Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
Brown seems to hinge his whole view of scripture on this doctrine of land promises to Israel. He basically stated in the debate that" if God could take His word back from Israel, then how could the Christian be confident in Him?"..That's not an exact quote, but that's what he said.
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
I came away thinking the same thing Brody. Brown insisted that the promises of land had not yet been fulfilled because he feels they did not meet the full criteria of the promises God made to Israel. I think dispensationalists, with similarities to the "Jews" because of their feelings toward them, have developed a strict (or very literal) understanding of what they think the kingdom of God should be and miss the spiritual fulfillment in Christ. During the debate, Steve pointed out Galatians 3:15+ to show that the promises to Abraham (in my opinion this includes the land) were made to the SEED (singular) who is Jesus the Christ. I don't know why we would get so hung up on a particular piece of real estate when in Christ we are heirs of the promises and the entire world (Cf. Romans 4:13). Sure, there were many blessings that came from the nation (Romans 3:1+) and it has a special place in history, but the Old Covenant has been replaced, the promises to Abraham fulfilled in Christ, the kingdom and it's King ushered in, and we simply await the second coming to be reunited with our Lord.
brody196 wrote:Brown seems to hinge his whole view of scripture on this doctrine of land promises to Israel. He basically stated in the debate that" if God could take His word back from Israel, then how could the Christian be confident in Him?"..That's not an exact quote, but that's what he said.
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
. I don't know why we would get so hung up on a particular piece of real estate
No one has to get hung up on the real estate unless your eschatalogy is an important issue. Israel land promises being true or not affect Preterism and Dispensationalism.
As an Historicist it doesn't have an impact. Also doesn't impact Pantology , meaning it will all pan out any which way.
No one has to get hung up on the real estate unless your eschatalogy is an important issue. Israel land promises being true or not affect Preterism and Dispensationalism.
As an Historicist it doesn't have an impact. Also doesn't impact Pantology , meaning it will all pan out any which way.
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
hello steve, when you say this affects preterism, are you thinking of some specific point of preterism, or generally so? could you clarify what you mean by that?steve7150 wrote: ...Israel land promises being true or not affect Preterism and Dispensationalism.
As an Historicist it doesn't have an impact...
grace and peace...
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
hello steve, when you say this affects preterism, are you thinking of some specific point of preterism, or generally so? could you clarify what you mean by that?
grace and peace...
My understanding of Preterism is that God is finished with Israel and prophecy and there are no end time events. Another words the end of the age was 70 AD.
grace and peace...
My understanding of Preterism is that God is finished with Israel and prophecy and there are no end time events. Another words the end of the age was 70 AD.
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
Just wanted to add that Michael Brown talked about this issue on his 5-24-2012 "Line of Fire" radio program (that can be heard on iTunes). Interestingly, on 8-3-2012 (at the ~26 minute mark) Dr. Brown took a call where the caller claimed (as a Christian) to be at least in some way part of Israel or "spiritual Israel" based on Ephesians 2 & Romans 11. Michael Brown took issue with this and the caller got pretty upset with him. The problem is that never really deals with Ephesians 2 & Romans 11 exegetically. When Dr. Brown reads through Ephesians 2 he stops and makes the comment about the possibility of Gentiles being part of "spiritual Israel" but goes on to say that he doesn't see Paul talking like this elsewhere in scripture so it's probably not the case here. Sorry but that's not exegesis. Nor does Paul use the term "spiritual Israel" but rather Israel.
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “ Uncircumcision” by the so-called “ Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise...14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one...19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household...
So Gentiles were at one time excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, But Jesus removed the barrier between both groups (Circumcision & Uncircumcision) and made them one. So that now, us Gentiles are no longer strangers and aliens of Israel but rather are fellow citizens with the saints. It's also interesting to note that the same Greek word translated "commonwealth" in Ephesians 2:12 is translated "citizenship" in Acts 22:28
28 The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”
So we Gentiles were once excluded from citizenship in Israel but are now "one" and are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens. Fellow citizens of what? The church? Yes, Israel? Yes! True remnant Israel.
Usually the next argument that comes up isn't exegetical at all, it's "But what about the rest of Israel who rejected the Messiah? Has God broken His promises with them?" Uhm, if they don't continue in unbelief, God is able to graft them in again.
Ephesians 2:11 Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “ Uncircumcision” by the so-called “ Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise...14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one...19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household...
