God's promises for Israel
session 1
Are conflicts around Israel new?
Conflict in Israel has been a reality whenever Israel has existed as a nation. Whether it was the Egyptians, Amalekites, Midianites, Moabites, Ammonites, Amorites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, or Romans, the nation of Israel has always been persecuted by its neighbors. Why is this? According to the Bible, it is because God has a special plan for the nation of Israel, and Satan wants to defeat that plan.
Conflict in Israel has been a reality whenever Israel has existed as a nation. Whether it was the Egyptians, Amalekites, Midianites, Moabites, Ammonites, Amorites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, or Romans, the nation of Israel has always been persecuted by its neighbors. Why is this? According to the Bible, it is because God has a special plan for the nation of Israel, and Satan wants to defeat that plan.
Replacement theology
As Christians, we have long thought that there were only two covenants: the old covenant and the new covenant (1). The old covenant was made with Israel, and the new covenant was made with the Church. For centuries, this has given Christians the idea that Israel doesn’t matter anymore. They thought that the old covenant was over and that, because of this, Israel was no longer God's people. The Church supposedly replaced Israel as ‘the people of the new covenant.’ This is called ‘replacement theology’.
Replacement theology (supersessionism) teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan (2). Adherents of replacement theology believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. Replacement theology teaches that the church is the replacement for Israel and that the many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church, not in Israel (3). This is a heresy in the church which has no support in the Bible. As early as Justin Martyr (100 - 165 AD ) and Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 AD) were supersessionists.
Proponents of Replacement Theology say that wherever you read the word "Israel" in the New Testament, it means the "Church". The word “Israel” occurs 78 times in the New Testament, and all but two of these instances are unequivocally referring to the nation of Israel, and not to the Church— one is in Romans 9:6 and the other being Galatians 6:16. So, in the New Testament 76 times the word "Israel" means the nation of Istael (10). Replacement theology is a lie.
Upcoming antisemitism
The truth is that the world hates the Jews because the world hates God (4). The Jews were God's firstborn, His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). In the Second World War six million Jews were murdered. Now, eighty years later, a new outburst of hatred against God's chosen people is seen worldwide. Biblical prophesy is about to be fulfilled.
As Christians, we have long thought that there were only two covenants: the old covenant and the new covenant (1). The old covenant was made with Israel, and the new covenant was made with the Church. For centuries, this has given Christians the idea that Israel doesn’t matter anymore. They thought that the old covenant was over and that, because of this, Israel was no longer God's people. The Church supposedly replaced Israel as ‘the people of the new covenant.’ This is called ‘replacement theology’.
Replacement theology (supersessionism) teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan (2). Adherents of replacement theology believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. Replacement theology teaches that the church is the replacement for Israel and that the many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church, not in Israel (3). This is a heresy in the church which has no support in the Bible. As early as Justin Martyr (100 - 165 AD ) and Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 AD) were supersessionists.
Proponents of Replacement Theology say that wherever you read the word "Israel" in the New Testament, it means the "Church". The word “Israel” occurs 78 times in the New Testament, and all but two of these instances are unequivocally referring to the nation of Israel, and not to the Church— one is in Romans 9:6 and the other being Galatians 6:16. So, in the New Testament 76 times the word "Israel" means the nation of Istael (10). Replacement theology is a lie.
Upcoming antisemitism
The truth is that the world hates the Jews because the world hates God (4). The Jews were God's firstborn, His chosen people (Deuteronomy 14:2). In the Second World War six million Jews were murdered. Now, eighty years later, a new outburst of hatred against God's chosen people is seen worldwide. Biblical prophesy is about to be fulfilled.
Replacement theology, antisemitism, and Jesus' Second Coming
Watch the video below, with Amir Tsarfati (Behold Israel) and Dr Golan Broshi (One for Israel).
In the first half replacement theology is discussed. Romans 9:6 and Galatians 6:16, and other verses (in NKJV) are discussed and context is given and the difference between the "seed" and the "land", and the difference between the "physical" and the "spiritual" are explained. And, related to antisemitism, two verses and often misinterpreted: Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9.
