Has The Whole Become Leavened?

"The Sneaky Woman"

"Another parable He spoke to them: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” (Luke 13: 33 NKJV)

Like some other passages of scripture, most commentators have gotten their interpretations of this parable wrong. That is my strong opinion. There are able Christian expositors who disagree dramatically on the meaning of the parable. There are two chief views on it. One says that the "leaven" represents something good and pure, i.e., the gospel. Others, like I do, interpret the leaven as representing something evil and corrupt, i.e., a false gospel, a corruption of the pure religion of Christ. 

Needless to say, each view of the meaning of leaven has its consequences. If the leaven is the gospel, then such a view leads one to a Postmillennial idea that the gospel will have become so successful in converting the world and changing societal life that Christ will come and set up his Millennial kingdom. If, however, the leaven is a corrupting element, then such would denote just the opposite, i.e. that the world at the end will have little pure religion in it. It would speak of the corrupt state of the professing Christian world, or of the visible militant church. 

In "The Case of the Sneaky Housewife" by Ray C. Stedman, a worthy commentator, Stedman said (emphasis mine - See here):

I have entitled this study "The Case of the Sneaky Housewife," not because I am trying for a tricky title but because that was doubtless the reaction of the disciples when they heard this little story. Our Lord arrested them with this story and shocked them somewhat. When he told them that there was a woman who hid leaven in three measures of meal they must immediately have thought, "What a dirty trick! What a sneaky thing to do!" Perhaps it does not strike us that way, but this is because we are not in their shoes. We do not understand the symbols as Jesus used them. So the purpose of our study together is to put ourselves back in their place and to hear this story as they heard it.

For this is one of those parables which has been greatly misinterpreted. It has been treated in a very cavalier fashion and its meaning has been grossly distorted into something entirely different from what our Lord intended. Most of the major commentators on this passage seem to throw all principles of interpretation to the winds and to take no notice of how Scripture uses these symbols in other places. So they arrive at a meaning which is simply a result of their own wishful thinking.

Most commentators who interpret the "leaven" as the gospel, something good, acknowledge that this is not the common way it is used in scripture which is universally a symbol of corruption. But, they nevertheless insist that this parable gives an exception to the rule. In this case leaven does not denote a corrupting element but simply that which expands and permeates. Some will cite from the old testament where the people of God were told to offer a certain meal offering "with leaven." (Lev. 7: 13) But, in that case there was no signification or symbolism intended as in ritual. So too were the people normally allowed to eat leavened bread. It was only forbidden on certain holy days and in symbolic ceremonies. Therefore, the rule still stands with no exceptions. When leaven is intended to be a symbol it is a symbol of permeating corruption, of moral depravity and sin. So, we are forced to view "leaven" in the parable as not being the gospel nor something good. There is nothing in the context to force us to see "leaven" in an exceptional manner. Jesus always, when he spoke of leaven, spoke of it as being what is evil. This parable would be an exception and the burden of proof is on those who see it as an exception to prove why it is so. 

Stedman said:

The usual interpretation is that the leaven is the gospel and the woman is the church. The church is to take the gospel and put it into the world of humanity which is represented by the three measures of meal. The gospel quietly but surely will work away like leaven, like yeast in bread, until all of humanity is reached by the gospel and the whole world is changed. Then, finally, the kingdom of heaven will come in. Though that is far and away the most popular interpretation of this parable, it is absolutely wrong! On the basis of that interpretation men have thought at various times and places that the church was going to introduce the millennium to the world, that it would bring in the kingdom, that the gospel would so permeate the affairs and the thinking of men that the outlooks and insights and moral standards of Christianity would be universally accepted all over the world.

In many cases the "majority" opinion in bible interpretation is not right. Oftentimes it is the minority interpretation that is correct. The majority is certainly wrong in regard to the interpretation of this short parable. 

He also said:

But if I were convinced that this is the true meaning of this parable I would be greatly tempted to throw away my Bible and to give up the ministry. If this is the correct interpretation then Jesus Christ was mistaken. For here we are, two thousand years after the time our Lord told this story. And there are outstanding, increasingly significant signs, from day to day almost, which indicate that we are nearing the time which our Lord at the end of this series of parables called the "close of the age." If that is the correct interpretation then we should see the world almost completely leavened by the gospel, almost entirely Christian.

Exactly! This is quite reasonable. Yet, if the leaven represents corruption, then what would we expect to see of the state of the church and the world at the time of the end? We would expect to see just what we now see, a church and world permeated with moral, religious, and spiritual corruption. 

He also said:

Now let's look at the leaven. The disciples would quickly recognize its meaning. It is used all through the Old Testament and it is always used the same way. Never once is leaven ever used as a symbol of anything good. Everyone in this crowd knew that this woman had no business putting leaven into these three measures of meal. That was to destroy the very meaning of this significant offering, for Scripture had taught them that the three measures of meal were to be unleavened.

Amen. I believe this commentary is "spot on."

Now, understanding the true meaning of the parable, we see how it foretells how the church would become infected with false teaching (leaven) within her communion. The letters to the seven churches, being prophetic in nature, show us the progression of the church through seven periods of time within the time period between the first and second coming. The final state of the church, or of the professing Christian world, will be one described in the seventh letter, to Laodicea, a totally corrupt church with few exceptions.

The prophecy of the parable of the leaven in the meal is similar to the question asked of the disciples in Luke 18: 8:

"I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?" 

The implied answer is that Christ will not find true faith when he comes, for the most part. True Christians will be the exception. 

What think ye?

Wrong Brother MacArthur!

