In what way(s) people still persecute “the Way,” today? 533-2 - 5 - 7

The early apostolic church was called the way with people meeting in secret often in home-based churches; “The Once and Future Church” per CM. Also according to CM, when you persecute the church, you persecute Christ as evidenced by 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.”

Jesus proclaimed who He was and is as evidenced by John 14:6, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” No wiggle room here, rather a claim to an exclusivity resented by many unbelievers resulting in persecution of Bible believing Christians. We were forewarned by Jesus; John 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

Jesus also promises a reward for those persecuted in His name. Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And again in Matthew 5:12, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

Jesus hated the hypocrisy of the organized religion of His day and the feeling was mutual. A book I highly recommend is “Killing Jesus” by Stephen Mansfield who wrote, “Once the officials in Jerusalem became aware of him, they began envisioning his death."

Jesus was condemned by the temple leadership because he healed on the Sabbath, ate with tax collectors, allowed a prostitute to wash his feet and exposed their greed. Jesus was perhaps the most politically incorrect man in all history.

Christianity gives one a feeling of self-worth and places a high value on people. Dictatorships cannot co-exist with Christianity. Organized religion is, in my opinion, about control of the laity by those in leadership roles. Not so many centuries ago those holding to the early apostolic teachings were hunted down, tortured and murdered by the Jesuits acting under the authority of Rome.

BACs are marginalized, denigrated and there was even talk of being put on the terrorist watch list. Also the believer is considered to be very politically incorrect, called intolerant and are despised by those who are lost in their sin. And of course by those who are peddling the more politically correct theology that all roads lead to God. 

Paul got the mob's attention by speaking Hebrew, lesson learned in sharing the Gospel 533-2 - 5 - 6

Act 22:2, “And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,” The mob actually stopped demanding that Paul be released to them and listened as Paul reviewed his background as an observant Jew, Acts 22:3, “I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.”

Paul spoke of his persecution of the followers of Jesus and his conversion on the road to Damascus. The mob listened to Paul until he mentioned Jesus sending him to the Gentiles, Acts 22:21, “And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” Then the mob cried, “Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.”

The gifts of tongues/ languages aided greatly in validating the Gospel on the day of Pentecost. Act 2:4, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Jews from throughout the known world were amazed. Act 2:8, "And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?" These countries included Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians.

So how, nearly two thousand years later, can we share the gospel in a way people will understand and listen? Excellent question! To quote Jacob Bronowski "A complacent satisfaction with present knowledge is the chief bar to the pursuit of knowledge."

When dealing with fringe groups such as Mormons I emphasis common ground. The LDS Scriptures include The King James Version of the Bible so here there is an opportunity/ opening between Christians and Mormons. When talking with Mormons I try to bring out the Biblical truths found in the KJV that challenge the false teaching in their other scriptures. We must gently share with Mormons that Jesus is the only way to a relationship with the God of the Universe.

Most New Agers think that their version of being spiritual is paving their way to the next higher dimension. Try as I may I cannot convince my friends in the New Age that rather than a higher dimension their form of spirituality is paving the way through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

An attitude of contentment in all circumstances? Easier Said than Done. 538 - 6 - 8

I attended a conservative Protestant church from the time I was a toddler until I graduated from High School. As an undergraduate I joined the more liberal Episcopal Church through marriage.

As a child the only real exposure to the Bible I received was through my best friend who was the daughter of the local Baptist pastor. The church that I intended throughout school did not encourage us to bring a Bible to church. The minister would announce the passage he was going to talk about. Hundreds of times the minister would dismiss us with Philippians 4:7, And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This passage has stayed with me my entire life regardless of any situation.

When attending the Episcopal Church we carried a book I think called the liturgy. In much the same way as in the Catholic Church, the minister/priest would read very scripted words and the congregation would reply. No real Bible learning here, however, it was a time of great contentment as my children went to Sunday school and I would take Holy Communion. Before and after I took communion I would enjoy the solitude of the music being played very softly in the background for about 20 minutes. These 20 minutes each week were so very special and sacred to me and seemed to pull me closer to God.

