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This article was originally written in 2016. I felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to re-publish it.

Original article

Most of us have heard of the false teaching called Replacement Theology. This article is for those who either have never heard of it or have had this preached to them Sunday after Sunday and just figured that it was biblical.

I’m here to tell you – It’s a lie from the pit of hell.

Replacement Theology (RT) has been around for centuries. The term used by theologians is supersessionism. The church supersedes Israel. Theologians have cited the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD as proof that God was finished with the Jewish people.

There are two main schools of thought regarding RT:

Israel’s role as God’s Chosen was completed once Jesus came to earth (economic supersessionism).

Because of her disobedience, Israel forfeited her role as Chosen of God because of her rejection of Jesus as Messiah (punitive supersessionism).

Punitive supersessionism was clearly articulated by Martin Luther in his sermon: “On the Jews and Their Lies.”

For such ruthless wrath of God is sufficient evidence that they [i.e., the Jewish people] assuredly have erred and gone astray. Even a child can comprehend this. For one dare not regard God as so cruel that he would punish his own people so long, so terrible, so unmercifully … Therefore this work of wrath is proof that the Jews, surely rejected by God, are no longer his people, and neither is he any longer their God. (“On the Jews and Their Lies,” Trans. Martin H. Bertram, in Luther’s Works [Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971], p. 265).

How could a man used of God as was Martin Luther come to such a conclusion about the Jews? It is written that later in his life, Luther was convinced that he was called of God to save the Jews. When his efforts failed, he became enraged. In one night, in response to his anti-Semitic sermon, synagogues were burned to the ground, and over 2,000 Jews were slaughtered. Martin Luther was used by God in a mighty way in the Great Reformation, but alas, he was merely a man. His teachings about Jews had a dramatic impact on the church in Germany for many years to come. Hitler was a great fan of Luther. He carried the sermon: “On the Jews and Their Lies” to every SS meeting.

RT is closely related to Reformed or Covenant Theology, which is associated with John Calvin. If you’ve noticed that your pastor does not speak or teach on eschatology (the study of End Times), it’s most likely that the leadership of your church adheres to amillennialism – a view of eschatology that views End Times prophecy as “spiritual” instead of literal. It’s a convenient way of avoiding the promises made to Israel in the Word. Since the proponents of RT believe that the church inherited the promises made to Israel, there is no need to teach that End Times prophecy is literal. The prophecies are viewed more as allegorical.

It has always amazed me that churches who teach RT completely ignore some critically important words by the apostle Paul in Romans 11. I would HIGHLY recommend that you read all of Romans 11 (9 and 10 as well), but Romans 11 truly expresses why the Jews did not receive their Savior, and clearly shows that God is not done with His Chosen people.

I would love to print all of Romans 11, but I am placing what I consider to be the heart of this chapter:

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.’

“Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all” (Romans 11:25-32).

How could this be any clearer? God ordained that blindness in part would happen to Israel until all of the Gentiles who were to be saved would come into His Kingdom. It also states the gifts of and the calling of God are irrevocable.

God’s plan from the beginning was to offer salvation to the entire world. He used the Jewish people to bring His law to show His Holiness, and then through their lineage, He would ultimately bring His Son to pay for all sin. What a merciful and loving God we serve!

Satan is determined to lie and deceive mankind. He uses just a little bit of truth (Scripture) and then twists it for his purposes. He knows the Word better than any one of us. His motivation for memorizing God’s Word is to seek and destroy God’s people. He started in the Garden of Eden with Eve. He tried it against Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus always fought him (and shut him down) with pure Scripture.

God made a Covenant with Israel. I’ve read articles by Bible teachers who claim that Israel relinquished the promises made by God because of their rebellion. God cannot lie. He made the promises. It has nothing to do with how good or bad Israel is. It has everything to do with God and His faithfulness.

As a student in the synagogue I attended when I was a child, the history of my people saddened me. I learned of the persecution by the Catholic Church. I learned that no matter where we went, ultimately, we were placed in ghettos with locked gates. We were HATED. I would ponder in my mind why—what did we do to warrant such hatred and oppression? It wasn’t until I was born-again that I realized why. It was Satan all along. He placed hatred in the hearts of men and women for the Jews.

But I never thought that it would be this extreme. I’m shocked as I read the news and see the world flying the swastika flag all across the globe. It literally makes me sick. But I know that all things must happen according to His plan. It took the extermination of 6 million of my people to bring about the establishment of the Jewish State of Israel in 1948 – a prophecy that many proponents of RT did not expect.

Israel is Israel. The church is the church. In the Old Testament, Israel was under the Law. Jesus brought us the Covenant of Grace. We are FREE in Him.

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17).

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:8-11).

Jesus was sent to earth for one reason—to die. It was His precious blood that cleansed the repentant sinner and made him/her righteous in the eyes of the Father. Every Jew needs to come to the Father through Jesus Christ. There is no special arrangement between the Jewish people and God.