"Doomsday Prepping for the Tribulation?" by John MacArthur (here) 

In this very short video MacArthur decries Christians who are "doomsday preppers." He says they show how in error they are for not believing in a pre tribulation rapture. But, this is not so. The church will be here during the time of the great tribulation, as I have shown in writings on the subject. I would love a chance to dialogue or debate this topic with brother MacArthur (or anyone else). The bible is so clear on teaching a post tribulation rapture and brother John is not helping Christians by telling them that they will not be here when it all begins to happen. 

When John says that those who believe in a post trib coming of the Lord are "not looking for the Lord but for signs" it irritates me. That is such a misrepresentation and a contradiction to what he says elsewhere.

Pastor Charles Lawson

I have recently been listening to Charles Lawson's sermons, pastor of Temple Baptist Church (Independent) in Knoxville, Tenn. (See here) Though I am finding myself learning more and more of his doctrinal beliefs I am finding I am in much agreement. However, I do reject his KJV Onlyism and Dispensationalism. 

He seems to be one with keen insight into what is going on now prophetically. He also is an example in good preaching. His style is excellent. He teaches. His sermons have meat and milk. He has good pathos and his ethos too is good. I wish more preachers would listen to him just to see a good example in Christian discourse.

Here are some sermons I recommend:

On the Covid conspiracy and the New World Order in prophecy (here)

"Most Important Message Of This Generation You'll Ever Hear!" (here) 

"GOD`S WARNINGS....WAKE UP" (here)

"God Wants You To Hear This Message!" (here)

This is a man who believes what he preaches! He is passionate. He is honest, straightforward, and sincere. Having recently written on Christian speech and discourse, on ethos, pathos, and logos, I find Lawson's sermons good examples in how each of these elements are in good balance in his speaking.

Also, as I said, he seems to have good insights into what is going on. I do not call him a prophet, although I think more true believers may be given such a gift in the times of the end in order to empower them in their witnessing. This is true with the other miraculous gifts too. There are lots of false prophets. But, if God sends us some latter day prophets (as he will in the two witness prophets), let us test them, and if they be of God and their message in accordance with scripture, then let us give serious heed to their prognostications.

Observations on "The New World Order"

The Bible predicts that the last great world empire under the Antichrist will be in existence when Christ comes. Christ's coming destroys Antichrist and his empire. He must therefore come before Christ, although Christ comes first in judgment and tribulation before his actual coming in body in Revelation 19. Today there is continued talk about "the new world order." I am convinced that this "new world order" will be what is foretold in scripture as being "the beast," the final form of Satan's kingdom. We are so close to seeing all this come to pass in our day.

Technologies to be used to bring about a global totalitarian state:

1. Surveillance technology

- cameras everywhere

- TVs, phones, Alexa, etc., that listen to your conversations

- Big tech companies that have your e-mails, texts, etc.

- Tracking implants (as now in animals, children, criminals, etc.)

- Drones

- Satellites

2. Bio-Medical Technology

- Mind altering drugs and Gene Editing 

- CRISP-R

- Prescription and illegal narcotics (sorcery)

- Sound wave technology and its effects on the brain and the human body

3. Psychological Conditioning

- Mass media and subliminal messaging (brainwashing)

- Socialization process (educational system)

- Destruction of the traditional nuclear family and replaced by government

- Use of the culture and its determinants (such as Hollywood) to change the culture

4. Artificial Intelligence

- The use of AI is now becoming more a tool to gather information on citizens by government and big tech and with more information comes more power and control over the individual.

- AI will become the "all seeing eye" and will be upon every citizen and all rights to privacy will be gone.

Things that must be gotten rid of to bring about a global totalitarian state:

1. Cash. Government cannot exercise full control over the economy since they cannot control cash transactions. But, in a cashless economy, when all is bought and sold digitally, then all transactions are under government supervision and control.

2. Guns. Government cannot exercise full control as long as its citizens are armed.

3. Freedom. Individual freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, and movement are restraints upon governmental power and control, or authoritarianism. Its removal is essential for totalitarianism. 

4. Christianity. Christianity and any other religion that does not abide by governmental beliefs on such issues as gay rights, transgender rights, etc., will be banned as it is an obstacle to complete government control.

5. Private Property. Private ownership of land and assets is a hindrance to governmental power and control over people and its removal will increase dependence upon the government and thus its power and control.

6. Free Press. Every totalitarian state began with a removal of a free press and all news agencies came under the control of the government and became a propaganda machine for it.

7. State and Local Governments. For the government to have absolute power and control over its citizens it must be united under one head or group. The idea of the founding fathers that governmental power should be equally distributed between three branches (executive, legislative, judicial) and between states and the federal government must be done away with. Included in this is a national police force rather than local or state forces. 

8. America. As long as the United States retains the above items and fights against their riddance, a one world government cannot be created. Change America and all others will be forced to get on the bandwagon. America's government and political, social, and religious beliefs must be radically changed so that she is no longer a hindrance to a one world government. 

9. Israel. For whatever reason, biblically or otherwise, Israel is viewed as an obstacle to world unification. As long as there is conflict in the middle east a one world government is hindered. Destroying her politically is therefore seen as a necessity for bringing about a world totalitarian state.

Recently, in the World Economic Forum, the "leaders of the world" got together and declared their plan to remake the world (into a "new world order"), using the present Corona Virus pandemic along with Climate Change to bring about this plan to reshape every aspect of life on earth for every global citizen. One of the mottoes of their recent meeting (January) in reference to their "great reset" or "2030Vision" is "you will own nothing and you will be happy." Many bible believers think that this is the prelude for the coming of the beast. 