So Gentiles were at one time excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, But Jesus removed the barrier between both groups (Circumcision & Uncircumcision) and made them one. So that now, us Gentiles are no longer strangers and aliens of Israel but rather are fellow citizens with the saints. It's also interesting to note that the same Greek word translated "commonwealth" in Ephesians 2:12 is translated "citizenship" in Acts 22:28
28 The commander answered, “I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money.” And Paul said, “But I was actually born a citizen.”
So we Gentiles were once excluded from citizenship in Israel but are now "one" and are no longer strangers and aliens but fellow citizens. Fellow citizens of what? The church? Yes, Israel? Yes! True remnant Israel.
Usually the next argument that comes up isn't exegetical at all, it's "But what about the rest of Israel who rejected the Messiah? Has God broken His promises with them?" Uhm, if they don't continue in unbelief, God is able to graft them in again.
He will not fail nor be discouraged till He has established justice in the earth. (Isaiah 42:4)
Re: Upcoming Debate Between Steve Gregg and Dr. Michael Brown
Well I heard the debate and as far as the format and content it was more confusing than edifying. I will have to say I agreed more with Steve than I did Dr. Brown, but it’s because of the dispensational presentation of Dr. Brown that we disagreed. Many points about Israel I agreed with Dr. Brown, but he did not have a grasp on how God fulfilled the promises via the New Covenant and with Steve I had problems with his understanding on how and on what basis God provided salvation to Gentiles.
Trying to provide a rebuttal to both will be very difficult so let me started where Steve started to deal with his famous singular seed argument and compare it with the only other possible text. In Galatians 3:16; Paul is making the point as he does in Romans 9:6-9 that Ishmael’s seed is eliminated and in 9:10, 11; that Esau’s seed is eliminated, which is the implication of “and to your seed,” being that the seed of Isaac and Jacob produces Christ. My question is how does the popular singular seed theory ignore ‘a. – e.’
a. “not that the Word of God has taken no effect.” It is clear from the promises to the children of Israel that everything is going to plan: (no plan a. Jews rejecting Christ providing a case for plan b.)
-Genesis 17:7: “an EVERLASTING COVENANT, to be a God to you and your seed after you.” Followed by 8 other passages for anyone entering into this discussion to be prepared to discuss: Gen. 17:13, 19; 1 Chron. 16:17; Psa.
105:10; Isa. 61: 8; Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 16:60; even after the captivity of Israel and Judah God declared His faithfulness to the descendants on Israel in Ezekiel 37:26 saying, “Moreover I will make a covenant (New Covenant) of
peace with them; it shall be an (continuance of the) EVERLASTING COVENANT with them: and I will place them and multiply them, and will set My Sanctuary (New Jerusalem) in the midst of them for evermore,” God always
faithful to His promises.
-Isaiah 59:21: “My Covenant with them” the “them” is reference to those who transgress in Jacob. Their “descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants seed, says the LORD from this time and forever more.” It is
interesting that those confused by this issue never read or make reference to this verse.
-Jeremiah 31:31, “I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (not like the one made with Moses, but a continuance of the EVERLASTING to restore the Covenant breakers, the transgressions
and sins of Jacob) but this is the Covenant I will make with the (no longer two houses for those in Christ) house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My Law in their minds and write it on their hearts;
I will be their God and they shall be My people.”it on their hearts; I will be their God and they shall be My people.”
-Daniel 9:20-24; “while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel … Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your Holy City, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to
make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.”
b. “nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham;” if God is rejecting the seed of Ishmael and Esau, then why do some think God intends to save the seed of men outside of Jacob?
c. “In Isaac your seed shall be called;” the distinction between seeds as many and seed of one is right here!
d. “in other words, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God;” the children of the flesh, from Hagar and Rebekah; Ishmael & Esau, people without faith by God’s design are typical for Jews and
Gentiles without faith, only because God did not choose to save them, not that they had no value, but they were allowed to come forth to accomplish God’s plan to generate & prepare some for eternity.
e. “in contrast, the children of the promise are counted as the seed,” the true children of God! (not “as seed” the definite article used with Isaac, which Paul could have saved for Christ)
Now that we have looked at Galatians 3: within the context of Romans 9: and other OT passages, the question we have to ask is will it stand alone as we read the passage in Galatians. As we look at this letter from Paul many assumptions are being made to who the Galatians were and if Paul was writing to: an ethnic group or a geographic group; was he writing to all of Galatia or to those in southern Galatia where he established churches. The assumption is that these people were all Celtic people who could not possibly be descendants of Abraham. It is for this reason that many will read this assumption into their interpretation. I believe if that assumption was out
of the picture and people clearly translated the words goim and ethnos it would make a difference in how people understood Paul’s letters to the nations where the people of Israel were scattered.
