The Bride, The Lamb's Wife

In his excellent series on Genesis, David Hocking makes an ironic statement. In his rightful defense of Israel as still being in the plan of God and still having a glorious future, in the middle of chastising Replacement Theology, he talks about "the church" as the Bride of Christ.

This is yet another common failure to rightly divide the word of truth and a failure to mark things that differ.

Israel is the Bride of Christ, not the current church.

In this age, the Lord is gathering his Body. The bride has her own head, while the Body's head is Christ.

We do not have Israel's covenants (old or new) and we are not the bride. These errors are expected from those who have sought to rob Israel of her place and promises and highly disappointing for those who should know better.

Replacing Israel (in any way) is part of an old heresy. The phrase "the bride of Christ" is nowhere found in scripture. What we do have is "the bride, the Lamb’s wife." This is near the Revelation (Israel's time).

In the Book of Hosea, we see the Lord commanding the prophet to take a wife of whoredom to illustrate what the Lord experienced with Israel, his wife, chasing after other gods.

The Lord said to him,“Go, marry a prostitute and have children of prostitution, for the people of the land commit great prostitution by deserting the Lord.”
-Hosea 1:2 

"Plead with your mother, plead:
for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband:
let her, therefore, put away her whoredoms out of her sight,
and her adulteries from between her breasts"
-Hosea 2:1

At the end of the story, she is redeemed by the prophet and restored unto him as Israel will be restored in the "latter days" (the Revelation, as we have looked at in recent studies).

"Then said the Lord unto me, Go yet, love a woman beloved of her friend, yet an adulteress, according to the love of the Lord toward the children of Israel, who look to other gods, and love flagons of wine. So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for a homer of barley, and a half homer of barley: and I said unto her, Thou shalt abide for me many days; thou shalt not play the harlot, and thou shalt not be for another man: so will I also be for thee. For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days."
-Hosea 3

They will return to the land and to their God. He will redeem them from the slave market and restore his wife unto himself. Under the New Covenant, she shall again be as a virgin.

Here the entirety of Jeremiah 31 must be read. How Christians can cram the church in here is criminal. We were "strangers to the covenants" (Ephesians). Since the New is for those who had the Old, it must be for Israel alone.

The New Covenant speaks of the restoration of Israel (and specifically Ephraim, remember our study on the lists of the tribes). Israel shall be a "virgin" again. She is the future Bride of the Lamb because she is the past wife of Yahweh.

This Reformed Chart Accidentally Confirms the Dispensational Position

Reformed extremists like to post this chart. Actually, it's one of the best arguments for the Right Division position! It's not perfect, of course, and it makes a few assumptions. I'll just point out one issue. 

Number 16 argues that Ephesians and 2 Cor teach the same body/bride. However, Corinthians teaches local bodies which have their own head and Ephesians teaches a single (male) body with Christ as the head.

And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 

-1 Corinthians 12:16

Ephesians uses the picture of the place of the wife, but it does not teach that the Body is the Bride. Let's look at their reference, 

Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

-Ephesians 5:22-24

This teaching is for wives to submit to the headship of their husbands AS Christ is head of the Church. It does not equate the wife with the Church. The passage states that Christ is head of "his Body." 

We'd have to go to the prophets and the Revelation from here to establish that Israel was and will be again the wife of the Lord ("Virgin Israel" again). Too much for this short study. Simply put,  we are the Body (singular) made up of Jew and Gentile (with no distinctions unlike in the Gospels and Acts Age) with Christ as the Head. The hope of the Body is "in the heavenly places" and not in the land nor in the New Jerusalem (which is figured as wife as it is the hope of the Overcomer in Israel). 

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

The New Jerusalem  ("the city whose builder and maker is God" that Abraham hoped for as taught in Hebrews 11) comes down to earth. It is a heavenly city, it is a reward, it has the names of the 12 tribes and 12 Apostles to the Circumcision (not Paul) on it. The 12 Apostles will "sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel." It is an earthly hope. Our hope is in "the far above the heavens."

Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 

-Matthew 19:28

And now I stand on trial for hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly serve God day and night.  

-Acts 26:6-7

One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came to me and said to me, “Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”  And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, her light like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were written: three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 

-Rev 21:9-13

Note the verse in Acts is very late in the book. And at that trial, Paul testified that he taught nothing you could not find in Moses and the Prophets (the Hebrew canon). This differs from Ephesians wherein he writes under inspiration that he was given a special revelation unknown to  the Prophets. 

I continue to this day, testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would happen  

-Acts 26:22

At the end of the Acts, Paul says he was in chains "for the hope of Israel." In Ephesians, after the "wall of partition" is removed, he says he is in prison "for you gentiles." 

The earthly hopes and promises (restoration of Paradise, the promised land) were revealed since the foundation of the ages, but the heavenly hope of Ephesians for The Body was hidden. 

To me [Paul], the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the incomprehensible riches of Christ, and to reveal for all people what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation [overthrow] of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love

The Kingdom hope was spoken FROM the foundation (overthrow).

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

As we have seen repeatedly, the promises to Israel (the Parousia of the Lord and the restoration of the Kingdom in Israel) spoken by the Prophets, spoken by Christ, promised by Peter in the Acts age, and expected in the Acts epistles of Paul are exemplified in the chart above. 

There are other assumptions in the chart we could dissect. For instance, the use of the word "church" is deceptive. The word ("ekklēsía") means a called out company and is used of a mob and of local councils in the Acts, but the translators try to hide the word as it conflicts with their theology. We also see this in James. In both places, the Reformed translators use the word "assembly." In the Acts they avoid the word "church" and in James they avoid the word "synagogue." Anything to deny Israel her promises and covenants. 

So, Israel was a called out company, the local gatherings of Jewish and grafted in Gentile believers were called out companies and "the body, the church" of this age is a called out company. And, again, if we understand the expectation and hope of the Acts age was the same as the earthly hope of Israel, the chart confirms the consistent dispensational position.  

More on Modern Israel

We recently looked at modern-day Israel and how we are to view her in light of scripture rightly divided. I want to step back and take another look with a wider lens. The scripture, starting in Genesis 12 with the calling of Abram, is almost entirely centered around Israel with the exception of Paul's final seven epistles.

