What does ‘This Generation’ mean?

Posted on 29/05/2022 | 3 comments

Jesus said: Assuredly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.

Jesus prophesied these unforgettable words to four of his disciples on the Mount of Olives as recorded in Matthew 24:34, Mark 13:30 and Luke 21:30.

It is critical to understand which generation Jesus meant. Taking the plain meaning without any bias, Jesus was referring to his own generation—the generation of his listeners there on the Mount of Olives.

But some scholars say Jesus must have meant a future generation. 

Some others insist that Jesus meant the word “race”,  i.e., the Hebrew race. They reason that because the Hebrew race remains today, the coming of Jesus has not taken place, putting his coming far into the unknown future.

These scholars avoid the obvious meaning in the context of the gospel, dogmatically committed to a future return of Jesus, instead of simply accepting that Jesus spoke of the relative closeness of His coming.

Jesus prophesied to those disciples on the Mount of Olives, that He would return before His hearers’ generation had passed away. Yet many of the same scholars and teachers have no problem in accepting that Jesus spoke literally about the coming fall of the Jerusalem temple.

So then there is no logical reason to exclude the plain fact that Jesus spoke of his soon coming.

Further, there is no doubt the disciples took Jesus’ words “this generation” to mean soon, at the door, at hand. They knew His coming was imminent, perhaps even in their lifetime. We see it in their writings.

Their letters in the N.T. frequently reflect their expectancy of a soon coming, though the hour and day were unknown. We read of their warnings, their urgency to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God and their urgings for their readers to live righteously.

They knew Jesus warned them to get the Kingdom proclaimed in the towns of Judea before His coming (Matthew 10:23).

Check these references out for yourself: Rom 13:11-13, 1 Cor 10:11, Phil 1:6,10, 1 Thes 1:10, 4:17; 2 Thes 1:7; 2 Tim 3:1; Heb 1:2, 9:28, 10:29; Jas 5:3; 1 Pet 1:5, 7-9, 13, 17, 20; 2 Pet 3:3; Jude 19).

Now let’s look at only a few instances of Jesus’ phrase this generation in the gospels, paying close attention to the context of each. You will see they consistently refer to the people alive then as Jesus spoke.

Mat 12:45. . . the last of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

Mat 12:41-42. The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented. . . The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment. . .

Mark 8:12. Why does this generation seek . . sign? Truly I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.

Mark 8:38 : “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels”.

Jesus warned people in that crowd that some of them, this generation, will be alive ‘when He comes in glory!  He said this generation not that generation.

Luke 17:25. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.

Mat 17:17. O faithless generation, how long shall I bear with you . .  

Here he referred to the crowd who had no faith to heal.

Mat 23:35-36. Assuredly, I say unto you, all these things will come upon this generation.

That phrase is repeated in Mat 24:34, Mark 31:30, and Luke 21:30.

Mat 24:34f, Mk 13:30f, Lu 21:30f. NKJV. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

In all three synoptic gospels! And all three carry the word assuredly! (Grk amen) and the affirmation that though heaven and earth could pass away, his words stand forever!

So who would dare to change his plain words?

In Mat 23 we read Jesus’ savage attacks on the Jewish ruling elites of that current generation: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  Then after the 7 woes, we read verses 31-36:

Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers’ guilt. Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell? Therefore, indeed, I send you prophets, wise men, and scribes: some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Assuredly, I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Further, this particular generation was condemned to such a great extent, that Jesus warned those weeping women as He was led to the cross saying: Weep not for me but for yourselves and your children . . . as he knew what terrible times they would face (Luke 23:28).

Conclusion

In the Olivet discourse of Matthew, Mark and Luke, the generation named by Jesus can only mean the generation of people Jesus was addressing.

We can see that this is consistent with the other numerous references of his using the phrase this generation.

There is no logical or hermeneutical reason why we should not believe and accept that Jesus spoke literally about “all these things will come upon this generation.” (Mat 24:34).

The letters in the New Testament frequently reflect the expectancy of a soon coming, though the hour and day were unknown. We read of their warnings, their urgency to proclaim the gospel of the Kingdom of God and their urgings for their readers to live righteously.

