Statement on prayer and salvation

If someone understood that they received salvation by believing the gospel, why would they turn around and "ask" God to save him? If he really believed the gospel he would not be pleading for salvation in the sinner's prayer. If someone knew that they got saved by faith alone, would they then ask God to save them? Praying for salvation is an admission that you are not saved and that you think you will get saved by praying.

The Bible has a lot to say about God hearing not sinners (John 9:31, Rom. 3:19, 1 Pet. 3:12, Prov. 1:28-30, 15:29, 28:9, Isa. 1:15, 59:1-4, Ps. 34:15-17, Matt. 7:21-23, 15:8). God does not need that any should testify of man (John 2:24-25) and He will not accept anything we offer Him, like prayer (Heb. 5:7). The Bible is clear that prayer is a work (Col. 4:12, Rom. 15:30, Eph. 6:18).

In Rom. 10:9 the "thou" is the same thou of verses 6-8 and Deut. 30:11-14, Israel (like Rom. 10:1). Joel 2:32 which Paul quotes is about Israel. Besides that, the passages he quotes are not about salvation from sin, but rather salvation from apostasy and falling.

I think it would be strange if Romans 10:9-10 were referring to the salvation of our soul because that would mean that we became "righteous" when we believed, but we weren't "saved" until we call upon the Lord. I don't think it is possible to separate the righteousness and salvation of the soul. Also, if Paul is referring to the individual salvation of the soul, it would be strange that he did not mention it in chapters 3-5 of Romans where he was dealing with salvation from sin. And again when Paul mentions the gospel in Rom. 10:16 it is said that you obey it by believing it, not by confessing.

Baptists try to apply Isaiah 55:6 to us Gentiles, "Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" But Paul applied Isaiah 65:1 to the Gentiles which says "I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me." (Rom. 10:20)

--Eli Caldwell

LYIN' TED

This is awesome...the crowd starts chanting "LY-IN' TED! LY-IN TED!"

I don't see how anyone could vote for that lyin' Washington weasel. If Cruz gets the nomination, I will vote Libertarian in November.

If Cruz gets the nomination I will be saying "There is a liar running for president and also Hillary Clinton."

VOTE TRUMP 2016!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJx_Qv1lWeU

"He that overcometh" Part 2

I was going to comment on each of the "overcometh" statements in Revelation 2-3, but I realized that Pastor David O'Steen already did an excellent study on these verses in his post "Rightly Dividing Revelation 2-3":
  

http://kjbstudy.blogspot.com/2014/09/rightly-dividing-revelation-2-3.html

Here are his comments...  

"1. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of paradise of God.” (2:7)

The tree of life was on earth in the beginning and will be once again in the end (Gen. 3:22-24; Rev. 22:2). When Adam fell paradise was lost and the tree of life could not be accessed. When the kingdom of heaven is set up on earth paradise will be restored and once again this tree will be available. The tree of life literally gives life to those that eat of it.  How will they gain right to this tree? By keeping the commandments of God (Rev. 22:14)! The body of Christ does NOT need this tree because we will have a body fashioned like the glorious body of Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:20-21). Do you think that Christ will need the tree of life? Than neither will we! 

2. “be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” and “He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” (2:10b; 11b)
Faithful tribulation saints will face execution (beheading) for not worshipping the beast. There will be a multitude of martyrs that God promises to avenge and reward (Rev. 6:9-11; 20:4). That the devil will personally persecute these people (Rev. 2:10) proves they are in the great tribulation (Rev. 12:9-13). Commentators spiritualize the ten days to mean anything but ten days (e.g. ten persecutions by Roman emperors). I take it to be ten literal days. They will be tried in prison (tortured) for ten days in an effort to make them decide to take the mark of the beast. If they take the mark they will be damned (Rev. 14:9-12). If they "love not their lives unto the death" (Rev. 12:11) they will be resurrected and given a crown of life (Matt. 10:16-39; Jam. 1:12; Rev. 20:4; 21:7). The body of Christ will not be “hurt of the second death” but is this is NOT because we overcame the antichrist! In the tribulation, those that do not “endure to the end” will not be saved (Matt. 24:13).

3. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (2:17)

God supernaturally fed His people with manna in the wilderness. In the tribulation they can not buy, sell, or trade without the mark of the Beast. The faithful remnant will not take the mark. They will flee to the wilderness where God will once again supernaturally feed His people for 3 ½ years (Rev. 12:6, 14; Mic. 7:14-15). The “white stone” is also associated with Israel’s wilderness experience. In Exodus we read of stones on the breastplate of the high priest. God will make the whole nation “a kingdom of priests” (Ex. 19:6). In Exodus we also read of stones called “Urim and Thummim” of which little is known. We do know they were associated with God hearing and answering His people. Surely the “white stone” is associated with Israel as was the manna.

4. “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star.” (2:27-28)

In Numbers 24:17-19 we read about the “Star” and “Sceptre” that shall rise out of Israel, that will have “dominion”, and that will cause Israel to do “valiantly”. The Star and Sceptre is Christ. When He sets up His kingdom Israel will reign with Him over the world with a “rod of iron” (Ps. 2; Rev. 12:5). Christ said to His disciples, “Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Lk. 22:28-30)

5. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” (3:5)

Later in the book we are clearly told that the white raiment is the “righteousness of the saints” (19:7-8). The body of Christ stands in the righteousness of Christ (Phil. 3:4-9). Those who overcome will not only be clothed in white but will have their name confessed before the Father. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 10:32-33 and a casual reading of the context will show you it is a tribulation promise. Those blotted out of the book for unfaithfulness and denial of the Son will not enter the kingdom but will be cast into outer darkness.

6. “Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” (3:10; 12)

God promises to protect His faithful remnant through the great tribulation. Some will be raptured (144,000 in Rev. 12:5) and others will be protected on the earth (12:13-17). The promise of v.10 is similar to the one found in Zeph. 2:3 and Isa. 26:20. The overcomers are promised a special position in the temple (pillar = display). They had “little strength” but will be a strong and secure pillar in God’s temple. We are not going to be a pillar in the temple, we are the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16). Those that worship the beast receive his name. The overcomers will be totally identified with the true and living God by having His name (22:4), the name of His city, and a new name written upon them (2:17; Isa. 62:2). The new Jerusalem which comes down from heaven following the millennial kingdom is totally identified with ISRAEL (check the names on the 12 gates!). Of course the temple in v.12 refers to the millennial temple of the kingdom. The Jews will be able to serve the Lord continually in it as the nations flow into Jerusalem to worship the King (Zech. 14:16).

7. “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” (3:21)

It is when Christ returns to establish His kingdom on earth that He will sit on the throne of His father David (Lk. 1:32) and the throne of His glory (Matt. 25:31). Between His ascension and second coming He is seated with His Father in His Father’s throne (Ps. 110:1). This proves that the covenants are not being fulfilled "spiritually" today through the church. The overcomers will reign with Christ in the kingdom (Rev. 2:26-27; 5:10; 20:4). Christ overcame Satan by the word of God and by being obedient unto death (Phil. 2:8). The tribulation saints must overcome Satan the same way (12:11)." 

"He that overcometh"

Revelation chapters 2-3 is often used by those who believe in salvation by works and those that deny the doctrine of eternal security. Those chapters repeatedly refer to "him that overcometh" and it is the position of works-salvationists that these verses prove salvation is not an instant gift given to those who have believed the gospel. Rather, they believe that one must "endure to the end" and be faithful unto death in order to be saved. They define "overcoming" as being faithful unto death. Scriptures offered to support this position are Matthew 10:22, 24:13, Mark 13:13, Hebrews 3:14, and others.

Others, typically the denominations of Baptists that profess to believe in justification by faith, say that "overcoming" is just another way of saying believing on Christ. 1 John 5:4-5 is offered as scriptural evidence for this position, which says "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Here are the verses from Revelation.

Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
 
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
 
Revelation 2:17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
 
Revelation 2:26-27 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Revelation 21:7-8 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

The problem with both of the positions given above is that none of these verses are written to believers in the Body of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace. Remember, John was an apostle of the Circumcision who only went unto the Jews (Matt. 19:28, Gal. 2:7-9). The apostles of the Circumcision wrote prophetic books to future believing Jews in Daniel's 70th Week (John 16:13). Remember that 1 John was written to believers "in the last time" who had overcome the Wicked One (1 Jn. 2:13-14, 2:18, 5:18). The beginning of the book of Revelation makes it very clear that the entire vision and content of the book of Revelation is written from the standpoint of what John say in the Day of the Lord (Rev. 1:10). Only the Pauline epistles, Romans-Philemon, are written to and about the Body of Christ in the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 11:13, 11:25, 15:15-16, 16:25, 1 Cor. 2:7-8, 4:1, 4:15-16, 11:1, 15:51, Gal. 1:11-12, 2:1-9, Eph. 3:1-9, 5:32, 6:19, Phil. 3:17, 1 Thes. 4:15, Col. 1:24-28, 4:3, 2 Thes. 3:7, 1 Tim. 3:9, 2 Tim. 1:11, 1:13, 2:7, 2:7, Titus 1:3).

The apostle John was transported by the Holy Spirit into the future Day of the Lord to see the 70th Week of Daniel, the Second Advent, the Millennium, the Great White Throne Judgment, etc. The seven churches of Revelation 1-3 are not church ages in the Dispensation of Grace, they are local churches of believers in Daniel's 70th Week. The day of the Lord.

Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 

The apostle John will preach again during Daniel's 70th Week, Revelation 10:11 says "And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings."

Pastor David O'Steen gives seven scriptural reasons why the book of Revelation is not about the Body of Christ: http://kjbstudy.blogspot.com/2014/01/revelation-is-not-about-body-of-christ.html

  

"1. Its placement in the sixfold division of the Bible:

• The OT - The King and His coming Kingdom in promise and prophecy
• The 4 Gospels - The King and His Kingdom offered and rejected
• The Acts - The King and His Kingdom re-offered and rejected, transition to the body of Christ
• The Pauline Epistles - The Kingdom postponed, the King made Head of the Church
• The Jewish Epistles - The King and His Kingdom once again at hand
• The Revelation - The King comes to establish His kingdom on the earth

2. The Jewish character of the book. It is full of Hebrew idioms, expressions, words and phrases, and imagery. The number of OT passages quoted or alluded to in Matthew is 92, Hebrews is 102, but Revelation is 285!

3. Revelation is a book of PROPHECY (Rev. 1:3; 22:7,10,18-19). The body of Christ is not the subject of prophecy but a great mystery that was hid from the prophets and was first revealed to and through the apostle Paul (Rom. 16:25; Eph. 3:5,9; Col. 1:26). 

4. The vantage point from which John writes the book is the future Day of the LORD (1:10). The Spirit transported him past the Grace Age into the tribulation period (and beyond) to be an eyewitness of the things he was to write. 

5. The promises given to the 7 churches are clearly for tribulation saints. The Bible does not limit the use of the word "church" to the present age (Acts 7:38). Does the body of Christ have to overcome in order to have right to the tree of life and not be hurt of the second death (2:7,11)?

6. Jesus Christ is presented throughout this book in accordance with prophecy and not the revelation of the mystery (Rom. 16:25). He is seen as the Great High Priest and the coming King of kings, not the Head of the church. 

7. The WHOLE book was sent to the seven churches and they were told to KEEP the things in it (Rev. 1:3,11). Are you trying to keep the instruction of 14:9-12 and 22:14 for example?"

He also has another great study on this topic here:
http://kjbstudy.blogspot.com/2014/09/rightly-dividing-revelation-2-3.html

The whole book of Revelation is a book of prophecy written from the standpoint of the Day of the Lord. 

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:10-11 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 

Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

John is writing prophetically when the timing of the things written in the book will be "AT HAND" (Rev. 22:10) and the people are told to keep the sayings in it.

Now as for the "overcoming" issue, I believe it is referring to believers of the Gospel of the Kingdom enduring faithfully to the end of Daniel's 70th Week without drawing back (Matt. 10:22, 24:13-14, Mark 13:13, Heb. 3:14, 4:10-11, 9:28, 10:26-39, 12:14-16, Jude 21, etc.).

It is true that 1 John 5:4-5 says "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" However, Revelation defines what God means by "overcometh". Revelation 3:21 says

"Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne."

When Revelation uses the term "overcometh" it is referring to the same overcoming that Christ did in His earthly ministry. Did Christ overcome by believing on Himself? No, He overcame by being obedient unto death (Phil 2:8) and finishing the work that the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). This is the same overcoming that the believers in Daniel's 70th Week will have to endure and refuse to take the mark of the beast.

