Biblical Prophecy

[BiblicallyCorrect]

I really don't find too many posts about prophecy and when I do I always comment on it and I do hear first off is that people has been saying that for thousands of years.

This is my reply: people have misunderstood prophecy and try to make current events in their times the last days. Several things they fail to realize - probably through no fault of their own not being taught and simply not understanding .....
1) The last days began at the resurrection of Christ -
2) scripture tells us when we see *all* these things come to pass the end is near
3) before the 1900s many of the prophecies had yet to come into play
A. Knowledge increasing Daniel 12:4 (mankind has gone from riding on horses to exploring space in less than 150 years _ technology technology
B. People running to and fro Daniel 12:4 _ people are always on the go day and night _ automation airplanes
C. The mark of the beast had to have a way to be implicated Revelation 13 _ via microchip/ computer or barcode / computer (an article said the Swedes love it)
D. The whole world will see Christ in his angels return Revelations 1: 7 _ television, Internet, cell phones
E. Gospel preach to the whole world then the end will come Matthew 24 _ it is said a hundred tribes are uncontacted but it is also said they have been just certain tribes refuse interaction outside of their tribes. And in doing that it is possible they have rejected the the hearing of the gospel but it is also possible missionaries have made it through.
F. The days of Lot _ it took its final rooting in 1960s by 2020, one can marry the same sex in English seven different countries _ out and open as it was in Sodom and Gomorrah.
G. Israel became a nation / when the times of the gentiles be fulfilled / the fig Tree blooming Matthew 24: 32-34 _ this happened after the six Day war in Israel in 1968. Israel became a nation again hadn't been since Rome destroyed it 300 ad.

Those are the prophecies that had not happened before the 1900s.

Two more important prophecies have to occur and that is the days of Noah and the revealing of the Beast and the Antichrist.


Prophecies that have been seen in the past 2000 years with are also written in the Book of Matthew are increasing in their frequencies. Such as family violence / murders ..... Iniquity / crime ..... Wars and rumors of wars .... Earthquakes in various places ( which includes volcanoes) .... Seas roaring .... Plagues ..... Famine ..... Hearts of people going cold .... False prophets / teachers look at so many of the churches

Usually I don't receive any feedback - well here is one that speaks out concerning the last days.

Why are you saying all of this to me? What is your motive?

 

[Lees]

The ministry of the prophet in Israel began with Moses during the time of the giving of the Law at Sinai. (Deut. 5:22-23) The Israelites saw the terribleness of God at Sinai and were afraid. They acknowledged that they now knew that God lives and talks with man. (5:24) But they rightly feared God. Feared to be in His presence and to hear His voice. (5:25-26) (Ex. 19:12-13) So they requested that Moses be a mediator or spokesman between them and God. (Deut. 5:27) And God approved their request. (Deut. 5:28-31)

So, and this is an important point. The prophet in Israel was a teacher of the Law and one who would call Israel back to the Law when she fell into disobedience and idolotry, warning her of the judgements of God. This was the main function of the prophet. (Deut. 5:30-33) God speaking to the prophet His will. And the prophet in turn speaking to the people of Israel the will of God which was supported by the Law.

In the process of the prophet exercising his duties, God would sometimes reveal past things that only He would know. And sometimes He would reveal future things that only He would know to the prophet. Both of these would be interwoven into the message and main function of the prophet which was calling Israel back to obedience to God and the Law.

In other words, the prophet didn't just pop on the scene to tell the future.

Lees

 

[Prepared]

Good to hear.

I would say, concerning prophecy and current events, that current events are always moving towards the fulfillment of future prophecy. Therefore, it is not wrong for the believer to try and see how our current events possibly are either a fulfillment, or the setting of the stage for the fulfillment.

There are certainly prophecies which have been fulfilled, and prophecies which are yet future. And of course there is great disagreement concerning those.

Could you give when you believe the 'last days' began and it's Scripture? In other words, the time period from beginning to end.