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The Last Days

Posted on 15/02/2026 | Leave a comment

Today a key confusion in eschatology is people mix up this biblical term “end of the age” with “end of the universe.” In the Olivet Discourse, the disciples asked about the “end of the age”—i.e., the Mosaic age centred on the temple and sacrificial system. Jesus never said the physical universe would end. In fact, he implied the opposite. He said there will never be a greater time of trouble than the one associated with Jerusalem’s fall (Mat 24:20). That statement only makes sense if history continues afterward.

The term, ‘the last days,’ refers to the end of an era, an age. It does not refer to the end of history, time or the end of the world! The Jews thought in terms of ‘this age’ and the ‘age to come’ (see Mat 12:32. Mark 10:29–30, Luke 18:29–30, Luke 20:34–36, 1 Cori 2:6–8, Eph 1:21, Heb 6:5, Titus 2:12–13).

Here are the occurrences of the term ‘the last days” in the New Testament:

Acts 2:17) Peter quotes Joel, stating that in “the last days,” God will pour out His Spirit.” Peter

wanted the assembly to know what they saw occurring—the manifestation of prophesy, tongues etc—happening then

. 

2 Tim 3:1. Paul warns that “in the last days” perilous times will come. He was writing to the believers in Ephesus and not to us today 2000 years away.

Heb 1:2. The Hebrews author states that God has spoken “in these last days” through His Son. He was writing to Hebrew believers and not to us today 2000 years away.

James 5:3. James was warning the believers that their wealth will be a witness against them “in the last days.” He was not warning people today.

2 Peter 3:3. Peter notes that scoffers will come “in the last days,” walking after their own lusts.

The Bible describes “the last days” as the period between Christ’s first coming and His return—a time of increasing moral decline, widespread turmoil, and spiritual testing for the people of ancient Israel. This era began with Jesus’ resurrection and is marked by specific signs, including wars, famines, earthquakes, disease, lawlessness, family breakdown, and a growing love of pleasure over God. This is described by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse—Mat 24:7–12. 

Many people mistakenly believe that the troublesome signs in the modern world unfolding today— global calamities, technological advances and spiritual apathy align with biblical prophecy.

The same believers keep thinking and writing that the exact timing of Jesus’ second coming remains unknown, in the future. Many quote Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 

But they ignore verses 32-35: Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the  door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.

Jesus was addressing his disciples in the Olivet Discourse. And the NT writers wrote these words to believers long ago, not to us.  As Mike Rogers writes “We should always respect scriptural time statements. God meant it when he said this “day of the Lord” was near. He wasn’t using elastic time (‘a thousand years is as a day’), dual fulfilment (this and that), or any other special interpretive device. We must not interpret terms like “near,” “soon,” “at hand,” and “this generation” to make them fit our preconceived ideas.” 

Also please refer to Mat 10:23, 16:27-28 and 24:14 for confirmation of the second coming time.

My friends, those texts must mean that Christ has already returned sometime in the first century!

The only other rational option you have is to believe Jesus was mistaken and that is impossible.

All futurist views of eschatology say that Christ comes at the end of the current Christian age. However, the Bible is clear that the Christian age has no end! Furthermore, the Bible – in spite of the popular views of the end identifies “the last days” not as the end of time, not as the end of the Christian age, but, as the last generation of the Old Covenant Age of Israel. That age came to its cataclysmic end in AD 70!

This realisation has changed the lives of countless believers, dispelling the fear that the end is near. 

I write as one who joyously and thankfully realised this truth only several years ago. I have joined an ever increasing number of believers around the world.

Come join us in our happiness!

There’s much to be done in the power of the Holy Spirit in us.

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be firm, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor 15:58.

Or prove me wrong!

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Rapture—Biblical?

Posted on 09/02/2026 | Leave a comment

The rapture teaching is not in the Bible.

Rapture teaching says Christians will instantly go to heaven in their physical bodies but 1 Corinthians 15:50 says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom.

Believing Christians will go to heaven but would have to die first rather than be instantly resurrected as a Spirit creature in order to enter the spiritual realm of heaven. 

Rapture believers look forward to not dying. That’s impossible. And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment,  so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. See Hebrews 9:27-28.

