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The Necessity of Ages, Stages, and Varying Expectationsfor Correct Interpretationor The Necessity of Dispensational InterpretationWord Processing: The Necessity of Dispensational Interpretation on 20091228.wpd | The Necessity of Dispensational Interpretation.doc The Use of Dispensational Characteristics in Pretrib Arguments.wpd The Use of Dispensational Characteristics in Pretrib Arguments.pdf The Use of Dispensational Characteristics in Pretrib Arguments.doc Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to show that God has had different expectations, requirements and benefits for His people at various times in the progression of history. This is a very important issue because it lies at the heart of how to properly interpret the Bible. God expects His people to rightly divide the Word of Truth. Failure to properly interpret the Bible will result in failure to properly know God and do His will. Most people would say that they use a literal – normal approach to Bible interpretation which lets God reveal truth to man instead of man trying to prove his ideas from scripture. Surely the goal of godly people is to let God be God and let God’s word be our rule of faith and practice. If we have a wrong understanding of the God’s program in scripture it will result in the interpreter having to use human ingenuity and rhetoric to make things fit. Using devices as allegory and logic to communicate truth is evidence that we are having to “make things work.” As you read this paper and study the Bible, you will have to decide if this approach is in fact correct. Should the interpreter be concerned with the question: What did they know and when did they know it? If God did not reveal all truth in Genesis 1:1, did God expect people to know things that He had not yet revealed to them? The real question is whether God knew what He was doing in revealing truth in stages. Eph3:5[The mystery] which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: Are there in fact other ages in which God had not revealed truth that He purposed to reveal later? It is my contention that failing to grasp the concept of “other ages” will lead you to much error in interpretation. As I will explain later, my primary concern is not to define how many ages or the exact definition of God’s expectations and requirements for some of those ages. My primary concern is to show that there are in fact stages, ages, and progressive revelation. My method in this paper will be to take the most obvious ages – Law and Grace and show that God’s expectations were much different in each. There were definite defining characteristics of each age and there was a definite moment in time when God’s expectations and the promised benefits changed for His people. Much error comes in trying to directly apply truth meant for one age to people in another. Once I have proven these points, I will show how dispensational interpretation clarifies many issues with regard to the future of the church, Israel and God’s program for the coming kingdom. Lets begin our study of the OT Law with what God expected of people who lived under the Law of Moses.
I. Life Under The Law What was life like under the law of Moses? What did they understand from what they had been given? Remember they did not have the New Testament or even the writings of David or Isaiah which came hundreds of years after Moses. Here are some basic truths from the Law. A. God’s Covenant Is Very Simple – Obey My Word and I Will Be Your God and You Will Be My People Ex24:3So Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord and all the judgments. And all the people answered with one voice and said, “All the words which the Lord has said we will do.” 4And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord. Ex24:7Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has said we will do, and be obedient.” Je7:23But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ Je11:3and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Cursed is the man who does not obey the words of this covenant 4which I commanded your fathers in the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and do according to all that I command you; so shall you be My people, and I will be your God,’ B. Ignorance Is No Excuse Le5:17 "If a person sins, and commits any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord, though he does not know it, yet he is guilty and shall bear his iniquity. 1. This surely means that God expected them to know the Law. Jos1:8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 2. The Law contained 613 commandments, statutes and ordinances [according to various scholars]. 3. All 613 are important. Mt5:19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. C. Obedience Is Essential Le26:14‘But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments, 15and if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16I also will do this to you: I will even appoint terror over you, wasting disease and fever which shall consume the eyes and cause sorrow of heart. And you shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. Le17:14 for it is the life of all flesh. Its blood sustains its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.’ D. You Can't Pick and Choose Dt27:26‘Cursed is the one who does not confirm all the words of this law.’ "And all the people shall say, ‘Amen!’ Dt12:32“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it. Ga5:3And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. E. Presumptuous Sin is Unpardonable Nu15:27‘And if a person sins unintentionally, then he shall bring a female goat in its first year as a sin offering. Nu15: 30 ‘But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the Lord, and he shall be cut off from among his people. 31Because he has despised the word of the Lord, and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him. ’Ps19:13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. F. Sacrifices Were Provided for Inevitable Failures Le17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.’
Question 1: How serious are these statements? Which of the following is closest to the truth? Q God’s Laws are simply “good advice” but not binding. They were given a serious tone to help people be willing to pay more attention than otherwise. Or, Q Though salvation is always by grace through faith, the rule of faith and practice that God required of believers under the Law was to obey all the stipulations of the Law. The meaning of the phrases he is guilty, shall bear his iniquity, cursed, and shall be cut off, in at least certain cases meant capital punishment Nu 15:32-36, being ostracized from the nation and possibly cut off from eternal salvation. 1 Sa3:14And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” Nu16:32and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. Nu25:8and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. 9And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.
Question 2: If Caleb ben Judah in 1100 BC did not want to not be "cut off" or "bear iniquity", be "cursed" or have his "guilt upon" him, what would he have understood that he needed to do?: Q Trust Christ and not worry about any of this because "in Christ" I am secure -- Praise God! Or, Q I will be a diligent student of the law because this seems to be what God tells me to do. I don't know the "why", but I do know the "what" and I will do that. I will continue my whole life to do what the law requires to the best of my ability because I fear God. I know God is merciful, but I know God is holy and I don't see any verses that tell me when I have obeyed enough or offered enough sacrifices.
Side Note From the NT About The Need for Continually Offering Another Sacrifice Heb10: 1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.
