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True Israelites: Jews, Gentiles, or Both – Part 2
True Israelites: Jews, Gentiles, or Both – Part 2
NOTE: Part 1 of this series may be accessed here:
Other References and Concepts
Many theologians maintain the conclusion that the ten tribes of northern Israel were not officially brought back to the land of Canaan by God, although, there were apparently several individuals who did return. A small group of Judahites were brought back from Babylon to prepare the way for the birth of the Messiah. Many chose to remain in the Babylonian kingdom. Their majority refusal to accept Jesus, the Messiah, resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD and again in 135 AD. This was prophesied by Jesus and could be the result of their refusal. It is said, after the destruction of Jerusalem, the Judeans mostly migrated to Egypt and then to Spain becoming known as the Sephardim Jews.
According to Paul and Isaiah, the Judeans of Jesus’ day were given a hardened heart and they refused to accept Jesus as the Messiah or the Kingdom of God. Currently, whether the so-called Jews are Judeans, Edomites, or Khazars is not important in the broad scheme of prophecy. They consider themselves ancestors of the Judeans, and, as such, they continue to live under the curse of God as written in Deuteronomy 29:4 and Isaiah 6:9-10 as quoted by Paul in Romans 11:8-10.
As it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, to this very day.” And David says, “Let their table become a snare and trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them; let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and make their backs bend continually.” (Romans 11:8-10 NET)
Paul’s Old Testament scripture quotes found in Romans 11:8-10 are given below. The LXX version is used since I believe that is the one he was quoting from.
Yet the Lord God has not given you a heart to know, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, until this day. (Deuteronomy 29:4 Brenton)
Ye shall hear indeed, but ye shall not understand; and ye shall see indeed, but ye shall not perceive. For the heart of this people has become gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (Isaiah 6:9-10 Brenton)
After revealing their curse of the hardened heart, Paul relates the Judean’s fall is not necessarily permanent but can be revoked by faith in Jesus, which of course is absolutely true. Their hardness or stumble (which was prophetic) permitted salvation to be provided to the Gentiles (the actual definition is: people of the nations).
I ask then, they did not stumble into an irrevocable fall, did they? Absolutely not! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make Israel jealous. (Romans 11:11 NET)
A few Jews or Judeans have accepted Jesus as the true Messiah, but the actual test of truth and faith will most likely occur during the 70th week of Daniel.
Just as you were formerly disobedient to God, but have now received mercy due to their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. (Romans 11:30-31 NET)
It is my opinion the current nation of Israel is actually a revived nation of Judah to some extent. It doesn’t appear possible any sizable group of the ten tribes of Israel ever returned after so many hundreds of years although opinions vary widely.
Peter Goodgame and the New Exodus Researching for more Israelite information led me to reexamine a paper by Peter Goodgame found at https://redmoonhawaii.wordpress.com/2014/04/12/the-israel-of-god-and-the-end-of-rmr/ . Below is Mr. Goodgame’s introduction to the article discussing “The Israel of God”.
Lately I have been continuing in my study of the New Exodus theme as it relates to end-times prophecy, and it seems that everything revolves around the complicated questions regarding the identity of “Israel.” After Jesus died and rose again, and began to gather into Himself all those who believe in Him, what became of the definition of “Israel”? Did it remain the same, or did it change to include Gentiles? If it changed then how does the new definition of “Israel” relate to the many Old Testament passages predicting a gathering of “Israel” back to Jerusalem?
The primary focus of his topic revolves around the identity of “Israel”. The exegete, Doug Kreiger, (discussed above) would be opposed to any theory or commentary portraying that anyone is an Israelite other than the Jews of today. He rejects the concept that a Christian could be Biblically called an Israelite. However, Mr. Goodgame, gives several scriptural proofs supporting the idea that perhaps Gentiles (non-Jews to a Jew) are also included in the class of “the Israel of God”. Three of his ideas are listed below.