There are lots of YouTube videos by bible teachers and world leaders who are talking about all this. Some, like Prince Charles, are promoting the goals of the World Economic Forum. This also would include many leaders around the world, including China's Xi, and our own president and the Democratic party. If one reads through all the literature from the WEF he will see all this spelled out in detail. In the above I have listed things that must be gotten rid of and how the plan is to use technology and economics to bring about their goal of a one world totalitarian government. 

You can check all this out on the World Economic Forum web page. It is easy to find as big tech wants you to find it easy enough.

What think ye?

Ten Kings & Ten Toes

To see the above on a larger screen go (here)

Who are the "ten toes" of Daniel's image? That they are the same as the "ten horns" of the Apocalyptic "beast," or "ten kings" with their ten "kingdoms" (Rev. 13 etc.), none deny. Those ten kings are intimately connected with the beast, with Antichrist and his empire, and with his rule over all the nations of the world. They give their sovereignties to the beast. They also have a love hate relationship with Babylon, both with the literal commercial city and center and also with Babylon in "mystery" (mother of all false and confused religions).  

When I was converted as a teenager and first studied the prophecies of Daniel the prophet they had a great impact on my faith. They were oracles that God gave of the future through Daniel's visions and hearing the voice of God speak to him. Only God knows the future. That was God's message as given by Daniel to the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar. The Lord demonstrated his sole attribute in foreknowledge by these remarks:

“Present your case,” says the Lord. “Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob. “Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; Let them show the former things, what they were, That we may consider them, And know the latter end of them; Or declare to us things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, That we may know that you are gods..." (Isa. 41: 21-23)

The first view I heard as a young student of prophecy and eschatology about who were the ten kings was that they were to find their fulfillment in what was back then (1970s) called "the common market." It was originally formed by certain European countries with a number less than ten. Many bible teachers taught that they would become ten in number and that they would then become the ten kings under the empire and rule of the Antichrist. They reasoned that since the "ten toes" are what were directly attached to the two legs of Daniel's image that the toes must signify those countries which were once part of the Roman Empire (which is the significance of the two iron legs), and therefore the European nations fit that accepted criteria. However, the common market was replaced by "The European Union" which now encompasses 27 countries (Great Britain has existed via "Brexit") and this throws a monkey wrench into this interpretation. I rejected it several years ago. And, having rejected that view, I began (like others) to look elsewhere. 

I believe like many others that the ten kingdoms will be ten divisions of the world that will come into being in the near future under "the new world order," when there is a strengthened United Nations, when all countries give up their military weapons and individual sovereignties to this international governing body, and there is then created ten "global economic zones" each ruled over by a governor (king). The map above shows a UN map suggesting ten zones. I believe this is coming, although I believe the borders of each will not be exactly as shown, with some countries being in another region other than in the one shown in the above. 

Since these ten kings give their ten kingdoms to the beast (the last world empire and emperor) it would seem that they come into existence first, before Antichrist appears along with the world government that is created under him. Until they give their sovereignties to the beast, the new world order or global governmental entity (UN) will be a ten region confederacy, not an empire with a single ruler. 

In this it is "the Dragon," or Satan who is "mastermind" behind the workings of the ten kings and the worldly infidel elite that they represent. He is the mastermind behind all that is going on in the world now to bring this all about (all under the watchful eye of God of course who has foreseen it and planned for it). 

This all being true, and I believe it is, then when is Babylon, the megalopolis of Revelation 18 to be built? It clearly will be built and become the world's commercial center in the new world order under the ten kings and under Antichrist. I have followed this for many years. Saddam Hussein began rebuilding the ancient city and did much. But, it is a far cry from being yet the city described in Rev. 18! The wars in Iraq and what is going on there now has had my interest for several years. It seems that the area is being set up for the construction of this world center of trade. I could talk on this a long time. But, will forbear. I do believe it will be built in the near future, especially when the new global economic system is installed everywhere, probably during the time of the ten kings. Maybe under the reign of Antichrist.

Again, all this being true, when is that time when all the world is crying "peace and safety"? This crying of peace and safety immediately precedes the judgments of the Apocalypse, before the "sudden destruction." (See I Thess. 5: 3) Does this time of perceived "peace and safety" come before the first judgment of the Apocalypse or is it something that comes to pass during the time of the ten kings and the reign of Antichrist? It seems that at the time when Babylon is destroyed (as part of the Lord's coming in judgment) that commerce is flourishing and it is her destruction that brings economic ruin. 

Just my thoughts. What think ye?

God's Elect or World's Elite? XXXV

"For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation" 

(Psa. 132: 13)

In this chapter we will continue our look at how the believer is the truly "noble," the "high born," or "noblemen," though they are not so in "this present evil age." The "noble" of this world, says the apostle, are rarely "called" of the Lord, do not occupy high status with the Lord. The noble of this world have a high status in this world, being the unbelieving world's "elect," its elite. But, those who are noble through a new birth of the Spirit are God's elect, though not man's choice. This nobility in spiritual birth we saw involved being "born of God," the Father, and being "born of woman," of Zion, of Jerusalem "the mother" of all believers, of the church via her evangelism. This is the believer's nobility, his being spiritually "well born."

The "children of God" or "children of Zion" are "chosen" by God and make up a chosen race, and in them the human race is preserved. 

God's Chosen Generation

"But you are a elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that you may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light" (I Peter 2: 9).

"Race" ("generation" KJV) is from the Greek "genos" and "nation" is from "ethnos," and "people" is from "laos." "Genos" denotes that people who have a common father, family, and ancestry, people who are kin. "Ethnos" denotes ethnic peoples with their own political entities or communities. Thus, all believers together, of whatever time and place they were born and lived, are of one race, of one family. They are a special "generation" because they have been born into that clan of people through the birth of the Spirit.

