Who should we bow down to – God or Jesus, or are they one…

Isa 45:22  Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.
Isa 45:23  I have sworn by Myself, the Word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Php 2:9  Because of this also God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every name,
Php 2:10  that at the name of Jesus "every knee should bow," of heavenly ones, and earthly ones, and ones under the earth,
Php 2:11  and "every tongue should confess" that Jesus Christ is "Lord," to the glory of God the Father. Isa. 45:23

Filed under: Christianity, Hebrew, Judaism, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment

Word – Logos…

This is good. It is a study about The Deity of Christ by David Hocking. I found it at Blue Letter Bible Institute Library, which has very good teachings on a number of biblical themes.

I am currently studying the Word and who that Word actually is. During my research I have found this pdf file to be most useful and clearly biblical. You may want to check it out too…

 

The Deity of Christ – Session 5 Christology – David Hocking 12

First of all, John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word.” Now the word for “word” is logos in Greek. Now logos is a common English word referring to the study of something. Archaeology has logos in the end. Christology, has logos in the end—the study of Christ. So that little logos or “-ology” on the end of English words, is referring to the study of something. In ancient times the logos was a revelation. That is, a display, a putting on display, expressing it so that we can see it. That is very interesting because when John wrote, he certainly wrote with the cultural background of those words that he used.

When he said, “In the beginning was the logos.” They would not immediately think of Jesus because they would be thinking of God. “In the beginning was when God started revealing.” That is the way Barashesh, or Genesis, begins. “In the beginning God created.” And that was a revelation of the glory of God.

Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare or reveal the glory of God.”

So when you read in the beginning was the Word, was the revelation, everyone would go, “Oh yes, yes. You mean the creation. That revealed the nature and power of God.” But now here is what else it says: “And the logos was with God.” Now at that point, you would have to stop and think about what was just said. Actually it is the word pros in Greek—the word meaning “toward.” It can tend to mean “face to face.” What we have here is a statement of equality. Now the person hearing this would have heard, “In the beginning was the revelation of God.” Then they would have heard the next statement, “And this revelation was facing God.” It was in equality with God. Now, that would be impossible for the Jewish mind to apprehend and comprehend, because the created is never to be identified with the Creator. If the first phrase refers to the revelation of the universe, which reveals who God is (which it certainly could), then the second statement therefore, could not make any sense because you cannot have the revelation of that universe on an equal basis with the one who created it. In fact, that is the root of all idolatry. In Romans 1 it says that man worships the creature rather than the Creator. Let me put it another way. God is never to be identified with that which He created.

Filed under: Christianity, Hebrew, Judaism, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment

Echad = Oneness

אחד
‘echâd

A numeral from H258; properly united, that is, one; or (as an ordinal) first: – a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any (-thing), apiece, a certain [dai-] ly, each (one), + eleven, every, few, first, + highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together.

Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one [echad]!

Does this say there is more than one God? No, He is “oneness” but the word is “echad”, it’s a plural oneness. It is the same oneness when Adam and Eve become one flesh. (Gen. 2:24), you shall become “echad”; the two become one. And a third person is procreated, there is one in three, there is three in one. We are made in His image and likeness. Yes, there is one God but there is more than one person. [source]

Since God is referred to as "echad" in the same way as man and woman are referred to as "echad" this heavily implies that the oneness of marriage reflects the oneness of God. [source]

Genesis 2:24 For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one [echad] flesh.

Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a child is born
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 44:6

"This is what the LORD says — Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
Apart from me there is no God."

Please cross reference this with Jesus’ words to John in Revelation 1:17-18

"Do not be afraid.
I am the First and the Last.
I am the Living One.
I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever."

Filed under: Christianity, Hebrew, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment

The Word was with God, the Word was…

Good question…

In the book of Isaiah Jehovah says, “I am God and there is no God other than Me”. (Is. 45:5) If there’s no God other than Jehovah, and there is no indefinite article – “a god” – in the Greek language (and in that text it’s not there), how can Jesus only be “a god” if there’s only one God? That is the question. I’ve never been able to find somebody who could answer.

"Five Questions if Your’e A Jehovah’s Witness" – How Can Jesus Be an Angel? (page 2 of 7)

Filed under: Christianity, Hebrew, Philosophy & Religion, Religion, Theology, discernment

Is Israel God’s unfinished business?

