THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT Dr. Jobe Martin Biblical Discipleship Ministries www.biblicaldiscipleship.org

LAND, SEED AND BLESSING Gen. 12:1-3: Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee. And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: . . . And in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: LAND, SEED, BLESSING Initiated: Genesis 12:1-3 Reiterated: Genesis 13:14-17 Ratified: Genesis 15 Signified: Genesis 17 (and enlarged) Reiterated again: Genesis 22:15-18 Confirmed to Isaac: Gen. 26:3-5, 24; and Jacob: Gen. 28:13-15; 35:9-12; 46:1-4; also: 2 Kings 13:23 (to Abe, Isaac, Jacob)

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: LAND, SEED, BLESSING LAND: The Palestinian covenant (Deut. 28-30) amplifies the land aspect of Covenant. SEED: The Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:8-17) amplifies the seed aspect of Covenant. BLESSING: The New Covenant (Jer. 31:27-37; Ezek. 36:22-32) amplifies the blessings aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant.

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: LAND, SEED, BLESSING The Abrahamic covenant, then, is determinative for the entire outworking of God’s program both for Israel and the nations and is key to the understanding of biblical eschatology (prophecy). The Abrahamic covenant is the corner- stone of premillennialism. This covenant is to be understood literally.

THE ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: LAND, SEED, BLESSING A literal interpretation of the Abrahamic covenant requires the perpetuation of national Israel and their restoration to the land of Israel in the last days. The covenant consists of: Personal blessings to Abram, National blessings to Abram’s descendants, Universal blessings to all nations (Messiah).

THE NATURE OF THE COVENANT Is the church spiritual Israel? Only if either (1) the Abrahamic Cov. is shown to be conditional, or (2) the promises are spiritualized. Neither alternative is acceptable. Israel and the church, though both beneficiaries of the Covenant, are distinct entities with distinct promises peculiar to each.

THE CHURCH CANNOT BE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL Paul differentiates between Jews, Gentiles and the church = three distinct, separate entities. 1 Corinthians 10:32: “Give none offense, neither to Jews, nor to the Gentiles nor to the church of God.” Romans 11:23: “And they (Israel) also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in for God is able to graft them in again.” If Israel is the church, why must they be grafted in again?

Distinctions between Israel and the Church 4/5 of Bible Earthly promises thru covenants Physical seed of Abe Head is Abraham One nation Seen thru all ages CHURCH 1/5 of Bible Heavenly promises thru Gospel Spiritual seed of Abe Head is Jesus Christ Of all nations seen in present age

Distinctions between Israel and the Church National salvation in the future Christ is King, Ruler, Messiah Holy Spirit came upon some for tasks God’s servant CHURCH Secure salvation in the present Christ is Savior, Head, Bridegroom Holy Spirit came and indwells all always God’s family

Distinctions between Israel and the Church Governed by Mosaic Law Farewell to Israel is Olivet Discourse Subjects in Christ’s earthly reign Had a priesthood CHURCH Governed by the grace of our Lord Farewell to Church Upper Rm Discourse Rulers in Christ’s earthly reign Is a priesthood

Distinctions between Israel and the Church Unfaithful wife Must face God’s wrath in Tribulation Christ’s return causes wailing and mourning due to judgment CHURCH Faithful bride Kept from God’s wrath Christ’s return is a comfort and the “Blessed Hope” of the church see: Things to Come, pp. 201,202

THE RAPTURE: THE BLESSED HOPE The Doctrine of Imminence: Jesus could come at any moment for His church!!! End-time prophecies are signs to the Jews and herald the second coming of Christ to earth. No prophecy need be fulfilled before Jesus comes for His bride. John 14:2,3; Acts 1:11; 1 Corinthians 15:51,52; Philippians 3:20; Colossians 3:4; 1Thessalonians 1:10, 4:16,17

PAUL BELIEVED IN AN IMMINENT RAPTURE “…that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of our Lord….” 1Thess 4:15 “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up…in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air….” 1Thess 4:17 At the end of his life Paul somehow knew that he would not see the Rapture, but he would get the Crown of Righteousness for loving the Rapture. 2Timothy 4:8

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND COMING OF CHRIST FIRST ADVENT Stable Lamb Rejected/crucified Die Cross Humiliation Crown of thorns SECOND ADVENT Clouds Lion Welcomed/glorified Reign Crown Exaltation Crown of triumph

THE ALREADY BUT NOT YET PRINCIPLE In Luke 4:18,19, Jesus quoted Isaiah 61:1-2a and, before reading the rest of verse two, He closed the book. After closing the book He said, “This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.” Luke.4:21b. Isaiah 61 is prophecy. In the middle of v2 Jesus splits the prophecy into already and not yet.

