Quick Reads #2 – Israel, Israel, and Israel
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Ancient Israel
The first is Ancient Israel, which began in the mid 16th Century BC. The Kingdom was established under Saul in the 11th Century, and they were removed from their homeland by the Assyrians starting in 721BC; it took 19 years to remove them all. All that remained were the few descendants of Judah and Benjamin returned from Babylon (the Jews) who lived with many other cultures in Palestine at the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Their stay in the region was ended by Rome in 70AD. Many were made slaves and taken to Rome; yet some managed to escape to Babylon and Spain. But the bulk of Israel had 700 hundred years earlier, left the area to begin their trek north and west over the following centuries. The Apostle James addressed his only letter to them: to the twelve tribes’ scattered abroad. (James 1:1)
The leading figures of Ancient Israel were Jacob, his 12 sons, Moses, Joshua, David, and Solomon, but many others played important roles in their history including the Prophets and Priests. When we invest some time in the Pentateuch, Chronicles and Kings, we find it was indeed a remarkable history. The LORD used His Prophets to instruct and correct them, from Moses and Aaron, right through to the time of Ezra and Nehemiah.
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Modern Israel
The second Israel begins in the 8th Century when the belligerent Khazars living in the area of Ukraine today, adopted Judaism as their State religion. They were later overcome by combined Rus (Russian) and Constantinople forces due to their violent behaviour. In the late 17th Century, having become more unified though a new common language (Yiddish) the Ashkenaze began to espouse a new ‘worldview’ seeing a growth in Jewish secularism, which questioned traditional values. Concurrently, a movement within the Protestant Church for the repatriation of Jews to Palestine was gaining momentum, resulting in the establishment of Political Zionism within Jewry. After decades of agitation and with British and American support the socialist State of Israel was formalized in 1948, to become occupied mainly by the descendants of the Eastern European Khazars.
Currently, the Jewish State has no official religion.
While the modern State of Israel was constructed for many and varied reasons, it has nothing at all to do with prophesy pertaining to Ancient Israel; they had been removed from the land at the decree of the LORD for breaking their contract, never to be remembered or return. And while Evangelical Christians arrange Scripture to justify the existence of the Jewish State, it is errant belief and teaching. It is the last Israel where their thoughts should actually be focused for greater riches.
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The Israel of God
This Israel is unlike the others in every way. While the former are of the Earth, and the ambitions of men, the Israel of God is of the Spirit. And today, there seems to be a great hunger for the truth of this Gospel, long denied through church creed, doctrine, and flawed ideas. Amos warned this hunger would come; behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)
Paul states; belief comes by hearing. (Romans 10:17) So, what does this Israel hear that others do not? They know in their heart that every Word of God is true. So, it follows, the LORD’s Israel cannot adhere to teaching at variance with Jesus, the Apostles and Paul. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24)
They know the Spirit of Prophesy (Revelation 19:10) is in every Word of the Prophets and Apostles. Paul said it was not him that speaks but that same Spirit of Jesus in him.
Therefore, this is not just any Israel but “another tribe” (Hebrews 7:13) the LORD’s Congregation. There is no genealogy in them. No law-bound priesthood. No repetition at the altar. This Israel is prepared in the Gospel, built upon the foundation of the Apostles, and by a pure faith made acceptable and justified. An Israel baptized and sealed into the name of their God;
the LORD Jesus Christ.
In Peace and love,
James
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