#1 The Judean leaders consisting of scribes and Pharisees, rejected the Personhood and authority of Jesus as the Messiah and therefore they rejected the integrity of the Torah. Jesus categorically stated the scriptures testify Him. If the Torah testifies about Jesus and Judeans reject Him then all non-Christian Jews apparently reject the Torah as well. The acceptance of the teaching and authority of the Torah is to accept the Person the Torah testifies about.
You study the scriptures thoroughly because you think in them you possess eternal life, and it is these same scriptures that testify about me, but you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. (John 5:39-40 NET)
#2 In the letters to the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia Jesus refers to “those who say they are Jews and are not”. To the Smyrna church Jesus said the ones claiming to be Jews was an act of blasphemy and to the Philadelphia church the ones claiming to be Jews were telling a lie. Without attempting to put thoughts into Mr. Goodgame’s head, it appears that he is stating there are no such thing as a non-Christ Jew. Anyone claiming to be a Jew after the teaching, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ is committing blasphemy and telling a lie.
Ioudaios ee-oo-dah’-yos From G2448 (in the sense of G2455 as a country); udaean, that is, belonging to Jehudah: – Jew (-ess), of Juda.
Peter Goodgame: These are incredible statements for Jesus to make, especially when compared to today’s popular end-times teaching that declares that the unbelieving genetic/cultural descendants of the ethnic Israelites that rejected Jesus –those who populate the modern-day state of Israel– are “the apple of God’s eye.”
#3 Zechariah 2:7-13 has several interesting facets. Verse 7 tells people to escape to Zion if one dwells with the daughter of Babylon (mystery Babylon perhaps?). This is considered to be a new exodus phrase concerning all nations according to Mr. Goodgame (that is, a journey of believers to the Lord in Zion). Verse 8 contains the “apple of His eye” phrase. Verse 9 declares that the people will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me with verse 10 stating the Lord will dwell in the midst of His people. However, verse 11 claims that many nations will come to the Lord and will be His people. Mr. Goodgame uses this scripture as evidence that all New Covenant people are the apple or pupil of God’s eye. I used the LXX version below. It is basically identical to KJV but with some interesting word translation.
Zechariah 2:7-12 Brenton (7) even to Sion: deliver yourselves, ye that dwell with the daughter of Babylon. (8) For thus saith the Lord Almighty; After the glory has he sent me to the nations that spoiled you: for he that touches you is as one that touches the apple of his eye. (9) For, behold, I bring my hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to them that serve them: and ye shall know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. (10) Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Sion: for, behold, I come, and will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord. (11) And many nations shall flee for refuge to the Lord in that day, and they shall be for a people to him, and they shall dwell in the midst of thee: and thou shalt know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to thee. (12) And the Lord shall inherit Juda his portion in the holy land, and he will yet choose Jerusalem.
The “apple of God’s eye” appears to be many nations – not reserved for just Israel.
[NOTE: If the daughter of Babylon is related to mystery, Babylon, then the daughter could be any area other than exclusively the USA because this passage would certainly not be warning only Americans to flee to Zion.]
Conclusion and Opinion If the Jews are the descendants of Israel (Jacob) or at least descendants of the Old Testament nation of Judah then it would be fair to say they are the Israelites by genealogy and not the Church. Mr. Goodgame (and others) appear to suggest that spiritually (not genetically) the term “of Israel” or the “Israel of God” was applied to the first believers who were Judeans and then encompassed the Gentiles (non-Jews) by Jesus, because of the remarkable faith of the Centurion, healed his servant and stated, “many around the world will share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven (God) but the sons of the kingdom who were supposed to dine at the banquet will be placed into obscurity (outer darkness).
I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:11-12 NET)
They may or may not be Khazars as postulated by Arthur Koestler in his book, The Thirteenth Tribe and others along the way. Unless major unknown events occur in the near future, the Jews of today will be the Israelites (real or not) affected by the beast (antichrist) and events preceding and during the 70th week of Daniel. Of course, they may be responsible, through their perceived instigation of a one-world government initiative, for bringing this worldwide wrath of God on themselves and the rest of mankind.