THE ALREADY BUT NOT YET PRINCIPLE Matt. 24:15: Jesus said, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place….” Daniel’s prophecy was fulfilled before Jesus’ day by Antiochus Epiphanes (the already) but Jesus predicts a future fulfillment (the not yet). 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5

THE ALREADY BUT NOT YET PRINCIPLE Matt. 12:29b: “…unless he first binds the strong man.” If Satan is the “strong man” then King Jesus’ personal presence binds (restrains) him from the full unleashing of evil (the already) until this restraining power is removed at the Rapture (the not yet) 2 Thess. 2:6-9; after this Satan is totally bound for 1000 yrs. (the not yet) Rev. 20:2-3

THE ALREADY BUT NOT YET PRINCIPLE If Satan is bound from Jesus day until today, then what does Ephesians 6:11 mean to us: “that ye may be able to stand against the wiles (schemes NASV) of the devil.” Or 2 Corinthians 4:4: “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,…” Or 2 Corinthians 11:14 Satan appears as an angel of light!

SATAN IS NOT YET BOUND! Or 1 Thessalonians 2:18: “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul,…but Satan hindered us. Satan is restrained today (the already) and will be totally bound for 1000 yrs (not yet). “…which is the Devil and Satan and bound him a 1000 yrs. and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more until the 1000 yrs be fulfilled.” Revelation 20:2, 3

And by the way: HOW LONG IS 1000 YEARS? “…bound him 1000 years.” Greek=Chilioi = “thousand” in Revelation 20:1-7 Gk.=Murias=indefinite, large # Rev. 5:11 “…cattle on 1000 hills.” Psalm 50:10 Hebrew=Eleph=“thousand” in Psalm 50:10 A different word in Hebrew = Ribbow = indefinite, large number.

Matthew 12: The King Rejected!!! In Matt. 12 the works of Jesus are attri- buted to the power of the devil by the religious leaders of Israel and He is offici- ally rejected as their Messiah and King. In Matt. 13 Jesus begins teaching in parables to establish His Mystery (spiritual) Kingdom and His physical reign on earth is postponed until after the 7year Tribulation dealing with Israel’s salvation.

MATTHEW 21:33-46: THE KINGDOM TAKEN AWAY! “Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruit of it. “a nation” not “the nations” could be referring to the church, see 1 Peter 2:9,10: “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation….” The Church is the mystery kingdom until the Jews are restored to their land in belief.

Matthew 24: The disciples’ questions, the Church, Tribulation and the Second Coming Questions: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world (age)? Jesus answers: Matt. 24:4-8 =The Church Age (already) Matt. 24:9-28 =7 year Tribulation (not yet) Mt.24:29-31 =2nd Coming to earth (not yet) Mt.25:31-46 =Christ judges the remaining nations (not yet).

Compare Matthew 24:32-35 with Luke 21:29-33 Luke 21:29-30: “And He spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree and all the trees; When they now shoot forth,..summer is nigh at hand….This generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.” Fig tree =Israel; all trees =nations? Generation = 1) People of Jesus day; 2) Jewish people; 3) People of last days of this age.

Compare Matt.24:32-35 with Luke 21:29-33 No one alive in Jesus’ generation saw all of the events happen described in Matt. 24. Did the signs in sun, moon, stars appear? Did Jesus appear in sky with power, glory Did tribes of earth mourn? (Matt. 24:30) Did the fig tree sprout or get destroyed? Did heaven and earth pass away? (24:35)

THE KINGDOM IS POSTPONED After the King is rejected the earthly kingdom is postponed. The disciples know this and therefore, just before the King ascends to heaven, ask Him: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father has put in His own power.” Acts 1:6,7

ARE WE IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM NOW? If the King was leaving His kingdom behind on earth as He ascended to heaven it would seem reasonable that He would answer His disciples Acts 1:6 question by saying, “Look guys, do you still not understand? You are already in my earthly kingdom. I am King and you are my co-heirs and rulers.” But this is NOT what Jesus said!!

