Below is but a small measure of revelation that my father had received from the Lord. I hope this will be a blessing to you. All that is written below are the words of my father.
Israel
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
Before you read any further, let me make it crystal clear ... I have never and do not now doubt the motivation or sincerity of any true Christian believer at any level. However I do doubt the understanding of many professing Christians. At the same time, many of God's chosen people are "caught" in a web of misunderstanding because of those in leadership positions, whose doctrine is based primarily on the traditions of men (even good men) ... traditions handed down for centuries. Some of the basic Evangelical teachings include: (1) A tendency to interpret far too much of the Bible as being literally true and in the natural realm; and (2) A fascination with natural Israel ... i.e. the Jewish nation. The two are related. The definition of idolatry is the substitution of what is intended to be spiritual by that which is natural (Columbia Encyclopedia).
Many years ago I heard an Evangelical pastor (who at that time had air time on 220 television stations) say that when he gets to heaven, he is going to wear a literal robe and wear a literal crown. I have read of several Evangelicals who said that all Jews will be "saved." I have read of testimonies of some believers who said they had been to heaven (some more than once) and saw everything made of literal gold. I must disagree. A multitude of verses in the Bible cannot possibly be interpreted in the natural realm. Further, God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Under the Old Covenant many natural-level events actually occurred, but they are prophetic of the spiritual counterpart under the New Covenant. Jesus spoke many parables in the natural realm to help us to understand the spiritual significance.
For many long years we have seen essentially a war between Jews and Palestinians over who "owns" the physical land in the Gaza strip. Many evangelical and charismatic believers say the land belongs to the Jews. They say that the Lord promised the land to the Jews. They quote,
This same promise is made to Jacob in Genesis 48:4 ... "unto thy seed." But then we have spiritual clarification by,
All the promises of God are in Christ. We know of no promises of God outside of Christ except the promise of judgment.
We believe that it is the Lord Himself who owns the land known as the Gaza strip. The Lord also owns every beast in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). The gold and the silver also belongs to Him (Haggai 2:8). The Lord also owns every true believer (1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23). We have been bought with a price.
Now, we do not believe that the dirt in natural Israel is any more holy than the dirt in any other physical location in the world. We find no scriptural basis that says the physical ground in a place called Israel in the Middle East is more holy to the Lord. In Genesis, Chapter 1, when God made the world, no preference is given for one part over another part. We must be careful because the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life. Unless we allow the Holy Spirit to shed light on the written word, we can get into a swamp of misunderstanding very quickly. For example, the word "Israel" in some verses means a physical country in the Middle East; in some verses it refers to natural Israel, i.e., Jews; in other verses it means true Christians; in other verses it refers to the Jacob who was renamed Israel; and in at least thirty-one verses it refers to the Lord Himself (the Holy One of Israel). Only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us the true meaning of each and every verse.
The verses above refer to the ten northern tribes of Israel, which historically, as Christians, were first used to carry the gospel to the world. That was the "another vessel" that the potter, the LORD, made. However, consider Judah and Jerusalem in Jeremiah 19.
Six centuries later, Jesus said the same thing with respect to Judah, Jerusalem, and the Pharisees ... which represented Judaism.
Note the word "till" in Verse 39. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Will some Jews be "saved"? Of course! Will all Jews be "saved"? I doubt it. Otherwise we are dangerously close to the heresy of universal salvation. Salvation is not based upon country of birth ... not based on age or color of skin ... not based on education, strength, or personal appearance ... not based on gender or national heritage. Salvation is based only upon our personal relationship to Christ.
Verse 6 means "For they are not all spiritual Israel, which are of natural Israel."
"All Israel" in Verse 26 does not refer to natural Jews; it refers to all Gentiles and Jews who have been born from above. Next, let us consider the following.
Does the word "world" refer to the sea and all of the dry land? Or does it refer to the inhabitants of the world? possibly both because when God made the world, He called it good. However I believe that God is more concerned about us people because Verse 17, above, does not speak of the sea and dry land being saved. From Verse 16, above, God loves the Palestinian as much as He loves the Jew. Revelation 3:12 and 21:2 both speak of a New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.
(The following is an extract and slight modification of a word by Marion Fretwell.)
Many of David's psalms were prophetic as well as poetic. It is especially true of a great many of his songs that had something to do with Jerusalem and Mt. Zion. They pointed to the future rather than the day in which he lived. In fact, much of the life of David was prophetic. His entire life seems to have been a natural story with a Spiritual meaning. If this is true (and I believe it to be so), it is little wonder that so much of David's writings have been so badly misunderstood and misappropriated by the theologians of our day.
