We ended last week’s lesson dealing with the fact that the masses of Christians today “stumble” over “The Great Commission” that Jesus gave to the 12 during His earthly ministry. Most think “The Great Commission” is our marching orders today. But why? Because they do not utilize God’s instructions of studying the Bible that He gave to Apostle Paul found in 2 Tim. 2:15: “study… rightly dividing the word of truth.” Thus, wherever they see the word “Gentiles,” they think that God is talking to them.
This of course, happens when men don’t “rightly divide the truth.” Separating truth from truth is a God given skill of edification. Men today, instead “spiritualize” (manhandle, mangle} the scriptures using their own human wisdom. 2 Pet. 3:16 is a great example. Peter says, when men do not “rightly divide” the wisdom given Paul…,” “some things (in Paul’s scriptures) are hard to understand, because men are unlearned, unskilled, and unstable. (“such were some of you”) So, men “wrest” the scriptures (meaning that “the natural man” will extract, pry, pull, root out, by their own ignorant understanding) the real meaning, as they do other scriptures, unto their own destruction (ruin, spiritual loss). Cf. 1 Cor. 3:10-15: resulting in the “loss of rewards!”@ the Bema!
The Great Commission was given to the 12 apostles during Jesus earthly ministry. And Matthew 10:5-6 Jesus is very clear:” These 12 Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, go NOT into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans (were not full-blooded Jews) enter you NOT: but go rather to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, the Kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus wasn’t talking to you. This is not our mail! This is Israel’s mail!
When we study about The Great Commission, God is referring to: when He resumes His program with Israel in the last days and gives them the Kingdom on earth. (After the Rapture!!) The Great Commission is dealing with the end times, the Tribulation Period, in Ages to Come (Heb-Rev). Israel will be dealt with first, and given the kingdom on earth, then the blessing (salvation) of the Gentiles through the nation Israel will begin.
Because of Israel’s unbelief, crucifixion of their Messiah, and their refusal to repent, according to Romans 11:11 God is dealing with us Gentiles today in the
dispensation of Gentile grace in spite, of the nation Israel’s fall. God has put Israel’s program aside. Israel’s program has been put in “Abeyance” which means:
suspended or inactive, put in cold storage or deep freeze in other words God has “blinded Israel” & put Israel’s program temporarily on hold.
God is dealing with Gentiles in a mystery program. According to the gospel of the death, burial & resurrection of JC, not spoken about in ages and generations past. In the dispensation of grace God has turned to us Gentiles & put Jew & Gentile on the very same level playing field. No difference between Jew and Gentile. Today God is offering grace and peace & withholding His day of wrath.
So, the most important thing to remember, is that the blessings of the Gentiles is referring to The Great Commission as it pertains to Israel, as a result of the Abrahamic covenant, and has absolutely nothing to do with the dispensation of Gentile grace, today.
Matter of fact, the only time the Great Commission can be dealt with is in God’s Day of wrath. A WARNING goes out to those who teach that: the Great Commission is for us today! That is SPOE “wresting the scriptures.” They are “instruments of unrighteousness.” And they are really lying, saying, that the Day of Wrath is now in effect. Nothing couldn’t be further from the truth!
9.“For God has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10. Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep we should live together with him.11. Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another even as also you do.” 1 Thess. 5:9-11
Colman J. Gilliland 