The New Covenant People of God
Jesus prophesied that with the destruction of the Temple and the end of the Old Covenant era the Gospel would go to all nations, gathering people from every nation into God’s people.
Mark 13:1-4, 26-27, 30-31
The New Covenant Temple
Jesus prophesied that the Temple would be destroyed and the Old Covenant would end, for in the New Covenant the people of God are God’s Temple.
Mark 13
Countdown to Destruction
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus prophesied that the temple and Jerusalem would be destroyed during the lifetime of the generation then alive, and this was fulfilled in 70 AD, proving the authority and truth of Jesus’ Word.
Mark 13
Extended Cut – Israel’s Judgement Day
Jesus pronounced final judgment upon the leaders and people of Israel for the willful, persistent refusal to receive God’s messengers, culminating in their rejection of Him as their Messianic King.
Matthew 23
God’s Vineyard and the Wicked Tenants
The parable of God’s vineyard and the wicked tenants displays the patience and mercy of God, the wickedness of the leaders of Israel, and God’s vindication of Jesus.
Mark 12:1-2
The Conflict Intensifies
Jesus’ teaching, actions, and authority consistently caused amazement among the people, but they also prompted fear and opposition, especially among the leaders, and this pattern intensified as Jesus ministered in Jerusalem during His final week.
Mark 11:27-33
The King Comes To His Temple
Like the fig tree, the Temple was utterly barren of fruit and Jesus pronounced it to be dead, never to bear the fruit of true worship of God again.
Mark 11:11-25
The King Comes To His City
As He entered Jerusalem for the final time, Jesus purposefully fulfilled several Messianic prophecies, and the crowd’s joyful response was also a fulfillment of the prophecies regarding the coming of the King to His City.
Mark 11:1-11
Humble Faith
The Syro-Phoenician woman is a paragon of humility and faith, accepting her utter need for God’s grace and actively seeking until she receives it.
Mark 7:24-30
The Church – The Communion of Saints
Question 70: What is the Church?
The Church is the communion of the saints, all of those in every age who have been united to Christ in faith and draw their life from Him and who are therefore spiritually united with one another now and in eternity.
John 10:16; Hebrews 12:22-24
Jesus Is the True Vine
Jesus is the True Vine, bearing fruit where Israel failed, and those who remain in vital union with Him are fruitful to the glory of God.
John 15:1-8
Matthew – The Man
Matthew presents Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament, God’s True Son who accomplishes the call of Adam and Israel, succeeding where they failed, to bring salvation to the earth.
Matthew 1:1; 2:13-15; 3:16-17; 4:1-11
Great Expectations – The Rise Of Saul
When Israel demanded a king, God graciously provided Saul, a man of great promise possessing the characteristics Israel desired, to lead the people under Yahweh their King.
1 Samuel 9-10 (1 Samuel 9:15-21)
Ichabod – The Glory Is Gone
People often superstitiously believe that they can guarantee God’s favor and protection through external rituals, but His favor is only received through genuine faith.
1 Samuel 4
The Centrality of Christ
Christ is central to the Gospel and true life, and we must proclaim Him as Paul did.
Galatians 6:11-18
Children of Slavery, Children of Promise
The true seed of Abraham are those born of the Spirit and promise, while those trusting in law are merely slaves.
Galatians 4:21-31
Has Jewish Israel Been Utterly Cast Off?
God is still at work among the physical Jews, and will call many of them to Christ before He returns.
Romans 9:1-5; 11:25-32
Christ and the City of Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem was a type and shadow of the true city of God, the new Jerusalem, which is comprised of all those who have faith in Christ.
Hebrews 11:8-16
Christ and the Land of Israel (Part 2)
In Christ, the church inherits the land promises, which really pointed to heaven, of which the land of Israel was only a type and shadow.
Galatians 3:16, 29; Romans 4:13
Christ and the Land of Israel (Part 1)
In Christ, the church inherits the land promises, which have been expanded to include the whole world.
Romans 4:13
The Church – The Fulfillment of Israel in Christ (Part 2)
In Christ, the True Israel, the church is the fulfillment of Old Testament Israel, the people of God.
Galatians 6:15 – 16
The Church – The Fulfillment of Israel in Christ (Part 1)
In Christ, the True Israel, the church is the fulfillment of Old Testament Israel, the people of God.
Genesis 17:7-11; Romans 2:28-29
Christ – The True Seed of Abraham
Jesus is the True Seed of Abraham, and all of the promises made to Abraham and his seed find their fulfillment in Christ and the Church.
Galatians 3:16
Christ – The True Son of God
Israel, who was called the son of God, finds its focus and fulfillment in Christ, the True Son of God Who made us to be God’s children.
Mark 1:9-11