After college, life got in the way and church was no longer a priority. No real contentment as I raised my kids and aggressively pursued a career. As a result of having children when very young I was an empty nester at a fairly young age.

I always enjoyed my career but never had any real contentment. I dabbled in the New Age and thought that I was “on the Path.” However, life just was not right.

Now retired for number of years I have reduced my living expenses and live on a cash bases. I again started listening to the Praise and Worship music I had so enjoyed years before. I started to hunger for the fellowship found in church. Now firmly back in His presence I have far greater contentment. After decades of work and life in general, I’ve come to the realization contentment is an attitude. If I feel myself getting too involved in events over which I have no control, time to relax with music and the Bible.

However more content I am today, I have not progressed as did Paul. Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Prayers and suffering 538 - 6 - 2

Philippians 4:5, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” At hand is a primary verb and a wonderful confirmation of the coming of the Lord. G43, near (literally or figuratively, of place or time.

Philippians 4:6, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

As CM pointed out and according to Strong’s G3308 the verb careful in verse 6 could be expressed as “to be anxious about, take thought.” Further, it comes from G3308, “through the idea of distraction.”

How very much energy do we waste by being anxious about things we have little or no control over? Not only a waste of energy but also a distraction from the knowledge of our true source of comfort.

Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

G1516, Peace, quietness, rest.

G1722, Through, primary preposition position fixed

With thanks to e-sword, rest is used throughout the Bible. One usage is as a feminine noun indicating feathers or wings, of an eagle spreading its wings to carry its young, metaphorically of the wings of protection which the Lord gives those who rest under them.

As an aside, the above brings to mind Matthew 23:37, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!"

IMO, if we keep our mind stayed on Jesus we can rest in the assurance that things all work out according to His will. To me, thankfulness is before, during and after prayer.

In Philippians 4:8 Paul gives us very wise words, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Life happens and how I react to is up to me.

What isf an “entry” in spiritual warfare. In today’s culture, what “entries” are readily available? 533-2 - 4 - 2

Weekends during the summer I have a shop which I carry mostly beads and jewelry but also have mineral specimens and crystals. Having spent a number of years circling the drain of the New Age I can carry on a discussion with those holding many beliefs. Just yesterday a woman was telling me she was into spirituality and assumed that I was as well. I mentioned the late Sai Baba and she was amazed that anyone knew about him. She mentioned that her mother had been a Sai Babs devotee and stayed at his ashram for 20 years. This gave me an opportunity to say there was nothing new in the New Age, pretty much recycled Eastern spirituality. I’m concerned that rather than gently witnessing to her I may have reinforced her occult beliefs.

Some in the New Apostolic Reformation are claiming to manifest gold teeth, gold dust and gemstones. Nothing new here as Sai Bara had done that for decades.

A few weeks ago a good friend was excited because her son had given her an Ouija board. Rather than cautioning her concerning the entities that have been known to jump on an Ouija board I referred her to Jane Roberts who channeled an entity named Seth for decades. This entity manifested itself when Me. Roberts was playing with an Ouija board. Ms. Roberts died at the relatively young age of 55 and had been ill for decades.

In his commentary Angels Volume 2: The Invisible War, Chuck Missler warns that “You and I are involved in a invisible war in hyperspace—a supernatural warfare in which we are both the puppets and prize!” CM discusses fallen angels, demons, spiritual warfare, and our ultimate protection as Christians: the Armor of God. Very informative!

So what of ETs? It has long been my belief that ETs and abductions were a bleed through from another dimension. They occurred when people indulge in occult practices thus opening themselves to ETs and inviting abduction. There are many rather consistence stories of abductions and being probed, the fallen ones experimenting with human DNA? So many ways to invite entities into your environment. In addition to the Ouija board there is table tipping and sessions with mediums, astrology, psychic readings and more.