In the second half God's plan for the future with the Jews/Israel and the Second Coming are discussed.
Watch the video below, with Amir Tsarfati (Behold Israel) and Dr Golan Broshi (One for Israel).
In the first half replacement theology is discussed. Romans 9:6 and Galatians 6:16, and other verses (in NKJV) are discussed and context is given and the difference between the "seed" and the "land", and the difference between the "physical" and the "spiritual" are explained. And, related to antisemitism, two verses and often misinterpreted: Revelation 2:9 and Revelation 3:9.
In the second half God's plan for the future with the Jews/Israel and the Second Coming are discussed.
session 2
The Jews and their promised land
Therefore, we need to study the Bible and make sure that God's plan with the Jews and the land of Israel is perpetual. God uses Israel and the church uniquely to come to His pupose with humanity. God's focus however differs during certain periods, which are called dispensations.
Watch the two video's below, where the Messianic Jews Amir Tsarfati and Rabbi Schneider teach us about the Jews and the promised land.
Therefore, we need to study the Bible and make sure that God's plan with the Jews and the land of Israel is perpetual. God uses Israel and the church uniquely to come to His pupose with humanity. God's focus however differs during certain periods, which are called dispensations.
Watch the two video's below, where the Messianic Jews Amir Tsarfati and Rabbi Schneider teach us about the Jews and the promised land.
session 3
People's disobedience towards God's perfect plan
From the beginning, God intended people to disperse across the world. He said “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Genesis 11:1-4 reports: 1Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
Humanity decided to disobey and build a city for them selves and stay there, instead of filling the earth.
From the beginning, God intended people to disperse across the world. He said “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth” (Genesis 1:28).
Genesis 11:1-4 reports: 1Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there. 3They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”
Humanity decided to disobey and build a city for them selves and stay there, instead of filling the earth.
God's early covenants with Israel
First
The Lord God says, “I will” to Abram several times. He will show Abram the land where he must go. He will make him a great nation. He will bless him. He will magnify His Name. Read Genesis 12:1-3, which says The Lord also tells Abram twice that he will be a blessing to the whole world (end of verse 2 and end of verse 3). God even says, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse.” Abram was 75 years old when he received this covenant.
First
The Lord God says, “I will” to Abram several times. He will show Abram the land where he must go. He will make him a great nation. He will bless him. He will magnify His Name. Read Genesis 12:1-3, which says The Lord also tells Abram twice that he will be a blessing to the whole world (end of verse 2 and end of verse 3). God even says, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse.” Abram was 75 years old when he received this covenant.
Second
Fourteen years later God's promise to Abram (when he was 99) was filfilled by having offspring, the second covenant. God said "You will be a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:1-6).
Fourteen years later God's promise to Abram (when he was 99) was filfilled by having offspring, the second covenant. God said "You will be a father of many nations" (Genesis 17:1-6).
Who were the descendents of Ishmael? Read this article which may give an indication.
God confirmed this covenant to Abraham's son Isaac. We read in Genesis 26: 2The Lord appeared to Isaac and said, “Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land where I tell you to live. 3Stay in this land for a while, and I will be with you and will bless you. For to you and your descendants I will give all these lands and will confirm the oath I swore to your father Abraham. 4I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed".
God made several other covenants. Such as the covenant of the Law (Exodus 19:3-6), the unconditional covenant through King David (5) (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17:11–14, 2 Chronicles 6:16), and most of all the covenant with the church through Our Lord Jesus, which is called the New Covenant (6) (Luke 22:20).
session 4
God's plan with the the Jews and the Land
In Genesis 12:7 we read "The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring (seed) I will give this land.” This land is also called The Promised Land, the land to which the Hebrew people would return after the period of slavery in Egypt (Genesis 26:2-4 and Genesis 28:12-15).
A proof of God's plan with the descendents of Abraham is the fact that Abraham's grandson Jacob wrestles with God (Genesis 32:22-32) and in this wrestling the man representing God renames Jacob into Israel (Genesis 32:28 and Genesis 35:9-10).
