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Debunking Replacement Theology: Location, Location, Location

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Replacement Theology, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on September 30, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to the last edition of the part 12 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

One last time… the nation of Israel and the church or the bride of Jesus Christ, are two separate entities. God has not changed His mind. The church has not replaced Israel. God has a unique plan for both.

And by the way critic, if God can break His covenant and replace His people Israel with the church as you have suggested, then He can change His mind about your personal salvation too… But fear not!

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And another thought for the critic… if the church replaces Israel, then the church will go through God’s wrath and judgment on earth.

Christ has already paid the price and taken His Bride’s place. Do you, self proclaimed believer in Christ, want to bring judgment upon yourself? Did Jesus die in vain on the cross?

The church replacing Israel makes no logical sense for many reasons as demonstrated during this series.

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Location, Location, Location

Revelation chapter 6 introduces judgment on Earth with the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. It is not until chapter 7 that Israel is mentioned. Israel is located on Earth where and while judgment is taking place. The twelve tribes of Israel are reintroduced in sets of 12,000 for a total of 144,000.

At the same time, it would appear the church and elders remain in Heaven.

Saints, who likely converted to Jesus after the resurrection and rapture, on Earth are present and dying. Note the saints who die on Earth join the God the Father, God the Son, the elders and angels in Heaven.

Revelation 7:9-11 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God…

Judgment continues on Earth with the introduction of the two witnesses in Revelation 11 in Jerusalem. Satan is thrown out of Heaven and down to Earth by the angel Michael in chapter 12. The antichrist and the false prophet enter the scene on Earth in Revelation 13.

In Revelation 14, Jesus the Lamb has moved from Heaven to Earth. His location is Mount Zion, a specific location in Jerusalem. 144,000 Israelis have joined Him for choir practice.

Meanwhile back in Heaven, the elders or the church are singing before the throne of God the Father. Israel is on Earth. The church is in Heaven.

The two entities, Israel and the church, are different in name and physical location in the context of the chapters in Revelation 7-14.

The text could not be any clearer. Replacement Theology or Supersessionism is a myth.

Judgment continues on Earth through Revelation 18 then the setting changes to Heaven in chapter 19. The Lamb and His bride the church are married in Heaven. Then Christ and His army descend to Earth. The beast and his troops decide to engage the King of Kings on Earth. The result of the antichrist and the false prophet is the lake of fire on Earth. Satan has a 1,000 year time out chained up in the abyss.

Israel has remained a country on Earth during this period of time. Israel is on Earth and ready to usher in the kingdom.

The church is destined for resurrection and rapture before Israel has a seven year period of judgment. The church returns to earth to rule and reign with the King of Kings over the world through nation Israel for 1,000 years and into eternity.

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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The Imminent Rapture Should Change How We Live – Mark Wilson

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Mark Wilson, Rapture with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on September 9, 2026 by paulthepoke

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

A dramatic cityscape under a cloudy sky, with beams of light shining down on a crowd of people on a reflective surface. The text overlay includes religious references about the imminent rapture and instructions to be ready.

Prophecy was never given merely to satisfy our curiosity about what happens next.

It was given to make us ready.

Jesus promised: “I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world…” Revelation 3:10

And Paul described the glorious gathering:

“We who are still alive…will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17

If the Rapture is truly imminent, the Church should live with expectancy.
But expectancy without accountability is incomplete.

Because after the gathering comes the Bema Seat.

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 5:10

This is not judgment for salvation. Christ already bore our condemnation.

But grace does not erase accountability.
Our works will be examined.

Our motives will be exposed.

Our stewardship will matter.

Scripture does not give us a transcript of the questions Jesus will ask, but it tells us clearly what will matter.

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💡 HOW WERE YOU LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS?

“You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Did your life point people toward Christ? Did you shine when darkness increased? Or did you hide the lamp because shining became uncomfortable?

