Category: born-again Jew

Words for Weary and Wounded Warriors

Friday, October 3, 2014

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets” (Luke 6:22,23).

Although spoken to Israel’s believing remnant, our Lord Jesus’ words still comfort us weary or wounded Christian ambassadors.

A little brother in Christ recently telephoned me (and we later continued our conversation face-to-face). He was despondent because of the disrespectful way lost people—and even professing Christians—treated him. I told him that I could identify with that “coldshouldering” and assured him that he must not let it bother him; God has made provisions for us in Christ to withstand all of the Adversary’s darts (and occasional cannonballs!) aimed at us. Denominational divisions run ever so deep between professing Christians. The greatest spiritual division of all is between children of Father God and children of the Devil. The Lord Jesus Christ in the flesh experienced it, and the early Christians knew it, too.

Before dying, Jesus reminded His disciples, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). Later, the Apostle John amplified those words by recounting the story of Cain killing his righteous brother Abel, concluding with, “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you” (1 John 3:13). The Apostle Peter wrote to his Jewish readers who abandoned their lost lifestyles, “Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (1 Peter 4:4). Beloved, people hated Jesus Christ living in His flesh; they equally hate Him living in us!

While quality Christian friends are very rare, hold them close once you find those few. We do pray for those who persecute us, that they step out spiritual darkness and into the light of God’s grace to us in Christ; still, we will not let their shunning of us, bother us! 🙂

Kooks for Christ

Saturday, September 13, 2014

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake” (Matthew 5:11 KJV).

Are you a “kook for Christ?” Happy are ye!

Satan is a very shrewd enemy, having perfected his strategy for 6,000 years. Equipped with above-human intelligence and practice with mankind during all those millennia, he knows us better than we know ourselves. If he is unsuccessful in attacking the message (if he cannot entice us to corrupt/change God’s Word), then he will focus on us—attack us and discourage us, to discredit us, to force us to quit.

Paul wrote to the Corinthians that, like he and the other apostles suffered for Jesus Christ, they too should be willing to do so: “[9] For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. [10] We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised” (1 Corinthians 4:9,10).

Our Lord Jesus said to His Jewish disciples in today’s Scripture: “[11] Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11,12). Jesus reminded them that, like all the saints of old, they too would suffer because of Him. Yet, God would not overlook their suffering; He Himself would reward them in due time.

When people give us bizarre looks for preaching the pure Word of God, call us evil names, think of us as crazy, physically attack us, we should be thrilled to suffer for Jesus Christ. What an honor! Even when professing Christians side against us by allying with lost people, we need not be bothered or discouraged. As a dear Christian friend and brother in the ministry says, “I would rather be a ‘fool’ for Christ, than an idiot for the Devil!” 🙂

Faith During Life’s Storms #5

Sunday, September 7, 2014

“And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm” (Matthew 8:25,26 KJV).

Like Israel learned in today’s Scripture, we too must realize to trust the Lord Jesus Christ when “the storms of life” batter us.

Jesus was sleeping in the ship when the storm struck. He had a pillow and was very comfortable when His panicking disciples awoke Him seeking salvation from their impending deaths. He asked where was their faith, why they were so fearful—their actions were irrational. Remember, there was no way on earth that He would allow a ship to sink if He Himself was on that ship! Some 2,000 years earlier He had been on Noah’s ark: our King James Bible testifies that the Lord told Noah and his family to “come” into ark (Genesis 7:1 means JEHOVAH was in Noah’s ark). Thus, neither the ship of today’s Scripture nor Noah’s ark was wrecked.

While the first part of the seven-year Tribulation will not be peaceful, it is compared to the latter! Believing Israel will come under intense persecution, even facing the death penalty for following Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:17-42). “For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

Once the Antichrist betrays Israel’s trust halfway through those seven years, his attitude will change. As the calm waters of the Sea of Galilee instantly transformed into a raging storm, so the trouble for the Messianic Jews will begin. No problem, for JEHOVAH Jesus has promised to bring them through those awful times, to bring them to the other side, their Millennial Kingdom (Jeremiah 30:7; Zechariah 13:8,9; cf. Isaiah 28:14-22; Isaiah 65:17-25; Ezekiel 36:16-38)! Believing Israel just needs to trust God’s Word to them.

