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Israel's fullness

 

Romans 11:11-12 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?

 

  • how much more their fulness?

 

That Which is Ready to Vanish Away

 

Romans 11:25-27 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

 

  • And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,

  • There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob

  • For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins

 

Hebrews 8:7-13 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

 

  • For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second

  • Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah

  • In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old

  • Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away

 

Contrary to what modern day perversions, of the scriptures read, Paul never claimed to be an able minister of the new covenant, but an able minister of the new testament! We will demonstrate this distinction.

 

2 Corinthians 3:6-8 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?

 

  • Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament

  • not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life

 

Following is comparison of the KJB with the ESV & NIV:

 

Paul an able minister B

Able Ministers of the New Testament

 

2 Corinthians 3:6 KJB Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

 

  • able ministers of the new testament

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Competent as Ministers of a New Covenant

 

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV) He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

  • competent as ministers of a new covenant

 

Sufficient to be Ministers of a New Covenant

 

2 Corinthians 3:6 (ESV) who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

 

  • sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant

 

Israel’s Expectation

 

The prophet Ezekiel spells out in detail what can be expected in the last days concerning Israel…

 

Ezekiel 36:23-29 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. 28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses: and I will call for the corn, and will increase it, and lay no famine upon you.

 

  • I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen

  • For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land

  • Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you

  • A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you

  • I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them

  • ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God

  • I will also save you from all your uncleannesses

 

 

Unless reasoned away, confession has to attest to the fact that neither Hebrews 8:7-13 or Ezekiel 36:23-29, has yet been fulfilled. Also, one would have to admit that in reading Hebrews 8:13, the Jewish Christian was yet expecting a transition from one covenant to the other covenant… “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” Hebrews 8:13

 

  • Now that which decayeth and waxeth old

  • is ready to vanish away

Such passages as Ezekiel 36:23-29, as well as many other Old Testament prophecies, foretell that Israel is to expect certain things to fall in place at ‘the last days’, in which the LORD will once again turn His attention to her.

 

Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, ministered just two aspects, of what’s mentioned in Ezekiel’s passage, that being the spirit and blood. Just as the Mosaic Covenant was composed of many facets, including blood, so the New Covenant is composed of many facets, which include the spirit, as well as blood… and a new spirit will I put within you… I will also save you from all your uncleannesses. Peter promised the baptism of the Holy Ghost, upon repentance and baptism for the remission of sins (Ac 2:38), as Israel did get a taste of that world to come… “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:4-6

 

  • who were once enlightened

  • have tasted of the heavenly gift

  • were made partakers of the Holy Ghost

  • have tasted the good word of God

Essentially, in a nutshell, what is being said to these Jewish Christians is that the second offer of the kingdom has passed over Israel's head. Now Israel has to wait for that world which is to come, in which she experienced a taste of.

 

Paul was a minister of the spirit, which is included in the New Covenant. The New Covenant is yet to be made with the house of Israel. In fact, the Gentile, in receiving the Spirit ‘through faith’, is an element of Paul’s gospel, which was a mystery… “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:14

 

  • That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ

  • that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith

Blood of the New Testament or Blood of the New Covenant?

 

Once again, we see a distinction being made in a King James Bible that’s confused in other translations!

 

Matthew 26:27-28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

  • For this is my blood of the new testament

 

blood of Testament or Covenant J

Blood of the New Testament

 

Matthew 26:27-28 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 

  • this is my blood of the new testament

 

Blood of the New Covenant

 

Matthew 26:27-28 (NIV) Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[a]covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

  • This is my blood of the[a]covenant

 

Matthew 26:27-28 (ESV) And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the[a] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

 

  • this is my blood of the[a] covenant

 

Is a Testament a Covenant or Vice Versa?

So, is it the blood of the New Testament, as the KJB states or blood of the New Covenant, as promoted in newer translations? Which one is not only doctrinally correct, but also makes bible-sense? Anyone who knows anything about the Greek, understands that many words can be translated more than one way. This is one excuse for so many bible versions! The words ‘testament’ and ‘covenant’, are the same Greek word, diatheke. What bible is accurate and which bible(s) found excuse for another translation?

 

Which translation of the Greek word diatheke is not only doctrinally correct, but also makes bible-sense?

 

A testament and a covenant can be related, but they’re not equated. The New Testament is the basis of the New Covenant, but there is distinction to be made, as does the KJB!

The Noahic Covenant

This principle is clearly seen and easily demonstrated in the Noahic Covenant.

 

Genesis 6:17-18 And, behold, I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life, from under heaven; and every thing that is in the earth shall die. 18 But with thee will I establish my covenant; and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee.

 

  • I, even I, do bring a flood of waters upon the earth, to destroy all flesh

  • But with thee will I establish my covenant

 

Genesis 8:20-22 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

 

  • Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar

  • And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake

 

Genesis 9:8-17 And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, 9 And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; 10 And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth. 11 And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. 12 And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: 15 And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. 17 And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.

