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People of The Living God |
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May 2022
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
MATTHEW 24
Randall Walton
There is a movement under way which claims that the 24th chapter of Matthew is totally fulfilled, that all of the events Jesus spoke of in response to the disciples' questions about His “coming and the end of the world” are over and done, completed and finished. In fact, they declare that all Bible prophecies are over – there is nothing left to be fulfilled.
The basis for this belief is found in Matthew24:34 where Jesus stated that “this generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.” At the first reading of this verse, there is somewhat of an inclination to agree with this premise: this generation could be taken to have meant that very population of people who lived upon the earth at that time, or within their lifetime.
A generation is generally figured to be about 40 years. The proponents of this “new” doctrine add 40 to the approximate year of 30 A.D., and arrive at 70 A.D., the year of the destruction of Jerusalem by the Roman armies, thus proclaiming that said destruction was what Jesus was referring to.
But we are compelled to point out some major inconsistencies in such a conclusion as this.
For one thing; to which generation was Jesus addressing His message, the generation to whom He was speaking or the one which would be current in 70 A.D.? How much leeway are we allowed in stretching a generation to fit this proposed premise? Even if we permit John the Revelator to be counted as still surviving in 70 A.D., is this valid evidence to declare that “this generation” was still a living, accountable entity? And the question will always remain: how many generations are living at one time, and which generation is considered the current one?
Had the destruction of Jerusalem occurred in 35 or 40 A.D., there would be a bit more credibility to the theory, but still not enough to give the idea any real substance. The following reasons will bear this out:
We need only to consider the full message of the Olivet discourse in order to see the fallacy of this doctrinal view; for example:
1. “For then shall be great tribulation such as was not from the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (verse21). We have read Josephus' account of the tribulation which took place in Jerusalem about 70 A.D. It is doubtful that that was the worst calamity to have ever struck humanity, either before or since. There have been many horrible slaughters and atrocities throughout man's awful history, but it is only fair to point out that the fall of Jerusalem was just that, a local, parochial conflagration, affecting a relatively small number of people.
2. “Immediately AFTER the tribulation of those days shall:
a. the sun be darkened,
b. the moon shall not give her light,
c. the stars shall fall from heaven,
d. the powers of the heavens shall be shaken,
e. the sign of the Son of man in heaven shall appear.
f. All the tribes (people, races) of the earth shall mourn.
g. They (all the tribes of the earth) shall SEE the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
h. His angels are sent with a great sound of a trumpet.
i. His angels gather together his elect from everywhere.
j. Heaven and earth shall pass away.
k. As the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be (verse27).
Do those who teach that all of the above has already taken place have any proof or substantiation for their claims? The most prominent historian of the era, who witnessed the annihilation of the city where our Lord was crucified, had not one word to say about the 10 points which Jesus listed above. Surely, if Jesus had appeared so as to be seen by “all the tribes of the earth,” someone somewhere would have committed the event to a written record to be read and taught to future generations.
Notice the universality of this tremendous event. It was not to be confined to a city, province, region, or country. Its effects were to be felt upon the earth wherever people live. Furthermore, “all of the tribes of the earth” would SEE HIM, Jesus, in power and great glory; this would include, of course, both the sinner and the saint, the ungodly as well as the godly. And in addition to all this, there would be a separation made, for the angels would gather the saints (the elect) together as a group!
And, as if to reemphasize the enormity of this worldwide happening, Jesus compared His appearance with lightning which blazes forth from extremity to extremity (from the east unto the west). And He ended the discourse with a sound of dreadful finality: “Heaven and earth shall pass away.” (The word heaven in Greek is preceded by the definite article, “the”).
Now, in the face of all this evidence, how could anyone declare that these cataclysmic events have already taken place? It is unarguably clear that a large part, a major part, in fact, of Matthew 24 has not yet been fulfilled. The great tribulation and all the events which occur immediately thereafter are yet future. And since this is true, we are compelled to believe that the generation Jesus spoke about in Matt.24:34 was not THAT generation, but rather the generation which would be living at the time when those events begin to take place!
The question for us today then is, are we beholding a beginning of the terrors which Jesus so graphically described in the well-known Olivet sermon? Is it possible that the sorrows He talked about are unfolding before us? Is it possible that we are the generation which will witness the sign of the Son of man in the heavens, and that we shall behold Him as He descends upon the earth in power and great glory both to judge the wicked for their wickedness and to gather His elect unto Himself?
Is it possible that this generation shall be immersed in the greatest tribulation of all time when pregnant and nursing women will be in great peril (Matt.24:19)? Are we headed for the days which will be filled with such horrors that God must intervene and cut the time short to prevent a total genocide?
