Jane, I understand how confusing it can be if you try to look at all scripture as instructions or prophesy to all of us directly. If you read about the command to keep the Passover, you say that is not talking to me, but is of importance to the Israelites under the law and is of greater importance to them than to us.
In the same way prophesy (EXCEPT PAUL'S) deals directly with Israel and the nations, not with the Body of Christ.
While an interest in prophesy is commendable, we must not forget that there is another body of truth which concerns us directly.
As Paul as our apostle, we are living in the period of grace to us Gentiles. That is why Paul speaks of "this mystery among the Gentiles" (Col. 1:27. and tells the Gentile believers of today.
Romans 11:
"25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."
The prophetic program with Israel has been interuppted until the full measure if the Gentiles has been brought in. Once again, while prophesy is as important as any other part of the Bible, it deals directly with Israel, not with the body of Christ. Please understand. It is Peter, not Paul, who says:
11 Pet. 1:19
"19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Again, it is John, not Paul, who writes in the introduction to Revelation:
Rev. 1:3
"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."
It is important to remember that while all Scripture is for us, Paul's epistles constitute our private mail.It is Paul who is chosen by God as the apostle of the Gentiles and the one through whom the mystery was to be revealed.
It is a shame that the Church abounds with "prophetic experts" while experts in this mystery among the Gentiles are quite rare.
In Christ,
James
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