Israel, an Ensign (sign) to the Natons

Israel, an ensign or sign to the nations—can such a thing be?  Jehovah God says through His prophet Zechariah 12:2 & 3:  “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling.  Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.  On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all nations.   All who try to move it will injure themselves.  On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.”

How close we are to the realization of such events is a matter of some conjecture.  Israel must doubtless suffer many things before the full realization of this promise, but that it should be a promise from God on Israel’s behalf is what’s noteworthy.

Progressively the nations of the earth will come against Israel—first in the battle of “Gog and Magog” with Russia leading the alliance and then finally all the nations of the earth will be assembled against Israel in the Valley of Megiddo.   This will be a battle to end all battles, in fact, for 1,000 years there will not be another battle.

Meanwhile, Jerusalem (Israel) sits there like a rock as does the Lord of the ages in terms of His relationship with the nations of the earth—He will not be moved.  Whatever attempts may be made to write Him out of all aspects of a nations’ life will come to naught, witness the futile efforts of the former Soviet Union to this end, with the consequent result that the offending nation is frequently destroyed.

But Russia has not learned its lesson.  Putin thinks he can restore the “glories” (?) of ancient Russia by leading an alliance against Israel in the Battle of “Gog and Magog”.  The consequence of that battle should about put an end to all hopes of Russia’s again becoming an international power, if not destroy her altogether.

The Real Issue.  Attempts to get at Israel, and ultimately to destroy her, is an unarticulated attempt to destroy God Himself.  When Messiah (Jesus the Christ) came nearly 2,000 years ago, He came to Israel.  The next time He comes will be for Israel.  The eternal enemy of Israel and the Church well knows this and all he need do is destroy Israel to frustrate the purposes of God.  Unwittingly, the nations of the earth become party to this process, but God will not have it.  His displeasure will be manifest against the nations in One Day—there will be no mercy.  Thus, to go against Israel is, ultimately, to go against God Himself.

This is not to say that all Israel does is right—hardly.  But it is to say that her destiny is inextricably woven into the purposes of God as attested repeatedly in the Bible.  So, ought we to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in order that God’s ultimate purposes prevail.

The Power of the Changed Life

The power of the changed life is still the greatest demonstration of God’s power.  The Bible says, “Therefore if any man (person) be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17).

What Jesus Christ offers us, when we come to Him with a heart of genuine repentance, is a new life.  The power of this newness of life is awesome.  This is a radical contrast to attempts at self-improvement and self-reformation which require enormous amounts of energy and ultimately end in futility, because, in every instance, the problem is one’s “self”.

When one comes to Jesus Christ in repentance, it isn’t a matter of patiently and methodically re-working one’s self, it’s a matter of becoming a “new” person, actually being “born again” of the Spirit of God.  The newness of life springs out of the Spirit of God now within and it is not a matter of trying to reform anything—it’s a matter of surrendering to the Spirit of God within.  Points of struggle for the new-born Christian come, not because of inability to perform what God is asking, but rather a selfish hanging on to some counter-productive habit from the previous lifestyle.

Would persons who have their wits about them genuinely want to opt for a lifestyle where they are forever struggling to “better themselves”, or would they rather surrender to the “Spirit of God” who immediately sets them free to become that for which they were created? 

The choice is ours.

 

The Power of Jesus' Words

“For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot (miniscule Hebrew letter markings) will pass from the law until all is accomplished” (New Testament Book of the Bible, Matthew 5:18, Revised Standard Version).  Here Jesus spoke a simple, magnificent statement:  so unassuming, so powerful, so enduring and, by faith, we must conclude, so true.

Others have taken a shot at perpetuating their actions and their words, only to have the dust of the ages bury their memorials.

But Jesus, Whom John declared to be the “Eternal Word”, spoke a word and it prevails.  Jesus said, in effect, “God’s Word would not pass away until all its provisions had been accomplished in their absolute entirety.”  And there are some specifics to the accomplishing of God’s Word (See New Testament Book of the Bible, Matthew, chapter 24).

Sensing afresh the eternal nature of God’s Word may be part of what’s driving Christians to get more serious about the study of the Bible.  There’s also a parallel truth.  As we seek to know and do  God’s Word He prepares us to face difficult times.  And there’s no better preparation for difficult times than a thorough knowledge of God’s Word.

Finally, that “Word” which is imperishable, as it becomes incarnate in our lives also makes us imperishable.  Why not get good at our mastery of the Word?  One of the things that will make you to be a “blessed person” is to “. . .delight in the law of the Lord, and in His law. . .meditate day and night” (Old Testament Book of the of the Bible, Psalms 1:2).

