Jamie Pantastico - Free Bible Study Classes - Genesis through Revelation

Trusting in God’s Plan: The Promise of Israel’s Salvation in Romans 11:25

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 27, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘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

In Romans 11, Paul emphasizes that God has not forgotten His people, the Nation of Israel. Though they have been set aside for a time, God will return to them when He is finished with His work with the Gentiles. Paul does not want believers to be ignorant of this secret. In the Greek language, the word for “mystery” is musterion, which means “secret”. These mysteries that Paul speaks of were never revealed before in any of God’s dealings with mankind. You won’t find them in the Old Testament, Christ’s earthly ministry, or even the early parts of Acts. They were revelations that God kept secret from the beginning of human history. We must study the Scriptures, so we are not ignorant of these mysteries. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever”. God has not changed His mind about His plan for Israel and for us as members of the body of Christ.

Romans 11:25 reveals a mystery that was not revealed before – the spiritual blindness of Israel. This blindness is only temporary and will be lifted when God is finished with His work with the Gentiles and the body of Christ is raptured. Then God will turn His attention back to His chosen people and bring to culmination the 490 years prophecied in Daniel 9, and fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David of a King and kingdom.

This verse cautions grace-age believers against being wise in our own conceits and urges us not to be ignorant of this mystery. As we await the fullness of the Gentiles, we should remember that God will fulfill the promises He made Israel and that their spiritual blindness is not forever. Let us pray for the salvation of Israel and eagerly await the day when they will see the Lord Jesus at His second coming and recognize Him as their Messiah, their promised King.

God will Fulfill His Promise to Israel

There are hundreds of verses that clearly state that God will fulfill the promises He made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. These were unconditional promises that God made to Israel. Below is just a handful.

‘Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, ‘

Romans 15:8

‘Then I will punish their transgression with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him, Nor allow My faithfulness to fail. My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful witness in the sky.” Selah’

Psalms 89:32-37

‘“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. “Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments; ‘

Deuteronomy 7:6-9

‘“Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. “Therefore, behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord , “that they shall no longer say, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ but, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up and led the descendants of the house of Israel from the north country and from all the countries where I had driven them.’ And they shall dwell in their own land.”’

Jeremiah 23:5-8

‘Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. They shall be My people, and I will be their God; then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’ “For thus says the Lord: ‘Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them. And fields will be bought in this land of which you say, “ It is desolate, without man or beast; it has been given into the hand of the Chaldeans.” Men will buy fields for money, sign deeds and seal them, and take witnesses, in the land of Benjamin, in the places around Jerusalem, in the cities of Judah, in the cities of the mountains, in the cities of the lowland, and in the cities of the South; for I will cause their captives to return,’ says the Lord .”’

Jeremiah 32:37-44

King David and the Apostle Paul were in Agreement: ‘Everything belongs to God’

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Psalm 24:1 declares that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” This verse emphasizes God’s sovereignty and ownership of everything in the world, including each one of us (saved and unsaved). We often go about our days thinking that we are in control of our lives or worry that everything is completely out of control, but this verse reminds us that God is the ultimate ruler and authority over all things.

As the apostle, Paul wrote in Colossians 1:16-17, “For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Just as Christ created all things and holds them together, He also has each one of us as members of the body of Christ and will never let us go. Amen!

As we read and meditate on Psalm 24:1 and 1 Corinthians 4:7, let us remember that everything we have ultimately comes from God by His grace (we deserve none of it). Let us live lives of gratitude and generosity, using what God has given us to serve others and bring glory to Him.

Not Interested in a Religious Show, God Wants Our Faith

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Isaiah 1:11-15 are Bible verses that are really quite terrifying! But these passages demonstrated what can happen when mankind goes off on their own and away from Christ alone by faith alone.

These verses are a graphic warning for us today that God is not interested in high-production fluff, tradition, concerts, and the big show that is so common to most churches. What He desires most is our faith. God is not satisfied with empty religious acts and meaningless traditions. He doesn’t care about the burnt offerings of rams, the fat of fed beasts, or the blood of bullocks, lambs, or goats. He is not pleased with incense, new moons, sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies that lack faith. God wants our hearts to be in it. God wants our faith, He wants mankind to believe what He says!