Israel was chosen from among the nations to be God's channel of blessing to the world. You will not see a gentile or a gentile nation mentioned in these scriptures apart from some connection to the nation of Israel or a Jew. The most obvious example is the great nations of Egypt, Babylon, Medo-Persia, and the Roman Empire. We also have the great cities of Nineveh, Athens, and Rome itself. World empires and great cities only seen through the lens of Israel and the Jews.

But today we live in the post-Acts Age of the Silence of God and the setting aside of Israel. It is truly a blessed age. The riches of God's heavenly blessings are offered to all men. The word "Jew" disappears from Paul's 7 epistles to this company. "Israel" is only mentioned twice, and in both instances it is in the past tense.

To be sure, Israel still has a role to play in a coming age; a very significant role. She will fulfill her calling to be God's nation of priests for the nations and once again be his channel of blessing for the earth.

Yes, many peoples and strong nations
Shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem,
And to pray before the Lord.’

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” ’ ” -Zechariah 8:22-23

"And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water [the 12 tribes of Israel], and threescore and ten palm trees [the 70 nations of Gen 10]: and they encamped there by the waters."
-Exodus 15:27

"And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, 'In you all the nations shall be blessed.'"
-Gal 3:8

But not all Israel is Israel (Rom 9:6). That is, although God speaks of Israel as a single entity, the individual Jew still has his responsibility. Let's be careful here. We dare not make the mistake that believers today are the "real Jews." Even in the Acts Age, Jewish believers were distinct from Gentile believers. Among the Jews, "true Israel" are those who believe. Today, there being no longer Jew or Greek, no one can possibly be a "real Jew" (except in the physical, genealogical sense).

All blessings must be entered into by faith. In our age, the blessings of the One New Man (Eph 2:15) and the heavenly blessings of the Dispensation of the Mystery must be entered into by faith. Just as all 12 spies came back from the promised land with a report, only Caleb and Joshua would enter into its fullness, for only these two believed the promises of God. The others feared what they saw and refused to believe the promises of God. Beyond faith, rewards and crowns are gained by faithfulness and works. That is, one must have faith and then walk in that faith.

The land promised to Abraham and his descendants will be given to Israel. It was Abraham's in his day, yet he never settled anywhere in it. He lived in tents all his days because he looked for a greater reward. He had faith, but he also walked in faith.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. -Hebrews 11: 8-10

Israel will soon be cleansed of her wickedness and idolatry through a time of testing. This testing, cleansing, and time of judgment is seen all through the prophets. The harlot wife will be restored to her husband (Hosea). But out of that wife, a chaste virgin, a bride, will be chosen. And although all who faith in the God of Israel will have the free gift of life by faith (as do all who believe in their own gospel), they will have different fates based on their works.

All of Hosea pictures God's relationship with an adulterous Israel. Here I only pull out a sample of God's restoration of his wife from her harlotry.

“And it shall be, in that day,” Says the Lord,
“That you will call Me ‘My Husband,’
And no longer call Me ‘My Master,’ 

17 For I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals,
And they shall be remembered by their name no more.
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them
With the beasts of the field,
With the birds of the air,
And with the creeping things of the ground.
Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth,
To make them lie down safely.

19 “I will betroth you to Me forever;
Yes, I will betroth you to Me
In righteousness and justice,
In lovingkindness and mercy;
20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
And you shall know the Lord.

21 “It shall come to pass in that day
That I will answer,” says the Lord;
“I will answer the heavens,
And they shall answer the earth.
22 The earth shall answer
With grain,
With new wine,
And with oil;
They shall answer Jezreel. 

23 Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ”

The condition will be for Israel to repent and for her to call upon the name of the Lord Jesus.

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. -Acts 3:19-21

(Note, this is post-Pentecost. There was still an Israel in the Acts Age and still an offer of her promised kingdom available).

See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ” -Matt 23:38-39

All of Isaiah 62 should be read here, but I will pull out two verses as a summation.

You shall no longer be termed Forsaken,
Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate;
But you shall be called Hephzibah [my delight is in her],
and your land Beulah [married];
For the Lord delights in you,
And your land shall be married.
For as a young man marries a virgin,
So shall your sons marry you;
And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride,
So shall your God rejoice over you.

In the coming New Covenant [Jer 31; Heb 8], we read that it will be made with "virgin Israel;" Abraham and all those who sought, through faith, a greater inheritance, a "better resurrection." 

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. -Heb 11:35-36

These endured much for the hope of that greater city. In the Revelation, the New Jerusalem itself is "adorned as a Bride." It will be the blessing given to the true Bride. The "church" is not the Bride of Christ (that phrase occurring nowhere in scripture). This place is reserved for the blessed of Israel.

But as in all ages, works will be judged. We have seen in previous studies the important place works take in regard to rewards. We looked at how we are justified (declared worthy) by grace through faith alone to gain resurrection life, yet we are justified (declared worthy) for certain rewards and blessings by our works. This is the great balance between Romans and James.

• There is justification from the penalty of death by faith alone (through grace)
• There is justification for entering into rewards and promises by resulting works

We've covered this balance in several recent studies, including our study on the The Parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector. For this study, we apply it to the differences in the blessings placed before Israel.

Israel will get her land. She will have the kingdom restored. The times of refreshing will come. But the individual Jew's blessings depend on his faithfulness and stewardship. Not all will be in the New Jerusalem. Some will be cast out into the darkness among the nations (Is 60:2). Remember what the Lord warned in Matthew 8 in regard to the "outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This warning is given to "the sons of the Kingdom." That is, to the heirs of the promised kingdom in Israel. 

The "sons [heirs] of the kingdom" is not the church of this age and the "outer darkness" is not the Greek mythological "hell" taught in most churches. As we saw in our recent look at homosexuals in the church, a Christian can live in the flesh. In the Acts Age, living in the flesh meant losing the "inheritance." This is not a losing of the free gift of life (lest it not truly be a free gift), but a losing of a reward, a place in the earthly kingdom.

