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WHO IS ISRAEL?
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WORD OF GOD. I encourage you to see the other subjects below and view
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This subject is called WHO IS ISRAEL? PLEASE ENJOY!
WHAT MANY CHURCHES AND
PASTORS ARE TEACHING:
God chose Israel from the beginning to bring to the world the Messiah.
Through Israel the Messiah came. They rejected the Messiah Jesus and
crucified Him. Churches are teaching it was not the Jews that crucified
Him it was Rome. Then when Jesus rose from the dead he began a new
religion through His disciples called Christians or Christianity. If you
were to ask a person how old Christianity is they will tell you about 2000
years old. Even thou the Jews rejected Jesus they believe that God still
considers them His people along with the Church. That all the promises
made to Israel still belong to them while we as Christians partake of these
promises. Some Churches and Pastors go so far in believing that the Jews
today will be saved even without believing in Jesus because they are God's
Chosen. Some even call them Godly People.
WHAT WE BELIEVE AND WHAT
THE BIBLE TEACHES:
The text I believe that confuses many Churches and Pastors is the following:
Romans 11:26 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:
This scripture has confused many Christians and so called teachers because they
have lost their understand of who Israel is.
In 2003 we have Christian Teachers rising up with the Israeli flag next to the
American flag and treating Jewish people as if they were for the Lord and our
brothers.
Today I want us to look at the scriptures and let us understand who is Israel
and who is a Jew.
HISTORY
Israel was made up of 13 tribes. These were the children of Jacob who's
name later changed to Israel. After the Exodus from Egypt each tribe kept
there name.
During the years some tribes became rebellious while others were obedient and
God's punishment for
disobedience was captivity.
10 tribes lived in the Northern part of the region while 2 tribes Judah and
Benjamin lived in the Southern part of the region.
Due to the 10 tribes disobedience Assyria came and took the tribes captive and
dispersed them among the nations. It was not long after that the other
tribes became disobedient and Babylon came and took them captive. In
order to keep their identity they were labeled the captives JEWS or from the
tribe of JUDAH.
THE BIBLE SPEAKS OF TWO TYPES OF JEWS AND TWO TYPES OF ISRAEL!
1. Those that are Jews or Israel physically!
2. Those that are Jews or Israel spiritually by religion!
In Christianity many have come to believe that the Jewish religion is one
religion and Christianity is another religion. Churches have taught this
and have esteemed those who are jewish by religion higher.
This teaching is inaccurate and incorrect.
In order for us to get the most accurate teaching we must understand the jewish
religion prior to Christ.
1. The Jews were given the 10 commandments and the law to follow until
the Messiah was to come and then they were to follow the Messiah.
Jesus did not start a new religion he fulfilled and continued the religion of
God as promised:
Galatians 3:22-29 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that
the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(23) But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the
faith which should afterwards be revealed. (24) Wherefore the law
was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by
faith. (25) But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a
schoolmaster. (26) For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Christ fulfilled the promise of God. The promise is that the jews
were to be under the law and the law was to bring them to Christ. But
when Christ came it was no longer the law that made them children of God it was
Faith in Jesus. Those who didn't believe in Christ didn't continue to be
a child of God.
Whether you are a Jew or Greek by Nature it is only those who are in Christ
Jesus.)
Rom 10:1-4 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is,
that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have
a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant
of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness,
have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (4)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(Paul prays for those who are Israel by flesh or nature. He says
they have a zeal to know God but their zeal is in the wrong direction.
Instead of following God they created their own way to follow God and refuse to
follow God's way.)
(The way the Jews chose is called Judaism. The religion of Judaism is a
NEW RELIGION. Where Christianity is the religion God intended from the
beginning.)
