DISPENSATIONALISM: Wrongly Dividing the Word of Truth

Dispensationalism is a doctrinal system that keeps Israel and the Church distinct. This system teaches that throughout history God is seen to have two distinct purposes and two distinct people and these distinctions are maintained throughout eternity (or at least throughout the end of the millennium).

The question is whether the Bible teaches of such a division. To the contrary, the Bible teaches that God has taken all of His people and made them ONE. "For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Dispensationalism teaches that God has two separate plans and two separate and distinct peoples through whom He works - Israel and the Church.

The Bible teaches that God has ONE unified people. In the Old Testament that was Israel, but even then not all Israel was Israel, but only those who entered into covenant relationship of faith in God. Those who are not of faith are not His people. And those who are of faith are His people. This is true in every age. This is why Paul can say that "those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham" (Galatians 3:7).

It is true that the Bible sees the Ceremonial Law as being fulfilled in Christ, but the Moral Law as contained in the Ten Commandments are repeated throughout the New Testament, showing that those commands are still in force (though admittedly the nature of the Sabbath is described differently since we have now entered into the rest provided by Christ). Indeed, Jesus Himself said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17). Does His fulfillment of the Law mean that it has passed away? To the contrary, He explains His meaning with a careful and sober warning: "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19).

Dispensationalism sees the church as a parenthesis, a temporary situation lying between God's two dealings with Israel.

The Bible sees the church as the culmination of all God's people, the very body of Christ and the fullness of God. Paul speaks of the message given to him "to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 3:9-10). Far from being a parenthesis, the church is the culmination of something begun in Old Testament times. Paul goes on to point out that "this was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ephesians 3:11).

Dispensationalism usually teaches that the church is neither found nor mentioned in the Old Testament.

The Bible states that the Old Testament DID look forward to a time when Gentiles would enter into the Covenant. The promised Messiah was to be both a "covenant to the people, and a light to the nations" (Psalm 42:6). God also said, "I will call those who were not My people, 'My people'" (Romans 9:24-25).

Paul is specific to tell us that the coming of Gentiles into the church was a confirmation of "the promises given to the fathers, and for the Gentiles to glorify God for His mercy; as it is written, 'Therefore I will give praise to Thee among the Gentiles, And I will sing to Thy name'" (Romans 15:8-9).

Peter says that "the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you" (1 Peter 1:10-12). The Old Testament prophets not only prophesied of those glories that would follow the cross, but also acknowledged that their prophecies were to benefit the future church.

Dispensationalism says that all of the promises given in the Old Testament must be fulfilled to a political nation of Israel.

Over and over again, the Bible sees these promises being fulfilled to the Church as the "Spiritual Israel" and people of God. The Bible teaches us that "they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel" (Romans 9:6). Conversely, we have already seen how the presence of Gentiles in the church was a fulfillment of the Old Testament promise that God would "call those who were not My people, 'My people'" (Romans 9:24-25).

The writer to the Hebrews says that those Old Testament saints "did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect" (Hebrews 11:39-40). This is completely antithetical to the Dispensational teaching that says, "Israel gets the promises to Israel and the church gets the promises to the church and never the twain shall meet."

It is significant that when James wanted to demonstrate the legitimacy of the New Testament program of bringing Gentiles into the church, he turned to the Old Testament, saying, "Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. And with this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, ‘After these things I will return, and I will rebuild the tabernacle of David which has fallen, and I will rebuild its ruins, And I will restore it, in order that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name'" (Acts 15:14-17). The passage to which James turned was that of Amos 9:11-12.

James had no problems looking to the events that were going on in the church of his day and seeing them as fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies.

Dispensationalism teaches that Christ will return to the earth is a secret "Rapture" in which all believers will be removed from the earth. This is later followed by the "Second Coming of Christ" which is a distinct and separate event.

The Bible teaches that there is ONE future coming of Christ in which "every eye shall see Him" and "every knee shall bow." Instead of a second and third future coming, the Bible teaches that Christ, "having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him" (Hebrews 9:28). For further discussion on the Dispensational "Rapture" Theory, see The Rapture Question and A Critique of the Evidences for a Pretribulational Rapture.