Yes, my friend, we can see, hear, and feel the approach of the “hour of temptation” which is determined upon this wicked world. We cannot predict the precise time nor can we foretell how many of these things will be brought about, but we will not allow ourselves to be duped into thinking “it cannot happen here.” It can and already is to some degree.
What About The Blessed Hope?
There is blessed hope for God's people in these dark days which lie ahead of us. But the secret is not in a secret-catching-away of the elect just prior to the great trouble. Remember, it is for the “elect's sake” that those days shall be shortened, and if the elect were not present during the time of tribulation, there would be no point in cutting time short for their sake.
God is abundantly able to watch over His people just as He has in the past. “A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked” (Psalm91:7,8). But this promise is for those who “dwell in the secret pace of the Most High.” It does not apply to the casual Christian, the person who is merely religious.
Dwelling in God's secret place involves an intimate relationship which is based upon fervent love for Him, so much so that the person is devoted in wholehearted service to Him and obedience to His commands. That individual has nothing to fear, for God will remain with him just as He did with the three Israelites in Babylon's fiery furnace.
Did not our God feed and clothe over two million people in a barren desert for forty years? Has He not shown His ability to multiply food on the basis of 1 to 5,000? Is He not still God who reigns over all the earth and heaven, too? Let us not fear the evil, but rather trust Him so much that we gladly obey His every word. Then and only then will He be obligated to defend, protect, provide for and watch over those who are His.
Matthew 24, as well as the rest of the prophecies of God's Book, will be fulfilled, for He cannot fail. His program will be completed and “he that endureth unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt.24:13).
THE HEAVENLY MONITOR
James Sanderson
The most wonderful gift that God can impart to His creatures is His nature. The only thing that anyone can take from this life is what has been created within. Man places great value on many things in life. At the top of God's list of priorities is the development of divine character within the heart. All of creation was designed with this one purpose in view. “Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness…” (Gen.1:26). The likeness to which God is referring is not a physical likeness, but rather a moral likeness. God is calling His people to embrace His moral character.
We can change many things in our lives, but there is one thing that is impossible to change without the intervention of God. We cannot change our inner nature. God alone can effect the changes that are necessary to produce the divine nature. The Father's personal Representative commissioned to accomplish this monumental task is the Holy Spirit. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts…” (Zech.4:6).
What the Holy Spirit accomplishes in our hearts depends to a large extent upon the degree of cooperation that we exhibit. Is our attention focused upon the same purpose that the Holy Spirit is focused upon? Are His goals our goals? Are we so distracted by mundane affairs that we are not sensitive to His voice? It is possible to quench the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives (IThess.5:19). As He labors faithfully to accomplish His divine purpose, the Spirit of God maintains a persuasive role rather than a forceful role. That is, He would rather use moral suasion and appeal to the heart in love rather than force any individual to do His bidding. For this reason, He often speaks in a still, small voice. His efforts are designed to effect changes from within. The impression must not be given, however, that He never uses firmness. Although He demonstrates great patience, this Inner Monitor of the soul is ever vigilant to accomplish the work that He has set out to fulfill. It might be well to examine some specific efforts of the Holy Spirit as He deals with our hearts.
Reproves Of Sin
In speaking of the work of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said, “…He will reprove the world of sin…” (John16:8). The word reprove means “to convict, to rebuke.” The Holy Spirit is the enforcer of God's law, for we are now under the administration of the Holy Spirit (IICor.3:3,8). He exposes sin that dwells in the heart. He lays bare the true condition of the heart as it stands before God. As light, He manifests the crooked, warped condition that lies within the individual (Eph.5:11,13). We are unable to see ourselves in our true light without the convicting work of the Holy Spirit. Many times we tend to perceive ourselves as being righteous and just until the Holy Spirit in His mercy points the finger and declares, “Thou art the man” (IISam.12:7). It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal the secrets of the human heart (ICor.14:25).
When an individual sins, it is this Inner Monitor that reproves (convicts) him of that sin. By nature, man does not like to have his self-life exposed. He is protective and defensive of self. Those who love God greatly appreciate this work of the Holy Spirit. They gladly allow the search light of the Holy Spirit to shine into the innermost recesses of their hearts to deal with all sin and uncleanness (John3:19-21).
Frees From The Law Of Sin And Death
Before we knew God, sin had control of our lives. We were dead in trespasses and sins. In other words, we were under the law or dominion of sin and death. When we came to the cross of Jesus Christ and found deliverance through His precious blood, we passed from death unto life (IJohn3:14). We were no longer under this law of sin and death. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus freed us from the law of sin and death that operated within our members (Rom.8:2). We were made free from the clutches of sin and made alive to God (Rom.6:11,17,18). We no longer had to follow the dictates of the carnal mind. God gave us victory over this condition within because of the personal presence of the Holy Spirit. We could now serve God in newness of the Spirit.