G. What Did Their Faith Believe? and What Was the Result of Their Believing? 1. It has always been true that ‘without faith it is impossible to please’ God, and that the principle of faith was prevalent in the lives of all the Old Testament saints. Heb11:6But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Heb11: 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 2. However, it would have been historically impossible from the Law that they could have had as the conscious object of their faith the incarnate, crucified Son, the Lamb of God (John 1:29), and it seems evident that they did not comprehend as we do that the sacrifices depicted the person and work of Christ. Mt16: 21From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 22Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!” Lk24:25Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” 27And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
3. They did not understand the redemptive significance of the prophecies or types concerning the sufferings of Christ 1 Pe1:10Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
4. Their faith toward God was shown in various ways as is recorded in Hebrews 11:1–40. 5. Their faith thus manifested was counted unto them for righteousness. Ro4:3For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Ge15:5Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. Ro4: 5But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, 6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” Heb11:7By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 6. The concept of permanent security for the individual with God under the Law is progressively revealed. From Moses to David blessing from God came from obedience to all the law. Dt28: 1“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: Ps1: 1Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. 7. David reports the possibility of personal forgiveness and the blessing of God not imputing personal sin. Paul quotes David to prove that saving faith results in permanent security for the believer apart from works.. Ps32: 1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. Ro4:6just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: 7“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; 8Blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” 8. David indicates that such a blessed relationship comes to those who trust the Lord and even more specifically the Son who is God’s Messiah. Ps2:12Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, And you perish in the way, When His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Ps34:8Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Je17:7“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. 9. However, those believers under the Law continually sensed in their consciences a need to offer more sacrifices. This is evidence that they sensed a deficiency with respect to the foundation upon which their relationship to God rested. Heb10: 1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Heb10:14For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. 15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. 10. Since God was looking forward to Christ’s death as the basis of their salvation, they were secure. However, since that foundation had not been clearly revealed to them, they operated with a sense that more sacrifices needed to be offered if they were to remain right with God. Ro3:25 [Christ Jesus] whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed Heb10: 1For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. Heb10:3But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 11. Faith under the Law said in effect, “I believe God. If God tells me the condition of His help is that I obey the Law, then that is what I will do.” True faith in all ages, works. Dt5:32“Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess. Ga3:12Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 12. The faith of the NT gospel is different in its content and its results. Heb7:18For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Ga3:23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Ga3: 26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 13. Faith after the death of Christ provides for a changed heart and true security. Je31:33But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.Je31:34No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” Heb10:16“This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” 17then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. Question 3: If Caleb ben Judah in 1100 BC wants God's blessing, what would he believe he need to do? Q Place his faith in the coming Christ and be saved, justified, reconciled, forgiven, born again and be indwelt by the Holy Spirit so that he becomes part of the covenant people of God! Or, Q Exhibit his faith in God by observing carefully all His commandments including offering more sacrifices year by year. H. New Testament Believers Bear Witness to the Binding Nature of the Law 1. Peter seems to have taken the Law seriously: Ac11:7And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8But I said, ‘Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.’ 2. Paul seems to have taken the Law seriously: Php3:6 concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 3. Christ seems to have taken the Law seriously: Mt5: 17“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
I. Summary of Life Under the Law 1. Salvation came by God’s grace through faith. Although this is not expressly stated it is implied. 2. The rule of faith and practice for OT believers under the Law was simply to obey all the Law and you will be blessed – God will be your God and you will be His people. 3. However, the demands of the Law were beyond the ability of any man to have a clear conscience that they were in right relationship with God. 4. Sacrifices for sins of ignorance and sins offered by the nation as a whole especially on the Day of Atonement covered all the sins of ignorance and non-defiant presumptuous sins. 5. Those with a heart to obey who then covered failure with sacrifices had the promise that God was pleased with them. 6. However, even the most obedient believers under the Law were left with a sense that the foundation of their relationship with God was never complete. Another sacrifice would have to be offered to stay right with God. 7. A believing Jew in the OT would say,I may not understand why, but God is God and if God says to obey the Law of Moses then I will do my best to obey. I will study and know the law, observe the dietary commands, not work on the Sabbath, offer the right offerings, not eat blood, not mix linen and wool in my garments, not boil the kid in the mother's milk, be sure the priests have the right lineage from Aaron and obey all the other 613 commands as much as I know to do. 8. A person subject to any of the law is subject to all of the law. The 613 laws of Moses can be roughly categorized as: Civil laws, Ceremonial laws, and Moral laws. However no place in the OT makes a concession that some are more binding than others. The NT bears record to this same truth: a. If You Are Under Even One Requirement, You Are Under the Whole Law Ga5:3And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. b. If Even One Stipulation Is Not Binding, Then The Entire Law Has Been Set Aside Heb7:12For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. [The argument of He7 is that if Christ is now a priest after the order of Melchizedek, then the Law of Moses is no longer in effect. The Law of Moses mandated that priests be from the tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron. He reasons, that if Christ is now ordained a priest and if He came from Judah, then the law must no longer be in effect. “Changed” is the word translated “removed” in He12:27 and used for the removal or translation of Enoch in He11:5.
Side Note: What did OT saints like Daniel in Babylon do who could not obey all the law? There is a difference between someone who truly believes God and would obey if he could and someone who does not have a true faith in God and will not bother to obey if he can get by with it. Surely Daniel believed God and desired to obey as much of the law as he could. He could not go to the temple in Jerusalem three times a year or offer the required sacrifices at the appointed times but he could pray three times a day. Later when the temple was destroyed, synagogues were established as an attempt to do the best they could worshiping God and studying the Bible. Although there is no verse in the Law that would make an exception for such things, we see from God’s acceptance of Daniel, Ezekiel and others that God was merciful. We also see from the example of Jesus Christ that there is mercy in law. Mt12:3 But He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him: 4 how he entered the house of God and ate the showbread which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? They obeyed what they could in the circumstances that they faced and God accepted that worship. It seems that the mercy of God is available to cover situations where people would have obeyed if they could have obeyed.
Side Note: The Mixed Multitude in All Ages. Although the OT is not definitive in exactly who will be eternally saved and who will be lost, a couple suggestions are in order. In all ages there are people who truly believe God and their obedience springs from their love and relationship to Him. There are also people who may do the same actions of obedience and conformance to God’s word but who are not really saved. Their actions are not because of faith but because of a desire to fit in or a desire not to be cut off from the security of the nation or a desire to conform culturally or a love for tradition or the desire for promotion, praise or gain or any number of other reasons. Just as in churches today, there are some who sing the same songs, hear the same messages, come to the same services, wear the same clothes, and give the same amounts of money – yet some are saved and some are not. Some are true believers and some are like the mixed multitude in Israel who conformed outwardly but were not true believers. In other words true faith in under the Law would obey and worship and serve. However, there were many that may have done the same outward acts of conformity that were not really saved. Some of this is revealed in times of temptation and fear. Some such people will never be revealed as imposters in this life but will in the final judgment.
