Part 1 of 16: Introduction to Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

1 Corinthians 10:32
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God."

 

In this 16-Part study we'll be doing get both a macro and a micro view of the Bible.  What a huge difference it makes in understanding the Bible when you get a clear view of the big picture.  So let's begin.

In all His dealings with man down through history, in the present and into the future, He is working or dealing with one of these three groups:  The Jews, the Gentiles or the Church.  It's important to know with whom He is dealing or working at any one time because it better illuminates what you are reading.  You can even tell where we are on His prophetic, or kairos, timeline.  

The Jewish people, as you know, sprang from Abraham while Gentiles are non-Jewish UNbelievers.  The Church, however, is made up of both groups who are now neither Jew nor Gentile but an entirely new creation:  SONS!

What does the phrase "rightly divide" mean?  I always though that you are to have an accurate understanding what you were reading.  While that is certainly true, it is an iincomplete understanding.  What Paul meant by "rightly dividing" is this:  

The Holy Spirit has actually "divided" up the Word of God into sections by covenants He has made with whatever group of people He is working or dealing at any one time.  It is critical to understand this.  It will help you to determine the proper context of whatever passage you are studying because, as you will see, CONTEXT IS KING.

For example:  When Israel was finally entering the Promised land, it was inhabited by Giants.  These people were not fully human but demon/human after-flood hybrids.  At that time, it was quite appropriate to pray that they have good success killing every man, woman and child.  You see, it was the devil's plan to pollute the human race with his "hybrids" so he could prevent the virgin birth.  We don't pray that kind of prayer today because there are no more Anakim or Rephaim.  But it was certainly appropriate to pray that in those days.  

(For more on this topic, follow this link:  http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2015/01/as-it-was-in-days-of-noah.html)

Here are a couple of other things to keep in mind when determining CONTEXT:  TO WHOM or OF WHOM is a particular passage written TO or speaking OF.  Don't be like some Christians and put yourself everywhere, thinking that the entire Bible is written or applies TO believers.  The curses of Deuteronomy, for example, absolutely DO NOT apply to the Church.  Remember the phrase, “no more condemnation?"  That means NO MORE CURSE.  They no longer apply to you.

Some parts are written to both unsaved Jews and Jewish believers.  Other portions are addressing the Gentiles (unsaved non-Jews) and some are written to the non-Jewish Church, though there are lessons to be learned and benefits to be gained from all of scripture.

Many well-meaning pastors and theologians miss it right here because they do not know how to rightly divide the word.  It is the #1 factor that leads to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, misapplication and wrong doctrines.  It inevitably has the effect of bringing believers back under bondage to the law.  

WE DON'T NEED ANY OF THAT.

So; with all that in mind, let's begin with a panoramic overview of the Bible in Part 2 of Rightly Dividing The Word Of God.  Please follow the link below if you wish to continue:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/part-2-rightly-dividing-word-of-godof.html

God's Timeline: Part 2 of 16-Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

2 Timothy 2:15

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Divisions.

From creation to the Tower of Babel--Genesis 1 to Genesis 11--God was dealing with Gentiles because, well, there weren't any Jews yet.  They sprang from Abraham.  He doesn't come into the picture until Genesis chapter 12.  

But, the Gentiles ultimately rebelled and were disobedient so God suspended their blessings--temporarily you understand.  The last straw was the Tower of Babel.

(For more information on the Tower of Babel,  please see the article below: "http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-tower-of-babel.html.)

(Tower of Babel.)

So, in chapter 12, God started a new program with a new nation that had never before existed:  Israel. He raised Abram who became the father of all Jews. God said to him:  "From you I shall make a great nation.”  

Paul asks the question "What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way!...To the Jews belong the all covenants, all the promises, the favor of God, and all the blessings," in Romans 3:1-2.
That is so God's style, isn't it?  He uses the weak things of this world to confound the wise.

Understand, however, that God raised them, not because they are special or more moral than any other group.  In fact, He said of them. "Because you are few in number, I chose you so that you won’t boast in your numbers.”  He chose them so that that they would be a testimony of His love, goodness, mercy and grace.  But, like Jonah, one can either be a negative testimony or a positive one.  Either way, you'll be a testimony.  

