A Spirit of Murder and Lawlessness.
This blog will be a bit of a repeat, but I am moved by another killing spree this morning at a Naval Air Station in Florida. I am not sure how many were killed, but I think it includes the one doing the shooting. These are now becoming weekly events. A friend of mine said that there is a spirit of murder over our land and I believe that is true. There is also a spirit of lawlessness as well. I don't mean to be pessimistic, but I don't think that these things will turn around anytime soon and here are my reasons.
The Genesis one account is certainly about God creating all things by his power, but there is something more in this chapter as well. It is about the nature and desire of God. The world is created in darkness, without life, and covered in water. The ancients would have said that in the beginning the world was in a chaotic state. This chaotic state is the backdrop to reveal the nature of the Hebrew God. God does three things in chapter one: He brings forth light, and then order, and then life. The sky, the sea, and the land bring order to the chaotic state which God then fills with abundant life. This is always the direction that God moves toward-light, order, and life.
There is a subtle theme in the Bible of the battle between Satanic forces and God. God moves things towards the light along with order and then life. The Satanic forces work the opposite in always trying to push things back to darkness and chaos. God is not overcome by this force, but he allows it to learn the consequences of disobedience and ignoring or even opposing God. As long as we as individuals and a society honour God, we are directed and moved toward light, order, and abundant life.
The United States as a society has abandoned God and his ways. This is crucially seen in the infamous Roe verses Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973 that made abortion legal. Since that time something like eight million babies have been aborted in this county. I understand that there certainly can be legitimate reasons for abortion, but simply discarding a human life because of inconvenience is not one of them. In 2016 the Supreme court made same-sex 'marriage' the law of the land. Homosexual practices have been considered wrong for thousands of years by three of the greatest religions ever known-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam which should give one pause in considering this issue. The consistent Christian view has been that God created marriage and it is between a man and a woman. Nothing else is really a marriage according to Jesus and the scriptures, and yet our society has chosen to ignore God's will and teaching on this and we see the consequences today.
People are very rightly concerned about the chaotic state of our country and it seems to get worse every day. Why is it happening? The simple answer is that once a people choose to ignore God and his directing power towards light, order, and life come to a standstill, and the powers of darkness and disorder begin driving everything back towards chaos. God is not defeated in this, but it is really a simple law of motion. We are not puppets and our decisions can have real consequences. We can chose to dishonor God and God will respect our choices, but if we so choose, then the direction begins to move towards chaos and God's restraining power is limited or taken away. This is what is happening to America today. Unless by God's grace the spirit of murder and lawlessness is taken away we may see the disintegration of our country in our lifetime. This is, without saying, a most, if not THE most, critical time that America has ever had.
Friday, December 6, 2019
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
The Joy of Doing Good
When my wife and I lived in London. I used to occasionally prepare a simple curry supper for her when she came home from work. She worked in a bookshop in Twickenham, a suburb of London. She had long days which included a 30-40 minute bus ride from our house to the shop each way. Cooking a simple meal was no big deal, but it gave me real pleasure to see how happy she was to come home to a prepared meal.
One of the teachings of the Bible is that God delights in giving us good gifts and blessings. James 1.5 indicates that God gives his gifts abundantly and without reproach. Part of the reason why God does good to us and gives abundantly is because of the pleasure and joy he derives in doing good things. It should be the same with his children. We should delight in doing good for others and rejoice in the pleasure it brings.
Now this may not sound very 'Christian' because it sounds like we are doing good just for the pleasure it gives. We do all things to the glory of God, but included in doing that is the pleasure it brings. We seem to have an idea that to have pleasure in doing good that we are promoting ourselves, and aren't we suppose to deny ourselves? I think that denying ourselves is often a misunderstood concept. We are then to deny our feelings and pleasures because somehow this is evil, but this a misconception. The issue is not about having pleasure, the issue is what we derive our pleasure from-what is it that makes us happy or gives us joy? I believe that Jesus took great delight when he helped people, healed their diseases, and changed their lives. How could he not be filled with joy in doing these good things? Why shouldn't we follow in his footsteps and take delight when we help others and do them good?
Doing good things and the joy it brings is really a part of what the Bible means when it states that Christians are to be marked by joy. We have joy for many reasons. It is certainly a state brought about by the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is also about gratitude towards God as we know that he loves us and will never forsake us. It is joyful assurance that we do not have to be the victims of circumstance and that our lives have everlasting meaning and purpose. We have joy and pleasure in knowing that all that happens to us good or bad is conforming us into the likeness of Christ. However, I believe that part of that joy and pleasure comes from doing good to others. Paul prays for the Colossian believers 'that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him (giving him pleasure?),being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God' (Col. 1.10).
It should be the Christian's goal every day to seek to do good to others. The joy it brings is really like the frosting on the cake. It adds to the abundant joy that we have from God and his son Jesus Christ, and what a testimony to our Faith! Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch to encourage the believers there. Acts 11.24 states that he was a 'good man, full of the Holy Spirit...and a great many people were added to the Lord'. The testimony of Barnabas and his goodness reached out to many, with the result that many became Christians. May we be a people marked by goodness and taking delight in doing good so that we may also see 'many people' in our community added to the Lord.
When my wife and I lived in London. I used to occasionally prepare a simple curry supper for her when she came home from work. She worked in a bookshop in Twickenham, a suburb of London. She had long days which included a 30-40 minute bus ride from our house to the shop each way. Cooking a simple meal was no big deal, but it gave me real pleasure to see how happy she was to come home to a prepared meal.
One of the teachings of the Bible is that God delights in giving us good gifts and blessings. James 1.5 indicates that God gives his gifts abundantly and without reproach. Part of the reason why God does good to us and gives abundantly is because of the pleasure and joy he derives in doing good things. It should be the same with his children. We should delight in doing good for others and rejoice in the pleasure it brings.
Now this may not sound very 'Christian' because it sounds like we are doing good just for the pleasure it gives. We do all things to the glory of God, but included in doing that is the pleasure it brings. We seem to have an idea that to have pleasure in doing good that we are promoting ourselves, and aren't we suppose to deny ourselves? I think that denying ourselves is often a misunderstood concept. We are then to deny our feelings and pleasures because somehow this is evil, but this a misconception. The issue is not about having pleasure, the issue is what we derive our pleasure from-what is it that makes us happy or gives us joy? I believe that Jesus took great delight when he helped people, healed their diseases, and changed their lives. How could he not be filled with joy in doing these good things? Why shouldn't we follow in his footsteps and take delight when we help others and do them good?
