Where in the Bible Were Tithes Abolished?

Where in the Bible Were Tithes Abolished?



1. WHO #1: The Levitical servants to the priests who received the first whole tithe have been abolished. See Numbers 18:21-24. Modern equivalents to the Levites are unpaid ushers, deacons, choir, musicians, etc.



2. WHO #2: OT priests who received a tenth of the tithe (only 1 per cent) have been abolished. See Num 18:25-28 and Neh 10:38.



3. WHAT: The definition of tithes as only food miraculously increased by God from inside His holy land of Israel has been abolished and replaced with the false unbiblical definition of income. See Leviticus 27:30-34 and 14 other texts which describe the contents of the tithe. Yet money was common in Genesis.



4. WHERE: The destination of the OT tithes first to the Levitical cities some to the Temple has been abolished. See Neh 10:37b and Mal 3:10.



5. WHEN: The time to tithe has been abolished. The Levitical tithe was paid yearly in the Levitical cities. The second festival tithe was eaten at the three festivals. The third poor tithe was kept in the home every third year. Tithes totaled 23 1/3 per cent.



6. WHY #1: The covenant which prescribed them was abolished per Heb 8:8-13; Gal 4:21-26' 2 Cor 3:6-10.



7. WHY #2: The "commandment" for Levites and priests to collect tithes was "annulled" per Hebrews 7:5, 12, 18.



8. WHY #3: The law which condemned believers has been rendered of no effect when the believer died in Christ per Romans 7:4. No law can tell a dead person what to do.



9. HOW #1: Jesus abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances per Eph 2:13. Tithing was an ordinance per Num 18.



10. HOW $2: Jesus blotted out the handwriting of ordinances, per Col 2:14. Tithing was an ordinance per Num 18.



11. HOW #3: The Temple which tithes supported was abolished in AD 70. God's temple is now within each believer per 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20.



12. HOW #4: The priesthood which was supported by tithes was abolished in AD 70. God's priesthood is now within every believer per 1st Peter 2:9-10.



13. HOW #5: The blessings and curses of tithing as part of the whole law have been abolished per Galatians 3:10-13.



Would you continue to send money to a church after

1. The building is destroyed?

2. The preacher has been defrocked?

3. The workers have found other jobs?

4. The members have all left?

5. The land has been inhabited by non religious people?

6. The purpose for the church no longer exists?

7. You have died?



Russell Earl Kelly, PHD

First Baptist, New Castle, Ind

First Baptist, New Castle, Ind
Pastor Jerry Ingalls, 12-26-2010

http://jerryingallsblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/giving-your-treasures-covenant-renewal.html

Ingalls: We are going to start the covenant renewal by making a covenant with God to be generous with the material blessings He has provided for us in our lives.

Kelly: Are you attempting to place the New Covenant Church under the Old Covenant? According to Exodus 19:5-6 the Gentiles and Church never were under that Covenant.

Ingalls: Acts 2:42-47

Kelly: (2:43) The apostles’ doctrine did not include tithing to them. It was illegal before Calvary and not practiced by or commanded to the Church afterwards. (2:44-45) God did not command the early church to live communally and the event was not repeated. (2:46) Since the Jewish Christians continued to worship in the Temple and were “zealous of the Law” (21:20-21), they likely continued to support the Temple system with any tithes and offerings.

Ingalls: “We each must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to probe into the inner chambers of our hearts to illumine the true state of our loyalties.

Kelly: Then study this doctrine with intensity with your church and leave no stone unturned.

Ingalls: THE MOTIVATION OF OUR GIVING IS GRATITUDE FOR GOD'S CHRISTMAS GIFT!

Kelly: That was only true of free-will giving. Tithes of food from inside God’s holy land did not involve gratitude. They were stone cold hard LAW like taxes are to us.

Ingalls: We do not give in order to be right with God! The Bible teaches in 2 Corinthians 8:9 …

Kelly: You freely switch from quoting tithing texts to quoting freewill giving texts. This is poor hermeneutics. There is a difference.

Ingalls: We give all that we have out of sheer gratitude for the indescribable Gift of peace with God through the Son of God, Jesus Christ!

Kelly: True only of freewill giving principles.

Ingalls: THE MOTIVATION OF OUR GIVING IS A DEEPER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!

Kelly: Never true for tithing.

Ingalls: Regarding giving of our treasures, God gave a very clear command in the Old Testament.

Kelly: Not to “us.” The Old Covenant with over 600 commands was only given to Old Covenant national Israel.

Ingalls: Leviticus 27:30

Kelly: (1) Verse 34 limits this only to Israel. (2) "A tithe [a tenth] of everything from the land” is correct. (3) “it is holy to the LORD" is only true if it comes from inside God’s HOLY land. Tithes could not come from what man increased, from Gentiles or from outside Israel. Period.

Ingalls: In the Old Covenant, giving was managed by a detailed and thoroughly examined commandment …

Kelly: Yes, Numbers 18. (1) Only food from inside Israel, (2) only to Levite servants to the priests, (3) priests only received one tenth of one per cent, (4) tithe recipients could not own or inherit land in Israel and (5) only to support the OT Levites and priests.

Ingalls: … to give 10% of all that God had provided.

Kelly: Wrong. Only food miraculously increased by God inside His holy land. Money was required for head taxes and vows but never for tithes.

Ingalls: Luke 11:42

Kelly: You ignore the first rule of hermeneutics. See also Mt 23:23. (1) Context is “matters of the law” before Calvary. (2) Addressed to “you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites” who “sit in Moses’ seat” (Mt 23:2-3) as interpreters of the Law. (3) Before Calvary, therefore still in Old Covenant context. (4) Not to the Church or Gentiles. (5) Jesus did not accept tithes. And (6) no church obeys Jesus by collecting tithes of garden herbs.

Ingalls: I do not believe that Jesus removes the practice of tithing as some would debate, but He fulfills it

Kelly: (1) The covenant supported by tithing was removed. (2) The Temple they worked in was removed. (3) The Levite servants to the priests were removed. (4) The priests who received 1% were removed. (5) Preachers now own land which is contrary to tithing laws.

Ingalls: I want to take this statement [about the Sabbath] and apply it to the purposes of tithing because the same principle that Jesus Christ applies to the fulfillment of one aspect of the Law applies to the entire Law:

Kelly: According to Galatians 3:10-13, those under one part of the Law are under the entire law.

Ingalls: Tithing was instituted to set us free

Kelly: No. Tithing was instituted to support Levite workers and priest ministers who could not own land in Israel per Numbers 18:21-28.

Ingalls: Jesus rebukes the Jewish religious leaders of the first century because they had twisted their observance of the Law

Kelly: How very true. He was not speaking to the New Covenant church. He was discussing “mattes of the law” in Mt 23:23.

Ingalls: Jesus removed the stumbling blocks by fulfilling the Law through grace!

Kelly: According to Eph 2:13-17 and Col 2:13-17 the “stumbling blocks” included all laws which separated Jews from Gentiles, including tithing and Sabbath observance. He returned both to the Abrahamic covenant of grace.

Ingalls: Here it is: Tithing flows out of the heart of God for man

Kelly: No. Not “for man” – only for the Hebrew man who was a food producer living inside God’s HOLY land of Israel. God never expected holy tithes to come off defiled pagan Gentile land.

Ingalls: Luke 21:1-4 poor widow

Kelly: The poor widow was giving a sacrificial freewill offering. She was not paying a tithe.

Ingalls: Jesus is not canceling the call to tithe; rather He is intensifying it to the extreme.

Kelly: No texts to validate this.

Ingalls: THE MOTIVATION OF OUR GIVING IS TO DEVOTE OURSELVES TO GOD'S KINGDOM!

Kelly: No. It is in response to Christ’s freewill sacrificial gift to us. And it is in response to sermons encouraging us to become soul winners.

Ingalls: 1 Chronicles 22:5

Kelly: Read 1 Chronicles 23 to 26. The Levites and priests who received tithes were also political workers for the king. They must have also worked many other jobs because they were skilled in many crafts.

Ingalls: The stones of the house of the LORD are the people saved by the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Kelly: Since both the NT Temple and priesthood consist of individual believers, then tithing makes no sense. We do not tithe to ourselves.

Ingalls: David was told he could not build the house of the LORD, but he devoted himself to investing his time, treasures, and talents to building it;

Kelly: Old Covenant tithes could not be used for Temple or building construction or maintenance. David gave freewill offering.

Ingalls: 2 Chronicles 31:4-5

Kelly: Why did you quote this? If proves (1) that Solomon’s Temple had no storage rooms for tithes and (2) that Hezekiah erred when he commanded the people to bring the tithes to Jerusalem. Read verses 15-19. The majority of the tithes were shipped back into the Levitical cities where they belonged and were needed for food. Nehemiah 10:37b-38 is greatly ignored today.

Ingalls: 2 Corinthians 8:2-4

Kelly: Again you switch back and forth between OT tithing texts and NT freewill giving texts as if you do not know the difference.

Ingalls: Study Malachi 3:8-12. What is significant about this passage? How does this apply to the individual disciple in regards to the testimony of the Church to the nations? Are you living in fulfillment of this promise? If not, what is preventing you from beginning today?

