tschuckman@aol.com
Come on, let's dig deep so that we may be knowledgeable and educated! Because the so-called: "Kingdom Now" crowd is pushing hard to misled the rest of true Christians !! That's why. And who is the 'father of all lies'?? STD-- Satan the Devil ! This is a good study that sets the matter straight, and is a bit dry and over whelming for the new guys on the block/ blog, but we do not want to be misled so close to the Rapture... something I desire more than anything else in the world -- Praise the Lord.
Friends, please forgive me for crying on your shoulders and sending an email with too much personal stuff on it. My email buddies and friends are pretty much all that I have to talk to U.P. here, and I just needed someone to listen. All you who responded and / or prayed for us are truly a gift from God, and worth your weight in gold ! Thank You.
It seems like Spring is here already, but I well know that we still could have a few more snow storms, even up to Happy Resurrection Day ---April 5th, this year. The term Easter only appears once in the KJV bible, and we believe it to be a mistake, one of the very, very few, that doesn't take anything away from the Book at all. I am trying to be very truthful here, and why should I lie... you all can handle it. Easter originally comes from the Teutonic world, the goddess of Spring, those old Germans... lol. Hey, I am German-American...Ha! Actually I too came from Adam and Eve, about 6000 years ago, and if you would like proof of that approx. date --- see me after class: tschuckman@aol.com If you want my phone number, ask me, but totally identify yourself too.
After I had a good 'heart to heart talk' with my pretty wife, we cleared the air, and now we hope that things will run smoother.... even if it's Satan's world right now, and one of his prime targets is CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES ! We all kneed to pray often and ask the Holy Spirit for extra help, because Satan KNOWS that his time has about run out, and he wants to drag as many away from Christ as he possibly can !! That dirty rat... And, again, thank you so much for all your prayers and well wishes for my wife and I. I want things to work with all my heart, but God's knows that I am just a sinful, greedy, selfish, spoiled, old, Disabled Veteran. The Lord takes me for frequent trips to the wood shed, and picks out a proper sized piece of Hickory to beat some sense into me. I guess I expect too much too soon from others, when it took me 30 years of hard study to get where I am now. One guy from church who just wrote me an email said that "Words are Powerful, and I am a master of them!" He is correct, I do have some 'gifts' given to me by the Lord --- but I ought to use them FOR THE LORD'S SERVICE and the Kingdom. Not to hurt others.
I happen to also be a professional knife and tool sharpener, with a modest collection of quality knives that we could shave with ! I also teach the right people how to sharpen, but also throw tomahawks and knives accurately, how to weld, carve wood, like Scriptures into a board with a Router tool, etc. Learning some of these skills took me years, but I share my knowledge with others for free, of course. I don't know how much we will throw tomahawks in heaven... but I also sing and play the six string rhythm guitar, and need to learn more Hymns. I played in a few bands in the 1960's but you wouldn't know them... small potatoes you might say, but we made a few bucks and had fun.
Terri left the hound dog home this time as she went on a trip to help someone dear with a sick infant, so I need to let the 'old boy' out a few times a day to do his duty. He is a great, gentle, but brave, loyal guardian for my wife, Terri, except that he passes some HORRIBLE gas !!! He will run you out of your tent at night ! What a foul creature... bless my soul. Remind me to brush his healthy coat of Winter hair tomorrow, please. Never give a dog fish. I only have ONE Israeli gas mask in the house... lol. He has no shame.
"And it will come to pass that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem." ~Zechariah 12: 9
You see, these days, the "Kingdom Now" people think that Israel are of no consequence and even hate them ! Woe are those people and their erroneous false thinking/ ideas, because soon Israel will become the CENTER OF THE WORLD !!
Warm Regards,
Tommy Schuckman
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March 11, 2015
The Coming Kingdom (Part 33)
We began scrutinizing New Testament texts that "kingdom now" theologians employ in an attempt to argue that the kingdom is a present reality to show that none of these passages teach a present form of the kingdom. We have examined the typical texts from the Gospels, Acts, and Paul's letters used by "kingdom now" theologians. In this installment we will conclude our examination of the Pauline epistles and begin a similar exploration of the general epistles.