Let us now dedicate a few studies to learning how today’s Scripture can be beneficial to us in this the Dispensation of Grace….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘the fellowship of the mystery?’”

Riches and the Ages to Come #6

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

If Israel’s believing remnant is to endure the seven-year Tribulation’s economic depression, she must remember that faithful JEHOVAH is with her, and that He will bless her in due time.

In conclusion, we will briefly survey the “wealth” of Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures regarding Israel’s kingdom riches:

  • Israel is God’s earthly people, so He will bless them with earthly possessions—this includes sizeable real estate. In due time, Israel will possess all the Middle-Eastern territory between Egypt and the Euphrates River (Genesis 15:18-21).
  • Solomon’s prosperous kingdom was nothing compared to what awaits Israel. Just as the Gentile Queen of Sheba brought Solomon untold riches, Gentiles will lavish redeemed Israel and her King Jesus Christ with unfathomable wealth (Isaiah 60:1-22; Isaiah 61:6).
  • Jesus promised His little flock that, everything they lost for Him, they would receive 100-fold from Him (Matthew 19:29,30; Mark 10:28-31). Israel’s believing remnant will gain 100 times more wealth than what they had before they even came to Christ!
  • During the seven-year Tribulation, the book of Job will comfort Israel’s believing remnant, who like Job, suffer the loss of their material possessions because of Satan’s policy of evil (James 5:10,11; Job 1:1–2:13). As Job was doubly blessed of God after his temptation ended (Job 42:10-13), so Israel will receive compensation many times over for her losses, when Jesus Christ returns to establish His earthly kingdom.
  • In the kingdom age, when Jesus Christ reigns over Earth, the curse of sin will be lifted (Isaiah 11:1-16; Isaiah 51:3). Every harvest of crops will be overwhelmingly abundant, and immediately after reaping, planting for the next harvest can begin (Deuteronomy 33:28; Joel 2:19; Joel 3:18,20; Amos 9:11-15)!
  • Most importantly, for all of eternity, Israel will enjoy JEHOVAH’S spiritual riches—His forgiveness, His fellowship, His grace, His salvation, and His life (Hosea 2:14-23; Hebrews 8:8-13; 1 Peter 2:9,10; Revelation 21:1ff.).

Never forget, beloved, Israel still has her worst experience ahead, but after that, her greatest experience ever is bound to happen as well! JEHOVAH will see her through it all! 🙂

Riches and the Ages to Come #5

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

If Israel’s believing remnant is to endure the seven-year Tribulation’s economic depression, she must remember that faithful JEHOVAH is with her, and that He will bless her in due time.

Today’s Scripture applies to both Messianic Jews in the first century A.D. (specifically the Acts period) and to Messianic Jews who will live after our Dispensation of Grace. Our program is a parenthetical dividing the first part of Israel’s program from the second. To wit, had our Dispensation of Grace not been implemented, Israel’s program (the seven-year Tribulation, the Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ, and the New Heaven New Earth) would have been fulfilled right after Calvary, 2,000 years ago (notice how God kept our dispensation secret from Psalm 2:1-9 which outlined Israel’s program). Israel’s prophetic program is still delayed, and will not operate again until our mystery program is finished (Romans 11:25-29).

When the believing Jews of the seven-year Tribulation see the material prosperity of the Antichrist’s followers, and then consider their own poverty, they will be tempted to covet (just as the poor Jews were attempted to envy the wealthy Christ-rejecters during Acts when their common account depleted). So, we see how today’s Scripture has a dual application—first-century Messianic Jews and Tribulation Messianic Jews. As today’s Scripture says, the very lifestyle (“conversation”) of a believing Jew in Israel’s program is not to be one of covetousness: he or she is to be satisfied with having JEHOVAH (whom the [wealthy] Antichrist’s followers do not have!).