Revelation 14:
[9] And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,
[10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:
[11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
[12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
[13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

--Eli Caldwell

The "little flock" (Luke 12:31-32)

In Luke 12:31-32 Jesus said "But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." He is referring to His 12 apostles as the "little flock" and it is this little flock who gets the Kingdom. What does He mean by "it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom"? We find that answer in Matthew 19:28, "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." The 12 apostles are going to inherit the Kingdom on the Earth and sit upon 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Notice that this is not a "present" kingdom that all believers are spiritually in (as the Amillennial brethren suggest). First of all, there are not 12 tribes of Israel in a spiritual/invisible/mystical kingdom, and secondly, Jesus said that this would not happen until "the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory". Well according to Peter in Acts 3:19-21, that is still future: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began."

The important thing to understand is that Israel became God's flock when they were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea (Ps. 77:20, 78:52, 1 Cor. 10:1-2), the flock was divided in the Old Testament, and God promised to unite the flock once again and rule over them in a righteous Kingdom on the Earth as Israel's Shepherd (Jer. 23:1-8, 31:7-10, Ezek. 34:23-24, 36:37-38, Zech. 9:16). Christ, as the "good shepherd", came preaching the gospel of the Kingdom to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The ministry of John the Baptist marked the beginning of this new dispensation of the gospel of the kingdom. The "lost sheep of the house of Israel" could become part of the "flock" again by getting baptized unto John's baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Those who obeyed this gospel of the kingdom became part of the "little flock" that would inherit the Kingdom. 

I already referenced Jeremiah 23:1-8, it is important to look at it now 

Jeremiah 23:
[1] Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.
[2] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
[3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
[4] And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
[5] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
[6] In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
[7] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
[8] But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.

The shepherds of Israel are clearly going to be the 12 apostles (Matt. 19:28, Luke 12:31-32) and the phrase "neither shall they be lacking" directly corresponds to the passage in Luke 12:31-32.

Luke 12:
[22] And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
[23] The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
[24] Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
[25] And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
[26] If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
[27] Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[28] If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[29] And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
[30] For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
[31] But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[32] Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

As for what I was saying about the ministry of John the Baptist marking the beginning of the new dispensation of the gospel of the kingdom, we can see this very clearly in Isaiah 40. The "lost sheep of the house of Israel" could become part of the "flock" again by getting baptized unto John's baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Those who obeyed this gospel of the kingdom became part of the "little flock" that would inherit the Kingdom. [Just as they became God's flock in the OT by the baptism unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea--1 Cor. 10:1-2, Ps. 77:20, 78:52).]

Isaiah 40, the famous prophecy of John the Baptist. 

Isaiah 40:
[1] Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
[2] Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.
[3] The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
[4] Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
[5] And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
[6] The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
[7] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
[8] The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
[9] O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!
[10] Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
[11] He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 

John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ began preaching the gospel of the Kingdom and offering it to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Christ was preached as their Shepherd and He said if they followed Him and joined His flock, then they would be kept in His strong hand. 

Matthew 4:
[35] And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
[36] But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

Mark 6:34  And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Matthew 10:
[5] These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
[6] But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[7] And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 15:
[21] Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
[22] And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.
[23] But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.
[24] But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
[25] Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.
[26] But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

John 10:
[14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
[15] As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
[16] And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

John 10:
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
[28] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
[29] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
[30] I and my Father are one. 
[31] Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

• ISRAEL BECOMES GOD'S FLOCK: Psalms 77:15, 20 "Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah...Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron." Psalms 78:51-53 "And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham: But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies."

• ISRAEL WILL BECOME GOD'S FLOCK AGAIN: Isaiah 40:10-11 "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." John 10:27-30 "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one."

The reason the Jews took up stones to attempt to kill the Lord when He said He was the shepherd and that He and His Father are one is because this was a direct affirmation of His Deity. They knew the scriptures that plainly said it was the "Lord GOD" that was the shepherd of Israel and would keep them in His hand (Isa. 40:10-11). They knew He was declaring that He was "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" of Jeremiah 23:1-8. [Can you believe there are people out there going around saying "Jesus never claimed to be God"!?!?] 

