Category: The Doctrine of God

Two Kingdoms: The Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God

The kingdom of heaven has been misunderstood throughout the history of the church. As I note in my introduction to the topic (see), this misunderstanding has caused confusion in the minds of many and given birth to a variety of interpretations.

I am using this website as an opportunity to advance and hopefully settle the meaning of the phrase. By doing so, it will also clarify many other doctrines of Scripture that hinge on its meaning.

Simply state, the kingdom of heaven was the kingdom Jesus, the rightful heir to the throne of David, came to offer. It was distinct from, though representative of, the eternal kingdom of God. Since it was on earth, it was temporal. On the other hand, the kingdom of God is timeless and existed before creation, and will continue forever.

The phrase, the kingdom of heaven, was used by Jesus to appeal to the Jews of His day to prepare to receive it and then to receive it when it was offered. However, when Jesus entered Jerusalem at the very moment in history prophesied by Daniel at the end of the sixty-ninth weeks of Daniel (Dan 9:23-27), the Jews rejected the kingdom of heaven and crucified their King.

Since the kingdom of heaven is a literal earthly kingdom and the King is no longer present, it is still future. It is the millennial kingdom mentioned in prophecy when Jesus will return to sit on the throne of His father David.

I am dividing this study into a number of separate posts. Each new post will be listed with a separate title and will be linked to this subcategory.

I have posted my research of all of the occurrences of the kingdom of heaven in the Bible together with notations to assist in following Matthew’s use of the phrase in the development of his gospel record.

I have also provided a detailed introduction and explanation of my approach to this study. It is the same approach I use for all of the posts on this website.

When coming to the conclusion of any study, I am cognizant that God the Holy Spirit speaks triangularly. That is He does not convey one truth to one person and contradict it to another. When my conclusions depart from what others teach, it gives me pause.

I have taught on the subject for decades, never changing from my original understanding even though I did not find anyone else coming to the same conclusion.

It was not until I found an article at bible.org by Dr. John Walvoord that I found anyone who came to a similar conclusion.

The difference between Dr. Walvoord’s approach to the subject and mine is that I am seeking the doctrine of God with regard to the kingdom of heaven and am not concerned with the doctrine of men expressed in their theologies. Dr. Walvoord’s article provides some valuable insight into this topic and so I have hyperlinked it here (see).

There is a silver lining to the pandemic that I did not expect. In order to continue relationships with others, we have had to utilize social media, especially video conferencing.

My family and I enjoyed a video-conference Thanksgiving dinner together. Each family group prepared a portion of the meal and divided it into separate parts corresponding to the number of groups. Then one individual from each group met at a designated locale with the other representatives and divided the portions. We then met through video conferencing and ate our dinner together.

This was all to protect my wife and me from exposure to the virus. I especially have several medical conditions that make me vulnerable to the virus. My family went to great lengths to protect us. This act of love added to our thanks this Thanksgiving. What a day in which to live.

Paul was faced with quite different circumstances at the time he wrote his letter to the brethren in Rome. Having received a warm reception on his arrival at Philippi in Macedonia, he was subsequently imprisoned along with Silas. Through God’s direct intervention, they were set free. Before leaving Philippi, they greeted and encouraged the brethren who were fearful and were praying for them.

It seems all was well until they came to Thessalonica. Up to this point, the opposition had been from the gentiles. At Thessalonica, it was the Jews who opposed them and dogged their movements until they were forced to leave Macedonia altogether. From Athens, he wrote back to the brethren in Macedonia to encourage them.

It was also from Athens he wrote believers in Rome. Paul had not yet been to Rome but knew individuals there he met before who served with him in ministry. His letter was to inform them of his plans. He greeted several of them by name in chapter 16.

This is the historical context of chapter 1 of the letter to the believers in Rome. While the book of Romans is primarily doctrine in scope, Paul’s references to the brethren, not as an impersonal gathering of a large number of nameless faces, but to those with whom he felt a personal kinship, gives a better picture of what the church should look like today. It is a gathering of co-workers laboring together with one another, using their spiritual gifts to support and encourage each other in ministry.

This is the context of Romans 1:11 when Paul wrote:

For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established. (emphasis mine)

This also gives us a true picture of the nature of spiritual gifts. I have previously published articles regarding what spiritual gifts are and how they should be used. (see) Note the added emphasis that Paul gives in this verse. Spiritual gifts, effectively used, are shared (metadoó – to impart).

This term, found only five times in the New Testament, suggests that spiritual gifts are more than something possessed. It is something we share. Each of the four other texts infers giving something someone else needs.[i] It is to be given generously.[ii] Most of all, it involves a willingness to be personally involved with others in ministry[iii].

As my vision for the ministry of teaching and encouraging through this website is fulfilled by my Lord, I rejoice in those, from the past and present, who are partnering with me in this ministry.

I have a group of individuals who meet with me by video conferencing every Friday morning. We share our lives together. We study God’s Word together. We pray for one another. We enjoy each other’s fellowship. This is clearly what Paul envisioned with the brethren at Rome, and what we now enjoy together over far greater distances.