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🧂 HOW WERE YOU SALT IN A DECAYING CULTURE?

“You are the salt of the earth.” Matthew 5:13

When truth became unpopular, did you preserve it, speak it, and live it? Or did you slowly become indistinguishable from the world?

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📣 WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE GOSPEL?

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel…” Mark 16:15

Who heard about Jesus because you were here? Who did you pray for? Who did you tell? Who might be in eternity because you refused to remain silent?

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📖 WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE TRUTH I GAVE YOU?

“Correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Did you contend for truth when compromise was easier? Did you handle Scripture faithfully? Or reshape it to fit the culture?

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⏳ WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE TIME I GAVE YOU?

“Making the most of every opportunity…” Ephesians 5:16

Your days were numbered. Your conversations were numbered. Your opportunities were numbered. Did you redeem them?

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❤️ WHY DID YOU SERVE ME?

The Lord: “will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

Did you serve Christ for His glory? Or for recognition, applause, influence, and reputation? Was it really about Him?

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🔥 WHAT DID YOU BUILD THAT WILL SURVIVE?

Paul says every believer’s work will be tested. Gold. Silver. Precious stones. Wood. Hay. Straw.

“The fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” 1 Corinthians 3:13

Some things that look enormous on earth may disappear at the Bema. Some quiet acts of obedience nobody noticed may shine forever.

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🛡️ WHEN FOLLOWING ME COST YOU SOMETHING, WERE YOU FAITHFUL?

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial…” James 1:12

Did you stand when standing became costly? Did you love Christ more than comfort?

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🌿 WHAT DID YOU DO WITH ISRAEL?

Paul says salvation came to the Gentiles: “to make Israel envious.” Romans 11:11

So ask it plainly: Did my life provoke the Jewish people to jealousy for their own Messiah? Did I show them love? Did I pray for their salvation? Did I honor the people through whom came the covenants, the Scriptures, the patriarchs, and Messiah according to the flesh?

Or did I boast against the branches?

“Do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches.” Romans 11:18

Gentile believers were called to gratitude, humility, mercy, prayer, and Gospel witness.

Did Israel see something in us that made them long for their Messiah?

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👀 DID KNOWING PROPHECY ACTUALLY CHANGE YOU?

Did prophecy make us more holy? More urgent? More compassionate? More evangelistic? More focused on eternity? Or merely more informed?

“All who have this hope in him purify themselves…” 1 John 3:3

If prophetic knowledge never changes how we live, something is wrong.

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👑 DID YOU OCCUPY UNTIL I CAME?

Jesus said: “Put this money to work… until I come back.” Luke 19:13

Then the nobleman returned and called his servants to account for what they had done with what he entrusted to them. That is the force of the Parable of the Minas.

The issue was not merely: “Did you know I was coming back?”

It was: “What did you do while I was gone?”

And for us: “What did you do because you believed I was coming?”

Not speculate until I come. Not retreat until I come. Occupy. Serve. Witness. Pray. Stand. Love. Work. Watch.

Because the Jesus who promised: “I will come back and take you to be with me…” John 14:3

also said: “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me…” Revelation 22:12

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IMMINENCE → EXPECTANCY → HOLINESS → SERVICE → ACCOUNTABILITY → REWARD

One day the trumpet will sound. The dead in Christ will rise. We who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Then every earthly opportunity will be over. No more darkness in which to shine. No more culture in which to be salt. No more person to evangelize. No more Jewish friend to love and provoke to jealousy for Messiah. No more assignment to finish.

And the question will no longer be: “When was the Rapture going to happen?”

It will be: “What did you do while you were waiting for Me?”

“Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.” Romans 14:12

And even the crowns we receive will ultimately return to Him.

The elders cast their crowns before the throne: “You are worthy, our Lord and God…” Revelation 4:10–11

That is the destination. Not merely receiving a crown. Having something to lay at His feet.

Prophecy should not produce spectators. It should produce servants.

