Getting a grip on God’s

Prophetic Timetable

There are about 14 million Jews in the world;

• 6 million in the Americas• 6 million in Asia• 2 million in Europe• 100,000 in Africa. • .2% of the world’s population of 7,000,000,000

• An insignificant number compared to 7 billion.

• Yet they are very significant prophetically.

•How is that possible?•How can it be explained?

•By understanding God’s covenant relationship with the Jewish people.

•A biblical covenant is an agreement between God and His people in

which God makes certain promises.

The covenants are cut (Brit) The covenants are literal

- The covenants are either conditional or unconditional

Four covenants specifically relate to the Jewish people, all are unconditional.

These covenants present the Jewish people as:

• A special people Deut 7:6 • A loved people Deut. 7:7‒8 10:14‒15• A possession by God Deut. 14:2

• To reveal His WordDeuteronomy 4:6

Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’

• To proclaim His oneness Deuteronomy 6:4

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

• To manifest His nameIsaiah 43:21

This people I have formed for Myself;       They shall declare My praise.

Abrahamic Covenant

Genesis 12:1-3God calls Abraham to

• Leave his country• Leave his kindred• Leave his father’s house

Abraham must obey - “If he does”

Divine Provision

• Land shown later (Genesis 13:14‒17; 15:18‒21)“all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants.”

Divine Promotion

• Abraham: Three groups call him “Father”: Jews, Christians, and Muslims• Nations and kings will come, Genesis 17:6• Seed blessed personally, physically and spiritually

Divine Program

• Blessing to those who bless• Curse to those who curse• Blessing to families of the earth

Through Israel &Through Israel’s

Messiah

This Covenant is:• Literal - it happened in time, to a literal person promising literal things

• Eternal - Genesis 17:6: between Me (God) you (Abraham) everlasting

• Unconditional - “I will establish” - Not dependant on Abraham, Genesis 15:6‒18

• Sealed - Circumcision, Genesis 17:9-12

• Confirmed - In Isaac, Genesis 17:19in Jacob, Genesis 28:13‒15

•Immutable - Hebrews 6:13‒18

Abraham: Separated from human race

Abraham: Selected for covenant relationship

Abraham: Sealed with blood

Abraham’s Seed: provides blessing, including redemption of human race

In that covenant we see a land, a seed, and a blessing

Land Promise • Amplified Deut 30:4-5• Confirmed, Ezekiel 16:60‒62•“I will remember My covenant …”•“Then you shall know I am the Lord.”

• Guarantees Israel future as everlasting, Ezekiel 16:60• Future is fulfilled, Matthew 25:31‒46

Davidic Covenant, 2 Samuel 7:4‒17

Amplified Seed Promise, v. 16: “and your house, and your kingdom shall be

established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.”

• A house forever (physical descendants in a royal line)• A seed forever• A throne forever (royal authority, right to rule)• A kingdom forever (sphere of rule)

Confirmation of Davidic Covenant, Psalm 89:3‒4:

“I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ‘Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations.’”

• I have sworn unto David• I will establish forever

Character of Davidic Covenant• Unconditional 2 Samuel 7:13, 16• It is physical, earthly 2 Samuel 7:13, 16• It is reaffirmed after Israel’s disobedience Isaiah 9:6‒7• It is confirmed by oath Psalm 89:3‒4

“I have made a covenant with my chosen forever. I have sworn to my Servant David Your seed I will establish forever.”

Consideration for first century and today

Hope is for earthly kingdom• Need for a literal, national state• Messianic expectation

New CovenantJeremiah 31:31‒34

Provision of the New Covenant• Word in their heart• They will know God• They will be forgiven of sins

Party of Covenant

• House of Israel and the house of Judah Ezekiel 37:15‒28•Benefits nations will worship at Jerusalem Zechariah 8:23“one nation in the land…” “one king over them…” “nations will know that I the Lord sanctify them Israel” Ez 37:22,28

Contrast of New Covenant with Mosaic Covenant

Internal not external Jeremiah 31:32

Comprehensiveness of New Covenant

“They all shall know me,” Jeremiah 31:34

Characteristics

• Unconditional by grace “I will” (Jer. 31:31‒37)• Everlasting (Jer. 31:35‒37)• Renewed mind and heart (Jer. 31:33)• Restoration to God’s favor (Hosea 2:19‒20)• Forgiveness of sin (Jer. 31:34)• Indwelling Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 37:14)• Material blessing (Jer. 32:41)

Conclusion of these covenants

• Israel must be a nation forever• Israel must have a land forever• Israel must have a king forever• Israel must have a throne forever• Israel must have a kingdom forever• Israel must come to her Messiah and believe