So, if you are in a church that believes that God has cast away His people—the Jews, please understand that what is being taught is not truth. Have you noticed that most of the RT denominations are vehemently anti-Israel? Are you starting to see that Satan’s plan to destroy God’s children has worked in most of the mainline churches? Here is a list of churches that believe the RT lie:

The Roman Catholic Church. (This is NOT part of Christianity)
(Some) Southern Baptist Convention – (depends on leadership).
The United Methodist Church.
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Episcopal Church.
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
United Church of Christ.
Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, Joplin, Mo.
Emergent Churches
Vineyard Churches
Third Wave Churches

**I am certain there are many more. Anti-Semitism and hatred for Israel are at an all-time high.

Please understand that in each of these denominations, it is possible to have a pastor who is a true shepherd under the Great Shepherd Jesus. But these denominations are known to adhere to the RT lie.

These churches have declared their hatred for Israel and are supporting Hamas. This is exactly what the devil wants to happen. But our Lord, being omniscient, is using all of this to fulfill His prophetic Word concerning Israel.

“And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it” (Zechariah 12:3).

From Arutz Sheva from Israel:

“These very liberal churches include Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and the United Church of Christ. They presently number about 16 million. Their membership and influence in the United States continue to decline. These churches’ rhetoric is usually outdone by an even harsher one of a small group of so-called ‘peace churches,’ including the Mennonites and Quakers.

“Mainline churches claim many members from Congress. They represent America’s heartland and have adopted a range of resolutions hostile to Israel. They include calls for boycotts plus divestment and sanctions (BDS). Some are aimed at Israel; others focus on the ‘settlements.’ Several churches supported the hateful Kairos Palestine Document published in 2009 by some Palestinian Christians. There is also tourism to Israel under Palestinian auspices.

“BDS started with the passage of a resolution in 2004 at the Presbyterian Church (USA) calling for selective divestment of shares of American companies doing business in Israel. Long before that, the World Council of Churches (WCC), founded in 1948, aligned itself with ‘third world’ countries and thinking. This is an international umbrella group of mainline churches which claims denominational membership of 590 million people. It has frequently condemned Israel yet never protested attempts by Israel’s neighbors and by terrorists to erase it from the map.

“Several of these churches also publish extremely anti-Israel educational materials. These are often the only ones members will view. The Methodists produced a study guide a few years ago authored by an apostate Jewish pastor. He admitted to hating Judaism. It featured illustrations of Israeli soldiers reminiscent of Nazi guards at a concentration camp.

“Theology is playing an increasing role in mainline churches’ anti-Israel activity. It began with the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center and its head, Dr. Naim Ateek. Many liberal churches have partnered with Sabeel. Ateek used crucifixion imagery in his Easter message of 2001: ‘It seems to many of us that Jesus is on the cross again with thousands of crucified Palestinians around him.’

“This reintroduces the ancient murderous Christian charge of deicide against the Jews. Ateek and others deny that the Bible speaks of any covenant of land with the Jews. This is a renewal of the replacement theology and supersessionism and is extremely dangerous for Jews around the world, especially at a time of rising anti-Semitism.

“Palestinian influences in anti-Israel hate-mongering is huge. They have sent teams of Palestinian Christians around the U.S for a decade, tugging at Christian heartstrings with emotional tales of woe. They are more effective than Palestinian Muslims, who don’t come as ‘brothers.’

“Still, there are surprises. In 2012, several denominations substituted positive investment resolutions in place of divestment. In some cases, votes that looked like they were heading in the anti-Israel direction were saved by impassioned speeches by pastors who spoke about the impact such a resolution would have on Jewish-Christian friendships and partnerships in their churches.

“The actions of these mainline churches have poisoned the well of Christian-Jewish dialogue. Jews entered the dialogue, which has been fruitful at times, on the basis of assurances that Christian partners left contempt for Jews and Judaism behind, and had made serious attempts to understand what was important to Jews. The way in which these churches treat Israel shows that neither is true.” – source

I ask you this: Even if you have been in one church for years, if they are teaching a lie, would it not be the right thing to do to leave and attempt to find a gathering of brothers and sisters in Christ who believe the whole Word of God?

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

And a word to those seeking a place to worship:

ASK QUESTIONS!

You have a right to know how leadership feels about very important issues – whether they believe the whole Word of God or choose to add or take away from God’s Holy Word.

Shalom B’Yeshua

Maranatha!

Grandmageri422@gmail.com

antichrists trying to convince people that “There are many ways to Heaven.” And how about, “There is really no hell.” And, of course, “God wouldn’t send anyone to hell forever.” Don’t forget Satan’s most successful line ever, “Did God Really Say?” (ESV – all emphasis mine)

There are some prosperity preachers that have a rather large following, even though they are twisting the true word of God to fit their personal agendas. Their goal is to keep the money rolling in to support their lifestyles. I really hope that they enjoy their mega-bucks here, as Revelation 22:18-19 is specific about adding to or taking away from the word of God. Ear-tickling messages and heart-thumping music that are unbiblical will be worthless at their final judgment.

