Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ~ Philippians 1:1-2

Many who think of themselves as apostles or prophets (some consider themselves as both) think that Paul’s references to his apostleship gives them a license to do the same. Yet, unlike modern day apostles and prophets who promote themselves with such titles, Paul viewed himself as a servant of Christ, who was called to be an apostle.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God… ~ Romans 1:1

One’s calling (occupation in ministry) is not their identity. Our identity is who are are, and the sad truth is many modern day ministers do not identity themselves as servants of Christ, but they identify themselves with self promoting titles. I recently saw on a social media site a female minister introduce herself to the community as, “Senior, and electlady, Apostle…” in front of her name.

Paul’s calling as an apostle was not an ego thing, and when he opens his letter to the Philippians, he is simply Paul, a servant of Christ. When Paul referred to himself as an apostle, he was communicating that he was tasked with preaching the gospel to the Gentiles and had no ambition of making them Jewish proselytes. This meant serving the Gentiles for the sake of Christ.

For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:5

For Paul, a Jew previously steeped in Jewish customs and traditions, being a servant of Christ with an apostolic ministry to the Gentiles meant total dependance on Jesus. Paul’s view of himself as a servant to the Gentiles for Christ’s sake is much deeper than many of us have ever imagined. Paul viewed himself as a prisoner of Christ for the sake of the Gentiles (Ephesians 3:1; 4:1). When Paul speaks of his calling as an apostle he isn’t speaking from a place of self exaltation as is common with modern day apostles, Paul is speaking from a place of indebtedness and servanthood.

Paul thought of himself as an apprehended or arrested servant of Christ (Philippians 3:12), and it is from this vantage point that Paul declared to the Gentiles that God had called him as an apostle to them.

WILL THERE BE ANIMAL SACRIFICES IN THE MILLENNIUM ?

In Elijah’s day, there was a remnant of Jews who did not bow the knee to Baal, even though the nation at large had. In his letter to the Romans, Paul cites this example in his defense that God has not cast away his people whom he foreknew. 

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works (works of the law); otherwise grace would no longer be grace. ~ Romans 11:1-6

Paul’s defense that God has not cast away his people is not predicated on Israel’s national status before God, but rather, the remnant within the nation of Israel. Paul believed there was a remnant within Israel who were called according to grace. By default, we can conclude that not all within Israel were called according to grace.

This is not a reference to the Calvinist doctrine of irresistible grace, but a reference to those who are true Jews from the heart and seek to serve God in truth – they are called according to grace and they are the true Israel within Israel referenced by Paul in the early part of Romans 9.

In Romans 11 Paul uses the allegory of the olive tree to describe the family of Abraham. Israel is referred to as the olive tree by nature (the olive tree cultivated by God), and the Gentiles who, by faith, believe in Christ are called the wild olive branch which is grafted into the family of Abraham (the olive tree).

The Gentiles are not grafted into national Israel through faith. Gentiles do not become Israelis in the flesh by faith in Jesus. Instead, Gentiles are grafted into
spiritual Israel along with the righteous remnant within Israel. This is the true family of Abraham, for Abraham’s true children are those who are of faith and who seek righteousness through faith in Christ.

This is why Jesus could say of Nathaniel, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” and then say to other Jews, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.”…”You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires.”

Jesus made a distinction between Nathaniel, whom he called a true Israelite, and those who wanted to kill him, who he said were the children of the devil. 

Throughout scripture there is a distinction made between Israel and Israel within Israel (the unbelieving nation and the righteous remnant within the nation). This is evidenced by Paul’s doctrine that the promise of God did not come through Ishmael but through Isaac.

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise. ~ Galatians 4:22-23

Those born of promise are those who are Abraham’s spiritual descendants like Nathaniel. They are the children of promise who serve God from the heart. 

In Romans 11 Paul claims that God has not cast away Israel because there is a remnant within Israel who have a heart for God, and though some of them as natural branches have been cut off from their own tree, God is able to graft them in again if they will believe the gospel.

This is they to whom Paul refers when he says all Israel shall be saved. Paul is not preaching an end-time restoration of a Christ-less national Israel who builds a temple and offers animal sacrifices. 

Paul is referring to the remnant within Israel who will be saved through the gospel.

Thus says the Lord: “As the new wine is found in the cluster, and they say, ‘Do not destroy it, for there is a blessing in it,’ so I will do for my servants’ sake, and not destroy them all. ~ Isaiah 65:8

The all Israel who will be saved are the true Israelites or true Jews. They are the wine within the cluster. They are Israel within Israel. 

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ~ Romans 9:6-8

The remnant is the blessing within the cluster mentioned by Isaiah. They are the Israel within Israel referenced by Paul. And as Isaiah says in another place, though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved. God will be faithful and graft them in again into their own tree when they believe the gospel.

Our responsibility to the Jews is to share the love of the gospel with them, in both word and action.

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac.

Ishmael was born after the flesh (by Abraham’s human effort) and Isaac was born according to the promise. Ishmael was a descendant of Abraham as was Isaac, but Isaac was the child of promise.