The internal evidence reveals Paul’s concern that the Judaizers were perverting Paul’s teachings on justification by grace by turning these non-Jewish people into circumcised Jews, to make them acceptable to God. It is when we ignore the teachings of the OT and its promises for the New Covenant to two groups of people who both descend from Jacob that we make many wrong assumptions about the promises made to God’s elect people. Many of the teachings Paul communicated to the people in Galatia were also taught in Paul’s letter to the Romans. In the book of Romans men theorize that Romans 9, 10 and 11 are parenthetical passages out of context from the rest of the book, whereas the book of Galatians is not large enough to have such parenthetical passages. Therefore we need to pay attention to the divisions within the letter.
Paul opens with “to the churches in Galatia” declaring to them there was only one Gospel, revealing his call to be an apostle and his meeting with James in Jerusalem. In chapter 2 we see Paul’s defense of the Gospel being against those who taught a return to the law. Then in chapter 3 we see Paul returning to a theme Paul taught in Romans in how we are being justified by faith.
Galatians 3:1-5; O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain! 5 He therefore that ministered to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
In verses 6-12; Paul then says what most theologians reject “that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” They assume that the heathen of verse 8 are pagan non-descendants of Abraham instead of accepting the fact that they are the heathen descendants of the house of Israel, redeemed through the promises of Jeremiah 31:31-34. In this truth God fulfills the promises He made to Abraham saying, “in you shall all nations be blessed.” The fact is that nobody has ever been justified by the Law, but those God has justified will from the heart desire to live in them.
Galatians 3:6-12; “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, ‘in you shall all nations be blessed.’ 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, ‘cursed is every one that continues not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, the man that does them shall live in them.
In verses 13-18; the fact is that Paul is saying it, but we are not seeing it being blinded by our presupposition that we have the wrong definition for the word ‘ethnos.’ The word means ‘peoples from a plurality of nations’ instead the use of the word ‘Gentiles’ is the same the word play going on in our generation as with the word ‘fetus’ being substituted for the word baby; this is consistent with my position that Israel made up of tribes were scattered into the nations. Then Paul moves back to the Scriptures when saying, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.” So when Paul says, “not to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ,” it is impossible to negate all of the OT promises to Jacobs descendants, therefore Paul must be saying as in Romans 9 that not all the seeds of Abraham received the promises, only Isaac; then the same for Isaac’s seed when Esau’s descendants were eliminated, then finally by Christ when He eliminated those descendants of Jacob who He called the seed of their father Satan. This means when Paul says, “to your seed, which is Christ,” it can’t be speaking of spiritual seed, since God has no grandchildren; he is saying that the promises including eternal life (obviously more than the blessings of this life, which all Israelites had) were only for those who are in Christ. To me it is clear that Paul is referring to the offspring of the Galatians who will not be raised as Judaizers, but will be raised in Christ. The unity of the Everlasting Covenants and the purpose for the Law is confirmed in 17 & 18 which make the distinction between the natural promises and the heavenly promise God made to Abraham, seen in Hebrews 11: 8-16.
[but as of one, (Isaac to Jacob) to your seed, (the seed of the Galatian Christians)]
Galatians 3:13-18; “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, ‘cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:’ (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man validates, or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed (thru Isaac) were the promises made. He says not, and to seeds, as of many; [but as of one, and to your seed,] which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, (New Everlasting) that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, (Sinaic Covenant) which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot validates, that it should make the promise (Gods Covenant with Abraham / Jacob) of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
In verses 19-29; Paul continues with this line of thought not to say all the promises to the seed of Abraham have been revoked, but to say the Law was added and served its purpose for the children of Israel until Christ came to deal with our sins Isaiah 59:20. For this reason all the sacrifices, types and shadows served their purpose until Christ came; and now the Judaizers were trying to return to that system. So the purpose for Paul to arrive at the statement “to your seed, which is Christ,” was to deal a blow to the Judaizers, not to say the promises to the descendants of Jacob have been revoked, or use it to reinterpret Genesis 22:18. Then Paul continues to say the Law is not “against the promises of God, God forbid,” and then to conclude saying, “if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:19-29; “Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise.”