However, all Peter could be indicating by his Old Testament citation of Exodus 19:5-6 in 1 Peter 2:9 is that the Church is analogous or similar to God's kingdom program through Israel in some respects. Such a limited interpretation seems preferable in comparison to the notion that the Church is the "New Israel" or the present manifestation of the kingdom of God upon the earth, as is presumed by amillennialists. In other words, just as Israel was God's representative to the nations and called to a life of holiness, the Church's purpose is analogous in regard to its missional calling and personal holiness. It is a logical fallacy to assume that similarity is the same as equality. For example, I have two cars in my garage that are quite similar. Both have a steering wheel, an engine, four tires, seat belts, etc... However, it would be fallacious to assume that one car equals the other automobile merely on account of these similarities. Thus, just because there are some points of similarity between God's kingdom program through Israel and the Church, this does not necessarily mean that the Church becomes the kingdom program through its identity as the New Israel.
Moreover, 1 Peter 2:9 may not even be addressed to the Church as a whole but rather only to the more limited audience of the believing Jewish remnant within the Church. [9] Curiously absent from 1 Peter 1:1 is any reference to the fact that Peter's letter was addressed "to the church (or churches) of..." This is a familiar formula Paul uses when addressing a Church-wide audience. Peter would certainly have employed it had he had a Church-wide audience in mind. Instead, Peter addresses his audience as those "scattered," which is an English translation from the Greek word diaspora. Peter's use of the word diaspora in 1:1 refers to Jews in dispersion among the Gentiles in all of its other New Testament (John 7:35; James 1:1), LXX (Deut. 28:25; 30:4; Neh. 1:9; Isa. 49:6; Jer. 41:17; Ps. 147:2; 2 Macc. 1:27; Jdt. 5:23), and Pseudepigraphical (Pss. Sol. 8:28; T. Asher 7:2) uses.
Other terms found in verse 1 Peter 1:1 also seem to be describing Jews in the Diaspora. For example, they are called "aliens" or "sojourners" (parepidemois). This word is also used only of Jews (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:11; Heb 11:13). The etymology of this compound word means "away from home" (para means "away" and epi means "from" and demos means "home" or "house rules"). [10] Thus, the word is a fitting description of Jews outside of their homeland in the Diaspora. Elsewhere Peter calls his audience "pilgrims" (1 Pet. 2:11, KJV), which also is a fitting description of Jews outside the land.
In addition, the concepts found in 1 Peter 2:9 are inapplicable to the Church as a whole and are applicable only to a believing Jewish audience. Interestingly, "race," "nation," and "people" are all singular nouns. These nouns could not be describing the church as a whole since the church consists of many races, nations, and peoples (Gal. 3:28). Paul even indicates that the Church is not a nation (Rom 10:19). However, these terms aptly describe the Jewish race. Because Peter, who was the apostle to the circumcised (Gal 2:7-8), wrote this letter, it is logical to assume that a Jewish audience is in view. Thus, to assume that Peter wrote to a Gentile audience in 1 Peter is to assume that Peter not only went outside his ministry sphere but that he also violated his disposition against ministering to the Gentiles (Acts 10; Gal. 2:11-14). If this more limited interpretation of Peter's original audience is correct, then Peter's only point in citing Exodus 19:5-6 in 1 Peter 2:9 would be to show that although national Israel as a whole had failed to live up to her high calling as given in Exodus 19:5-6, the believing Jewish remnant within the Church has not similarly failed. In other words, Peter by using this citation is not indicating that the Church at large now represents the kingdom of God upon the earth, as is incorrectly presupposed by amillennialists and other "kingdom now" theologians.
(To Be Continued...)
