Israel in Promises and Prophecy and Fulfillment

[barnhart]

Not all premillennials hold to Christian Zionism or dispensationalism. Some do.

That's true.

What I have seen though is that many premillenials say that the temple in Jerusalem needs to be rebuilt so the antichrist can sit in it per Thessalonians. So that is still something that pertains to the nation of Israel.

Whereas in amillenialism, the Church itself is the temple, so the antichrist is often thought to be a prominent wicked church leader who takes his place in the church. So no rebuilt temple in Jerusalem is required in amillenialism.

While I believe that a temple will be rebuilt in Israel along with a view of a distinction between Israel and the Church. I also believe in the illustration Paul gave of the Church being "a temple" resembling a unified body of believers regardless of ethnicity. He also speaks in the same terminology as our individual bodies as being "temples".

However, I also think we as Christians should be waiting for Christ return as the next event. Not a temple rebuilt in Jerusalem...I dont have a problem with Christians speaking of a temple built as long as they don't get to fixated on that event being our hope.

That is a reasonable approach. For myself I think the rebuilt temple is likely metaphorical. Jesus refered to the still standing temple as his physical body in John chapter two.

[barkhausen102]

One thing that I read recently which was interesting is that Pentecost when the Spirit came into the people is when the presence of God came into the temple of the church, similar to in the Old Testament when the presence of God filled the temple. Now, the believing Christians that make up the Church are the temple, with Jesus as the chief cornerstone. I thought it was interesting that some equate the Spirit coming down at Pentecost with God's presence filling the temple i.e. the Church.

[JohnH]

Not all premillennials hold to Christian Zionism or dispensationalism. Some do.

That's true.

What I have seen though is that many premillenials say that the temple in Jerusalem needs to be rebuilt so the antichrist can sit in it per Thessalonians. So that is still something that pertains to the nation of Israel.

Isn't that more of a dispensationalist thing?

[barkhausen102]

Isn't that more of a dispensationalist thing?

Im not sure. From what I understand, in premillenialism there is a sense that the 2 witnesses go to Jerusalem and preach, and there is a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem that the antichrist sits in. I don't know anyone who is non-dispensational premillenial except for Mormon people, and they definitely have a big role for the city of Jerusalem in the latter days.

Whereas in amillenialism the 2 witnesses are symbolic of the witnessing church that preaches throughout the church age. So there isn't anything to do with the city of Jerusalem.

[barkhausen102]

So, some people think the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Jesus and the Church.

The thing that really helped me understand this is when someone pointed out to me that in the Psalms, it says "The meek will inherit the land".

But Jesus changes this to "the meek will inherit the earth."

So the land promises get converted to the Christian believers inheriting the new heavens and new earth.

[JohnH]

So, some people think the promises to Abraham are fulfilled in Jesus and the Church.

The thing that really helped me understand this is when someone pointed out to me that in the Psalms, it says "The meek will inherit the land".

But Jesus changes this to "the meek will inherit the earth."

So the land promises get converted to the Christian believers inheriting the new heavens and new earth.

I agree. The old, earthly promises are fulfilled with an even greater substitute of heavenly promises.

[Thomas_muntzer]

This is a thread to discuss matters pertaining to Israel in the Bible and the prophecies, warnings, promises associated with Israel.

This thread is to learn more about each other's Biblical views. Please treat each other nicely.

Keep references to modern day politics out of this, unless talking about your view of how Israel will be involved in end time events.

We must do a distinction between the political entity founded in 1948 and the ancient kingodm of israel both are different

[Neto]

This is a thread to discuss matters pertaining to Israel in the Bible and the prophecies, warnings, promises associated with Israel.

This thread is to learn more about each other's Biblical views. Please treat each other nicely.

Keep references to modern day politics out of this, unless talking about your view of how Israel will be involved in end time events.

We must do a distinction between the political entity founded in 1948 and the ancient kingodm of israel both are different

I also think that the present political entity of Israel is not the Israel of the Revelation of Jesus.

I concluded this in around the mid 70's, and have yet to see any reason to think that I am incorrect. But willing to listen & learn. I realize that if one doesn't think this prophecy is 'literal' then it's a mute point from that person's perspective. In case someone asks me about the temple, I suspect that there is a difference between sacrifices (for sin) and offerings (which are freely given as worship). (This latter part is a somewhat recent thought for me - something I am exploring, and push back is very welcome.)