Alright, folks,
we're back again.
00:00:15.12\00:00:17.66
And we need to continue
our study of this principle
00:00:18.07\00:00:22.20
that God's Israel
today is spiritual Israel.
00:00:22.50\00:00:27.28
The nation of Israel is no
longer God's vehicle to take
00:00:27.31\00:00:30.85
the gospel to the world.
00:00:30.88\00:00:32.25
It is God's worldwide
church that has that mission.
00:00:32.59\00:00:36.44
Now we're going to take a look
at the material that is titled,
00:00:36.69\00:00:39.34
Israel and the Fig Tree.
00:00:39.37\00:00:41.39
We're not going to look
at all of this material.
00:00:41.65\00:00:43.77
We are going to skip
certain sections because
00:00:44.09\00:00:47.14
in our next study we are
going to cover those sections
00:00:47.17\00:00:51.35
that are in this document,
Israel and the Fig Tree.
00:00:51.38\00:00:54.26
So let's begin at
the top of the page
00:00:54.29\00:00:56.70
where it says, Introduction.
00:00:56.99\00:00:58.51
We're going to read from
Matthew 24 and verses 32 to 35.
00:00:58.70\00:01:04.58
Matthew 24, of course, has
the signs of the second coming.
00:01:04.96\00:01:08.97
And this is how it
reads, "Now learn this parable
00:01:09.33\00:01:13.37
from the fig tree.
00:01:13.40\00:01:14.74
When its branch has
already become tender
00:01:15.07\00:01:18.66
and puts forth leaves,
you know that summer is near.
00:01:19.06\00:01:22.92
So you also, when
you see all these things,
00:01:23.27\00:01:27.28
know that it is
near; at the doors.
00:01:27.31\00:01:30.34
Assuredly, I say to you,
this generation will by no means
00:01:30.37\00:01:34.33
pass away till all
these things take place.
00:01:34.36\00:01:38.10
Heaven and earth will
pass away, but My words
00:01:38.30\00:01:41.14
will by no means pass away."
00:01:41.17\00:01:43.02
Now we want to focus
on what this text says
00:01:43.05\00:01:46.05
about the fig tree.
00:01:46.08\00:01:47.81
It says, "Now learn this
parable from the fig tree.
00:01:48.03\00:01:51.28
When its branch has
already become tender
00:01:52.00\00:01:54.42
and puts forth leaves,
you know that summer is near.
00:01:54.45\00:01:57.32
So you also, when
you see all these things,
00:01:57.42\00:02:01.03
know that it is
near; at the doors."
00:02:01.23\00:02:04.58
Now dispensationalists
say that the fig tree here
00:02:04.82\00:02:09.40
is a symbol of Israel, and
that the budding of the fig tree
00:02:09.43\00:02:13.98
is a prophecy
concerning the re-establishment
00:02:14.02\00:02:17.04
of the Jewish
nation in the year 1948.
00:02:17.24\00:02:20.57
They teach that
this is the greatest sign
00:02:21.12\00:02:24.16
that the coming of Jesus is
imminent, or even at the door.
00:02:24.75\00:02:28.99
So we need to carefully
examine whether this is true.
00:02:29.39\00:02:34.53
We need to examine this
passage to see if the budding
00:02:34.56\00:02:37.77
of the fig tree is the
re-establishment of Israel
00:02:37.80\00:02:41.97
in the Holy Land as a nation.
00:02:42.17\00:02:45.06
Now first of all, we
must say that it is true
00:02:45.56\00:02:49.44
that the fig tree and
the vine are associated
00:02:49.47\00:02:53.04
with literal Israel
in the Old Testament.
00:02:53.07\00:02:55.54
Notice Hosea
chapter 9 and verse 10.
00:02:55.90\00:02:59.31
The fig tree and the vine are
associated with literal Israel.
00:02:59.45\00:03:03.43
It says there in
Hosea 9 verse 10,
00:03:03.77\00:03:05.98
"I found Israel like..." What?
00:03:07.02\00:03:09.33
See, there you
have the vineyard idea.
00:03:09.51\00:03:10.98
"...like grapes
in the wilderness;
00:03:11.01\00:03:13.19
I saw your fathers as
the firstfruits on the
00:03:13.38\00:03:16.92
fig tree in its first season.
00:03:17.34\00:03:20.07
But they went to Baal
Peor, and separated themselves
00:03:20.21\00:03:24.16
to that shame; they
became an abomination
00:03:24.19\00:03:27.01
like the thing they loved."
00:03:27.21\00:03:28.87
And so it's true that
the vineyard and the fig tree
00:03:28.90\00:03:32.53
in the Old Testament
symbolized literal Israel.
00:03:33.01\00:03:36.60
There's no doubt about it.
00:03:36.63\00:03:37.85
But the question is, does
Matthew 24, when it refers
00:03:38.06\00:03:43.01
to the fig tree,
refer to the Jewish nation,
00:03:43.04\00:03:46.55
or does it have another meaning?
00:03:46.65\00:03:48.93
Well, we want to take a
look at this idea of the tree
00:03:49.57\00:03:53.01
in three different moments
of time leading up to the
00:03:53.64\00:03:57.22
ministry of Christ.
00:03:57.25\00:03:58.64
Go in your Bibles with
me to Matthew chapter 3
00:03:59.01\00:04:01.37
and verses 8 through 10.
00:04:01.40\00:04:03.34
Here, John the Baptist is
going to begin his preaching.
00:04:03.79\00:04:07.60
And he begins his
preaching six months before
00:04:07.63\00:04:10.31
Jesus begins
His public ministry.
00:04:10.34\00:04:12.55
That's an important
chronological detail.
00:04:12.58\00:04:14.78
John the Baptist is
beginning his preaching
00:04:15.05\00:04:17.48
six months, or half a
year, before Jesus began
00:04:17.67\00:04:22.04
His public ministry.
00:04:22.07\00:04:23.62
And of course, John's
mission was to prepare the way
00:04:23.72\00:04:27.05
for the first coming of Jesus.
00:04:27.08\00:04:28.91
Now let's notice what
John said in his message
00:04:29.34\00:04:34.05
to the Jewish nation.
00:04:34.08\00:04:35.57
It says there, "Therefore..."
He's calling upon the nation.
00:04:35.60\00:04:39.91
"Therefore bear..." What?
00:04:39.94\00:04:42.00
"...fruits..." That's important.
00:04:42.31\00:04:43.74
"...bear fruits
worthy of repentance,
00:04:43.77\00:04:46.98
and do not think
to say to yourselves,
00:04:47.39\00:04:49.67
'We have
Abraham as our father.'"
00:04:49.87\00:04:51.87
In other words, he
saying, "Don't you just think
00:04:51.90\00:04:53.36
that it's a great thing to be a
literal descendent of Abraham."
00:04:53.39\00:04:56.79
"For I say to you that God
is able to raise up children
00:04:57.28\00:05:00.96
to Abraham from these stones."
00:05:00.99\00:05:02.34
And by the way, "Desire Of
Ages" says that Jesus was not
00:05:02.37\00:05:05.33
pointing at literal stones.
00:05:05.36\00:05:06.83
He was pointing at
some Gentiles that were...
00:05:07.01\00:05:09.17
I mean, John wasn't
pointing at some stones.
00:05:09.20\00:05:11.81
He was pointing at
Gentiles that were present there
00:05:11.84\00:05:14.62
at his baptism.
00:05:14.65\00:05:15.69
Because the Jews felt that
the Gentiles had stony hearts.
00:05:15.96\00:05:19.53
And so they called them
stones, they called them swine,
00:05:19.63\00:05:22.87
and they called them dogs.
00:05:22.90\00:05:24.54
Not very complimentary.
00:05:24.57\00:05:26.02
But anyway, John says,
"God is able to raise up
00:05:26.42\00:05:30.33
children of
Abraham from these stones."
00:05:30.36\00:05:33.16
And then notice verse 10.
00:05:33.19\00:05:34.65
"And even now the ax is
laid to the root of the trees.
00:05:34.93\00:05:39.48
Therefore every tree..."
00:05:39.86\00:05:41.36
Notice he's using the
analogy of the tree, right,
00:05:41.39\00:05:44.15
for the nation of Israel.
00:05:44.18\00:05:45.65
And he's saying
that they need to repent.
00:05:45.83\00:05:47.90
So, "Therefore every tree
which does not bear..." What?
00:05:47.93\00:05:51.67
"...good fruit..."
00:05:51.77\00:05:52.80
In other words,
a fruitless tree.
00:05:52.83\00:05:54.61
"...is cut down and
thrown into the fire."
00:05:54.82\00:05:58.25
Now remember all these elements.
00:05:58.69\00:06:00.49
First of all, he
calls them to repentance.
00:06:00.52\00:06:02.98
Secondly, he says, "Don't you
think that it's a great thing
00:06:03.01\00:06:05.22
simply to be a literal
descendent of Abraham."
00:06:05.25\00:06:07.89
And then he says
that, "You're like a tree."
00:06:08.09\00:06:10.73
And if the nation of
Israel does not produce fruit,
00:06:10.76\00:06:14.07
it will be cut down.
00:06:14.10\00:06:15.66
Those are the key details.
00:06:15.94\00:06:17.47
Now, let's go to
our next passage.
00:06:17.96\00:06:20.14
Luke 13 and verses 1 through 9.
Luke 13 and verses 1 through 9.
00:06:20.17\00:06:26.67
And a chronological
detail is very important here.
00:06:26.70\00:06:29.29
Jesus is telling this parable,
according to those who have
00:06:29.89\00:06:33.01
studied the
chronology of the gospels,
00:06:33.04\00:06:35.12
two and a half years
into Christ's ministry.
00:06:35.45\00:06:39.02
So how long has this
tree existed at that point?
00:06:40.01\00:06:43.64
Three years.
00:06:44.75\00:06:46.01
Six months, or half a
year, John the Baptist preached.
00:06:46.37\00:06:49.58
He calls Israel a tree.
00:06:49.61\00:06:51.45
And then Jesus gives His
parable two and a half years
00:06:52.31\00:06:54.92
into Christ's ministry.
00:06:54.95\00:06:55.98
So six months plus two
and a half years is what?
00:06:56.01\00:06:58.82
Three years.
00:06:58.85\00:06:59.88
That's an important
chronological detail
00:06:59.91\00:07:01.85
we're going to notice.
00:07:01.88\00:07:03.11
And we're going to
see many similarities
00:07:03.14\00:07:05.62
in this parable to what
John the Baptist preached.
00:07:05.68\00:07:08.35
Notice Luke 13 and verse 1.
