-YESHUA-MESSIAH of the Bible-Part one

* Because of the many pejorative questions that come from Judaism and Islam concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Yeshua-Messiah, I would present these selected passages as the clear evidence for these indispensable events in Christianity—

Isa.55: "¹Ho, every one of you that thirsts, come to the waters, and he that has no money; come, buy and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ²Why do you spend money for that which is not bread? And why do you labor for that which satisfies not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

³Incline your ear and come unto me; hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. ⁴Behold, I have given him [Yeshua-Messiah] for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.

⁵Behold, you shall call a nation that you know not; and a nation that knew not you shall run unto you, because of Jehovah your God, and for the Holy One of Israel; [Yeshua-Messiah] for he has glorified you."

John 1: "¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God [‘Elohiym—Ref.Gen.1:1]. ²The same was in the beginning with God. ³All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that has been made. ⁴In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

⁵And the light shined in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

⁶There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John. ⁷The same came for a witness, that he might bear witness of the light, that all might believe through him. ⁸He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light. [Ref.Mal.4:4-6; Lu.1:13-17; Mat.11:14; Mat.17:10-13; Mk.9:11-13]

⁹There was the true light [Yeshua-Messiah], even the light which lights every man, coming into the world. [Ref.Jn.8:12; 9:5]

¹⁰He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world knew him not.

¹¹He came unto his own, and they that were his own received him not.

¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name: ¹³who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. [Ref.Rom.8:]

¹⁴And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth." [Ref.Jn.17]

Amen. [RASV-1901]

I would also like to add this preparatory comment: This obvious Christian understanding can be advanced only when we receive the Old and New Testaments as the true living Word of God: Understanding that all Scripture is in fact "God breathed". WE OBSERVE HOW ONLY THE BIBLE ITSELF CAN INTERPRET, EXPLAIN, AND CONFIRM THE BIBLE. Therefore, the observations presented here are all taken from the Holy Scriptures themselves, as the positive proof of God’s perfect plan of redemption in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant—the continuum of His universal reconciliation.

-THE BIRTH AND MINISTRY OF YESHUA-MESSIAH-

The prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus is clearly revealed in both the Old and New Testaments (It was not a mystery):

The prophecy - The predicted event is pictured.

Isa.7:14—The Lord Himself will give you a sign, a virgin [almah-lass, damsel, or maiden] shall conceive, and bear a Son and shall call His name Immanuel.

The prophecy - The predicted event pictured, is confirmed.

Mat.1:23—Behold, the virgin [parthenos-maiden, or unmarried daughter] shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is being interpreted God with us.

Though some Jewish scholars would argue that the word which is being defined here from Isaiah as a virgin, could be defined as a maiden, or a young unmarried woman. I am not sure that I can see the real legitimacy of their complaint over this definition. I believe that it was assumed in the Jewish tradition that a maiden or young unmarried woman was in fact still a virgin. This also reveals the continued rejection of Yeshua-Messiah by most of the Jewish religious leaders—even to this very day.

So to address the question on the meaning of "virgin/ or young woman [maiden—‘almah/ parthenos]. As I stated, I believe it was not only assumed in the Jewish tradition that a young unmarried woman was a virgin, it was required. Consequently, we see that Joseph, being a just man, was prepared to handle this obvious problem privately. Which is the reason that the angel came to Joseph in a dream—telling him that even though his espoused was with child, that he was still to take her to be his wife [woman—‘ishshah/ gune]. And I must repeat that I continue to fail to see the legitimacy of this argument.

Then concerning the definition of Immanuel—even though others might differ, it is also clear that the Christian Church has accepted Matthew’s plain definition of "His name Immanuel, which is being interpreted God with us".

How this prophecy was to be fulfilled.

Lu.1:30,31,34, and 35—And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: For behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS... And Mary said unto the angel, How shall this be, since I have not known a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Spirit shall come upon you, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you: Wherefore also That which is to be born shall be called Holy, the Son of God.

Important points that God gives us in this passage:

Jesus is the virgin born Son of Mary.

Jesus is proclaimed to be the Holy Son of God.

The proclamations of the Angel Gabriel and Elizabeth:

Lu.1:28; 1:42; and 1:31— Hail, (Mary) endued with grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. JESUS.