Kelly: (1) The significance of Malachi is its position under the Law as in Mal 4:4; Lev 27:34 and Num 18:21-28. The priests of 1:6-13; 2:1-10 and 2:13-to-end were guilty of stealing the tithe and had been cursed.
(2) It has no relevance to New Covenant Christians. OT tithes were never used for evangelism of Gentiles and there is no precedent.
(3) Christians are not supposed to attempt to obey Old Covenant Law and ignore better New Covenant laws.
(4) Nobody tithes today. Paul warned of placing yourself under the Law in Galatians 3:1-5.

Ingalls: Study 2 Corinthians 9:6-14.

Kelly: These are sound post-Calvary freewill giving principles blessed by the Holy Spirit after Calvary for the Church.

Ingalls: How are you doing with financial stewardship?

Kelly: If YOU have a small staff and many “tithers,” YOU have the most to gain from teaching “tithing.”

Ingalls: In what areas of your life do you feel you are being either obedient or disobedient to God's call for financial stewardship and generosity?

Kelly: Do you teach that the first whole Levitical tithe should go to servants of the OT priests per Num 18:21-24 and Neh 10:37b-38? Do you own land contrary to Numbers 18? Are you among the poorest of the land as required of tithe recipients?

Ingalls: Find the Scriptural references to support your beliefs and self-assessments and then discuss with a mentor or accountability partner to help you take the next steps.

Kelly: Yes. In context and you “rightly divide” the Word according to its covenant.

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com

Reply to Kevin Probst, Apologetics Teacher

Reply to Kevin Probst, Highest Calling

http://kpprobst.blogspot.com/2010/12/control-freak-2.html

You said: It is also argued that tithing isn’t taught in the New Testament. Not true, the early apostles had much to say about tithing and giving.

Reply: Where is this found in the New Testament after Calvary? Even Matthew 23:23 is a discussion of the law before Calvary. Those who received tithes in the OT were not allowed to own land. Do you and your fellow pastors own land?

You said: This is the only place in scripture where God extends a bold challenge for us to test him. Malachi 3:10

Reply: Not true. Read Galatians 3:10 and all of Deuteronomy 28-30. The Whole Law was a test – all 600 pus commands. Obey all to be blessed; break one to be cursed. Do you think God is obligated to bless you for tithing while you are murdering, stealing and committing adultery? You logic is wrong.

You quote: Mal 3:10

Reply: It describes tithes as FOOD. Tithes are always only food from inside God’s HOLY land of Israel. Tithes could not come from what man increased, from US Gentiles or from outside Israel. Period. Get your basics straight.

You quoted Philippians 4:19.

Reply: The Philippians church had partially supported Paul with FREEWILL OFFERINGS and the context is that God will bless ONLY them because they were the ONLY ones to so. The context is not tithing.

You are: Kevin Probst - Is a teacher of Apologetics and History at Calvary Christian School and Associate Pastor of Crosspointe Nazarene Church in Columbus, Georgia.

Reply: Shame on you as an Apologetics Teacher. Your hermeneutics are horrendous.

P.S. The Old Covenant Law for Israel said “Thou shalt not” while the New Covenant law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:2) says “Beiievers do not.” There is a huge difference.

Russell E Kelly, PHD

Why Everybody Could not be a Farmer in the OT

While agreeing that your ideal situation may have originally envisioned all as landowners, it is never stated in God’s Word nor has it ever been actually practical in real life.

The double-portion to the firstborn law would have chased most off the land within a few generations. As the land portions became smaller and smaller they would have become too small to sustain most households. The small landowner would have been forced to sell his land to his first-born descendant who could afford to buy up small parcels. That is common sense to me. If my logic is wrong, tell me where.

The small landowner would then have two choices: (1) work for his relative as a day-laborer or (2) move to the city and take up a trade. In either case he would cease paying tithes. The landowner would pay the tithe of food or herds and the products from craftsmen are not a tithe-able item. Jesus and his father are good examples. How many brothers got a share of Joseph’s carpenter shop?

For example a 1000 acre farm with four sons would be divided after one generation into plots of 400-200-200-200 with a double portion to the firstborn.
The second generation split would be 160-80-80-80. The third generation split would be 64-32-32-32. And the fourth generation split would be 25.6-12.8-12.8-12.8. Like all societies the masses eventually move to the cities. The Early Dark Ages and Dark Ages began around AD700 when the poorest farmers sold their land for protection and became tenant feudal farmers.

Tithe Areas of Babylon and Alexandria

Michael

That which Jesus told to the rich young ruler became the rallying cry, not for tithing, but for monasticism. Beginning with the first century church the most important style of living was asceticism rather than the prosperity gospel.

There is no mention found in the Church Fathers of tithing for over 200 years until Cyprian tried a version and failed around 250 AD. Augustine and Chrystostum also failed to sway the church in that direction. Two local church councils in the 6th century also failed to sway the whole church. Tithing was not enforced by law until late in the 8th century. This history is found in both the Encyclopedia Britannica and three Roman Catholic encyclopedias.

I do not accept tradition as equal authority with the Bible.

Yes, Jews set up by their own authority tithing zones in Babylon and Alexandria after Jerusalem fell in 586 BC. That does not make it right. Even so, those tithes were still only food from specifically designated areas as tithes were still only food in Malachi 3:10-11 and Matthew 23:23. Yet even then tithes from those zones could not be used in the Temple. These exceptions are very small compared to the area of the Diaspora.

If it does not matter what you call it, then why not call it “sacrificial generous freewill giving” which is biblically correct.

Joseph’s tithe of 20 per cent in Egypt merely validates my point that tithing was a well known pagan custom in all areas of the Fertile Crescent. So also were idolatry, temple prostitution and child sacrifice. Point: merely being very old and very common does not automatically make something eternal and moral. The TRUE HOLY biblical tithe was never an eternal moral principle.

What a poor example we find in Eygpty. They ended up not tithing anything the next 7 years, trying to buy back their own tithes and then loosing all the land to the state.

In Christ’s love
Russ Kelly

Reply to Change Worth Makaing, 11-18-1-

Tithing will not cease from our agenda until this false vestige of the Old Covenant law has been purged from our churches. It keeps the New Covenant church in legalism and draws the anathema of Paul in Galatians 1:7-9; 3:1.

Why should we want Ed Young. He is yours. All yours. He merely extends your false tithing theology to its ultimate conclusion. If it is such an important principle for the church, then admit it and join Ed Young. Otherwise admit error and drop it.

Concernng Kenneth Copeland, T.D. Jakes, Paula White, and all of the other prosperity preachers – isn’t it amazing that ALL of these theach tithing” That is where they STARTED going wrong. And do not forget Benny Hinn and John Hagee. Tithing is the leaven of the prosperity gospel and tithing leads to the other false doctrine.

Most preachers who preach 10% are willingly ignorant and do not want to discuss the matter because they would LOSE the argument every time with a knowledgeable Bible scholar.
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“This preacher could say that those who use, the “farmers, herdsman, cattle, sheep, produce, Israel, only arguments” as reasons not to tithe are being legalistic.”
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Incredibly opposite logic! While Genesis alone (before the Law) contains the word “money” 22 times, money is NEVER inclluded in any of the 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe.

While YOU may not use the Law to teach tithing, but almost everybody else does. Take a look at the Baptist Faith and Message and look at the tithing texts used under Stewardship!
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“Those who rightly teach the tithe do not use the law to explain it. It is from those who don’t want to tithe that use the Law to avoid it.”
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Nobody can “rightly teach the tithe.” Abram’s tithe was only from pagan spoils of war in obedience to the law of the land. And Jacob’s tithe was an example of him telling God what to do. You have no valid pre-law or post-law principle for tithing which applies to Christians today. Give it up.
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“For someone to say that since the tithe was only for farmers, and herdsman, Christians have no responsibility to it; is like saying, since everyone in the Bible that gave were wearing tunics, and that’s not us, we shouldn’t be asked to give.”
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Tunics? What are you talking aaout? Farmers and herdsmen did not wear tunics! As a tentmaker working and living in pagan lands, Paul could not and did not teach tithing. You spiritualize the literal Word of God by redefining the tithe. We do not oppose giving. That is your paper tiger. We support generous sacrificial giving which often means MORE than 10%.
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“Too often they cannot discern the difference between a principle and a command.”
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Never can you defend your statement that tithing was/is a universal moral law. You would have the very poorest in society tithe first and do without essential medicine, food and shelter. Shame on you. Scratch 1 Timothy 5:8 out of your Bible.
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“When I preach that God gets the best and we live off the rest, and someone takes issue with that, why is it that no one examines their motives?”
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Lev 27:33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad….
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“Why doesn’t someone want to give God the best and live off the rest?”
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Do you ever read the Bible?
Lev 27:33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad…
1 Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
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“That being said, the entire circus of accusation, and distortion, is a detriment to the Christian ministry.”
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The entire pro-tithing circus of fals doctrine and distortion is a detriment to the Christian ministry. It does not harm those in John MacArthur’s ministry.
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“I’ve preached one series of messages on tithing and stewardship in the last five years. I have no idea who in this church practices tithing. I am not worried about it. We always have enough to do what the Lord leads us to do. I firmly believe that the Lord pays for what He orders.”
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In other words, YOU do not need to preach and teach tithing. What are you harping about then?

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
SBC Yesterday Blogspot

Southern Baptists Help Promote Anti-Tithing Theology

Finally, finally, finally, there will soon be a book in bookstores everywhere presenting our viewpont about tithign. Seehttp://www.amazon.com/Perspectives-Tithing-Views-David-Croteau/dp/0805449779/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1289482778&sr=8-1

Our good friend, David Croteau, is both editor and contributor. He evaluates all four views plus his own extensively. I suggest all of you buy this book and spread the word. For me it is a great breakthrogh.