Isaac also had two sons, Esau and Jacob.

Esau was the heir to the blessing (the promise God made to Abraham) because he was Isaac’s first born son. However, Esau did not esteem the blessing and sold his birthright for a pot of stew to satisfy his flesh. Jacob esteemed the birth right and desired the blessing. Through a series of events, Esau lost out, and Jacob inherited the blessing.

Esau was a descendant of Abraham as was Jacob, but God loved Jacob and hated Esau because Jacob desired the blessing and Esau despised it.

As it was with Ishmael and Isaac, and Esau and Jacob, so it was with the children of Israel. Within Israel, there were those who were Abraham’s descendants according to the flesh only. They were never heirs according to the promise because they never had circumcised their hearts towards God. God’s call to Abraham’s physical descendants was to circumcise their hearts and not their flesh only.

Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. ~ Deuteronomy 10:16

And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. ~ Deuteronomy 30:6

Circumcise yourselves to the Lord, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. ~ Jeremiah 4:4

Because of uncircumcised hearts, all of the first generation of Israelites which left Egypt, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, died in the wilderness. They never inherited the promised land because of their unbelief. Joshua and Caleb were children of the promise because they (with circumcised hearts) trusted God as did Abraham. The rest were only children after the flesh and died in the wilderness.

Before the second generation of Israelites entered the promised land, Joshua sent 2 spies to spy out the land. While there, Rahab who was a harlot in the land, hid them to protect them from the inhabitants of the land, because she feared the God of Israel. This act of Kindness was rewarded when Israel entered and took possession of the land.

Rahab was saved and became the wife of an Israelite named Salmon, and as a result, she became an ancestress of both King David and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rahab was grafted into Israel because of her faith and fear of the God of Israel.

Being a true Israelite was never about DNA, It was always about the heart, and having a right heart towards God.

Ruth, who married Boaz, was a Moabite woman (Ruth 1:22; 2:2, 21; 4:5, 10). Yet it was in her heart to serve the God of Israel. She said to Naomi, thy people shall be my people, and thy God, my God. ~ Ruth 1:16

Ruth, a Moabite by physical descent, also became an ancestress of King David and the Lord Jesus Christ because of her desire for God. On the contrary, we read in Numbers 25 how some Israelite men committed fornication with some unholy Moabite women and became idolatrous of the Moabites’s false gods. These men were judged by God and put to death. They had not circumcised their hearts and were not true children of Abraham, though Abraham’s descendants according to the flesh.

It has always been about the heart with God. It has never been about race or nationality. Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart ~ 1 Samuel 16:7. This is why God rejected Saul (an Israelite) and accepted David (an Israelite).

In John 8 Jesus was opposed by some religious Jews who boasted that they were the children of Abraham. Notice the exchange:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. ~ John 8:36 -39

Jesus goes on to tell them that not only were they not Abraham’s children but they were actually the children of the devil even though they were physical descendants of Abraham.

Now, consider Paul’s explanation from Romans 9.

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, they which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. ~ Romans 9:7-8

We can see from these words of Paul that not all in Israel were the children of the promise, and therefore were not considered the seed of Abraham in the eyes of God. This is consistent with the words of Jesus in John 8 mentioned above.

Only those who were children of the promise were counted as the seed. Who then are the children of promise? They are those who are the children of Abraham by faith, who walk in the steps of Abraham’s faith. Rahab was a daughter of Abraham even though she was outwardly a Gentile prostitute, because she feared God and in faith hid the spies.

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

Here is what many Christians fail to understand in their approach to the Bible: God never promised Abraham that his children would be of his physical lineage only. It was the law, which separated Israel from all other nations, not God’s promises to Abraham.God’s promise to Abraham was to make him the father of many nations.

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law (Israel in the flesh) be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. ~ Romans 4:13-17 

The promise which God made to Abraham was that he would be the father of many nations. Abraham believed this promise and was declared righteous in the sight of God.

According to Galatians 3:8, when God made this promise to Abraham, He preached or declared the gospel to him. In the fullest sense of the word, Abraham believed the gospel when he believed God’s promise to make him the father of many nations and this is how he was declared righteous. Abraham believed the gospel of Christ in advance!

Christ is the promised seed of Abraham according to Galatians 3:16. And the one through whom the blessing promised to Abraham comes to fruition. It is only in and through Jesus Christ that a person can be justified in the sight of God. Abraham was justified by God because he believed the promise God made in Christ  (Galatians 3:17) when God promised to make Him the father of many nations. This is the promise of the Spirit (the promise given through the spirit to Abraham) mentioned by Paul in Galatians. 

Being a descendant of Abraham after the flesh is not the same as being an heir to the promise.

There are those who are Abraham’s seed according to the flesh, and there are those who are Abraham’s seed according to the promise. Only those who are Abraham’s seed according to the promise are the children of God!For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. ~ Galatians 3:26-29

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ~ Galatians 6:12-16

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers has the following to say about the phrase the Israel of God.