Lu.1:46-51a—Mary said: My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has looked upon the low estate of His handmaid: For behold, from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is Mighty has done me great things; and Holy is His Name. And His mercy is upon generations and generations, on them that fear Him. He has shown <A> strength with His Holy Arm.

In addition to the prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus - the Holy Son of God, God also introduces His Holy Arm - Jesus.

*** <A> = The Arm of Jehovah - Jesus.

These Scriptures are also clear examples of how the Bible interprets the Bible. Scriptural conformation of scriptural principles and facts.

The fulfillment of the predicted birth of our Lord: A prophetic picture of the event.

Isa.9:6 and 7—For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders, and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end. <B> Upon the throne of David, and upon His Kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from henceforth even forever. The Zeal of Jehovah of Hosts will perform this.

*** Note: Zech.4:6b—Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit says Jehovah of Hosts. [The Zeal of Jehovah = The Holy Spirit]!

The event itself is confirmed.

Lu.2:11—For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. [Yeshua-Messiah]

Lu.1:32 and 33—He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Most High: And the Lord God shall give unto Him <B> the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.

** The house of JACOB is the house of ISRAEL; also CONTAINING GOD’S INVISIBLE ISRAEL-THE ISRAEL OF GOD.

*** <B> = Jesus, presently positioned on David's throne: The fulfillment of God's promise to David.

The declaration of Isa.9:7 and Lu.1:32 and 33 is very clear and to the point: Jesus was to receive the throne and kingdom of David—and that, this Kingdom was to be an endless Kingdom. Jesus would uphold this Kingdom with justice and with righteousness. These same Scriptures also tell us that the Zeal of Jehovah, which is His own Holy Spirit, would perform all of these things.

Simeon declares the identity and the purpose of Yeshua-Messiah.

Lu.2:25-32—And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the Consolation of Israel: And the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ (Anointed/Messiah). And he came in the Spirit into the temple: And when the parents brought the Child Jesus, that they might do concerning Him, after the custom of the law: Then he (Simeon) received Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now let Your servant depart, Lord, according to Your Word, in peace, for my eyes have seen YOUR SALVATION, [Ref.Isa.52:10] which You have prepared before the face of all peoples: A LIGHT OF REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, [Ref.Isa.49:6] and THE GLORY OF YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL.

It must be remembered that the Old Covenant was still in full-effect at the time of this revelation.

Simeon declared: Jesus, the fulfillment of God's promises:

(1) Jesus was the Consolation (Comforter) of Israel.

(2) Jesus was the Salvation of God unto all peoples.

(3) Jesus was the Light of the Gentiles.

(4) Jesus was the Glory of Israel.

(5) Jesus was the Salvation of our God unto the end of the earth.

 

The declaration of the kingdom of David is again brought into view.

Mk.11:9 and 10—And they that went before, and that followed, cried, Hosanna, Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord: Blessed is the kingdom that (has) come, <B> the kingdom of our father David: Hosanna in the highest.

This Scripture is clearly speaking about the Lord Jesus Christ, who did come in the name of the Lord. The children of Israel were also rejoicing in the kingdom of David, because that Kingdom had come unto them as well. They were blessing the Son of David. [Ref.Mat.1:1]

Mat.21:15—But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children that were crying in the temple and saying, Hosanna to <B> the Son of David, they were moved with indignation.

I cannot believe that the children of Israel were rejoicing in something that would not come unto them for thousands of years. Referring of course to the Kingdom of God; to the kingdom of David; to the Kingdom of the Son of His love; the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. We might also inquire into why these religious leaders were moved with indignation.

More prophecy is given in Zech.9:9, which concern Jesus: <C> Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion. Behold, your King (will) come unto you: He is just, and having salvation; Lowly, and riding upon an ass, even the foal of an ass.

And the fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in Mat.21:4 and 5:

<C> Tell the Daughters of Zion, behold, your King comes unto you, meek, and riding upon an ass, upon a colt of the foal of an ass.

<C> Jn.12:13b—Hosanna: Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel. [Ref. Mat.27:37; Jn.18:37]

<C> Jn.1:49—Nathanael answered Him: Rabbi, You are the Son of God, You are King of Israel.