True freedom does not consist in the ability to do whatever we desire. True liberty is simply the ability to rise above the self-life and live for God. It is the freedom to obey God's commands, laws, and precepts. It is the Spirit of God who gives us that freedom. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (IICor.4:17).
Testifies Of Jesus Christ
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John15:26). Paul reemphasized this work of the Holy Spirit when he said, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit…” (Rom.8:16). We as Christians talk about being like Jesus. We can really only understand Jesus as the Holy Spirit reveals Him and His divine nature to us. “He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John16:14-15). The Jesus life, the fruit of the Spirit, and divine character are comprehended only through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. “It is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth” (IJohn5:6).
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (ICor.3:18). The goal of every Christian is to be transformed into the image of Christ. Only as we see His image can we be changed into that image. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to reveal or testify of the image of Christ in our hearts.
Renews Our Minds
“Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom.12:2). “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (Eph.4:23). Although we were born again into the kingdom of God and found new life in Jesus Christ, we as Christians realize that the old nature, the carnal mind, frequently usurps the authority of God and expresses itself in ways that are contrary to the nature of Christ. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom.8:6). There must be an ongoing daily transformation (metamorphosis) in our inner beings. The carnal mind (the old man) must be brought under control while the spiritual mind (the new man) finds greater avenues of expression in our lives.
This ongoing work of renewing the mind is the duty of the Holy Spirit within. Paul tells us that we were saved “by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus3:5). “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph.3:20). This power that works within us is the Holy Spirit. As we surrender to His divine influence, the fruit of the Spirit begin to radiate from our lives. We begin to manifest the character and nature of Christ. “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (IICor.4:16). “…ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is (being, Gr.) renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Col.3:10).
Teaches
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John14:26). To teach is to impart instruction. We have an Inner Teacher sent to abide with us forever. There are two aspects to this activity of the Holy Spirit. As a teacher, the Holy Ghost takes the word of God and makes it alive to us. It is this Unction or Anointing that teaches us the truths of God. The letter of the word kills, but it is the Spirit of God that gives life (IICor.3:6). In particular, He takes the words of Jesus and shows them to us (John16:15; 14:26).
Teaching also implies discipline. The discipline of the Holy Spirit is vital to our Christian walk. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Heb.12:6-7). This word chastening is also translated teaching and instruction in other references in the New Testament (Titus2:11-12; IITim.3:16). Vine says that this word “denotes the training of a child, including instruction; hence, discipline, correction.” We obtain our word pedagogue from this Greek word.
Our spirits need instruction and discipline. We truly possess only what God has wrought in our hearts. Our profession and even our experiences may be one thing, but before the Lord we are only what has been created within us by the discipline of the Holy Spirit. One of the major purposes of this discipline is to produce brokenness and cause us to be dependent upon God and not on self. Most Christians desire to be useful to God. We are useful to God only to the degree that we are broken before Him.
God desires to see holiness manifested in our lives. The chastening (teaching, discipline) process was effected to accomplish this very purpose. “Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us…For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Heb.12:9-10).
Guides
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John16:13). This word guide expresses the character of God. He doesn't force Himself upon any man. This same word was used by the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts8:31. The word guide means “to lead the way,” “to show the way,” “to give guidance to.” They that are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God (Rom.8:14).
Notice that Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would “guide you into all truth.” God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm51:6). Truth in this reference entails more than what we term doctrinal truth. We need truth about ourselves. The Spirit of truth brings us face to face with truth. Why truth? Truth is a sanctifying agent. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John17:17). Truth in the inward parts cleanses the life and sets it apart to God. We need all the truth that we can obtain.
Empowers
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities” (Rom.8:26). The word infirmity literally means “want of strength.” It is a “weakness, indicating inability to produce results” (Vine). Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we are powerless to resist the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. God has laid help on one that is mighty (Psalm89:19). Paul expressed the desire “that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Eph.3:16). It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart that empowers us to rise above sin and the temptations of this life. “When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him” (Isa.59:19).
Where do you and I stand in relation to this work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts? How much do we want to experience this divine work of the Spirit of God in our lives? There is an inexorable law in the realm of the Spirit. That law is the law of sowing and reaping. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal.6:7,8). We are making important choices every day of our lives in the many situations that confront us. We are either cultivating a life in the Spirit or a life in the flesh. We are sowing to the old nature or to the work of the indwelling Spirit of God.
