Messianic Perspectives

Liz Iello: Did God reject the Jewish people when they rejected his son 2,000 years ago? Has he replaced Israel with the church? Stay with us as Dr. Gary Hedrick discusses the question, is God finished with Israel today, right here on Messianic Perspectives? Shalom and welcome to Messianic Perspectives, a daily program where we look into the scriptures from a distinctive first-century Jewish point of view. This is Liz Iello. On today's edition of Messianic Perspectives, Dr. Gary Hedrick is discussing the question, is God finished with Israel? I'll be back a little later with information about a special offer. So have your pencil and paper ready.

Now with today's study, here is Dr. Gary Hedrick.

Dr. Gary Hedrick: All right. Thank you and welcome, listening friend, to another edition of the program. It's good to have you on board today as we continue this series of studies on the question, is God finished with Israel? And when we finished up last time, we were talking about the restoration promises that God made to his people Israel. And really I could give you that one promise from the Davidic covenant that we talked about last time, and that's all the proof we would need that God is not finished with Israel. Here's how it goes. Question, did God promise that he would plant his people Israel in their own land and that they would never again be moved?

Answer, that's exactly what he promised. Question, were they planted in the days of David or Solomon? Answer, no, because they were later moved out by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Question, were they planted in the days of Jesus and the apostles? Answer, no, because they were dispersed by the Romans in AD 70. In fact, have they ever been planted in their own land at any time in history since the promise was given to David 3,000 years ago? Answer, no. Now ask yourself, did God make the promise? Answer, yes, he did. Does God ever make a promise he doesn't intend to keep?

Answer, no, he doesn't. So the only conclusion is that God is not finished with Israel. He has unfinished business with his people Israel because he made promises that have never yet been fulfilled. Now some people will say that these promises were fulfilled after the Babylonian captivity when Ezra and others came back to Israel and began rebuilding the country. But that can't be the fulfillment of the restoration promises because it wasn't permanent. The promise to David was that they would be planted in their own land permanently, never to be moved again. And that doesn't happen until the end of the tribulation period when Israel is restored to all of her land from east to west.

It extends from the Arabian Desert to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Euphrates River in the north all the way south to the Red Sea, a total of 300,000 square miles or a little larger than the state of Texas. So compare the 300,000 square miles God promised Israel to the 8,000 square miles they have right now, and there's only one conclusion. And that is that the fulfillment of this promise to King David is yet future. It happens when the Messiah returns. That's when they will be planted in their land, all of it, never to be moved again.

Now let's get back to 2 Samuel chapter 7. In verse 10 he says, moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel and will plant them that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more. Neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them anymore as before. Now remember the background. King David has been thinking about the fact that he lives in a big cedar palace while God's house is still a tent, the tabernacle. So David decides he's going to build God a house so that instead of worshiping in a tent, Israel will have their first temple.

It would have been the temple of David. Doesn't that sound good? So David wants to build the temple. But when God answers, it's not what David expected. Look at it, verse 11. And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel and have caused thee to rest from all thy enemies, also the Lord telleth thee that he will make thee an house. You see what he's saying? He says, David, I don't want you to build me a house because that'll be done by your son Solomon. I want to build you a house, David.

Only the house that God is talking about here is not a house of stone and timber, but a kingly dynasty, the house of David. And this is where we see King David of Israel becoming a type of the coming Messiah. In fact, one of the titles the rabbis gave the Messiah was Messiah son of David or Messiah son of David because the Messiah comes from this kingly dynasty, the house of David. Verse 12, and when thy days shall be fulfilled and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, God says, I will set up thy seed after thee which shall proceed out of thy own body and I will establish his kingdom.

So who is the seed that comes from David own body? It's his son Solomon. Verse 13, he shall build an house for my name and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever, God says. He says, Solomon will be the one to build the temple or what the Jewish people call Beit HaMikdash or house of the congregation. The first temple in Hebrew is called Beit HaMikdash HaRishon. The Lord says it will be built by Solomon. But look what else he says, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. Now isn't that interesting?

The Lord says he will establish the throne of Solomon's kingdom forever. Sometimes people say, well that proves right there that these promises can't be taken literally because Solomon's kingdom didn't last forever. It fell into disarray after his death and finally disappeared. So that proves the promises weren't meant to be taken literally, they say. Well, listen, the Davidic throne may be dormant for a period of time, but the authority behind that throne never passes away. It's like a volcano. Just because it's dormant doesn't mean it's no longer a volcano. Just ask those people who live around Mount Saint Helens.

