AN INTERESTING LETTER THAT MIGHT HELP SOME SEEKERS
Is there a common ground of faith on which a faithful Jew today and a true Christian might meet? It could only be on the promises of God, the love of God, and in the hope for all mankind. If one cares not for the other and closes the door, then there is no hope among us of unity in the one Creator-God.
True Christianity has no quarrel with the biblical Old Testament, Israel's history, and the teaching of the prophets. Remember, the prophets spoke of the coming of the anointed one ---the Messiah (note Isaiah). The faithful believers in God must ask what it is they are looking for today. We must have the assurance of salvation lest we die under judgment and face condemnation ---religion does not save, but only the Messiah (Jesus, the Christ). That hope is only by God's Word, not religion and tradition.
The writer would like to set forth an understanding and some questions to consider, and then just leave the matter for conscience sake. An honest person should cry to God in secret to teach him what is true, even laying aside preconceived religious thoughts. The Christian nations ought to seek the good of Israel for God's honor, and true and faithful Christians need to show forth the hope of Israel in Jesus Christ. It remains for Israel to decide if they will close that door.
The Almighty God is more than a Creator, for He is a Savior God for mankind (see Isaiah 45:22). He made Israel a special people unto Him, and when they continued to reject Him He scattered them for a time, and sent forth the grace of God also to the Gentile world. It wasn't the first time God blessed Gentile people when Israel failed to appreciate Him. The Gentiles also have precious souls that need to be saved ---all men need the salvation of God for their sins and fallen nature from Genesis 2 & 3.
The Scripture clearly shows Israel became a rebellious people against their God, as the Prophets warned, and God delivered them into bondage and dispersion. It is even doubtful that all can trace their lineage to a tribe today. There were faithful Jews who did not rebel, but the leadership turned the nation away. It has been so ever since. God allowed a remnant to return to the land, and through Judah God brought forth their Deliverer as He intended from the beginning. Jesus said unto the Jews: "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).
Two things hindered the Jews from receiving their promised Messiah, I see. He did not come as a great King in power and as a conqueror, but as a meek and gentle Lamb; and He did not embrace the self-exalted Jewish leadership. He was seen as a threat to their religious empire and high position of privilege and wealth. Though many of the common Jews received Jesus Christ as Lord and believed, the leaders persuaded the people in general and the Roman government to kill Him. Of course He had power to prevent that, but He willingly laid down His life to be that sacrificial Lamb of God, and bear away the sins of all who would believe (see Isaiah 53 about that). Surely we all agree that the sacrificial animals of old were only a covering of sins before God, until the true Sacrifice came to put away sin. Well, dear ones, many of us know He has come! Only the sinless One of God could bear our sins away and cleanse us. Sinful man could never cleanse himself by his religious works. Isaiah said: "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
It is quite apparent to any student of the history that Jesus --the Christ, came forth in fulfillment of all prophecy ---from His birth, in His circumstances, in His life, and in His teachings. Many of the early day Jews saw for themselves and believed, but the vail has been kept in place for succeeding generations. In a day to come "One (of Israel) shall say unto Him, what are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech.13:6). There you have the real sacrifice fortold.
It could not be expected that a Jew would turn from his teachings and traditions, unless he came to understand God's full plan and ways for Israel. It is a plan that goes much beyond what that religion teaches today. Prophecy of old shows us that a small remnant from each tribe will repent and be restored, to make Israel an earthly people forever in a renewed and perfect world, but the mass of Israel will be condemned. I hope you will not continue with the mass. We only have a little while here in this day of grace for salvation.
Presently Israel has no sacrifice (which is required), for they reject the Christ of God who came 2,000 years ago. Yet, today both Jew and Gentile may come to the Savior of sinners and receive Him as the true blood sacrifice, and enter into the joy and assurance of eternal blessing. It requires one to be open and honest, and to go into their "closet", as God says, and yield to Him. Please read all of the Gospel by John in the Bible, and especially note John 5:39-40.
- Sincerely in Christ, Robert L. DeWitt: from Biblecounsel.net - 12/97
One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources . One should always test it by the Word of God (see Deut.18:15-18; Psalm 22; Isa.9:6; Isa.53; Zech.13:6; Matt.1:18-23; Matt.22:41-46; Luke 1:26-35; John 9:53-59; John 20; etc.). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on our state of soul. This paper is prepared with much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome. -RLD
AN OPEN LETTER TO JEWISH FRIENDS
Dear Pilgrims: Is there a common ground of faith on which a faithful Jew today and a true Christian might meet? It could only be on the promises of God, the love of God, and in the hope for all mankind. If one cares not for the other and closes the door, then there is no hope among us of unity in the one Creator-God.
