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BYALEXANDERBOLOTNIKOVPH.D Hits:291
~SIDDUR,AHAVAHRABBAH

EarlyChristianityanditssignificancefor
SeventhdayAdventisttheology

EARLYDEBATESANDTHEIRIMPACTON
SEVENTHDAYADVENTISTTHEOLOGY

TheroleofIsraelintheplanofsalvationand
inlastdayeventspresentsoneofthehottest
debatingtopicsinChristianity.Throughoutthe
twothousandyearhistoryofChristianitythis
debatehascontinued.Thisdiscussionisdeeplyrootedinthehistoricaleventsthat
occurredduringtheperiodoftheJewishRomanwarsbetweenthedestructionofthe
Temple(70AD)andtheBarKohbarebellion(136AD).

ThiswasareallychallengingtimefornewlyemergedChristianity.Aswelookatthe
politicalandsocialenvironmentofthistime,weobserveaformofChristianitywhich
bythemiddlethe2ndcenturyessentiallydisengagesitselffromitsJewishroots.

CHRISTIANITYBETWEEN70AD&136AD

Letuslookatthehistoricalenvironmentthatinfluencedthedevelopmentof
ChristianitybeforethedestructionoftheTemple

Beginningfromthe2ndcenturyBC,Hellenism,theblendbetweenGreek
philosophicalthinkingandNearEasternpaganism,becamethedominantmodeof
thinking1inthevastexpanseoftheRomanEmpire.ThisHellenisticmentalitywas
absolutelyforeignandhostiletoHebraicthinking,2whichisrootedintheHebrew
BibleanditsEarlyRabbinicinterpretation.
PresentinghisstoryoftheemergenceofearlyChristianity,Luke,theauthorofthe
bookofActs,describesthemajorityofthefirstChristiansascomingfromeithera
JewishbackgroundorbeinggentileconvertstoJudaismorbeinggentilesseeking
conversionwhoattendedJewishsynagogues.Thismeansthemajorityofthefirst
Christiancongregationsinthefirstcenturyweresplintergroupsfromdifferent
synagogues.Theywereviewedinmuchthesamewayaswesometimesview
offshoots.Werecognizetheysharecommonbeliefs,yettheyarentquitepartof
us.HistorianscallthisemergingmovementJudeoChristianity.3
WhileChristianitywasclearlydistinguishedfromtheotherJewishparties/sectsof
the1stcenturybyitsunequivocalstandonthedivineandmessianicroleofJesus,
itadoptedtheHebraicapproachtotheinterpretationofScripturethatwastaught
byJesusandfollowedbyHisdisciples4.
Nevertheless,inspiteofitsdistinctbeliefsinJesus,PaganRomanauthority
regardednewlyemergedChristianityasasectoranoffshootofJudaism5.
Ontheotherhand,theleadershipofmainstreamJudaismwashostiletothe
followersofJesus,6especiallythosewhocamefromaJewishbackground.Before
thedestructionoftheTemple,rabbisandthepriestspersecutedthoseJewswho
acceptedJesusastheirMessiah.7

ThedestructionoftheTemplechangedthedynamicsofrelationsbetweenJews,
ChristiansandthepaganRomanauthorities.Thefollowingisthedescriptionofthe
historicalsituationthataffectedJudaismandChristianityintheperiodbetween70
and136AD.

TheJewishRomanwarof6670ADthatledtothedestructionoftheTemple
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TheJewishRomanwarof6670ADthatledtothedestructionoftheTemple
practicallywipedouttheSadducees,Essenes,ZealotsandothersmallerJewish
sects,leavingthePhariseeswiththeroletoformapostTempleJudaism. 8Inthis
situation,thesurvivingJewishleaderswerenolongerinthepositiontoopposeand
moreoverpersecuteChristians.
Ontheotherhand,Christianityexperiencedstronggrowth.Becauseofthewarand
deterioratingconditionsintheRomanEmpire,manypeople,JewsandnonJews
alikewereseekingforthetrueGodandwerefindingHimintheGospelpreachedby
Christians.
However,asstatedabove,whilethefirstnonJewsintheChristiancongregations
wereeitherconvertstoJudaismorjustformerattendeesofthesynagogues,the
secondwaveofgentlesdidnothavesuchasynagogueexperience.9Thisbrought
seriouschallengestoChristianity.TheHellenisticandGnosticapproachestothe
interpretationofScripturesintroducedbythesenewlyconvertedpagans10strove
withthecoreoftheteachingsofJesusandHisdisciples.
Ontheotherhand,theunsuccessfulrevoltleadbyBarKokhbaresultedinthe
increasedpersecutionofJewsaswellChristiansacrosstheRoman
Empire.11(Generally,RomansregardedanyonewhobelievedinonlyOneGodasA
Jew.)
Also,afterthedestructionoftheTempleandthecrushoftheBarKokhbah
rebellion,antiSemitismemergedintheRomanEmpire.Jewsaredeprivedoftheir
rightstheywerebeingmockedfortheirreligiontheSabbathandtheTorahare
publiclyridiculedinGreekliteratureandRomantheaters.12
Underthepressureofthispersecution,manyChristianleadersbegantolookfor
waystodistinguishthemselvesfromtheJewishcommunity.Thus,thebestway
separatefromJudaismwastoabandonworshipingGodontheBiblicalSabbath13
andtoabandonrecognitionofBiblicalholydays.

Aswecomparethesehistoricalconditions,thesituationthatappearedaftertheBar
KohbarebellioncompletelychangedthedynamicofJewishChristianinteraction.
Whilebefore70AD,itwasJewishleadershipwhopushedbothJewishandnon
JewishChristiansawayfromthesynagogues,after136ADitwasChristian
leadership,whichdecidedtobecomeproactiveinpullingawayfromtheJewish
community.TheresultmadeChristianitymoreandmoreHellenistic.

Tojustifysuchamove,thechurchfathers14ofthesecondcenturycommencedan
unprecedentedantiJewishcampaign.Intheirwritings,Origen,Justinandthe
anonymousauthoroftheepistleknowntodayasPseudoBarnabasdespisedthelaws
ofTorahandridiculedJewsfortheirfoolishnessinkeepingtheSabbathliterally.They
arguedthatthesoleintentinalllawsintheTorahwastoshowtheallegorical
symbolismoftheplanofsalvation.15Therefore,fromtheirperspective,theTemple
shouldneverhavebeenbuiltever,andtheSabbathwasnotmeanttobeobserved.
RatheritonlyrepresentedthesecondcomingofChrist.

SuchanideologyofdisengagementfromtheJewishcommunity,followedbythe
rejectionoftheHebraicapproachtointerpretingScriptureandsubstitutionof
HellenisticmethodsofinterpretationlaidthefoundationforChristian
supersessionism,alsoknownasreplacementtheology.16

REPLACEMENTTHEOLOGY:ITSORIGINSANDHISTORY

ScripturewasthemajorobstaclefortheadvancementofthisantiJewishparadigm
shiftinChristianity.ManypassagesintheHebrewBibletalkaboutGodsloveto
IsraelandHiscovenantwiththeJewishpeople.Thispresentedaproblemforthe
earlychurchfathers,whowantedtoblotoutanyHebraicorJewishtraditionsfrom
theChristianchurchandreplacethemwithpaganHellenisticrituals.17

DescribingGodsaddresstothechurchofSmyrnainthesecondchapterofthebook
ofRevelation,Johnmentionsaspecificgroupofpeople.theblasphemyofthose
whosaytheyareJewsandarenot,butareasynagogueofSatan(Rev2:9).Some

BiblicalcommentatorsbelievethatthisstatementtalksabouttheJewswho
persecutedChristiansinthe2ndcenturyADinSmyrnareferringtothemartyrdomof
thediscipleofJohnPolycarp(AD69155),whowastheleaderofthechurchatthat
time.

However,itishardlypossibletoconcludethatthisbiblicalstatementspeaksabout
theJews.Onthecontrary,itreferstothosewhoarenotJewsbutdisguisethemself
assuch.Infact,unlikePolycarp,whowasastaunchdefenderoftheSabbathandof
traditionalobservanceofPassoverintheChristianchurch,18hisopponentAnicetus,
thebishopofRome,hadatotallydifferentagenda.19

Manyhistoricalwritingspointtothefactthatthemajorityofthechurchfathersofthe
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Manyhistoricalwritingspointtothefactthatthemajorityofthechurchfathersofthe
secondcentury,suchasJustintheMartyrandIgnatiusofAntioch,advocatedtheidea
thatGodrejectedtheJewswhokilledChrist,20andbyrejectingtheJewsmadethe
churchaNewIsrael.ThereforetheyconcludedthatChristianitymustriditselfof
everythingJewishandintroducenewlawsandworshiponanewSabbath,thefirst
dayoftheweek.21

SuchapatternofthinkingissynonymoustotheideasproposedbyMarcion,achurch
authorityintheearly2ndcentury,whoarguedabouttwodifferentGods:amerciless
YahvehoftheOldTestamentandmercifulJesusrepresentedintheNewTestament.22
InspiteofthefactthatMarcionwasdeclaredaheretic,bythebeginningofthe3rd
century,23ChristianityhaddividedtheScripturesintotwoopposingsections.The
consensuswasthattheOld(calledinsomeChristiantraditionsDilapidated24)
Testamentcontainedevillaws,andwaswrittenfortheJews,whoconstantly
transgressedthem.ThiswaswhytheNewTestamentreplacedtheirrelevantand
harshOldTestamentlawswiththenewreligiousorderswrittenforChristians.25

CHRISTIANITYFROM300TO500AD.

ThelegalizationofChristianityintheRomanEmpireinthebeginningofthe4th
centurybroughtadditionalcompromisesbetweenChristianityandPaganismin
particular,acceptanceoftheDayoftheSun,thefirstdayoftheweek,asthedayof
worshipbyChristiansinaccordancewiththeedictofemperorConstantinefrom321
AD.Fouryearslaterin325AD,theFirstUniversalChurchCouncilinNiceadecided
toreplacethetraditionalJewishChristianPassoverwithEasterandconnectedthe
celebrationoftheresurrectionofJesustothespringsolstice,26instillingintheminds
ofChristianstheimageofJesusastherisingsun.