There is no pre-tribulation Rapture taught in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17, the only direct text that is relied on by many, for any direct support. The word for “caught up” is “harpásō” in the Greek. Same word Paul used when he was “caught up” into 3rd heaven to see visions (2 Corinthians 12:2).

However this verse simply teaches what all Christians have taught about the events at the second coming namely: resurrection of all the dead, the translation of the living into spirit beings, judgement, heaven and hell… all in a twinkling of an eye at the last trump.

There is no Rapture taught in John 5:28, in fact it teaches the opposite! False teachers of the Rapture say that only Christians are raised, then after 1000 years, the wicked are raised. This verse clearly teaches that in the same “twinkling of an eye” Pauline teaching  (an hour, not 1000 years) all the dead will be raised.

There is no Rapture taught in Daniel 12:2, just that all the dead, both righteous and wicked will be raised to judgment at the last day.

There is no Rapture taught in 1 Corinthians 15:21-28, in fact it teaches the opposite–the second coming will be the end. Paul wrote that Christ is reigning now, but will give up his reign at the second coming and hand it over to the Father. Rapture teaches that Christ is not reigning now, but will begin to reign at the second coming.

There is no Rapture taught in John 14. In context, John 14:3 says that Jesus will come again for the disciples but it does not say anything about a rapture.  Jesus gave a profound promise and assurance to the disciples. Jesus was about to leave them but not for long. Jesus was encouraging them to prepare to endure hardship. They will experience many days of fear and loss. Then at the appointed time he will come to take then to be with him forever where he is. then in verse 23 Jesus said to them, All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.

But note John 17:15. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. God wants his people in the world, being salt and light and working for cultural change in every area of life. (compare with Matthew 28:17-18).

Also John17:23. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.

See also my article at https://ianthomsonian.org/2025/11/10/rapture-three-greek-words/

and at https://ianthomsonian.org/2024/11/26/they-eagerly-awaited/

and at  https://ianthomsonian.org/2023/01/31/jesus-return-when-what-do-you-expect/

I invite your refutation! 

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New Heaven and New Earth

Posted on 05/02/2026 | Leave a comment

What does the Bible mean when it talks about a ‘new heaven and a new earth’?

This biblical concept is first seen by us in the prophet Isaiah. God promised to create “new heavens and a new earth,” We will look at several of many Isaiah text below.

This article will show that ‘new heaven and a new earth’ is fulfilled in the New Covenant! For Christians it is a present reality! Not something in the future. It is the passing of the old covenant system of the Mosaic era, the sacrificial system and the arrival of the new in AD 70.

Let’s turn first to the Old Testament where find many uses of the phrase in Isaiah.

First Isaiah 1:2-4  Listen, O heavens! Pay attention, earth!  . . . . “The children I raised and cared for have rebelled against me. . . . .  but Israel doesn’t know its master. My people don’t recognize my care for them.” 4 Oh, what a sinful nation they are . . . . 

This is a dramatic call, not mere poetic flourish—it invokes cosmic witnesses, a legal convention in ancient Near Eastern treaties where creation itself testifies to covenant violations (cf.  Deut 32:1; Mic 6:2).

The use of parallelism—“heavens” and “earth”—frames the message as universal and irrevocable. The structure reflects a prophetic indictment: God presents His case before creation, emphasizing the gravity of Israel’s betrayal.

God’s lament draws on the intimate metaphor of divine parenthood.  This father-child relationship underscores the depth of betrayal: Israel, as a privileged son (Ex 4:22; Hos 11:1), responds not with loyalty but rebellion. Not with mere boredom but with utter rejection. A profound spiritual blindness—a failure to acknowledge divine care and authority.

Next Isaiah 13:13. For I will shake the heavens. The earth will move from its place when the Lord of Heaven’s Armies displays his wrath in the day of his fierce anger.”

Next Isaiah 65:17. “Look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth, and no one will even think about the old ones anymore.  

(Note verse 8 in this context: For I still have true servants there. I will preserve a remnant of the people of Israel and of Judah to possess my land. Those I choose will inherit it, and my servants will live there.)

Lastly Isaiah 66:22 “As surely as my new heavens and earth will remain, so will you always be my people, with a name that will never disappear,” says the Lord.  