And upon the Israel of God.—The benediction is addressed, not to two distinct sets of persons (“those who walk by this rule” and “the Israel of God”), but to the same set of persons described in different ways. “And” is therefore equivalent to “namely:” Yea, upon the Israel of God. By the “Israel of God” is here meant the “spiritual Israel;” not converts from Judaism alone, but all who prove their real affinity to Abraham by a faith like Abraham’s.

Now consider the following texts:

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. ~ Galatians 3:7-9

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ~ Galatians 3:13-14

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. ~ Galatians 3:26-29

And he (Abraham) received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. ~ Romans 4:11-12

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. ~ Romans 9:6-8

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. ~ Galatians 4:28 

In scripture, Jesus did not think the religious Jews of his day, those who were determined to oppose him, had any special privilege with God. When they claimed that Abraham was their Father, Jesus said, If you were Abraham’s children, then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father. ~ See John 8:39-41

They responded, We are not illegitimate children, the only Father we have is God himself. Take note that these Jews claimed to be the children of God because of their physical descendancy. To this Jesus replied, If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” ~ see John 8

Notice that Jesus tells these religious Jews who were actual physical descendants of Abraham that they were not Abraham’s true children, and thus they were not God’s children. Jesus says, You belong to your father, the devil. 

In contrast, notice the words of Jesus to Nathanael. “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile”! ~ John 1:47

The words of Jesus ought to be enough to convince us that there is something to being a true Israelite in the eyes of God, and simply being born of Israeli/or Jewish descent doesn’t make a person a true Israelite in the eyes of God. A person can be 100% a physical descendant of Abraham, and not be a child of God, because he doesn’t follow the faith of Abraham.  

In his response to the Jews in John 8, Jesus says, And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. ~ John 8:45-47

The children of God are the children of Abraham, and Abraham’s children are the Israel of God. When a Gentile believes the gospel and follows Jesus, he is grafted into the family of Abraham. The Jew is not grafted into a Gentile entity called the church. Rather the Gentile is grafted into a Jewish entity called Israel (Abraham’s family) along with Abraham’s physical descendants who follow Christ. This union of Jews and Gentiles in Christ is the church, and the Israel of God that Paul speaks of in Galatians 6.

It is important to note that in connection with the Israel of God, Paul (a Jew after the flesh) says, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ~ Galatians 6:14-15

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul speaks of being circumcised with the circumcision made without hands. This is a reference to the circumcision that occurs in the heart through faith in Jesus Christ. In Romans 2, Paul rebukes the Jew who boasts in the law, while not keeping the law, and says, 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. ~ Romans 2:28-29

When the Pharisees and Sadducees came to John the Baptist, John warned them not to boast in their physical descendancy.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. ~ Matthew 3:7-9

John the Baptist, a righteous Jew, rebukes those who relied on their physical lineage, rather than having their hearts right with God.

In the book of Acts, the Apostle Paul (a righteous Jew) rebuked a Jewish sorcerer, calling him “thou child of the devil.”

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him. And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. ~ Acts 13:6-12

Later in 1 Thessalonians 2 we read the following from the words of the apostle Paul as well:

For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of God’s churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own people the same things those churches suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to everyone in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last. ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16

Notice that Paul is referring to evil within Jewry. He says of these Jews, (1) the churches suffered from them (2) they killed the Lord Jesus (3) they killed the prophets (4) they drove us out (i.e. they opposed Paul’s ministry). Paul says they displease God, they are hostile to the spreading of the Gospel and because of these things they are heaping up their sins to the limit and the wrath of God has come on them at last.

Though there are many good Jews, and some who trust in Jesus as their Savior, being Jewish doesn’t mean that a person is a child of God. Paul tells us in Romans that not all within Israel (Abraham’s physical descendants) are truly Israel.Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. ~ Romans 9:6-8

According to Paul, those who are Abraham’s children according to the flesh only (like those whom Jesus rebuked in John 8) are not the children of God, but the children of the promise (such as Nathanael) are the seed, Among Abraham’s physical descendants, only a remnant are the children of God. This is what Paul is explaining throughout Romans 9, and it is why God said Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. ~ Romans 9:13

God did not have a personally hate for Esau. Esau represented that which was born after the flesh. Esau was the firstborn of Isaac who did not value his birthright but sold it for a bowl of stew. Esau represents those who sell their inheritance to satisfy their flesh. Flesh cannot please God, nor does it desire God, or seek after God.

Jacob, on the other hand, represents those who hunger and thirst for God, for the living God. Both Esau and Jacob were children of Israel, but one was rejected and the other blessed. One did not esteem his birthright, the other was willing to do whatever it took to get it. Esau represents the physical carnal nature that rebels against God. Jacob represents the heart that longs for God.

Esau and Jacob represent the two types of Israelites. There were those who were physical descendants of Abraham but did not have a heart for God, and there were those who were physical descendants of Abraham who had a heart for God. They are the remnant, the true Israel within Israel, and this true Israel within Israel are the children of God and the family of Abraham.

