Posted on 12/08/2020 10:38:42 AM PST by Roman_War_Criminal
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1).
“For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, …” (2 Timothy 3:2).
Introduction
This series is a study examining the societal characteristics of the last days that Paul wrote about in 2 Timothy 3.
Initially, this four-part series was basically an outline to aid in the teaching of these passages. There’s really nothing earth-shaking or groundbreaking found within this study – at least for the educated believer. We know these verses very well and have been witnessing this prophecy coming to fruition on a yearly, monthly, and daily basis.
But I did want to share this study with the reader, as the definitions of the Greek words Paul used are very helpful, useful, and sometimes eye-opening. In sharing this series, I hope and pray it will be used as a tool for teaching on this subject and shared with unbelievers, that they may see what we so clearly see.
Basically, I’m listing the English words with their original Greek counterparts, noting their primary definitions, citing Scripture for practical application, and relating these societal characteristics with current events and trends in an effort to demonstrate that these prophecies for the last days are being fulfilled before our very eyes.
For Men Shall Be Lovers of Their Own Selves
The Greek word for “lovers of their own selves” is 5367 phílautos (an adjective, derived from 5384/phílos, “lover” and 846/autós, “of self”) – properly, a lover of self, describing someone preoccupied with their own selfish desires (self-interests). [All definitions from Biblehub.com]
The world has been telling us that the reason mankind has problems in life is because men and women have a natural tendency to dislike themselves.
Is this true? What does the Bible say?
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3).
The pseudo-sciences of Psychology and Psychiatry, popularized by God-denying, Christ-rejecting men such as Freud, Jung, Maslow, and others have played a major role in perpetuating the lie that men lack “self-esteem” and “self-love.” This is the only profession that claims to cure the disease that itself has created. (For more information on this subject, I highly recommend Psychology and the Church by T.A. McMahon and Dave Hunt, articles at thebereancall.org, and books by Dr. Martin and Deidre Bobgan.)
Unfortunately, this humanistic man-centered lie has infiltrated the church at an alarming rate. We even have churches that employ secular psychologists and psychiatrists on their staff.
Other churches, in an effort to “help” their congregations – yet seeing a contradiction – have resorted to employing so-called “Christian psychologists” or “Christian counselors” who are steeped in the pseudo-sciences of humanistic Psychology and Psychiatry and are promoting these teachings that are contrary to the Bible. All of this is done in an effort to heighten the laity’s self-esteem and self-love. This endeavor should be considered the purest form of “antithetical Christian behavior.”
We, as Christians, have the Holy Spirit, Whom Jesus called The Comforter. He is the only One that should be counseling the believer. As Jesus told His disciples:
“… I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).
Jesus, Himself, was prophesied to be the “Wonderful Counselor”:
“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” (Isaiah 9:6).
Whatever happened to good old-fashioned fellowship and sharing in the sufferings of the brotherhood?
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (Romans 12:10).
Man, according to Scripture, has never had a problem loving himself. In fact, it is this self-love that is the problem. The sin of selfishness is probably the most easily seen of all sin and the first to rise in the human heart. Just consider the toddler and his favorite new word, “Mine!”
It’s no surprise that this characteristic is so prevalent in secular society, but, sadly, this state of loving one’s self is just as pervasive in the professing church.
Here’s the church’s remedy for self-love:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
For Men Shall Be… Covetous
The Greek word for “covetous” is 5366 philárgyros (from 5384/phílos, “lover” and 696/árgyros, “of silver”) – properly, a lover of money (literally, silver) – i.e., someone (literally) “in love with personal gain (having money).”
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s” (Exodus 20:17).
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
Modern-day political words that come to mind when we think of covetousness are Socialism, Marxism, wealth redistribution, and reparations. A legendary tale’s mantra is, “Take from the rich and give to the poor.”
“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
There are three words that seem to inspire the world in their unhealthy pursuit of “happiness”: Power, fame, and fortune; and the devil is only too happy to provide if it suits his purposes.