You who receive my blogs, read them, and provide feedback, are also an integral part of this ministry. You share with me new things you’ve learned. You ask me to explain a concept more fully or do more research. Sometimes you correct my mistakes. For all of this, thank you. Please continue. I need your input.

One individual whom I recently met and who has joined our Friday morning group, is Clyde Blakley. He wrote an article regarding Replacement Theology that I will be publishing here soon.

Over the past half-century, God has led me into ministries where I sought to encourage and assist churches in Washington, Idaho, California, and Colorado. I confess it was often a lonely ministry because I did not have the pleasure of building lasting relationships before the Lord moved me on.

In my present season of life, I am now able to enjoy reaching back into the past and contacting individuals with whom I ministered, and now renewing those spiritual ties in a new and fresh way. It is a blessing to have the encouragement and support of other gifted individuals.

We need each other. As much as spiritual gifts are meant to edify others in the Body of Christ, they are also meant for our encouragement. It is with joy that I now share with all of you some spiritual gift(s).

Thank you.

____________

[i] Lk 3:11; Eph 4:8.

[ii] Rom 12:8.

[iii] 1 Thess 2:8.

The above photograph is not given as judgment upon any individual nor the manufacturer or seller of the T-shirt. My purpose is to highlight how prevalent the topic of Liberation Theology has become in society today.

A question was asked regarding a YouTube video produced by the group calling itself Israel United in Christ (IUIC). I am not providing links to the group or its publication because I do not want to be associated with this group in any way. You are free to research it for yourself.

My purpose in posting this is to warn of this and similar groups that seem to be springing up more and more in the world today.

IUIC was founded in 2003 by an individual calling himself, Bishop Nathanyel. Using miscellaneous Bible texts taken out of context, allegorical interpretation, and apocryphal books, he has constructed a narrative stating that his followers are the true Israel of God and he is their prophet leading them into setting up the kingdom of God on earth.

He attributes each of the twelve tribes of Israel to various races with whites as the oppressors. Here is an example. I leave it to you, if you are interested, to review the full list of twelve tribes on their website.

JUDAH

Middle Ages Name: Byzantine Empire Present Name: American Blacks/Negroes Locations: North America and scattered, regions of the Earth The tribe of Judah (American Blacks) along with Benjamin and Levi were […]

BENJAMIN

Middle Ages Name: Byzantine Empire Present Name: West Indians Locations: Jamaica, and the West Indies Benjamin, was the twelfth son of Jacob. His name means “Son of the Right”. Genesis […]

LEVI & SIMEON

LEVI Present name: Haitians Locations: Haiti and scattered, regions of the earth Levi: means joined to me. He was the third born son to Jacob, Read Genesis 29:34 SIMEON Present […]15

While professing Jesus as the true messiah, he constructs a doctrine that is far removed from the canon of Scripture we believe to be God-breathed.

During the last week of Jesus’ life on earth, as He was walking from the temple in Jerusalem to the Mount of Olives with His disciples, He called their attention to the temple proper and told of its soon destruction. For months, He had repeatedly told of His impending death which would end His offer of the kingdom of heaven to the Jews of that generation.

In His prophetic teaching, He told of a time when He would return to the earth to establish the kingdom of heaven. How His prophecy is interpreted is crucial to understanding the Bible.

This is why I published an entire study on the kingdom of heaven from God’s Word (see). It is key to refuting the proliferation of false teaching on the internet. We need to be aware and guard ourselves against these false teachers.

We also need to recognize that others are viewing them as well who might not be grounded solidly in God’s doctrine. We must recognize and discern truth from falsehood. A clear understanding of the doctrine of the kingdom of heaven is essential.

With regard to the kingdom of heaven, the disciples asked two questions: when will He return? and what will be the sign of His return? Jesus answered the second question first, what will be the sign of His return?

And Jesus answered and said to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many. “And you will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened, for those things must take place, but that is not yet the end. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and in various places there will be famines and earthquakes. “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.[i]

In Matthew 24:42ff. He answered the second question, when will Messiah the Prince,[ii] Jesus,[iii] return to be King Jesus in the kingdom of heaven on earth? His answer, no one knows at this time, “not even…the Son (of man).”[iv]

Israel United in Christ, is not the only liberation theology group springing up today. Compare also, Palestinian Liberation Theology, taught by Naim Ateek in Jerusalem.

An article published by The Friends of Israel, examines Palestinian Liberation Theology, its connections with Palestinian Muslims, and the broader connection with Replacement Theology. (see)

Is the proliferation of Liberation Theology fulfillment of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24:4-8, the beginning of birth pangs? I believe that it is. However, there have been events throughout church history that could be viewed as the fulfillment of the beginning of birth pangs. I will be publishing a separate article on the beginning of birth pangs.

The important thing I want to bring out in this article is to warn the Body of Christ today of the proliferation of this type of thinking. It is contrary to the healthy doctrine of Scripture. While purporting to be of Christ, it often results in racism and followers of heretics in the biblical sense of the term, i.e., those who preach in ways to gain a following. It ends in disaster every time.

