Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error (1 John 4:1-6).

The word “try” in the phrase “try the spirits” carries the following meaning: “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals “(KJV w/ Strongs).

It is important to notice that the apostle John is not speaking of simply examining a “certain view” concerning matters that do not change one’s faith in Christ. He is speaking specifically about “trying the spirits,” and in verse six we see that we are to try the spirits so that we can discern between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

I find it interesting that the spirit of error of which He speaks is associated with those claim to be prophets “because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” The Bible also warns of false pastors (John 10), false apostles (2Corinthians 11), and false teachers (2 Peter 2). As we examine the scriptures closely, we see that there are some things that all false ministers have in common:

• They lead sincere people away from the truth in Jesus.
• They draw attention to themselves.
• There is a love for money that drives them.
• They focus more on worldly things than on eternal truth.

There are, however, true ministers including prophets who are sent by God with the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon them to testify of Jesus. All true ministers are first and foremost preachers or teachers of the word of God. Their aim is to glorify Christ to those to whom God has sent them.

Yet many today are placing more emphasis on what they call their anointing than they are on Jesus, speaking much about their anointing and promoting men. Yet the true anointing of God is centered in Jesus (1 John 2:27) and one anointed of the Holy Ghost cannot help but glorify Christ – “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42).

The Bible is full of examples of truly anointed servants of God. John the Baptist is one such example. The Bible tells us that he was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb. One can readily see from the scriptures that John did not come testifying of Himself.

When asked if He was the Christ, John the Baptist replied by saying, “I am not the Christ.”  John’s declaration of himself was simply that, he was sent to bear witness and testify of Him who is the Christ, Jesus the Son of God.

“I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God” (John 1:34).

“Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35-37).

The mark of one truly anointed of God is that he leads men to follow Jesus.

In our opening text, the Apostle John tells us, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God.” He then gives us the standard by which we are to try or test the spirits – “Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God.”

But what does he mean by confessing that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? Is it merely an acknowledgment of the historical person of Jesus Christ or is it more than that? This question will be answered as we examine thoroughly what is expressed in the statement “Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.”

Intertwined in the three epistles of the apostle John are both the warnings of deceivers and the exhortations to continue in Christ.

If we look closely at John’s words here chapter 4. and consider them within the context of the entire epistle, it becomes much clearer as to what he means.

First, notice the comparison between 1 John 2:18 and 1 John 4:3

1 John 2:18 – Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

1 John 4: 3 – And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

It is also interesting to notice the similarly between 1 John 2:19 and 1John 4:1.

1 John 2:19 – They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

1 John 4:1 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

Now, notice John’s words in 1 John 2:20-23:

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. (1 John 2:18-23)

In verse 22 John asks the question, “Who is a liar? His answer then follows: “he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ.” Next, he qualifies what he has just stated by saying, “he is antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son.”

The liar of whom he refers to in the first half of the verse is in the second half called antichrist. Therefore “denying that Jesus is the Christ, is defined by the apostle John as denying the Father and the Son.

Simply put, denying that Jesus is the Christ, is denying that Jesus is the Son of God. Denying that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is denying that the Son of God was manifested in the flesh. Hence, those who are of God preach and teach the message of Son of God who came in the in the flesh.

In verse 23 he sums it up by saying, “Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.” The confession that Jesus is the Christ is synonymous with declaring him to be the Son of God.  And by this confession- Jesus Christ is the Son of God, we know the true God and those who are of the true God.

The confession of Christ coming in the flesh is much more than a simple acknowledge of Jesus or mention of his name in an effort to place credibility on ones ministry.  The confession to which the apostle John refers is the very Spirit of the message being put forth. Those who are of God declare the truth in such a way that the very spirit of what they say draws men to the Son of God and Him only.

Later in 1 John 4 the apostle John expounds more fully on this confession of the Lord Jesus saying.  “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.”

False ministers do not testify of the Son of God. They may speak about the glory, miracles, God doing a new thing, spiritual experiences, and every other use of terms which will tickle men’s ears and feed the lust of the flesh, but they will not testify of the Son because God has not sent them.

Jesus said “He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him” (John 7:18).

The joy and delight of one truly sent of God is to testify of the Son through who only the Father can be known. There is no word, no revelation, and no truth from God the Father except that it is revealed through the Son. God speaks to us by His Son and in no other way.

Jesus said my sheep here my voice. The voice of the Savor is not drawing attention to men and exalting them. The voice of the Savor is drawing men to the Father. And no man has the Father without the Son.

And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:20).

Notice also, the two ways in which the apostle John describes those who are not of the truth. In 1 John 2, he describes their message as denying Jesus Christ is the Son of God and chapter four he says they confess not Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.

