By Revd Dr. Ifechukwu U. Ibeme
e-mail: [email protected]
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CONTENTS:
I.
How is God’s
Plan Disclosed to Man?
II.
In What Forms, has
God’s Revelation Come to Us?
III.
What is God’s Plan
for the World?
IV.
The History of
the Israelites and their Homeland.
V.
The Significance of
the Restoration of the State of Israel in the 20th Century.
VI.
Conclusion.
Texts: Hebrew
1:1-3 (Means of God’s revelation)
Isaiah 11:10-16 (The fate of
Note:
This subject presupposes the following:
1)
God has a plan for His world.
2)
God reveals His plan to
humanity.
3)
Hebrews 1:1-3 tells us that God’s plan is revealed by
God Himself in two categories:
1)
In times past (Old
Testament)
God spoke – at various times to the
Fathers
- in different ways by the
Prophets
The Old Testament was for REVELATION and REGULATION.
Moses and the Prophets lightened
2)
In these last days (New
Testament)
God has spoken – at one time to us
-
in one way by His Son (Jesus Christ)
The New Testament is for REVELATION and RECONCILIATION
Christ and the Apostles lightened
3)
As the final means of revelation
God’s Son is incomparable to any other because:
The Son is: i) Appointed Heir of all
things;
ii) The means through Whom God made the
universe;
iii) The brightness of God’s glory;
iv) The express image of God’s Person;
v) Upholding all things by the word of His
power;
vi)
In Himself, the purification of our sins;
vii)
Sited at the right hand of majesty in heaven.
Hebrews 1:4 Because of the supremacy of the Son, God
has:
i) manifested Him to be so much better than and
above the angels in being;
ii) granted Him more excellent name
(attributes) higher than the angels.
Summary
The essence of
Old Testament prophecy and New Testament witness is solely to testify for
Christ (Rev. 19:10). Also see Luke 18:31; 24:44; Acts 1:8.
Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ is
therefore:
–
The
fulfilment of all Old Testament prophecies,
–
The
culmination of God’s purpose for humanity,
–
The
object and basis of all New Testament witness.
Christ
accomplished His work of salvation through:
1.
His
Incarnation (He became human like
us)
2.
His
Life and Ministry (He lived and worked among
us)
3.
His
Propitiation (He died and rose for
us)
Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer
because by His blood (shed on the cross at
God
is thus pleased to release us (who believe in the saving work of Christ), from
the bondage of sin and death: to which He had earlier sentenced us when we were
without Christ.
II IN WHAT FORMS HAS GOD’S
REVELATION COME TO US?
A. The Old Testament revelation
was mediated through The Law, The Prophets, and The Writings (Psalms) of Israel
Luke 24:44; Jer. 18:18. The purpose of the Old Testament Scriptures was, as
>-
Teaching
of the Law,
>-
Rebuke
of the Prophets (Former),
>-
Correction
of the Prophets (Latter), and
>-
Training
in righteousness of the Writings.
1. The Law was interpreted by Priests
to teach doctrine. Moses wrote it for:
>-
Constant
demand of good works and sacrifice;
>-
Constant
indebtedness to God because of our sins.
2. The Prophetic Word was uttered by the Prophets for reproof
and correction.
i. Former Prophets: Historical critics
inspired for retrospective exposition of the past. While narrating, they
explained the divine interventions and disclosures during
ii. Latter Prophets: written by
visionary prophets as:
-
Proclamative Exhortations for the present - for
correction.
- Predictive Adumbrations for the future –
for preparation. These foretold the salvation
of God in Christ, searching out its themes and manner of times (1 Peter
1:5,10-12). Thus giving light in the dark till the day dawns (2 Peter
3. The Writings were wise
counsels and worship songs necessary for training in
righteous living and right worship. These are prudent application of Revelation
and Salvation of God for a life of good works and righteous worship.
