IS JESUS CHRIST GOD?

YOUTUBE VIDEO: IS JESUS CHRIST GOD? PART ONE

YOUTUBE VIDEO: IS JESUS CHRIST GOD? PART TWO? 

“… What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

 (Mark 4:41)

 By Bill White

My purpose in this Bible study is to show you, that it can be proven through the scriptures, that without doubt Jesus Christ is God.

Bible Study Synopsis

The Testimony Of John The Baptist - John was the “voice in the wilderness” (John 1:22-24, Isaiah 40:3) who prepared the way of the Lord Jesus Christ. John knew that Jesus was preferred before him because He was before him. (John 1:15,27) even though Jesus was physically born after him. John referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

The Testimony Of Jesus Christ - Jesus referred to Himself as the “I AM” which was the name that God Himself used when He spoke to Moses out of the burning bush (John 8:56-59, Exodus 3:13-14). The Jews sought to stone Jesus because they thought that He was guilty of blasphemy (John 8:59, Leviticus 24:16). Jesus claimed to be the First and the Last (Revelation 1:11,17-18,2:8) which is a name that God claims for Himself (Isaiah 44:6). Jesus also claimed to be the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8,11) and the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

Many inferences can then be made about Jesus Christ as we examine scripture with scripture. Since we know that the Word of God which was made flesh (John 1:14) spoke of Jesus Christ then we also know that Jesus Christ is the Word who created all things (John 1:3). Consider the fact that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1) and that the Word who is Jesus Christ was also there in the beginning (John 1:2). We will then naturally conclude that Jesus Christ is God. We learn through Isaiah the prophet that God made all things alone and by Himself (Isaiah 44:24) which is in perfect agreement with John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:12-16. If God did everything alone and by Himself it lays to rest those within the cults who insist that God created Jesus Christ and then used Jesus Christ to create everything else.

The Works Of Jesus Christ - The works that Jesus Christ did during His time on earth are more than ample proof that Jesus Christ is God. Jesus cast demons out of the possessed, He healed the sick, He had power over nature, He raised the dead , He forgave sins, causing His enemies to say “… who can forgive sins, but God only?” (Mark 2:7). Jesus also raised Himself from the dead.

The Testimony Of John The Baptist

John the Baptist was the son of Zacharias, a Jewish priest, and his wife Elizabeth. John was born to this couple after they had been without children for many years. John was born exactly as promised to Zacharias by the angel Gabriel. (Luke 1:5-25) The scriptures also tell us that John would be filled with the Holy Ghost and that he would turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. And that he would go forth in the “spirit and power of Elias (Elijah) … to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17). It is not surprising that John the Baptist attracted the attention of multitudes. Many people wanted to know who he was. The Pharisees, a Jewish group, sent people to question him:

Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (Isaiah). And they which were sent were of the Pharisees (John 1:22-24).

Please keep in mind that John was questioned by the people because they wanted to know if he was in fact the promised Christ (Messiah) or if he was some other prophet (John 1:19-21). John responded to their inquiry by quoting from the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Here John makes a very revealing statement not only about his own identity, but the true identity of Jesus Christ also.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God (Isaiah 40:3).

John let them know that he was that “voice in the wilderness” that the prophet Isaiah had spoken about. Now it is obvious that the voice was representative of a person with a message and the message was this:

to prepare the way of the Lord

to make straight … a highway for our God

So given the fact that John identified himself as THAT “voice in the wilderness” we can say without question that John was preparing the way for the Lord God.

The Hebrew word for Lord that is used in this verse is YHWH

The Hebrew word for God that is used here is ELOHIYM

We also know from the contents of the New Testament that John the Baptist was the very one who prepared the way for Jesus Christ. So we can rightly say, without shame and without fear, that the titles of Lord and God most definitely apply to Jesus Christ.

Here is another testimony from John regarding the deity of Jesus Christ:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water (John 1:29-31).

In this passage of scripture John identifies Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God, and the one who came to take away the sin of the world. John also declares that Jesus was preferred before him because he was before him. It is most interesting when you look at the gospel account in Luke and find that Jesus was born at least six months AFTER John was born. (Luke 1:34-37). So we can conclude that John knew full well, by the Spirit of God, that Jesus Christ existed long before He was incarnated as a human being on this earth.

The topic in this study is of utmost importance. The claim that Jesus Christ is God is more than a mere theological debate between those who endorse the position of His deity (divinity) and those who do not. Why? Because if it can be proven through the scriptures (and it can) that Jesus Christ is in fact God, then we must take a closer look not only at the words that Jesus spoke while He walked this earth but also at the words that the Lord spoke to the children of Israel in the Old Testament. We can learn a great deal when we truly understand that this Christ whom we know as Lord was the very same eternal Lord who created all things, and who came to this earth and partook of our own human nature.

The Testimony Of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ: He is the “I AM”

It has been said very often by those who do not believe that Jesus Christ is in fact God, that He never made that claim for Himself. That is not true. In the New Testament book of John we can read the following scriptures.

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by (John 8:56-59).

I highlighted the words of Jesus Christ in red letters to make it easier to see when He is speaking. In this passage of scripture Jesus was in a confrontation with the Jewish religious people, and He told them that He Himself was the “I AM.”

I would like you to note that His enemies took up stones to throw at Jesus, which means that they wanted to kill him. The reason that they did that was because they thought that he had committed blasphemy in declaring Himself to be the “I AM” and that he was “living” before Abraham ever existed. The Old Testament book of Leviticus shows us the reason for their actions:

And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death (Leviticus 24:16).

