Get Israel Right Or Get All Prophecy Wrong
Today there are two fundamental ways that the Bible is interpreted with regards to Israel and prophecy. These two differing methods of interpretation will each result in differing understandings of who Israel is and what prophecy says. One method is a literal approach to scripture interpretation which results in Israel being understood as consisting of the physical flesh and blood descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The other method is an allegorical understanding in which results in Israel being understood as a spiritual entity in which any believer, Jew or Gentile, is a "true Jew" and "spiritual" Israel.
The literal approach to interpretation leads to the understanding that there are countless prophecies in the Old and New Testaments that are yet to be fulfilled by the physical descendants of Jacob. The allegorical approach to interpretation leads to the understanding that these prophesies formerly given to Jacob's flesh and blood descendants are now being fulfilled for all believers in the church, Jew and Gentile.
Recognizing these two approaches to interpretation and how they are influencing your understanding of Israel and prophecy will bring clarity to the prophetic word.
Exhortation to be Attentive to the Prophetic Word
Why involve yourself with prophecy at all? The subject of Israel and prophecy seems to give rise to arguments and division. Aside from being exhorted that the prophetic message is a light shining in a dark place that we should pay attention to, we who choose to wade into the prophetic waters are promised a special blessing.
2Pe_1:19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Rev_1:3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.
About This Class
It is my understanding that many choose to avoid the subjects of Israel and prophecy due to their complexity and seeming divisiveness. Divisiveness though, is a matter of the individuals heart, not the text itself. We should not be dissuaded from the study of these two subjects.
We will see how our method of interpretation, whether literal or allegorical, affects our view of Israel and prophecy. Armed with that understanding, I am confident that this class will provide for you greater clarity regarding Israel and prophecy.
In the interest of full disclosure, the content in this class, while presenting all sides, will focus mainly on a literal presentation that results in pre-Tribulational and pre-Millennial view of Israel and prophecy.
Subjects That Will be Covered
This class will be taught in an interactive manner. We will proceed through the subjects in a manner that accommodates questions and discussion, which will be welcome. Each week we will proceed through the material as far as discussion allows, and we will pick up where we left off the following week.
The material for this class can be found online at:
https://www.tojesusbeallglory.com/p/a-study-of-israel-and-prophecy.html
Introduction
Why Study Israel and Prophecy
Dispensationalism vs. Covenantalism
Covenant Post-Millenialism
Covenant A-Millenialism
Preterism
Understanding Israel
Israel, the Remnant and Messianic Jews
The 12 Tribes and the Lost Tribes Myth
Who are Gentiles and What are Proselytes
Spiritual Israel, True Jews and the Israel of God
No Difference Between Jew and Gentile
Israel's Future
An Overview of Israel and their Land
Tracing Israel's Physical Promises
Abraham's Physical vs. Spiritual Blessings
The Regeneration and Restoration of Israel
Prophecy
Prophetic Overview Handout
Resurrections and Judgments
Daniel's 70 Sevens Prophecy
The Olivet Discourse
The Rapture of the Bride
The Bema Judgment, Wedding, and Wedding Feast
The Messianic Kingdom
The New Jerusalem
Additional Discussion
If you would like to have questions answered and continue a discussion of what is presented in this class join this Facebook group. I am one of the Administrators of the group, and we vigorously enforce thoughtful and respectful conversation on a variety of eschatological and prophetic topics.
Eschatology - End Times Discussion Ecclesia
I’m interested. You clearly have a much better understanding on this subject. You might need to explain what a lot of these words to me.
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I'm hoping the church will make an announcement about when this will start. If not, I'm guessing this is Mike, and if so I'll let you know. Shooting for a September start.
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