This book is both publilshed and circulated by the Southern Baptist Convention's own press.
And it is very affordable.

GIVE YOUR CHURCH YOUR BANK ROUTING NUMBER AND ACCOUNT NUMBER FOR TITHE WITHDRAWAL

GIVE US YOUR BANK ROUTING NUMBER AND ACCOUNT NUMBER

Ed Young, Jr. Fellowship Church, Dallas, TX (Southern Baptist).

Watch the video for yourself.
Will the Southern Baptist Convention please stop this nonsencse? It gives Christianity a bad name and chases seekers out of your churches.
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com

(Summary) “Pay your tithe with automatic withdrawal from your bank account. Give me (this church) your bank routing number and account number. See it on the screen.”

http://www.benedictionblogson.com/2010/11/02/texas-mega-church-minister-asks-members-for-bank-account-routing-numbers/

http://fbcjaxwatchdog.blogspot.com/2010/11/ed-youngs-tithing-sermon-show-me-money.html

http://www.jesusneedsnewpr.net/would-you-give-pastor-edyoung-your-banking-information/

Alistar Begg; Acts 18:5 NIV

Alistar Begg on Acts 18:5 in the NIV

Thanks for the question about Acts 18:5. I hate to “beg” Mr. Begg’s pardon, but I wonder why he chose the NIV translation above the NAS, RSV, KJV and NKJ. Could it be that he is trying to manipulate the text.

I looked up the passages in Wycliffe, Adam Clarke, Barnes Notes and then Jameson, Fausset and Brown. None of them translate the passage as does the NIV and Mr. Begg.

The KJV reads “pressed by the Spirit”; NKV “compelled by the Spirit”; NAS “devoting himself completely to the word; RSV: occupied with preaching” and the NIV: “devoted himself exclusively to preaching.” Only the NIV adds “exclusively.”

Paul had experienced failure in Athens and had experience loneliness while Timothy and Silas were in Macedonia. The good news from Thessalonica by Timothy would have encouraged him. Also the possibility of temporary money from Philippi brought by Silas would have uplifted him.

Result: A very brief shot of adrenaline and possibly a very brief full time focus. He became obsessed with preaching Christ but the Greek does not read “exclusively.” The Greek merely says that was “compelled” to preach –evidently with renewed great boldness. There is not direct statement that he actually stopped working during this period. He simply devoted much more time and energy preaching.

2 Cor 11:7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.

At Corinth Paul was again “abasing” himself by working (11:8). The Greek for “wages” in 11:9 refers to a soldiers daily pay. Evidently, that which he could not provide for himself by working was made up by the monetary gifts from Macedonia (11:9).

It is clear to me from 1 Cor 9:12-19 and Acts 20:29-35 that Paul’s tradition, habit, custom was to work full time and support himself and others.

Reply to Pastor Steven Bryant

Graceblog
Stevan Bryant, pastor of Grace Chapel Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Madison, Mississippi

http://gracegc2.blogspot.com/2010/10/matthew-61-4-part-three.html

Russ: Your comments about tithing are very shallow and reflect poor hermeneutics.

First, the true HOLY biblical tithe was always only food from inside God’s HOLY land of Israel which God had miraculously increased. Tithes could not come from what man increased, from Gentiles or from outside Israel. Not even Jesus, Peter or Paul qualified as tithe payers. They gave sacrificial freewill offerings. While money was very common and essential for sanctuary worship, there are 16 texts limiting the tithe to food from inside Israel.

Second, yes, God is the source and yes, God owns everything. While that was also true in the Old Testament, HOLY tithes could still only come from food increased inside God’s holy land. This is a serious flaw in your logic.

Third, your argument that the tithe is a minimum expectation, starting point or training wheels is based on the false assumption that everybody was commanded to begin giving of all increase at ten per cent. It only applied to food producers. The poor, Gentiles and non-food producers could not tithe.

Fourth, you call that tithe “firsfruits” when it is actually “tenthfruits.” Compare Deu 26:1-4; Neh 10:35-38 and many other firstfruit texts.

Fifth, you wrote “When the crops were harvested, the grateful sons and daughters of God would bring to Him one tenth of the harvest, or one tenth of the proceeds…the first, the best, not the left- overs, and no less than He instructs us to give.”

Russ: This should read “grateful HEBREW sons and daughters of God.”

See Lev 27:30-34. The tithe was neither the “first” nor “the best.” You are opposite God’s Word here.

Only the “best” one tenth of the tithe went to the priests per Num 18:25-28. The first whole tithe went to the servants of the priests per Num 18:21-24. You ignore this.

Sixth, you wrote “Some Christians ould lead you astray teaching, “we’re under the New Testament now, and the mandate of the tithe no longer applies to us.”

WE Gentiles of the Church never were under the Old Covenant law or its tithe. According to Gal 3:1-5 it is witchcraft to place Gentiles under that law. Also Gal 3:10-13.

Seventh, you wrote “Jesus never set aside the tithe. Rather, He commends the tithe in Matthew 23:23.”

While living under the jurisdiction of the Law before Calvary Jesus MUST teach compliance to the whole law. Of course he never sst it aside –that would be sinning before Calvary.

The hermeneutic of Mt 23:23 is a discussion of “matters of the law” addressed to “you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.” Jesus did not and could not legally command anybody to tithe to him.

Eighth, you wrote “None of the New Testament writers declare the tithe null and void.” Wrong.

Where in the Bible Were Tithes Abolished?

1. WHO #1: The Levitical servants to the priests who received the first whole tithe have been abolished. See Numbers 18:21-24. Modern equivalents to the Levites are unpaid ushers, deacons, choir, musicians, etc.

2. WHO #2: OT priests who received a tenth of the tithe (only 1 per cent) have been abolished. See Num 18:25-28 and Neh 10:38.

3. WHAT: The definition of tithes as only food miraculously increased by God from inside His holy land of Israel has been abolished and replaced with the false unbiblical definition of income. See Leviticus 27:30-34 and 14 other texts which describe the contents of the tithe. Yet money was common in Genesis.

4. WHERE: The destination of the OT tithes first to the Levitical cities some to the Temple has been abolished. See Neh 10:37b and Mal 3:10.

5. WHEN: The time to tithe has been abolished. The Levitical tithe was paid yearly in the Levitical cities. The second festival tithe was eaten at the three festivals. The third poor tithe was kept in the home every third year. Tithes totaled 23 1/3 per cent.

6. WHY #1: The covenant which prescribed them was abolished per Heb 8:8-13; Gal 4:21-26' 2 Cor 3:6-10.

7. WHY #2: The "commandment" for Levites and priests to collect tithes was "annulled" per Hebrews 7:5, 12, 18.

8. WHY #3: The law which condemned believers has been rendered of no effect when the believer died in Christ per Romans 7:4. No law can tell a dead person what to do.

9. HOW #1: Jesus abolished the law of commandments contained in ordinances per Eph 2:13. Tithing was an ordinance per Num 18.

10. HOW $2: Jesus blotted out the handwriting of ordinances, per Col 2:14. Tithing was an ordinance per Num 18.

11. HOW #3: The Temple which tithes supported was abolished in AD 70. God's temple is now within each believer per 1 Cor 3:16; 6:19-20.

12. HOW #4: The priesthood which was supported by tithes was abolished in AD 70. God's priesthood is now within every believer per 1st Peter 2:9-10.

13. HOW #5: The blessings and curses of tithing as part of the whole law have been abolished per Galatians 3:10-13.

Ninth, you wrote “In fact, the standards are raised. Just as we have seen in our study of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raises the standard of obedience to the Law; He raises the standard of fidelity in marriage and what constitutes a legitimate divorce.”

Does raising the standards of the law for Gentiles mean that you kill your disobedient children for even lesser offenses? Does it mean you send your menstrual wife farther away one week a month? Does it mean you must rebuild a larger temple and reinstitute a greater priesthood to receive tithes? Your interpretation forces you to obey all 600 commands of the law in an intensified manner.

Tenth, you wrote “Jesus never lowers moral obligations.”

Yes, but tithing was never a moral obligation. It was a command only given to food producers who lived inside Israel. It was cold hard law and must be given whether one was moral or not.

Eleventh, you wrote “Why would we think that God would suddenly lower His expectations of how Christians from the New Testament era unto the present moment deal with our money? In fact, the standard is higher in this area too.

Again, you are arguing from a false assumption. Jesus could not and did not command Gentiles whom he healed to obey the law and show themselves to the priests.

Twelfth, “Instead of demanding a percentage, the Gospel demands it all!”

This is empty rhetoric unless you give your entire paycheck back to the church. It means nothing since you have no real application.

Thirteenth, Malachi 3:8-12.

Yes, bring out this horse (Heb 7:5, 12, 18). Tithing was part of the cultic ceremonial worship statutes/ordinances of the law which were certainly abolished in Ephesians 2:13-17 and Colossians 2:13-17.

Malachi was addressed to Old Covenant Israel and tithing was a small part of the whole law per Neh 10:29 and Mal 4:4. The whole law was a test to Old Covenant Israel.

Even in Malachi 3:10-12 the tithe is still only food from inside Israel. This never changed.

Fourteenth, you wrote “I want to urge you to take God at His Word.”

Russ: Please do.