I ask because if the 'last days' began with the Resurrection of Christ, then we are apparently in the 'last days' now. And, if so, why shouldn't the believer in Christ pay attention to the current events today and their role in the fulfillment of future prophecy?

For example, you stated 1968 as the year of the fulfillment of the prohecy concerning Israel becoming a nation again. So, if one was a believer back then, then he would be correct in seeing the fulfillment of prophecy in current events.

Lees

I believe the last days began at the resurrection of Christ. There is no biblical scripture concerning my belief.
The best I can give is when Christ says think not that he come to bring peace but he came to bring a sword.https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/kjv/kjv-idx?type=citation&book=Matthew&chapno=10&startverse=34&endverse=39
You said in other words the time period from beginning to end. I gave you when I believe the beginning the end of time began and man does not know, as written in scripture the date or the hour but only can pay attention to the signs of the times we're living in and know that it is near and certain fulfillments of certain prophecies tells us how close it is and when you see the abomination of desolation stand where it ought not - the Bible tells people to run. Why - within three and a half years (man's calculation of time) the whole world will see the Lamb of God coming from the clouds in the sky with his angels and executing judgment upon the Earth.

Many things are not taught in churches - most regular ministers don't pay attention to what's going on in Israel even though the Bible tells us Israel is the center. But then there are theologians who do pay attention to these things and some have been televised in the years past. The best I can find online today is

Did 1948 Begin the Last Generation? – Q&A for February 4, 2021 - Enduring Word

In this week’s live Q&A, we talk about whether the USA is more like Israel or Babylon in the Old Testament. And much more!

enduringword.com

I haven't read it but I do know that in 1948 some also viewed Israel becoming a nation again - which did not happen until the 6-day war of 1967. And it is my mistake I said 1968 probably thinking 1948 __ it is 1967.

The Miraculous Restoration of Jerusalem in 1967 - ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry

Yeshua said, “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24) A time was coming, he tells us, when Jerusalem would once again be in the hands of the Jewish people.

www.oneforisrael.org

Plus Jerusalem has steadily been looking for that perfect red heifer to be born - to start the sacrifices again but then the temple needs to be rebuilt -which they are trying to also accomplish.
TBN Christian station owned by Jan and Paul Crouch was a good source for theologians to express prophecies.

 

[Prepared]

Why are you saying all of this to me? What is your motive?

Actually this was a reply to a post how it ended up coming to you I know not. There is no motive. And your name was not at the top of the post to whom I wrote my reply to.

 

[Lees]

I believe the last days began at the resurrection of Christ. There is no biblical scripture concerning my belief.
The best I can give is when Christ says think not that he come to bring peace but he came to bring a sword.https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/kjv/kjv-idx?type=citation&book=Matthew&chapno=10&startverse=34&endverse=39
You said in other words the time period from beginning to end. I gave you when I believe the beginning the end of time began and man does not know, as written in scripture the date or the hour but only can pay attention to the signs of the times we're living in and know that it is near and certain fulfillments of certain prophecies tells us how close it is and when you see the abomination of desolation stand where it ought not - the Bible tells people to run. Why - within three and a half years (man's calculation of time) the whole world will see the Lamb of God coming from the clouds in the sky with his angels and executing judgment upon the Earth.

Many things are not taught in churches - most regular ministers don't pay attention to what's going on in Israel even though the Bible tells us Israel is the center. But then there are theologians who do pay attention to these things and some have been televised in the years past. The best I can find online today is

Did 1948 Begin the Last Generation? – Q&A for February 4, 2021 - Enduring Word

In this week’s live Q&A, we talk about whether the USA is more like Israel or Babylon in the Old Testament. And much more!

enduringword.com

I haven't read it but I do know that in 1948 some also viewed Israel becoming a nation again - which did not happen until the 6-day war of 1967. And it is my mistake I said 1968 probably thinking 1948 __ it is 1967.