So don't let the fact that the kingdom of Solomon is no longer visible on this earth confuse you into thinking that God's promise has failed because the authority behind that throne has never passed away. Do you remember what Jesus said? Matthew 28:18, all authority is given to me in heaven and upon earth. Now notice, our Lord talks about two realms, heaven and earth, and all authority in both of those realms belongs to him. And when you look at the scriptures, you find two thrones, both of which are said to be eternal. In heaven you have the throne of God and on earth you have the throne of David.

Those are two distinct realms of authority, heaven and earth. And Jesus the Messiah says he rules over both realms. And one day when the New Jerusalem comes down and enters earth orbit, the two realms converge for the very first time. And yes, I know our all millennialist friends say that the throne of God and the throne of David are one and the same. And again, it takes us Gentiles to come up with such silly interpretations, doesn't it? Listen to me, my friend. The throne of God is in heaven while the throne of David is on earth.

The throne of God existed from eternity past while the throne of David didn't come into existence until David became king. Revelation 3:21 proves that the throne of God and the throne of David are two separate entities. Jesus says, to him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne just as I overcame and sat down with my father on his throne. Jesus says, my throne, his throne, two distinct entities. So when you hear people say that the promises to King David are being fulfilled right now because Christ is ruling from his throne in heaven and therefore there's no need for a future kingdom, you tell them that won't work because there are two realms of authority, one in heaven and another on earth.

And the earthly throne of David, listen, the earthly throne of David is said to be for how long? Forever, which means it must be established once again. All right, now let's finish this up. 2 Samuel chapter 7 skipping down to verse 16. Here's what the Lord says to David. And thy house and thy kingdom shall be established forever before thee. Thy throne shall be established forever. Now he's talking about David's throne there and at the same time as he was making this statement, the throne of God is in heaven. So there are two distinct thrones and he says, your house and your kingdom shall be established forever.

Thy throne, he says, shall be established forever, David. So there you have it, my friend. Promises to Abraham and promises to King David, all of which point to the future restoration of the kingdom to Israel. And the rule of Messiah Jesus from the throne of his ancestor David in Jerusalem. So is God finished with Israel? Not by a long shot, my friend. The Lord and Israel have unfinished business. Well, that's it for today. By the way, have you written to us lately to let us know you're listening? Why don't you drop us a line this week?

And if you can, send a little something along to help us keep this program here on your station. We'd appreciate it and it'd be good to hear from you. We'll continue this next time, Lord willing. Until then, this is Gary Hedrick saying, God bless you. Take care. Bye-bye.

Liz Iello: Thank you, Gary, and thank you, listening friend, for tuning in today. Now let me tell you about our special offer. It's Gary Hedrick's booklet entitled, is God finished with Israel? It's available for a suggested gift of $7. This booklet is especially helpful because it includes a word-for-word transcript of an internet debate between Gary Hedrick and an amillenialist. This is someone who very definitely believes that God is finished with Israel. And of course, Gary very definitely believes that he is not. So it made for quite a lively discussion. Then we also have the programs you're hearing here on the broadcast.

This series of studies is available on compact disc for a suggested contribution of just $6 to this ministry. The title again is, is God finished with Israel? Just visit our secure online store at messianicspecialties.com to place your order. If you would prefer to order by mail, just address your request to Messianic Perspectives, PO Box 345, San Antonio, Texas 78292. To order by phone, use our toll-free order line. The number is 1-800-926-5397. Let me remind you that when you order the materials we offer here on the program, you're not only enabling us to remain here on your station, but you're also helping us take the good news of Yeshua Ha Mashiach to Jewish people and Gentiles all over the world.

Even if you're one of our regular listeners, you still may not know that we're much more than just a radio program. Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries, one of the largest missionary organizations in the world. We currently have missionary families serving the Lord all over the world, including the United States, Canada, South America, England, France, and of course, Israel. So when you write, consider helping us with a gift above the suggested amount. We'd be very grateful. And as always, when you're in touch with us, please mention the call letters of this station. If you're listening to our webcast or podcast, we need to know that too.

I'm Liz Iello. Join us next time, won't you, as Dr. Gary Hedrick continues our series of studies on, is God finished with Israel? Right here on Messianic Perspectives. Messianic Perspectives is sponsored by CJF Ministries of San Antonio, Texas and is made possible on this station by the free will contributions of our listeners in this area.