In 2 John, he again speaks about those who are not true ministers:

For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that ABIDETH in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 7-11)

Notice the similarity to John’s words in each of His epistles. A true prophet or messenger comes bringing the message of Christ. Let me say that again. A true prophet or messenger comes bringing the message of Christ. A false prophet or messenger may talk about Christ, but Christ is only a side issue; he or she has other intentions. A true minister walks in the Spirit of Truth and Jesus said the Spirit of Truth would testify of Him (John 15:26).

What specifically then is the message of those who do not walk in the truth and who do not bring the doctrine of Christ. Both 1 John 2 and 1 John 4 give us a clear answer to this question

In the three verses just prior to addressing the many antichrists in 1 John 2, he says the following:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1 John 2:15-17).

In 1 John 4:5 he uses the same decription in speaking of false prophets – “They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.”

There is no harmony between the truth of Christ and the deception of the world, neither is there any harmony between the will of God and the lust of the flesh. False ministers are of the world and appeal to the lust of the flesh.

This is the subtle work of spirit of error which creeps in and teaches men to desire the things of the world rather than the truth of the will of God which cannot be known apart from conformity to Christ.

Please understand that recognizing the spirit of error is not always obvious. If it were, there would be no need to be warned. On the surface, deception looks and sounds like the real thing. Yet, at its root, it is another spirit. There is only one God and His Spirit brings honor, glory, and praise to the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Spirit of God will lead men to the Cross and into conformity with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection so that God may be glorified in them. When the message of the cross is absent, watch out!

False prophets will not bring men to the cross, but the Spirit of God will – “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” (Galatians 6:14).

Remember: Every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God! They may talk about God, the glory, supernatural experiences, angelic visitations, even healing and miracles, but the true Holy Spirit always glorifies Jesus Christ.

The misnomer known as “replacement theology” is actually a condescending label rooted in “a political ideology” and not spiritual truth.

I do not know anyone who truly is a Christian who claims that Jewish people can’t be saved. The problem with the term “replacement theology” is that those who accuse others of it, do not clearly define what they mean by it in view of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

If Israel in the flesh maintains its former covenant status with God, then the cross is made of no effect. If Israel in the flesh maintains a covenant relationship with God after rejecting Christ, then the Messiah-ship of Christ is called into question. If Israel maintains a “national covenant identity” in the sight of God which separates them from all other nations, the New Testament is disqualified.

In Christ, the Gentiles “through faith” have become the people of God even as the Jews who believe are the people of God by faith. Furthermore, Jews who reject Christ have become as the Gentiles who reject Christ, for their circumcision has been made uncircumcision, and God has concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all (who believe in Christ).

Has the Jew been replaced? No! By no means.

It is the covenant that has been replaced. The covenant which God gave to the physical nation of Israel is the Law given through Moses. This covenant gave Israel a national status and it has been made obsolete by a better covenant established on better promises.

The Gentiles have not replaced the Jews, but Christ has replaced the covenant which came through Moses and in Christ God has removed that which separated the Jew from the Gentile. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God and THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between the two!

Yet, many are being taught that allegiance to the secular state of Israel, regardless of their attitude towards Christ, is a prerequisite to being blessed by God and this is contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac.

Ishmael was born after the flesh (by 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 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 birth right. Jacob esteemed the birth right and desired the blessing. Through a series of events 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 nation of Israel. Within Israel, there were those who were Abraham’s descendants according to the flesh, but they were not heirs according to the promise, they were not the true children of Abraham.

In John 8 Jesus was opposed by some religious Jews who boasted that they were the children of Abraham. In John 8:36 -39 we read the following:

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.

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.

In Romans 9:7-8, the apostle Paul tells us the following:

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.

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” and who “by faith” walk in the steps of Abraham’s faith.

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 (national Israel) 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 Abraham 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 was declare righteous!

Christ is the promised seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) through whom the blessing promised to Abraham comes to fruition, for 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 through Christ the promised seed of the covenant.

Being an heir to the promise God made to Abraham comes only through faith in Jesus. This does not apply to Gentiles alone, but to Jews and Gentiles alike. Being a descendant of Abraham “after the flesh” is not the same as being “an heir to the promise.”

As we have seen, 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).

Recently there was news announcing that the Temple Institute in Jerusalem had finished building an altar suitable for the rebuilt Temple if and when the Temple is ever rebuilt.

The altar referenced is the altar for animal sacrifices and an article written about this made the following statement:

“What makes the altar so unique is that it can be disassembled and reassembled easily, allowing it to be transported quickly and efficiently from its current location, on display at the institute, to the Temple Mount when the time comes.”