00:07:09.25\00:07:11.61
"There were present at
that season some who told Him
00:07:12.06\00:07:14.70
about the Galileans
whose blood Pilate had mingled
00:07:14.73\00:07:18.32
with their sacrifices.
00:07:18.35\00:07:19.88
And Jesus answered and
said to them, 'Do you suppose
00:07:20.23\00:07:23.91
that these Galileans were worse
sinners than all other Galileans
00:07:23.94\00:07:28.12
because they
suffered these things?
00:07:28.79\00:07:30.87
I tell you, no; but
unless you...'" What?
00:07:30.98\00:07:34.26
There's one of the key words.
00:07:34.48\00:07:35.74
"...unless you repent,
you will all likewise perish."
00:07:35.77\00:07:40.99
Verse 4, "Or those eighteen
on whom the tower in Siloam
00:07:41.52\00:07:45.56
fell and killed them,
do you think that they were
00:07:45.59\00:07:48.51
worse sinners than all other
men who dwelt in Jerusalem?
00:07:48.54\00:07:51.71
I tell you, no; but
unless you..." What?
00:07:52.08\00:07:55.19
"...unless you repent..."
00:07:55.22\00:07:56.75
There's the key word again
that John the Baptist used.
00:07:56.78\00:07:59.13
"...you will all
likewise perish."
00:07:59.32\00:08:01.87
And now He's
going to tell a parable.
00:08:01.90\00:08:03.87
Verse 6, "He also
spoke this parable:
00:08:03.90\00:08:07.31
'A certain man...'"
This is God the Father.
00:08:07.65\00:08:10.61
"...had a fig tree..."
00:08:11.06\00:08:12.23
What would the
fig tree represent?
00:08:12.26\00:08:13.89
Israel, that's right.
00:08:14.25\00:08:15.74
"...planted in his vineyard..."
00:08:16.26\00:08:19.51
He had a fig tree
planted in his vineyard.
00:08:19.54\00:08:21.89
What does the
vineyard represent?
00:08:21.92\00:08:23.78
It represents the world.
00:08:23.81\00:08:25.89
"...and he came
seeking fruit..."
00:08:26.13\00:08:28.49
What fruit was he seeking?
00:08:28.52\00:08:30.11
The fruit of the Holy Spirit.
00:08:30.14\00:08:32.04
And what happened?
00:08:32.07\00:08:33.20
"...and on it he found none."
00:08:33.23\00:08:36.30
What kind of tree was it?
00:08:36.63\00:08:38.07
It was a fruitless tree.
00:08:38.94\00:08:40.54
So three years after John
the Baptist began his preaching,
00:08:40.57\00:08:45.03
had the Jewish
tree produced fruit?
00:08:45.31\00:08:47.88
No.
00:08:48.16\00:08:49.19
Now notice what
it continues saying.
00:08:49.40\00:08:51.16
Let's go to verse 7.
00:08:52.01\00:08:54.54
"Then he said to the
keeper of his vineyard..."
00:08:55.13\00:08:56.95
Who's the keeper?
00:08:56.98\00:08:58.09
Jesus Christ.
00:08:58.58\00:08:59.93
"Look, for three years..."
00:08:59.96\00:09:02.86
There's the
chronological detail.
00:09:02.89\00:09:04.40
"...for three years I
have come seeking fruit
00:09:04.51\00:09:08.00
on this fig tree..."
00:09:08.03\00:09:09.93
Did John the
Baptist speak about a tree?
00:09:10.36\00:09:12.51
Absolutely.
00:09:12.54\00:09:13.58
"...and
find..." What? "...none."
00:09:14.41\00:09:17.28
So the owner of the
tree says, "Cut it down."
00:09:17.76\00:09:20.08
Did John say something
about cutting down the tree?
00:09:20.75\00:09:23.01
Absolutely. "Cut it down.
00:09:23.12\00:09:24.79
Why does it use up the ground?"
00:09:25.38\00:09:27.66
But the
vinedresser loved the tree.
00:09:28.39\00:09:31.62
Notice what he says.
00:09:32.77\00:09:34.10
"But he answered and said
to him, 'Sir, let it alone
00:09:35.75\00:09:40.39
this year...'"
00:09:40.42\00:09:41.82
How long did the
ministry of Jesus last?
00:09:43.37\00:09:45.84
Three and a half years.
00:09:46.14\00:09:47.17
How long still
remained in His ministry
00:09:47.20\00:09:49.64
when He told this parable?
00:09:49.67\00:09:51.03
One year.
00:09:51.30\00:09:52.55
"Sir, let it alone this
year also, until I dig around it
00:09:54.76\00:10:00.66
and fertilize it."
00:10:01.28\00:10:03.35
So is he going to dedicate
special attention to it?
00:10:03.49\00:10:06.93
Absolutely.
00:10:06.96\00:10:08.13
"And if it bears fruit, well.
00:10:09.46\00:10:12.67
But if not, after
that you can cut it down."
00:10:13.16\00:10:16.71
Did Jesus dedicate special
attention to the Jewish nation
00:10:18.00\00:10:20.96
the last year of His ministry?
00:10:20.99\00:10:22.62
He most certainly did.
00:10:23.11\00:10:24.52
He did everything that
He could for this fig tree.
00:10:24.55\00:10:28.86
Now the parable ends
and we don't know what
00:10:30.38\00:10:32.15
happened to the fig tree.
00:10:32.18\00:10:33.48
Did it produce fruit or
did it not produce fruit?
00:10:34.24\00:10:37.31
We don't know until
the year is almost over.
00:10:37.89\00:10:41.47
Go with me to Matthew chapter
21 and verses 17 through 19.
00:10:42.80\00:10:46.98
Matthew 21:17-19
00:10:47.63\00:10:49.77
You remember Jesus saw a
fig tree in the distance, right?
00:10:49.80\00:10:52.14
And He was hungry.
00:10:52.60\00:10:53.77
So He says to His disciples,
"Hey, let's go over to that
00:10:54.58\00:10:56.59
fig tree and see if
there's any figs; I'm hungry."
00:10:56.62\00:10:58.68
And we need to understand
that in Israel the fig tree,
00:10:58.71\00:11:02.38
first of all, bears the fruit
and then the leaves come out
00:11:02.48\00:11:05.97
indicating that
the tree has fruit.
00:11:06.00\00:11:07.90
So the fruit comes
out and then the leaves.
00:11:09.40\00:11:12.30
So if this fig tree had leaves,
00:11:12.33\00:11:14.93
Jesus says, "It's
got to have fruit."
00:11:16.30\00:11:18.66
And so Jesus comes seeking fruit
on the tree because He's hungry.
00:11:19.25\00:11:23.59
And I want you to
notice what happens.
00:11:24.30\00:11:26.27
Verse 17, "Then He
left them and went out
00:11:26.74\00:11:30.27
of the city to
Bethany, and He lodged there.
00:11:30.30\00:11:33.26
Now in the morning, as
He returned to the city,
00:11:33.60\00:11:36.00
He was hungry."
00:11:36.03\00:11:37.38
Does Jesus hunger for fruit?
00:11:38.26\00:11:40.47
Does He hunger for
the fruit of the Spirit?
00:11:41.26\00:11:43.28
Yes He does.
00:11:43.31\00:11:44.57
"And seeing a fig tree..."
00:11:44.84\00:11:46.61
Ah, this is the fig
tree that John spoke about.
00:11:46.71\00:11:48.94
This is the same
fig tree that we find
00:11:49.15\00:11:50.98
in the parable of Luke 13.
00:11:51.01\00:11:52.97
You have to connect
these three fig tree stories.
00:11:53.00\00:11:56.59
"And seeing a fig tree
by the road, He came to it
00:11:56.89\00:11:59.59
and found
nothing on it but leaves,
00:11:59.62\00:12:02.72
and said to it, 'Let no
fruit grow on you ever again.'"
00:12:04.04\00:12:10.03
Now what part of, "ever
again," don't you understand?
00:12:10.55\00:12:12.84
"And immediately the
fig tree withered away."
00:12:15.20\00:12:20.03
What does the
fig tree represent?
00:12:20.46\00:12:22.08
Israel.
00:12:22.83\00:12:24.22
Mark 11 adds some
interesting details.
00:12:26.00\00:12:28.14
Mark 11 verses 12 through 14.
00:12:28.17\00:12:30.45
"Now the next day,
when they had come out
00:12:30.98\00:12:33.31
from Bethany, He was hungry.
00:12:33.34\00:12:35.19
And seeing from afar a
fig tree having leaves..."
00:12:35.49\00:12:40.16
So you would expect fruit.
00:12:40.19\00:12:41.78
Ellen White said that it
had just pretentious foliage.
00:12:43.47\00:12:46.97
"...He went to see if perhaps
He could find something on it.
00:12:48.78\00:12:51.63
And when He came to it, He
found nothing but leaves..."
00:12:51.99\00:12:55.74
And then it says, "...for it
was not the season for figs."
00:12:56.07\00:12:58.50
And Ellen White explains
something very interesting.
00:12:58.60\00:13:00.96
She says that this
one tree in an orchard
00:13:00.99\00:13:04.89
had born leaves
before all of the other ones.
00:13:06.37\00:13:08.88
The other ones were bare.
00:13:08.91\00:13:10.44
You see, the other ones
represented the Gentiles.
00:13:11.00\00:13:13.66
It was not expected
that they bear fruit because
00:13:14.34\00:13:16.65
they had no leaves.
00:13:16.68\00:13:18.50
They had not received the
benefits and the blessings
00:13:19.10\00:13:22.43
that this one fig
tree had received.
00:13:22.70\00:13:26.62
And so it says, "...it
was not the season for figs."
00:13:26.89\00:13:29.68
If it wasn't the season
for figs, Jesus wouldn't have
00:13:30.34\00:13:32.59
gone to the tree if He thought
that it wouldn't have figs.
00:13:32.62\00:13:34.95
But it had leaves.
00:13:34.98\00:13:36.01
It received special privileges
and special blessings.
00:13:36.04\00:13:38.71
Verse 14, "In
response Jesus said to it,
00:13:39.96\00:13:43.81
'Let no one eat
fruit from you ever again.'
00:13:44.01\00:13:48.47
And His disciples heard it."
00:13:48.57\00:13:50.46
Now Mark 11:20-21 tells
us that the next morning
00:13:51.57\00:13:56.29
something very
interesting happened.
00:13:56.32\00:13:58.01
It says, "Now in the
morning, as they passed by,
00:13:58.52\00:14:02.01
they saw the fig tree
dried up from the roots."
00:14:02.04\00:14:09.17
What happens when a
tree dries up from the roots?
