Good morning,
Genesis 12:1-4 God made an unconditional covenant with Abram. So begins the story of the nation Israel and the Messianic line, which led to Jesus.
Week four of the “Bible Is” series focuses in on Israel. The Bible is about Israel. Beginning in Genesis 12 and going through the rest of the Old Testament, the central theme centers around Israel. Its beginnings, time in Egypt, the Exodus, wandering in the dessert forty years, entering into the promised land, their obedience, rebellion, their prophets, and kings. It tells us that when they obeyed, they were blessed and when they disobeyed, they were cursed, just as God had told them. We see how their walking away from God caused them to fall into the captivity of the Assyrians and Babylonians. And how repentance caused God to restore them and allow them to go back to Jerusalem rebuild the temple, walls of the city, and worship God.
It seems as we enter the New Testament, God is through with Israel and the church had taken their place. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! The Old Testament prophets prophesied about the coming Messiah. They prophesied of how the nation of Israel would come back to their land. That God had not forgotten His covenant with Abram. The gospels all tell of the Jewish Messiah, Jesus, coming to earth, to pay the sin debt for all mankind. Then in the book of Revelation, God deals with Israel again. Twice Satan had Israel on the ropes and was ready to destroy them and twice God step in to thwart Satan’s plan. No, God is not done with Israel.
Come with me on a journey to explore what the Bible says. The Scriptures are always helpful, encouraging, and challenging. That’s how we grow in our relationship with God!
The Bible is about Israel
NEW TESTAMENT
GOSPELS
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John Birth of the Jesus Messiah. Yeshua’s ministry. Falsely accused, beaten, crucified, risen from the dead, seen by many for 40 days, ascends to heaven.
ACTS
The church age ushered in Acts 2
The rest of the New Testament centers in on the church. However, Israel is not forgotten. Many references in each book speak of Israel.
REVELATION
God is again dealing with the nation of Israel. Beginning in chapter 4 to the end of the book, Israel is the center of attention.
(Spoiler alert)
God protects Israel and is not defeated by Satan!
CONCLUSION
The Bible is about Israel
Israel was in the mind of God before the world was made. God made a covenant with Abram and saw it through to the end of time. God never fails to keep covenant with Israel!
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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