This shows us that his enemies knew full well what Jesus was declaring when he claimed the name “I AM” for Himself. This also shows us that Jesus most certainly made His deity clear on different occasions. What was Jesus trying to tell those who were in opposition to Him? Jesus was telling them that He was alive long before Abraham ever existed.

There are millions of people who only see Jesus Christ as a person who was born about two thousand years ago, lived a short life, did some good things and then died. The purpose of this Bible study is to show you the reader that Jesus Christ is more than a man. He is part of the eternal triune Godhead. When Jesus used the words I AM, He was using the very same words that were used by God when He spoke to Moses out of the burning bush. Moses was intrigued by that burning bush when it was not consumed, and when he approached the bush this is what happened:

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God (Exodus 3:5-6).

The voice that spoke out of that burning bush identified Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses was afraid to even look upon God. The point that I want to make here is that it was God who spoke out of that burning bush. Further down in that very same chapter we find the following:

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you (Exodus 3:13-14 ).

Here we see that God told Moses that His name was “I AM THAT I AM” and that was what Moses was to tell the children of Israel. Am I trying to say that Jesus Christ was the very same person that spoke to Moses out of that burning bush? Yes, that is exactly what I am trying to say and there is further proof in the scriptures to make that point.

Jesus Christ: He Is The First And The Last

Now I would like to go to the new Testament book of Revelation to further prove the deity of Jesus Christ.

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Revelation 1:17-18).

In this scripture verse John listens as the risen Christ declares Himself to be the FIRST and the LAST. Not only that, but He tells John that He was DEAD but now He is ALIVE forevermore! I do not think that the Lord could have made His deity any clearer than that. We all know that it was Jesus Christ who was slain for our sins and who rose from the dead. The title of the FIRST and the LAST is a title that is unique to God and Him alone, and here the glorified Christ claims it for Himself. Let’s take a look in the Old Testament to see how it is used.

Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God (Isaiah 44:6).

In the book of Isaiah we learn that the Lord is the King of Israel and also calls Himself the FIRST and the LAST. There are not several FIRST and LAST’s but only ONE. Not only that but this verse tells us that there is no other God beside Him. If Jesus called Himself the FIRST and the LAST then the title of God belongs to Him.

Jesus Christ: He Is The Alpha And Omega

Jesus Christ: He Is The Almighty

Back in the first chapter of Revelation we see that the First and the Last is also the Alpha and Omega “… I am Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last…” (Revelation 1:11). When we look back at verse eight we find out that the Alpha and Omega is called the Almighty:

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty (Revelation 1:8).

So we learned in this first chapter of Revelation that Jesus Christ is:

 The First and the Last

 The Alpha and Omega

 The Almighty

 The One who was dead but is now alive forevermore

 He holds the keys of Hell and Death

 He is the one which is, which was, and which is to come

In chapter two of Revelation the fact that the FIRST and the LAST was dead is mentioned again:

And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; (Revelation 2:8)

And in the last chapter of that book and the Bible itself it tells us this:

And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:12-13).

The Alpha and Omega, who we have now learned is Jesus Christ, is the very one who will judge every man on the last day. He is the one who is coming again.

Jesus Christ: He Is The Creator Of All Things

I want to leave you with some scripture references to study regarding the attributes of Jesus Christ.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made (John 1:1-3).

In the scripture passage above we learn that the Word is a Person. That Person was WITH God, WAS God, and ALL things were made by that same Word. The Word in this passage is describing the Person of Jesus Christ. This can be proven by the passage of scripture below.

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. (John 1:14-17)

This passage tells us that this very same Word was made FLESH, which means that this Word took on a physical body and became a human being. That’s what happened when Christ was born of the Jewish virgin Mary in Bethlehem, fulfilling a prophecy of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 7:14). It also tells us that He was the only begotten of the Father, and the same One that John the Baptist declared existed before He ever did. The bottom line is that this Word is describing the eternal Son of God and the One that has always been with the Father in Heaven. If you take a look at the very first verse in the Bible you will find this:

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth (Genesis 1:1).

The Hebrew word for God here is the word ELOHIYM which is the plural form of the word God, and within that Godhead was the person of Christ. A little further down in that chapter we find this:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them (Genesis 1:26-27).

In the passage above we learn that God used the words “…Let US make man in OUR image…” which is quite interesting. Who was God talking to? The cults will try to explain this verse away by telling you that God was talking to the angels. That argument falls to the ground because the passage tells us that God created man in HIS own image, with no mention of angels anywhere. Then the cults will tell you that God first created Jesus and then Jesus created everything else. But if you take a look in the book of Isaiah you will find a verse that refutes that way of thinking:

Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; (Isaiah 44:24)

The Bible tells us that the Lord made “ALL THINGS” and that He did this “ALONE” and “BY MYSELF” thus refuting another attack against the deity of Jesus Christ. In the passage below we see that the Father Himself referred to the Son as God, and as the one who laid the foundation of earth and heaven.

But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Hebrews 1:8-10)

The Works Of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ Cast Demons Out Of People

Luke 4:31-36: Jesus cast a demon out of a man in the synagogue. The demons recognized Christ as the “holy one of God”.

Luke 4:41: Jesus cast demons out of many. The demons knew He was the Christ (Messiah).

Mark 5:1-20: Jesus cast a legion of demons out of a man who had been possessed for many years. The demons recognized Jesus to be “the Son of the most high God”. The demons asked if they could enter into a herd of swine after they were cast out. Jesus allowed this and when they entered the swine who then charged into the sea and drowned themselves.