One of the reasons I have a hard time believing Steve’s understanding of this passage is that it contradicts the promises of the OT confirmed by Paul in the books of Romans and Hebrews. Another reason is that the promises made to the Patriarchs were only for the blessings of this life; the promises in Christ go beyond this life and can not be obtained through birth or merit, but only through the grace of God. The idea that all of the blessings of God went from the seed of Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Judah producing Christ is contrary to other Scriptures that said the birthright went to Joseph 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2; in agreement with the blessing of Ephraim that his family would produce a multitude of nations, Genesis 48:19. The wrong interpretation of “to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He says not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ,” is not consistent with the context of Paul’s letter to Galatians. Again the point Paul was making is that the Judaizers had nothing to offer regenerate believers, the ceremonial laws had severed its purpose to prepare God’s people for Christ. It must be that the affect of the Judaizers was on the unregenerate professing believers in Galatia.
Now we need to view all of this with the understanding of the New Covenant in light of the OT and its primary reference in Jeremiah 31:31 saying, “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” So if we are paying close attention to this passage we should notice that we have two groups of people, which testifies to the truth that up unto the time of the New Covenants arrival these two groups were still divided. The same for the testimony of Hosea 1:10 saying, “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together.” Now the idea of them coming back together should make us curious to know what groups are coming back together, since most people only have a concept of Jews being scattered all over the earth. The point is very clear in the OT with passages within Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Ezekiel and the writings of Moses that Israel and Judah would be separated, scattered: Israel first around 760 BC into all the nations and Judah second before AD 70 when the Romans laid siege on the Zealots left in Jerusalem. Very few Bible teachers ever make reference to the fact that the New Covenant is a means of restoring the divided people of Israel.
Another theme that Bible students never seem to pick up on would help are those the Prophets say “were not My people” actually become Gentiles in the eyes of men to be restored at the beginning of the New Covenant, and in every generation after that their descendants continue to fulfill these passages. In Hosea 2:23 it says, “I will sow (the house of Israel) unto Me (throughout) the earth; and I will have mercy upon her (house of Israel) that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not My people, you are my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” All of chapter 2 is about the house of Israel, not the house of Judah and is preceded by Hosea 1:6-10 when Hosea said, “for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away, but I will have mercy upon the house of Judah” … for the house of Israel, they “are not My people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, you (house of Israel) are not My people, there it shall be said unto them, you are the sons of the living God,” which was fulfilled with the coming of the New Covenant. Testified by Paul in Romans 9:25, 26 saying, “it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, you (house of Israel) are not My people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” And Peter when he said, “in time past were not a people, (house of Israel) but are now the people of God: (the house of Israel) which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,” as Gentiles being grafted back in, 1 Peter 2:10. All the above was prophesized by Moses in Deuteronomy 32:19-43, referring to those He would restore, “I will move them to jealousy (the house of Judah with the house of Israel in every generation after the established New Covenant) with those which are not a people.” It is also said in Isaiah 7:8, “shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people?” This was a shocker to all of Israel since the tribe of Ephraim was the holder of the birthright, to be blessed with the most blessing over all the other tribes of Israel, yet the LORD did it all the same knowing what the end result would yield. Ephraim’s position is also noted in Ezekiel 37: 15-20.
The point to all this is the Calvinist are all wrong when they theorize as with the ‘golden chain’ that God foreknew a group of people before the foundation of the earth to be saved, when it says, “For whom He did foreknow, (the believing remnant out of the house of Israel, Gentiles and the house of Judah, Jews) He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren (the remnant of Jacob). Moreover whom He did predestinate, (those being transformed by His Spirit) them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified,” Romans 8:29, 30. And who do you think the Romans are? The ones being saved are descendants of “were not a people” (the house of Israel) who were scattered into every nation. This is why, with the house of Israel and Judah going into captivity before the Jews return to Jerusalem; Daniel receives visions of nations (the house of Israel already being scattered into the nations) that make up the Empires where the “not a people” would be scattered. Those returning to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah if you check their genealogies are those of Benjamin, Judah and Levi, the almost 700 other people who did not know their genealogies, could have been the companions seen in Ezekiel 37:16 “For Judah, the children of Israel his companions,” but in comparison to 49,000 from the house of Judah, those the Bible calls Jews, some 700 did not know if they were Israelites or Gibeonites. Sorry Steve and others, it is not a biblical position to say Israel and Judah had already come together before the time of the New Covenant. Not only that the view that Israel and Judah came back together in the days of Ezra is in contradiction to the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31; which indicates the two groups were still divided and would be restored after the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles (nations) was removed so the Gospel could be preached in every nation so that God could save those He foreknew, the remnant of the descendants of Jacob, those God made these promises to.