As for no hell, Matthew 25:41 says, “Then He will say to those on His left, depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” Then Revelation 19:20, “And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet, who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast, and those who worshiped its image. Those two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.” These two are the first actual occupants of the eternal hell.

Next, one thousand years later, we read in Revelation 20:10, “and the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever.”

Next, Revelation 20:11-15 is the ultimate final judgment for all who were out of God’s will prior to Calvary, and all who did not receive and accept Jesus as their Savior from Calvary to the end of His Millennial Reign. This will include the people who believe they are “good” and Heaven is owed to them.

“Then I saw a great white throne, and Him who was seated on it. From His presence, earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it; death and hades gave up the dead who were in them; and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then death and hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

For a follow-up, all who received and accepted Jesus as their Savior will not have anything to do with the above judgments. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:8-10, “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at Home with the Lord. So, whether we are at Home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

The Judgment Seat is not a judgment of condemnation. Yes, we will answer for all we have done, good or bad, and will receive or lose “rewards” for our actions. Romans 8:1 is very specific with, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” This is for everyone who called out to be saved while they still had breath in their bodies here.

For the “many ways” people, first there’s John 14:6, where Jesus Himself said, “…I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.” Then in Acts 4:12, Peter boldly declared to the religious leaders, “And there is Salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under Heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved.”

To be part of Jesus’ precious flock is to have assurance of eternal life and to know His hands will hold us securely. John 10:28; “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand.” He continues in verses 29-30; “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are One.”

Carroll Roberson is an evangelist and gospel singer in Ripley, Mississippi, who has written many gospel songs. In 2014, he released “One Pair of Hands,” and it happens to be a favorite of mine. By the way, there are those who try to give Elvis Presley credit for recording this song, but they are wrong. He died in 1977, and this song had not even been written then. Please read the wonderful sermon contained in this great Hymn.

1.) One pair of hands formed the mountains; one pair of hands formed the sea; one pair of hands made the sun and the moon, every bird, every flower, every tree. One pair of hands formed the valleys, the ocean, the rivers and the sand.

(ref) Those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong, put your faith in the One Pair of Hands.

(2) One pair of hands healed the sick; one pair of hands raised the dead; one pair of hands calmed the raging storm, and thousands of people were fed. One pair of hands said, “I Love You,” and those hands were nailed to a tree.

(ref) Those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong, put your faith into one pair of hands. Those hands are so strong, so when life goes wrong, put your faith into one pair of hands. One Pair of Hands.

Even though Jesus is called the “Son of God” and He came to this earth as a human about 2,000 years ago, He is still fully God. As a fully-human being, He allowed Himself to be our perfect sacrifice to cover our sins if we will have faith and believe in Him, confess that we are sinners in need of a Savior, and call out to Him to forgive us and give us an eternal Home with Him when our time has come (Romans 10:9-13). Jesus was not forced to be our Savior but did so willingly, as told in John 10:18.

John 1:1-3; “In the beginning was the Word; and the Word was with God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.”

Jesus is one-third of the Holy Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As with God, He has always existed and will exist forever. The Father loves us so much (John 3:16) that He allowed a very special part of Himself to go through an agonizing death so that we would have a pure pathway to Him. That’s why Romans 10:13 plainly states, “All who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

When the white throne judgment description was given (see 6th paragraph above), is it any wonder that the Father will not accept anyone who would reject His Son and the wonderful gift that is offered? Satan is a master of deceit, and altogether too many people today will follow his lies. They have the same choice to receive and accept Jesus as everyone else does, but the lure of this earth’s so-called pleasures is sometimes too strong for them to resist.

No matter what anyone has done in their past, if they will repent and ask Jesus to forgive them and be their Savior, He will do so. Once a person takes their last breath here, their eternity is set. It will be Heaven or Hell, and no other option is available. And both are for all eternity.

Choose today whom you will serve. As Joshua said in chapter 24, verse 15, “But I and my family will worship the Lord” (paraphrased). We don’t have the promise of another day here, but whatever we choose will be accepted by the Father. In 2 Peter 3:9, we’re told He doesn’t want anyone to fail, but that all would repent and accept His son. He doesn’t set traps for us to fall into and be lost forever.

Be on the positive side – say, “Yes, My Jesus; make me a part of your precious flock, and put your protective hands around me. Amen!

Maranatha!

huebshman46@gmail.com

General Articles

Replacement Theology: A LIE From the Pit of Hell :: By Geri Ungurean

One Pair of Hands :: By Dennis Huebshman