Psalm 69

Dr. Couch, is Psalm 69:35-36 a messianic kingdom passage? ANSWER:  Yes, indeed! The verses speak of God saving Zion, which is a reference to the city of Jerusalem, and/or the nation of Israel itself. He will build up the cities of Judah, "that the Jews may dwell there and possess it." This is a picture of prosperity and safety for the Jewish people. It shows the finality of God's blessings upon the nation, which will be at peace when the Messiah is reigning.    The seed of the Lord's servants will inherit the city, "and those who love His name will dwell in it." I generally come to a conclusion about a passage after studying it or translating it from the Hebrew or Greek. After I looked at the verses I checked Unger who says the same thing. He writes "Universal praise is to rise up to Him in the Kingdom age, for God will save Zion (Psalm 51:18; Zech. 12:1-5; Rom. 11:26-35) and build the cities of Judah. That 'the humble and the poor, the delivered godly remnant, will dwell there (permanently), and have it in possession, as well as their descendants (Isa. 65:9-10)."    The orthodox Jewish Rabbis certainly hold the same thing. We're in good company with them. They say, this has to do with the "coming redemption of Zion (cf. Isa. 44:23)." For the Lord "will redeem us for the sake of His lovingkindness."    It is not sad that the poor amill Covenant guys never see the blessings of the kingdom mentioned in the Word of God? They remain in their ignorance distorting the Scriptures and missing all of the great messianic truths of His Word!    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Apr., 10)

Covenant Theology and Removing Israel

Dr. Couch, why do the covenant guys try to get rid of the nation of Israel in God's plans? ANSWER:  I'm not saying they are demon possessed but it is a satanic ploy to deny God's future workings with the Jewish people. And, the covenant guys clearly do not use plain, normal interpretation of the Scriptures when they study the Bible. To them, the church is "Israel." How can they do that?    The Lord says "The remnant of Jacob (Israel) will be among the nations, among many peoples. ... the remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on vegetation (Micah 5:7-8). And "You will give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham, which You did swear to our forefathers from the days of old" (7:20). The Lord is not finished with Israel. His promises do not change! He has already begun to bring the Jews from around the world back to the Holy Land! We are living in the period of a great miracle. God is winding down His work with the Gentiles and the church and beginning to restore His work with His earthly people.    You need my book TO THE JEWS FIRST ... People reading it find it a fascinating book! Thanks for asking.    -- Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Physical Idols

Dr. Couch, why do people need a physical idol to worship in order to be immoral, such as Israel with the golden calf? ANSWER:  There is something about the human mind that needs an object to see. This brings about a visualization of that which is opposite from God who is Spirit, and cannot be seen. To the carnal (fleshly) mind this is a kind of advancement for someone who must see their god. Christ is God in the flesh but we, in a sense, do not need to "see" God. Yet, we can visualize His mercy and grace when we look at Christ. We are able to identify His graciousness when we observe Jesus "in action." We note how He relates to people, thinks of their needs and relates to their pains and sorrows as God.     John the apostle puts it this way: "No man has seen God a any time, the only born God, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him" (John 1:18). The word "explained" is "exeeomai" in Greek. The word means to "exegete" or to "lead forth." Thus, Christ "interprets, explains, describes" God be being in the flesh.    By the way, there is a textual issue in this verse, and I do not want to get too far afield in explaining the passage. But the better Greek manuscripts say "the only born (begotten) God" rather than "the only born (begotten) Son. "God" is in the better readings. In other words, Christ is the only God who has revealed Himself in flesh and was born among men!    The word "ekon" can be a good word. It is used to mean "image." Christ is 'the image of the invisible God" (Col. 1:15). And "the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4). Concerning believers, Paul writes: "Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old man and with its evil practices, and have put on the new man who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image (ekon) of the One who created him" (Col. 3:9-10).    Thanks for asking.    Dr. Mal Couch (Mar., 10)

