by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 16, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Why Understanding Amillennialism Matters
Understanding Amillennialism is crucial because it directly impacts how we interpret God’s promises to Israel and the Church. This false theology denies a literal future for Israel, claiming that the Church has replaced God’s chosen people. But if God could break His covenant with Israel, what assurance do we have of His promises to us? Knowing the truth helps us trust in God’s faithfulness and rightly divide His Word, standing firm against doctrines that distort His plan for the ages.
Amillennialism is a man-made theology that undermines God’s clear promises in Scripture. It arose from a failure to reconcile how God could still remain faithful to Israel after they rejected their Messiah and, along with the Romans, crucified the Prince of Peace. Instead of trusting in God’s ability to fulfill His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, some early Church fathers devised a theological system that conveniently transferred Israel’s promises to the Church.
This false doctrine—often referred to as replacement theology—teaches that God has permanently cast aside Israel and that the Church is now the new Israel. But this is not what Scripture teaches. In fact, God’s Word is clear:
- God’s covenant with Israel is eternal.
- “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night… If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36)
- Paul explicitly refutes replacement theology.
- “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25)
- “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:28-29)
If God’s promises to Israel were merely symbolic or transferred to the Church, then He would be a liar. But God does not break His covenants (Numbers 23:19). The rejection of a literal future for Israel was not based on faith in God’s Word but on human reasoning.
Why Was Amillennialism So Convenient?
- It required no faith in God’s ability to restore Israel as He promised.
- It made no effort to wrestle with prophecies that clearly state Israel’s future restoration.
- It aligned with the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in parts of the early Church.
- It placed Gentiles at the center of God’s plan, rather than acknowledging that we, as Gentiles, are partakers of the promises made to Israel—not the original recipients. The covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David were given to Israel alone. As Paul explains in Romans 11:16-18, Israel is the root that supports the wild branches, not the other way around. The Church does not replace Israel; rather, believing Gentiles are graciously grafted in, sharing in the blessings but never usurping the promises.
It was convenient for the progenitors of this false teaching because they saw that the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, and the Jews were out of their land, scattered into every nation on the planet. The Church fathers looked at Israel’s diaspora as an opportunity to take what God promised Israel as their own. Horrors! Again, these so-called Church fathers lacked faith—they simply could not believe that God would keep the promises He made to His chosen people. This comes down to coveting, pure and simple. They saw what belonged to Israel, desired it for themselves, and instead of trusting in God’s Word, they rewrote it to fit their own reasoning.
Ammillennialist have “spiritualized” Israel’s promises, dismissing them as allegorical while eagerly claiming all the blessings for themselves. But God is not done with Israel! The return of the Jewish people to their land and the ongoing conflicts surrounding Jerusalem confirm that God’s prophetic timeline is still unfolding exactly as He declared.
Final Thoughts
Amillennialism may be convenient, but it is not biblical. The promises God made to Israel remain intact, and His faithfulness to Israel is proof of His faithfulness to all who trust in Him. We must reject any theology that distorts God’s Word and hold fast to the truth that what He has spoken, He will surely fulfill.
Are you trusting in God’s promises, even when they seem inconvenient?
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 14, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul shares a powerful roadmap for believers to maintain peace in a troubled world: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”
In a world where chaos, fear, and darkness seem to multiply daily, Paul encourages us to train our minds to focus on what’s good. He’s telling us to not just read or think about these things, but to truly meditate on them, to center our minds and implant them in our hearts. This isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a daily discipline—every moment, every day. When we fill our hearts and minds with these virtues, the God of peace, who is our only true source of hope and comfort, promises to be with us.
This verse is especially crucial because, as Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1, we are indeed living in perilous times. The spiritual battle has never been more intense, and as we draw nearer to the return of our Lord Jesus, the world will only grow darker. In 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Paul warns that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ will face persecution because evil men and imposters will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived. Yet, even amid these challenging times, we are not left without hope.