Take a Quiz Before Advancing: Question 1: A person living under the Law had the same daily rules of faith and practice as a believer today: True or False Question 2: The OT believers had the same sense of security as a NT believer: True or False. Question 3: The message you would hear from your pastor in church today would be the same message that Caleb ben Judah would have heard from his priest in 1100 BC.: True or False Question 4: The believers in the OT had the same understanding and knowledge about Christ, and His death, burial and resurrection as we have today: True or False. Question 5: The OT clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit had the same ministry to individual believers in the OT as in the NT: True or False. Question 6: An evangelist in Caleb’s day would exhort people to trust the coming Christ for salvation. They would then experience the new birth and become a new person in Christ.: True or False. II. Life Under Grace [the Present Age of the Church] We have surveyed “life under law”. Now we turn to “life under grace”. Ro6:14b says, ...for you are not under law but under grace.” We ask, “So what?” “What difference does it make?” Some might think, God is the same in the OT and the NT, therefore the conditions of God’s blessing will be the same also. Let us survey what it means to be “under grace”. As you study this section, ask if these are the same characteristics that were true for people under the law. A. God saves people by faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Ga3: 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. [What verse in the OT is the counterpart of such a verse?] Php3:9and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; Eph2:8For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ac16:30And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” B. NT evangelism is done by preaching the gospel of Christ (Who He is and What He did) and not by encouraging people to obey the Law and conducting detailed and rigorous classes about the Law of Moses. 1. OT Evangelism a. Jehoshaphat 2 Ch17:7Also in the third year of his reign he sent his leaders, Ben-Hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel, and Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. 2 Ch17:9So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. 2 Ch19: 4So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the Lord God of their fathers. 5Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city,...2 Ch19:10Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the Lord and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. b. Hezekiah 2 Ch30: 1And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel. 2 Ch30:8Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. 2 Ch30:10So the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them.2 Ch30:11Nevertheless some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. ...2 Ch30:16They stood in their place according to their custom, according to the Law of Moses the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood received from the hand of the Levites.... 2 Ch30:22And Hezekiah gave encouragement to all the Levites who taught the good knowledge of the Lord; and they ate throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings and making confession to the Lord God of their fathers. ...2 Ch31:4Moreover he commanded the people who dwelt in Jerusalem to contribute support for the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the Law of the Lord. c. Jonah Jon3:4And Jonah began to enter the city on the first day’s walk. Then he cried out and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. Jon3:6Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. 7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. 8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. 9Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish? Jon3:10Then God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God relented from the disaster that He had said He would bring upon them, and He did not do it.Jon4:11And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left—and much livestock? (1) Gentiles were saved through repentance and faith. Their faith was in the content of what they were given to understand about the God of Israel. (a) He was God (b) He was capable of judging (c) He would forgive if they believed in Him, cried to Him for mercy and turned from their sins. (2) Gentiles outside of Israel were not given the Law as a rule of faith and practice. d. Naaman 2 Ki5:10And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.” 2 Ki5:14So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. 15And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, “Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel; now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.” (1) He believed that God was the only God in all the earth. (2) He believed that God could heal him if he did what God’s prophet told him. (3) He was not given the Law of Moses as a rule of faith and practice. 2 Ki5:17So Naaman said, “Then, if not, please let your servant be given two mule-loads of earth; for your servant will no longer offer either burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to the Lord. 2 Ki5:18Yet in this thing may the Lord pardon your servant: when my master goes into the temple of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow down in the temple of Rimmon—when I bow down in the temple of Rimmon, may the Lord please pardon your servant in this thing.” 2 Ki5:19 Then he said to him, “Go in peace.” So he departed from him a short distance. 2. NT Evangelism Ga3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 1 Co2: 1And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Co1:23but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, Ga6:14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. Ac8:35Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Ac1:8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” 3. Observations: a. Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah saw the Law as the key to a right relationship to God. b. The message was apparently the same for people who were “lost” and for those who were “backslidden”. It does not seem that Jehosaphat and Hezekiah make any distinction but preach the same message to everyone. c. Gentiles were “saved” by hearing, repenting, and believing. Repenting is agreeing that they are wrong, God is right. Believing meant that they believed “about God” what He revealed to them and “of God” what had been revealed to them. The Law does not seem to have been given to those who were not living in Israel. C. NT Believers Are Not Under Obligation To Keep The OT Law Ga3:23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Ro6:14For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. Ga5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Ga2:16knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified. Ga2:21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”
Is This Really True? You Mean NT Believers Are Not Under the Law in Any Sense? What About the 10 Commandments? These are good questions that need answers before we move forward.
First, Is God “just” in saving people who trust Christ and but who do not keep the Law? In Ro3:19-31 Paul explains that justification is by faith in Christ alone and not by the law. Ro3: 21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference. Paul then knows that he must answer the obvious objection: If salvation comes by faith in Christ alone and keeping the Law does not help us to get saved, then doesn’t this make God unjust because He lets people get by simply believing instead of obeying what He commanded. How can He forgive people without punishing their disobedience? Doesn’t this make Him unjust? Paul gives the answer saying, the faith method of saving people actually establishes the law. Ro3:31Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law. And the faith method of saving people actually makes God just while being able to justify sinners. Ro3:26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Let me explain. Since no one is able to perfectly keep the law and everyone falls short, if the guilty sinner stood before Him and begged, please forgive me, I don’t want to go to hell!. If God in mercy said, Ok, I will forgive you this time, but don’t let it happen again. God at that moment became unjust. He violated the demands of His own law. He in effect said the law is not law, it is simply good advice. However, God did not do that. He demanded that the full penalty of the law’s demands be met and sin punished. How? by requiring His Son to die as our substitute and satisfy the law’s harshest demands in our stead. Since God’s law has been satisfied, He can remain just and still justify the one who has faith in Jesus. Let me summarize this with verses from Ro3:23-31: # All are guilty Ro3:23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, # God can justify freely because of the payment Christ made Ro3:24being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, # God was just in forgiving the sins of OT believers because He simply extended the time for the payment of their debt until Christ could come and pay for sins that had only been covered by animal blood Ro3:25whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, # God is both just and justifier of those who trust Christ Ro3:26to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. # Man is justified by faith alone – not by keeping the law Ro3:28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. # This method of saving people actually establishes the Law as law and not “good advice” Ro3:31Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.
Second, If the Law is established by faith (Ro8:31), why don’t we have to obey it? For the answer to this question we must go to Ga3. The simple answer is that Christ fulfilled the Law for us as our substitute. Remember that if you are under the law in the sense of looking to the Law as your means of salvation, you are cursed if you do not perfectly fulfil every demand of the law. Ga3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” When He died, He redeemed us from the curse of the Law having become a curse for us. Ga3:13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), also Eph2:15having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, Paul illustrates this in Ro7 with the analogy of a woman married to a man. While both live she is under the obligation to him as her husband. However if one of them dies, then the obligation is no longer and she is free to marry another. In a similar sense, we were under obligation to the laws demands. However when Jesus died, we also died with Him. That sets us free from our obligation to the Law.