It could also be possible that only a remnant of the Israelites (descendants of Jacob) or the Old Testament nation of Judah will be saved and qualify as the chosen people and the apple of God’s eye. This concept would be in agreement with Elijah and the Jews of Paul’s day as stated in Romans 11:5-7. If only a percentage of the Gentiles (nations) will inherit salvation, it would be logical to claim that a percentage of the Israelites will receive salvation.
[The following is merely a thought – not theology] It may be possible that God will resurrect the majority of mankind for the Millennium to offer them a change to make an informed decision. The 20th and 21st chapters of the Revelation could appear to indicate this, although I will not claim it does.
Now when the thousand years are finished, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to bring them together for the battle. They are as numerous as the grains of sand in the sea. (Revelation 20:7-8 NET)
The Historical Expulsion of Jews
Below is a list of Jewish expulsions and massacres that have occurred throughout the AD times. The list may be incomplete and I omitted the Nazi Germany listing since it is probably well known by most. The list was copied from the web site: http://www.eretzyisroel.org/~jkatz/expulsions.html
1012 A.D. Emperor Henry II of Germany expels Jews from Mainz
1096 A.D. First Crusade. Crusaders massacre the Jews of the Rhineland.
1144 A.D. First recorded blood libel in Norwich, England
1190 A.D. Massacre of Jews in England.
1215 A.D. The Jewish badge introduced.
1240 A.D. Talmud burned in France.
1290 A.D. Jews expelled from England.
1298 A.D. Massacre of thousands in Germany, in 146 localities.
1306 A.D. Expulsion from France.
1348 A.D. JEWS blamed for the BLACK DEATH.
1389 A.D. MASSACRES in Bohemia, Spain.
1421 A.D. 270 JEWS BURNED AT THE STAKE.
1480 A.D. Inquisition in Spain – Jews and Christians burned at the stake.
1483 A.D. EXPULSIONS from Warsaw, Sicily, Lithuania, Portugal.
1492 A.D. ALL JEWS EXPELLED FROM SPAIN.
1506 A.D. Murders in Lisbon – 4000
1510 A.D. EXPELLED from Brandenburg, Germany.
1516 A.D. Venice initiates the ghetto, the first in Christian Europe.
1544 A.D. The Reformation. The Talmud was seized and burned everywhere by Papal authority. Jews in Catholic countries and Polish Jews suffered greatly.
1553 A.D. Rome seized and burned the Talmud by order of the POPE.
1559 A.D. 12,000 copies of Talmud burned in Milan.
1569 A.D. POPE PIUS V ordered all Jews out of the Papal states.
1593 A.D. EXPULSIONS from Italy and Bavaria.
1598 A.D. Ritual murder charge that sent three Jews to their deaths.
1614 A.D. JEWS attacked and driven out of Frankfurt, Germany.
1624 A.D. GHETTO established in Ferrara, Italy.
1648 A.D. Leader of the Cossacks, in the Ukraine massacres 100,000 Jews and destroyed 300 communities.
1655 A.D. Massacres of Jews in war against Sweden & Russia by Poland.
1715 A.D. POPE PIUS VI issues edict against Jews.
1768 A.D. 20,000 Jews in Poland killed.
1805 A.D. MASSACRE of Jews in Algeria.
1840 A.D. BLOOD LIBEL in DAMASCUS.
1853 A.D. Blood Libel in Russia
1881 A.D. POGROMS BEGAN. The word is of Russian origin. KIEV, ODESSA; murder of whole families was a common occurrence. Partial data are available for 530 communities in which 887 major pogroms and 349 minor pogroms occurred. There were 60,000 dead and several times that many were wounded.