Yet according the scriptures, the altar of sacrifice, which foreshadowed the cross of Christ, was to be handled as follows:

And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon: And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the flesh hooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread  upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it. ~ Numbers 4:13-14

The staves were polls which were inserted through rings on the four corners to lift the brazen altar so that the Levites could carry it on their shoulders. It wasn’t broken down then put back together again.

While many Christians have been taught to anticipate a rebuilt Jewish Temple, they have not been taught to expect that this Temple should be built according to the divine pattern revealed in scripture. Nor have they been taught to understand how this temple could be approved by God when it undermines what God has already accomplished in Christ.

How can God approve of the aforementioned altar when the altar of sacrifice in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in the Bible was a type and shadow of the cross of Christ?

According to the Bible, the tabernacle constructed under the leadership of Moses, was to be constructed according to the divine pattern (Exodus 25:18; Hebrews8:5). This included everything concerning the tabernacle, its furnishings and decor, the priesthood and their garments, the sacrifices, etc. Everything concerning the tabernacle was to be according to the pattern given to Moses. Later the Temple built by Solomon (its pattern was given to David) was in sync with the pattern of the Tabernacle given by Moses.

The pattern for the tabernacle was given by divine revelation as a foreshadowing of the heavenly reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Since Christ has fulfilled all that was foreshadowed in the former tabernacle and Temple, another Temple would be apostate. And not following the divine pattern which foreshadowed Christ would make it “twice apostate” if there is such a thing.

It is not uncommon to hear someone refer to Jesus as the Jewish Messiah or to hear someone say, “the Jews rejected their Messiah.”

Jesus certainly is the Messiah of the Jewish people and he came to redeem the people of Israel. Yet the promise of the Messiah wasn’t a promise to redeem the people of Israel only. The promised Messiah who was to bring deliverance to the people of Israel, would bring salvation to the Gentiles well.

A distinctive characteristic of the Messianic promises is that the Messiah would bring the knowledge of salvation to all nations. One such prophecy, quoted from Isaiah by Matthew, says the following:

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, and a smoking flax shall he not quench, till he sends forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matthew 12:18-21)

In another place, the prophet Isaiah prophesied the following:

You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6 TNLT)

In Romans 15 the apostle Paul, quoting the Old Testament, says the following:

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. (Romans 15:8-12)

The Gentiles becoming the people of God through the Messiah was not an afterthought, but the fulfillment of the promises of God instead.

Paul says in Romans 15 (mentioned above) “Rejoice, ye Gentiles, WITH HIS PEOPLE.” His people is a reference to those who among the Jews receive Christ and trust in him as their Savior.

Throughout the New Testament the predominate thoughts concerning the recognition of Jesus as the Christ (the Messiah) is He is (1) the Son of God (2) the Son of David (3) the king of Israel (4) the Savior of the world.

All of these truths work together in sync as the family of God is gathered together in Christ Jesus. In Christ, the separating wall which divided the Jewish people from the nations has been removed, for the Messiah is not only Israel’s deliverer but the Savior of the whole world, and now -through the Messiah –  both Jews and Gentiles are united into one family and there is no longer any distinction  between the two in the eyes 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)

Gentiles who have faith in Jesus are one with the Jews who believe in Jesus and together they are the seed of Abraham according to the promise.

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. (Romans 10:12)

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)

In closing, Notice the words of Paul from Ephesians 2:10 – 3:6:

Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days, you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him, you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit. When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles…assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets. And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

I am intrigued by the messages of the prophets who prophesied to Israel the return from captivity. These prophecies came true when many of the Jewish exiles returned after the 70 years of Babylonian captivity. Yet, there is a much deeper and richer fulfillment concerning these prophecies than the Jewish people returning to their homeland after the captivity.

During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people were still a people looking for the full restoration from the captivity. Even though many of them were back in the land and their temple had been rebuilt, the effects of the exile were still lingering for they were (at that time) under the rule of the Roman Empire.

They were looking in hopes for the coming of the Messiah because He would be their Savior, their Redeemer, and their King! He would be a descendant of David who would be established on David’s throne and once again they would be a great nation, so they thought.

They 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.

According the Bible, the kingdom of Israel was divided after the reign of King Solomon. The northern tribes became known as the house Israel and the southern tribes as the house of Judah. The house of Israel was ruled by a series of wicked Kings and was eventually expelled from the land by the Assyrians.

The southern Kingdom, Judah, continued to be ruled by Kings who were descendants of David and in due time, they also were expelled from the land because of their idolatrous ways.

This fulfilled the covenant promise given through Moses concerning the curse that would come upon them if they forsook the Lord and did not keep His covenant according to Deuteronomy 27-30.

During the exile of Judah, the prophet Daniel prayed the following:

Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore THE CURSE is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in THE LAW OF MOSES the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And he hath CONFIRMED his words, which he spoke AGAINST US, and AGAINST our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem. AS IT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth. Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all his works which he doeth: for we obeyed not his voice (Daniel 9:11-14).

