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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