Explore the Prophetic

 

REVELATION REVEALS Prophecy Seminar

In 1948, seemingly against all odds, Israel again became a nation.  And today, nearly all of Christianity is looking to Israel and the Middle East as a sign of the end of this world’s history. 

 

 

 

Today, millions of people the world over who are interested in Bible prophecy have their eyes fixed upon Jerusalem. Christian leaders and writers are constantly speculating about the modern state of Israel, a rebuilt Jewish temple, and a Middle East Armageddon.

 

 

 

Most prophetic writers today believe events connected with Israel will cause the Battle of Armageddon, the last great war.

 

 

 

When Saddam invaded Kuwait the prophetic soothsayers were busy espousing their various versions of last day scenarios involving Israel, oil, and the Arab nations.

 

 

 

These subjects are of major focus in books, videos, and Bible prophecy conferences. The fact is – most people today automatically connect end-time Bible prophecies with the nation of Israel.

 

 

 

For example, best-selling author Dave Hunt echoes these views on the back cover of his popular book, A Cup of Trembling. He writes:   

 

 

“Fast-moving events in the Middle East point almost daily toward the grand finale - the time of greatest suffering for the Jewish people worldwide, which will climax in the terrifying battle of Armageddon and the glorious return of Messiah to rescue Israel and reign over the world from David’s reestablished throne in Jerusalem.”

 

 

This Middle East approach to prophecy became popular in the 80’s with a series of books from the pen of Hal Lindsey. In his bestseller, “The Late Great Planet Earth” he says:

 

 

 

“The one event which many Bible students in the past overlooked was this paramount prophetic sign; Israel had to be a nation again in the land of its forefathers.”

 

 

 

Many, if not most, other authors and teachers of Bible prophecy are teaching similar concepts today. 

 

 

 

But in spite of this belief that prophecy is focused and unfolding in Israel today – There is much confusion as to the nature of the role Israel is to play and the actual sequence of last day events associated with Israel.

 

 

 

Many books have been published – all saying something different.

 

 

 

Needless to say there is much confusion in the study of eschatology today.

 

 

 

We must again come to the Bible alone for answers to the important questions relating to end-time prophecies and Israel. 

 

 

 

We can go to just about any place for opinions. What we need is the truth that will affect our lives in a positive manner. If we want powerful truth – must come to this book.

 

 

 

                                             

 Now our question simply is - Who is Israel?  The real prophetic people that this great book focuses upon so often.  No doubt this is important for us Important to know – as Revelation says in:

 

Revelation 7:3, 4  

 

 

 

They receive God’s seal.  Later on we will study this more completely as we cover the Mark of the Beast.

 

 

 

But now ask another question – “Are those who claim to be Jews really Jews?”                                         

 

 

Here is the big question. To put it another way –

 

 

 

Are all of these end-time prophecies in scripture regarding Israel and the temple speaking only of the literal nation of Jews and a physical building, or is there a deeper spiritual application?

 

 

 

Let’s look at some interesting statements in Bible prophecy that is mostly overlooked in the Christian world today.

 

Revelation 2:9

  

 

Who is it that claims to be a Jew, but is not really?  Another verse with similar connotations is found in: Romans. 2:28, 29

   

 

Again a Jew that is not a Jew! – What’s going on here? 

 

 

 

However, there is no need to be confused here.

 

 

 

To understand who Israel really is we must go back to the beginning of this great prophetic nation.  It is impossible to clearly understand the subject of Israel apart from a careful study of the Old Testament. It’s only in the backdrop of Biblical history that we can understand the powerful truth on this important subject.

 

 

 

The first time the name “Israel” appears in scripture was when it was spoken to Jacob after his long night of wrestling with a powerful opponent.

 

 

 

Genesis tells the story. Genesis 32:24-28   

 

                                                                          

 

The heavenly stranger finally said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”  

 

                                                                   

 

So the name “Israel” was first a name of heavenly origin applying to Jacob. It represented his spiritual victory over sin, through wrestling in prayer and claiming God’s grace. The name “Jacob” means thief, liar, or deceiver.

 

 

Remember he got the birthright by deception - caused real problems – had to flee home. Now, he is in a serious crises as he is going back to face his brother Esau.    

  

 

And after night of wrestling with Angel his name was changed to “Israel”. “Israel” means “Prince of God” and “Overcomer”

 

 

 

 He had “prevailed with God by clinging to God and claiming His promise made to him years ago.  

 

 

 

He overcame by holding on to God – He said, “Not let go except you bless me and all nations through my seed as promised.” 

 

 

 

Jacob received a new name for his new nature and character – and nation of Israel was born.

 

 

 

Now eventually Jacob had 12 sons who later moved into Egypt. The descendants of these sons eventually multiplied into the 12 tribes of the nation of Israel that were forced into slavery by the Egyptians until the time of Moses.

 

 

 

Then God says something to Pharaoh through Moses that is very important to us.