From Genesis 12 a-a-all the way to Acts 1, believe it or not, GOD WAS DEALING WITH ISRAEL.  THIS FACT IS key; and, yes, you read that right:  From Genesis 1 through Genesis 11, God was dealing with GENTILES.   But from Genesis 12 all the way to chapter 1 of the book of Acts, He was dealing with the JEWISH PEOPLE.

Many Christians don’t want to accept that statement because they think that Jesus came for the sole reason of dying for the sins of the world, and I say that very reverently.  Yes, He MOST ASSUREDLY did come and die for the sins of the world!  THANK YOU, JESUS!!!  We are forever grateful!  But He came for MANY reasons. 

Of course, the ultimate one was to die for our sins.  But the Bible also tells us that another of His reasons for coming was "to destroy him who had (past tense) the power of the death, that is, devil."  HEBREWS 2:14 

Again.....THANK YOU, JESUS!!!.....and He destroyed him with his own weapon:  DEATH.  

Death is swallowed up in VICTORY! 

But first and foremost, He came for THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.  Scripture bears this fact out.  You see, even though "God SO LOVED the world" that He sent His beloved Son, His 1st coming was for Israel and to fulfill all the promises God had made to the Jewish fathers:  Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  

In Romans 15 it says, "Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a SERVANT TO THE CIRCUMCISION (the Jews) for the truth of God, TO CONFIRM THE PROMISES MADE TO THE FATHERS, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy as it is written:"(verses 8&9)  In other words, once God's plan with the Jews was completed, He would again turn and deal with the Gentiles.

Remember, back in Genesis 11 where He temporarily suspended their blessings?  His plan was to bless the entire world through the nation of Israel.  They were to be His vehicle, so to speak.  He wanted to make them a shining example of how blessed a nation could be who's God is the Lord in order to provoke the nations to jealousy.  Then they would want to seek and serve God and so be just a blessed and favored as Israel. 

But because of her rejection of her Messiah, the tables were turned.  God's blessings on the Gentiles today are provoking Israel to be jealous of us and her own God.  They now want to seek the One we have!  Amazing!

Join me in Part 3 and where we’ll be talking about the Gospels in our study on Rightly Dividing The Word Of God.  Follow the link below:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-gospels-part-3-of-16-rightly.html

 

 

The Gospels: Part 3 of 16 - Rightly Dividing The Word OF God

John 1:1-4  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. ⁴ In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. ⁵ And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

In Part 2 we discussed how God divided up the Bible based on which group of people with whom He is dealing. In Genesis chapters 1-11 He dealt with the Gentiles.  From chapter 12 through the end of the gospel of John He was dealing strictly with Israel, though he did on occasion interact with Gentiles. 

During His dealings with them they were exiled a number of times down through their history because they were rebellious and disobedient.  He sent prophet after prophet after prophet yet still they refused to listen.  They even killed some.  

So instead of Israel being His representatives governing the world as God wanted, He handed the reigns to the Gentile nations beginning with King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.  After him came the Medes and Persians followed by Greece, under Alexander the Great.  Next came the Romans who were in power when Jesus was born.  It was during this time that the gospels were written. 

Matthew, Mark and Luke are known as the "Synoptic gospels," derived from two Greek words;  "Syn," meaning together; "optic," meaning eye.  They are "seen together," parallel each other in many respects and they are all written from a Jewish perspective.  

Matthew was actually written specifically TO the Jews; Mark's was directed TO the Romans;  Dr. Luke, the only non-Jewish writer of the Bible, wrote TO the Greeks.

Because Matthew was written in particular TO the Jews, it is clear that the parable of the Ten Virgins is not about the church at all but about Israel just prior to our Lord's return.  You see, when the rapture happens, only about half of natural Israel will saved be ready to go up.  The other half, represented by the other five virgins,  will be left behind.  God will save them all at His second coming.

Here's the problem some preachers have who think this applies to the Church.  If they want to insist on doing so they must be consistent and say that only half of those who are honest-to-goodness, born again, blood-on-the-doorposts-of-their-heart believers are going up; the other half will be left behind.  

 How do you know whether or not you are in the "going up group?"  The "experts" who hold this belief generally maintain that there is a certain "criteria" for who is going and who is left behind.  Ever had these (annoying) folks go around asking you if you are "rapture ready," meaning have you met their imaginary "criteria?"  Sad, sad, sad. 
Ah, but ask them if they are in the "going up group" and, predictably, they invariably believe themselves to be in the "rapture ready" group. 

In light of the following passage their so-called "criteria" makes NO SENSE.

