All of the Bible is FOR the Church but all of the Bible is not ABOUT the Church.

Most Christians tend to ignore the Old Testament. Sure, most of us can recite the story of Adam and Eve or Abraham and Isaac, but does the Old Testament really apply today? After all, it’s old, and at times, it doesn’t portray God as the benevolent, kind, and graceful God that most Christians today want Him to be. Within the pages of "Don't Die in the Pew" I will prove to you that we can’t even begin to understand the New Testament if we don’t first understand the Old Testament. Many of the verses used to teach from the New Testament are misconstrued and misunderstood as they are explained to others. The Bible must be read and considered in its entirety and in harmony with every other Scripture on any particular topic, lest the reader be in error. In short, we must be familiar with the Scriptures, all of them. And by the way, I didn’t make that up, Jesus said, “…Your mistake is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.” {Mark 12:24 NLT}

Is it possible that we can become so familiar with Scripture that we may misunderstand it, unintentionally? I am highlighting this reality because it can profoundly affect our spiritual growth. There is a familiar verse that is used in Christian conversations, cards, and even in email signatures. It has been framed and hangs on the walls in countless homes. Coincidentally, it has been my life verse.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” {Jer 29:11 NKJV}

I love this verse, and it's true. I can claim this verse because I am a child of the promise through Christ. But, in order to see who the Lord was speaking to originally we need to start back at verse 4 in Jeremiah Chapter 29.

“Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all who were carried away captive, whom I have caused to be carried away from Jerusalem to Babylon: … For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the LORD, and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the LORD, and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive.” {Jer 29:4,10-11 NKJV}

The Lord caused Israel to be exiled because of their disobedience. These were the words spoken to the children of Israel prior to their exile from their ancestral land. This was prophesy referring to the two times the people of Israel would be driven from their land, and then at a later time, returned to it. As history proves, Israel was taken captive in Babylon (this was the first exile) then they returned to their land for a brief 70 year period. They were exiled again, but this time, they were scattered into all four corners of the earth for more than 2000 years. In verse 11, it says that the Lord will gather them from the nations (this was the 2nd exile). We can determine this is referring to the 2nd exile because the Lord would not have brought Israel back from the "nations" when they were captive in Babylon.

The Lord still loves, keeps and cares for Israel. It is because of Israel's fall that we have been given the right of adoption into the Kingdom. As the Church, we now have parallel promises, but let's not forget who had them first.

There is a mystery to discover that involves Israel. This mystery is hidden in the Bible, and by understanding it we are able to properly apply the Word of God and better understand the Scriptures and our Heavenly Father.

Father open our eyes to see and our ears to hear. Give us wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in the deep truths within Your Word and Your revelations. In the mighty name above every other name. Amen!