Jesus Christ Commanded “Mother Nature” To Obey HIM

Mark 4:35-41: Jesus rebuked a raging storm at sea with three words “Peace, be still”. The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Jesus Christ Commanded Dead People

To Come Back To Life

Luke 7:11-17: Jesus raises a young man from the dead as the man was being carried in a funeral procession.

John 11:39-45: Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead after Lazarus was dead and stinking for four days.

Acts 9:36-42: Jesus raises a woman named Tabitha from the dead.

Jesus Christ Healed All Sorts Of Diseases

Mark 7:33: Jesus healed a deaf and dumb man.

Mark 8:23: Jesus healed a blind man.

Matthew 8:14: Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law.

Matthew 9:2: Jesus healed a paralyzed man.

Luke 17:12: Jesus healed ten lepers.

Jesus Christ Forgave People Of Their Sins

Mark 2:1-12: Jesus had the power to forgive sins.

Jesus Christ Was Worshiped By Others

John 9:35-38: Jesus was worshiped by a blind man that He healed.

REVIEW

We return to the question “Is Jesus Christ God?” We can affirmatively answer with a resounding YES to that question. We have seen through the use of the scriptures that:

 Jesus Christ Is the Lord God whom John the Baptist prepared the way for (Isaiah 40:3, John 1:22-24).

 Jesus Christ is the “I AM” who was alive before Abraham ever existed, and the same God who spoke to Abraham out of the burning bush (John 8:58, Exodus 3:13-14).

 Jesus Christ is the First and the Last (Revelation 1:11,17,18, 2:8, Isaiah 44:6).

 Jesus Christ is the Alpha and Omega (Revelation 1:8,11).

 Jesus Christ was the one who was dead but is now alive forevermore (Revelation 1:17-18,2:8).

 Jesus Christ is the one who is coming to judge all (Revelation 22:12-13).

 Jesus Christ is the creator of ALL things (John 1:1-3, Genesis 1:1,26-27, Hebrews 1:8-10, Isaiah 44:24).

Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world and was raised from the dead just like He said He would. The words of the apostle Thomas also declare the deity of Christ:

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:25-31). 

         AUDIO: IS JESUS CHRIST GOD?

ISRAEL AND THEIR REJECTION OF JESUS THE MESSIAH!

 YOUTUBE VIDEO: ISRAEL AND THEIR REJECTION OF JESUS THE MESSIAH

One of the most heartbreaking scriptures that can be found in the Word of God is the following verse from the gospel according to Matthew. These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ almost two thousand years ago.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:37-39)

Please read the words above carefully, and listen to what the creator of all things is saying. Jesus the Christ [Messiah] is telling the people of Israel that they had killed and stoned the prophets that were sent to them. Then Jesus went on to say that He often wanted to gather them under his wings, but they were not willing to come to Him. It is important to realize that Jesus was not just talking about His limited time here on earth, and His ministry to Israel during that time, but was talking about His ministry to them since their very inception. For it was the eternal Christ who sent the prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel to warn the children of Israel for countless years to return unto Him and to amend their wicked ways. In the parable of the vineyard [Matthew 21:33-46] the Lord Jesus Christ spoke in similar terms when He described Israel as the husbandmen [gardeners] who stoned and killed the servants that were sent to them, including the Son of the householder [God] who is Christ. The servants were sent to gather the fruit from the field which the Householder [God] was expecting. The Lord then spoke this word to those Jewish religious leaders who stood before Him:

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)

STOP!

The Lord had declared that the kingdom would be taken from the Jewish people and given to a another nation which would bring forth the fruits which the Lord desired. That nation is the nation that Peter spoke about here:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

This holy nation is presently made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. Not only that but it is a spiritual nation and entrance into this nation is through Jesus Christ alone. Not only that but this nation can be called a spiritual Temple, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone, and every true believer are living stones in that very same Temple!

The Covenant Of Death Without Christ

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Christ to the children of Israel in the following passage of scripture:

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:14-16)

To be out of covenant with the God who offers everlasting life is to have a covenant with death. That is what the prophet Isaiah was telling the children of Israel. The Jewish apostle Paul, who was formerly a severe persecutor and murderer of Christians, referred to that very same scripture when talking about those who followed the Lord by simple faith.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? [Why?] Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)

The apostle Paul tells us that the children of Israel were seeking the righteousness of God by their law keeping, but the Gentiles sought the very same Christ by faith and that was acceptable to God. Paul is referring to the very same verse from the prophet Isaiah. The apostle Peter referred to that same verse from Isaiah the prophet right here:

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:5-6)

Israel And Their Rejection Of The Messiah

There are many people (perhaps billions) who do not realize that Jesus Christ was the one sent, from the side of the Father in Heaven, to this earth at the time that was prophesied by the prophets. Also keep in mind that the Christ of the scriptures is greater than any of the prophets that have ever existed, because He is the very one who sent the prophets in the first place. When Jesus came to this earth He was rejected by His own people which of course is the Jewish people.