This is why Jesus often taught the crowds saying, “your Father in heaven”. Over and over again, in his sermon on the mount, Jesus referred to God as their Father. He never used such language with the Jews who opposed him and hated him. But to the common people who came to him to be taught, he taught them that their Father loved them.

If I may, I will also add that Jesus never taught the common people that they we God’s enemy and that they were under God’s wrath because of their sin and that they deserved to be punished, etc. Jesus taught them that their Father loved them, and their Father was the God of Abraham.

And ought not this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? ~ Luke 13:16

Jesus divided the true children of Abraham from those who were not within Israel. Those who were and are the true children of God (whose hearts are circumcised) are the family of Abraham, and we who are Gentiles in the flesh have been united with them by being grafted into their family tree! Together Jews and Gentiles in Christ Jesus are the Israel of God!

Israel was chosen by God.

But why?

They were chosen as the nation through whom God would both deal with the sin of the world, and redeem it. 

Throughout the Old Testament, Israel was often a rebellious nation against God. Yet Israel’s rebellion is no different than how any other nation would have behaved, because of sin. Israel’s relationship with God was established (among other things) to reveal the sin of humanity. Through Israel, God exposed the sins of humanity, for in Adam all (including Israel) sin, and need redemption.

Paul tells us in Romans that whatsoever things the Law says it says to them that are under the Law (a reference to Israel under Moses) so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before God ~ Romans 3:19

Israel under the Law was representative of humanity under sin. Israel’s story was a microcosm of the whole world and in the same way that only a remnant of Israel was saved, so it is with the rest of humanity throughout history. The path to destruction is wide but the gate that leads to life is narrow and this applies to everyone, not the Jews only.

Through Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God has broken in on humanity, and all who repent and trust in him will be saved! The Gospel is not simply justification by faith, though it includes justification by faith. The Gospel is more, for it is the announcement and demonstration of the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, and it was this gospel which was preached to Israel first. The gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, along with Acts bring this to full light.

In his wisdom, God brought about the salvation of the world through Israel’s rejection of the Messiah, but in His faithfulness God saw to it that the gospel was first preached to the people of Israel and then to the gentiles.

Paul tells us in Romans that the gospel is their sound and their words for the Gospel was testified of by Moses in their Law, and by their prophets, by their sacrificial ceremonies, and their feast days. Throughout the Old Testament the Spirit of the Lord was giving witness to Christ and his Kingdom.

God gave to the people of Israel Moses, the prophets, the priesthood and sacrifices, John the Baptist, Jesus in the flesh, the Apostles, and now the salvation of the Gentiles. 

The Gospel is their testimony, their witness, their message, and if they reject the Gospel there is no other alternative. God does not have another narrative for Israel outside of or beyond the gospel.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written (in their scriptures), How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. But I say, did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. ~ Romans 10:11-21

In Acts 15 there were certain men from among the Jews who had come down from Judaea to Antioch and taught the Gentile brethren that if they were not circumcised after the manner of Moses they could not be saved. This did not sit well with Paul and Barnabas who vehemently disagreed with them. Therefore the church decided to send Paul and Barnabas along with some local believers to Jerusalem to discuss this issue with the apostles and elders who were at Jerusalem.

When they arrived in Jerusalem Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders. They reported everything God had done through them among the Gentiles. However, some from a certain sect of the Pharisees protested in opposition to the testimony of Paul and Barnabas, claiming that it was indeed needful to circumcise the Gentiles and command them to keep the Law of Moses. Therefore the apostles and elders decided to meet together to resolve this issue.

During the meeting, Peter stood up and testified saying the following:

Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Now therefore why tempt God to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. ~ Acts 15:7-11

Notice that Peter doesn’t say, they shall be saved even as we. Instead Peter says, we shall be saved even as they.

In the mind of the first century Jew, covenant relationship with God was dependent on Jewish membership, circumcision, and allegiance to the Law of Moses. However, God had done something so unexpectedly different and entirely new when he sent Peter to Cornelius’ house. He had called out a people from among the Gentiles for his name and he had done it apart from the Law.

In Acts 15:7-11 (cited above) Peter recounts his visit to Cornelius’ house (Acts 10). Peter along with the other Jews who accompanied him saw firsthand the salvation of Gentiles as Cornelius and his house were instantly filled with the Holy Spirit in similar fashion as the Jewish followers of Jesus had experienced in Acts 2. When Peter returned to Jerusalem he was confronted by the Jews for lodging at the home of Gentiles and eating with them.

And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. ~ Acts 11:2-3

Peter then rehearsed to the Jews his experience from the beginning (Acts 11:4- 18). Notice the following from Peter’s explanation to Jews in verses 15-18.

And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. ~ Acts 11-15-18 

The evidence which convinced Peter and the Jewish believers at Jerusalem that the Gentiles had been accepted as the people of God, was the Holy Spirit. God had given to the Gentiles the same gift he had been given to the Jews at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had now become the new identity of the people of God replacing the old identity of physical circumcision.