Third, Aren’t we in some way obligated to keep the 10 Commandments in our day? Surely they are important moral principles. The Law is still part of scripture and as such is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2Ti3:16). 1 Ti1:8But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully. But what is the lawful use of the law? There are at least two: 1) To show us our need of being saved through Christ Ga3:21Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 2) To teach us truth about God. Remember that God reveals truth to man progressively and in stages. Not everything was revealed in Genesis 1:1. As God’s plan progresses from one stage to another, some expectations are no longer required but some are timeless or at least move to the next stage. The moral principles contained in the 10 Commandments are timeless principles that are true in every stage of God’s revelation. Having said that, let me confuse you. We are not under the 10 Commandments stated in the OT Law any more than we are under any of the other 603 commandments. Isn’t this double talk -- We are not under them, yet they contain timeless principles that we are under? Let me illustrate how this works. If you sign a contract [make a covenant] with someone – maybe a will concerning your property when you die. This signed document becomes legal and binding. However, as time passes things change and both of you decide it is time for a new will to be drawn up that addresses the new realities that now exist. When the new will is written, the first sentence of the new will states, any and all other documents and wills and covenants done prior to this document are null and void and have no legal power. The next parts of the new will might actually be an exact copy of the old will with the few modifications that needed to be made. If there were 10 stipulations in the old will and those are copied to the new will, aren’t the parties obligated to the 10 stipulations of the old will? Absolutely not. The old will is no long in force. It has been set aside as the rule by which future conduct is determined. All conduct is now determined by the new will – which may say many of the same things as the old will. The same is true with the OT Law. It has been set aside as a rule of faith and practice for believers. Our rule of faith and practice in this age is “the will of God directed to us by the Holy Spirit of God”. Of course the Holy Spirit only directs us in ways perfectly conforming to a proper interpretation of the Bible as a whole. Just as with the old and new wills, you could probably learn much about the intent of the author of the new will by studying what he had written in the old will. Same is true with the Bible. A study of the OT is profitable because it helps us to know the author and enables us to understand the NT better. Also it is needful to state that there are some parts of the Bible that are not related to any particular period or age or dispensation, but are equally true in all periods of time. For example the Psalms and Proverbs are “supradispensational” in the sense that they transcend and apply to all dispensations and ages. The entire OT is absolutely profitable if the interpreter uses the OT as a means of gleaning and illustrating principles of life that are applicable to NT believers. For example, it would be wrong to preach the Sabbath Day command of the OT by saying God expects us to keep the Sabbath, but our Sabbath is on Sunday not Saturday. It would be right to preach the Sabbath Day command by saying, as God expected people in the OT under the Law to set aside time to worship Him, He expects the same from us today.
D. We Become Sons of God By Faith in Christ Alone Ga3: 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. E. We Can Become Sons of God Because Christ Redeemed Us From the Law Ga4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. F. Sons of God are Indwelt By the Spirit of God Ga4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" G. The Spirit of God Indwells the Believer at the Moment of Faith in Christ Ga3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Ga3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), 14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. H. There Was A Definite Time When Faith In Christ Alone Became the Condition of Salvation Ga3:23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. I. NT Believers Are Baptized by the Spirit "Into Christ" Ga3: 26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 1 Co12:13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. J. Being "In Christ Jesus" Means Also That All Distinctions Are Removed [Not True in OT] Ga3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 1 Co12:13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. K. The "Body of Christ" is the Church Col 1:18And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. Eph5:30For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 1 Co12: 12For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. L. Entrance Into This Body – the Church – is Through Baptism By the Spirit 1 Co12:13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. M. The Church Reveals God's Wisdom In Ways Not Known Before Eph3:10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, N. The Church Age is a Stage in God’s Eternal Purpose and Plan – Unknown in Other Ages Eph3:9and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Side Note About Ephesians 3 – The Mystery of the Church Age Ep3:6 is one of the key verses in scripture revealing the DNA of the Church Age. Eph3:5[[The mystery] which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel. This amazing verse reveals the essential marks of being in the Church Age compared to the Law or any other age: P Jews and Gentiles are fellow heirs Eph3:6that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs... P They are members of the same body – the church Eph3:6 ...of the same body... P They are partakers of the Holy Spirit Eph3:6...partakers of His Promise cp Ga3:14b receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. P Considered to be “in Christ” Eph3:6 ...in Christ... P These benefits come through the gospel. Eph3:6 ...through the gospel... If any of these marks are missing, then we are not talking about the church, but some other age. For the perceptive, it is easy to see that none of these characteristics were true under the law. The simple conclusion is that the Age of the Church is a different dispensation or period of expectation than the period of Law.
Quiz Question: Which is true? 1) The church existed in the OT or, 2) The Church was a “mystery” not revealed in “other ages”?
Lets Summarize Life Under Grace: People who trust Christ: P instantly become “Sons of God”, P are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, P are placed into the Body of Christ the Church, P are not under the law P are all equal in Christ P are considered to be “in Christ”
III. Questions About What Happened and When It Happened We have noted that there is a major difference between the OT Law and the NT Church Age. Entrance requirements are different, the believer’s relationship to the Holy Spirit is different, the believer’s security is different, the rule of faith and practice for believers is different, and believer’s relationship to each other is different. We must move to the next important question: When did this major transition from the OT Law to the NT Church Age take place. To help us sharpen our focus consider the following questions: When Did Faith in Christ Alone Become the Key to Salvation? [Note: Faith was always the condition of salvation in all ages. But there was a moment when the content of faith became the Person and Work of Jesus Christ as the only saving content.] When Was the Law Removed as a Rule of Faith and Practice for the People of God? When Was the Body of Christ the Church Formed? When Did the Holy Spirit Begin to Baptize People into The Body of Christ? When Did the “Gospel” Mentioned in Ep 3:6 Become the Means for Jews and Gentiles to Become One Body, In Christ? What Did Paul Mean By the Term "In Christ"? Are We “In Christ” When We are Placed “Into Christ’s Body” By The Baptism of the Spirit? Would It Be Accurate and Honest to Say Caleb ben Judah Was “In Christ” in the Same Sense That A Person Who Has Been Baptized “Into Christ Jesus” is “In Christ”? Could We Apply 2Co5:17 to Caleb ben Judah in 1100 BC? 2 Co5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. If Caleb ben Judah was “in Christ”, at what moment did he become a “new creation”? If Caleb ben Judah was “in Christ” in the NT sense, did he have to continue to operate under the Law? If so why? If Caleb ben Judah was “in Christ”, why did the distinctions between Jew and Gentile, slave and free and even male and female remain? Ga3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Did the Church Exist Before Christ Sent the Holy Spirit to Baptize on the Day of Pentecost? Ac1: 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, "which," He said, "you have heard from Me; 5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
A. The Law Was the Rule of Faith and Practice for Believers Until the Cross of Christ Ga4:4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Ga3:13Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), Ro10:4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Ro7:4Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. Col2:14having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Eph2:15having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Side Note About “abolished” in Ep2:15 This verse says that Christ “abolished” the Law through the His death on the cross. The word “abolished” does not mean eradicated. It has the primary connotation of “nullified”, “being put out of office” and “rendered inoperative”. Until Christ died, the Law had rule over our lives (Ro7:1-4). After Christ died the law no longer had jurisdiction over the believer. The same is true for a president who has been voted out of office. He has not been eradicated, but he no longer has authority, control, jurisdiction, sway. This word is used of the sin nature in Ro6:6, of death in 2Ti1:10, of all rulers and authorities in 1Co15:24, of the devil in He2:14, of Christ’s salvation to those who chose circumcision in Ga5:14, of the antichrist in 2Th2:8, of prophecies and tongues in 1Co13:8, of the fading glory of Moses in 2Co3:13, etc. In each of these cases the subject is not eradicated but removed from authority and power, i.e. sin nature, the devil, antichrist, etc.
