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Philip B. Brown For
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Introduction to the Book |
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Eschatology means the study of last things. The ancient Jews believed that when the Messiah comes, Israel will rule the world. This was not arrogance. It’s God’s word. Scripture teaches that Israel has a responsibility to lead the nations into righteousness. They await the literal restoration of King David’s throne so that righteousness will spread throughout the nations (Isaiah 66:19). And according to the Pharisees, this would happen right after the physical resurrection of the dead (Isaiah 26:17-21, 66:7-9). This is ancient Jewish eschatology. To be saved means you will be resurrected. You will be saved from death. To be saved eternally means you will never die. Think about it from the perspective of the ancient Jew. To inherit the promise to Abraham, or to inherit the kingdom, or to be a child of Abraham, did not only mean that one is saved. These terms mean you are a part of Israel, who will rule the world. For the Jew, the nations are not a part of Israel. Yet the nations will still be resurrected and can be saved. The resurrection is not limited to Israel. Righteousness will go out from Israel after the resurrection, when the Messiah comes. The people of Israel are a “chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own purposes” (1 Peter 2:9, Exodus 19:5-6). The people of Israel are the elect. To be chosen does not simply mean you are saved. The people of the nations can be saved and yet not be chosen to rule the world. New Testament Jewish writers like Peter quoted Old Testament verses, such as this one from Exodus 19:5-6. They applied Old Testament prophecies about Israel to the Church. If we do likewise, then the Old Testament prophecies about Israel must be literally fulfilled in the Church. Therefore, the Church will rule the nations with Christ during the millennium (Rev. 2:26-26, 5:10, 20:6). Paul said not all Israel are Israel (Romans 9:6). Not all of Abraham’s descendants are his children (9:7). If you are in Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise (Galatians 3:29). This promise to Abraham was the promise of the literal land of Palestine (Gen 13:14 17, 15:17 21). The promise of Abraham is to those who are in Christ, which is the Church (Galatians 3:29). New Testament writers applied many Old Testament prophecies of Israel to the Church (1 Peter 2:9, Rom. 9:23-26, Acts 2:1,16-21, Acts 15:14-18, Hebrews 8:8, James 1:1). Therefore, those who are in Christ are Israel. Israel is God’s chosen people (Deu 7:6, 14:2). Those chosen to be in Christ are the elect (Rom. 11:7, 2 Tim. 2:10, Titus 1:1, 1 Peter 1:1). The Church is the elect, chosen by God. But that does not mean the others in the nations cannot be saved. Everyone has the free-will opportunity to accept Christ as Savior (Mat. 10:32, Rev. 22:17). Death is not the end of the story. Both the just and the unjust are resurrected at the same hour (Dan. 12:2, John 5:28-29, Acts 14:15). And the Judgment is not until a thousand years later (Revelation 20). Therefore, the story continues during Christ’s millennial reign. Salvation is a free gift (Rom. 6:23, Rev. 22:17). Christ draws all men to himself (John 12:32). Anyone can choose to accept Christ’s free gift of salvation (Mat. 10:32, Rev. 22:17). It’s not limited to the elect. But to inherit the kingdom, requires the overcoming of sin (1 Cor. 6:9-10, Gal. 5:19-21). Don’t confuse salvation verses with inheriting the kingdom. The application of Jewish eschatology to the Church, along these lines, solves many major problems of Scripture that have divided the Church over the centuries. This includes Calvinism vs. Arminianism (Election vs. Free-Will). We no longer have to pretend that Scripture teaches two opposite positions, but that both are somehow true. This is solved without the use of paradoxes, or two sides of the same coin. This same eschatology interpretation also solves the problem of our loved ones, who have died having never heard or understood about the salvation of Jesus Christ. Death is not the end of the story. Scripture is to be interpreted as literally as is reasonable, with careful consideration for context, allowing for symbolism only where symbolism is obvious, with the culture of the ancient Jews of primary importance. It’s my hope that every student of Scripture will read this book prayerfully, letting the inerrancy of Scripture be the final word. Jesus told a parable about pouring new wine into new wine skins. New understanding doesn’t necessarily fit traditional interpretations. Thus, the title of the book is, “New Wine for the End Times.” The New Wine System is a new understanding of Scripture that’s based on old understandings about the End Times.
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(Second Edition)
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Overcome Sin,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!