THE KING
IS JESUS CHRIST AND HE REIGNS TODAY!
The following articles were also newspaper
article the church ran during the months of December (2006) through March
(2007). The necessity of speaking out, I believe, is evident from the introduction
to the first article.
Jesus Is
King Of The Jews And Of All Men!
This time of the year you get the usual
non-offensive "religious" articles. Institutions seek journalists who
strive to please all by equating Christianity, Judaism and the Muslim religion.
This customary "take your pick" type of religious writing is
deceiving in many ways.
When the wise men came to Jerusalem they asked, "Where is he that
is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him." Being the Son of God, Jesus was
the King of the Israel
(Cf. Lk. 1:35; John 1:49). The Christ (Messiah) had been born in Bethlehem of
Judea in fulfillment of Micah's prophecy (Cf. Matt. 2:2-6). In that vicinity an
angel said to shepherds out in the fields, "For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11).
Being the Christ he was Lord of all!
Concerned reader, Jesus is not only the
King over the Jews today but He is everyone's King. He rules today from heaven
and has all authority in heaven and upon earth (Read and understand ~ Lk.
10:22; John 3:35; 5:22-27;17:2,10; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:19-23). If you desire
eternal life then you must understand this. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the judge
of all the world (Read Matt. 7:21-27; 2 Cor. 5:10).
You must believe in and serve Him according to his will, the New Testament, in
order to be saved (Cf. Jo. 12:48, 14:6; Mk. 16:15-16; 2 Th. 1:7-8). You may
read an article explaining the difference between the Gospel of Christ and
major world religions at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/notislam.htm
.
The Israel Of God Today
The modern state of Israel is not
like the Biblical theocracy that the Israel of old was. Neither
structure nor boundary equates with that of king David's and Solomon's time.
Under the old Mosaic covenant retention of the land, as promised, was
"conditional" upon keeping God's covenant. However, God foretold they
would not keep His covenant. And the penalty would be their captivity and loss
of the land (Cf. De. 28, 29:58-64). Following the loss, and captivity, God told
them a return to Him would effect their return to the
land (Cf. De. 30:1-9). Upon their return He tells them their possession of the
land is still conditional upon keeping His covenant (Cf. De. 30:8-10). Once
again they did not keep His covenant and once again they lost the land. This
explains why the Jews were under Rome's
control when Jesus Christ was born King of the Jews (Cf. Matt. 2:1-6; Jo. 18:33-37).
The New Testament teaches that the Israel
(spiritual) of God today is made up of those who have faith in Jesus Christ,
the Messiah (Cf. Jo. 1:41; Rom. 2:28-29; Phil. 3:3,9; Gal. 6:16). His kingdom
is a spiritual kingdom and rule (Cf. Jo. 18:36; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:22-36;
Eph. 1:18-23). Those with faith in Christ are said to be the spiritual
descendants of Abraham (Gal. 3:26-29;
Rom. 11:28). These in
Christ's church make up the "new man" in Christ from among both Jews
and Gentiles (Cf. Eph. 2:10-22).
The Gospel is God's power unto salvation for all men (Rom. 1:16). You may read more about the difference
between the old Israel
and Christ's church at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/speakout.html
.
Additional
Comments
This "Christmas Season" we heard
a great deal, of course, concerning the middle east
controversies, Iraq,
Iran,
Israel
and the Palestinians, etc. It appears from a "religious" viewpoint
(and I must admit that it increasingly more difficult to separate some people's
politics from their religious views) that the Dispensationalists and premillennialists are having a hey
day. Some say that Dispensationalism now dominates
the American Evangelical scene. That would include many so called
non-denominational bible churches, Baptists, Pentecostals, Armstrongists,
Charismatic groups, etc.
On the political scene references are
being made to "Zionism." What is Zionism? It is said to be an
international political movement that supports a homeland for the Jewish people
in the land of Israel. Of course, the idea of
"nationhood" is traced back to the information we have in the Bible
of God giving the Jews the land Canaan in Old
Testament times. Zionism, we are told, has produced the "modern"
state of Israel.
I believe a good example of the influence
of the dispensationalists viewpoint is seen in Jerry Falwell. As a noted religious leader (I by no means
consider him to be God's leader) he believes that God's purpose for the United States
is the protection of the Jews. I believe he was the one coined with having
said, "To stand against Israel
is to stand against God." I'm certain that "politically" Israel's
leaders are delighted to have all the Evangelicals'
support. But I'm also certain that this kind of pandering has caused many to
err in their religious beliefs as to
just who the people of God
"religiously" are today. (See the above article, "The Israel Of God Today.")
A discussion on Evangelicals in our
national news lately pointed out that Israel had picked up on the extent
of the movement and its support. Thus, Israel is flooding the evangelical
churches with tourist videos for prospective visits to the so called "holy
land." Concerned reader, there are some things that Christ's church
teaches that man made churches do not teach. One thing that few dare to teach
on today is that the church
of Christ is the true
Israel of God!