It is also important to note the Lord's continual emphasis on Himself being the shepherd of Israel and His emphasis that they should not follow another (John 10:1-16). He emphasized this because there is another shepherd, one who would come "to steal, and to kill, and to destroy" (John 10:10). The Man of Sin, the "idol shepherd". 

Zechariah 11:
[13] And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.
[14] Then I cut asunder mine other staff, even Bands, that I might break the brotherhood between Judah and Israel.
[15] And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
[16] For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
[17] Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

Of course the "idol shepherd" is the Man of Sin, sometimes called the "Antichrist". He "leaveth the flock" when he brakes the covenant he made with Israel in the middle of Daniel's 70th Week (Dan. 9:27). 

Here are three more passages that need to be looked at when studying the "little flock'.

Jeremiah 31: (the whole chapter is important to this topic)
[7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
[10] Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

Ezekiel 34:
[1] And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
[2] Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
[3] Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.
[4] The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.
[5] And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
[6] My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
[7] Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
[8] As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my flock;
[9] Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of the LORD;
[10] Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
[11] For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
[12] As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
[13] And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
[14] I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
[15] I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
[16] I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
[17] And as for you, O my flock, thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats.
[18] Seemeth it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but ye must tread down with your feet the residue of your pastures? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but ye must foul the residue with your feet?
[19] And as for my flock, they eat that which ye have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which ye have fouled with your feet.
[20] Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle.
[21] Because ye have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them abroad;
[22] Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
[23] And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.
[24] And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
[25] And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
[26] And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
[27] And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
[28] And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen, neither shall the beast of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
[29] And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger in the land, neither bear the shame of the heathen any more.
[30] Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, saith the Lord GOD.
[31] And ye my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I am your God, saith the Lord GOD.

Notice how it repeatedly says that God would seek that which was lost (vs. 16). This corresponds to Luke 19:9-10 "And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

It is important to notice that Israel was scattered during the "cloudy and dark day" (verse 12). This is a reference to the Day of the Lord according to Zephaniah 1...

Zephaniah 1:
[14] The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
[15] That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness,
[16] A day of the trumpet and alarm against the fenced cities, and against the high towers.
[17] And I will bring distress upon men, that they shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the LORD: and their blood shall be poured out as dust, and their flesh as the dung.
[18] Neither their silver nor their gold shall be able to deliver them in the day of the LORD's wrath; but the whole land shall be devoured by the fire of his jealousy: for he shall make even a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.

Also notice verse 15 of Ezekiel 34 where God said "I will cause them to lie down". This is a reference to the "rest" of the Millennium. (Heb. 4:1-11 also mentions this rest.)

Isaiah 14:
[1] For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
[2] And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors.
[3] And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve,
[4] That thou shalt take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! the golden city ceased!
[5] The LORD hath broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers.
[6] He who smote the people in wrath with a continual stroke, he that ruled the nations in anger, is persecuted, and none hindereth.
[7] The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet: they break forth into singing.

Jeremiah 30:10 Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith the LORD; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid. 
[context is God saving Israel from the "time of Jacob's trouble".] 

Jeremiah 46:27 But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

One final passage that should be looked at is Ezekiel 36:19-38, but for sake of space here is verses 37-38.

"Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them; I will increase them with men like a flock. As the holy flock, as the flock of Jerusalem in her solemn feasts; so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD."

Why is all this important?

#1 Because it is in the Bible. (2 Tim. 3:16-17)

#2 It proves that the ministry of John the Baptist and the gospel of the Kingdom preached throughout Matthew through John are not written about the Church the Body of Christ, they are about Israel and the Kingdom that will be established in the Earth. Which is why the doctrine of those books does not always match the Pauline epistles written to the Gentiles under the Dispensation of Grace (Rom. 11:13, 11:25, 15:15-16, 16:25, Eph. 3:2).

#3 All the scriptures we looked at are about Daniel's 70th Week and they show that the rapture that happens at the end of the week is ISRAEL'S and has nothing to do with the Church the Body of Christ, our rapture is BEFORE Daniel's 70th Week (1 Thes. 1:10, 5:4, 5:9, Rom. 5:9, Phil. 3:20-21). 

#4 It gives us a better understanding of Christ and what His earthly ministry was about. 

--Eli Caldwell