When we keep our minds fixed on God’s truth, when we meditate on the word of God and rest in the power of the gospel, we find a peace that the world cannot offer. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, we’re reminded that God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He meets us in our struggles and gives us the strength to carry on.
Once again, on a personal note, I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me over the past few months. I truly believe that without God’s grace and the many prayers lifted on my behalf, I would not be sharing this with you today. I am deeply grateful to each one of you who supported me during this time.
Let’s lift each other up in prayer and meditate on what is noble, pure, and praiseworthy. May the God of peace be with us all as we walk through the good and bad days ahead, hand in hand with Jesus.
Are you spending time daily to study God’s word? Are you meditating on what is noble, pure, and praiseworthy?
‘Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things (center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart). The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do (daily–all day everyday), and the God of peace (Who is our only source of hope, comfort and peace) will be with you.’
Philippians 4:8-9
‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ‘
II Corinthians 1:3-4
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 13, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” This verse beautifully illustrates that all of creation is a testament to the majesty and power of God. Yet Scripture reveals that it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who spoke creation into existence and brought all things into being.
Hebrews 1:1–3 and verse 10 tell us that through Jesus, God made the universe and that Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory who upholds all things by His word. It is Jesus who laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of His hands.
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who, being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
— Hebrews 1:1–3
“And: ‘You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.'”
— Hebrews 1:10
Colossians 1:15–16 further supports this truth, declaring:
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”
Creation itself is not only a testimony to God’s existence but also serves as a warning to the world. Romans 1:18–20 reminds us that God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power, and divine nature are clearly seen in what has been made. Through creation, God has revealed Himself to all mankind, leaving them without excuse.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
— Romans 1:18–21
This revelation of God in creation is not just a testimony—it also carries a solemn warning. Scripture makes it clear that mankind is accountable to God, and a day is coming when all will be judged by Jesus Christ.
Romans 2:16 warns:
“In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”— Romans 2:16
What is Paul’s gospel?
“Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,”
— I Corinthians 15:1-4
For believers, the awe-inspiring truth is this: our Redeemer, God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, is not only the One who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day—paying the full price for the sins of the world—but He is also the very Creator of all things. By the power of His word, He spoke the universe into existence, bringing forth everything from nothing.
We do not worship a distant or impersonal deity; we worship the One True and Living God, the very Word who became flesh and dwelt among mankind. His handiwork is displayed in creation, and His love is revealed in the gospel.
For those who do not yet believe, the evidence of His existence is all around—declared in the heavens, written in His Word, and made manifest in Jesus Christ.
Let this truth bring joy to your heart, rejoice in the Lord and His glory, pray for one another that we may continue to stand firm in the power of His word.
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 8, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
The world is aligning against Israel, just as the Bible foretold. The so-called “Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution,” spearheaded by Saudi Arabia, Norway, and the European Union, is nothing less than a direct challenge to God’s sovereign will. Under the guise of “peace,” this coalition seeks to divide the land that the Lord Himself deeded to Abraham and his descendants forever (Genesis 15:18-21).
A World United Against Israel
The progression of the Global Alliance meetings—from the United Nations in New York (September 2024)[¹] to Riyadh (October 2024)[²], Brussels (November 2024)[³], and Oslo (January 2025)[⁴]—demonstrates a growing international consensus to impose a political solution on Israel, forcing it to surrender land in exchange for an illusion of peace. The movement is gaining traction, with over 144 UN member states now recognizing “Palestine.”[⁵]
Yet, Israel has not been represented in any of these meetings. The fate of the Jewish state is being decided by foreign powers who have no legitimate claim to the land of Israel, seeking to dictate terms without Israel’s consent.
But what does Scripture say?
Zechariah 12:3 warns us: “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
The Lord Himself prophesied that in the last days, Jerusalem would become a “burdensome stone,” a political and spiritual flashpoint that will consume the attention of the entire world. We are witnessing this prophecy unfold before our very eyes. The nations are not just turning against Israel—they are actively conspiring to take possession of Jerusalem, a city that belongs to the God of Israel.
