by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 8, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
The Abrahamic Covenant illuminated a profound truth—Gentile blessings would find their channel through Israel (Isaiah 42.1, 60.1-3; Zechariah 8.22–23). Contingent upon national Israel’s obedience, this blessing was intricately linked to the obedience of the chosen people. The Messiah, the conduit of blessings for Israel and, subsequently, for the Gentiles through Israel, framed the covenant’s narrative. However, a critical question arose (or at least it should, and it did for the so-called church fathers): How could Gentiles partake in these blessings amidst Israel’s disobedience, especially in their rejection and crucifixion of their own Messiah? They couldn’t.
In all of the Old Testament, the four gospels, and the early chapters of the book of Acts, there is no scripture record of God having a plan to bless the Gentiles apart from and through the nation of Israel.
The answer lay in the divine foreknowledge of God. Sovereign and omniscient, God knew Israel would reject their Messiah and devised a plan (Romans 11:32; Romans 11:25) before time began (Acts 2:23; 1 Peter 1:20), before He created the heavens and the earth, to bless Gentiles despite Israel’s disobedience. Putting a pause on the prophesied Day of the Lord, God does what is mind-boggling: He temporarily blinds Israel, commits them all to disobedience (read Romans chapter 11; highlighted in Romans 11:32), and pours out His love and grace in the unexpected call and conversion of Saul of Tarsus. Through Paul, God established the Church—the body of Christ—not based on a covenant (Ephesians 2.11–14), but on grace alone (Ephesians 2.5, 8–9), apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship.
This new revelation, the “secret” (μυστήριον) (Romans 16:25; Colossians 1:26; Ephesians 3:1-11; Romans 11:25), remained veiled until the ascended Lord revealed it to Paul alone many years after Pentecost. God’s preordained plans manifested as He blessed Gentiles (Romans 11; Romans 11:32) through the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and established the Church, which is His body, the body of Christ, despite Israel’s fall (Romans 11.25). A future awaits national Israel, poised to fulfill its role as a blessing to the nations during the tribulation and beyond, beginning with 144,000 young Jewish men preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14) during 7 years of tribulation.
In all, God’s sovereignty prevails!
by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 7, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
‘Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.
Acts 11:19
For 2000 years, from Abraham’s call (2000 BC) to Paul’s apostleship (37–40 AD), God exclusively engaged with His chosen people under covenants. The Gentile world received no salvation message or doctrinal guidance during this period, illustrating God’s preparation of His chosen people (Exodus 19:5–6). Acts 11:19, the post-Jerusalem church persecution led by Saul (later Paul), emphasizes this biblical truth. Those who dispersed preached exclusively to Jews, armed only with the Old Testament promises, heralding Jesus as the promised Messiah—the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 9:35). This underscores that attempting to inject unrevealed doctrines into early Acts or the gospels is untenable. The scriptural clarity in Acts 11:19 dispels any notion of introducing concepts unknown to that period.
Between Genesis 12:1 and Acts 9, there is no gospel or “good news” extended to the Gentile world (Ephesians 2:11–12). Throughout these 2000 years, in which God exclusively interacted with the nation of Israel, only 9 Gentiles found salvation. From Genesis 12 until the divine appointment of the apostle Paul, God’s revelations were confined to the nation of Israel under covenants.
The Gentile world received no message of salvation or doctrinal guidance during this period. God’s focus was on preparing His chosen people to eventually serve as the conduit for salvation to the pagan Gentile world. They were to be a “kingdom of priests,” a holy nation (Exodus 19:5).
The Call of Abraham and the “Abrahamic Covenant”
God set in motion His divine, preordained blueprint for the nation of Israel through the call of Abraham and the establishment of the Abrahamic Covenant. This foundational covenant served as the bedrock for all subsequent agreements between God and Israel. The overarching purpose of these covenants was to shape Israel into a holy nation and a kingdom of priests, as outlined in Exodus 19:5–6. Despite Israel falling short of this goal, the sovereign nature of God ensures its eventual realization in the future. The unwavering faithfulness of God guarantees the fulfillment of every promise made through these covenants. These covenants were God’s promises to Israel, and God cannot and will not break His promises. The culmination of these promises is destined to unfold when the Lord returns to establish His kingdom on earth, reigning as Israel’s King and ruling all the nations from David’s throne in Jerusalem, as prophesied in 2 Samuel 7:11–16 and Luke 1:31–33.