Dispensationalism can best be understood in light of a contrast with what has come to be known as "Covenant Theology."

The word "dispensation" is translated from the Greek word OIKONOMIA. This term is used three times in Luke 16:2-4. All three times it refers to the responsibilities of a servant (or a steward). It is used in 1 Corinthians 9:17 to describe the responsibilities which the Lord had laid specifically upon Paul.

Ephesians 1:10 speaks of the purpose which God had in centering and "administering" all things in Christ. Ephesians 3:2 speaks of Paul's special ministry to the Gentiles. If this is to be considered a separate Dispensation in the Theological sense, then we must also conclude that the other apostles were still stuck in the previous Dispensation to the Jews. Colossians 1:25 does the same thing, speaking of the stewardship which the Lord had placed upon Paul - the stewardship of the preaching of the Word of God. 1 Timothy 1:4 urges Timothy to pay attention to the EDIFYING (i.e., the administration) of the things of the Lord.

Not once do we ever see the term "dispensation" used in the Bible in the manner that is used by Dispensationalists.

Have you ever tried to deliberately cross your eyes? The result is that your vision becomes blurred and you begin to see things with a "double vision." If you are looking at a coffee mug, you will instead see two of them. Dispensationalism suffers from this kind of spiritual myopia.

I believe that to view the Scriptures through the lens of Dispensationalism creates a distorted view of the Bible, the church and the Lord's revealed program for the ages.

If we do not "change" into a soul/spirit body then what do we change into? I feel like you're only telling me 1/2 of what you are thinking. If a soul isn't, or can't be, immortal then what is the point? What part of us is with God in the eternity if our soul dies? I just don't understand.

A true Christian will be resurrected in a spirit body. This will not be a soul as it will not be an air breathing body as described by the Hebrew word, "Nephesh". You will, at that time, be changed into an immortal spirit being. Others....who also were considered "Souls" in their Earthly flesh and blood body will also eventually be resurrected....to death.... in the lake of fire. They, of course, will not receive an eternal spirit body......and they will experience eternal death.

One side note: As an eternal spirit being you will have the ability to manifest yourself as a flesh and blood, air breathing creature.....if you desire. [Hebrews 13:2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

But....until the resurrection, those who have died will rest in their grave....for flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom. [1 Corinthians 15:50]

A true Christian will be resurrected in a spirit body

Thank you - now I understand. I have the two as one in that I consider the spirit as the intellect of the soul - one unit. Where you see the soul as dying, completely dead, per the verses you quoted, I see those verses meaning to die physically but some will be spiritually dead. Their soul (and/or spirit) is still living (in our celestial bodies - 1Corin15:40) but they are not considered "alive" as those that made the first resurrection - in an incorruptible body but spiritually dead(Rev.20:5).

In reading Rev. 20 again, reading it with your eyes, I see why you believe what you do but I still have questions. If those that did "hath part in the first resurrection" are changed into their spirit bodies and "shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" then who will they, as priests, teach?

Ezekiel 44, referring to the millennium, tells us of a priest's duty.
19.And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the People, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the People with their garments.
23.And they shall teach My People the difference between the holy and profane and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
24.And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to My judgments; and they shall keep My laws and My statues in all Mine assemblies; and they shall hallow My sabbaths.

So the priests will be teaching others. My thought was that those others are those that didn't make the first resurrection. If that is correct then those
"Others....who also were considered "Souls" in their Earthly flesh and blood body will also eventually be resurrected....to death.... in the lake of fire.,
must be in a body in order to receive instruction and not just held in a completely dead state until they are resurrected to death. If that was the plan why would they not simply be done away with at the beginning of the millennium?

Could the "people" in the outer court be the "true Christians" you speak of but they were not the elect. Are those the ones the priests (elect) teach? Then would the ones that will be "resurrected to death only" be the evil ones that have lived? That makes sense to me except that they would already have to have been judged and if they were then why not blot them out then?

It would also leave open a question that Ez.44:25 raises.
And they shall come at no dead person to defile themselves; for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister that hath had no husband, they may defile themselves.