The imminent Rapture is not permission to abandon the world. It is a reason to spend ourselves for Christ while there is still time.

He is coming.

Be watching.

Be working.

Be witnessing.

Be faithful.

Be ready.

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Church Vocab in Heaven

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Replacement Theology, Revelation with tags , , , , , , , , on August 24, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 11 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

As we continue from Revelation Chapter 3 and the physical 7 churches on earth in ancient Asia Minor or what is modern day western Turkey, the setting changes.

Revelation chapters 4 and 5 have a change in location. The scene has changed to the throne room in Heaven. John now finds himself in Heaven.

Revelation 4:2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne was standing in heaven…

The first thing he notices is God the Father’s appearance on His throne.

Revelation 4:2b-3 and One sitting on the throne. And He who was sitting was like a jasper stone and a sardius in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, like an emerald in appearance.

John’s next observation appears to be the church. Language and symbols presented are consistent with a description of the body of Christ.

Revelation 4:4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones; and upon the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white garments, and golden crowns on their heads.

“Elders” were sitting on thrones. The Greek word for “elders” is πρεσβυτεροσ/presbuteros. These are among the Christians who presided over the assemblies or churches (Strong’s Concordance). This is the same term used throughout the New Testament for leaders in the local church.

Leadership is being shared by the One. The reality of ruling with the Son and Father is being observed by John. From this point forward in Revelation, members of the body of Christ are referred to in a leadership capacity, an elder.

Angels and crowned figures worship before a radiant throne beneath a rainbow
Credit: Grok

The elders are wearing white garments. Members of the church wear white garments. This is the fulfillment of the promise given by Jesus in Revelation 3:5 to those who have victory in Him. In Revelation 3, the believers were on Earth. In Revelation 4, it appears they are in Heaven.

Revelation 3:5 He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Jesus is introduced in Revelation 5 as a lion and a lamb. He keeps the company of elders in the chapter. They are all in Heaven. Remember, judgment or God’s wrath has yet to start on Earth.

Revelation 5:5 and one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.”

Notice the language of the church leadership and elders. They are in Heaven. Prayers have ascended from Earth from the “saints”. These are two different groups in two different locations. People who are left behind (saints) after the church ascended to Heaven have already come to believe in Jesus Christ.

The resurrection and rapture of the church will have a spiritual impact on people who did not believe at the time of the event. This group of people is called “saints” not the church. The Greek word for “saints” is ηαγιοσ/hagios. The saints are the most holy and sacred thing left on Earth (Strong’s Concordance).

Revelation 5:8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Church on Earth

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Prophecy, Replacement Theology, Revelation with tags , , , , , , on July 26, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 10 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

Let’s look at an overview of the book of Revelation. The point of the exercise to look at the physical location of the church and Israel in time and space. When and where are nation Israel and the church located.

Before we get started, an observation in vocabulary for the book. The Greek word for church εκκλεσια/ekklesia is mentioned 19 times in Revelation chapters 1-3.

The word εκκλεσια/ekklesia is not used again until Revelation 22:16. The context of verse is a reminder. This is a message to the churches. It is warning information. A serious storm is coming.

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”

In Revelation 1, The Apostle John is taking information and writing down the record from the Island Patmos on Earth. Patmos is an island in the Aegean Sea. The word “Patmos” means: my killing. The Apostle John was sentenced to the island of “my killing”. Where are you going? My killing.

Patmos is a small island approximately 10 miles by 6 miles. It is a rocky island. Tradition has John receiving the “Revelation” in a cave on the south side of the island.

Scholars generally believe Revelation was written during the reign of the Roman emperor Domitian. He ruled from 81-96 AD. The early church writers Irenaeus, Eusebius, Jerome and others indicated John was sent to Patmos by Domitian in 95 AD. John was released 1 1/2 years later.

Historically Patmos was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. Today the island belongs to modern day Greece.

Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation chapters 2 and 3 are written to seven churches on Earth in what is 21st century country Turkey. It would appear John sent one “book” or epistle to the seven churches. The book was sent from the island of Patmos. The order of the seven churches listed is geographical and clockwise in nature. The first stop on the mainland of Turkey was Ephesus. Next, the letter would have gone north to Smyrna. The third stop was north in Pergamum. Following Pergamum to the east and a bit south was Thyatira. The fifth stop to the south would have been Sardis. A jog to the east and the letter stopped in Philadelphia. The last stop to the south and east was Laodicea.

Four of the seven churches in Revelation have references to Satan. Jesus is the one talking directly to the churches. Jesus got His information from God the Father (Revelation 1). This is not conjecture. The churches with the reference to Satan are: Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, and Philadelphia.

Per the comments of Jesus, Satan clearly has a foot hold in Turkey to the churches in Revelation. Satan has a religious system and structures in place in this geographical area on Earth. If Satan’s home land is modern day Turkey, would it make sense for him to establish his kingdom with his minions here?

Revelation 1:11 saying, “Write in a book what you see, and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus and to Smyrna and to Pergamum and to Thyatira and to Sardis and to Philadelphia and to Laodicea.” -Jesus

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Church & Israel, Separate

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Replacement Theology, Trend Update with tags , , , on July 9, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 9 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

The church is not the nation Israel. Members of the church are to rule and reign with Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself makes it very clear, the church and Israel are different. The followers of Christ will judge Israel.

Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

2 Timothy 2:12a if we endure, we will also reign with him…

The reminder of ruling with Christ is the last message He gives to the churches in the book of Revelation.

Revelation 3:21 He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

The church will even judge angels as well as the world. Paul explains this in his first letter to the body of believers in Corinth.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to constitute the smallest law courts? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?

Until these things happen, our destination as a member of the church is one of two places. Obviously, believers in Christ who are alive are on earth. If we die before the Lord comes for His bride, then we go to be with Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.

Members of the body of Christ who have physically died are said to be “asleep”. Sleeping is not an eternal state. At some point, we get up and awake. A physically dead body is resting. The soul and spirit are with the Lord as noted in the verse from 2 Corinthians. Bodily death is not eternal. A section in 1 Thessalonians 4 captures the concept of sleep and order of events for members of the body of Christ. This section is addressed to the church, not Israel. Notice, the letter is written to those “in Jesus”. Israel was not and currently is not “in Jesus”.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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You Might Be a Supersessionist -Mark Wilson

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Mark Wilson, Replacement Theology with tags , , , , , , on June 23, 2026 by paulthepoke

Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

Scripture is clear: “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid!” (Romans 11:11). God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Yet some theologies openly teach that the Church has fully replaced Israel in God’s plan and promises. If that sounds familiar, these might hit close to home.

  1. If you read “apple of His eye” in Zechariah 2:8 and immediately apply it to the Church instead of Israel, you might be a Supersessionist.
  2. If you call God’s treasured possession in Exodus 19:5 a “temporary title” that’s now been transferred to your denomination, you might be a Supersessionist.
  3. If you prefer the rotten fruit of Augustinian allegory over the plain promises God made to the descendants of Jacob, you might be a Supersessionist.
  4. If you believe the specific land promises in Ezekiel 36 are really just poetic language about heaven, you might be a Supersessionist.
  5. If Justin Martyr is your hero for declaring the Church the “true Israel,” you might be a Supersessionist.
  6. If you think the word “Israel” in the New Testament always secretly means “the Church” except when it’s a rebuke, you might be a Supersessionist.
  7. If you claim the Church is now God’s treasured possession while smirking and calling modern Jews “Christ-rejectors,” you might be a Supersessionist.
  8. If Augustine’s City of God convinced you that the millennial kingdom is simply this present Church age, you might be a Supersessionist.
  9. If “one new man” in Ephesians 2 means ethnic Jews disappear into the Church like salt dissolving in soup, you might be a Supersessionist.
  10. If you celebrate Replacement Theology but rebrand it as “fulfillment theology” so it sounds less heretical, you might be a Supersessionist.
  11. Bonus Time: If you read “all Israel will be saved” in Romans 11:26 and immediately start explaining why it doesn’t actually mean what it says, you might be a Supersessionist.