This outer darkness is again seen in the Parable of the Talents. 

‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
-Matt 25:29-30

The unprofitable servant is still a servant of the Master. In the Parable of the Guests at the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22, we see the invited guests (free offer) arrive, but without their robes. Let's look at what we saw in that study:

In Rev 16, in speaking of His return (the “Parousia”), the Lord says, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” When we get to the marriage supper in Rev 19, we get the specific description of the makeup of the linen worn by the “wife,” “for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

The linen garment worn by the faithful wife is "the righteous acts of the saints." Let us quickly look at the fate of those who arrive at the wedding without these garments.

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

These are "guests" at the wedding. We have taken up that topic in other places, but for our study today, we note that faith+works are the determining factors here. One must respond to the invitation by faith, but one must qualify for rewards by his works.

In regard to Israel, a Jew must BELIEVE, then he must qualify for his place in the Kingdom by obedience. And those who overcome fully qualify for a "better resurrection." To inherit the Kingdom, he must not walk in the flesh.

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. -Gal 5

No, you yourselves [Christians] do wrong and cheat, and you [Christians] do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. -1 Cor 6

The Israel we see in the Middle East today is not the Israel of scripture. It may be we are seeing the stage being set for the next act in God's play, but, in this age, God sees no Jew or Gentile. We live in an extraordinary time of God's blessing offered to all men apart from the Law, apart from Covenants, apart from earthly ordinances. This truth also exposes further the follow of the "true Jew" idea creeping into Christendom

Unfortunately, most of Christendom is wallowing in the delusion that they are "true Israel" or that they have replaced Israel. Almost all have adopted the wicked doctrine of Replacement Theology. The Catholic Church teaches the mass (specifically "the Liturgy of the Eucharist") is "the new sacrifice of the new covenant." This is terrible error and leaves hundred of millions in darkness as to the true blessings of this age.

Unfortunately, the Catholic Church is not alone. Sadly, it is not just the Reformed churches who have also adopted the lie, almost all dispensational assemblies (including most of the Plymouth Brethren) have abandoned their roots and have embraced the lie.

When Israel is again at the center of God's plan, Jews will be on trial. They were tested in the wilderness (Heb 3:8) and they will be tested in the Time of Jacob's Trouble (Jer 30:7). They must believe. They must be faithful. And as God has always had in Israel, there will be a remnant who refuse to bow the knee to Ba'al. These will be saved from the horrors that are coming and they will be his Bride.

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. -Matt 5:19-20

Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him. -Matt 21:32

Israel will be given charges and when the Master returns, they will receive rewards based on their stewardship. Those who have nothing to show will be cast out among the nations in the outer darkness.

Here are just a few related posts (I recommend the entire series on the parables of Matthew):

• WHERE AM I ON MODERN DAY ISRAEL?
• ISRAEL IN THE PRESENT AGE
• THE REVELATION IS FOR ISRAEL
• HOW BIBLE INTERPRETATION GOES WRONG
• RACE, ETHNICITY, THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND LENT
• THE EVIL FRUIT OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY
• INTRODUCTION TO THE PARABLES IN MATTHEW

Most of the Bible Is About God's Plans for Earth

The Bible is the account of the loss and restoration of the original creation, humans, Israel/Kingdom, and the heavens. It deals almost exclusively with the Earth, its chaos (Genesis) and its future restoration (the Revelation). The future hope (in the pages of scripture) for most is the Earth. Even the hope of the New Jerusalem is only realized when it comes down to Earth. All from Adam receive the gift of life the same way (by grace through faith), but not all have the same hope.

Christians today claim to be the children of Abraham and heirs of his promises. If you are in that company, your hope is the promised land, the restored kingdom, or (for those who qualify), the New Jerusalem. It is an earthly hope. Neither the hope of the land (the restoration of the Kingdom and David's throne as well as justice over all nations) nor the New Jerusalem have been realized yet.

"In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates..."

"By faith [Abraham] sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven say, “Behold, God's home is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and he will be God with them. And he will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor wailing, nor will there be any toil any more, for the former things will have passed away.” And he who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I am making everything afresh.” And he said to me, “Write it down, for these words are true and faithful.”

"Lord, will you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
(The 11 Apostles, after the resurrection, with minds opened)

"[Ye Men of Israel] Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
(Peter speaking to Israel after Pentecost)

"And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.'"

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations..."

"when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, you [the 12 Apostles] also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."

"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him."

We also note that what is currently understood to be and called the "church" today is not the "Bride of Christ." That phrase is foreign to scripture and, as we see above, the title of Bride belongs to an earthly people who have achieved the New Jerusalem.

"It's surprising how few believers today (and we have a lot of people today who really are believers, they know the Lord, there's no question about that) who don't have anywhere in their teaching God's purpose for the Earth. Nearly all of them think that being saved means surely going to heaven. Isn't that right? In fact, that's a synonym for being saved, ('are you going to heaven?') ... The majority of people today think about people going to heaven. Now, what heaven is and where it is and so on, they don't know, of course. And so that which spans the future ages upon the earth is entirely beyond their comprehension ... These people have failed to see two lines of purpose; one for the Earth and one for the heavens, or heavenly places. So, the average Christian you meet on the street thinks, he's saved, so he's going to heaven. And if he doesn't know about the Mystery, he isn't. He'll be among the saved peoples of the Earth."
-Oscar M Baker (Excerpt from Audio: Steps to a Goal, Part 2)

The doctrine of the "rapture" must also be looked at here. The Lord will return as he left, in the clouds. And when he returns it will be as promised, to set up the Kingdom in Israel and fulfill the promises made to her. The Lord was sent to none but to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. His ministry was to confirm the promises made to the fathers. These are the fathers of Israel. The Patriarchs. 

But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

We noted in the verses from Matthew quoted above that the Lord's return will be in the clouds. He also notes this fact to the leadership in Israel in Mark.

Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

His return in the clouds is part of the prophetic word in Daniel.

I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

This is accompanied by the trump of God. This is part of the resurrection of those who sleep (the dead). This is when and where we see the start of resurrection. 