Dead, as used in that verse has to mean spiritually dead. If there was no chance of helping that person why would one of the elect be allowed to go to them?

One side note: As an eternal spirit being you will have the ability to manifest yourself as a flesh and blood, air breathing creature.....if you desire. [Hebrews 13:2] Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I believe in that completely but I never considered it as part of the millennium. Wouldn't we all be either in spirit or dead (as you believe) at that time?

But....until the resurrection, those who have died will rest in their grave....for flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom. [1 Corinthians 15:50]

Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom. That is earthly only. You must be in spirit to see God. We become the celestial body Paul tells us of in (1Corin.15:40).

My thought has always been that our spririt goes to God at our physical death (Ecc.12:6). We will never be returned to flesh bodies again. However, I am not at all certain about what happens when we get there. I always thought we would be busy with something but some of the verses you have quoted make me question that. One of those is:
Ecc.9:5 For the living know that they shall die; but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten

Does this mean that our spiritual forms, or dead bodies, lay around until His 2nd Advent (as 1Cori 15:23 suggests)or does it mean we won't have any memory of this earthly life (as we don't now of the 1st age). Does "any more a reward" mean once you die that is it, there is nothing else you can do to secure your place with God?

Lots of questions still but I do understand your point much better. I still disagree on the "dead vs. spiritually dead" part but I do have a clearer understanding. I suppose now my question would be what people go where and where are they now.

Thank you Diego .........Ping

Thank you - now I understand.

You're welcome....I'm sorry I had not made that clear earlier.

In reading Rev. 20 again, reading it with your eyes, I see why you believe what you do but I still have questions. If those that did "hath part in the first resurrection" are changed into their spirit bodies and "shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years" then who will they, as priests, teach?

Let's look at the scripture: [Revelation 20:1-3] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

So....at the beginning of the Millennium Satan is seized and tossed into a great abyss. He is sealed in there (cannot get out) and therefore cannot deceive anyone any longer...at least for another 1000 years! Read it again!....he is sealed in that pit so he can no longer deceive anyone!

Now....at the same time folks are being resurrected: [verse 4] And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; "and they lived"...(They were resurrected).... and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

In the above verse ["And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded"] should simply say ["And I saw the folks who had their heads chopped off"]. Souls are air breathing (in this case Human) creatures [Nephesh] and the Greek is [Psuche].

Now....let's say for the sake of argument that you and I are part of this first resurrection....or, if we're not dead at the time, we are caught up to be with Lord [1 Thessalonians 4:16]. At this time, whether we are dead or alive, our bodies will experience a change. A change from mortal to immortal. A change from corruptible to imperishable [1 Corinthians 15:50-54]. Where will we be? With the Lord. Where is He? Getting ready to reign on Earth for 1000 years.

When will the rest of the dead be resurrected....the ones that did not make the first cut? [Verse 5-6] (But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.

Now....where are all the people (still alive) who were not resurrected or experienced a change to an immortal spirit being? We'll, I guess they are still walking around, going to work, living their lives and probably wondering just what in the world is going on? I'm sure by this time they have probably seen on Fox News that some strange things have been happening, but are not really sure just what it is!

These are the folks that will continue to live their lives during the millennium, being taught the Word of God correctly.....still having families with children being born and living their lives normally....except for one simple thing. Satan will be cooped up and they will be instructed properly in the Word of God. They will be taught the Festivals and Sabbaths of Our Lord. They will be taught the Commandments and will be able to discern scripture with out any problem.

The Human race will have 1000 years to experience life God's way. The way of giving, the way of cooperation, the way of love for your neighbor and they will be taught by resurrected spirit beings without any Satanic influence. Think what we will be able to accomplish in 1000 years!

When these folks die they will go to their graves with the knowledge of eternal things. They will have had their opportunity to say "Yea....or Nay". They in their own turn will experience a resurrection after the 1000 years are finished. Most, I'm sure will be resurrected to life. Some will have rejected the Word of God (Although I believe this to be very few) and will be resurrected to death.

Nevertheless, You, I and other Immortal Saints of The Lord will be very busy during this 1000 year "Day of The Lord"!