Heb 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

Pastor Steven Bryant, I urge you to reconsider you position on this important doctrine. Even John Calvin, John Owen, J V McGee and many other famous Presbyterians agree with me on this,

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com

Rebutal of World Bible Society on Tithing

WORLD BIBLE SOCIETY
http://worldbiblesociety.blogspot.com/2010/10/tithing-september-28-2010.html

Your definition of “tithe” is not supported by God’s Word. In the Bible the HOLY tithe was always only food from inside Israel which God had miraculously increased. Tithes could not come from what man increased, from Gentiles or from outside Israel. There ae 16 texts to validate this truth.

The texts you quote, Deu 14:22 and Lev 27:30, disagree with you and agree with me.

Proverbs 3:9 is about “firstfruit offerings” which are never the same thing as tithes in the Bible. Firstfruits are always only very small token offerings per Deu 26:1-4; Neh 1-:35-37 and many other texts.

The only persons who qualified as tithe-payers in the Bible were food producers who lived inside Israel. Not even Jesus, Peter or Paul qualified.

According to Lev 27:30-34 the “best” was not the tithe; it was the “tenth” whether it be the best or not. Shame on you for manipulating the Bible.

While everything belongs to God, He only accepted tithes from food increased inside His holy land of Israel. Therefore nothing you have written in this article is true. Shame, shame, shame.

If you accept tithes as a Christian minister, then YOU are robbing God by accepting that which was legislated only for Levites and priests to support the Old Covenant Temple system per Numbers 18. You also obligate yourself NOT to own or inherit property and to obey the whole Law in order to be blessed according to Galatians 3:10.

Malachi was only addressed to Old Covenant Israel who had committed to obeying all the Law in Neh 10:29 and not merely tithing. The whole law was a test.
Malachi is then narrowly addressed to dishonest thieving priests in 1:6; 2:1 and 3:1-5 who had stolen tithes and offerings per Neh 13:5-10 and Mal 1:13-14. Since, according to Neh 10:37-39 the whole tithe was to be brought to the Levitical cities, then Mal 3:10 must only refer to thieving priests.

Better New Covenant post-Calvary include: freewill, generous, SACRIFICIAL, joyful, not by commandment (or percentage) and motivated by love for God and lost souls. According to 2 Cor 8:12-14 many should not stop at 10% while many more are already giving sacrificially even though less than 10%. Gospel principles are sufficient for gospel-preaching and soul-winning churches.

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD

Reply to Max Brunson, FBC Jacksonville, FL

Review of Sermon by Max Brunson, FBC Jacksonville, Fl, 9-12-2010, by Russell Earl Kelly

1. The mention of tithing causes an immediate guilt trip.

Reply: That is what you and Baptists want it to do so you do not have to preach on personal evangelism. You want to “guilt” New Covenant Christians for not giving according to you own definition of Old Covenant tithing.

2. Only 3% churchwide tithe.

Reply: Actually NOBODY gives a true HOLY biblical tithe today. True HOLY tithes were always only FOOD from inside God’s HOLY land of Israel which He had miraculously increased. Tithes could not come from what man increased, from Gentiles or from outside Israel.

3. Breaking God’s law places Christians on a guilt trip.

Reply: This is your fundamental error which extends to tithing. Gentiles never were under the Old Covenant Law! See Rom 1:18-20; 2:14-16. They were under the eternal moral law as revealed by nature and conscience but that did not include tithing.

4. I have to answer for preaching God’s Word to God.

Reply: Yes, you do. And I am glad that I am not in your shoes for manipulating God’s Word.

5. Gen 14 Abram and Melchizedek

Reply: Brunson, in typical fashion of tithe-teachers, only presents what supports his argument. He omitted the following facts: a) Bread and wine were staples offered to all guest, b)El Elyon was the common name of any god of the high places throughout pagan societies, c) it is very important to realize that Melchizedek did NOT know God as YAHWEH, d) that which Abram (the yet uncircumcised Gentile) tithed was only spoils of war stolen from Sodom which were not HOLY tithes under the law, e) according to MOST commentaries which explain 14:21, the Arab law of the land was involved, f) if the 90% were controlled by the law of the land, then so should have been the 10%, g) the Bible does not say that Abram tithed because he wanted to or had to tithe, h) Moses did not use Abram’s tithe as a prime example for tithing in the law and i) Abram gave the 90% to the King of Sodom –not an example for us to follow by faith.

6. There is a lot we are not told about Abraham.

Reply: Yes, but if tithing were important enough to earn mention almost every week, you would think it would have been prominent.

7. Heb 7:1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9

Reply: True to form, almost every tithe teacher ignores the continuity between 7:5, 12 and 18. Hebrews 7:5 is the first mention in the book of “commandment, tithes, and law.” Because the Aaronic priesthood had been replaced by the M priesthood, 7:12 says that it is “necessary to change the law” of tithing from 7:5. And 7:18 says that the “change” was the “disannulling of the commandment going before” of tithing from 7:5.

8. Abraham is the father of faithful.

Reply: Then should we give the 90% to the equivalent of the King of Sodom?

9. Gen 28:22: Jacob

Reply: This kind of manipulation of God’s Word is horrendous. Brunson MISQUOTES the text to OMIT the “if” clause. In reality Jacob was telling God what to do! Not a very good example of tithing.

10. All pagans tithed to their gods! “If pagans tithed …” [Thus tithing must be an eternal moral principle.]

Reply: Yes, all pagans around Abram’s world in 2000 BC did tithe! What does that prove? They also worshipped idols and the heavens. They also sacrificed children to idols and sent their children to temple prostitutes. If this is proof that tithing is an eternal moral principle, then so should the other acts of pagans related to their tithing.

11. How the tithe came to the Law.

Reply: The pagan tithe of spoils of war did not become the HOLY tithe of the law. In Numbers 31 the law had a similar tithe of spoils but it was only .001 and .01 rather than .1.

12. Lev 27:30, 32; tenth of everything they produced is HOLY to the LORD.

Reply: Brunson twists and manipulates God’s Word. He defines the HOLY biblical tithes as “a tenth of everything they produced” to make it include money and income. The text itself limits the tithe to a tenth of food from inside God’s HOLY land which God increased.

13. Lev 27:32 tenth is HOLY

Reply: In context, almost everything in Leviticus is either “holy” or “most holy.” They were such because of their use in the Old Covenant. Even Brunson’s Baptists have discarded most “holy” and “most holy” things from Leviticus but have conveniently kept the tithe –as they define it.

14. 2nd tithe; 3rd tithe; be glad you are in the NT.

Reply: Brunson makes no effort to say why the first tithe which went to the servants of the priests survives but the other two have been discarded (Num 18:21-24). All three were part of the ceremonial worship laws.

15. The tithe is not a tax. This is plain error. Taxes supported government, king and army.

Reply: Read 1st Chronicles, chapters 23 to 26. The king used Levites as government employees. They worked for the king as rulers, judges and ordinary politicians and were paid with tithes.

16. Solomon did not tithe the people.

Reply: In fact, he did. See 1st Samuel 8:14-17.

17. Why does God require a tithe?

Reply: God only required tithes from food producers who lived inside Israel. He did not require tithes for non-food producing trades such as carpenters and tentmakers.

18. Deu 14:22-23 tithe all the produce of what you sow, out of the field. EAT the tithe. Learn to fear the Lord.

Reply: Again, the very texts Brunson quotes describe the contents of the tithes as only food from inside Israel. Brunson just indicated that the 2nd festival tithes does not apply but quotes it here to make a point out of context. He ignores the next three texts (14:24-26) which describe turning tithes into fermented beer and wine to drink at the feasts.

19. “Given to us in the law.”

Reply: No. The Old Covenant Law was never commanded to US Gentiles. Our Temple and priesthood are within every believer.

20. I have no debt.

Reply: You have an ample salary and are careful with finances. Those principles also work for atheists, agnostics, Buddhsts and Muslims who apply themselves and have a good work ethic.

21. PROPHETS: Isa 43:22-25

Reply: This is not a discussion of tithing. And, even if it were, only food producers who lived inside Israel qualified as tithers.

22. 10% everybody could do that; it is fair to all.

Reply: The poverty level for two persons is $14,000. Try living on that while tithing! Do you want Christians to ignore 1st Timothy 5:8 and tithe rather than buy essential medicine, food and shelter?

23. NEW TESTAMENT: A very popular writer who makes millions selling books says “No tithing, church or church staff. Tithing is Jewish and not Christian.”

Reply: He is referring to George Barna. Why doesn’t he refute Barna? It is strange that the SBC has absolutely nobody who will debate the issue with me. I await a call.

24. Mt 5:17 I came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it.

Reply: Since the SBC teaches that Christians are still obligated to obey (at least part of) the law, they love this text. They have no consistent principle of interpretation to decide exactly what part of the law survives and what part has been discarded as purely Old Testament. The only thing they know for sure is that tithing survives. The many “fulfilled” texts in Matthew, plus Hebrews 8:12-13 and 10:7-9 lead many to conclude that all of the law was fulfilled. However, the SBC argument that the law still stands leads to two obvious contradictions. a) Gentiles never were under any part of the Old Covenant law and b) it is the Law itself which defines “tithes” as only food from inside God’s HOLY land of Israel. Numbers 18, the actual tithing ordinance, is not obeyed by any church and it commands tithe-recipients (pastors) NOT to own or inherit property.