*** <C> = Jesus - the King of Israel.

<C> Jn.18:37—(Jesus tells us) To this end have I been born...

Jesus did come in fulfillment of the promised King, and Jesus now sits as reigning King at the Father's right hand in heaven. And when Jesus returns as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, He will come to tread the winepress of the wrath of God Almighty. [Ref. Rev.17:14; 19:16]

Jn.7:42—Have not the Scriptures said that Christ (would) come of the

<B> seed of David, from Bethlehem, the village where David was?

Lu.1:68 and 69—(For) God has wrought redemption for His people and has

<B>raised up a Horn of Salvation unto us in the house of His servant David.

Mic.5:2—But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, which are little to be among the thousands of Judah. Out of you shall One come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. [Ref.Jn.1:)

And this prophetic Scripture is confirmed in Mat.2:6—

And you Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah. For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, who shall be Shepherd of My people Israel.

Jesus tells us in Jn.10:14-16—I am the good Shepherd, I know My own and My own know Me... I lay down My life for the sheep. Another sheep I have, which are not of this fold; Them also I must bring, and they also shall hear My voice, and they shall become ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD.

The above Scripture demands a state of total unity in the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ; the Kingdom of the Son of His love.

Jn.1:41—He found first his brother Simon, and said unto him: We

have found the <D> Messiah: (Which is interpreted, the Christ/Anointed)

Jn.4:25 and 26—The woman said unto Him (Jesus): I know that <D> Messiah (will) come, He that is called Christ: When He has come, He will declare unto us all things. Jesus said unto her: I that speak unto you, Am He.

*** <D> = Jesus - the promised Messiah (the Christ / the Anointed).

<A> Additional Scriptures on the Arm of Jehovah - Jesus.

Isa.63:4b and 5—(The year of the redeemed is come) And I looked, and there was none to help, and I wondered that there was none to uphold: <A> Therefore, My own Arm brought salvation unto Me.

Isa.52:10—(For) Jehovah has made bare <A> His Holy Arm in the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth have seen the Salvation of our God.

Ps.98:1—Oh sing unto Jehovah a new song, for He has done marvelous things. His Right Hand, and <A> His Holy Arm have worked salvation for Him.

Isa.51:5 and 9—My Righteousness is near, My Salvation has gone forth, and <A> on My Arm shall they trust.

Isa.53:1-6—"¹Who has believed our report? and to whom has <A> the arm of Jehovah been revealed? [Ref.Jn.12:38] ²For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: as one from whom men hide their face; he was despised and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; [Ref.Mat.8:17] yet we did esteem him stricken, punished of God, and afflicted. [Ref.Jn.19:7] ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; [Ref.1Cor.15:3; Heb.9:28; Rom.4:25] the chastisement of our peace was upon him; [Ref.1Pe.2:23-24] and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

There is no doubt that Isa.53 is revealing the suffering Saviour. And there is no doubt that the Arm of Jehovah represents Jesus. This is another example of allowing the Bible to interpret the Bible: Allowing the Scriptures their clarity and compatibility.

Isa.11:1—And there shall come forth a Shoot out of the stock of Jesse, and a Branch out of his Root shall bear fruit.

From Jeremiah 23:5-6 we are told: Behold the days come, says Jehovah, <B> that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as <C> king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness. [Ref.Acts.17:31]

Isa.11:10—And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Root of Jesse (Yeshua-Messiah) that stands for a sign of the people (visible Israel), unto Him shall the nations (the Gentiles) seek, and His resting place shall be glory (Heaven).

And we see the fulfillment of Isa.11:10 in Rom.15:12—

And again Isaiah says: There shall be a Root of Jesse, and He that arises to rule over the nations, on Him shall the nations hope.

God's prophetic view toward His universal reconciliation is clearly evident in these passages. The door of salvation is now opened to all. [Ref.Mat.4:12-16; Isa.9:1-2; Deut.32:43; Ps.117:1-2]

Zech.3:8b-10—(For) they are men that are a sign: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the Branch. For, behold, the stone that I have set before Joshua; upon one stone are seven eyes [Ref.Rev.5:6]: behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, says Jehovah of hosts, and I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day. In that day, says Jehovah of hosts, shall you invite every man his neighbor under the vine and under the fig tree.