I love your explanation. I don't agree with it completely yet but I'm with you through:

A change from mortal to immortal. A change from corruptible to imperishable [1 Corinthians 15:50-54]. Where will we be? With the Lord. Where is He? Getting ready to reign on Earth for 1000 years.

With this paragraph a question arises:
Now....where are all the people (still alive) who were not resurrected or experienced a change to an immortal spirit being?

Doesn't 1Corin.15:51 tell us that no one will still be alive, as in a flesh body. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. If ALL are changed then are they still having families with children being born and living their lives normally...?

It could be either way - them living life still in flesh or in spirit. The important part would be Satan being taken out of commission. Whichever way, I like this plan much better than what I thought you meant.

Before I began to study His Word I thought that when a person died they were sent to hell or heaven at that moment. When I read Rev. 20 and realized there would be a period of learning without Satan, sort of a 2nd chance, I thought it was such a wonderful gift. I thought you were saying that chance wouldn't exist for many and that really frightened me.

This part I wish I agree with but I don't: Most, I'm sure will be resurrected to life. Some will have rejected the Word of God (Although I believe this to be very few) and will be resurrected to death.

Rev.20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8.And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

It's hard to believe that will happen but think about the Hebrews being led by Moses. Look at what they experienced, what they saw first hand and still they worshipped the golden calf.

Your friend.......Ping

Doesn't 1Corin.15:51 tell us that no one will still be alive, as in a flesh body. [1 Corinthians 15:51] "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed." If ALL are changed then are they still having families with children being born and living their lives normally...?

Paul is addressing these words to: The Church of God in Corinth, those sanctified in Jesus Christ and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ...their Lord and ours. [1 Corinthians 1:2]

Not everyone in the first century belonged to The Church of God....nor did everyone call on His Name. The same is the case today. When Paul is explaining what will happen to "us" in a twinkling of an eye....at the sound of the trumpet... the "us" is the Church........and all everywhere who call on His Name.

The folks "left behind"....to quote a phrase, will be the vast multitude of humanity that has never heard the Word of God....much less....prone to call on His Name! These are the folks who will be instructed in God's way of life during the millennium and they will be given their chance to understand God's plan for mankind which no one had ever explained to them before. This is not a so called "second chance" as they really never had a first one to begin with. (In my opinion, this will include most of organized Christianity....as well!)

Before I began to study His Word I thought that when a person died they were sent to hell or heaven at that moment.

Most of Christianity believes in this false doctrine also. It is no where taught in either Testament and is just one more example of the early Church's attempt to blend in Paganism with Christianity to make it more attractive to the masses.

This part I wish I agree with but I don't: Most, I'm sure will be resurrected to life. Some will have rejected the Word of God (Although I believe this to be very few) and will be resurrected to death. Rev.20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison 8. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

In comparison to the folks who will call on his name, I still believe the number of unsaved will be small. Believing any other outcome would be to believe that Our Lord's way would be secondary to Satan's!

It's hard to believe that will happen but think about the Hebrews being led by Moses. Look at what they experienced, what they saw first hand and still they worshipped the golden calf.

These folks are an excellent example of "the rest of the dead" (verse 5) that never were taught The Word of God....succumbed to peer pressure, performed idol worship and wandered aimlessly for forty years until they were all dead. They all died without a Messiah as did millions of other folk throughout the years.

This is not a so called "second chance" as they really never had a first one to begin with. (In my opinion, this will include most of organized Christianity....as well!)

I agree with everything you stated. I call it a 2nd chance as I don't know what else to call it, however I know it happens because they "never had a first one to begin with". For the grace of God, there go I. I also think it includes much of Christianity.

My main reason for this belief is that so few Christian churches teach about how to be prepared for end times. They teach salvation over and over. Very important - but after that those folks need to be given meat, later rain, that will get them through end times. Instead they are either taught rapture, that they will miss the tribulation (completely unbiblical - in other words, a lie that puts their soul in peril) or they aren't taught how it will happen, how Satan comes pretending to be Christ and fools the world, especially Christians (his main goal).