True Christianity has no quarrel with the biblical Old Testament, Israel's history, and the teaching of the prophets. Remember, the prophets spoke of the coming of the anointed one ---the Messiah (note Isaiah). The faithful believers in God must ask what it is they are looking for today. We must have the assurance of salvation lest we die under judgment and face condemnation ---religion does not save, but only the Messiah (Jesus, the Christ). That hope is only by God's Word, not religion and tradition.
The writer would like to set forth an understanding and some questions to consider, and then just leave the matter for conscience sake. An honest person should cry to God in secret to teach him what is true, even laying aside preconceived religious thoughts. The Christian nations ought to seek the good of Israel for God's honor, and true and faithful Christians need to show forth the hope of Israel in Jesus Christ. It remains for Israel to decide if they will close that door.
The Almighty God is more than a Creator, for He is a Savior God for mankind (see Isaiah 45:22). He made Israel a special people unto Him, and when they continued to reject Him He scattered them for a time, and sent forth the grace of God also to the Gentile world. It wasn't the first time God blessed Gentile people when Israel failed to appreciate Him. The Gentiles also have precious souls that need to be saved ---all men need the salvation of God for their sins and fallen nature from Genesis 2 & 3.
The Scripture clearly shows Israel became a rebellious people against their God, as the Prophets warned, and God delivered them into bondage and dispersion. It is even doubtful that all can trace their lineage to a tribe today. There were faithful Jews who did not rebel, but the leadership turned the nation away. It has been so ever since. God allowed a remnant to return to the land, and through Judah God brought forth their Deliverer as He intended from the beginning. Jesus said unto the Jews: "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me" (John 5:39).
Two things hindered the Jews from receiving their promised Messiah, I see. He did not come as a great King in power and as a conqueror, but as a meek and gentle Lamb; and He did not embrace the self-exalted Jewish leadership. He was seen as a threat to their religious empire and high position of privilege and wealth. Though many of the common Jews received Jesus Christ as Lord and believed, the leaders persuaded the people in general and the Roman government to kill Him. Of course He had power to prevent that, but He willingly laid down His life to be that sacrificial Lamb of God, and bear away the sins of all who would believe (see Isaiah 53 about that). Surely we all agree that the sacrificial animals of old were only a covering of sins before God, until the true Sacrifice came to put away sin. Well, dear ones, many of us know He has come! Only the sinless One of God could bear our sins away and cleanse us. Sinful man could never cleanse himself by his religious works. Isaiah said: "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).
It is quite apparent to any student of the history that Jesus --the Christ, came forth in fulfillment of all prophecy ---from His birth, in His circumstances, in His life, and in His teachings. Many of the early day Jews saw for themselves and believed, but the vail has been kept in place for succeeding generations. In a day to come "One (of Israel) shall say unto Him, what are these wounds in Thine hands? Then He shall answer, those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends" (Zech.13:6). There you have the real sacrifice fortold.
It could not be expected that a Jew would turn from his teachings and traditions, unless he came to understand God's full plan and ways for Israel. It is a plan that goes much beyond what that religion teaches today. Prophecy of old shows us that a small remnant from each tribe will repent and be restored, to make Israel an earthly people forever in a renewed and perfect world, but the mass of Israel will be condemned. I hope you will not continue with the mass. We only have a little while here in this day of grace for salvation.
Presently Israel has no sacrifice (which is required), for they reject the Christ of God who came 2,000 years ago. Yet, today both Jew and Gentile may come to the Savior of sinners and receive Him as the true blood sacrifice, and enter into the joy and assurance of eternal blessing. It requires one to be open and honest, and to go into their "closet", as God says, and yield to Him. Please read all of the Gospel by John in the Bible, and especially note John 5:39-40.
- Sincerely in Christ, Robert L. DeWitt: from Biblecounsel.net - 12/97
One will hear teaching and diverse ministry along our pathway from many sources . One should always test it by the Word of God (see Deut.18:15-18; Psalm 22; Isa.9:6; Isa.53; Zech.13:6; Matt.1:18-23; Matt.22:41-46; Luke 1:26-35; John 9:53-59; John 20; etc.). Whether it is profitable often depends, too, on our state of soul. This paper is prepared with much care and prayer to be a help and honor the Lord. Comments and questions are welcome. -RLD
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