Ephesians 2:12-15 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens
from the commonwealth (CITIZENSHIP) of Israel, and strangers from the covenants
of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: (13) But
now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of
Christ. (14) For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath
broken down the middle wall of partition between us; (15) Having
abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in
ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(So when you came to Christ the promises of the Natural Israel was
transferred to those who are in Christ Jesus. What Jesus did is He broke
the wall that separated others from the promises. Instead of having two
people the Jew and the Gentile. The promise came to all who are in
Christ. So he made a NEW MAN. This is important because many
churches are teaching that the Gentiles were now partakers of the Jews.
This is incorrect. No one partook of anyone JEW or GENTILE. God
made a new man and that was Faith in Christ and through His blood. So the
promises went to all those who are in the NEW MAN.)
I never understood why the Christian world is trying to put up that Wall
again. God broke the wall and made a new man while they are trying to
build the wall back up and keep the old man. They say the Jews are still
the chosen of God and the Church is the chosen of God. As we just
read. Jesus never began a new religion. He continued the religion
through Himself and broke down all walls make one in Christ. The Church
is the New Man. The Church is THE TRUE ISRAEL.
HERE IS OTHER SCRIPTURE SUPPORTING THIS:
Romans 2:25-29 (25) For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the
law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made
uncircumcision. (26) Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the
righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for
circumcision? (27) And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature,
if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost
transgress the law? (28) For he is not a Jew, which is one
outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
(29) But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men,
but of God.
(So who is a Jew? The bible teaches it is those who are in Christ
Jesus. This scripture clearly shows what God thinks is a true JEW or
CHILD OF GOD. It is those who believe. Those who do not believe are
not TRUE JEWS to God. We may call certain people Jewish but to God they
are not. Like we may call certain people Christian but to God they are
not. It is those who inwardly made a decision to follow Jesus
Christ. The believer is the Jew.)
It is important to understand that the Church is the Israel to God. In
the Lord's Eyes Israel is the Church the NEW MAN. A Jew is one who has
faith in Christ and is a child of Abraham through Faith in Christ.
NOW LET US LOOK AT ROMANS
11:26 IN CONTEXT :
NATURE - MEANS THE NATURAL ISRAEL
SPIRITUAL - MEANS THOSE IN FAITH THE SPIRITUAL ISRAEL
Romans 11:7-27 What then? Israel (NATURE) hath not obtained that
which he seeketh for; but the election (SPIRITUAL) hath obtained it, and the
rest were blinded (8) (According as it is written, God hath given
them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they
should not hear;) unto this day. (9) And David saith, Let their
table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto
them (NATURAL): (10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not
see, and bow down their back alway. (11) I say then, Have they
stumbled that they should fall? (NATURAL) God forbid: but rather through their
fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, (SPIRITUAL) for to provoke them
(NATURAL) to jealousy. (12) Now if the fall of them (NATURAL) be
the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the
Gentiles; how much more their fulness? (NATURAL) (13) For I speak
to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine
office: (14) If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which
are my flesh, and might save some of them. (NATURAL) (15) For if
the casting away of them (NATURAL) be the reconciling of the world, what shall
the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
COMMENTARY BREAK:
Paul tells us through the Holy SPirit that the NATURAL have not obtained
salvation because they were blinded. It was only some who obtained it and
they are called the Elect. You will find that the elect are those who are
believers (See The Books Of PETER). That due to their unbelief of Jesus
and their Crucifixion of Him the Gospel became accessible to the whole
world. Now those who in Faith receive the blessing of God and the favor
of God. God did this so that Israel will become jealous and want to come
to Christ and also have the favor and blessing of God. My question to
those who teach that Israel (Natural) still have the blessing and favor of God
what would make them jealous? Then Paul writes, I pray that at least some
will come to the revelation and be SAVED. When the Jews do come to this
revelation it will be at the end of the world and it will be great.