In Genesis 12:7 we read "The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring (seed) I will give this land.” This land is also called The Promised Land, the land to which the Hebrew people would return after the period of slavery in Egypt (Genesis 26:2-4 and Genesis 28:12-15).
A proof of God's plan with the descendents of Abraham is the fact that Abraham's grandson Jacob wrestles with God (Genesis 32:22-32) and in this wrestling the man representing God renames Jacob into Israel (Genesis 32:28 and Genesis 35:9-10).
In the Bible we see that both names, Jacob and Israel, are being used. In Deuteronomy 32:9-10 we read: 9For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance. 10In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye".
In 70 AD the Romans destroyed the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews were dispursed all over the world. But 2000 years later, in 1948 the nation of Israel ressurrected in the ancestral homeland. Since then, millions of Jews from all over the world returned to the land. Even today, at the time of this writing in 2024, many Jews make aliyah to Israel, even in the current time of war. People flock to the land where they belong. Israel is the only Jewish state in the world. See the Israel immigration statistics. Watch the video below with testimonies of people who made aliyah from the diaspora to the nation of Israel.
In the short video below, a pastor gives a short overview of God's promises to the nation of Israel.
session 5
Christian remnant among the Jews and Israel
Read Romans 11. Read also reference (7).
The message of this chapter is simple: God has not rejected His people. There will be a restoration one day (Isaiah 11:12).
An inductive Bible study (8) breaks Romans chapter 11 down into six themes:
One
God has preserved a remnant of Israel (verses 1-10)
The apostele Paul in Romans 11:1 answers the question wheter God did reject the Jews. The answer is NO. In Israel there are about 30,000 Messianic Jews, who have put their trust in Jesus. An estimated amount of Christian Jews in the US is 1,6 million. And in Russia the ratio of Jews that believe in Jesus is 17%. If you hold the futuristic view on Revelation 6-19, in chapter 14 verses 1 through 5, we read that during the 7-year tribulation period 144,000 Jews will evangelize the whole earth with the Gospel of Jesus.
Read Romans 11. Read also reference (7).
The message of this chapter is simple: God has not rejected His people. There will be a restoration one day (Isaiah 11:12).
An inductive Bible study (8) breaks Romans chapter 11 down into six themes:
One
God has preserved a remnant of Israel (verses 1-10)
The apostele Paul in Romans 11:1 answers the question wheter God did reject the Jews. The answer is NO. In Israel there are about 30,000 Messianic Jews, who have put their trust in Jesus. An estimated amount of Christian Jews in the US is 1,6 million. And in Russia the ratio of Jews that believe in Jesus is 17%. If you hold the futuristic view on Revelation 6-19, in chapter 14 verses 1 through 5, we read that during the 7-year tribulation period 144,000 Jews will evangelize the whole earth with the Gospel of Jesus.
Two
The Israelites, moved to jealousy by the Gentiles, will eventually be restored (verses 11-16)
What positive effects will the Israelite’s final restoration have on the world? When will this occur? This rejection is neither final nor permanent. Stumbling refers to a short term rejection while falling refers to a permanent one. God would not cast them out, but in fact planned this as a way to save the Gentiles, which would in turn cause the Jews to become jealous, resulting in their salvation. So in a sense the Gentiles are saved through the Jews and the Jews are saved because of the Gentiles.
Their transgression in verse 12 refers to the crucifixion of Jesus, the crux of their rejection of Christ as the Messiah. Jesus came and declared on several occasions that He was the Messiah. He did the miracles to back it up as well as fulfilling the OT prophecies. They refused to believe in Him.
In verse 15 we see that one day they will be restored. The whole world was blessed by their rejection of the Messiah since their very act of rejected Him, killing him, provided the way for us to be saved. When Israel finally accepts Christ, it will be as King, King over the nation, and King over the world. This will usher in the millennial kingdom, a time of abundant peace, prosperity, and joy for the whole earth.
Because of the context I think verse 16 means that if Israel (roots) are holy then the rest of the tree will be as well. The logic would be a little bit like this.. Now many Gentiles believe even though Israel does not. One day Israel will be a restored and the majority will accept Christ. At that time the Gentiles will be even more fervent in their faith because of the Israelites’ example.
The Israelites, moved to jealousy by the Gentiles, will eventually be restored (verses 11-16)
What positive effects will the Israelite’s final restoration have on the world? When will this occur? This rejection is neither final nor permanent. Stumbling refers to a short term rejection while falling refers to a permanent one. God would not cast them out, but in fact planned this as a way to save the Gentiles, which would in turn cause the Jews to become jealous, resulting in their salvation. So in a sense the Gentiles are saved through the Jews and the Jews are saved because of the Gentiles.
Their transgression in verse 12 refers to the crucifixion of Jesus, the crux of their rejection of Christ as the Messiah. Jesus came and declared on several occasions that He was the Messiah. He did the miracles to back it up as well as fulfilling the OT prophecies. They refused to believe in Him.
In verse 15 we see that one day they will be restored. The whole world was blessed by their rejection of the Messiah since their very act of rejected Him, killing him, provided the way for us to be saved. When Israel finally accepts Christ, it will be as King, King over the nation, and King over the world. This will usher in the millennial kingdom, a time of abundant peace, prosperity, and joy for the whole earth.
Because of the context I think verse 16 means that if Israel (roots) are holy then the rest of the tree will be as well. The logic would be a little bit like this.. Now many Gentiles believe even though Israel does not. One day Israel will be a restored and the majority will accept Christ. At that time the Gentiles will be even more fervent in their faith because of the Israelites’ example.
Three
The Gentiles were grafted in and should never have an arrogant attitude towards the Jews (verses 17-24)
The example Paul uses here to explain the relationship between the Israelites and the Gentiles is grafting. Grafting takes two kind of plants and encourages them to fuse together into one. I would assume that the roots and majority of one plant are used while just a few branches are added from another plant. Who is the olive tree and who is the wild olive tree here? The olive tree represents Israel, who had been cultivated by God for some time. The Gentiles are the wild olive tree. God broke off some branches, or most Israelites, because of their unbelief and fused the Gentiles to the plant. This new plant is the church, which historically came out of Israel, was started by Israelites, has an Israelite (Jesus) as its leader, and uses Scriptures written by Israelites, especially the Old Testament, which is completely Jewish.
Paul admonishes the Gentiles that instead of becoming arrogant and assuming a superior attitude, they should be grateful for the contributions that Israelites made (even though now most reject). They should recognize that the root from which their nourishment comes was the original plant, the Jews. Again, right now we don’t have a lot of contact with Jews. But at that time, they did. There was obviously some friction between the two groups. Historically Jews looked down on Gentiles, but Paul encourages the Gentiles not to act the same way towards the Jews. Practical application number 1 is to be humble and grateful for our position as part of the tree (church). An adopted son has the same rights and privileges of the biological son, but will still do well to remember his humble beginnings and the kindness of his adopted parents to give him these same rights and privileges. Becoming arrogant and looking down on a biological son who may wander away in rebellion wouldn’t go over well.
Practical application number 2 is that we should be careful and alert to keep on persevering in faith. If God is severe/just enough to punish the natural plant/biological son who turns from Him, then he is severe/just enough to punish the wild plant/adopted son who turns from Him. You see that both the Jews and Gentiles are actually treated the same way without any favoritism. Both will be forgiven if they are faithful and both will be cast off if they rebel against God. See John 15:6. Neither side should think that they are superior.
The Gentiles were grafted in and should never have an arrogant attitude towards the Jews (verses 17-24)
The example Paul uses here to explain the relationship between the Israelites and the Gentiles is grafting. Grafting takes two kind of plants and encourages them to fuse together into one. I would assume that the roots and majority of one plant are used while just a few branches are added from another plant. Who is the olive tree and who is the wild olive tree here? The olive tree represents Israel, who had been cultivated by God for some time. The Gentiles are the wild olive tree. God broke off some branches, or most Israelites, because of their unbelief and fused the Gentiles to the plant. This new plant is the church, which historically came out of Israel, was started by Israelites, has an Israelite (Jesus) as its leader, and uses Scriptures written by Israelites, especially the Old Testament, which is completely Jewish.
Paul admonishes the Gentiles that instead of becoming arrogant and assuming a superior attitude, they should be grateful for the contributions that Israelites made (even though now most reject). They should recognize that the root from which their nourishment comes was the original plant, the Jews. Again, right now we don’t have a lot of contact with Jews. But at that time, they did. There was obviously some friction between the two groups. Historically Jews looked down on Gentiles, but Paul encourages the Gentiles not to act the same way towards the Jews. Practical application number 1 is to be humble and grateful for our position as part of the tree (church). An adopted son has the same rights and privileges of the biological son, but will still do well to remember his humble beginnings and the kindness of his adopted parents to give him these same rights and privileges. Becoming arrogant and looking down on a biological son who may wander away in rebellion wouldn’t go over well.
Practical application number 2 is that we should be careful and alert to keep on persevering in faith. If God is severe/just enough to punish the natural plant/biological son who turns from Him, then he is severe/just enough to punish the wild plant/adopted son who turns from Him. You see that both the Jews and Gentiles are actually treated the same way without any favoritism. Both will be forgiven if they are faithful and both will be cast off if they rebel against God. See John 15:6. Neither side should think that they are superior.
Four
God will restore Israel fully after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (verses 25-26)
God will restore Israel fully after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in”. The word “mystery” in the NT typically refers to a major doctrine or part of God’s plan that was hidden in Old Testament times and only revealed in the NT. The church age, a time of rejection of the Israelites and vast numbers of Gentiles being saved, is one of these mysteries. Knowing that this was part of God’s eternal plan should keep us from being prideful in our high spiritual position. Remember it is not because of us, but because of God’s grace.
Partial hardening refers to the fact that it not permanent and not complete, meaning the Jews as a nation will not reject Christ forever and even now it doesn’t apply to all Jews as some are elect. This partial hardening will last until God has mostly finished His work among the Gentiles during the church age. It is perhaps simpler to see this as a vast harvest, a harvest of souls. For whatever reason, God has chosen to mostly work in one field at a time. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t glean from other fields a little bit, but mostly He cultivates the ground, tills it, removes stones and weeds, plants seeds, waters, and finally harvests a crop from one major field at a time. In the OT, the field He worked in was Israel. In the NT and until now it is the Gentiles. When He has mostly finished harvesting the Gentiles (and the Israelites see the blessings He has given to us), He will move back to the Israelites. This will occur during the tribulation period.
God will restore Israel fully after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (verses 25-26)
God will restore Israel fully after the “fullness of the Gentiles has come in”. The word “mystery” in the NT typically refers to a major doctrine or part of God’s plan that was hidden in Old Testament times and only revealed in the NT. The church age, a time of rejection of the Israelites and vast numbers of Gentiles being saved, is one of these mysteries. Knowing that this was part of God’s eternal plan should keep us from being prideful in our high spiritual position. Remember it is not because of us, but because of God’s grace.
Partial hardening refers to the fact that it not permanent and not complete, meaning the Jews as a nation will not reject Christ forever and even now it doesn’t apply to all Jews as some are elect. This partial hardening will last until God has mostly finished His work among the Gentiles during the church age. It is perhaps simpler to see this as a vast harvest, a harvest of souls. For whatever reason, God has chosen to mostly work in one field at a time. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t glean from other fields a little bit, but mostly He cultivates the ground, tills it, removes stones and weeds, plants seeds, waters, and finally harvests a crop from one major field at a time. In the OT, the field He worked in was Israel. In the NT and until now it is the Gentiles. When He has mostly finished harvesting the Gentiles (and the Israelites see the blessings He has given to us), He will move back to the Israelites. This will occur during the tribulation period.