God’s doctrine teaches unity under One leader; the risen, ascended, and reigning Lord who guides everyone born from above through the power of the Holy Spirit and Word of God.

[i] Matt 24:4-8.

[ii] Dan 9:25.

[iii] Matt 21:1ff.

[iv] Matt 24:36.

[The above quote is from a speech given by Jane Ellen Harrison. See below]

Humanity has arrived at a place in history where everyone has an opinion. The internet, social media, and instant news and commentary have made it possible for almost everyone to think he/she is an expert on any topic under discussion. The cacophony of voices makes it nearly impossible to sort truth from error. Yet we must attempt to know the truth if we are going to make sound judgments about matters of this life.[i]

In this article, I want to briefly explore what the Bible has to say about heresy. I am making available to you, the reader, the resources I used and what my research has led me to believe at this moment in time regarding the biblical view of heresy.

To begin, the term heresy has taken on a life of its own leading to wars, inquisitions, and much human suffering. Through the centuries since our Lord Jesus Christ walked on earth, many wrapped themselves in mantels of authority which Jesus clearly forbids of His followers.[ii] [See my articles on this website].[iii] [iv]

It is clear from the gospel accounts and epistles that the progress of illumination was going to be marked by a tug-of-war as the Body of Christ, the Church, sought to implement the revelation of God to man. Questions regarding which writers and manuscripts were God-breathed and how the canon should be interpreted became grist for conflict. The apostles themselves came under intense scrutiny. Divisions arose.[v] Heresy became the watchword of Christendom as men, one after another, claimed the authority to declare what is truth and to condemn all who did not agree with them.

Jane Ellen Harrison, a British linguist and scholar (1850 – 1928) had much to say about religion and heresy in general. In an address to the “Heretics” Society in Cambridge, she outlined her views of heresy.[vi] My purpose in this article is not to critique her speech. But what she said explains a lot about where society is today and how we got here. I have prepared a document in which I provide my critique of her speech.[vii]

So what does the Bible say about heresy? First, we need to examine the root meaning of the term found in the New Testament.[viii] The term, heresy, is not a translation but a transliteration of the Greek term [hairesis]. It refers to making a choice. To draw a conclusion. To form an opinion. We do this all the time. Sometimes our conclusions are right. Sometimes they are wrong. In our day, the majority of mankind believes there is no objective or absolute truth. Only subjective truth. All truth is relative.

But what we believe to be true determines our ethics. When there is no absolute truth, what remains is situational ethics. How we act, what we do, and the opinions we form, change with circumstances. What has come to be referred to as “the classical meaning of heresy”, i.e., that heresy is a falsehood or a lie, depends on the context. It also depends on what a person does based on that opinion. Another website provides a more balanced view of the term, heresy, as it is used today.[ix] But how does the popular view comport with the biblical meaning of heresy?

Luke, in the book of Acts, sheds light on the biblical view of heresy. Of the nine occurrences of the term in the New Testament, Luke uses it six times. Careful examination shows that he is using the term in its basic meaning. It is a belief or opinion held by an individual or group of individuals. The New American Standard Bible consistently translates the term in the book of Acts as a sect. Whether it is negative or positive must come from the immediate context. Heresy is a neutral term in the book of Acts in every instance. It merely refers to a group of people who hold the same opinions. It has become popular to substitute the term, church, with the term, community. We should avoid this because today, by definition, a community is a social construct. It is a gathering of people who hold the same opinions. This is a far cry short of the biblical concept of church.

It is when we observe the cognates of the term outside the book of Acts that we begin to see the negative side of heresy. Here is a list of the contexts where it is negative:

Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.[x]

But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are approved may have become evident among you.[xi]

This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.[xii]

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.[xiii]

So how does someone go from simply forming an opinion and making a choice based on that opinion to being a heretic? The classical conclusion is that they are teaching falsehood. But the Bible does not begin there. Here are the steps involved. We need to see them as outstanding and abiding truths not limited to a moment of time.

1. Heresy is holding an opinion, even a contrary opinion to someone else’s opinion under the sun. It is not necessarily negative.

Heresy, making an opinion, becomes negative when it is merely the works of the flesh and not the Holy Spirit working in us through God’s Word. It is “of the flesh.”

2. Heresy is holding an opinion and becomes negative when a person becomes contentious.

In one church where I served as pastor, there was an individual who told me the first time we met there would be no unanimous decisions in business meetings. He didn’t believe there should ever be unanimity in the church. Believe me. He was true to his word. At a Bible conference with a sister church, when the guest speaker saw the body language of this contentious man, even before he knew I was this man’s pastor, he said, “I pity that man’s pastor.”

3. Hersey stems, not from knowing something, but from what we do with what we know.

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;[xiv]

4. Heresy, holding an opinion, becomes negative when individuals begin to take sides causing dissension among the flock of God.