B. The Rule of Faith and Practice for Believers Today is Walking in the Spirit, Not Rigorously Following the Law. Ro8:2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. Ga5:18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. C. The Spirit Does Not Come Through the Law But Comes Through Faith Ga3:2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? Ga3:14that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Ac11:17If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” D. Having the Spirit is The Essential Test of Salvation Ro8:9But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Ro8:14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Ac10: 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. Ac10:47“Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” E. The Spirit Did Not Come to Indwell, Instruct, Illumine and Empower Believers Until After Christ Ascended Jn16:7Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. Jn15: 26“But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. Jn16:12“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. Lk24:46Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And you are witnesses of these things. 49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Ac1: 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Ac1:8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” F. Peter Saw the Coming Of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost as the Fulfillment of Christ’s Promise to Send the Spirit Ac2:33Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. G. Peter Saw the Giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost as the Baptism of the Spirit Promised By Christ Ac1: 4And being assembled together with them, He [Jesus] commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Ac11:15And as I [Peter] began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Some Conclusions About “What Did They Know and When Did They Know It?” The Law was in operation as the rule of faith and practice for believers until the cross of Christ. The indwelling, empowering Holy Spirit is both proof of salvation and proof that we are no longer under the Law. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell believers when they trust Christ by faith. The initial giving of the Holy Spirit to baptize and then indwell believers happened on the Day of Pentecost. For Jews on the Day of Pentecost Ac 2– with Peter preaching and observing. For Samaritans [½ Jew & ½ Gentile] with Philip in Ac 8 – with Peter laying hands on and observing. For Gentiles in Caesarea [Cornelius] in Ac 10,11 – with Peter preaching and observing. For OT saints who had not heard the complete gospel in Ac 19 – with Paul instructing.
IV. Question: Was the Day of Pentecost the Day the Church and the Church Age Began? To answer this question I will first give a summary of truths and then “prove” them with scriptural references. Summary: " Jesus is the builder of His Body, the Church through the Holy Spirit. " Jesus is the Head of the Body the Church " The Church was a Mystery in “other ages” [thus the term “church age”] " The marks of the church are at least the following: - Jews and Gentiles are equal in the body - The Holy Spirit places people in the church – the body of Christ – by the act of baptism of the Spirit at the moment they believe. - Those in this body of Christ are considered to be “in Christ”. - The Gospel message of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection received by faith is the means of entrance to this body – the church. " The church could not have begun until the Holy Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost - Since the church is formed by the Holy Spirit # By baptism of the Spirit into the body of Christ # By setting the members in the body, severally as He wills. # By giving each member of this body sovereignly chosen spiritual gift(s) that the Spirit chooses to bestow. - Since believers are not saved in the NT sense until they “have the Spirit of God”. - Since the Church is the “dwelling place of God through the Spirit”. Evidence: A. The essential elements of the church and the church age began and became present on the Day of Pentecost – 1. The gospel of Christ was preached and people were saved by faith [not through the law]. Ac2:36“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 2. The potential for Gentiles to be saved through faith became possible on the Day of Pentecost [although not realized until later] – because the gospel became the means of entrance. Ac15:7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 3. The baptism of the Holy Spirit occurred in Ac 2 on the Day of Pentecost as seen by the following: a. The baptism of the Spirit was future in Ac 1. Ac1:5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Lk24: 49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.” Ac2:33 ...the promise of the Holy Spirit... b. The baptism of the Spirit was past in Ac 11 and said by Peter to have been “at the beginning”. Ac11:15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. c. Peter saw the Day of Pentecost as the Day Christ kept His Promise to send the Holy Spirit. Ac2:33Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. 4. People are first mentioned as being “added to the church” in Ac 2. Ac2:47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
B. Conclusions: 1. The Day of Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers and to baptize people into the body of Christ. Ac1: 4And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; 5for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Ac2: 1When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Ac2:33Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.Ac2:38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 2. The Day of Pentecost is the first time people were saved by believing “the gospel” message of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Ac2:36“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Ac2:37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 3. The Day of Pentecost was the first time both Jew and Gentile could potentially be equal in the Body of Christ. Ac2:39For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Ac11:2And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!” Ac11:15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. 16Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” Ac15:7And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. Ac15:11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we [Jews] shall be saved in the same manner as they [Gentiles].” 4. The Day of Pentecost is referred to by Peter as “the beginning”. Ac11:15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Ac15:8So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
5. The church was a mystery, unknown to anyone except God until Jesus made a few comments during His ministry, and specifically until it began on the Day of Pentecost. Eph3:3how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: Eph3: 8To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 6. The Church is God’s program on earth during this age for evangelism, for edification of believers, for maintaining the truth in the world. Ac1:8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Eph4:11And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 1 Ti3:15but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 7. The designation “in Christ” or “in Christ Jesus” is a technical term to Paul meaning “the saved who are in the body of Christ, the Church and who enjoy the benefits of salvation provided during this age. Ro16:7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 1 Co1:30But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 1 Co4:15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 2 Co5:17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Ga1:22And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. Ga3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Eph1: 3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Eph2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Php1: 1Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Col1:2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Th2:14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 1 Th4:16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Pe5:14Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen. (1) Proof of “in Christ” as being a technical term for a Church age saint is seen in that it could not have applied to an OT saint under the Law. All distinctions are removed if people are “in Christ”. Ga3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (2) This was clearly not true under the Law. Dt23:3“An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord; even to the tenth generation none of his descendants shall enter the assembly of the Lord forever, Mt10:5These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Le25:46And you may take them as an inheritance for your children after you, to inherit them as a possession; they shall be your permanent slaves. But regarding your brethren, the children of Israel, you shall not rule over one another with rigor.