Doing good things and the joy it brings is really a part of what the Bible means when it states that Christians are to be marked by joy. We have joy for many reasons. It is certainly a state brought about by the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is also about gratitude towards God as we know that he loves us and will never forsake us. It is joyful assurance that we do not have to be the victims of circumstance and that our lives have everlasting meaning and purpose. We have joy and pleasure in knowing that all that happens to us good or bad is conforming us into the likeness of Christ. However, I believe that part of that joy and pleasure comes from doing good to others. Paul prays for the Colossian believers 'that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing him (giving him pleasure?),being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God' (Col. 1.10).
It should be the Christian's goal every day to seek to do good to others. The joy it brings is really like the frosting on the cake. It adds to the abundant joy that we have from God and his son Jesus Christ, and what a testimony to our Faith! Barnabas was sent from Jerusalem to Antioch to encourage the believers there. Acts 11.24 states that he was a 'good man, full of the Holy Spirit...and a great many people were added to the Lord'. The testimony of Barnabas and his goodness reached out to many, with the result that many became Christians. May we be a people marked by goodness and taking delight in doing good so that we may also see 'many people' in our community added to the Lord.
Thursday, August 1, 2019
Being Spiritually Healthy in Titus
One of the concerns in the little book of Titus is being spiritually healthy. The Apostle Paul is writing to his associate Titus to help establish churches on the ancient island of Crete. Crete was an important Roman province established in 69 BC to be an outpost against pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. It was also the home of various shrines and temples (18 in all) dedicated to Asclepius the Roman god of healing. Asclepius was renowned through the Empire for his ability to restore health and heal. Interestingly the symbol or standard for Asclepius is still with us today with the 'Caduses' or the winged pole with two serpents which is the symbol for the American Medical Association and many doctors around the world, Archeologists have discovered a site in Crete dedicated to Asclepius with a stone inscription from a man named Diodoros who thanks Asclepius for a healing that came in a dream which was very common with Asclepius and he calls Asclepius his 'Saviour'. This is the same word we use when we call Jesus 'Saviour' today.
This is important for several reasons, especially in understanding the Book of Titus. Paul uses the title 'saviour' throughout the book. In Titus 1.3 Paul calls God our 'Saviour'. In 1.4 it is 'Christ Jesus our Saviour'. In Titus 2.10 slaves are encouraged to adorn the doctrine of 'God our Saviour'. Titus 2.13 looks forward to the coming of 'our great God and savior Jesus Christ'. Paul attributes his conversion to 'the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Saviour' in 3.4. Finally in 3.6 Paul attributes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to 'Jesus Christ our Saviour'. The title 'saviour' would have been very familiar to the Cretans with Asclepius. Paul, however, uses it to attribute true salvation and wholeness to God and Jesus Christ.
In modern church thinking 'salvation' is almost entirely about being rescued from the consequences of sin, death, and the judgment of God. This is primarily what we mean when we talk about 'being saved'. Although this is blessedly true, many people in the first century would have thought that salvation and having a saviour was about healing, health, and being made whole which is why Diodorus called Asclepius his saviour. Paul seems to pick up on this in Titus not only be his many references to God and Jesus being saviours, but also by his emphasis on spiritual health. Paul writes about the need for church elders to have a firm grasp on the Word...so that they may preach with HEALTHY teaching in 1.9 (so the word in the original Greek). Paul states that Titus is to reprove the Cretans in any false doctrine so that they may be HEALTHY in the Faith in 1.13. He also encourages Titus to speak the things which are suitable to HEALTHY teaching in 2.1 and HEALTHY speech in 2.8. Paul uses the same word in each of these examples (hugiaino in Greek) which was a common word meaning to be healthy or whole, Paul, however, takes this word into the realm of spiritual health and wholeness.
There is also an assumption in Titus that a sign of good spiritual health is doing good works. In 1.16 a sign of being spiritually unhealthy is that some claiming to know God are denying him which makes them 'unfit for any good work'. Titus is encouraged in 2.6 to be a 'model of good works'. Titus 2.14 states that God saved us so that we could be a people, 'zealous for good works'. The Cretan Church in 3.1 is exhorted ' to be ready for every good work' and to 'devote themselves to good works' and in 3.9 'to learn to devote themselves to good works'. These 'good works' do not accord us any right standing or earn any merit with God as 3.4-5 clearly state, but they are a loving response and a testimony to what Jesus has done when we were 'washed with water of regeneration and renewed by the Holy Spirit as 3.5 declares. In other words we are made spiritually clean and given new life.
Salvation for Paul is a many-sided Jewel. It is certainly about a 'rescue' from sin and its consequences, but Jesus has done much more in being our saviour and the Great Physician of our souls. His intention is to make us spiritually whole and strong so that we can be a blessing to each other and the world through our 'fruitfulness'(3.14) and 'good works' - a sure sign of being spiritually healthy!
This is important for several reasons, especially in understanding the Book of Titus. Paul uses the title 'saviour' throughout the book. In Titus 1.3 Paul calls God our 'Saviour'. In 1.4 it is 'Christ Jesus our Saviour'. In Titus 2.10 slaves are encouraged to adorn the doctrine of 'God our Saviour'. Titus 2.13 looks forward to the coming of 'our great God and savior Jesus Christ'. Paul attributes his conversion to 'the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Saviour' in 3.4. Finally in 3.6 Paul attributes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to 'Jesus Christ our Saviour'. The title 'saviour' would have been very familiar to the Cretans with Asclepius. Paul, however, uses it to attribute true salvation and wholeness to God and Jesus Christ.
In modern church thinking 'salvation' is almost entirely about being rescued from the consequences of sin, death, and the judgment of God. This is primarily what we mean when we talk about 'being saved'. Although this is blessedly true, many people in the first century would have thought that salvation and having a saviour was about healing, health, and being made whole which is why Diodorus called Asclepius his saviour. Paul seems to pick up on this in Titus not only be his many references to God and Jesus being saviours, but also by his emphasis on spiritual health. Paul writes about the need for church elders to have a firm grasp on the Word...so that they may preach with HEALTHY teaching in 1.9 (so the word in the original Greek). Paul states that Titus is to reprove the Cretans in any false doctrine so that they may be HEALTHY in the Faith in 1.13. He also encourages Titus to speak the things which are suitable to HEALTHY teaching in 2.1 and HEALTHY speech in 2.8. Paul uses the same word in each of these examples (hugiaino in Greek) which was a common word meaning to be healthy or whole, Paul, however, takes this word into the realm of spiritual health and wholeness.
