Filter by Categories
Redeemed, But Waiting for Redemption
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe future redemption of Israel is presented as one distinct strand within a broader biblical pattern of redemption that unfolds in past, present, and future dimensions. Israel's original redemption at Passover, when God delivered her from Pharaoh's hand, marked only the beginning of her relationship with God rather than its completion; she still had to leave Egypt, enter a covenant, and remain faithful to it, which she largely failed to do. This historical experience serves as an example for understanding how redemption operates in stages rather than as a single completed event. Building on this pattern, a specific future redemption is promised for physical Israel and Judah, referenced in at least eighteen mentions found throughout the Prophets and Psalms. This future redemption involves being rescued from oppressive Gentile powers, but more significantly, it involves Israel being brought into the New Covenant, thereby being redeemed in the same manner that the church has already experienced. This connects Israel's coming redemption directly to the New Covenant framework that defines redemption for believers already in Christ. This future redemption of Israel stands in contrast to the future redemption promised to those already in Christ, which is described as "significantly different." For believers under the New Covenant, future redemption is not primarily about deliverance from national oppressors but concerns the redemption of the body itself, the final deliverance from the flesh that houses the law of sin and death. This is described in Romans 8:23 as an eager waiting for "the redemption of our body," when corruptible bodies are raised incorruptible and death is swallowed up in victory. Ephesians 1:13-14 reinforces this by describing believers as sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment "until the redemption of the purchased possession," while Ephesians 4:30 speaks of being "sealed for the day of redemption." The Olivet Prophecy in Luke 21:25-28 ties this same future redemption to the return of Christ, when the lowly body will be transformed and conformed to Christ's glorious body. Thus, Israel's future redemption into the New Covenant parallels, yet remains distinct from, the church's future bodily redemption, both forming part of the larger redemptive plan that began at Passover. This connects to the broader theme that Passover itself has always pointed toward redemption, from Abraham's deliverance of Lot, to Israel's deliverance from Egypt, to the New Covenant's spiritual redemption that will not be complete until the Kingdom of God arrives. Christ's statement that He would not eat the Passover again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God, along with Paul's instruction that believers proclaim the Lord's death "till He comes," frames all redemption, including Israel's future redemption, as culminating in that final Kingdom fulfillment.
The Lamb of Revelation (Part Two)
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeThe seven eyes of the Lamb, mentioned in Revelation 5, connect directly to two Old Testament passages in Zechariah where seven eyes are associated with the removal of Israel's iniquity and the restoration of true worship. This connection ties the Lamb's redemptive work specifically to Israel's future redemption, a theme richly developed throughout the prophets, who speak repeatedly of Israel's coming deliverance, restoration, and the removal of her guilt. The Lamb who was slain and found worthy to open the sealed scroll is thus revealed not merely as a sin offering but as the One who redeems what rightfully belongs to Him, including Israel, in a manner that recalls God's redemption of Israel out of Egypt. This pattern of redemption as reclaiming ownership, rather than solely providing atonement, shapes the unfolding narrative of Revelation. When the Lamb begins opening the seals, the resulting judgments parallel the plagues brought upon Egypt at the time of Israel's redemption from bondage, since not all acknowledge the Lamb's rightful claim over creation. This establishes a trajectory culminating in Revelation 11:15, where the kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of God and His Christ, signifying that the Lamb's redemptive purpose extends beyond Israel alone to encompass all creation, yet Israel remains a central object of this redemptive work. The Sixth Seal further illustrates this future redemption, as the wrath of the Lamb is revealed against those who reject His rightful ownership. Christ's own words in the Olivet Prophecy describe cosmic disturbances accompanying His return, explicitly framing these events as signs that redemption is drawing near. This connects Israel's future redemption to the broader eschatological pattern in which God's people are gathered and delivered through divine intervention, echoing the same dynamic seen in the Exodus. Revelation 14 depicts the Lamb standing on Mount Zion with the 144,000, described as redeemed from the earth and from among men, reinforcing the theme of a people set apart through the Lamb's redemptive act. In Revelation 15, those who have overcome the beast sing both the Song of Moses and the Song of the Lamb, directly linking the redemption accomplished through Christ to the redemption of Israel from Egypt, since the Song of Moses explicitly celebrates God's purchase and redemption of Israel as His own possession. Ultimately, the future redemption of Israel forms part of a larger redemptive purpose fulfilled through the Lamb, who as the firstborn over all creation possesses legal claim over all things. His future redemptive work includes the redemption of the church, Israel, Jerusalem, the Land of Promise, and all who have not rejected Him. This comprehensive redemption remains still awaited, paralleling the present groaning of creation and of believers who anticipate the fullness of this redemptive work soon to be accomplished through the powerful action of the Lamb.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe material presents the future redemption of Israel as a central element in the ongoing work of the Father and the Son to create humanity in Their image and likeness. This redemption is pictured by the Eighth Day attached to the Feast of Tabernacles, a sacred assembly that follows the seven days of dwelling in temporary booths and points to the completion of divine purpose after the millennial rest. Although Israel has repeatedly forsaken the I AM, grown fat and kicked against the Rock of salvation, provoked Him with idols, and turned from His law, the LORD declares that He will not abandon the covenant sworn to the fathers. When Israel's power is gone and no other help remains, He will judge His people with compassion, hide His face no longer, and exercise vengeance on their enemies while extending mercy to His servants. The I AM affirms that He kills and makes alive, wounds and heals, and there is none who can deliver from His hand. This promise of abundant redemption is sealed by the declaration that He shall redeem Israel from all iniquities, restoring the nation to dwell safely in the land flowing with milk and honey under the protection of the eternal God. The same faithful One who led Israel by cloud and fire, carried them as a father carries his son, and remained present despite their rebellion now works without ceasing to bring the elect into oneness with Himself and the Son. Through this unity the broader plan advances, ensuring that the redemption of Israel fulfills the memorial of deliverance first given at the Exodus and extends the blessings of the covenant to all generations who keep the commandments.
The Time of Jacob's Trouble
Sermon by David C. GrabbeThe curses of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28 are warning shots over moral decay and national sins. Jacob's trouble will force a total reliance on God.
Who Do You Trust? (Part One)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe material presents the future redemption of Israel as a direct expression of the Father and the Word's absolute trust in Their own plan, declared from the beginning. Through Isaiah 43 the Lord addresses Jacob and Israel as those He created and formed, declaring that He has redeemed them, called them by name, and claims them as His own. Because they are precious in His sight and loved by Him, He promises to gather their descendants from the east and the west, the north and the south, bringing sons and daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone called by His name and created for His glory. The same passage identifies these redeemed ones as His witnesses, confirming that He alone is God, that He declared and saved before any foreign god existed, and that no one can deliver out of His hand or reverse what He works. The material applies these promises first to physical Israel yet insists they hold even greater reality for spiritual Israel at the end time, the people already gathered by God from every corner of the earth and indwelt by His Spirit. This future redemption is therefore not an afterthought but the continuation of the purpose first announced in Genesis 1:26, the deliberate expansion of the divine family through the same unbreakable bond of trust that exists between the Father and the Son. Those who keep their eyes on that bond and on the God who declares the end from the beginning are enabled to wait on Him without weariness, confident that the gathering and redemption He has spoken will be accomplished exactly as planned.
The Holy Spirit and the Trinity (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThere are varieties of spirit, motivating people to 'go with the flow' and conform to a sheep-like mob psychology. Satan's spirit encourages sinfulness.