It is so obvious that we need more of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We don't want Him to be a mere resident but an active controller (that is, president) of our hearts. Since the Holy Spirit's work is absolutely vital to our spiritual progress, then we need more of Him in our lives. A person seeking for more of the Spirit of God will not find satisfaction in pleasing the flesh with the things of this world. God is calling us to a deeper life in Him. This deeper life is attainable only through the work of the Holy Spirit. In Galatians3:3, Paul asked a very pertinent question, “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” The work must be started and sustained by the Holy Spirit. “And be not drunk with wine wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph.5:18). The verb used here is in the imperative progressive. It literally means “keep on being filled.” Let the filling be constant and continuous. As the manna in the wilderness, today's supply is not sufficient for tomorrow. Let us allow the blessed Holy Spirit to accomplish His marvelous purpose in our hearts and lives.
CHRISTIAN ISRAEL
Alfred King
Introduction
As an introduction to this article, I would like to ask that those who hate the word “Theology” not skip this article because you have an aversion to the term “theology”. Theology is just a religious term which is defined as, “The study of God”. Theo in Greek is translated, “God”. Ology is “the study of”, so we have the study of God. Understanding all the technicalities and intricacies of the two doctrines presented in this article are not so important, but a basic understanding is too important to be lightly discarded because of one’s distaste for certain terminology. The doctrines, “Covenant Theology” and “Replacement Theology” are contrary one to the other, and we are better prepared for the days to come if we understand the truth. Covenant Theology and Replacement Theology are about evenly divided in Protestant churches. About 50% accept Covenant Theology and about 50% hold to Replacement Theology. However, acceptance of the wrong teaching is one that can lead a person into extremely dangerous deception, especially for those living in the latter days. I believe that the teaching of Covenant Theology has the propensity to easily deceive those holding to its tenants, for it will cause many to accept The Antichrist, also referred to as “The Man of Sin.” I have spoken to people who hold to this theology who themselves find it troubling because they realize its dangers. One brother with whom I discussed this several years ago and who held to Covenant Theology, told me he also saw its danger and agreed that at least 50% of those holding to Covenant Theology would be deceived in the last day. That’s seriously dangerous.
It is because of this that I have decided to write this article, and I hope to explain it clearly and keep it as short as possible so it does not become tedious and boring. I pray God will help me and guide those who read it to discern between truth and error and, hopefully, save some from being taken in the snare of the devil.
In this article I want to delve into controversy between Replacement Theology and Covenant Theology. First, for those not familiar with these terms, we need to define them so we are clear as to the controversy between these two views.
Covenant Theology
Covenant Theology is the step child of Dispensationalism, and to understand Covenant Theology one must have a basic understanding of Dispensationalism. The most prominent teaching of Dispensationalism is that there were (are) seven periods of time throughout history in which God dealt with His people. Those seven dispensations (periods of time) are: 1) The Age of Innocence – time before the fall. 2) Conscience – From Abel till the flood. 3) Government – From Noah to Abram. 4) Promise – From Abraham till Mt Sinai. 5) Law – from Moses till the Crucifixion. 6) Grace – From Jesus’ Resurrection till Christ returns to set up His kingdom on earth, which is the seventh and is called “The Millennium”. The following chart may help to visualize “Dispensationalism.”
The claim is that God established a different covenant between Himself and His people on earth and dealt with them in different ways. In other words, God didn’t always require the same from each dispensation. The Covenant of Innocence (also known as the Adamic Covenant) was the time when Adam and Eve were sinless: that was until they partook of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. At that point, God established the Covenant of Conscience, and so forth. Dispensationalism teaches that God worked through five different covenants before Jesus came, and at present we are in the sixth, which is the Covenant of Grace. When Jesus returns, man will enter into the seventh covenant when Christ will reign on earth for 1000 years. This is known as the Millennium.*
“Covenant Theology” is not actually a theology (although that is what it is called), rather it is a method of studying Dispensationalism. For the purpose of this article, we want to focus on the Covenant made with Abraham and his seed (by his seed, is meant Abraham’s descendants and not to Christ who is the promised seed). This covenant is referred to as the Abrahamic Covenant. According to Covenant Theology, the Abrahamic Covenant includes not only what was promised to Abraham regarding his descendants but the promises given to Moses and the prophets from the time of Abraham until Christ came, and it involved Israel as a nation. (It is somewhat ironic that Dispensationalists separate these covenants, declaring that when one covenant ended the next covenant took its place, and at the same time they cling to the idea that the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning Israel still remain in effect today, claiming that Israel is still God’s chosen people even to this day.)
Replacement Theology
Replacement Theology refutes Covenant Theology and teaches that God no longer maintains that Israel in the flesh is His chosen people. Replacement Theology, under the New Covenant, teaches that the church is God’s chosen people and all the prophecies and teachings of scripture, which speak of Israel, actually refer to the church of God. This church includes all believers from the time of the resurrection until Jesus comes again. Replacement Theology refutes Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism.