1882 A.D. FIRST ANTI-JEWISH CONGRESS HELD. In Dresden, Germany.
1905 A.D. Russian pogroms continue. Also in Morocco, Ukraine, 300 dead.
1919 A.D. 3000 Jews killed in Hungarian pogroms.
Based on the above list, it appears the Judeans or Jews had a difficult situation wherever they happened to migrate. It could be due to their religion, however, it is also highly likely the European world has always had a large population with little or no religion including atheists, agnostics, and other types. It may be the result of their constant banking system and other property controlling schemes. It appears that some of them are their own worst enemy. The OT nation of Judah was taken captive to Babylon for 70 years – one year for each Sabbatical year they did not honor. Sabbaticals are not honored by the Jews today, or anyone else for
True Israelites: Part 1 True Israelites: Part 1
True Israelites: Part 2 True Israelites: Part 2
True Israelites: Part 3
The Law of God for Today The Law of God for Today
The Kingdom of God, Lost by Adam and Eve The Kingdom of God: Lost by Adam and Eve
The Timing of the Return of the Lord The Timing of the Return of the Lord
Though One Rose from the Dead Though One Rose From the Dead
The Anti-Jesus Masoretic Bible The Anti-Jesus Masoretic Bible
Nimrod the Assyrian: Asshur Nimrod the Assyrian: Asshur
Nimrod as the Antichrist Nimrod as the Antichrist
Nimrod and the Tower of Babel Nimrod and the Tower of Babel
From Heavenly to Earthly Angelic Body Changes
As It Was in the Days of Noah As It Was in the Days of Noah
The 360 DayYear The 360 Day Year
“The Jews had misinterpreted God’s promise of eternal favor to Israel: “Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is His name: If those ordinances depart from before Me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 31:35-37. The Jews regarded their natural descent from Abraham as giving them a claim to this promise. But they overlooked the conditions which God had specified. Before giving the promise, He had said, “I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. . . . For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jeremiah 31:33, 34. {DA 106.1}
To a people in whose hearts His law is written, the favor of God is assured. They are one with Him. But the Jews had separated themselves from God. Because of their sins they were suffering under His judgments. This was the cause of their bondage to a heathen nation. Their minds were darkened by transgression, and because in times past the Lord had shown them so great favor, they excused their sins. They flattered themselves that they were better than other men, and entitled to His blessings. {DA 106.2}
These things “are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” 1 Corinthians 10:11. How often we misinterpret God’s blessings, and flatter ourselves that we are favored on account of some goodness in us! God cannot do for us that which He longs to do. His gifts are used to increase our self-satisfaction, and to harden our hearts in unbelief and sin. {DA 106.3}
John declared to the teachers of Israel that their pride, selfishness, and cruelty showed them to be a generation of vipers, a deadly curse to the people, rather than the children of just and obedient Abraham. In view of the light they had received from God, they were even worse than the heathen, to whom they felt so much superior. They had forgotten the rock whence they were hewn, and the hole of the pit from which they had been digged. God was not dependent upon them for the fulfilling of His purpose. As He had called Abraham out from a heathen people, so He could call others to His service. Their hearts might now appear as lifeless as the stones of the desert, but His Spirit could quicken them to do His will, and receive the fulfillment of His promise. {DA 106.4}
“And now also,” said the prophet, “the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Not by its name, but by its fruit, is the value of a tree determined. If the fruit is worthless, the name cannot save the tree from destruction. John declared to the Jews that their standing before God was to be decided by their character and life. Profession was worthless. If their life and character were not in harmony with God’s law, they were not His people. {DA 107.1}
THE CHRISTIAN TODAY IS CONSIDERED ISRAEL
PROPHETIC STATEMENT
Genesis 49:10, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
Hosea 2:23 And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.
PROPHETIC STATEMENT REPEATED BY CHRIST (He is speaking to Jews here)
Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
PROPHECY FULFILLED
Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Romans 2:28,29 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 9:6-8 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.
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Also notice what Jesus Himself said to the Jews…
Mark 12:1-12, “And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and him they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some. Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, They will reverence my son. But those husbandmen said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be ours. And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others. And have ye not read this scripture; The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.”
ANOTHER PROPHETIC FACT…
Jeremiah 31:35-37, “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD.”
http://www.remnantofgod.org/israel.htm
“True Israelites: Jews, Gentiles, or Both”
Neither, Judaism was invented by the political party of wealthy influential money lenders and traders called the Pharisees after 70 CE. Judaism didn’t exist when the Israelites were alive, not until after their demise some time after 70 CE. And they were the group responsible for the civil war that led to Rome destroying Judea in 70 CE.