Season 3 Episode 5 God’s Plan for the Church, Part 2

There are several lenses by which one can view scripture from a Christian perspective. A few  popular viewpoints is Dispensationalism, Amillennialism, and the Hebrew Roots Movement (Torahism).  It is important to note that there are so many variations internally with each of these systems to make declarative statements.

1) Dispensationalism is a Biblical framework that makes the argument that God has dealt with His people in different ways in different times.
     a) There is a distinct difference between the Church and Nation of Israel.
     b) Old Testament prophecies directed to Israel are to be interpreted literally.
     c) Dispensationalism eschatology lends itself to a pre-tribulation rapture of the church before the Great Tribulation period outlined in Revelation (chapters 4-19). It also promotes a literal 1,000 year rule of Jesus Christ upon the earth at His 2nd coming (Revelation 20).

2) Amillennialists believe scripture should not be interpreted literally but rather symbolically to arrive at central spiritual Truths.
     a) Amillennialists believe the 1,000 year reign of Christ is allegorical. It is a spiritual state that has been ongoing since His physical resurrection. The Church is currently in the millennial reign of Christ and it is not a future event.  Jesus is currently reigning on King David’s throne symbolically and spirtually in heaven.
     b) Amillennialists do not believe in a rapture of the church or an actual 7 years of tribulation. 7 is a symbolic number of completion.
     c) The Church is Israel.  It has not replaced Israel but is rather a continuation of Israel.  Israel is a symbolic term for God’s people. There is no distinction between the Church and Israel in the Bible.

3) Hebrew Roots/Torahism believes the Church was grafted into Israel. 
     a) Jesus Christ did not do away with the Old Testament laws but rather came to uplift them and fulfill them. It promotes adherence to the Mosaic Law with the recognition that Jesus is the Messiah.
     b) The celebration of Jewish feasts and festivals along with obedience to the  Mosiac law is for both Jews and Christians.  The Church is grafted into Israel as a new branch into the orginal tree of Israel in the Old Testament through Jesus's finished work on the cross in the New Testament.
     c) The new Israel will go through the great tribulation period outlined in Revelation.  The rapture and the 2nd Coming are simultaneous events.  Jesus will come back in physical form to rule the earth from Jeruslem on the throne of King David.

Discussion question: Which these 3 positions do you think is the most Biblically accurate and why?