ThisactionwasfollowedbyanotherdecisionattheCouncilofLaodiceain360AD27.
AccordingtothisdecisionanyChristianwhocontinuedtoworshipontheJewish
Sabbathmustbecondemned.Thismovesignifiedthecompletedisassociationof4th
centuryChristiansfromtheirJudeoChristianrootsandfromthebiblicalprinciples
taughtbyJesusandHisdisciples.

Ontheotherhand,thelegalizationofChristianityhadgiventhechurchan
opportunitytofreelypreachitsmessagetothepagans.Ofcoursebythemiddleof
the4thcentury,thismessagehadalreadybecomelargelyunbiblicalandcontained
manyHellenisticandpaganideas.ThebookofRevelationreferstothisperiodof
churchhistoryastheChurchofPergamus.AsJohnpropheticallydescribes,inthis
churchtherearethosewhoholdthedoctrineofBalaam,whotaughtBalaktoputa
stumblingblockbeforethechildrenofIsrael,toeatthingssacrificedtoidols,andto
commitsexualimmorality(Rev.2:14).IntheBible,especiallyintheHebrew
Scriptures,sexualimmoralityisoftenassociatedwithunfaithfulnesstoGodandidol
worship.28Worshipingicons,imagesofthesaintsandrelicsasanattemptto
ChristianizepagancustomswasintroducedtoChristianityasamissionarytoolto
barbariansattheendofthe4thcentury.29

ThesepracticesledtoamajoralterationinChristianworshippractices.Thefirst
JudeoChristiansgatheredmainlyforonepurposetostudyScripture.30Thiswas
consistentwiththeconceptofsynagogue(Greekplaceofassembly)introducedby
Ezrainthe5thcenturyBC(seeNeh.8).ThusChristianworshipwasnotfocusedon
ritualbutonlearningtoknowGodandtoobeythegospelofourLordJesus(2
Thess.1:8).

Howeverforbarbarianswhowereusedtotheirpagantemplerituals,thepublic
readingofBiblicalpassageswastooboring.Therefore,inordertopleasethe
barbariansandappealtotheirmentalityandsuperstitions,Christianitydecidedto
createitsownstyleoftempleservice.Itisinterestingtonotethatthestructureand
functionsoftheseChristiantemples/cathedralsmimickedtheonethatoncestoodin
Jerusalem.Therewasthemostholyplacewhereonlyordainedpriestscouldenter.
Therewasasacrificialserviceoftheholybread,otherwiseknownasmass.31There
wastheinstitutionofapriesthood,whichconsistedofaspecialconsecratedgroupof
menwhopossessedspecialqualitiesqualitieswhichenabledthemtocleansethe
regularpeopleoftheirsins.32Bytheendof5thcentury,WesternChristianityhadalso
acquiredtheofficeofthehighpriest,givingthistitletothepatriarchofRome.33We
knowhimtodayasthePope.

TheBiblecontainsaclearpropheticexplanationofthesehistoricaldevelopments.In
Revelation13:110,Johntalksabouttheantichristchurchstatepowerdepictedas
asevenheadedbeast,whichforcesalltheworldtoworshiphimselfandthedragon
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calledtheDevilandSatan(Rev12:9).Thesameimageofantichristappearsinthe
chapters7and8ofthebookofDanieldepictedasthelittle/conspicuoushorn.While
chapter7usingpoliticallanguagepresentsalittlehornasanoppressivepolitical
system,whichattemptstoundermineGodslaw,chapter8usingculticreligious
languagedescribesthisconspicuoushornasthepowerwhichdefilestheHeavenly
Sanctuary(Dan.8:1014).Inparticular,suchadefilementisdescribedinDaniel
8:11astakingawaythedailypriestlyactivityfromthePrinceofthehost.Inother
words,byintroducinganearthlypriesthoodandbyassertingpowertoperformHigh
Priestlyfunctions,ChristianityoftheDarkagesdefactousurpedtherole,which
belongedtoChristandHimalone.

Ontheotherhand,Christiantemplesandtempleservicesabsorbedtheelementsof
bothHellenismandbarbarianpaganism.UnlikethetempleinJerusalem,asingle
locationandtheplacewheretheLORDyourGodchoosestomakeHisnameabide
(Deut.12:11),cathedralswerebuiltineverycity.Thereareadditionalcontrasts.

WhiletheTemplewassupposedtobeabsolutelyfreefromanypresenceofthe
elementsofdeath,cathedralsbecameaburialplaceforbishopsandrulers.Sucha
usageofthecathedralwasconsistentwithpagancustomsoftreatmentofthe
dead.
WhileintheTempletheimageofcherubimwaspresentonlyontheArkofthe
CovenantinsidetheMostHolyandontheveilattheentrancetotheMostHoly,
cathedralswerefullofimagesandstatues,ofdifferentsaints,whichwere
worshippedinthemannersimilartothepagandeities.
WhiletheIsraeliteSanctuaryserviceincludedayearlycycleoffeastdaysthat
typifiedtheplanofsalvation,thenewChristiantempleserviceincorporatedmany
paganfestivalsbygivingthemnewnamesassociatedwithchurchtraditions.
WhiletheSanctuary,andsubsequentlythetemple,wasthetypeofthereal
HeavenlyTempledescribedthroughoutthebookofRevelation,the4thcentury
ChristianityadoptedtheHellenisticneoPlatonictheoryofheavenlyshadowsfor
eachearthlyreality.34Suchallegoricalinterpretationcompletelyexcludedthe

existenceoftherealsanctuaryinheavenandsubsequentlythehighpriestlyministry
ofJesustherein.

Asaresultofthetransformationsthatoccurredinthechurchbetweentheendofthe
2ndand5thcenturies,Christianitycompletelyalteredthenatureofitsworship.The
churchwentfromthehouse/assemblystyle,withitsfocusonscripture,toaquasi
templeservicethatattemptedtomixOldTestamentTempleritualswithHellenistic
pagantraditions.AllofthesenewcustomsdistortedtheLeviticallawsthathadonce
governedtheancientIsraeliteSanctuaryandpresenteditasadistortedcaricature.

However,theexistenceoftheJewishpeople,whosetraditionspreservedtheoriginal
OldTestamentScriptures,presentedathreattothenewChristianorderpropagated
bychurchleaders,apologistsandtheologiansofthattime.TherhetoricaboutGod

rejectingtheJewsandcursingthemfortheirdisobedienceservedasasmokescreen
fortherealintentionsoftheChurchtochangetimesandlaw(Dan7:25)
permanently.

Thetheoryitselfwasformulatedandsystematizedinthelate4thcenturybySt.
Augustine,whoinhisbookTheCityofGodpresentedtheChurchasaNewHeavenly
Jerusalem.Inotherwords,AugustinestheologyofKingdomChurchimpliedthe
churchmustreplacetheOldTestamentkingdomofIsraelandbecomethenewIsrael
withnewtemples,priestsandkings.Insuchasetting,theoldapostateIsraelwithits
lawsandScripturesmustbecompletelycutoff.Theseideasconstitutewhatis
knowntodayasreplacementtheologyorsupersessionism.

ForthisreasonbeginningfromtheearlyMiddleAges,Jewswhodecidedtobecome
ChristianswererequiredtorenouncetheiradherencetotheprinciplesoftheTorah
includingtheSabbathanddietarylawspubliclydeclaringtheselawstobeeviland
obsolete.Instead,JewsweresupposedtosweartoattendmasseverySunday,
participateinChristmasandEasterliturgiesandeatallfood,especiallypork.35

REPLACEMENTTHEOLOGY:ITSDANGERSANDPITFALLSFORSEVENTH
DAYADVENTISTS

HereisarecapofthebasicprinciplesthatconstituteChristiansupersessionismthat
emergedintheEarlyMiddleAges.

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WHATSUPERSESSIONISMTEACHES

JewsusedtobeGodsspecialpeoplebut:

Becauseoftheirdisobedience,GodnullifiedtheOldJewishCovenantandreplaced
itwithaNewChristianCovenant
BecausetheJewskilledJesus,Godtookeverythingfromthemandgaveitto
Christians,makingthechurchintoanewIsrael
BecausetheJewsrejectedJesus,Godrejectedthem,destroyedtheirTemplein
JerusalemandgavethepriesthoodtotheChurch,thusmakingtheChurchaNew
Temple
BecausetheJewsfailedtokeepthecovenant,GodnullifiedallpromisesHegaveto
themthroughtheprophetsthereforeallthesepromisesofblessingswillbegiven
totheChurch
BecausetheJewsarecursedbyGodanddeemedtobelost,theycanonlybe
savediftheyrenouncetheirJewishness,stopfollowingtheirevilTorahandaccept
thetraditionsoftheChurch.
Therefore,afterthecrucifixionofJesus,Jewsarenolongerconsideredtobea
chosenpeople,thustheyeffectivelyceasedtoexistasanation.

WhileitistruethattheideaoftheexistenceofaspecialGodchosennationdoesnot
fitintotheframeworkoftheeverlastinggospelthatAdventistspreachtothose
whodwellontheearthtoeverynation,tribe,tongue,andpeople(Rev14:6),it
mustbenotedthattheunderstandingoftheBiblicaltermchosenisoften
imbalancedforbothChristiansandOrthodoxJews.Godneverhadanyintentionof
creatingahigherraceofHisfavorites,norhadHeevercommandedtheIsraelitesto
lookdownonothernations.AccordingtotheplanofredemptionoutlinedintheOld
Testament,allnationsweresupposedtocomeuptoJerusalemtotheMountainof
theHouseoftheLord(Isa.2).TheretheyweretolearnthepreceptsoftheTorah,
foroutofZionshallgoforththelaw,andthewordoftheLORDfromJerusalem(Isa
2:3).GodchoseIsraelsolelytobethemessengersofHistruthinthepaganworld,
sothatanyonewhowantedtobesavedcouldcometoJerusalemandjointhe
assemblyofIsrael.