The important thing, therefore, is to determine which is true according to scripture. There are many prophecies in the Old Testament where God promises to make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa.62:7). Several verses in Isa. 2 speak of God’s glory resting upon Jerusalem and “all nations shall flow unto it” (Isa.2:2). A lengthy list can be made concerning God restoring Israel and Jerusalem to Himself and the glory of God which shall rest upon her. However, the question is: Do these portions of scripture refer to national Israel in the land of Palestine or are they prophetic of the New Testament church? Replacement Theology instructs us to consider those prophecies and promises as spiritual and, therefore, they have a spiritual application intended for the New Testament Church.
There are too many prophecies in scripture to list them all here and unnecessary for the purpose of this article. If one can understand that these prophecies are in reference to the Church today and speak of spiritual things rather than physical, then truth has prevailed and we can then focus on those promises contained in prophecies given referring to Israel, as those for the New Testament Church, and we can then begin to understand what God has prepared for His church, especially in the latter days.
The Restoration
In Acts 3:21, Peter informs those to whom he was speaking just days after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and states, “Whom (Jesus) the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” (Acts3:21) In his sermon, Peter clearly is referring to the New Testament Church rather than national Israel. It was that which the 120 had just experienced in the upper room and the glory which followed that had opened Peter’s eyes to the spiritual application of the word of God. He was fully convinced that the Kingdom which Jesus came preaching that was “at hand”, was this which was revealed at Pentecost. The power of God was present to heal, to cleanse lepers, to open the prison doors, and the power of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ was obviously manifested in such divine spiritual authority and glory that it was undeniable to any with an honest heart that this was what much of the prophets had foretold when they prophesied concerning the restoration of Israel. It is the Kingdom of Jesus Christ that they were prophesying of and not the physical kingdom of Israel.
It is obvious that some of the prophecies given do refer to national Israel and possibly have a two-fold meaning. One given by Jesus in His discourse in Luke21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” It seems clear that some prophecies were given in order that those living in the latter times can see the day approaching and better prepare themselves for Christ’s return. The times of the Gentiles is believed to have come to an end when Israel became a nation in 1948. Whether that is the full extent to Jesus’ words is questionable; what is certain is that Israel’s possession of Palestine in 1948 is a sign of the times which we all should recognize, and the church needs very seriously to begin to trim their lamps and be sure there is plenty of oil for the light to burn brightly. Those whose lamps go out will find themselves in a very precarious position.
Viewing Things From A Spiritual Perspective
Man is not by nature spiritual. He is carnal and perceives things from a physical and carnal perspective. The things of God are spiritual and “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (ICor.2:14). Paul also wrote in this same book, chapter ten verses six through eleven that the things which happened to Israel happened to them as examples unto those who would live under the New Covenant. While the things he mentions are lust, idolatry, fornication, etc. he is also informing us that the physical events are recorded in order that we might understand spiritual things. For instance: When Israel was freed from Egyptian bondage following ten plagues and the death of the firstborn, it was a picture of our deliverance from the bondage of sin and spiritual death. It represents the time when we were saved and washed in the precious blood of Jesus. It took the death of the only begotten Son of God to procure man’s salvation. Israel’s deliverance was a physical picture of our spiritual deliverance, and the blood that was placed on the lintel and the door posts of Israel’s houses in Egypt portrayed the blood of Jesus. The blood of the physical lamb was a type which represented the blood of The Lamb of God that would deliver men from the bondage of sin and save them from eternal death.
That being said, the promise Israel was given of possessing the land of Canaan was a physical portrait of the call of God of a heavenly and spiritual land promised to those who are saved. There are many aspects of the land God has promised His people under the New Covenant, but two that are very clear and important to us are: 1) We are delivered from the kingdom of darkness and translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Col.1:13). We have the physical with Israel in bondage in Egypt in order that we understand the spiritual. We catch a glimpse of the spiritual through the physical. It is first the physical and then the spiritual.
2) When this life is over, we will enter heaven, our promised land, where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father and so shall we ever be with them, having been given immortality and incorruptibility. This is why in Hebrews 11 we read that Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations whose builder and maker is God. Abraham understood that there was something more than the physical land of Canaan to which he was called and promised. The call was greater than the land of Canaan; this land was one whose builder and maker is God and is a spiritual land, and a spiritual possession.