Isa.28:16—Therefore, this, says the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a Stone, a Tried Stone, a precious Corner-Stone of sure foundation, he that believes shall not be put to shame.

These same facts are confirmed in 1Pe.2:6—Because it is contained in Scripture: Behold, I lay in Zion a Chief Corner Stone, Elect, Precious: And he that believes on Him shall not be put to shame.

A prayer—Most Holy God, gracefully bless the truth of Your Word to our minds and hearts. -AMEN-

 

 

YESHUA-MESSIAH of the Bible-Part two

-THE DEATH OF YESHUA-MESSIAH-

*Isa.53: ¹Who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of Jehovah been revealed? [Ref.Jn.12:38] ²For he grew up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. ³He was despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief: as one from whom men hide their face; he was despised and we esteemed him not.

⁴Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; [Ref.Mat.8:17] yet we did esteem him stricken, punished of God, and afflicted. [Ref.Jn.19:7] ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; [Ref.1Cor.15:3; Heb.9:28; Rom.4:25] the chastisement of our peace was upon him; [Ref.1Pe.2:23-24] and with his stripes we are healed. ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed, yet when he was afflicted he opened not his mouth; [Ref.Jn.19:9] as a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before its shearers is dumb, [Ref.Acts.8:32-33] so he opened not his mouth. ⁸By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who among them considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due?

          ⁹And they made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; [Ref.Mat.27:57-60] although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰yet it pleased Jehovah to bruise him; he has put him to grief: when you shall make his soul an offering for sin, [Ref.Jn.1:29] he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of Jehovah shall prosper in his hand. ¹¹He shall see of the travail of his soul, [Ref.Jn.10:14-18] and shall be satisfied: by the knowledge of himself shall my righteous servant justify many; and he shall bear their iniquities. [Ref.Rom.5:18-19] ¹²Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the plunder with the strong; because he poured out his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors: [Ref.Luk.22:37] yet he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. [Ref.2Cor.5:21]

Psalm.22: ¹My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? [Ref.Mat.27:46] Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? ²O my God, I cry in the daytime, but you answer not; And in the night season, I am not silent. ³But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel. ⁴Our fathers trusted in you: They trusted, and you did deliver them. ⁵They cried unto you, and were delivered: They trusted in you, and were not put to shame. ⁶But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people. ⁷All they that see me laugh me to scorn: They shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ⁸Commit yourself unto Jehovah; Let him deliver him: Let him rescue him, seeing he delights in him. [Ref.Mat.27:43] ⁹But you are he that took me out of the womb; you did make me trust when I was upon my mother’s breasts. ¹⁰I was cast upon you from the womb; you are my God since my mother bare me.

¹¹Be not far from me; For trouble is near; For there is none to help. ¹²Many bulls have surrounded me; Strong bulls of Ba-shan have circled round me. ¹³They come upon me with their open mouth, As a ravening and a roaring lion. ¹⁴I am poured out like water, And all my bones are out of joint: My heart is like wax; It is melted within me. ¹⁵My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue clings to my jaws; And you have brought me into the dust of death. ¹⁶For dogs have compassed me: A company of evil-doers have enclosed me; They pierced my hands and my feet. [Ref.Mat.27:35; Jn.20:25] ¹⁷I may count all my bones; They look and stare upon me. ¹⁸They part my garments among them, And upon my vesture do they cast lots. [Ref.Jn.19:24; Luk.23:34] ¹⁹But be not far off, O Jehovah: O you my succor, you hurry to help me. ²⁰Deliver my soul from the sword, My darling from the power of the dog. ²¹Save me from the lion’s mouth; yes, from the horns of the wild-oxen you have answered me.