Trying to provide a rebuttal to both will be very difficult so let me started where Steve started to deal with his famous singular seed argument and compare it with the only other possible text. In Galatians 3:16; Paul is making the point as he does in Romans 9:6-9 that Ishmael’s seed is eliminated and in 9:10, 11; that Esau’s seed is eliminated, which is the implication of “and to your seed,” being that the seed of Isaac and Jacob produces Christ. My question is how does the popular singular seed theory ignore ‘a. – e.’
a. “not that the Word of God has taken no effect.” It is clear from the promises to the children of Israel that everything is going to plan: (no plan a. Jews rejecting Christ providing a case for plan b.)
-Genesis 17:7: “an EVERLASTING COVENANT, to be a God to you and your seed after you.” Followed by 8 other passages for anyone entering into this discussion to be prepared to discuss: Gen. 17:13, 19; 1 Chron. 16:17; Psa.
105:10; Isa. 61: 8; Jer. 32:40; Ezek. 16:60; even after the captivity of Israel and Judah God declared His faithfulness to the descendants on Israel in Ezekiel 37:26 saying, “Moreover I will make a covenant (New Covenant) of
peace with them; it shall be an (continuance of the) EVERLASTING COVENANT with them: and I will place them and multiply them, and will set My Sanctuary (New Jerusalem) in the midst of them for evermore,” God always
faithful to His promises.
-Isaiah 59:21: “My Covenant with them” the “them” is reference to those who transgress in Jacob. Their “descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants seed, says the LORD from this time and forever more.” It is
interesting that those confused by this issue never read or make reference to this verse.
-Jeremiah 31:31, “I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah (not like the one made with Moses, but a continuance of the EVERLASTING to restore the Covenant breakers, the transgressions
and sins of Jacob) but this is the Covenant I will make with the (no longer two houses for those in Christ) house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My Law in their minds and write it on their hearts;
I will be their God and they shall be My people.”it on their hearts; I will be their God and they shall be My people.”
-Daniel 9:20-24; “while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel … Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your Holy City, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to
make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the Most Holy.”
b. “nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham;” if God is rejecting the seed of Ishmael and Esau, then why do some think God intends to save the seed of men outside of Jacob?
c. “In Isaac your seed shall be called;” the distinction between seeds as many and seed of one is right here!
d. “in other words, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God;” the children of the flesh, from Hagar and Rebekah; Ishmael & Esau, people without faith by God’s design are typical for Jews and
Gentiles without faith, only because God did not choose to save them, not that they had no value, but they were allowed to come forth to accomplish God’s plan to generate & prepare some for eternity.
e. “in contrast, the children of the promise are counted as the seed,” the true children of God! (not “as seed” the definite article used with Isaac, which Paul could have saved for Christ)
Now that we have looked at Galatians 3: within the context of Romans 9: and other OT passages, the question we have to ask is will it stand alone as we read the passage in Galatians. As we look at this letter from Paul many assumptions are being made to who the Galatians were and if Paul was writing to: an ethnic group or a geographic group; was he writing to all of Galatia or to those in southern Galatia where he established churches. The assumption is that these people were all Celtic people who could not possibly be descendants of Abraham. It is for this reason that many will read this assumption into their interpretation. I believe if that assumption was out
of the picture and people clearly translated the words goim and ethnos it would make a difference in how people understood Paul’s letters to the nations where the people of Israel were scattered.
The internal evidence reveals Paul’s concern that the Judaizers were perverting Paul’s teachings on justification by grace by turning these non-Jewish people into circumcised Jews, to make them acceptable to God. It is when we ignore the teachings of the OT and its promises for the New Covenant to two groups of people who both descend from Jacob that we make many wrong assumptions about the promises made to God’s elect people. Many of the teachings Paul communicated to the people in Galatia were also taught in Paul’s letter to the Romans. In the book of Romans men theorize that Romans 9, 10 and 11 are parenthetical passages out of context from the rest of the book, whereas the book of Galatians is not large enough to have such parenthetical passages. Therefore we need to pay attention to the divisions within the letter.