Everybody wants what everybody else has and won’t be satisfied, so they think, until they have it all. We, as a fallen people, are never content without God – it’s impossible. We have to have more! “Give me, give me, give me! Take, take, take!” For what?
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
For the disciple of Christ, we should proclaim with Paul that we have
“… learned, in whatsoever state [we are], therewith to be content” (Philippians 4:11b).
The one sin that plagues all of mankind, without fail and never satisfies, is the sin of covetousness. It most certainly is prevalent in all societies and is ramping-up in these last days.
For the believer, is a command with a promise:
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).
For Men Shall Be… Boasters
The Greek word for “boasters” is 213 alazṓn (a masculine noun) – properly, a wandering vagrant (vagabond), boasting to anyone who is foolish enough to take him seriously! This kind of person claims many things he can’t really do, so he must always keep moving on to new, naive listeners. [As a masculine noun, 213 (alazṓn) tends to focus on the source of the empty boasting, i.e., the sinful arrogance that drives it.]
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
The culture of the United States is a cesspool of boasting. From exalted entertainers and sports figures to the elite corporate and social media tycoons and political talking heads. Those in the upper echelons of public life are as arrogant as they come.
Consider the rulers of other nations; how they boast of their newest weapons, luxury palaces, and the power they wield.
How’s your circle of influence and observations concerning this character trait? Is it as prevalent in your sphere as it is in my everyday walk in this world?
Everybody was, and is, the best athlete. Everybody was, and is, the most popular. Everybody is the smartest and most qualified. Whenever one is passed over for a job promotion, it isn’t because they didn’t deserve it – in fact, they more than deserved it – they just have an idiot for a boss. And it goes on and on and on.
As Christians, we should all declare:
“My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad” (Psalm 34:2).
Do we see arrogant boasting in our society from the top-down today, and does it seem to be intensifying? I’d say it would be an exception for one not to acknowledge this trend.
For Men Shall Be… Proud
The Greek word for “proud” is 5244 hyperḗphanos (from 5228/hypér, “beyond, over” and 5316/phaínō, “shine forth”) – properly, over-shine, trying to be more than what God directs, i.e., going beyond the faith He imparts (cf. Ro 12:2,3).
“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:21).
The fall of Satan was contingent on, and instigated in, his self-deluded pride; and the father of pride has seduced mankind with the same mindset and empty promises.
Pride inevitably leads to boasting. It seems you can’t have one without the other. This most certainly appears to be why the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use these two societal characteristics side-by-side.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16).
If we see boasting so widespread in our day like we do, then we most certainly can say we have the market cornered by the pride that fuels such boasting.
For the Christian:
“Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips” (Proverbs 27:2).
For Men Shall Be… Blasphemers
The Greek word for “blasphemers” is 989blásphēmos – what is blasphemous (reverses spiritual and moral realities). See 987 (blasphēmeō). 987 blasphēméō (from blax, “sluggish, slow” and 5345/phḗmē, “reputation, fame”) – properly, refusing to acknowledge good (worthy of respect, veneration); hence, to blaspheme which reverses moral values.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).
Isaiah’s statement of prophecy is fulfilled in a radical way in these end-times. With the obvious exception of the pre-flood world, the reversal of moral values is a plague on society and has never been so prevalent as it is in these last days. What once was considered taboo is now not only accepted, it is encouraged and celebrated. We, as a society, are virtually having a party for evil and have buried in death all that is righteous, holy, and good.
Observation makes this characteristic crystal clear for anyone with eyes to see. Just pick up the newspaper and keep up on the new “social” laws and the protections of deviant behavior passed by the world’s governments.
Notice also that we have a set of laws for the populace that is never heeded by those who write those laws, as lawlessness rules our day.
The world has rejected the good and embraced the evil. It’s hard to believe it will get worse, but it most certainly will.
For us who are called by the Name of the Lord, we should…
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:21-23).