WhileitisalsotruethatundertheNewCovenant,thegeographiclocationof
JerusalemastheplaceofGodsdwellinginnolongervalid,andthetrueworshippers
willneitheronthismountain,norinJerusalem,worshiptheFatherbutinspiritand
truth(John4:21,23),wemustnotforgetthatJesusstilltaughtthatsalvationisof
theJews(John4:22).Inotherwords,theabsenceofthegeographicalplacewhere
theLORDyourGodchoosestomakeHisnameabide(Deut.12:11)doesnot
negatethefactthatScripturecanonlybeproperlyunderstoodthroughaHebraic(i.e
Jewish),notaHellenisticapproach.

WhileitistruethatthosewhodwellinJerusalem,andtheirrulersaskedPilatethat
Heshouldbeputtodeath(Acts13:2728),thisdoesnotmeanthatallJews
rejectedJesus.EvenacasualstudyoftheGospelsshowsthatJesuswasnot
welcomedspecificallyinJerusalem,unlikemanycitiesofGalileesuchasCapernaum
whereeventhechiefofthesynagoguewelcomedhim.Jerusalemselitecouldnot
overcometheirpridetoacceptaGalilean.ThisiswhythewordsOJerusalem,
Jerusalem,theonewhokillstheprophetsandstonesthosewhoaresenttoher!
HowoftenIwantedtogatheryourchildrentogether,asahengathersherchicks
underherwings,butyouwerenotwilling!(Matt23:37)areaddressedspecificallyto
JerusalemnottoIsrael.Onthecontrary,onanumberofoccasionstheGospels
reportthatmanyoftheJewswhohadseenthethingsJesusdid,believedinHim
(John11:45,12:1011).

JewishbelieversinJesustogetherwiththeapostleswhoweredefinitelyJewishwere
atthecoreofthefirstChristianchurch.Asnotedabove,theinfluxofHellenistsand
theirinfluenceintheearlysecondcenturywastheprimarycauseofthedeviation
fromBiblicaltruthintheearlychurch.Thiswouldeventuallyleadtoapostasy.

Whileitisalsotrue,thatanumberofpropheciesthattalkaboutGodsblessings
uponIsraelinthelastdaysarepredicatedonIsraelsfaithfulnesstoHiscovenant,
andthereforeconditional,wemustnotforgetthatalthoughIsraelduetoits
unfaithfulnesshadtoendurethecursesofthecovenantandlosttheirland(Lev.26),
GodhasnotforsakenHiscovenantwiththem.Onthecontrary,afterenumeratingall
thewoesthatwouldbefallIsraelinthecaseoftheirdisobediencetotheTorah,God
stillsays,Yetforallthat,whentheyareinthelandoftheirenemies,Iwillnotcast
themaway,norshallIabhorthem,toutterlydestroythemandbreakMycovenant
withthemforIamtheLORDtheirGod(Lev26:44).Asaresultofsuchapromise
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withthemforIamtheLORDtheirGod(Lev26:44).Asaresultofsuchapromise
GodhasnotdestroyedtheJewishpeople,eventhoughtheylivedwithouttheir
homelandfornineteencenturies.

TheideathatGoddestroyedtheJerusalemTempleasapunishmenttoJewsfor
killingChristisamajortenantofreplacementtheology.Notethatthereisno
prophecyintheBiblethatwouldinterpretthedestructionoftheSecondtempleasa
divinepunishmenttoJewsasanationfornotacceptingChrist.Theonlyprophecy
thatspecificallydealswiththeeventsof70ADisfoundinDaniel9:27.WhileDaniel
talksaboutthedeathoftheMessiahandthedestructionofJerusalemandthe
Temple,thereisnomentionofanykindofspecificpunishment.Unliketheprophecies
thatpredictedtheBabyloniancaptivity,whichcouldbepreventedshouldIsraelhave
repented,thedestructionoftheSecondTempleisinevitableandthusunconditional.

Forcenturies,theaccusationofbeingGodkillershauntedthoseJewishpeoplewho
livedamongChristians.Eventoday,someChristianscarrythisideatosuchan
extremethattheyarguethattheholocaustwasadivineretributiontoJewsfortheir
apostasy36.

Basedonalltheproblemsoutlinedabove,traditionalChristiansupersessionism
comesintoseriousconflictwithBiblicalteachings,whichconstitutethecoredoctrinal
principlesoftheSeventhdayAdventistchurch.

IftheChristianchurchhasindeedbecomeGodsIsrael,inthefullsenseofits
meaning,thenAdventistswillhavetoacceptthatAugustinianchurchstate
theologyiscorrect,sinceOldTestamentIsraelwasatheocraticstate.This
definitelycontradictstheteachingofSeventhdayAdventistswhohavealways
understoodthatanykindofmoderntheocraticstateasanantichristpower37.
IftheNewTestamentchurchindeedassumesthetheocraticstatehoodofIsrael,
thenAdventistswouldhavetoaccepttheinstitutionoftheearthlypriesthoodand
highpriesthood.ThiscontradictstheultimatefoundationalbeliefintheHighPriestly
ministryofJesusintheHeavenlySanctuary,onwhichAdventismwasbuilt.Infact,
theAugustinianconceptofthesanctuaryastheearthwasthesolereasonfor
MillersmisunderstandingofDaniel8:14whichledtotheGreatDisappointment.

ThemessageoftheBibleinregardstoOldTestamentIsraelisclear.Thetheocratic
Templecenteredchurchstateaccomplisheditsmission.Thismissionwastosustain
andsupportthesanctuaryservice,whichtypifiedtheplanofsalvationandthrough
sacrificespresentedinsymbolsthesubstitutionaryatonement.AfterCalvaryunder

NewCovenant,thisfunctionwasnolongerneeded.Thereforenoone,neitherthe
modernstateofIsraelnortheChristianchurchhastherighttoclaimtobeanewOld
CovenantIsrael.

ThisdoesnotmeanthatGodhasdoneawaywiththeJews.Liquidatingthetheocratic
Templecenteredstatedoesnotconstitutealiquidationofthenation/people.The
newcovenantwastobemadewiththehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudah
(Jer.31:31).InhisepistletoRomans,PaulaskshasGodcastawayHispeople?and
immediatelyanswers,Certainlynot!(Rom.11:1).InthecontextofthisversePaul
clearlyspeaksabouttheJewishpeople,callinghimselfanIsraelite,oftheseedof
Abraham,ofthetribeofBenjamin.

WhatwasthesourceofPaulsangstthen?ItwasthatmanyofhisfellowJewsfailed
torecognizewhattheircarefullypreservedteachingsclearlypointedtoward.Yet,he
clearlyasks,WhatadvantagethenhastheJew,orwhatistheprofitof
circumcision?andimmediatelyanswersMuchineveryway!Chieflybecauseto
themwerecommittedtheoraclesofGod(Rom.3:12).

Thequestionmaybeasked,IftheJewishapproachtointerpretingscripturewas
valid,whydidtheyfailtorecognizeChrist?Itcouldalsobeaskedjustasvalidly,
WhyweretheJewsatThessalonicacommendedwhentheyappliedthesesame
principlestoexaminewhetherwhatPaulwasteachingwasso.Unfortunatelymany
adherersofthereplacementtheologyfailtorecognizethatnotallJewsrejected
Jesus,aswellasnotalltheGentilesacceptedJesusorfollowedbiblicalteachingsHe
proclaimed.Itappearsthataclearunderstandingofthenatureoftheconditionality
ofthecovenantbetweenGodandIsraelandtheconditionalityoftheOldTestament
propheciesisvitaltounderstandingIsraelandtheChurchtoday.IfGodhasnot
writtentheJewishpeopleoff,inspiteoftheabsenceoftheocraticOldTestament
Israel,andiftheJewishpeoplestillappeartoplayaspecialroleinGodsplanof
redemption,whatisthisrole?

CONTEMPORARYCHRISTIANDISCUSSION

ChallengestoSeventhdayAdventistEschatology
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Asdiscussedearlier,theissueofIsraelasacursednationbecameentrenchedwithin
theearlycenturiesofChristianity.However,thethemeofIsraelappearedwithanew
perspectivewhenitbecameapartoftheCounterReformationtheologydeveloped
bytheCatholicChurchinthe16thcentury.38

FUTURISM

TheproblemforRomanCatholicismwasthattheEuropeanreformersofthe16th
18thcenturiesviewedthesevenheadedbeastofRevelation13:110,aswellasthe
littlehornofDaniel78,asthePope,theantichrist.Inotherwords,thereformers
adoptedthehistoricistapproachtotheinterpretationoftheapocalypticpropheciesof
DanielandRevelation.Suchhistoricistthinkingeventuallyledtotheemergenceof
theMilleritemovement,whichgavestarttoSeventhdayAdventism.

InordertocombattheriseofProtestantismbackin16thcentury,Catholic
theologiansneededtofindawaytodisprovethereformerstheoryaboutthepope
beinganantichrist.Thisstruggleledtothebirthfuturism,analternativeapproachto
interpretingtheapocalypticbooksoftheBible.39

ISRAELINFUTURISM

Futuristsrejecttheyeardaypropheticprinciple.Instead,theytakethe1260
days/42monthperiodoftheantichristruledescribedinRevelation13literallyand
placeitattheendtime.ThisisdonebyconnectingRevelation13withthepassagein
Daniel9:27,whichsays,Thenheshallconfirmacovenantwithmanyforoneweek
ButinthemiddleoftheweekHeshallbringanendtosacrificeandoffering.40

Futuristtheologiansseeparallelsbetweenthe1260dayperiodinRev.13andthe
secondhalfofthelastweekinDan9:27,sincebothtimeperiodsamountto31/2
years.Thereforetheydetachthissecondhalfofthe70thweek,placingitinthe
distantfutureattheendoftimebeforetheSecondAdventofChrist.Theycallitthe
timeoftribulation.Thechurch,however,willbeabletoescapethelastdaytribulation
becauseitwillbesecretlyraptured.

