From Promise to Mystery —To The Heavenly Earthly Kingdom To Israel: God’s Progressive Plan to Bless the Gentiles

 

I. The Original Promise — Abraham (Genesis 12:1–3)

A. God gives three foundational promises

1. A nation — Israel

2. A land — Canaan

3. Blessing to all nations — Gentiles blessed through Abraham

B. Key Point

Gentile blessing is guaranteed, but the method is not yet revealed.

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II. The Prophetic Expectation — Israel as the Channel of Blessing

A. The prophets foresee Israel’s future kingdom

1. Messiah ruling from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1–4)

2. Israel exalted among nations

3. Gentiles coming to Israel’s light (Zechariah 8:23)

B. Key Point

Gentile blessing comes through Israel’s rise and restoration, not apart from it.

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III. The Ministry of Christ — The Fig Tree Parable (Luke 13:6–9)

A. The Fig Tree Represents Israel

Throughout Scripture:

• Fig tree → national Israel (Hos 9:10; Jerimiah 24; Joel 1:7)

B. The Parable’s Message

1. Three years: Jesus’ earthly ministry to Israel

2. No fruit: Israel rejects the Messiah

3. “Give it one more year”:

   • A picture of the extra period of mercy after the resurrection

   • This corresponds prophetically to the early chapters of Acts

4. Warning: If still fruitless, “cut it down.”

   • Symbolic of coming judgment & Israel being set aside temporarily

C. Key Point

This parable sets the stage for the extension of mercy preached by Peter in Acts 2–3.

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IV. The Pentecost Period — The Final Offer to Israel (Acts 2–7)

A. Acts 2 is entirely Jewish

• Jewish feast

• Peter preaching to Israel

• Fulfillment of prophecy (Joel 2)

B. Israel Given “One More Chance”

Peter’s message in Acts 3:19–21 is the extension of the fig tree’s final year:

• “Repent… that He may send Jesus Christ”

• The kingdom is still being offered

C. The Stoning of Stephen — The “Cutting Down” Moment

Acts 7:

• Israel rejects the Spirit’s testimony

• Stephen sees Christ “standing” (ready to return in judgment per Psalm 110)

• After Stephen, the narrative immediately turns toward the Gentiles (Acts 8–10)

D. Key Point

Stephen’s stoning marks the official rejection of the renewed offer, fulfilling the parable’s warning.

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V. The Diminishing of Israel — Transition Period (Acts 9–28)

A. Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9)

• The risen Christ calls Paul unexpectedly after Israel’s refusal

• This signals a new phase in God’s plan

B. Israel Diminishes, Not Immediately Cast Away

Romans 11:11–15

• “Through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles.”

• Israel stumbles → Gentiles blessed

• But Israel is not yet permanently rejected

C. Paul’s Ministry Shows the Diminishing

1. First to the Jew, then to the Gentile

2. Jewish resistance grows

3. Paul’s final words in Acts 28:28:

   • “The salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles…”

D. Key Point

The Acts period is the fig tree being cut down and declining, as the Gentiles begin to be grafted in.

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VI. The Mystery Revealed — Direct Gentile Blessing Through Christ

A. Hidden Truth Revealed to Paul

(Eph 3:3–9; Col 1:26; Romans 16:25)

• Jew and Gentile one Body

• Blessing apart from Israel’s rise

• Completely unknown to prophets

B. Relation to Abraham

• Gentiles blessed in Christ, the Seed (Galatians 3:16)

• This fulfills the spiritual blessing, but by an unforeseen route

C. Key Point

The Mystery is God's new, un-prophesied way of blessing the nations during Israel’s temporary setting aside.

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VII. Summary of the Progression

1. Promise — Gentiles will be blessed (Gen 12)

2. Prophets — Gentiles blessed through Israel’s glory

3. Parable — Israel given one more year of mercy (Luke 13)

4. Pentecost — Final kingdom offer to Israel (Acts 2–3)

5. Stephen — Israel rejects the Spirit; fig tree cut down (Acts 7)

6. Diminishing — Israel declines as Gentiles rise (Rom 11)

7. Mystery — Gentiles blessed directly in Christ (Ephesians 3)