Isaiah 47:12-13 calls out sorceries astrologers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators and their ultimate destiny; Isaiah 47:14, “Behold, they shall be as stubble; the fire shall burn them; they shall not deliver themselves from the power of the flame: there shall not be a coal to warm at, nor fire to sit before it.”

As a very young child I gave my life to Jesus. In all the decades that I wandered off the narrow path and the years that I dabbled in the New Age I believe that Jesus had of a hedge of protection around me. So no entities took root.

Days of "savage wolves" who "distort the truth" even among Christian leaders. 533-2 - 4 - 7

As I like to put it, Paul put the cookies on the bottom shelf. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

in Paul’s time the Judaizers were distorting the simple truth of justification by grace. In the fourth century the apostolic church married the pagan church under Constantine. The result was and is the Roman Catholic Church with their masses for the dead, selling of indulgence, purgatory, icons, Mary worship and other non-Biblical practices.

C. Peter Wagner is credited with being its leading American architect of the international "apostolic and prophetic" AKA as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The leaders of the NAR believe and teach that Christians are to take back these "Seven Mountains of influence." Also that the offices of prophet and apostle are being restored. Fortunately, it seems that if prophecy are not fulfilled, the prophets are not stoned in accordance with the Old Testament.

Wikipedia is rather unkind in its description of faith healers/ healings, "Faith healing can be classified as a belief in a spiritual, supernatural, or paranormal event, and, in some cases, that belief can be classified as magical thinking."

Then there are groups who will incorporate Christian/ Christ/ Jesus into their designation such as Christians Science and the Mormon Church of Jesus and the Latter Day Saints (LDS). The Christian Science’s Trinity is the one infinite Person, the one infinite Mind or Spirit, hence infinite individuality. The LDS church has Jesus as a created being ordered to God. Like the Roman Catholic pope, a revelation of the current Mormon prophet is elevated above the Word of God.

 The biggest distortion of all is replacement theology. That the unconditional covenant promise to the Jewish people by God could be taken away by God would imply a complete lack of faith in God. Replacement theology has led to rather bizarre theology such as the Mormon believing that new Jerusalem is going to come down in the Midwest United States.

As for me, give me that old time religion, it’s is good enough for me.

Why university environments are so resistant to the Gospel? 533-2 - 3 - 4

The Gospel refers to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles; the Christian revelation. However, Jesus confirmed the Old Testament so the creation is fair game in this discussion.

My long standing opinion was that the number one reason that the University environment is so resistant to the gospel is arrogance followed closely by job security.

My theory, very educated person will likely fall in one of two categories. Those in the first category are arrogant and are very impressed with their own knowledge so they consider themselves above any belief in a creator God. In the second category would be those who understand that everything from the simplest of forms of life to the vastness of the universe must be the result of intelligent design, a Creator God. I suspect that most of academia falls the first category.

I remember from my college days hearing the expression publish or die. Of course any scientific publication would have to be in conformity to the theory of evolution. Acknowledging any belief in creation and/or intelligent design would likely result in poor performance reviews and public ridicule.

The book “The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery” by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards is a rather challenging read but one that I would recommend to the evolutionists. The video “The Privileged Planet” was very informative while being easier on my brain then the book.

As an aside, our Earth is located in a habitable zone in our solar system. A little closer to sun or a little further away from the sun and no complex life would be possible. Our solar system also has a habitable zone within our galaxy, as does our galaxy. These are just a few of the observations that speak to the very uniqueness of our privileged planet. It appears that we are located in the perfect position to observe the universe, like we have a window to the world. From the smallest quarks to the immensity of the universe, we are indeed living on a “Privileged Planet.” 

So why the resistance to the Gospel that declares a creator God? If the universe were created then there would be a Creator to whom we would be accountable, an inconvenient truth to many and a challenge to the arrogant.

In my undergraduate days in the 60s the biggest issue was the Vietnam War. I remember one sit-in on the college president’s lawn pretty much headed up by Jane Mund, the daughter of then athletic director, Biggie Mund. The protesters were not current student as I recall and lived together in a commune. The 60s was the decade of free sex in the beginning of diminishing accountability.

