The Word of God - A survey of the Bible - Part Eleven - I Sep 30, 2018 by: John Herbert | Series: The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible Audio Study Notes PDF https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T027_20180930.mp3 Refresh A Recap from the Sermon 1 Tim 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. We will continue to look at Paul as a type today. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday September 30th 2018 The Word of God A Survey of the Bible – Part 11I ‘Men and Brethren, What Shall We Do?’ 1). Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” We had seen last time how the death of Stephen marked a climactic point of rejection by Israel’s religious leaders which set in motion the final phase of the outworking of God’s eternal purpose, a purpose that had been set out in foundation in the first 34 verses of Genesis, a purpose that would include both Jew and Gentile brought together in one body, a purpose that would see Israel set aside for a dispensation as God called out of the Gentiles a people for His name. a). That Israel would be set aside for 2000 years is not seen per se in Daniel’s 70 week prophecy, but within that prophecy we can see a terminal point of rejection on Israel’s part that precipitates all that we are learning – Dan 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy….. 25b There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; Messiah was ‘cut off’ at the conclusion of Daniel’s 69th week and the Church was then brought into being to receive the Kingdom of the Heavens rejected by Israel 50 days beyond the Lord’s crucifixion on the Day of Pentecost and although the Kingdom of the Heavens was offered to Israel again by the Church until about 62AD, the events we have followed in the Book of Acts show that Israel being set aside can be seen from the crucifixion of the nation’s King even though a re-offer of the Kingdom is made to them until the end of the Book of Acts – Acts 28:28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” Although Israel has been set aside for the course of this dispensation we also know from Daniel’s 70-week prophecy that the final 70th week, the last 7 years still remaining in the time allotted to the Jewish people is yet to play out, but those final 7 years can’t begin until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. b). And it is at the point of national Israel’s climactic rejection of the King and His Kingdom with the death of Stephen in Acts Chapter 7 that a previously unknown person is introduced – Saul. c). And it would be Saul, the persecutor of the Church of Christ, whom God had chosen to be the apostle to take the message of the Kingdom rejected by Israel to the Gentile nations of the earth. d). We had also seen last time how, because of Saul’s persecution of the Church the disciples were scattered from Jerusalem throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria – Acts 11:19 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. The eternally saved Jews then who had believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God were driven from Jerusalem by persecution and preached the word wherever they went but ‘to no one but the Jews only’. Nor could they have done anything else as God had chosen Saul/Paul to be the one to take that message outside of the Jewish people, not them. e). And even Paul himself immediately following his conversion only went to the synagogues in Damascus not to the Gentile nations – Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. The reason for this is really quite simple to understand – before Paul could accomplish his ministry he had to be taught the message that he would take to the Gentile nations concerning the King and His Kingdom, that which he came to call ‘the mystery’. f). It was an easy thing for Paul to show from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God to a Jewish audience – Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Because of his grasp of the scriptures it would have been an easy thing for him to see Jesus in the types presented through Jewish history and to see Him in the prophets, once his eyes had been opened. But what he had not yet seen was the place of the Gentiles in God’s purpose for rulership. He had not yet seen the Bride of Christ in Genesis Chapter 1 or the Bride taken from the family or the Bride taken from the Gentiles – He had not yet seen the Gentiles in God’s eternal purpose from the beginning, and in order for him to see this the Lord would take him aside and teach him personally the message he was to bring to those who would be grafted in to the natural olive tree. g). Now, we have already seen how Saul was blind for 3 days and when his sight was restored he immediately preached the Christ that He is the Son of God. And in this we saw that he formed a type of Israel yet future – Israel beyond the completion of those things set out in Daniel’s 70-week prophecy, things brought about by the events of the final 7 years. h). National Israel will remain blind to the Christ throughout the 2000 years of the dispensation allotted to them, and of course during the time of the dispensation allotted to the Church when Israel is set aside – Rom 11:25 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. Israel will remain blind until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, until God has completed His dealings with the ‘Gentile’ Church in the antitype of the search for the bride seen in Genesis Chapter 24. And when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in the eternally saved from this dispensation will be resurrected/raptured to Christ’s Judgment Seat allowing for God to begin dealing with Israel again, to fulfill Daniel’s 70th week. i). But, at the end of the complete 2 days, 2000 years of the dispensation given to them, on the 3rd Day [which is also the 7th Day] Israel will look on the One whom they pierced and their eyes will be opened, something like scales will fall from them, and in the antitype of the disciples on the Emmaus road and Paul in Damascus they will see exactly who Jesus is and will immediately take the message that Jesus is alive and governor over all the earth out to the Gentile nations, having been empowered to do so through the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy throughout the Millennial Kingdom. And in doing so they will fulfill ‘the great commission’ that the Lord gave to His disciples before His ascension. 2). Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years…………… Paul we will remember had escaped from Damascus as the Jews there tried to kill him – 2 Cor 11:32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. He fled from Damascus to Jerusalem where he then spent time with the disciples there, but again, in Jerusalem, the Jews tried to kill him, and he escaped from Jerusalem to Tarsus. And it would appear that at this time, as Paul says, God ‘called me through His grace to reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him among the Gentiles’. a). And having received this calling Paul did not ‘confer with flesh and blood’, nor did he go back to those who were apostles before him in Jerusalem, instead he went to Arabia, the same region to which God had previously taken Moses to teach him about the Theocracy. Gal 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul then received the message of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ which he was to take to the Gentile nations and according to Galatians 1:12 he ‘neither received it from man’ nor was he ‘taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ’. b). Paul received it then from Jesus Himself – Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages [Lit. generations] was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, Now we can add to these verses what we see in – 2 Cor 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. So, if we put this all together we can see that Paul had an experience similar to that of the Apostle John, where both were taken into ‘the third heaven’ into ‘Paradise’ where they received revelation from the Lord. c). And in this experience of being taken into the 3rd heaven to receive the message he was to preach, Paul also forms another type with respect to Israel during the Tribulation – specifically the type for the 144000 who are sealed having responded positively to the message given and the signs performed by the 2 witnesses during the first half of the Tribulation. d). And just as attempts were made on Paul’s life which led him to be taken into the 3rd heaven, so will an attempt by Satan to destroy the 144000 result in them being taken into the 3rd heaven – described for us in figurative language and metaphors in - Rev 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. And just as Paul, having been taken into heaven was then taught the message he was to take back to the Gentle nations so will the 144000 be taught the message they are to take back to the Gentile nations during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation – Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. 6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. e). The 144000 being the ‘firstfruits’, also foreshadow Israel’s national witness to the Gentile nations throughout the 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom which will be the full harvest. 3). So, we have seen then that God has used Paul as a type for the experience of the 144000 at the mid-point in the Tribulation with his experience in Damascus and his subsequent ministry to the Gentiles forming a type of what awaits the whole nation in the 7th Day. But, as we will see, God has also seen fit to give Paul as a type to those who would receive the message he was given – 1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting [age lasting] life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Now the word we want to look at here is the word translated ‘pattern’. The English translation ‘pattern’ is also found in – Php 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. The word translated ‘pattern’ in Philippians 3 is the word ‘tupos’, a word we are very familiar with, the word we know as ‘type’. Now, the word translated ‘pattern’ in 1 Timothy is not ‘tupos’, but a word that has great significance to our race of the faith – it is the word ‘hupotuposis’ – a compound word that contains the word ‘tupos’, which here speaks of an original type, the first type or a prototype. a). So, we can see then from these verses in 1 Timothy Chapter 1 that Paul has been given as a ‘prototype’ to those who are going to believe on Jesus the Christ for age-lasting life, in other words for us. b). Paul’s approach to his ministry, the way he conducted his life and his focus on what lay before him provide for us the pattern of what our lives need to look like if we are to be the overcomers of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, if we will indeed work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, if we like Ruth will make the journey, work in the field beating out the grain, wash ourselves, anoint ourselves so as to put on our best garment so as to be able to say with Paul – 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. c). And as we consider this let’s remember what God said concerning Paul and what lay ahead of him – Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” d). It is this same Paul who is our example who wrote – 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. An instruction given to the ‘beloved brethren’ coming out of personal experience – Acts 20:22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Who wrote – Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Cor 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. Whose focus was unwavering – Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. A man whose commitment to the truth was total – Gal 1:8 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. 9 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.10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? Whose passion for others to receive the salvation of their souls was greater than the passion for his own salvation – Rom 9:1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 1 Thes 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. Here then is our ‘pattern’. We will continue with this next time – if the Lord is willing. The Word of God - A survey of the Bible - Part Eleven - I Sep 30, 2018 Speaker: John Herbert Series: The Word of God - A Survey of the Bible Category: Sunday Morning https://s3.amazonaws.com/cornerstonejax/sermonfiles/T027_20180930.mp3 Download Audio x