Verses regarding Apostasy and the Nation of Israel

Dr. Couch, we all get the sense that we're there! We are now deep into the apostasy. You mentioned the other day a great verse that speaks to such issues in regard to the failure of the nation of Israel. Could you please refer to that again? Yes, I was referring to 2 Chronicles 36:14-21. The passage tells us that the leadership of Israel, and the people, "were very unfaithful following all the abominations of the nations; and they defiled the house of the Lord which He had sanctified in Jerusalem" (v. 14). God then "sent word to them again and again by His messengers, because He had compassion on His people … but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words ands scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, until there was no remedy left" (vv. 15-16).    The Lord then sent judgment (by the Chaldeans) who slew the people and destroyed the temple (v. 17).    The Lord then "fulfilled [His word] by the mouth of Jeremiah …" (v. 21).    A Scofield Ministries website reader sent an excellent email that we can all believe, if we are truly alert as to what is happening in our world! I think America as we know it is gone for good. The Constitution is out the window and we have a congress that is totally captured by special interests. Voting no longer makes a difference because the only ones running are those who tow the line and are sponsored by big money. The economy is in dire straits and is not going to turn around anytime soon. The majority of manufacturing jobs are permanently gone. Debt is spiraling out of control. Government is going wild. It is only a matter of time before the dollar is devalued and we move toward a regional or global currency. The swine flu situation has many suspect and troubling aspects. Things seem to be getting set up for martial law. – A Reader    This is really about the apostasy. And it is not just what is happening in America. Things are crumbling worldwide, not simply here in our country. For example, in Australia things are also falling apart. One of the largest denominational groups – the Uniting Church Australia – is rapidly turning liberal. It will soon support gay ministers.    A concerned Christian in that country keeps me informed about what is happening. He says: "This group is turning toward apostasy, and buying into the Emerging Church idea. They don't care about how Scripture is interpreted. And they are destroying any thought of proclaiming sound doctrine."    "We will have to move from the Uniting Church Australia (UCA) quickly. The people in the church who wanted to learn true doctrine are now in harms way spiritually. The days are evil and we are in dangerous times. Apostasy is well within all the areas of the churches these days.  I don't know where to go from here. It's hard to trust any church around here anymore. May the Lord come soon!"    All that the Word of God has prophesied is coming about before our very eyes!    Dr. Mal Couch

Heavenly Destiny vs Earthy Destiny

Dr. Couch, I am still confused about the issue of the "heavenly destiny" of the church vs. the "earthly destiny" of the nation of Israel in the kingdom period. Can you help? 

 

    ANSWER: Those who do not like this distinction have not read their Bibles very well. But too, remember they have an agenda to meld together somewhat the church and Israel. Thus they attempt to downplay the rapture and the fact that this is the next great event for the church. one of the "big" Progressive Dispensational teachers says that in his opinion the rapture is way down the list of important doctrines. With all due respect, there are over thirteen identifiable rapture passages in the NT! This does not make the doctrine a minor issue! (I have published a technical Greek booklet dealing with these passages of Scripture.) 

    The word "destiny" is possibly misleading. The words purpose, program, and function are best used to describe what is going on with the church and Israel. God has a distinct purpose and program for the church now. He has a distinct purpose, program, and function for Israel in the kingdom, even though the church will be there with the Lord. 

    This is a "big" subject that cannot be dealt with in this limited column. However, I urge you and every one reading this to study carefully: Acts 1:6-7; 3:18-on; 1 Thessalonians 1:10, and especially all that is written in Jeremiah 30-33. Observe, observe, observe. What does God say about the regathering of the Jews? What does He have for them in the kingdom? What is the kingdom all about? 

    Part of the problem today is that we have few scholars who will take the time to study with specific intensiveness to see what the Bible is saying. I just reread the first book published on Progressive Dispensationalism, and I am shocked at misquotes of Scripture. The quotes do not match up with what the authors are saying! 

    I hope this helps, and, thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch