Gentilized Jews

The New Testament frequently turns prophetic texts inside out. In Revelation 3, for instance, Jesus applies prophecies that originally promised that Gentiles would bow to Jews, to Jews bowing to the (largely Gentile) church of Philadelphia (3:9; cf. Isaiah 60:14). In one respect, the import is obvious: The church is the new and true Israel, the Jews are now outsiders.

But how do the biblical writers justify this kind of twist? Is it just a clever rhetorical inversion?

If it is more than that – more than rhetoric – these uses of Old Testament prophecy have to assume not only that the Jew/Gentile church is the legitimate heir to the promises to Israel, but also that the Jews have moved outside, taking the role of Gentiles.

When did this happen? We can locate several possible moments: When they took Caesar’s side instead of Jesus’; when they tried to halt the apostolic preaching; when they stoned Stephen.

For the New Testament writers, these are not slips like Israel’s failures in the Old Covenant.

These are acts of apostasy, which remove Israel from its status as Israel. Jesus means what he says quite literally: “They say that they are Jews, and are not, but lie.” The Jews have been Gentilized, and so prophecies about Gentiles suddenly apply to them.

My Comment:

With the prophetic eyes of the world upon Israel and the separation of Jerusalem to Palestine, designating the Entire West Bank as "Palestinian Territory" how do you view Oleg’s post? This is a very timely topic for discussion.

Are we grafted into Israel or has Israel been Gentilized?

Is the true Israel through the blood line of Jacob/Israel or through the new covenant, through Christ’s blood on the cross?

Are we witnessing the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in the land of Israel today or are these promises for the New Jerusalem.

The New Jerusalem, which has also been called the Tabernacle of God, the Holy City, the City of God, the Celestial City, and Heavenly Jerusalem, is literally heaven on earth. It is referred to in the Bible in several places, Isaiah 52:1, Galatians 4:26, Hebrews 11:10, Hebrews 12:22-24, and Hebrews 13:14 and most fully described in the 21st chapter of the book of Revelation.

We need your voice in this discussion for it truly is the key to interpreting many Biblical Prophecies.

See you in the forums, Brother Chris

Psalm 85…Tuesday October 25^th, 2011

We see an awesome progression in this psalm which goes from Reverence to Restoration.

Reverence leads to forgiveness, restoring our love and joy for God

You showed favor to your land, O Lord; you restored

You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.

You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

Restore us again O God our Savior.

Will you not revive us again that your people may rejoice in you?

Show us your unfailing love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints- but let them not return to folly.

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him that his glory may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed give what is good

Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps

Psalm 85

We see here a request for God to revive his people, bringing them back to spiritual life. God is capable of reviving both churches and individuals. He can pour out his love on us, renewing our love for him. If you need revival in your church, family or your personal spiritual life; ask God to give you a fresh touch of his love

Psalm 85:6-7

As one cries out for God’s intervention, he can almost see, taste and hear God’s response. There is a description of what God can do for those who welcome his righteousness

Psalm 85:9/ Psalm 85:13

The psalm illustrates that the greater the presence of righteousness, the clearer the examples of God’s blessings.

This principle works equally in the life of a nation as well as in the life of an individual.

The more we first seek God’s righteousness and His Kingdom, as Jesus pointed out, the more we will see everything else taken care of by God

Matthew 6:25:33

Psalm 85:9-13

God reaches forth to forgive and to so bring restoration; granting us His favor; whereby all that the devil has stolen will thus be restored through Jesus our Lord and Savior

God also promises peace as His salvation is always near and His glory resides in us.

We are thus determined not to forfeit this right by returning to the folly of our old ways

The Lord will never fail and His righteousness goes before us preparing us that there will be a definite yield of the nature and characteristics of Christ along with the fruit of the Holy Spirit being evident

Psalm 85:1-3

Psalm 85:8-9

Psalm 85:12-13

We see both a Prayer for Revival as well as gratitude for being set free from captivity.

The key is to turn to so appropriate the benefits available in Christ as we are willing to hear and turn to so appropriate of His righteousness and peace.

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSE TODAY?

Awaken us O Lord to so appropriate of the treasures of Your love that extends to thus affect every aspect of our life and being

Study by Charlotte…October 2011