 

  • I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you

  • I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood

  • I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth

  • And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth

 

Following the destruction of the earth, via a flood, came a promise of a covenant to be established with Noah, which was expanded to include every living creature of all flesh. Regardless of what all the righteous acts of sacrifices, offered by Noah, accomplished or symbolized (Heb 11:4), it was then… "the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake."

 

The covenant that God established between Himself and Noah, that included every living creature of all flesh, was one sided! In this particular instance, unless factoring in the loss of life during the flood, sacrifices weren’t a mandate, by the LORD, in making this covenant. Even if one would somehow factor in the sacrifices, offered by Noah, the covenant in of itself was a promise made by God to then be backed up with a token as a reminder to His creation. An important observation is that it is here, between Gen 8:20-22 - Gen 9:8-17, that we find the following warning… “But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat. 5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:4-6

 

Though death and blood are witnessed in the events surrounding the flood, they are only aspects of the entire picture, seen in the Noahic Covenant! Even the rainbow is simply a token, not the covenant itself. This covenant is a promise that the LORD made!

 

Understanding that the New Testament is the basis of the New Covenant, notice how deliberately the King James Bible translators use the words ‘testament’ and ‘covenant’, in explaining certain parts of the whole.

 

Certain Parts of a Whole

Blood of the Testament

 

Hebrews 9:14-20 (KJB) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.

 

Blood of the New Covenant

 

Hebrews 10:28-29 (KJB) He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

 

Hebrews 12:22-24 (KJB) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

 

Unlike a testament, a covenant doesn’t necessary demand blood. In a covenant made between Abimelech, king of Gerar and Abraham, over controversary involving a well, sheep and goats were only exchanged… “And Abraham took sheep and oxen, and gave them unto Abimelech; and both of them made a covenant.” Genesis 21:27  In the New Covenant, which involves a testament, the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the essential element!

 

After recognizing distinctions that are clearly being made by the translators of the King James Bible, the lack of bible-sense can clearly be seen in the translation of newer bibles!

 

Spirit and Blood

 

Of Paul’s analogy in 2 Corinthians 3:6-8, he holds contrast between the law of Moses that ‘kills’, to that of the spirit that gives life… “Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit.” In other of Paul’s epistles, he zeros in on that unlike Israel’s future wait, with the establishment of the New Covenant, we NOW HAVE forgiveness of sins…

 

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 

 

  • But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off

  • are made nigh by the blood of Christ

Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

  • being now justified by his blood

 

Our bibles are divided into two Testaments; The Old Testament and the New Testament. Not into two Covenants… the Old and the New. There is a trail of blood that can be traced from Genesis through Revelation. A testament demands the death of a testator… “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.” The King James translators were correct in using the word testament, instead of covenant, where context demanded a distinction!

 

Outside of name only, there’s no such thing as a New Covenant church today!

 

spirit & blood C

Prophesied Promises

 

I’ve read and heard it said, that if one can believe the first verse in the bible, then believing the rest of the bible is easy. I apply same principal to Israel and the New Covenant. Once one understands that Israel, not both Israel and the Gentile, owns the New Covenant, then the rest that’s recorded in prophecy, regarding Israel’s future, is easy to be believed.

 

In the Ezekiel passage already covered, we’ve seen the following regarding Israel’s future:

 

  1. Regathering of Israel into their covenanted home land

  2. Cleansing from filthiness and idols

  3. Given a new heart and spirit

  4. Caused to walk in God’s statutes and judgments

  5. All Israel shall know God, from the least to the greatest

  6. The LORD will be to them a God, and they shall be to Him a people

 

Prophesied Promises Yet to Be Kept

 

I Appoint Unto You a Kingdom

 

We will now add to this list further prophecies to be believed, regardless as to whether fully understood as to its sequence of events or accomplishments in fulfillment.

 

Outside of brief mention of the Millennium Temple, described in Ezekiel 40-48, in remaining within the theme of this chapter, we will then show the relationship between the Gentile and Israel during the Millennium.

 

Covenant promises now come to full focus as we see Israel taking its rightful position as a kingdom nation among the nations of the world (Ex 19:1-8; 1Pet 2:9-12). The Twelve take position on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel and each of these tribes of Israel will have a designated portion of land granted them.

 

Luke 22:29-30 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; 30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

  • I appoint unto you a kingdom

  • as my Father hath appointed unto me

  • That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom

  • and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel

 

Ezekiel 47:21-23 So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel. 22 And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD.

