THY WORD IS TRUE FROM THE BEGINNING: AND EVERY ONE OF RaptureThy Theory RIGHTEOUS Difficulties JUDGMENTS – Introduction ENDURETH FOREVER. PSALM 119:160 The Jewish Nature of the Olivet Discourse? Part 1 of 2 {A Close Look at Matthew 24 and 25} INTRODUCTION Beginning with Augustine in the 4th century, the MOST OF US ARE AWARE that there are church abandoned the literal method in favor of controversies and disagreements within the church. allegorical interpretation of prophetic Scriptures. Much Some of these are insignificant, while others, I believe, of the church today still subscribes to some form of the can be detrimental to ones understanding of the Augustinian method. Literal versus allegory has gospels. One example is the common brought much confusion and division. misunderstanding of the fundamental fact that the The evangelists of the Bible targeted different church did not yet exist when Jesus walked the earth. It groups with their Gospel books. Matthew targeted the wasn’t until Acts chapter 2 that the church as we know Jew. Mark targeted the Roman. Luke wrote to the it sprang into existence. Now that we know this, we Greek. Only John wrote directly to the church. need to ask ourselves, what was Jesus’ mission and However, it must be acknowledged that Jesus’ own who was He speaking to? Failure to understand this has mission was to the Jews. Therefore, the Gospels must caused many teachers to read into the Gospel things be understood in light of the Jews. Merrill F. Unger that are simply not there, bringing confusion and division 1 writes that the key to the correct interpretation of the into the church. Charles Ryrie writes that: Gospels is as follows:5 “Consistent literalism is at the heart of 2 “It is necessary to realize that the period dispensational eschatology.” described is culminative of the OT [Old And that Testament] age, preparatory to and predictive “[T]he literal fulfillment of Scripture leads of the new age, but not the new age itself. Not naturally to a second feature—the literal 3 until the ascension of Christ and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.” consequent advent of the Spirit at Pentecost Abandonment of the literal method leads to an improper (Acts 2) did the new age of the church begin.”6 distinction between the church and Israel, fostering the 4 Unger continues: belief that the church is the new Israel. “Our Lord was ‘born under the law’ (Gal 4:4), ministered primarily to the Jews in the legal age (Matt 10:5-6; 15:23-25), and was ‘a __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Creation Revelation is a bi-annual publication distributed free of charge via email or mail to those who request it. Topics will have a primary focus on the Defense of Scripture, including Creation (Genesis), Humanism, and Prophecy (Revelation). Other topics of interest may be presented. Questions, comments, and suggestions are encouraged. Copyright © 2016, Robert W. Tozier. All rights reserved. Permission is given to photocopy and freely distribute this material for the glory of God as long as it is not done for commercial purposes. Editors: Erin Fuentes, Bryan Kinney, and Kristin Oien. Web Designer: Aaron Tozier. Web Consultant: Bryan Kinney Email: [email protected]. Tel: 808-228-1497 ALOHA! ΑΩ Jul-Dec 2016 - Volume 20, Issue 2 - Page 1 of 12 Visit us at www.creationrevelation.org GOD IS IN THE DETAILS servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to then the student must accept that the church has not confirm the promises made to the patriarchs’ replaced Israel and that God will yet deal with the (Rom 15:8). As King and Messiah He was Jewish nation. To believe that God changed His mind announced by John the Baptist, offered the towards Israel requires that the student must allegorize kingdom to Israel, and was rejected by them or spiritualize the Scripture passages dealing with (Matt 1-12). As Prophet He predicted the new Israel’s restoration.11 age (Matt 13), and His second advent (Matt There are two phases of the restoration of 24-25). As Priest He died and rose again, Israel. First, the Jews will return to their land in unbelief fulfilling the law and bringing in grace (John prior to Christ’s return (Ezekiel 37). Second, the Jews 1:17). Until the event of the cross the gospels will experience a spiritual rebirth when Christ returns as are an extension of the OT [Old Testament] can be seen from an understanding of the following dispensation seen in their strong Jewish verses.12 coloring, which did not end til the veil of the Temple was torn supernaturally at Christ’s Zech 12:9 And it shall come to pass in that death (Matt 27:51).”7 day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was 10 And I will pour upon the house of David, come, God sent forth his Son, made of a and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the woman, made under the law, spirit of grace and of supplications: and they 5 To redeem them that were under the law, shall look upon me whom they have pierced, that we might receive the adoption of sons. and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for According to Merrill Unger the prophecies of him, as one that is in bitterness for his Matthew 24 and 25: firstborn. “[D]eal with Israel in the period of Tribulation just prior to the return of Messiah-King to Ezek 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely establish His earthly kingdom….”8 with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out Many pastors and teachers miss this important point. arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over These prophesies of Matthew 24 and 25 were in you: response to a Jewish question, “What will happen to the 34 And I will bring you out from the people, and Jews?” Many pastors and teachers attempt to read the will gather you out of the countries wherein ye church into these chapters. To say that both Israel and are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a the church will go through the Great Tribulation is to fail stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. to understand the inherent Jewishness of Scriptures 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of such as Matthew 24 and 25.9 Much confusion is the people, and there will I plead with you face because of reformed theology and replacement to face. theology that believe that the church has replaced Israel 36 Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the in the promises of God, that the church is to bring in wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead Christ’s glorious kingdom, and finally Christ will return with you, saith the Lord God. and the church will hand Him the keys. This is the 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, message of the post or amillennialists. They arrive at and I will bring you into the bond of the their conclusions by spiritualizing or allegorizing the covenant: Scriptures that do not match their brand of theology. 38 And I will purge out from among you the Those who are premillennial and dispensationalists use rebels, and them that transgress against me: I the Literal-Historical approach to interpretation will bring them forth out of the country where throughout the Scriptures, by examining the context and they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the determining it literal, allegory, or figurative wherever land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the appropriate. Replacement Theology “helps to foster Lord. anti-Semitism in the church.”10 To accept replacement theology one must either Zech 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my believe that God, through the prophets, used allegory shepherd, and against the man that is my when writing, or that God does not keep His promises. fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the If one is consistent in treating the entire Bible literally Jul-Dec 2016 - Volume 20, Issue 2 - Page 2 of 12 Visit us at www.creationrevelation.org GOD IS IN THE DETAILS shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. not lie unto David. 8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, 36 His seed shall endure forever, and his saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off throne as the sun before me. and die; but the third shall be left therein. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, 9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah. and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my Peter appeals to the Jews to repent. name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be people: and they shall say, The Lord is my converted, that your sins may be blotted out, God. when the times of refreshing shall come from The Hebrew language will be a part of the the presence of the Lord; restoration. This has already come to pass.13 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Zeph 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the pure language, that they may all call upon the times of restitution of all things, which God name of the Lord, to serve him with one hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy consent.