Dispensationalists
will often divide passages of scripture
based on whether God is talking to
only the Jews -
the physical descendants of Israel.
I want to share with you,
Scripture that supports
that God deals with us
based solely upon a spiritual
and not a physical
connection to Abraham.
God made promises to Abraham.
And see in Romans 4:3
Abraham believed God,
and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
The promises of God are to His children.
Both Jewish and Gentile believers
are equally His children.
The New Testament writers made it very clear
that it is on the basis of faith
and not natural birth.
We see the terms Elect,Chosen, and Saints
used throughout the New Testament to describe the Church.
The Church is a combination of
both Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ.
The process of becoming
a born again child of God
is by the power of God
towards those who have received
Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Realizing that He has done all the work to save you,
as we are incapable
of saving ourselves.
Jesus gives you the gift of eternal life
when you put your faith and trust in Him.
Understanding the forgiveness of your sins,
and your justification
( a right standing with God ),
all come as a result of His death on the Cross.
Not any good work you might have done.
How one becomes a child of God
can be found in John chapter 1 verses 11 -13,
we read
He came to His own,
and His own did not receive Him.
But as many as received Him,
to them He gave the right to become
children of God,
to those who believe in His name:
who were born,
not of blood,
nor of the will of the flesh,
nor of the will of man,
but of God.
Let's look at a few verses that tell us more
about who is a child of God,
and the promise made to Abraham.
Perhaps the clearest passage can be found in
Galatians chapter 3 verse 26 - 29
we read
For you are all sons of God
through faith in Christ Jesus.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ
have put on Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither slave nor free,
there is neither male nor female;
for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
And if you are Christ's,
then you are Abraham's seed,
and heirs according to the promise.
And we see the promises to Abraham's descendants
are not based on "blood relationship",
but to those having faith.
This is spelled out in detail in Romans chapter 4,
you should read the whole chapter.
Let's look at verse 16,
we read
Therefore
it is of faith
that it might be according to grace,
so that the promise might be sure
to all the seed,
not only to those who are of the law,
but also to those
who are of the faith
of Abraham,
who is the father of us all
Unless one is a believer,
he is not included in the promises
Check out Galatians 3:7
Therefore
know that only
those who are of faith
are sons of Abraham.
This is also made clear in Romans chapter 9
( again it would be worth reading the whole chapter ).
Let's look at verses 8 and 9
we read
That is,
those who are the children of the flesh,
these are not the children of God;
but the children of the promise
are counted as the seed.
There are more scriptures that support the fact
that the believers are the chosen and elect
with no regard to them being Jews or Gentiles.
I am trying to show you that
there is no justification
for the Dispensational view -
that the words of Jesus spoken in
Matthew chapter 24 about the end times,
are directly only to the Jews living
at the time of the Great Tribulation.
No where does the Bible say that this passage is only for the Jews.
I hope and pray that you can see this.
I would also point out that Jesus' words
about the end times are also recorded
in the gospel of Mark in chapter 13
and in Luke chapter 21.
Another reason that I believe the message is for more than just the Jews.
Mark concludes the passage in chapter 13 with this verse,
verse 37 reads
And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"
Dispensationalists would have you to believe that there are two returns of Christ
( one before the Great Tribulation
and another at the end )
However, nowhere in scripture do we see this mentioned as being the case.
And when you look at the Specific
and Clear passages about His return,
we see it is to be
a dramatic and visible return.
I'll provide a link at the end
to a playlist containing several other posts
detailing those passages.
Dispensationists doctrine is built on the foundation
that that certain Gospel passages
as being directed only to the Jews.
This is not supported by anything we see happening in the early Church,
or in any of the messages and warnings given about the end times.
The passages always seem to be directed to all believers
who are to be looking for His return and kingdom.
We are told to be
Alert!
Watching!
Eagerly Awaiting!
The Church is composed of both Jewish and Gentiles
who believe in Jesus Christ.
We are one body,
parts of the same Olive Tree,
children of God,
heirs of promise,
and possessing everlasting life.
We are promised many things.
But to be removed from the earth
prior to the Great Tribulation period
is not one of them.
Tribulation, persecution,
and physical death are all things believers have suffered,
are suffering, and will suffer in this life.
And I'll leave you with this exhortation
from Colossians 3:2-4
Set your mind on things above,
not on things on the earth.
For you died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ
who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory.
For more on who the Elect
are according to the Bible
see this Video Post >
The Rapture of the Elect
Or check out this Playlist >
Thanks for letting me share
this brief message with you today.
Until next time,
Maranatha
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.Hebrews 10:23-25