I too feel many more will be saved than lost but the older I become the less I "over" estimate man and his free will.

As a side note - Yesterday one of the posts stated that a museum in Israel was going to display a piece of the manuscript that had been uncovered. They would display it on the eve of Shavout, (Shavout being today, Pentecost). The article stated that Shavout was the day the Word, the Torah, was given to Israel on Mt. Sinai. This was so interesting to me. I didn't realize that the Word was given on a day that so many years later would be when the Holy Spirit was sent to us - Pentecost. God doesn't miss a beat, does He? All one big, beautiful plan. (another reason that shows we should worship on Passover, not easter - The days were chosen by God, not man)

Thank you for your teaching on the 1 Corinthian scriptures. It is different than what I have been taught so I will take some time with comparing the two.

Your friend......Ping

More questions about the state of the souls:

When Paul is explaining what will happen to "us" in a twinkling of an eye....at the sound of the trumpet... the "us" is the Church........and all everywhere who call on His Name.

This makes sense, especially when I consider the many other places I apply that same principle to scripture. My question would be if those that were changed and are "part of the first resurrection" become "priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years", what will there role as priests be?

I refer back to Ezekiel with that question in that part of the duty is to minister to God, however another task, as a priest, is to teach (Ez.44:23). Who do they teach?

The others that were part of the resurrection were the "144,000" (Ez.44:11). My understanding is that they didn't stay a virgin until Christ came at the 2nd advent, (they fell for Satan's deceit), but they saw truth in time and returned to the true Father. Ez.44:13 tells us the punishment they receive for that. Are they the ones the priests teach?

Perhaps you have already answered my question about Ez.44:25, about those millennial priests going to one of their "dead" family members. When they go back to try to teach them is that when they decide they will put on the flesh type body again?

Another question is about when Jesus comes at the 2nd Advent and His feet touch down on the Mt. of Olives (Zech 14:4), He will fight all nations and (vs.9) He will be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one. Verse 2 told us that He (God did)gathered ALL nations against Jerusalem to battle. Then vs. 12 tells us what happened to all nations. Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

As terrible as that sounds I thought it is just part of the "change of bodies". Once you step out of the flesh it just consumes away and I don't know if you would even be aware of it, or care. If ALL nations came against Jerusalem then all the people would experience this. If all experience it then how will some be "left behind" to carry on? Also, would not all of them be aware of the 2nd. advent as (Matt.24:30) ....and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory? Or, does "tribes of the earth" just refer to the tribes of Israel?

Your friend......Ping

I call it a 2nd chance as I don't know what else to call it, however I know it happens because they "never had a first one to begin with". For the grace of God, there go I. I also think it includes much of Christianity.

Precisely! Many God fearing, self proclaimed Christians do not yet know God's plan for mankind, and as such, will be taught the correct way. If you are required to take a test to achieve a certain goal....but are taught incorrectly along the way, by a well meaning instructor....then you never received a first chance.....did you? Your first chance will be when you receive God's Word....in it's correct form. Then, because of the logic involved, the history will begin to make sense and true doctrine will emerge and become very clear.

This was so interesting to me. I didn't realize that the Word was given on a day that so many years later would be when the Holy Spirit was sent to us - Pentecost. God doesn't miss a beat, does He? All one big, beautiful plan.

"Passover": This shows the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt.

"Feast of Unleavened Bread": God instructed us to not eat leavened bread for seven days after the Passover. This is in remembrance of the fact that Israel did not have time for the dough to rise in their bread when they left Egypt.

"Feast of First fruits": On this day (also known as Pentecost) two loaves of bread are waved before the Lord. These are the first fruits to the Lord, and this represents the abundant harvest that is to come.

"Feast of trumpets": The beginning of the seventh month is initiated by sounding the shofar. Seven is indicative of God's completion, so the seventh month festivals indicate the completion of God's purpose. "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Messiah; and He will reign forever and ever". This is the gathering of the body of Messiah, the true rapture.

"Day of Atonement": On Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) the priest made atonement for Himself and all the house of Israel. Our Saviour was the Lamb of God and made atonement for us.