ARE WE IN THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM NOW? “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom; Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2

IS THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM A FUTURE EVENT? Acts 3:18-21 (further qualifications concerning the kingdom) 18. “But those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled. (the Already) 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (the Not Yet)

IS THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM A FUTURE EVENT? 20. And He shall send Jesus Christ which before was preached unto you: 21. Whom heaven must receive until the times (period, NASV) of restitution (restoration, NASV) of all things which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. Acts 3:20,21 The restoration of all is still future=millennium.

PURPOSES OF THE MILLENNIUM “Then cometh the end, when He shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when He shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:24-26

PURPOSES OF THE MILLENNIUM Satan is completely bound and sealed. King Jesus rules the world from Jerusalem. Eph. 2 =our sin is due to world, flesh and devil The Satanic and worldly enticements to sin are not present during the 1000 year reign. People will still choose to sin, but can not blame sin on anything but their own sinful flesh. Proof that we need the Redeemer!

IS THE MILLENNIUM DIFFERENT FROM OUR PRESENT AGE? King Jesus is on earth as supreme Ruler AND Curse removed: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the young lion, etc.,etc., Isaiah 11:6f. “The lion shall eat straw like the bull….” Isaiah 65:25 This situation is not yet!!

IS THE MILLENNIUM DIFFERENT THAN THE “ALREADY/NOW”? Sickness is removed: “And the inhabi- tant shall not say, I am sick….” Is. 33:24 also: Jeremiah 30:17; Ezekiel 34:16 Deformity is healed: “And in that day shall the deaf hear …and the eyes of the blind shall see ….” Isaiah 29:18 Protection is Supernatural: Isaiah 41:8-14; 62:8,8; Jeremiah 32:27; Ezekiel 34:27; Amos 9:15

IS THE MILLENNIUM DIFFERENT THAN THE “ALREADY/NOW”? Freedom from Oppression: “The whole earth is at rest and is quiet, they break forth into singing.” Isaiah 14:3-7; 42:6,7; 49:8,9; Zechariah 9:11,12. People have Babies: “Their children also shall be as aforetime (formerly)….” Jeremiah 30:20a; 31:29; Ezekiel 47:22; Zech 47:22 The suckling child plays on the hole of the asp. Isaiah 11:8f

THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH THE NEXT EVENT…. THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING Jesus comes in air, for believers before Gt. Trib. Saints move from earth to heaven with Lord. Secret disappearance SECOND COMING Jesus comes to earth with believers after Gt. Trib. Saints move from heaven to earth with Lord. Public appearance

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING Christ comes to claim His bride Could happen at any time since Pentecost Is a message of comfort and hope Is for the Church SECOND COMING Christ returns with His bride Is preceded by a multitude of signs Is a message of judgment Is for Israel + world

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING Is a N.T. mystery Believers are judged after rapture (Bema) Leaves creation unchanged Abrahamic covenant remains unfulfilled SECOND COMING Is O.T. prophecy Gentiles and Jews are judged (Matt. 25) Major changes occur with creation Abrahamic covenant fulfilled in 1000 yrs

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE RAPTURE AND THE SECOND COMING Takes place before God’s wrath comes on earth (1 Thess 5:9) The expectation of the church is “The Lord is at hand.” (Philippians 4:5) SECOND COMING Takes place after God’s wrath comes on earth (Rev. 19:11) The expectation of Israel is “The King- dom is at hand.” (Matthew 24:14)

THE RAPTURE: THE BLESSED HOPE The Rapture was unknown until the Holy Spirit revealed it through the apostles. All who are in Christ (believers) when the Rapture occurs will never experience death. The Rapture will occur suddenly, without specific warning, and will be over and done in a flash (twinkling of an eye, 1 Corinthians 15:52).