Refresh A Recap from the Sermon 1 Tim 1:16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. We will continue to look at Paul as a type today. The full text of this message can be found by clicking the PDF button. Sunday September 30th 2018 The Word of God A Survey of the Bible – Part 11I ‘Men and Brethren, What Shall We Do?’ 1). Acts 7:57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” We had seen last time how the death of Stephen marked a climactic point of rejection by Israel’s religious leaders which set in motion the final phase of the outworking of God’s eternal purpose, a purpose that had been set out in foundation in the first 34 verses of Genesis, a purpose that would include both Jew and Gentile brought together in one body, a purpose that would see Israel set aside for a dispensation as God called out of the Gentiles a people for His name. a). That Israel would be set aside for 2000 years is not seen per se in Daniel’s 70 week prophecy, but within that prophecy we can see a terminal point of rejection on Israel’s part that precipitates all that we are learning – Dan 9:24 “Seventy weeks are determined For your people and for your holy city, To finish the transgression, To make an end of sins, To make reconciliation for iniquity, To bring in everlasting righteousness, To seal up vision and prophecy, And to anoint the Most Holy….. 25b There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; The street shall be built again, and the wall, Even in troublesome times. 26 “And after the sixty-two weeks Messiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself; Messiah was ‘cut off’ at the conclusion of Daniel’s 69th week and the Church was then brought into being to receive the Kingdom of the Heavens rejected by Israel 50 days beyond the Lord’s crucifixion on the Day of Pentecost and although the Kingdom of the Heavens was offered to Israel again by the Church until about 62AD, the events we have followed in the Book of Acts show that Israel being set aside can be seen from the crucifixion of the nation’s King even though a re-offer of the Kingdom is made to them until the end of the Book of Acts – Acts 28:28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” Although Israel has been set aside for the course of this dispensation we also know from Daniel’s 70-week prophecy that the final 70th week, the last 7 years still remaining in the time allotted to the Jewish people is yet to play out, but those final 7 years can’t begin until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. b). And it is at the point of national Israel’s climactic rejection of the King and His Kingdom with the death of Stephen in Acts Chapter 7 that a previously unknown person is introduced – Saul. c). And it would be Saul, the persecutor of the Church of Christ, whom God had chosen to be the apostle to take the message of the Kingdom rejected by Israel to the Gentile nations of the earth. d). We had also seen last time how, because of Saul’s persecution of the Church the disciples were scattered from Jerusalem throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria – Acts 11:19 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. The eternally saved Jews then who had believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God were driven from Jerusalem by persecution and preached the word wherever they went but ‘to no one but the Jews only’. Nor could they have done anything else as God had chosen Saul/Paul to be the one to take that message outside of the Jewish people, not them. e). And even Paul himself immediately following his conversion only went to the synagogues in Damascus not to the Gentile nations – Acts 9:20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. The reason for this is really quite simple to understand – before Paul could accomplish his ministry he had to be taught the message that he would take to the Gentile nations concerning the King and His Kingdom, that which he came to call ‘the mystery’. f). It was an easy thing for Paul to show from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God to a Jewish audience – Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Because of his grasp of the scriptures it would have been an easy thing for him to see Jesus in the types presented through Jewish history and to see Him in the prophets, once his eyes had been opened. But what he had not yet seen was the place of the Gentiles in God’s purpose for rulership. He had not yet seen the Bride of Christ in Genesis Chapter 1 or the Bride taken from the family or the Bride taken from the Gentiles – He had not yet seen the Gentiles in God’s eternal purpose from the beginning, and in order for him to see this the Lord would take him aside and teach him personally the message he was to bring to those who would be grafted in to the natural olive tree. g). Now, we have already seen how Saul was blind for 3 days and when his sight was restored he immediately preached the Christ that He is the Son of God. And in this we saw that he formed a type of Israel yet future – Israel beyond the completion of those things set out in Daniel’s 70-week prophecy, things brought about by the events of the final 7 years. h). National Israel will remain blind to the Christ throughout the 2000 years of the dispensation allotted to them, and of course during the time of the dispensation allotted to the Church when Israel is set aside – Rom 11:25 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. Israel will remain blind until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, until God has completed His dealings with the ‘Gentile’ Church in the antitype of the search for the bride seen in Genesis Chapter 24. And when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in the eternally saved from this dispensation will be resurrected/raptured to Christ’s Judgment Seat allowing for God to begin dealing with Israel again, to fulfill Daniel’s 70th week. i). But, at the end of the complete 2 days, 2000 years of the dispensation given to them, on the 3rd Day [which is also the 7th Day] Israel will look on the One whom they pierced and their eyes will be opened, something like scales will fall from them, and in the antitype of the disciples on the Emmaus road and Paul in Damascus they will see exactly who Jesus is and will immediately take the message that Jesus is alive and governor over all the earth out to the Gentile nations, having been empowered to do so through the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy throughout the Millennial Kingdom. And in doing so they will fulfill ‘the great commission’ that the Lord gave to His disciples before His ascension. 2). Gal 1:13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. 