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Replacement Theology teaches the the Church replaces Israel. Many groups deny that they do
this but a close look at their theology and eschatology often says otherwise.
Israel also doesn't replace the Church either, and so the purpose of this message is to demonstrate
how to Rightly divide the word of truth so as to not to commit any of the two errors above.
It is important to make distinctions if that is what God intended.
Looking
at Matthew 24 for instance, we need to ask some basic
questions.
1) Matthew 24:21 is speaking of a time of 'great
tribulation'.
Is this the same as what the OT refers to as 'Jacob's Trouble'?
(Jeremiah 30:7)
2) Is Matthew
24 mainly referring to believing Israel? This was actually who Jesus was speaking to when he made these statements.
We
know that this is partly speaking to believers, the question is
whether it is Jew, Gentile or both.
Does the use
of the word, 'elect' in this chapter refer to Jewish
and Gentile believers or Jewish believers?
It is evident that
in the gospels Jesus certainly made a distinction
between Jew and Gentile. (Matthew 10:5,6)
So did the apostles
(Galatians 2:9)
Matthew twenty four refers to:
Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:25-27), which
applies to Israel.
Elect, which can only be determined by context. Context says that
when he refers to elect
here he is specifically referring to Jewish
believers.
Temple: 24:2, which is a Jewish temple.
Those in
Judaea should flee to the mountains 24:16...Sorry, I don't
live in Judaea either.
Pray that your flight not be
on the sabbath 24:20...Why should a
Gentile believer be concerned about whether his flight is on the sabbath or
not?
Many
believers have assumed that the observance of the Sabbath
should be the concern of all believers. This results in taking
what
only concerns Israel and applying it to the church.
Parable of the fig tree is related to Israel. (24:32)
Compare
the 'taken' reference to the Noah example and you will see
that the ones 'taken' are the wicked.
Tell me what you
think.
Also check out the following link:
http://geocities.com/protestantscot/ttd/chapter2.html
BJ Max
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