Paul opens with “to the churches in Galatia” declaring to them there was only one Gospel, revealing his call to be an apostle and his meeting with James in Jerusalem. In chapter 2 we see Paul’s defense of the Gospel being against those who taught a return to the law. Then in chapter 3 we see Paul returning to a theme Paul taught in Romans in how we are being justified by faith.
Galatians 3:1-5; O foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you, received you the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain? If it be yet in vain! 5 He therefore that ministered to you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, does he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
In verses 6-12; Paul then says what most theologians reject “that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.” They assume that the heathen of verse 8 are pagan non-descendants of Abraham instead of accepting the fact that they are the heathen descendants of the house of Israel, redeemed through the promises of Jeremiah 31:31-34. In this truth God fulfills the promises He made to Abraham saying, “in you shall all nations be blessed.” The fact is that nobody has ever been justified by the Law, but those God has justified will from the heart desire to live in them.
Galatians 3:6-12; “Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. 7 Know you therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, ‘in you shall all nations be blessed.’ 9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, ‘cursed is every one that continues not in all things, which are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, the just shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, the man that does them shall live in them.
In verses 13-18; the fact is that Paul is saying it, but we are not seeing it being blinded by our presupposition that we have the wrong definition for the word ‘ethnos.’ The word means ‘peoples from a plurality of nations’ instead the use of the word ‘Gentiles’ is the same the word play going on in our generation as with the word ‘fetus’ being substituted for the word baby; this is consistent with my position that Israel made up of tribes were scattered into the nations. Then Paul moves back to the Scriptures when saying, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made.” So when Paul says, “not to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ,” it is impossible to negate all of the OT promises to Jacobs descendants, therefore Paul must be saying as in Romans 9 that not all the seeds of Abraham received the promises, only Isaac; then the same for Isaac’s seed when Esau’s descendants were eliminated, then finally by Christ when He eliminated those descendants of Jacob who He called the seed of their father Satan. This means when Paul says, “to your seed, which is Christ,” it can’t be speaking of spiritual seed, since God has no grandchildren; he is saying that the promises including eternal life (obviously more than the blessings of this life, which all Israelites had) were only for those who are in Christ. To me it is clear that Paul is referring to the offspring of the Galatians who will not be raised as Judaizers, but will be raised in Christ. The unity of the Everlasting Covenants and the purpose for the Law is confirmed in 17 & 18 which make the distinction between the natural promises and the heavenly promise God made to Abraham, seen in Hebrews 11: 8-16.
[but as of one, (Isaac to Jacob) to your seed, (the seed of the Galatian Christians)]
Galatians 3:13-18; “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, ‘cursed is every one that hangs on a tree:’ (14) that the blessing of Abraham might come on the gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; though it is but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man validates, or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his seed (thru Isaac) were the promises made. He says not, and to seeds, as of many; [but as of one, and to your seed,] which is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the covenant, (New Everlasting) that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, (Sinaic Covenant) which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot validates, that it should make the promise (Gods Covenant with Abraham / Jacob) of none effect. 18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”
In verses 19-29; Paul continues with this line of thought not to say all the promises to the seed of Abraham have been revoked, but to say the Law was added and served its purpose for the children of Israel until Christ came to deal with our sins Isaiah 59:20. For this reason all the sacrifices, types and shadows served their purpose until Christ came; and now the Judaizers were trying to return to that system. So the purpose for Paul to arrive at the statement “to your seed, which is Christ,” was to deal a blow to the Judaizers, not to say the promises to the descendants of Jacob have been revoked, or use it to reinterpret Genesis 22:18. Then Paul continues to say the Law is not “against the promises of God, God forbid,” and then to conclude saying, “if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
Galatians 3:19-29; “Wherefore then serves the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26 For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's descendants, and heirs according to the promise.”
One of the reasons I have a hard time believing Steve’s understanding of this passage is that it contradicts the promises of the OT confirmed by Paul in the books of Romans and Hebrews. Another reason is that the promises made to the Patriarchs were only for the blessings of this life; the promises in Christ go beyond this life and can not be obtained through birth or merit, but only through the grace of God. The idea that all of the blessings of God went from the seed of Abraham to Isaac to Jacob to Judah producing Christ is contrary to other Scriptures that said the birthright went to Joseph 1 Chronicles 5:1, 2; in agreement with the blessing of Ephraim that his family would produce a multitude of nations, Genesis 48:19. The wrong interpretation of “to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He says not, and to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to your seed, which is Christ,” is not consistent with the context of Paul’s letter to Galatians. Again the point Paul was making is that the Judaizers had nothing to offer regenerate believers, the ceremonial laws had severed its purpose to prepare God’s people for Christ. It must be that the affect of the Judaizers was on the unregenerate professing believers in Galatia.