25. Widow’s mite

Reply: This is a favorite argument for tithe-teachers. However, the Bible does not say that the widow was tithing. She was giving a sacrificial freewill offering. Many Baptist pastors would not want her as a member and especially not as an officer or leader after discovering her poverty.

26. Mt 23:23 tithe on orange seeds.

Reply: Mr. Brunson, This is your argument and you say we should obey Jesus. Do you tithe orange seeds? Do you teach your congregation to tithe orange seeds or garden herbs? Or are you your own best hypocrite here?

27. Mt 23:23 is New Testament

Reply: Since Mt 23:23 is prior to Calvary or Pentecost, it is technically still Old Testament! Jesus was still commanding (only) Jews He healed to show themselves to the priests.

28. Weightier provisions of the law

Reply: The context of the verse says that he was addressing “you, scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites” about “matters of the law.”

29. Jesus put his stamp on tithing right there.

Reply: Yes – for Old Covenant Jews. He was not telling His Jewish disciples or His Gentile disciples to tithe to Him. Such was sin and illegal. Read Gal 4:4-5. Do you ever actually study the Bible?

30. How many times does Jesus have to say something?

Reply: This is arrogance and ignorance modified. If you obeyed your own rule while teaching Matthew through John, you would still be observing ALL of the Law. Whatever happened to context?

31. If Jews tithed under the law, what does it say to us who live under grace?

Reply: If Jesus was circumcised under the law, or kept the Saturday Sabbath, or observed Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles under the law, what does that say to us who live under grace? Your argument is ridiculous.

32. Give less?

Reply: Since the Law only required food producers who lived inside Israel to tithe, your question is based on a false assumption. NT giving principles are: freewill, generous, sacrificial, joyful, not by compulsion and motivated by love for God and lost souls. That should be sufficient for any church which emphasizes soul winning.

33. Did Jesus die so I could give less?

Reply: Jesus did not tithe. Jesus gave sacrificially. We should follow that example.

34. VINES: Inconceivable to give less.

Reply: Based on false assumptions. We should give as the Spirit leads to the best of our ability but we should first take care of our family’s essential medical, food and shelter per 1st Tim 5:8.

35. VINES: Just give 100% as did NT church.

Reply: If you do not give 100% of your paycheck, you have no right to use this example. The NT church only gave 100% briefly until everything was depleted. According to Acts 2:46; 15 and 21:20-21 Jewish Christians never stopped tithing to the Temple system.

36. VINES: You got me stirred up.

Reply: Then study your Bible and boldly refute our arguments in open debates to shut us up.

37. God gave all in Christ.

Reply: God’s gift was a sacrificial generous freewill offering –not a tithe.

38. The issue is your heart.

Reply: The issue is the truth of God’s Word verses gross manipulation of its context.

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
www.tithing-russkelly.com
Russell-kelly@att.net

SERENDIPITOUS LITTELWORM

SERENDIPITOUS
By littelworm

http://isurrenderalltoyou.blogspot.com/

Russ: True biblical HOLY tithes were always only FOOD from inside Israel which God had miraculously increased. Money was essential for sanctuary worship, but tithes could not come from money, from what man increased, from Gentiles or from outside Israel. HOLY tithes could only come from Hebrew food producers living inside Israel. See your own text of Lev 27:30-34.

Russ: Yes, every pagan nation in Abram’s time tithed, worshipped idols, sacrificed children and practiced temple prostitution. That does not make them eternal or moral principles.

Russ: In the Bible it is always the tithe OF FOOD from inside God’s HOLY land of Israel. Never money and never from outside Israel. Jesus, Peter and Paul did not tithe.

Worm: … why tithe you may ask? well, for the Israelites, tithing:
1. reminded them that all they had was by the grace of God. they could not even say that the tithe was given since nothing belonged to them which was not from God.

Russ: While God owns everything He only accepted tithes from inside His HOLY land of Israel.

Worm: without this reminder, it is easy for man to fall into the trap of thinking that success was due to his own efforts.

Russ: That is why the increase could only come from God’s miracle hand from food.

Worm: 2. is an act of worship. the law was meant to tutor the Israelites on how to live by grace.

Russ: This is INSANE logic. Levitical tithing was cold hard LAW whether one desired to tithe or not.

Worm: tithing was a response of obedience to the grace of God.

Russ: INSANE LOGIC. It was commanded and demanded as cold hard law.

Worm: … the attitude behind the act was also important.

Russ: No!

Worm: hence the emphasis on 'firstfruits' in the OT tithing. you give God your best or cream, not the dregs.

Russ: Read Lev 27:30-34. The tithe was the TENTH and not necessarily the best! Firstfruits were NOT tithes; they were very small token offerings from inside Israel per Deu 26:1-4 and Neh 10:35-38.

Worm: you may ask, 'but that only applied to the Jews...it is OT.' well, that may be true.

Russ: That is true – no maybe. God never commanded Gentiles to tithe. Gentiles never were under that Old Covenant law.

Worm: in fact, in the NT, there is also no express command to believers to tithe. the early disciples and Jesus did tithe because of their Jewish background.

Russ: Only if they were food producers who lived inside Israel. As a carpenter Jesus did not tithe. As a tentmaker living outside Israel, Paul did not tithe for two reasons.

Worm: accounts of the early church fathers also indicate that tithing was expected.

Russ: How early? Not the first 200 years! Cyprian’s, Chrysostum’s and Augustine’s did not become church law. Tithing did NOT become an enforced law for almost 800 years after Calvary. Even the Encyclopedia Britannica agrees.

Worm: … but applying biblical hermeneutics … still applies to us

Russ: Whose hermeneutics? Only that part of the law which was repeated to the Church after Calvary in terms of the New Covenant applies to us. NONE of the tithing law of Numbers 18 is obeyed by any church today. Otherwise tithe-recipients would not be allowed to own or inherit land and would be forced to KILL anybody else attempting to enter the sanctuary.

Worm: and if so, we should tithe.

Russ: Not if you define the tithe the way God’s Word uses it.

Worm: … the blessings that come with tithing are incidental, not a prerequisite.

Russ: Your theology is straddling the fence. Paul calls it “witchcraft” in Galatians 3:1. You are adding Law to Grace.

Worm: for a more detailed discussion on the subject, you may review the book by Randy Alcorn 'Money, Possessions and Eternity'.

Russ: Randy Alcorn has been thoroughly rebutted by me and refused to debate me in Christianity Today. See http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/id57.html

Russell Earl Kelly, PHD

Questions about Dispensationalism

Anthony: My answer to most of that would be, That in him (Christ) all the promises of God are yes and amen.

Russ: That means that every single UNCONDITIONAL promise God ever made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David and the prophets about the eventual restoration of national Israel MUST be fulfilled literally as God intended to those who first heard the prophecies uttered.

Anthony: Ezekiel 36 is Definitely talking about the New Covenant relationship. Couldn't it be that this promise to true Israel is fulfilled in the New Earth?

Russ: God promised a literal kingdom reign of Messiah on this earth and that will be fulfilled during the Millennium. It is wrong to call the Church “true Israel.” “True Israel” is the real believers within Israel. The fact that Christians are Abraham’s faith-seed merely makes us heirs of the promises made to Abraham long before Jacob (Israel) was born.

Anthony: And now Israel includes Gentile believers.

Russ: Not true. Abraham’s seed includes Gentile believers. Abraham was actually still Abram the uncircumcised Gentile when the promises were first made.

Anthony: Wasn't the promise that every place that your foot steps that land shall be yours. Don't believers walk the whole earth?

Russ: Yes, and then God very specifically outlined the borders of Israel and Abraham did not leave those borders. If the specific promise referred to the whole earth, then the description of the borders makes no sense and was a waste of time.

Anthony: The Meek shall inherit the earth, right? Even if this is not the case the fulfillment of Ezek 36 could be in the New Earth. It is already partially fulfilled in the church.

Russ: Jesus was preaching only to Jews in Matthew 5. The word “earth” is known by all Hebrews as “eretz” and refers to the holy land of Israel. I think you are really stretching here.

Anthony: 2Peter chp 3 says the Day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night and the heavens and earth shall Pass away, but we look for the new heavens and earth. Clearly, Peter is expecting this to happen in this current age.

Russ: The Day of the Lord is a common phrase throughout the Old Testament. It was ALWAYS followed by God’s Messianic kingdom on earth. The phrase “new heavens and new earth” also occurs in Isaiah 65:17 and 66:22. If you read those two chapters you will discover that the two texts are followed by descriptions of life on this earth during the millennium. From the context I must conclude that the phrase “new heavens and new earth” in Isaiah refers to the literal millennium on earth while the same phrase in Revelation 21 refers to eternity –that it the context.

Anthony: Because he says our knowing this should cause us to live righteously. The Lord is reining now at the right hand of the Father 1Cor. 15,Acts 7:55, Rev.1:5 Matt 28:18.

Russ: Jesus is not now sitting on the throne of David and reigning over restored national Israel. Therefore his SCORES of unconditional prophecies must still be in the future.

Anthony: There is no gap he comes and Judges the nations.

Russ: There are many differences between Christ coming FIRST for his bride, the Church, to take it to heaven and SECOND his coming in glory to destroy Israel’s enemies and to set up a literal millennial kingdom on earth. Unless you can reconcile all of those differences, I cannot hear you.
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/theology/id26.html
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/theology/id13.html
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/theology/id16.html


Anthony: The Church is caught up to meet him and the earth and all the unbelieving world is burned up.