Not sure if you know this, but Calvin L Smith has his own personal blog and has been busily putting together many posts on the subject that interests him at the moment. That interest is about Israel and her prophetic role for today. He also does an excellent job in discussing the New Supersessionists in his book which you can find HERE.

Anyway, he has written quite a few posts on this often heated debate regarding Israel and is just itching for some feedback!

In this particular post he starts with the historical Church and her reaction to 2nd century Judaism…

The Church’s reaction to anti-Christian Judaism in the second century caused it to emphasise some aspects of the canonical narrative at the expense of others. In short, the New Testament was elevated and the Old Testament relegated. Naturally, this demotion of the Jewish Scriptures also downgraded the theological importance of Israel, which features so prominently in the Old Testament. Soulen refers to this relegation of Israel as “structural supercessionism” (supercessionism, also known as replacement theology, is the theological position which argues that the Church has superceded Israel as the people of God). Soulen also identifies other forms of supercessionism (economic and punitive) in his book.

[…]My own position focuses on and traces the Jewish people as a biblical theology theme, rather than the land. As such, this focus on people not land permits me, theoretically at least, to entertain the possibility of exchanging some land for peace. [source]

I have been over to his site to comment that is waiting for approval, but I have to ask him…

So, I am wondering if you [Calvin] think that the current gathering of Jews into Israel the land is not currently fulfilling biblical prophecy? Or are they being gathered in unbelief ready to be judged because of their unbelief?

The way I see it, they have been returning to their promised land for a purpose, not because they deserve it. Perhaps that purpose is to drive them back to Mosaic Judaism which in turn will teach them about the fulfilment found only in their Messiah Jesus. The judgement of their unbelief is outlined in Zech 13:

Zec 13:7  "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who stands next to me," declares the LORD of hosts. "Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered; I will turn my hand against the little ones.
Zec 13:8  In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive.
Zec 13:9  And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.’"

On a side note in verse 7 the ESV says that God will turn His hand against the little ones… yet in other translations it says "upon" a big difference depending on how you read it.

Anyway, I think that the Hand of God is "upon" these little ones, perhaps referring to those who are the true Israel, the remnant.

Not sure?

After the fire and persecution/judgement it does say that they will call upon God’s name and they will be His people and He will be their God.

This is when All Israel will be saved, right?

I can’t wait for him to answer and perhaps then I can try and understand the prophetic time table more!

Have your own say, and make sure you read his post to find exactly where Calvin is coming from. Here’s his post called: Consulation Paper: A Christian View of Israel

Cheers

Vee

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

The Great Return of the Remnant…

Scott Brisk has put together an important “Be Alert” which shows us that biblical prophecy is being fulfilled right before our very eyes. He has found so many articles and links showing that the Jewish people are being drawn together.

But we have to realise that the purpose of them being drawn together is so that they will believe their Messiah in whom they have long awaited for is in fact Yeshua/Jesus Christ.

Before this happens though, they must be brought back into their land to be judged. That time is called Jacob’s trouble…

Isa 11:10-12  And it shall come to pass in that day, that the root of Jesse, that standeth for an ensign of the peoples, unto him shall the nations seek; and his resting-place shall be glorious. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord will set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, that shall remain, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And he will set up an ensign for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Jer 30:3-9  For, lo, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will turn again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith Jehovah; and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that Jehovah spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith Jehovah: We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child: wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds; and strangers shall no more make him their bondman; but they shall serve Jehovah their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

So, you may want to check out all of what Scott has brought together. To do so see HERE.

Here’s just a little bit of Scott’s intro to the “Alert”…

The title of this alert comes from a commentary by Nick Cohen published back in February called “Hatred is turning me into a Jew”. This commentary appears about half way down this edition of Be Alert!
What struck me immediately when reading this is how The Word of The LORD is coming true and so few know or understand it. Through the worldwide hatred of the Jewish People, God is drawing them together, back to their heritage and back to their land. God prophesied all this thousands of years ago in intricate details. Now more Jewish People are coming to believe in their Messiah Yeshua than ever before. Indeed, they need to before the time of Jacob’s trouble when the Bible tells us that two thirds of all Jewish people will be killed before Christ returns. This is terrible but the truth that must be told.
Indeed His return is very near.
Additionally, our president, our country and increasingly much of the church are turning against Israel. This is something the Lord does not take lightly and judgment has always come upon those who have turned against Israel.

We are indeed living in those days that Christ spoke about, just before His return. Let us keep close to His Word, and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and that His ancient people receive their Yeshua  as their Messiah.

