The Gospels and their Raptures (Kingdom - Part 3)
Conditions
In order to prepare for the kingdom there were two primary conditions to fulfil. One had to repent, and one had to get baptized. We learn of additional works as we advance through the gospels that also had to accompany one's faith in the Messiah.
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Repentance
What was Israel to repent of? The word "repent" does not mean to feel sorry for one's sins, as some people promote. "Repent" means to change the mind; "repent" comes from two words: 'change' and 'mind'. The Jews hearing John's gospel needed to about-turn their lives and prepare themselves for their King. They needed to clear out their lives from laxness, compromise, unbelief, and idolatry, and turn back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Water Baptism
This requirement of water baptism continued throughout Jesus' ministry and into the ministry of the Twelve following Jesus' resurrection (see Acts 2:38). Water baptism was a requirement in the Kingdom gospel (the gospel for the Jews) as it was part of the preparation of priesthood (Exodus 19:6) as all Jews in the Millennial Kingdom would stand in that priestly position (Romans 15:15-17) as the "go-between" or mediator for the Gentile nations and Jesus Christ.
Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
In the Old Testament the closest we come to baptism is the word 'wash', which in the context of the verse or passage is in reference to a cleansing of a priest as part of the process to take that office (for Israel) or in reference to a priest preparing himself (cleansing himself) before making an offering to the Lord on behalf of someone else.
The following is my own personal observation, but it's interesting to note that water is the cleansing agent (for the forgiveness of sins, Acts 2:38) of the Jewish priests, (when they come into office or before they perform their duties), but blood is the cleansing agent that priests use for the nation of Israel (or for the individual Jew).
Let's have a look at some verses in this context, starting with the very first reference to washing (as an act of sanctification). This occurs when Israel is encamped around Sinai after leaving Egypt, and is about to receive the law,
Ex.19:10-11 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.
Four verses before the above verse, in Ex.19:6, God proclaims that Israel is to be a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation. This is significant as directly after this (in v.10), we see the Lord instruct Moses to let the nation wash.
In addition to washing, a priest, when promoted to this office was also to be anointed. Let's have a look at further scriptures in this regard,
Ex.29:4 And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. ... 7 Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.
A priest was to be washed and anointed. Washing (in the context of a priest) was for cleansing of sin. Anointing shows that the priest was set apart for a holy service to God. (See verses: Lev.8:10-12; Ps.51:2,7; Ezek.16:9; Acts 2:38).
It is interesting to see how washing and anointing changed into something different in the New Testament. Washing in the Old Testament became baptism in the New Testament. Anointing in the Old Testament is the same as receiving the Holy Spirit in the New Testament. Let's look at some verses in the New Testament to see this context.
Matt.3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
Having read the above verse, consider this. Jesus was without sin, so why did He have to be washed (baptized)? Well, remember what we learned from the Old Testament. In order for priests to come into their office, they needed to be washed and anointed. Can you see the pattern in this event? To meet the requirement of priesthood according to the law, Jesus, even though he was without sin, was required to be washed (baptized). Notice what he told John in verse 15,
Matt.3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. ...
Also notice that after Jesus was 'washed', the Holy Spirit came upon Him and He was anointed and 'separated for a holy purpose'. We will see later that as the Kingdom gospel advanced in ACTS, this condition of spiritual baptism was also proclaimed by the apostles and received by those who believed. So, we can tell that the beginning of this Kingdom gospel was for the preparation of the Jews to serve as priests and become that holy, called out nation in the kingdom of Christ on earth.
Believe on the Messiah
The Jews, if their hearts were open, if they truly believed, would have been able to recognize their Messiah in the actions and teachings of Jesus. Many did not believe, but there were those who did, and fulfilled the condition of seeking out and identifying their Messiah and then confessing Him as Lord
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (See also Romans 10:9).
John 20:31 But these are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you [all Israel] might Have Life [Gk., Zoë, God's Spirit life] through HIS NAME [his identity].
Luke 12:8 Also I say to you, whoever confesses Me before men, him the Son of Man also will confess before the angels of God. 9 But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
John 11:27 She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."
Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
Acts 9:20 Immediately he [Paul] preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
Believing in Jesus according to the gospel of the kingdom meant believing Who He was, i.e., believing in His name (John 3:18; Acts 2:21, 38, 3:6, 16, 4:7, 10, 12, 17, 18, 30, 5:28, 40, 41, 8:12, 16, 9:14, 15, 21, 27, 10:43, 48). The gospel of the kingdom focused upon the identity of Christ. This gospel included the fact that Jesus was about to establish the long-prophesied kingdom upon earth.
Obeying the law
Jews were under the law and it was a way of life to them. However, even as the law was deeply rooted in their culture and lifestyle, Jesus still added it as a conditional work in the Kingdom gospel. The following scripture provides the context,
Matthew 19:16-25 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. 23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Sell one's possessions
In addition to obeying the Mosaic law, they also had to sell all they had and follow Christ. See Matt.13:44, Matt.19:21, Lk.12:33. Why was this necessary? There was no need to have earthly wealth as Jesus was coming back and the Kingdom was soon going to appear where prophecies confirm that they would have no lack or want. It was the pearl of great price and it would provide them all they needed. Selling all was an act of obedience and faith. Faith in this kingdom period required works as proof,
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
From a different perspective, it can be argued that selling all they had removes the dependency they will have on the Antichrist during the tribulation period. This communal living was a necessary thing considering it would be the way that Jews would survive during the tribulation. They would share all things amongst themselves in order to break dependency on the government of the Antichrist when that day would come!
Act.2:44-46 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Endure to the end
In the Kingdom gospel, the hope of salvation is found in the future. Salvation is a hope out in the future based on one's works and the conditional requirement to endure to the end. Those faithful Jewish servants who "loved not their lives unto the death" would ultimately have to give their lives for their faith. There are many verses found in the Gospels to confirm this as seen below,
- pick up your cross and follow (Matt.16:24, Lk.9:23)
- lay down your life for your brother (Jn.15:13)
- those who desire to save their life must lose it (Matt.16:25)
- one must endure to the end to be saved (Matt.24:13)
- no man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.(Lk.9:62)
- only if you forgive another will God forgive you (Matt.6:14)
Part 4 will continue with the 'participants and destination' of this Kingdom gospel.
No comments:
Post a Comment