For Men Shall Be… Disobedient to Parents
The Greek word for “disobedient” is 545 apeithḗs (an adjective) – literally, unwilling to be persuaded (by God), which shows itself in outward disobedience (outward spiritual rebellion); disobedient because unpersuaded. 545/apeithḗs (“unpersuaded”) begins with the decision to reject what God prefers, with His offer to persuade about His preferred-will (cf. 2307/thélēma). See 543 (apeitheia). [Note the root, 3982/peíthō (“persuade”).]
Any visit to a grocery store, and one could very well see this characteristic play out, in real time, with a teenager (or even a pre-teen) screaming and cursing out his or her mother. The words coming from that child’s mouth would make a sailor blush. But this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg concerning this characteristic trait.
“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
Most certainly, the Holy Spirit is grieved by how we, as a people, have disrespected, disregarded, and discarded our parents in their senior years as a collective society. We consider those we ship off to nursing homes – never to be visited by their loved ones again – the lucky of the lot. How infuriating!
Whether they were lovely or something to be desired, we have a command to honor them, and we would be well-served to do just that.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12).
It truly is heartbreaking at what the offspring can do to those who brought them into the world and supplied their needs. This is a condition that has a trickle-down effect on society, and we are seeing the rotten fruit of that tree today.
Paul summarized this commandment this way:
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1-3).
For Men Shall Be… Unthankful
The Greek word for “unthankful” is 884 axáristos (an adjective, derived from 1/A “not” and 5483/xarízomai, “experiencing grace“) – properly, without God’s grace (favor) which results in unthankfulness (literally, “ungraceful”).
This is an interesting definition and seems to suggest a circular reciprocity that, in most cases, never ends. God grants His grace and favor to man, and man tends to become unthankful. When God’s grace and favor are withheld (for whatever reason God deems necessary), then man becomes that much more unthankful. Man is just outright unthankful – regardless of favor and grace, or not.
It would also seem that this perpetual condition, most obviously, is a result of learned behavior in the home.
Mom and Dad give the child grace and favor; the child becomes spoiled and expects, then neglects, these gifts in unthankfulness. As punishment, Mom and Dad revoke said grace and favor, and… Well, I think you get the idea.
It seems it all comes down to that strong human sense of entitlement.
“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him” (Proverbs 22:15).
We often think of unthankfulness as a childlike quality, and indeed spoiled children bring about spoiled fruit in the lives of those children if not corrected by a loving parent. But, unfortunately, the rod of discipline has been taken from our society, and we see the repercussions of this as those same children have grown up.
Honestly, it is a rarity these days to find one who is thankful. Unthankfulness goes hand in hand with covetousness, and they work their darkened “magic” together to the detriment of society’s spiritual and moral health. No wonder God withdraws His grace and favor.
Once one covets anything from an evil and unnatural desire – then receives what he or she has coveted – are they thankful? Of course not. Things desired and received by force, or even as a gift, are rarely respected and appreciated. Why? Because the deceitful and wicked human heart is never satisfied and demands “More! More! More!”
Isaiah, speaking of Israel’s useless watchmen leaders, sums up this perverse characteristic this way:
“Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter” (Isaiah 56:11).
For those of us who have given our lives to the Creator and Savior of our souls, we…
“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning [us]” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Conclusion
For those with a keen eye, we will be starting our examination in Part 2 with “Unholy.” The reason I didn’t include that characteristic in Part 1 is because I wanted to make an obvious point with the characteristics we just studied: They are all about self.
“Lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful” – are all about self.
The remedy for the believer is to deny one’s self, as noted above:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
The self-worship, which we all are prone to, is what keeps us from ever focusing our attention on others, and most importantly, on our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ. We must put off “self” and put on Christ:
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14).
Love, grace, mercy, and shalom in Messiah Yeshua, and Maranatha!
These are the only requirements the HOLY SPIRIT laid down for Genntile believers.
Acts 15:12-29 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
“‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.’
Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, with the following letter:
“The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions, it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”
No, no. Sorry. I should have been more clear:
Have you changed your stance since the last thread we were on regarding the audience in Acts 2:5?
Indeed. Thanks, Metmom.
No, I haven't
Acts 2:5 is first to all Jews for "Salvation comes from the JEws" and then what happens just a few verses later?My stance is the same - that the audience was both Jews and Gentiles.9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, 11 both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.”Yup, gentiles -- the Jesus-movement was of Jews and Gentiles -- as there is no more Greek nor Jew, but believers in Christ
I don't read anything in the Biblical texts of a separate Jewish and a separate Gentile church. Neither do I see that historically
On the contrary in the Bible I read "there is no Jew and no Gentile" and that "outsiders" are invited to the wedding party and that Gentiles are grafted on to the vine that is Judaism
historically I see the Jesus-movement as just another sect of 2nd temple Judaism -- and what we call "Jews" today are really "rabbinical Judaism" created by Rabbi BEn Zakkai in AD 70 to adjust to the destruction of the 2nd temple as prophesied by Jesus in the Olivet discourse.
Cronos, I think perhaps you are not very clear on my position. I’ll try this last time and then I’ll leave it with you:
There is Israel. The Church of grace alone (which includes Jews) is not Israel. Israel still has promises to be fulfilled when Christ Jesus reigns as King on earth and Israel is head of all the nations.
The Church of grace alone is a unique body with her own promises, heavenly-ward, and which was kept secret from the foundation of the world. The church is not Israel and is, therefore, not the recipient of the promises specifically TO Israel which are yet to be fulfilled.
The first Church of grace was of Israel (with converts to Judaism, of course), and, if I recall correctly, I labeled it as the “Jewish Church.” The Church of grace that Jesus through Paul established is not Israel and is promised no earthly kingdom, but rather heavenly promises. This Church is purely by grace, but not purely gentile and includes Jews in the Body of Christ. The “Church” of Israel could not have included a gentile who was not a proselyte of Judaism because the mystery had not yet been revealed to Paul. I think that is the problem you have with my position. That, and that I hold that Peter was still expecting an immediate return of Christ Jesus when he preached at Pentecost to Jews and proselytes to Judaism but the Kingdom was finally and for the last time rejected by the Jews in the Book of Acts.
And no, it has nothing to do with the rapture, which I believe is to come.
I still maintain that we are most definitely not living in the Kingdom at this time. That Jesus’ sharing a fish with His disciples was NOT Him having the next Passover with them and that, therefore, the Kingdom was come to earth. That the rapture will happen, and then after the pouring out of God’s wrath, the Kingdom will be set up on earth with Christ Jesus as King.
Dual covenant theology is a lie.
Israel has a covenant with God and The Church (which has a Jewish remnant as it’s members) has promises from Christ.
The Church and Israel are two distinct entities with different destinies.
This has nothing to do with the Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church.
Thank you for a clarification on your stance. Though this opens up a whole number of questions
What of
You have answered one, but it is confusing -- you said The Church of grace alone (which includes Jews) is not Israel. -- but then Israel is the descendants of Jacob, so then are you saying that rabbinical Jews who convert are no longer Israel? I'm talking about a person born a Hassid (say) who becomes a Southern Baptist -- are they Israel in your opinion or not?
you say The first Church of grace was of Israe. and The “Church” of Israel could not have included a gentile who was not a proselyte of Judaism because the mystery had not yet been revealed to Paul. - but this isn't true - after the Council in the book of Acts, you have gentiles in Israel also becoming Christians and it was clearly stated that they did not need to be circumcised etc.
Luke 22:16
14 When the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I say to you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”
And 2 chapters later
Luke 24:30
30 And it came about, when He had reclined at the table with them, that He took the bread and blessed it, and He broke it and began giving it to them.