We are not to boast against the natural branches. As Paul warns in Romans 11, the root supports us — we do not support the root. Our calling is not to replace or dismiss Israel, but to walk in such joyful obedience and genuine love that we provoke the Jewish people to jealousy, stirring them to recognize their Messiah through the beauty of a grafted-in people who honor God’s irrevocable gifts and calling.

Charles Spurgeon declared it powerfully: “I think we do not attach sufficient importance to the restoration of the Jews. We do not think enough about it. But certainly, if there is anything promised in the Bible it is this.”

May we heed the Word, reject boasting, and live as a blessing that draws God’s ancient people back to their Messiah.

Drop your own “You Might Be a Supersessionist” lines in the comments, let’s keep the sharpening going!

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Israel’s Restoration

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Replacement Theology with tags , , , , , on June 15, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 8 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

The body of Jesus Christ (the church) and Israel are two distinct, separate entities with two different destinations.

Every Old Testament prophet except Jonah discusses the restoration of the nation of Israel. This promise is not made to the church. The Abrahamic Covenant is for Israel. Keep in mind, the church was not on the scene when the prophets spoke to their people, Israel and their city Jerusalem.

Isaiah 65:9 “I will bring forth offspring from Jacob, and an heir of My mountains from Judah; even My chosen ones shall inherit it, and My servants will dwell there.”

Jeremiah 30:3 For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, “when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah.” The Lord says, “I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall possess it.”

Ezekiel Chapter 34

Daniel 7:14 And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.

Hosea Chapter 2

Joel 2:19 The Lord will answer and say to His people, “Behold, I am going to send you grain, new wine and oil, and you will be satisfied in full with them; and I will never again make you a reproach among the nations.”

Amos 9:14 “Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; they will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit.”

Obadiah 1:17 “But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, and it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.

Micah 2:12 “I will surely assemble all of you, Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together like sheep in the fold; like a flock in the midst of its pasture they will be noisy with men.”

Nahum 2:2 For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob like the splendor of Israel, even though devastators have devastated them and destroyed their vine branches.

Habakkuk Chapter 3

Zephaniah 3:20 “At that time I will bring you in, even at the time when I gather you together; Indeed, I will give you renown and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes,” says the Lord.

Haggai 2:9 “The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts, “and in this place I will give peace,” declares the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah Chapter 8

Malachi 3:12 “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.”

I would challenge any one to show one place where God states He replaced Israel with the church. Examine the Scriptures. Where is it?

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. 

https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Israel’s Destiny

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Replacement Theology with tags , , , , , on June 3, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 7 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

The body of Jesus Christ (the church) and Israel are two distinct, separate entities with two different destinations. God spends more time in the Bible talking about the destination of Israel as compared to the church.

First, we will look at the destiny of Israel. Ultimately Israel will be restored to the greatness God promised to Abram in Genesis 12. Israel will be a blessing to all nations. Jesus will rule His kingdom from Jerusalem, Israel for a thousand years and into eternity. But before Israel gets there, difficult times will come upon the nation and the world as have never been before. Jesus makes the comment this will be the worst time in the history of the earth. However, He will preserve a remnant.

Matthew 24:21-22 For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.

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Unfortunately for the nation of Israel a set of seven or seven years remains on God’s time table. Daniel’s people are fellow Israeli’s. Daniel’s holy city is Jerusalem. The verse from the prophet is very clear. Israel’s future is deal with sin and end it. Judgment comes first then restoration and peace.

Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place.