Recommend reading
Israel is at the Core of God’s Dealings with Mankind
by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 5, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
A comprehensive understanding of the first 2000 years of biblical history is not just beneficial but essential. Without delving into these foundational years meticulously detailed in Genesis chapters 1–11, individuals will find themselves unable to unravel the progression of God’s redemptive plan. This lack of foundational knowledge will lead to a mishmash of scripture, preventing individuals from rightly dividing the word of truth. It’s a pivotal truth: without grasping the initial 2000 years, the unfolding of the rest of scripture will be left to rely on man’s ideas (denominational beliefs and creeds), made up by mixing all of scripture to fit a man-made prescribed theology, a historical fact observed in much of Christendom. The call to rightly divide the Word of Truth is a call to understand the chronological and theological progression that God has meticulously and so carefully laid out in His Word.
To be a good Bible student, we must know and understand how everything started. To do that, we must study the book of Genesis. All of it, but it is crucial to understand the first eleven chapters of Genesis and what God does in the very next chapter, Genesis chapter 12. Why? Two reasons:
Number one: the first 2000 years of Biblical history (out of 6,000) are packed into the first eleven chapters (out of 66 chapters) of the Bible.
Second: What God does in the very next chapter, chapter 12 of Genesis, sets the theme for all scripture moving forward.
Below is a summary of the key events that occurred in the first eleven chapters of the Bible, which covered a period of 2000 years from approximately 4000 BC to 2000 BC, from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 12:1-3.
But first:
‘For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.’
Romans 15:4
‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.’
II Timothy 3:16-17
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
The Bible is a progressive revelation; it wasn’t all dealt out at once to Adam and Eve, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, Daniel, or the apostle Peter. God is the same and will never change, but the instructions He gave mankind for salvation and how to worship Him changed throughout Biblical history.
It is important to understand that for the first 2000 years, God dealt with all mankind directly; they were one race and spoke one language (Genesis 11:1). There was no written law, doctrine, or instructions on how to worship God. It was all based on mankind’s conscience: when a person sinned, they were to bring God a blood sacrifice (the instructions given to Cain and Abel) by faith. And it was their faith that saved them, just like it does for us today.
*Highly recommend using the Bible timeline to see exactly when these events occurred, to see what came before and what came after, and to see where we are today.
God creates the heavens and the earth – Genesis 1:1
God creates man and gives mankind dominion over the earth – Genesis 1:26-28, 4000 BC – #1 on the timeline
The fall of man (Genesis 3:6) – #2 on the timeline
Adam’s fall (sin and death enter the world), and all mankind born of Adam is now separated from God because of sin. “We sin not because we break God’s law; we sin because we are born sinners, sons and daughters of Adam.” So it is because we are born with a sin nature that we are prone to sin. All mankind is born with the Adamic nature (Romans 5:12).
Satan takes Dominion of the Planet – 2 Corinthians 4:4; Matthew 4:8 – #2a on the timeline
It’s crucial to recall that during Adam and Eve’s time in the Garden, they were in a close relationship with God. They belonged to Him, and their fellowship with Him was flawless. However, with the introduction of sin, that harmonious connection was severed, and God lost them as they fell under the influence of the god of this world, Satan. Without delay, God establishes a means by which He can reconcile humanity back to Himself, and we refer to this process as redemption.
The Promise of a Redeemer: Genesis 3:15–16; Galatians 3:16 – #3 on the timeline
God immediately provides a remedy to the sin dilemma that now separates mankind from Himself. This is the first prophetic utterance in the Bible.
Genesis 3:15 contains a prophecy about the enduring conflict between the forces of Satan and God, particularly focusing on the future appearance of the Redeemer, who is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This enmity is expressed as a battle between the Seed of the woman, Jesus Christ, and His believers, and the powers of Satan, with the ultimate victory of the woman’s Seed (Jesus Christ) over the serpent (Satan). Which was fulfilled at the cross.
In Galatians 3:16, we find further clarification on the identity of the “Seed of the Woman.” It connects back to the promises made to Abraham and emphasizes that the singular “seed” refers to Christ. This insight allows us to consistently identify the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophesied Redeemer mentioned in Genesis 3:15. The continuity of this theme underscores the significance of Christ as the central figure in the divine plan of redemption, tying together the Old and New Testament Scriptures.
