I’d like to say stuff like this below, sent out by Mathew Staver of Liberty Counsel, saddens me but I can’t. It use to, but now it just angers me. Its one thing to misinterpret scripture, but an entirely different thing to use that misinterpretation to manipulate others.
quote..
President Obama’s actions undermining the nation of Israel blatantly ignore the promise God made in Genesis 12:3, when He said of Israel, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse…”
WE must choose to stand with Israel even if those in control of American public policy refuse to!
We MUST insist our elected officials stopping pushing America to move under the curse promised in Genesis 12:3! God forbid that we turn our backs on the nation of Israel! Last week, I joined 49 other ministry leaders in signing an open letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu which was posted in the Wall Street Journal and the Jerusalem Post. The headline of the letter stated… “Israel, You’re Not Alone. We Stand With You!”
There is no “neutral ground” when it comes to Israel.
PJ, we MUST tell our President that he is jeopardizing our nation through his disrespect of the nation of Israel! God’s word WILL NOT return void! (full letter)
Back in December of 09 I put together a post addressing Genesis 12:3 and how the misinterpretation of this one scripture has forged one of the worst false doctrines found in many of America’s Churches today.
See: Misinterpreting Scripture (Genesis 12:3)
I find this annoying and somewhat ignorant of evangelical Christians to cite Genesis 12:3 in such a way. The first thing we need to take into account is the nature of the promises and covenants and promises made to Abraham. These are ‘olam’ or owlam covenants. For a greater understanding of these, please see here: http://www.ancient-hebrew.org/27_eternity.html
The covenant was not ‘eternal’ in the western sense, but for a long duration, or unforseen future.
I’m still looking for a sound exegesis on this verse which demonstrates that the ‘you’ used in the blessing demonstrates a second person singular, rather than the plural implied by pre millenialists. The King James Version used ‘thee’ which confirms the singular, as does most languages that employ singulars and plurals to the word ‘you’, but I would like to see a serious study on this if anyone knows of one.
Ha! The irony here is that Israel didn’t exist at that time, (Genesis 12:3), as a nation, so one can easily conclude basis the historical record canonized by Moses Israel’s purpose was an object lesson for us, “the faithful”, not a promise that if we do not hold to it we will be cursed as all are who have not been given the Faith in the Promise that God, through Christ, forgives us of our sins and sinfulness.
Good insight Michael! Amazing what one can discover from the surrounding context. But it doesn’t work out very well to do it that way if one has an agenda. In that case its get out the old concordance and find snippets that fit.
It takes an idiot not to see the connections to what is happening in our world and it’s direct connection to Israel.
Within 3 days after President Obama made the declaration that he will fully execute his plan to divide Israel to borders prior to 1967, which in essence would make Israel much more harder to defend herself as she will be reduced to 12 miles, and Jerusalem would virtually be under Palestinian control, it’s then no great wonder when a devastating tornado wrecks havoc on the City of Joplin Missouri and kills over 122 people and spawning several days worth of massive storms and twisters not seen before historically. This is a direct consequence of our actions toward Israel. And it is not just happening with our nation, but Japan, who also has directly went against Israel, suffered a massive quake. So, again, these are not just mere events, these are signs that God will judge every nation AND its people who come against Israel.
Take the time to do a little research,
That does not mean the deaths & horrors brought about by the recent earthquakes are of lesser importance. BUT it does show that earthquakes within the US cannot be tied to some slight (real or not) toward Israel. To believe that, is to believe a false doctrine.
Jesus plainly stated,
3And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
He did not say any of these signs would come about because of a connection to the Israel of 2000 yrs ago nor did He say they come about because of a connection to what is known today as the State of Israel.
That is false doctrine. period. The bible does not support it. If you base your belief in that false teaching on your interpretation of Genesis 12:3, see the post i linked to within the post above.
If you really want to point to a spiritual connection concerning the increase of natural disasters over the last 100 years, try reading Romans 8: 20- 22
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.
But don’t try to connect the disasters of the world to the State of Israel. Its foolish.
Amazing that a liberal president commits the “sin” of not bowing to Israel and then God “punishes” the United States for that by devastating one of the most conservative regions in the country, a state that is the seat of the Assemblies of God and other very pro-Israel denominations. The very people who raise a furor AGAINST the president. If I were to use the obviousness test, I would say that these storms were a judgment against the SUPPORTERS of Israel as they are raking the South, the bastion of Israel’s supporters in the US, in an unprecedented fashion. But unlike you, CL, I don’t have a horse in this race, as the saying goes. So I have to agree with PJ. This is just a fluke of nature, more likely related to the phenomenon of climate change (which has been going on since the dawn of creation) rather than current political events related to Israel. Christians, having no solid Biblical basis for there stance regarding Israel, are now resorting to fanning superstitions in order to advance their agenda. It is very much like the Muslims blaming their countries cooperation with the West for God’s judgments in the form of natural disasters in their countries. The Bible is oh so clear on the issue of the church being the TRUE Israel. Not all Israel is Israel!!!
