What is Dispensationalism or Right Division?

[tim-from-pa]

What is Dispensationalism or Right Division? A biblical way to study the scriptures - II TIm. 2:15

This is an often-asked question and I will seek to give an answer without going into much detail.

God already has a plan that was settled in eternity. This plan will not change. The scriptures is that plan written down. We see from the scriptures how God revealed His great plan a bit at a time. Though God never changes how he deals with men and nations has changed as His plan was revealed.

If all you had were Genesis then you would not have all that God has revealed. You would know of Creation, the Flood, the Calling of Abraham, and how Jacob’s family ended up in Egypt but there is more. During this time God gave commands – He told Adam and Eve to put on skins and get out of the garden. He told Noah to build an ark if he wanted to survive. He told Abraham to believe some land would be his and he would be the father of a great nation. Basically God promised Abraham his descendents would have a big plot of land some day but the story doesn’t end here.

But then God gave you Exodus and more of His plan was revealed for now we see Israel made a nation and given the law. God had a plan for Israel and that was they were to be a nation of kings and priests to dispense God’s blessings to the rest of the nations in God’s eternal kingdom. Israel would be fulfilling this plan from the land God promised to Abraham back in early Genesis. From Exodus until Matthew we see Israel’s continuing failure to be what God called them to be. During this time God was giving the prophets visions regarding this future kingdom and a coming Messiah to bring in this eternal, earthly kingdom. When Israel finally went into total rebellion God turned them over to captivity and then brought them out again. Starting with Exodus 19 you are under the Jewish law.

Now, notice this whole time the church, as we know it is non-existent. God knew there was to be the church; the body of Christ but God was not ready to reveal this body yet for He was still dealing with Israel as a nation.

When Jesus shows up in Matthew he is basically there to “bring in†this kingdom that was promised by God to Israel. Jesus came to Israel to bring them together for the future kingdom. At this time the Old Testament law is still in effect though it is in our “new Testamentâ€. Jesus comes to bring in this kingdom and is rejected just like God planned it. We know now that Jesus had to die for the sins of the world but up to that time this fact was basically hidden from all. We know this plan now but back then it was hid from them.

So, Israel rejected their Messiah and lost their kingdom offer. During Acts this kingdom offer is renewed one last time – they reject it. Israel rejected God the Father in the OT, the Son in the gospels and now the Holy Ghost in the Acts period. So, is God’s plan finished? Of course not, God raises up a converted Pharisee, Saul, who becomes Paul and starts to reveal the body of Christ which God had planned from before the foundation of the world – i.e. eternity. Paul is the one God chose to bring us this new plan. His epistles tell us of this new church, which was hidden from the OT folks but now, revealed to those in that day by Paul. When God is finished building His church then this age will end with the church being pulled out and He will resume His dealings with His chosen people, Israel during the Tribulation. At the end of this Tribulation period God will make the believing remnant of Israel that he brings through this tough 7 years to be His true people by putting His law into their hearts and making them anew and then bring the nation into their land to start the kingdom He promised to Abraham and the Jews in Exodus 19. Israel will finally be the nation of kings and priests to dispense God’s blessings to the other nations in the kingdom. They will rule and reign from Jerusalem.

What about the church that left before tribulation? The church of today (the body of Christ) will still be in the heavenly places displaying the manifold wisdom of god in heaven.

Now, why all that? We have the completed plan in our hands in a King James Bible to marvel at God’s infinite wisdom and grace. What we can do is look back and see how worked out this plan starting at Genesis 1 and finishes up in Revelation 2.

Right division tells us what instructions and commands went with each age. Right division tells what people and the instructions for those people go with what age that is being written about. From Gen. 1 to Exo. 19 you are dealing with folks and God’s instructions for them. After the law is given you are dealing with Israel and the instructions God gave to them. The Gospels carries on with these instructions. In Acts you have a transitional period where God is going from Jew to the church and the instructions, which go with that period. And now Mid Acts or so until Philemon you are dealing with the church, which is Jesus’ body and the instructions for it which we get from Paul.

So, right division tells us what is for us and what is for them, which is Israel, and other folks in other times before and after our time. What you need to know is what is doctrinally for you today and what is doctrinally for the other folks in other ages.
What you do not want to do is mix all those instructions together. That is why there is so much confusion today – the applying of instructions meant for others to us today and trying to make instructions for us fit other folks in other ages.

Moses, David, the Prophets, gave us those instructions for the OT and the law. The Gospels gave us those instructions for the coming kingdom and other teachings about Jesus. Acts is a transitional book from the Jewish kingdom to the church. Paul gave us our instructions for us today mainly from Romans thru Philemon. You have Hebrews thru Revelation for those future tribulation times.

The message in the OT was:
Adam – put on some clothes and get out of the garden!
Noah – build a boat!
Abraham – believe you will father a great nation!
Israel – keep the law and sacrifice a lamb!

The message in the NT was and is:
Gospels – hey Jews, believe that Jesus is your messiah!
Church – believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!
Tribulation - hey Jews, believe that Jesus is your messiah!
Kingdom – Hey folks your King is on the throne – keep his commandments

I trust this helps. Many will present this a different way and see things different but this is how I would introduce one to what is right division.

