The Ingathering of Israel (1/5)

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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 14:07 Written by Ken Garrison

Excerpt #1 from the book, Bible Prophecy, by Pastor Ken Garrison
(Note: in order for this article to be effective, the reader needs to read the listed Scripture references. The full text of the Scriptures have been removed for copyright and space concerns.)

God’s Covenant with Israel

The promise of the continuation of the people of Israel and their ultimate regathering to the Land of Israel is based on the covenant promises that God made to Abraham and, in turn, to the nation of Israel.

(Genesis 15:18)

Later God said to Israel,

(Exodus 23:31)

And,

(Deuteronomy1:7-8)

Thus at the heart of the covenant which God made with Israel is the land where God intends them to dwell in. Evidently, in the heart of God, the combination of His people and His land is very important. Therefore, the prophets spoke boldly as they saw visions of the ultimate ingathering of the exiles to the land of Israel in the last days. The visions were simply a fulfillment of the covenant provisions that God had earlier made.

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The Great King (2/5)

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Wednesday, 30 July 2008 14:07 Written by Ken Garrison

Excerpt #2 from the book, Bible Prophecy, by Pastor Ken Garrison (Click Here for Excerpt #1)

(Note: in order for this article to be effective, the reader needs to read the listed Scripture references. The full text of the Scriptures have been removed for copyright and space concerns.)

THE FORESHADOWING OF MESSIAH

The Church in the second and subsequent centuries AD developed the tradition of replacement theology, proclaiming that the Church is now the “Israel of God”. As a result of this unscriptural doctrine, the Messiah is most often portrayed independent of the nation of Israel. In fact, Jesus is the Messiah, or anointed one, of Israel. Messiah is an office within Israel and cannot be separated from it. We will develop the Scriptural foundation for the Messiah of Israel.

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Covenant Land

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Written by Ken Garrison

As a part of the covenant that God made with Israel, the land of Israel was given to him and to his descendants forever. In the past I have considered this part of the covenant as a reward to Abraham for his participation in the covenant. This would be like a piece of property awarded to a favorite son or daughter as an inheritance. Further consideration of this issue has led to the belief that there is something involved concerning the land beyond a simple reward. The specific land of Israel is important in its own right. Indeed, this very special land has been entrusted to the covenant people as an important aspect of the covenant and has a significant role in the process of redemption.

Wrestling with Principalities

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Written by Ken Garrison

The question often arises why the United States must be the "police force" for the world. Why is it that US forces must be the ones used to restrain Saddam Hussein? Why must the US concern itself with the balance of power in the Balkans? Why should the US be engaged in the process of dividing up the land of Israel and giving significant parts of it to the Palestinians? These questions should be troubling to every American and, especially, every American believer. We submit that the problem arises from demonic influence on the national level.

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Jews and Others in Judgment

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Monday, 27 March 2006 19:00 Written by Ken Garrison

I recently returned from leading a study-mission to Israel. When in Israel, I try to get the English-language Jerusalem Post as often as possible in order to keep up with the news. One early morning I left the hotel and walked to a nearby store for the paper. When I reviewed the front page I noted an article entitled "Falwell: Jews need not convert to get to heaven". I was intrigued by the implications of someone like Dr. Jerry Falwell taking such a position. Since this article was published, Dr. Falwell has denied that he ever embraced this position.

The article announced the formation of an organization, "Christians United For Israel", founded jointly by Pastor John Hagee of the Cornerstone Church and Rabbi Aryeh Scheinberg of the Rodfei Sholom congregation - both in San Antonio, Texas.

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Is Peace Possible in the Middle East?

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Thursday, 16 October 2003 23:15 Written by Ken Garrison

The whole world is pressing to settle the conflict in the Middle East. One "peace plan" follows quickly after the previous one has failed. Earlier this year the Bush administration enthusiastically endorsed the Road Map plan along with Russia, the European Union, and the U.N. They attempted to side-step Yasser Arafat by embracing Abu Abbas as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority. It only took a few months for Abu Abbas to resign (we presume that Arafat would have soon had him killed). Arafat is now solidly in control again and the plan is dead, even though its sponsors have not yet admitted it.

We want to investigate what we believe the will of God is concerning Middle East peace. At first glance it almost seems a given that God's will is peace. Ultimately this is true. However, it may not be true in the short-term sense.

The Conflict Defined

As we consider the conflict we find that there are disputed claims for the land. The Palestinians claim ties to the land from the earliest times. The truth is that a few families have lived in the land for many generations but this represents only a small fraction of the Arab population that now claim such close ties to the land. Arabs moved into the land as the Jewish people returned and began building a national infrastructure. Because the Jewish people were investing money in the process of reclaiming the land and building it up, jobs were available. As a result, many Arabs came to the land.

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Understanding the Tabernacle

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Tuesday, 11 March 2003 16:38 Written by Ken Garrison

Immediately following the making of a covenant with Israel at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19-24), God commanded Israel to make for Him a special house because He would dwell in their midst. Later, He declared that He had delivered them out of Egypt for this purpose (Exodus 29:46).

"And let them construct a sanctuary for Me, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I am going to show you, as the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, just so you shall construct it." (Exodus 25.8-9)

In the instructions given to Moses, God emphasized that the special house be built according to the pattern shown to Moses on the mountain (Exodus 25:40 and 26:30). This brings us to the question, "What did Moses see on the mountain?"

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