I'd like to give some people here a quick go through of the Bible to help them speed the process of understanding it. Much of the OT Bible is devoted to showing how Israel was to live, in anticipation of Christ, and how they were destined to fall.
Israel was given as a model for the international Church of the future. Like Israel was established in Canaan, and in the Kingdom of David, so the Church was established in Europe, and in the Holy Roman Empire. But just as Israel capitulated to worldliness and sin, so the Church is experiencing a terrible apostasy. And as Israel fell under divine judgment so the Church is experiencing divine judgment for all of her heresies and sins.
One thing to keep in mind about the present age, and the one preceding it--God is patient until men can be properly shown the error of their ways. Though this may not happen completely for all, all certainly are brought under some degree of preparation for judgment.
The Law was a fuller preparation for Israel to know how to live in preparation for judgment. And the Gospel was a fuller preparation for the Church, following Christian redemption, in preparation for judgment. But all people are spoken to in their conscience by the word of God, regardless of their measure of knowledge. God wishes them to know more, but can judge them even when they know less.
The Bible is given to enhance knowledge among the peoples where the Church has been called to be established and extend itself. We are to care for our brother. So let us proclaim the truth, knowing some will accept it and some will not. But we should know that God wants all men to have their consciences addressed by His word before the judgment. That's how God operates.
Israel was given as a model for the international Church of the future. Like Israel was established in Canaan, and in the Kingdom of David, so the Church was established in Europe, and in the Holy Roman Empire. But just as Israel capitulated to worldliness and sin, so the Church is experiencing a terrible apostasy. And as Israel fell under divine judgment so the Church is experiencing divine judgment for all of her heresies and sins.
One thing to keep in mind about the present age, and the one preceding it--God is patient until men can be properly shown the error of their ways. Though this may not happen completely for all, all certainly are brought under some degree of preparation for judgment.
The Law was a fuller preparation for Israel to know how to live in preparation for judgment. And the Gospel was a fuller preparation for the Church, following Christian redemption, in preparation for judgment. But all people are spoken to in their conscience by the word of God, regardless of their measure of knowledge. God wishes them to know more, but can judge them even when they know less.
The Bible is given to enhance knowledge among the peoples where the Church has been called to be established and extend itself. We are to care for our brother. So let us proclaim the truth, knowing some will accept it and some will not. But we should know that God wants all men to have their consciences addressed by His word before the judgment. That's how God operates.