00:14:10.12\00:14:12.77
That is it.
00:14:13.59\00:14:15.50
It is finished.
00:14:16.60\00:14:18.87
"And Peter, remembering,
said to Him, 'Rabbi, look!
00:14:20.83\00:14:25.08
The fig tree which You
cursed has been...'" What?
00:14:25.18\00:14:30.12
"...has been withered away."
00:14:30.37\00:14:32.91
Does that sound like
quite a bit of finality
00:14:33.76\00:14:37.00
when it comes to the
destiny of the Jewish nation?
00:14:37.03\00:14:40.03
Absolutely.
00:14:40.23\00:14:41.38
The fig tree
dried up from the roots.
00:14:42.22\00:14:44.84
And it is a symbol
of the nation of Israel.
00:14:45.28\00:14:48.17
The nation of Israel
is not God's instrument
00:14:48.65\00:14:51.31
to bring the gospel
to the world anymore.
00:14:51.41\00:14:53.52
There might be individual
Jews that God will use
00:14:53.55\00:14:55.91
who have accepted Jesus Christ.
00:14:55.94\00:14:57.85
But it is the church of Christ
that has accepted Jesus Christ
00:14:57.96\00:15:01.16
all over the world to whom
the mission has been committed,
00:15:01.26\00:15:05.28
to spiritual Israel who
have linked with Jesus Christ.
00:15:05.31\00:15:09.19
Now let's jump down on the
next page to where it says,
00:15:09.52\00:15:12.13
Matthew 24 and the Fig Tree.
00:15:12.16\00:15:14.72
Matthew 24 and the Fig Tree.
00:15:15.04\00:15:16.46
Remember we read about
the fig tree in Matthew 24;
00:15:16.49\00:15:19.03
when it starts budding,
you know, when you see this,
00:15:19.13\00:15:22.19
you know that Jesus
is even at the doors.
00:15:22.22\00:15:24.82
Well, let's take a
closer look at this.
00:15:25.12\00:15:27.64
Let's notice Matthew
24 verses 32 and 33 again.
00:15:28.07\00:15:32.69
"As you see the fig
tree bud, it is a sign that
00:15:33.05\00:15:37.42
the summer is near.
00:15:37.45\00:15:39.02
In the same way..."
00:15:39.49\00:15:40.90
He's using an analogy.
00:15:40.93\00:15:42.64
"...when you see," now listen
carefully, "all these things,
00:15:42.83\00:15:47.06
know that it is
near, even at the doors."
00:15:47.47\00:15:50.75
Is it just the budding of
the fig tree that is the sign?
00:15:51.76\00:15:55.05
No, what does Jesus say?
00:15:55.40\00:15:57.25
"When you see
all of these things."
00:15:57.49\00:15:59.59
It's when you see all
of the signs of Matthew 24.
00:15:59.62\00:16:02.79
Not only the
budding of the fig tree.
00:16:02.99\00:16:05.90
What's even more
telling is what we find
00:16:06.43\00:16:08.99
in Luke 21 verses 29 to 31.
00:16:09.02\00:16:12.60
Luke 21 and verses 29 to 31.
00:16:12.63\00:16:16.34
Here, Jesus is speaking about
the signs of His coming also.
00:16:17.17\00:16:21.28
And notice that He adds
a very significant detail.
00:16:21.43\00:16:24.49
He says there, "Then He
spoke to them a parable:
00:16:24.90\00:16:28.06
'Look at the fig
tree, and all the trees.'"
00:16:28.26\00:16:32.18
Is there anything
special about the fig tree,
00:16:32.21\00:16:34.16
as far as signs are concerned?
00:16:34.19\00:16:35.72
No, no, no. It's
not only the fig tree.
00:16:35.75\00:16:37.83
It says, "Look at the
fig tree, and all the trees.
00:16:38.41\00:16:42.22
When they are
already budding..."
00:16:42.49\00:16:44.47
When they are already budding.
00:16:44.50\00:16:46.64
"...you see and
know for yourselves that
00:16:46.72\00:16:48.59
summer is now near.
00:16:48.62\00:16:49.99
So also, when you see these
things," plural, "happening,
00:16:50.02\00:16:55.97
know that the
kingdom of God is near."
00:16:56.00\00:16:57.70
Is the budding of the fig
tree of particular significance?
00:16:57.92\00:17:01.80
No.
00:17:02.19\00:17:03.39
Jesus is using an analogy.
00:17:03.42\00:17:05.34
He says, "When you
see the fig tree budding,
00:17:05.37\00:17:07.72
you know summer is near."
00:17:07.75\00:17:08.98
And so when you see all
of these signs of Matthew 24,
00:17:09.01\00:17:12.03
you'll know
that the end is near.
00:17:12.06\00:17:13.23
But Jesus is not saying that
the fig tree here is a symbol
00:17:13.42\00:17:17.21
of Israel being
reborn as a nation in 1948.
00:17:17.24\00:17:20.74
Because the fig tree
withered from its roots.
00:17:21.26\00:17:26.40
Now let's go to
our next section.
00:17:26.87\00:17:28.61
Nathanael, The
Nathanael Experience.
00:17:28.64\00:17:31.48
Let's read from
John 1 verses 43 to 48.
00:17:31.84\00:17:35.00
"The following day
Jesus wanted to go to Galilee,
00:17:35.64\00:17:39.63
and He found Philip and
said to him, 'Follow Me.'
00:17:40.16\00:17:43.54
Now Philip was from Bethsaida,
the city of Andrew and Peter.
00:17:44.39\00:17:48.95
Philip found
Nathanael and said to him,
00:17:49.47\00:17:52.26
'We have found Him of
whom Moses in the law,
00:17:52.51\00:17:55.51
and also the prophets,
wrote; Jesus of Nazareth,
00:17:55.54\00:17:59.56
the son of Joseph.'
00:17:59.59\00:18:01.06
And Nathanael said to
him, 'Can anything good
00:18:01.49\00:18:04.79
come out of Nazareth?'
00:18:04.82\00:18:06.67
Philip said to
him, 'Come and see.'
00:18:07.45\00:18:09.55
Jesus saw Nathanael coming
toward Him, and said of him..."
00:18:10.53\00:18:13.73
Now listen carefully.
00:18:14.55\00:18:15.67
"Behold, an Israelite indeed..."
00:18:17.21\00:18:21.42
Now if there are
Israelites indeed, must there be
00:18:23.31\00:18:25.80
Israelites not indeed?
00:18:25.83\00:18:27.35
Of course.
00:18:27.90\00:18:29.06
"...an Israelite
indeed, in whom is no deceit."
00:18:29.34\00:18:33.64
Now what made
Nathanael an Israelite indeed?
00:18:33.67\00:18:36.87
Verse 48 has the key.
00:18:36.90\00:18:38.65
"Nathanael said to
Him, 'How do You know me?'
00:18:39.15\00:18:42.68
Jesus answered and said to him,
'Before Philip called you...'"
00:18:42.88\00:18:46.33
And here's it very interesting.
00:18:46.36\00:18:47.91
It says, "...when you were
under the fig tree, I saw you."
00:18:47.94\00:18:51.36
So there you have the
symbol and what is symbolized.
00:18:51.39\00:18:54.25
You have the fig
tree and Nathanael,
00:18:54.66\00:18:56.71
who is an Israelite indeed.
00:18:56.74\00:18:59.14
Are you with me?
00:18:59.17\00:19:00.20
Now what is it that made
Nathanael an Israelite indeed?
00:19:00.60\00:19:04.83
He said to Jesus,
"You are..." What?
00:19:06.05\00:19:09.99
"You are the Messiah.
00:19:10.59\00:19:12.72
You are the King of Israel."
00:19:12.75\00:19:15.58
He recognized Jesus
Christ as the Messiah.
00:19:16.01\00:19:18.84
And that's what
indicated that Nathanael was an
00:19:19.20\00:19:23.25
Israelite
indeed, a true Israelite.
00:19:23.28\00:19:26.07
Because He confessed
Jesus as the King of Israel
00:19:26.17\00:19:29.50
and as the anointed
One, or as the Messiah.
00:19:29.53\00:19:32.82
If there are Israelites
indeed, then there must be
00:19:33.52\00:19:36.92
Israelites not indeed.
00:19:36.95\00:19:38.90
The Greek word for, "indeed,"
really means, something true
00:19:39.10\00:19:42.62
or real; something genuine.
00:19:42.65\00:19:45.79
This is why the NIV
translates the expression,
00:19:46.29\00:19:49.09
"a true Israelite."
00:19:49.12\00:19:51.61
This translation is corroborated
by the fact that the verse ends
00:19:51.82\00:19:55.82
by saying that there
was in Nathanael no pseudos.
00:19:55.85\00:20:00.16
Why was Nathanael singled
out as an Israelite indeed?
00:20:02.45\00:20:07.06
Verse 49 provides the answer.
00:20:07.75\00:20:10.02
What made
Nathanael an Israelite indeed
00:20:10.33\00:20:13.17
was that he confessed that
Jesus Christ was the Son of God,
00:20:13.20\00:20:17.15
the King of Israel.
00:20:17.18\00:20:18.54
What then is a true Israelite?
00:20:18.85\00:20:20.83
One who acknowledges
Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
00:20:20.86\00:20:25.72
Notice that Nathanael
was an Israelite indeed
00:20:26.64\00:20:29.41
and he was under a fig
tree, which was a recognized
00:20:29.51\00:20:34.12
symbol of Israel.
00:20:34.15\00:20:35.52
Thus in this
passage we have the symbol
00:20:35.76\00:20:37.98
and what the symbol represents.
00:20:38.01\00:20:40.33
The Israelite indeed
is sitting under a tree,
00:20:40.36\00:20:43.58
which represents Israel.
00:20:43.61\00:20:45.32
Are you understanding the point?
00:20:46.27\00:20:47.79
Now let's go to one
final passage before we go
00:20:48.31\00:20:50.80
to our next material.
00:20:50.83\00:20:52.00
And that is, John
8 and True Israel.
00:20:52.94\00:20:55.42
Even during His ministry,
Jesus made a distinction
00:20:55.45\00:20:59.16
between Israel
and then true Israel.
00:20:59.19\00:21:02.66
Jesus was speaking
to a group of Jews,
00:21:03.45\00:21:05.78
and I want you
to notice carefully
00:21:05.81\00:21:07.56
the conversation that goes on.
00:21:07.59\00:21:09.53
It begins in verse 37.
00:21:09.56\00:21:11.83
Because the people are saying,
"We are children of Abraham."