The Miraculous Restoration of Jerusalem in 1967 - ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry

Yeshua said, “Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24) A time was coming, he tells us, when Jerusalem would once again be in the hands of the Jewish people.

www.oneforisrael.org

Plus Jerusalem has steadily been looking for that perfect red heifer to be born - to start the sacrifices again but then the temple needs to be rebuilt -which they are trying to also accomplish.
TBN Christian station owned by Jan and Paul Crouch was a good source for theologians to express prophecies.

I see you recognize the importance of Israel to God. May I ask this? Do you see Israel and the Church as two distinct bodies of believers, not to be confused with one another. In other words, Israel is not the Church of Christ, and the Church of Christ is not Israel.

I ask this because I believe Israel and the Church are separate bodies and the term 'last days' or 'latter days' have different meanings to these two separate bodies of believers. The 'last days' of Israel are not the 'last days' of the Church. And the 'last days of the Church' are not the 'last days' of Israel. In other words, two different programs for two different bodies of believers.

I am willing to support this in Scripture, but would like to know your position first. Why? Because if you don't see the Church and Israel as two separate bodies, then neither will you see the term 'last days' as different one to the other.

Lees

 

[Albion]

Almost all the claims about 'end times' events being upon us today actually mimic similar claims that other generations made and were confident about...a couple of centuries ago, or a millennium ago, or at some other point in past history. However, there are some predicted events that may be a "first" for our own times. The Gospel being taken to the whole world, for example.

But there is a fascination with these matters by many Christians who also hold all sorts of crazy, unScriptural beliefs on the doctrinal matters that are most important and affect every believer's daily life.

They don't care about that because they are consumed with 'end times' prophesy, in much the same way that other people are into fortune telling, ouija boards, or believing that they've been communicating with the dead.

 

[Lees]

Almost all the claims about 'end times' events being upon us have happened before...more than once, in most cases. However, there are some that may be a "first" for our own times. The Gospel being taken to the whole world, for example.

But at the same time, there is a fascination with these matters on the part of many Christians who hold all sorts of crazy, unScriptural beliefs on the matters that are most important. They don't care because they are consumed with 'end times' prophesy, in much the same way that other people are into fortune telling, ouija boards, or believing that they've been communicating with the dead.

I am not 'consumed' with end times events. But I believe the believer should know what God says in the Scriptures about them.

Oh....'the matters that are most important'? Is that what you want to discuss? That is fine. Start any other thread on any doctrine of Scripture that you consider 'most important', and I will gladly discuss it with you.

You made the statement....lets see you back it up. I can smell the crawfish already.

Lees

 

[Lees]

After Moses and during the times of the Canaan conquest under Joshua we are not told of anyone specifically identified as a prophet. But I'm sure there were some. But for the most part Israel was walking in obedience to God and active in being used as a weapon of war against the Lord's enemies. So it stands to reason that a prophet was not needed.

But, during the times of the Judges, prophets would be needed as Israel was constnatly backsliding. So, we see in (Judges 4:4) God called a woman, Deborah, as a prophetess. And in (Judges 6:8) there is an unknown prophet mentioned. And by the time of Samuel, the prophetic ministry had developed into a school or institution. (1 Sam. 10:5) And these would later be known as the 'sons of the prophets'. (1 Kings 20:35)

It's not told us how this school of prophets was formed. It's possible it was by the prophet Samuel. For we are told in (1 Sam. 3:1) that before Samuel's call from the Lord, when Samuel was but a child, that the Word of God was rare and precious and there was no vision. But by the time that Samuel was grown and active as a prophet, as we saw in (1 Sam. 10:5), there was already an active band of prophets.

Thus the prophetic institution was established in Israel.

Lees

 

[Lees]

I said in post #(17) that all Biblical prophecy is moving toward the goal of destroying the kingdom of Satan and establishing the Kingdom of God upon the earth. (Gen. 3:15) "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."

And this now established war between God and Satan would involve a 'He'. "between thy seed and her seed....thou shalt bruise his heel" This prophecy speaks to a future One to come who would destroy Satan but would in that act be wounded also.

Later, with Abraham, God gave the covenant which was prophetic and the basis from which He would establish His kingdom on earth. (Gen. 12:1-3) "Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from they father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee,, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed."