I’m sure I could have done a better job but there it is – I’ll proof read it later so forgive all mistakes

God bless

I agree 110% with your dispensational theology, but with this difference: that the ten-tribed (lost tribes) of Israel became in effect the same Gentiles who embraced the gospel thus fulfilling the requirement that Abraham's descendants will be a blessing to the rest of the world. Quite obviously, the so-called "church age" was the "blessings to all nations" part of the covenants. If God entrusted that to non-Israelite Gentiles, then He reneged on the promises to Abraham as this genealogy was important. I'm looking at this from a historical/prophetic/genealogical point of view as opposed to merely a "spiritual" one. The promises contained both earthly and spiritual, and chosen of race does not necessarily mean they have grace.

I believe my view is solid and must seriously be considered, but I also understand that ironically the same people would be blinded to that fact according to the scriptures. Otherwise, who became a "multitude of nations"? This was a literal, genealogical promise. So, we look for Abraham's seed in a people who colonized and became many nations, and these same people, the Israelites, would embrace Christianity according to the bible unlike their brethren, the Jews. When we see the whole picture instead of playing with half the deck, then we understand prophecy and God's purpose better. In the end, the Israelites and Jews will be rejoined as emphatically stated without question by Scripture (Ezekiel 37).

 

[dan p]

What is Dispensationalism or Right Division? A biblical way to study the scriptures - II TIm. 2:15

This is an often-asked question and I will seek to give an answer without going into much detail.

God already has a plan that was settled in eternity. This plan will not change. The scriptures is that plan written down. We see from the scriptures how God revealed His great plan a bit at a time. Though God never changes how he deals with men and nations has changed as His plan was revealed.

If all you had were Genesis then you would not have all that God has revealed. You would know of Creation, the Flood, the Calling of Abraham, and how Jacob’s family ended up in Egypt but there is more. During this time God gave commands – He told Adam and Eve to put on skins and get out of the garden. He told Noah to build an ark if he wanted to survive. He told Abraham to believe some land would be his and he would be the father of a great nation. Basically God promised Abraham his descendents would have a big plot of land some day but the story doesn’t end here.

But then God gave you Exodus and more of His plan was revealed for now we see Israel made a nation and given the law. God had a plan for Israel and that was they were to be a nation of kings and priests to dispense God’s blessings to the rest of the nations in God’s eternal kingdom. Israel would be fulfilling this plan from the land God promised to Abraham back in early Genesis. From Exodus until Matthew we see Israel’s continuing failure to be what God called them to be. During this time God was giving the prophets visions regarding this future kingdom and a coming Messiah to bring in this eternal, earthly kingdom. When Israel finally went into total rebellion God turned them over to captivity and then brought them out again. Starting with Exodus 19 you are under the Jewish law.

Now, notice this whole time the church, as we know it is non-existent. God knew there was to be the church; the body of Christ but God was not ready to reveal this body yet for He was still dealing with Israel as a nation.

When Jesus shows up in Matthew he is basically there to “bring in†this kingdom that was promised by God to Israel. Jesus came to Israel to bring them together for the future kingdom. At this time the Old Testament law is still in effect though it is in our “new Testamentâ€. Jesus comes to bring in this kingdom and is rejected just like God planned it. We know now that Jesus had to die for the sins of the world but up to that time this fact was basically hidden from all. We know this plan now but back then it was hid from them.

So, Israel rejected their Messiah and lost their kingdom offer. During Acts this kingdom offer is renewed one last time – they reject it. Israel rejected God the Father in the OT, the Son in the gospels and now the Holy Ghost in the Acts period. So, is God’s plan finished? Of course not, God raises up a converted Pharisee, Saul, who becomes Paul and starts to reveal the body of Christ which God had planned from before the foundation of the world – i.e. eternity. Paul is the one God chose to bring us this new plan. His epistles tell us of this new church, which was hidden from the OT folks but now, revealed to those in that day by Paul. When God is finished building His church then this age will end with the church being pulled out and He will resume His dealings with His chosen people, Israel during the Tribulation. At the end of this Tribulation period God will make the believing remnant of Israel that he brings through this tough 7 years to be His true people by putting His law into their hearts and making them anew and then bring the nation into their land to start the kingdom He promised to Abraham and the Jews in Exodus 19. Israel will finally be the nation of kings and priests to dispense God’s blessings to the other nations in the kingdom. They will rule and reign from Jerusalem.

What about the church that left before tribulation? The church of today (the body of Christ) will still be in the heavenly places displaying the manifold wisdom of god in heaven.

Now, why all that? We have the completed plan in our hands in a King James Bible to marvel at God’s infinite wisdom and grace. What we can do is look back and see how worked out this plan starting at Genesis 1 and finishes up in Revelation 2.

Right division tells us what instructions and commands went with each age. Right division tells what people and the instructions for those people go with what age that is being written about. From Gen. 1 to Exo. 19 you are dealing with folks and God’s instructions for them. After the law is given you are dealing with Israel and the instructions God gave to them. The Gospels carries on with these instructions. In Acts you have a transitional period where God is going from Jew to the church and the instructions, which go with that period. And now Mid Acts or so until Philemon you are dealing with the church, which is Jesus’ body and the instructions for it which we get from Paul.

So, right division tells us what is for us and what is for them, which is Israel, and other folks in other times before and after our time. What you need to know is what is doctrinally for you today and what is doctrinally for the other folks in other ages.
What you do not want to do is mix all those instructions together. That is why there is so much confusion today – the applying of instructions meant for others to us today and trying to make instructions for us fit other folks in other ages.

Moses, David, the Prophets, gave us those instructions for the OT and the law. The Gospels gave us those instructions for the coming kingdom and other teachings about Jesus. Acts is a transitional book from the Jewish kingdom to the church. Paul gave us our instructions for us today mainly from Romans thru Philemon. You have Hebrews thru Revelation for those future tribulation times.