V. Is God Using a Series of Progressive Stages, Ages, Expectations, Stewardships or Dispensations to Accomplish His Eternal Plan? Eph3:3how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery...5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:
A. Please Take the Following Quiz: Question 1: Do you believe that the Rule of Faith and Practice in the OT involved obedience to the Law, or was it good advice? Question 2: Do you believe that the NT believer is in no sense under the Law when they trust Christ by faith, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit and are baptized into the body of Christ, or were all these things true of OT saints as well as NT saints? Question 3: Do you believe that there was a moment in history when faith alone in the gospel of Christ became the means by which people were saved, or do you believe that people in the OT had sufficient revelation to trust Christ and become instantly saved? Question 4: Do you believe that the Church began to exist at the same moment that the Holy Spirit came and began to save people by faith in Christ, began to indwell people and that the distinctions of Jew and Gentile were removed, or could Israel in the OT be correctly termed the “church of God”?
Side Note About Keeping the Law in the NT: Remember that if you are under any of the Law you are required to operate under all of it – see I. C. You Can’t Pick and Choose. Should those whom Jesus told to go and offer a sacrifice obey or not? If they obeyed they would be admitting that they were under the law. Lk5:14And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.” Of course the answer is “Yes” they should obey because they were still under the Law. He had not yet died, the means of salvation by faith alone in the gospel of Jesus Christ had not yet come, the Holy Spirit was not yet indwelling all saved people and people were not yet being baptized into Christ’s body, the church. However, after Pentecost, was God wrong to insist to Peter that he not consider the OT Law binding in Ac 10? Ac10:13And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” Was Paul wrong to say, “if you place yourself under even one OT law, you cannot be saved through faith in Christ but must seek salvation through keeping the entire Law?” Ga5:2Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Of course God is right that Peter is no longer under obligation to the law and Paul is right to insist that the Galatians stop mixing law and grace. After Christ came, God no longer accepts the sacrifices offered by Levitical priests since those were in effect to help only until Christ came. Ga3:24Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Heb10: 11And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,.
B. Consider the use of time and transition phrases and concepts in Scripture: before, until, after, from...till, now, afterward, when...time had come, no longer, other ages, etc. Eph3:5which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: Eph3:9and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, Ga3:23But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. Ga3:25But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Ga4:4But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, Ro5:14Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. Ro11:25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Eph1:10that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Eph2:7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
C. Conclusions: 1. God’s expectations and promises changed from Law to Grace. 2. God’s expectations were different for people “from Adam to Moses” than those after Moses. 3. To see the “church” in the OT is to be inaccurate or dishonest with the definition of what God defines as the characteristics of the Church Age in Ep 3:6 and elsewhere. 4. Just as David served the Lord in his own generation by the will of God, we should also seek to accurately know God’s will for our generation and how to serve God acceptably. Ac13:36“For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
D. Answers to Some Objections: 1. Doesn’t this make the OT nation of Israel an ugly stepchild compared to the church age saints in the NT who have instant salvation through faith in Christ, eternal security, the indwelling Spirit, instantaneous members of Christ’s body and many other benefits? Answer: God in His wisdom chose not to reveal every truth at the very beginning, but chose to use the Nation of Israel as His chosen nation to demonstrate His character and nature to the world. In His wisdom He chose to reveal Himself to the world through Israel by giving them the Law of Moses. This Law was a gracious provision for Israel. God is very merciful to allow animals to die as substitutes for human beings. Although this arrangement was temporary until Christ the true Lamb of God could come to completely pay for what the OT sacrifices only covered, it was very merciful. To think that God loves one more than another because one has benefits the other does not have, is a misunderstanding of God’s ways. Even today, there are believers who have far more and some have much less. It is not that He loves the one more and the other less. It is that God in His sovereign wisdom has chosen for His purpose to accomplish His will in this way. Much will be rearranged in eternity when every believer will be rewarded according to His works. 2. Doesn’t this teach two ways of salvation? The “way of salvation” is by faith in every age. The content of that faith and the expectations after the initiation of faith is different in each age (see note about Jonah and Nineveh above.) The “rule of faith and practice” is different in each age for believers during that age. Church age saints do not offer sacrifices in Jerusalem or carefully observe dietary codes. OT saints did not have pastors, deacons and the Lord’s Supper. During Christ’s ministry the cleansed leper was to go offer the sacrifice to the priest but after Pentecost Peter is instructed by God that obedience to the Law is no longer required. There is one way of salvation but the means of serving after faith varies. 3. If the end result for all saved people will be eternity with God in heaven, doesn’t this show that all believers are saved in the same way and should all be considered, “in Christ” whether OT or NT? ! “In Christ” is a technical term referring to Church age saints (see discussions above.) ! Although all saved people will be with God eternally, it seems that some of the distinctions will be remembered and maintained. Re2:17“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” ’ Re3:12He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name. Re5:9And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 10And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Re6: 9When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed. Re7:13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Re14:3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. Re21:12Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: Re21:24And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into it.
Take a Quiz to Determine If You Are Dispensationalist? ! Did God expect the same thing from Adam and Eve as He did from the Jews during the time of the Law? ! Was God’s expectation for the people of Noah’s day the same as for NT believers? ! Will God’s expectation for the people in the tribulation or the Millennium be the same as that required for people under the Law or during the church age? ! Could people be both “under the Law” and “in the Church” at the same time or are there mutually exclusive differences between the two groups? ! Are God’s promises to Israel fulfilled by His faithfulness and blessings to the Church? Ro11:25For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; 27For this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.” ! Were the promises like those to Amos fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost when God established the Church of Jesus Christ? Am9:14I will bring back the captives of My people Israel; They shall build the waste cities and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and drink wine from them; They shall also make gardens and eat fruit from them. 15I will plant them in their land, And no longer shall they be pulled up From the land I have given them,” Says the Lord your God. ! Is God unjust if His “rules of faith and practice” are not exactly the same for each group and age of believers? Mt20:15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? Jn21:21Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?” 22Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
Conclusions: # If you answered the questions above with a “no” then you are a dispensationalist. This does not mean that you agree with every detail of some suggested dispensational chart. This simply means that you believe that God will have accomplished His eternal purposes by using a succession of expectations or stewardships during different ages. # The number and definition of those ages is not as significant as the willingness to see distinctions. Failure to see distinctions in God’s dealing with people will result in having to allegorize and spiritualize many of the OT promises to Israel to try to make them fit the Church. # When people fail to see distinctions, they usually try to lump OT and NT saints into one large grouping by referring to “the people of God” or “God’s covenant people”, etc.