Five
God’s eternal choice of the Israelites as a nation will stand and he will show mercy to those who are disobedient (verses 27-32)
God’s eternal choice of the Israelites as a nation will stand and he will show mercy to those who are disobedient.
At the time Paul wrote this, Christians were odious to Jews (actually they still are). Jews followed Paul around stirring up trouble and persecuting Christians. They rejected Christ. They hated Christ. They hated Christians. From a human standpoint it appeared that the two sides were enemies. They both stood on different sides of the good news bridge. However, we have no excuse to treat them as enemies. We must not do so. From God’s perspective, they are beloved. He loves them and has a plan for them. Christians should be pro-Israel. One verse says God blesses those who bless Israel and this has shown itself to be true throughout history. Unfortunately, some professed Christians, especially at different periods in the past have been anti-Semitic. They blame Jews for their problems and hate Jews because Jews killed Christ. Perhaps in your country, there aren’t many Jews so you don’t face this issue too much. But even here, it is often politically popular to blast the Jews and support Palestine.
God’s eternal choice of the Israelites as a nation will stand and he will show mercy to those who are disobedient (verses 27-32)
God’s eternal choice of the Israelites as a nation will stand and he will show mercy to those who are disobedient.
At the time Paul wrote this, Christians were odious to Jews (actually they still are). Jews followed Paul around stirring up trouble and persecuting Christians. They rejected Christ. They hated Christ. They hated Christians. From a human standpoint it appeared that the two sides were enemies. They both stood on different sides of the good news bridge. However, we have no excuse to treat them as enemies. We must not do so. From God’s perspective, they are beloved. He loves them and has a plan for them. Christians should be pro-Israel. One verse says God blesses those who bless Israel and this has shown itself to be true throughout history. Unfortunately, some professed Christians, especially at different periods in the past have been anti-Semitic. They blame Jews for their problems and hate Jews because Jews killed Christ. Perhaps in your country, there aren’t many Jews so you don’t face this issue too much. But even here, it is often politically popular to blast the Jews and support Palestine.
Six
God’s ways (ie. His choice of the Jews and plans through history for the salvation of the Gentiles and eventual Jewish restoration) are higher than our ways (verses 33-36)
Why did God plan things this way? Why not save both the Gentiles and Israelites at once? Why ever even choose one nation as His special people? Why work in one field and then another and then back to the first? If you can answer all of these questions, we should probably start letting you teach. The fact is we often don’t know the “why” or “why nots”. Sometimes God reveals that to us, but often He doesn’t. We don’t have to understand. I watched one movie the other day and there was a Catholic Priest. He was counseling one young man who wondered why God hadn’t answered his prayer when and how he wanted and said, “In more than twenty years of ministry, I have only learned two hard truths. First, there is a God. Second, I am not Him.” Obviously we can know more truths than only these two. But on many tough issues, we can only come back to these two. God is God and we are not. If that is not enough for you, then you are doubting God and setting yourself up as a judge over Him.
Verse 36 is a benediction concluding the first section of Romans. Remember at the beginning of our study I said that the first 11 chapters dealt mostly with the doctrine and the last five were practical application? Well now we have reached the end of the focus on doctrine. But remember that doctrine by itself only builds up knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. It is not enough to know these truths. They should change how we live. The next five chapters focus on this practical application.
Let's ask the questions again:
God’s ways (ie. His choice of the Jews and plans through history for the salvation of the Gentiles and eventual Jewish restoration) are higher than our ways (verses 33-36)
Why did God plan things this way? Why not save both the Gentiles and Israelites at once? Why ever even choose one nation as His special people? Why work in one field and then another and then back to the first? If you can answer all of these questions, we should probably start letting you teach. The fact is we often don’t know the “why” or “why nots”. Sometimes God reveals that to us, but often He doesn’t. We don’t have to understand. I watched one movie the other day and there was a Catholic Priest. He was counseling one young man who wondered why God hadn’t answered his prayer when and how he wanted and said, “In more than twenty years of ministry, I have only learned two hard truths. First, there is a God. Second, I am not Him.” Obviously we can know more truths than only these two. But on many tough issues, we can only come back to these two. God is God and we are not. If that is not enough for you, then you are doubting God and setting yourself up as a judge over Him.