Christianity Does Not Teach Another Temple In Jerusalem!
The Mosaic Law was a
temporary religion given only to the Jews (Cf. De. 5:1-3; Gal. 1:13; Col. 2:14-17; 2 Cor. 3:6-18).
That Old Covenant foretold the New Testament would be God’s law for all men
(Cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Heb. 8:7-13; Rom. 1:16).
Christ was the end of the Law (of Moses) for righteousness or justification
with God. The Jews who did not obey the Gospel were ignorant of God’s
righteousness, sought to establish their own righteousness, and did not submit
to the righteousness of God in Christ (Cf. Rom. 10:3-4). Christianity stands
on its own foundation and is not in any way tied to having to support the civil
state of Israel
(Cf. Matt. 28:18-20; I Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:11-22; Heb. 5:9). Speaking of the temple Christ
said, “Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone
shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down” (Cf. Matt. 24:1-2). God destroyed the
temple to fulfill His prophecy in A.D. 70. The Mosaic Covenant with its
ordinances, priesthood, and services ceased with this destruction (Cf. Matt.
27:51; Heb. 9:7-15; 7:12;
Col. 2:14-17).
Big Name evangelists are misleading the populous by telling them
Christians have the “spiritual” obligation to support Israel. This
“wind of doctrine” (Cf. Eph. 4:14)
blown about can affect national politics. Through combined lies and
speculations about another temple in Jerusalem,
and the “rapture” and “tribulation” theories, these ministers of Satan have
disciples that combine religious speculations with thoughts of physical warfare
to enforce them. The Gospel is not promoted by physical warfare! (Cf. Lk. 17:20-21; John 18:36; Col. 1:12-13).
The One
Thousand Year Reign Is In Heaven, Not On Earth!
Heaven is where God dwells. And the
Christian’s hope is Heaven (Cf. Eccl. 5:2; I Pet. 1:3-5). God’s throne in
heaven is in the city of God,
the heavenly Jerusalem
(Cf. Heb. 12:22;
Revelation 4:2, 7:9, 22:3). Heaven, not this earth, is where the much talked
about one thousand year reign of the saints is (Cf. Rev. 20:4). In Revelation
the “souls” of those slain because of their testimony of Jesus are formerly
pictured with the altar before God’s throne in heaven (Cf. Rev. 6:9). These
make up a great throng in chapter 7. They are put with Christ before the throne
of God in heaven and serve Him there! (Cf. Rev. 7:9, 13-17). Nothing puts
Christ back on this earth for a one thousand year reign with another earthly
temple in Jerusalem.
Moreover, when Jesus does come the second
time it will be a visible coming. All nations will be gathered before Him (Cf.
Heb. 9:28; Matt. 25:31-46).
A so called “rapture” with Christians disappearing thus leaving friends
puzzled, and cars empty, is a farce taught by those desiring an earthly reign.
At that time Christians will either be alive on this present earth or among
those fallen asleep in Christ (Cf. I Thess. 4:13-15). Those fallen asleep in Christ are raised with
Him and He brings them with Him (Cf. 2 Cor. 4:14; I Thess. 4:14). “Then,” Paul said, “we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (Read I
Thess. 4:13-17).
The Battle of “Armageddon”
Revelation was written to strengthen
Christians in the first century, and for some time following, in the midst of
pressure to worship the emperor of Rome.
As the church persevered many faithful were martyred (Cf. Rev. 6:9, 20:4,
etc.). Satan (Rev. 12:17) by controlling certain Roman emperors (Rev. 13:1-10)
attacked and sought to destroy Christ’s church. In short, Christ defeats Satan
(the great red dragon, Rev. 12:3, 9) who makes war on earth with Christians (Rev.
12:17). Satan’s allies are the “beast of the sea” representing certain of Rome’s emperors, and the
“beast of the earth” or the false prophet (Rev. 13:11-12, 19:20) who consigns all to emperor worship, as
well as demons who deceive (Rev. 16:13-14).
In chapter 16 the kings of the whole earth,
having been deceived by Satan and his allies, gather together for battle
against God in the place called “Armageddon” (Rev. 16:16). The battle is picked
up again at Rev. 19:19-21. Here the Lord makes a quick end to the beast, the
false prophet and the kings of the earth and their armies. And Satan is cast
into the bottomless pit (Rev. 20). In its historical setting the battle depicts
the defeat of Satan in his effort to use Rome
to destroy the church
of Christ.
You will find the following prior articles
along with this article on our website:
1.
Jesus Is King Of The Jews And Of All Men!
2.
The Israel
of God Today (With Additional Comments on Zionism).
3. Christianity Does Not Teach Another Temple In Jerusalem!
4.
The One Thousand Year Reign Is Not On Earth!
5.
The Battle of
“Armageddon.”
Valley Church of
Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928)
539-7089 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday
Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50
am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday
evening – 7:00 pm.
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