There is also an assumption in Titus that a sign of good spiritual health is doing good works. In 1.16 a sign of being spiritually unhealthy is that some claiming to know God are denying him which makes them 'unfit for any good work'. Titus is encouraged in 2.6 to be a 'model of good works'. Titus 2.14 states that God saved us so that we could be a people, 'zealous for good works'. The Cretan Church in 3.1 is exhorted ' to be ready for every good work' and to 'devote themselves to good works' and in 3.9 'to learn to devote themselves to good works'. These 'good works' do not accord us any right standing or earn any merit with God as 3.4-5 clearly state, but they are a loving response and a testimony to what Jesus has done when we were 'washed with water of regeneration and renewed by the Holy Spirit as 3.5 declares. In other words we are made spiritually clean and given new life.
Salvation for Paul is a many-sided Jewel. It is certainly about a 'rescue' from sin and its consequences, but Jesus has done much more in being our saviour and the Great Physician of our souls. His intention is to make us spiritually whole and strong so that we can be a blessing to each other and the world through our 'fruitfulness'(3.14) and 'good works' - a sure sign of being spiritually healthy!
Monday, June 17, 2019
The Amazing Detail of Worshipping God in the Bible
Probably one of the more astounding chapters of the Bible is Exodus 36:8-38. This is a very complex and detailed description for the building of the Old Testament Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the portable temple where the people could meet and offer their sacrifices to God. There is so much detail in this passage that it is almost impossible to read. It is simply overwhelming. Try reading it and see what I mean. The question is: why would God be so interested in making this portable Temple so exact?
It even gets worse in the Book of Leviticus. Except for a few chapters, the entire book is God speaking and giving extremely detailed instructions on animal sacrifices, the priesthood, and various laws for the people. Many people skip Leviticus because the detail becomes overwhelming and seems to have no meaning for today. Again the questions is: why all the extreme detail when it comes to worshipping God?
It is common today for people to say that HOW we approach and worship God is not important. God is fine with however we want to approach him. Sometimes we hear that all that matters is God's goodwill and acceptance of everyone and their way of 'worship'. If I worship in a church that is fine. If I worship outdoors in nature that is fine. God is sort of that old cosmic grandfather who is a bit senile and is happy with whatever one does. Just be good is all that he asks. This common view is as far from the scriptural view as one can get. The God of the Bible is extremely concerned as to how we approach and worship him as the Exodus 38 passage and Leviticus reveal. What is clear throughout the whole of the Bible is everything is on his terms and not ours. He simply does not accept doing whatever we want in relating to him. There are terms that are unchangeable.
This is also true of the New Testament. Jesus makes some very unnerving statements. He says, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (God the Father) except through me' (John 14.6). 'Whoever does not honour the Son (meaning Jesus) does not honour the Father who sent him' (John 5.23). 'Enter by the narrow gate (the Gospel gate): for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it' (Matthew 7.13-14). The way to everlasting life and fellowship with God is always on his terms and not ours. People, of course, get very angry with such statements, 'You Christians are so smug and arrogant. You think you the only ones that are right with God and are going to heaven'. This kind of a statement reveals an ignorance of God, They reject his supreme holiness and how serious our condition and situation is with him. We are rebels who deserve nothing but his judgment and this for all of eternity. Eternity here is the key. Anyone can also spend all eternity in everlasting fellowship with God, but how is this accomplished? I don't want to miss this, so I want detailed instructions as to what I have to do. I don't want generalized vague statements because the issue and the consequences are infinitely important. So God does make sure we know how. He cares for us too much to make vague, unclear instructions and we could not really worship a God who is so unclear and uncaring about such an important issue as everlasting life. So, God says, 'Here is the way. the way through Jesus, and is guaranteed, certain, and exact'. 'You can't miss it', says God. 'The way is clearly marked because it is MY way, and that way is through Jesus'.
Probably one of the more astounding chapters of the Bible is Exodus 36:8-38. This is a very complex and detailed description for the building of the Old Testament Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was the portable temple where the people could meet and offer their sacrifices to God. There is so much detail in this passage that it is almost impossible to read. It is simply overwhelming. Try reading it and see what I mean. The question is: why would God be so interested in making this portable Temple so exact?
It even gets worse in the Book of Leviticus. Except for a few chapters, the entire book is God speaking and giving extremely detailed instructions on animal sacrifices, the priesthood, and various laws for the people. Many people skip Leviticus because the detail becomes overwhelming and seems to have no meaning for today. Again the questions is: why all the extreme detail when it comes to worshipping God?
It is common today for people to say that HOW we approach and worship God is not important. God is fine with however we want to approach him. Sometimes we hear that all that matters is God's goodwill and acceptance of everyone and their way of 'worship'. If I worship in a church that is fine. If I worship outdoors in nature that is fine. God is sort of that old cosmic grandfather who is a bit senile and is happy with whatever one does. Just be good is all that he asks. This common view is as far from the scriptural view as one can get. The God of the Bible is extremely concerned as to how we approach and worship him as the Exodus 38 passage and Leviticus reveal. What is clear throughout the whole of the Bible is everything is on his terms and not ours. He simply does not accept doing whatever we want in relating to him. There are terms that are unchangeable.
This is also true of the New Testament. Jesus makes some very unnerving statements. He says, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father (God the Father) except through me' (John 14.6). 'Whoever does not honour the Son (meaning Jesus) does not honour the Father who sent him' (John 5.23). 'Enter by the narrow gate (the Gospel gate): for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life and there are few who find it' (Matthew 7.13-14). The way to everlasting life and fellowship with God is always on his terms and not ours. People, of course, get very angry with such statements, 'You Christians are so smug and arrogant. You think you the only ones that are right with God and are going to heaven'. This kind of a statement reveals an ignorance of God, They reject his supreme holiness and how serious our condition and situation is with him. We are rebels who deserve nothing but his judgment and this for all of eternity. Eternity here is the key. Anyone can also spend all eternity in everlasting fellowship with God, but how is this accomplished? I don't want to miss this, so I want detailed instructions as to what I have to do. I don't want generalized vague statements because the issue and the consequences are infinitely important. So God does make sure we know how. He cares for us too much to make vague, unclear instructions and we could not really worship a God who is so unclear and uncaring about such an important issue as everlasting life. So, God says, 'Here is the way. the way through Jesus, and is guaranteed, certain, and exact'. 'You can't miss it', says God. 'The way is clearly marked because it is MY way, and that way is through Jesus'.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
The Return to Chaos
When ancient cultures heard Genesis 1, they understood that in the beginning the earth was in a chaotic state. There was no purpose or order in the darkness and lifeless waters. So, God brings it out of chaos by bringing in light, order, and life. What the flood of Noah represents is a return to chaos. The world is covered again in water and once more there is no order or life. With Noah there is a return to spiritual light, order, and life. Once again the world goes forward. The Satanic plan is to always take the world backwards, back to disorder, darkness, and chaos. This is probably what is happening to America and our world today.