~

This period is known as the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble.” The concept of Jacob’s trouble comes from the prophet Jeremiah 30. God makes it very clear to Israel. Judgment is coming, but I will not forget you. There are many examples in the chapter. Here is one of the verses.

Jeremiah 30:11 “For I am with you,” declares the Lord, “to save you; for I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you, only I will not destroy you completely. But I will chasten you justly and will by no means leave you unpunished.”

Ancient temple complex with people gathered around and a winding river in the background

The Apostle Paul in the New Testament book of Romans makes it very clear. God is not finished with nation Israel. He makes this statement writing to members of the church in Rome. His writings included the idea of Israel’s election, Israel’s rejection, and Israel’s future restoration. Paul is in serious angst and agony regarding his fellow countrymen. He would go to Hell for Israel. God has not kicked Israel to the curb let alone replaced them with the church or any other group of people or nation.

Romans 9:3-4 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises…

The Apostle Paul is emphatic. There is NO way God has broken His promise to His people and nation, Israel. The idea is consistent in the Old Testament and New Testament. God has not changed His mind.

Romans 11:1-11:2 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?

Malachi 3:6 “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

~

Today in the early 21st century, Israel is back in the land and a nation as prophesied. Israel has resurrected as a nation. This time, they will not reject their Messiah. The statement below is becoming more of a reality as time passes. There are Jews who believe in Jesus and the number is growing. The world will ultimately receive blessing.

11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

~

Romans 11:26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”

Focus on the word “saved”. It is the Greek word σοζο/sozo. The word is defined as to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction; one (from injury or peril); to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health (Strong’s Concordance).

The tense of the verb is future. The verse is prophetic. Israel will be spared and preserved in the future. At the time of the writing, Israel had yet to be dispersed to the world let alone regathered back to the land. The nation will not be destroyed.

~

This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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Debunking Replacement Theology: Church Origins & Shavuot 5786/2026/5951

Posted in #PaulthePoke, Pentecost/Shavuot/Feast of Weeks, Replacement Theology with tags , , , , , , on May 19, 2026 by paulthepoke

Welcome to part 6 of the series, Debunking Replacement Theology.

Shavuot, Feast of Weeks, Feast of the Harvest, and Pentecost are synonymous. Shavuot is often associated with God giving the Torah, the birth of Judaism. Pentecost is often associated with God giving the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church. God chose His appointed holiday to reveal aspects of who He is.

Same holiday… A Historical event for nation Israel and the giving of the Law. A Historical event for the birth of the church and the giving of the Holy Spirit.

On a Gregorian calendar, we are in the year of 2026, the holiday of Shavuot/Feast of Weeks/Pentecost begins at sunset on Thursday, May 21. The God Appointed holiday ends at sunset Saturday, May 23.

The Feast takes place in the month of Sivan on the 6th and 7th of a Hebrew calendar. This is the Hebrew year 5786 on the traditional lunar calendar.

On the solar Essene calendar, Shavuot/Feast of Weeks/Pentecost begins on what is Sunday, Sivan 15th, 5951 or May 31, 2026. Yes, the Counting of the Omer is calculated differently by the Essenes as compared to how the Pharisees and others mark time.

Other calendars have the Appointment on Sunday, May 24, 2026.

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The Greek word for “church” is εκκλεσια/ekklesia. It means: an assembly, congregation; the whole body of Christian believers. People called out from the world and to God, the mystical body of Christ; the universal body of believers whom God calls out from the world and into His eternal kingdom. -Strong’s Concordance

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words breaks down the word εκκλεσια/ekklesia. The following definition and contexts are provided by the dictionary.

εκκλεσια/ekklesia: from ek, “out of;” and klesis, “a calling” (kaleo, “to call”). The word is used in many different ways in the New Testament. Below are some examples of contexts and usage of the word.