Just quickly, for any Jewish people who have come across this site, I have a couple of excellent links for you to read through…

• One Messiah: Two Comings

and…

• “Five Questions If You’re a Jew” by James Jacob Prasch

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Persecution, Christianity, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

A Muslim wants to rebuild the 3rd Temple – Huh?

This is just too important not to blog about. I am even going to RED FLAG this post!!!

A Muslim whose name is Adnan Oktar, who uses the pen name of Harun Yahya, is a controversial but highly influential Muslim intellectual and author with over 65 million of his books in circulation worldwide. Oktar recently met with three representatives from the re-established Jewish Sanhedrin, a group of 71 Orthodox rabbis and scholars from Israel, to discuss how religious Muslims, Jews and Christians can work together.

What was said is absolutely mind boggling…

Oktar has also stated that the Temple of Solomon "will be rebuilt and all believers will worship there in tranquility." During his meeting with the Sanhedrin rabbis, Oktar expressed his belief that the Temple could be rebuilt in one year:

It could be done in a year at most. It could be built to the same perfection and beauty. The Torah says it was built in 13 years, if I remember correctly. It could be rebuilt in a year in its perfect form.

And this too…!!!

The vision of God’s Holy Mountain may not be all that far off. The Obama administration has also suggested that Jerusalem could become an international city that would be shared by peoples from all three Abrahamic faiths.

Even the Knesset is getting in on the discussion. Members of the Israeli Knesset gathered together last week with several Jewish scholars to discuss the role of the Jewish Temple in Jewish life. Referring to those Muslims who do not acknowledge the Jewish history of the Temple Mount, Dr. Mordechai Keidar stated, "The struggle for Jerusalem is not territorial, it is theological. … Do we give in to the Muslim claim that Judaism is no longer relevant?"

Want to see an artistic interpretation of the 3rd temple…

• Check out the painting depicting the 3rd Temple along side the Dome of the Rock! It says the following about the painting…

The artistic image on the enclosed card depicts a rebuilt Jewish Temple in peaceful proximity to the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque and other existing Islamic and Christian shrines in Jerusalem, in fulfillment of the prophecy: “On that day God will be One and His Name One” (Zechariah 14:9)

Want to know about the vision behind it all…

• About the Vision…

This is a vision about transforming the Temple Mount from a place of contention to truly God’s Holy Mountain, a house of prayer for all people (Isaiah 56:7). It represents the prophecy of Zechariah 14:9 of the One God worshipped by the entire world in peace together.

Are you interested in how the Sanhedrin fits into all of this…

• How the Sanhedrin fit into this – in their own words!!!

From June 30 – July 3, 2009, representatives of the Jerusalem Court for Bnei Noah met with Mr. Adnan Oktar, also known as Harun Yahya. Two statements were prepared, one from the Jerusalem Court, one from Mr. Oktar

1) We have come here, at the gracious invitation of Mr. Adnan Oktar, otherwise known as Harun Yahya, to look for leadership in the Islamic community. Over the centuries there have rarely been sincere leaders who fought for truth and understanding and against corruption and disbelief. We have heard that Harun Yahya is leading an intellectual struggle against atheist ideologies to increase belief and end corruption and atheism in the world. We understand that together we are looking forward to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Zephania:
For then will I turn clear language to the Nations, that they may all call upon the name of G-d, to serve Him shoulder to shoulder.

 

The Bnei Noah rang alarm bells for me big time.

Why?

Because I have already blogged about them a while back and what I found out is almost impossible to believe! The Noahide Laws of the Bnei Noah allows for BEHEADING those who do not follow their seven laws!!! Does this sound vaguely familiar to you???

• Noahide Laws could be Global laws for all citizens of the World! 

…also documented the punishment for not following the Noahide Law, one of which is death by beheading. This is from the official Bnei Noah Site.

I too, have wondered about these laws and have found it interesting that the Temple has to be rebuilt in order for these laws to come into effect. For this to happen there is the problem of the Dome of the Rock. But this is not so much of a problem when you consider that the Dome of the Rock can stay just where it is, and be classed as the court of Gentiles according to Prof. Joseph Patrich who got back to me with an email and said this… It is outside the temple court, but still within the screen barring gentile entrance.

A MUST read alert. Once again coming from Scott Brisk Moriel Ministries.