This backward drift towards darkness and chaos is brought about by abandoning God and his good laws and precepts. The world according to Genesis 6.5 was in chaos. The wickedness of the people was very great and their thoughts were continually evil. God also brought about the chaos flood because the earth was filled with violence according to Genesis 6.13. The flood is also a washing away of the sin and violence, a 'cleansing' so to speak, but again it represents a return to chaotic confusion and violence.
America, at present, is in desperate state of chaos and we are going backwards. The government is in disarray almost like it is caught up in a fog and can't find ways to go forward. The division in our country is perhaps the worse we have seen in modern times, at least since the Civil War. Things seem to be getting more chaotic all the time and the reason for it, I believe, is our disregard and contempt for God. Through abortions since 1973 we have killed millions of babies without cause except on the basis of total irresponsibility and selfishness. No one really has to get pregnant in this day and age. We have also seen since 1969 a steady acceptance of homosexuality and same sex marriage ideas which whether we like it or not are not accepted by scripture. I don't really believe that the LBGT movement is about civil rights. What people want to do in their own homes is their business and I think everyone is fine with that though they may not agree with what is being done. There are no states today that can discriminate legally on the basis of LBGT beliefs. The LBGT movement is rather about making any disagreement with them a crime, and, in my opinion, is a movement that hates Biblical Christianity and seeks to destroy it through compromise or direct attack. The issue of violence has become an epidemic whether in mass shootings or violence on our TVs. movies, or video games. Violence is now a virtue and our heroes are those who can hurt or kill or can take the most revenge on those who oppose them.
Our defiance and disregard of God and his laws will always take us backwards into chaos and this will continue until the day when we turn back to God. Until then the chaos will grow deeper unless God intervenes. Pray that he will.
When ancient cultures heard Genesis 1, they understood that in the beginning the earth was in a chaotic state. There was no purpose or order in the darkness and lifeless waters. So, God brings it out of chaos by bringing in light, order, and life. What the flood of Noah represents is a return to chaos. The world is covered again in water and once more there is no order or life. With Noah there is a return to spiritual light, order, and life. Once again the world goes forward. The Satanic plan is to always take the world backwards, back to disorder, darkness, and chaos. This is probably what is happening to America and our world today.
This backward drift towards darkness and chaos is brought about by abandoning God and his good laws and precepts. The world according to Genesis 6.5 was in chaos. The wickedness of the people was very great and their thoughts were continually evil. God also brought about the chaos flood because the earth was filled with violence according to Genesis 6.13. The flood is also a washing away of the sin and violence, a 'cleansing' so to speak, but again it represents a return to chaotic confusion and violence.
America, at present, is in desperate state of chaos and we are going backwards. The government is in disarray almost like it is caught up in a fog and can't find ways to go forward. The division in our country is perhaps the worse we have seen in modern times, at least since the Civil War. Things seem to be getting more chaotic all the time and the reason for it, I believe, is our disregard and contempt for God. Through abortions since 1973 we have killed millions of babies without cause except on the basis of total irresponsibility and selfishness. No one really has to get pregnant in this day and age. We have also seen since 1969 a steady acceptance of homosexuality and same sex marriage ideas which whether we like it or not are not accepted by scripture. I don't really believe that the LBGT movement is about civil rights. What people want to do in their own homes is their business and I think everyone is fine with that though they may not agree with what is being done. There are no states today that can discriminate legally on the basis of LBGT beliefs. The LBGT movement is rather about making any disagreement with them a crime, and, in my opinion, is a movement that hates Biblical Christianity and seeks to destroy it through compromise or direct attack. The issue of violence has become an epidemic whether in mass shootings or violence on our TVs. movies, or video games. Violence is now a virtue and our heroes are those who can hurt or kill or can take the most revenge on those who oppose them.
Our defiance and disregard of God and his laws will always take us backwards into chaos and this will continue until the day when we turn back to God. Until then the chaos will grow deeper unless God intervenes. Pray that he will.
Monday, May 27, 2019
The Meaning of Baptism
Baptism has been a source of contention in the Church almost since its beginning and the division continues to this day. Is baptism by sprinkling? By immersion? For infants or for adults? Many times the argument will center on definitions. Does baptism in the Greek mean to immerse, to plunge, or have a meaning like to dip something in a vat of dye? Another source of contention is to its meaning. Why is baptism important? Has it lost any real meaning? (Several years ago a prominent evangelical journal in England advocated doing away with baptism since it was so confusing. What mattered was faith, not whether or not a person had been baptized). So, how does one understand Baptism today? A good answer, I believe, it to recognize that baptism represents a new beginning and has its source in the Old Testament.
In Exodus 14 as the Hebrews people are attempting to leave Egypt, they become trapped at one side of the Red Sea/Sea of Reeds by the pursuing Egyptian army. The people are terrified, but God causes a strong east wind to blow over the waters. This is probably a Genesis picture in that the Holy Spirit 'hovers' over the waters in Genesis 1.2 to bring forth a new beginning. The Hebrew word for both spirit and wind is 'ruach' and only the context determines whether it means wind or spirit. The fact that the wind blows from the east is also significant. The magi in Matthew come from the east. Jesus enters Jerusalem from the east as he begins his last week before the crucifixion. Traveling west in the Bible is good. Traveling east is almost always bad. The point in Exodus 14 is that the Hebrew people travel 'through the waters' which signifies a new beginning. On one side of the water they are slaves, but on the other side they become a nation, again a new beginning.
In Joshua 3 the Hebrew people enter into the Promised Land. They are on the eastside of the land and when they come to the Jordan River, the boundary of the land, they pass 'through the waters' or the dry ground as in Exodus 14. On one side of the Jordan they are people without a nation (the east side), but on the other side (the west side) the nation with its own land becomes a reality. The crossing through the waters represents a new beginning.
This is the same really with the baptism of John in the New Testament in the Jordan River. The Jordan is the ancient boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. Although there are no comments about directions, it would seem that the people seeking to be baptized would be on the west side of the Jordan coming from Jerusalem/Judea. They most likely were taken by John to the midst of the river (going east) and then after being baptized would be taken back to the western shore (traveling west). This was a baptism for repentance and the forgiveness of sin which was unheard of since the only recognized place for this was the temple in Jerusalem. The significance of John's baptism seems to be that on the eastern side of the river is the wilderness. On the western side is the Promised Land. John's baptism, in part, probably signified that the people were still in 'the wilderness' and had not really entered into the Promised Land of God's blessings because of their sin. Through baptism and repentance they cross the boundary and become the true nation of God. Passing 'through the waters' again signifies a new beginning.