Oneofthemajorscripturalproofsofthistheoryistakenfrom2Thessalonians2:3
4:LetnoonedeceiveyoubyanymeansforthatDaywillnotcomeunlessthe
fallingawaycomesfirst,andthemanofsinisrevealed,thesonofperdition,who
opposesandexaltshimselfaboveallthatiscalledGodorthatisworshiped,sothat
hesitsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod.Themanofsin
inthisverseisunderstoodtobetheantichrist,whoissupposedtobesittinginthe
templeofGod41.

SincetheTempleofGodwasdestroyedin70AD,thetemplemustberebuiltinorder
fortheantichristtoactuallysitinthetemple.Thus,theonlypeoplewhocanrebuild
thetempleare,ofcourse,theJews.ThisishowtheissueofIsraelisagainraisedin
Christianity.

WhileintheearlystagesofChristianapostasy,IsraelwasanobstaclefortheChurch
initsintentionaldeviationfromBiblicalprinciples,attheendoftheMiddleAgesthis
newteachingarosetoprotectthesameChurchthatarosefromthatapostasy.Now,
JewsareneededtogetChristianstoheaven.WhiletheearlyChurchFathers
preachedthatGodcursedJewsfortheirdisobedienceandtookawaytheirlandfrom
them,asegmentofpostmedievaltheologianswantedtheJewstogobacktotheir
landtorebuildthetempleinJerusalem.

ThefollowingisarecapoftheroleofIsraelinthelastdayeventsasseenthrough
theprismoffuturisticinterpretation:42

JewswillreturntoIsraelandrebuildtheTemple
Theantichrist,whoisaJewfromthetribeofDan,willcomeandsethimselfinthe
Temple
Thiswillstartthetimeoftribulation
Jewswillbedeceivedbytheantichristandaccepthimasthemessiah
Thechurchwillberapturedsecretlytoheaven,whiletheJewsstayonearth
sufferingfromtheantichrist.

Whilethistheology,initself,wasverycontroversial,thecreationofthestateofIsrael
in1948gaveitstrongmomentum.Itisinterestingtonote,thatfuturistsapplythose
passagesfromthepropheticbooks,whichtalkaboutGodreturningIsraeltotheland
tothecreationofmodernstateofIsrael.Futuristsseethisdevelopmentasapartof
Godseschatologicalplan.Ontheotherhand,theybelievethatassoonasallthe
JewshavebeengatheredinIsraelandhaverebuilttheTemplethattheywillbe
trappedbythedeceptionoftheantichrist.Inotherwords,accordingtoatleastone
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armoffuturisttheology,GodwantstogatherJewsinIsraelonlyinordertodeceive
them.SuchapositionappearstobeveryantiJewish.

Theentirefuturisticapproachtotheinterpretationoftheapocalypticbooksisnot
basedontheBible.Itisclearformanymodernbiblecommentatorsthattheideaof
thesecretrapture,supposedlybasedonMatt.24:4041and1Thess.4:1617,is
takenoutofcontext.BothtextstalkaboutthecomingofChristaccompaniedbythe
blastofthetrumpetandresurrectionofthedead.Theideaofanantichristactually
sittingintherebuilttempleinJerusalem,besidesitsovertantiSemitism,findsno
validationwithinscripture.

Thefollowingaretheexamplesoftheinconsistencyinthefuturisticinterpretationof
eschatologicalevents.

FuturisttheologiansconnectRev.13:5,whichtalksaboutthe42monthruleofthe
beast,withDan.9:27,whichmentionsthesecondhalfoftheweek.Yettheyapply
twodifferentprinciplesofthetimecalculation.The42monthstheytakeliterally,
whereasthehalfoftheweek,whichis31/2daysisunderstoodthroughtheyear
dayprinciple.
FuturisttheologiansconnectRev.13:5withDan.9:27,butoverlooktheparallel
betweenRev.13:5andRev.12:7&12,thattalkaboutthewomenhidinginthe
desertfromthedragoncalledtheDevilandSatan(Rev.12:9)duringthesame
periodoftime.AccordingtothetextofRev.12,thewomanrunstothedesertin
ordertoescapethedragonbecausehefailedtodevourherchild.Connectingthese
twoadjacentchaptersinRevelationwouldunderminetheirtheoryaboutan
antichristdeceivingtheJewswhowouldaccepthimastheirmessiah.Rev.12:17
speaksaboutthedragonwagingwarwiththedescendantsofthewomanwhokeep

thecommandmentsofGodandhavethetestimonyofJesusChrist.Itisclearthis
textcannotspeakaboutJewsbeingdeceivedbytheantichrist.Moreover,the
1260dayperiod,inwhichthewomanhidesinthedesert,happensbeforethat.
Thismeansthatthe31/2yearperiodoftribulationdoesnotdirectlyprecedethe
SecondAdvent.Infact,accordingtothetextofRev.12,thedragonattacksthe
womanafterherchildiscaughtuptoGodandHisthrone(Rev12:5).Sincethis
textdefinitelytalksabouttheascensionofChrist,placingatimegapofindefinite
lengthbetweenthesetwoeventsdoesnotmakeanysense.Therefore,ifthe
connectionbetweenRev.13andRev.12isshown,itwouldimmediatelyputthe
decisiontoseverethesecondhalfofthe70thweekinDan.9:27undersuspicion.
Asmentionedabove,theinterpretationthatthewordsaboutthemanofsinorson
ofperditionwhositsasGodinthetempleofGod,showinghimselfthatheisGod
describesantichristsittingintherebuilttempleinJerusalemisdefinitelyoutof
touchwithreality.Thosewhopreachsuchaninterpretationhaveabsolutelyno
understandingofeitherthestructureoftheTemple(wherenomancanactuallybe
sitting)norofJudaismanditsviewsregardingtherestorationoftheTemple.In
fact,accordingtotheJewishunderstanding,theTemplecanberestoredonlyby
theMessiahhimself.Thereforeregardlessofthedesireofsomefuturistsforthe
JewstorebuildtheTemple,theywillnotstartthisprojectuntiltheMessiahreturns.
Thiscanputtheentirefuturisticpictureofthelastdayseventsinjeopardy.
Futuristsinsistthatthesevenheadedbeast,theantichristofRev.13:110,should
comefor31/2yearsbeforethecomingofChristbutdonothaveanycoherent
interpretationofthetwohornedbeastdescribedinRev13:1117thatcomesafter
thesevenheadedbeast.BasedonthetextofRevelation13,itisabsolutely
impossibletoplacetheantichristbeforethesecondcomingofJesus,becausein
thatcasethereisnoplaceforthesecondbeast,whoseunderstandinginfuturismis
veryvague.

ADVENTISTFUTURISTDEBATEANDITSIMPACTONTHEISSUEOF
ISRAEL

Despitetheseinconsistencies,futurismpresentsaseriousthreattoSeventhday
Adventisttheology,oneofthefewremainingprotestantgroupstothatassertthat
historicismisthecorrectmethodofinterpretationfortheapocalypticbooksofthe
Bible.43Infact,whiletheideaofasecretraptureand31/2yearsoftribulationat
theendoftimeoriginatedamongCatholictheologians,Protestantsbeganadoptingit
inthe1840sand1850s.Inaway,thiswasaprotestantreactiontothespreadof
Adventism.Iteventuallyledtotheabandonmentofthehistoricistmethodof
interpretationofthebooksofDanielandRevelationbymostProtestantgroups.

Sincetheideaofseveringthesecondhalfofthe70thweekthreatenstoundermine
theentirehistoricistapproach,theredefinitelyhastobeabiblicalresponsetoit.As
demonstratedabove,theparallelbetweenDaniel9andRevelation13isabsolutely
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demonstratedabove,theparallelbetweenDaniel9andRevelation13isabsolutely
artificialandflawedanddoesnotfitthecontextofthebookofRevelation.Thisisjust
oneoftheplentifulpiecesofbiblicalevidence.

ThemostcommonrefutationusedbySeventhdayAdventistsisbasedonthewords
fromDan.9:24Seventyweeksaredeterminedforyourpeopleandforyourholy
city,tofinishthetransgression,tomakeanendofsins,tomakereconciliationfor
iniquity,tobringineverlastingrighteousness,tosealupthevisionandprophecy,and
toanointtheMostHoly.ThetextisunderstoodtomeanthattheJewsarebeing
givenonelastchancetorectifytheirdisobedientbehavior.Thereforeafter70
propheticweeks(equalto490years),GodwillcompletelyabandonHiscovenant
withthepeopleofIsrael.44

BasedonDan.9:25,whichprovidesthebeginningdateforthe70weeksperiod,the
probationarytimefortheJewsendedintheyear34ADwiththeeventknownasthe
stoningofStephen,describedinActs67.Forthisreason,sinceGodhasfinally
brokenHiscovenantwithIsrael,Jewsarenolongerchosenandarebasically
nonexistent.Subsequently,anyprophecythattalksaboutGod'sfaithfulnesstoIsrael
hastobeappliedtotheChurch,whereasanyprophecythatmentionsreturnofthe
peopleofIsraeltotheirlandisconditional.ThusthecreationofthestateofIsrael
doesnothaveanybiblicalsignificanceanddoesnotplayanyroleinlastdaysevents.

WhileitistruethatmanypropheciesthattalkaboutthereturnofthepeopleofIsrael
intotheirLandmustbeunderstoodintheirhistoricalcontext,whichisthereturnfor
theBabyloniancaptivity,thisdoesnotmeanthatthepeopleofIsraelhavetobe
treatedasnonexistent.Onthecontrary,Jeremiahinhisbookclearlyspeaks,
Behold,thedaysarecoming,saystheLord,whenIwillmakeanewcovenantwith
thehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudah(Jer.31:31).