He [Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:10-12)

There can be no question that the people of Israel for the most part rejected Jesus Christ when He came to this earth. I remind you at this time that the word Christ means Messiah. When Jesus the Christ arrived on planet earth it was at the exact time that the prophets had said He would come. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible prophecies regarding Christ right now:

The prophecy of the everlasting one to be born in Bethlehem by Micah the prophet. [Micah 5:2] was fulfilled when Christ was born [Matthew 2:6]

The prophecy of a virgin giving birth to Immanuel [God with us] by Isaiah the prophet [Isaiah 7:14] was fulfilled when Christ was born of a virgin. [Matthew 1:18-23]

The prophecy of the death of Christ on the cross by Isaiah the prophet in [Isaiah 53:1-12] was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross. [Mark 15:28,Luke 22:37,1 Peter 2:24-25, 3:18, Acts 8:32]

For those of you who are new to the Bible these scripture references may be a bit confusing to you. For example if you see this reference [Isaiah 53:4-7] it means that you can turn to the table of contents in the Bible and find the book of Isaiah. After you find that book you can turn to chapter 53 and then go to verses 4 through 7 and you would find the following:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:4-7)

This particular prophecy was given approximately 700 years before Jesus the Christ [Messiah] died on the cross for sinners like me and you. It describes perfectly what the Lord did for us on the cross. He was wounded for our trangressions [sins] and He took our punishment upon Himself. He remained silent when He was beaten and finally killed as a lamb to the slaughter. That is why John the Baptist said this when he saw Jesus:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

This is nothing less than incredible when you truly think about it, but such is the character of the awesome God that we serve.

What About Ethnic Israel?

There was a very interesting confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of His time because they were resting on the fact that they were the children of Israel, and declaring Abraham to be their father. Lets pick it up in the middle of the conversation here with Jesus speaking to them:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [descendants]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 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. 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. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 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. (John 8:36-44)

Jesus the Christ [Messiah] was not impressed with the geneaology of those that stood before Him. In fact he rebuked them for desiring to kill Him. He told them that they would have received Him, if in fact God was their Father, because God is the one who sent His Son to them! Jesus then went on to say that the devil was their Father!

John the Baptist was the person who was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and he said something similar regarding those who claimed Abraham as their Father:

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:7-9)

Most people believe that John was referring to the stones along the river where he was baptizing the people and that is probably correct. The main point that John was making here is that God is not impressed with any group of people, whether Jewish or Gentile. The focus will always be on Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and what you will do with Him.

The point that I make here is that this whole Gospel message is about Jesus Christ and not Israel. There is a mantra that is being preached in the land in these modern times, and phrases such as ‘Israel Is God’s Timepiece’ or ‘Bless Israel [ethnic Israel] or you will be cursed.’ are being being used to seduce many away from the truth. I refuse to be condemned by such talk because I know that Jesus Christ is the only timepiece that I need to be concerned about, and it is not what I do with Israel but it is what Israel [and everyone else] does with the person of Jesus Christ.

The whole prophetic Word of God will point you in the direction of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle and Temple sacrifices were merely prophetic types and shadows of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. The Passover blood was a type of Jesus the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. [John 1:29] The Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur-the Day of covering] was another type of the blood sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. In fact the very veil in the Temple, where the High Priest would enter on that day, was torn in two from top to bottom by a supernatural act of God at the exact moment that Christ died! [Matthew 27:51] In fact the promise that God had given to Abraham stretches to the whole world and not to the small portion known as Israel today:

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)

Who Is The Israel Of God?

The key to understanding the whole matter of Israel is to understand the truth that there has always been an Israel within Israel.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9)

Every person who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be blessed with faithful Abraham. True believers from every nation in the world are included in this promise.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)

Do not miss this because this verse shows us that Christ was the promised seed [descendant] and it was through Christ [Jesus] that the rest of the nations of the world would be blessed. If a person does not receive this promised seed, who is Jesus Christ, then it is very obvious that they are not included along with faithful Abraham.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

The passage above tells us that there is absolutely no difference between the Jew and the Greek [meaning Gentile] and it shows us that we are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The passage also tells us that if a person belongs to Christ then they are Abraham’s seed [spiritual descendant].The apostle Paul made it clear that it was the spiritual circumcision of the heart that made a person a true Jew:

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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. (Romans 2:28-29)

The same apostle Paul made the following statement:Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:6-8)

Does that mean that God has forsaken the Jewish people? Absolutely not! [Romans 11:1-5] But what it does mean is that the Jewish people must come through the same door of salvation as the rest of the world because there is no other way to be saved.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

There is no everlasting covenant for those who reject Jesus Christ. If you do not want Christ then you are still in your sins and the scriptures make that ever so clear. There is no longer a Jewish Tabernacle, nor is there a Jewish Temple and it is only the BLOOD that can atone for sin. [Leviticus 17:11] Jesus spoke those words to the Jewish people of His time and those words still stand true today:

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I [Jesus] am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he [the Christ = Messiah], ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:23-24)

True Believers Are Looking For A Heavenly City

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Abraham was not looking for a piece of property in the Middle East but he was looking for a Heavenly city where God was the builder.

Question: If Father Abraham and all of the other pillars of faith were looking for a Heavenly city and country, shouldn’t we also be looking for that same heavenly city and country if we claim to be His spiritual descendants?

But ye are come unto mount Sion [Zion], and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22-23)The Lord Jesus Christ has the final word about everything and all judgment has been committed to Him. [John 5:22] The words from the passages below were spoken by Christ after He had risen from the dead and those same words still stand true today:And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ [Messiah] to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47)

And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

What will it be for you? Salvation or Damnation? Heaven or Hell? Everlasting Life or Everlasting Death?

JESUS THE MESSIAH: HIS OWN RECEIVED HIM NOT!

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:10-12)

Folks, is it not mind blowing that Jesus Christ, the creator of the all things [John 1:1-3] literally walked this earth?  Yes, that is what the scriptures teach us, and they also teach us that the Lord Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people. Who were His own people? That is speaking of the Jewish people, who for the most part rejected Jesus when He came to this earth. They missed the Messiah and they did not realize the time of their visitation.