This is the experience which Peter is recalling in Acts 15.

After Peter gave his testimony, Barnabas and Paul testified of the miracles and wonders God had done among the Gentiles by their ministry. After Barnabas and Paul testified, James stood up and said the following:

Simeon (Peter) hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. ~ Acts 15:14-18

The apostle James makes appeal to a prophecy given by Amos concerning the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David, as the scriptural evidence that God would have a people apart from the Law of Moses.

The tabernacle of David can either be a reference to the tent that David pitched for the ark of the covenant after the ark was recovered, or a reference to the Kingdom under David’s descendant who is to reign forever, namely, the Messiah. The latter seems to be the most likely as this theme appears multiple times throughout the book of Acts.

In Acts 15:16 -17, the apostle James makes reference to this prophecy specifically and applies it to the Gentiles becoming the people of God apart from the Law. 

James goes on to say: Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath day.

It was therefore determined, based on the testimony of Peter, Paul, and Barnabas; along with James’ interpretation of the scriptures, that the Gentiles were not obligated to come under the yoke of the Law of Moses. Furthermore, it might be worth mentioning that it was the apostle James, and not Paul, who made the final decision to inform the Gentiles that they were under no obligation to be circumcised and to keep the Law of Moses. James says; “Wherefore my sentence is…” ~ Acts 15:19.

Afterwards we read, “then pleased it the apostles and elders with the whole church…” ~ Acts 15:22.

They then wrote a letter and sent it to the Gentile believers at Antioch.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than the necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. ~ Acts 15:24-29 

The council at Jerusalem (the apostles, the elders, and the church) came to the conclusion that if they required the Gentiles to keep the Law of Moses after God had established his name among the Gentiles, they would most certainly be in opposition to the work of God.The testimony of God had already been established by the gift of the Holy Ghost being given to the Gentiles, and the Jerusalem council decided to agree with God. Therefore they said, “it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us.” They were persuaded by the Holy Ghost and agreed! Once this letter was delivered to the Gentile believers at Antioch, and read, the Bible says: “they rejoiced.” ~ Acts 15:30-31

And I think we should too…

In the New Testament, the second coming of Christ is referred to often in the epistles (the letters written by Paul, James, Peter, Jude, and John). While there is a common belief among some evangelicals that there are two futuristic comings of Christ (at the rapture, and the second coming 7 years later), no writer in the New Testament teaches this. There is only one second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Below we’ll consider some of the texts in the epistles which speak of the coming of Christ.  The coming of the Lord is sometimes referred to as his appearing.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom… ~ 2 Timothy 4:1

His appearing and his kingdom means his appearance and the appearance of his Kingdom. The Interlinear Bible says, by the appearing of him and of the kingdom of him. So when Jesus comes, his Kingdom is going to appear. And I might add, take over!

According to Paul, Jesus will judge the quick (the living) and the dead. This is one of the themes that repeatedly arises when the coming of the Lord is referred to in the Bible. Consider for example, the words of Jesus from John 5.

For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. ~ John 5:21-29

Jesus speaks of the resurrection of both the just and the unjust occurring at the same time. They that have done good will be raised to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, to the resurrection of damnation. Jesus’s words should be the plumb line for how we interpret and understand scripture regarding the coming resurrection of the just and the unjust.

In Acts 24 Paul says something that aligns with the words of Jesus.

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets: And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. And herein do I exercise myself, to always have a conscience void to offense toward God, and toward men. ~ Acts 24:14-16

Notice that Paul refers to a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.

Now, consider how we might read Paul’s words differently, in 1 Thessalonians 4, if we read them in view of Paul’s belief that there would be a resurrection of the just and unjust, while also considering Jesus’s words that the resurrection of the just and unjust occurs at the same time.

Consider with me that when Paul describes the resurrection of the saints in 1 Thessalonians 4, that just maybe he is describing the same event that he mentions in Acts 24.  If not, we would have to conclude that Paul believed in more than one resurrection of the saints, and there is nothing in the New Testament that would lead us to this conclusion. 

We’ll consider 1 Thessalonians 4 shortly, but first let’s look again at the wording in 2 Timothy 4:1.

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick (the living) and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom… ~ 2 Timothy 4:1

Notice that this judgment happens when the Lord appears, and when his Kingdom appears. With this in mind, consider Peter’s description of the coming of the Lord and notice how it aligns with Jesus’s words from John 5, and Paul’s words from Acts 24. Remember that Paul says, herein do I exercise myself, to always have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men, because of his belief that there would be a resurrection of the just and unjust.

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. ~ 2 Peter 3: 9-14

Notice that Peter’s exhortation regarding the coming of the Lord is to be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. This matches Paul’s conviction, herein do I exercise myself, to always have a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men.

When the coming of Christ is studied from the New Testament epistles, the message to believers is not that we should engage in political conspiracies while looking for various fulfillments of prophecy in current events. The message is to always be ready and to keep our hearts pure before God. This is a recurring theme. 