²²I will declare your name unto my brethren: In the midst of the assembly will I praise you. [Ref.Heb.2:12] ²³You that fear Jehovah, praise him; All you the seed of Jacob, glorify him; And stand in awe of him, all you the seed of Israel. ²⁴For he has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Neither has he hid his face from him; But when he cried unto him, he heard. ²⁵Of you comes my praise in the great assembly: I will pay my vows before them that fear him. ²⁶The meek shall eat and be satisfied; They shall praise Jehovah that seek after him: Let your heart live for ever. ²⁷All the ends of the earth [the whole earth] shall remember and turn unto Jehovah; And all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before you. ²⁸For the kingdom is Jehovah’s; And he is the ruler over the nations. [Ref.Rev.11:15] ²⁹All the fat ones of the earth shall eat and worship: All they that go down to the dust shall bow before him, Even he that cannot keep his soul alive. ³⁰A seed shall serve him; It shall be told of the Lord unto the generation. ³¹They shall come and shall declare his righteousness Unto a people that shall be born, that he has done it.

 

But here in this paper, we are attempting to understand exactly what Jesus accomplished during His first advent, and then exactly what His present position is.

-THE RESURRECTION AND ASCENSION OF YESHUA-MESSIAH-

Acts.13:34-38—And as concerning that He (God) raised Him (Jesus) from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, He has spoken in this way: I will give You (Jesus) <B> the Holy and sure blessing of David. Because He said in another Psalm: You will not give Your Holy One to see corruption. For David served God, died, and his body saw corruption. But He (Jesus) whom God raised up, saw no corruption. Be it known unto you therefore, brethren, that through this Man (Yeshua-Messiah) is proclaimed unto you remission of sins. (Ref.Ps.16:10)

Isa.55:3-5—I will make an Everlasting Covenant with You, even the sure mercies of David. Behold, I have given Him (Jesus) for a witness of the peoples, a Leader, and a Commander of the peoples.

Ps.16:10—For You will not leave My (Jesus) soul in Sheol, neither will You suffer Your Holy One to see corruption.

[Jesus, whom God raised up—Ref.Acts.2:32; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30, 33-34, 37; 17:31; Rom.4:24; 6:4; 8:11; 10:9; 1Co.6:14; 15:15; 2Co.4:14; Gal.1:1; Eph.1:20; Col.2:12; 1Th.1:10; Heb.13:20; 1Pe.1:21]

Acts.2:24 and 29—(Of Jesus), whom God raised up and loosed the pangs of death. The patriarch David both died, was buried, and his tomb is with us today.

So as to remove much of the confusion that commonly exists between the natural and the supernatural—the visible and the invisible, God has given us this Scripture that demonstrates the natural corruption of David in contrast to the supernatural incorruption of Jesus.

Acts.2:30—(David), being a prophet, and [knowing that God had sworn with an oath unto him, that of the fruit of his loins He would set One upon his <B> (David's) throne.] = [this]

Ps.132:11—Jehovah has sworn unto David in truth, He will not turn from it: <B> Of the fruit of your body will I set upon your throne.

Acts.2:31-33a—(The prophet David) foreseeing [this], spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was He left into Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus did God raise up, whereof we are all witnesses. <C> Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted.

<C> Heb.1:8/Ps.45:6—Of the Son He says, Your throne O God, is for ever <B> and ever, and the sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your Kingdom.

And we can see this same prophecy pictured in 2Sam.7:12-14a—(Speaking of king David): When your days are fulfilled, and you shall sleep with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, that shall proceed out of your bowels, and <B> I will establish His Kingdom. And He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His Kingdom for ever. I will be His Father, and He shall be My Son.

The eternal aspects of this prophecy demands its fulfillment only in the eternal King; the Lord Jesus Christ.

[<B> Isa.16:5—And a throne shall be established in lovingkindness, and One shall sit thereon in truth, in the tent of David, judging, and seeking justice, and swift to do righteousness.]

<B> Acts.2:34—For David ascended not into the heavens, but he said himself: The Lord said unto my Lord, You, sit on My right hand, till I make Your enemies the footstool of Your feet. (Ref.Ps.110:1; Mat.22:44)

This Scripture was specifically given, so that we could understand the location of this throne that was to be occupied: It is exactly that heavenly throne, that is located at the Father's right hand, where Jesus now sits.

We are given another prophecy concerning God's promise to David:

Amos.9:11 and 12—In that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof, and I will raise up its ruins, and will build it as in the days of old, that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the nations that are called by My name, says Jehovah that does this.