Fellow Workers for the Kingdom of God
A final text from the Pauline corpus consistently employed by "kingdom now" theologians is Colossians 4:11, which says, "and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow-workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision." The logic of the "kingdom now" theologian here is that if Paul refers to his co-laborers as fellow workers of the kingdom of God, then they must be all working together to presently establish God's kingdom upon the earth. However, there is no verb in the expression "fellow workers for the kingdom of God." The Greek word translated "for" here is the preposition eis. Because a verb does not definitively identify the time period of the kingdom, the word "kingdom" here should be read in harmony with the bulk of the passages in Paul's writings that place the kingdom exclusively in the future (1 Cor. 6:9-10; 15:24, 50; Gal. 5:21; Eph. 5:5; 1 Thess. 2:12; 2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:1, 18). McClain explains, "The Greek preposition here is eis, and therefore the passage may be read in harmony with the idea of a future Kingdom, toward which as a glorious goal all the labors of the Church are directed." [1] Peters similarly observes, "There is only one kingdom...and believers become 'heirs' of it...The apostles represent themselves and co-laborers as working for it still future, Col 4:11; 2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 4:18; Heb. 12:28, etc." [2]
Since We Receive a Kingdom
Let us now turn our attention to the handful of texts found in the general epistles that "kingdom now" theologians typically use. One such passage is Hebrews 12:28, which says, "Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." The present tense participle "we receive" indicates to some that the reception of the kingdom is a present manifestation in the life of the child of God. Yet, it is unnecessary to re-write the consistent, biblical, terrestrial definition of the word "kingdom" here based upon a vague reference to it at the conclusion of an epistle. It seems better to interpret this reference on the basis of the de jure/de facto distinction that has been discussed earlier in this series. [3] While believers are legally heirs of God's coming kingdom, the kingdom is not yet a factual reality upon the earth. Thus, all Hebrews 12:28 teaches is that believers are citizens of the earthly kingdom to come rather than present, factual residents in the spiritual, Davidic kingdom. Concerning Hebrews 12:28, McClain explains:It is not unusual for Scripture, on behalf of believers, to assert ownership regarding certain blessings even before they are possessed in Christian experience. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:21–22 where "all things" are said to belong to the believer, yet among these things are some that are yet "to come." The ownership is legally certainly, though the experience of possession may be future. [4]Regarding Hebrews 12:28, E.R. Craven similarly notes, "the reception of the Basileia herein spoken of manifestly may be de jure. Believers on earth receive a sure title to their future possession." [5]
A Kingdom of Priests
As noted earlier in the series, Exodus 19:5-6 represent the first reference to the term "kingdom" in relation to God's kingdom in all of the Bible. [6] Exodus 19:5-6 says, "Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel." Notice how parts of these verses are quoted in 1 Peter 2:9 for the benefit of the New Testament saints: "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." [7] The "kingdom now" theologian treats this New Testament recitation of these verses as follows: if national Israel is called a kingdom of priests in the Old Testament and if these same verses are applied directly to the New Testament Church, then the Church is also a kingdom of priests. If the Church is indeed a kingdom of priests, then she too, like Old Testament Israel, represents a present manifestation of the kingdom of God upon the earth. In fact, amillennialist and "kingdom now" theologian Anthony Hoekema relies upon this very New Testament citation in his attempt to prove that the Church has permanently replaced national Israel in the outworking of God's purposes. [8]However, all Peter could be indicating by his Old Testament citation of Exodus 19:5-6 in 1 Peter 2:9 is that the Church is analogous or similar to God's kingdom program through Israel in some respects. Such a limited interpretation seems preferable in comparison to the notion that the Church is the "New Israel" or the present manifestation of the kingdom of God upon the earth, as is presumed by amillennialists. In other words, just as Israel was God's representative to the nations and called to a life of holiness, the Church's purpose is analogous in regard to its missional calling and personal holiness. It is a logical fallacy to assume that similarity is the same as equality. For example, I have two cars in my garage that are quite similar. Both have a steering wheel, an engine, four tires, seat belts, etc... However, it would be fallacious to assume that one car equals the other automobile merely on account of these similarities. Thus, just because there are some points of similarity between God's kingdom program through Israel and the Church, this does not necessarily mean that the Church becomes the kingdom program through its identity as the New Israel.