As we move forward, we will see this recurring theme, but first, consider Peter’s reference to the coming of the Lord as a thief in the night. Paul actually uses this language within the flow of thought in his description of the coming resurrection in 1 Thessalonians 4 & 5. The reason this is often missed as part of the flow of thought is that it appears in chapter 5, and rapture eschatology often stops at the end of chapter 4. Sometimes 5:9 (God hath not appointed us to wrath) is tacked on. Rapture eschatology doesn’t often lead people to read Paul’s entire thought process about the coming of the Lord as it is laid out in chapters 4 and 5 as one flow of thought.

Let’s look now at the Thessalonians section of scripture.

Before Paul gets into what is often viewed by some as the “rapture verses”, Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to pursue godliness and purity, which, as already stated, is a theme that appears over and over in conjunction with the coming of the Lord.

In chapter 3, Paul says, Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints. ~ 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Notice the words in bold in the text above, and take note how they align with Paul’s words regarding having a conscience void of offense towards God and towards man in Acts 24. Notice also how they align with Peter’s words to be diligent to be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

Paul wanted the Thessalonians to have hearts that were blameless in holiness when the Lord Jesus comes again. He specifically refers to it as the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

Paul then speaks of possessing our body in holiness in chapter 4 and this is what leads into what is referred to by some as the rapture verses. Seriously though, Paul isn’t introducing an escape from this world and from the antichrist. Rather, he’s going into detail about the very same thing he speaks of in Acts 24, namely, the resurrection of the just and the unjust. The only difference is he details what will happen with the just. Notice the comparison in Paul’s description with that of Peter’s.

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 

Notice that Paul describes this event as happening at the coming of the Lord, rather than 7 years before the coming of the Lord. Paul is not teaching a secret escape (rapture) of believers into Heaven. He’s revealing what will happen when the just are resurrected.

Let’s continue.

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. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Notice that Paul says, so shall we ever be with the Lord. He does not say we will be whisked away into Heaven.

According to Paul, the second coming of Christ and our gathering to him will resemble that which occurred in ancient times when a King who had journeyed to a far away land returned. The citizens under his ruler-ship would go outside the city or country to meet him and escort him back into the country.

This aligns more with the whole of scripture than vanishing from the earth for 7 years. Remember that Peter exhorts us to be blameless and holy, looking for the new heavens and new earth at the coming of the Lord. Peter does not mention vanishing from earth into Heaven for 7 years.

Let’s continue.

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

Notice that Paul is still talking about the same event (in the same timeframe) and he calls it the day of the Lord just as Pater does, and the timing as a thief in the night just as Peter does. Paul then says the following:

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

Notice that Paul tells the church at Thessalonica that they are not in darkness, so that that day should overtake them as a thief. Why would Paul even say this if he was teaching them that they would have already been taken out of this world 7 years prior?

Do you see the problem in interpreting Paul’s word in 1 Thessalonians 4 and a secret escape from this world before the coming of Christ? I certainly do!

According to Paul, believers are going to experience resurrection at the coming of the Lord, on the day of the Lord when the Lord’s coming overtakes those in darkness as a thief in the night. This is exactly what Peter is teaches as well.

Paul continues:

Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

Watch and be sober of what? For the coming of the day of the Lord which is going to come suddenly as a thief in the night and overtake those in darkness.

For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

When the entire flow of thought is read together, it becomes clear that Paul is not setting forth a rapture doctrine that occurs 7 years before the coming of the Lord, but a revelation of the resurrection of the just at the coming of the Lord.

In 1 John we read the following:

And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. ~ 1 John 2:28-3:3 

The words, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is, echoes Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. ~ 1 Corinthians 13:12

This matches Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15.

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. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 

Paul’s words above reveal how those who have not yet died physically will experience the same resurrection as those who have died in Christ. We will be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and according to Paul’s words in chapter 13 we will be changed into Christ’s likeness for we will see him face to face.

Now consider Paul’s words to the Colossians:

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. ~ Colossians 3:1-4 

All these verses are talking about the same event from different angles. Paul tells Titus, the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ … ~ Titus 2:11-13 

To Timothy, Paul exhorts, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ…  ~ 1 Timothy 6:11-14 

In 2 Timothy 4:8 there is a crown of righteousness, laid up for those who love his appearing. In Hebrew 9:28 He will appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Peter also speaks of his appearing as the motivation for our perseverance in the faith.

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory… ~ 1 Peter 1:6-8

A few verses later Peter says, Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ… ~ v.13

Finally, consider Peter’s words to those who are faithful to shepherd the sheep.

The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. ~ 1 Peter 5:1-4

The flow of thought throughout the New Testament, with regards to the coming of the Lord is not conspiratorial. It is the day of the Lord, when both Jesus and his Kingdom appear, and the new heavens and new earth commence. It is the time in which those who have followed him are changed completely into his likeness by resurrection power. It is also the day when those in darkness are overtaken as a thief in the night.