There is a darker side to what actually began decades before the 60s. Communism has long sought to destroy the family and the first requirement is to turn people from Christianity. This dark subject is for another day.

By Grace we are saved...not by legalism 538 - 5 - 5

We serve a righteous God in whom the presence of sin is not allowed. Works will not result in our salvation. Centuries before the birth of Jesus Isaiah speaking for God had this to say about our righteousness.

Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have Taken us away.”

And as confirmed by Paul in Romans 3:10, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

Jesus was our propitiation for sin and when he said it is finished it was indeed finished.

It could not be any simpler, Paul put all the cookies on the bottom shelf.

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

The word of God and Paul aside, it is very bizarre what individuals and churches will do to hopefully assist in their salvation.

The Mormon consider themselves to be Christians while adding works to grace. Joseph Smith’s articles of Faith, article 3 reads “We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” That is in accordance with their version of the Gospel.

The Roman Catholic Church adopted many of the pagan gods and goddesses as saints to make it more acceptable to the pagans. The selling of indulgences and masses often to spring loved ones from purgatory is a great source of income revenue.

In my opinion, many calling themselves Christians pick and choose what they want to believe concerning God’s Word and all too often add to it. We are living in the time Paul warned us about in Timothy 4:3-4. 

how do I compare my knowledge of Christ with all the other things in my life? 538 - 5 - 3

So how do I compare my knowledge of Christ with all the other things in my life? The answer is simple, everything else in my life pales by comparison.

That Christ is who he said he was is verified by many sources including the Septuagint Bible completed nearly three centuries before the birth of Jesus. Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecies 100%. So from an intellectual perspective, Jesus has done it all.

It has been said that the greatest distance in our understanding of God is the 18 inches from the head to the heart. Being analytical is a fault with me, however, the deeper I delve into the Word the shorter this 18 inch distance becomes.

Some theorize that humans have a hole in their hearts that can only be filled by God. It has been further theorized that “The God gene” exists, a gene which predisposes humans towards spiritual or mystic experiences. I do not subscribe to that theory of the existence of a God gene as God created us with free will.

I cannot begin to imagine what my life would be like without Jesus. I am sure of one thing, there would be a void in my spirit. I would be without an anchor in my life and set adrift in a fearful world. For more than 20 years I have bought and sold moderately priced jewelry, Native American crafts, mineral specimens and more. I’m proud of the extensive inventory that I have accumulated, however, it is nothing compared to what awaits me as a believer. It is nothing more than costly dross.

Witnessing, Lessons Learned 533-2 - 3 - 7

Walking up to a stranger and asking something like “Do you know Jesus” or “have you found Jesus” is not in my makeup. I remember being asked “have you found Jesus” and resisting the impulse to say “Don’t look at me, I didn’t lose Him.” So rather than a direct approach I’ll make a comment such as “It’s time to get right with God” at every opportunity and the opportunities are numerous in today’s fear filled world. Even nonbelievers feel something is wrong and off balance, so I plant a seed.

I try to find a common ground as did Paul on Mar’s Hill. Rather than berating the pagans for their hundreds of gods and goddesses he homed in on the “unknown god.” However, common ground or not, Paul still had a warning for the pagans; Act 17:30-31, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

And it is apparent that God is no longer winking at our ignorance that has morphed into outright obedience.

In the 90s I circled the drain of the New Age, a fact that gives me greater discernment along with common ground with the New Agers than I would have otherwise.

Several years ago I had an earth based pagan friend to whom I gently witnessed for about two years at a winter market. Another vendor told him that he was headed for Hell because he was a pagan. With steam issuing from his ears my friend told me of his run-in with this well-meaning vendor. Did I agree with her, was he headed for Hell? I was truthful and that was the end of any possibility of bringing him to faith. Lesson learned, be sensitive in your witness.

drink offering as it was thousands of years ago, so it is today 538 - 4 - 3

2 Timothy 4:6-7, “For I am now ready to be offered (G4689), and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Strong’s G4689; the Greek verb σπένδω, is translated as offered, to pour out as a libation, to devote one’s life or blood, as a sacrifice, to be ready to be offered.