God’s Judgment on Those Who Divide His Land
The Word of God is clear: those who seek to divide the land of Israel will face divine judgment. Joel 3:2 declares: “I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land.”
The Global Alliance’s efforts to create a Palestinian state by partitioning Israel is a direct fulfillment of this warning. Nations that participate in this plan are setting themselves on a collision course with the Almighty. No peace plan or diplomatic agreement can override God’s eternal covenant with Israel.
The Coming Conflict and Prophetic Fulfillment
This is not merely a political crisis—it is a prophetic moment. The same nations pushing for a two-state solution are the ones who remain silent while Hamas and Hezbollah continue their relentless attacks against Israel. The world does not seek justice; it seeks to weaken and delegitimize the Jewish state.
But there is a greater purpose unfolding. The attempt to divide Israel will only hasten the fulfillment of Ezekiel 38-39, the great war of Gog and Magog, where nations will rise against Israel, only to be utterly destroyed by the Lord Himself.
What Should Believers Do?
As we watch these events unfold, we must remain vigilant, prayerful, and rooted in Scripture.
- Pray for Israel (Psalm 122:6)
- Proclaim the truth of God’s promises
- Have faith in the 100’s of promises God made to Israel in both the Old and New testament’s.
- Recognize the distinction between Israel and the Church
- Warn others about the deception of so-called “peace plans”
- Stand firm in the knowledge that God’s Word will be fulfilled
Israel’s land is not up for negotiation. It is God’s possession, and He alone will determine its future. Those who attempt to divide it will find themselves divided, shattered, and ultimately judged.
The Global Alliance may believe it is forging a path toward peace, but in reality, it is marching headlong into prophecy—fulfilling the very warnings that the Bible has proclaimed for thousands of years.
The nations are aligning. Jerusalem is at the center. The return of Jesus Christ is near. Are you ready?
Footnotes:
- UN General Assembly meeting, September 2024
- Riyadh meeting, October 2024
- Brussels meeting, November 2024
- Oslo meeting, January 2025
- 144 UN member states recognizing Palestine
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 5, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Many of my readers have asked me to explain Deuteronomy 32:8-9 in simple terms, particularly how God’s division of the nations connects to His chosen people, Israel. These verses provide a profound glimpse into God’s sovereignty over the nations and His redemptive plan throughout history.
Deuteronomy 32:8-9
“When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. For the Lord’s portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance.”
The Connection Between the 70 Nations and the 70 Descendants of Israel
This passage echoes the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, where Scripture lists 70 nations that descended from Noah’s sons after the flood. Later, in Genesis 46:27, we learn that 70 descendants of Jacob (Israel) went down to Egypt. This numerical parallel is not a coincidence—God structured the nations with Israel at the center of His redemptive plan.
In simple terms, God designed the world so that the number of nations corresponded with the number of the Israelites who went to Egypt. This shows that Israel’s role was central to God’s dealings with humanity. Just as He determined the borders of the nations, He also made sure that His chosen people had the land and resources necessary to fulfill their purpose.
What Does This Mean for Us Today?
- God is in control of history – The division of the nations was not random; it was directed by God’s hand. He set their boundaries and orchestrated events to bring about His purposes.
- Israel is at the heart of God’s plan – From the beginning, God chose Israel as His special people. Through Israel, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, would come to bring salvation to the world.
- God’s promises are trustworthy – Just as He preserved Israel and fulfilled His promises to them, we can trust that His plans for our lives are also secure.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 32:8-9 reminds us that God’s plan is precise, purposeful, and centered on His promises to the nation of Israel. The connection between the 70 nations and the 70 descendants of Israel highlights His sovereignty and faithfulness. As we study Scripture, we see that nothing happens by chance—God is guiding history toward His ultimate purpose of redemption through Jesus Christ.
Do you have questions or thoughts on this passage? Share in the comments below!