This documents my initial thoughts on this topic which arose in response to JP Harper presenting his work on the topic.
All through the old testament the theme of the land is very strong. Indeed possessing the land is a large part of the fulfilment of the promises to Abraham. In these times it seems that the dominate view of the land is as a new creation. As heaven which we will posses one day.
It is, therefore, curious to note how little Paul talks about this. This oddity is enhanced when Paul’s travels are considered and his statements about the glory of God.
It seems that Paul has not lost his Jewness when he encountered Jesus. Rather it has been enlarged. As a simple starting example consider his view of the people of God. He declares that this mystery has now been made known: there is salvation for all people. From the special nation, Israel, the people of God are now all people. The second easy example is the temple: initially the temple was the single building in Jerusalem. To Paul this has been expanded to be the people of God. We are being built up into the temple of God.
From these two it follows that the promised land is not a finite part of the world which the Jews will once again inhabit, but rather the whole world, indeed the whole of creation. JP gave many other good reasons why this is probable, but this will have to serve as a summary.
I propose that he is confident that the world has been conjured and is now under the rule of Jesus, Paul is therefore working as a messenger proclaiming this fact. This is echoed in the sermon by John in acts: “God has made this Jesus, who you crucified, both Lord and Messiah”. However this is not quite right: consider Paul’s response. He travels as far as he can in the world, indeed to the ends of the world at that time, building the temple of God. He repeatedly calls himself a builder. So why build the temple? This is God’s place so it needs a temple to God (Simple, naive answer) We see two similar pictures elsewhere. First consider Luke’s introduction to Acts: “... all Jesus began to teach and do...”. Second consider John: “Now this is eternal life that they would know You and the one You sent” (that is know The father and know Jesus); if this is eternal life it begins now even as we begin to know God.
Does this mean Jihad? No, but if it did it would be a rather different Jihad. We go out in the name of the crucified king! Humility is the way we proceed and love is our goal. We do not slaughter the infidel in justice, but heal the weak in mercy. It does not mean Jihad for Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the Father and is awaiting the time when His enemies will be made His footstool. Spurgeon points out that “sat down” means that the work is done. Indeed Jesus’ final cry on the cross was “It is finished”. Sin is paid for, death is conquered. I suppose this leaves room for us to understand that it is we who will make Jesus’ enemies His footstool, but I think that is foolish. Firstly for we are powerless to do so. But more importantly because of the promises to Abraham: “I will make you a blessing to all nations.” And further as Paul says, “and fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of His body, which is the church.”
I, therefore, propose that our response should be two fold. On the one hand we, like Christ, wait patiently for the end of this time of patience, when judgement will come and the wickedness will be driven out. While, on the other hand, we actively strive to be a blessing. Paul does this latter by building the church.