Romans 6 teaches a new beginning as well. Although not specifically mentioning water baptism it is clear that being 'baptized into union with Christ' means being buried with him and raised with him to new life. There is a very subtle Exodus theme that runs through Romans 6-8 such as traveling through the wilderness, being led by the Spirit, coming to the mountain, and so on. Surely a Hebrew reader/hearer would hear in the background the Exodus story and passing through the waters. What is certain is that dying with Christ and being resurrected with him means a new beginning which baptism by immersion clearly, to my mind, signifies.
Baptism by immersion is a symbolic picture of a new beginning with its identification of 'passing through the waters'. It pictures leaving an old life and starting a new one. This is not the complete picture of what Baptism means as there is the commitment and discipleship side, but this still means a new beginning
So, how does affect baptism today? Whether it is a large group or small, what is being signified by the one being baptized is that of a new beginning, How does this relate to infant baptism? It seems impossible, to me that an infant would or can conceive of baptism's purpose of testifying to a new beginning. Infant baptism seems to be identified with circumcision in the Old Testament, but that was not a new beginning. It was rather a recognition that the child was in the covenant community of the Hebrew nation. I went through confirmation when I was twelve, but there was never any mention or thought about my infant baptism being a new beginning. Infant baptism seemed to be more for the parents than the child, Baptism needs to be a part of the Church as Jesus commanded and what should be stressed in its performance is that of a new beginning which is the new life in Christ.
Baptism has been a source of contention in the Church almost since its beginning and the division continues to this day. Is baptism by sprinkling? By immersion? For infants or for adults? Many times the argument will center on definitions. Does baptism in the Greek mean to immerse, to plunge, or have a meaning like to dip something in a vat of dye? Another source of contention is to its meaning. Why is baptism important? Has it lost any real meaning? (Several years ago a prominent evangelical journal in England advocated doing away with baptism since it was so confusing. What mattered was faith, not whether or not a person had been baptized). So, how does one understand Baptism today? A good answer, I believe, it to recognize that baptism represents a new beginning and has its source in the Old Testament.
In Exodus 14 as the Hebrews people are attempting to leave Egypt, they become trapped at one side of the Red Sea/Sea of Reeds by the pursuing Egyptian army. The people are terrified, but God causes a strong east wind to blow over the waters. This is probably a Genesis picture in that the Holy Spirit 'hovers' over the waters in Genesis 1.2 to bring forth a new beginning. The Hebrew word for both spirit and wind is 'ruach' and only the context determines whether it means wind or spirit. The fact that the wind blows from the east is also significant. The magi in Matthew come from the east. Jesus enters Jerusalem from the east as he begins his last week before the crucifixion. Traveling west in the Bible is good. Traveling east is almost always bad. The point in Exodus 14 is that the Hebrew people travel 'through the waters' which signifies a new beginning. On one side of the water they are slaves, but on the other side they become a nation, again a new beginning.
In Joshua 3 the Hebrew people enter into the Promised Land. They are on the eastside of the land and when they come to the Jordan River, the boundary of the land, they pass 'through the waters' or the dry ground as in Exodus 14. On one side of the Jordan they are people without a nation (the east side), but on the other side (the west side) the nation with its own land becomes a reality. The crossing through the waters represents a new beginning.
This is the same really with the baptism of John in the New Testament in the Jordan River. The Jordan is the ancient boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. Although there are no comments about directions, it would seem that the people seeking to be baptized would be on the west side of the Jordan coming from Jerusalem/Judea. They most likely were taken by John to the midst of the river (going east) and then after being baptized would be taken back to the western shore (traveling west). This was a baptism for repentance and the forgiveness of sin which was unheard of since the only recognized place for this was the temple in Jerusalem. The significance of John's baptism seems to be that on the eastern side of the river is the wilderness. On the western side is the Promised Land. John's baptism, in part, probably signified that the people were still in 'the wilderness' and had not really entered into the Promised Land of God's blessings because of their sin. Through baptism and repentance they cross the boundary and become the true nation of God. Passing 'through the waters' again signifies a new beginning.
Romans 6 teaches a new beginning as well. Although not specifically mentioning water baptism it is clear that being 'baptized into union with Christ' means being buried with him and raised with him to new life. There is a very subtle Exodus theme that runs through Romans 6-8 such as traveling through the wilderness, being led by the Spirit, coming to the mountain, and so on. Surely a Hebrew reader/hearer would hear in the background the Exodus story and passing through the waters. What is certain is that dying with Christ and being resurrected with him means a new beginning which baptism by immersion clearly, to my mind, signifies.
Baptism by immersion is a symbolic picture of a new beginning with its identification of 'passing through the waters'. It pictures leaving an old life and starting a new one. This is not the complete picture of what Baptism means as there is the commitment and discipleship side, but this still means a new beginning
So, how does affect baptism today? Whether it is a large group or small, what is being signified by the one being baptized is that of a new beginning, How does this relate to infant baptism? It seems impossible, to me that an infant would or can conceive of baptism's purpose of testifying to a new beginning. Infant baptism seems to be identified with circumcision in the Old Testament, but that was not a new beginning. It was rather a recognition that the child was in the covenant community of the Hebrew nation. I went through confirmation when I was twelve, but there was never any mention or thought about my infant baptism being a new beginning. Infant baptism seemed to be more for the parents than the child, Baptism needs to be a part of the Church as Jesus commanded and what should be stressed in its performance is that of a new beginning which is the new life in Christ.
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
Genesis 1 - Probably about a WHO and not so much about a HOW.
Genesis 1 is, for most people, the CREATION chapter. It answers the question of where did everything come from and why it was made. The time frame of 7 days of creation has been an area of much debate. Did it take 6 literal 24 hour days? Or is it talking about 6 ages or epochs? A lot of serious attention has been given to resolve this, and I would suspect that this is because of Darwinian evolution theories and its contrast with Biblical creationism. Darwinian evolution is a hopeless belief that gives no point to human existence while Biblical creationism does. So, how we see creation is very important, but perhaps in trying to solve the time issues the real focus of Genesis 1 has been overshadowed which is really more about WHO the Hebrew God is and what he is like.