And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation. (Luke 19:37-44)

The followers of Jesus Christ began to praise God with a loud voice, for all the  mighty works which the Lord had done.  This praise which was being directed toward Jesus, upset some of the Pharisees who were the Jewish religious crowd of that day, and they demanded that Jesus rebuke His own disciples.  Jesus told  the Pharisees that the stones would cry out if the disciples had held back their praise.

Jesus then began to weep over the city [Jerusalem] because the Jewish people for the most part had missed the time of their visitation.  In other words they had rejected the Messiah Jesus, and they did not recognize that He was the one whom the Father had sent from above.  Jesus then prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem, a judgment which would eventually take place around 70AD.

For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. (Acts 13:27-31)

The scriptures tell us that the people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not KNOW Jesus, nor the prophets which were read every single Sabbath day, and that is why they condemned Jesus to death.  They put him in a grave but God raised Him from the dead, and God still offers salvation to both the Jewish and Gentile all over the whole world.  It is unfortunate, but absolutely true, that here we are almost two thousand years later and the Jewish people still do not know Jesus, nor the “voices of the prophets” which are read every Sabbath.

And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. (2 Corinthians 3:13-16)

There is a spiritual vail [veil] which remains upon the heart and mind of any person [Jewish or Gentile] who does not see their own need for Jesus Christ. The scriptures tell us that this spiritual veil will only be removed when a person turns to the Lord. That could also be described as repentance. 

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15)

ISRAEL AND THEIR REJECTION OF THE MESSIAH!

One of the most heartbreaking scriptures that can be found in the Word of God is the following verse from the gospel according to Matthew. These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ almost two thousand years ago.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:37-39)

Please read the words above carefully, and listen to what the creator of all things is saying. Jesus the Christ [Messiah] is telling the people of Israel that they had killed and stoned the prophets that were sent to them. Then Jesus went on to say that He often wanted to gather them under his wings, but they were not willing to come to Him. It is important to realize that Jesus was not just talking about His limited time here on earth, and His ministry to Israel during that time, but was talking about His ministry to them since their very inception. For it was the eternal Christ who sent the prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel to warn the children of Israel for countless years to return unto Him and to amend their wicked ways. In the parable of the vineyard [Matthew 21:33-46] the Lord Jesus Christ spoke in similar terms when He described Israel as the husbandmen [gardeners] who stoned and killed the servants that were sent to them, including the Son of the householder [God] who is Christ. The servants were sent to gather the fruit from the field which the Householder [God] was expecting. The Lord then spoke this word to those Jewish religious leaders who stood before Him:

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)

STOP!

The Lord had declared that the kingdom would be taken from the Jewish people and given to a another nation which would bring forth the fruits which the Lord desired. That nation is the nation that Peter spoke about here:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

This holy nation is presently made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. Not only that but it is a spiritual nation and entrance into this nation is through Jesus Christ alone. Not only that but this nation can be called a spiritual Temple, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone, and every true believer are living stones in that very same Temple!

The Covenant Of Death Without Christ

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Christ to the children of Israel in the following passage of scripture:

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:14-16)

To be out of covenant with the God who offers everlasting life is to have a covenant with death. That is what the prophet Isaiah was telling the children of Israel. The Jewish apostle Paul, who was formerly a severe persecutor and murderer of Christians, referred to that very same scripture when talking about those who followed the Lord by simple faith.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? [Why?] Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)

The apostle Paul tells us that the children of Israel were seeking the righteousness of God by their law keeping, but the Gentiles sought the very same Christ by faith and that was acceptable to God. Paul is referring to the very same verse from the prophet Isaiah. The apostle Peter referred to that same verse from Isaiah the prophet right here:

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:5-6)

Israel And Their Rejection Of The Messiah

There are many people (perhaps billions) who do not realize that Jesus Christ was the one sent, from the side of the Father in Heaven, to this earth at the time that was prophesied by the prophets. Also keep in mind that the Christ of the scriptures is greater than any of the prophets that have ever existed, because He is the very one who sent the prophets in the first place. When Jesus came to this earth He was rejected by His own people which of course is the Jewish people.

He [Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:10-12)

There can be no question that the people of Israel for the most part rejected Jesus Christ when He came to this earth. I remind you at this time that the word Christ means Messiah. When Jesus the Christ arrived on planet earth it was at the exact time that the prophets had said He would come. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible prophecies regarding Christ right now:

The prophecy of the everlasting one to be born in Bethlehem by Micah the prophet. [Micah 5:2] was fulfilled when Christ was born [Matthew 2:6]

The prophecy of a virgin giving birth to Immanuel [God with us] by Isaiah the prophet [Isaiah 7:14] was fulfilled when Christ was born of a virgin. [Matthew 1:18-23]

The prophecy of the death of Christ on the cross by Isaiah the prophet in [Isaiah 53:1-12] was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross. [Mark 15:28,Luke 22:37,1 Peter 2:24-25, 3:18, Acts 8:32]

For those of you who are new to the Bible these scripture references may be a bit confusing to you. For example if you see this reference [Isaiah 53:4-7] it means that you can turn to the table of contents in the Bible and find the book of Isaiah. After you find that book you can turn to chapter 53 and then go to verses 4 through 7 and you would find the following:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:4-7)

This particular prophecy was given approximately 700 years before Jesus the Christ [Messiah] died on the cross for sinners like me and you. It describes perfectly what the Lord did for us on the cross. He was wounded for our trangressions [sins] and He took our punishment upon Himself. He remained silent when He was beaten and finally killed as a lamb to the slaughter. That is why John the Baptist said this when he saw Jesus:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

This is nothing less than incredible when you truly think about it, but such is the character of the awesome God that we serve.

