem fell) deny the physical ressurection of the body and bodily return of Jesus.
Much fuss has been made in our Jewish evangelism circles regarding "replacement" theology, the idea that the church has "replaced" the Jewish people in the plan of God. Some have even accused all who think New Covenant believers are "Spiritual Israel" as being guilty of this "replacement theology", that is, of replacing the Jewish people with the church. Charges have been made that this idea of "Spiritual Israel" leads to anti-semitism.Ironically my first exposure to the idea of all believers being spiritually Israel came about through involvement in "Messianic Judaism"! Way back in 1975 I attended a seminar by Manny Brotman, president of the "Messianic Jewish Movement International" on "How to Share the Messiah". In the seminar notes I read: "When a Gentile asks the Messiah into his heart and life, he is accepting the Jewish Messiah, the Jewish Bible, and the Jewish blood of atonement and could be considered a proselyte to biblical Judaism and a child of Abraham by faith!" Isn't this essentially a statement of the "Spiritual Israel" idea?
...
Israel's Hope Fulfilled Beyond Expectation
Through Jesus we have more than could be conceived of by the prophets or their ancient readers. Peter says: "Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Messiah in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Messiah and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things" (1 Peter 1:10-12). Amazing! God says the Old Testament prophets were speaking us that salvation which we have received! Our current experience of salvation was spoken of by the Hebrew prophets!
Why didn't most Jewish leaders recognize it? They interpreted the promises in worldly terms rather than understanding the deeper spiritual meanings. This is still the case with the Orthodox rabbis today, who openly claim to be heirs to the Pharisees. The Orthodox rabbis today say God did not bring about the fulfillment of the messianic promises through Jesus, therefore either Jesus is not Messiah or God is a liar.
Did God fail to deliver what He promised to the Jewish people? Consider this example: What if you expected me to give you a hamburger and then I gave you filet mignon? What if you were told you would inherit an apple tree, but instead you inherited a whole glorious orchard? What if you thought I promised you $10, but then I delivered a million? What if I promised a child a typewriter when he turned 18 and when the time came I gave him the latest computer. Would I be a liar? No! When someone gives IMMEASURABLY MORE than that expected, the gift giver is no liar. God has given an even greater gift through Jesus, superior to what many think was promised!
Sadly, even many believers today do not fully understand how much greater the New Covenant redemption is that Jesus brought to Israel and the world. Why dine on hamburger when you can have filet mignon? Why settle for a single tree, when you can have the whole orchard? Why stress the $10 when there is $1,000,000 available? Why use an old Underwood manual typewriter when you can have the latest personal computer and laser printer? The Messiah and His Eternal Kingdom are the great blessings promised to Israel.
All of what God was doing in the Tenach (Old Testament) and all of the promises of God to bring redemption throughout the ages are centered in Jesus. "No matter how many promises God has made, they are "yes" in Messiah" (2 Cor. 1:20). God has something better in mind for the Jewish people, the $1,000,000 rather than the $10. Messiah offers the Jewish people (and Gentiles who believe) a greater redemption which makes the old look small in comparison.
The greatest gift and blessing of all is offered: eternal salvation through Jesus, the only name by which people can be saved. Through Messiah we are heirs to the glorious kingdom of the New Jerusalem (see Galatians 4:26 -- and notice carefully how Paul, under the Spirit's inspiration, interprets the original prophecy, Isaiah 54:1!)
The Kingdom of God is more magnificent than anything experienced under David. The past splendor of the Davidic kingdom is but a shadow of what God has done, is now doing, and will do through the Messiah (Hebrews 10:1). If we miss how God's promises reach their greater fulfillment in the New Covenant we rob Jewish and Gentile believers of a deeper understanding of the our glorious identity as sons of God through Messiah!
We must always be vigilant to combat the danger of diminishing the centrality of Jesus in the plan of God. Anything which takes the spotlight off of Jesus or diminishes the glory He is due should disturb us. Jesus alone saves us from death and Hell. He alone is the hope of the world. He alone should occupy the center of our theology. Nothing should ever take His place.