And we are told that this prophecy is fulfilled in Acts.15:16-18:

After these things I will return, I will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen: And I will build again the ruins thereof, and will set it up: That the residue of men (visible Israel) may seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles upon whom My name is called, says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.

As a reminder of the precise fulfillment of this prophecy, we need to carefully read Peter's own statement that he gave to the elders at Jerusalem.

Acts.15:7-11—Peter rose up, and said unto them: Brethren, you know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as He did unto us, and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you make trial of God, that you should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they. (Ref. Peter's preaching in Acts chapters 10 and 11.)

The apostle James is speaking in Acts.15:13 and 14—Brethren, listen unto me: Symeon (Simon) has rehearsed how God first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.

The Symeon in this passage, I believe, should read Simon; Because it was Simon Peter who had just rehearsed how God visited the Gentiles through his preaching. V.15: And to this agree the words of the prophets, as it is written: and then quoting Acts 15:16-18/Amos.9:11 and 12. These Scriptures confirm the full inclusion of the Church age into God’s universal reconciliation: The Gentiles were first given the Holy Spirit and were received into God's family through Simon Peter's preaching; Acts.10:34 through 11:18, as rehearsed by Peter in Acts 15:7-11. That time God first visited the Gentiles through Peter's preaching! This is also seen in the quote of Acts.15:16-18/Amos.9:11 and 12, Which shows the sequence of God's call: After these things I will return, and I will build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen. And I will build again the ruins thereof, I will set it up. Jesus makes this statement in Jn.2:19: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will set it up. Speaking of His own resurrection.

Then the reason for the preceding events follows.

That: (a) The residue of men (those of visible Israel) may seek the Lord.

(b) And all the Gentiles (the Nations), upon whom My name is called.   Says the Lord, who makes these things known from of old.

This elders meeting at Jerusalem, clearly spoke of the fulfillment of Amos.9:11 and 12 at that time.

Then the results of this meeting are given in Acts.15:19—where James is still speaking: Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from the Gentiles turn to God. Speaking of the yoke that some were trying to place upon the necks of the Gentile disciples. Then a very important letter was written on the above meeting: See Acts.15:23-29 This time of RE-BUILDING clearly represents this dispensation: Which is the dispensation of God's unfavored grace toward all peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations—The Church age. It must be noted here, that to build again or to re-build something, implies the prior existence of that which is to be built again or re-built. Which simply means, that the Church age is nothing more than part of a work that is in progress—God’s universal reconciliation.

The removal of all distinction in God's people was prophesied: As God's universal reconciliation is prophesied in Isa.65:1 and 2—I am inquired of them that asked not for Me, I am found of them that sought Me not. I said, behold Me, unto a nation that is not called by My name. I have spread out My hands all the day unto a rebellious people, that walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts.

And the fulfillment of this prophecy is found in Rom.10:20 and 21:

And Isaiah is very bold, and says: I was found of them that sought Me not, I became manifest unto them that asked not for Me. But as to Israel, He says: All day long did I spread out My hands unto a disobedient and (obstinate) people. ^11-1

^11-1John Calvin writes concerning Rom.10:20: "As this prophecy is somewhat clearer, that he might excite greater attention he says that it was expressed with great confidence; as though he had said,—`The Prophet did not speak in a figurative language, or with hesitation, but had in plain and clear words declared the calling of the Gentiles.'"

Isa.63:16—For You are our Father, though Abraham knows us not, and Israel (Jacob) does not acknowledge us. You, O Jehovah, are our Father, our Redeemer, from everlasting is Your name.

The prophesy-Hos.2:23b and 1:10b—I will say unto them that were not My people, you are My people; And they shall say, You are my God. And it shall come to pass that, in the place where it was said unto them: You are not My people, it shall be said unto them: You are the sons of the Living God.

And the fulfillment of this prophecy is seen in Rom.9:25 and 26:

As He said in Hosea: I will call that My people, which was not My people, and her beloved that was not beloved. And it shall be, that in a place where it was said unto them: You are not My people, there shall they be called the sons of the Living God.

God's universal reconciliation, presently inclusive of the participating Christian Church, is absolutely prophesied and fulfilled in these revealing Scriptures.