Notice also the word "royal" as connected with this "elect race." Again, by the new birth believers are born of royalty, being sons and daughters of the Lord, the King of kings. The people of this kindred family are related to each other, each having the same father and mother. They are "the generation of your (God's) children" (Psa. 73: 15), those begotten of his Spirit and through his word. "God is in the generation of the righteous," said the Psalmist. (Psa. 14: 5) He also spoke of this generation as being "the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah." (Psa. 24: 5-6) They are the "generation" of the Lord but not by natural generation of the flesh, but by a "regeneration." 

This new generation of the Spirit is the new birth, a second generation. The first birth or generation is of "corruptible seed," or "after the flesh," but the second generation is "of the Spirit" and "through the living and abiding word of God." (I Peter 1: 23-25) Those who are generated only once (in physical birth) die twice, experiencing the "second death" when they are forever consigned to the Lake of Fire (Gehenna). However, they who are twice born experience death only once. (See Rev. 2: 11; 20: 6,8,14) 

By natural birth men are "children of wrath" (Eph. 2: 3), a morally corrupt and depraved seed, an "evil generation" (which Jesus often mentioned). By natural generation a man is born morally "degenerate." The sinner's generation is a being born children of wrath and is a "degeneration" morally and spiritually. On the other hand, by spiritual birth men are "children of God" and "children of light" and "children of the day" (I Thess. 5: 5), as well as "children of Zion" as we have seen. Those born only once, of the flesh, are children of the night, children of darkness, and children of the Devil. (See John 8: 44) They are "a wicked and adulterous generation," (Matt. 16: 4) an unholy people. To be born into Adam's family is to be "born in sin" (Psa. 51: 5) and eternally lost. To be born into "the second Adam's" family is to be born in holiness and righteousness and eternally saved.

Notice also how the "chosen generation" (or race) are a "special people," are unique in their status and positions, being priests and kings, a "kingdom of priests," people who are "set apart" and distinguished, people who are holy. (See Rev. 1: 6; 5: 10) Moses addressed Israel of old in these words:

“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. “The LORD did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; “but because the LORD loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Deut. 7: 6-8)

Here the gracious sovereign choice of God for Israel to be his special people, a "special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth," an "elect" people, is stated and affirmed. It is unmerited. There was nothing in the people that merited this choice and favor. He emphatically says "the LORD did not set his love on you nor choose you because you were..." Believers are the ones to whom the above words properly apply and not to those who are mere physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, or Jacob. John the apostle says to believers "we love him because he first loved us." (I John 4: 19) Paul often reminded believers that they have been "saved by grace" (Eph. 2: 5) and "through God's mercy" (Titus 3: 5). 

As in the above passage, so too do the new testament writers tell us both how sinners are saved and how they are not saved. Both are necessary. Sinners must be told how they are saved, how to be saved. But they also must be told how they are not saved for the obvious reason that all men have erroneous ideas about salvation by their carnal beliefs. Thus we see many texts which say that sinners are NOT saved by "works," by "the law" or by "keeping the law," nor by "works of righteousness" done by human free will and effort apart from God, not by following natural understanding, etc. 

In the new testament Paul says that believers were "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy," to be that "holy people" described by Moses. (Eph. 1: 3-4) 

Royal Family Heritage

"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." (Eph. 3: 14-15)

The Greek word for "family" is "patria." It denotes a person's kin, his lineage and ancestry, his genealogy. It not only denotes a physical connection but a sameness of character and traits by which that family is known and recognized. There is in the definition of "family" both the idea of "immediate family" and that of the "extended family." Thus, in the case of Israel, there was the extended family of the entire Jewish people, the family of Israel. But, within that extended family there were the twelve "tribes," and they were thus twelve families. Then, there were the smaller families within these twelve, and smaller families within them, down to the smallest family of a man and his wife and children. 

Being "in the family" generally involves being born with privileges of family, with inherited rights, property, riches, titles, etc. God's people have a family "heritage," an inheritance, an estate. Those who receive Christ, as we have previously observed, are given right, title, and privileges in becoming the children of God, in being "born of God." (John 1: 12-13) Contemplating this lofty status of believers, the apostle John warmly exhorted believers to "see what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." and we may well add an exclamation mark and have him say "look at the kind of love the Father has given to us!" And, "look at our designation, how we are called the children of God!" There is no higher contemplation for any human being. He then says that this status and title is "the reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." (I John 3: 1-2)

Another word for "family" is "house" as in "the house of Israel" (Acts 2: 36; 7: 42; etc.) "House" is from the Greek word "oikos" first meaning house or dwelling, and then secondly those who inhabit the dwelling, i.e. the family or "household." In describing the family of believers, those born of God, Paul styles them "those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6: 10) And, writing to Hebrews he says: "But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (Heb. 3: 6) And he says elsewhere: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." (Eph. 2: 19) Jesus said:

"It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?" (Matt. 10: 25)

Here Jesus identifies his disciples, believers, with "them of his household," he being the "master of the house." Believers are of the "house of Christ" as Joseph, his earthly father, was "of the house of David." In fact the anti-typical "house of David" is the "house of Christ," for he is the super or anti-typical David. God promised to build David a "house," that is, a family dynasty. Wrote Isaiah:

"For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (Isa. 9: 6-7)

"The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no one shall shut; And he shall shut, and no one shall open." (Isa. 22: 22; See also Rev. 3: 7)

Jeremiah also agrees, saying:

“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD, “That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth." (Jer. 23: 5)

Amos also speaks of Christ as being the true David who, by his resurrection and glorification, will restore the dynasty of David. He wrote:

“On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, And repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, And rebuild it as in the days of old; That they may possess the remnant of Edom, And all the Gentiles who are called by My name,” Says the LORD who does this thing." (Amos 9: 11-12)

By the believer's union with Christ they are ordained to rule with Christ, David's Lord, and the anti-typical David, and are accounted as being of David's house and dynasty. 