With this in mind, consider what physical Israel portrays: Physical Israel was God’s chosen people. Compare that thought with what Peter wrote in IPeter2:9, “Ye are a chosen generation …”. Pay attention to the word “chosen.” Gentiles under the New Covenant are “chosen” just as was Israel under the Old Covenant. However, the New Covenant also includes Israelites if they come to Jesus Christ in faith just as we all must. The Israel of the New Covenant are those who are born again. In Roman2:28-29, Paul writes, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”(emphasis mine) Under the New Covenant every believer is a New Covenant Israelite.
As was earlier expressed, keeping our eyes on what is happening with Israel is important because God is still using national Israel as a sign of the times. Yet, Israel has no special place in God’s economy, although He is bringing about events in Israel which are given as signs of the times. It is spiritual Israel that God is working with, and those are they who are born again believers. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John14:6) Can anything be any more clear than this? To say that Israel can come to God another way is to refute Jesus’ own words. It is implying that Jesus was not telling the truth. Yet this is the idea that is being promoted today in many, if not most, Protestant churches today.
I realize this is difficult for many people to understand, but consider carefully what Jesus said concerning Israel in Matthew23:37-38, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” (emphasis mine)
Pay close attention to the word “desolate.” Desolate, according to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, is defined as: “Deserted, abandoned, devoid of inhabitants and visitors”. In the next chapter in Matthew, Jesus refers to a revelation given to Daniel in which “the abomination that maketh desolate” is mentioned (Dan.11:31, 12:11). This same term used by Jesus in referring to Israel is the same phrase used in the revelation given to Daniel, and Jesus says, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) …” (Matt24:15). Notice how Jesus uses this term and how He attaches it to the nation of Israel in Matthew23:37-38 mentioned above.
When Jesus gave the parable in Matthew21:33-40, which we term, “The Parable of the Vineyard,” the Jews knew the parable was directed to them and intended specifically for them. In His concluding remarks relative to this parable, Jesus states, “The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof” (Matt.21:43). Who is this nation which will bring forth the fruits thereof? It is spiritual Israel, those who have the circumcision of the heart. Read again Roman2:28-29: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (emphasis mine) The distinction is clear and undeniable.
It is evident from the previous points that the Jews (Israel) of the New Testament are those who are born again, translated into God’s kingdom, made heirs and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ (Rom.8:17), and are sons of God through adoption, are those of which the prophets prophesied. “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1John3:2). This list could go on but this should be enough to cause one to at least consider this perspective when thinking of God’s Israel.
I realize that Romans 9 and 11 both have some statements which appear to indicate that Israel will be restored. There are also many Old Testament prophecies that seem to imply the same. But if you realize that those prophecies are not referring to physical Israel but to a spiritual Israel, then those Old Testament prophecies have a much greater meaning. It is easy to see that they are actually speaking of God’s true Israel, those under the New Covenant, and includes all races, nationalities, and people who are born again and have the Kingdom of Jesus Christ within. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke17:21). (emphasis mine)
Many reading this article have not heard some of these things before, but I recommend that you read again those prophecies and promises given in the Old Testament and the teaching in the New with these thoughts in mind. It will give you another view of what God desires to do among His people. I believe Jesus’ second coming will be much like His first. The Jews longed for the Messiah to come, but when He came they crucified Him. Why? Because they had false and preconceived ideas about how He would come and what He was going to do. He didn’t come as they expected or how they wanted Him to come, and certainly did not do what they wanted Him to do. He came as a servant, as a preacher of righteousness, and as Son of God (God in the flesh), and they rejected Him.
The same deception that caught the Jews off guard can very easily come upon this last generation if we look at the prophecies merely from the physical and don’t realize that God is interested primarily in the spiritual. God is raising up spiritual Israel in these last days and to focus too much on national Israel can lead one to miss what God is actually doing.
The Antichrist
One other point relative to this topic is the antichrist or the man of sin. We know from scripture that there will be an antichrist who will arise and will deceive the whole world. Jesus said that, if possible, he shall deceive the very elect. (The KJV reads, “if it werepossible” but notice that the words “it were” are in italics which means they were not in the original text and were added.) Jesus warns that the very elect can be deceived. Question: How might many Protestants who are looking to national Israel, be deceived if the antichrist comes as a Jew, is accepted by the Jews, and is able to set up his government or kingdom in Israel, and then claims to be the Messiah? How many will fall right into his hands? I know personally some Protestants who hold to the doctrine of Dispensationalism who are themselves concerned about this very question, for they see how easily they could be deceived. Knowing truth is extremely important as we near the days when these things are fulfilled.