VI. When Does the Church Age End and the Next Successive Age of God’s Eternal Plan Begin? A. This question is aided by the answer to another question – “When do we see in scripture the characteristics distinct to the Church Age or the expectations of the Church Age change?” 1. Review: Some of the primary distinctions of the Church Age are: a. A removal of the distinction between Jews and Gentiles in the Body of Christ. b. The organization of the church involves pastors, deacons and people. c. People in the Body of Christ have been placed there by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and are now considered to be “in Christ” or “in the body”. 2. Additional Thoughts: a. Not every distinction will change from one period of God’s expectation for His people to another. For example prayer is expected and encouraged in all dispensations. Faith in God is the means of salvation and pleasing God during all ages. However some distinction are clearly specific to a certain age or stage or dispensation. b. Remember that with the Law, even changing one thing like the priesthood from Levi to Melchizedek meant that the entire law had been removed. With the Law it was either all or nothing. c. Before the Law there were sacrifices. However the sacrifices under the Law had very specific requirements that were not required before the Law. Additionally when moving from the Law to Grace, all sacrifices were removed since Christ fulfilled all the Law and was the final sacrifice for sin. During the Millennium, sacrifices will be reestablished but probably with a completely new series of requirements and significance. B. The Doctrine of the Church is a key to understanding future events because the Church age goes from its beginning at Pentecost to its removal at the rapture. Just as it is inaccurate to apply the law to the church age, so it will be wrong to apply church age truth to the period after the church is removed. 1. The rapture is for people “in Jesus” or “in Christ”. 1 Th4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 2. It will be an instantaneous removal. 1 Co15:51Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 3. This truth is meant to be a comfort to people in the church age. 1 Th4:18Therefore comfort one another with these words. C. Basic Arguments that the Church is Removed Before the Tribulation Period Begins 1. Argument from the outline of Revelation. a. The outline of Revelation is given by John in Re 1:19 and divided the book into 3 simple sections: past, present, future. Re1:19Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. b. Chapter 1 details what he had seen. Re1:10I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, Re1:12Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, Re1:17And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. c. Chapters 2 & 3 give the details of what Christ told him to write to the 7 churches. Jesus gives an analysis of each of these churches, naming people, problems, circumstances and issues that were at that moment happening and needed fixing or encouragement. Clearly Chapters 2 & 3 detail things that Jesus said in 1:19 which are. Re2: 1“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2“I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; Re2:9“I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Re2:13“I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells.
d. Chapter 4 begins with the phrase, “after these things” and “Come up here and I will show you things which must take place after this”. This is exactly Christ’s third point in the outline of 1:19. Re4: 1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” Re1:19Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. e. What did He mean, things that will “take place after this”. Would He be talking about the next year or twenty years or two hundred years? The answer involves two things: (1) The letters to the churches were meant for all churches to read each letter. Though they mention specific details involving these 7 churches, they involve timeless truths for all churches as long as churches last. Re2:11“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” ’ Re2:29“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Re3:6“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ (2) The major part of what He will be revealing involves the tribulation period – chps 6 thru 19. This is clearly what He is referring to by the phrase, “must take place after this.” (3) The natural conclusion is that the tribulation is “after the church age.” 2. Case of the missing church in Rev 6-19. a. The word church is used 20 times in the book of Revelation. However 19 of those times are in Rev 1-3 and one time in Re 22 referring for a final time back to the churches He addressed in Chapters 1-3. Re1:11saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.” Re3:22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ” Re22:16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” b. There are zero references to the church in Re 6 through 19. After 19 references in three chapters why are there no references to “church” or “churches” in the entire 14 chapter section detailing the tribulation period. The natural question is why? The simple answer is that the church is not there. Some say this is an argument from silence and is not valid. In this case the burden of evidence is on those who deny the validity of this argument to explain why the dramatic shift of emphasis upon the church for both reproof and correction to no emphasis at all. 3. The parallel of Re 4:1-2 with the rapture. a. At the very point in the narrative where a the outline of Revelation leads the reader to think about the “things that are after this” – after the church age and before the tribulation – we encounter two astounding verses. Re4: 1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. b. Notice the parallels: (1) John is a church age saint who has written “the things which are” now writes, “After these things”. (2) He hears a trumpet and sees a door standing open in heaven along with a voice saying, “come up here” perfectly corresponding to the rapture passage of 1Th4:16,17 Re4: 1After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, “Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.” 2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 1 Th4:16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (3) The next phrase we encounter in Re4:2 are the words, “immediately I was in the Spirit”. This is the exact sequence of events we would expect if this passage is portraying the rapture. Re4:2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 1 Co15:52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 1 Th4:17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (4) Then following the “immediately I was in the Spirit” we read that He is ushered into the very presence of God. Compare this with 1Th 4:17. Re4:2Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 1 Th4:17Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 18Therefore comfort one another with these words. (5) This is exactly what we would expect from Jn14 where Jesus tells His disciples that he was going to heaven to prepare a place for them and would come again and receive them to Himself that “where He is, they will be also.” Jn14:2In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (6) The rapture is portrayed in a symbolic manner [much as the rest of the book portrays truth in symbolic ways: Satan in a symbolic manner, the churches in a symbolic manner, the antichrist in a symbolic manner, the false prophet in a symbolic manner. Re12:3And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. Re12:9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Re1:12Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, Re1:20The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. Re13: 1Then I stood on the sand of the sea. And I saw a beast rising up out of the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and on his horns ten crowns, and on his heads a blasphemous name. Re13: 11Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. Re16:13And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. (7) But wouldn’t this make the prophet a part of his own prophecy? This is one of the unique aspects of apocalyptic and some prophetic sections of the Bible. God often incorporates the experience of the prophet into a revelation of the prophecy. (a) Here God is revealing truth through John both by the words that he writes and also by the drama that he lives. This happens in other places throughout the book where God uses John to reveal truth. Re5:3And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. 4So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 5But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” Re7:13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?” 14And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (b) Other prophets are used to dramatize their prophecies. Je18:3Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. 4And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. 5Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: Je13: 1Thus the Lord said to me: “Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.” Je13:6Now it came to pass after many days that the Lord said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the sash which I commanded you to hide there.” 