Subject: why don't people study the old testmant |
Bible Note: ischus 1) what is your definition of the Kingdom that Jesus spoke about (and is it phys. or Spiritual) Spiritual, though we as believers make up a physical reality of it. I find it interesting, not in a good way, that a lot of Christian theology downplays the Spiritual side of Christianity. God to me is just not overly concerned with the flesh, those are manly things, not Godly things. The resurrected body is a big one I have problems with, but that’s another topic. Luke 17:20,21 “Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." 2) What was Jesus' ministry about? What was his goal? That's pretty broad. We could go with to teach, and live a perfect life, but in short to redeem mankind. Hebrews 9:26 “He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” 3) What did the cross accomplish, and what did it not accomplish? The Cross provided atonement for sins. Eph 1:7 "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." Christians that died right after the cross could also skip Sheol or 'the grave' and go directly to heaven. What it did not directly accomplish was, the resurrection of the dead from Sheol, the Wrath, the Judgement, the consummation of the Ages, the fulfillment of the New Covenant; the things happened at the Second Coming. 4)What is God's view of the Jews and the Law today? Probably not good. Allow me to speak bluntly. It's upsetting that many Christians accept a pluralistic 'faith' with the Jews, as in Judaism is still valid in the eyes of God. I agree that we should be cordial and polite to all, but we need to in the same respect stand firm in our faith. To say that Judaism is equally valid smacks Christ and everything he did for us. In short, it is blasphemous. It's terrible that some theologies like Dispensationalism actually have Israel restarting atonement sacrifices and that those would be acceptable to God! That's blasphemous. It bothers me too that many Jews just accept out of hand that the Messiah will come one day, he's only taking his time, despite the fact that in Daniel we are told when he would appear. Even the Talmud notes that the time for the Messiah has passed. It bugs me that they cannot give an honest evaluation of their own 'faith'. Too much pride, they are Jews for the love of being Jewish, not for the glory of God. In all seriousness, I really, really fear what will happen if a third temple is built in Jerusalem. God knocked the temple down twice, he'll do it again. The nation of Israel has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Bible or "God's Plan". Christians often turn a blind or very biased eye to the events in Israel simply because it involves Jews. But as we can see with Preterism, being 'Jewish' is a moot point now. Take care, SUEDE |