Powerful Choices

During the American Civil War an officer once came to General Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters (head of the Union forces) and called his attention to the vast expenditure of money involved in an order he had given, and asked him if he was sure he was right.  “No,” said Grant, “I am not; but in war anything is better than indecision.  We must decide.  If I am wrong, we shall soon find it out, and can do the other thing.  But not to decide wastes both time and money, and may ruin everything” (Ulysses S. Grant on Leadership by John A. Barnes).

Quick and powerful decision has been the gateway to success in every field of life.  Joshua told the Children of Israel when they were wavering in their religious allegiance, “If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve” (Old Testament Book of the Bible, Joshua 24:15a).  He then laid out the options and concluded his exhortation, “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15b).

If it seem indelicate to choose for “you and your household,” be assured you are yet making a very clear choice.  Alleged inability to make up one’s mind is a very clear choice to do nothing.  From there consequences issue.  And perhaps this is the most critical point about decision-making, its consequences.  The plain fact of the matter is we’d rather not face them.  But like it or not, consequences result from every choice.

For those who still doubt the claims of “decision by indecision,” listen to what Jesus said about the matter:  “He who is not with Me is against Me” (New Testament Book of the Bible, Matthew 12:30a).  That puts many people in America and several in Canada against Him Who is Lord of the Universe.

If you’ve chosen against the Lord of Glory, by default, and would like to reverse that choice and choose for Him, be assured He is ready to receive you.  Here’s the invitation:  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out” (New Testament Book, John 6:37).  One is not to dilly-dally about this decision—make your choice now and act on it!

The Apostle Paul said, “behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (New Testament Book, II Corinthians 6:2b).

"Birth Pangs" a Pattern for Restoration

As far from the biblical ideal of what the Church presently ought to be, it’s perhaps difficult to conceive that 498 years ago it was dismally worse off.  It was in the clutches of an unbiblical “priesthood”—here we’re speaking of the New Testament Church for which there is absolutely no provision for a “priesthood”--except that exercised by the risen Lord.  From the birth of the Church “offices”(see Biblical New Testament Book, Ephesians 4:11-16) were put in place that would provide for its equipping to the end that it would mature, multiply and be a winsome thing in all the earth.

By the time of Martin Luther all these “offices” (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors & teachers) had disappeared from the Church.  But God had a plan to restore all these offices to the church so that their full implementation would hasten the coming of Jesus Christ.  But from the human perspective the restoration of these “offices” would be neither swift nor easy—their restoration would be something in the order of “birth pangs”, see Matthew 24:8.   First, the birth pangs would be far apart and less traumatic.  Then they start coming closer in frequency and intensity.  Unescapable is the fact that once the pangs begin, delivery is inevitable.

Consider what violence (birth pangs) the last 498 years have witnessed.  Along with the concept of “Priesthood of All Believers” and “Justification by Faith”, Martin Luther was used to reestablish the ministry “office” of “Pastor” in 1517 A.D.

About 250 years after Martin Luther came the “Evangelical Awakening” spear-headed by John and Charles Wesley and George Whitfield with its emphasis on “Know-so Salvation”, “Holiness of Life”, and the re-establishment of the ministry “office” of the Evangelist.

Near 1900, about 125 years after the “Evangelical Awakening”, came birth of the Pentecostal Movement with its emphasis upon “signs and wonders” and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with “speaking in tongues”.

On May 14, 1948, Israel was re-established as a nation, of itself eloquent testimony to the faithfulness of God, but in the Church a great “healing revival” was begun, the most notable proponent being Oral Roberts.  Billy Graham and Derek Prince also launched their ministries at this time.  All are “order changing” events.

By 1957 the “Charismatic Renewal” caught the church world, both Roman Catholic & Protestant, by surprise.  This movement liberated the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit from the confines of the Pentecostal movement into mainline denominations and the Roman Catholic Church.

In 1967 Israel re-captured the Old City of David, bringing to mind the prophetic words of Jesus:  “And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Biblical Book of Luke 21:24).  In the “natural” this was an event almost as dramatic as the founding of the nation itself in 1948.  In the “spirit” this possibly signaled the release of the ministry “offices” of the prophet & apostle.

By the 80’s we began to hear more often about the ministry office of “Prophet” and the need for the Church to “set its house in order”.