The message in the OT was:
Adam – put on some clothes and get out of the garden!
Noah – build a boat!
Abraham – believe you will father a great nation!
Israel – keep the law and sacrifice a lamb!

The message in the NT was and is:
Gospels – hey Jews, believe that Jesus is your messiah!
Church – believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved!
Tribulation - hey Jews, believe that Jesus is your messiah!
Kingdom – Hey folks your King is on the throne – keep his commandments

I trust this helps. Many will present this a different way and see things different but this is how I would introduce one to what is right division.

I’m sure I could have done a better job but there it is – I’ll proof read it later so forgive all mistakes

God bless

Hi , so I am not alone as a Dispensationalist on this site , and when you have time , where do you begin the Body of Christ and what verse do you use to show that beginning ?

 

[veteran]

Veteran, I find your post to be antagonistic and shallow. It is leading to nothing but trash talking.

You mean that my admonition for fellow-Christians to listen to God in His Word instead of men's doctrines is "trash talking"? Does that mean you've never read the following verse...

Isa 2:22
22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
(KJV)

 

[mondar]

Veteran, I find your post to be antagonistic and shallow. It is leading to nothing but trash talking.

You mean that my admonition for fellow-Christians to listen to God in His Word instead of men's doctrines is "trash talking"? Does that mean you've never read the following verse...

Isa 2:22
22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
(KJV)

Yes, I think your trash talking. You imply that what I wrote refers to mens doctrines. Then you avoid even addressing the issues about which I wrote. Anyone, no matter what theological perspective can say "ahhh, thats mens doctrines." Thats the easy way out when you dont understand what is said, or you dont want to deal with what is said.

 

[veteran]

I agree 110% with your dispensational theology, but with this difference: that the ten-tribed (lost tribes) of Israel became in effect the same Gentiles who embraced the gospel thus fulfilling the requirement that Abraham's descendants will be a blessing to the rest of the world. Quite obviously, the so-called "church age" was the "blessings to all nations" part of the covenants. If God entrusted that to non-Israelite Gentiles, then He reneged on the promises to Abraham as this genealogy was important. I'm looking at this from a historical/prophetic/genealogical point of view as opposed to merely a "spiritual" one. The promises contained both earthly and spiritual, and chosen of race does not necessarily mean they have grace.

I believe my view is solid and must seriously be considered, but I also understand that ironically the same people would be blinded to that fact according to the scriptures. Otherwise, who became a "multitude of nations"? This was a literal, genealogical promise. So, we look for Abraham's seed in a people who colonized and became many nations, and these same people, the Israelites, would embrace Christianity according to the bible unlike their brethren, the Jews. When we see the whole picture instead of playing with half the deck, then we understand prophecy and God's purpose better. In the end, the Israelites and Jews will be rejoined as emphatically stated without question by Scripture (Ezekiel 37).

Tim, you're in a minority among Dispensationalists with understanding about that "multitude of nations". Most I know are still on the old Dispensationalist doctrines which tries to separate believing Israel from the Gentiles. The real idea of 'dispensations' per God's Word is about different stewardships of God's Plan of Salvation through His Son from Genesis through Revelation. Yet most I know try to use Paul as being the only one in that, while God's Word shows even Peter was called to preach to Gentiles also.

I believe like God's Word says, like you've shown, that the seed of Israel cannot be separated from The Gospel of Jesus Christ; and to them was the prophecy of becoming a "multitude of nations" that would fulfill the Promise first given through Abraham while also including believing Gentiles among them. And I believe that is manifested with the western Christian nations, which is the part of the world with nations that accepted Christ Jesus on a national scale.

 

[veteran]

Veteran, I find your post to be antagonistic and shallow. It is leading to nothing but trash talking.

You mean that my admonition for fellow-Christians to listen to God in His Word instead of men's doctrines is "trash talking"? Does that mean you've never read the following verse...

Isa 2:22
22 Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?
(KJV)

Yes, I think your trash talking. You imply that what I wrote refers to mens doctrines. Then you avoid even addressing the issues about which I wrote. Anyone, no matter what theological perspective can say "ahhh, thats mens doctrines." Thats the easy way out when you dont understand what is said, or you dont want to deal with what is said.

I think you're the one that is talking trash now, because I directly addressed the Biblical ideas in your post. But it's obvious you chose to pass over that. I did not imply what you wrote was men's doctrines, but that's the way you obviously took it. Instead if you'll read what I said about our Lord's parable in Matt.21, it certainly backed up what you were saying. Maybe you should read it again...

"Our Lord Jesus explained in the parable of the husbandmen in Matt.21 that the kingdom of God would be given to another nation which would bring forth fruit. Only someone who has actually paid attention to the Old Testament prophets would then know what that vineyard in the parable represents, and thus how our Lord Jesus meant that.

Then it's a simple matter of Bible study to learn just what the Promises to Israel were about, and then looking for where they are manifested today.

Explanation of events to occur on 'the day of The Lord' began in the Old Testament prophets also, with more details given throughout the New Testament. So there again, it's a matter of simple Bible study, paying attention to what God says, and not what man says."

You wouldn't know about those matters if you had not studied it, so you should know I was not knocking what you said, but how others here play with man's doctrines of Dispensationalism instead of simply reading all their Bible to even know what you were talking about. But now I'm thinking, maybe I should ask, do you know what those promises to Israel are, and where and who that "nation" is which our Lord Jesus mentioned in Matthew 21?