It is God’s new heaven and a new earth and is unlike what will pass away. True Israel will forever be his people, under the Lordship of Jesus.

Now let’s turn to the instances of the phrase in the New Testament.

Revelation 21:1: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away . . . . . . “

Believers whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev 20:15) dwell there eternally. They reign with Christ, enjoy God’s presence, and experience eternal joy—free from death, sorrow, crying, and pain (Rev 21:4). This happened 2000 years ago!

This is the culmination of God’s redemptive plan—reversing the Fall, fulfilling His promises to Abraham, and restoring creation to its original purpose of being filled, ruled, and cultivated by obedient image bearers. 

It is the ultimate hope of the Christian faith, not a temporary state, but an eternal dwelling place. The phrase ‘new heaven and a new earth’ cannot be taken literally. Heaven is God’s home, thus will never change. The Bible is not about the physical universe or cosmology.

Jesus said I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. Mat 5:18

So even the smallest detail of God’s law has now disappeared because it’s purpose has been achieved and fulfilled by Jesus. We know that Jesus has brought to an end the entire Mosaic law, bringing the New Covenant. Why would any detail of the law still be in effect? We are in ‘the new heaven and a new earth’ now! 

He also said Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear. Mat 24:35

Here, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus was not talking about a literal heaven or a literal earth. He was not talking about the end of the physical world. He was talking about a spiritual condition. Relationship with God. Jesus put the context of the passing of heaven and earth alongside his second coming and the judgment of Israel in the generation then alive.

With Peter we see talk about the imminent coming of the ‘new heaven and a new earth’:

. . . .   you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness. 2 Peter 3:11-13

This is apocalyptic language. Peter does not envisage a literal “melting of elements” or “heavens on fire”. But Peter and his readers eagerly look forward to what is soon to come. This is not about the future far away.

Many writers try to shoehorn these passages into a hyper-creedal “end of world history” philosophy and tradition. They are wrong. This ‘world’ may not look like a world filled with God’s righteousness. But there is an enormous contrast between the old and the new covenant for the genuine believer, then and today. The old has gone, obsolete. Now we enjoy the new heavens and a new earth. We must believe it and live it and rejoice in its benefits.

Have confidence in the Lord.

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He Has Come Again Long Ago

Posted on 15/01/2026 | Leave a comment

Jesus came again so long ago

How on earth can I possibly know?

Jesus came again so long ago

 ‘cos the Bible tells me so!

Jesus told his disciples many times that he would return before some of his listeners, had passed away.

Jesus Christ is the unchanging One, the only constant in this ever changing world. His integrity is critical. If he made one mistake or false prophecy, everything else he said would be suspect.

The Bible defines a false prophet as one who prophesies events that do not come to pass. If someone prophesied that a specific event/s would occur at a specific date or time and that time were to come and go without the event happening, he could legitimately be labelled as a false prophet. Read this . . . . .

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name, a word which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ And if you say in your heart, ‘How will we recognise the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ When the prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, and the thing does not happen or come true, that is the thing that the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you are not to be afraid of him. Deuteronomy 18:20ff.

Jesus made many, many promises to his disciples. Some of these promises were prophecies about his second coming. For example, when Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them . . . . 

When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel. Matthew 10:23. Later he said . . . . .

And then later, he said:

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” Matthew 16:27-28.

And then Jesus, after pronouncing the woes upon the leaders of Jerusalem, said:

“Therefore, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. But you will kill some by crucifixion, and you will flog others with whips in your synagogues, chasing them from city to city. As a result, you will be held responsible for the murder of all godly people of all time—from the murder of righteous Abel . . . . . . I tell you the truth, this judgment will fall on this very generation. Matthew 23:34-36.

We know all those things actually happened –exactly as we read in the New Testament. They are history. And then only days before his passion he said . . . . .

I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass from the scene until all these things take place. Matthew 24:34.

And yes, ‘all those things’ Jesus spoke about in Matthew 24 were in the near future, but they happened in the 1st century! All of them! And before his generation had died out!

In Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians 1written about AD 65, he says:

 And they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven—Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us from the terrors of the coming judgment. 1Thes 1:10

What judgment did Paul mean? These believers suffered persecution from the unbelieving Jews in their community. So we read 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16:

And then, dear brothers, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews.  For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last..

