The current time of Gentile salvation within the church (spiritual Israel) is a progressive step in God’s plan to save the nation of Israel as the Messianic Kingdom is established here on earth.
The above statement assumes one covenant plan of God. Each covenant can be viewed individually, but cannot function without the others. They all have their foundation built upon the Seed Promise of Genesis 3:15. This statement also assumes an INplacement theology. Gentiles are in-placed within Israel elect. Both Israelites and Gentiles who currently trust in Messiah prove that there is a future Messianic Kingdom in which both Israelites and Gentiles dwell. This does not mean that nationality is done away with. Nations will exist in the Messianic Kingdom with Israel as the centerpiece. Israel’s goal as a nation will be to shine the light to Gentile nations; that they also may be saved holistically as people groups in the same manner that Israel will be when her spiritual blindness is lifted.
This Messianic Kingdom approach has the foundation of Messiah’s goal to redeem mankind and restore the earth for this redeemed mankind to live in as a society which glorifies God. Yet this does not preclude promises to Israel being literally fulfilled as a progressive step in that process. The establishment of a Messianic Kingdom will have several time periods in succession which comprise “the age to come”. All of these together will work in conjunction for the redemption of the earth and mankind as a whole.
A-Millennialists’ point that there is only one true people of God is well taken. This Messianic Kingdom approach concedes this point. From the garden of Eden there has been only one people of God. With the establishment of the nation of Israel, there was still only one people of God. Yet the nation of Israel was a picture of God’s plan for a society which existed only to serve Him. With all of Israel’s flaws, the picture was still accurately contained within the Word. With the Holy Spirit baptism of the believing remnant of Israelites at Pentecost, there still remained one true people of God. With Gentile inclusion into this Holy Spirit baptism, there still remained one people of God. When all Israel is saved as the Deliverer comes to Zion, there will still only be one people of God. When the entire earth learns to trust in God throughout future time periods that we have yet to fathom, there will still only be one true people of God. This thesis also operates under the truth that the church is not a temporary entity to be done away with when God turns His attention back to Israel, Ephesians 3:21.
Post-Millennialists’ point that there will be a golden age kingdom in which the church rules the world is something I have conceded for some time. The point of difference is that I believe Messiah will establish this kingdom personally while reigning from David’s throne here on earth. The current proclamation of the gospel does not effectively transform nations as a whole, but calls out Gentiles from among the nations to repentance in anticipation of the establishment of the kingdom. At Messiah’s coming in glory, judgement comes with Him. Gentiles can be aware of that judgement and repent in advance in order to be included in that future kingdom. Upon repentance, any Israelite or Gentile enters the Kingdom of God (the Messianic Kingdom) by faith. During this future Messianic Kingdom, Gentile nations as fully functioning societies will come to Messiah’s light due to Israel’s repentance.
Pre-Millennialists’ point that there will be a kingdom here on earth as opposed to a heaven-centered eschatology is also contained within this Messianic Kingdom approach. Since Messiah is currently seated in heaven, our citizenship is currently in heaven. When Messiah comes to earth, our citizenship will be here in His Messianic Kingdom, also known as the Kingdom of Heaven. The establishment of a Messianic Kingdom also allows for a period of time during which God will use Israel to progressively bring salvation to Gentile nations as entities one at a time, Psalm 107. All Israel will be saved when the Deliverer (Savior) comes to Zion, Romans 11:26-27, Isaiah 59:20-21. Israel’s offspring from that time forth will always serve the LORD. Many Gentile nations will revere Israel and the God of Israel, Isaiah 11:10, 49:22-23, Amos 9:11-15. Yet some Gentile nations will not be persuaded to serve the LORD, Zechariah 14:16-19, Revelation 21:24-27, 22:14-15. Since worship of the Messiah is not demanded in order to exist on earth, this accounts for a time of rebellion following a 1000 year period as shown in Revelation 20:7-9. This approach as a whole also accounts for the literal transformation of the earth into a paradise at Messiah’s coming, Isaiah 35.
I’ve finally found a name for my position: Messianic Kingdom Theology. It is rooted in the Seed Promise. It traces the Covenant Plan of God throughout the Bible. It accounts for Messiah’s language of repentance in light of the coming kingdom of God. It harmonizes Gentile inclusion within the church without the abolishment of the nation of Israel. While being Pre-Millennial, it accounts for strengths in other millennial positions.
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-The Orange Mailman
The Orange Mailman 