I went over and read your post entitled, Misinterpreting Scripture (Gen 12:3)
In this post you nailed down who the true Israel is. All in Christ Jesus are the seed of Abraham and are heirs according to promise Galatians 3:29.
Dispensationalism has done much to distort God’s word.
It’s called replacement theology, which by reading all of the replies on this thread, the OP is a serious believer of. Israel is not finished, nor has the church replaced Israel, their time will once again come into place. God never intended for the church to ever replace the nation of promise. God made a covenant with Abraham and it still is in affect today. Whether or not the latest fad in the church deems otherwise.
I’ll let Bill White of Soul Refuge speak to your comment. My prayer CL, is you will set aside what you have been taught concerning the modern day State of Israel, and prayerfully read Bill’s post. (Link will be included).
I will say this, there has ALWAYS been only one people of God. Not two. And while you mention “the nation” of promise, understand that existed under the old covenant. Jesus, in cutting the New (and better!) covenant, which was never with a nation but with ALL who are found to be abiding in Him (both jews and gentiles), became the one through which the blessings and promises (came) & come! God’s promises and blessings have always been for His (one) people. For 2000 years they have belonged to ALL born again believers in Christ.
More: Have The “Christian” Zionists Accused You Of Preaching A “Replacement Theology” Concerning Israel?
Earlier today, in response to the uproar over President Obama’s words, Don Preston uploaded a good video (8:41 in length) showing that the land promises to Israel are no more and no less “eternal” than are other ordinances (the Levitical priesthood, etc.) which were also said to be “eternal”:
Michael, I agree with George. Excellent observation that Israel did not exist as a nation when the words of Genesis 12:3 were spoken.
Thanks Adam!
This seems to be a forgotten verse these days regarding God’s wrath …
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Cathy:
You’re actually making the point of PJ’s article. In John 3, Jesus is talking about acceptance of Him and salvation. Without Jesus, you are subject to God’s wrath and judgement.
‘Natural’ disasters are indiscriminate. A tornado doesn’t ask whether you accept Jesus or not. I believe God has his hand on everything, but to try to second guess the mind of God as to why these things occur or to try to suggest the ‘God has done this because of that’ isn’t correct. It’s pious, it’s false doctrine and sadly, many people are abusing scripture to push their agendas.
I’m sure that there are believers who have passed amongst those who suffered in the recent tornadoes, but applying this scripture, we can say that those believers are with The Lord now.
Sorry about the repetition of words in my comment above. I wonder how that happened …
No problem, i fixed it
CL,
Actually Dispensationalism is something of a historical novelty. The position you’re calling Replacement Theology is not a fad…it’s actually a pretty basic theological point held throughout all of Church History.
The notion that God has two separate people with two separate plans and that the 2nd Coming gets split into two phases, the first being the ‘Rapture’ for the Gentile Church followed by a 7 Year Tribulation…based on some really strained hermeneutics in Daniel is really not that old.
JN Darby came up with this in the mid 19th century and it did not become popular in the United States until the Moody Campaigns and Bible Conferences of the late 1800′s. Scofield’s Bible with its Dispensational notes was first published in 1909 and that’s when Dispensational Theology really took off.
It’s amazing, the default theology of most Evangelicals is really rather new historically. It doesn’t mean it’s wrong per se….but it’s rather interesting.
Of course you’re entitled to your opinion regarding the teaching of Scripture, but I take exception to your use of the word fad….especially when embracing a theology that’s the same age as Mormonism, 7th Day Adventism, Jehovah’s Witness and the rest.
C.L. Gregory, I to used to be a dispensationalist and argued all the arguments that modern day dispensationalist argue against the Reformed or Biblical view of the promises.
Yet I never said that God was through with a people called Israel, but that the promises are not fulfilled in natural Israel.
If you would stop and listen to the apostles and their words, then you would drop your views on dispensationalism. We are to never take the Old Testament and interpret the New, but are to take the New and interpret the old.