B. The
New Testament revelation is mediated through Christ as witnessed to by the
Apostles in the form of Prophetic Revelation, Message of Knowledge, and Message
of Wisdom (Matt. 23:34; 1Cor. 12:8,10; 14:6; Eph. 1:17,18; Col. 2:3). The
purpose of the New Testament is to thoroughly equip us for every good work by
helping us believe, understand and heed the truth:
- We believe the gospel
testimony of the prophetic evangelist.
- We understand the doctrinal
exposition of the knowledgeable teacher.
- We accept the persuasive
counsel of the wise pastor
1. Prophetic
Message interprets the events of history – past, present and future - in
the light of God’s purpose in Christ:
NOTE that Prophecy is not merely saying spiritual things
(or expressing spiritual opinions) that come to mind; rather Prophecy is saying spiritual things, which God has revealed that must
be said at the time, because of their timely importance in the unfolding of
God’s purpose for the hearer of the prophecy. Prophets are holy people moved by God (2Peter
2.
Message of KNOWLEDGE provides broadly informed understanding
of the mysteries of Christ: a teaching clarifying the truth about Christ – His
Person, purpose, power, and pleasure (Eph.3: 4).
NOTE that the current trend since the past 50 years,
especially among American Pentecostals, that exchanges the meaning of “word of knowledge” with “discernment” is not only naïve but also an unfortunate
distortion of both language and Scripture. Word of knowledge must be
interpreted in agreement with the meaning of
“knowledge” in other parts of the Scripture.
To be sure – Knowledge has to do with education
and understanding;
–
Discernment has to do with perception
and sensitivity;
–
Wisdom has to do with discretion
and prudence
Cognitive knowledge (used for identifying and distinguishing)
is gained by personal experiences and observations.
Analytical knowledge (used for explanation and
conceptualisation) is gained by erudite inquiry and learning. This is what
knowledge is and is for. You gain knowledge when you are taught and you give
knowledge when you teach or educate.
3. Message of Wisdom. Discretional application of knowledge to
the best prudent use in life is called ‘wisdom’. Message of wisdom is
thus message of counsel or persuasion for holy Christian living. Counsel makes
wise and wisdom offers counsel.
III WHAT IS GOD’S PLAN FOR
THE WORLD?
God’s
plan for the world is to bring:
-
blessing
(Gen18: 18;
-
salvation
from the bondages of both satanic
contamination of sin and divine condemnation of death (Matt.
-
the light of
the knowledge of God (Isa. 49:6; Acts
to all nations through Christ (Luke
A
solemn appreciation of the History of
Before
the coming of Christ,
Christ
became revealed as the promised/expected Messiah-King and inaugurated His
Kingdom. He also founded His Church as the sole, key-custodian agency of His
Kingdom (Matt.
The purpose of
religion is to know and please God with our whole being and not to please
ourselves.
The purpose of
salvation IN CHRIST is to free us from sin’s penalty and power.
History is determined by God’s purpose and God’s purpose is revealed
through prophecy and signs – through God’s Word and Works. The Prophets make God’s mercies and judgements according to His
purpose to be known. The prophetic word controls historical events as well as
equips God’s people through history.
The
history of
The Intercontinental Junction of the
ancient world was the meeting point for the three continents of
God
chose
The Canaanites were of African
origin. They became wealthy and civilized, but inordinately immoral and wicked.
Therefore, God decided to remove them from the intercontinental junction and
replace them with Abraham’s seed (Gen. 17:8), for a blessed influence over the
whole world. God made this promise repeatedly and separately to Abraham (Gen.
22:15-18), Isaac (Gen. 26:1-6), and Jacob or
NOTE that God did not use only the Israelites
to replace the reprobate Canaanites. He also used the Syrians in the North and
the Philistines in the southern coast (Amos 9:7).
1900BC Jacob (
1500BC God raised Moses to bring the Israelites
from slavery in
1300BC The Pelishite or Philistines,
a band of mechanised sea pirate and mercenary warriors from Caphtor in
1100BC The Promised Land became the
1000BC The Kingdom of Israel divided
into the North (10 tribes under Jeroboam) and the South (2 tribes
and the Priests under Rehoboam).