 

  • So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel

  • it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you

  • and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you

  • it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord GOD

 

Though many preachers, teachers and ‘theologians’ look to these passages as contradiction to present truth, failure to rightly divide the word of truth and not in recognizing God’s purposes (Eph 3:11), over our understanding, doesn’t annul God’s plans. What the Mosaic covenant reflected forward to fulfillment in Christ, the New Covenant and activities within the Millennium, will no doubt, reflect upon that fulfillment.

 

Jesus stated that the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. This is one explanation as to why Jewish believers were still holding on to the customs of Moses, while waiting for the establishment of the New Covenant (Ac 21:20; Heb 8:13).

 

Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

 

  • Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven

  • is like unto a man that is an householder

  • which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old

 

Acts 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

 

  • Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe

  • and they are all zealous of the law

 

Colossians 2:16-17 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 

  • Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days

  • Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

 

Paul states that the converted non-covenanted Gentile wasn't to be judged of things that are a shadow of things to come. Thus, these things have yet to be fulfilled!

Ezekiel 40-48, along with many other prophetic chapters, weren’t inserted in our bible to simply fill space to be later explained away by some compromising theology!

 

Gathering of Nations to the Kingdom of Heaven

 

When The Son of man Shall Come

 

Gentile nations being either accepted or rejected, from entering the kingdom of heaven, at the return of Christ, will begin our discussion on the nations’ relationship under the fullness of Israel.

 

Matthew 25:31-46 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: 43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

 

  • When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory

  • And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats

  • And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left

  • Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world

  • the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me

  • Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me

  • Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels

 

Zephaniah 3:8-9 Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. 9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

 

  • for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger

  • then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent

 

Joel 3:1-2 For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

 

  • in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem

  • I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel

 

Rewarding The Kindness of Rahab the Harlot

 

The scene is at the end of the seven-year tribulation period with Jesus, the Son of man, at the initial stage in setting up the kingdom of heaven here on earth. Nations are categorized and separated, not individuals! Expository, within context, can only be explained in light of justification ‘by faith’, with Jericho and Rahab as its backdrop.

 

Hebrews 11:31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

 

  • By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not

  • when she had received the spies with peace

 

Joshua 2:9-14 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. 10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. 11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: 13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death. 14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

 

  • I know that the LORD hath given you the land

  • for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath

  • I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house

  • the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business

  • it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee

 

There is absolutely nothing, in the context of Matthew 25, indicating anyone accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as personal saviour, based on Romans 10:1-10. All evidence is, as was with Rahab, acceptance is based on response to the Jew’s need during the tribulation in recognition of Israel’s LORD, being the God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. I also believe that ‘all’, as in ‘all nations’, should be qualified in the context of prophecy (Ez 38). Though time will tell in coming to past, I’m not convinced that every living individual, from all nations around the entire world, will be gathered together at this judgment? My reasoning will be found under next heading.

 

Gathering of Nations

Gentile Nations During the Reign of Christ

 

As already noted, a great judgement precedes the 1,000 year reign of Christ in which He then rules with a rod of iron.

 

Before Him Shall Be Gathered All Nations

 

Matthew 25:31-32 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

 

 

 

 

  • When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him

  • then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory

  • And before him shall be gathered all nations

  • he shall separate them one from another

  • as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats

 

He Shall Rule Them With A Rod Of Iron

 

Revelation 19:14-16 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

 

  • And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses

  • And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations

  • and he shall rule them with a rod of iron

  • And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS

 

Ruling With a Rod of Iron

 

The kingdom of heaven won’t be exactly the utopia, that many anticipate, though there won’t be wars or rumor of wars as once accustomed to. However, in stating that, there will be a short-lived uprising, initiated by Satan, at the end (Rev 20:1-9). Life will carry on with overwhelming evidence that, with an acknowledgement of the presence of the Divine, unregenerate people will exist throughout the world; much like an Old Testament environment. There’re a few theories as to the presence of these unregenerate people. As suggested earlier, perhaps not ‘all’ people from ‘all’ nations are represented in the context of ‘all’ in Matthew 25? It’s not uncommon that ‘all’ needs to be qualified within certain context of the scriptures. Ezekiel 47 refers to strangers and children born to strangers, during this kingdom, so could this account for some? I’ve also heard theories presented that perhaps those who died in an age of unaccountability could end up among this group? At best… this is only a theory?

 

The Great Commission

 

It is my conviction, that it will be during this Millennial reign of Christ, with reestablishment of Israel as a priesthood kingdom, that we see the various elements of the ‘Great Commission’, coming to place.

 

The Apostles understood a certain sequence of events had to take place before the kingdom would be restored to Israel, which included a national repentance… “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:” Acts 3:19-20

 

From the Apostle’s mindset, the commission recorded in Matthew 28:18-20, would proceed from the establishment of the kingdom… "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:18-20 

 

What follows will demonstrate the various aspects, of the ‘Great Commission’, being fulfilled during the kingdom reign of Israel. Though many other passages can be presented, these are extracted and can be proved in context.