If those Thessalonians were wrong by expecting Jesus to come within their lifetime, why didn’t Paul correct them? Why didn’t he write to them saying, ‘no, you’ve got it wrong, Jesus won’t be coming for a long, long, time!’

But Paul did not correct them. Instead, he continued to encourage them as he wrote this letter to encourage them and then followed it with another letter, Second Thessalonians, with further encouragements.

So why do you, dear reader, still expecting Jesus to return soon or in the future? That is logically impossible if you trust Paul’s letters to be the word of God. Paul reports similarly in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 10, 2 Corinthians, Philippians 2 and in his other letters. And then there are what Peter wrote and James as well. They all expected Jesus to come very soon.

I know it is so difficult to throw off false teaching that has taken such a hold on Christians everywhere, such that people, including theologians, call Paul into question, saying that Paul was just wrong.

But why are the apostles of Christ, men filled with the Holy Spirit, the ones who are wrong? Why is it that we can be persuaded to think that Paul and the others were in error, rather than to question our own underlying premise of what we have been taught?

Who is it that is wrong – the apostles or the teaching of men that we have been exposed to?

What is more probable: that our understanding is wrong or that Paul’s was right?

And if not only Paul was wrong, but that Jesus must have lied to his disciples living in the first century, that he was coming back soon, before their generation had all gone.

Jesus said Heaven and earth may pass away but my words will never pass away. Mat 24:35

How can you keep on believing Jesus is still to come a second time?

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Further Reply to Dr Tim Orr

Posted on 01/01/2026 | 1 comment

But you, Tim. carry your presuppositions into your statements. I could say that you decide in advance that Israel must remain a subject of God’s purposes, and then you force every New Testament text to comply with your dispensational presuppositions.


Jesus declared: “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and put your trust in the Gospel”. (Mark 1:15). It was not Israel which he declared but the Kingdom of God. The Jews had to repent (turn) and believe the good news of the kingdom! This kingdom would replace Israel!John 1:10-13. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.John 3:4-7. Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

The gospels continually throughout emphasised the radical good news of the new wine that will not suit the old. Surely the Kingdom of God replaces the kingdom of Israel! Jesus constantly conflicted with the rulers of Israel. They did not receive him. By rejecting Jesus their Messiah, they refused to accept the hope of Israel.

Matthew 21:43-46. Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. . . . . . . 45 When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus’ parables, they knew he was talking about them. 46 They looked for a way to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd because the people held that he was a prophet. You seem to agree that those who are in Christ are Abraham’s seed.

Paul says it ever so plainly in his letter to the Galatians. Looking at chapter 3:
6 In the same way, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.” 7 The real children of Abraham, then, are those who put their faith in God.


God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith. 10 But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.”


13 But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” 14 Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.


In Galatians chapter 5 Paul wrote . . .
16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be cancelled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his prom-ise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.


26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you. . . . . . .


And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. 29 But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. 30 But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”


Now in Galatians chapter 6: 14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people/israel= of God.
Now as for Paul in Romans. We read in chapter 2:28-29 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.


Romans 9:6-8. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.
The biblical prophets are the last people who would seem “pro-Israel” because they were constantly rebuking Israel for bad behaviour. So Paul in Romans 10:20-21 quotes Isaiah who boldly says, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” But concerning Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”


Some prophets wrote that God utterly hated every expression of their religion because they were ignoring justice for the poor and marginalized.
The Israel of the New Testament consists of all those who accept the King of Israel! Of course, Jesus was executed as a traitor and a threat to Israel. Until this day, they hated him and he is still a threat to them.


From Pentecost on the Jewish believers were persecuted by the Jews who rejected their Messiah, as Jesus said would happen (Matthew 24:9).


I repeat 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16. For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.


Matthew 8:11-12. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

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    Israel or Christ?

    Posted on 14/12/2025 | 5 comments

    Recently I read an article by Dr Tim Orr who rather than exult the Lord Jesus focuses on a relationship with Israel and the nation, modern Israel. He believes Israel is still God’s chosen people. See his article here: https://dailydeclaration.org.au/2025/11/21/reclaiming-israel/

    This author is not true to the New Testament. I sent the following comments to this publication.