Cain murders Abel – Genesis 4:8 – #4 on the timline
The first ever case of murder committed on Earth. It was all downhill for mankind from this point forward until the flood.
The Flood – Genesis 6:3–7 – Date: 2400 BC – #5 on the timeline
God destroyed mankind with the flood because the thoughts in their hearts were only of evil all the time. The whole earth was corrupt and filled with murders. But Noah…
Noah and his Sons – Genesis 6:8 – #6 on the timeline
Out of billions of people on earth before the time of the flood, only one man found grace in the eyes of God: Noah. So God starts over with eight people: Noah, his three sons—Ham, Shem, and Japheth—and their wives. Noah and his sons are blessed by God and commanded to repopulate and fill the earth.
The Tower of Babel – Genesis 11:1-9 – 2200 BC – #7 on the timeline
Two hundred years go by from the time of the flood and God starting over with Noah, and again, mankind rebels against God, and we have the tower of Babel. Under the leadership of Nimrod, all of mankind unites and rebels (in unbelief, no faith) once more against God’s commands to repopulate and fill the earth. They unite in the land of Shinar (Babylon), refusing to fill the earth, wanting to make a name for themselves, and openly defying God’s command. So God comes down and confuses their language (all mankind spoke one language), forcing mankind to scatter across the planet.
Mankind Rebels Again! – Joshua 24:2 & 14 – #8 on the timeline
Another 200 years go by since the tower of Babel, and again, the whole world rebels against God and worships idols and other gods (Joshua 24:2). So God does something different (all preordained; in other words, this was all part of God’s plan, made before time began based on His foreknowledge) and chooses one man, from the line of Shem, Abraham, out of millions to create a new race of people for Himself (Deuteronomy 32:8–9; Isaiah 43:21), the Jewish people.
From this point forward (Genesis 12:1-3; 2000 BC), until God calls Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, a timespan of approximately 2000 years, God will no longer deal with all mankind directly like He did the previous 2000 years, but instead, He will reveal Himself only to His chosen people, a race of people created for Himself, the Jewish people.
It is crucial to study and comprehend the first 2000 years of biblical history to clearly see the progression of God’s plan of redemption.
Quick Look at the Next 2000 Years “Jew Only”
Between Genesis 12:1 and Acts 9, (or between 2000 BC and 37-40 AD), there is no gospel or “good news” extended to the Gentile world (Ephesians 2:11–12). Throughout these 2000 years, in which God exclusively interacted with the nation of Israel (Romans 3:1-2; Psalms 147:19-20; Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Romans 9:4; Acts 11:19), only nine Gentiles found salvation. From Genesis 12 until the appointment of the apostle Paul, God’s revelations were confined to the nation of Israel under covenants. The Gentile world received no message of salvation or doctrinal guidance during this period. God’s focus was on preparing His chosen people to eventually serve as the conduit for salvation to the pagan Gentile world.
The next post will cover the next 2000 years. From Abraham to Paul.
by Jamie Pantastico | Dec 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
At the exact time according to God’s timetable, the Savior of the world took on flesh and was born.
‘but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, ‘
Galatians 4:4
‘And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.’
I Timothy 3:16
As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season, it’s essential to grasp the marvelous unfolding of God’s promise, revealing His incredible plan for our salvation.
Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
David serves as the precursor to the entire genetic bloodline leading up to the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus, in turn, becomes the fulfillment of all the promises made to the forefathers (Romans 15:8).
2 Samuel 7:12-16
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”
In the days of King David (1000 BC), God promised an eternal kingdom through his lineage. The promise (the Davidic Covenant) was of an everlasting kingdom where, sometime in the future, the Son of David would come to Israel and sit on David’s throne in Jerusalem, ruling the nations.
Isaiah 9:6
“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah (around 700 BC) predicted the birth of a child—a Son whose rule would be marked by wonder, counsel, might, eternity, and peace. This promise began to be realized during the Lord’s first advent and will reach its complete fulfillment at His second coming.
Luke 1:30-32
“Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.'”
In fulfillment of these prophetic words, the angel announced to Mary the impending birth of Jesus. The promised Ruler, the Son of David, was about to enter the world.