Now we need to view all of this with the understanding of the New Covenant in light of the OT and its primary reference in Jeremiah 31:31 saying, “Behold, the days come, says the LORD, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah.” So if we are paying close attention to this passage we should notice that we have two groups of people, which testifies to the truth that up unto the time of the New Covenants arrival these two groups were still divided. The same for the testimony of Hosea 1:10 saying, “Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together.” Now the idea of them coming back together should make us curious to know what groups are coming back together, since most people only have a concept of Jews being scattered all over the earth. The point is very clear in the OT with passages within Isaiah, Jeremiah, Hosea, Ezekiel and the writings of Moses that Israel and Judah would be separated, scattered: Israel first around 760 BC into all the nations and Judah second before AD 70 when the Romans laid siege on the Zealots left in Jerusalem. Very few Bible teachers ever make reference to the fact that the New Covenant is a means of restoring the divided people of Israel.
Another theme that Bible students never seem to pick up on would help are those the Prophets say “were not My people” actually become Gentiles in the eyes of men to be restored at the beginning of the New Covenant, and in every generation after that their descendants continue to fulfill these passages. In Hosea 2:23 it says, “I will sow (the house of Israel) unto Me (throughout) the earth; and I will have mercy upon her (house of Israel) that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not My people, you are my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” All of chapter 2 is about the house of Israel, not the house of Judah and is preceded by Hosea 1:6-10 when Hosea said, “for I will no more have mercy upon the house of Israel; but I will utterly take them away, but I will have mercy upon the house of Judah” … for the house of Israel, they “are not My people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, you (house of Israel) are not My people, there it shall be said unto them, you are the sons of the living God,” which was fulfilled with the coming of the New Covenant. Testified by Paul in Romans 9:25, 26 saying, “it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, you (house of Israel) are not My people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” And Peter when he said, “in time past were not a people, (house of Israel) but are now the people of God: (the house of Israel) which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy,” as Gentiles being grafted back in, 1 Peter 2:10. All the above was prophesized by Moses in Deuteronomy 32:19-43, referring to those He would restore, “I will move them to jealousy (the house of Judah with the house of Israel in every generation after the established New Covenant) with those which are not a people.” It is also said in Isaiah 7:8, “shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people?” This was a shocker to all of Israel since the tribe of Ephraim was the holder of the birthright, to be blessed with the most blessing over all the other tribes of Israel, yet the LORD did it all the same knowing what the end result would yield. Ephraim’s position is also noted in Ezekiel 37: 15-20.
The point to all this is the Calvinist are all wrong when they theorize as with the ‘golden chain’ that God foreknew a group of people before the foundation of the earth to be saved, when it says, “For whom He did foreknow, (the believing remnant out of the house of Israel, Gentiles and the house of Judah, Jews) He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He (Jesus) might be the firstborn among many brethren (the remnant of Jacob). Moreover whom He did predestinate, (those being transformed by His Spirit) them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified,” Romans 8:29, 30. And who do you think the Romans are? The ones being saved are descendants of “were not a people” (the house of Israel) who were scattered into every nation. This is why, with the house of Israel and Judah going into captivity before the Jews return to Jerusalem; Daniel receives visions of nations (the house of Israel already being scattered into the nations) that make up the Empires where the “not a people” would be scattered. Those returning to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah if you check their genealogies are those of Benjamin, Judah and Levi, the almost 700 other people who did not know their genealogies, could have been the companions seen in Ezekiel 37:16 “For Judah, the children of Israel his companions,” but in comparison to 49,000 from the house of Judah, those the Bible calls Jews, some 700 did not know if they were Israelites or Gibeonites. Sorry Steve and others, it is not a biblical position to say Israel and Judah had already come together before the time of the New Covenant. Not only that the view that Israel and Judah came back together in the days of Ezra is in contradiction to the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:31; which indicates the two groups were still divided and would be restored after the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles (nations) was removed so the Gospel could be preached in every nation so that God could save those He foreknew, the remnant of the descendants of Jacob, those God made these promises to.