    God’s promise to Abraham came true for us Christians down to this very day. For we who follow Jesus are the true people of God. We are Abraham’s descendants. Not fleshly Israel. Not earthly Jerusalem.


    This author has cherry-picked the scriptures to claim that Israel is the chosen people of God. He has ignored much evidence in the NT for example:


    Galatians 6:16. We are the Israel of God. The ὅσοι [‘as many as’] refers to the individual Christians, Jewish and Gentile; and ‘Israel of God’ to the same Christians, seen collectively and forming the true messianic community.” (Word Studies in the New Testament vol. 4, p. 180).

    Paul cannot be pronouncing a benediction upon persons who are not included in the phrase “as many as shall walk by this rule” (i.e., the rule of boasting only in the cross). The entire argument of the epistle prevents any idea that here he would give a blessing to those who are not included in this group. And Paul also wrote: “if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise”. (Galatians 3:29). See also Galatians 3:6-9, 12.


    Galatians 3:26-29: For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you (Gentiles).


    1 Peter 2:4-10: . . . . . . for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”

    These terms, chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession, reflect Deuteronomy 7:6, 10:15, 14:2.

    Under the New Covenant the same applies to all believers in Christ both Jew and gentile.


    Matthew 8:11-12. Jesus said to unbelieving Jews: “I tell you this that many Gentiles will come from all over the world –from east and west–and sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven. But many Israelites–those for whom the Kingdom was prepared–will be thrown into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


    Replacement theology’?  Nonsense.

    Israel has not been replaced. Israel was transformed at Pentecost, with the remnant, Jews from all nations of the Dispersion. From then on these Jewish believers were persecuted by the Jews who rejected their Messiah, as Jesus said would happen in the Olivet Discourse.


    And see 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16. And then, dear brothers and sisters, you suffered persecution from your own countrymen. In this way, you imitated the believers in God’s churches in Judea who, because of their belief in Christ Jesus, suffered from their own people, the Jews. For some of the Jews killed the prophets, and some even killed the Lord Jesus. Now they have persecuted us, too. They fail to please God and work against all humanity as they try to keep us from preaching the Good News of salvation to the Gentiles. By doing this, they continue to pile up their sins. But the anger of God has caught up with them at last.


    1 Thessalonians 1:3-4. We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.


    Romans 11:30–36 does not teach about a kingdom with both Jews and Gentiles as distinct populations within the people of God. That would be a totally abhorrent idea for Paul (Galatians 3-6, Ephesians 2-3).

    Many commentators have adopted Israel as their focus. It’s idolatry.

    No matter how much New Testament scripture is quoted they don’t want the truth. So brainwashed. 

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    The Kingdom of Heaven

    Posted on 03/12/2025 | Leave a comment

    What is the Kingdom of Heaven?

    It is God’s wonderful rule. It is so good that it is called the good news (gospel) of the kingdom–a desirable state.

    It is a lifestyle into which Jesus called his disciples to enter and to live under. It is so precious, so important, that people are urged to enter it, no matter what it may cost (Mat 13:44-45).

    Jesus said to his disciples:

    “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

    Let’s look closely at this passage:

    Context:

    This passage is part of a larger discourse in Matthew 18, often called the “Discourse on the Church”.”

    The immediate context is that the disciples asked Jesus, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1). Jesus responds by calling a little child to stand among them (Matthew 18:2) and then speaks the words in verses 3-4.

    Key Words and Phrases:

    “Truly I tell you” (Amen lego humin): This term Jesus often used as for a solemn affirmation that what follows is important and true.

    “unless you turn and become like little children”: Turning, the first step, is critical. The Greek word for “change” (strepho) can also mean “turn” or “convert.” It implies a fundamental transformation. The requirement is to become like a child.

    “you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”: This is a strong statement about the necessity of this transformation for entering the kingdom of h  eaven and the salvation it brings.

    “whoever humbles himself like this little child”: The Greek word for “humbling oneself ” (tapeinose) refers to humility, lowliness, or a state of being humble.