The ancient near eastern world was fairly united in their creation stories. In the beginning there was a world of darkness and chaos, covered in waters that were inhabited by evil forces and dragons. The sea was greatly feared because of its mystery, danger, and depths of darkness. It was the perfect dwelling place for the forces of evil that continually sought to bring death and chaos to humankind. This dark, watery world, however, was present before humans appeared on the scene. For the Babylonians, the sea was the abode of the evil goddess Tiamat, the great she-dragon. It was the god Marduk who challenged Tiamat and defeated her and took her out of the sea to cut her in half and from her body the heavens and the earth were created. For other societies (Canaanite, Assyrian, etc.) the story was basically the same except the names of the gods and dragons were different. From this new earthly creation the gods and the goddesses were able to obtain food, shelter, and warmth. The deities, however, soon grew tired of having to provide for themselves and so it was decided to create human slaves who would do the menial work. Marduk put it this way, 'From blood and bones I will create a savage who will be called MAN. He shall be charged with serving the gods so that we might be at ease'. Humans were nothing but slaves, fetchers of food, water, and firewood for the gods.
There are some similarities from these stories to the Genesis story, There is nothing but darkness, water, and chaos (nothing is formed or shaped). It is from this dark, watery earth that God orders the world and brings forth life. What if one of the purposes of Genesis 1 is to sabotage the Babylonian, Canaanite stories? What if God used this background of darkness, disorder, and lifelessness to reveal his character and person? Verse 3, 'Let there be light' seems out of place if Genesis 1 is about how creation was made, It does make sense, however, if this is about who or what the Hebrew God and creator is like, What the narrative tells us is that God is a god who brings light into darkened situations. This goes further when God brings forth the land, the sea, and the skies to prepare for life. From the unformed and unfilled earth God begins to bring forth ORDER, which he then fills with LIFE (the land is filled with, 'swarms of living creatures'. God likes life which is indicated by the SWARMS). So the order here is LIGHT, ORDER, and LIFE which shows what the Hebrew God is like and what is central about his character. He is a God who delights to bring light, order, and life into his creation. This not only applies to creation, but to human lives as well. The salvation experience is to really about bringing light, order, and life to humans who live in darkness, chaos, and meaninglessness.
The Genesis narrative doesn't end with this. Remember Marduk and his purpose for creating humans? Rather than being made slaves to serve the whims of the gods, humans are the crown of creation with both Men AND women being made in the image of God that they may reflect his character and bring his presence into every situation they encounter (any Babylonian or Assyrian reading or hearing this would have been completely amazed that such a God could exist! Gob-smacked! as the British say). As we live as Christians we should be 'living images' where God is seen and experienced through who we are and what we do.
Our evangelistic witness tends to begin with the sacrifice of Christ and this is good and well (and essential!). But perhaps a better place to begin in our day is in Genesis 1. With so many people around us living dark, chaotic, and 'lifeless' meaningless lives, we can share with them about the Hebrew God, the creator, who delights in bringing light and purpose into darkened lives. We can also share his delight to bring order in chaotic lives, and finally fill them with abundant and everlasting life. What good news for so many today who live in hopelessness, chaos, and quiet desperation!
Genesis 1 is, for most people, the CREATION chapter. It answers the question of where did everything come from and why it was made. The time frame of 7 days of creation has been an area of much debate. Did it take 6 literal 24 hour days? Or is it talking about 6 ages or epochs? A lot of serious attention has been given to resolve this, and I would suspect that this is because of Darwinian evolution theories and its contrast with Biblical creationism. Darwinian evolution is a hopeless belief that gives no point to human existence while Biblical creationism does. So, how we see creation is very important, but perhaps in trying to solve the time issues the real focus of Genesis 1 has been overshadowed which is really more about WHO the Hebrew God is and what he is like.
The ancient near eastern world was fairly united in their creation stories. In the beginning there was a world of darkness and chaos, covered in waters that were inhabited by evil forces and dragons. The sea was greatly feared because of its mystery, danger, and depths of darkness. It was the perfect dwelling place for the forces of evil that continually sought to bring death and chaos to humankind. This dark, watery world, however, was present before humans appeared on the scene. For the Babylonians, the sea was the abode of the evil goddess Tiamat, the great she-dragon. It was the god Marduk who challenged Tiamat and defeated her and took her out of the sea to cut her in half and from her body the heavens and the earth were created. For other societies (Canaanite, Assyrian, etc.) the story was basically the same except the names of the gods and dragons were different. From this new earthly creation the gods and the goddesses were able to obtain food, shelter, and warmth. The deities, however, soon grew tired of having to provide for themselves and so it was decided to create human slaves who would do the menial work. Marduk put it this way, 'From blood and bones I will create a savage who will be called MAN. He shall be charged with serving the gods so that we might be at ease'. Humans were nothing but slaves, fetchers of food, water, and firewood for the gods.
There are some similarities from these stories to the Genesis story, There is nothing but darkness, water, and chaos (nothing is formed or shaped). It is from this dark, watery earth that God orders the world and brings forth life. What if one of the purposes of Genesis 1 is to sabotage the Babylonian, Canaanite stories? What if God used this background of darkness, disorder, and lifelessness to reveal his character and person? Verse 3, 'Let there be light' seems out of place if Genesis 1 is about how creation was made, It does make sense, however, if this is about who or what the Hebrew God and creator is like, What the narrative tells us is that God is a god who brings light into darkened situations. This goes further when God brings forth the land, the sea, and the skies to prepare for life. From the unformed and unfilled earth God begins to bring forth ORDER, which he then fills with LIFE (the land is filled with, 'swarms of living creatures'. God likes life which is indicated by the SWARMS). So the order here is LIGHT, ORDER, and LIFE which shows what the Hebrew God is like and what is central about his character. He is a God who delights to bring light, order, and life into his creation. This not only applies to creation, but to human lives as well. The salvation experience is to really about bringing light, order, and life to humans who live in darkness, chaos, and meaninglessness.
The Genesis narrative doesn't end with this. Remember Marduk and his purpose for creating humans? Rather than being made slaves to serve the whims of the gods, humans are the crown of creation with both Men AND women being made in the image of God that they may reflect his character and bring his presence into every situation they encounter (any Babylonian or Assyrian reading or hearing this would have been completely amazed that such a God could exist! Gob-smacked! as the British say). As we live as Christians we should be 'living images' where God is seen and experienced through who we are and what we do.
Our evangelistic witness tends to begin with the sacrifice of Christ and this is good and well (and essential!). But perhaps a better place to begin in our day is in Genesis 1. With so many people around us living dark, chaotic, and 'lifeless' meaningless lives, we can share with them about the Hebrew God, the creator, who delights in bringing light and purpose into darkened lives. We can also share his delight to bring order in chaotic lives, and finally fill them with abundant and everlasting life. What good news for so many today who live in hopelessness, chaos, and quiet desperation!