Many have not rightly divided the word of truth, and misinterpret Jesus’s prophesy concerning the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and the temple which occurred in the first century, as end times yet to be fulfilled. This has led to much confusion, division, and much vulnerability to conspiracy theories, looking to everything but Jesus. Yet we who love him are to be looking for His appearing with blameless hearts!

Heavenly Father, take what I have written here, and encourage the seeking heart and those searching for the truth.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. ~ Isaiah 40:3

The New Testament reveals that Isaiah the prophet was speaking of John the Baptist in the text above.

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. ~ Matthew 3:1-3 

Before the birth of John the Baptist, the angel Gabriel had appeared to his father, Zacharias, to inform him that he and his wife, Elisabeth, were going to have a child. Among other things, Gabriel announced the following concerning John the Baptist:

…thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. ~ Luke 1:15-17

Notice that Gabriel says of John’s ministry, “he shall make a people ready for the Lord.” Keep in mind that this is a reference to those within Israel, for John the Baptist was sent to the people of Israel, to prepare them for the coming of Jesus.

Gabriel also declared that John would go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah.

This visitation from the angel Gabriel left Zacharias startled and bewildered in unbelief, and resulted in Zacharias being struck dumb (mute) because of his unbelief until after the birth of John (Luke 1:20). After his birth, when John was eight days old, Zacharias and his wife, Elisabeth, brought the young child to be circumcised. ~ Luke 1:59

Some of the people thought that the child should be named Zacharias after his father, but Elizabeth had told them that his name was to be John. So they enquired of Zacharias as to what the child’s name would be.

Zacharias then signaled for a writing table, and wrote, “His name is John.” The people were all amazed and Zacharias’s mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, and praised God. ~  Luke 1:63-64

Next we read the following:

And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea. And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, what manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him. ~ v.65-66

Luke then tells us that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied the following:

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of Salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant; The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. ~ Luke 1:68-79

Then, in verse 80, Luke says of John the Baptist: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.

John the Baptist was the messenger whom God sent to Israel to prepare them for the salvation he had promised to Israel. The specific reason that John came baptizing was to make the Messiah known to Israel!

This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. ~ John 1:30-31

All the prophets before John had prophesied by the Spirit concerning the coming salvation in Christ. The apostle Peter tells us the prophets inquired and searched diligently, regarding the salvation and grace that was to come through Christ. ~ 1 Peter 1:10John the Baptist was the last of all the prophets which would testify of Christ to Israel, and according to Jesus, there was no prophet ever who was greater than John. While the other prophets had the honor of testifying of Christ, only John had the honor of introducing Christ. Again, John came baptizing for this one purpose: to reveal the Messiah to Israel! ~ John 1:29-34

In Daniel 9, God revealed to Daniel that the 70 literal years of exile of the Jews into Babylon had a spiritual parallel of 70 weeks of years which would bring an end, not to the physical exile, but the spiritual exile. Through the Messiah, God would bring an end to sin (the domination of sin over God’s people).

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. ~ Daniel 9: 24-27

According to this prophecy there were 70 weeks of years which were determined for the Jewish people: Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city… ~ 9:24

• weeks, (Hebrew – Shaw-boo-ah, literally sevened)
• In prophecy, one day equals a year ~ Ezekiel 4:6; Numbers 14:34
• Thus 7 days or 1 week equals 7 years.
• Seventy weeks equal (7 x 70) 490 years.
• determined, (cut off or separated). 
• thy people – the Jews, Israel, God’s covenant nation under the law, the captives.
• The holy city – ancient Jerusalem, in Israel.

The seventy weeks would began at the time that the command was given to rebuild Jerusalem. This coincides with the edict of King Cyrus (Ezra 1:1-3; Isaiah 44:24-28) and the decree of Artaxerxes (Ezra 7:12-13, 21).

The edict of King Cyrus

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? His God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the Lord God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem. ~ Ezra 1:1-3

Thus saith the Lord, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the Lord that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish; That confirmeth the word of his servant, and performeth the counsel of his messengers; that saith to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be inhabited; and to the cities of Judah, Ye shall be built, and I will raise up the decayed places thereof: That saith to the deep, Be dry, and I will dry up thy rivers: That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid. ~ Isaiah 44:24-28 

The edict of Cyrus was reinforced by the decree of King Artaxerxes.

Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. I make a decree, that all they of the people of Israel, and of his priests and Levites, in my realm, which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem, go with thee… And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers which are beyond the river, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done speedily… ~ Ezra 7:12-13, 21

Ironically, the Jewish Talmud, which is very blasphemous against Christ, espouses hate against the words of Daniel 9:24-27. In the Jewish Talmud, there is a Rabbinic curse pronounced against those who seek to learn the meaning of this text: “May the bones of the hands of the fingers decay and decompose, of him who turns the pages of the book of Daniel, to find the time of Daniel 9:24-27, and may his memory rot from off the face of the earth forever” (Talmudic Law, pg 978, Section 2, Line 28)

Daniel’s prophecy gives the exact time frame of the coming of the Messiah.