In his The Complete Koine-English Reference Bible: New Testament, Septuagint and Strong's Concordance Joshua Dickey adds “Used of one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God.”

Wuest Word Study adds “In verses one to five, Paul is urging Timothy to take the initiative because he himself is being called from the field of action, and Timothy must carry on. He says, "I am now ready to be offered."

The word "offered" is used in pagan worship to refer to the libation or drink-offering poured out to a god. In Philippians 2:17 Paul uses the word offered; he is the libation poured out upon the sacrifice, namely, in service to Jesus. Paul is humble enough to realize that his sacrifice is the lesser in comparison to the price Jesus paid to justified us before our righteous God.

During the bloodiest years of the blood-soaked Roman Catholic Church Bible believing Christians were hunted down and murdered. Today being offered up as a sacrifice for Jesus is becoming a common occurrence throughout the planet. Isis is beheading believers who will not give up their Christian faith and convert to the pagan God of Islam.

Even in the United States Christians are being targeted. Just yesterday there was a mass shooting at a college in the United States. The murderer lined students up and asked them if they were Christians. If they acknowledge their belief in Jesus they were shot in the head otherwise in the leg and allowed to live.

Not only are life's being offered up as a sacrifice for belief, some are being called upon to offer up their businesses. Same sex marriage is being promoted to the point where the owners of a bakery were sued for refusing to provide a wedding cake for a same-sex marriage. Much the same has happened to photographers.

A friend and Bible study leader thinks we may already be in the Tribulation. I disagree, not the Tribulation but certainly tribulation with more drink offerings expected.

word study on: (a) complaining, (b) blameless, (c) disputing and (d) harmless 538 - 2 - 5

Full disclosure, while I enjoy doing word studies, I really don’t know what I’m doing. As an undergraduate I studied technical courses then business courses as a graduate student. Except for high school English and two years of high school Latin more than 50 years ago, my education in sentence structure is sadly very lacking. Also, I understand that KI prefers word studies be done using the Blue Letter Bible website. During the summer my only access to the Internet is via an expensive Verizon hotspot that is at best spotty. Therefore I much prefer to use the off-line study aids e-sword and Touch Bible.

So after my complaining, I found only one passage that included the word complaining.

Complaining:

Psalm 144:14, “That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining (H6682) in our streets.”

H6682, The Hebrew noun feminine צוחה is translated as complaining and concerns a screech of anguish, crying. Sounds like me.

Blameless:

Judges 15:3, “And Samson said concerning them, Now shall I be more blameless (H5352) than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure.”

H5352, נקה. the Hebrew verb translated as blameless, primarily to be or make clean. In the end, Samson was more blameless than the Philistines and literally brought the house down.

Disputing:

Acts 19:8-9, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing (G1256) and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing (G1256) daily in the school of one Tyrannus.”

Act 24:12, “And they neither found me in the temple disputing (G1256) with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:”

G1256, διαλέγομαι, the Greek verb translated as disputing to discuss in argument or exhortation; dispute, preach, reason. Middle voice.

Harmless:

Hebrews 7:26, “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless (G172), undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;”

G172, ἄκακος, the Greek adjective translated as Harmless. A negative particle, not bad, innocent or unsuspecting, harmless, simple.

What have “Christians” done with the dispensation referred to in Acts 15:14? IMO, not much. 533-2 - 2 - 8

Act 15:14, “Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.” While there are several important words in the passage, the one that speaks to me the most is take. Taking great liberties with Strong’s, to me the verb take can be rather passive as in “to get hold of” or more proactive as in “to seize or remove.” During this the church dispensation I expect that God is using the more passive form of the verb take. This is reinforced for me by K. L. Brook’s commentary concerning Acts 15:14 in the “Summarized Bible.”