The following is found on the Sanhedrin’s site:

• Adnan Oktar’s Meeting With Sanhedrin Rabbis (Islamic website) pictures and video
• Adnan Oktar’s "Union of Faiths" (Islamic website)
• Adnan Oktar’s meeting with Jewish Rabbis – Harun Yahya’s statement to Jews (Silentside.net)
• Sanhedrin Meeting With Harun Yahya – Joel’s Trumpet (July 7, 2009)
• Israeli Rabbi (not Sanhedrin) Calls For Turkish Mediation For Middle East Peace – Joel’s Trumpet (July 6, 2009)
• Sanhedrin Makes Link with Turkish Author to Oppose “The Unbelievers” – Bartholomew’s Notes on Religion (critical)

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Persecution, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Creation/Evolution, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, Hebrew, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, New World Order, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Red Flag Posts, Religion, The Strange, Theology, discernment, mysticism

Preparations to build the third temple alter begins!

As you may or may not know, the Temple Institute has already made several items for the Third Temple. Just google it and you will find a wealth of information.

Today I came across some more information about the Third Temple. The Temple Institute has begun to build the alter that will reside inside the Third Temple….

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.”
Revelation 11:1

Temple Altar Construction Begins on Day of Destruction

reprinted from Arutz 7

Av 9, 5769, 30 July 09

by Yehudah Lev Kay

The Temple Institute began work on the sacrificial altar Thursday, Tisha B’av, the day the Second Temple was destroyed almost 2,000 years ago.

The Temple Institute has already built several of the Temple vessels such as the Ark and the menorah, and has now embarked on an ambitious project to build the altar, which will ultimately measure 3 meters wide by 3 meters long and 2 meters tall.

During Thursday’s ceremony, which took place in Mitzpe Yericho just east of Jerusalem, the Temple Institute laid the cornerstone for the altar and demonstrated how tar will be used to cement the stones together. The Institute plans on bringing the altar to its proper place on the Temple Mount when the Temple is rebuilt.

“Today, Tisha B’av, is not just a time to mourn the destruction of the Temple,” said Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the head of the Temple Institute. “It is also a time to build.”

Rabbi Ariel thanked the more than 100 people who came to the event despite their fasting for Tisha B’Av, and despite the hot weather. The main force behind the construction of the altar, Yonaton Tzadok, was also on hand to explain why its stones were taken straight from the Dead Sea.

“The altar is supposed to represent going back to our roots, to the time of creation when everything was pure,” he said. “We took rocks from the Dead Sea, where it is likely that they were never touched by human hands.”

During the ceremony, many people who came to watch were surprised when they were invited to take part and pour tar onto the cornerstones. Rabbi Ariel first asked if there were any Kohanim (priests) in the crowd, and asked them start. When a woman requested to join in, Rabbi Ariel said “of course” and emphasized that women are commanded to build the Temple as well.

With the sun setting, Tzadok asked for volunteers to come back another day to help build the altar. “Carrying rocks and pouring tar is a lot of work,” he said. “We could use a few hundred people to help.” More information on the Temple Institute is available at http://www.templeinstitute.org/main.htm. [source]

Filed under: Apostasy, Christianity, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

Temple building — Jewish hopes vs Islamic vow — What does the bible say?

A statement by the Mufti in Jerusalem to thousands of Moslem children that there will never be a Jewish Temple on the Temple Mount is contradictory to Bible prophecy for the End Times.

As the controversy over the Temple Mount in Jerusalem intensifies, the Mufti, a high ranking Moslem cleric, Sheik Sabri, told up to ten thousand Moslem children recently gathered on the Temple Mount that they must defend Al Aqsa and never allow the Jews to rebuild their Temple on this sacred site. For the Mufti to tell thousands of Moslem children that the Jews must not be allowed to build a Temple on the Temple Mount is in total contradiction of what God’s Word reveals for the End Times.