God’s part in all this is the most important part: God is in control. America and the world are where they are today because all nations have rejected Jesus Christ and His words. The world has embraced things which scripture clearly state are an abomination, and yet the world glorifies it. Truth is no longer desired. Rather, nations have established their own “truth” which is contrary to God’s word. And in the end, we reap what we sow. It just seems more and more clear to me that we are living in the days which Jesus said would be like the days of Noah and the days of Lot. God brought divine judgment upon the world in Noah’s day because of the evil that permeated the land, and in Lot’s day, primarily because of homosexuality. These both exist today without restraint and the most grievous of all is that this perversion is being pushed on our children. All these things are signs of the days prophesied by Jesus, the Apostles, and those even in the Old Testament. But what is most troubling is that so many in the church are embracing many of these evils, condoning them, and allowing them to infiltrate their belief system. The doctrine of dispensationalism is a very dangerous doctrine, especially for those living in the days when many of the prophecies contained in scripture are to be fulfilled. There is salvation for Israel but they must come through Jesus Christ, for there is no other way.
In conclusion: People of the Living God do not believe that just because one does not hold to the convictions stated in this article, that they are all lost or are going to miss what God is doing in these latter days. God is looking at people’s hearts and none of us have all truth. But every error in our belief system is a potential for Satan to take advantage of us, deceive us, and bring hardships upon us. Whatever happens, in the end our trust and confidence must be in God alone and we must know that He is the only One who can bring us through and make us ready for the days which are ahead.
*For any who wish to study more into the Millennium doctrine, send for our free book titled, “The Millennium” and we will be happy to send it to you.
SHADOWS, EXAMPLES, FIGURES AND PATTERNS
Harry Miller
God said to Moses, “And look that thou make them after this pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” (Ex.25:40). He who masterminded the creation of the finite and the infinite, the minute and the colossal, the heavens and the earth, placed in the hands of His servant Moses the first outline of the Gospel.
The “pattern” which Moses saw in the mount referred to the ancient Tabernacle and all of its accouterments. For the first time in the history of the human race the good news of the Kingdom of God was to be proclaimed, not by word of mouth, but by obscure symbolism.
Every detail in this divine pattern was potent with enigmatic cryptography. The priests who officiated at the prescribed ritual were especially chosen of the Most High. Even their vestments were part of the heavenly design. Bear in mind that the “Tabernacle in the wilderness” was God’s TESTIMONY, or message of great importance, so nothing was left to chance, or to the inventions of man.
To his great sorrow, Aaron learned concerning the precise exactitude of the demands for the conduct of officiating priests, when his two sons were struck dead because they used improper “coals of fire” when they burned incense before the altar in the holy place (Lev.10:1-7).
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition” (ICor.10:11). In many ways the Scriptures remind us of the examples of ancient Israel. “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it” (Heb.4:1,2). Here we have a plain statement of holy writ that declares that Israel of old had the Gospel.
The wilderness TESTIMONY was very primitive, yet it was full enough to point the way into God’s “rest.” Had there been sufficient faith and perseverance, the people who claimed Jehovah as their God might have inherited the promises which God gave to Abraham.
The Gospel was certainly not given primarily to condemn men. Its primary object is to save that which was lost. However, those who reject the mercy of Providence will discover, in the day of judgment, that the Gospel testified of the faithfulness of the Almighty. All of those who refused His testimony will then be without excuse.
The Priests
Three months after the children of Israel left Egypt, Moses went up into a mountain and sought the Lord. Here it was that he was given God’s covenant with the people whom he was leading: “If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant…ye shall be unto me a KINGDOM of priests” (Ex.19:5,6).
We are reminded of the words which were brought by the angelic messenger to the apostle John while he was a prisoner on the isle of Patmos: “Jesus Christ…the prince of the kings of the earth…hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Rev.1:5,6).
The profession of priests is service to deity. In the case of the Levitical priesthood, these men were called to “serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Heb.8:5). This was the beginning of the enigmatic testimony of the Kingdom Gospel.
Before a man was accepted as a priest, he had to be stripped of all of his old garments and then be washed in pure water by the high priest (Ex.29:4). Here we have the type of the cleansing of the repentant sinner who comes to Christ, the High Priest. The blood of lambs justified the sinner in ancient days, for it was a shadow of the blood of Christ.
Aaron’s sons were given four different pieces of apparel: coats, girdles, bonnets and linen breeches (Ex.28:40-42).
In the book of Zechariah we read of how the high priest’s garments were changed by the angel of the Lord: “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by” (Zech.3:3-5). However, in Revelation7:14 we read of the saints who have “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The “garments,” or “robes,” are possibly the same as the “coats” of the Levitical priests.
The “girdle” is another important agent in the Christian’s accouterments. The apostle Paul wrote these words to overcoming Christians: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth” (Eph.6:14).
The head covering of the high priest was “a fair mitre” (Zech. 3:5), but the other priests wore “bonnets.” Let us bear in mind that all of this gear for covering the priest was to hide his nakedness: his human weaknesses and frailties. The thoughts of a man’s head get him into a lot of trouble. Sanctifying our thoughts is one of our most trying tasks.