Russ: First, the Church is seen in heaven in Revelation 4 and 5 BEFORE the Great Tribulation of chapters 6-18. Second, the second coming of Christ in glory in Revelation 19 is followed by 1000 years of kingdom reign. The sequence if clear in Revelation.

Anthony: Revelation 20 takes place with disembodied saints in Heaven, for they are beheaded for his name (their spirits are under the altar in the temple of Heaven).

Russ: Wrong. The martyred tribulation saints have been raised in the second phase of the first resurrection per Revelation 20:4. They are reigning with Christ on earth along with the other saints and disciples. All saints will reign with Christ on earth during the millennium.

Anthony: Which I would conclude is also the case of Matt 19:28 Bible interprets Bible.

Russ: I disagree.

Anthony: If how you appear to be taking Jer 31: 35-40 is the way it seems, then God has already failed. Seeing that natural Israel wasn't a nation for how many years?

Russ: In the mind of God national Israel never ceased to be a nation. Your interpretation makes God a liar and makes his promises to David a pack of lies. I seriously doubt that Jeremiah’s readers understood him to be referring to Gentile Christians. You have a serious problem with Jeremiah 31:35-37 and only attack my literal understanding rather than offer your own explanation.

Anthony: The true nation of Israel is in the church.

Russ: This is a false doctrine.

Anthony: There are remnants of Jewish believers, But according to Eph. 2 and Gal 2 there is no longer any distinction between Jew and Gentile as far as God is concerned.

Russ: Both Hebrew and Gentile believers are part of the one body of Christ. The Law which set Israel above all others has been broken down. Now all stand on the same ground as far as salvation is concerned. --- Yet black and white are still literally different races AND male and female are still literally different sexes AND Jews and Gentiles are still literally different nationalities. It is horribly WRONG to disannul ALL the scores of unconditional promises made to national Israel with a few verses out of context and act like the entire Old Testament now means absolutely nothing were national Israel is concerned.

Gal 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them (Gentile believers), and mercy, and upon the Israel of God (Hebrew believers).

Anthony: There is the body of Christ and then there is the unbelieving world.

Russ: The unbelieving HEBREWS returned to their land in unbelief in 1948. The unbelieving Hebrews will eventually rebuild the Temple while still in unbelief and suffer the Great Tribulation of Revelation. At that time 144,000 Hebrews will accept Christ and evangelize many more Hebrews and a great multitude of Gentiles. This could begin any day.

Anthony: Galatians and Hebrews are both very clear, Christ fulfilled the old covenant which was only a shadow of what was promised in Christ.

Russ: That is true but it does not apply to those atheistic and agnostic Hebrews who have returned to the land and do not know that truth.

Anthony: Now I don't like the term replacement theology. I think that is a real misrepresentation of this position. The Church didn't replace Israel.

Russ: You teach that the Church is now spiritual Israel. That means that the Church has REPLACED Israel in God’s eyes. How can you deny that?

Anthony: God fulfilled his purpose for Israel as being that shining city on the hill that would shine forth righteousness to the nations(gentiles) by grafting in gentiles. Making Jews and Gentiles one new body of people. In other words gentiles grafted into true Israel equals the church. A city built without hands. It is God's earthly temple too.

Russ: That is NOT what God told the Old Testament prophets. You have completely disregarded the final chapters of almost every Old Covenant prophet! The same God who inspired the New Testament also inspired the Old Testament and God does not contradict Himself.

Anthony: According to 1Cor. 15: 23-24 When Christ comes the end comes also and he will deliver the Kingdom to God the Father. Doesn't say anything about a thousand years here. It also says he must reign (present tense) until all enemies are put under his feet. This obviously is quoting Psalm 110 the Lord said to my Lord sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool. So if at the end Christ delivers the Kingdom then the Kingdom is the Church. And if the end is at his coming, and he is reigning right now, where do you fit in the earthly Kingdom?

Russ: Would you like for me to stop here and post quotations from almost every Old Testament prophet? I have them handy. “When he shall have put down all rule and authority and power” comes after the kingdom rule on earth. The text you quote does not say that this happens at the second coming – it merely gives a general sequence of events.

Anthony: I'm not sure if I have an answer for every promise to national Israel. I do know that we are fellow heirs with Christ to all things.

Russ: No and you dare not try. The final chapters of Amos, Joel, Micah, Isaiah and Ezekiel defy your conclusions. The promise of an earthly kingdom which rules the earth in Daniel 2 and 7 contradicts your theory. And you dare not explain the final chapter of Zechariah which is unconditional.

Anthony: And I believe a proper hermeneutic is interpreting the Old Testament (the shadow) by the New Covenant which is the Revelation of Jesus Christ(The Light).

Russ: The entire Old Testament was not a “shadow of things to come.” Where did you get that from? Only the ritual ceremonial symbols of the Old Covenant Law were shadows. There is absolutely no way you can include the scores of clear plain UNCONDITIONAL promises made about an earthly messianic kingdom as shadows. Such hermeneutic CONTRADICTS scores of God’s promises which were intended to be understood LITERALLY by those who heard them.

Glenn Beck: tithing, conservative, mainstream?

Tithes, conservative and mainstream:

Today, September 2, 2010, Glenn Beck said that he was “conservative.”

To a Protestant theologian the word “conservative” means that you accept the Bible as the final word of authority. Mormons are not conservatives. They accept the Book of Mormon, other Mormon writings and current Mormon leaders as greater revelations and prophets of God than the Bible.

Today Glenn Beck criticized Obama for not being “mainstream” because the “liberation theology” of Jeremiah Wright is not mainstream.

Neither “liberation theology” nor “Mormon theology” is “mainstream” – especially Mormon theology. Mormons teach that God the Father used to be a man and that Mormon men will become gods with their own worlds to be God in. Mormons teach that God’s wife spawned everybody on earth and that Glenn Beck’s Mormon wife will eventually be eternally pregnant spawning mankind on another planet.

Mainstream anybody?

And, o yes, Mormon tithing is more accurate than regular tithing because they correctly perpetuate the Aaronic priesthood and biblically deserve the tithe.

I love Glenn Beck and listen to him and watch him daily. But my caution flag is always up. Last week he introduced the first of his advanced Indian civilizations which are taught in the Book of Mormon.

daniel 12:7 adn preterism

DANIEL 12:7 AFTER SCATTERING THE POWER OF THE HOLY PEOPLE

Preterists quote Daniel 12:7 to prove that God ended His unique relationship with the nation Israel in A. D. 70 after He had finally “scattered the power of the holy people.”

Dan 12:7 … it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

1. What does “all these things” refer to? Everything in the book of Daniel? The events of Daniel 11 and 12? Only the abomination of desolation of the Temple from Daniel 11 and 12? The rule of the little horn or Daniel 7? Or only when God will finish “scattering the power of the holy people”? Does this say that God is “finished” dealing with Israel as a nation?

Dan 12:11 And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.

2. Daniel 12:11 ends with the persecuting power victorious and makes the setting up of the abomination of desolation the final event. Yet common sense teaches that there must be more.

Dan 12:12 Blessed is he that waiteth and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.

3. Daniel 12:12 says there is a blessing on those who survive until the end of 1335 days which is 75 days after the “finish” of the 1260 days (3 ½ times) of 12:7. Therefore the “bad” “finish” of 12:7 has changed into an “blessing” 75 days later.

Dan 12:13 But go thou thy way till the end be: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

4. According to Preterists the general resurrection of the dead occurred in A. D. 70 at the end of the days of Daniel 12:7. If this were true there must be at least one more general resurrection from the dead of those who have died since A.D. 70.

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

5. Daniel 12:7 is a brief repeat of the final events of chapter 11. The event which immediately follows the desolation of Daniel 11 is the restoration of national Israel by Michael in Daniel 12:1-2. At the end of the time of trouble Messiah will return and resurrect the righteous dead -- at that time thy people shall be delivered. In the context of the book of Daniel this refers only to national Israel but in Revelation 20:6 it refers to all saints. Thus Israel will be finally restored for the Millennial reign of Messiah on earth per Revelation 20. This will occur after the end of the 3 ½ times of Daniel 12:7.

Dan 2:35 Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth.

Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

6. Daniel 2:35, 44 clearly show that God will set up a literal physical kingdom ON EARTH which consumes and replaces the literal physical kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome and Confederated Rome.

Dan 7:25 And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.

Dan 7:26 But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Dan 7:28 Hitherto is the end of the matter …

7. Daniel 7:25-28 parallel Daniel 12:7; both mention the 3 ½ time period. Notice the word “until.” This means that “after” the 3 ½ time period ends, Israel will be restored as a nation on earth. The “end” of 7:26 is the “finished” of 12:7. Daniel 7:27 is not a description of heaven itself and must be a literal physical kingdom on earth as in 2:35, 44. The “end of the matter” is not in 12:7 but in 7:27.

Dan 8:13 … How long shall be the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, and the transgression of desolation, to give both the sanctuary and the host to be trodden under foot?

Dan 8:14 And he said unto me, Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed (restored).

8. In a slightly different setting Daniel 8:13-14 is the same time period of 3 ½ times as seen in 7:25 and 12:7. It is a secondary fulfillment of the events of 168-165 B. C. The 2300 evening-morning sacrifices covers almost 3 ½ years. The point here is that the time period ends with the sanctuary on earth being restored (although necessarily in the context of the New Covenant) per Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8.