 "Then 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." (I Thessalonians 4:17 NKJV)

There is no other qualification than this:  That the individual believer be "alive and remain."  No mention of commitment level, faithfulness, Christan service.....or lack of it.  Just be alive and remain when He calls for us.   

See what I mean about "context?"  It is so VITALLY IMPORTANT.  

Misinterpreting and misapplying scripture has the unfortunate effect of putting people under bondage to the law. This has an additional unfortunate and unintended consequence of allowing the curses of Deuteronomy to operate in their lives rather than God's blessings.  

Then we have Matthew 24, yet another perfect example of misapplying scripture. If you study this chapter carefully you'll see Jesus says "Pray that your flight be not on the Sabbath," in verse 20.  It isn't the Gentiles who keep the Sabbath, is it?  No:  It's the Jews. This whole chapter is not about the Church at all.  (Check out the upper room discourse for a message to the Church.)

The entire book of Matthew, as I said, was written specifically TO Jewish people.  Should we, as non-Jews, read it?  Yes.  Can we learn from it and be blessed by it?  Yes, but we need to be very careful not to apply things to the Church that are meant to be applied only TO the Jewish people.

The Gospel of John, on the other hand, is in a class all by itself.  Why?  Because everything that he wrote was penned AFTER Paul was martyred in 68AD.  By that time, God had suspended--temporarily--the program with the Jews the way it had been suspended for the Gentiles back in Genesis 11.  God, as He promised, did turn back to the Gentiles which He had been His intention all along.  But just because Israel's blessings were suspended don't think for a moment He has forgotten her.  HE HASN'T.  

In these exciting last days He has begun to turn back to His brethren--natural Israel--and is saving and blessing them in numbers greater than ever before in history!

Unlike the other three "Jewish secretaries,"  John had the benefit of ALL of Paul's teachings.  The others, though they met Paul later on, did not.  That's why John is so UNlike the other three.  Matthew, Mark and Luke wrote from a much more Jewish perspective because the full up revelation of the gospel of grace was committed to the Apostle Paul.  Peter even says of their "beloved Paul," in 2 Peter 3:15-16 that he taught some things that  were "hard to understand.

Kind of ironic, don't you think, that the most legalistic Pharisee of all time who never met Jesus in person is the one person who got the full revelation!

Interestingly enough, John was the only one of the apostles who wasn't martyred.  God preserved him to a ripe old age so there would be someone around who was an eye witness of Jesus.  You see, after Paul died, many false doctrines arose; but John was still around to set the record straight. 

He as much as said so to the Ephesian elders:

Acts 20:29-31 "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears."

One of the most infamous of those false doctrines was Gnosticism which, by the way, is still around today UNFORTUNATELY.  It's proponents erroneously teach that Jesus did not really come in the flesh but "in spirit" and that we all have a "Christ spirit" within us. Other false teachers maintained He was "just a man."

(John on the Island of Patmos.)

John, as a living, breathing, eye witness of Jesus, was able to say, as he did in chapter one of 1st John, "That which was from the beginning, which we have HEARD, which we have SEEN with our eyes, which we have LOOKED UPON, and our hands have HANDLED, concerning the Word of life....." We declare to you.   In other words, "We touched Him, we heard Him, we saw Him!  I heard Him say, "Before Abraham was, I AM."  He could tell the people what Jesus actually said and refute any false conjecturing.  God also preserved him so he could write the book of Revelation.

Jesus wasn't some ghost or spirit-like being.  He was as human as you and I, yet without sin as well as FULLY GOD.  This Gnostic teaching is why John makes such a point of saying, right in the very beginning of his Gospel, "And the Word BECAME FLESH and dwelt among us, and we BEHELD His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

We learned earlier how it is critical that we understand TO WHOM or OF WHOM a portion of scripture is written to or of whom it is speaking.  Nowhere is this of greater import than in 1st chapter of 1st John.  It is ONLY in the beginning of chapter 2 of 1st John that he uses the phrase, "My little children," a phrase he uses solely when addressing believers.  It's not mentioned anywhere in chapter 1 because he was speaking specifically to UNBELIEVERS.

I submit to you that the entire first chapter is written to non-believers, particularly those of the Gnostic persuasion.  Therefore, 1 John 1:9 DOES NOT APPLY TO BELIEVERS.  It is a salvation verse.  