This does not mean that conflict itself is a sin or even that the conflict is always due to sin. We need to leave room for others to have a different view of matters of this life. That is what Paul meant when he said:

Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.[xv]

5. Heresy, holding an opinion, becomes negative when contentious individuals join together into factions.

They form parties and begin to exert their will upon others. This happens in families, neighborhoods, and political parties. Their language becomes brickbats to win arguments. Relationships are destroyed over disputes. Minor disputes become major. This was the situation on the island of Crete where Paul left Titus to encourage reconciliation. The state of affairs at that time comes down to us in the pejorative reference to Cretans.[xvi] There is confusion between the terms Cretans and Cretins. Both should be used wisely. Cretin refers to a medical condition and has nothing to do with Paul’s message to Titus. I mention Cretans here only to show the nature of heresy that was prevalent in Paul’s day.

This does not mean that we will be successful in avoiding disagreements and conflict in every relationship. Nor that we should alter what we believe to be true in order to get along. There are times when we have to take a stand. But we need to make every effort to use the tools that God gives each of us to be at peace with one another.

Consider the following:

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness[xvii], with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.[xviii]

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle[xix], showing every consideration[xx] for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.[xxi]

6. Hersey becomes negative when we “become judges with evil motives.”[xxii]

James was referring to the practice of separating from others we consider beneath us. It is when an individual or group takes it upon themselves to judge others. Jesus warned against this.

“Do not judge lest you be judged. “For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. “And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.”[xxiii]

The negative particle in the first verse is not an absolute negation, but conditional. The term is used when the context explains the conditions to which it applies. We all make judgments. But we need to take care that we do not put ourselves in a position of judging others when we do not know what we are talking about or are arrogant because of what we think we know. There is ample teaching in Scripture on how to make sound judgments that do not cause damage to others.

7. Heresy becomes negative when we do and say things to draw a following.

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.[xxiv]

8. Heresy becomes negative when we seek to force others to agree with us.

Paul was very careful not to lord it over others. The Church at Corinth was offended when he wrote that he wanted to visit them but he did not. He explained why he did not go as planned.

But I call God as witness to my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.[xxv]

Note how careful he was when writing to Philemon.

but without your consent I did not want to do anything, that your goodness should not be as it were by compulsion, but of your own free will.[xxvi]

It seems there is nothing in life that has not become a source of controversy and division. In Paul’s day, one issue was eating meat sacrificed to idols. Concerning this, Paul wrote:

Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions. One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only. Let not him who eats regard with contempt him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and stand he will, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and he who eats, does so for the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who eats not, for the Lord he does not eat, and gives thanks to God. For not one of us lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

But you, why do you judge your brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall give praise to God.” So then each one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this —  not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin[xxvii] [emphasis mine]

There is much more that could be said about heresy. We live in a culture of divisions, conflicts, and individuals seeking to dominate and gain power over others. Democracy is devolving into road rage, power groups, and character assassination. The Body of Christ, the Church, needs to avoid this. The freedoms we once enjoyed are under attack. One of the causes—we must acknowledge this truth—individuals who name the name of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ but do not speak and act in ways that glorify Him, not only ruin the reputations of those they oppose but their own reputations as well. In fact, our Lord’s enemies are being given cause to blaspheme His dear name. Brethren, this ought not to be.

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person.[xxviii]

…in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, in order that the opponent may be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us. Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,[xxix]

There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.[xxx]

___________

[i] 1 Cor. 6:3.

[ii] Cf. Matt 20:5; Mk 10:42; Lk 22:25.

[iii] Let’s Talk About Leadership.

[iv] Authority in the Church.

[v] 1 Cor 1:10-12.

[vi] Jane Ellen Harrison – Heresy and Humanity

[vii] see my critique.

[viii] See my word study on Heresy in the NT.

[ix] What is the definition of heresy?

[x] Gal 5:19-26.

[xi] 1 Cor 11:16-19.

[xii] Titus 3:8-11.

[xiii] 2 Peter 2:1-3.

[xiv] 1 Cor 8:1-2.

[xv] Rom 12:16-21.

[xvi] Titus 1:12.

[xvii] Prautes, An outward gentleness based upon an inner strength that comes from having a right relationship with God and being at peace with what He is doing in my life. [my definition]

[xviii] Eph 4:1-3.

[xix] Epieikes, Stop demanding the letter of the Law. [my definition].

[xx] Prautes, Same as above.

[xxi] Titus 3:1-7.

[xxii] Jas 2:1-5.

[xxiii] Matt 7:1-5.

[xxiv] 2 Peter 2:1.

[xxv] 2 Cor 1:23-24.

[xxvi] Philemon 14.

[xxvii] Rom 14:1-23.

[xxviii] Col 4:6.

[xxix] Titus 2:7-11.

[xxx] Prov 6:16-19.

Introducing a New Author

From Time to time, I will be publishing articles that others have written. I will be reformatting, editing, and sometimes, rephrasing statements and paragraphs for clarity, but will not be changing to the original intent. These articles must be unpublished by others and consistent with the stated purpose of this website. I reserve the right to reject part or all of what is submitted to me.