THE RAPTURE: THE BLESSED HOPE At the Rapture all living believers will be changed from mortal to immortal, glorified bodies (like the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ). At the Rapture living and dead believers will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. The Rapture is to be a blessed comfort to believers. 1 Thess. 4:18, Titus 2:13-15

THE JEWISH MARRIAGE CEREMONY Betrothal involved the groom traveling from his fathers house to the home of his bride (betrothed, fiancee), paying the purchase price and, thus, establishing the marriage covenant. (Matthew 27:46) The groom then returned to his father’s house and remained separate from his betrothed for 12 months. (John 14:1-3)

THE JEWISH MARRIAGE CEREMONY During the 12 months of separation the groom prepared the living accommodations back at his father’s house for his wife. (John 14:1-3) After the new living accommodations are ready the groom comes back for his bride at a time not exactly known to her. (1 Thess. 4:13-18) He returns to his father’s house with his bride to consummate the marriage and celebrate the 7-day marriage feast. (Revelation 19:7-9)

THE JEWISH MARRIAGE CEREMONY In Revelation 19:7-9 the wedding feast is announced. If the Hebrew marriage anal- ogy is right, then the wedding had already happened in the Father’s house. Today the church is described as a virgin waiting for her bridegroom, 2 Cor. 11:2. In Rev. 21 she is described as the wife of the Lamb. She had previously been

taken to the Groom’s Father’s house for the wedding taken to the Groom’s Father’s house for the wedding. (Raptured to and Bema in Heaven). Pretribulationists say this requires an interval of time between the Rapture and the Second Coming (7 years would do). The “Bema Seat” judgment (2 Cor. 5:10, 1Cor. 3:10f) takes place in Heaven (for Christians) while the 7-yr Tribulation unfolds down on earth.

DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK = GOD’S WRATH This 7 years pertains to Jewish Israel and is divided into two parts of 3 1/2 yrs each. Daniel 9:27 Matthew 24:15 Revelation 13 God’s wrath extends throughout the 7 year period upon Jews and Gentiles (earth-dwell-ers) who choose earth instead of heaven.

THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE SEVENTIETH WEEK OF DANIEL Wrath (Rev. 6:16,17; Zeph.1:15) Judgment: (Rev. 14:7; 16:5-7; 19:2) Punishment: (Isa. 24:20-21) Darkness: (Joel 2:2; Zeph 1:14-18 Amos5:18 Scope Time of Jacob’s Trouble:(Jer. 30:7; Is 34:1f

IS THE CHURCH IN THE 70TH WEEK OF DANIEL’S PROPHECY? The church was not known to Daniel. Ephesians 3:1-6 = The church as the body of Christ to include Gentiles = a mystery. Colossians 1:25-27 = “…to whom God would make known…this mystery among Gentiles which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Daniel’s 70 weeks (490 years) is for the Jewish people and Jerusalem!!!

THE CHURCH IS NOT IN DANIEL’S 70TH WEEK! Since Daniel’s prophecy of 490 years of the history of Israel and Jerusalem does not foresee or include the church, the church must not be there for that 7 years. The church was definitely there in 70 A.D. when Titus destroyed Jerusalem so that could not have been the 70th week of Daniel’s prophecy (the Tribulation).

GOD’S WRATH!!! The Tribulation (last 7 yrs of Daniel’s prophecy) is the venting of God’s wrath: REVELATION 6:16b-17: “…hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?”

INDICATIONS THAT THE CHURCH IS NOT TO SUFFER GOD’S WRATH A Greek formula addressed to the church: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22. Formula repeated in the midst of the Tribulation: “If any man hath an ear, let him hear.”Rev.13:9 The church is not mentioned in the formula in Revelation 13:9!

Some hold all three views simultaneously. THE SEVEN CHURCHES Four views: Seven historical churches, Seven periods of church history, Seven churches of the last days. Some hold all three views simultaneously.

INDICATIONS THAT THE CHURCH IS NOT TO SUFFER GOD’S WRATH If the 7th church (Laodicea) is the last days church (LUKEWARM) then it may well be significant that Heaven opens in Revelation.4:1 and John is caught up into Heaven. John’s “catching up” in Revelation.4:1 may represent the church being raptured before the Tribulation of Revelation 6-19:11.

