Who is a True Jew

Who is a True Jew?

"Those who trust in the LORD are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever." Psalm 125:1

"Do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father ... '" Matt. 3:9

"Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand by the sea, only a remnant will return." Isaiah 10:21-22

For "They are not all Israel, who are descended from Israel." Rom. 9:6

The above verses declare that not all of Israel's descendants are God's children. In fact, when God caused the Jews of Jeremiah's day to be carried off to captivity, He told the prophet why He was doing so in many places. One of which is Jeremiah 5:1 where He told Jeremiah to, "Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and look ... and take note. And seek in her open squares, if you can find a man, if there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her ..." But apparently there was not even one person, other than the prophet himself who was seeking after God, and who had put Him first.

It is also a fact that the great majority of people today who claim to be Jewish have not accepted their own Messiah (Prov. 30:4, Isa. 9:6; Ps. 2:7-12) and therefore have no right to call themselves followers of Messiah. For in this case it was the Jewish people who put the Messiah to death (Isaiah 53; Matthew 27:11-25; I Thes. 2:14-16) and to this very day many of them even openly mock Him and say things like: "Jews don't believe in Jesus." Note also that the quote above from Isaiah 10:21-22 makes it clear that only a "remnant" (or a small portion) of Jacob's descendants (i.e. Israelites) will come back, not just to Palestine, but to the true and 'Mighty God.' And to those who are tempted to reject what I just said about Jesus, if you keep reading you will see why He is the ONLY person who qualifies to be the Messiah, and why He is NOT yet done with Israel, nor with the world itself, for "... it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise ..." (Rom. 9:8), and because we are told very clearly that Jesus is coming back to fulfill the rest of what was prophesied about Him: For example, Jeremiah 23:5-6 which is discussed below.

Who are the Chosen People?
The Old Testament-Covenant
The New Testament-Covenant
A Woman who gives Birth by the Spirit
False vs. True Zionism
Abraham and Ephraim = many nations
What many Jewish people refuse to admit
Who are Israel and the Church?
Are the Church and Israel the same?
What we must all do to inherit eternal life

Who are the Chosen People of God?

According to a former Jew and the words of Jesus, Himself (in Matt. 21:42-44), the Jews are no longer the "Chosen People," of God, but rather only the ones who accept the true Messiah. Jesus also told the Jewish leaders of His day that they would "not see (Him) again until they say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" In other words, until they accept the true Messiah, and bless His people. Many more details are provided in this article. Brother Nathaniel's article on the chosen people can be found Here. I feel that I should also state that one of my (two) Grandmothers came from a Jewish family, but chose rather to follow the Messiah rather than to marry into wealth.

The Old Testament-Covenant

Below is a quote from the Old Testament book of Micah that refers to Jewish, Israelite, and/or Gentile believers who follow the true God and become the 'remnant' nation of God at the coming of the Messiah.

"In that day," declares the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, and gather the outcasts, even those whom I have afflicted. "I will make the lame a remnant, and the outcasts a strong nation, and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on and forever." "The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Micah 4:6-7

Note that the words 'Judah,' 'Ephraim,' 'tribes of Israel,' etc. are not used here, thus indicating that this great gathering of lame, outcasts, and afflicted is an all-encompassing one that includes people from all nations and nationalities, such as the gathering that occurs on the 'last day' of this age: John 6:37-40; 14:1-3; Matt. 24:29-31; Rev. 5:9-10.  The verse below makes this quite clear.

It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth." Isaiah 49:6

Therefore Israel's Messiah is also the Messiah of the entire world.

" ... then I will remove from your midst your proud, exulting ones, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain. But I will leave among you a humble and lowly people, and they will take refuge in the name of the LORD. The remnant of Israel will do no wrong and tell no lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths ..." Zeph. 3:12-13

"Now it will come about in that day that the remnant of Israel, and those of the house of Jacob who have escaped, will never again rely on the one who struck them, but will rely on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel." Isa. 10:20

The "one who struck them," is a reference to a worldly "messiah" who is a fake. This is the one who will perform "signs" on camera, and with electronic trickery before the public to try and convince people who don't know the true God nor what Scriptures to follow after him and worship him as if he were God. And from the verse below we can say that NOT all of God's people are descended from Israel.

"Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, 'The LORD will surely separate me from His people.' Neither let the eunuch say, 'Behold, I am a dry tree." For ... 'To the eunuchs who keep My sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant, To them I will give in My house and within My walls a ... name better than ... sons and daughters ...' Also the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to Him, and ... love (His) name ..., to be His servants, ... (and) who keep from profaning the sabbath, ... I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. The LORD God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, 'Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered." Isa. 56:3-8.

The "foreigners" and "others" -- to those already gathered -- are gentiles, while "those already gathered" are primarily Jews and Israelites.   The prophet Isaiah makes this clear from the following:

"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.   ... Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David ... " Isa. 55:1, 3

"Those who live in a dark land, The light will shine on them. Thou shalt multiply the nation ... (and) increase their gladness; They will be glad in Thy presence ..." Isa. 9:2-3

"... (Ephraim) ... shall be greater ... and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations." Gen. 48:19

Here we see that Abraham's descendants include much more than just old (or modern) Israel, and in fact include many nations. This is also a question that few teachers have attempted to answer: i.e. which nations today came from Ephraim? In fact, what exactly happened to the lost ten tribes of Israel? Which peoples or nations did they become?

In Isaiah 54:1 we are told that the sons of the "barren one" will be more numerous than the sons of the married woman ..." This "barren one" who (has) "not travailed" is either the New Jerusalem (who the apostle Paul refers to as "our mother" -- Gal. 4:21-31), or the new and revived nation of Israel: that God will put together just after the Messiah comes back. See also Isaiah 53:10 (and note the word "offspring" in regards to the Messiah, and "sons" and "daughters" (of God) in Isa. 43:1-7.

"Shout for joy, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The LORD has taken away His judgments against you, He has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, You will fear disaster no more. In that day it will be said to Jerusalem: 'Do not be afraid, O Zion; Do not let your hands fall limp. The LORD your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy. "I will gather those who grieve about the appointed feasts -- they came from you, O Zion; The reproach of exile is a burden on them. "Behold, I am going to deal at that time with all your oppressors, I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will turn their shame into praise and renown ... "At that time I will bring you in, Even at the time when I gather you together; ... when I restore your fortunes before your eyes," says the LORD. Zeph. 3: 14-2

The New Testament-Covenant

The New Testament tells us that it is only those who are "born again" who are God's people: John 3:3; 8:24; Matt. 18:2-5; Luke 11:11-13; Acts 4:11-12; 5:32.

"Therefore, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as for our Father' ; for I say to you that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham." Matt. 3:8-9

"For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is of the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that ... of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men but from God." Rom. 2:28-29

In other words, having the outward appearance of being Jewish, or making a claim to be a 'Jew,' means nothing to God unless it is accompanied with a true heart-change (of belief in and) toward God and a concern for His people -- and for the poor. In this regard being circumcised in the flesh does not make one a true Jew but rather having God's Spirit living inside of you and living a life that is pleasing to God: as opposed to claiming to be Christian or Jewish or attending Synagogue or Church, learning Hebrew and/or Greek, moving to Israel, or becoming an Israeli citizen, etc.

"And such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, who made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life ... Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." 2 Cor. 3:4-6, 17

"For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.   There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Gal. 3:27-29

In other words, when God gives a person His Spirit, then that person now has a personal relationship with his, or her, Maker and is now free to serve Him and His people and to use their Spiritual gift or gifts to serve God and His people: I Cor. 12:1-31; 13:1-13; 14:1-4; 26-31; Gal. 5:13 ... for apart from that personal Relationship with God and His Son, we can do nothing: John 15:4-5.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He, Himself, is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall." Eph. 2:13-14

The "both groups" talked about here are Jews and Gentiles. This is made clear from verses 11-12 (of the same chapter). We also see this from the book of John:

"I am the good shepherd ... (who) lays down His life for the sheep ... And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they shall hear My voice; and ... shall become one flock with one shepherd." John 10:11, 16

The apostle Paul also tells us to beware of false teachers, evil workers, and those who think they are right with God simply because of their parental heritage and/or the culture / club they have joined: i.e. by becoming a "doctor" or "lawyer" or joining a Synagogue or Church, yet not establishing what is needed most: i.e. a heart-change / Relationship with God through His Son.

"Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus, and put no confidence in the flesh." Phil. 3:1-3

The "false circumcision" talked about here would be Jewish and/or Israelites who think they are God's people, just because of their heritage. Sort of like "born Jewish" and will die Jewish -- even though they rarely attend "church" or synagogue, almost never open their bibles, and are not sure if anybody made them.   The same could also be said of just about any other "religion" or system that excludes God's Son or that tries to usurp His authority: John 14:6; 5:22-23; Matt. 28:19-20.

"... many shall come from east and west, and recline at the table with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven; but the sons of the kingdom (i.e. Jewish or Israeli people who didn't believe) shall be cast out into the outer darkness ... (where) there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Matt. 8:11-12

"The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy" Matt. 22:8

In other words, any Jewish, or Israeli person who thinks that he or she can bypass Jesus, and/or who thinks that their (no god) evolutionist (so-called science) beliefs will save them, will be disappointed on the day of judgment (John 3:18; 5:22-23; 12:32; John 14:6). For the (so-called) god of evolution, that creates by mistakes, is not a person but "another god" -- as in a false god that requires no life-change, no repentance from sin, is not even real, and has no power to raise the dead, and can't save anyone.   This (false god) is exactly what King David meant when he said that, "The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied: Psalm 16:4.

This applies to people of all other nations (and faiths) as well. In other words, Jesus was the prophet who was prophesied to come after Moses, -- yet BEFORE the temple was destroyed (in 70 AD) -- that the people were told (or rather warned in advance) to "give heed to" in everything: Deut. 18:15-19; Acts 3:22-26; Heb. 12:25; Dan. 9:25-26; Isa. 53:1-12; John 10:7, 14, 27.   The One who claimed to be more than a prophet. The One who said:

"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.   John 14:6 ... and "Believe in God, believe also in Me, " (John 14:1) ... and "In My Father's house are many dwelling places" ... and ... "I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place ... I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also ..." John 14:2-3

"For you are a Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation and a People for God's Own Possession ... who once were not a people, but now are the people of God" I Pet. 2:9-10.

Note also that I Peter was written to both Jews and Gentiles, as was Galatians, the book of John, and Acts: and the entire New Testament. And the above verses apply to all those who serve God -- and Jesus: Mal. 3:16-18 and John 12:26. The phrase, "who once were not a people," suggests that this group transcends culture, family, race, nationality, etc.

"After these things I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice saying, 'Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!'" Revelation 7:9-10

This takes place on Mount Zion: a future Mountain that will 'raised up' above the other mountains when the Lord Returns (Micah 4:1-5). The Holy City, the New Jerusalem, is also referred to as Mount Zion. The scriptures indicate that it will also be near that mountain -- perhaps just above it -- and from which there will be highway (or highways) leading to it: Isa. 35:8-10, 40:3, 49:11, 62:10, Psalm 84:5; Heb. 12:18-24.

A Woman who gives Birth by the Spirit

In Isaiah 54:1 we are told about a woman who has more sons than a married woman, yet who has not 'travailed' to give (physical) birth. And in Isaiah 53 we are told of a Man who gave His life for 'the sins of the people,' yet, after dying 'prolonged His days,' and saw His 'offspring.'   Isaiah 53:10

We find more details about this woman in Galatians chapter four, where we are told that:

" ... Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. But the son of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the son of the free woman through the promise. This is allegorically (or figuratively) speaking: for these women are two covenants, one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing children who are ... slaves; she is Hagar ... and corresponds to the present Jerusalem (who was then in slavery to the Romans) ... (whose children are still) in slavery. But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. For it is written,

'Rejoice, barren woman who does not bear; Break forth and shout, you who are not in labor; For more are the children of the desolate than the one who has a husband.'