The curse of the Law was the exile and under the Old Testament, the land of Israel and especially Jerusalem and the Temple represented the presence of God. Being sent into exile or expelled from the land was a physical parallel to a much greater spiritual truth which is banishment from the presence of God because of our sins.

In Deuteronomy 30, God 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 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 finds Jesus in it.

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 is drawing on Deuteronomy 30:11-14 and translating 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’ 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 fulfilling of God’s promise that the Messiah would be a descendant of David and would sit upon his throne forever (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 every one 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).

In John 10 Jesus says the following:

I am THE GOOD SHEPHERD, and know MY SHEEP, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be ONE FOLD, and ONE SHEPHERD.

There is only “ONE FOLD” not two and this one fold has one Shepherd, the Lord JESUS!

God does not have two “covenant people” Israel and the church, He has only one. Modern Israel is not the fold, the church is. The church is not a Gentile entity, the church is the body of Jesus Christ, comprised of JEWS AND GENTILES.

For by ONE SPIRIT are we all baptized into ONE BODY, whether we be JEWS or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into ONE SPIRIT (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Jews who reject Jesus as Messiah are not the people of God as the scriptures clearly attest to over and over again. Jesus is the true shepherd of the true people of God and those who are not in HIS FOLD are not God’s people.

Then came the JEWS round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, BECAUSE YE ARE NOT MY SHEEP as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME…. (John 10:24-27)

Is it possible to be God’s people if Jesus is not your Shepherd? The answer is a resounding no!

Nowhere in scripture will you find a “rebuilt – man made – temple” of which the Lord Jesus Christ will return to fill with His Glory.

Jesus is the corner stone, which God has laid in Zion. He is the “foundation stone” of the true house of God which is built not by man but by the Spirit of the Living God. The true house of God is built with “living stones.” These living stones are Jews and Gentiles who obey Jesus Christ and abide in Him.

The ideology of a rebuilt temple was created by man and cannot be supported by scriptures. The true Temple of God of which Jesus is the foundation, and His followers are the building, is out in the open – loud and clear – in the New Testament!

John 2:19-20; Matthew 21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Corinthians 3:16 -17; 1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 2:12-22; 1 Peter 2:5.

Under the Law, Jerusalem in Israel was the place of worship, but in John 4:21, Jesus made it clear that the time was then near when those who worship God would no longer worship in a physical location within Israel, but true worshipers will worship God in the Spirit and in truth.

In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul says, “For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”

While some continue to anticipate a Jewish Temple to be rebuilt (a temple that would only cause unsaved Jews to continue in their rejection of the Messiah should it ever be built) the true Temple of God consisting of Jews and Gentiles is being built together as the holy habitation of God through the Spirit.

For through him we both (Jew and Gentile) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18-22).

The first generation of Israelites which left Egypt, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb, all died in the wilderness and never inherited the land because of their unbelief.

On the contrary, Rahab, who was previously a Gentile harlot, lived in the land of Promise as a member of the nation of Israel because she feared God. She married Salmon and became an ancestress of both King David and the Lord Jesus Christ.

It’s not about DNA, and never has been. It’s about 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 was a Moabite by physical descent, yet she too 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 Moabite’s false gods. These men were judged by God and put to death.

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).

May I encourage you not to miss this truth within the narrative of the story of Israel. It was never about those who were Jews outwardly. It has always been about those who were Jews inwardly; not, those whose flesh had been circumcised, but instead, those whose hearts had been circumcised (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2; 28-29).

And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias… ~ Matthew 1:5-6

The verses above are from the genealogical record of Jesus.

The King James version says, “Salmon begat Booz of Rachab.” A better rendering would say “Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab.”

Do you remember Rahab? She was formerly a prostitute who feared God and hid the Israeli spies before Israel entered the Promised Land. God blessed her and she became a member of the nation of Israel. She married Salmon and became a ancestress of both King David and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Boaz, aka the kinsmen redeemer, was a descendant of Salmon and Rahab. Boaz married Ruth who was a Moabite and Boaz and Ruth became the great-grand parents of King David.

Notice that King David had Gentiles ancestors on both sides of his family tree. His great grandfather, Boaz, had Gentile ancestors because he descended from Salman and Rahab. And King David’s great grandmother Ruth was a Moabite Gentile before she married Boaz.

Remember as you study scripture, Israel under the Old Testament was not called to be a holy race but a holy nation instead. And every descendant of Salmon and Rahab, and, Boaz and Ruth, had Gentile ancestors including King David the beloved king of Israel, King Solomon the builder of the temple, and Zadok the righteous priest!