    “is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven“: Jesus contrasted the world’s view of greatness (power, status) with the kingdom’s view — humility and childlike dependence.

    What is it about a little child that Jesus should ask people to become in order to enter this kingdom?

    It is humility. Lack of pride. Absence of self-reliance. Total trust in our heavenly Father.

    Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do and he will show you which path to take.

    Interpretation

    The child is used as an example of humility, trust, and dependence. In the ancient world, children had low social status; they were dependent and without pretension.

    Jesus is not saying that adults should be childish (immature) but childlike in their faith — trusting, humble, and without arrogance.

    To “become like little children” means to abandon self-sufficiency and pride and to rely completely on God.

    The transformation (“turn”) is a necessary condition for entering the kingdom — it is a call to conversion.

    The reversal of values: the greatest in the kingdom is the one who is humble like a child.

    Theological Themes:

    Humility: Essential for discipleship and kingdom citizenship.

    Kingdom access: Entry into the kingdom requires a change of heart and attitude.

    Greatness in the kingdom: Defined by service and humility, not by power or status.

    Application:

    As followers of Jesus we must embrace humility and dependence on God.

    Christian communities should value and practice humility, service, and care for and honour the weak.  

    In the ancient world, children were considered weak and vulnerable. They are still vulnerable today.

    Conclusion


    Jesus uses a child as an object lesson to teach that humility and childlike trust are essential for entering and being great in the kingdom of heaven.

    Today, this teaching still challenges worldly notions of control, power and status and calls for a transformation of the heart.

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    The True People of God

    Posted on 30/11/2025 | 1 comment

    Here’s my exegesis of Matthew 21:43, considering its context, language and significance:

    “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.”

     

    This verse is the concluding declaration of Jesus’ Parable of the Tenants (vv. 33-41), spoken directly to the chief priests and Pharisees (v. 45).

    In the parable, a landowner (God) leases his vineyard (Israel; Isa. 5:1-7) to tenants (religious leaders). They reject/kill the owner’s servants (prophets) and finally his son (Jesus). Judgment falls on the tenants.

    The leaders themselves pronounce judgment (v. 41): “He will put those wretches to a miserable death and let out the vineyard to other tenants”.

    Jesus confirms their verdict (v. 43) and connects it to Psalm 118:22-23 (vv. 42, 44) about the rejected stone becoming the cornerstone.

    Key Terms & Meaning:

     

    “Therefore” (Greek: Dia touto): Links the verse directly to the leaders’ self-condemnation in the parable.

    “Kingdom of God”: Refers to God’s reign/authority entrusted to Israel as His covenant people (Ex. 19:5-6; Dan. 2:44).

    • “Taken away from you”: “You” = Israel’s current leadership. They failed as stewards by rejecting God’s messengers and his Son.
    • “Given to a people” (Greek: ethnei): Ethnos typically means “nation” or “people”.
      • This people refers to a new covenant community (Jew + Gentile) under Christ (1 Pet. 2:9-10). This includes faithful Jews who accept Jesus (e.g., apostles) and Gentiles who are ‘grafted in’ to use Paul’s term (Rom. 11:17-24).

    “Producing its fruits”: These include obedience, repentance, justice, and faithfulness (Matt. 3:8; 7:16-20). This contrasts with the leaders’ spiritual barrenness (Matt. 23:13-33).

     Theological Significance:

    Divine Judgment: God’s kingdom is not irrevocably tied to ethnic Israel or its corrupt leaders. Stewardship requires faithfulness.

     

    Inclusive Redefinition: The kingdom is transferred to a new people of God (the Church) centered on Christ (Eph. 2:11-22). This fulfils Abrahamic promises (Gal. 3:29).

    Continuity & Fulfillment: Jesus is the “stone” (vv. 42, 44) establishing God’s kingdom (Dan. 2:44-45). The Church inherits Israel’s spiritual privileges (Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 6:16).

    Warning to All: Leadership in God’s kingdom demands fruitfulness, not just privilege (John 15:1-6).

     

    Application:

     

    To the Original Audience: A direct indictment of Israel’s leaders, warning that rejecting Jesus forfeits their role in God’s plan. Unbelieving Israel forfeits its chosen people status. Plainly, according to Jesus.