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

We see in this passage from 1 Cor 15 some who are alive and remain at His coming and those who "sleep" (the dead) who will be raised. There is no thought here of bodiless souls returning to meet the living in the clouds. We have covered the topic of immortality elsewhere, but we note here that only in resurrection can one be "immortal."

Scripture teaches the dead "know nothing," the dead "praise not." The dead are not yet immortal. Believers in death are as though they sleep. When we see this plan in scripture for the return of the Savior and the final conquering of death, we can see the "rapture" passage in 1 Thess 4 in light of the full counsel of God.

For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

 

Paul writes a second letter to the these believers. Remember, both 1 Cor and 1 Thess are written to believers in the Acts Age. They are looking for the soon return ("at hand") of the Lord. These conditions will again be active when that age resumes at the end of the the current age.

In Paul's second letter to the Thessalonians, he continues to encourage them and continues to point to the soon return of the Savior. And the context of all the teaching concerning the earthly kingdom is obedience. The free gift of resurrection life is by grace alone, but placement in the Kingdom (or the New Jerusalem) is by works.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God... when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our minds should take us right back to the Lord's words in the gospel accounts in regard to his coming in the clouds with the angels. And the picture of the judgment of fire. This is common to the parables of Matthew. 2 Thessalonians is referring to the same coming found in 1 Thessalonians.

Chapter 2 of 2 Thessalonians is a warning to the Acts Age believers of the coming Man of Sin (Lawlessness), the Antichrist. This is a relevant warning to them. It is not just information. And it, again, is given as part of the hope of his return to the Earth. It speaks of the expectation of the Day of the Lord upon believers. 

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our assembling to meet him, we beg you, brethren, not to be quickly shaken in mind or excited, either by spirit or by word, or by letter purporting to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way; for that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship...

Note verse of 1 of 2 Thess in Young's Literal Translation:

And we ask you, brethren, in regard to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of our gathering together unto him

The Greek word translated "presence" is the word "parousía." This word speaks of the presence of the King to establish his kingdom, judge, etc. This word is never used of the Lord in Paul's seven Post Acts epistles. There (for the current age) we are told we are to look for the "epipháneia" of the Lord. We are to love his "epipháneia." This is the appearing of the Lord, not his coming as King to the Earth.

We can never understand these differences unless we "rightly divide the Word of Truth." We see the whole plan of God. His plan for the Earth. This plan involves Israel, the New Jerusalem, the wedding feast, and the guests at the wedding. All this leading to the restoration of the Tree of Life (as seen in the Revelation).

The insertion of the doctrine of the "rapture" and the deification and infallibility applies to the book "The Late Great Planet Earth" are blinding many Christians to the spiritual blessings and glorious hope in high above the heavens in the true holy of holies for those who understand this age and embrace the Mystery revealed by Paul in the Book of Ephesians.  

We've bitten off more than we can chew here. I encourage to look back on related studies for more.

• 2 Thessalonians Clarifies 1 Thessalonians
• A Quick Look at the Rapture Verse - Part 1
• A Quick Look at the Rapture Verse - Part 2
• The Place of the Book of Acts
• Paul's Post Acts Ministry
• The Importance of Making Distinctions
• The Immediate Return of the Lord in the Acts Age
• Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
• Are You Immortal?
• The Hope of the Present Age -Part 1
• The Hope of the Present Age -Part 2
• The Bride, The Lamb's Wife
• Our Life, Our Hope, In the Present Age

Another Look at the Future of Israel - Part 1

I found the following 1918 entry in The Berean Expositor by Charles Welch to be rather interesting:

We believe that one of the results of the taking of Jerusalem from the Turk, will be a great return of the Jews to Palestine.

Rather prescient. But then again, all Mr. Welch was doing was taking Bible prophecy as literal, just as Daniel took Jeremiah literally (Dan 9:2) and knew that Israel's captivity in Babylon would be limited to 70 years (Jer 29:10). Mr. Welch was not alone in his expectation. Over the history of the true church, there has always been some expectation of Israel's regathering. This expectation gained prominence in the 19th century and the early 20th century because of men like Darby, Kelly, Gaebelein, Bullinger, Anderson and other dispensationalists.

No people, in the history of the world, have been removed from their land, scattered to all corners of the globe, maintained their identity, and returned two thousand years later to reform their nation as the Jewish people have.

As we look at the great wars facing Israel (outlined in Psalm 83 and Ezekiel 38 & 39 as well elsewhere among the prophets), we see that the nations noted and the conditions of that future day are lining up with what we see in our day. The great regathering of Israel, assumed by Mr, Welch and others many years before it would happen, has blossomed before our eyes (and Jews continue to flock to Israel daily). We may very well see the expected wars break out before our eyes as well.


As Daniel read the signs of the times and as the Lord Jesus called on those in his days to read the signs of the times, let us carefully consider the world around us in light of scripture as they sit today at this writing.


Israel Is Not in the Land in Faith

Although I support Israel, and believe that Christians should do the same, we cannot deny Israel's continued rejection of God as a nation. Surely Israel is in the land in unbelief. In general, it is a very carnal nation with little concern for God. But within her is a remnant that God will use in the age to come to evangelize the world (in the name of her Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only name by which any are rescued). Acts 4:12

Two women are contrasted in the Revelation. One a Bride, the other a Harlot. The figure of an unfaithful wife is constantly used in the O.T. to describe Israel in apostacy.

Mr. Welch (quoted above) sees believing (overcoming) Israel as the Bride contrasted with harlot Israel as the Scarlet Woman. Not all Israel is Israel (Rom 9:6). In the near future, all true Israel will be rescued (delivered) when Christ finally turns all ungodliness away from Israel (Rom 11:26-27; Is 59:20-21) and destroys her enemies.

As the Revelation is the future of story of Israel, his words should be considered soberly. Believing Israel is destined for a great future, yet there are some terrible times ahead before she realizes those promises.


Israel's Future is Not the Future of The Body

In Part 2, we will look at Israel's deliverance and how Christians who supposedly reject Replacement Theology (the idea that "the church" has replaced Israel in God's plan) blindly teach that the current church has replaced Israel in the New Covenant! As we have noted in other studies, the New Covenant is for Israel and is not what we are under in the current age (Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 8, etc.).