ThewordsIsraelandJudahinthisversecannotbeappliedtotheChurch.Thetext
doesnotspeakaboutthecovenant,butaboutthenewcovenant.Thewordnew
hereimpliesthatatsomepointintimetherewasacovenant,whichisconsideredas
old.

Itisimpossibletomakeanewcovenantwithsomeonewhowasnotapartytothe
oldone.ThisiswhythewordsofJeremiah31arecitedintheEpistletoHebrews,
whowereapartytotheOldCovenant.TheChurchwasneverapartytotheOld
CovenantmadebetweenGodandIsraelatSinai.InfactJeremiah31:32speaks,
notaccordingtothecovenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythatItook
thembythehandtoleadthemoutofthelandofEgypt,Mycovenantwhichthey
broke.SincetheChurchdidnotexist,itcouldnothavebrokenthecovenant
Jeremiahisreferringto.Whenwelookatthisparticularprophecy,itdefinitely
appearslikeGodindeedintendstogiveIsraelasecondchanceandwantstoplace
Hiscommandmentsintheirhearts.

Whileitistruethatthe70weeks(the490yearperiod)ended31/2yearsafterthe
crucifixion,whichhappenstobetheyearofthestoningofStephen,thereisnothing
inthetextofDan.9:24thatwouldexplicitlysuggestthatthepreachingofthe
GospeltotheJewswasstoppedandswitchedtotheGentiles.Onthecontrary,the
entirereasonforthestoningofStephenwasthatanumberofthesynagogueswere
angryathimbecauseheledJewstoacceptJesus.

ThestoryofStephenbeginswiththestatementThenthewordofGodspread,and
thenumberofthedisciplesmultipliedgreatlyinJerusalem,andagreatmanyofthe
priestswereobedienttothefaith(Acts6:7).Moreso,inspiteofthepersecution
thatfollowedtheexecutionofStephen,thebookofActstellsusthatthosewho
werescatteredafterthepersecutionthataroseoverStephentraveledasfaras
Phoenicia,Cyprus,andAntioch,preachingthewordtonoonebuttheJewsonly
(Acts11:19).

Inotherwords,whilethepreachingoftheGospelwasstoppedinJudeabecauseof
thepersecutionfromtheTempleauthoritiesandthePharisees,intheJewish
Diaspora,thespreadingofthemessagehadjustbegun.Itisoftenoverlookedbythe
theologiansthatinthe1stcenturymorethan60percentoftheJewslivedoutsideof
JudeainthedifferentprovincesoftheRomanandParthianempires.Accordingto
Acts11:2026,JewsfromtheDiasporainCyprusandCyrenecametoAntiochand
sharedtheGoodNewswiththeHelleniststhere.ThenitwasaLevitebythenameof
BarnabaswhowassentbytheJewishchurchinJerusalemtohelpinestablishingthe
churchinAntiochwherebelieverswerefirstcalledChristians.

The70weekperioddescribedinDan9:24mustbeconsideredinthecontextofthe
entireprophecyofDan.9:2427thattalksabouttheterminationofthefunctionof
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theTempleinJerusalem.Infact,chapter9beginswiththedistressedprayerof
Daniel,who,basedonthevisionrecordedinChapter8,thinksthattheTemplewill
notberestoredforanother2300years.TheanswerDanielreceivesfocusesonthe
TempleandonthetheocratictemplecenteredstateofIsraelanditscapital,
Jerusalem.DanielisassuredtheTemplewillberestored,inaccordancewiththeedict
ofArtaxerxisin457BC.

The70weeksweregivenforthistheocraticstatetofulfillitsmission.Wearetold
thatinthemiddleofthe70thweekthesacrificewouldcease.ThefollowersofJesus
understoodthistopointtohisdeath,whichmadesacrificesobsolete.

IntheprophecyDanielistoldthatthesacrificewouldceaseandtheTempleand
Jerusalemwillbedestroyed.Thisoccurredliterallyin70AD.Nowhereinthispassage
canwefindanymentionoftherejectionoftheJewishpeoplebyGod.Ratherwesee
thesupernaturaldeliveranceofthoseJewswhoembracedJesusjustpriortothe
templesdestruction.

Inaway,usingDan.9:24andthisspecificantiJewishinterpretationtorefute
futuristictheologyrepresentsareiterationofthesupersessionismoftheearlyChurch
Fathers.Suchaposition,whileitappearstodefendthehistoricistinterpretationof
theapocalypticbooks,inrealitycreatesaconflictwithothersignificantchurch
doctrines.

Sinceitsinception,theSeventhdayAdventistchurchhasusedthehistoricist
approachtointerpretRevelation13:110anditssevenheadedbeastasthepapacy.
IftheChurchreplacedIsraelafter34AD,thismeansthatthisTrueIsraelaltered
thebiblicalSabbathandintroducedahostoffalsedoctrines.

Moreso,theideathatafterthestoningofStephenthepreachingoftheGospelto
JewsceasedcontradictsnotonlythehistorydescribedinthebookofActs,butitalso
putstheentiredefenseoftheSabbathintheNewTestamentinjeopardy.Inother
words,AdventistsusethetextsfromthebookofActssuchas13:14&4217:2and
18:4todemonstratethatafterthedeathofJesusHisdisciplescontinuedtoobserve
theSabbath.NotethattheseversesarepartofthestoriesaboutPaul,whoonallhis
missionarytripsbeganhispreachinginthesynagogueswherehealwaysfoundJews,
Greekvisitorsandproselyteswhoacceptedhismessage.

Ignoringthesefactsandinsistingthatafter34ADtheGospelstoppedbeing
preachedtotheJewsputstheentireSabbathargumentatrisk,foritsupportsthe
conceptthatallthingsJewishweredispleasingtoGod,andthatGodhadchanged
HisattitudetotheidolatryoftheGentiles.

Onthecontrary,theevidencefromthebookofActspointstothenumberofJews
whoacceptedPaulsmessageinThessalonica(Acts17:14),Athens(Acts17:10
13)andinEphesus(Acts18:192019:810).Infact,thebookofActspointsout
thatinAthens,PaulsJewsinthesynagoguereceivedPaulmuchmorefavorablythen
theGreeksintheAreopagus(Acts17:1932).

EveninCorinthwheremanyJewsfromthelocalsynagogueopposedPaul,andhehad
totellthem,YourbloodbeuponyourownheadsIamclean.FromnowonIwillgo
totheGentiles(Acts18:6),heleftthesynagoguetogetherwithCrispus,whowas
therulerofthesynagogue,andbelievedontheLordwithallhishousehold(Acts
18:8).

Thishighlightsanimportantfact:inmostofthecasesdescribedinthebookofActs,
thepreachingoftheGospelinthedifferentcitiesoftheRomanempirebeganwith
theJewsandproselytesatthelocalsynagogues.ThesegroupsoffollowersofJesus
functionedasseedsforfurtherdevelopmentofthechurchesinthearea.Their
understandingofsolidprinciplesofstudyandfamiliaritywiththeHebrewScriptures
wassomethingtheChristianleadershipinJerusalemwasdependingupon.

ThereforeScripturedoesnotsupporttheinterpretationofDaniel9:24,whichmany
Adventistshaveusedinthepast.JewsplayedavitalroleinthespreadingtheGospel
outsidethebordersofJudea.Theyplayedavitalroleinpreservingtheknowledgeof
Hebrewforthepasttwomillennia.TheypreservedaknowledgeoftheSabbathwhen
PapalpersecutionhadalmostentirelywipedoutthoseChristiancommunitieswhich
remainedfaithfultoit.

The70weekprophecydealssolelywiththefactthatthemissionoftheTemple
centeredtheocraticstateofIsraeloutlinedintheOldCovenant,anddescribedin
Hebrews8and9isover.Thisabsolutelyfailstojustifytheinterpretationthatthe
Jewsasanationshouldbewrittenoff.

THEISSUEOFISRAELINTHEDEBATEBETWEENADVENTISTSAND
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MESSIANICCOMMUNITIES

Duringthepastseveraldecades,especiallyafterthevictoryintheSixDayWarof
1967thatresultedinIsraelgainingcontroloverallofJerusalem,thepopularityof
futurismhassignificantlydecreased.Theseeventsspurredtheemergenceofmany
proIsraelChristianswhohaveanaffinityandfascinationwiththeJewishpeopleand
culture.MostoftheseChristiansareunawareofthebackgroundwherethereturnof
theJewstotheirlandisneededonlytobringaboutthesecretraptureofthe
Church.45

Thesenewlyformedgroups,whichincludeChristianZionistsanddifferentHebraic
HeritageandMessianiccongregations,anticipatetherebuildingoftheTemplein
Jerusalembutdonotbelievethatitwouldbecomeaseatfortheantichrist.Onthe
contrary,theybelievethattherestorationoftheTemplewillbringtheMessiahJesus
whowillsaveIsraelandestablishHismillennialkingdomwiththecapitalin
Jerusalem.

MILLENIALISTAPPROACHTOTHEFUTUREOFISRAELANDITS
CHALLENGESFORTHEADVENTISTMESSAGE

Suchatheologyrepresentsamodifiedversionoftheoldstylefuturism,replacing
traditionalChristianantiJudaismwithastrongproJewishattitude.Thefollowingis
arecapofthemajortraitsofthemillenialisticapproachtotheroleofIsraelinlast
daysevents:46

IsraelisaspecialnationchosenbyGodwhosestatusishigherthananyother
nationsontheEarth
Godhastwopaths:oneisforIsraelandoneisfortheChurch
ThecreationofIsraelpresentsthefulfillmentofpropheciesfoundinIsaiah,
Jeremiah,EzekielaboutGodreturningHispeopletotheirland
TherestorationoftheTempleisahighlightofGodsplanforIsrael,whichgives
starttotheMillennialkingdom.

Asmentionedabove,thistheology,whilefuturisticinitsnature,definitely
communicatesatotallydifferentattitudetowardIsraelandtheJews.Thisrepresents
adeparturefromthetraditionalmorethen1900yearsChristianattitudetoward
JewsasstaunchChristkillers.Nevertheless,withallitspositivespinsthistheology
hasitsmajorshortcomings.