With this in mind, I am pleased to introduce a new acquaintance who submitted an article regarding Replacement Theology. It happened to be at a time when I have recently written an article stressing the need to understand the kingdom of heaven in Matthew’s gospel as a literal kingdom, one not being offered today, but one that will one day be literally fulfilled on earth when Jesus returns.

Here is the article by Clyde Blakley:

What is Replacement Theology?

There is a current train of thought which maintains that because the Jewish people rejected Jesus, God has replaced or superseded ethnic Israel with the church and punished them by rescinding all of the covenant promises He gave them.

It also maintains:

(1) the church began with Abraham in Gen 12,

(2) the church is merely a continuation of the Old Testament Israel,

(3) the church is true or “spiritual Israel,”

(4) true Israel in the Old Testament was comprised of Abraham’s Spiritual, not physical, descendants.

These four issues are crucial as each one of them creates a chain reaction of error upon error

In What Ways is Replacement Theology Wrong?

This train of thought is called Replacement Theology. It claims that we must first understand the New Testament before we can understand the Old.

The New Testament, they say, teaches us how to interpret the old testament. This method enables them to redefine Israel to mean Abraham’s spiritual descendants only. However, interpreting scripture this way ignores the progress of God’s revelation and implies that people with only Old Testament revelation could not have understood God’s plans for the future.

Replacement theology also conveniently manages to uncouple God’s covenant promise from His covenant curses using what theologians call double hermeneutics. The church inherits all the promises to Israel, but the Jewish people keep all the covenant curses. This glaring double standard goes unnoticed when the conversation is about “Palestinian rights” instead of the truth of scripture.

Since the Replacement church sees itself as a continuation of Old Testament Israel, it applies portions of Old Testament Law to itself while ignoring important New Testament teaching.

Finally, Replacement Theology teaches there is no future for national Israel. God has thoroughly rejected Israel and no longer has a place for it in His plan for eternity apart from the salvation of individual Jewish people. They are no longer His chosen people, nor is there a future seventieth-week of Daniel or a future, literal, Millennial Kingdom of God on Earth.

Replacement Theology is the historical position of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches and the common position of the Reformed and Covenant Churches. When well-meaning Christians enter this sphere of teaching, they need to be aware of where this type of teaching leads.

This type of teaching has fueled anti-Semitism for 1,800 years. It has been said that more anti-Semitic acts have been committed in the name of the church than by all other groups combined.

How Does Replacement Theology differ from What the New Testament Teaches?

 But what did Jesus say? Since Israel did not reject Jesus until the Gospels, we would expect Replacement theology to be taught in the New Testament. Using a literal-historical-grammatical method of interpretation, we would expect to find:

(1) Clear, concise statements that God has rejected Israel.

(2) Definitive passages that teach that the church has replaced Israel.

(3) God’s declaration that He has excluded Israel from the Old Testament Covenants.

(4) A total lack of New Testament verses that speak of Israel’s future in God plan.

Speaking to a Jewish audience, Jesus said, “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it” (Mt. 21:43). Replacement theologians say this passage teaches that Jesus said,

(1) God has permanently rejected the nation Israel, and

(2) The “nation” to whom the Kingdom of God will be given is the church.

On the surface, this explanation seems reasonable. However, scrutiny shows otherwise. Throughout the first part of His ministry on Earth, Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom is at hand!” He offered the restored Kingdom of God to Israel if the people repented of their sins and accepted Him as their Savior and Lord. But they would not.

Later Jesus lamented over Jerusalem, “who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! You shall see Me no more till you say, “blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” (23:37, 39)

Although this passage teaches that Israel will be judged, it concludes by promising a future day when a new generation of National Israel will repent and accept Him as Messiah. If Matthew 21:43 taught that God had rejected Israel, then Jesus would not have taught that a future Jewish Nation will accept Him, Therefore, Matthew 21 does not imply God permanently rejected Israel as His people.

Furthermore, nowhere does scripture define the Church as a “nation”. Rather, it teaches that the church is composed of people from many nations. Christ’s use of “nation” in Matthew 21 refers to the future generation of Jewish people who will accept Him and bear the fruit of the restored Kingdom. Christ chose the word nation rather than generation because He knew the Jewish people would soon be scattered, and He wanted to note a future day when Israel would again be a nation, accept Him as Messiah, and usher in the restored Kingdom Of God.

Far from teaching Replacement Theology, Jesus emphasized that because the Jewish generation alive during His first coming refused His offer of the restored Kingdom, God would take the Kingdom from them and give it to the future Jewish nation that will accept him.

On another note, one of the most often quoted passages in defense of Replacement Theology is Galatians 6:16. “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God,” written by the apostle Paul. Replacement theologians say Israel of God refers to the church.

Their argument revolves around the Greek term, kai, which precedes the words upon the Israel of God. Kai is most commonly translated “and”, but they say kai is an explicative case (what follows explains what came before) and, therefore, should be translated “even.”

This change makes Israel of God refer to as many as walk according to this rule, meaning Christians, they also say Paul taught in Galatians the unity of all ethnic believer groups. Therefore, the words Israel of God refers to all believers, that is, the church.