Dan 9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.

Dan 9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

9. In Daniel 9 the prophet was concerned about the desolated and destroyed temple from 586 B. C. He reminded God that He must restore Jerusalem “for thine own sake, for thy name” because God would appear unfaithful after His many unconditional promises from Abraham to David and through the prophets. Even though God answered that there would be even more future desolations of future temples, the final outcome would be a final “anointing of the most holy place” of the Temple as seen in Daniel 8:14.

MATTHEW 19:28 JUDGING TWELVE TRIBES

MATTHEW 19:28; LUKE 22:29-30; REVELATION 20:3-4, 7, 8; 21:1-2, 12 JUDGING TWELVE TRIBES

Many Christian denominations teach that there will be no literal Messianic kingdom reign on earth. In Matthew 19:28 and Luke 22:29-30 Jesus promised His disciples that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel after they had been resurrected and regenerated. This cannot be a description of heaven and must refer to God’s future kingdom on earth.

Matt 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:29 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The promise Jesus made to His disciples that they would sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes on earth is to be fulfilled during the Millennial reign as seen in Revelation 20:3-4, 7-8.

Rev 20:3 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, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Rev 20:8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Even the new earth and eternity will for ever remind saints that God never did forget His chosen nation. In Revelation 21:1, 2, 12 The eternal city of the new earth is only entered through twelve gates with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. This makes no sense if God had permanently rejected Israel as His unique chosen nation.

Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:12 And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.

LUKE 17:20 OBSERVATION

LUKE 17:20; NOT BY OBSERVATION

Those who do not believe in a future literal reign of Christ on earth quote Luke 17:20 as a proof text.

Luke 17:20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come (erchetai) he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh (erchetai) not with observation.

The Pharisees assumed that the real Messiah would initially come like most kings with a sudden highly visible announcement of majesty, power, splendor and outward physical conquest.

Jesus was not saying that the kingdom of God would not be a literal physical kingdom on earth. Such would contradict all the prophets which He had previously inspired. He simply denied that the kingdom would come in the manner which the Pharisees expected. Jesus was saying that its initial “coming” would not be observable because the initial coming of God’s kingdom is an inner change of the heart (17:21). The first disciples’ desire to see just one of the days of the Messiah would end in disappointment because Israel had rejected its Messiah and the visible coming of His kingdom would be long delayed (17:22).

Luke 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day.

When some shall say “Here or there is the kingdom” do not believe them (17:23). When the kingdom does arrive visibly, you will know it because it will be as visible as lightning (17:24).

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND ISRAEL'S FUTURE

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AND ISRAEL’S FUTURE

It is the purpose of this article to demonstrate that the phrase “kingdom of heaven” cannot refer to everyday life in heaven itself and must refer to life on earth.

When Jesus said “the kingdom of heaven is like,” He was describing how life should be under God’s rule on earth. Some of the 32 references apply to current life during the “mystery” phase of the kingdom of God. However many of the 32 references can only be logically explained as how life will be during the future theocratic kingdom rule of Messiah on earth. Since sin is often involved, most of the “kingdom of heaven” phrases cannot refer to heaven itself.

All 32 references to the “kingdom of heaven” are in Matthew, the Gospel to the Jews. As a covenanted kingdom it is the national hope of Israel (2 Sam 7:4-17). John the Baptist, Christ, and the apostles announced that the kingdom of national Israel was "at hand." That offer was rejected and, in its earthly manifested form, was postponed until Christ's second advent. According to Matthew 13 the present gospel age only represents the mystery form of the kingdom. If there is to be no future kingdom of God’s direct rule on earth, then Jesus’ phrase “the kingdom of God is like” makes no sense.


Matt 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
Matt 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

John was telling Israel that the Messiah was about to appear and acceptance of the Messiah would quickly usher in the long-promised and long-awaited theocratic Kingdom in which God would rule over the entire earth from Jerusalem.

Matt 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus was teaching that those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake will be rewarded in the future kingdom of God on earth.

Matt 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven .

Matt 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Verse 19 is not describing sin in heaven itself. Those Jews with only an outward righteousness will not be resurrected to live in the future kingdom on earth.

Matt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

While this is also true of Christians, salvation and eternity in heaven itself, the immediate context is Jesus’ Jewish audience (of Matthew) and its hope of being resurrected to live in the Messianic kingdom on earth (Dan 7:18; 12:1-3).

Matt 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.

Jewish eschatology was completely associated with the idea of a kingdom reign of Messiah on earth and not one in heaven. When Jesus promised a home in heaven to His disciples in John 14:1-3 He was addressing the nucleus of something altogether unheard of by the Old Testament saints. He was talking to His mystery body, the Church.

Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

Matt 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Matt 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

See comments at Matthew 3:1,2. The “kingdom of heaven” was primarily a Jewish promise of an earthly kingdom under God’s direct rule.

Matt 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Matt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Ever since John had announced “the kingdom of God is at hand” he had been severely rejected and the teaching that God was ready to establish His kingdom-rule on earth at that time had been rejected. Jesus was not describing heaven above.

Matt 13:11 Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

In the parable of the sower (Mt 13:1-23) Jesus described how the righteous rule of God will take from unbelievers and reward true believers. This will not happen until the direct kingdom-rule is established on earth.

Matt 13:24, 36-43 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field.

In the parable of the tares (Mt 13:24-30) the wicked live alongside the righteous during the kingdom reign on earth. Whereas here the wicked will be gathered first, in the parable of the net, all are gathered at the same time (Matt 13:48).

Matt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field:

Mt 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.

In the parable of the mustard seed (Mt 13:31-32) Israel, one of the smallest of nations, will rule the entire earth.

Matt 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Since leaven (sin) affects both the mystery form of the present kingdom and also the future kingdom on earth, this parable is also a parable of the kingdom of God. These are not descriptions of heaven above which has no sin (leaven). This must apply to a kingdom on earth.

Matt 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

The parable of the hidden treasure (Mt 13:44) is a description of the righteous rule of God during His kingdom reign on earth. Men are digging in the ground.

Matt 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls.

Matt 13:46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

The parable of the pearl of great price can only fit a literal kingdom on earth where God rules. It is not a description of heaven itself.

Matt 13:47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

Matt 13:48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.

Matt 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world (eon: age): the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just

Matt 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

The parable of the net (Mt 13:47-50) parallels Matthew 24:29-31, 37-41). Parables are not always to be interpreted literally. Unlike Matthew 13:30 which is interpreted by Jesus, here both good and bad are gathered at the same time. According to Revelation 19-20 the Second Coming of Christ in glory will be followed by the Millennial reign of Christ on earth.

Matt 13:52 Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

The parable of the householder is yet another parable which will occur in the future on earth as the scribes accept new teachings.

Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. (Compare 18:18.)

The Greek tense of the verbs is Future-Perfect (“shall be – having been bound/loosed” already). God’s people who are living under God’s kingdom rule on earth declare what God has done already in heaven.

Matt 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Matt 18:2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

Matt 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matt 18:5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

One must remember that Matthew’s audience is Jewish and the Jewish concept of afterlife was living in the kingdom of God’s direct rule on earth.

While the parables of the kingdom of heaven often describe sinners within that kingdom, only converted true believers will initially enter that kingdom at the second coming of Christ as seen in Matthew 24:28-31 and Revelation 19.

Matt 18:23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

The parable of the unjust servant (Mt 18:23-35) describes how God will deliver righteous punishment during His kingdom reign on earth. This is not a description of events in heaven.

Matt 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

During the kingdom reign of God on earth, simple faith like that of small children will be rewarded by salvation.

Matt 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

This could apply to either the mystery form of the kingdom of God during the Church age or to the events of Revelation. In the last days, a real Christian could not possibly hoard money during the events of the last seals, trumpets and vials.

Matt 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

The parable of the laborers (Mt 20:1-16) is an example of how God rules according to His own priorities.

Matt 22:2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son,

Matt 22:3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.

The parable of the wedding feast (Mt 22:2-14) points out that most Hebrews will not enter into the Millennial kingdom reign and will be replaced by others. Compare the 144,000 with the great multitude of Revelation 7 and 14.

Matt 23:13 woes

Matt 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

The parable of the virgins (Mt 25:1-13), in context, is more about constant readiness under God’s direct rule than it is about the second coming of Christ. During the kingdom reign on earth, failure to always be ready brings fast and dreadful consequences.

Matt 25:14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods.

Matt 25:15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

The parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30) teaches than those under the direct rule of God should use our gifts and talents wisely during the kingdom reign on earth.

TIME TO GET SERIOUS

Friends of Russell Kelly

I certify that these comments have been motivated by a real email I received in mid August 2010. Personal details have been removed to protect many involved.
…..
There are many in our churches who have already gone and are going bankrupt because of the tithing frenzy and are afraid to admit it. They have taken out loans “in faith” and have lost tens of thousands of dollars. This frenzy has even resulted in marriages breaking up and children losing parents.

Some have been encouraged to give a second and third tithe with the assurance that God will honor the sacrifice with monetary gains. Personally, I do not know who is the most to blame – greedy selfish preachers or greedy selfish givers. The con works both directions and the giver often receives the rewards he/she deserves by not searching God’s Word for the truth about tithing and spiritual giving.

The gospel of salvation as a free gift through faith in Jesus Christ is being replaced by a false gospel of prosperity which is motivated by greed. Thousands are leaving Christianity discouraged and deceived.