00:21:11.86\00:21:16.19
Now let's pick
up the conversation.
00:21:17.30\00:21:19.02
Verse 37, Jesus
says, "I know that you
00:21:19.42\00:21:22.84
are Abraham's descendants..."
00:21:22.87\00:21:24.19
By the way, the
word, "descendents," is
00:21:24.22\00:21:26.12
the word, "seed."
00:21:26.15\00:21:27.62
In the King James it says seed.
00:21:28.36\00:21:30.71
"I know that you
are Abraham's seed..."
00:21:31.66\00:21:33.55
Were those who were present
there Abraham's seed physically?
00:21:33.86\00:21:36.55
Sure they were.
00:21:36.85\00:21:37.88
"...but you seek to
kill Me, because My word
00:21:38.66\00:21:41.80
has no place in you.
00:21:41.83\00:21:43.17
I speak what I have
seen with My Father,
00:21:43.70\00:21:45.93
and you do what you
have seen with your father."
00:21:45.96\00:21:48.42
Soon He's going
to reach the climax.
00:21:51.10\00:21:52.65
He's going to tell
them who their father is.
00:21:52.68\00:21:55.56
It's not Abraham.
00:21:56.24\00:21:57.49
"They answered and said to
Him, 'Abraham is our father.'
00:21:58.42\00:22:01.63
Jesus said to them, 'If...'"
00:22:02.39\00:22:04.68
Is there a condition here?
00:22:05.42\00:22:07.01
Conditional? Yes.
00:22:07.51\00:22:08.80
"If you were
Abraham's children..."
00:22:08.83\00:22:12.01
Were they Abraham's children?
00:22:12.04\00:22:13.24
Now wait a minute.
We have a problem here.
00:22:13.59\00:22:15.22
Were they Jews?
00:22:15.93\00:22:17.23
So were they Abraham's children?
00:22:18.09\00:22:19.57
Does Jesus say
they're Abraham's children?
00:22:20.57\00:22:22.33
No.
00:22:23.07\00:22:24.16
He's going to say,
"You're not Abraham's children."
00:22:24.19\00:22:25.83
So is it possible to be the
literal descendent of Abraham
00:22:26.74\00:22:29.42
and not be an Israelite?
00:22:30.33\00:22:31.81
Absolutely.
00:22:32.47\00:22:33.50
This is Jesus.
00:22:33.69\00:22:34.90
Notice what it continues saying.
00:22:34.93\00:22:36.25
"If you were Abraham's
children, you would do the
00:22:36.99\00:22:41.13
works of Abraham.
00:22:41.16\00:22:42.39
But..."
00:22:43.13\00:22:44.35
This is the
combination, if...but, right?
00:22:46.07\00:22:48.49
"But now you seek to kill
Me, a Man who has told you
00:22:49.03\00:22:53.30
the truth which
I heard from God.
00:22:53.33\00:22:55.30
Abraham did not do this."
00:22:55.33\00:22:56.96
You know, it's,
"What you want to do to Me,
00:22:58.88\00:23:01.40
Abraham would have never done.
00:23:01.43\00:23:02.80
So how can you say that
you're Abraham's children?"
00:23:02.83\00:23:04.85
Then the conversation continues.
00:23:06.49\00:23:08.62
Once again verse 41, "'You
do the deeds of your father.'
00:23:10.32\00:23:14.89
Then they said to Him, 'We
were not born of fornication.
00:23:15.76\00:23:18.55
We have one Father; God.'
00:23:18.58\00:23:20.70
Jesus said to them, 'If...'"
00:23:21.97\00:23:23.79
Notice once again, "If..."
00:23:23.82\00:23:25.36
They weren't.
00:23:25.93\00:23:26.96
But He says, "If God were
your Father, you would love Me,
00:23:27.41\00:23:31.09
for I proceeded
forth and came from God;
00:23:31.68\00:23:33.85
nor have I come of
Myself, but He sent Me.
00:23:34.08\00:23:36.51
Why do you not
understand My speech?
00:23:36.93\00:23:39.40
Because you are not
able to listen to My word.
00:23:39.43\00:23:41.84
You are of your
father the devil..."
00:23:41.87\00:23:43.81
Were they children of Abraham?
00:23:46.88\00:23:48.35
Why were they
children of the devil?
00:23:48.64\00:23:50.51
Because they did
not accept Jesus.
00:23:52.58\00:23:54.77
So He says, "You are
of your father the devil,
00:23:57.92\00:24:01.75
and the desires of
your father you want to do.
00:24:02.31\00:24:05.33
He was a murderer from
the beginning, and does not
00:24:06.12\00:24:08.95
stand in the truth, because
there is no truth in him.
00:24:08.98\00:24:12.29
When he speaks a lie, he
speaks from his own resources,
00:24:12.32\00:24:14.97
for he is a liar
and the father of it."
00:24:15.00\00:24:18.21
So let me ask you, is there
such a thing as a literal Jew
00:24:19.45\00:24:23.33
who is not a Jew, according
to the definition of Jesus?
00:24:23.36\00:24:27.47
Is there a true Israel
and a counterfeit Israel?
00:24:27.62\00:24:30.88
Yes. And how is it defined?
00:24:30.91\00:24:33.35
It is not defined by geography.
00:24:33.38\00:24:36.45
It is not defined by genetics.
00:24:36.81\00:24:39.27
It is not defined by
the last name that you have.
00:24:39.47\00:24:43.54
It is defined by your
relationship to Jesus Christ
00:24:43.57\00:24:47.33
as your Savior and Lord.
00:24:47.36\00:24:48.71
"If you are Christ's,
you are Abraham's seed
00:24:48.74\00:24:51.78
and heirs
according to the promise."
00:24:51.81\00:24:54.08
So let me ask you, are there
prophecies that are going to be
00:24:54.69\00:24:57.46
fulfilled with literal
Israel in the Middle East?
00:24:57.49\00:25:00.21
No.
00:25:00.95\00:25:01.98
With which Israel is
prophecy going to be fulfilled?
00:25:02.19\00:25:05.41
It is going to be
fulfilled with God's spiritual
00:25:05.92\00:25:09.31
worldwide Israel.
00:25:09.34\00:25:12.21
Is that clear?
00:25:12.86\00:25:14.09
Now let's go to
our next material.
00:25:14.89\00:25:16.60
We're not going to be able to
finish this in this time period,
00:25:16.63\00:25:20.12
so we're going to have
to pick up a little bit more
00:25:20.15\00:25:22.93
in our next session together.
00:25:22.96\00:25:24.69
But let's get as far as we can.
00:25:24.72\00:25:26.66
A Monumental
Conversion Experience.
00:25:26.69\00:25:30.21
We're going to work through this
the way that we worked through
00:25:31.78\00:25:33.97
all of the other material.
00:25:34.00\00:25:35.48
In Acts chapter 6 and verse
7, we find that after the day of
00:25:38.51\00:25:44.53
Pentecost thousands
were leaving Judaism,
00:25:44.56\00:25:49.54
and they were accepting
Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
00:25:50.46\00:25:53.96
Not only from among the laity,
but also priests of Israel
00:25:54.78\00:25:59.80
were accepting Jesus
Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:25:59.83\00:26:02.33
It says there in Acts chapter
6 and verse 7, "Then the word of
00:26:02.81\00:26:06.46
God spread, and the number
of the disciples multiplied
00:26:06.49\00:26:10.90
greatly in Jerusalem, and
a great many of the priests
00:26:10.93\00:26:14.67
were obedient to the faith."
00:26:14.70\00:26:16.73
Now Stephen was one
of the instruments that
00:26:18.23\00:26:21.57
God used in this
phenomenal church growth.
00:26:21.60\00:26:24.99
We're told in Acts chapter
6 and verse 8, "And Stephen,
00:26:25.51\00:26:30.21
full of faith and power,
did great wonders and signs
00:26:30.80\00:26:35.29
among the people."
00:26:35.32\00:26:36.79
Now in Judaism at this time
was a very prominent prospect.
00:26:37.54\00:26:45.37
His name was Saul of Tarsus.
00:26:45.74\00:26:47.77
He was no featherweight.
00:26:48.51\00:26:50.63
He was an intellectual
giant and a promising prospect
00:26:51.22\00:26:55.63
with a brilliant future.
00:26:55.66\00:26:57.26
He was young,
energetic, and relentless.
00:26:58.32\00:27:02.87
He had tunnel vision.
00:27:03.23\00:27:04.78
In his mind, God has
chosen the Jewish nation
00:27:05.13\00:27:08.17
irrevocably and unconditionally.
00:27:08.20\00:27:10.57
And woe to those
who thought otherwise.
00:27:10.60\00:27:13.43
For Saul, the preservation
of the religion of Judaism
00:27:14.12\00:27:17.14
was the top priority.
00:27:17.17\00:27:18.94
His entire religion
was Jewish centered.
00:27:19.15\00:27:22.20
In his own words he said, this
is found in Acts 22 verse 3,
00:27:22.68\00:27:27.19
"I am indeed a Jew,
born in Tarsus of Cilicia,
00:27:27.22\00:27:33.28
but brought up in this
city at the feet of Gamaliel,
00:27:33.46\00:27:37.43
taught according to the
strictness of our fathers' law,
00:27:37.63\00:27:41.19
and was zealous toward
God as you all are today."
00:27:41.22\00:27:47.41
So he was Israel centered
at this point in his life.
00:27:48.13\00:27:53.87
You see, Saul of Tarsus felt the
same way as Caiaphas had felt
00:27:54.17\00:27:59.91
when Jesus appeared
before the Sanhedrin
00:27:59.94\00:28:03.55
for His religious trial.
00:28:03.58\00:28:05.98
Let's remember that experience.
00:28:06.28\00:28:08.04
It's found in John 11
and verses 47 through 50.
00:28:08.07\00:28:12.71
This is the fear that
embraced Saul of Tarsus,
00:28:13.70\00:28:16.90
and this is what
led him to persecute
00:28:16.93\00:28:19.14
Christians mercilessly.
00:28:19.17\00:28:21.00
He was afraid that if
Christianity proliferated,
00:28:21.03\00:28:24.07
the Jewish
nation would disappear.
00:28:24.10\00:28:25.88
The Romans would take
away the Jewish nation.
00:28:25.91\00:28:28.10
And for him, the Jewish
nation was the important thing,
00:28:28.54\00:28:31.07
and all of its religion.
00:28:31.10\00:28:32.75
In John 11 verses 47 through 50
we find, "Then the chief priests
00:28:33.67\00:28:37.48
and the Pharisees
gathered a council and said,
00:28:37.51\00:28:40.46
'What shall we do?