18 Then after three years…………… Paul we will remember had escaped from Damascus as the Jews there tried to kill him – 2 Cor 11:32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands. He fled from Damascus to Jerusalem where he then spent time with the disciples there, but again, in Jerusalem, the Jews tried to kill him, and he escaped from Jerusalem to Tarsus. And it would appear that at this time, as Paul says, God ‘called me through His grace to reveal His Son in me that I might preach Him among the Gentiles’. a). And having received this calling Paul did not ‘confer with flesh and blood’, nor did he go back to those who were apostles before him in Jerusalem, instead he went to Arabia, the same region to which God had previously taken Moses to teach him about the Theocracy. Gal 1:11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Paul then received the message of the Gospel of the Glory of Christ which he was to take to the Gentile nations and according to Galatians 1:12 he ‘neither received it from man’ nor was he ‘taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ’. b). Paul received it then from Jesus Himself – Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles— 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages [Lit. generations] was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, Now we can add to these verses what we see in – 2 Cor 12:1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. So, if we put this all together we can see that Paul had an experience similar to that of the Apostle John, where both were taken into ‘the third heaven’ into ‘Paradise’ where they received revelation from the Lord. c). And in this experience of being taken into the 3rd heaven to receive the message he was to preach, Paul also forms another type with respect to Israel during the Tribulation – specifically the type for the 144000 who are sealed having responded positively to the message given and the signs performed by the 2 witnesses during the first half of the Tribulation. d). And just as attempts were made on Paul’s life which led him to be taken into the 3rd heaven, so will an attempt by Satan to destroy the 144000 result in them being taken into the 3rd heaven – described for us in figurative language and metaphors in - Rev 12:1 Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. 2 Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. 5 She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. 6 Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days. And just as Paul, having been taken into heaven was then taught the message he was to take back to the Gentle nations so will the 144000 be taught the message they are to take back to the Gentile nations during the last 3 ½ years of the Tribulation – Rev 14:1 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His Father's name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3 They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are the ones who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God. 6 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— Matt 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. e). The 144000 being the ‘firstfruits’, also foreshadow Israel’s national witness to the Gentile nations throughout the 1000 years of the Millennial Kingdom which will be the full harvest. 3). So, we have seen then that God has used Paul as a type for the experience of the 144000 at the mid-point in the Tribulation with his experience in Damascus and his subsequent ministry to the Gentiles forming a type of what awaits the whole nation in the 7th Day. But, as we will see, God has also seen fit to give Paul as a type to those who would receive the message he was given – 1 Tim 1:12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting [age lasting] life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Now the word we want to look at here is the word translated ‘pattern’. The English translation ‘pattern’ is also found in – Php 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. The word translated ‘pattern’ in Philippians 3 is the word ‘tupos’, a word we are very familiar with, the word we know as ‘type’. Now, the word translated ‘pattern’ in 1 Timothy is not ‘tupos’, but a word that has great significance to our race of the faith – it is the word ‘hupotuposis’ – a compound word that contains the word ‘tupos’, which here speaks of an original type, the first type or a prototype. a). So, we can see then from these verses in 1 Timothy Chapter 1 that Paul has been given as a ‘prototype’ to those who are going to believe on Jesus the Christ for age-lasting life, in other words for us. b). Paul’s approach to his ministry, the way he conducted his life and his focus on what lay before him provide for us the pattern of what our lives need to look like if we are to be the overcomers of Revelation Chapters 2 and 3, if we will indeed work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, if we like Ruth will make the journey, work in the field beating out the grain, wash ourselves, anoint ourselves so as to put on our best garment so as to be able to say with Paul – 2 Tim 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. c). And as we consider this let’s remember what God said concerning Paul and what lay ahead of him – Acts 9:16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake.” d). It is this same Paul who is our example who wrote – 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. An instruction given to the ‘beloved brethren’ coming out of personal experience – Acts 20:22 And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. 24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Who wrote – Rom 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 2 Cor 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation. Whose focus was unwavering – Php 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe. 2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. A man whose commitment to the truth was total – Gal 1:8 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. 9 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.10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Gal 2:11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? Whose passion for others to receive the salvation of their souls was greater than the passion for his own salvation – Rom 9:1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, 1 Thes 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 20 For you are our glory and joy. Here then is our ‘pattern’. We will continue with this next time – if the Lord is willing.