What About Ethnic Israel?

There was a very interesting confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of His time because they were resting on the fact that they were the children of Israel, and declaring Abraham to be their father. Lets pick it up in the middle of the conversation here with Jesus speaking to them:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [descendants]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 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. 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. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 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. (John 8:36-44)

Jesus the Christ [Messiah] was not impressed with the geneaology of those that stood before Him. In fact he rebuked them for desiring to kill Him. He told them that they would have received Him, if in fact God was their Father, because God is the one who sent His Son to them! Jesus then went on to say that the devil was their Father!

John the Baptist was the person who was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and he said something similar regarding those who claimed Abraham as their Father:

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:7-9)

Most people believe that John was referring to the stones along the river where he was baptizing the people and that is probably correct. The main point that John was making here is that God is not impressed with any group of people, whether Jewish or Gentile. The focus will always be on Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and what you will do with Him.

The point that I make here is that this whole Gospel message is about Jesus Christ and not Israel. There is a mantra that is being preached in the land in these modern times, and phrases such as ‘Israel Is God’s Timepiece’ or ‘Bless Israel [ethnic Israel] or you will be cursed.’ are being being used to seduce many away from the truth. I refuse to be condemned by such talk because I know that Jesus Christ is the only timepiece that I need to be concerned about, and it is not what I do with Israel but it is what Israel [and everyone else] does with the person of Jesus Christ.

The whole prophetic Word of God will point you in the direction of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle and Temple sacrifices were merely prophetic types and shadows of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. The Passover blood was a type of Jesus the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. [John 1:29] The Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur-the Day of covering] was another type of the blood sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. In fact the very veil in the Temple, where the High Priest would enter on that day, was torn in two from top to bottom by a supernatural act of God at the exact moment that Christ died! [Matthew 27:51] In fact the promise that God had given to Abraham stretches to the whole world and not to the small portion known as Israel today:

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)

Who Is The Israel Of God?

The key to understanding the whole matter of Israel is to understand the truth that there has always been an Israel within Israel.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9)

Every person who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be blessed with faithful Abraham. True believers from every nation in the world are included in this promise.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)

Do not miss this because this verse shows us that Christ was the promised seed [descendant] and it was through Christ [Jesus] that the rest of the nations of the world would be blessed. If a person does not receive this promised seed, who is Jesus Christ, then it is very obvious that they are not included along with faithful Abraham.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

The passage above tells us that there is absolutely no difference between the Jew and the Greek [meaning Gentile] and it shows us that we are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The passage also tells us that if a person belongs to Christ then they are Abraham’s seed [spiritual descendant].The apostle Paul made it clear that it was the spiritual circumcision of the heart that made a person a true Jew:

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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. (Romans 2:28-29)

The same apostle Paul made the following statement:Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:6-8)

Does that mean that God has forsaken the Jewish people? Absolutely not! [Romans 11:1-5] But what it does mean is that the Jewish people must come through the same door of salvation as the rest of the world because there is no other way to be saved.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

There is no everlasting covenant for those who reject Jesus Christ. If you do not want Christ then you are still in your sins and the scriptures make that ever so clear. There is no longer a Jewish Tabernacle, nor is there a Jewish Temple and it is only the BLOOD that can atone for sin. [Leviticus 17:11] Jesus spoke those words to the Jewish people of His time and those words still stand true today:

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I [Jesus] am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he [the Christ = Messiah], ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:23-24)

True Believers Are Looking For A Heavenly City

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Abraham was not looking for a piece of property in the Middle East but he was looking for a Heavenly city where God was the builder.

Question: If Father Abraham and all of the other pillars of faith were looking for a Heavenly city and country, shouldn’t we also be looking for that same heavenly city and country if we claim to be His spiritual descendants?

But ye are come unto mount Sion [Zion], and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22-23)The Lord Jesus Christ has the final word about everything and all judgment has been committed to Him. [John 5:22] The words from the passages below were spoken by Christ after He had risen from the dead and those same words still stand true today:And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ [Messiah] to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47)

And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

What will it be for you? Salvation or Damnation? Heaven or Hell? Everlasting Life or Everlasting Death?

TETZEL, LUTHER AND THE SALVATION OF SOULS!

John Tetzel worked as a fundraiser for the Roman Catholic Church during the time when
Martin Luther lived. Tetzel would go through the villages of Germany selling indulgences with
the approval of the Roman Pope, with the Papal Document (Bull) being carried also. An iron
chest was also carried, which was for the contributions of the people. The people were
giving money so that their deceased relatives who were in Purgatory, might have their time
in that place shortened. Many peasants with little money, scraped up whatever they could to
help the cause of their loved ones.

John Tetzel would often repeat the phrase:

“As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from Purgatory springs”

The selling of indulgences by Tetzel infuriated Martin Luther, and this was a great incentive
for him and others in the “Protestant Reformation.”

The funds which were collected by Rome were used for the building of St. Peter’s Basilica which is pictured below.