    To the new People of God: This is a call to faithful stewardship, both Jew and Gentile. Privilege implies responsibility.

    To Individuals: Entrance into God’s kingdom requires receiving Christ (John 1:12) and bearing spiritual fruit.

    Connection to Jesus:

    This verse underscores Jesus’ authority to redefine the people of God around Himself. His impending death/resurrection (which is implied in the parable) will inaugurate the new covenant community which replaces or replenishes Israel.

    In Summary

    Matthew 21:43 declares a monumental shift—the kingdom stewardship passes from unfaithful leaders to a new, multi-ethnic people under Christ, marked by responsive faith and spiritual fruitfulness. This is both a warning and a promise of God’s unfolding redemptive plan.

    Jesus’ authority to redefine the true people of God around Himself is emphatically expressed and cannot be denied.

    This redemptive plan falsifies the teaching of Dispensationalism. The nation state of Israel is not Paul’s “Israel of God.” (Gal 6:16)

    Prove me wrong!

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    Posted in Assembling, church, Bible Study, Eschatology, Israel

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    The Apostles See Jesus No More

    Posted on 19/11/2025 | Leave a comment

    In the opening verses of the NT Book of Acts, Luke gives us the account of Jesus’ ascension. This is not the only account we have of the ascension in the Bible. In Luke 24:50-52 there is a brief account.

    But this passage contains some valuable information which the casual reader may easily miss.

    Let’s look at the passage.

    6.  So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?”  

    6. they kept asking him. Their question shows they thought just as the Jews thought –in terms of a Davidic messiah and an earthly kingdom of Israel free of Roman rule. They were still focused on Israel and its future. It was not about the kingdom of Israel. It was about the Kingdom of Heaven. This would all soon change with the inauguration of the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.

    7. He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

     The Father alone sets dates, times. Jesus had already told the disciples that the timing of His coming was unknown (Mat 24:36). Only the Father determines the times and seasons.

    8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

    But: Grk, G235 alla, contrariwise, emphatic—the disciples will have to think differently—to radically change their mind.

    My witnesses: Very soon they will see him no longer because he is going to the Father, where they cannot come (see John 14:28-29). Instead, they are to receive power with the coming of the Holy Spirit and be his witnesses everywhere.  This would be a huge refocus. 

    9. After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. 

    • taken up into a cloud. Jesus was hidden from their eyes by a cloud as he went into Heaven. Clouds denote God’s glory. These ‘clouds’ appear to shut heaven, or the sky, from human view. He was hidden from their eyes by cloud. Just as He was hidden from their eyes as He went into Heaven, so when he comes He will be hidden to human eyes by the clouds of glory (Mat 24:30).

    10. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. 

    they strained to see him. The cloud made it very difficult to see him, then impossible to see him.

    two white-robed men. One of the many references to angels in the NT suddenly appearing (cf Luke 24:4 at the empty tomb). 

    11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

    Jesus has been taken. Note the past tense ‘has been taken’

    taken from you. They will see him no longer.

    Men of Galilee. Here is aninteresting detail: they were addressed as ‘men of Galilee’. It is they who were addressed and not us today. Context is critically important for correct interpretation.

    Jesus will someday return. The two ‘men’ declared Jesus will ‘someday’ return from heaven. The disciples already knew he would soon return (Matthew 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:30), but the hour or the day was unknown (Mat 24:36). This was a confirmation for them.

    In the same way. The disciples could not see him because he was hidden by the cloud of glory. In the same way when he returns he will come in clouds of glory again hidden from human eyes in his then ascended form.  

    This story shows us today that the coming return of Jesus was to occur within the lifespan of those present, these “men of Galilee”. So it rationally follows that return has already occurred!

    This passage and the Matthew 24:30-34 passage, teach us the same thing: Jesus returned within the lifespan of the disciples!  

    The coming of Jesus that we read in both Acts 1:6-11 and in the gospels (Matthew 10:23, 16:27-28, 24:30-34) cannot possibly be a “coming” that will occur in our future, for indeed, it has already occurred in the generation of the disciples.

    Go figure!

    Please prove me wrong.

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    Rapture? Three Greek Words

    Posted on 10/11/2025 | 4 comments

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