Part 2 of 8 - Comparing the "Prophecy" Program for Israel & the "Mystery" Program of "the Body of Christ."

This Article is part of a multi-part Study Series called Distinction Marks Paul's Epistles.

Chart: Comparing the "Prophecy" Program for Israel & the "Mystery" Program of "the Body of Christ."

 

'Prophecy'

Concerning "Israel" and

the Kingdom to come to earth

The "Mystery" Program Concerns "the Church, which is

the Body of Christ"

1. Concerns a kingdom and a distinctive organization (Dan. 2:44; Matt. 6:10).

1. Concerns Christ's body; as a living organism (I Cor. 12:12, 27; Eph. 4:12-16).

2. The kingdom to be established on earth (Jer. 23:5; Matt. 6:10).

2. The body is given a position in heaven (Eph. 1:3; 2:5-6; Col. 3:1-3).

3. Christ to be its "King" (Jer. 23:5; Isa. 9:6,7) and Israel is to be His "bride" (Hosea 2:14, 16, 19; Isa 54:4-5).

3. Christ the living "Head of the body (of Christ)" (Eph. 1:19-23; Col. 1:18).

4. The kingdom was Prophesiedsince the world began (Luke 1:68-70; Acts 3:21).

4. The "body" was chosen "in Christ" before the world began, but kept SECRET since the world began(Rom. 16:25; Eph. 1:4-11; 3:5-9).

5. Israel to be given supremacy over the nations (Gentiles) (Isa. 60:10-12; 61:6).

5. Jew and Gentile placed on the same level before God (Rom 3:10, 23 10:12; 11:32; Eph. 2:16, 17).

6. The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s obedient instrumentality (Gen. 22:17-18; Zech. 8:13).

6. The Gentiles blessed through Israel’s obstinacy (Acts 13:44-46; Rom. 11:10-12, 28-32).

7. The Gentiles to be blessed through Israel’s salvation and rise (Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:22,23).

7. The Gentiles are blessed through Israel’s FALL (Acts 28:27, 28; Rom. 11:11, 12, 15).

8. Prophecy mainly concerns nations as such (Isa. 2:4; Ezek. 37:21-22).

8. The Mystery concerns individuals (Rom. 10:12, 13; 2 Cor. 5:14-17).

9. Prophecy concerns blessings, both material and spiritual, on earth (Isa. 2:3,4; 11:1-9; etc.).

9. The Mystery concerns “all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies” (Eph 1:3; Col 3:1-3).

10. Prophecy concerns Christ’s coming to the earth (Isa. 59:20; Zech. 14:4).

10. The Mystery explains Christ’s present absence from the earth (Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 3:1-3).

11. In the Prophecy program salvation by grace through faith alone is NOT contemplated. Repentance, works of the Law, and water baptism are required.

11. Salvation by grace through faith alone lies at the very heart of the Mystery (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:5; Eph. 2:8, 9); apart from any works requirement (Rom 6:14, 11:6).

12. You must forgive to be forgiven (Matt 6:14)

12. We forgive because we've been forgiven freely (Eph 4:32)

13. The proclamation of the Prophetic program committed particularly to "the twelve" (Matt. 10:5-7; Acts 1:6-8; 3:19-26).

13. The proclamation of the Mystery committed particularly to Paul (Eph. 3:1-3, 8, 9; Col. 1:24-27).

14. The Prophetic Program revealed through many of God’s servants, prophets (Act 3:21; Luke 1:70; 2 Pet. 1:21).

14. The Mystery revealed through one man, one Apostle, Paul (Gal. 1:1, 11-12; 2:2, 7, 9; Eph. 3:1-5, Rom 11:13).

15. Old testament writers frequently did NOT understand the prophecies made known through them (Dan. 12:8-10; 1 Pet. 1:10-12).

15. Paul both understood and longed that others might understand "the fellowship of the Mystery" revealed through him (Eph. 1:15-23; 3:9, 14-21; Col. 1:9-10; 2:1-3).