This nonsense of confessing your sins every time you turn around was never meant to be a way of life for Christians. NO.  Jesus' blood covers ALL SIN ONCE FOR ALL TIME.  As far as sin is concerned, between you and God, it's a done deal!  

We don't confess to be forgiven, we confess because we already are and seek to overcome that which so easily besets us. Human consequences still apply of course.  If you commit a crime, the police are gonna come and take you away.  However God, in His mercy, still desires to deliver you out of all your troubles, even those of your own making.

Think about it:  If the blood of bulls and goats was good for the next 12 months but you believe, because you were taught a LIE, that the blood of Jesus is only good until your next sin, that makes Jesus' precious blood of LESSER VALUE THAN THE BLOOD OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SACRIFICES.

It is a lie of the devil.  FLUSH IT.

Besides which; if it was SO IMPORTANT, why does Paul not mention it even once ANYWHERE in his writings to the Church?  If it was so critical, as some maintain, he certainly should have said something, particularly to the most immortal bunch of all:  The Corinthians! 

Did you know that during communion, some of them were actually having happy hour!?  Others of their number were going to temple prostitutes, for heaven sake.  But NOT ONCE does Paul tell them to confess their sins.  

And another thing: What in the world did the church do before it had this "revelation?"  John wrote his letter some 60 years AFTER the birth of the church. Did the believers who died before he wrote 1st John die in their sins?  I DON'T THINK SO! 

Unlike the synoptic gospels, John's gospel, was written to the entire world!  Ever notice that you don't see the phrase, "God so loved the world," in the other three gospels?  Why?  Because they didn't realize at first that God wanted the whole world to be saved, not just Israel!  The verse below may shed some light on why they were a bit confused.  Read what Jesus said when He sent out the 12 in Matthew 10:  

"These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: 'Do not go into the way of the Gentiles (non-Jews) and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But GO RATHER TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’" (Matthew 10:5-7)

Whoa!!  What???  Do NOT go to the Gentiles??  Most of you reading this probably are non-Jews-->Gentiles.  Kind of a kick in the teeth, isn't it?  Well that's what it says. Jesus did not allow His disciples to preach or reach out to the Gentiles, meaning any unbeliever who is not a Jew.  

Aren't we glad that the Church today is made up of both Jews and Gentiles.  As such, we are no longer either Jew or Gentile but a new creation:  SONS! 

Please join me for Part 4 of Rightly Dividing The Word Of God where we’ll be discussing more on this topic and Jesus’ primary mission:

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/jesus-primary-mission-part-4-of-16.html

Jesus’ Primary Mission: Part 4 of 16 - Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

Matthew 15:21-24

"Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.” But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.” But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

In Part 3 we saw that, in His first coming, Jesus was sent to minister TO THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL.  Not that it was His only reason, but it was #1.  This is a critical piece of information if you're serious about learning how to "rightly divide."  

Many don't quite understand that, though all of scripture is profitable "FOR US," not all of it was written "TO US."  Think of it this way:  If you overheard your boss correcting a coworker, you would understand that he is not speaking "TO YOU" yet what is said can be of benefit "FOR YOU."  

It was only AFTER Israel rejected Jesus that He turned from them back to the Gentiles and brought salvation to the entire world.  This had been His intention from the very beginning.  By turning AWAY from Israel--temporarily--and TO the Gentiles, His hope was to provoke Israel to jealousy so that she would return and seek Him as her Messiah.  

The story of the Canaanite woman below so clearly demonstrates this truth.  
She was the one who's daughter was demon possessed.  Remember?  This woman had come to Jesus pretending to be a Jew, calling Him "Jesus, Son of David."  This is a phrase that only a Jew can use.  But no one can pretend before Jesus.  He knew who she was and said to her, “I was not sent except TO THE LOST SHEEP OF ISRAEL." 

Ouch!  

In fact, later on, He also said, "Let the CHILDREN FIRST BE FED," children meaning the Jews. 
But....."Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'LORD HELP ME!' But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the CHILDREN'S BREAD (healing) and throw it to the little dogs.' And she said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs (puppies) eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.' Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, GREAT IS YOUR FAITH! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.'"(Matthew 15:24-28 NKJV)

Jesus was no doubt smiling inside at her faith and humility.  Bear in mind, she was a Gentile; a Canaanite no less, from the cursed race of the Old Testament!  But did she get her miracle?  Yes!...AFTER she cried out, "Lord, help me!"  No more pretense.