In Acts 19:39, ekklesia was used among the Greeks of a body of citizens “gathered” to discuss the affairs of state. In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) it is used to designate the “gathering” of Israel, summoned for any definite purpose, or a “gathering” regarded as representative of the whole nation.

Acts 19:39 But if you want anything beyond this, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.

In Acts 7:38 ekklesia is used of the nation Israel. Here the word is translated as “congregation”.

Acts 7:38 This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness together with the angel who was speaking to him on Mount Sinai, and who was with our fathers; and he received living oracles to pass on to you.

The example below presents the term ekklesia as a mob in Ephesus. Here the word is translated “assembly”.

Acts 19:32 So then, some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was in confusion and the majority did not know for what reason they had come together.

The focus of the term ekklesia in this book is on the body of believers in Jesus Christ. The term is used at least 111 occurrences in the New Testament. The majority of the instances, it is translated as “church”.

The first time the word ekklesia is used in the New Testament is by Jesus Himself.

Matthew 16:18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

www.mf.no/bibelprog/vines?word=%AFt0000173

People dressed in historical robes standing and talking around a fire pit in an old stone courtyard lit by torches at dusk

Jesus uses the word ekklesia. Christ states He is the person doing the construction. He also claims the church is His. “I will build My church.” -Jesus.

Embedded in this verse, “…and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” -Jesus.

Some would argue this as a pre tribulation rapture statement. Hell and the antichrist are not going to win against the church or the body of Christ. Hell is not stronger and will not prevail against the church.

Compare this statement by Jesus in Matthew 16:18 against Revelation 13:7 and Daniel 7:21.

Revelation 13:7 It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him…

The reference to “him” is the antichrist. He is allowed to “overcome”. Conquer is the idea expressed in the Greek language. The antichrist is given authority to do whatever he wants. This guy is a universal dictator and acts with a heavy hand over the tribulation saints.

Daniel 7:21 I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them…

In the Bible, horns are equated with kings, kingdoms, and leaders. This was the case in the writings of the Old Testament and the New Testament. Daniel’s dream in Daniel 7 is consistent with verses in Revelation 13 and 17. The language regarding beasts and horns is consistent.

This section of Daniel 7 is in the Aramaic language. Interesting observation, this section of Daniel that focuses on gentile worldly kingdoms is in Aramaic and not the original Hebrew. The Aramaic states the antichrist is making war. He is winning and prevailing against the saints.

The church is in Heaven as of Revelation 4 before the tribulation starts. The context of Revelation 13 and Daniel 7:21 is on Earth.

People are being persecuted and killed by the antichrist. These are the people who did not believe in Jesus Christ at the time of the resurrection and rapture. They were left behind and came to understand the truth about Christ later. The Tribulation saints are a different group of people than the church.

The church or the body of Jesus Christ is not overcome by Hell, Satan, the beast, or false prophet. Jesus said.

The term ekklesia is generally translated as the church, the body of Jesus Christ. Scripture does the best job of defining the idea. See the three examples below.

Colossians 1:18a He is also head of the body, the church…

He is Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:22b-23 and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body.

There are many other examples in the New Testament where the church is described as a body of believers in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:5).

The church is not a building. The church is not nation Israel. The church is a body of believers attached to the head, Jesus Christ.

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This series is an excerpt from the book, Rapture the Bride Redeemed. https://www.amazon.com/Paul-Lehr/e/B09W8FB77N

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REVELATION 11: A TEMPLE THAT DOESN’T EXIST… YET- Mark Wilson

Posted in Mark Wilson, Prophecy, Temple with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on May 13, 2026 by paulthepoke

At this time, I would like to introduce Mark Wilson to the website! Mark provides outstanding Biblical content on X @ https://x.com/Mark_Wilson_25/

An artistic illustration depicting the future temple as described in Revelation 11, with quotes from biblical texts and a guided timeline highlighting significant events related to the temple.

John is told to measure a temple that does not exist… yet.

“Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. But exclude the outer court… it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.” (Revelation 11:1–2)

This is not abstract. This is not symbolic drift. This is structure. This is geography. This is time.

And it forces the question:

❖ WHAT TEMPLE IS JOHN SEEING?

It cannot be Solomon’s. It cannot be the Second Temple.

Jesus already declared: “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” (Matthew 24:2)

By the time John writes, that destruction is behind him. So if John sees a temple… it must be ahead of us.

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❖ A REAL, FUNCTIONING TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM

The word used is naos — the inner sanctuary.

Not a vague spiritual idea. A defined sacred space.

There is:

  • a temple
  • an altar
  • worshipers
  • measurable boundaries

This is not how Scripture describes the Church.

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❖ BUT AREN’T BELIEVERS THE TEMPLE NOW?

Yes. Absolutely.

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

That is gloriously true. But present spiritual reality does not cancel future prophecy. Believers being called God’s temple does not erase a coming temple any more than being Abraham’s seed erases God’s promises to national Israel.

Revelation 11 describes:

  • an altar
  • outer courts
  • Gentile trampling
  • a defined city
  • a 42-month countdown.

That is not Church-age language. That is prophetic Jerusalem.

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❖ EVERYTHING HINGES ON THIS TIMELINE

42 months.

Three and a half years.

“So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation’…” (Matthew 24:15)

“In the middle of the ‘seven’ he will put an end to sacrifice and offering.” (Daniel 9:27)

This is the midpoint of the Tribulation. A precise prophetic clock.

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❖ THE TEMPLE AND THE ANTICHRIST

Paul makes it unavoidable:

“He sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.” (2 Thessalonians 2:4)

This is not symbolic language. This is a man… in a place… making a claim. No temple… no fulfillment.

Jesus said you will see it.

Paul said it will happen.

John is told to measure it.

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❖ JERUSALEM UNDER PRESSURE

“They will trample on the holy city for 42 months.”

Jesus said: “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” (Luke 21:24)

A Jewish city. A contested mount. A ticking clock.

This is not ancient history.

This is the season.

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❖ AND THE SEASON IS GETTING LOUDER

For centuries, Jews were forbidden from praying openly on the Temple Mount.

Now? That barrier is beginning to crack.

Reports in recent years have documented increased Jewish prayer access and quiet permissions on the Temple Mount.

Small? Yes. Symbolic? Maybe. But prophetically… significant.

Because Revelation 11 requires one thing: A Jewish place of worship… functioning again.

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❖ THE PREPARATION IS ALREADY UNDERWAY

The Temple Institute has already:

  • Recreated priestly garments
  • Prepared temple vessels
  • Trained priests from the line of Levi
  • Constructed a functional altar
  • Advanced efforts for red heifer purification

This is not speculation. This is infrastructure.

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❖ GOD’S PROPHETIC CLOCK IS MOVING

Chuck Missler “Israel is the hour hand. Jerusalem is the minute hand. The Temple Mount is the second hand.”

Watch the second hand… and everything accelerates.

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❖ THE TEXT REFUSES TO BE REDUCED

This is not the Church. The Church is not divided into courts. Not trampled geographically. Not measured with an altar tied to sacrifice.

And the Antichrist does not sit in a metaphor.

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❖ THE PROPHETIC FLOW IS CONSISTENT

  • Israel regathered.
  • Jerusalem restored to global focus.
  • A covenant emerges.
  • Temple worship resumes.
  • The temple is measured.
  • The Antichrist desecrates it.
  • Judgment intensifies.

This is not random. It is coordinated.

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❖ SO WHAT ARE WE WATCHING?

Not imagination. Not allegory.

A future, literal temple in Jerusalem… casting its shadow into the present.

  • And if Revelation 11 is literal…
  • If Jesus meant what He said…
  • If Paul described a real event…
  • Then we are not waiting for prophecy to be written.

We are watching the conditions align.

The season is not silent.

It is accelerating.

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