"Feast of Booths": On this day (also known as Sukkot) we remember the provision God made for us in the wilderness, how He kept us and provided for us. This feast is also called the Feast of the Ingathering.

"The Last Great Day": At the end of the Feast of Booths, on the eighth day, is a Sabbath (a holy convocation). This represents the final Sabbath.......the eternal one.

Good morning Diego,

Thank you for the information on the Feast Days.

I came across something today you may already know but I thought it so interesting. This is in keeping with my post a few days ago where I said the Feast days are named by God for a reason. They are shadows of days to come. Passover, of course, being the day our Lord would be crucified. Pentecost, the day the word was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai was the same day the Holy Spirit was sent.

In a study on parallel datings, E.W. Bullinger stated that, “It thus appears without the shadow of a doubt that the day assigned to the Birth of the Lord, viz.December 25, was the day on which He was “begotten of the Holy Ghost”...and His birth took place on the 15th of Ethanim, September 29, in the year following. He tabernacled with us on September 29.

“The 15th of Ethanim, or Tisri, was the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles. The circumcision therefore took place on the eighth day of the Feast. So that these two momentous events fall into their proper place and order, and the real reason is made clear why the 25th of December is associated with our Lord, and was set apart by the Apostolic church to commemorate the stupendous event of the “Word becoming flesh” - and not, as we have for so long been led to suppose, the commemoration of a pagan festival.”

He goes on and tells us that “Christmas was a pagan festival long before the time of our Lord is beyond doubt.” He also goes into great detail about how he came to the dates.

It certainly fits in with the information you sent about the Feast of Booths. God wanted this to be one of the three Feast Days we kept - Passover, Pentecost and Feast of Tabernacles/Booths. The day He was born, the day He was crucified and the day the Holy Spirit was sent to us.

......Ping

My question would be if those that were changed and are "part of the first resurrection" become "priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years", what will their role as priests be?

I'm not sure exactly what the entire responsibility will be.....but I do think that education would be first and foremost. I'm sure that things like Judging disputes initially will also play a big part. Eventually, during the Millennium...... without Satan's influence, disputes will probably become minimal. People will be living according to God's Holy Statutes and the way of giving, instead of getting, will soon become prevalent. Cooperation will be the norm. Won't it be nice when Locksmiths finally have no business?

I refer back to Ezekiel with that question in that part of the duty is to minister to God, however another task, as a priest, is to teach (Ez.44:23). Who do they teach?

The folks being taught will be those who are still alive during the Millennium..... ordinary folks who never received the correct version of God's word. People who did not die during the tribulation. These folks will live their lives and die during the Millennium....most I'm sure will be resurrected to life later on because they witness firsthand what God's ways are.....and will be able to look at human history and see what Satan's ways were.

I don't believe these priests in the above passages are resurrected spirit beings. If they were.....a dead body would not defile them.

Another question is about when Jesus comes at the 2nd Advent and His feet touch down on the Mt. of Olives (Zech 14:4), He will fight all nations and (vs.9) He will be King over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one. Verse 2 told us that He (God did)gathered ALL nations against Jerusalem to battle. Then vs. 12 tells us what happened to all nations. Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

Sounds to me like this may be the United Nations He is fighting. Whatever the fight is.....and whomever it is with....it sounds nuclear....doesn't it? His fight will be against the assembled armies....but I'm sure most of mankind itself, will not be directly involved.

(Matt.24:30) ....and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory? Or, does "tribes of the earth" just refer to the tribes of Israel.

No....I don't think this is referring to just the Tribes of Israel. The Greek word is "phullon" and means race, clan or an offshoot. It is prefaced by saying "Tribes of the Earth"....so I believe this is just another way of saying ....folks in general. This will not be a secret rapture as there is nothing secret about it! It will be the first resurrection and lines up perfectly with [1 Corinthians 15:52].....as well as ][Thessalonians 4:17].

Sorry to take so long in getting back to you on this. Baseball.....you know....

First, let me thank you for correcting "there to their", as in "what will their role as priests be?" Only someone with a good heart would have done that - thank you.