I do not have the time, but to make it simple and short, God is through with the nation called Israel. Jesus pronounced judgment on them in Matthew 23 and stated that their house was left unto them desolate. The covenant promises are still in effect, even though the nation Israel no longer represents the church. Paul clearly stated in Romans 9 that just because someone was of the natural seed does not mean they are heirs.The heirs are all who are called after the order of Isaac. Please read Romans 9. Paul builds the case that God elects whom he pleases.
In Ephesians 2 Paul clearly states that the Gentiles who had no hope have now become fellowcitizens and saints of the promises of the household of Israel. God has taken two people, Jew and Gentile and made one body.
Paul clearly states that Jesus is the heir of the Abrahamic promises and that all in him are the true children of Abraham. Galatians 3
This is not replacement theology, but is unity theology. The term replacement theology was devised by dispensationalist who are blinded to the truth of God’s word.
If any natural born Israelite comes to faith, then they will have to come through Christ and will be part of the church and will be looking for their mansion in the Father’s house per John 14.
There are not two ways to God. The Jews did not believe their Old Testament and therefore rejected Jesus. The kingdom does not consist in a single nation no more, but is present in the body of Christ.
How people can teach that which flies in the face of the clear teaching of the Word of God is simply beyond me.
From Hebrews chapter 8 verses 7 through 13:
For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, He saith, “Behold, the days shall come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in My covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put My laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God and they shall be to Me a People. And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying , Know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” In that He saith, “A new covenant”, He hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
What’s hard about that passage? It clearly teaches that the New Covenant INDEED replaces the old one. And yet we have modern day Judaizers who are fiercely pushing an agenda of reestablishing the Old Covenant and trying to breathe new life into the Israel of old.
George
Yes, there is a new covenant – for the believer. But the law was never done away with, it was mediated through the cross. The cross is the new covenant to man for his sins, but that never took away the laws and principles of God to Israel.
Psalm 105:8-11 God clearly states, he remembers and honors his covenant with Israel. Even though she rejected him, God still will once again turn his attention to her when the age of gentiles become fulfilled. Even the apostle Paul declares that the jews are not done with.
Jeremiah 31:35-37 makes it clear, Israel will return to her glory in the future.
The church can never replace Israel.
C.L. Gregory,
Of course God is not done with the Jews. Are there Jews living today who belong to Christ? Yes. Were there Jews living 500 years ago who belonged to Christ? Yes. They are part of the remnant Paul spoke of in Romans 11:5, of which he (also being a Jew) was a part (Romans11:1).
No one has said that the church replaced Israel, but rather that the church IS Israel. As a national entity, Israel in Old Testament times was never entirely Jewish. Today, spiritual Israel (made up of believing Jews and Gentiles, with no partiality or distinction) happens to be majority non-Jewish in terms of ethnicity (not that we should even have to think in these terms). This should be no surprise when one looks at all the Old Testament promises showing God’s plan and desire to bring salvation to all nations. Why some choose to become disgruntled because of this great expansion of the gospel, and why some even speak ill of the church in order to promote or hope for Jewish superiority, continues to baffle me.
Jeremiah 31:35-37 reads this way:
Thus says the LORD,who gives the sun for light by day
and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is his name: “If this fixed order departs
from before me, declares the LORD,
then shall the offspring of Israel cease
from being a nation before me forever.” Thus says the LORD:”If the heavens above can be measured,
and the foundations of the earth below can be explored, then I will cast off all the offspring of Israel
for all that they have done, declares the LORD.”
Does God have a holy nation before Him at this time? Peter said He does: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).
Have all the offspring of Israel been cast off? Paul again says otherwise: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians 3:29).
This is so about those who have given up on waiting for a Heavenly City and who are willing to settle for an earthly one. It is about apostate Jews now being joined by apostate Christians in an effort to rebuild fallen “Israel”. Is this not so a part of the end time picture? Its the great end time coming together. Peace! Peace! But be sure that God is not a part of it.
It baffles me too Adam.
Those who accuse others of replacement theology do not appear to see it is they themselves who are practicing replacement theology. They have replaced the only true Israel (Christ and his body, the Church) with the modern Israeli State.
Thanks guys for the insight.This brings a lot of clarity to this issue.I wish I could have known this years ago.When I
became a believer about 15 years ago I was exposed to teachings from John hagee that I now know were not biblical.
It amazes me how pervasive this “dual covenant” teaching is here in America.
Art Azurdia has some excellent teachings on this subject
on his website.
People are blessed or cursed not by how they treat Israel, but by how they respond to the claims of Christ upon their lives (Psalm 2:12; 1 Cor.16:22)
http://www.searchingtogether.org/articles/zens/israel.htm