1.) God promised a land

2.) God promised a nation from the seed of Abraham which would dwell on that land.

3.) God promised that in Abraham all families on earth would be blessed.

So, we have a He to come, a land to come, a nation to come, and blessing on the earth to come.

Lees

 

[Lees]

Concerning the land God promised, He enlarged upon that promise later with Abraham. (Genesis 15:13-21)

These are pretty specific boundaries. And specific about the people that God would remove off that land or bring under servitude.

Should these prophecies be taken literally? I believe they should. How would Abraham have understood them?

Lees

 

[Lees]

So, the Seed promised in (Gen. 3:15) will take a path through the promises God gave to Abraham. (Gen. 12:1-3) Meaning that Seed must travel and be born from the nation Israel.

Most know that Israel comes from Abraham. Abrahm had a son Isaac. Isaac bears Jacob and Esau. Jacob was the one chosen so the Seed promise will go through him. Jacob has 12 sons. Jacobs name is changed to Israel. Jacobs 12 sons become the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus you have the physical nation of Israel created by God from whom the blessing promised in (Gen. 3:15) and (Gen. 12:1-3) would come.

And God foretold to Abraham of his seed being in servitude to Egypt for four hundred years. For God was preparing them to be the nation He wanted. (Gen. 15:3) "And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years;"

And, God foretold to Abraham that He would judge that nation and bring Abrahams people out of Egypt with great wealth. (Gen. 15:14) Of course Abraham didn't know it would be Egypt. But we know now it was Egypt.

Were these prophecies 'literal'? Were they filled 'literally'? Or were these just nice stories God would tell Abraham just to make him feel good about himself and God?

I believe they were literal and literally fulfilled.

Lees

 

[Lees]

Again, why is God interested in creating a nation of people for Himself? Because He wants to establish His Kingdom on earth which was destroyed by Satan in the Garden. As I said in post #(17) the goal of Biblical prophecy is to establish God's Kingdom on earth.

So God made promises to Abraham and He will keep them. Just as He did when Israel went into Egypt and then God judged Egypt and brought Israel out with great wealth. He then took Israel to Sinai, where He gave them the Law to live under as His people.

And at Sinai He said to them, (Ex. 19:5-6) "Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine. And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

This is the first time in Scripture that the word 'kingdom' is used pertaining to God's Kingdom on earth. This holy nation, Israel, will be a nation of priests in God's kingdom. Israel will be the earthly nation from which God will mediate His rule, His Kingdom on earth. This is why God creates the Gentile nations in accordance to the number of the people of Israel. (Deut. 32:8) This is important because if one wants to understand the 'Kingdom of God' he must know the 'Kingdom' in history. And this is it's beginning.

These are great promises to Israel. But, of course, they are conditional. As we saw in (Ex. 19:5). (Deut. 28:13) And Moses, that prophet of God, warned and prophecied of Israel's disobedience. (Deut. 28:16-29) But always with the promise of restoration when she repented. (Deut. 30:1-2)

If anyone knew the rebelliousness in the heart of the Israelite, it was Moses. But God knew it even more. And He revealed it to Moses just prior to Moses death. (Deut. 31:16-21) God revealing to Moses and Moses, the prophet of God, revealing it to Israel. (Deut. 31:26-30).

Yet Israel was the people of God. And though God knew all this, and foretold all this, He continues on with Israel. (Deut. 31:22-23)

Lees

 

[Messy]

Half the text is white. I can only read it when I select it.

 

[Lees]

Half the text is white. I can only read it when I select it.

Sorry. All I can do is post the reply.

Lees

 

[Lees]

In the book of (Deuteronomy) Moses is going back over Israel's history which he has experienced with them. Plus, because he is a prophet of God, he also gives warnings to them about turning away from God, and the cost. But, he also gives prophecy of Israel's future rebellion against God, and her turning back to God.