Family Dynasty

In some translations the word "dynasty" is given for the word normally translated as "house," and so the "house of David" means the "dynasty of David" and "the house of Christ" means "the dynasty of Christ." "Dynasty" is defined by the dictionaries as "a line of hereditary rulers of a country" or "a succession of people from the same family who play a prominent role in business, politics, or another field" as in "the Ford dynasty." It may also denote "a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time" or "born into a powerful political dynasty a baseball dynasty." 

What a dynasty is the "house of God" and "the house of David"! The "house of Israel" after the spirit! To them belong the "inheritance" appropriate for those who are "children of God." It is an inheritance involving land and territory, yea, the new heavens and new earth, a "better" and "heavenly country" (Heb. 11: 16). They will then be earth's new "gentry," a "landed gentry," holy aristocrats and rulers. "Gentry" is from the old French word "genterie," from gentil, meaning "high-born, noble, well-born," and also carries the connotation of being "genteel and well-bred people," that is, "of high social class," the very thing Paul discusses in his Corinthian epistles, as we have seen. 

But, the "inheritance" of the family of God does not involve only land, but other possessions, and rights and privileges, some of which we have previously observed. Believers are of the highest social class, but this, as the apostle John said "does not yet appear" to be so, for now, "in this present age," they appear to be mostly of the weak, the despised, the unimportant, the low class, the uneducated, the commoners, etc. 

The adjective "patrician" ("of or like a person of high social rank") may also therefore be applied to the children of God and in the "age to come" this will become apparent. 

Was Jesus high born, of noble birth? Yes, and no. As the divine Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, he is truly high born in a sense as is no other. As far as his being the "son of God" in his humanity, as Adam was called, he also in some respects was high born and in other respects he was low born. He was of the seed of Abraham and David, a royal seed. But, he was born in a stable, to poor parents, and in this respect he was low born, and in this he identified with his people who are mostly of the low born ('not many high born are called'). 

Jesus has the noblest of birth and family heritage, both as respects his humanity and divinity. He is the true "nobleman." All believers, all united to him, all born of God, are true noblemen through and in him. The other Greek word for "nobleman" is "basilikos" and denotes royalty. This is also applicable to the children of God for they "shall reign of the earth" as we have previously observed. He was humbly born that we might be royally born. Praise be to his name!

God's Elect or World's Elite? XXXIV

"Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God" 

(Joel 2: 23)

Not only are believers denominated as "children of God" but also as "children of Zion." Believers have God for their Father through being "born of God" or "born again of the Spirit." But, they have Zion, Jerusalem, and the company of believers (or the church) as their mother. Birth, as we have previously mentioned, requires both a father and a mother, a man and a woman. Wrote Paul:

"Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God." (I Cor. 11: 11-12)

Eve was "of Adam" in the sense that she was made from a rib in Adam's side. But, it is also true that every human being is "of the man" by virtue of male "seed" producing the fruit of a human being in the womb of woman. But, so too is every human being "by the woman." She is as much needed in producing offspring as is the male and his seed. The father is viewed as the source and the woman as the vehicle or instrument in producing offspring. In applying this to the realm of spiritual birth we also recognize the Father and Spirit as the source of the seed that generates a new life, or a new creature; And, we recognize the body of believers as the mother since she is the vehicle and instrument of spiritual birth, being the communicator of the word of God which Peter says is the medium of it.   

Children Of Zion

"Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. The LORD shall count, when he writes up the people, that this man was born there. Selah." (Psa. 87: 3-6)

Here "Zion" is equated with the "city of God," with Jerusalem. More particularly it is one of the mounts of Jerusalem and thus the term "mount Zion." What is meant by being "born in her"? Of being "born there" in Jerusalem? 

Commented Dr. John Gill:

"but it designs many persons in each of those countries that should be born again, of water, and of the Spirit, of the incorruptible seed of grace, by the ministry of the word; who, because they should be regenerated by means of the Gospel preached in Zion, therefore are said to be born there; and besides, being born again, they are admitted members of Zion, and to all the privileges of Zion, as true born Israelites; and are brought up there, are nourished with the sincere milk of the word, and nursed with the breasts of Gospel ordinances there administered; and so Zion, or Jerusalem, the Gospel church, is truly the mother of them all, (Galatians 4:26)."

Commented Dr. Albert Barnes:

"Egypt, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia, are mentioned here as among the best known nations and cities of the world; as places where it would commonly be regarded as an honor to have been born. The meaning is, "I will refer to these as places well-known and distinguished; I will refer to the honor of having been born there; but great as is such an honor, the honor of having been born in Zion is far above that; it conveys the idea of a much higher distinction; it should be more sacredly cherished as among those things on which men value themselves." The word "I" here seems to have reference to the psalmist, and not to God. The psalmist is mentioning what to him would seem to have a claim to the highest honor." 

Said Adam Clark:

"The meaning seems to be, Rahab, i.e., Egypt, Babylon, Tyre, Philistia, and Ethiopia are not so honourable as Jerusalem. To be born in any of them is no privilege when compared with being a native of Jerusalem."