00:28:40.66\00:28:42.21
For this Man works many signs.
00:28:42.42\00:28:44.75
If we let Him alone like
this,'" speaking about Jesus,
00:28:45.20\00:28:49.45
"everyone will believe in
Him, and the Romans will come
00:28:49.65\00:28:53.96
and take away both
our place and our nation."
00:28:53.99\00:28:57.30
Are you understanding
the fear that they had?
00:28:57.87\00:29:00.00
They had the fear
that the religion of Jesus
00:29:00.39\00:29:03.00
would embrace the whole world.
00:29:03.03\00:29:04.43
And then the Jewish
religion would be irrelevant
00:29:04.46\00:29:07.54
and the Romans
would get rid of them.
00:29:07.57\00:29:09.79
Verse 49, "And one of them,
Caiaphas, being high priest
00:29:09.82\00:29:13.47
that year, said to them,
'You know nothing at all,
00:29:13.50\00:29:16.13
nor do you consider
that it is expedient for us
00:29:16.43\00:29:20.55
that one man
should die for the people,
00:29:20.58\00:29:23.00
and not that the
whole nation perish.'"
00:29:23.03\00:29:26.13
That was the fear
of Saul of Tarsus;
00:29:27.21\00:29:29.87
that the Jewish
nation would disappear.
00:29:30.28\00:29:32.30
He wanted to
preserve his religion,
00:29:32.33\00:29:35.35
Jewish centered religion.
00:29:35.45\00:29:37.84
And therefore, he
became a persecutor of those
00:29:38.61\00:29:41.50
who followed Jesus Christ.
00:29:41.53\00:29:43.11
Acts chapter 26 and
verses 9 through 11.
00:29:43.34\00:29:46.22
The apostle Paul reminisces
about his past experience,
00:29:46.25\00:29:50.23
and he says,
"Indeed, I myself thought
00:29:50.33\00:29:53.25
I must do many things
contrary to the name of
00:29:53.45\00:29:56.17
Jesus of Nazareth.
00:29:56.20\00:29:57.74
This I also did in Jerusalem,
and many of the saints
00:29:58.02\00:30:01.41
I shut up in prison, having
received authority from the
00:30:01.44\00:30:04.66
chief priests; and
when they were put to death,
00:30:04.69\00:30:07.56
I cast my vote against them.
00:30:07.59\00:30:09.87
And I punished them
often in every synagogue
00:30:09.97\00:30:12.94
and compelled them to blaspheme;
00:30:12.97\00:30:16.11
and being exceedingly
enraged against them,
00:30:16.14\00:30:19.33
I persecuted them
even to foreign cities."
00:30:19.36\00:30:23.98
So was Saul of Tarsus.
00:30:26.69\00:30:29.71
The one who was
centered on the Jewish nation
00:30:30.79\00:30:33.98
and preserving the
faith of the Jewish nation
00:30:34.01\00:30:37.15
without Christ.
00:30:37.18\00:30:39.21
Now we're told in the story
in Acts that Saul of Tarsus
00:30:39.85\00:30:44.27
was present at the stoning
of Stephen, this champion
00:30:44.30\00:30:48.33
that had preached the gospel.
00:30:48.36\00:30:49.61
And as a result,
many Jews had left Judaism
00:30:49.71\00:30:52.43
and many priests had
left Judaism, and they had
00:30:52.75\00:30:55.88
embraced Christianity.
00:30:55.91\00:30:57.52
And so Stephen was
public enemy number one
00:30:57.55\00:31:00.35
in the mind of Saul.
00:31:00.38\00:31:01.52
We're told in Acts
7 verses 57 and 58,
00:31:01.72\00:31:04.86
speaking about the
stoning of Stephen,
00:31:05.36\00:31:07.41
"Then they cried out with a
loud voice, stopped their ears,
00:31:07.44\00:31:11.01
and ran at him with one
accord; and they cast him
00:31:11.04\00:31:14.11
out of the city and stoned him.
00:31:14.14\00:31:16.56
And the witnesses laid
down their clothes at the feet
00:31:16.76\00:31:19.64
of a young man named Saul."
00:31:19.74\00:31:23.14
In fact, Saul was the
ringleader in this lynching.
00:31:24.72\00:31:30.50
Notice Acts 22 and verse 20.
00:31:30.53\00:31:32.95
Acts 22 and verse 20.
00:31:32.98\00:31:34.84
Speaking about the
death of Stephen, it says,
00:31:35.04\00:31:37.12
"And when the blood of
Your martyr Stephen was shed,
00:31:37.15\00:31:40.18
I also was standing by
consenting to his death,
00:31:40.59\00:31:44.95
and guarding the clothes of
those who were killing him."
00:31:44.98\00:31:49.08
He was egging
everybody on to destroy Stephen
00:31:50.98\00:31:56.41
who was gaining many
converts from Judaism.
00:31:57.10\00:31:59.77
Because he saw that Christianity
was growing by leaps and bounds,
00:32:00.16\00:32:03.60
he said,
"Judaism will disappear,
00:32:03.63\00:32:05.95
the religion of the fathers."
00:32:06.05\00:32:07.91
So Saul decided that he
would travel to Damascus
00:32:08.89\00:32:13.93
because he had heard
that there were Christians
00:32:13.96\00:32:16.08
in Damascus.
00:32:16.11\00:32:17.34
And so he received
permission from the high priest,
00:32:17.37\00:32:20.25
and he began his
expedition to Damascus.
00:32:21.16\00:32:26.16
I've been there.
It's an interesting place.
00:32:26.19\00:32:28.27
I wouldn't be able to
go there today because of
00:32:28.97\00:32:31.54
what's happening in Syria.
00:32:31.57\00:32:33.69
But in May of 2001,
shortly before the 9/11 thing,
00:32:34.02\00:32:39.82
I was able to go over
there with Sarkis Kinablein,
00:32:40.78\00:32:43.38
who is one of the
members of our church.
00:32:43.41\00:32:45.40
And it was a very
interesting place.
00:32:45.77\00:32:48.18
Damascus, the oldest
city on earth, they say.
00:32:48.21\00:32:51.35
And we actually visited
the place where supposedly
00:32:51.63\00:32:55.29
Saul went to the house
of Ananias after he was
00:32:55.32\00:32:59.20
blinded on the road to Damascus.
00:32:59.23\00:33:01.42
I want you to notice how
the story continues to develop
00:33:01.80\00:33:04.65
in Acts chapter
9 verses 1 and 2.
00:33:04.68\00:33:06.88
"Then Saul, still
breathing threats and murder
00:33:07.80\00:33:11.93
against the disciples of the
Lord, went to the high priest
00:33:12.28\00:33:15.54
and asked letters from him
to the synagogues of Damascus,
00:33:15.57\00:33:20.18
so that if he found
any who were of the Way,
00:33:20.21\00:33:23.38
whether men or women, he might
bring them bound to Jerusalem."
00:33:23.58\00:33:27.71
And so Saul of Tarsus began
his journey towards Damascus.
00:33:28.39\00:33:34.33
And he would have arrived
to Damascus from the southwest.
00:33:34.69\00:33:39.16
Now on the road to Damascus he
had a life changing experience
00:33:40.65\00:33:46.55
that was to
change, not only his life,
00:33:46.58\00:33:48.68
but his theology forever.
00:33:48.78\00:33:51.08
He had an encounter,
a personal encounter,
00:33:51.11\00:33:54.97
with his enemy, Jesus Christ.
00:33:55.49\00:33:58.56
Saul discovered that by
persecuting the body of Christ,
00:33:59.22\00:34:02.77
he was actually
persecuting Christ.
00:34:02.87\00:34:05.14
Because Christ is the head
and the church is His body.
00:34:05.40\00:34:08.31
He had been
kicking against the pricks.
00:34:08.96\00:34:11.23
And his conscience, from
the time that Stephen had been
00:34:11.50\00:34:14.46
stoned, had bothered him.
00:34:14.49\00:34:16.57
He knew deep in his heart
that Stephen was in the right
00:34:16.93\00:34:20.05
and that he was in the wrong.
00:34:20.08\00:34:21.78
So we find these words
in Acts 9:3-6, it says,
00:34:22.51\00:34:26.50
"As he journeyed
he came near Damascus,
00:34:26.53\00:34:29.13
and suddenly a light
shone around him from heaven.
00:34:29.16\00:34:32.40
Then he fell to the ground,
and heard a voice saying to him,
00:34:32.80\00:34:35.75
'Saul, Saul, why
are you persecuting Me?'
00:34:35.78\00:34:39.41
And he said,
'Who are You, Lord?'
00:34:41.48\00:34:43.59
Then the Lord said, 'I am
Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
00:34:44.40\00:34:49.01
It is hard for you to
kick against the goads.'
00:34:49.68\00:34:52.87
So he, trembling
and astonished, said,
00:34:53.22\00:34:55.92
'Lord, what do
You want me to do?'"
00:34:55.95\00:34:59.24
On the road to Damascus
he encountered Jesus Christ.
00:34:59.73\00:35:04.21
And his encounter with Jesus
Christ transformed his life
00:35:04.76\00:35:08.56
and transformed his
theology from Jewish centered
00:35:08.59\00:35:12.13
to Christ centered.
00:35:12.16\00:35:14.42
In Acts 22 verses 16 through
18, we find that he was directed
00:35:15.35\00:35:21.43
to go to the house of Ananias.
00:35:21.46\00:35:23.68
And there at the house
of Ananias, Saul of Tarsus
00:35:23.71\00:35:27.54
was baptized into Christ.
00:35:27.66\00:35:30.49
Let's read it in Acts
22 verses 16 through 18.
00:35:30.52\00:35:34.53
"But the Lord said to
him," that is to Ananias,
00:35:35.29\00:35:38.41
"'Go to the house of Judas, for
he is a chosen vessel of Mine
00:35:38.70\00:35:43.11
to bear My name
from the Gentiles, kings,
00:35:43.14\00:35:45.52
and the children of Israel.
00:35:45.55\00:35:47.21
For I will show him how
many things he must suffer
00:35:47.24\00:35:50.12
for My name's sake.'
00:35:50.15\00:35:51.34
And Ananias went his
way and entered the house;
00:35:51.64\00:35:55.43
and laying his
hands on him he said,
00:35:55.46\00:35:57.75
'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,
who appeared to you on the
00:35:57.78\00:36:01.63
road as you came, has
sent me that you may receive
00:36:01.66\00:36:05.59
your sight and be
filled with the Holy Spirit.'