 

Exodus 4:22,23 

 

Note that the name “Israel” is expanded to include Jacob’s descendants.

 

 

 

So you see, the name “Israel” first applied to a victorious man, but then it is later applied to his people, the nation of Israel.

 

 

 

We will soon see why this is a very important point.

 

 

 

But first, let’s change direction a bit.  About 800 B.C., the Lord spoke through the prophet Hosea, saying, Hosea 11:1.  This verse is filled with tremendous importance, especially when we look at the New Testament.

 

 

 

Now, approximately 800 years later Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

 

 

 

Let’s go to the New Testament and read a passage in the beginning of Matthew’s gospel:  Matthew 2:1

 

Matthew tells us Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in the days of Herod the King. Now, because Herod was threatened by this new child king, he sent soldiers to kill all the children less than 2 years of age in Bethlehem. But, Joseph was warned of this impending crisis in advance through a dream.

 

Matthew 2:13, 14 

 

So they head down to Egypt as they were told to do. Matthew writes that little Jesus remained in Egypt until the death of Herod.

 

 

Matthew 2:15

 

Now did you notice that Matthew is quoting Hosea 11:1? Which we already noted originally referred to the nation of Israel coming out of Egypt. However, now he declares it is “fulfilled” in Jesus Christ!

 

 

 

Matthew is beginning to reveal a truly powerful principle that develops throughout his Gospel and the entire New Testament

 

 

For example, one time after healing a group of people, Matthew records Jesus’ words.           

 

        Matthew 12:17-18

 

Here the gospel writer is quoting Isaiah 42:1  

 

 

 

Now, I want you to take note that this passage originally applied to the literal nation Israel – The physical descendants of Jacob. Let’s back up to Isaiah 41:8 where it says: Isaiah 41:8 says: 

 

 

"But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend." 

 

 

 

But again remember – Matthew tells us this is “fulfilled” in Jesus Christ! 

 

 

The apostle Paul also followed the principle of applying statements originally made about the nation of Israel to Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Notice a clear example is where God called Israel “the seed of Abraham” in the KJV version of Isaiah 41:8

 

Isaiah 41:8 KJV 

  

 

Now, in the New Testament the apostle Paul tells us something important in Gals. 3:16. Galatians. 3:16

 

 

He says that Abraham’s “seed” does not refer to “many,” but to “one, - which is Christ.” 

 

 

 

And so we discover that over and over in the New Testament, statements that originally applied to the nation of Israel are applied to Jesus. Christ the Messiah is now “the Seed.” 

 

 

The fact is – Jesus is the very essence of Israel! 

 

 This is an powerful truth which much of the Christian world has failed to grasp.

 

 

 

Now, remember that in the Old Testament, the name “Israel” first applied to one man, to Jacob. It represented Jacob’s spiritual victory over sin.            

 

 

Even so, in the new Israel who came “out of Egypt.” Jesus is the one victorious Man who overcame all sin!  

 

 And there is more – Remember that the name “Israel” not only referredto an individual – Jacob – but also to his descendants, who became the nation of Israel. 

 

 

 

The same principle is seen in the New Testament.

 

 

 

For example look at a passage in Exodus 19:6 

 

                                                    

 

Here the Lord told the ancient Israelites, “You shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation.”

 

 

 

In the New Testament the Apostle Peter applies these exact words to the church in 1 Peter 2:9, 10. 

 

                                                                            

The Israel of today is God’s true people – His church. 

 

 

 

Jew or Gentile – those people who are converted and connected to Jesus – they are the real nation of Israel.

 

 

 

Right after Paul’s statement about Jesus being “the seed,” he then told his Gentile converts something very profound.

 

 

 

(A Gentile is any person not of the Jewish faith)

 

 

 

Galatians. 3:29 

 

“If you are Christ’s then you are Abraham’s seed.”

 

 

 

The New Testament makes this abundantly clear in numerous passages such as in Galatians. 3:7

 

 

 

 

“only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” 

 

 

 

So it is very clearly stated in the Bible – the name Israel not only applies to Jesus Christ, but also to those born again in Christ – His Church!  In other words, all true Christians are now God’s spiritual Israel.

 

 

 

The church takes on the status of being the spiritual nation of Israel. We are Israel - if Christ’s children! By faith in Jesus we are His spiritual Israel.

 

 

 

This is what God intended from the very beginning of the nation of Israel. You see just being from Abraham’s literal lineage didn’t make a person a spiritual child of God.

 

 

 

Paul states it unequivocally in Galatians 3:14, 16

 

 Blessings for those who identified with Christ in a saving faith relationship! He’s the seed of Israel that we must identify with.

 

 

 

I know this is not what is being taught by the many books and materials, videos today.  But it is not important what man says. We must listen to Word and prophecies of God.

 

 

Now listen to a dialog between Jesus and the Jews long ago where Christ tells us some powerful things relating to our subject.