Said another Commentator:

"This one was born there" (Psalms 87:4). This is not a reference to merely one, for it becomes, "This one and that one" in Psalms 87:5; and in Psalms 87:6, it is revealed that when God "writes up the peoples of the earth," when he calculates the number of the redeemed, he shall count only those who indeed were "born in her." (Coffman)

How do people, whether Jew or Gentile, become sons or daughters of Zion? How does one become a citizen of "Zion the city of God"? The reason is not biological as we have seen. Those who are physical descendants of the nation and its capital are not intended as being the true sons of Zion and Jerusalem. In the previous chapter we observed how Paul says "he is not a Jew who is one outwardly in the flesh" but is rather one who is a "Jew inwardly" in the heart and spirit. Jesus in his letter to the church of Smyrna spoke of "the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews but are a Synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2: 9) These are "Jews by nature" or birth, Jews according to the flesh who reject Christ (Gal. 2: 15), natural Jews outwardly, but not Jews inwardly. Rather it is by receiving Zion's message, Zion's announcements and teachings, that one becomes a son or daughter of Zion, a true Israelite or Jew, and a member of her holy and elect community. Wrote the prophet Isaiah:

"O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” (Isa. 40: 9)

Zion is the messenger of God through her prophets and evangelists. She is thus the intermediary source of the gospel message, and as we have seen, it is "through the message of the Lord by the gospel" that sinners are "born again." (I Peter 1: 23-25) Paul cites Isaiah in saying:

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" (Rom. 10: 14-15)

In the Isaiah passage that Paul alludes to in the above words, Isaiah connects gospel preaching with Zion, saying that her heralds "proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isa. 52: 7) Preachers not only say things "to" Zion, but they speak "for" Zion, being her ambassadors and heralds. Believers, by receiving her evangelical message, become her sons and daughters. Peter, quoting Isaiah 28:16, refers to Christ as the cornerstone of Zion, saying: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6). Paul also speaks of Christ being the chief cornerstone of the church or body of believers. (Eph. 2: 20) Zion and the church equated. This is further seen in the words of Hebrews 12: 22-24.

Marching To Zion

"But you are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks better things than that of Abel." 

Not only do sinners "come to" Zion in receiving and believing her glad tidings of salvation, through her Messiah and King, but Zion may be said to have "come to" the comers to Zion. She comes first through the preaching of the "glad tidings" via her messengers. Zion comes thus to sinners and sinners then come to Zion in response. In coming "to Jesus the mediator" they at the same time come to Zion, for Jesus is Zion's king. Thus, in whatever nation they are born, whether in Egypt, Philitia, Ethiopia, etc., sinners who receive "Jesus the mediator," the "Son of God" and "Savior of the world," are begotten of God their Father and born of Zion their mother.

Notice the several things unto which believers are said "to come" when they are converted to Christ: 1) to mount Zion, 2) to the city of the living God, 3) to the heavenly Jerusalem, 4) to an innumerable company of angels (in celestial gathering), 5) to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, 6) to God the judge of all 7) to the spirits of just men made perfect, 8) to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, 9) to the blood of sprinkling. Nine things that believers reach, approach, and obtain in conversion. Believers come "to" all this in their being "born of God." The first three prepositional phrases (things believers "come to") identify the place, while the remainder speak of its inhabitants.

"You have come" is preceded in the context by "you have not come to the mount which might be touched," that is, to Sinai with its terrors. Those who think to be saved by law keeping, by their own righteousness, by their good works outweighing their bad works, are they who have come to mount Sinai. But, there is only condemnation and death to those who seek to be justified by the keeping of the law, by their own goodness and merit. The contrasts between Mt. Zion (Jerusalem) and Mt. Sinai, and what they represent, are stark. The law came from the latter and the gospel has come from the former. The former condemns while the latter justifies. 

Notice too how "mount Zion (Sion)" is identified with "the general assembly" or "church of the firstborn." The children of Zion are believers.

Zion The Mother of Believers

"But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which genders to bondage, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all." (Gal. 4: 23-26)

Jerusalem which is "above" is set in contrast to Jerusalem which is below, the "heavenly Jerusalem" versus the earthly Jerusalem, and Zion and Jerusalem are equivalent terms as we have seen. The Apocalypse speaks of the "New Jerusalem," the "city" foursquare that descends from above and becomes the capital of the new heavens and new earth. A city may denote the physical area of land, with its streets and buildings, and in ancient times, its walls and gates. But "city" may also denote the inhabitants, the citizens. 

Zion is an image and name of the city, including both the people who are its citizens and the physical city described in Revelation chapter 21, being "the New Jerusalem" with its streets of gold and gates of pearl. Abraham is a picture of God the Father, the Father and Creator of Zion and Jerusalem, and Sarah is a picture of Zion, of the church, the true sons of Zion. Thus said the Lord through the prophet:

"Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. For the LORD shall comfort Zion" (Isa. 51: 2-3)

In Romans Paul said that believers in Christ are "children of Abraham," that Abraham is "the father of all them who believe." (Rom. 4: 11) Abraham is the example for believers in faith and godliness. So too is Sarah. Wrote Peter:

"For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror." (I Peter 3: 5-6)

Daughters of Sarah! Zion's children! Sons and daughters of Abraham and Sarah! What a glorious heritage and family connection do believers have through their faith in Christ! Such a noble and high birth! "Well born" are believers in Jesus. They are an illustrious royal seed!