Isn't He wonderful?  He healed her daughter, even though it wasn't time yet to deal with the Gentiles.  His Father had specifically sent Him to earth to fulfill all the promises that had been made to the fathers of the Jewish people.  This Gentile woman's faith, however, really caught His attention.  He gladly granted her request and gave her the miracle she had come seeking.  

Can you imagine what the Jewish people were thinking?  Bet more than a few were jealous!  But THAT'S MY GOD!!!

What an amazing story!  It's as if this woman went ahead of time by her faith.  Yes, the time would soon come for God to reach out to the Gentiles...but it was not yet because Jesus had not yet died.  There was still much to do in ministering to His earthly family; the Jews.

Please continue on to part 5 to see how, but more importantly WHY, Jesus’ ministry quite suddenly changed.

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-fundamental-change-in-jesus-ministry.html

A Fundamental Change In Jesus' Ministry: Part 5 of 16 - Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

Matthew 13:1-3

"On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them IN PARABLES saying..."

In this one chapter, Matthew 12, Jesus reveals Himself to His people as "greater than the temple," meaning He is greater than any other priest.  Further on He tells them that He is greater than Solomon," meaning greater than any king.  Then He states that He is greater than Jonah, a prophet in the Old Testament.  So in terms of prophet, priest, King--His three-fold glory--JESUS IS THE GREATEST OF ALL.  

What did the leaders and the elders of the Jews do?  They rejected Him in His three-fold glory.  That's why, in the very next chapter, Jesus changes tactics.  

In the very beginning of chapter 13, He began to share seven kingdom parables.  Why parables all of a sudden?  I'm glad you asked!

The disciples posed the very same question.  "'...Why do You speak to them in parables?' He answered and said to them, 'Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, BUT TO THEM IT HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN.'"(Matthew 13:10-11)

 

HEREIN IS THE GREAT LOVE OF OUR GOD. If Jesus had continued to speak the truth to them openly, as in chapter 12, and they continued to reject Him, THEIR GUILT WOULD BE HEAVIER.  That is why He cloaked His teachings in parables.  It was both a judgment and Grace.  

Parables are meant to hide truths from those with no heart for it so that they won't receive while those who are hungry would receive.  THAT'S DIVINE WISDOM!

The passage goes on to say that Jesus "left the HOUSE" and went and sat "by the SEA."  "HOUSE" is always a reference to natural "Israel" whereas "THE SEA" represents the Gentiles, meaning the nations. He left HOUSE, went by THE SEA, then later on went back to the HOUSE.

The seven Kingdom parables He shared are divided into four and three; four outside; three inside. 

The first parable of the field, or GROUND, speaks of NATURAL ISRAEL.  He died for natural Israel as well as for the whole world, meaning the nations or Gentiles.  We...non-Jews...are the pearls of GREAT price found "IN THE SEA!" 

 

Last of all is the parable of the dragnet that was cast into the SEA:  The nations.  This will take place during the millennium.  The gospel message will be going out during Christ's millennial reign and will bring in all kinds of "fish" from all over the whole world!   

These 3 three parables are another prophetic timeline.  Obviously we are not yet in the parable of the dragnet yet but we're definitely in the parables of the treasure in the field and the sea. 

Most traditional teaching would have you believe that you must give up everything to "buy," as it were, Jesus.  Have you heard that before?  AS IF!"  You and I, the poor, the blind and the naked.....BUY JESUS?  Are you kidding me? We have NOTHING to offer. We are bankrupt!  Ain't no way we can purchase anything.....least of all Jesus!  But that's what you get when man puts himself in the center.  

NEWS FLASH: We are not the center:  JESUS IS.  

He's The One Who died for the entire world to get the treasure and the pearls.  HALLELUJAH!!!

Go back and read the parable of the treasure in the field.  Did you notice that the treasure in the field was hidden not once, but twice?  “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure HIDDEN in a field, which a man found and HID; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

Why twice?  Because much of natural Israel was already hidden when Jesus was born.  In the Old Testament Israel was hidden among the nations. Each time they were taken captive, many returned...but not all. First it was the Assyrians, then the Babylonians; next came the Medo-Persians, then the Greeks under Alexander the Great and finally, the Romans, who were in charge when Jesus was born.  

He came to reveal Himself to them but they rejected Him; so He hid them again.  Today they are largely still scattered among all the nations, even though Israel once again has a land to call home.  Many have returned but not all; not by a long shot.