00:36:05.62\00:36:08.89
Immediately there fell from
his eyes something like scales,
00:36:09.20\00:36:12.95
and he received his
sight at once; and he arose
00:36:12.98\00:36:16.26
and was baptized."
00:36:16.29\00:36:18.57
You know, those scales
that fell off of his eyes
00:36:20.85\00:36:23.06
were more than physical scales.
00:36:23.09\00:36:25.04
He could now see clearly
what his religion was all about.
00:36:25.54\00:36:32.22
Now I want you to
notice Galatians chapter 3
00:36:32.91\00:36:35.25
and verses 26 and 27.
00:36:35.28\00:36:37.59
Galatians 3 verses 26 and 27.
00:36:37.62\00:36:40.52
Those who are
baptized put on Christ.
00:36:40.96\00:36:44.02
In other words, Saul of
Tarsus, when he was baptized,
00:36:44.60\00:36:46.92
he became a Christian.
00:36:46.95\00:36:48.80
He became a
believer in the Messiah,
00:36:49.05\00:36:50.94
and he received the
Spirit to proclaim the Messiah.
00:36:50.97\00:36:54.04
It says there in
Galatians 3 verse 26,
00:36:54.07\00:36:56.61
"All those who
have been baptized
00:36:56.64\00:36:59.01
into Christ have..." What?
00:36:59.04\00:37:00.63
"...have put on Christ."
00:37:00.66\00:37:03.66
So at his baptism, Saul of
Tarsus puts on Jesus Christ.
00:37:04.50\00:37:08.79
He is now a Christian.
00:37:09.04\00:37:10.82
He is now a
true seed of Abraham.
00:37:11.39\00:37:15.65
He is a true
descendent of Abraham.
00:37:15.68\00:37:17.49
Before, he was not.
00:37:17.52\00:37:19.11
Because when he was
persecuting the Christians,
00:37:19.55\00:37:22.10
he was doing the
work of the devil.
00:37:22.13\00:37:24.22
But when he embraces Jesus
Christ, he's doing the work
00:37:25.26\00:37:28.41
of the Lord.
00:37:28.44\00:37:29.68
Are you following me.
00:37:29.95\00:37:31.22
He was, before, a Jew.
But he was not a true Jew.
00:37:31.60\00:37:34.55
When he receives
Jesus, he is now a true Jew.
00:37:35.38\00:37:38.29
Because those who
have accepted Jesus
00:37:38.32\00:37:40.50
are the true seed of Abraham.
00:37:40.53\00:37:42.22
Notice Galatians
chapter 3 and verse 29.
00:37:42.32\00:37:46.21
Galatians 3 verse 29
says, "If you are Christ's,
00:37:46.34\00:37:50.76
then you are
Abraham's seed, and heirs
00:37:51.23\00:37:54.38
according to the promise."
00:37:54.41\00:37:55.81
Who is a descendent of Abraham?
00:37:55.98\00:37:58.37
A descendent of
Abraham is one who has accepted
00:37:59.15\00:38:03.86
Jesus Christ as the Messiah.
00:38:03.89\00:38:06.12
It doesn't matter
if you're Chinese,
00:38:06.39\00:38:08.88
it doesn't matter
if you're Filipino,
00:38:08.91\00:38:11.08
it doesn't matter if you're
Colombian, or Argentinean,
00:38:11.11\00:38:14.23
or Puerto Rican.
00:38:14.26\00:38:15.82
It doesn't matter
what nation you're from.
00:38:16.51\00:38:18.53
When you receive Jesus as
your Savior and as your Lord,
00:38:18.76\00:38:22.38
you are Israel.
00:38:22.41\00:38:25.17
You are the seed of Abraham.
00:38:25.27\00:38:27.49
Because those who have joined
Christ are the seed of Abraham.
00:38:27.52\00:38:31.52
They are true Israel.
00:38:31.55\00:38:33.62
So with whom is
prophecy going to be fulfilled?
00:38:34.97\00:38:38.11
These prophecies
that speak about Israel,
00:38:38.14\00:38:40.67
with whom are they
going to be fulfilled?
00:38:40.70\00:38:42.56
With the literal
Jews in the Middle East?
00:38:42.59\00:38:45.16
No, they're not the true Jews,
00:38:45.19\00:38:48.14
according to the
biblical definition.
00:38:48.17\00:38:50.32
And so now the
emphasis of Saul of Tarsus
00:38:50.88\00:38:55.00
totally shifts and changes.
00:38:55.03\00:38:58.15
It is not now Israel
centered, it is Christ centered.
00:38:58.18\00:39:03.52
In Acts chapter 9 and
verse 22, this is what it says,
00:39:03.86\00:39:08.49
"But Saul increased
all the more in strength,
00:39:08.52\00:39:10.99
and confounded the
Jews who dwelt in Damascus,
00:39:11.09\00:39:15.03
proving that this
Jesus is the Christ."
00:39:15.06\00:39:19.59
And that word, "Christ,"
is the word, "Messiah."
00:39:19.95\00:39:24.35
The anointed One,
Christ; we get the word,
00:39:24.45\00:39:27.05
"Christian," from.
00:39:27.08\00:39:28.38
It means, to anoint. Right?
00:39:29.10\00:39:30.81
And so Saul says, and he
actually debates with the
00:39:31.86\00:39:35.42
Jews in Damascus, and he
says, "Jesus is the Christ."
00:39:35.45\00:39:40.11
Saul's encounter with
Jesus on the road to Damascus
00:39:40.59\00:39:43.40
had a deep impact upon him.
00:39:43.43\00:39:45.49
You know, it's interesting
that the story of his conversion
00:39:46.52\00:39:48.91
is told three times
in the book of Acts.
00:39:48.94\00:39:51.35
Once, it's told by the
one who wrote the book.
00:39:51.98\00:39:55.16
That is Luke.
00:39:55.68\00:39:57.44
And then Paul himself
tells that story in chapter 22
00:39:57.47\00:40:00.81
and in chapter 26.
00:40:00.84\00:40:02.08
I think that is
considered extremely important
00:40:02.11\00:40:05.64
in understanding Saul of Tarsus.
00:40:05.67\00:40:08.02
Notice how his theology shifted.
00:40:08.25\00:40:11.74
Philippians 3 and
verses 3 through 11.
00:40:11.94\00:40:14.69
Philippians chapter 3
and verses 3 through 11.
00:40:14.72\00:40:17.88
We've read this before, but
now we read it in the context
00:40:18.36\00:40:21.05
of the conversion
of Saul of Tarsus.
00:40:21.08\00:40:23.75
Here, the apostle Paul says,
"For we are the circumcision,
00:40:24.56\00:40:28.08
who worship God in the
Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,
00:40:29.74\00:40:34.87
and have no
confidence in the flesh..."
00:40:35.65\00:40:37.56
Wow, isn't that amazing?
00:40:38.17\00:40:39.92
He says, "We worship
God in the Spirit..."
00:40:40.88\00:40:42.80
This is real circumcision.
00:40:43.23\00:40:44.85
Is this spiritual circumcision?
00:40:44.88\00:40:46.64
Yes it is.
00:40:47.05\00:40:48.08
"We worship God in the
Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus,
00:40:48.52\00:40:51.31
and have no
confidence in the flesh..."
00:40:51.34\00:40:52.83
But then he
reminisces about his past.
00:40:52.86\00:40:55.06
He says, "...though I also might
have confidence in the flesh.
00:40:56.05\00:41:00.47
If anyone else thinks he may
have confidence in the flesh,
00:41:01.76\00:41:05.07
I more so:
circumcised the eighth day,
00:41:05.10\00:41:09.37
of the stock of Israel,
of the tribe of Benjamin,
00:41:09.93\00:41:13.51
a Hebrew of the Hebrews;
concerning the law, a Pharisee;
00:41:13.61\00:41:19.16
concerning zeal,
persecuting the church;
00:41:20.78\00:41:23.66
concerning the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless."
00:41:23.69\00:41:27.80
That's the old Paul.
00:41:29.56\00:41:30.96
But now notice what he says.
00:41:32.46\00:41:34.02
"But what
things were gain to me,
00:41:34.28\00:41:36.86
I have counted loss for Christ.
00:41:37.75\00:41:40.76
Yet indeed I also count all
things loss for the excellence
00:41:43.17\00:41:47.11
of the knowledge of Christ
Jesus my Lord, for whom I have
00:41:48.41\00:41:52.99
suffered the loss of all things,
and count them as rubbish,
00:41:53.02\00:41:57.29
that I may gain Christ
and can be found in Him,
00:41:57.32\00:42:02.09
not having my own righteousness,
which is from the law,
00:42:02.12\00:42:05.17
but that which is
through faith in Christ,
00:42:05.20\00:42:07.68
the righteousness
which is from God by faith;
00:42:07.91\00:42:11.48
that I may know Him and
the power of His resurrection,
00:42:11.85\00:42:15.52
and the
fellowship of His sufferings,
00:42:15.55\00:42:17.23
being conformed to His
death, if, by any means,
00:42:17.26\00:42:20.55
I may attain to the
resurrection from the dead."
00:42:20.58\00:42:23.56
And now the persecutor
becomes the persecuted.
00:42:24.43\00:42:28.27
Notice 2 Corinthians
chapter 11 verses 22 to 28.
00:42:29.02\00:42:32.88
Everything that Saul
of Tarsus went through,
00:42:32.91\00:42:34.95
he did lose all.
00:42:34.98\00:42:36.47
But he gained all.
00:42:37.56\00:42:38.97
Because when you
lose everything you have,
00:42:39.46\00:42:41.75
and you have
everything that Jesus has,
00:42:41.81\00:42:43.90
you have much more
than you had before.
00:42:43.93\00:42:45.80
Notice 2 Corinthians
chapter 11 and verse 22.
00:42:47.07\00:42:50.99
"Are they Hebrews?
00:42:51.90\00:42:53.26
So am I.
00:42:53.88\00:42:55.14
Are they Israelites? So am I.
00:42:55.45\00:42:58.80
Are they the seed
of Abraham? So am I.
00:42:59.28\00:43:02.54
Are they ministers of Christ?"
00:43:03.47\00:43:05.44
Then he says, "I
speak as a fool; I am more:
00:43:05.80\00:43:09.55
in labors more abundant,
in stripes above measure,
00:43:10.75\00:43:14.69
in prisons more
frequently, in deaths often.
00:43:14.98\00:43:18.52
From the Jews five
times I have received
00:43:18.86\00:43:21.01
forty stripes minus one.