I referenced Romans 11 in the last section. To whet our appetite, I will quote it here and ask the reader to note the future nature of the promise and the subject of the promise:

The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.

The Lord WILL (future) take away ungodliness from JACOB (Israel, not the Body of Christ). Why? Because the New covenant (like the old, again read: Jeremiah 31, Hebrews 8) is with THEM. He will, at that time, take away THEIR sins. Paul is quoting from the prophecy of Isaiah which continues:

“As for Me,” says the Lord, “this is My covenant with them: My Spirit who is upon you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” says the Lord, “from this time and forevermore.”

Isaiah 59 is clearly a prophecy for Israel. Paul's use of it, long after the cross, tells us that it has not yet been fulfilled. The pronouns refer to ISRAEL, back in the land, in a future age. We will see in Jeremiah and Hebrews how the New Covenant is for a future, fully restored, believing israel and not for the The Body of Christ.



Just as the Old Covenant was never given to me, neither is the new.

Things to Consider:

• Israel is back in the land as prophesied (although in unbelief)
• Israel is separate from The Body
• Israel is yet to play a key role in the plan of God
• The New Covenant is not yet in effect
• The New Covenant is not for The Body, it is for a redeemed Israel

Guests at the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22

We now briefly look at the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22. We are again told by our Lord that this parable concerns “The kingdom of heaven” as we saw in the kingdom parables of Matthew 13.

 The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding…-Matthew 22:2-3a

As we had in The Parable of the Sower, we see here an invitation going out to different groups and we see rejection (“and they were not willing to come”). The sacrifice had been made and the wedding supper was ready (“See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding”).

We have referenced this wedding supper in other studies. In this short note, we want to concentrate on the final group who accept the invitation. As we’ve seen previously, the Lord prophesizes Israel’s rejection (calling them “murderers”) and the destruction of her city (Jerusalem, v.7). We’ve seen this in the previous parables, but now we are dealing with those outside those initially invited.

This call then goes out to a new group (“those who were invited were not worthy”). Who are these who were “not worthy?” These are the gentile “dogs” (Matt 15) who were “aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph 2:12).

The Lord tells us, “the wedding hall was filled with guests.” So, these are not “sons” (heirs), they are not “the bridegroom” and they are not “the bride.” This group is made up of GUESTS in the kingdom and guests at the wedding feast in the coming New Jerusalem (Rev 21).

The Lord of the Feast (the King) comes among the guests and finds one without a wedding garment, and has him sent out (Mt 22:11-15). He is cast out “into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We have seen this place before and we shall see it in the parables of Matthew 24 and 25. This is not tradition’s “fiery torment,” this is a place outside the New Jerusalem, out among the nations in the age to come (see previous studies on The Parables of the Kingdom).

But what of the “garment”? In the Lord’s letters to the Jewish churches in the Revelation, he three times references white or undefiled garments. We are not speaking of the free gift of resurrection life, we are speaking of reward.

In Rev 16, in speaking of His return (the “Parousia”), the Lord says, ““Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” When we get to the marriage supper in Rev 19, we get the specific description of the makeup of the linen worn by the “wife,” “for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”  

We again have works coming in. The GIFT of God is eternal life through Christ, but every group, in every family of God, though the foundation laid is secure and eternal (Christ himself), there is a judgment of works. In the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price, we see the picture of something pure (the pearl is used in scripture of that which is holy) being born out of suffering, and rescued out of the teeming sea (gentiles; in the Parable of the Treasure, we see the remnant of believing Israel taken from the land). These are clothed in righteous works which distinguishes them.

In Revelation 21 we see the Bride of the Lamb, the New Jerusalem, the city with the names of the Apostles to the Jew (the names of those who will “sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel” in the Kingdom, on earth). This is the reward. This is the “city whose builder and maker is God” that Abraham sought (Heb 11:10). The Lord is the “Bridegroom.” The called-out church of this age is His “Body” (Ephesians) whose blessing are not in the earth, but “in heavenly places.”

So who are these “guests?”

The guests are believers among the Gentiles to whom the gospel of John 3:16 (etc.) has been sent (to “the world”). Some of these will be at the marriage feast in the Kingdom (Matthew 8) and some will miss out. Those who do not have a righteous walk, just like the Jews who do not, will be cast into the outer darkness (outside the New Jerusalem, outside the kingdom).

The implication is that the guests go through the Great Tribulation as well, but I do not want to be dogmatic about that. However, they arrive at the feast, they are guests and they must be clothed in the right garment (“righteous acts”). Again, another study for another day.

Matthew 22 continues to point us to a future kingdom, a future judgment, a future reward, and a future disappointment. In context of the whole book and the parables within, we are looking at all things, including these guests, in that light. Israel is front and center. In our day, however, Israel is still set aside. We await the day she turns back to her Savior, repents, and the times of refreshing can come in (Acts 3).

Thoughts on The Olivet Discourse

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" – Matthew 24:3

• Note that this entire section is a response to a very specific question… when will the Lord come into His kingdom (Greek: parousia – the presence of a King). This is a specific word and is not associated with the post-Acts epistles. The events laid out in Matthew 24 correspond with the three sets of judgments in the Revelation. The “revelation” is the revelation of the King in His return to establish His throne. This is the “parousia” of the King. 

• Charting the wording of Matthew 24 against the sequence of events in each of the judgments (seals, bowls, trumpets) will show this. Christ will return according to the prophets and according to the Feasts of Jehovah (given to Israel). The Acts age started with the Jewish feast of Pentecost and will culminate (after the present Age of Grace) with the Feast of Trumpets (“the last trump”).

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. – Matthew 25:1a

• Matthew 25 is a continuation of the answer started by the Lord in Matthew 24. The words “at that time” reveal that the subject is yet future and coincides with the “coming” (Parousia) and “the end of the age.”