God had meant for them to be the savior nation; the kingly nation leading all other nations, preaching the gospel to them; the head and not the tail.  

Instead, they are struggling.  The place where they flourish the most is in their own land.

Please continue on to Part 6.  We’ll be see what it is that God really wanted to happen!

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/part-6-of-16rightly-dividing-word-of.html

The Kingdom Of Heaven: Part 6 of 16—Rightly Dividing The Word Of God

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant...."(Luke 4:18-20)
                                          

Remember what the Angel Gabriel told Jesus’ mother, Mary, in Luke 1:33? "...the Lord God will give Him (Jesus) the THRONE OF HIS FATHER, DAVID.  And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."  

Jesus was sent to set up the VISIBLE Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. Do you know what that means?  It means that if Israel had accepted Him as her Messiah in His first coming, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN KING OVER ALL THE EARTH AND BE REIGNING FROM JERUSALEM!

How different the last 2,000 years would have been, huh?!  Can you imagine?  There would have been no need for hospitals because no one would be sick.  No need for courtrooms because there'd be no criminals.  No need for weapons because there would have been no wars.  There would have been no famines, no poverty, no lack of any kind because THE KING OF ALL KINGS was ruling over the whole world!  

All Israel would have been saved and, through her, the entire world would have been saved because Jesus was sitting on the throne of His father, David.  But that didn’t happen.  Israel rejected her Messiah and the rest is history.

They had The King of Kings in their presence.  He was there; He was right there...IN THE FLESH!  That's why He went about preaching, as did His cousin, John: "Repent!  The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!"  because it really was!  He was telling them that THE KINGDOM, what they so dearly desired, was so near if they would only hear and accept Him.  

All the signs, wonders and miracles Jesus performed were Him showing them what life would be like if He were in charge.  He healed the sick, opened the eyes of the blind, cleansed the lepers, He raised the dead and He cast out devils.  

You see, where THE KINGDOM is, there is NO death, NO disease, NO poverty, only blessing upon blessing, health, wholeness and total provision!  He went about doing good!  But they rejected Him. 

So from the cross Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them.  They don't know what they are doing."  By saying those words He was putting them all, the entire nation, under the LEVITICUS TRESPASS OFFERING which says:

Leviticus 5:15 “If a person commits a trespass, and SINS UNINTENTIONALLY in regard to the holy things of the Lord, then he shall bring to the Lord as his TRESPASS OFFERING a ram without blemish from the flocks, with your valuation in shekels of silver according to the shekel of the sanctuary, as a trespass offering."  

The trespass offering covered anyone who committed a sin of which he was unaware, kind of a just-in-case offereing; you know, just in case I forgot one.  Jesus put the entire nation under ignorance; in other words, under the trespass offering so that their guilt for rejecting their Messiah would be less.   

Did God give up on His people?  Yes, for a while.  You can see He is hurt.  He is deeply grieved by their rejection because He loved them so much!  Love can be hurt, you know, but it takes the chance anyway.  It  risks rejection.  Better to love and get hurt, than never to have loved at all.

But understand this:  Even though He is grieved, He has not rejected or forgotten His natural family.  The Church has not replaced Israel, NO.   They are still a people under the Abrahamic covenant.

That's why when Jesus rode into Jerusalem, He wept so vehemently.  His heart was literally breaking for His people.  He wept  audibly over His them because He saw their future without His protection.  He saw the Romans destroying His people in 70A.D; He saw 2,000 years of trials and troubles;  He saw the holocaust.  That's why He said, "How I wish I could have gathered you under my wings like a mother hen gathers her chicks, BUT YOU DIDN'T WANT ME."  And without Jesus to protect them, fully 2/3 of all the world's Jewish population were cut off in the holocaust.

He saw His loved ones being destroyed because they didn't want Him.  They rejected the only One Who could protect them.  You see, He is an awesome respector of your free choice.  He will not even force His protection on you.  

Had the Jews accepted Him back then they would never have seen Rome come in and destroy them in 70AD and, most assuredly, there would never have been a Holocaust.  

Please join me in Part 7 where we'll look at the prophecies of the Old Testament.  They wrote about all these future events; about the suffering Messih and the conquering King.  But did they understand any of this?

http://emmausrevelations.blogspot.com/2014/11/part-7-of-16-rightly-dividing-word-of.html