LLM Question for 2-10-2012, and, Facts to Understand the Book of Acts, part 4 of 9

First the Question: The Body of Christ is the Church of God, but, in the Bible, The Church of God is not necessarily the Body of Christ. True or False?

Please take a moment to respond at the LLM Question of the Day

And now the answer to the LLM Question of 2-8-2012

Question: The Times of the Gentiles SPIRITUALLY will end by the MYSTERY appearing of Christ in the air to Rapture the Body of Christ. Titus 2:13. True or False?

Answer: TRUE! It is significant that after the Apostle Paul reached Rome as Caesar’s prisoner, Paul called himself “the prisoner of Jesus Christ", “for you Gentiles”, with the Dispensation of the Grace of God. (Ephesians 3:1 and Ephesians 4:1). The TIMES OF THE GENTILES politically, will end by the coming of the Son of man to earth; but SPIRITUALLY it will end by His MYSTERY appearing, for to Rapture His Body to Himself as it's Head. (Titus 2:13). Out of the 715 responses we received to this question, 77.8% of you got it right! Therefore, NOW, let us take a look at,

Facts to Understand the Book of Acts, part 4 of 9

THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES

When the LORD Jesus Christ was here on earth in the midst of Israel He told the Jews that the seat of religious authority was Moses’ seat. (Matthew 23:1-3). Christ told His people that the seat of political authority was Rome and Caesar. (Matthew 22:21-22). Christ told HIS people that Jerusalem would be under Gentile authority and the Jews would be a scattered people until ‘THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES’ be fulfilled (Luke 21:24).

Note in 2 Kings 17:18 that God was very angry with Israel and sent them into captivity. Judah was left. Then later, because of the sin of Manasseh the king, God said, “I will remove Judah also out of My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city of Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house, of which I said, My name shall be there.” (2 Kings 23:27). So the Gentile king of Babylon came to remove Judah; and we find in 2 Kings 25:7 another blind Jew, Zedekiah. Now follow me on this, THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES, POLITICALLY began with a blind Jew (suggesting the blindness of Israel) about 600 B.C.

Christ was born in the times of the Gentiles, politically. (Luke 2:1). After Paul explained in Romans 11:11-15 and 11:25-31, how God had ushered in THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES, SPIRITUALLY, he reminded the LORD’s disciples that they were still living in THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES, POLITICALLY (Romans 13:1-7).

A little later Paul appealed to Caesar to save him from an unlawful death. (Acts 25:11). Caesar’s officers had already used hundreds of soldiers to protect Paul (Acts 23:23). But it is significant that after the Apostle Paul reached Rome as Caesar’s prisoner Paul called himself “the prisoner of Jesus Christ”…“for you Gentiles”, with the Dispensation of the Grace of God. (Ephesians 3:1 and Ephesians 4:1). The TIMES OF THE GENTILES politically, will end by the coming of the Son of man to earth; but SPIRITUALLY it will end by His MYSTERY appearing, for to Rapture His Body to Himself as it's Head. (Titus 2:13).

After reading Luke’s Gospel we can see why the disciples were so confused as to God’s program that they said, after Christ’s death AND resurrection, “we trusted it had been He that should have redeemed Israel.” (Luke 24:21). Are we not confused when we read God’s message, at the time Christ was born, “peace on earth” (Luke 2:14), and then read Christ’s own words when He spake of His death on the cross as His ‘baptism,’ and said “no peace on earth?” (Luke 12:47-50). Are we not confused when we read Luke 1:67-80, that God RAISED UP Christ to deliver Israel from Gentile domination and to fulfill His promises to permit them, once delivered from the hands of their enemies, to serve God without fear, and then to go on to read Luke 21:22-33, concerning the days of vengeance for Israel (the terrible judgment of Matthew 22:7) when Israel would suffer awful, cruel, murderous treatment from the hands of the Gentiles? Perhaps we get light upon these contrary Scriptures by the FALL and RISING of Israel in Luke 2:34.

Christ, in Luke 1:27-33, was born to fulfill Isaiah 9:6-7, to occupy the throne of David and reign over the house of Jacob. BUT in John 12:37-41 we learn that Isaiah 53 had to be fulfilled concerning Christ on the cross before Isaiah 9:6-7 could be fulfilled concerning The LORD Jesus Christ on David’s throne. Now we know that the suffering of Christ had to precede His Glory (1 Peter 1:11-12), and it would seem from Christ’s rebuke of Luke 24:24, “O fools and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken,” that Christ expected His disciples at that time to know 1 Peter 1:11. But the question of Acts 1:6, “wilt Thou AT THIS TIME restore again the kingdom to Israel,” PROVES that even the twelve Apostles were still foolish and slow of heart, AND that Acts 1:3 does not mean that Christ taught the Twelve ANYTHING concerning the truth of Romans 11:25-26. You get all that? Good!

THE SIGN OF JONAH

The people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah, but Israel repented not at the preaching of One greater than Jonah (Matthew 12:41). Christ left them one great sign “As Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:40). The Son of man had to go as He went. (Matthew 26:24; John 3:14; Acts 2:23; Acts 4:24-29; Acts 13:29-30; Acts 3:18). Therefore Israel’s sin against the Son of man, when they killed the Prince of Life (Acts 3:14:15), WAS pardonable (Matthew 12:32); and it is significant that Luke was the one chosen by the Holy Spirit to record the prayer of Christ on the cross, Luke 23:34, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” for Luke wrote the Gospel and the Book of Acts. Note the Holy Spirit’s message, through the Apostle Peter not many days thereafter, “I know that through ignorance you did it, as did your rulers. But those things which God before hath showed by the mouth of all His prophets, that Christ should suffer, He hath so fulfilled.” (Acts 3:17-18). Now grasp the significance of the THEREFORE in the next (Acts 3:19) verse, and learn the significance and efficacy of Christ’s prayer for Israel on the cross, which brought Divine amnesty for Israel because Christ’s suffering had to precede His Glory. Christ could not go to the THRONE of David, in fulfillment of Prophecy, until He went to the tree, in fulfillment of Prophecy. (Acts 3:18; Acts 13:29-30).

“Believe on the LORD Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31, while there is still time!

So There You Have it!

Spread this message to everyone you know, far and wide. The time is short

Grace be to you and peace, from God: our Father, and The LORD Jesus Christ.

In The LORD Jesus Christ,
The Lion and Lamb Ministry

Pastor David Picos, D.D.
Minister and Ambassador for Christ in the Ministry of Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20)

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