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. ~ Luke 3:1, 21. Tiberius reigned from 14 A.D. until 37 A.D. This places the baptism of Jesus around 27-29 A.D. This is consistent with the time frame of commands of the rebuilding of the temple after the captivity.

He shall confirm the covenant for one week (7 years – which is the 70th week).

Some have attempted to insert the anti-Christ into Daniel’s prophecy as the one who confirms the covenant (a supposed 7 year peace treaty between the antiChrist and modern day Israel). Those who do so have created a gap theory between the 69th week and the 70th week. This is nothing but a theory from men who are insistent in promoting a particular end time theology

The first 69 weeks were consecutive, and if we believe the testimony of the New Testament, we will believe that the 70th week is fulfilled in the four Gospels and the book of Acts. Jesus is the Messiah. He is the one who confirms the covenant for one week.

The covenant mentioned in Daniel which is confirmed, is the covenant by which the transgression is finished, and an end of sins is made, and reconciliation for iniquity is accomplished, and everlasting righteousness is established, and the vision and prophecy regarding Israel and redemption is complete, and the Most Holy ONE, Jesus, is anointed as King!

Jesus is the one who confirms the covenant with Israel in Daniel 9. Not the anti- Christ.  Jesus was sent exclusively to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

During the 3 and half years before his death on the cross, and the three and a half years after his resurrection, the gospel was preached exclusively to the Jews, though some Gentiles did seek to follow him. After the Gospel had been fully preached to the people of Israel, it was sent to the Gentiles.

Daniel declares He shall confirm the covenant with many for one week. Paul says the following in Romans: 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… ~ Romans 15:8

The writer of Hebrews declares: For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? ~ Hebrews 2:2-4

The miraculous works of Jesus before his death, and the signs and wonders done by the apostles after his resurrection, was the confirmation to the Jewish people of the New Covenant the Messiah was establishing. 

It is this same Jesus, who also brought an end to the defunct temple service by bringing judgment on the temple in Jerusalem. Just as Nebuchadnezzar had been God’s agent to punish the Jews during the time of the Babylonian captivity, So the Romans carried out God’s judgment on the then standing temple in 67-70 A.D.

Christ had both redeemed his people, and brought an end to the overspreading of abominations in the temple!

“…and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.”

During the time of Jesus’s earthly ministry, the Jewish people were still a people looking for the full restoration from the captivity. They were looking in hopes for the coming of the Messiah. Yet many were looking for the Messiah to bring a visible kingdom and thought of redemption and deliverance in this way (Luke 19:11). For them, the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah meant freedom from Roman domination.

However, the Gospel came with a jolting shock as the people were called to repentance and warned of the coming judgment upon that which they trusted. God was doing exactly what he had always promised he would do, but in a way many never thought he would do it.

God wasn’t interested in establishing a physical nation, he wanted a spiritual nation: a holy people who would serve him in righteousness and truth, and this cannot be accomplished in the flesh. It must be accomplished by the power of God in the hearts of men, who have been born again and have circumcised hearts.

In Deuteronomy 30, God had told Israel that when they were in exile, he would turn their captivity if they would humble themselves and circumcise their hearts. On the surface this had only a natural application. Yet it had a much deeper spiritual meaning which Paul speaks of in Romans 10.

Paul takes the language of the Torah with regards to the return from exile and applies it to Jesus.

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ~ Romans 10:6-9

Paul, drawing on Deuteronomy 30:11-14, translates it from the natural to the spiritual, from the Law, to Christ.

Being exiled from the land and then gathered again into the land was only a foreshadowing of the true redemption which the Messiah would bring. During the time of Jesus’s earthly ministry, the anticipation of the coming of the Messiah was understood by many of the Jews to be a national deliverance and restoration. Yet, God had much more lofty and wonderful plans for his people.

When Jesus came, his mission was nothing like many were expecting. The fulfillment of the promises spoken by the prophets would not be a national restoration of a physical kingdom but a spiritual restoration and the creation of a holy nation in the Kingdom of God – in Christ.

The Son of God came in the flesh to bring an end to the real exile for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He died for our sins and was raised again and exalted at the right hand of God. This is the fulfillment of God’s promise that the Messiah would be a descendant of David and would sit upon his throne forever. ~ See Luke 1:32; Acts 2:29:36

Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of David (Matthew 21:9), seated on the throne of David (Acts 2:29-36), having the sure mercies of David (Acts 13:34), and he holds the Key of David (Revelation 3:7). He is the root and offspring of David (Revelation 5:5; 22; 16) and in him all the Messianic promises of deliverance and redemption are fulfilled.

Peter preached to the people of Israel concerning Jesus and said, “Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” ~ Acts 3:24

The fulfillment of the words of the prophets, even those prophecies concerning the return from exile comes to fruition in and through Jesus Christ.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ~ Galatians 3:13-14