 

[mondar]

I think you're the one that is talking trash now, because I directly addressed the Biblical ideas in your post.

I saw no relationship between what I said and your reply.

I did not imply what you wrote was men's doctrines, but that's the way you obviously took it.

How would you take it if I began with your words................

It's really not that difficult if one would just listen to God in His Word The Bible, instead of listening to men.

Instead if you'll read what I said about our Lord's parable in Matt.21, it certainly backed up what you were saying. Maybe you should read it again...

"Our Lord Jesus explained in the parable of the husbandmen in Matt.21 that the kingdom of God would be given to another nation which would bring forth fruit. Only someone who has actually paid attention to the Old Testament prophets would then know what that vineyard in the parable represents, and thus how our Lord Jesus meant that.

Then it's a simple matter of Bible study to learn just what the Promises to Israel were about, and then looking for where they are manifested today.

Explanation of events to occur on 'the day of The Lord' began in the Old Testament prophets also, with more details given throughout the New Testament. So there again, it's a matter of simple Bible study, paying attention to what God says, and not what man says."

You wouldn't know about those matters if you had not studied it, so you should know I was not knocking what you said,

Hmmmm, you lost me here. Did I misunderstand what you are saying?

but how others here play with man's doctrines of Dispensationalism instead of simply reading all their Bible to even know what you were talking about. But now I'm thinking, maybe I should ask, do you know what those promises to Israel are, and where and who that "nation" is which our Lord Jesus mentioned in Matthew 21?

OK, lets discuss Matthew 21:43. I assume you are speaking of verse 43. I see in that verse much context within the larger book of Matthew.
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. ASV
43"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. NIV
In the context of the book of Matthew certainly the kingdom is being offered to National Israel. Of course for this to happen Israel would have to repent. John the baptist in Matthew 3:2 said "Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." In 4:17 Jesus said... "From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Jesus said the same thing in John 3, that you must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. By the center of the book of Matthew, Jesus notes that Israel did not repent. Matthew 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not. Since Israel did not repent at either Johns ministry, or the 3 year ministry of Jesus, they were not fit for the kingdom. So the kingdom would be given to a different people. The text is not clear if the different people (?????) is a later generation of Israelites, or if it is the Gentiles. However, from later scripture in Romans 9, and Romans 11, I think we can see that it was a specific generation of Israelites that was rejected.

In Romans 9:3-4 Paul gives a triple discription of Israel and the promises of salvation to.............
3 For I could wish that I myself were anathema from Christ for
--- my brethren's sake,
--- my kinsmen
--- according to the flesh:
--- who are Israelites;

Then in the rest of verse 4, Paul makes it clear that it is individual salvation issues that are at stake. He has already said about being anathema from Christ. That speaks of salvation. He also says in verse 4.......
"whose is the adoption,
and the glory,
and the covenants"
The adoption as sons is soteriological. The new covenant is a promise of regeneration and salvation. Romans 9 is about national promises, yes, and also about individual salvation. The point is that when we come to Romans 9:6,
6 But it is not as though the word of God hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel:
We are still talking about genetic Israel and the individual salvation of certain genetic Israelites. Unbelieving Israel is not the Israel that is the "sons of God" with inheritance. They are not the Israel that receives the covenants. They are not those who receive the "promises" of God(vs 5). It is believing genetic Israel.

Now back to Matthew 21:43.....
Certaily, the kingdom was taken away from the people, or nation of 1st century Judiasm. It will be given to another people, another group, this will be the repentant Israel.

There is another reason I dont think Matthew 21:43 can be seen as a total rejection of all future generations of Israelites. This is Romans 11:1.
1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
What Israel is Paul talking about that is not "cast off?" He says
"I am an Israelite"
"of the seed of Abraham"
"of the tribe of Benjamin"
He is obviously talking about Genetic Israel bot being "cast off." This is in accord with verse 7.
7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
Israel of Jesus day, and many other days will not obtain salvation. They are rejected. But, this does not mean all generations of genetic Israelites are rejected. As verse 7 says, there is an elect Israel.... an elect genetic Israel.

So then, Jesus rejected his generation of Israelites, but the day will come when they will repent. They will repent because God will circumcise their hearts.
Deuteronomy 30 promises.....
3 that then Jehovah thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the peoples, whither Jehovah thy God hath scattered thee.
4 If any of thine outcasts be in the uttermost parts of heaven, from thence will Jehovah thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
5 and Jehovah thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
6 And Jehovah thy God will circumcise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Jehovah thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Israels repentance, as my repentance is an act of God in circumcising the heart, then I will repent and believe. I think this is the promise of God to genetic Israel. But God is not limited by his promises. God can always do more then he promised, but he can never do less. God can circumcise my heart as a Gentile, and this does not break his word to Genetic Israel. It merely means that his wonderful grace has super abounded beyond his promises.

While I agree with Dispensationalists on some things.... I believe in the future national repentance of Isreal, and that the OT promises of the New Covenant are addressed to geneticIsrael. Yet, on the other hand, I disagree with dispensationalists that God will only give those promises to Israel. In fact the OT hints at the inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom.
Isaiah 19 says.....
24 In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, a blessing in the midst of the earth;
25 for that Jehovah of hosts hath blessed them, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

I have said a lot. Israel was rejected, Israel will yet repent, Israel will receive the kingdom, yet so will we. Israel receives it to fulfill the promises, we receive it because God is also the God of the Gentiles and his grace super abounds beyond his promises.

