Prophecies regarding Israel

It is clear as we meditate on the Old Testament prophecies concerning the end times that there is a double fulfillment in many of them. The apostles used many of these prophecies to talk about its spiritual fulfillment when the church came into being from the day of Pentecost e.g. Peter in Acts 2:16, James in Acts 15:13. It is however equally clear that there has to be a second physical fulfillment of these prophecies at the end times when Christ returns to establish his physical kingdom here on earth. What disturbs me however is that many believers knowingly or unknowingly claim a third fulfillment which is taking place in Israel before the return of Christ. Many prophecies are being used by them to describe the return of Israel back to their land and how they are being blessed already. This triple (or more accurately the second of three) fulfillment is the cause of most of the confusion regarding Israel and the nations today. 

Now the crux of the matter and it is very important, is this - Has Israel already started receiving favor from God even before they repented or will God's blessing fall on them only after they cry out for the Messiah? Can this return of the Jews happening now be understood as the prophesied 'return'? Has the remnant been manifested already or will the remnant be uncovered only at the coming of Jesus? Is Israel going to tilt towards the Messiah Jesus even now so that the prophecies are coming true one by one or do we have to wait till they cry out en masse while going through the most terrible tribulation (much worse than the Holocaust) that could be thought of? Are these things important for us to know or what? May God grant us all discernment and understanding.

The Old and the New

The Old Testament saint had to worship God through the Law of Moses. A true worshiper in the Old Testament could have fellowship with God but he had to observe the Law as well. It was a combination of the spiritual and the physical. Spiritual service to God did not do away with the physical obligations of the Law. The problem with most of Israel was that they had no contact with God spiritually but tried to please God just by performing the Law. The physical aspect of the Law could not bring them into the presence of God. The priest could perform his duties but he had no entry into the Holy of Holies. The physical aspect of the Law was meant to reveal the holiness and the majesty of God.

A New Testament believer has to worship God through Jesus Christ. He has fellowship with God and because Jesus has fulfilled the Law in its physical aspects, it becomes a wholly spiritual thing for us. However, we cannot ignore what has been done on our behalf. Our worship has to focus on the virtues of Christ. We cannot walk in God’s grace and mercy if we are not bringing our mind to dwell on the holiness and righteousness of God. We do not minimize these because we are no longer under the Law. Mercy and grace are given to us so that we can be brought into and boast in the holiness and righteousness of God our Savior.

Filled vs Full of the Holy Spirit

I can't tell you about the number of people who confuse between being filled with the Holy Spirit and someone having the fullness of the Holy Spirit. 

If we look at Scriptures very carefully, we find out that filling of the Spirit is given to new believers as an initial experience, it can be repeated over and over again and it is meant to anoint us to function in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Corinth church is a classic example of people who were fleshly and yet filled with the Holy Spirit without lacking any spiritual gift. When will the church realise that giftings and fillings are given even to immature believers? Even when Paul in Ephesians exhorts us to be repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit, he talks about it manifesting as songs of praise and shouts of joy. 

The fullness of the Holy Spirit is a different thing altogether. Only Jesus, Stephen and Barnabas are given as examples as those who are full of the Holy Spirit and it is more a level of being than a level of doing. A person who is full of the Holy Spirit has cultivated a lifestyle of being totally yielded to Holy Spirit and therefore contains a fullness that is not ordinarily seen. Other virtues like being full of faith and full of wisdom are mentioned along with this fullness. He has a life that can be directed by Holy Spirit in a way that few can have. His life has been molded and broken to such a degree that Holy Spirit has full reign and can reveal Jesus without flesh standing in the way. They are extraordinary people and these are the people the church needs the most today.

FAITH vs HOPE

FAITH IS EXPECTATION
HOPE IS ANTICIPATION

Faith is something that we are called to move into

Hope is something that moves into us as we believe

FAITH CHANGES THINGS FOR ME

HOPE CHANGES ME FOR THE THINGS OF GOD

Faith works through my circumstances and situations

Hope pierces through my circumstances and situations

THROUGH FAITH I RECEIVE THE THINGS OF GOD

THROUGH HOPE I LOOK FORWARD TO THE THINGS OF GOD

Our faith rests on what God has said

Our hope rests in the God who said

FAITH IS A STEP OF OBEDIENCE

HOPE IS AS A RESULT OF OBEDIENCE

Rule and being ruled

When we read regarding the creation of man in Genesis, the most obvious thing about man being made in the image of God is that he was created to rule. "Let us make man in our image and let him rule..." Most of our complexities of life is because of this inborn tendency inside man. We would all like to be totally carefree and without any complications in our relationships. We don't want others to rule over us and we do not like ruling over someone else too. At least that is what we think. Our biggest complaint is this - what right do you have to interfere in my affairs? And we conveniently forget that we are always meddling into others' affairs. If only our relationships could be without this aspect of authority and submission, we think the world would be heaven on earth.  But that is the way we have been created and the sooner we accept this, the better for us. There is so much beauty in order and heaven is the best example. If God who is on top of everything can become lower than the angels for a time, how much more we should be excited about ruling and being ruled. Love is not the only virtue found in heaven. Authority is also present. Where there is no order, there can be only chaos.