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Category: Doctrines

The Spiritual Use of “Israel” in the Bible

The Spiritual Use of “Israel” in the Bible

Spiritual descendants
Spiritual, not fleshly, descendants of Abraham are the real Israel that counts with God

Who was God talking about when he made the promise to Abraham about his seed? Was the promise only referring to his physical offspring? Or, is there such a thing as “Spiritual Israel?”

“Well then, has God failed to fulfill his promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, ‘Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,’ though Abraham had other children, too. This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.” (Romans 9:6-8 NLT) read more

The Israel of God – Restoration Prophecies

The Israel of God – Restoration Prophecies

Restoration
Restoration is through Jesus Christ, not modern fleshly Israel, but to the “Israel of God,” and would come first to Jews, then all others would be blessed.

“Certainly, it doesn’t matter a person is circumcised or not. Rather, what matters is being a new creation. Peace and mercy will come to rest on all those who conform to this principle. They are the Israel of God”—Galatians 6:15,16 GWT

What is, “the Israel of God”?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile”—Romans 1:16 NIV

“A person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision  is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God”—Romans 2:28,29 NIV read more

Once Saved, Always Saved? How About Works?

Once Saved, Always Saved? How About Works?

Once saved, always saved
How about works?

Many modern Christians believe in the doctrine known as “eternal security” (commonly known as “once saved, always saved”). But is this belief scriptural? Let’s allow the scriptures to speak for themselves.

“I mention it that you may be saved.” (John 5:34 NIV). Salvation is not guaranteed to everyone, or anyone. See Mt 7:21-23.

“For in this hope you were saved.” (Romans 8:24 NIV).  In one sense, salvation  is past tense.

“It is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). read more

Old Covenant Canceled– New Covenant Operates

Old Covenant Canceled– New Covenant Operates

Old Covenant, New Covenant

Fleshly Israel was under the old covenant, which was canceled. Now a new covenant operates for Christians. How do we know this? Let’s examine the scriptures to find out.

“Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit. The tenants seized his servants; they beat one, killed another, and stoned a third. Then he sent other servants to them, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. Last of all, he sent his son to them. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. But when the tenants saw the son, they said to each other, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him and take his inheritance.’ So they took him and threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants? ‘He will bring those wretches to a wretched end,’ they replied, ‘and he will rent the vineyard to other tenants, who will give him his share of the crop at harvest time.’ Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.” (Matthew 21:33-44) read more

Old Covenant Shadows Fulfilled in New Covenant Reality

Old Covenant Shadows Fulfilled in New Covenant Reality

Abraham
The Old Covenant always was primarily relational (with God), not material

Many think the promises of living in the promised land of ancient Israel for God’s people are permanent. However, the Old Covenant was cancelled, and today God operates through the New Covenant and its reality.

“The old system under the law of Moses was only a shadow, a dim reflection of the good things to come, not the good things themselves”—Hebrews 10:1 NLT

“These are shadows of the things to come; the reality belongs to Christ”—Colossians 2:17 NAB

The old covenant shadows were fulfilled in the new covenant substance of reality. read more

Does Modern Israel Fulfill Bible Prophecy?

Does Modern Israel Fulfill Bible Prophecy?

Modern Israel
Does modern Israel fulfill Bible prophecy?

Does modern day “physical Israel” (1 Corinthians 10:18 JNT) fulfill Bible prophecy? Many claim that it does. They often cite Old Testament prophecies of restoration of the promised land to Israel, asserting that modern Israel does fulfill Bible prophecy. Frequently, they cite verses that seem to indicate fleshly Israel would have this land forever, such as:

“They will live on the land I gave to Jacob my servant, the land where their ancestors lived; they shall live on it always”—Ezekiel 37:25 NAB read more

Can One Who Believes in Trinity Have Relationship with God?

Can One Who Believes in Trinity Have Relationship with God?

Relationship with God

Many churches and preachers teach that the Trinity doctrine is true Biblical. On this basis, therefore many sincere Christians believe in the Trinity doctrine. Can a person who who in the Trinity have a relationship with God?

“It is God who judges”—Psalm 75:7 NIV;  “God is a righteous judge”—Psalm 7:11 NIV“He is a God of justice”—Psalm 50:6 NIV;  “Why do you judge your brother or sister?”—Romans 14:10 NIV;  “Be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves”—Matthew 10:16 NASB read more

Accurate Predictions of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

Accurate Predictions of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection

Jesus' Resurrection
Was Jesus ‘ resurrection actually predicted with accuracy?

Predictions of the death and resurrection of Jesus can be found throughout the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament by Jesus himself. Let’s examine a few of the scriptures in which these predictions can be found.

Old Testament Predictions of Jesus’ Execution, Death and Resurrection

Luke 24:44-47 – Jesus repeated the claims the Old Testament (OT) had predicted. (Luke 18:31-34; Acts 17:3; Acts 26:22-23; 1 Corinthians 15:4)

Isaiah 50:6 – Would be flogged and spit on

Isaiah 53:1-3 – Would be rejected by his own people

Isaiah 53:4,5,11,12 – Would suffer vicariously  read more

Trinity Debate – Reply to a Trinitarian

Trinity Debate – Reply to a Trinitarian

The Trinity is not a Biblical beliefBelow are some excerpts from a debate with a Trinitarian on an online forum, with the Trinitarian’s comments quoted verbatim :

Trinitarian said…

“ONLY ONE DIVINE BEING who exists within himself eternally and simultaneously as three distinct Personal Self-Awarenesses, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit”

These type of statements are pure fiction, as this premise has no Biblical support. Actually, there are three problems with them:​

  1. No Biblical proof
  2. Contradicts the Bible
  3. Makes no sense – eternal life depends on knowing God – John 17:3. Something that is nonsensical, like the Trinity God, cannot be known.

Trinitarian said…

“And it is true, since the Almighty IS Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet not three Almighties, but only ONE Almighty…and he has NO equal. There is none like our God. And our God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.” read more

Will There Be A Great Revival Before the End?

Will There Be A Great Revival Before the End?

Will there be a great revival or influx of new Christians as we approach the end of the world as we know it?

Great Revival
1839 Methodist camp meeting

Many very devoted and sincere Christians strongly believe there will be, and are fervently praying for a widespread revival in Christianity.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise . . . he is . . . not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance”—2 Peter 3:9 NIV. “God our Savior . . . wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”—1 Timothy 2:3,4 NIV. The scriptures thus are very clear that God wants everyone to repent and be saved. The scriptures are also clear that Almighty God says: read more

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