Isaiah further detailed the relationship of believers in Christ with their Jewish roots in Mount Zion and Jerusalem when he prophesied, saying:

"Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child. Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God. Rejoice you with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you that mourn for her: That you may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that you may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall you suck, you shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you shall be comforted in Jerusalem." (Isa. 66: 7-13)

Notice how God identifies himself as being the "mother" who comforts. What is said of Zion the mother is true of God himself for he is in Zion his dwelling place. Zion is the mother, but it is God who causes her to "bring forth children." Also, the children of Zion are "all you that love her" and this is a description of believers in Christ. The church or community of believers are mother to believers. It is through the church, the spiritual Zion and Jerusalem, that sinners are born again, for she proclaims the "glad tidings" or "good news" that become the means of new birth. By sucking Zion's breasts and being "dandled upon her knees" denotes how believers are not only born again through her communications but are made to grow and mature in the Christian life by her teachings. Paul wrote of this incorporation into Zion, Israel, and Jerusalem when he wrote:

"that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ...Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,  having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone" (Eph. 2: 12-13, 19-20)

By faith in Christ believers, of whatever ethnic nation they are, become children of God and citizens of "the commonwealth," or the polity of Israel and Zion, and of God's "household." Again, what a high status belongs to believers in Christ! Are they not the truly noble? Such thought led the Psalmist to say: "Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King." (Psa. 149: 2)

Of the earthly Zion, and her physical descendants, the prophet Jeremiah mourned, saying:

"How the gold has lost its luster, the fine gold become dull! How the precious sons of Zion, once worth their weight in gold, are now considered as pots of clay, the work of a potter's hands!" (Lam. 4: 1-2

"The precious sons of Zion" is not a title belonging to the unbelieving physical descendants of Abraham, though it was once so given to them under the old covenant. Rather, it belongs to believers in Christ. They are as such "worth their weight in gold." Though they are generally called from among the lower classes of the present world, and esteemed of little worth and importance, yet they are in reality of great worth. They are "God's elect," as the prophet said - "For the Lord has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his habitation" (Psa. 132: 13) God dwells in the believer and this is why he is a temple of God. God also dwells in the collective, in the body of the church. 

"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge." (Psa. 48: 1-3)

This is true now in regard to the assembly of believers but it will be truly realized in a far greater manner when the New Jerusalem descends from God out of heaven. Of the earthly city of Jerusalem it is recorded in the Apocalypse: "And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." (Rev. 11: 8)

The earthly city of Jerusalem is spiritually Sodom and Egypt. But, the heavenly city is not so. 

God's Elect or World's Elite? XXXIII

"Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named." 

(Eph. 3: 15)

Said the Lord Jesus Christ to Nicodemus, a "noble," a "ruler" of the Jews: 

“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a person be born when he is old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so is everyone who has been born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 3-8 nasb)

There are both similarities and differences between natural birth and spiritual birth. Physical birth is a being "born of the flesh." Spiritual birth is a being "born of the spirit." By natural birth we enter the kingdom of humanity or of the world. By spiritual birth we enter the kingdom of God. In birth a person has both a father and a mother. In being born of the Spirit a person has God for his Father and the community of believers and Jerusalem as his mother. Notice these words of the apostle Peter which further details the differences between birth of the flesh and birth of the spirit. 

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.." (I Peter 1: 22-23 NIV)

Conception and birth result from "seed" and a child begotten in the womb is called "the fruit of the womb." The first birth, natural birth, the birth of flesh, is the product of "perishable" or "corruptible" seed. But, the second birth is the result of "imperishable" or "incorruptible" seed. The seed (Greek sperma) of the second birth is divine seed, the seed of God. It is a metaphor denoting the divine nature and life. The divine life, eternal life, is communicated to the soul and spirit in being "born of God." The Spirit is the agent of rebirth and the instrument is "the living and enduring word (logos) of God," the message or discourse of the gospel, as Peter says "this is the word (message) which by the gospel is announced (preached) unto you."  Born "of" the Spirit, "of" the seed, but "through" the word of the gospel. (vs. 25)

Like begets like. Things reproduce "after their kind." (Gen. 1) We saw in the previous chapter how being born of a father involves the son taking on the likeness and image of his father (or mother). Paul said:

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (I Cor. 15: 49)

Though this is said in reference to the bodies of believers, yet it is equally true of the soul and spirit. They too bear "the image of the earthy," of the carnal, in their souls. In regeneration (or rebirth) the soul takes on the image of the heavenly and divine. It is in the resurrection that the body will change into the "image of the heavenly." 

Birth inaugurates our existence as creatures. In natural birth we become human beings, earthly creatures. In spiritual birth we become spiritual creatures. Wrote Paul: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (II Cor. 5: 17) Everything is new to a baby when first entering into the world outside of the womb. This is true in both natural and spiritual birth. Every baby is a new creature and "comes into the world" (John 1: 9) as such by birth. The repenting sinner in receiving Christ becomes a child of God through being "born of God" (John 1: 12-13) and comes into the family of God thereby. 

By natural birth a man is endowed with physical and mental abilities. By spiritual birth a man is spiritually endowed with abilities in the spirit. In natural birth a newborn requires mother's milk for growth and for preservation of natural life. The same is true in spiritual birth. Wrote Peter: "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." (I Peter 2: 2)

Being born, as we have seen, results from a father's "seed," together of course with the egg from the mother. But, the child born is not only the product of seed, but is also designated as being "seed" itself, a family seed. Christ in his human nature is "the seed of David" and "the seed of Abraham." Also, "Israel after the flesh" (I Cor. 10: 18) is called "the seed of the blessed of the LORD" (Isa. 65: 23) although it was only applicable to those Jews who believed in the Messiah. Those Jews who rejected God and his Messiah do not belong to the true spiritual "seed of the Lord" for they have not been "born of God." They, like all men, are born depraved, born of corruptible seed, and are described as being a "seed of evildoers." Wrote Isaiah:

"Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children (offspring) that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward." (Isa. 1: 4)

The Seed Of The Lord

"A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation." (Psa. 22: 30)