However, the explicative case of kai is extremely rare usage and is not supported by context or grammar. The more commonly used and, which connects the words, Israel of God, with the first half of the verse makes contextual and grammatical sense.

In Galatians, Paul defended salvation by grace through faith alone, He spoke against the Judaizers who taught circumcision was required for salvation. They added works (circumcision) to faith.

When Paul said, “as many as walk according to this rule,” he spoke of those who walked by faith in Christ alone. His use of Israel of God contrasts Jewish people who believed in Christ alone with the Judaizers who taught one must have faith plus works to be saved.

It is important to note that God used Jewish men, in a Jewish country, utilizing the Jewish language, to communicate this important message. So it is important to understand the Hebraic context of this passage. This is sorely lacking in Replacement Theology.

In all other Pauline passages, the term, Israel, refers to national or ethnic Israel. It is highly unlikely he would use Israel here to refer to the body of all believers. Paul prayed, in Galatians 6:16, that God would bless all who put their faith in Christ alone for salvation and that God would especially bless the Jewish believers who were distinct from the Judaizers.

This verse does not say the church has replaced Israel. Even if one accepts the Replacement explanation, the most it says is that Gentiles are included with Israel, which Paul did teach in Romans 10. But Replacement Theologians steer clear of Romans chapters 10 and 11 because of the clear distinctions, so for now we will also.

Replacement Theologians also use Galatians 3:7 and 29 in an effort to bolster their position: “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (v.7). “and if you are Christ’s, then you are Abrams’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (v.29)

They maintain the words sons of Abraham and Abraham’s seed mean believers that are related to Christ, whom they say is the true seed of Abraham. Thus the church is the true Israel.

However, it is possible to be Abraham’s son or seed, and not be Jewish. Ishmael was Abraham’s son and he certainly was not Jewish.  In Romans 4:11 Paul taught that Abraham is the father of both the uncircumcised and the circumcised.

Abraham himself was not Jewish. He was a gentile from Ur of the Chaldea’s. If he had been Jewish, then all of his descendants would be Jewish, yet only the descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are Jewish. It wasn’t until Jacob that God bestowed the title of Israel after Jacob wrestled with God all night (Gen. 32:24-30).

Galatians 3:7 and 29 do not say Israel has been replaced, they merely teach that people (Jewish or Gentile) who put their faith in Christ become partakers of the spiritual promises God made to Abraham. Paul affirmed this fact in 3:28 when He said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek,….for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Replacement Theology is nothing more than old Covenant Theology. Only now it is being repackaged and sold to unsuspecting pastors as a Christian response to Palestinian apartheid.

___________

Clyde Blakley has served as a prison chaplain at Clallam Bay Corrections Center, as a missionary with Jews for Jesus, an assistant pastor. He attended George Fox, Multnomah, and Western Seminary. He is the owner of Modern Refinishers (ModernRefinishers.com)

Note: For further reading regarding Liberation theology and the kingdom of heaven visit my articles on this website:

Let’s Talk About the Kingdom of Heaven

Let’s Talk About Liberation Theology

Jim Henson died too young. He was one of my favorite artists. His most notable creation, The Muppets, followed earlier renditions of his rowdy comedy. Back on the farm growing up in the 1950s, I was not allowed much time to watch TV so I did not know about him and his creations. Later it was the military, then college, followed by seminary.

It was not until the early 1970s, when our first child began watching Sesame Street, that I took notice. By the time our second child was born, our household rang with the theme of Sesame Street. Then when The Muppets Show hit Primetime it was family movie time.

Jim died in 1990, but his legacy lives on today. He was the master of illusion. Through him, the world learned the art of illusion. One could believe Miss Piggy actually tricked Kermit the Frog, as she so often did.

One of my favorite characters was The Count. I always wondered why he counted everything. I thought it was to teach children to count until I entered my current season of life. Now I tend to count everything, starting with the pills I take every morning and night.

The mystique of the Muppets died for me when I toured the studio and saw how the Muppets show was produced. What the audience saw on the screen was only an illusion. The action was actually taking place off-screen, below and above a table. The Muppets were never the same for me.

Much of life today, in this world of digital display and artificial intelligence, is like that. What we see and feel, what we respond to is an illusion created by someone to give the appearance of reality. Even when using Zoom for our weekly Bible study, as the host, I can create a background giving the appearance that I am somewhere other than where I am. Remember the weatherman? When he/she points to the map, he/she is pointing to a blank blue wall and viewing the true image on a screen off-camera.

As those who believe in the incarnation and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins so that we can experience a quality of life in a close personal relationship with the Godhead, the creator, and sustainer of the universe, we need to be careful not to confuse illusion with reality. Christianity is not an illusion. It is reality.

For health reasons, and as a testimony to those who are concerned for me, I am still housebound due to the coronavirus. I watch excellent Christian messages on TV and on my computer. For the first time in my life, my involvement in corporate worship is limited to what others create for me to see and feel. I am struggling with the lack of emotional involvement that I enjoy when I am harmonizing with other believers in an uplifting hymn or praise chorus, or partaking in the elements of the Lord’s Supper.