Mal.1:11—From the rising of the sun even to the going down of the same, My name shall be great among the Gentiles. And in every place, increase shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering. For My name shall be great among the Gentiles, says Jehovah of Hosts.

Those who would argue, that the Church age is not found in the Old Testament, have certainly discounted some very clear Scriptural revelation.

Isa.61:1 and 2a—The Spirit of the Lord Jehovah is upon Me, because Jehovah has anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted; To proclaim liberty to the captives; And to open the prisons of them that are bound. To proclaim the year of Jehovah's favor.

Then the fulfillment here in Lu.4:18 and 19—The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor: He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; To set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord. (Jesus said this was fulfilled.)

I believe that "the year of Jehovah's favor" is in fact this dispensation of God's unfavored grace toward all peoples, tribes, tongues, and Nations—the Christian era.

Hab.1:5—Behold, you among the nations, and look, and wonder marvelously, for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it be told you.

And the same is confirmed in Act.13:41—Behold, you despisers, and wonder, and perish, for I work a work in your days, a work which you shall in no way believe, if one declare it unto you.

Through God's predictions of the present and the past conditions, many in Israel still refuse this new work of God. As also, we find that some within today’s Church have not received the complete truth concerning this dispensation. That is, understanding this present dispensation as the eschatological consummation of God's eternal program—the absolute fulfillment of His Everlasting Covenant that He first established with father Abraham.

The Church age was in fact prophetic in the Old Testament:

Gal.3:8—The Scriptures foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand unto Abraham, saying: In you shall all the nations be blessed. [Ref.Gen.22:18]

This present body of Believers that are being justified by faith represent the Christian Church; yet they represent only a fractional part of the congregation of God. God, foreseeing the Church age—foreseeing this essential prophetic dispensation of grace in the future, preached the good news to father Abraham. The Church age, in all actuality, represents the fulfillment of God's ancient promises that were initially made to father Abraham. This present dispensation of God’s grace, is simply the manifestation and explanation of those same Covenant promises that were made so long ago. [Ref.Gen.17:1-27]

1Cor.2:7—We speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds unto our (the members of the Church; the Congregation of God) glory.

Here we are given some additional information about the formation of the Congregation of God. We are clearly told that the Congregation of God had both its origin and its destiny foreordained before the worlds. Then we, who might be members of the invisible Church of Jesus Christ, are also a consummating part of the historic peoples of God-the hidden Kingdom of God: That chosen fractional part of the congregation that will truly reach the celestial Heavenly Jerusalem—the Holy City of God.

Zech.2:10 and 11—Sing and rejoice, O Daughter of Zion; for, lo, I come, and will dwell in the midst of you, says Jehovah. And MANY NATIONS shall join themselves to Jehovah in that day, and shall be My people; and I will dwell in the midst of you, and you shall know that Jehovah of Hosts has sent Me unto you. [Immanuel Isa.7:14; Mat.1:23]

Jesus tells us in Mat.18:20—For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.

2Cor.6:16c—Even as God said: I will dwell in them, and walk in them.

It is unfortunate that many of the ancient peoples of God have failed to understand that Yeshua-Messiah came unto them nearly two millennia ago. But we can thank our gracious God that it is never to late for any of us to discover this wonderful truth. With the sure help of God’s Holy Spirit, we need only receive the fulfilled Old Testament writings at their face value. That each of us would humble him or her self enough to personally ask God for this revelation concerning His hidden mysteries: Those mysteries surrounding this dispensation of His unfavored grace toward all peoples, tribes, tongues, and Nations. To understand that there is no other sacrifice under heaven that could ever satisfy our individual debit for sin: Only our Passover that has been sacrificed—even Christ. Our own Blessed Yeshua-Messiah—Jesus, the Lord. 1Cor.5:7-8; 1Pe.1:17-21 (RASV)

As I do understand that many from Judaism and Islam would disagree with the doctrine of grace that is held by the Christian Church, a doctrine that this paper has set out to demonstrate and prove from its origin in Abraham's Covenants with God. Then from the reader, I would greatly appreciate any and all comments for or against these arguments.

A prayer—Most Holy God, gracefully bless the truth of Your Word to our minds and hearts. -AMEN-

 

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