The Kingdom is brought near in the Word incarnate, it is proclaimed throughout the whole Gospel, and it has come in Christ's death and Resurrection. the Kingdom of God has been coming since the Last Supper and, in the Eucharist, it is in our midst
Romans 14:17 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
To fulfill the Father's will, Christ ushered in the Kingdom of heaven
Mark 1:15
| Jesus came into Galilee, [k]preaching the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God [l]is at hand; repent and [m]believe in the gospel.” |
Remember that although Jesus had always refused popular attempts to make him king, He did enter on an ass -- acclaimed as son of David, as the one who brings salvation (Hosanna means "Save!" or "Give salvation!"), the "King of glory" enters his City "riding on an ass"
Jesus' entry into Jerusalem manifested the coming of the kingdom that the King-Messiah was going to accomplish by the Passover of his Death and Resurrection == the ride into the Jerusalem was the ride to His coronation. He was crowned with thorns and in 3 days when He rose again, He had gained victory over death and inaugurated His Kingdom
So this kingdom, this reign of God, has already come, it is coming and, when the King returns, it will be finally and fully revealed.
the question you as, where is it now in our daily lives?
In the Gospel of Luke we read about an encounter between Jesus and the Pharisees which says:
Asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, Jesus said in reply, "The coming of the Kingdom of God cannot be observed, and no one will announce, 'Look, here it is,' or, 'There it is.' For behold, the Kingdom of God is among you. (Luke 17:20,21)Our Christian life is a participation in the very life of God; what the Apostle Peter referred to as a participation in the Divine nature. (2 Peter 1:4) It is thus a participation in the kingdom - of which the Church is both a seed and sign.
2 Peter 1:4 Through [g]these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust"To what shall I compare the Kingdom of God? It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with three measures of wheat flour until the whole batch of dough was leavened." (Luke 13: 18 - 21) -- this is very clearly about there being no Jew and no Gentile
Paul also makes it clear in his letters to the Corinthians and the Galatians that it is necessary to do God’s will to enter the kingdom of God: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?” The immoral, idolaters, adulterers, sexual perverts, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, robbers, those guilty of envy, “and the like” are all excluded (cf. 1 Cor 6:9-10 and Gal 5:21). But Paul makes clear that this is not only a matter of avoiding certain fleshly evils; it is a matter of living in the spirit of God: “I tell you this, brethren: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Cor 15:50).
I will end this with Jesus saying in Matthew 12:24 AFTER HE HAD cast out demons
He DID cast out demons just before that and He speaks the truth,
But if I cast out the demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
I stated earlier, “There is Israel. The Church of grace alone (which includes Jews) is not Israel. Israel still has promises to be fulfilled when Christ Jesus reigns as King on earth and Israel is head of all the nations.”
If you will go back and read “Acts” again, with the understanding that Peter is addressing Jews in the text brought up before, you may see. Forget about there ever having been a church of gentile believers in Jesus, and read it through the lens of a Jew who was expecting Messiah. Of course Jews are saved the same way as gentiles now, but that is NOT what they expected. They expected a very different kind of salvation than what you and I mean by “salvation,” and which salvation is still to come to Israel.
The church of grace, including both Jew and gentile, is a unique body that was kept secret or a mystery. Read the Bible through the lens of a Jew. What did Israel expect from their Messiah?
Maybe it’s easier for you if you have a circle representing the entire world then draw a circle within it representing national Israel. Inside that circle, draw another representing solely Jewish believers in Jesus. Since the Church came about because of Israel’s Messiah, draw a smaller circle representing the Church. (This also may help you see why a rapture is necessary. With it existing on earth at the time of Israel’s redemption, we would have a conflict of interest, so to speak.)
Another help would be you understanding properly the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine in the OT. (Has zero to do with the Church.)
(And, no, eating something physical does do anything for you spiritually.)
I’m in such a hurry and as always make tremendous mistakes. Please forgive any typos.
There should be another circle of religious Israel after the national and before the Jews who believed in Messiah. (And I pray I’m not missing another in my haste.)
Sorry. I don’t know any other way at present to explain. Be back with I have more time.
See, 52.
1. the promises to Israel are fulfilled
2. the gentiles are grafted as of the resurrection onto Israel - so now "Israel" consists of the entire church.
If I read in Acts -
[5] Now there were dwelling at Jerusalem, Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.This says clearly that these were Jews AND proselytes - gentiles converting to Judaism, but gentile in origin.