• The first parable concerns “virgins” needing to be ready for the return of the bridegroom. In Jeremiah 31, in the New Covenant, we see that Israel is His virgin (Jer 31:4). The “remnant of Israel” (31:7) is “believing” Israel. There are three at the wedding: the bridegroom, the bride and the guests (see Matt 22 for a picture of the guests). There are two spheres of blessing connected to Israel: the land and the New Jerusalem (the greater reward anticipated by Abram, by faith – Heb 12). In the culmination there is a wife and a bride pictured separately (Rev 19:7; 21:2) each connected to the bridegroom; one connected with the New Jerusalem. 

• The guests of Matthew 22 are seen in Rev 19:9 (“called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb”). Compare Mt 22:10. In Matthew 8 the Lord spoke of those who would be called specifically out of the gentile world to sit down in the Kingdom (8:10-11). The warning that follows concerning the “cast[ing] out into outer darkness” and the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” is directed at “the children of the Kingdom” (v.12). These children are (a) of Israel (not gentiles) and (b) not “destroyed” but “cast out.” This takes us to the next parable.

“And the unprofitable servant cast ye forth to the outer darkness; there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth.” –Matthew 25:30 

• This parable concerns a master who returns to take account of His inheritance. The one who “hid his talent in the earth” is cast into the “outer darkness.” We know from Matthew 8 this means that he is (a) a child of the Kingdom and (b) not a gentile. We will leave that parable there and move on noting that we have thus far been dealing with Israel.

And whenever the Son of Man may come in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he shall sit upon a throne of his glory; and gathered together before him shall be all the nations, and he shall separate them from one another, as the shepherd doth separate the sheep from the goats… - Matthew 25:31-31

• This is not a repeat of the last parable; it is wholly different. It concerns “the nations” (i.e. the gentile nations). This is a parable that points us to Joel 3 (“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them [judge them] for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.”). This occurs at the re-gathering of Israel into the land. This points us again to Jeremiah 31 (the New Covenant) and other similar passages (Zech 9-14; etc.). 

• The nations are judged at His return / parousia (Mt 25:31) as to how they treated “the least of these [His] brethren.” (v. 40). It helps here to read another kingdom judgment passage, Isaiah 66

• . There we see that there will be some cast into the place where “the fire is not quenched and where the worm dieth not.” We must note that this does not refer to “souls” cast into “fiery torment” but rather of “carcasses” (dead bodies) cast into a literal fire (Is 66:24).

• The warning of difficult times upon Israel was given in Matthew 24

• (the signs of His coming). The warnings are taken from the prophets sent to Israel (vs. 15, 29, etc.). The end concerns the “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (v. 51).

• The events upon His return in regard to the gentile nations are given in Matthew 25

• During the “tribulation” pictured in Matthew 24 (and in the Revelation) the Jews will be greatly persecuted (“the time of Jacob’s trouble”). The Lord Jesus is the Son of David and a Jew “according to the flesh.” These are the “my brethren” of whom He speaks.

The Matthew 25 judgment has no cross, no faith, no blood, no resurrection and no Christ!

• The sheep and the goats judgment involves only works that apply to the oppressed (clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and those in prison). [Note: no rituals of religion or works of the law are listed.] The parable does not reveal how those who are hungry (etc.) will be judged. The ones being judged have no idea they are performing kindnesses for the sake of Christ’s brethren (although they will know they are helping Israel, God’s people).

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. -Gal 3:7-9

• The promise to the “sheep” nations is that they will “inherit the Kingdom” that was prepared “FROM the foundation of the world” (v. 34). These blessing are known through the prophets (Gal 3:7-9; etc.). This must be a future, specific judgment. Those at this judgment have not yet been judged. It therefore cannot be a judgment of all men of all time. It must concern things known “FROM the foundation of the world.”

• The “goats” are not punished for any religious crime or failure. They are not punished for any sin of commission. They are unaware of the judgment they are facing. That is, if this was a judgment of all men of all time (as it is commonly interpreted) and if those who die unredeemed are immediately in “fiery torment” (as is commonly taught), then this parable would make no sense. Those judged are not cast into “everlasting fire” until after the judgment. If this was a judgment of all sinners of all time and if sinners go immediately into fiery torment upon death, this parable would make no sense.

• The “goats” are sent to “eternal punishment.” The word “eternal” means “cannot be reversed.” We know they have not been in a holding tank somewhere waiting for judgment; the Bible allows for no such place. As noted, they did not know their fate until the “Son of man” returns.

• The title “Son of man” like “Son of David” is connected to Christ’s earthly reign. Study the response of the Lord to the Israelites who cry “Son of David” (Mt 9:27-29; 20:30-34) to the same cry from a Gentile in Matthew (Mt 15:22-26). As the “Son of David” He responds to call of His earthly people and heals them directly. He ignores the gentile, calls her a dog, and only responds when she calls Him “Lord.” He then heals, not her, but her unseen daughter (i.e. the one healed need not be touched or even in His presence).

Paul's Post-Acts Ministry

I our last study, we noted Paul's declaration at his trial late in the Book of Acts. There, he still refers to the hope of the "twelve tribes." In the last chapter of the book, he refers to the hope of "Israel."

And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 

-Acts 26:6 

For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 

-Acts 28:20

 At Paul's trial in Acts 26 he gives the third account of his conversion story. In his second and third telling, he adds details. In Acts 26, his final witness to his conversion, he adds this detail:

[Jesus said]... rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.

We note that both Peter and Paul refer to truths revealed "since" or "from" the beginning of the ages. Paul heavily relies on the witness of scripture. We noted last time that the blessing of Gentiles through Abraham and Israel was not fully understood, but clearly revealed by Moses and the Prophets. Paul testified that he spoke nothing that was not revealed by Moses and the Prophets as late as Acts 26:22-23.

Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—  that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Note that he again reminds us that the proclamation of light would go to the Gentile (knowing that the message must first be preached to Jews). Paul had also stated that he "kept back nothing" from believers (Acts 20:20) and that he proclaimed "the whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27).

The Acts come to an end. Paul's Acts-Age epistles are replete with references to Abraham, David, Moses, the Prophets, and Israel, etc. When we look at his Post-Acts epistles, we see a dearth of these references. Here are just the words Jew, Israel, Israelite.