Thefactthatthestatementaboutthemillennium,literallyaonethousandyearlong
periodoccursonlytwiceintheGreektextoftheNewTestament,inchapter20ofthe
bookofRevelation,presentsthebiggestproblemofsuchanapproach.Thefirst
occurrencetalksaboutSatanbeingchainedintheAbyss(Rev.20:2),whereasthe
secondoccurrencetalksaboutthosewhoareraisedfromthedeadatthesecond
comingofChrist(Rev.20:6).Accordingto1Thess.4:17,theoneswhoareraisedat
thecomingofChrist,togetherwiththosewhoarealiveatthemomentofHisadvent,
arecaughtuptogetherwiththeminthecloudstomeettheLord.Thereforeitis
clearthatthethousandyearreignwithChristcannothappenontheearth,especially
afterthecalamitiesthatprecededthecomingofChrist.

NotethatbothoftheapocalypticbooksoftheBible,DanielandRevelationtalksolely
abouttheTempleinHeavenanddonotcontainanyhintabouttherestorationofa
TempleinJerusalem.Whilefortraditionalfuturists,restorationoftheTemplewould
serveonlythegoaloftheantichristdeceivingtheJews,itisnotclearwhatpurpose
therestoredTemplewillserveintheeschatologicalscenariopresentedbythepro
JewishMillenialists.

AccordingtothewidelyacceptedChristianpositionalsosharedbytheMillenialists,
Templeserviceswereperformedwiththegoaltotypifytheplanofsalvationandto
pointtotheultimateLambofGodwhotakesawaythesinoftheworld(John1:29).
SincethesacrificeonCalvarywascompletedonceandforall,andJesus,the
ultimatelambofGod,ascendedtoheaventobecomeaHighPriest,whoisseatedat
therighthandofthethroneoftheMajestyintheheavens(Heb.8:1)servinginthe
greaterandmoreperfecttabernaclenotmadewithhands(Heb.9:11),isnotclear
inthiscasewhatroletherestoredTempleonearthwillplay.

However,refutingMillenialistviewsusingreplacementtheologyisverycounter
productive.Inspiteoftheobviousinconsistencyoftheirtheology,thefascinationof
MillenialistswithIsraelandtheJewishpeopleasawholeleadsmanyofthemonthe
pathofsearchingfortheirHebraicroots.Becauseofthissearch,manyformer
evangelicalChristianswhoadheretotheMillenialistviewsacceptTen
CommandmentsincludingthebiblicalSabbathandbegantithingandfollowingthe
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CommandmentsincludingthebiblicalSabbathandbegantithingandfollowingthe
dietarylawsoutlinedinLeviticus.UsingantiJewishrhetoricwiththesepeoplewill
simplyturnthemawayfromtheAdventistmessage.

Moreover,theantiJewishovertonesthatarepresentinreplacementtheologydo
seriousdamagetotheAdventistteachingaboutthepermanenceoftheLaw.Since
theacceptanceoftheSabbath,Adventistshavebeenbombardedcontinuallybythe
evangelicalswhoarguebasedonActs15,theEpistletoGalatiansandselected
versesfromtheEpistlestoRomans,ColossiansandEphesiansthatthe
commandmentsoftheLawweredoneawaywith.Inordertogainaproper
perspectiveonthesepassagesandtoprovethattheydonotnullifytheLaw,itis
importanttolookbeyondtheplainGreeklanguageofthesetexts,whicharewritten
byaJewandaformerPharisee.Lookingatthesepassageswithinthecontextof1st
centuryJudaismwillprovideimportantinsightsforunderstandingthesetexts,which
theopponentsofAdventismusetochallengeAdventistteaching.

Unfortunately,replacementtheologycultivatesanegativeattitudetowardeverything
whichisperceivedtobeJewish.Asaresultexegetesandtheologianstraveldownthe
traditionalHellenisticpathusedbythemedievalchurch,whichinitsessence
advocatesthenullificationofBiblicalSabbath.

ADVENTISMVS.MILLENNIALISMDEBATE:ITSSTRENGTHSANDPITFALLS

ThissituationintheAdventistMillenialistdebatecallsforabetterbiblicalapproach
onethatdoesnothavetheseantiJewishovertones,whichbyimplicationbelittle
theHebrewBibleanddiscredittheJewishbackgroundoftheNewTestament.The
followingisthesummaryoftheproblemsthatariseintheAdventistMillenialist
debateandsuggestedbiblicalsolutionsoftheseissues.

Asdiscussedearlierinthepaper,theusagechosenintheOldTestamentisoften
misunderstood.WhiletraditionalsupersessionismoftenclaimedthattheJewsinthe
OldTestamentwereaprivilegednationandlaterlosttheirprivileges,Millenialists
claimthatIsraelhasneverlostitsprivilegeswithGod.

Ourresponsemaybeonewhichclarifiesthisunderstanding.Godhasnevergivento
anyoneanyspecialprivileges,butHechosedescendantsofJacobforthepurposeof
beingheraldsofHistruthtotheworld.ThussaystheLordGOD:ThisisJerusalem
Ihavesetherinthemidstofthenationsandthecountriesallaroundher(Ezekiel
5:5).ByplacingIsraelinthecenteroftheworldGodgavethemresponsibility,not
specialfavors.Onthecontrary,whenIsraelfellintoidolatry,HewastheOnewho
wouldrelentlesslydisciplinethem.Therefore,asIlive,saystheLordGOD,surely,
becauseyouhavedefiledMysanctuarywithallyourdetestablethingsandwithall
yourabominations,thereforeIwillalsodiminishyouMyeyewillnotspare,norwillI
haveanypity.MoreoverIwillmakeyouawasteandareproachamongthenations
thatareallaroundyou,inthesightofallwhopassby(Ezek.5:5,11).

InthesamewaytheNewTestamentisveryclearregardingthefactthatsimply
beingaJewdoesnotplacesomeoneautomaticallyinbetterpositionbeforetheLord.
Forcircumcisionisindeedprofitableifyoukeepthelawbutifyouareabreakerof
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thelaw,yourcircumcisionhasbecomeuncircumcision.Therefore,ifanuncircumcised
mankeepstherighteousrequirementsofthelaw,willnothisuncircumcisionbe
countedascircumcision?Andwillnotthephysicallyuncircumcised,ifhefulfillsthe
law,judgeyouwho,evenwithyourwrittencodeandcircumcision,areatransgressor
ofthelaw?(Rom.2:2527).Onthecontrary,PaulisclearthatThereisneitherJew
norGreek(Gal3:28)andinJesuseveryonehasequalstandingbecoming
Abrahamsseed,andheirsaccordingtothepromise(Gal.3:29).

Ontheotherhand,suchanequalityinregardtosalvationdoesnotimplythat
ScripturehaschangeditsHebraicnatureandbecomeHellenistic.Asdiscussed
above,JewsremainthekeepersoftheOraclesofGod(Rom.3:2)eveninour
days.

MillenialistoftenembracetheideaabouttwodifferentpathsofsalvationfortheJew
andfortheGentile.ThisinawayechoesatraditionalJewishviewthatthesonsof
AbrahamareresponsibleforkeepingtheentireTorah,whereasthesonsofNoahare
responsibleforonlysevencommandments.ForsomeChristianssuchanapproach
providesanexcusetooptoutfromtherequirementsofthecommandmentsofthe
LawclaimingthattheyareonlyfortheJews.

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However,theideaofNoahidelawsfoundinJudaismisclearlynonBiblicaland
originatedinrabbinictradition.InfactTorahdoesnotprovideanotherwayof
salvationforthosewhowerenotbornfromtheseedofAbraham,exceptbecoming
partofthenationofIsraelthroughtherightofcircumcision.Onelawshallbeforthe
nativebornandforthestrangerwhodwellsamongyou(Ex.12:49).

SimilarideascanbeseenintheNewTestament,wherePaultellstheColossiansthat,
inHimyouwerealsocircumcisedwiththecircumcisionmadewithouthands(Col.
2:11).Inotherwords,theNewTestamentdoesnothaveseparatesetsof
requirementsforthoseChristianswhoareofJewishoriginscomparedtothosewho
areofGentileorigins.

Whenunderstoodwithinthecontextof1stcenturyJudaism,itbecomesclearthat
whenPaulspokeaboutGentilesbeingequaltotheJews,hespoketheirfreeaccess
totheJudeoChristiancommunitywithoutanyspecificconversionprocedures,
somethingusuallyrequiredbyrabbinicJudaismbeforeacceptancewithinthe
community.IntheChristiancommunity,theequalstatusofthosewhowereborn
JewishandthosewhowerenotbornofJewishparentsdidnotmeanthatabaptized
gentileremainedapaganwhereasJewshadtobecomeHellenists,asmany
Christiansoftenunderstandit.EventhoughtheTempleinJerusalemhadcompleted
itsfunctionandmission,JesusclearlytaughtthatsalvationisoftheJews(John
4:22).Inotherwords,whileinChristthereisneitherJewnorGreek,itwasthe
GreekwhoneededtobecomeoneofAbrahamsseed,nottheJewswhohadto
abandontheirJewishheritage.

ThisisthereasonwhenPaulspeaksofnonJews,heusestheanalogywithadoption
Evensowe,whenwewerechildren,wereinbondageundertheelementsofthe
world.Butwhenthefullnessofthetimehadcome,thereforeGodsentforthHisSon,
bornofawoman,bornunderthelaw,toredeemthosewhowereunderthelaw,that
wemightreceivetheadoptionassons(Gal.4:35).ThereforeitistheGentilewho
becomespartofthepeopleofGodthoughtadoptionintothefamilyofIsrael,nota
Jewwhohasbeadoptedintothepaganism,astheMedievalChurchoftenrequired
Jewstodo.