Jesus Christ said there would be a Temple on the Temple Mount, Matthew 24:15. Apostles Paul and John said one day a Jewish Temple would be rebuilt in Jerusalem, II Thessalonians 2:4 and Revelation 11:1-2. These passages of Scripture speak of the next Temple to stand in Jerusalem, the Tribulation Temple, and all preparations have been made for that Temple to be erected. The Jews could start construction at any time, but do remember that Zechariah 6:12 tells us that Jesus Himself, will return to the earth and build His Temple which will be there on the Temple Mount forever, Ezekiel 37:26, 28. [source]

Filed under: Audio & Video, Christianity, Hebrew, History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

False Unity – New World Government, not so new…

I have just received the Moriel newsletter today and in newsletter Scott brings to my attention the tower of Babel and how that system is not too unlike the one that is being brought about today…

Scripture teaches us that there is nothing new under the Sun and there is nothing ‘new’ about this idea [New World Order – Global Government] as it is complete rebellion against God and His command to Noah and his descendants after the flood to "’Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.’" (Genesis 9:1) However, man did not listen and sought to congregate on plain in the land of Shinar (Babylon) in defiance of God, led by the first antichrist named Nimrod of which all false religion and religious systems can be traced back to, including his wife Semiramis and father Cush who many consider to be the father of the great apostasy. This is all thoroughly documented in The Two Babylon’s by Alexander Hislop.
At the Tower of Babel, The LORD confused the language of men and created the nations otherwise "’nothing which they purpose to do will be impossible for them.’" (Genesis 11:6) This was actually loving restraint put on us by our maker, yet we men have been trying to return to this original "false unity" ever since God kicked him out.

It just occurred to me that a false unity coupled with political correctness, which therefore gags the salvation message which is only found in Messiah Jesus; this gospel, within this system, would be considered redundant and even irrelevant!

Inside such a system it would be very hard to spread the salvific message if there is false unity where everyone remains unchallenged and seemingly happy walking their own path to their God (or gods) all the while remaining in their sin? 

Just putting it out there!

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Freedom of Speech, Globalism, Gnosticism, Hebrew, History, Israel, Middle East, New World Order, New-Age, Occult, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

Jewish Response to the Obama Cairo Speech

On June 4, 2009, President Barack H. Obama delivered a speech in Cairo, Egypt, that contained a distorted view of the Jewish people’s historical ties to the land of their forefathers, the land of Israel.

Filed under: History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment

A little more about Supercessionism and that book…

Today, Calvin Smith responds. His response has taught me something: in our own little worlds we discuss issues in isolation and then when we dialogue and come together, we find that there are some areas where we are completely missing the perspective of the other side. For example, Smith will say below, “Surely Derek recognizes the epistle to the Hebrews (likely written to a Jewish Christian audience looking back nostalgically at the levitical cultus) demonstrates how Christ is superior in every way to the old sacrificial system (thus rendering Torah observation in toto impossible).” He does not understand where I am coming from at all and thinks I will agree with him about this point. This example illustrates the very reason we need to be in dialogue.

I would like to thank Calvin Smith for taking the time to respond and I do hope our dialogue will continue. Read the response here – Guest Blog: Calvin Smith Responds

Here’s a review of the book…

I have to say, it is encouraging to read British evangelicals supporting Israel. As a basic book for people learning the Biblical and theological reasons for Christians to support Israel, The Jews, Modern Israel, and the New Supercessionism is a far better primer than the oh-so-common sensationalist volumes out there. And for those who like to keep a small library of books on Christian views of Israel, this is certainly one to add to the collection.

The stated purpose for The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism is to provide an accessible refutation to supersessionism while avoiding an extreme Christian Zionist stance. The authors do substantiate the continuing role of Israel in New Testament theology, as in the lead essay by Andy Cheung, “Who is the ‘Israel’ of Romans 11:26?” They discuss at length the issues of Israel’s sovereignty over the divine land grant. It is good to find friends amongst the Christians of Britain in a time when there are too many there like Stephen Sizer who associate Jesus-faith with support of Muslim warmongering. [source]

Filed under: Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, Philosophy & Religion, Political/Christian, Religion, Theology, discernment

Don’t dare speak about the Blessed Hope!

I’m getting rather sick of hearing about certain so called influential pastors who are culturally relevant yet find some parts of the bible harder to swallow. I am so sick of these same pastors saying that we shouldn’t worry about the parts in the bible where it speaks about the last days and the Second Coming of Christ. The whole story of who we are, how we got here and why we are the way we are is told in the bible. The whole answer is found in the bible. The whole thing — beginning to end!

In fact, the bible shows us the very reason why we are living in this kind of fallen world. It tells us what has been done about it – that being the cross of Christ – and how we are forgiven of our sins and that Grace is a gift bestowed upon us, those who believe in His name. These sins without the forgiveness that God offers us through His Son Jesus, would send us all to Hell in a hand basket. Because we have been forgiven we look forward to our complete redemption. We live in this world as aliens for the time being. Our citizenship is not of this world because we belong to heaven, we wait for our new body and we look forward to becoming glorified as Christ’s body was glorified after the resurrection.