All creation groans in waiting for God's sons to be revealed. This will be the ultimate expression of the Passover liberation Messiah has brought. Renewal of all creation has already begun in those who believe -- and when Jesus returns He will liberate this creation from its bondage to decay (2 Cor. 5:17, Romans 8:17-23). The curse of the Fall is being replaced with the blessing of salvation as the kingdom of Messiah goes forward.
Let's affirm the great expansion of blessing the Messiah has brought. He has tremendously expanded the promises to Israel, and He has greatly enlarged Israel by bringing Gentiles into His spiritual commonwealth, the Kingdom of God. This was promised to Israel by Isaiah when he said "You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy...of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end" (9:3 and 7) and "Let no foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, `The LORD will surely exclude me from his people...these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer" (56:3 and 7). We have now come to "Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God...to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn..." (Hebrews 12:22-23)
Through Jesus Israel has been expanded in a glorious way, not replaced. Fulfillment of the promise to Abraham has come and will go forward until its completion when Messiah returns. Jesus must reign until all his enemies are placed under his feet. He will conquer all nations, including the Jewish nation with the gospel. Therefore, let us recommit ourselves to bringing the message of restoration to blessing "to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile"!
"You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy...For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this." (17)
NOT REPLACEMENT...EXPANSION! by Rev. Fred Klett
Thanks for that great explanation. To me that would make the most sense. Where does this Lost Tribes belief come from? Are the supporters of this idea anthropologists or archaeologists? Do any anthropologists give any credence to the view that the Lost Tribes are the Celtic peoples?
Agree totally. Replacement theology is what it says it is, an attempt to marginalize Jews.
Good one topcat. I donned the flame suit for nothing.
Isa 9:6-8
6 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.
7 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.
8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel.
Who rejected the Messiah, and instead who ended up accepting Him (for now)? Maybe verse 8 makes more sense in that context? Or how about:
Isa 48:1
48:1 Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, which are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah, which swear by the name of the LORD, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness.
If that is true, then dispensationalism certainly represents an attempt to marginalize Christians.
There is no physical nation that follows the OT laws today. There is a secular nation called "Israel" that follows some form of the rabbinic traditions, but they are merely a perverted version of what God commanded the children Israel in the Old Testament.
The true nation of God today is the Christian church.
But you [the Church] are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9,10)Notice please how the apostle Peter, speaking by divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, refers to the Christian church by all the titles once used by Israel under the old covenant. This is in fulfillment of Matthew 21:43, ""Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it."
For the last 2000 years God has been bringing Jews and gentiles into the kingdom of Jesus Christ to be part of His "chosen people". Whenever a Jew affirms faith in Jesus Christ today he proves that God is not finished with "Israel". Today is the day of salvation for all those who claim to be followers of Abraham. The true chldren of Abraham as those who ahve faith in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3).
don't find it in the scriptures of the Holy Bible
It's as clear as the Trinity.
Indeed. And it is unspeakable holocaust for the majority. According to the popular literalist theory making the rounds, God has a plan to move His "chosen people" into the land so that two-thirds of them, while still in their unbelief, can be killed off, thus prompting the remaining one-third to turn to Christ. This is part of "God's promise" to His "chosen people" according to one theorist. "The purpose will be to soften the hearts of a remnant so that they will accept Jesus as their Messiah."
Two-thirds will spend an eternity in hell so that one third will come to Christ. Not very good odds if you are a Jew.
And just who is in a position to know that what is transpiring before them or what is reported to have transpired IS or WAS God fulfilling this or that prophecy or if it is God doing anything at all? If a concept makes sense, you wrote, that doesn't mean God reads it that way. By the same token, something might be happening that we humans (including those who believe in "him" and love "him") interpret a certain way whereas God might not understand it that way at all. If God has a different understanding, who is going to set him or herself up as telling the rest of us accurately what God's understanding IS, as "he" plays out a fulfillment of prophecy that is different than any human had expected. As far as I'm concerned, maybe God has still not fulfilled prophecies of the messiah and all that the New Testament says about what was fulfilled is nothing more than humans thinking they understood what went down and just interpreting it all their own, mistaken way.
God will do what God will do, no matter what man says about it, blessed be his holy name.
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