UnfortunatelymanyMillenialistsdonothaveaproperunderstandingofthenatureof
themodernIsraelcreated.MostoftheOldTestamentprophesiesaboutthereturnof
Israeltotheirland,whichtheMillenialistsoftenreferto,speakaboutgatheringofthe
twelvetribesintotheirlandandreestablishingoftheDavidickingdom.Thestateof
Israelcreatedin1948neitherresemblesnorattemptstorecreateatheocraticorder
thatexistedduringthereignofDavid.Infact,thefoundersofthemodernIsraelwere
staunchatheists.Moreso,mostoftheOrthodoxJewishcommunitywasstrongly
againstthecreationofthestate,becauseitwasfoundedonsecularprinciples.Even
todaytherearesomeUltraOrthodoxJewswhodonotrecognizethestateofIsrael,
becauseitscharacterdoesnotconcurwiththeirvisionoftheTorah.Moreso,
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accordingtothisUltraOrthodoxunderstanding,onlyMessiahcanactuallyrebuildthe
TempleaswellasrestoretheDavidickingdom.

ThebiggestproblemwiththecurrentstateofIsraelbeingfulfillmentoftheOld
Testamentpropheciesisfoundinthefactthatthesepropheciestalkaboutthe
reunificationofalltwelvetribesofIsrael.However,accordingtothehistorical
narrativeof2Kings17,thetentribesthatcomprisedthenorthernkingdomofIsrael
wereresettledbytheAssyriankingShalmaneserinaround720BCtoAssyria,where
theyassimilatedtothepointthatanytracesofdistincttribescouldnotbefound
eveninthetimeofJudahsreturntothelandin457BC,letalonetoday.

Ontheotherhand,thereisanotherdisturbingteachingsurfacinginAdventismthat
suggeststhatthecreationoftheStateofIsraelwasentirelyadeceptionwiththe
goaltomisleadChristiansintofuturistictheology.TosuggestthatGodinHismercy
playednoroleintheestablishmentofahomelandfortheJewsisclearlyantiSemitic
innature.ItsuggeststhattheexistenceoftheJewishpeoplemakesthosepreachers
theologianswhoadvocatesupersessionismveryuncomfortable.Theseteachersgo
sofartosupportreplacementtheologytheyattemptprovethattheJews,genetic
descendantsoftheBiblicalIsraelites,donotexistbutarerathermereconvertsto
Judaism.ThisfailstounderstandthenatureofIsraelfromitsemergenceasanation
anddeniessolidBiblicalprinciplesofinterpretation.
Meanwhile,thestateofIsraelhasenjoyedrelativeprosperityforthepast65years,
despitethefactthatmodernIsraeldoesnotconstitutethefulfillmentoftheOld
Testamentprophecyanddoesnotplayanyroleinlastdayevents,itdoesnotmean
thatGodwasnotbehinditscreation.ThestateofIsraelwascreatedfollowingthe
horribleeventsoftheHolocaust,whichtookthelifeofsixmillionJews.Whilesome
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preachersdaretoclaimthattheHolocaustrepresentedGodsvengeanceuponthe
JewswhorejectedChrist,Godapparentlyactedinatotallydifferentway.Thefact
thatIsraelwasabletowithstandviciousattacksrightatitsinceptiontestifiestothe
factthatGodactsintheirdaytodayhistoryandwasnotwillingtoloseHispeople.

ThecreationofIsraelaftertheHolocausthelpedmanyJewstoobtainnewhopein
GodHopewhichwasalmostlostinthegaschambersofAuschwitz.Asamatterof
fact,inspiteofthewidespreadopinionthatexistsamongsomeChristiancirclesthat
JewsareabsolutelyclosedtotheGospelmessage,manyIsraelisknowandreadthe
GospelsandareopentoacceptingJesusastheirMessiah.Thishappensbecausein
theirhomecountryofIsrael,Jewsfeelmuchlessconcernedaboutpreservingtheir
identity,sincethecreationofIsraelactuallysolvedthisproblem.

CONCLUSIONS

ThereisadefiniteneedtofindanimprovedBiblicalapproachtotheissueofIsrael
andtheChurchinourAdventisttheology.Thisapproachshouldbesuchthatitwould
neitherbelittlethepeopleofIsrael,JewishcultureandtheHebrewBible,norwouldit
attempttobelittleothernations.Atthesametime,thisapproachwouldstrengthen
theAdventistpositioninkeyBiblicalareassuchastheLawandtheprophecy
discussedinthisarticle.

WhileitistruethatbothfuturistsandespeciallyMillenialistsdenytheconditionality
ofBiblicalpropheciesthattalkaboutthereturnofIsraelitestotheirland,theOld
TestamenthaspropheciesaboutIsraelthatcannotbeconsideredconditional.The
conditionalaspectofallconditionalpropheciesisalwaysbasedupontheblessings
andthecursesofthecovenantrecordedinLev.26andDeut.28.Theblessingsof
thecovenantareconditionalonthefactthatthepeoplefollowthedivine
commandments,otherwisethecursesfollow.However,asdiscussedearlier,even
afterthecursesofthecovenantfalluponIsrael,GodpromisedtorememberHis
covenantwiththem(Lev.26:4245).Thispromisecannotbeconditional,becauseit
manifestsGodsmercytotheremnantandhisdesiretoforgivetheirsins,forIwill
forgivetheiriniquity,andtheirsinIwillremembernomore(Jer.31:34).

InessencebymakingthenewcovenantwiththehouseofIsraelandwiththehouse
ofJudah,GodintendstoputHislawintheirminds,andwriteitontheirhearts(Jer.
31:31&33).TheEpistleofHebrews8:1012reiteratesthispromisetoIsraelandin
Chapter9explainsthatthefirstcovenanthadordinancesofdivineserviceandthe
earthlysanctuary(Heb.9:1).IntheearthlysanctuarylocatedinJerusalem,thetwo
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tabletswithTenCommandmentswereinsidetheArkoftheCovenant,whichwasin
theMostHolycompartment.BymakinganewcovenantGodwantsHis
commandmentstobewrittenontheheartsofHispeopleinsteadofuponstone
tablets.ForthisreasontheepistleofHebrewscallstheOldCovenantbasedonthe
templeobsoleteandreadytovanishaway(Heb.8:13).

GodsintenttodoawaywiththegeographicalaspectofHispresencerepresentsone
ofthemostimportanttraitsoftheNewCovenant.ThisiswhyJesussaidwhen
answeringthequestionaboutthetrueplaceofworshipposedbySamaritanwoman,
thehouriscomingwhenyouwillneitheronthismountain,norinJerusalem,
worshiptheFather.Youworshipwhatyoudonotknowweknowwhatweworship,
forsalvationisoftheJews.Butthehouriscoming,andnowis,whenthetrue
worshiperswillworshiptheFatherinspiritandtruth(John4:2123).Inotherwords,
whilesalvationisindeedcomingfromtheJews,who,inaccordancewiththeprecepts
oftheTorah,establishedaspecificplaceforGodspresenceinJerusalemandworship
there,thetimeiscomingwhenworshipperswillnotneedtocometoaspecific
locationtoencountertheDivinepresence,butwillbeabletoexperienceGods
presenceinspirit.ThisiswhyPaulspecificallysays,Doyounotknowthatyouare
thetempleofGodandthattheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou?(ICor.3:16).

ThereforetheBiblepresentsastoryofhowGodmadeHisNewCovenantwiththe
HouseofIsraelinthebookofActschapter2.OnthedayofPentecost,thesameday
whenGodmadetheOldCovenantatSinaiwiththetwelvetribesofIsrael,theHoly
SpiritrestedupontwelveJews,whoweredisciplesofJesus.Thiswasdoneatthe
TempleinfrontofthecrowdofJewishpilgrimswhocamefromalltheJewish
diasporasacrosstheRomanandParthianempiresforthefestival.Asaresultofthis
miracleandthemessagepreachedbyPeter,3000Jewsfromacrosstheworld
enteredintoNewCovenantrelationswithGod.

ThebookofActsisclearthatwhileGodeventuallyabandonstheTemplein
Jerusalem,HebeginsusingJewsintheDiaspora,whoaremorenumerousthenthe
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10/18/2016 Israelandthechurch
Jerusalem,HebeginsusingJewsintheDiaspora,whoaremorenumerousthenthe
onesinJudea,tospreadtheGospelacrosstheRomanempire.Asaresultofthe
workoftheseJews,ChristiancommunitieswereformedinAntioch,Corinth,Ephesus
andotherimportantcities.

ThisiswhythelongheldbeliefthattheChurchreplacedtheJewsdoesnotconcur
withthehistoricalreality.JewswereattheveryfoundationofChristianityand
unfortunatelywerepushedawayfromitwhentheChurchchosetobecome
HellenisticandabandontheprinciplesofGodscommandments.Theapostasyinthe
ChurchhappenedonlybecauseithaslostitsoriginalHebraicperspectiveon
Scripture.

AccordingtoPaul,theChurchhasnotcometoreplaceIsrael,butwasformedasa
resultofGentilebelieversinJesusbeinggraftedin(Rom.11:19)totheholyroot
(Rom.11:16),theremnantofIsrael,thosewhoenteredintotheNewCovenantwith
GodontheDayofPentecostandformanyyearsafterward.

1TheearliestexampleofthisphilosophicalthinkinganditsapplicationtoBiblical
interpretationcanbefoundintheworksofSt.Justin(ca.100165)alsoknowninthe
EasternOrthodoxtraditionasJustinthePhilosopher.HisworkTheFirstApology
clearlydemonstratesusageoftheGreekPhilosophicalapproach.

2Cf.ThorliefBomanHebrewThoughtComparedwithGreek,NewYork:W.W.Norton,
(1960).