00:43:21.04\00:43:22.72
Three times I was beaten
with rods; once I was stoned;
00:43:22.97\00:43:30.13
three times I was shipwrecked;
00:43:30.16\00:43:31.86
a night and a day I
have been in the deep;
00:43:32.53\00:43:35.02
in journeys often,
in perils of waters,
00:43:35.22\00:43:37.79
in perils of robbers, in
perils of my own countrymen,
00:43:37.82\00:43:40.72
in perils of the
Gentiles, in perils in the city,
00:43:40.75\00:43:43.50
in perils in the wilderness,
in perils in the sea,
00:43:43.53\00:43:46.35
in perils among false
brethren; in weariness and toil,
00:43:46.38\00:43:49.73
in sleeplessness
often, in hunger and thirst,
00:43:49.76\00:43:52.78
in fastings often,
in cold and nakedness.
00:43:52.81\00:43:56.02
Besides the other things,
what comes upon me daily:
00:43:56.05\00:43:59.30
my deep concern
for all the churches."
00:43:59.33\00:44:02.23
You say, "Wow,
he gave up a lot."
00:44:05.79\00:44:07.96
He gave up nothing.
00:44:09.33\00:44:10.70
And you know, one of
the most exciting things
00:44:11.34\00:44:13.99
that is ever going to
happen is when Saul of Tarsus
00:44:14.02\00:44:17.57
and Stephen meet.
00:44:17.60\00:44:18.86
Whoa, I've got to see that.
00:44:19.77\00:44:21.69
Because Stephen did not
know that Saul was converted.
00:44:24.63\00:44:28.60
And so you can imagine.
00:44:30.44\00:44:31.70
Allow me to
dramatize just briefly here.
00:44:31.73\00:44:35.80
Give me the joy of
recreating what might happen
00:44:36.57\00:44:41.00
when we get to heaven.
00:44:41.03\00:44:42.17
Here you have Saul of Tarsus
walking down the street of gold.
00:44:42.69\00:44:46.36
And from the opposite
direction comes Stephen walking.
00:44:46.39\00:44:50.49
The apostle Paul,
Saul of Tarsus, looks
00:44:51.77\00:44:54.33
and he sees Stephen.
00:44:54.66\00:44:56.15
And Stephen, he
looks and he sees Saul.
00:44:56.18\00:44:59.51
And he says, "You look familiar.
00:44:59.54\00:45:03.45
Are you Saul of Tarsus?
00:45:05.38\00:45:07.33
Why, you nasty character."
00:45:09.18\00:45:11.17
Ha, that's not
what he's going to say.
00:45:11.30\00:45:13.21
What is he going to say?
00:45:13.36\00:45:14.39
"Saul, you accepted
Jesus as your Savior?
00:45:16.10\00:45:20.79
You were saved too?
00:45:21.49\00:45:23.15
You're kidding me."
00:45:23.36\00:45:24.81
And there's going to
be this great embrace
00:45:24.84\00:45:27.84
between the martyr
and the martyrizer.
00:45:27.87\00:45:30.55
That is going to be
tremendous when Saul of Tarsus
00:45:32.49\00:45:36.62
meets Stephen.
00:45:36.65\00:45:37.80
And by the way, there
will be no hard feelings.
00:45:38.09\00:45:40.96
Stephen will be just
happy to see that Saul of Tarsus
00:45:42.56\00:45:45.69
is saved in the kingdom.
00:45:45.72\00:45:47.50
Saul discovered a
revolutionary truth.
00:45:48.83\00:45:51.85
And that is, that God
has only one true people;
00:45:53.47\00:45:56.54
those who have accepted
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
00:45:57.31\00:46:01.47
God does not have two
mutually separable peoples;
00:46:02.23\00:46:05.89
the literal Jews and
the Christian church.
00:46:05.92\00:46:08.28
There is only one people of
God, and they are not defined
00:46:08.81\00:46:12.27
by their ethnicity,
by their nationality,
00:46:12.30\00:46:15.26
by their social
status, by their gender,
00:46:15.37\00:46:18.40
by their color.
00:46:18.43\00:46:19.98
They are defined as the people
of God by their relationship
00:46:21.04\00:46:24.44
to Jesus Christ.
00:46:24.47\00:46:26.07
Now let's take a look at the
fact that in the New Testament
00:46:26.98\00:46:32.23
God's people are only one.
00:46:34.54\00:46:37.88
Because dispensationalism
says that God has two peoples.
00:46:38.70\00:46:41.68
One people is the literal Jews.
00:46:42.88\00:46:44.66
And God's plan for
them is after the rapture.
00:46:45.46\00:46:48.17
Another plan of God is for
the Gentiles, or for the church.
00:46:49.24\00:46:53.50
And they're going to
be raptured to heaven.
00:46:53.53\00:46:55.18
So God has two peoples
and He has two different plans
00:46:55.99\00:46:59.78
for those peoples.
00:46:59.81\00:47:01.00
But my Bible tells me
that God has one people,
00:47:01.03\00:47:03.85
and one plan for that people.
00:47:04.22\00:47:06.41
Now let's notice
how this develops.
00:47:06.44\00:47:08.62
God has only one fold.
00:47:09.71\00:47:12.14
And that fold has
only one Shepherd.
00:47:12.89\00:47:15.15
Notice John
chapter 10 and verse 16.
00:47:15.78\00:47:17.80
We're going to notice
several passages in Scripture
00:47:17.83\00:47:20.05
that speak about
the word, "one," now.
00:47:20.08\00:47:22.59
One fold, one Shepherd.
00:47:22.98\00:47:24.70
John 10 and verse 16.
00:47:24.73\00:47:26.47
And Jesus says,
"Other sheep I have which are
00:47:27.05\00:47:30.97
not of this fold."
00:47:31.00\00:47:32.79
Who are those other sheep
that were not of that fold?
00:47:32.82\00:47:35.38
Jesus was sent first to the lost
sheep of the house of Israel,
00:47:36.01\00:47:38.93
so who would the other sheep be?
00:47:38.96\00:47:40.66
It would be the Gentiles.
00:47:41.09\00:47:42.74
"And other sheep I have
which are not of this fold;
00:47:42.91\00:47:45.56
them also I must bring,
and they will hear My voice;
00:47:45.83\00:47:49.36
and there will be two
flocks and one shepherd."
00:47:49.39\00:47:52.26
Thank you very much.
00:47:53.12\00:47:54.28
You're still awake.
00:47:54.31\00:47:55.41
After such a long day.
00:47:55.88\00:47:57.38
"...there will be one
flock and one shepherd."
00:47:58.28\00:48:01.50
Will Gentiles and
Jews both be one flock?
00:48:02.12\00:48:04.88
Absolutely.
00:48:05.26\00:48:06.29
John 11:51-52
00:48:06.86\00:48:09.15
Here we have a commentary
on what Caiaphas said.
00:48:10.25\00:48:13.39
"Now this he did not
say on his own authority;
00:48:13.79\00:48:16.96
but being high priest
that year he prophesied that
00:48:17.44\00:48:21.17
Jesus would die for the nation,
and not for that nation only,
00:48:21.20\00:48:25.83
but also that He
would gather together in one
00:48:25.86\00:48:29.15
the children of God
who were scattered abroad."
00:48:29.62\00:48:32.69
So are there two flocks?
00:48:34.23\00:48:37.60
There is only one flock
composed of Jews and Gentiles,
00:48:37.80\00:48:41.38
and there is one
Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
00:48:41.41\00:48:44.50
There is only one Israel, folks.
00:48:44.88\00:48:47.18
One true Israel.
00:48:47.21\00:48:48.96
Notice Romans chapter
2 and verses 28 and 29.
00:48:49.31\00:48:53.51
The New Testament
is so clear on this.
00:48:53.54\00:48:55.59
It's difficult to understand how
people don't catch this point.
00:48:55.62\00:48:59.03
See, what they do is literalize.
00:49:00.71\00:49:02.50
And they lose the deep spiritual
significance of Bible prophecy
00:49:02.53\00:49:06.97
because they're expecting
everything to be fulfilled
00:49:07.00\00:49:08.93
literally in the Middle East.
00:49:08.96\00:49:11.31
A literal antichrist in a
literal temple, a literal image,
00:49:11.34\00:49:15.01
a literal three
and a half years.
00:49:15.04\00:49:17.04
And they lose that the
antichrist is in the temple now.
00:49:18.27\00:49:21.67
He's sitting in there.
00:49:21.70\00:49:22.92
And his helper is growing
right here in this country;
00:49:25.09\00:49:28.22
the beast that rises
from the earth that has
00:49:29.39\00:49:31.29
two horn like a lamb.
00:49:31.32\00:49:32.35
People can't see it...
00:49:32.38\00:49:33.74
...because they're
looking in the wrong place.
00:49:34.60\00:49:36.18
They think that God
is fulfilling prophecy
00:49:36.77\00:49:38.60
with literal Israel, when
the New Testament clearly says
00:49:38.63\00:49:41.97
that Israel is
spiritual, and it's worldwide.
00:49:42.00\00:49:46.11
Romans 2:28-29
00:49:46.89\00:49:48.89
"For he is not a Jew
who is one outwardly..."
00:49:49.88\00:49:53.87
What is an outward Jew?
00:49:54.30\00:49:55.77
Ethnic, right?
00:49:58.72\00:50:00.33
Circumcised.
00:50:00.80\00:50:02.10
With the last name, Goldberg.
00:50:03.13\00:50:05.29
Yeah.
00:50:07.76\00:50:08.79
"For he is not a Jew
who is one outwardly,
00:50:10.19\00:50:13.42
nor is circumcision that
which is outward in the flesh;
00:50:14.11\00:50:18.60
but he is a Jew
who is one inwardly;
00:50:19.62\00:50:22.70
and circumcision is
that of the heart..."
00:50:23.76\00:50:26.88
Converted heart, folks.
00:50:28.55\00:50:29.93
"...in the Spirit,
not in the letter..."
00:50:30.36\00:50:33.81
Which the Jews emphasized.
00:50:33.84\00:50:35.39
"...whose praise
is not from men..."
00:50:35.42\00:50:37.10
Because the Jewish nation
loved to be praised by men.
00:50:37.13\00:50:39.77
"...but from..." Whom?
00:50:40.17\00:50:41.43
"...but from God."
00:50:41.60\00:50:43.01
So are there true
Jews and counterfeit Jews?
00:50:43.54\00:50:45.72
Yes, there are outward
Jews and there are inward Jews.
00:50:46.37\00:50:49.25
So with whom is
prophecy going to be fulfilled?
00:50:49.28\00:50:51.39
With the outward Jews, right?
00:50:51.42\00:50:53.35
No. With the in.
00:50:53.96\00:50:56.07
Why would the devil want
to persecute outward Jews?