The prosperity false-gospel of tithing is quickly turning good soul-winning denominations such as the Assembly of God, Baptists, Church of God and Pentecostalism into poor examples of genuine Christianity. Just this week I have heard the cries of help from southern Chile in South America, to Nigeria and Kenya in Africa, to India, to Australia and New Zealand. This kind of mockery of the gospel will eventually sour people against Christianity and turn them towards Mohammedism. Is that what we want?

“I know many people who have left church because they saw God as impossible to attain. I did too once.”

When you give all you can give and hit the bottom financially, many of these churches will expel you because of little faith. Yet, while tithing is only mentioned once after Calvary, it is mentioned almost weekly in more and more churches as one of the most important doctrines of the faith. Friends, this is not so in church history.

“And whipped up by the excitement of the phenomena; and using a few examples of people that were already wealthy (rain falls on the good and the bad); several of my closest friends went into incredible debt and still are because of the inability to attain during that time of great world wide financial crisis and took out large loans “in faith” to receive a greater blessing. I know quite a few people who did just that, and it’s like gambling to them.”

I am still waiting for the masses ---the great majority of so-called prosperity tithers who have not been blessed--- to speak up and condemn this false doctrine. Common sense says that some will prosper. That is true even among atheists, Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It is wrong to showcase the few who do prosper (usually because of hard work and good business sense) as examples of the norm of prosperity tithers.

Phil 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung , that I may win Christ.

1 Tim 6:8-9 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

Gal 1:8-9 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

EZEKIEL AND ISRAEL'S FUTURE

EZEKIEL AND ISRAEL’S FUTURE

CONTEXT:
Ezekiel wrote from Babylon during and after the last sieges of Jerusalem which ended in 586 B. C. He was aware of remnants of northern Israel which had been taken captive in 722 B. C. and addressed his prophecies to the whole house of Israel (2:3; 3:1; 4:3-6; 9:9; 37:16; 39:25). Ezekiel pleaded with the whole house of Israel to return in faith.

SIN TO BE PUNISHED:
Like all the other prophets who wrote to Israel or Judah, God promised to punish sin and desolate the land (5:14; 6:14; 9:9; 15:8).

THE REMNANT WILL RETURN TO BEGIN THE KINGDOM REIGN OF MESSIAH ON EARTH:
Also like all the other prophets, God promised to leave a remnant and not fully destroy His people (6:8-9+).

Restoration goes far beyond that seen in 538 B.C. because it includes both houses of Israel and all the land of Israel (11:17).

NEW COVENANT:
This is important. Restoration of Israel as a unified nation will clearly be in the context of the New Covenant, the everlasting covenant and a new spirit within believers. Fulfillment of the following nine (9) texts can only be explained in the context of a permanently indwelling Holy Spirit which was not true during the Old Covenant. Compare Jeremiah 31:31-37 and Hebrews 8:8-13.

1. Ezek 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:

2. Ezek 16:60 “Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant.

3. Ezek 16:62 And I will establish my covenant with thee; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD.
4. Ezek 16:63 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore (37:26).

5. Ezek 20:37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant.

6. Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh.

7. Ezek 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Note: Since the final total restoration of Israel will occur after it is under the New Covenant, the statutes and judgments must also be those of the New Covenant (compare 11:20 with 11:17).

8. Ezek 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.

9. Ezek 39:29 “Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.”

Note: This is the final word, the last verse, of promise to Israel in Ezekiel.

FOR MY NAME’S SAKE:
God MUST restore Israel, not because it has repented, but because He had sworn to do so by His own name, His own character. This is an extremely important principle for understanding Israel’s role in future prophecy. Nine (9) times God’s repeats His reason for eventually totally restoring Israel. The conditional time element will eventually be replaced by an unconditional aspect because of God’s name and vow.

1. Ezek 19:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Ezek 20:9 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen …

2. Ezek 20:10 Wherefore I caused them to go forth out of the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness.

Note: Israel did not deserve to be delivered out of Egypt either. God did so because He had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

3. Ezek 20:14 But I wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted before the heathen, in whose sight I brought them out.

4. Ezek 20:22 Nevertheless I withdrew mine hand [OF PUNISHMENT], and wrought for my name's sake, that it should not be polluted in the sight of the heathen, in whose sight I brought them forth.

5. Ezek 20:44 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

6. Ezek 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went.

7. Ezek 36:22 … I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.

8. Ezek 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

9. Ezek 36:32 Not for your sakes do I this, saith the Lord GOD, be it known unto you: be ashamed and confounded for your own ways, O house of Israel.

PROR TO THE GOG-MAGOG INVASION, THE LAND IS PROMINENT IN THE KINGDOM REIGN ON EARTH.

Major portions of Ezekiel 19, 36 and 37 relate to the land itself. By fulfilling the unconditional promises of the land made to Abraham through David, Israel will eventually be restored to its land even before the invasion of Gog and Magog. This will involve both houses of Israel and it will involve the New Covenant.

1. Ezek 19:38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Note: God promised that the “rebels” of Israel shall not enter the land. Since this has not yet occurred, it must be future.

2. Ezek 19:40 For in mine holy mountain, in the mountain of the height of Israel, saith the Lord GOD, there shall all the house of Israel, all of them in the land, serve me: there will I accept them, and there will I require your offerings, and the firstfruits of your oblations, with all your holy things.

Note: Since these things will occur under the New Covenant context, the “offerings, firstfruits, oblations and holy things” must be interpreted in the context of New Covenant things.

3. Ezek 19:42 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I shall bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for the which I lifted up mine hand to give it to your fathers.

4. Ezek 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
5. Ezek 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Note: This is not a description of what happened in 538 B. C. and must be future.

6. Ezek 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people and I will be your God.

7. Ezek 36:29 I will also save you from all your uncleannesses ….

Note: This is the New Covenant context of Israel’s restoration.

8. Ezek 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree, and the increase of the field …

9. Ezek 36:33 In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.

Note: Complete and full restoration in the land is coupled with New Covenant cleanliness.

10. Ezek 36:34 And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.

11. Ezek 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.

12. Ezek 36:36 Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.

Note: The curse of desolation will be reversed.

13. Ezek 36:38 As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

14. Ezek 37:12 I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

15. Ezek 37:14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

Note: Again the indwelling spirit of the New Covenant is a vital part of the restoration of Israel to its land.

16. Ezek 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

Note: Sixteen (16) texts prior to the Gog-Magog invasion confirm God’s unconditional promise to restore Israel to its land during the Millennial Kingdom Reign on Earth.

GOG, MAGOG, MESHECH AND TUBAL

After all Israel has been restored to its land and lives at peace in un-walled cities, there will be one final crisis which is very similar to that seen in Revelation 20:7-9. If these events occur at the end of the thousand year reign of Messiah on earth, the absence of modern weapons would be understandable.

1. All Israel will have been restored and will be dwelling safely in its land (Ezek 38:8, 14).

2. Gog and Magog will invade to take spoil (38:11-12). The countries listed appear to include all known nations of Ezekiel’s time. The latter day invasion of Israel at the end of the Millennium would include all nations per Revelation 20:8.

3. Gog and Magog cover the land of Israel (38:16).

4. A great earthquake will occur in Israel (38:19). All mountains and walls will fall (38:20).

5. God will cause Gog and Magog to fight each other (38:21). Insects and hailstones will fall on them (38:22). Only a sixth of them will survive (39:2). The scavengers will eat their dead bodies (39:4. 17, 18, 20).

6. None of God’s people will be harmed during this invasion.

7. It will take seven months to bury the dead (39:12) and seven years to burn the weapons (39:9).

8. The major problem with placing the invasion of Gog and Magog at the end of the millennium is the seven year period of 39:9. It should be noted that the “new heavens and new earth” of Isaiah 65:17 and 66:21 are not totally new. Placing Gog and Magog either before or at the beginning of the tribulation period does not satisfy the “un-walled cities” and “weapons” of wood context.

AFTER DESCRIBING DELLIVERANCE FROM THE GOG-MAGOG INVASION, GOD AGAIN REMINDS ISRAEL OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAND IN THE KINGDOM REIGN ON EARTH.

1. Ezek 39:26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid.

2. Ezek 39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;

3. Ezek 39:28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which cause them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.

4. Ezek 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.

5. Permanent complete and full restoration is coupled with the New Covenant and the indwelling Holy Spirit.

EZEKIEL’S TEMPLE WAS CONDITIONAL FOR 538 B. C.

1. Ezek 40:8 “And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever.”

The whole house of Israel is being enticed by God’s desire to dwell among them for ever.

2. Ezek 40:9 “Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcases of their kings, far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them for ever.”

God wants Israel to repent and be revived before He dwell with them. This is the Old Covenant conditions of 538 B. C.

3. Ezek 40:10 “Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern.”

God tells Ezekiel to describe the general pattern of the new Temple in order to entice them to full faith and repentance.

4. Ezek 40:11 “And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.”

God tells Ezekiel not to give Israel the details of the new Temple unless they express sincere repentance. Northern Israel did not return in 538 B. C. Neither northern Israel nor southern Judah has ever returned in full faith. This conditional prophecy failed and does not apply to the future.

FULFILLED PROPHECY:

God is still able to fulfill His unconditional prophecy. Through Ezekiel He said that Egypt will never again be a leader among the nations (Ezek 29:15) and that Edom will no longer be a nation (35:9). The Ammonites will cease to be a nation (Ezek 25:10).