(16) For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the
root be holy, so are the branches. (17) And if some of the branches
(NATURAL) be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in
(SPIRITUAL) among them or instead of them, and with them partakest of
the root and fatness of the olive tree; (18) Boast not against the
branches. (NATURAL) But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root
thee. (19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off,
(NATURAL) that I might be graffed in. (SPIRITUAL) (20) Well;
because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not
highminded, but fear: (21) For if God spared not the natural
branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
COMMENTARY BREAK:
PAUL teaches through the Holy Spirit that the Vine is God. We are the
branches (SEE ALSO JOHN 15). He says that the Natural Jew was cut off
from the Vine and we who are not by nature an Israelite were brought
in. This means those who are chosen by God by nature are no longer
chosen due to their unbelief. We who were not chosen and called by God
became chosen and called due to our belief. How simple can this be.
May the Lord open the churches eyes.
(22) Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them
which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (23) And they also,
if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to
graff them in again. (24) For if thou wert cut out of the olive
tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good
olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be
graffed into their own olive tree?
COMMENTARY BREAK:
We at Harvest Christian Fellowship believe that just because a person is cut
off or not chosen does not mean that they are not being constantly
called. We believe that God is calling to all people to come to belief in
Jesus. Not only to the JEW by Nature but to all the world to come to
repentance. Unlike other churches we believe that God's calling to
repentance is to all equally whether they are from Israel or Africa or Germany
or the USA he calls them all.
Acts 10:34-35 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I
perceive that God is no respector of persons: (35) But in every nation he
that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
(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, (NATURAL) until the fulness of the Gentiles (SPIRITUAL) be
come in. (26) And so all Israel (SPIRITUAL) shall be saved:
as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn
away ungodliness from Jacob: (THIS IS JESUS) (27) For this is my
covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
COMMENTARY BREAK:
MAKES SENSE NOW DOESN'T IT!!! ALL SPIRITUAL ISRAEL SHALL BE
SAVED. EARLY PAUL PRAYS SOME NATURAL ISRAEL BE SAVED BUT NOW SAYS ALL
ISRAEL SHALL BE SAVED. THIS IS CLEAR THAT ISRAEL TO GOD THE CHOSEN AND
SAVED ARE THOSE IN CHRIST. YOU AND ME!!
IN CONCLUSION,
John 8:38-47 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do
that which ye have seen with your father. (39) They answered and
said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were
Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (40) But now
ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of
God: this did not Abraham. (41) Ye do the deeds of your father.
Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even
God. (42) Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would
love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but
he sent me. (43) Why do ye not understand my speech? even because
ye cannot hear my word. (44) Ye are of your father the devil, and
the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and
abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a
lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
(45) And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
(46) Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye
not believe me? (47) He that is of God heareth God's words: ye
therefore hear them not,
because ye are not of God.
Churches and Pastors are so quick to embrace a Rabbi, a teacher of Judaism, or
Jew and have them stand in our churches and call them our brothers and endorse
them as Godly. Meanwhile we count Muslims, Jehovah Witness, and Mormons
as Infidels and Occults. What is wrong with us? Those who are in
Judiasm like Rabbi's do not believe Jesus to be the Christ or the Son of God or
even a prophet and we call them our brothers. Meanwhile the others like
Muslims, Jehovah Witness, or Mormons at least believe Jesus is the Christ and
we will in no way stand next to them or endorse them as Godly. We need to
treat all religions who do not believe in Christ the same as Jesus treated them.
If God were your Father you would believe in the Son. Your Father is the
Devil.
Saints of God. The belief that it is those who are in Christ Jesus
and hear the word of God are chosen by God is not a new concept. Even
Jesus himself taught it and lived it. This is why he told the Jews
who had the right to say they were children of Abraham that they were children
of the Devil. Jesus doesn't care who you are or where you are from.
His people are those who call upon His name and He will treat no unbeliever
different just because they have the name of JEW OR ISRAEL on their birth
certificate. When the Church realizes that they are Israel they will come
to realize the power and favor that God has upon them and the Church.
That we are FIRST CLASS CITIZENS and not a SUB Chosen or SUB part of God.
WE BELIEVE THAT THE BODY OF
CHRIST IS ISRAEL AND THE BELIEVERS ARE JEWS TO GOD. THE ONLY THING THAT
MATTERS TO US IS WHAT MATTERS TO GOD!
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