In failing to understand that a great share of the Law and the Prophets pertained to our day instead of the time in which they were written, we have been unable to correctly interpret the writings of the holy men of old. Listen to what Peter wrote concerning the time element in some of those old writings.
Perhaps one of the most grossly misunderstood portions of David's writings is found in Psalm 122.
I groan in my spirit when I hear people use the part about praying for the peace of Jerusalem as though it applies to the modern city of Jerusalem in the Middle East. It does not mean that city ... not at all! The natural (geographic) city of Jerusalem had a sentence of desolation decreed upon it by Jesus shortly before His crucifixion. That city and the nation of Judah were to be recognized no more by the LORD. The decree was carried out by Titus in 70 AD and is the time that Jesus called the Great Tribulation. Regardless of how hard the Zionists may try to re-establish a city and a nation on the ancient site, it is sure to come to naught, and much dismay will result from their misguided efforts. When the Lord makes a decree, no amount of manipulation on the part of mankind will set it aside.
The real Jerusalem that many of the scriptures refer to is the one that is being built by the Lord right now, made without hands ... by the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women ... the Church. The Lord started the Church by filling believers with the Holy Ghost, which was evidenced by the recipients speaking in an unknown tongue. The Holy Ghost is the Instrument which the Lord is using in the construction of His beloved city, the New Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost is the only Instrument that is really necessary. Men have added a few more tools for the purpose of helping the Lord in His project, but they will not be of much help in the long run. It must be a work of the Spirit.
Psalm 46 tells us plainly that the City of God (the Church) is the place of ultimate sanctity in the economy of God. It is called Mt. Zion in other scriptures ... also the Mountain of His Holiness.
The term "holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High" refers to the part of the Tabernacle of Moses which was 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, and called the Sanctuary. Timewise, it means the period from Pentecost until the end of this age. This is the time of the building of the New Jerusalem by "The Branch," who is also building the Temple.
Mt. Zion is a type of those Christians who progress farther into the attributes of Jesus Christ. They are called "My Jewels" by the Prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:16-17). The time of the Mt. Zion group of believers is probably what is portrayed by the ceremonies and furnishings of the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place.
Each of us is being "measured" every day of our life, to determine the extent of our final reward. Some of us will be of sufficient measure that we can be in the Overcomer class. Others of us will simply not make the grade because of the decisions we make. Let me hasten to say that this has nothing to do with salvation. It is strictly a reward for spiritual achievement pursuant to salvation. "To as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the Sons of God." (John 1:12) ZION!! Not every Christian will attain to sonship!
The 46th Psalm tells about the River that will "make glad" the City of God, Zion. It is the river of the Spirit of GOD that is described so vividly in Ezekiel 47. It starts in the Most Holy Place (the Mount Zion group in the Church).
It plunges swiftly down the East slopes of the mountain, increasing in volume as it goes along. After a few miles, it reaches the Dead Sea, which is a very vivid example of the complete depravity of the human race. Once it arrives there, it immediately heals almost all (but not all) of the water in the Dead Sea. Almost a whole generation will be affected ... maybe two generations. There will be a mighty ingathering of souls as a result of this future outpouring of the Spirit of God on the earth. John saw a similar vision on the Isle of Patmos.
Most of our theologians tell us that this will be in the Hereafter, on the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. I beg to differ with them. What John recorded is the account of the deliverance of God's People ... here on this earth ... in this time.
(End of Marion's word)
Finally, let us consider something called "replacement theology." I am not sure I ever heard of that phrase until recently. Neither can I tell you exactly what that means. From my understanding, that phrase was probably coined by some Evangelicals as a phrase of contempt and considered by them as bordering on heresy. In general, Evangelicals believe that to mean that some heretics believe that God has replaced all of His promises to natural Israel (Jews) with the Church. In truth, God has never changed His mind about His kingdom! "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). God lives in eternity; we live in time. In eternity past, God knew (and still knows) what we mortals (all of us) will do. Before the foundation of the world, Father decreed that everything should be centered in His Son. There is no life outside of Christ for He is the Life, and the Church (not natural Jews) is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). The risen Christ is the Israel of God ... the Holy One of Israel. There is only One who is holy! Selah.
Many years ago I heard an Evangelical pastor (who at that time had air time on 220 television stations) say that when he gets to heaven, he is going to wear a literal robe and wear a literal crown. I have read of several Evangelicals who said that all Jews will be "saved." I have read of testimonies of some believers who said they had been to heaven (some more than once) and saw everything made of literal gold. I must disagree. A multitude of verses in the Bible cannot possibly be interpreted in the natural realm. Further, God is Spirit and we must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Under the Old Covenant many natural-level events actually occurred, but they are prophetic of the spiritual counterpart under the New Covenant. Jesus spoke many parables in the natural realm to help us to understand the spiritual significance.