	Before Acts 28	After Acts 28
Jew	25	1
Israel	14	2
Israelite	3	0

We recognize that is circumstantial. We present as just one thing to consider.

After the Acts Age ends, Paul turns fully to the Gentiles and reveals his new ministry in the Book of Ephesians. Israel is placed aside (for the moment) and the preeminence of the Jew.

The Book of Romans, late in the Acts Age, speaks clearly of a current Israel in its pages. The Gentile believer of that age was "grafted in" to Israel and could be "cut off" (Romans 11). That is, grafted in to the coming earthly blessings to Israel expected during that age. However, the Jew was still first in the plan of God. Paul always went to Jews first ("as his manner was") in any place where Jews lived among Gentiles.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 

-Romans 1:16

The Jew, because of his calling and special case, was also subject to the harsher judgment. This is true in any age. Those with greater light and privilege receive the harshest judgment. The Jew had "the oracles of God" and the Law.

But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 

-Romans 2:4-8

What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of God. 

-Romans 3:1-2

In Ephesians, the middle wall of partition between Jew and Greek is set aside and Paul reveals the "one new man" (GK: sussomos) of the Dispensation of the Mystery. And this gospel differed from the Acts Age gospel as it was only revealed to Paul and could not be found in the witness of the Prophets.

The first 3 chapters of Ephesians and the first 2 chapters of Colossians should be read in full. We only point out a few verses here.

This current age differs from the previous. We noted the almost complete absence of references to the Prophets and to Israel. We also noted the unique revelation to Paul alone (Eph 3). But we also have introduced the idea of blessings, not on earth, not in the land, not in a kingdom, not in the New Jerusalem which comes down, but in "heavenly places" ("far above the heavens," "super-heavenly places"). 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. 

-Eph 1:3-6

Paul notes in Ephesians that he is a prisoner "for you Gentiles" and no longer "for the hope of Israel."

Ephesians 3 has to be carefully read lest it seem like Paul is contradicting himself, To Paul was given the ministry of taking the grace of God to the Gentiles. The emphasis on the Gentiles is also referenced in the prison epistle of 2 Timothy 4:16-17. So let me present a more clear rendering of Ephesians 3:2-11 from Charles Welch.

‘If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: how that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery;

(as I wrote afore in few words, whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets), 

that the Gentiles, in spirit, should be fellow-heirs (fellow-members) of the same body, and fellow-partakers of His promise in Christ, by the gospel whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of His power. Unto me, the less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the untraceable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden away from (or since) the ages by God, Who did all things create, in order that now, unto the principalities and powers in the heavenlies might be made known, by the church, the exceeding complex wisdom of God, according to the purpose of the ages which He made in Christ Jesus our Lord’

Here are riches that are
Unsearchable
Here is a dispensation of the
Mystery (Secret)
This mystery was effectually
Hidden
The wisdom unfolded is
Very complex
The whole was discovered by
Revelation
Paul was commissioned to
Enlighten all

(Welch)

The secret character of this dispensation, and Paul’s special trust regarding it, is seen in Colossians 1:24-28.

I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking [left behind] in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship [dispensation] from God which was given to me for you, to fulfill [complete] the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

We now have one Body. We have one church, the church which is His Body. This is not the Bride. This body has Christ as its head. The Bride has her own head. The Bride is Israel. We've covered this previously in several posts.


--------------------------------------------

There are many implications to understanding the Dispensation of the Mystery, and I encourage the curious or convicted to search this blog for entries which may enlighten you on some of these implications. I also link you to a very informal discussion of the Mystery:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/27433533

Listen to "Episode 10 - The Dispensation of the Mystery (Michael Muddies the Water)" on Spreaker.


And here is a short discussion of the place of the Book of Acts:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/37110549

Listen to "Episode 25 - The Place of the Book of Acts, Baptism, Lord's Supper, and Hawkeye Goes Nuts" on Spreaker.

The Revelation - Part 10 - The Scroll and the Lamb

As we start to get into the prophetic future concerning Israel and the time of Jacob's Trouble, we again pause to say that we cannot be dogmatic. We will cruise fairly quickly through these pages, stopping to make certain points which may help us in our understanding. We will be looking back to the Major and Minor prophets for help as well.

The Scroll

And I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals; and I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I wept much that no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. Then one of the elders said to me, “Weep not; lo, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered [overcome], so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

-Rev 5:1-5

Couple of quick notes. First, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the Root of David remind us we are on Jewish ground. These titles have no application to the Gentile apart from recognizing the Lord's place as King of the Jews.

The Lord Jesus Christ is said here to be the "root of David." In 2 Timothy he is said to be the "seed of David." This reveals the duality of the Lord's Person. He is both man and God. As we've noted in other studies, when a Jew called to the Lord as "Son of David," he responded. When a Gentile does the same, he does not. He ignores her until she addresses him as "Lord."

The Lord is said to have "overcome." The Greek word is translated here in the RSV as "conquered," but it is the same word we have seen in the letters to the seven churches and in the judgments. Those who do "overcome" do so in the power of the Lord. Faithfulness and trust in him leads to the power to do what is righteous.

The scroll here reminds us of the parallel Book of Daniel. All of Daniel Chapter 12 should be read here if you are not familiar, but, for now, I will just quote a few relevant verses.

"At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people [Israel], will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people [Israel] — everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered... But you, Daniel, roll up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.”

Daniel 12:1,4 

I heard, but I did not understand. So I asked, “My lord, what will the outcome of all this be?” He replied, “Go your way, Daniel, because the words are rolled up and sealed until the time of the end. Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

-Daniel 12:8-10

Well, the scroll here in the Revelation is about to have its seals broken and the information exposed. But, as with Daniel, we may not completely understand, but we'll do our best to glean what we can. Daniel didn't need to understand for it did not concern him directly, ("I was astonished by the vision, but no one understood it"). But in the days to come, the remnant then will understand Daniel. the Revelation, and much more than we do today.

The Lamb

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders, I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth; and he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints; and they sang a new song, saying,

“Worthy art thou to take the scroll and to open its seals,
for thou wast slain and by thy blood didst ransom men for God
from every tribe and tongue and people and nation,
and hast made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on earth.”