Actually, only a person who is full of the Holy Ghost has a sanctified thinking apparatus.
Moses was told that the first three of these garments of the priests were “for glory and for beauty” (Ex.28:40). The beauty of the true Christian character is amazing even to unregenerate men of the world. “In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious” (Isa.4:2). In that day, the King “shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied” (Isa.53:11).
The significance of garment number four is quite different from that of the first three. And the Lord told Moses, “thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness” (Ex.28:42). Nakedness is a characteristic of the Laodiceans of the “last day.” “I counsel thee to buy of me…white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear” (Rev.3:18).
The Laodiceans have fallen so low morally that they take pride in displaying their nakedness: physically and spiritually.
The uncanny, lustful pleasure mankind has in displaying and beholding its nakedness is evidence of low spirituality. Those who are God conscious have, by nature, a desire to have their nakedness covered.
In past centuries it was only the brazen prostitute that took pleasure in publicly exposing herself. But times have changed. Everything pertaining to that which causes humanity to burn in lust has been popularized.
The movies, TV, and literature have fanned the flames of passion and lust. Even the advertising for all sorts of commodities, such as lotion, mouth wash, and toothpaste, uses the phrase “Sex appeal” as an inducement for their use.
In the history of the world this might be termed “the smut generation.” But the unclean physical condition of the human race is only a surface sign of a far worse spiritual state. This might be likened to the little red blotch, or papule, on the face of a person who is loaded, under the surface of the skin, with incurable cancer.
The words of Christ to this generation are: “Thou sayest I…have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art…blind, and naked” (Rev.3:17). A tragic condition indeed. Professing Christendom doesn’t even know of its deplorable, unclothed condition.
He who has no proper covering is vulnerable. That is, he is wide open and defenseless before all of the vagaries of a sinful nature.
The garments of salvation insulate us against many of the wiles of the devil. Let us obey the inspired command of the apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesian church where he said, “Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph.6:13-16).
HOLINESS IN REAL LIFE
J. Grant Swank, Jr.
Holiness is more than a doctrine, more than a theology. Holiness is a life lived. There are those who know the niceties of the beliefs who have not begun to live the pure life. There are even some who have heard holiness preaching for so many years that they could almost deliver a sermon themselves on the subject, but they have yet to catch on to the practicalities of actually living out the Holy Spirit-controlled life.
That is one of the dangers in the holiness churches. We will be tempted to consider holiness as our “pet thing.” Or it will become simply the symbol of our denomination. Or we will think that “we have it made” because we have preached it loud and long for so many years. In other words, we will rest on the laurels of exact theology, rather than daily searching our hearts for the reality of experience.
Another danger is that our holiness will become nothing more than sheer legalism. We don't smoke; we don't go to the movies; we don't dance; we don't drink liquor. All well and good. That should be true, for that is part of our holiness ethic as a holiness church.
However, this is not the all-in-all of holiness. Holiness is anything but legalism. Legalism is the use of laws as ends in themselves. Genuine holiness is the use of laws as a means to an end, the end being the radiant, pure life of the Spirit glowing from the believer.
There are those who profess holiness because they keep the rules. That is not enough. There are those who keep the rules because they believe in their worth, but then go further to enter into the daily cleansing of the Spirit. That is the life.
What scares me at times, however, are those who have heard this-and-that holiness preached. They have traveled here and there to this and that camp meeting. They have journeyed to this and that convention. They have bumped into this and that “holiness preacher.” They have received holiness periodicals for years and can recall this and that stupendous happening. But somewhere along the line they lost the experience. They lost the vibrancy, the freshness, the inner radiance, the daily infilling, the up-to-date victory.
And, so, their lives are stale and brittle, like husks dried up and ready to blow away. You see, yesterday's religion is not good enough for today's testimony. This day's witness must be matched by the Holy Ghost abiding in the heart in love, in purity, in power over sin. All the recollections of the past, all the revival stories of years gone, all the acquaintances with this and that supposed leader will not add up to real holiness. It simply will not add up.
Yet, that is just where the devil would fool some people. He would have them polish the pins on the lapels of their nostalgia. He would preoccupy them with memories of the past, the doings of yesteryear. In this way, he keeps them from owning up to their need to climb higher for today. He keeps them busy with things over and done with, so that they do not have time and energy to face up to the spiritual maturity called for right now.
Holiness is the highest level of existence known to the human race. The Bible proclaims it, and the holiness churches have been preaching it for years. The awesome question is this; Are we really living it, each of us, where we live and work? How can that question be answered in your life this very day?