The warning: (Deut. 4:22-28)

The promise of restoration based on repentance: (Deut. 4:29-40)

What a merciful God! There is always the promise of restoration. In reading the Scripture, you slowly get the idea that when God saves someone, He knows what He is getting. He knows He must make a salvation based on Him. But...do we believe that?

God made great promises to Abraham and Israel. But, Israel sinned and turned away from God. And many today believe, because of that, Israel forfeited her right to those promises. They believe that the Church now comes into those promises God gave to Israel, and fulfills that which God promised to Israel.

But that runs contrary to God. For God knows Israel will sin against Him. And God offers them restoraton when they repent. And he specifically sets the time as the 'latter days'. (Deut. 4:29-30) "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice."

God has promised that He will never completely turn away from Israel. (Jer. 31:35-36) And, if He did....what hope is there for you?

Years ago as a new believer, I would read these things about Israel in the Old Testament. I would think...why can't they just obey God and get it right? I would get frustrated with them. Now, years later, I read those things and I see I am just like them. And I can know God is faithful. "But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him" (Deut. 4:29)

Lees

 

[Lees]

In the last post, I said God will never completely turn away from the nation Israel. And, that is true.

But over the years, the question of that has been very important. Why? Because for so many years, there was no Israel. There were only scattered Jews around the world. So Christians everywhere seemed to need an answer for those who questioned God about forsaking Israel. And of course, their answer was that the Church replaced Israel, making God still true to His promise. But it doesn't. When you change the one to whom the promise was made to another, it is not a promise kept.

But there have always been a minority of believers who, in the face of no Israel existing, have recognized God's promises to Israel as being eternal, and have believed them.

The apostle Paul in writing the book of Romans, wrote the most comprehensive theological work on God's plan of salvation. He covered it all from (Rom. 1) through (Rom. 8) And in the last verses of (Rom. 8) he closed with these statements. (37-39) Nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. But, Paul knew this raised another question. What of the Jews and Israel? If they have been separated from God, how can we know that the same won't happen to us?

So, In (Rom. 9-11) Paul addresses the problem of Jewish unbelief and God's faithfulness. His conclusion is this. (Rom. 11:2) "God hath not cast away his people which he forknew...." And (Rom. 11:25) "For I would not, brethren that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in."

Paul is saying God is going to be true to all that He promised to the nation Israel. He is not going to forsake her completley. She is not the Church. And His promises to her will be fulfilled, ....when she repents and turns again to Him.

Lees

 

[Lees]

All Old Testeament prophecy has as it's goal, the establishment of the Kingdom of God upon earth. Whether it deals with Messiah or the nation Israel, or the Gentiles, or the laws of the Kingdom, it speaks to the coming Kingdom.

It would be nice if there was one book written in the Bible that gave us all the prophecies in their correct chronological order and their meaning. But there isn't. We are left to have to study and search the Scriptures to ascertain these.

It's important to remember that the prophet of Israel spoke out of his and Israel's experience at that time. In other words, the prophets message was never divorced from his present history. And no one prophet was given a complete picture. He was given what God wanted to give at the time. Thus the prophet would always begin with addressing the present situation which many times would merge then into a prophecy, though he may not be aware of it, or understand it. (1 Peter 1:10)

It is quite similar to God inspiring the prophets to write the Bible. No prophet sat down and said I am going to write a book of the Bible. God created a situation and then raised up a prophet to address that situation. All the prophet knew was that he was speaking and perhaps writing to that situation. But God was using him to write another chapter in His Book, the Bible.

Moses already warned Israel of how they would later corrupt themselves, and the judgement of God which would follow. (Deut. 4:23-28) And he also gave the promise of restoration. (Deut. 4:30-31) And some of Moses last words to Israel are found in (Deut. 31:29). "For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands."

This will always be the historical situation that the prophet speaks from. Israel has moved away from God. The prophet brings warning of judgement to come and a call to repentance. All for the purpose of establishing Israel's place in the Kingdom as the chosen nation from which Messiah will rule God's Kingdom on earth.