By the 90’s the ministry office of “Apostle” began to emerge.  It has been said that the ministry “offices" have been restored in the reverse order of their being lost.  Even now each ministry “office” is not necessarily received throughout the Church.  Could it be that this is what the Church awaits, the re-establishment of what are frequently called the "5-fold" ministry giftings? Would this not precipitate "kingdom of God" ministry that would usher in revival?                                                                     

Since the founding of the nation of Israel in 1948, room must be provided for “Messianic Jews” to make their contribution to the full re-establishment of God's purposes and return of Jesus Christ.  It’s necessary all Christians realize that the loss of Messianic Jewish believers was one of the first tragedies that struck the Church.  Their restoration to power and influence in the Church will be one of the most dramatic features signaling the return of Jesus Christ.  Messianic Jewish ministries are now spreading their wings and let established “believers” pray for the increase of their numbers and God’s anointing upon them.

The purposes of God in the Church yet await fulfillment.

The Cost of Discipleship

It’s significant that the word for “witness” in the Biblical New Testament comes from the same root word as “martyr” (martureo).  To be a witness for, or, a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly business.

In every era and place a certain amount of courage (measured in cost) is needed to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself said, “If any man (person) will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross (pay the cost) daily and follow me” (Biblical book of the New Testament, Luke 9:27).  Outer and physical costs vary with time and location; inner and spiritual cost is always the same—the denial of “self” (i.e., the “me, my, mine” principle), frequently spoken of as “crucifixion”.

In every area of the world where the church is growing mightily:  First it was China, now Japan, Iran (and many of the Muslim nations), Nigeria, South Africa and in most other nations of the world save the “western world” and America in particular, followers of Jesus Christ pay a high cost for their “witness”.

 The corollary seems to be:  the higher the cost for one’s “witness”, the greater the vitality and growth of the church.  Correspondingly, in the western world, perceived costs are not so high, hence the stagnation of the church.  If your faith in Jesus Christ does not at least cause moments of awkwardness, whether on the job, within your larger family, or, the community where you live, you probably need to re-examine the foundations of your faith.  If Jesus stayed in “hot water”, mainly with religious authorities, for walking as the Father would have Him walk, doesn’t common wisdom suggest His contemporary followers would be in for more of the same?

A "Balanced" View of Jesus

Too narrow a view of God in Christ can cause us to miss Him altogether.  This was the affliction of the Jews who were contemporaries to Jesus.  One of the greatest of their prophets, Isaiah, had presented the picture of a Messiah Who was both a “suffering servant” and a “conquering king”.

When you are seeking to be set free from the hard heel of the Roman Empire, as the Jews were in Jesus’ day, you run past the “suffering servant” and embrace the “conquering king” aspect.  What the Jews did not realize, and are still largely ignorant of to this day, is that their Messiah would come first as a “Suffering Servant” and a second time, as a “Conquering King”.

Too narrow a view in the opposite direction can cause those who ought to know better, namely many in the Church, to miss the Messiah a second time.  So, when you recount with warmth the story of the Babe of Bethlehem, temper those warm, fuzzy thoughts with the notion that that Babe will one day return as a mighty, Conquering King, even the “Lion of Judah”.  To not make allowance for this and to factor it into one’s expectation is to commit the greatest of follies.

It's Critical Jesus Be Recognized King of the Jews

From the wise men who came seeking Jesus to Pilate who presided over His trial, Jesus was the King of the Jews.  Yet, as Herod, upon Jesus’ birth, and all those in ruling authority, from Temple authorities to representatives of the Roman Empire at Jesus’ death, reject His kingship over the Jews, so does much of the Church to this day!

This issue of “kingship” is of critical concern for all mankind, but to the Jews in particular.  Concern about it prompted the very last question Jesus’ disciples asked Him before His ascension, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel” (Biblical Book of Acts, Chpt. 1, verse 6)?

If Jesus were ever going to rebuke the disciples for a too narrow, parochial view, this would have been the time to do so, instead “. . .He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority’” (Book of Acts, Chpt. 1, verse 7).

Here’s what’s critical about Jesus’ kingship over the Jews:  Groups of Christians who do not acknowledge Jesus’ current Kingship over the Jews, claim His kingship for themselves with the result they build walls about their group excluding all others.  This is exactly what the people of Israel had mistakenly done for most of their existence prior to the coming of Jesus.  Isaiah was warning the Jews against a narrow parochialism when he declared, speaking for the Lord, “. . .For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations” (Biblical Book of Isaiah, Chpt.56,  verse 7b).

To rightly acknowledge Jesus as the King of the Jews is to recognize His authority over all peoples.