 

Great Commission B

The Great Commission

 

A. Go ye therefore...

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B. Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

C. Teaching them…

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Lo, I am with you alway…

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Great Commission in Fulfillment

 

A. Go ye therefore...

Isaiah 66:19-24 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. 20 And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and in chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD. 21 And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the LORD. 22 For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. 23 And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD. 24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

 

B. Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

Isaiah 52:15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

 

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

 

C. Teaching them…

Micah 4:1-3 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

D. Lo, I am with you alway…

Zechariah 8:20-23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: 21 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also. 22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. 23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

 

Israel’s Fullness

 

Though in blindness for a season, till the fullness of the Gentiles come in, the fullness of Israel is seen here in fulfillment of prophecy to which the nations, of the world, will be influenced by the presence of the LORD.

 

Here are a few observations, taken from the prophecy paralleled, that’s been tied to the commission of Matthew 28.

 

A. Go ye therefore…: There’s a combination of those who go forth, among the nations as missionaries, as well as those, from the nations, who gather to the mountain of the LORD.

 

B. Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…: In Israel’s fullness, baptism with water is back in! For those who are skeptical of interpreting, ‘So shall he sprinkle many nations’, to be in reference to baptism with water, simply aren’t tuned in with scriptural terminology regarding the various modes of cleansing.

 

The reader MUST NOT ALLOW denominational predigest to interfere with biblical interpretation on baptism with water. From a proper perspective, just start with the first Baptist (Moses; 19:10-14). Now, follow from the establishment of the divers’ washings, to then include the ministries of John the Baptist, Jesus and His Apostles, while Israel was still in the picture.

 

Remember… Paul, though on particular occasions, wasn’t ‘sent’ to baptize with water (1Co 1:14-17).

 

Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes

 

  • sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes

 

Numbers 8:7 And thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them, and let them shave all their flesh, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.

 

  • thus shalt thou do unto them, to cleanse them: Sprinkle water of purifying upon them

 

Ezekiel 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

 

  • I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean...

 

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 

  • baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost

 

Isaiah 52:10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God… 15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider.

 

  • So shall he sprinkle many nations...

 

Of the three (3) baptismal formulas (authorities), found in the New Testament (in the name of the Lord; in the name of Jesus Christ; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost), the latter’s absence, throughout Acts, is because of its place here. If one pays close attention, this baptism is in the ‘name’, not ‘names’, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. As stated in Zechariah 14:9, it is during this period, in which the LORD shall be king over all the earth, that his name is one!

 

Zechariah 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.

 

  • And the LORD shall be king over all the earth

  • in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one

 

C. Teaching them... Another observation, that is mostly overlooked, is regarding… "and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:2)

 

What is often neglected, in the presentation of this commission in Matthew 28, is that the emphasis is on ‘teaching’ and not ‘evangelism’, as we know of it today. There’s somewhat a different approach, among the nations, during the kingdom!

 

The law that goes forth, at least in part, is that which was presented to Jesus’ disciples in the sermon on the mount. In essence, the sermon on the mount, was the apostles’ doctrine to the early Jewish Christian church… “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” Acts 2:42.

 

Matthew 5:1-3 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…

 

  • he went up into a mountain: and when he was set

  • his disciples came unto him

  • he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying

  • Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

 

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

  • Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments

  • and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven

  • but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven

 

Matthew 7:28-29 – 8:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: 29 For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

 

  • when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine

  • For he taught them as one having authority

  • When he was come down from the mountain...

 

Matthew 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

 

  • many shall come from the east and west

  • and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob

  • in the kingdom of heaven

 

Though, without question, there are many practical applications that can be taken from the sermon on the mount, it is also without question, that certain teachings simply don’t and can’t apply today. Just one example being, one’s forgiveness of another, doesn’t determine our forgiveness in the eyes of God today… but, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

 

Unfortunately, a large emphasis on the sermon of the mount, as well as on the Gospels, from behind the denominational pulpit, has greatly starved the church today of Pauline doctrine.

 

D. Lo, I am with you always… Finally, this scene plays out for the duration of the kingdom reign of Christ, along with those that have part in 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.” Revelation 20:6

 

We conclude this chapter, on Israel’s fullness, with the full chapter of Zechariah 14, highlighting verses pointing out the kingdom’s beginning, as well as the Gentiles submission during that reign.

 

Zechariah 14:1-21 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee. 2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. 3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. 6 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the light shall not be clear, nor dark: 7 But it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light. 8 And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. 9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. 10 All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses. 11 And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. 12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; 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. 13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour. 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance. 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague. 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

 

The psalmist wrote… “His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. 18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.” Psalm 72:17-19

 

Isaiah 45:17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.

 

Isaiah 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.

 

The fullness of Israel is yet to be seen!

 

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