 

[veteran]

OK, lets discuss Matthew 21:43. I assume you are speaking of verse 43. I see in that verse much context within the larger book of Matthew.

43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. ASV
43"Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.NIV

.... Certaily, the kingdom was taken away from the people, or nation of 1st century Judiasm. It will be given to another people, another group, this will be the repentant Israel.

A remnant of believing Israel, along with believing Gentiles, who both make up Christ's Body as one. That's how I would have said the last part. Yet more, if the promises left them, and can be found elsewhere since then, it means that "nation" is already established in bringing forth the fruits (works in Christ). The promises have continued, but among others.

Per Matt.21:23, it was the chief priests and elders in the temple which were questioning our Lord Jesus of where His authority came from to do what He did. With all the times our Lord Jesus rebuked the chief priests and Pharisees, we should understand that never... meant all the people of Israel (John 8 especially comes to mind).

Matt 21:31-32
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto Him, "The first." Jesus saith unto them, "Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."
(KJV)

It's always been false prophets among God's people that misled them. And it's false leaders and priests which Jesus is specifically addressing that parable of the husbandmen to.

There is another reason I dont think Matthew 21:43 can be seen as a total rejection of all future generations of Israelites. This is Romans 11:1.
1 I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
What Israel is Paul talking about that is not "cast off?" He says
"I am an Israelite"
"of the seed of Abraham"
"of the tribe of Benjamin"
He is obviously talking about Genetic Israel bot (sic) being "cast off." This is in accord with verse 7.
7 What then? that which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened:
Israel of Jesus day, and many other days will not obtain salvation. They are rejected. But, this does not mean all generations of genetic Israelites are rejected. As verse 7 says, there is an elect Israel.... an elect genetic Israel.

Yeah, I agree with that, and that remnant of Israel according to the election of grace was not as small a group as some would have us think. But how is it many Dispensationalists refuse to recognize that remnant of a believing seed of Israel in Christ which Paul mentioned in Rom.11:1-5?

So then, Jesus rejected his generation of Israelites, but the day will come when they will repent. They will repent because God will circumcise their hearts.
Deuteronomy 30 promises.....

It was really those false chief priests and leaders over the people which our Lord Jesus was rejecting per the parable, not all Israelites. Those leaders were the husbandmen assigned to oversee His vineyard. In Matt.21:34, our Lord Jesus begins the parable, and He DIRECTLY declares symbols first given in Isaiah 5. That means we were supposed to first be familiar with those symbols He first gave through the Old Testament prophets. Isaiah 5:1-7 is one of the keys to understanding the parable.

Israels repentance, as my repentance is an act of God in circumcising the heart, then I will repent and believe. I think this is the promise of God to genetic Israel. But God is not limited by his promises. God can always do more then he promised, but he can never do less. God can circumcise my heart as a Gentile, and this does not break his word to Genetic Israel. It merely means that his wonderful grace has super abounded beyond his promises.

The Old Testament prophets referred to Christ being a light to the Gentiles also (Isa.49:6). Isaiah 49:22 is specific about the Gentiles and Israel being both together in Christ's Salvation. The idea was always there, it's just that many of Israel didn't then understand. So God's Promises to Israel always included the believing Gentiles too; He didn't have to go beyond His Promise to Israel in that. He simply waited until His Son fulfilled the prophecy of coming to die on the cross to preach it to the Gentiles along with scattered Israel.

While I agree with Dispensationalists on some things.... I believe in the future national repentance of Isreal, and that the OT promises of the New Covenant are addressed to geneticIsrael. Yet, on the other hand, I disagree with dispensationalists that God will only give those promises to Israel. In fact the OT hints at the inclusion of Gentiles into the kingdom.

Right, see how much we agree on those things? The promises were to Israel first, but not only... to them.

I have said a lot. Israel was rejected, Israel will yet repent, Israel will receive the kingdom, yet so will we. Israel receives it to fulfill the promises, we receive it because God is also the God of the Gentiles and his grace super abounds beyond his promises.

Not all Israel was rejected by Christ; remember the remnant of Israel according to the election of grace. That included a lot more Israelites than just the Israelite Apostles and disciples who first preached The Gospel after Christ.

As for those chief priest false prophets and leaders who misguided the house of Judah during our Lord's first coming, He rejected them per the parable, which hints at their identity being of the "tares". We can't say that none of them didn't turn and come to Him, but it's important to recognize they were not all just deceived representatives of the house of Judah in Jerusalem. The heart of them sought to murder our Lord Jesus; those were real murderers, not of His flock. And Christ pointed to that group of deceivers to whom the blood of the prophets would be required of. Not all the people of Israel were guilty of that kind of sin against our Lord Jesus. One cannot blanket blame the entire people of Israel for Christ's crucifixion.

I guess what I'm saying is, the idea of the "tares", the "crept in unawares", is not about a group that is deceived, but of a group that knows Who Christ is, and those tares sought to murder Him to steal His "vineyard". We are often taught that the servants of the devil are just deceived, and don't know who they follow. Per the parable of the tares of the field our Lord Jesus gave, that's not completely true. There are 'tares' that know perfectly well Who He is, and still want to destroy Him and His vineyard. There's a group that knowingly work for the devil. Our Lord showed that group won't repent and come to Him no matter what. We don't know yet who they are for certain, but I'm sure He knows.

Matt 21:38-39
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance."
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
(KJV)

Those false leaders, wolves in sheep's clothing, even pronounced their own sentence by their answer. In that parable, they recognize the heir, the son, and that son represents our Lord Jesus.