Friday, May 3, 2019
Hell or the Valley of Gehenna or Place of Waste
I was blessed in February to visit Israel and spend several days in Jerusalem. As we left the hotel and went up to the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, our tour guide pointed out a valley on the south side of the Temple Mount that was the valley of Hinnom or Gehenna, a term that Jesus uses when he describes what our Bibles commonly call hell. It had been a place of child sacrifices in the Old Testament and was in New Testament times a place of waste where the copious amounts of blood and other waste material from the temple were drained and discarded. There are other ideas about this valley including the idea that there were continual fires to burn the waste and so on, but what struck me was that this was a place of waste.
I am of the conviction that we are meant to live eternally and that the choices that we make in this life will determine our existence and fate forever. Those who believe and trust in Jesus (those whose names are written in The Book) will awake from death according to Daniel 12.1-2 to 'everlasting life', but some (who do not believe) will awake to everlasting shame or reproach. What strikes me about this passage is the term 'everlasting' or eternal. I realize that there is debate about this with some thinking that ultimately unbelievers face annihilation. but traditionally the Christian Church has believed in our eternal existence. I obviously do not have a complete view of what this everlasting shame or reproach is, but it seems to have something to do with waste. Here is what I mean. God has some kind of eternal plan and destiny for his children. Scripture seems to indicate that this means ruling and heavenly responsibilities highlighted by an eternally growing relationship with God. We will also reflect forever the incredible grace that came through the love and sacrifice of Christ (trophies of Grace dwelling forever on his heavenly mantle piece as it were). God has some incredible plans for us, BUT what if we refuse those plans? What if we don't want to go with God? Or accept his grace and forgiveness through Christ? We still go on into eternity but (I say this carefully) our living in eternity will really be an everlasting waste, We will be outside the heavenly plans and purposes of God, There cannot be any meaning to this existence, because ultimate meaning and purpose will only be found in God's eternal purposes and plans. There will be no hope because we will outside of any meaning that would give us a future and a hope. There will not be any spiritual growth because we will be without the Spirit of God forever. It seems to me that it will be eternal 'waste' just as Gehenna was the place of waste in the New Testament. Alfred Edersheim in his Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (p.379) seems to agree and catches this well. In writing about hell being the place of outer darkness, he describes it as being 'a place of hopeless, endless night'. I am not sure about the torments of hell or what they entail, but Edersheim seems to think that the weeping and gnashing of teeth recorded in scripture will be everlasting tears and anger/anguish that go on eternally as the hopeless nature of hell forever sinks in
We tend to shy away from teaching about eternal judgment and we do so (partly) because of possibly extreme views about hellfire and brimstone and hell being the domain of the devil and his angels. Again I freely confess that I do not understand all of the aspects of this, but I do think it is an existence of everlasting waste. This adds so infinitely much to what Jesus states in John that he has come to give life and that abundantly! We need to warn people that outside of the gift of eternal life through Jesus there is no 'life'. There is only the prospect of an everlasting wasted existence.
I was blessed in February to visit Israel and spend several days in Jerusalem. As we left the hotel and went up to the Temple Mount and the Dome of the Rock, our tour guide pointed out a valley on the south side of the Temple Mount that was the valley of Hinnom or Gehenna, a term that Jesus uses when he describes what our Bibles commonly call hell. It had been a place of child sacrifices in the Old Testament and was in New Testament times a place of waste where the copious amounts of blood and other waste material from the temple were drained and discarded. There are other ideas about this valley including the idea that there were continual fires to burn the waste and so on, but what struck me was that this was a place of waste.
I am of the conviction that we are meant to live eternally and that the choices that we make in this life will determine our existence and fate forever. Those who believe and trust in Jesus (those whose names are written in The Book) will awake from death according to Daniel 12.1-2 to 'everlasting life', but some (who do not believe) will awake to everlasting shame or reproach. What strikes me about this passage is the term 'everlasting' or eternal. I realize that there is debate about this with some thinking that ultimately unbelievers face annihilation. but traditionally the Christian Church has believed in our eternal existence. I obviously do not have a complete view of what this everlasting shame or reproach is, but it seems to have something to do with waste. Here is what I mean. God has some kind of eternal plan and destiny for his children. Scripture seems to indicate that this means ruling and heavenly responsibilities highlighted by an eternally growing relationship with God. We will also reflect forever the incredible grace that came through the love and sacrifice of Christ (trophies of Grace dwelling forever on his heavenly mantle piece as it were). God has some incredible plans for us, BUT what if we refuse those plans? What if we don't want to go with God? Or accept his grace and forgiveness through Christ? We still go on into eternity but (I say this carefully) our living in eternity will really be an everlasting waste, We will be outside the heavenly plans and purposes of God, There cannot be any meaning to this existence, because ultimate meaning and purpose will only be found in God's eternal purposes and plans. There will be no hope because we will outside of any meaning that would give us a future and a hope. There will not be any spiritual growth because we will be without the Spirit of God forever. It seems to me that it will be eternal 'waste' just as Gehenna was the place of waste in the New Testament. Alfred Edersheim in his Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (p.379) seems to agree and catches this well. In writing about hell being the place of outer darkness, he describes it as being 'a place of hopeless, endless night'. I am not sure about the torments of hell or what they entail, but Edersheim seems to think that the weeping and gnashing of teeth recorded in scripture will be everlasting tears and anger/anguish that go on eternally as the hopeless nature of hell forever sinks in
We tend to shy away from teaching about eternal judgment and we do so (partly) because of possibly extreme views about hellfire and brimstone and hell being the domain of the devil and his angels. Again I freely confess that I do not understand all of the aspects of this, but I do think it is an existence of everlasting waste. This adds so infinitely much to what Jesus states in John that he has come to give life and that abundantly! We need to warn people that outside of the gift of eternal life through Jesus there is no 'life'. There is only the prospect of an everlasting wasted existence.
Monday, April 15, 2019
The Fallacy of Israel being an End-time Sign
In 1947 the modern state of Israel was born as the result of a United Nations mandate. For many in the Christian world this was the prophecied event that signaled the second coming of Christ. The end-time wars against Israel as supposedly detailed in Revelation 16.16, the so-called battle of 'Armegeddon' could not take place if Israel did not exist. Along with the return of Israel, the world would be racked with terrible end-time signs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and the like that would take place, according to Mark 13.30, within a generation. This generation is understood by many to mean the generation alive at the founding of modern Israel. This founding is the key that sets of the end-time signs that results in Christ's second coming.