This Christmas, let’s rejoice in the prophetic precision of God’s word. From the humble town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to the fulfillment of the miracle virgin birth of Jesus (Isaiah 7:14), every detail unfolded exactly as foretold. In Christ, we find the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace, bringing the world joy, hope, and salvation.
by Jamie Pantastico | Dec 21, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Comparing Peter’s Epistle to Isaiah 53:4
In Isaiah 53:4, the prophet, writing 700 years before the cross, foretells the suffering of the Messiah:
“Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.” Centuries later, the apostle Peter, writing specifically to Jewish believers, reinforces this prophecy.
Peter’s Confirmation in I Peter 2:21–25
In I Peter 2:21–25, Peter addresses Jewish Kingdom believers (Jews who believed Jesus was Israel’s promised Messiah and the Son of God), emphasizing that Christ suffered for them, leaving an example to follow:
I Peter 2:21–25
‘For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.’
These verses parallel Isaiah’s prophecy, depicting Jesus’ innocence (in other words, He wasn’t crucified for anything He did), humility, and sacrifice, fulfilling the foretold suffering.
Paul’s Insight in II Corinthians 5:21
Shifting to a broader audience (all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles, apart from the law), through Paul’s epistle, II Corinthians 5:21 proclaims a truth for all mankind:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, reveals the culmination of God’s plan of redemption for the entire world. Christ, sinless and bearing the sins of humanity, exemplifies the redemption foretold in Isaiah 53.
Returning to Peter’s Epistle and Isaiah 53:4
In I Peter 2:23–25, Peter echoes Isaiah’s words, portraying Christ’s humility and sacrifice:
“Who, when he was reviled, he reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but he committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”
The imagery aligns with Isaiah 53:4, where the suffering servant bears the sins of many.
Spiritual Healing in I Peter 2:24
Contrary to physical healing, Peter clarifies that the healing in I Peter 2:24 refers to spiritual restoration:
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.”
This healing mirrors Isaiah’s prophecy, bringing the once-veiled message into sharp focus after the fulfillment of the cross.
Sheep Led Astray and Returning to the Shepherd
Drawing from Isaiah 53 and the parable of the lost sheep (Matthew 18:10–14), Peter describes Israel as sheep led astray:
“For you were as sheep going astray; but now you are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.”
In I Peter 2:25, he emphasizes their return to the Shepherd, their Messiah, who is also the Bishop of their souls. This shepherd’s imagery aligns perfectly with Isaiah’s depiction of the suffering servant.
Understanding Prophecy After the Cross
Peter, writing to Jewish believers, and Paul, addressing both Jews and Gentiles apart from the law, provide post-cross insight into Isaiah 53. The fulfillment of these prophecies clarifies their once-veiled nature. Before the cross, comprehension of Isaiah 53 eluded Israel. Now, with the crucifixion behind them, the apostles reveal the profound connection between prophecy and its realization in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Supernatural Precision of God’s Word
As you study Isaiah 52 and 53, along with the writings of Peter (under the law) and Paul (under grace), we encounter a supernatural precision that spans centuries. Isaiah, writing some 700 years before the cross, prophetically unveiled the intricate details of the Messiah’s redemptive work. This prophetic truth finds stunning confirmation in the writings of the apostles Peter and Paul.
The graphic details of Isaiah’s prophecy resonate vividly in Peter’s epistle to Jewish believers and Paul’s broader teachings to both Jews and Gentiles. The foretelling of Christ’s bearing of sins, His innocence (in other words, He didn’t die for anything that He did), and the spiritual healing through His stripes echo seamlessly across these different portions of Scripture.
Crucial to unraveling this divine plan of redemption is the principle of rightly dividing the Scriptures. Understanding who the writer is, their audience, and the context of the passage is paramount. Peter addresses Jewish believers under the law, while Paul’s words encompass a broader audience apart from the law, including both Jews and Gentiles. This distinction is essential to grasping the progressive revelations of God’s redemptive plan.
Moreover, it’s imperative to approach Scripture with an “in time” perspective, recognizing the progressive nature of God’s revelation. Attempting to leap ahead or imposing later revelations on earlier texts can distort the intended message. The Bible unfolds progressively, unveiling God’s plan with precision at the appointed times.
In this symphony of divine revelation, the Bible goes far beyond human wisdom, revealing the supernatural orchestration of God’s plan for humanity. The prophetic preordained plan written through Isaiah, Peter, and Paul magnificently showcases the supernatural precision of the Scriptures. It serves as a profound testament to the divine nature of God’s Word and underscores the importance of approaching it with discernment, rightly dividing the Word of Truth one passage at a time.
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God bless.