3Theearliestuseoftheterm"JudeoChristian"inthehistoricalsensedatesto1829
inthemissionaryjournalofJosephWolff,aJewishconvertmentionedintheGreat
Controversy(cf.JosephWolff,.MissionaryJournaloftheRev.JosephWolff,
MissionarytotheJewsIII,(London:JamesDuncan1829),p.314).Theearliest
followersofJesuscomposedanapocalypticJewishsect,whichhistoriansrefertoas
JewishChristianity(Cf.AlisterE.McGrath,Christianity:AnIntroduction,(Blackwell
Publishing:2006),p.174)
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4ThetermHebraicimpliesanunderstandingbasedontheHebrewScriptures(the
OldTestament)aswellastheunderstandingofthefactthatJudaismintheFirst
CenturyrepresentsaproperculturalandreligiousbackgroundfortheNew
Testament.Cf.E.PSandersJesusandJudaism(FortressPress,1985).

5Iin98ADafterthemurderofDomitian,NervarelaxedaspecialtaxonJewsin
suchawaythatChristianswereexemptfrompayingit.Thiswasthefirstattemptto
distinguishChristiansfromtheJewishcommunity.DouglasR.Edwards,Religion&
Power:Pagans,Jews,andChristiansintheGreekEast,(OxfordUniversityPress
1996).

6ThereareanumberofpassagesinMidrashimthattellstoriesaboutRabbiswho
resistedanycontactswiththefollowersofJesus,Sf.MidrashEstherRabbah.Cf.
PhillipAlexanderJewishBelieversinEarlyRabbinicLiterature(2nd5thCenturies),
inTheEarlyCenturiesJewishBelieversinJesus,O.SkarsauneandR.Hvalvik,eds.,
(Hendrickson,2007),659708.

7Forexample,Acts5:1233.

8H.GraetzHistoryoftheJews,v.1(Philadelphia,PA:JewishPublicationSociety),
1941.

9DanielBoyarin,BorderLines:ThePartitionofJudeoChristianity,(Universityof
PennsylvaniaPress,2004).

10BartD.Ehrman,LostChristianities,(OxfordUniversityPress,2003),95135.

11SamueleBacchiocchi,FromSabbathtoSunday:AHistoricalInvestigationofthe
RiseofSundayObservanceinEarlyChristianity,(Rome:ThePontificalGregorian
UniversityPress,1977).

12Manystories,especiallyinMidrashEikhah(Lamentations)Rabbah,document
differentridiculesandpersecutionsJewsexperiencedafterthe70AD.Somestories
arealsodocumentedbyJosephusinJudeanWar.Cf.Graetz,v.1.

13ThecoreofhisdoctoraldissertationBacchiocchipresentsdifferentPatristic
sources,whichprovethattherewasatendencyamongtheearlychurchfathers,such
asJustintheMartyrandIgnatiusofAntioch,toabandonSabbathinordertoavoid
persecution,sinceRomansconfusedChristianswiththeJewswhorevoltedagainst
them.Cf.FromSabbathtoSunday.
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10/18/2016 Israelandthechurch

14SuchasJustin,OrigenandhisfollowersfromtheAlexandrianschool.

15PseudoBarnabas,ch.6.

16Itisanoddword,supersessionism.TheOxfordDictionaryoftheChristianChurch,
areferenceworkthatdefinesalmosteverything,hasnoentryforit.Thetermis
traditionallyusedfortheconvictionthatthechurchhasreplacedIsraelasGod's
chosenpeople.IsraelhaslostitsplaceandChristianitynowoccupiesit.
SupersessionismisshorthandforthedominantChristiantheologicalposition
regardingtheJews."Cf.ChristiansandJews:StartingOverWhytheRealDialogue
HasJustBegunbyDr.LukeTimothyJohnson.

17EasternOrthodoxTheologianGeorgesFlorovskyarguesinhisworksthatthe
churchneededtohaveChristianizedpaganritualsinordertoreachbarbarianswith
theGospel.Cf.ScriptureandTradition:anOrthodoxViewTheWaysofRussian
Theology.

18Ireneaus,AdvensusHereses.SeealsoChisholm,Hugh,ed.(1911)."Polycarp".
EncyclopdiaBritannica(11thed.).CambridgeUniversityPress.

19WilliamCave,PrimitiveChristianity:ortheReligionoftheAncientChristiansin
theFirstAgesoftheGospel.1840,revisededitionbyH.Cary.Oxford,London,pp.
8485.

20JustinMartyr,DialoguewithTrypho,ch.1132.

21IgnatiustotheMagnesians8:1,9:12,10:3

22ErwinFahlbusch,GospelofMarcion,EncyclopediaofChristianity,v.3,p.398.

23Tertullian,AgainstMarcion,1.2
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24SuchasSynodalBibletranslatedinRussianOrthodoxtradition,1872.

25ThetermOldTestamentwasfirstusedinEusebius,EcclesiasticalHistoryinthe
3rdcentury.

26Eusebius,5:24(2).SeealsoSachaStern,CalendarandCommunity,(Oxford:
2001),6580.

27PhilipSchaff(ed.),TheSevenEcumenicalCouncils(ASelectLibraryoftheNicene
andPostNiceneFathersoftheChristianChurch,vol.XIV),"TheCanonsofthe
CouncilsofAncyra,Gangra,Neocsarea,AntiochandLaodicea,whichCanonswere
AcceptedandReceivedbytheEcumenicalSynods"

28Jer.3,Ezek.16.

29StephenG.Wilson,RelatedStrangers,(FortressPress:2005),222258.

30EerdmansHandbooktotheHistoryofChristianity,(GrandRapids,MI:Eerdmans),
122123.

31CouncilofTrent,SessionXXII(Sept.17,1562),OntheSacrificeoftheMass,
canons13,trans.inPhilipSchaff,TheCreedsofChristendom(NewYork:Harper,
1919),Vol.2,pp.184,185.

32NiceanandPostNiceanFathers2:12:GregorytheGreat,LeotheGreat.

33AccordingtoAnnuarioPontifico(PapalYearbook)oneofthePapalTitlesisPontifex
Maximus,theHighPriest.AccordingPosnovsandTalbergsaccountoftheChurch
History,duringtheEastWestgreatschism,thepatriarchofConstantinopleaccused
thebishopofRomeofcarryingthetitlethatbelongstoChristandHimalone.

34Cf.St.Augustin,TheCityofGod.

35S.Dubnov,TheHistoryoftheJewsoftheMiddleAges,v.13135.

36Whilesuchstatementsdonotappeartobeanofficialpositionofanychurchor
scholar,thisviewpresentsapopularunderstandingamongthelaymembersand
preachersespeciallyinthecountriesofEasternEurope.Somewesternpreachers
expresssimilarviews.SeeWalterVeith,HeritageOfIsraelDVDlectureCf.
http://walterveith.com/walterveithRekindlingtheReformation.html

37i.e.TheinterpretationofthebeastfromRev.13asapapacy,cf.SDABible
Commentary,v.7tothebookofRevelation.

38IntheCounterReformation,aftertheCouncilofTrent,bothCardinalBellarmine
(15421621)andBlasiusViegas(15541599),aPortugueseJesuit,gaveastheir
counterinterpretationtheviewthattheabolishing,ortakingaway,ofthedailywas,
instead,theProtestantabrogationofthemass.CardinalBellarmineaddedthatan
individualJewishAntichrist,yettocome,wouldfurtherabolishthedaily,orcontinual,
sacrificeofthemass.ThusReformationandCounterReformationspokesmenalike,in
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10/18/2016 Israelandthechurch
sacrificeofthemass.ThusReformationandCounterReformationspokesmenalike,in
chargesandcountercharges,connectedthedailywiththetrueandfalsesacrifice
andpriesthoodofChristandthetrueworshipofGod.Thecontentionoftheonewas
theantithesisoftheother,butbothidentifiedthedailyastheworshipofGod.Cf.
SDABibleCommentary,v.4.

39Ibid.

40JohnWolvood,TheRevelationofJesusChrist:ACommentary(Chicago,1966).

41Cf.HalLindsey,TheresaNewWorldComing(SantaAna,CA:1973).

42SuchinterpretationscanbefoundintheScofieldReferenceBible(Oxford
UniversityPress:

1917).

43Foradetailedanalysisofdifferentapproachestotheinterpretationofthe
apocalypticbooksof

theBibleseeKennethA.StrandFoundationalPrinciplesofInterpretation,in
Symposiumon

Revelation,book1,FrankHolbrook,Ed.,(BiblicalResearchInstituteGeneral
Conferenceof

SeventhdayAdventists,SilverSpring,MD,1992).
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44HansK.LaRondelle,TheIsraelofGodinProphecy:PrinciplesofProphetic
Interpretation

(AndrewsUniversityPress,1983).

45ForthesummaryofthelatestevangelicalviewsonIsraelcf.GraigBlaisingThe
FutureofIsraelasaTheologicalQuestion,inTotheJewFirst,D.BlockandM.Glaser,
eds.,(Kregel,2008).

46DerekPrince,TheDestinyofIsraelandtheChurch(DerekPrinceMinistries
International,1999).

Image:JewishstudentswiththeirteacherinSamarkand,Uzbekistanc.1910..Public
Domain

Comments
#1(/index.php/resources/publications/articles/391israelandthe 0
church#comment9)JenniferLoveridge 2016080114:01
Greatarticle!Thorough,andhiteverypointIoftenthinkaboutinAdventistand
MessianicJewishtheology.IwasathirdgenerationSDA,butleftthedenomination
sixteenyearsagoandamamemberofKolDodiMessianicCongregationin
Nashville,TN.IwillneverbeanAdventistagainbecauseofmajortheological
issueswithEllenG.WhiteandinterpretationsofDaniel.Butitisgreattosee
theologianssuchasyourselftryingtobringgreaterunderstandingofhistoryand
theBibletopeoplewhothinkinsuchatightboxthattheyarebasicallybrain
washed.Isincerelyprayyouandtheothersassociatedwithyouhaveagreat
impactonthemajorityofSDA'swhoonlystudythe29fundementaldoctrinesas
theycyclethroughtheQuarterlyeveryfouryears.Takingthefearoflearningout
ofthedenominationisamonumentalundertaking.Theyhavebeentaughttoonly
believeideasandhistoryonwhichEGW(orthepeoplefromwhomshecopied)
expounds.
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