While Israel’s little flock hiding out in the wilderness will not enjoy unfathomable riches until Jesus Christ returns (His Second Coming), the writer of the book of Hebrews encourages them to be thankful for the basic necessities that JEHOVAH will meet out in the wilderness (Matthew 6:24-34; Luke 12:22-34; Revelation 12:6,14). Just as Moses told Israel (Deuteronomy 4:31; Deuteronomy 31:6,8), just as God told Joshua (Joshua 1:5,9), and just as David told Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:20), JEHOVAH, even in disappointing circumstances, will never disappoint because He will never leave or forsake His people….

Riches and the Ages to Come #4

Monday, August 11, 2014

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

If Israel’s believing remnant is to endure the seven-year Tribulation’s economic depression, she must remember that faithful JEHOVAH is with her, and that He will bless her in due time.

When Jesus gave the “Our Father” Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13, He provided for His little flock a summary of her prophetic program. This prayer would continually remind Israel’s believers of their future that God had already pre-planned. After our Dispensation of Grace closes with the Rapture, our catching up to meet the Lord in the air, Israel’s program will resume where it paused (Romans 11:25-29). Those believing Jews will follow what Jesus taught in the Four Gospels, but they will progress in that doctrine with Hebrews through Revelation (Hebrews 5:11–6:3 urges Israel to move onward in spiritual maturity).

Approximately halfway through the seven-year Tribulation, the Antichrist will defile Israel’s Temple in Jerusalem by sitting in it and declaring himself to be God (Daniel 9:27; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4), and he will institute his religious mark that will govern the world’s economics (Revelation 13:7,16-18). Jesus warned that, at the time of this “abomination of desolation,” Messianic Jews dwelling in Jerusalem were to flee for their lives, to immediately go to the wilderness, and not bother wasting time gathering material possessions (Matthew 24:15-22; Mark 13:14-20). Now, we see why Jews are praying for “daily bread” in Matthew 6:11!

The Apostle John picked up the narrative in Revelation chapter 12, “[6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.”

So, we see that Israel’s believing remnant in Jerusalem will flee into the mountainous wilderness, where JEHOVAH will feed, clothe, and shelter them during the last half of the Tribulation period….

Riches and the Ages to Come #3

Sunday, August 10, 2014

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

If Israel’s believing remnant is to endure the seven-year Tribulation’s economic depression, she must remember that faithful JEHOVAH is with her, and that He will bless her in due time.

The so-called “Lord’s Prayer,” repeated today ad nauseum, has this third petition: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Who should be uttering this? Not prosperous Gentiles in this the Dispensation of Grace, but Jews who are so poverty-stricken they lack daily meals! Why would they be asking for “daily bread?” Remember, did not Israel’s little flock do as Jesus said, and sold all their possessions and gave to the poor (Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:31-34; Luke 18:22; Acts 2:44-47; Acts 4:32-37)? Just as God blessed Israel with manna, “daily bread,” in the wilderness, with Moses (Exodus 16:1-36), so He will during the seven-year Tribulation (Micah 7:14,15; Revelation 2:17).

Recall Jesus’ words: “[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: ) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof” (Matthew 6:25,31-34; cf. Luke 12:22,29-34).

Jesus Christ taught that, provided His little flock sought first God’s kingdom and His righteousness, He would meet all their physical needs (food, drink, clothing, et cetera). Unlike us, they would not have to work for their food (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). Let us see exactly how this principle will operate after our Dispensation of Grace….

Riches and the Ages to Come #1

Friday, August 8, 2014

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV).

If Israel’s believing remnant is to endure the seven-year Tribulation’s economic depression, she must remember that faithful JEHOVAH is with her, and that He will bless her in due time.