For many long years we have seen essentially a war between Jews and Palestinians over who "owns" the physical land in the Gaza strip. Many evangelical and charismatic believers say the land belongs to the Jews. They say that the Lord promised the land to the Jews. They quote,
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. Genesis 12:7
18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:18 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites,20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims,21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.Genesis 15:18-21
This same promise is made to Jacob in Genesis 48:4 ... "unto thy seed." But then we have spiritual clarification by,
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.[The "covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ" is found in Genesis 15:7-17. That was a covenant between the Father and the Son. It is that covenant that true believers enter into. The covenant between the LORD and Abram comes later, in Genesis 15:18-21.]18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Galatians 3:16-18
All the promises of God are in Christ. We know of no promises of God outside of Christ except the promise of judgment.
19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in Him was yea.20 For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:19-20
We believe that it is the Lord Himself who owns the land known as the Gaza strip. The Lord also owns every beast in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10). The gold and the silver also belongs to Him (Haggai 2:8). The Lord also owns every true believer (1 Corinthians 6:20 and 7:23). We have been bought with a price.
Now, we do not believe that the dirt in natural Israel is any more holy than the dirt in any other physical location in the world. We find no scriptural basis that says the physical ground in a place called Israel in the Middle East is more holy to the Lord. In Genesis, Chapter 1, when God made the world, no preference is given for one part over another part. We must be careful because the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life. Unless we allow the Holy Spirit to shed light on the written word, we can get into a swamp of misunderstanding very quickly. For example, the word "Israel" in some verses means a physical country in the Middle East; in some verses it refers to natural Israel, i.e., Jews; in other verses it means true Christians; in other verses it refers to the Jacob who was renamed Israel; and in at least thirty-one verses it refers to the Lord Himself (the Holy One of Israel). Only the Holy Spirit can reveal to us the true meaning of each and every verse.
1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2 Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear My words.3 Then I went down to the potter's house, and, behold, He wrought a work on the wheels.4 And the vessel that He made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so He made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;10 If it do evil in My sight, that it obey not My voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them. Jeremiah 18:1-10
The verses above refer to the ten northern tribes of Israel, which historically, as Christians, were first used to carry the gospel to the world. That was the "another vessel" that the potter, the LORD, made. However, consider Judah and Jerusalem in Jeremiah 19.
10 Then shalt thou break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with thee,11 And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.
Jeremiah 19:10-11
Six centuries later, Jesus said the same thing with respect to Judah, Jerusalem, and the Pharisees ... which represented Judaism.
34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:
35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Matthew 23:34-39
Note the word "till" in Verse 39. In John 14:6, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." Will some Jews be "saved"? Of course! Will all Jews be "saved"? I doubt it. Otherwise we are dangerously close to the heresy of universal salvation. Salvation is not based upon country of birth ... not based on age or color of skin ... not based on education, strength, or personal appearance ... not based on gender or national heritage. Salvation is based only upon our personal relationship to Christ.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Romans 9:6-8
Verse 6 means "For they are not all spiritual Israel, which are of natural Israel."
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest He also spare not thee.22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob [the natural man]:27 For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Romans 11:18-27
"All Israel" in Verse 26 does not refer to natural Jews; it refers to all Gentiles and Jews who have been born from above. Next, let us consider the following.
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17
Does the word "world" refer to the sea and all of the dry land? Or does it refer to the inhabitants of the world? possibly both because when God made the world, He called it good. However I believe that God is more concerned about us people because Verse 17, above, does not speak of the sea and dry land being saved. From Verse 16, above, God loves the Palestinian as much as He loves the Jew. Revelation 3:12 and 21:2 both speak of a New Jerusalem coming down from heaven.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.25 See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:29 For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:18-29But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 2 Peter 3:10
* * *
(The following is an extract and slight modification of a word by Marion Fretwell.)
Many of David's psalms were prophetic as well as poetic. It is especially true of a great many of his songs that had something to do with Jerusalem and Mt. Zion. They pointed to the future rather than the day in which he lived. In fact, much of the life of David was prophetic. His entire life seems to have been a natural story with a Spiritual meaning. If this is true (and I believe it to be so), it is little wonder that so much of David's writings have been so badly misunderstood and misappropriated by the theologians of our day.
In failing to understand that a great share of the Law and the Prophets pertained to our day instead of the time in which they were written, we have been unable to correctly interpret the writings of the holy men of old. Listen to what Peter wrote concerning the time element in some of those old writings.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:10-12
Perhaps one of the most grossly misunderstood portions of David's writings is found in Psalm 122.
