tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post2494047582346445255..comments2024-01-17T13:19:24.071-06:00Comments on Salvation And Survival: Be Careful How You Treat Israel! Pam Kohlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-15448558262270491042012-09-05T16:21:45.856-05:002012-09-05T16:21:45.856-05:00Lisa, you are so right! In Revelation 3:16, Jesus...Lisa, you are so right! In Revelation 3:16, Jesus says, "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." That applies to so much --- our faith, how we glorify Him, and how the Church supports God's chosen people. The nation of Israel will be purified, and it will be because God loves them so much! Not all will be grafted back in, but we are to pray and encourage as many of them as we can to accept their inheritance. (That DOES NOT mean trying to convert them!) But the union of Jew and Gentile into one Body of Believers is made apparent in Ephesians 2:14-18 ... " For He himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one [Jew and Gentile] and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in His flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away [Gentiles] and peace to those who were near [Jews]. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit." <br /><br />I just want to caution those of the Christian faith who believe in Replacement Theology. The Jews are still God's chosen people and He will keep His promises to them. We must pray for the Jewish people to throw off their blindness and call on the name of the Lord! Pam Kohlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-31100288598096347872012-09-05T16:06:29.007-05:002012-09-05T16:06:29.007-05:00Brad, I respect your opinion, and I think that we ...Brad, I respect your opinion, and I think that we agree more than you think. I would like to point you to the book of Romans, especially Chapters 9-12. Remember that the Apostle Paul had a very personal experience with the risen Christ, in which I believe he was told Jesus's plan for gaining the whole world. In Romans, Paul makes it very plain that we Christians are grafted in to the root, which is the faithful Jewish people. Note I said "faithful", meaning that not all of the Jewish people will be saved, only a remnant who accept Jesus as their Messiah. But that does not mean we have "replaced" the Faithful Remnant, as adherents to Replacement Theology espouse. That's why I said in my post that we do not owe blind allegiance to Israel, but we are called on to pray for their salvation, and their return to God's favor. He made a promise to them that they were his chosen people, and God doesn't go back on His promises. As Paul says in Romans 11:25 "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way[a] all Israel will be saved." (By "all" he means the total number of Jews that will accept Jesus as their Messiah and the son of God). As Paul says in Romans 11: 17-18 " If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches." And again in Romans 11:23 "And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again." Yes, they went "off track" as you suggest, but some of them will one day be unblinded and accept Jesus and their salvation. I distinguish that remnant from the entire nation state of Israel, which as you say is secular and VERY unbelieving. But I have Jewish friends in Israel who are Believers and that is where the believing Jews will come from, so we must be careful how we treat these people of God. Sorry for the lengthy Biblical diatribe, but I want to make sure you understand what I believe and where I find my sources in the Bible. Thank you for your respectful comment. Pam Kohlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-9573364692296076052012-09-05T14:42:39.618-05:002012-09-05T14:42:39.618-05:00When Jesus came to earth he did not start a new re...When Jesus came to earth he did not start a new religion. He changed the course of the Jewish people. They were meant to follow Him. When some did not, they went off track. I think the current Jewish faith split off from the path that they were intended to take when they denied Christ. I am not sure that makes them the chosen people anymore. I think those that followed Christ carried on the path and religion of the chosen people.<br /><br />I think we have to be careful backing the secular state of Israel as if it is the religious Jewish people.Bradnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-16360668041328760572012-09-05T12:51:53.816-05:002012-09-05T12:51:53.816-05:00Hello Belle,
Just my two cents here on the subjec...Hello Belle,<br /><br />Just my two cents here on the subject today. I allow everyone to believe as they wish. As you know, I'm a believer in our God and I also believe in the Word and what the Word has said. It's all there in the spoken Word. I'm not a Bibical scholar, and I cannot state the exact verse right off hand, but, God mentions that He will "spew" those out who are lukewarm. That's how I view this subject as where the US stands with this. We're either with Israel or we're against them. Politics does not play a role with God. He's made that very clear. We're either believe or we don't. I feel like if the USA does not take a stand with Israel, then we are truly doomed and damned with those who are against this people and this land of our Lord. I certainly am not one for any war, and war is a terrible thing, lives lost and families crushed on both sides. But, sometimes people need to stand up and make a stand and with doing that, we're letting others know what we believe to be right and just upfront. God will take care of the rest. He always does and always will. I'm on God's side and I stand with Israel.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />LisaLisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-48860115890462215792012-09-05T11:11:51.103-05:002012-09-05T11:11:51.103-05:00What we see going on in the Middle East has both p...What we see going on in the Middle East has both practical and Biblical implications. I tend to view all things through the Biblical lens since that is the guiding source of my life. But I wish I had more knowledge about the "realities on the ground" that you mention. But whenever the Biblical interpretation and the reality of our world coincide, we would do well to pay attention. Things are going to happen! Thanks for your analysis. I always appreciate it!Pam Kohlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00678673505358164380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-367019700923216960.post-61243367139151048602012-09-05T08:59:40.732-05:002012-09-05T08:59:40.732-05:00I admire your faith and conviction...and also your...I admire your faith and conviction...and also your information and analysis. I can't comment on many of the specifics that you mention for military capabilities, but you have a pretty good picture from open-sources.<br />I'm personally not so grounded in Biblical interpretation as you are. I am very grounded in some detailed analysis of the realities on the ground over there. It is a powder keg. Iran has consistently done all that it said it would do. Why should anybody doubt that they want to attack Israel? And we know their nuclear program is well beyond "peaceful" uses. <br />Unfortunately, the American Administration is unwilling to be decisive or steadfast. If there is nothing else that is the hallmark of the last 4 years, it is the unwillingness to actually lead. Bully? Sure. Connive and maneuver? Absolutely. Put their duty over ideology? Not so much.<br />Personally, I'm convinced that Israel can operate without us to hit Iran -- HARD. What they're weighing right now are second and third order effects. <br />Prior to our election, signs to watch for will be out of Iran. If they take action or pose an immediate threat, Israel will counter. After the election, we'll just have to see. That road splits in two completely different directions. I'm not confident enough to make any predictions right now.Green Eyed Jinnnoreply@blogger.com