Two verses of Scripture never heard in today’s “Hollywood Christianity” are Jesus Christ’s words of Luke 18:24,25: “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Thus, we see that no “God-wants-to-add-many-zeros-to-the-end-of-your-bank-account” sermons can be extracted from the Four Gospels.

If a Jew in Israel’s program were to be Jesus Christ’s follower in the last days, Jesus said (Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:31-34; Luke 18:22) that he had to sell all of his material possessions and distribute to the poor (notice how Israel’s little flock of believers did just that in Acts 2:44-47 and Acts 4:32-37). They did this for two reasons. Firstly, material wealth was a hindrance while Israel’s prophetic program was beginning to end: Jesus foreknew personal material riches would entice Jews to submit to the coming Antichrist’s wicked world system, where material wealth could be retained (and gained) by participating in Satan worship (Revelation 13:16-18). Secondly, Jesus taught His Jewish disciples that they were to love and care for each other (John 13:34,35): in perfect accordance with spontaneous, selfless, kingdom living, the Jewish kingdom saints sold their possessions and gave the money to the apostles so they could distribute it to their poor Jewish brethren who had also trusted Jesus as Messiah.

Dispensational Bible study is ever so critical because these passages that are so problematic to so many suddenly become so clear and marvelous. They are not burdensome or confusing to us because we understand they do not describe our program, but Israel’s program. Let us see how today’s Scripture will build on the doctrine that Jesus taught about material wealth, and what awaits the nation Israel, particularly her little flock….

Riches and the Four Gospels #5

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:24,25 KJV).

Understandably, “health-and-wealth” preachers and teachers never quote Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture!

Observe how Jesus’ audience responded to today’s Scripture: “[26] And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? [27] And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. [28] Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. [29] And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, [30] Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.”

Jesus’ audience did not comprehend that those who could be saved in Israel’s program were those who sold their possessions and gave to the poor. The rich, however, would be greedy, worshipping “mammon” (their material wealth; Matthew 6:24-34). They would fall into the snare of the Antichrist—and once they would accept his mark or worship him in order to keep the value of their possessions, the Bible says they would be damned to everlasting hellfire (Revelation 14:9-11).

The Apostle Peter, representing all members of Israel’s little flock, responded, “Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.” Jesus assured them that He knew that they had abandoned their houses, families, businesses, and so on, for the sake of God’s kingdom. He reassured them that they would receive “manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” What did He mean?

Though believing Jews had lost their flesh-and-blood family members, and their material possessions, they had gained many brothers and sisters and spiritual wealth in Christ. These Messianic Jews would behave like family now by taking care of each other’s physical needs….

A Heart Transplant for Israel #11

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26 KJV).

The Great Physician must perform this surgery if His beloved patient is to live!

Israel’s religious leaders, representative of the nation, wrongly believed that all that was required of them was to be Abraham’s biological children (that is, physically circumcised). They ignored that they had to be “born again” (see John 3:1-8). In addition to the physical birth that God gave Israel when He rescued them from Egyptian slavery (Exodus 4:22; 1 Kings 8:53; Hosea 11:1), they were to have a spiritual birth, salvation from the bondage of sin (see John 3:1-8; John 8:33-59).

Moses, in his final sermon to Israel, said: “If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee: and the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live” (Deuteronomy 30:4-6).

God’s Word meant nothing to most Jews because they did not have a circumcision of the heart (they were still dead in their sins, headed for eternal hellfire). If they were to be used of God, they had to have the faith, righteousness, and spiritual circumcision their father Abraham had.

Just as the Prophet Jeremiah later reminded Israel that God’s wrath was coming—the Babylonians would take them out of the Promised Land for at least 70 years—Moses said God (Jesus Christ at His Second Coming) would regather Israel, bring her back into her land, spiritually circumcise her, and make her a kingdom of priests, a nation He could finally use forever and ever in the earth. Today’s Scripture will thus be fulfilled….