Matt 21:40-41
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto Him, "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons."
(KJV)

And per Isaiah 5, who does our Lord's "vineyard" represent? The "house of Israel". Judah represents His "pleasant plant". That doesn't mean those "tares", those which our Lord revealed they knew Who He was, intent on murdering Him so as to steal His inheritance. Remember the Isa.19:25 verse you quoted about Israel being His inheritance?

Matt 21:43-46
43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Likewise per their own announcement of what should be done to those evil husbandmen, our Lord declared the kingdom would be taken from their care, and given to others, a "nation" that would bring forth the fruits. That means a nation or people that would continue in God's Promises to Israel, since bearing fruit (works in Christ) is a major part of God's promises to Israel.

44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard His parables, they perceived that He spake of them.
46 But when they sought to lay hands on Him, they feared the multitude, because they took Him for a prophet.(KJV)

Those chief priests and Pharisees finally understood the condemnation our Lord gave to them, and still wanted to murder Him all the more! But they feared the multitude, meaning what people? The multitudes of Israel who were convinced Jesus was sent from God. Right there shows many of the people of Israel were not working in concert with those false chief priests and Pharisees. This is a major slight mistaught in many Churches today, because our Lord Jesus and His Apostles singled out a specific group of wolves in sheep's clothing as being responsible for His death in order to steal His vineyard Israel.

And if we know what God's promises contain, we should be able to find them manifested among that "nation" our Lord Jesus said His vineyard would be given to which would bear His works. That nation cannot be found in the holy land since Christ died on the cross. Actually, many of the promises to Israel began leaving the holy land when Judah went captive to Babylon. From the return of a small remnant of Judah after Babylon, falseness began to really creep in. Many of the leaders, princes and rulers of Judah had taken wives of the Canannites during the 70 years Babylon captivity (Ezra 9). Idumeans of Esau became kings over them (Herods), and through Roman control, even some of the Idumeans became high priests (per histories of Josephus from the time of the 2nd temple to the time of Christ). So where's that "nation" today bearing the fruit? And it does exist on earth today.

 

[RichardBurger]

Everytime a discussion about studing the scriptures from a dispensational viewpoint is started on a forum the crazies come out of the woodwork and bad mouth it. They never add to the discussion they only distract from it. What are these people afraid of?

I have news for you distractors. I have studied your blended,. mixed up, teachings of the gospel for almost 70 years and find them foolish. That is MY opinion and I will keep it and express it at will. Nor do I feel that just because you don't agree """I""" must defend my opinion. Nor am I going to spend my time trying to convience those that badmouth dispensational thought. They are not going to believe it anyway. If you don't want to believe then don"t. It does not impact what I believe one little bit.

 

[chestertonrules]

Everytime a discussion about studing the scriptures from a dispensational viewpoint is started on a forum the crazies come out of the woodwork and bad mouth it. They never add to the discussion they only distract from it. What are these people afraid of?

I have news for you distractors. I have studied your blended,. mixed up, teachings of the gospel for almost 70 years and find them foolish. That is MY opinion and I will keep it and express it at will. Nor do I feel that just because you don't agree """I""" must defend my opinion. Nor am I going to spend my time trying to convience those that badmouth dispensational thought. They are not going to believe it anyway. If you don't want to believe then don"t. It does not impact what I believe one little bit.

There are many varieties of dispensationalists, but I've run across many who deny that most of the words of Jesus are relevant to their lives.

Is this also your position?

 

[RichardBurger]

Everytime a discussion about studing the scriptures from a dispensational viewpoint is started on a forum the crazies come out of the woodwork and bad mouth it. They never add to the discussion they only distract from it. What are these people afraid of?

I have news for you distractors. I have studied your blended,. mixed up, teachings of the gospel for almost 70 years and find them foolish. That is MY opinion and I will keep it and express it at will. Nor do I feel that just because you don't agree """I""" must defend my opinion. Nor am I going to spend my time trying to convience those that badmouth dispensational thought. They are not going to believe it anyway. If you don't want to believe then don"t. It does not impact what I believe one little bit.

There are many varieties of dispensationalists, but I've run across many who deny that most of the words of Jesus are relevant to their lives.

Is this also your position?

Does it really matter to you?

The scriptures PLAINLY tell us that Jesus came to the Jews, not the Gentiles. Are you a jew?

Jesus came to fulfill all that was written about Him and He did it. He was rejected by those He came to. And now it is preached that he came to the Gentiles too.

We are saved today by trusing in His work on the cross. His shed blood saves us, not our religious activities . But the religious will never agree since they mix, blend the gospel of the Kingdom and grace
Let me make it clear that Jesus Christ did not come to minister to the Gentiles, nor was His message "the kingdom gospel" sent to the Gentiles. He did not offer the "kingdom of heaven" TO the Gentiles. The following scriptures support my view.

Matt 10:5-7 (NKJ)
5 These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: "Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans.
6 "But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'

Matt 15:23-24 (NKJ)
23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, "Send her away, for she cries out after us."
24 But He answered and said, "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

Rom 15:8 (NKJ)
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:

Note that in Matt 10:5-7 and Matt 15:23-24 Jesus said He did not come EXCEPT to the house of Israel. Jesus came to confirm/fulfill all that was written of Him in the O.T. His mission was to the Jews, not to the Gentiles. This is what Paul meant in Rom 15:8.

E. WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL?

From Acts 1 until Acts 7 (or perhaps 70 AD) the Jewish nation could have repented and accepted Jesus as their savior. He would have returned for His second coming and set up His kingdom rule from Jerusalem and all Gentile nations would be blessed through Israel. Read Luke 13:6-9 and realize that Jesus told this story as an indication of what would happen if Israel (the fig tree) rejected Jesus. The Jews had a time period in which they could have repented. (Acts 2:37-38)

Now some will post other scriptures and say "my scriptures defeat your scriptures." Give me a break!

 

[glorydaz]

Jesus came to the Jew first...the gentiles were always to be included. We are sons by adoption - therefore we are "Jews". All nations would be blessed by the coming of Christ.

Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.

Paul tells us Jesus came to "preach peace" to those which were afar off...the gentiles.

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 

[chestertonrules]

[The scriptures PLAINLY tell us that Jesus came to the Jews, not the Gentiles. Are you a jew?

I disagree:

Luke 24
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

 

[RichardBurger]

[The scriptures PLAINLY tell us that Jesus came to the Jews, not the Gentiles. Are you a jew?

I disagree:

Luke 24
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The nation of Israel rejected God when they said they wanted a human king to rule over them, (1 Samuel 8:19 and 10:19) they also rejected the Son of God when they said they "had no king but Caesar," (John 19:15) and, finally, they rejected the Holy Spirit when they stoned Stephens, Acts 7. They had rejected all three in the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who was speaking through Stephens, and their doom was sealed. The "kingdom of heaven" on this earth was put on hold until the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled, Luke 21:24.

IMPORTANT NOTE: -- This is not to say that God did not have another purpose for Jesus' death on the cross. But that purpose was “hidden in God†and revealed to Paul on the road to Damascus by Jesus. (Eph 3:9)
F. THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD AS GIVEN TO PAUL:

As said above, God had a hidden secondary purpose for the death of Jesus on the cross. From Jesus, and the preaching of the "Kingdom of Heaven," to this time in which we now live is a new dispensation and it was not mentioned in the O.T. it was not mentioned in the first 4 books of the N.T. nor was it mentioned in the Jewish writings of the 12. This new gospel was ""hidden in God"" and revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:3-6 and Eph 3:8-9.

All that was written "to the Jews" in the O.T. and the N.T. was written "to the Jews," not to the Gentiles. Is it necessary for us to understand them? YES. If we don't then we are missing the foundation for understanding who Jesus is and the shift to the gospel of God's grace. The message of salvation by God's grace, "alone," given to Paul, was without precedence. It was not in the Jewish relationship with God. The Jewish relationship was a religious one of "faith + works to show that faith" (James [a Jew] 2:24). However, the gospel of God's grace requires no works whatsoever. God has done all the works that are necessary on the cross because it was/is certain mankind could not do it. As Paul said;

Rom 4:5-6 (NKJ)
5 But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness,
6 just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

Only Paul penned the words "in Christ" for he understood that God places those that believe in Him "in Christ" by the operation of the Holy Spirit (new birth). Man cannot accomplish this new birth. This idea of being "in Christ" was totally new. Up to this time it was all in a religious relationship of works, rituals and ceremonies.

1 Cor 6:11 (NKJ)
11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and """"by the Spirit of our God.""""

It should be noticed that only Paul talks about the rapture (caught up in the air /
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18). It is only for those that are saved under the gospel of the grace of God. These have NOT been promised an earthly kingdom but have become Children of the living God.
I have often thought, that since Israel (the Jews) rejected God and the whole world was to be saved through them, Satan must have thought he had won. But Satan did not know that there was a "hidden gospel" that had existed in God from the beginning (Ephesians 3:9). This gospel was going to save many by what God did on the cross and it had nothing to do with the nation of Israel (the Jews) or a person's ability to work for their salvation in religions. It was no longer to be by what a man can do for salvation. It is now based solely on what God has done, and will do, for mankind. It is completely based on God's power both to save, and to keep saved, a person.

1 Cor 2:7-10 (NKJ)
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.

Matt 19:25-26 (NKJ)
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

God no longer deals with mankind through, good works, rituals, ceremonies and organized religions. He deals with each individual person in his, or her, heart and that is where salvation occurs. It has nothing to do with external things.

In the scriptures above we see what Paul said, the gospel of grace is new. Yet those that believe in the mixed, blended gospel just simple will not see it.

 

[veteran]

That's actually the false doctrine of two different Gospels, because God's Word only teaches of one Gospel of Jesus Christ. The double gospel idea is a total doctrine of men, and not from God, because Israelites and Gentiles are not separate in Christ's Body, nor in His Kingdom. The same Gospel has been preached to both.

What would be the political agenda of a group that wants to separate Christ's Body into two separate bodies, one of Jews and another of Gentiles? I can think of a lot of reasons why wolves in sheep's clothing would want that; the same reasons the false scribes and Pharisees sought to murder our Lord Jesus, to sieze control of His inheritance.

Evidence that Christ told His disciples to preach The Gospel to all nations, AND also teach all things He commanded His disciples to observe to all nations...

Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(KJV)

And proof our Lord Jesus said "this gospel of the kingdom" was ALSO to be preached to "all nations"...

Matt 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(KJV)

That shows the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace is of the SAME Gospel, and is to all nations that believe on The Father through the Blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. When Christ told His disciples to go only to the lost sheep of Israel, that was BEFORE His death on the cross. That was for the time when the Gospel was to go to Israel first, to be preached first at Jerusalem.