"And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise ... (and) not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman." Gal. 4:22-28, 31

Note that the apostle Paul is making a distinction not between Jews and Gentiles, but rather those who are in bondage to their flesh and thus still in slavery (to the law, their flesh, and death), versus those who are Abraham's seed according to the promise (Gal. 3:7, 16), who are 'born from above' by the Spirit (John 3:3-8). The apostle Paul refers to those who are Abraham's seed as his brethren and makes it clear that he is not talking about Jews, but rather followers of Christ, or Christians (Rom. 10:1-4). In fact, he referred his former manner of life as "rubbish" and his former Jewish brethren, who were still seeking righteousness (with God) by their ability to keep the law (or works) he refers to as the "false circumcision" and as "dogs" (Phil. 2, 8-11, 3:1-3). See also Romans 3:23; 6:23, and 10:4.

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek (i.e. Gentile), there is neither slave nor free man; there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

"And if you belong to Christ, then are you Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." Galatians 3:26-29.

False vs True Zionism
Genesis 12:3 and I Cor. 16:22

True Zionism simply refers to those who are committed to the true God. False Zionism is similar to what Hitler taught to his own "Arian race" -- whom he tried to convince were superior to all other peoples. False Zionism says, in effect that "we Jews are the greatest people on earth, and much better than those goyim. And "we are the 'chosen people' -- even though almost half of us don't even believe in God, and even (much, much) less that the Old or New Testaments are true."

In Genesis 12 God tells Abraham that He will 'bless those who bless you (Abraham) and the one who curses you, I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.'

Note: It does not say, "and in you all of those who say they are Jews shall be blessed."

Very often the above verse is used to falsely accuse anyone who dares to expose anything selfish, discriminatory, immoral, and/or evil that has been done by Jewish or Israeli people. When they do this they forget that the Old Testament prophets themselves warned both Jews and Israelites to turn away from their wicked ways and to return to the LORD. And thus they either don't know, or fail to state what the Scriptures teach in this regard. For God Himself told the Israelites that if they rebelled against Him then they and their works would be cursed: Deut. 28:15-63. This is brought out in many other places in both the Old and New Testaments.

Psalm 125:1 makes it clear who, and only who, has a right to call themselves a Zionist: i.e. only "those who trust in the LORD."  So the only people today who have a right to use the name of Israel or Zion are those who trust in the LORD, regardless of race or nationality. This means many of today's 'Jews' are fake Jews. In fact, it is reported that 52 percent of American 'Jews' don't even believe in God: much less the true Messiah. An even greater percentage of people who "say they are Jews" don't believe either the Old or the New Testaments. Many more place the man-made Talmud above the God-Inspired scriptures. In this regard even many Rabbis reject the Bible's account of Adam and Eve, that Moses was a real person, that God created all living things from the dust of the ground (just as it says in Genesis 2:7 and 19 -- as opposed to millions of years), nor do they believe what we are told about a global flood, and only one family that escaped on a boat -- along with many animals.

In addition, all those who reject God's Son (Prov. 30:4) are rejecting not only the prophet that Moses warned everyone to pay close attention to, but also God Himself, and thus are risking their very souls (Deut. 18:15-19). This warning is made quite clear in Psalm 2. Thus, today's Christ-rejecting Jews and /or Israelites are under a curse: even though they may use the term 'Jew,' or 'Zionist,' to describe themselves and may in fact also be Israeli citizens.