Verse 36 is a benediction concluding the first section of Romans. Remember at the beginning of our study I said that the first 11 chapters dealt mostly with the doctrine and the last five were practical application? Well now we have reached the end of the focus on doctrine. But remember that doctrine by itself only builds up knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. It is not enough to know these truths. They should change how we live. The next five chapters focus on this practical application.
Let's ask the questions again:
session 6
Israel in the end times
Jesus said that the world will be much the same as in the time of Noah (9) before He returns to set up His earthly kingdom (Matthew 25:31–33), where He will reign from Jerusalem. He warned us to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Second Timothy 3:1–4 gives us a clear picture of the state of the world before Jesus comes and most likely also describes the world in the days of Noah. That verse says, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” It is becoming increasingly obvious that, to understand what the world was like in the days of Noah, we only need to watch the evening news.
Jesus will be back on earth to set His foot on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where He will setup His Millenial Kingdom (Isaiah 2, Daniel 2, and Revelation 20). But before that happens, several events will happen that will be detrimental to the Jews.
Jesus said that the world will be much the same as in the time of Noah (9) before He returns to set up His earthly kingdom (Matthew 25:31–33), where He will reign from Jerusalem. He warned us to “be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Second Timothy 3:1–4 gives us a clear picture of the state of the world before Jesus comes and most likely also describes the world in the days of Noah. That verse says, “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.” It is becoming increasingly obvious that, to understand what the world was like in the days of Noah, we only need to watch the evening news.
Jesus will be back on earth to set His foot on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, where He will setup His Millenial Kingdom (Isaiah 2, Daniel 2, and Revelation 20). But before that happens, several events will happen that will be detrimental to the Jews.
- The Ezekiel war, as prophesied in Ezekiel 39 en 39. A coalition of five entities, Russia (Rosh), Iran (Persia), Turkey (Meshek and Tubal), Sudan (Cush), and Lybia (Put), will invade Israel from the north. But God will miraculously make and end to this war.
- The Rapture (John 14:1-3 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). All Christians will be taken up from the earth to Heaven for a period of seven years.
- The (great) Tribulation; also called the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). The Antichrist will rule over the earth for a period of seven years, while all Christians are absent. At the midpoint of those seven years God will hide the Jews in the desert. At the end of the Tribulation Jesus second coming to the earth will be there, where He will make an end to the Armageddon war, will put the Antichrist and the False Prophet in the Lake of Fire, and Satan in a bottomless pit. Then all remaining Jews will see Jesus and accept Him as Lord and Savior. And the Millennial Kingdom will start on David's throne in Jerusalem (Luke 1:32-33). And we, Christians will rule with King Jesus over the earth for a 1000 years.
Sources
(1) Are Israel and the church the same thing?
(2) What is replacement theology / supersessionism / fulfillment theology?
(3) Did God divorce Israel?
(4) What is the cause of all the anti-Semitism in the world?
(5) What is the Davidic covenant?
(6) What is the New Covenant?
(7) Will all Israel be saved in the end times (Romans 11:26)?
(8) Romans 11 Inductive Bible Study
(9) What was it like in the days of Noah?
(10) Replacement Theology and Supersessionism: Are we all Israel now?
(1) Are Israel and the church the same thing?
(2) What is replacement theology / supersessionism / fulfillment theology?
(3) Did God divorce Israel?
(4) What is the cause of all the anti-Semitism in the world?
(5) What is the Davidic covenant?
(6) What is the New Covenant?
(7) Will all Israel be saved in the end times (Romans 11:26)?
(8) Romans 11 Inductive Bible Study
(9) What was it like in the days of Noah?
(10) Replacement Theology and Supersessionism: Are we all Israel now?