In modern times, the Roman Catholic people continue to make donations for the purchase of Mass
cards, so that Catholic Masses might be said for their deceased relatives in Purgatory. If one were to
read the Bible they would not find even a hint of the Lord speaking about a place called
Purgatory. Jesus Himself said the following:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be SAVED. He that believeth on him is NOT CONDEMNED: but he that believeth not is CONDEMNED ALREADY, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

The deciding factor as to whether a person is CONDEMNED or NOT CONDEMNED is that persons decision regarding Jesus Christ. If a person has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then they are in a right standing before God, but if they reject the Son, then they are already CONDEMNED according to Jesus Christ Himself. In other words the person who was condemned, would not be able to reverse their position should they die in that condemned condition.

After Jesus Christ rose from the dead He continued to speak in similar terms:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that BELIEVETH and is baptized shall be SAVED; but he that believeth not shall be DAMNED. (Mark 16:15-16)

Once again, the Lord Jesus Christ makes it clear that it was a persons faith in Him which SAVED them. The UNBELIEVER once again is shown to be DAMNED. These are very serious words indeed, because they come from the Lord Jesus Christ, and they came after He had been butchered on the cross, and had risen from the DEAD!

But God commendeth HIS LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, CHRIST DIED FOR US. Much more then, being now JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, we shall be SAVED FROM WRATH through him. (Romans 5:8-9)

The Jewish apostle Paul, [former persecutor and murderer] said it very clearly in the verses above. Paul exalted the absolute LOVE of God, in sending His Son to die for US sinners. There is only ONE thing that can JUSTIFY any human being before a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS God, and that is the BLOOD, that JESUS CHRIST shed on the cross at Calvary. There is no special  AFTERLIFE plan, [including the Catholic Purgatory] that a person may hope for after they die. If the BLOOD of Jesus Christ cannot bring a person into a right relationship with Almighty God, then there is nothing else in this whole universe that will do it.

Jesus spoke about:

SALVATION and DAMNATION,

LIGHT and DARKNESS,

LIFE and DEATH,

HEAVEN and HELL

but He NEVER gave a hint about a person being purified after they die.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)

The beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that any person in the world, no matter the race, language, or country can be reconciled back to God because of what Jesus Christ did for us ALL on the cross.

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast SLAIN, and hast REDEEMED US TO GOD BY THY BLOOD out of  EVERY kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Revelation 5:9)

I encourage you to take the time to view this short mini video: Purgatory Falsehood!

ISRAEL AND THEIR REJECTION OF THE MESSIAH!!

One of the most heartbreaking scriptures that can be found in the Word of God is the following verse from the gospel according to Matthew. These words were spoken by the Lord Jesus Christ almost two thousand years ago.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. (Matthew 23:37-39)

Please read the words above carefully, and listen to what the creator of all things is saying. Jesus the Christ [Messiah] is telling the people of Israel that they had killed and stoned the prophets that were sent to them. Then Jesus went on to say that He often wanted to gather them under his wings, but they were not willing to come to Him. It is important to realize that Jesus was not just talking about His limited time here on earth, and His ministry to Israel during that time, but was talking about His ministry to them since their very inception. For it was the eternal Christ who sent the prophets such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel to warn the children of Israel for countless years to return unto Him and to amend their wicked ways. In the parable of the vineyard [Matthew 21:33-46] the Lord Jesus Christ spoke in similar terms when He described Israel as the husbandmen [gardeners] who stoned and killed the servants that were sent to them, including the Son of the householder [God] who is Christ. The servants were sent to gather the fruit from the field which the Householder [God] was expecting. The Lord then spoke this word to those Jewish religious leaders who stood before Him:

Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (Matthew 21:43)

STOP!

The Lord had declared that the kingdom would be taken from the Jewish people and given to a another nation which would bring forth the fruits which the Lord desired. That nation is the nation that Peter spoke about here:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

This holy nation is presently made up of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus Christ. Not only that but it is a spiritual nation and entrance into this nation is through Jesus Christ alone. Not only that but this nation can be called a spiritual Temple, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone, and every true believer are living stones in that very same Temple!

The Covenant Of Death Without Christ

The prophet Isaiah prophesied of Christ to the children of Israel in the following passage of scripture:

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves: Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (Isaiah 28:14-16)

To be out of covenant with the God who offers everlasting life is to have a covenant with death. That is what the prophet Isaiah was telling the children of Israel. The Jewish apostle Paul, who was formerly a severe persecutor and murderer of Christians, referred to that very same scripture when talking about those who followed the Lord by simple faith.

What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? [Why?] Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 9:30-33)

The apostle Paul tells us that the children of Israel were seeking the righteousness of God by their law keeping, but the Gentiles sought the very same Christ by faith and that was acceptable to God. Paul is referring to the very same verse from the prophet Isaiah. The apostle Peter referred to that same verse from Isaiah the prophet right here:

Ye also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion [Zion] a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1 Peter 2:5-6)

Israel And Their Rejection Of The Messiah

There are many people (perhaps billions) who do not realize that Jesus Christ was the one sent, from the side of the Father in Heaven, to this earth at the time that was prophesied by the prophets. Also keep in mind that the Christ of the scriptures is greater than any of the prophets that have ever existed, because He is the very one who sent the prophets in the first place. When Jesus came to this earth He was rejected by His own people which of course is the Jewish people.