Lees

 

[Lees]

Note this same pattern in the last book of the Old Testament, (Malachi). Malachai gives particular emphasis upon the evils of the priests in Israel.

Warnings: (Mal. 1:6) "....O priests, that despise my name....." (Mal. 1:7) "Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar...." (Mal. 1:8) "And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil; and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?...." (Mal. 1:10) "I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand." (Mal. 2:8) "But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi...." (Mal. 2:11) "Judah hath dealt treacherously, and an abomination is comitted in Israel and in Jerusalem...."

Judgement: (Mal. 2:2) "....I will even send a curse upon you and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already....." (Mal. 2:3) "Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces....." (Mal. 2:9) Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people...."

Restoration: (Mal. 3:1) "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple...he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts." (Mal. 3:2) "...for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers soap:" (Mal. 3:3) "...and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness." (Mal. 3:4) "Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in the former years." (Mal. 3:5) "And I will come near to you to judgment...." (Mal. 3:6) "For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." (Mal. 3:7) "....Return unto me, and I will return unto you, said the LORD of hosts....." (Mal. 3:18) "Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked...."

Future blessings: (Mal. 3:10) "...prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of haven, and pour you out a blessing...." (Mal. 3:11) "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes...." (Mal. 3:12) "And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts." (Mal. 4:1-2) "For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven....But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings...." (Mal. 4:3) "And ye shall tread down the wicked...." (Mal. 4:4) "Remember ye the law of Moses....." (Mal. 4:5) "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:" (Mal. 4:6) "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers....."

This will be the last words of the LORD to Israel for 400 years. God gave them promises that He will not abandon them. But judgement must first come. And it would be the judgement that would bring Israel back. But both are sure. The judgement and the return.

Lees

 

[Lees]

When John the Baptist and Jesus Christ come offering the Kingdom to Israel, it is not a Kingdom that is opposed to the Kingdom that has been described in the Old Testament. It is the same Kingdom the prophets foretold of. This is important because it is often believed that Israel didn't understand that the Kingdom was to be spiritual and not earthly and Jesus Christ had to set them straight.

But the Kingdom was always to be earthly and spiritual. It was always to be the 'Kingdom of God upon the earth'. "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." (Matt. 6:10) And the New Birth, which would be necessary to enter the Kingdom, is not just a New Testament teaching. It was foretold by the prophet Jeremiah. (Jer. 31:31-34) Promised to Israel. (31:31) This is why Jesus rebuked Nicodemus concerning the New Birth. (John 3:4-10) How is it you, Nicodemus are a teacher in Israel and don't know these things?

Even under the Mosaic Law the spiritual elemement was always assumed and expected. Remember the words of the prophets that have been given already? Where God says things like, 'I despise your feast days'. 'And I won't accept your sacrifices'. 'You have polluted my altars'. He said it because their spirit was not right with him. David voiced the same in seeking repentance for his murder of Uriah and adultry with Bath-Sheba. (Ps. 51:16-19) "...The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Only then are the burnt offerings and other sacrifices acceptable. (51:19)

And remember, even though the Four Gospels are in the New Testament Canon, they are under the Old Testament economy. They speak to a time when Israel was still under the Mosaic Law. And the majority of Christ's teaching was to Israel under law, proclaiming the promises given in the Old Testament. (Rom. 15:8)

Lees

 

[Lees]

When John the Baptist first proclaimed the Gospel, what was it? (Matt. 3:1-2) "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

After Jesus temptation in the wilderness and after John is thrown in prison Jesus began preaching the Gospel. (Matt. 4:17) "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

When Jesus gave instruction on prayer He prayed for the kindgom to come. (Matt. 6:10) "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

This Kingdom Gospel was especially for Israel. Why? Because, as has been shown, Israel was the nation of priests from whom the Kingdom would be governed by the Messiah in Jerusalem. And repentance was necessary on their part as they were given the laws of God and had been rebellious towards God. Thus the Kingdom is coming, so you, Israel, must repent to be fit to receive the Kingdom. (Matt. 10:5-7) "These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand."

Lees