-Rev 5:6-10

I don't dare, for a moment, risk taking away from the glory given to the Lamb here. The figure of the Lamb is different here in the Revelation than it is in John's Gospel. We see the crossover here in the Lamb who was slain, but we see a different Lamb as we progress. To the overcomer he is the Lamb on his throne, washing, comforting, shepherding. But to the wicked and rebellious, he is no longer the silent sacrifice.

• The Wrath of the Lamb (Rev 6:6)
• And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb (Rev 12:11)
• And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If any one worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also shall drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured unmixed into the cup of his anger, and he shall be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. (Rev 14:9-10)
• They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them (Rev 17:14)

The Lamb is connected to the Bride and the Heavenly City which comes down from heaven to the earth and to "the twelve apostles of the Lamb." These are all in a Jewish context. 

The Book of Jude

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”`

-Rev 5:11-12

Just a quick note to keep us connected to other scriptures. The one chapter Book of Jude (which is placed just before the Revelation in our Bibles) is prophetic and Jewish in nature as well.  I only pull out a couple of verses from a very deep and fascinating book to help us. Jude deals with false teachers and has similar warnings to what we have seen in the Revelation in regard to the churches in Asia.

Now I desire to remind you, though you were once for all fully informed, that he who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels that did not keep their own position but left their proper dwelling have been kept by him in eternal chains in the nether gloom until the judgment of the great day; just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise acted immorally and indulged in unnatural lust, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire. 

-Jude 1:5-7

All of Israel was saved, baptized (identified) unto Moses in the Red Sea, but were later destroyed. I feel compelled to quote all of 1 Corinthians 10 here. One of the consistent errors in Bible interpretation is applying ALL the warning passages to unbelievers. I cannot seem to make any headway on this topic despite the context of many of these passages is clear. Whether it is 1 Cor 6 or Galatians 5 or Ephesian 4 or Romans 8, 1 Peter, Christians refuse to see the possibility of Christians committing heinous sins to the point of living lifestyles of sin.

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors [Jews] were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

-1 Corthinians 10 

We cannot escape these warnings. There is no way to read these as for unbelievers. We do not face the testing of the coming Tribulation age, but we should read these examples and be sure our lives are worthy of reward. Our service should be pure (or maturing and as selfless as possible). We must be careful not just to think about sins of a physical nature. Sins of our attitude and desires are just as dangerous.

We should not be bound by the things of this world. We should be sober-minded. Paul warned that some, "have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" through the seeking of wealth. The penalty of sin (eternal death) was satisfied in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, but we will all answer for our service and the deeds done in the flesh (Col 3).

I am in danger of going back to the Book of Jude and carrying on with this line of warning, but we have already seen these things in the warnings to the churches in the Revelation. Readers may become tired of my emphasis on this aspect of scripture. I'm will almost certainly mention it again, but I hope we've made our point and it won't be the central focus in coming studies/

Sodom and Righteous Lot

Before we leave Jude, please note the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah, "the punishment of eternal fire." Is Sodom still burning? And of what is the Lord is his references to the future judgment of Sodom in the gospel accounts? Things to ponder.

Scripture refers to Lot as "righteous Lot" (2 Peter 2:7), yet all we know from Genesis is the man who chose to love in that city so he could make a profit ("Lot... pitched his tent towards Sodom").  We are tempted to follow here the Jewish Book of 2 Peter and its warnings, but we pull back to simply be reminded, Lot came out of Sodom, but lost everything. Lot's wife came out of Sodom, but still desired it in her heart and was turned into a pillar of salt.

The Lord himself points Israel to Lot's wife when he is asked about the coming Kingdom in Luke 17.

In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

In the Tribulation, as we have seen, those who give their lives for the Lord will be given special honor. "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." Etc.

We pause to note the admonition and warning here in Luke 17 regard to one's "life." The Greek word here is "psychḗ" translated "soul" 58 times elsewhere in the NKJV. Imagine the Lord telling people to "lose [their] souls" as it is commonly used in Christendom. I just insert this here for those interested in the topic of the SOUL.

Just a Final note on Daniel and Jude: both reflect the myriads of heavenly beings around the throne of God.  We will be visiting Daniel 7 when we get to the Beasts of the Revelation, but here we have language very similar to our descriptions of Christ and his throne in the Revelation.

As I looked,

thrones were placed
and one that was ancient of days took his seat;
his raiment was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames,
its wheels were burning fire.
A stream of fire issued
and came forth from before him;
a thousand thousands served him,
and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;
the court sat in judgment,
and the books were opened. 

-Daniel 7:9-10

It was of these also that Enoch in the seventh generation from Adam prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord came with his holy myriads, 15 to execute judgment on all, and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness which they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” 

-Jude 14-15

And finally, we tie this back to Paul's Acts Age epistles which reflect an expectation of the Tribulation and the return of the Lord to the earth, in the clouds, just as he left (as the angel promised in Acts 1:9-11).

Therefore we ourselves boast of you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions which you are enduring. This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering— since indeed God deems it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant rest with us to you who are afflicted, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

-2 Thess 4:4-12

Perfection is Maturity, Not Sinlessness

Here in Revelation 5 we are reminded that the Lamb has ransomed men for God by his blood!

There is a peace is knowing we have the free gift of life. We also know that the Lord understands we are but dust. It may appear that God is asking for unattainable purity of service and life, but a study of the great men and women of faith reveals that even these were flawed people. The Lord is looking for those who seek him and seek his will. He desires we move on towards maturity. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Fear and the flesh will drive us from God and the best he has for us. There were 12 spies sent into the land, yet only two came back trusting God. The other ten, and the nation that believed their testimony, all died in the wilderness. They were not sent back to Egypt, they remained redeemed, but they did not enter into full blessing. Be careful who you believe and why.

What is common in all ages to all companies is the call to be faithful and mature in the faith (be ye perfect). The gift of life is free, but that is not a license to sin or an excuse not to study. As we've noted many times, some will be "ashamed" and some will "suffer loss" when he appears.