January 25, 2023
by Rick Combs
I believe the Bible. I believe what the plain words of the Bible says. It is to be taken literally within the confines of literary practice. In other words, when a metaphor or symbolic language is used, then we adhere to those observances. Such as Matthew 4:4 and Jeremiah 15:16 where the word of God is AS our daily bread. Jeremiah 15:16 says “Thy words were found, and I did eat them…” or the beast in Revelation 13 is symbolic language for Satan. These are usually obvious.
When scripture says that Jesus will return to earth on a white horse, it means that He will return to earth on a white horse. Revelation 19:11-12a “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire…”.
Jesus returns on a white horse. This is literal. His eyes are AS a flame of fire. This is not literal. The picture of the beast in Revelation 13 tells us what the character of Satan is like. The same is true when the serpent tempted Eve in the garden. It was most likely not a literal serpent that approached Eve, but a description of the subtlety and deviousness of the tempter.
Much of the Bible is written in plain language. For instance, when James says in chapter 1 and verse 1 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting”,that’s exactly what he means. The audience addressed drives the content and interpretation of any writing. Logic would tell me that since I am not included in the twelve tribes of Israel, then that epistle is not written to me. This realization clears up a lot of confusion such as chapter 2 verse 2 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” when the apostle Paul contradicts James and says in Romans 3:28 “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law”.
I believe these two passages, each within their perspective portion of scripture. James is written to the 12 tribes while Romans is written to the body of Christ. Two different groups of people at two different times in history.
Jesus says in Matthew 10:5-7 “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”. I believe that to be a true statement, just as it is written.
In Matthew 15:22-24 when a Canaanite woman came to Jesus seeking healing for her daughter, he did not speak to her. When inquiring as to why, he told his disciples “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel”.
I believe Jesus’ statements in these Matthew passages.
Matthew 2:5-6 “…for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel”.
John 1:11 “He came unto his own, and his own received him not”.
Why did Jesus come to earth initially? To rule God’s people… Israel. I believe that statement.
Galatians 2:7 also tells of 2 gospels when Paul says, “But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter”. This is clear. There is the gospel of the circumcision committed unto Peter and the gospel of the uncircumcision committed unto Paul. I believe these statements are true.
Romans 15:8 “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.” What was Jesus’ ministry on earth? It was to the circumcision. The Jews and not us gentiles. This verse is very straight forward and plain. I believe it.
Israel was given promises and the covenant from God to be the nation through which they would be the channel of blessing to the world.
But… thank God that following His ascension into heaven, he commenced his heavenly ministry through the revelation to the apostle Paul. Now, we gentiles have the opportunity to be included in the heavenly ministry of the risen, ascended Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father.
Through the work of the cross, the completed work of grace has been poured out for anyone who will believe. Eternal life is given absolutely free.
Glory to God!
I recommend the excellent book by Terence D. McLean, Jesus Wasn’t Talking To You. Available on Amazon.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.