RSS FeedGod's Promises To Israel
Written by Peter Youngren on December 14th 2007The Bible contains thousands of promises. In the Old Testament we find promises concerning the coming Messiah, God’s salvation plan for the world, and promises for the Jewish nation; promises of blessing, inheritance and divine favor. All these promises, no matter who they are promised to, have one common denominator, one thing which regrettably has eluded millions of Christians. Look at these words:
“For the Son of God, Jesus Christ…was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen.“ (2 Corinthians 1:18-20)
An amazing statement: all the promises of God have their fulfillment only in and through Jesus Christ. If this refers to all God’s promises, then God’s promises to Israel are also included. Why then are so many Christians busy helping God fulfill His promises to Israel when those promises are only fulfilled through Jesus Christ?
I recently saw a Christian “Israel” magazine and one of the articles reported from a convention attended by several thousand evangelicals. The author noted joyously that in one particular evening session, the name of Jesus had only been mentioned once, and then only in passing at the close of a prayer. This exclusion of Jesus was noted as a sign of maturity and advancement. I don’t know about you, but such reports don’t give me a sense of progress, I rather feel like weeping. We are not helping the Jewish people or the state of Israel by pretending that there is blessing, comfort and peace outside of Jesus. How sad that many Christian organizations in Israel are enjoying favor, only because they have pledged not to evangelize.
Yes, we love and respect all people, but it is one thing to show respect and another thing to compromise our beliefs. For example, in my dealings with Muslims I always show great respect for them as sincere people on a quest for God, but I never hide the Gospel. On the contrary, my demonstration of respect is always accompanied by a loving, but direct, presentation of what God has done through Jesus Christ. To be ashamed of Jesus is very serious. If God’s promises could be fulfilled without Jesus then why did Jesus come in the first place? Paul calls such ideas, “frustrating the grace of God”.
Through Way of Peace, the Israel arm of our ministry, we demonstrate respect, love and care for the Jewish people by being ambassadors of Jesus Christ, not by hiding our faith in Jesus Christ.
One more thing while I am on the topic. I recently read a Christian publication expressing the hope that the Arab nations would turn against one another and wipe each other out. That is not my hope. I look for the Arab world to open its heart to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved. The One I follow didn’t come to destroy people’s lives, but to save them.
Your thoughts?
Ignatius
It is a sad day if the church starts to think that all of Israel is saved because they are God’s chosen people. Paul did say in one of his epistles, that not all who are called Israel is really Israel. Not all who are circumcised are God’s people. Circumcision is of the heart. The jews and Arabs and all the world need to hear the message of Jesus, of His death, of His resurrection. They have to decide who they should believe in. not man made religion and idealogies which as the bible said, today is here, tomorrow vanishes like vapour. while we believe like Paul, that all of Israel will be saved, it doesn’t mean that they have heard…. if no speaks how will they hear, if no one sends how will they go? how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. The jews and all alike need to know the Messiah. better to know now then in that day, all must confess Jesus (Yeshua) is Lord. by then it’ll prob be too late. It is the church, God’s people (spiritual Israel) that must bring the light to this people who live in constant bondage, bondage to fear, to religion. God has blessed us to be a blessing indeed. that the Name of Jesus will be honoured and renowed. He is the savior of the World.
What a message of hope this Christmas!!!
CookmmPamela cCook
Whenever I hear Peter speak or read his observations on matters concerning Jesus, it always leaves me with a sense of peace and reassurance. This is how I discern truth. When the opinions leave a sense of unease or turmoil, I disregard them. These words leave me with a great sense of wonder and respect for the awesome mission of Jesus and His love for us all.
Wendy
Wonderful Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace and the true government is upon HIS shoulders. Jesus said; ask anything in MY NAME. The Jews need JESUS, the Jews need JESUS, the Jews need JESUS even though their religious traditions are appealing and attractive, it’s like eating cotton candy, tastes yummy, but has no nutritional value at all. Even we as Christians can get caught up in cotton candy experiences, but if that NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES is not being lifted up it is wood, hay and stubble.
May our precious Lord and Saviour bless you and your beautiful family in the coming year.
Paula Vanderweyden
from ‘The Paraclete’ - ‘ the church is too much engaged in that worst and most cankering of all worldliness, the elevation of one sect above another, and the angry defence of forms which are but transient conveniences’ - ‘so much engaged in controversy, that it can hardly be preparing itself for the completion of the holy promise.‘ - please - all of us should concentrate more on the doctrine of the simple and joyous communion with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ and not get derailed by others -
Frank Hansen
Hi,
Yes the Lord has a plan for Humanity in his entering our sphere.
However it is not by sole words that people will become intrigued to follow Jesus, it is by action and in not only reading his word in this blog but also by confessing Jesus.
I can only say I feel like my life is attached to that of father Abram, but will not let go of my Gentile gene, therefore as God so state in Roman 10:12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile―the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.
Shalom.
Happy New year 2008
- FH
Dominic Cerisano
Dear Pastor Peter,
Your sense of irony is keen. Anointed, even, as it keeps me coming back to this blog, looking for the next dose.
The blessings of Abraham are obvious amongst his descendants, as God promised.
Christians share this inheritance by adoption, becoming also children of this covenant by the baptism of of the Holy Spirit.
Those blessings are seen, not unseen. Tangible blessings are wonderful, but their pursuit does not lead to God.
Jesus is the intangible and unseen blessing. And as you mentioned, ironically unheard as well.
If he were obvious, we would not need to seek him. But just hearing his name brings faith where there was none.
Even a mountain of irony can be cast into the sea by the mere mention of his name.
Scott Blake
Not representing the Messiah to the Jewish people could be considered an ironic 21st century version of anti-Semitism. In any case, the root cause is fear of man, definitely.
Jeffrey Teo
Yes, God’s plan of salvation for Israel and the whole world.Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Religon teaches man to find God.But Christianity is about God finding man.And saving man!
In many churches salvation is taught as we finding God rather than God drawing us,predestined us to conform to His Son.Righteousness is earned by behaviour and confession rather than a gift.Foundation is weak as salvation depends on the weakest link,that is yourself, instead of the strongest link,Jesus Christ our FOUNDATION!
Someone said that the church is supposed to be a family and a community,but instead it has become an organisation that has separated itself - offering membership instead of relationship,demanding givers instead of forgivers,and piously rejecting defective souls while embracing the cream of the crop.
We need a revelation of God as a God of unconditional love and grace.Not counting man’s sin against them and has committed to us the Word of reconciliation.2 Cor 5:19
Blessed Christmas,
Jeff