Php 3:20-21  For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

We are told to look forward to that day – our Blessed Hope!

Tit 2:11-13  For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ [...]

Why would you scoff and tell people not to worry about our wonderful wedding to the bridegroom, unless of course you are being unfaithful to the bridegroom yourself!

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? II Peter 3:1-4

If you are a Christian who believes that the Bible is God’s inspired Word and believe that Jesus Christ will be coming again, you are being marginalized. And you might not even know it. It may surprise you to know where this marginalization is coming from.

In an April 2009 article in Sojourner’s magazine by emerging church leader, Brian McLaren, McLaren clearly has targeted Christians. But not just any Christians. McLaren is talking about Christians who believe Jesus Christ is coming back again, suggesting that these type of Christians are the reason there is no peace in the Middle East. He says what these end-time believing Christians are doing is “terrible,” “deadly,” and “distorted.”

McLaren says that he grew up with a dispensational view (the belief that Jesus Christ will return and establish his kingdom on earth) but has come to realize this view is “morally and ethically harmful.” He likens this belief system to racism in the 50s and 60s and says:

These doctrinal formulations often use a bogus end-of-the-world scenario to create a kind of death-wish for World War III, which–unless it is confronted more robustly by the rest of us–could too easily create a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Anyone who is familiar with the writings of occultist Alice Bailey or New Age author and futurist Barbara Marx Hubbard knows that they believe this very thing. In fact, McLaren is sounding more and more like them all the time, and his article in Soujourners is further proof of that. Read more at – Brian McLaren Wants End Time Believing Christians Robustly Confronted

Related:

• Earthly Dominion – Birthing the Manchild…

Filed under: Apostasy, Catholicism, Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Dominionism, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Emerging Church, Globalism, Gnosticism, Hebrew, Israel, Midrash, New-Age, Occult, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment, mysticism , Brian McLaren, Ecumenicalism, Emergent Church, Over realized eschatology, Rick Warren

5th of May – Tomorrow is the day…

Rom 11:17-18 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.

Just a reminder about the book launch. May the 5th is the day a book called The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism will be released. I have blogged about it HERE. It promises to be a well researched and thorough book on a topic that really does define your understanding of the prophetic role Israel has yet to play. Supercessionism is basically “Replacement Theology” which seeks to interpret the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament now are superceded by the Church…

…supercessionism and replacement theology are particular interpretations of New Testament claims, viewing God’s relationship with Christians as being either the “replacement” or “completion” of the promise made to the Jews (or Israelites) and Jewish Proselytes. Biblical expressions of God’s relationships with people are known as covenants, so the contentious element of supersessionism is the idea that the New Covenant with the Christians and the Christian Church somehow “replaces” or “completes” the Mosaic Covenant (or Torah) with the Israelites and B’nei Noah. [source]

How the Jews see it…

From a Jewish perspective, the Torah was given to the Jewish people as an eternal covenant (for example Exo 31:16-17, Exo 12:14-15) and will never be replaced or added to (for example Deut 4:2, 13:1), and hence Judaism rejects supersessionism as contrary to the Hebrew Bible at best (see also Antinomianism) and antisemitic at worst. For Judaism and other critics, supersessionism is a theology of replacement, which substitutes the Christian church, consisting of Christians, for the Jewish and B’nei Noah people. Modern Jews are offended by the traditional Christian belief in supersessionism, and historians cite the belief as one of the roots of anti-semitism in western culture. [source]

Here is a site that has quite a bit of info on the topic of Supercessionism.

The book seeks to get past the unnecessary polemical approach which is often seen with such a topic in regards to Israel’s place today. Dr Calvin Smith says…So not only is the issue of Israel and supercessionism hotting up, it is also symptomatic of a wider ideological struggle currently taking place within Evangelicalism over how to respond to Islam. So you can see why this topic is a hotbed of debate and argument currently.

Anyway, this book looks like a balanced piece and one really worth reading to clear up some of the misconceptions that are currently weaving their way through the Christian Church!

Please Note:

I do not endorse the automatically generated section of this particular post.

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Hebrew, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment

Return Of The Nephilim: Chuck Missler 9/12

Num 13:33  And there we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who come of the Nephilim: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

One of the most biblically concise explanations regarding the Nephilim.