Israel plays an important part in some contemporary theologies because of the promises that were made to this nation in the Old testament. God made an 'everlasting' covenant with them. Gave them the Promised Land forever, and they became 'The Apple of His eye' (Deuteronomy 32.10). It is sometimes insinuated that Israel is still at the center of God's plan for the world because of his supposed eternal promises to befriend and exalt Isarel as a witness to the world.
There are some very serious problems with these views with a main one being that the New Testament has completely superceeded the Old Testament as to its authority for the believer. There is also the issue of the promises made to Israel being fulfilled through the actions and ministry of Jesus. Jesus becomes the 'new Israel' or Israel personified. This is seen in his temptations accounts in Mathew and Luke. Just as Israel was tempted in the Exodus wilderness account, so Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, but the difference is that Jesus succeeds and completely obeys his father whereas Israel utterly fails. They,in fact, break the covenant made at Mt. Sinai and come under the curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28.15-68. It could be said that the whole history of Israel in the Old Testament is not only a history of their failure, but also a history of the curses being carried out. In spite of every advantage that God gives the nation, they are unable to obey. Malachi, the last book of the Bible, basically states that Israel has failed and now God has to step in and do something or all is lost. Jesus, however, as the new Israel obeys and wins all the blessings promised to Israel which extend to his followers. Israel was meant to a light to the nations (Isaiah 42.6), but Jesus and his followers become the fulfilled light to the world (Matthew 5.14 & John 8.12). Israel was meant to a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19.1-5), but now the followers of Jesus ARE a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2.9). Clearly the Promised Land in the New Testament becomes heaven or the new city (the New Jerusalem) in Hebrews 11.10. Those who claim that Israel is still the center of God's program and that the ancient promises will still be fulfilled to Israel today miss the fact that all the promises have been fulfilled in the new Israel which is Jesus and the Church. God HAS fulfilled his promises. There is no need to repeat them again with the modern state of Israel.
Some believe that Romans 11 seems to prophecy an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel in the last days and that this will (in part) fulfill the ancient promises. Romans 11.25-26 is said to mean that Israel has rejected Jesus and their rejection will continue until the full number of Gentiles enter the Church (throughout the ages) and then at last the door will be opened to Israel and an end-time Jewish revival will occur and 'all Israel will be saved' (v.26). It is probably better to read this as saying that the Church will primarily switch from being a Jewish Church to being a Gentile Church that certainly will include Jewish believers. Both the Jewish and Gentiles believers become the 'new Israel', thus all Israel, Jew and Gentile, will be saved. This is what Paul seems to imply in Ephesians 2.14. Jews and Gentiles become one in Jesus and there will never again be a separation.
There is no doubt but that Israel today is a unique nation with all that the people have done to overcome difficult odds since 1947, but it is a mistake to believe that Israel has God's special attention or that they are a sign of the end. Jesus and the Church have God's special attention and according to Scripture, there is no definite sign of Christ's coming, He could come at anytime.
In 1947 the modern state of Israel was born as the result of a United Nations mandate. For many in the Christian world this was the prophecied event that signaled the second coming of Christ. The end-time wars against Israel as supposedly detailed in Revelation 16.16, the so-called battle of 'Armegeddon' could not take place if Israel did not exist. Along with the return of Israel, the world would be racked with terrible end-time signs, wars, famines, earthquakes, and the like that would take place, according to Mark 13.30, within a generation. This generation is understood by many to mean the generation alive at the founding of modern Israel. This founding is the key that sets of the end-time signs that results in Christ's second coming.
Israel plays an important part in some contemporary theologies because of the promises that were made to this nation in the Old testament. God made an 'everlasting' covenant with them. Gave them the Promised Land forever, and they became 'The Apple of His eye' (Deuteronomy 32.10). It is sometimes insinuated that Israel is still at the center of God's plan for the world because of his supposed eternal promises to befriend and exalt Isarel as a witness to the world.
There are some very serious problems with these views with a main one being that the New Testament has completely superceeded the Old Testament as to its authority for the believer. There is also the issue of the promises made to Israel being fulfilled through the actions and ministry of Jesus. Jesus becomes the 'new Israel' or Israel personified. This is seen in his temptations accounts in Mathew and Luke. Just as Israel was tempted in the Exodus wilderness account, so Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, but the difference is that Jesus succeeds and completely obeys his father whereas Israel utterly fails. They,in fact, break the covenant made at Mt. Sinai and come under the curses for disobedience in Deuteronomy 28.15-68. It could be said that the whole history of Israel in the Old Testament is not only a history of their failure, but also a history of the curses being carried out. In spite of every advantage that God gives the nation, they are unable to obey. Malachi, the last book of the Bible, basically states that Israel has failed and now God has to step in and do something or all is lost. Jesus, however, as the new Israel obeys and wins all the blessings promised to Israel which extend to his followers. Israel was meant to a light to the nations (Isaiah 42.6), but Jesus and his followers become the fulfilled light to the world (Matthew 5.14 & John 8.12). Israel was meant to a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19.1-5), but now the followers of Jesus ARE a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2.9). Clearly the Promised Land in the New Testament becomes heaven or the new city (the New Jerusalem) in Hebrews 11.10. Those who claim that Israel is still the center of God's program and that the ancient promises will still be fulfilled to Israel today miss the fact that all the promises have been fulfilled in the new Israel which is Jesus and the Church. God HAS fulfilled his promises. There is no need to repeat them again with the modern state of Israel.
Some believe that Romans 11 seems to prophecy an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel in the last days and that this will (in part) fulfill the ancient promises. Romans 11.25-26 is said to mean that Israel has rejected Jesus and their rejection will continue until the full number of Gentiles enter the Church (throughout the ages) and then at last the door will be opened to Israel and an end-time Jewish revival will occur and 'all Israel will be saved' (v.26). It is probably better to read this as saying that the Church will primarily switch from being a Jewish Church to being a Gentile Church that certainly will include Jewish believers. Both the Jewish and Gentiles believers become the 'new Israel', thus all Israel, Jew and Gentile, will be saved. This is what Paul seems to imply in Ephesians 2.14. Jews and Gentiles become one in Jesus and there will never again be a separation.
There is no doubt but that Israel today is a unique nation with all that the people have done to overcome difficult odds since 1947, but it is a mistake to believe that Israel has God's special attention or that they are a sign of the end. Jesus and the Church have God's special attention and according to Scripture, there is no definite sign of Christ's coming, He could come at anytime.
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