Replacing reality with illusion is not a new concept. Plato and other Greek philosophers were debating the subject long before Jesus walked on earth. This is why the Gnostics were quick to pick up elements of the gospel and declared them mystical—another word for illusion. Jesus was a phantom. Or Jesus was only a man, but God came into him at birth and left him on the cross. Etc.

Even as Jesus performed miracles; healing the sick, raising the dead, walking on water, and feeding the multitudes, many took them as illusions and a way to gain some personal benefit. Following the feeding of the five thousand and Jesus walking on the water, the multitude followed Jesus and ask Him to explain himself. Jesus’ response was unsettling to them:

Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves, and were filled. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man shall give to you, for on Him the Father, even God, has set His seal.”[i]

In the following dialogue, the crowd asked him to perform another sign to validate those he had already performed. They sought illusion instead of reality. To illustrate, they referred to the manna given in the wilderness that sustained Israel throughout the wilderness wanderings. To them that was an illusion performed by Moses. Jesus corrected them:

“Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”[ii]

Even then, they wanted illusion instead of the reality:

They said therefore to Him, “Lord, evermore give us this bread.”[iii]

In clear Jewish fashion, Jesus explains reality in figurative language.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. “But I said to you, that you have seen Me, and yet do not believe. “All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. “For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. “And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”[iv]

There was no misunderstanding. The distinction between illusion and reality was laid bare. Jesus was and is the Son of Man, Messiah, the deliverer they were waiting for, and the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity. The One who would die for their sins, who would be raised from the dead, and who would raise up all whom God the Father gave to Him.

This reality was too much to accept. Their response was to grumble and argue against this reality. Even when Jesus attempted to explain further, they argued even more, disrupting the decorum carefully fashioned in the great synagogue in Capernaum.

John records that many disciples struggled with this reality.

Many therefore of His disciples, when they heard this said, “This is a difficult statement; who can listen to it?”…As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew, and were not walking with Him anymore.[v]

Many today are caught up in delusional Christianity. As long as there is loud music, large crowds, and wonderful positive messages that make one feel good, they are disciples (i.e., learners). But when the music stops, the crowd disperses, the hardships come, and there are no more illusions, they are left with emptiness.

In these difficult times, the world will continue substituting illusion for reality. But God’s people should not follow the example of the disciples who walked away. These are indeed “the times that try men’s soul.”

One year in college, I roomed with another Christian man I met through Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. I do not recall his name so I will call him, Ted. I did not know him before that time nor did I know much about him after that year. He was a very quiet, almost introverted, individual.

One week my adopted father came to the Washington State University campus. At the time, he was the Dairy Products Commissioner for the State of Washington. WSU, being an agriculture college with a large Ag department, was very attentive to his presence since he was instrumental in setting their annual budget.

The first night we invited him to stay with us in our small, one-room apartment off campus. I slept on the floor while he slept on my bunk. In the morning, without warning, he lit up a cigarette, grabbed an empty egg carton, and used it as an ashtray. It caught fire. We quickly extinguished the small blaze.

At breakfast, the toast was on the menu and we set out our usual spread which included oleomargarine. That was a mistake. ”Where’s the butter, “ he demanded. “Is this spread the only thing you have?” He asked. We immediately knew our mistake. He ate his toast without spread.”

The week seems like an eternity. We were constantly on our guard. He moved into a motel but we kept in touch. Ted watched in wonder at the actions of a man whose personal life did not comport with his social persona. The one thing I knew regarding Ted was that he came from a home without a father. His mother was a devout Christian and raised him to be one also. This was all new to him.

After my father left WSU, I was sitting on my bunk. Ted was sitting at his desk shaking his head. “What’s wrong?” I asked. His response to my question startled me. “You know where you came from.” He replied. “Sometimes I think my faith is a figment of my imagination.”

A Christian does not need to come from a broken or dysfunctional family to experience the reality of eternal life in Christ. However, if someone lives with head knowledge only and never experiences faith in a moment of crisis and he/she only possesses an illusional faith, then when a critical moment comes, he/she will walk away from The Faith.

One important outcome of the pandemic is that it has and is stripping away many illusions. Without a strong moral compass, it is more difficult to walk openly with the Lord. More of the public is apathetic to the Christian faith and even hostile to it. Christianity is seen as in opposition to the illusions they want to claim as reality.

If you find yourself questioning your faith in Jesus Christ, stop and consider. Is what the world offers a greater reality than Jesus Christ? Peter confronted his generation of believers:

For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousals, drinking parties and abominable idolatries. And in all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excess of dissipation, and they malign you;[vi]

His solution:

Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.[vii]

The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.[viii]

Only through careful reflection in the Word of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit are we able to sort out illusion from reality and walk the straight line of righteousness in the light of God’s reality.

_______________________________

[i] Jn 6:26-27.

[ii] Jn 6:32-33.