Second, I have to tell you about the "parable of the tares" and how it really came to life to me today.

My husband and I garden fairly extensively. I noticed the oddest thing about weeds a few years ago. So many of them are virtual copycats. In our St.Augustine grass a weed grows and eventually takes over, that looks almost exactly like the grass. You can only tell because it is a bit duller in appearance. In this case, if you leave it alone the St. Augustine eventually disappears. You would be amazed at how many weeds I pull that look so much like the plant they grow next to - as the tares in the wheat.

This morning I gathered Pole Beans. Growing on the bean vine was a weedy vine and seems to have grown in just 3 or 4 days. I can't pull it out by the roots as it would disturb the roots of the Pole Bean.

(Matthew 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.
30. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.")

As I see it, those tares have a job to do, which is why God allows it but why in the world do we have weeds? It must be part of Adam's punishment, passed on to us.

Another similarity in the tares/weeds is that every storm that has blown through the past few years, (Ivan and Katrina) bring in new types of weeds from other countries - much like the tares our country is experiencing now. Terrorist tares that look almost like us, growing so quietly in the ground we so carefully prepared, waiting to get strong and take over.

Much of His Word is rooted in agriculture (no pun intended) and it is fascinating to see. Perhaps that is why it is such a thrill in early spring to see those seeds pop out of the ground.

There are no questions with this post, I just thought I would let you know how God's word comes to life here in the deep south.

........Ping

Sorry to take so long in getting back to you on this. Baseball.....you know....

I do know and I hope your grandson was a superstar again.

In asking you the questions about the responsibility of the priests, etc., I was trying to figure out who was and who was not in a spirit body.

If the priests, who made the 1st resurrection, are in that form, how can they go to those that "will live their lives and die during the millennium", that are not in that form?

As you can tell, I'm soooo confused. I can't figure out the who, what, when and where.

Sounds to me like this may be the United Nations He is fighting. ....but I'm sure most of mankind itself, will not be directly involved.

I had not considered the United Nations. If that is the case then you believe the "one world government" that is supposed to come about will be led by them?

I think I need to sit down and write the differences in our two opposing views of this time, the spiritually dead or the dead. Perhaps in a side by side comparison, using the scripture we have both quoted, it may become clearer to me. At least I should be able to ask more sensible questions.

....Ping

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Old Testament Prophecy	New Testament Fulfillment
"I will rebuild the Tabernacle of David"	The growth of the church
"...in order that the rest of mankind may see the Lord"	Gentiles to become Christians in the growing church.

Dispensationalism	Covenant Theology
Stresses "literal" interpretation of the Bible	Accepts both literal and figurative (spiritual) interpretation of the Bible
"Israel" always means only the literal, physical descendants of Jacob	"Israel" may mean either physical descendants of Jacob, or spiritual Israel, depending on context
"Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 means physical Israel alone	"Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 means spiritual Israel, parallel to Gal. 3:29; Rom. 2:28-29; 9:6; Phil. 3:3.
God has 2 peoples with 2 separate destinies: Israel (earthly) and the Church (heavenly).	God has one covenant people. Those in this age have become a part of God's continuing covenant people.
All Old Testament prophecies for "Israel" are only for the physical nation of Israel, not for the Church	Some Old Testament prophecies are for national Israel, others for spiritual Israel
The Church is a parenthesis in God's program for the ages	The Church is the culmination of God's saving purpose for the ages
The main heir to Abraham's covenant was Isaac and literal Israel	The main heir to Abraham's covenant was Christ, the Seed, and spiritual Israel which is "in Christ"
Jesus made an offer of the literal Kingdom to Israel; since Israel rejected it, it is postponed	Jesus made only an offer of the Spiritual Kingdom, which was rejected by literal Israel but has gradually been accepted by spiritual Israel
Teaches that the Millennium is the Kingdom of God. They are always Premillennial, usually Pre-tribulation	The Church is the Kingdom of God. This can be interpreted both within the Premillennial, Post Millennial or Amillennial framework.
The Old Testament animal sacrifices will be restored in the Millennium, as a memorial only	The Old Testament sacrifices were fulfilled and forever abolished in Christ