Related:

• Gilgal Rephaim
• The Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs

Filed under: Aliens, Apostasy, Christianity, Church History, Hebrew, History, Judaism, Middle East, Nephilim, Philosophy & Religion, Prophecy, The Strange, The Watchers, Theology, UFOs, discernment

The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism

Well, here is the post that I promised you, it’s about a very important topic. The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessioism…

 

A large portion of the word of God in the Old Testament is being misinterpreted or deliberately avoided by those who have adopted the teaching that the Christian Church has replaced Israel and that the ancient promises made by God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David are now passé. However, Calvin L. Smith has edited a set of chapters in a new book that makes a vital contribution towards rectifying this imbalance in interpretation. May it spark a long-overdue discussion among Evangelical interpreters of all persuasions as well as one between Jewish people of the book and believers in the Christian Church. Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., Ph.D. Colman Mockler Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Old Testament, President Emeritus, Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. Read more at – The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism – Home

Some of the endorsements can be found HERE. Below are just some of what well known scholars think about the book…

The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism provides thorough insights, both biblical and secular, into issues related to the present, past, and future status of ethnic Israel.  It is heartening that editor Calvin L. Smith along with an assortment of contributors has outlined many historic and current facets related to present-day Israel.  The availability and helpfulness of the book will strike a strong note in response to growing supercessionist influences regarding God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants.
Dr Robert L. Thomas
Professor of New Testament Language and Literature
The Master’s Seminary, Sun Valley, California

A book of this quality, character and courage has been needed for decades! I want to congratulate Dr. Calvin Smith of King’s Evangelical Divinity School for engaging in this highly charged and controversial study focusing on God’s plan for the Jewish people, the nation of Israel and the Arab world.  I further applaud the project for taking the very critical next step of helping to provide a matrix for understanding the relationship between the Western Church and the Christian, Messianic and Muslim communities of the East.
Mitch Glaser, Ph.D.
President, Chosen People Ministries

If you are new to the word “Supercessionism”, Dr Calvin L. Smith explains what it means and the implications…

…Supercessionism (American spelling: supersessionism) is the theological view that God’s dealings with His chosen people Israel have now been superceded by a new people, the Church. Thus, supercessionism claims the promises originally intended for Israel are now given over to the Church, neither do the Jews any longer retain any special status as God’s chosen people.  Supercessionism is also known as replacement theology, or replacementism. For their part, some supercessionists/ replacementists eschew both these labels as pejorative, preferring instead terms like ‘fulfillment theology’ or ‘transference theology’. [source]

It is important to note that Dr Calvin L. Smith addresses the problem of Supercessionism in a biblical-systematic manner and because of that, this book is not an endorsement for extreme Christian Zionism. This is what he says about Christian Zionism…

…So again, the issues are complex and demand a sophisticated approach. Unfortunately, there is not much of that in the current debate, with a tendency among several of today’s vocal supercessionist writers to tar every Christian even mildly holding to the view God has not finished with Israel with a Christian Zionist brush.

…At the other end of the spectrum are some extreme Christian Zionists who take an “Israel right or wrong” stance, turning a blind eye to some things happening in that part of the world (especially the difficulties faced by some Christians there) and engaging in a form of Israel worship (or ‘Israelolatry’, if you like). In between are very many people who reject this idolising of Israel but are equally uncomfortable, in fact increasingly troubled with the extreme pro-Palestinianism and anti-Israelism exhibited by several more vocal Evangelical supercessionists. [source]

He speaks about the current tensions that surround Israel, Islam and Supercessionism…So not only is the issue of Israel and supercessionism hotting up, it is also symptomatic of a wider ideological struggle currently taking place within Evangelicalism over how to respond to Islam.

To read more of this most fascinating interview with Calvin Smith and to get an idea about where this book is actually coming from see HERE.

The release date for this book that seeks to get past the unnecessarily polemical approach is the 5th of May. It can be purchased HERE.

Filed under: Christian Pragmatism, Christianity, Church History, Globalism, Hebrew, History, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment , Biblical Systematic Theology, Christian Zionism, Israel, Middle East Politics, Palestine, politics, Replacement Theology, Supercessionism

Just Quickly…

I have an exciting post coming up for those of you who are curious about the issues of the Church the Jews and Israel. There is a book about to be launched on the 5th of May called “The Jews, Modern Israel and the New Supercessionism”. With contributions from Andy Cheung, Jacob Prasch, Stephen M. Vantassel, Howard Taylor, Paul Wilkinson and Tony Pearce.