00:50:56.10\00:50:58.98
He wants to persecute those
who have a true relationship
00:51:00.14\00:51:03.00
with Jesus Christ.
00:51:03.03\00:51:04.34
Notice Romans 9
verses 6 through 8.
00:51:04.75\00:51:07.28
Romans 9 verses 6 through 8.
00:51:07.31\00:51:09.41
Here, the apostle Paul
says, "But it is not that the
00:51:10.54\00:51:13.67
word of God has taken no effect.
00:51:13.70\00:51:15.63
For they are not all
Israel who are of Israel..."
00:51:16.13\00:51:19.62
Isn't that interesting.
00:51:21.00\00:51:22.30
Not all Israel is Israel.
00:51:22.67\00:51:24.97
Now that sounds
like a weird statement.
00:51:25.78\00:51:27.63
What does he mean?
00:51:28.55\00:51:29.69
"...nor are they all
children because they are the
00:51:30.21\00:51:34.17
seed of Abraham..."
00:51:34.20\00:51:35.37
Are there children
of Abraham that are not
00:51:37.33\00:51:38.95
really children of Abraham?
00:51:38.98\00:51:40.39
Yes.
00:51:40.73\00:51:41.76
Now notice, "...but, 'In Isaac
your seed shall be called.'"
00:51:42.96\00:51:46.79
Now comes the explanation.
00:51:47.38\00:51:48.88
"That is, those who are
the children of the flesh..."
00:51:48.91\00:51:52.84
Who are those, the
children of the flesh?
00:51:53.62\00:51:55.57
Literal Jews.
00:51:56.27\00:51:57.68
"...those who are the
children of the flesh,
00:51:57.96\00:52:00.33
these are not
the children of God;
00:52:00.36\00:52:02.94
but the children of the promise
are counted as the seed."
00:52:02.97\00:52:06.85
That is, the
promise of the Messiah;
00:52:06.88\00:52:08.70
the children of the Messiah.
00:52:08.73\00:52:10.57
Thus, Israel is not defined
geographically, ethnically,
00:52:11.86\00:52:15.51
or genetically,
but relationally.
00:52:15.54\00:52:18.05
Jesus is the only
faithful Israelite.
00:52:18.48\00:52:20.67
And when we
receive Him as our Savior,
00:52:20.70\00:52:23.05
we too become Israelites.
00:52:23.08\00:52:25.06
Notice this interesting
passage in Galatians 3 verse 16,
00:52:26.05\00:52:29.67
and verses 26 to 29.
00:52:29.70\00:52:31.60
This is kind of a
strange apparent contradiction.
00:52:31.63\00:52:36.11
There's not a contradiction,
but it appears kind of strange.
00:52:36.14\00:52:39.60
You'll see in a minute why.
00:52:39.63\00:52:41.01
Verse 16 says, "Now
to Abraham and his Seed
00:52:41.44\00:52:44.77
were the promises made.
00:52:44.80\00:52:46.27
He does not say, 'And
to seeds,' as of many,
00:52:47.39\00:52:51.27
but as of one, 'And to
your Seed,' who is Christ."
00:52:51.30\00:52:54.92
So to whom were
the promises made?
00:52:55.02\00:52:56.78
They were made to Christ.
00:52:57.83\00:52:59.14
So how many seeds are there?
00:52:59.55\00:53:00.77
How many seeds of Abraham?
00:53:00.80\00:53:02.23
One.
00:53:02.33\00:53:03.43
Now you say, "Now wait a minute.
00:53:04.44\00:53:05.47
So the only seed of
Abraham is Jesus Christ?"
00:53:06.24\00:53:08.80
That's what Paul is saying.
00:53:09.12\00:53:10.34
He said the promises
were not made to "seeds,"
00:53:10.86\00:53:14.13
the promise was
made to the "Seed."
00:53:14.39\00:53:16.51
Now are we going to
benefit from those promises?
00:53:17.17\00:53:19.45
How?
00:53:19.90\00:53:20.93
Well, because we
live in the Middle East.
00:53:21.15\00:53:23.18
Because we have literal Jewish
blood flowing through our veins.
00:53:24.96\00:53:28.13
No.
00:53:29.44\00:53:30.52
Let's go to verse 26.
00:53:30.84\00:53:32.52
It says in verse 26,
"For you are all sons of God
00:53:32.97\00:53:36.70
through faith in Christ Jesus."
00:53:36.73\00:53:38.26
How do we become true
sons of God, true Israel?
00:53:38.29\00:53:40.61
By faith in Christ Jesus.
00:53:40.82\00:53:42.31
"For as many of you as
were baptized into Christ
00:53:42.34\00:53:45.99
have put on Christ.
00:53:46.02\00:53:47.63
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free,
00:53:48.05\00:53:51.47
there is neither
male nor female..."
00:53:51.50\00:53:53.18
And some people use that to
say that we can ordain women
00:53:53.58\00:53:55.74
to the gospel ministry.
00:53:55.77\00:53:57.06
It's not talking
about church offices at all.
00:53:57.09\00:54:00.58
That is twisting, that
is twisting the Scriptures
00:54:01.75\00:54:06.12
beyond...
00:54:06.57\00:54:08.19
I don't have
words to describe it.
00:54:09.10\00:54:10.80
Let me put it that way.
00:54:10.83\00:54:12.05
It's frustrating when I sit
and I listen to people try to
00:54:13.14\00:54:16.12
twist this text and
say that it's saying that
00:54:16.15\00:54:18.58
women can be pastors and they
can be elders of the church.
00:54:18.61\00:54:21.13
This is speaking about salvation
and your status in Christ.
00:54:21.16\00:54:24.68
Pure and simple.
00:54:26.14\00:54:27.40
Forgive me for being
so zealous about this.
00:54:28.49\00:54:30.35
But I belong to the Theology
of Ordination Committee.
00:54:30.38\00:54:32.68
And we have to sit
and we have to listen
00:54:33.03\00:54:34.99
to a lot of foolishness.
00:54:35.02\00:54:36.48
So now notice what it says.
00:54:37.89\00:54:39.64
Verse 28, "There is
neither Jew nor Greek,
00:54:40.29\00:54:43.53
there is neither slave nor free,
00:54:43.56\00:54:45.01
there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one..."
00:54:45.21\00:54:49.24
How many?
00:54:49.30\00:54:50.33
How many true
Israel does God have?
00:54:50.36\00:54:52.97
You are one
Israel in Christ Jesus.
00:54:53.35\00:54:56.46
And then it say, "If you
are Christ's, then you are
00:54:56.49\00:55:00.43
Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise."
00:55:00.46\00:55:03.23
Do you know why we
are the seed of Abraham?
00:55:04.48\00:55:06.68
Because we're linked with Jesus.
00:55:06.71\00:55:08.59
In other words, if you want
to be a son or daughter of God,
00:55:09.22\00:55:11.74
you have to become a
brother or sister of Jesus.
00:55:11.77\00:55:14.48
Let me amplify that
point in the couple of minutes
00:55:16.85\00:55:18.83
that we have
left in this segment.
00:55:18.86\00:55:20.79
You know, Jesus is the only
individual who really has the
00:55:23.27\00:55:27.41
right to be called the son
of God in a very special sense.
00:55:27.44\00:55:31.57
He's the Son of God.
00:55:31.60\00:55:33.00
How do we become sons of God?
00:55:35.15\00:55:37.54
Well the fact is that
to become sons of God,
00:55:39.00\00:55:41.08
we have to become brothers
and sisters of Jesus first.
00:55:41.11\00:55:43.88
So when I'm baptized, I
become a brother of Jesus.
00:55:44.79\00:55:50.31
And then Jesus comes
before the Father and He says,
00:55:51.27\00:55:53.58
"Father, I've
got a new brother."
00:55:53.61\00:55:56.25
And the Father says, "Really,
You've got a new brother?"
00:55:57.68\00:55:59.93
"Yes."
00:55:59.96\00:56:00.99
"Who is he?"
00:56:01.02\00:56:02.05
"Pastor Stephen Bohr."
00:56:03.01\00:56:04.56
And the Father says, "Really?
00:56:05.96\00:56:07.75
Stephen Bohr is Your brother?
00:56:07.83\00:56:09.48
Well if he's Your
brother, he's My son too."
00:56:09.51\00:56:12.14
That's what Jesus
meant when He said,
00:56:14.29\00:56:15.73
"I am the way, the
truth, and the life.
00:56:15.76\00:56:18.11
No man cometh unto
the Father but by Me."
00:56:18.14\00:56:22.47
That's why Jesus is not
ashamed to call us brethren.
00:56:23.12\00:56:28.55
So when we join Jesus, we
become His brothers and sisters.
00:56:29.33\00:56:32.74
And because we're
brothers and sisters,
00:56:32.77\00:56:34.30
we inherit with Him
all of the promises.
00:56:34.47\00:56:37.71
But the promises are
not inherited out of Christ,
00:56:38.17\00:56:41.09
they are inherited in Christ.
00:56:41.12\00:56:43.53
None of the promises will
be fulfilled to literal Israel
00:56:44.16\00:56:47.71
if they don't link with
Jesus, because the promises
00:56:47.74\00:56:50.24
were made to Jesus.
00:56:50.27\00:56:51.43
And when you receive Jesus,
the promises are yours as well.
00:56:51.46\00:56:55.11
It is so clear.
00:56:56.49\00:56:58.05
It's kind of
like a tomato plant.
00:56:59.04\00:57:00.45
You take a little
tomato seed, you plant it,
00:57:01.14\00:57:03.09
and you have a tomato plant.
00:57:03.95\00:57:05.23
How many tomatoes
on that tomato plant?
00:57:05.98\00:57:07.85
At least dozens.
00:57:09.07\00:57:10.37
Do those
tomatoes have seeds too?
00:57:11.12\00:57:13.06
Thousands of seeds.
00:57:13.91\00:57:15.28
And so you
plant all those seeds.
00:57:16.41\00:57:18.32
And then you have
thousands of plants.
00:57:19.03\00:57:22.31
Let me ask you, where do
all those seeds come from?
00:57:24.01\00:57:25.87
From the one seed.
00:57:26.96\00:57:28.19
So when you link
yourself with Jesus,
00:57:29.39\00:57:32.22
the seed, then
you become the seed.
00:57:32.65\00:57:36.07
And then you share the message,
and others become the seed.
00:57:36.53\00:57:39.73
Are you following me?
00:57:40.23\00:57:41.42
In other words, the
key is linking with Jesus.
00:57:41.76\00:57:45.75
Not any other consideration.
00:57:46.20\00:57:49.59