INDICATIONS THAT THE CHURCH IS NOT TO SUFFER GOD’S WRATH If all the 7 church types are present in the last days then Philadelphia may represent the raptured church: “…I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation (testing, NASV) which shall come upon all the world….” (Revelation 3:10) Christians kept completely out and away from (Gk=ek) the time of the testing. Could this represent THE RAPTURE? “Tereo ek”= “to keep out from” see: LXX Prov. 21:23; Acts 15:29; Jn. 12:27, 17:15

WILL THE CHURCH BE IN THE TRIBULATION? The 7 year Tribulation is the last 7 years of God’s dealing with Israel according to Daniel’s prophecy of the 70 weeks of years. The Church is not mentioned after John is caught up in Rev. 4:1 until Rev. 22:16 when the Tribulation judgments on earth are over. God’s Jewish time clock is reactivated and the Gospel of the Kingdom is spread by 144,000 young Jewish men, not the church, for 7 years.

WILL THE CHURCH BE IN THE TRIBULATION? Matthew 24:37: “But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the son of man be.” Why did Jesus call attention to Noah? Why the parallel? God is preparing to judge the world (It was the flood in Noah’s day). Noah’s family only believers on earth.

WHY THE PARALLEL WITH THE DAYS OF NOAH? Flood judgment coming Enoch “raptured” before judgment God preserves Noah thru flood judgment Noah repopulates after flood judgment Tribulation judgment coming Church raptured before judgment God preserves some thru Trib. judgment Believers repopulate after Trib. judgment

ONE MORE PARALLEL WITH THE DAYS OF NOAH! All unbelievers perished in the flood. Only believers left to repopulate the earth. All unbelievers who survive the Tribulation will be judged and cast into eternal punishment at the Second Coming of Jesus. (Matthew 25:31-46) Only believers left to repopulate the earth during the 1000 year reign of King Jesus Christ on earth after the Second Coming.

WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNT OF TRANSFIGURATION EPISODE? Luke 9:27f: “But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.” Peter, James and John saw all the elements of the kingdom. 1. The Glorified Lord. 2. The OT saints=Moses. 3. The Raptured Believers=Elijah. 4. The flesh and blood believers who enter 1000 year kingdom = Peter, James, John.

POINT OF CONSIDERATION If you do not believe in a Pretribulation Rapture, then you do not believe that Christ can come for you at any moment. If you do not believe that Jesus could come at any moment (Pretrib.) then you are looking for the Antichrist and his establishing the seven year treaty with Israel (Dan. 9:27) [Postmill. exception?]

POINT OF CONSIDERATION If Satan was bound by Jesus and is still bound, then who possessed the Antichrist (Nero, as in a full Preterist view) in the middle of the 70 a.d. Tribulation? If the Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Trib.) is over (70 a.d.) and we are in the indefinite period of time called the Millennium which will deliver an evangelized,

Christianized world to King Jesus at His Second Coming to earth, then what about Revelation 19:19? “And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse, and against His army.”

The “kings of the earth” are definitely not “Christianized” at the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus to earth, since they gather together to make war with Him when He arrives. This fact eliminates Postmillennialism, Preterism, Kingdom-Now, Reconstructionism, etc.

Humans will not deliver to the Lord Jesus a “Christianized” world at His Second Coming! His 2nd Coming is necessary to prevent humankind from totally destroying itself and planet earth.

THE WORLD IS NOT GETTING BETTER! “For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them,…” 1 Thessalonians 5:3 “…in the last days perilous times will come….But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:1,13

ISRAEL IN THE LAST DAYS This did not happen in 70 a.d.!!!! Zechariah 12-14: In the last days Jewish people (Abraham’s Seed) will be back in the Promised Land (Isaiah 11:11) and Jewish Israel will be invaded by many nations. Jewish Israel will not be conquered and our Heavenly Father will rescue His chosen people and restore them and their land. This did not happen in 70 a.d.!!!!

AS THE RAPTURE APPROCHES, HOW SHOULD WE LIVE? “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” 1 Thess. 4:3 “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; that ye may walk honestly toward them that are without….” 1 Thess. 4:11-12a

Philippians 3:10-11, 21a “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead…. For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

LOOK UP!!!! “Even so you, too, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” Matthew 24:31