1 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.3 Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together:4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.8 For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good. Psalm 122:1-9
I groan in my spirit when I hear people use the part about praying for the peace of Jerusalem as though it applies to the modern city of Jerusalem in the Middle East. It does not mean that city ... not at all! The natural (geographic) city of Jerusalem had a sentence of desolation decreed upon it by Jesus shortly before His crucifixion. That city and the nation of Judah were to be recognized no more by the LORD. The decree was carried out by Titus in 70 AD and is the time that Jesus called the Great Tribulation. Regardless of how hard the Zionists may try to re-establish a city and a nation on the ancient site, it is sure to come to naught, and much dismay will result from their misguided efforts. When the Lord makes a decree, no amount of manipulation on the part of mankind will set it aside.
The real Jerusalem that many of the scriptures refer to is the one that is being built by the Lord right now, made without hands ... by the Spirit of God in the hearts of men and women ... the Church. The Lord started the Church by filling believers with the Holy Ghost, which was evidenced by the recipients speaking in an unknown tongue. The Holy Ghost is the Instrument which the Lord is using in the construction of His beloved city, the New Jerusalem. The Holy Ghost is the only Instrument that is really necessary. Men have added a few more tools for the purpose of helping the Lord in His project, but they will not be of much help in the long run. It must be a work of the Spirit.
Psalm 46 tells us plainly that the City of God (the Church) is the place of ultimate sanctity in the economy of God. It is called Mt. Zion in other scriptures ... also the Mountain of His Holiness.
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. Psalm 46:4-5
The term "holy place of the tabernacles of the Most High" refers to the part of the Tabernacle of Moses which was 20 cubits long and 10 cubits wide, and called the Sanctuary. Timewise, it means the period from Pentecost until the end of this age. This is the time of the building of the New Jerusalem by "The Branch," who is also building the Temple.
Mt. Zion is a type of those Christians who progress farther into the attributes of Jesus Christ. They are called "My Jewels" by the Prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:16-17). The time of the Mt. Zion group of believers is probably what is portrayed by the ceremonies and furnishings of the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place.
Each of us is being "measured" every day of our life, to determine the extent of our final reward. Some of us will be of sufficient measure that we can be in the Overcomer class. Others of us will simply not make the grade because of the decisions we make. Let me hasten to say that this has nothing to do with salvation. It is strictly a reward for spiritual achievement pursuant to salvation. "To as many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the Sons of God." (John 1:12) ZION!! Not every Christian will attain to sonship!
10 And He carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, (the mountain of His Holiness) and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (the city not made with hands)11 Having the glory of God; and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:13 On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.15 And He that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof. Revelation 21:10-15
The 46th Psalm tells about the River that will "make glad" the City of God, Zion. It is the river of the Spirit of GOD that is described so vividly in Ezekiel 47. It starts in the Most Holy Place (the Mount Zion group in the Church).
Afterward He brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Ezekiel 47:1
It plunges swiftly down the East slopes of the mountain, increasing in volume as it goes along. After a few miles, it reaches the Dead Sea, which is a very vivid example of the complete depravity of the human race. Once it arrives there, it immediately heals almost all (but not all) of the water in the Dead Sea. Almost a whole generation will be affected ... maybe two generations. There will be a mighty ingathering of souls as a result of this future outpouring of the Spirit of God on the earth. John saw a similar vision on the Isle of Patmos.
1 And He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve Him:4 And they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads.
Revelation 22:1-4
Most of our theologians tell us that this will be in the Hereafter, on the Beautiful Isle of Somewhere. I beg to differ with them. What John recorded is the account of the deliverance of God's People ... here on this earth ... in this time.
(End of Marion's word)
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Finally, let us consider something called "replacement theology." I am not sure I ever heard of that phrase until recently. Neither can I tell you exactly what that means. From my understanding, that phrase was probably coined by some Evangelicals as a phrase of contempt and considered by them as bordering on heresy. In general, Evangelicals believe that to mean that some heretics believe that God has replaced all of His promises to natural Israel (Jews) with the Church. In truth, God has never changed His mind about His kingdom! "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8). God lives in eternity; we live in time. In eternity past, God knew (and still knows) what we mortals (all of us) will do. Before the foundation of the world, Father decreed that everything should be centered in His Son. There is no life outside of Christ for He is the Life, and the Church (not natural Jews) is His body (Ephesians 1:22-23). The risen Christ is the Israel of God ... the Holy One of Israel. There is only One who is holy! Selah.
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