He [Jesus Christ] was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:10-12)

There can be no question that the people of Israel for the most part rejected Jesus Christ when He came to this earth. I remind you at this time that the word Christ means Messiah. When Jesus the Christ arrived on planet earth it was at the exact time that the prophets had said He would come. Let’s take a look at some of the incredible prophecies regarding Christ right now:

The prophecy of the everlasting one to be born in Bethlehem by Micah the prophet. [Micah 5:2] was fulfilled when Christ was born [Matthew 2:6]

The prophecy of a virgin giving birth to Immanuel [God with us] by Isaiah the prophet [Isaiah 7:14] was fulfilled when Christ was born of a virgin. [Matthew 1:18-23]

The prophecy of the death of Christ on the cross by Isaiah the prophet in [Isaiah 53:1-12] was fulfilled when Christ died on the cross. [Mark 15:28,Luke 22:37,1 Peter 2:24-25, 3:18, Acts 8:32]

For those of you who are new to the Bible these scripture references may be a bit confusing to you. For example if you see this reference [Isaiah 53:4-7] it means that you can turn to the table of contents in the Bible and find the book of Isaiah. After you find that book you can turn to chapter 53 and then go to verses 4 through 7 and you would find the following:

Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:4-7)

This particular prophecy was given approximately 700 years before Jesus the Christ [Messiah] died on the cross for sinners like me and you. It describes perfectly what the Lord did for us on the cross. He was wounded for our trangressions [sins] and He took our punishment upon Himself. He remained silent when He was beaten and finally killed as a lamb to the slaughter. That is why John the Baptist said this when he saw Jesus:

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

This is nothing less than incredible when you truly think about it, but such is the character of the awesome God that we serve.

What About Ethnic Israel?

There was a very interesting confrontation between Jesus and the Jewish leaders of His time because they were resting on the fact that they were the children of Israel, and declaring Abraham to be their father. Lets pick it up in the middle of the conversation here with Jesus speaking to them:

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed [descendants]; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. 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. 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. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 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. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 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. (John 8:36-44)

Jesus the Christ [Messiah] was not impressed with the geneaology of those that stood before Him. In fact he rebuked them for desiring to kill Him. He told them that they would have received Him, if in fact God was their Father, because God is the one who sent His Son to them! Jesus then went on to say that the devil was their Father!

John the Baptist was the person who was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and he said something similar regarding those who claimed Abraham as their Father:

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. (Matthew 3:7-9)

Most people believe that John was referring to the stones along the river where he was baptizing the people and that is probably correct. The main point that John was making here is that God is not impressed with any group of people, whether Jewish or Gentile. The focus will always be on Jesus the Christ [Messiah] and what you will do with Him.

The point that I make here is that this whole Gospel message is about Jesus Christ and not Israel. There is a mantra that is being preached in the land in these modern times, and phrases such as ‘Israel Is God’s Timepiece’ or ‘Bless Israel [ethnic Israel] or you will be cursed.’ are being being used to seduce many away from the truth. I refuse to be condemned by such talk because I know that Jesus Christ is the only timepiece that I need to be concerned about, and it is not what I do with Israel but it is what Israel [and everyone else] does with the person of Jesus Christ.

The whole prophetic Word of God will point you in the direction of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle and Temple sacrifices were merely prophetic types and shadows of the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. The Passover blood was a type of Jesus the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world. [John 1:29] The Day of Atonement [Yom Kippur-the Day of covering] was another type of the blood sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. In fact the very veil in the Temple, where the High Priest would enter on that day, was torn in two from top to bottom by a supernatural act of God at the exact moment that Christ died! [Matthew 27:51] In fact the promise that God had given to Abraham stretches to the whole world and not to the small portion known as Israel today:

For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)

Who Is The Israel Of God?

The key to understanding the whole matter of Israel is to understand the truth that there has always been an Israel within Israel.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9)

Every person who has put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is said to be blessed with faithful Abraham. True believers from every nation in the world are included in this promise.

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16)

Do not miss this because this verse shows us that Christ was the promised seed [descendant] and it was through Christ [Jesus] that the rest of the nations of the world would be blessed. If a person does not receive this promised seed, who is Jesus Christ, then it is very obvious that they are not included along with faithful Abraham.

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

The passage above tells us that there is absolutely no difference between the Jew and the Greek [meaning Gentile] and it shows us that we are all children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. The passage also tells us that if a person belongs to Christ then they are Abraham’s seed [spiritual descendant].The apostle Paul made it clear that it was the spiritual circumcision of the heart that made a person a true Jew:

For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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. (Romans 2:28-29)

The same apostle Paul made the following statement:Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect.

For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:6-8)

Does that mean that God has forsaken the Jewish people? Absolutely not! [Romans 11:1-5] But what it does mean is that the Jewish people must come through the same door of salvation as the rest of the world because there is no other way to be saved.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12)

There is no everlasting covenant for those who reject Jesus Christ. If you do not want Christ then you are still in your sins and the scriptures make that ever so clear. There is no longer a Jewish Tabernacle, nor is there a Jewish Temple and it is only the BLOOD that can atone for sin. [Leviticus 17:11] Jesus spoke those words to the Jewish people of His time and those words still stand true today:

And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I [Jesus] am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he [the Christ = Messiah], ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:23-24)

True Believers Are Looking For A Heavenly City

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:8-10)

Abraham was not looking for a piece of property in the Middle East but he was looking for a Heavenly city where God was the builder.

Question: If Father Abraham and all of the other pillars of faith were looking for a Heavenly city and country, shouldn’t we also be looking for that same heavenly city and country if we claim to be His spiritual descendants?

But ye are come unto mount Sion [Zion], and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22-23)The Lord Jesus Christ has the final word about everything and all judgment has been committed to Him. [John 5:22] The words from the passages below were spoken by Christ after He had risen from the dead and those same words still stand true today:And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ [Messiah] to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:44-47)

And he [Jesus the Messiah] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15-16)

What will it be for you? Salvation or Damnation? Heaven or Hell? Everlasting Life or Everlasting Death?