As I currently have a baby on my chest that needs burping and is a little unsettled, I will post more about this exciting news a bit later. So… be sure to check back soon for all the details and find out what direction this new book takes on this most important topic of our time!

Cheers,

Vee

Filed under: Apostasy, Christianity, Church History, Dominionism, Hebrew, History, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Political/Christian, Prophecy, Religion, Resources, Theology, discernment , Bible, church, Israel, Modern Israel, Prophecy, Supercessionism

THE THIRD TEMPLE FOR ALL HUMANKIND…

Then how about this kind of Temple…

THE THIRD TEMPLE FOR ALL HUMANKIND ON THE TEMPLE MOUNTAIN OF JERUSALEM Moses V. Komsky, architect The need to integrate economic, politic and cultural life of nations manifests itself clearer than ever in the modern world. This process is realized in the two major directions: under pressure – through power of one over another, and by free will – as a brotherhood of people devoted to their common Father-Creator. The first direction is the oppression exercised by stronger nation over weaker one that destroys the way of life and spiritual values of the latter (dictatorships of all types, ancient despotism, colonial systems, fascism, communism, Islamic Wahabbism) or financial power expansion (dollar’s market invasion and globalism). The second direction will come true when people realize their mutual spiritual relationships and brotherhood, as soon as they see clearly that the soul of each of them comes of the one and the same origin that is the Divinity. In this case they’ll manage to return the power over themselves to their common Creator and will get down to peaceful terms acknowledging the specific features of each way of life and legitimacy of each way to God. Then, at last, the nations will end their wars caused by territories, property or ideological system, as they will find out that all their possessions, lands and their mere life belong to the Creator. Read more at – THE THIRD TEMPLE FOR ALL HUMANKIND…

Filed under: Apostasy, Christian Pragmatism, Ecumenicalism, Globalism, Gnosticism, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, New World Order, New-Age, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment, mysticism

The rebuilding of the Third Temple…

The rebuilding of the Third Temple is prophesied in the book of Daniel…

Dan 9:27  And he shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease; and upon the wing of abominations shall come one that maketh desolate; and even unto the full end, and that determined, shall wrath be poured out upon the desolate.

Jesus spoke about it in Matthew…

Mat 24:15-22  When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let him that readeth understand), then let them that are in Judaea flee unto the mountains: let him that is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house: and let him that is in the field not return back to take his cloak. But woe unto them that are with child and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a sabbath: for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.

It is spoken about today…

Moshe Feiglin, head of Manhigut Yehudit (Jewish Leadership Movement) said last week that if he was elected prime minister, he would try to rebuild the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem.

“I don’t know if I will have the merit of doing something that is the aspiration of every Jew,” said Feiglin. “But if I become prime minister I will take away control over the Temple Mount from the Wakf [the Islamic trust] and reinstate Jewish sovereignty over the entire mount and, hopefully, rebuild the Temple.” Read more at – If I Were Prime Minister, I’d Rebuild the Temple

For a good study on this topic see HERE, HERE and HERE.

Filed under: Apostasy, Christianity, Judaism, Middle East, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Religion, Theology, discernment

Israel will make A Covenant of Death – Jacob’s Trouble

To listen to an insightful interview with David Hocking and Jacob Prasch go HERE!

If you want to understand about how Israel is important prophetically speaking, this interview is for you. It talks about the ‘Last Days’, if you don’t know what ‘The Last Days’ stands for or are confused about tribulation and Jacob’s Trouble then this is a start.

To listen to an insightful interview with David Hocking and Jacob Prasch go HERE!

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 

 

Isa 28:13  Therefore shall the word of Jehovah be unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, there a little; that they may go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Isa 28:14  Wherefore hear the word of Jehovah, ye scoffers, that rule this people that is in Jerusalem:
Isa 28:15  Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with Sheol 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

Zec 2:8  For thus said the LORD of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
Zec 2:9  “Behold, I will shake my hand over them, and they shall become plunder for those who served them. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent me.

Related:

52% NOW BACK FORCE TO STOP IRAN FROM GETTING “THE BOMB”: Meanwhile, Russia and China building closer ties with Iran

Filed under: Apostasy, Audio & Video, Christianity, Globalism, Hebrew, Islam, Israel, Judaism, Middle East, Midrash, News, Philosophy & Religion, Political, Prophecy, Religion, Theology, discernment