 

John 8:31, 32-34

                                                                                            

 

Says if they would know the Truth (Jesus) they could be free. 

 

 They claim that they are free and not in bondage to anyone. Because they are the literal descendants of Abraham. They are lying through their teeth. At this time they are in bondage to Rome.

 

 

 

The fact is they had been in slavery in Egypt and Babylon as well for many years. All because of their sin and rebellion against God and rejection of truth.

 

 

 

Jesus continues to rebuke them emphatically.

 

 

 

John 8:37-40, 43, 44

 

 

He tells them that they might have been distantly related to Abraham, but spiritually their father is the devil.  They not do the works of Abraham. Neither did they have the faith of Abraham.  They had no faith in Jesus nor were they obedient to God’s law.  They were actually planning to commit murder here.

 

 

 

Oh yes, they had been circumcised and did all the outward formalisms of Judaism. But getting circumcised did not prove a person to be of true Israel. It was merely an outward sign to tell of inward spiritual experience.

 

I Corinthians 7:19 

 

 

True faith and obedience  to God is what is important to Him.

 

 

 

Perhaps now and can better understand what Paul meant in:

 

Romans. 2:28, 29 

 

 

Look at how Paul puts it in Romans 2:17, 25, 26.

 

 

Did you catch that? The implications are staggering! Someone who is “called a Jew” because he is a physical descendant of Abraham, and yet who lives as a lawbreaker, “is not a Jew.”

 

 

 

”His circumcision is made uncircumcision.” To God, He is a Gentile. And a believing Gentile, who through faith keeps “the righteousness of the law,” his uncircumcision is counted for circumcision.

 

  

 

He is a real spiritual Israelite through his relationship to Jesus the true Israelite. 

 

 

 

John the Baptist paved the way for this New Testament principle by stating the words recorded in Matthew.

 

Matthew 3:8, 9 

  

 

Jesus echoed this same principle in that showdown with the religious leaders in John 8. So, it is not those who are children of Israel by flesh relationship to Abraham who are true spiritual Israelites.

 

 

 

They needed a new heart! – A transformation of life through faith in Jesus.  

 

 

 

The Apostle Paul who was a converted Jew is so clear about this spiritual dynamic in Romans 9:3-7.

 

  

There are actually 2 Israel’s referred to in scripture.  One is composed of literal Israelites “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3,4)

 

 

 

The other is “Spiritual Israel” composed of all who believe in Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Paul says: in Romans 9:6, 7

 

“They are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” “Nor are they all children because they are the literal seed of Abraham.”                                             

 

 That is, not all are part of God’s Spiritual Israel who are part of the literal nation of Israel that continues to exist today.

 

 

 

He continues in Romans 9:8

 

The children of the flesh are only natural descendants of Abraham, but the children of the promise are counted as the true seed.            

 

 

 

Now I want you to notice something else that these verses said:                                    Romans 9:7, 8 

  

 

You all know the story: About how God told Abraham that he would have a son when both he and his wife Sarah were quite old.                      

 

Abraham 99 years old, Sarah – close to 100 – she knew she was too old to bear child. They actually laughed at the idea. So, they had son from Hagar – Sarah’s maid – And they named him Ishmael. In their lack of faith they tried to fulfill the promise their way.

 

 

 

Ishmael was the product of that blunder – which was the result of a lack of faith.

 

 

 

But what did God say about all this? Let’s read: 

 

Genesis 17:19-21 

  

 

Isaac was to be the one whom God’s Covenant would be established – not Ishmael.

 

 

 

He was to be the one from which the true “Seed” of Israel was to come.

 

 

 

Now lets read - Hebrews. 11:17,18     

 

 

 

Why is this mentioned here?  Notice - great faith chapter. Isaac was the son of “real faith” - verse 17.

 

 

 

Children of the promise are those of Faith. 

 

 

 

Today all can become a part of this spiritual nation of Israel through faith in Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

Again Paul makes it clear,Galatians 6:15,16  

 

Those who through faith in Jesus are transformed by power of God are the real nation of Israel.

 

 

 

 

As I said this powerful concept is stated throughout the New Testament      

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:11-13,19-22

 

 

This was always God’s will and purpose.

 

 

 

Those who turn from sin began keeping commandments by faith in shed blood of Jesus.  

                               

 

And Jesus also said, “I am the way, truth, life, no man comes to the Father except by me.”  John 14:6

 

 

 

God has a people today – they are receiving His seal.

 

 

 

He has always had a faithful few who trust and obey Him in complete surrender of their lives.

 

 

 

As Romans 9:27 states, “Though the number of children of Israel be as the sand of the sea a remnant shall be saved.”

 

 

 

I want to be of that Remnant.  We will talk more about them on another night.

 

 

 

God has established a way where by all can become inheritors of the glorious promises.

 

 

 

The way is through Jesus Christ today and always. It’s not what nationality you are – it’s who your faith is in.  We must keep our eyes on Jesus and follow Him fully in obedience and love.