“This is one of the most important passages in the New Testament, stating the divine program for the church in this dispensation. It is not the conversion of the world through the different agencies of reform, but the taking out of the world of an elect people who shall make up the Body or Bride of Christ. The Gospel everywhere calls out some, but it never, in any place, has been known to convert all, and nothing of this order is to be expected in this age. The work of the church is soul winning.”

Even within the first century the words of Jesus were being perverted by those seeking to go back under the law. The Judaizers insisted that Gentiles be circumcised/ convert to Judaism before they could become believers. So already there were those trying to add works to their salvation.

In the fourth century there was a marriage between paganism and those professing a belief in Jesus. Out of the ill-conceived union came the Roman Catholic Church. The corruption and evil done by the RCC is well known. While Jesus was our propitiation, the ransom for our salvation, the RCC still hold the soul of a loved one for ransom. Fortunately, this is not biblical in the individuals’ salvation is between them and God.

Always sensitive to the misdeed of the RCC, I’m especially concerned after the recent, as I call it, Poparama. The videos of the adoration of Catholics wherever the Pope spoke was reminiscent of the black and white newsreel of Hitler and adoring Germans. There has been much speculation primarily on Facebook as to whether the Pope is the false prophet or the actual Antichrist. For now, I’m of the opinion that he is here to usher in a one world religion to help push us over the slippery edge to a one world government. And as the Pope, he is leading millions through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

Per CM and Paul, the Bible does not promise a conversion of the world in this age: only a remnant. Luke 18:8, “I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

So as the Church age winds down, it is incumbent upon the true followers of Jesus to bring more to belief in the gift of grace. 

The “Kingdom Perspective,” 533-2 - 2 - 7

Premillennialism teaches that the Second coming will occur before a literal thousand-year reign of Christ from Jerusalem upon the earth thus fulfilling the Davidic Covenant. Hermeneutics here are a literal view of the Word of God.

Amillennialism is a rejection of the belief that Jesus will have a literal, thousand-year-long, physical reign on the earth, that Christ is now sitting on the throne of David and that this present church age is the kingdom over which Christ reigns.

Postmillennialism teaches that this world will become better eventually becoming “Christianized.” After this happens, Christ will return. Rather than becoming a “better” world, the world is becoming more chaotic.

Both Amillennialism and Postmillennialism are indicative of a weak Hermeneutics.

This week I had the good fortune of attending two Bible study. The first was with a group who interpret the Bible literally. We are pre-trib, support Israel and acknowledge the validly of the four unconditional covenant God made for His people; The Abrahamic Covenant, The Land Covenant, The Davidic Covenant and The Everlasting Covenant. We expect Jesus to rule during the millennium.

The other Bible study, a Seven Day Adventist group, leans towards Christians as the new Israel, the inheritors of the covenants. Their weak Hermeneutics leads to the claim that the Everlasting Covenant God made with Israel has passed to Christians though Replacement Theology:

1. Israel forfeited her promises when she rejected her Messiah

2. The promises to Abraham passed to the Church

3. All the Old Testament covenants were conditional

There was one supporter of Israel in the group and she brought up the video “Let the Lion Roar,” a video that deals with completing the Reformation. The conversation got a little more heated and, in my opinion, rather anti-Semitic. One member was very vocal and somewhat of a bully stating that Israel has no inherent right to the land, etc.

Men attempts to twist the word of God to fit their heresy. They would do well really internalize the word of God which is unchanging.

The Abrahamic Covenant has seven “I will” statements by God:

1) And I will make of thee a great nation.

2) And I will bless thee

3) And make thy name great

4) And thou shalt be a blessing

5) And I will bless them that bless thee

6) And curse him that curseth thee

7) And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

The first four “I will” statements still apply to Israel. “I will” 5-7 deals will those who bless or curse Israel, something many churches in addition to the Seven Day Adventist don’t think apply anymore.