Moreover, 1 Peter 2:9 may not even be addressed to the Church as a whole but rather only to the more limited audience of the believing Jewish remnant within the Church. [9] Curiously absent from 1 Peter 1:1 is any reference to the fact that Peter's letter was addressed "to the church (or churches) of..." This is a familiar formula Paul uses when addressing a Church-wide audience. Peter would certainly have employed it had he had a Church-wide audience in mind. Instead, Peter addresses his audience as those "scattered," which is an English translation from the Greek word diaspora. Peter's use of the word diaspora in 1:1 refers to Jews in dispersion among the Gentiles in all of its other New Testament (John 7:35; James 1:1), LXX (Deut. 28:25; 30:4; Neh. 1:9; Isa. 49:6; Jer. 41:17; Ps. 147:2; 2 Macc. 1:27; Jdt. 5:23), and Pseudepigraphical (Pss. Sol. 8:28; T. Asher 7:2) uses.
Other terms found in verse 1 Peter 1:1 also seem to be describing Jews in the Diaspora. For example, they are called "aliens" or "sojourners" (parepidemois). This word is also used only of Jews (1 Pet. 1:1; 2:11; Heb 11:13). The etymology of this compound word means "away from home" (para means "away" and epi means "from" and demos means "home" or "house rules"). [10] Thus, the word is a fitting description of Jews outside of their homeland in the Diaspora. Elsewhere Peter calls his audience "pilgrims" (1 Pet. 2:11, KJV), which also is a fitting description of Jews outside the land.
In addition, the concepts found in 1 Peter 2:9 are inapplicable to the Church as a whole and are applicable only to a believing Jewish audience. Interestingly, "race," "nation," and "people" are all singular nouns. These nouns could not be describing the church as a whole since the church consists of many races, nations, and peoples (Gal. 3:28). Paul even indicates that the Church is not a nation (Rom 10:19). However, these terms aptly describe the Jewish race. Because Peter, who was the apostle to the circumcised (Gal 2:7-8), wrote this letter, it is logical to assume that a Jewish audience is in view. Thus, to assume that Peter wrote to a Gentile audience in 1 Peter is to assume that Peter not only went outside his ministry sphere but that he also violated his disposition against ministering to the Gentiles (Acts 10; Gal. 2:11-14). If this more limited interpretation of Peter's original audience is correct, then Peter's only point in citing Exodus 19:5-6 in 1 Peter 2:9 would be to show that although national Israel as a whole had failed to live up to her high calling as given in Exodus 19:5-6, the believing Jewish remnant within the Church has not similarly failed. In other words, Peter by using this citation is not indicating that the Church at large now represents the kingdom of God upon the earth, as is incorrectly presupposed by amillennialists and other "kingdom now" theologians.
(To Be Continued...)
Endnotes
[1] Alva J. McClain, The Greatness of the Kingdom (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1959), 436.
[2] George N. H. Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom (New York: 1884; reprint, Grand Rapids: Kregel, 1952), 1: 600.
[4] McClain, 436.
[5] E.R. Craven, "Excursus on the Basileia," in Revelation of John, ed. J. P. Lange (New York: Scribner, 1874), 97.
[7] Italics added to both citations.
[8] Anthony Hoekema, The Bible and the Future, rev. ed. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979), 197-98.
[9] Arnold Fruchtenbaum, Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology, rev. ed. (Tustin, CA: Ariel, 1994), 186-88; idem, The Messianic Jewish Epistles, Ariel's Bible Commentary (Tustin, CA: Ariel, 2005), 318-21.
[10] Stanley Toussaint, class notes of Andy Woods in BE2035A Seminar in Hebrews and General Epistles, Dallas Theological Seminary, Spring 2003
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