[6] And when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded in mind, because that every man heard them speak in his own tongue. [7] And they were all amazed, and wondered, saying: Behold, are not all these, that speak, Galileans? [8] And how have we heard, every man our own tongue wherein we were born? [9] Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, [10] Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome,
[11] Jews also, and proselytes, Cretes, and Arabians: we have heard them speak in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.
Peter is addressing Jews AND gentiles
[14] But Peter standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke to them: Ye men of Judea, and all you that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known to you, and with your ears receive my words."and all you that dwell in Jerusalem" - there were gentiles living in Jerusalem - not only Syrians but also Greeks, Romans etc.
He goes on to criticize Israel for crucifying their God. And this is in line with Jesus' teaching that the kingdom would be handed over to outsiders; that outsiders would be invited to the bridegroom's feast -- Jesus' teaching is that the "family of God" is now extending to all the gentiles and that He, Jesus is creating a new nation, a new Israel that is the Church, Christianity
Forget about there ever having been a church of gentile believers in Jesus, and read it through the lens of a Jew who was expecting Messiah. Of course Jews are saved the same way as gentiles now, but that is NOT what they expected. They expected a very different kind of salvation than what you and I mean by “salvation,” and which salvation is still to come to Israel.Reading through chapter 2 of Acts as a Jew who was expecting the Messiah note that there were 3 kinds of "Jews" in that crowd
The gentiles in the audience in Acts 2 were of two kinds
No, that salvation is NOT "still to come" -- that was a misunderstood salvation. The Jewish Messiah in the eyes of Christianity right from 33 AD is/was Jesus and the Jewish Messiah
The Pharisees and Sadduccees, we as Christians believe, were wrong in interpreting the Messiah as a warrior (a Mahdi) - the Messiah was/is Jesus
the Jewish salvation came in 30 AD and the pharisees rejected it. A large chunk of Jews did not.
The key word is was - before Jesus -- read Matthew 13:44-47
44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from [aa]joy over it he goes and sells everything that he has, and buys that field. A Costly Pearl 45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, 46 and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold everything that he had and bought it. A Dragnet 47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered fish of every kind; 48 and when it was filled, they pulled it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. 49 So it will be at the [ab]end of the age: the angels will come forth and remove the wicked from among the righteous, 50 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.The Kingdom of Heaven - the good news is of great value - that we should give up everything for. But read 47 - it is a net cast over the entire world. This is not limited for Jews or for Gentiles only.
This was referred to in the OT where God is noted as worshiped by the gentile nations - in Micah that his praises are sung from world to world
Many nations will come and say, “Come and let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord And to the house of the God of Jacob, So that He may teach us about His ways, And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
Now there are 3 things
For 1 it was based on Jeremiah
2 Therefore this is what the Lord, the God of Israel says concerning the shepherds who are [a]tending My people: “You have scattered My flock and driven them away, and have not been concerned about them; behold, I am going to call you to account for the evil of your deeds,” declares the Lord. 3 “Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply.- they read this as the return from Babylon.
....7 “Therefore behold, the days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when they will no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought the sons of Israel up from the land of Egypt,’ 8 but, ‘As the Lord lives, who brought up and led the descendants of the household of Israel back from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ Then they will live on their own soil.”
The concept of the Jewish Messiah was taken by the Arabs who conquered the Semitic lands of the Roman and Sassanid empires and they built the concept split into Mo and into the future Mahdi
The thing is that there is no more, not since the time of Christ a smaller ethnic Israel - The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church. They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe.
Jesus is named Christ or Messiah 'he who anointed', 'he who was anointed' and 'the very anointing with which he was anointed'. The one who anointed is the Father, the one who was anointed is the Son, and he was anointed with the Spirit who is the anointing.
His eternal messianic consecration was revealed during the time of his earthly life at the moment of his baptism by John, when "God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power", "that he might be revealed to Israel" as its Messiah. His works and words will manifest him as "the Holy One of God"
The very parables show that there is not circles within circles but one circle now - no separate bubble for Jews or for gentile. There is one circle - God's family
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