‘“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?” Says the Lord. “I have had enough (Remember this is God speaking and He’s saying “I’ve had it!”) of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats. “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.’

Isaiah 1:11-15

The main point of controversy that God had with the Nation of Israel was not their adherence to the strict instructions of Temple worship, which they followed precisely, but their lack of faith. Despite their meticulous attention to detail, their approach to God had become lifeless and devoid of faith. Similarly, many churches today go through the motions of religious practices without truly embracing the underlying truths, fundamentals, and doctrine with faith. God desires simple faith above all else.

God is not interested in a big show; He desires our faith. He wants us to trust Him, to study, to know and have faith in His word, and to rely on His promises. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).

Let us not get caught up in the show of worship, let us pray that we never just go through the motions of worshipping the One Who shed His blood for us. But let us worship God because of our faith (with all our heart) in what He has done on our behalf at the cross. Let us put all our trust in Christ alone (Christ crucified, bloodshed, death, burial, and resurrection), study His word, and walk in His ways. Let us not merely go through the motions of religion, but let us have a living faith that brings glory to God.

‘Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.’

Hebrews 10:19-25

Knowing What the Bible Doesn’t Say About Salvation

by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 22, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

You do not get saved by:

Keeping the Mosaic Law
Being Baptized
Repenting
Joining a Church
Doing good works
Tithing
Going to church

Knowing how a person is not saved is just as important as knowing how a person is saved. Rejecting (unbelief) the gospel is the most obvious reason why a person is not saved, but another more insidious way is by adding to the gospel. Many good people are being led astray by philosophy and vain deceit (a works salvation), according to the tradition of men and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8).

‘Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. ‘

Colossians 2:8

The gospel of the grace of God is simple and clear: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Anyone who believes this gospel alone is saved. The entire world will be judged by the gospel of grace (Romans 2:16).

‘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

The apostle Paul warned that when he was taken off the scene, savage wolves would come in not sparing the flock, and from among your selves, men would arise speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them (Acts 20:29–30). Many pastors, theologians, and false apostles are Satan’s ministers of light, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ (2 Corinthians 11:13–15).

‘For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. ‘

Acts 20:29-30

Salvation is by faith alone, and adding anything to the gospel will condemn you (Galatians 1:6–9). Many churches proclaim salvation is by grace through faith alone but require other traditions like baptism, perseverance, producing good works, repenting (we can do nothing to change; God does that), church membership, or anything else the modern-day Judaizer wants to add.

‘I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.’

Galatians 1:6-9

God’s grace is a free gift, and anyone who works will not receive it as grace but as debt (Romans 4:4-5). Christ’s death was not in vain, and if righteousness comes by the law, then grace is nullified (Galatians 2:20–21).

‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”’

Galatians 2:20-21

‘Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, ‘

Romans 4:4-5

The gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). Anyone who believes by faith alone in Christ crucified, buried, and raised again on the third day will be saved. God knows if you truly believe or not (2 Timothy 2:19).

‘Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”’

II Timothy 2:19

In conclusion, we must know the true gospel and the doctrines tied to it. The gospel of grace is not a suggested gospel, and pastors should not mold it to fit a denomination, tradition, or theology. Anything added to the gospel is heresy, damnable to those who teach it, and condemnation to those who believe it.

The Gospel is Foolishness to those Who are Perishing…But

by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 3, 2021 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

I Corinthians 1:18

“For the preaching of the cross (that death, burial, and resurrection) is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved (Here it comes now…) it is the (What?) power of God.”

That’s why good works will never save anyone. Our good works are nothing but filthy rags in the eyes of God. Joining a church does not involve the power of God. Being baptized does not invoke the power of God. This is something that God does the moment He sees our faith. And that’s a heart thing only God can see and only God can change.

Religion is Behavior Modification – Christianity is Heart Transformation