700BC The North called
Captive foreigners from other nations
conscripted by the Assyrians were brought to replace the North tribes. These
were the ancestors of the Samaritans (2Kings
600BC The South called
500BC When the Persians overthrew the Babylonians, the
Judahites were allowed to return to their homeland then called the
400 - 4BC The Persians and the Greeks ruled The Jews
in their homeland of
4BC When Christ was born the Romans through the Herods
were in control of the whole region of
Christ ministered in these regions till His
death and resurrection in 30AD.
30 –135AD The Jews agitated for independence from the
Romans, with repeated insurgency. This led to the destruction of the
135AD The Romans under emperor Hadrian changed the name of the
Jewish homeland to ‘Palestina’ derived from the southern coastal Pelesheth
(
330AD Emperor Constantine promoted pilgrimage and gave liberty
to the Jews as Palestinian indigenes to practice their faith.
638AD The End of 680 years of Roman control of the
638 –1260 The Arabs sacked the Romans, persecuted the
Jews and Christians while there was influx off Arabs for 535 years.
(The Crusaders overthrew the Arabs between 1100
and 1187 before losing control again.)
1260 –1516 The Mamluks (Revolutionist Slaves) rulers of
1516 –1918 The Ottoman Turks overthrew the Egyptians and
ruled the
NOTICE that apart from Roman Christians and Crusaders,
which are both from
Pagans: From
From
From
Muslims: From
From
From
1918 –1948
–
–
NOTE: 1. The Arab Palestinians (Christians and Muslims) chose to be called Palestinians.
These refused the right of Jewish Palestinians to the
2. The
Jewish Palestinians chose to be called Israelis. Because of Arab
confederacy against their right to the land, the Jewish Palestinians (Israelis)
resorted to several manoeuvres to retain and defend their own portion of the
land.
1948 –1967
1967 – Date.
V THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
RESTORATION OF THE STATE OF
1.
The gathering again of
2.
The purpose of the gathering
of the State of Israel is for their national conversion to Christ, after the ‘times
of the Gentiles’ are over (Luke
3. The timing of the gathering of
4.
The natural State of Israel
symbolises the spiritual Israel of Christ. Hence, the Church has been described
as:
–
The
–
The Twelve Tribes (Luke
–
The Holy Nation (1Peter 2:9);
–
The Exiles of Dispersion
(1Peter 1:1).
5.
The remnant of natural
6.
The final Church
(Rev. 21:9,10) which is the Lamb’s bride or the New Jerusalem – shall have:
-
The
twelve Apostles (Rev. 21:14) written on its twelve foundations of
precious stones;
-
The
twelve Tribes (Rev. 21:12) written on its twelve gates of pearls;
-
The
Nations of the earth (Rev. 21:24,26) as those saved to walk in it
and to bring the glory and honour of their Nations into it; and
-
The
Kings of the earth (Rev. 21:24) as those who bring their glory and honour into it.
The mystery of Christ is the
unification of Jews and Gentiles into one New Covenant and one faith in Christ
(Eph.3: 3-7).
7. Prophecy deciphers historical events and
historical events depend on prophecy. The History of Israel is of prophetic
significance. With the current trend of Messianism amongst Jews, more of them
will come to see that Jesus Christ is the prophesied Messiah, declared to be
the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead (Romans 1:4). Jesus is:
– the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God
– the Shoot and the Root of Jesse
– the Son of man and the Son of God
– born of Mary in time and begotten of God before time
– fully man and fully God
– our Advocate
and our Judge
– our High Priest and our Propitiatory Sacrifice
– the Victor and the Victim
For so must be the uniqueness of the
Messiah who is to save us from our sins
The
times of the Gentiles (Luke
The
time of Israel’s conversion is drawing nigh;
The
time of maximum terror and delusion (2 Thess. 2: 8-12) of the Antichrist is
approaching;
The
second coming of the Lord is near.
We must understand the times (1Chron.
12:32) and hasten the coming of our Lord (2Peter 3:12), by working wisely to
redeem the time (Eph. 5:15-17).
Last
Updated October 14, 2005
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