But since Dispensationalists love their trumped up doctrines so much, if they don't want to accept Christ's Gospel of the kingdom Message also, which per the Old Testament prophets says wil be right here on earth, and instead think to be raptured beyond the stars to some imaginary fairy tale land God never mentioned, then all I can say on that is, have a good trip!

 

[RichardBurger]

That's actually the false doctrine of two different Gospels, because God's Word only teaches of one Gospel of Jesus Christ. The double gospel idea is a total doctrine of men, and not from God, because Israelites and Gentiles are not separate in Christ's Body, nor in His Kingdom. The same Gospel has been preached to both.

What would be the political agenda of a group that wants to separate Christ's Body into two separate bodies, one of Jews and another of Gentiles? I can think of a lot of reasons why wolves in sheep's clothing would want that; the same reasons the false scribes and Pharisees sought to murder our Lord Jesus, to sieze control of His inheritance.

Evidence that Christ told His disciples to preach The Gospel to all nations, AND also teach all things He commanded His disciples to observe to all nations...

Matt 28:18-20
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
(KJV)

And proof our Lord Jesus said "this gospel of the kingdom" was ALSO to be preached to "all nations"...

Matt 24:14
14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
(KJV)

That shows the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of grace is of the SAME Gospel, and is to all nations that believe on The Father through the Blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross. When Christ told His disciples to go only to the lost sheep of Israel, that was BEFORE His death on the cross. That was for the time when the Gospel was to go to Israel first, to be preached first at Jerusalem.

But since Dispensationalists love their trumped up doctrines so much, if they don't want to accept Christ's Gospel of the kingdom Message also, which per the Old Testament prophets says wil be right here on earth, and instead think to be raptured beyond the stars to some imaginary fairy tale land God never mentioned, then all I can say on that is, have a good trip!

Veteran, we have had this discussion before and nothing has changed. The only argument you offer is to badmouth those that KNOW the gospel changed and have offered proof in the scriptures. You wish to win the argument, not by proving it wrong, but by demeaning those that do not agree with you. That is very Christian of you.

 

[chestertonrules]

[quote="RichardBurger F. THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD AS GIVEN TO PAUL:

As said above, God had a hidden secondary purpose for the death of Jesus on the cross. From Jesus, and the preaching of the "Kingdom of Heaven," to this time in which we now live is a new dispensation and it was not mentioned in the O.T. it was not mentioned in the first 4 books of the N.T. nor was it mentioned in the Jewish writings of the 12. This new gospel was ""hidden in God"" and revealed to Paul by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:3-6 and Eph 3:8-9.

.[/quote]

How is Paul's gospel of grace different than what Jesus and Peter taught?

Luke 24
45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Acts 1
7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."


Acts 15
7After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: "Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 8God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear? 11No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are."

 

[Joe67]

The story of God in Jesus is the story of a building and God's purpose to bless the nations through the building that he, the Lord, is building. This is a spiritual building, not made with hands.

The Lord has revealed the same story in the illustration of the growing of a crop.

The end is dependent on the beginning. The beginning cannot come to maturity/completeness without the end.

It is one story concerning Jesus Christ, who God has made all in all, from himself, unto us. This story of Jesus Christ is the story of head and body, beginning and end.

Phil 1:20-21
20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. KJV

Joe

 

[RichardBurger]

[quote="RichardBurger F. THE GOSPEL OF THE GRACE OF GOD AS GIVEN TO PAUL:

How is Paul's gospel of grace different than what Jesus and Peter taught?

.

Show me where Jesus rescinded the Law of Moses. Show me where James and the Elders taught that the Law of Moses was not in effect in this age of grace. Read Acts 21 and then tell me that James and the Elders were teaching the same thing. It is clear that the believing Jews were ONLY, ONLY, ONLY, angry at Paul and not James and the Elders. Therefore it is common sense that they were not teaching the same thing.

But you will refuse to see it because of your bias.

 

[Drew]

Show me where Jesus rescinded the Law of Moses.

While I think I agree with some of your other points - I have only briefly scanned the posts, I believe that Jesus does indeed rescind the Law of Moses. Here is an argument based on Mark 7 in which I anticipate the common objection that Jesus was only critiquing man-made distortions to the Law of Moses:

In Mark 7, Jesus does indeed repudiate the setting aside of God’s Laws in favour of human ones. But Jesus clearly goes beyond this and overturns some of the Levitical food laws:

15there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16["If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."] 17When he had left the crowd and entered (P)the house, (Q)His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?" (Thus He declared all foods clean.)

Jesus really cannot be misunderstood here - he clearly states that all foods are clean. This cannot be reconciled with the Levitical food laws which clearly state some foods are unclean.

So the fact that Jesus also repudiates abandonment of Torah in favour of man-made laws must not be seen as His only point in the whole chapter. It clearly is not - in addition to repudiating such add-ons, He also declares all foods clean. And that is at variance with Torah itself, not man's distortions of it.

This may seem incoherent – if Jesus criticizes the substitution of man-made laws for Torah, surely he must be affirming Torah, mustn’t He? The answer is no. It is entirely coherent for Jesus to offer an historical critique – telling the Pharisees that they tossed aside God’s laws and replaced them with human ones – and yet go on to declare the abolition of Torah itself, as He so clearly does here. Jesus’ critique of the Pharisees does not endorse the continued applicability of Torah – He is critiquing their attitude to it in the time of its applicability, which, interestingly, comes to an end in His very declaration that all foods are indeed clean – a clear overturning of Levitical food laws themselves.