Believers, those who have been chosen and called by God, are the "seed of the Lord," the seed of Christ. In the parable of the wheat and tares, the children of God are "the good seed," planted by Christ, and the tares are the "bad seed" (tares), sown by the Devil. (Matt. 13) Also, as we will see, God's elect are "the seed of the blessed of the Lord," the "seed of Israel," the "seed of Abraham," the seed that collectively represents the "children of God" and the "family (or household) of God." As such they are "of the seed royal" (Jer. 41: 1; II Kings 11: 1) by their connection with Christ and through their having been begotten of the Father and Spirit. This is the "seed" mentioned in the prophecy of the Messiah in Isaiah chapter fifty three where Messiah is pictured enduring sufferings because he kept in focus the result, saying "he shall see his seed and be satisfied." (Isa. 53: 10) The seed of the Lord are they who have been born into the heavenly family. Every human being is either "good seed" (wheat) or "bad seed" (tares). Believers are the good seed and unbelievers are the tares (weeds). As respecting the seed of the Lord, the seed of Abraham, Paul wrote:

"Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." (Rom. 9: 6-8)

"Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ...And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3: 16, 29) 

The first thing to observe is how salvation is promised to a certain people. All the "promises" of eternal life, unending peace and joy, immortality, are directed to a people designated by God the Promisor. "To whom" are the promises made? Not to all men, not to all the seed of Adam. That would be universal salvation. Rather, they are made specifically to one class of people, to those designated as "Israel," as "the seed of Abraham." Paul lays down the premise, saying "to Abraham's seed" are the "promises" directed. They who are of this illustrious seed are equated with that body of people designated as "the children of God." So then, who is "Israel"? Who is "the seed of Abraham"? Who are "the children of God" and "the children of the promise"? Who are "the heirs according to the promise"? 

They are not "Israel after the flesh," but are rather "Israel after the spirit," for "they are not all Israel which are of Israel," that is, all they who are of the physical nation according to the flesh are not of the spiritual nation and people, not the true spiritual Israel. There is the physical nation, composed of those who are descended biologically from the genes of Abraham through physical birth, and there is the spiritual nation, composed of those who are "born of God," by a spiritual union with Christ. Paul thus gives two definitions for the name "Israel." He did the same for the name "Jew" when he wrote:

"For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." (Rom. 2: 28-29)

Being Jewish or an Israelite according to the flesh avails nothing when it comes to becoming a spiritual Jew and Israelite. So too with being one of "the seed of Abraham." The promises of salvation and eternal life and blessing are not made to the physical descendants of Abraham but to his spiritual descendants. Christ is the one true "seed of Abraham," the one to whom the promises are chiefly made, and believers, by their union with Christ by faith, are the true "seed of Abraham," the ones God had in mind when he made promise to the seed of Abraham. Paul specifically and emphatically says that "the children of the flesh" (of Abraham and Israel) "are not the children of God." This calls to mind the statement of the apostle John that we observed in the previous chapter where John says that the children of God are "not born of bloodlines," but "born of God."

Rather, the testimony of the apostle is 1) "they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham" and 2) "the blessing of Abraham" comes on "the Gentiles through Jesus Christ" so that 3) "we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." He strongly asserts - "to Abraham and his seed were the promises made." (Gal. 3: 7, 14, 16) He also affirms that the connection with Abraham is through faith, through a spiritual rebirth, and not through the flesh. But, was not Ishmael of "the seed of Abraham" and therefore entitled to the promise made to Abraham's seed? No, because he was not chosen by God to be the one to whom the Abrahamic promises of eternal blessing pertained. That promise was reserved for a future son of Abraham, to Isaac, called "the child of promise." 

God is showing us, through the life stories of Isaac and Ishmael, that it is God's sovereign choice and gracious promise alone which determines who becomes the children of Abraham and heirs of the promises. He first shows that the rejection of Ishmael and the acceptance of Isaac to be the "heir of promise," was not through a physical relation to Abraham, for they were both equally the seed of Abraham. This was a common misunderstanding among the Jews in the first century and before. It was the boast of the Pharisees and Sadducees - "we are Abraham's seed." Jesus responded by denying that they were the real seed of Abraham. He told them that Abraham rejoiced to see his coming, but they were opposing him. John the Baptist also confronted this same boast and said to them - "And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." (Matt. 3: 9) Recall Paul's affirmation - "if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise." He also wrote:

"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free." (Gal. 4: 28-31)

Isaac is a picture of saved spiritual people who are born of the Spirit. Ishmael is a picture of unsaved people who are born of the flesh. Isaac's birth was miraculous, both Sarah and Abraham being "dead" as far as being able to reproduce, Sarah's womb being "dead" and Abraham's body as also "dead" (Rom. 4: 19). Ishmael's birth was natural, not supernatural. His birth was of the flesh, but the birth of Isaac was of the Spirit. The birth of Isaac was the result of God's choice and creation of him, the result of God's promise that Abraham would have his heir through Sarah, even though this was no longer humanly possible. 

Being like Isaac, the believer is "born after the Spirit," is "the son of the free woman" (Sarah). He is, as a result of God's choice and promise, and from a birth of the Spirit, constituted "heir" of all the "blessings of Abraham," of an "eternal inheritance" (Heb. 9: 15), of "the promises." 

The unbeliever, however, is pictured in Ishmael. He was not chosen. He was not born of the Spirit but was only born after the flesh, having only a natural birth. He was the son of a slave (Hagar the Egyptian), the result of Abraham's unbelief in the promise of God and his efforts to choose and produce the promised heir through Hagar. He was different in character from Isaac as a result of his rejection by God and from his being the product of Abraham's unbelief.

Such a noble birth do believers have through being "born of God"! On this nobility we will continue to examine in the next chapter.