[iii] Jn 6:34.

[iv] Jn 6:35-40.

[v] Jn 6:60, 66.

[vi] 1 Pe 4:3-4.

[vii] 1 Pe 4:1-2.

[viii] 1 Pe 4:7-8.

The year 2020 is finally over. What a year. This will be remembered as a year of suffering and death for generations to come. 

What was the impact on your life from all of the terrible events that happen? Will we ever get back to normal? What will normal be like when we get there?

A pastor of a large church in eastern Washington was asked to conduct the funeral of a former member of the church who had moved to central Washington. As the pastor sought to comfort the widow, he used the same line that you and I may have used many times in the past when we sought to comfort someone: “I understand. ” This time, however, the woman turned to the pastor and, in tears said, “You don’t understand. You can’t understand.”

I was a young pastor, who recently graduated from seminary when my pastor invited me to ride with him and be with him throughout the events surrounding a funeral. He wanted to provide training for me on how to conduct a funeral. This was his most memorable insight for me. One that has guided me through the years whenever I seek to comfort someone going through hardship and suffering. I guess I did not learn my lesson because years later I went to the home of a man suffering from a condition that was causing him to literally bleed to death.

As I walked into the room, the man was sitting in the middle of his bed that had been moved into the living room. I had been called to the home because his condition was critical. He was bleeding and the bleeding could not be stopped.

His teenage daughter was sitting on the davenport in the living room watching him. I turned to her and asked her, “How are you doing?” Her terse response was, “How do you think I’m doing?”

Sometimes our attempts to comfort result in the opposite effect. Flippant, habitual, hackneyed statements or questions can hurt instead of comfort. In over a half-century of seeking to comfort others in afflictions, I have come to realize that suffering is a very personal matter. It is best to indicate up front, “I really don’t know what you are feeling.” “Is there some way I can help bring you comfort?” It is not a time to preach. It is not a time to accuse. It is not a time to judge.

Having conducted more funerals than I can remember, most of which were for individuals unknown to me and for families that did not display the attitude of believers in Christ Jesus, I have found that my task was to briefly present the gospel during the memorial service and then simply to be there and demonstrating a genuine caring attitude.

Those of us who know the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, know the One who has provided the greatest comfort through His life, death, and resurrection. No matter what crisis may arise, we have a comforter through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The best way to demonstrate this is through our own responses to pain and suffering.

Joe Kirby, of Off The Kirb Ministries, is perhaps the best motivational speaker I have come across recently. I want to thank those who forwarded the following video to me on the topic of suffering. I invite you to watch and then send it to others. The world needs the comfort he shares in this video. 

Also, check out the individual he references whose childhood picture I reprinted at the beginning of this article. Nick Vujicic is also a motivational speaker and uses his own life as a testimony to the joy one can experience in Christ in spite of personal hardship and suffering.

If an Unbeliever Asks You This – Run Fast or Say This – YouTube

Inspiring man born without arms or legs – Nick Vujicic | 60 Minutes Australia – YouTube

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Cor 1:3-4)

Now it came about in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. (Luke 2:1 NASB)

Issue of Caesar Augustus

Julia the Elder
Gaius Caesar (adopted)
Lucius Caesar (adopted)
Agrippa Postumus (adopted)
Tiberius (adopted)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustus

As I was reading through Luke’s gospel account for my daily devotions, I took a rabbit trail to find out more about Caesar Augustus and noticed this account of his “issue.” Note that, except for Julia the Elder, all were “adopted.” This gives us a picture of adoption that differs from the usual interpretation of adoption, simply taking a child from one family into another family. This interpretation is insufficient to understand Gal 4:1-7.

Even Octavian was adopted by Julius Caesar, being named in Caesar’s will. To be the “adopted son” was to be heir apparent. It meant wealth, status, prestige, and most importantly, loyalty to the reigning monarch who, in our case, is our Lord Jesus Christ. For Octavian, this involved the love of the will (agape) to follow and obey his King. Gaius Octavius, when he ascended to the rank of  Princeps Civitatis (“First Citizen”) of the Roman Principate, he took the name Gaius Julius Caesar in honor of his great-uncle, Julius Caesar, who had adopted Octavian in his will.

The term for adoption in the New Testament is huiothesia and simply means, “son-placing.” As adopted sons of God, chosen by God, heirs in God’s family, we are old enough to understand and obey our heavenly Father’s will. We need to focus on what this means every day of our lives. Consider the following verses:

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave although he is owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by the father. So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. But when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal 4:1-7 NASB)

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:14-15 NASB)

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:4-10 NASB)

If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Col 3:1-4 NASB)

So to be adopted as a Christian means, not taking from one family and placing that person into another. It means to be taken into a relationship with God as one who, indwelled by the Holy Spirit, is now able to understand and obey our heavenly Father’s will. “Abba! Father!” is not the cry of a baby saying da, da. But a response of a child of God who is old enough to know and obey our Heavenly Father’s will. This is what love (agape) is, choosing God’s will in every set of circumstances and toward everyone with whom we come in contact.