7Then I went to the Euphrates and dug, and I took the sash from the place where I had hidden it; and there was the sash, ruined. It was profitable for nothing. Eze24:18So I spoke to the people in the morning, and at evening my wife died; and the next morning I did as I was commanded. 19And the people said to me, “Will you not tell us what these things signify to us, that you behave so?” 4. Argument from Re 3:10. a. Re3:10Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. b. As mentioned under the previous point, the admonitions from Christ to these churches are timeless and have application to all churches as long as churches are on the earth. c. Re 3:10 states the reason that God will be sending tribulation on the earth, “to test those who dwell on the earth.” A study of the term “those who dwell on the earth” reveals that the “earth dwellers” are mentioned 12 times in the following verses: 3:10; 6:10; 11:10; 12:12; 13:8,12,14; 14:6; 17:8. It is a term of derision for those whose names are not written in the book of life and who are always following the wrong people, worshiping the wrong things, cheering about the wrong things and placing their trust in the wrong things. Re6:10And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Re11:10And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. Re12:12Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” Re13:8All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Re13:14And he deceives those who dwell on the earth— by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. Re14: 6Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people Re17:8The beast that you saw was, and is not, and will ascend out of the bottomless pit and go to perdition. And those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world, when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. d. The purpose of the tribulation is stated as a period of pressure to try or test or put pressure on “those who dwell on the earth”. That period of pressure is designed to expose the foolishness of trusting anything but God. The earth dwellers will throw their idols to the bats and rocks but will still curse God and try to hide from Him who sits on the throne. God will use this period to bring terror to those who caused terror to His people. During this time multitudes will get saved Re 7:9-17 by “washing their robes in the blood of the Lamb. e. The tribulation is not designed for the church, but for the earth dwellers and to bring many to salvation. The church will be kept “from the hour of trial which shall come upon the earth to test those who dwell on the earth.”
D. A More Detailed Study Showing That the Church is Removed Before the Tribulation Period Begins The next phase of God’s program is the tribulation period. The primary question is whether the church will be removed from the world before, during or after the tribulation. The emphasis of this study will be to look at the biblical data to determine whether the characteristics of the people of God who are alive during the tribulation period match all the characteristics of the NT church. If one or more of those elements does not match the DNA of the NT church, then there is good reason to believe that the church is gone. The fact that some of the elements of the church might remain true for the tribulation saints, is not a proof that the church is on earth during the tribulation. 1. Argument from the 144,000 a. The 144,000 mentioned in both Rev 7 and 14 is a group that is clearly “of God”, clearly “operating during the tribulation”, clearly “a group that has “special favor” with God, and a group composed completely of Jews. There are 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Re7:3saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed: 5of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were sealed; of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed b. This group has no counterpart in the church age. There were Jews in the church but they are clearly not given special status of any kind. Ga3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 1 Co12:13For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. Ro10:12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. Ro3:28Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. 29Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, c. Any time we see a listing of people in the various churches, it is always an integrated list containing Jews and Gentiles, men and women, low and high. Ro16: 3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. Ro16:7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. d. The twelve apostles are all Jews and are considered a group, however they were called before the Church began and they are considered the foundation of the NT church. After the church began, there is never an emphasis on a special grouping of large numbers of Jewish men who are specially selected to follow Christ having a special mark on them who are called virgins. Re14: 1Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. e. A special emphasis is placed on the fact that they seemingly have not married or had relations with women. Although this is true of Paul, it is not the norm for the church age and such celibacy has led to many perversions among those that have attempted such an experiment. This group is clearly sovereignly chosen, called, preserved in their purity, selected by God for their purpose but are clearly not part of the NT church. Re14:4These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. 2. Argument from the two witnesses a. During the tribulation period, Jerusalem and the temple mount becomes a central focus of attention. This is clearly a return to a focus on the nation of Israel and their temple and holy city. After the early chapters of Acts, the focus of the church is to the ends of the earth. Even when Paul says to the Jew first and also to the Greek, he is writing to the church at Rome. If the church is still the pillar and ground of the truth and God’s program for evangelism in the world, why is the focus returning to the temple and Jerusalem? Re11: 1Then I was given a reed like a measuring rod. And the angel stood, saying, “Rise and measure the temple of God, the altar, and those who worship there. 2But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. Re11:8And their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. Re11:13In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven. b. Consider Re 11:2 But leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the Gentiles. And they will tread the holy city underfoot for forty-two months. After the founding of the church in Acts 2, references to Gentiles are almost always positive or at least treated with some dignity. It is most often the Jews that Paul denigrates because of their opposition to the gospel. Now it seems that this view of Gentiles is from a pro-Jewish point of view which is foreign during the church age but common to Israel. Ro11:13For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 1 Th2:14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, 15who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, 16forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost. 1 Sa17:36Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” c. After the close of the apostolic age, the use of direct power by God’s servants as a means of evangelism and resisting the enemies of God was replaced by love and truth and patience during persecution. The gospel of Christ during the church age has gone forth without calling down fire from heaven to kill the enemies of the gospel. Jesus’ words to the church are to love our enemies. Be faithful unto death. But never does the church receive authority to kill their enemies. This is not the church operating in Re 11. Re11:3And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth.” Re11:5And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire. d. The designation of the two witnesses as the two olive trees and two lampstands standing before God would recall to any Bible scholar’s mind the prophecies of Zechariah 4 where the same figures are used for the high priest and the ruler of Judah obtaining power from God to rebuild the temple. These symbols used together of two Jewish men are clearly related to Israel and not to the church. Re11:4These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands standing before the God of the earth. Zec4:9“The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you. 3. Argument from the familiar formula given 8 times in the book of Revelation – encouraging those who have ears, let them hear... a. Seven times this formula is given in Re 1-3 as follows: Re2:7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Re2:29“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ Re3:6 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ b. It is given one other time in the and that is during the chapters detailing the tribulation period. Notice the distinct shift of emphasis. Re13:9If anyone has an ear, let him hear. c. All scripture is inspired. This change is not an accident or oversight. Why this distinct change? The simple answer is because the church has been removed and He is no longer addressing the church as He was in chapters 1 thru 3.
-- Bim Rowley, Pastor, Truth Baptist Church, Edited for MSWord 7/27/2011 by cpl Additions:
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