The New Testament (that was written almost entirely by converted Jews) makes this abundantly clear. For example, Jesus said that it is only those who hear the words of God that have the right to call themselves children of Abraham (John 8:47). This was stated in a various different ways by the apostle John in his first Epistle (i.e. I John). And in Luke 13:1-5 Jesus told the Jewish people of His day that they also must repent (or change their minds and their behavior) and recognize their need to believe in Him and be saved: Luke 13:1-5; John 3:14-18; 8:24.  At one point He told the Jewish religious and political rulers that they were "of their father the devil" (John 8:44), because they were not only seeking to kill Him (John 8:39), but hindering others from coming to God (Matt. 23:13), oppressing the poor and stealing their houses (Matt. 23:14). He even called them "whitewashed tombs" that looked nice on the outside but inside were "full of dead men's bones," and "hypocrisy and lawlessness." (Matt. 23:27-28). In this regard I can't help think of leaders today who promote godlessness and judges who support them and even make (baseless) decisions claiming that atheism is true or based on 'science."   In this regard the (so called) Jews who own much of the media have joined with them and even use immorality and violence as a means of entertainment. See also: Is Everyone a Child of God, and Signs of a Christian.

In other words, If Jesus were here today, it is almost certain that He would point fingers at many unethical things that are taking place in our society: many of which are owned and controlled by Jews -- including a media that promotes lies and uses violence as a means of entertainment, a legal profession that's owned and operated by a so-called Jewish family known as the Rothschild's, yet is involved in "Child Trafficking" via (so-called) franchise (for profit) 'Family Courts' -- that use children to commit extortion: all funded by international bankers -- most of whom claim to be Jewish.   The Messiah will also be against all forms of immorality. In fact, the God of Israel turned away from ancient Israel for these very things: 2 Kings 21:9-16; Isa. 3:14-15; 5:20-23; 58:1-14; Ezek. 22:6-12; Joel 3:3; Amos 2:6; 8:5-6; Mal. 1:13; Zech. 11:5-6.

The New Testament equivalent of the above verse (from Genesis 12) tells us that anyone who doesn't love the Lord (Jesus) is under a curse: I Cor. 16:22. This would certainly include any and all people who claim to be "Jews," yet "don't believe in Jesus," but rather promote a man-made book (known as the Talmud) that slanders Him: along with (so-called) "goyim."   See also Rom. 2:28-29; 10:12-13; Eph. 2:11.

In Matthew 21:42-43 Jesus warned his own Jewish countrymen that if they didn't humble themselves before God and recognize who He is, and come to Him willingly, then they would NOT be part of the New Israelite nation that He is even now creating. We quote what He said below.

"Jesus said to them, 'Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'The Stone which the Builders rejected ... has become the chief cornerstone; This came about from the LORD and it is marvelous in our eyes'?

"Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it."

When the Lord returns He will gather the 'outcasts' and 'afflicted' and make them a 'remnant' and a 'strong nation' and 'reign over them from Mount Zion.' Micah 4:5-6. This event will happen from all over the earth (Isa. 11:10-12. Matt. 24:29-31) and involve 'many nations ... who ... join themselves to the Lord' and become His people (Zech. 2:11) -- even those who were once 'not (His) people' (Hos. 2:23): including 'foreigners' (Isa. 56:3-8).

Abraham and Ephraim represent Many Nations

Genesis 17:4 is clear that Abraham's descendants would become a company (or multitude) of nations. The same thing was said about Ephraim: the younger son of Joseph in Genesis 48:19. It is also interesting to note that Joseph was one of the 12 tribes of Israel, and that both his sons (whose mother was Egyptian) were given an equal share of his inheritance among the other 12 tribes: meaning that Joseph got a double portion, Gen. 48:5-6. In addition we are told in Hosea 7:8 that Ephraim "mixes himself with the nations" or intermarries with them. If this were not enough to end the myth that there is any pure-bred people of Jacob left, the prophet Jeremiah stated in Jeremiah 31:9 that "Ephraim is My firstborn," meaning that he is God's favored son. These facts, along with Ezra 10:18-44 give the strong impression that there is no such thing as a pure "Israeli" citizen or a "true Jew" other than a Spiritual heir of Abraham and citizen of the Holy City. In this regard the New Testament tells us to 'avoid genealogies' and other 'foolish controversies,' such as who one's ancestors were, or were not: Titus 3:9, I Tim. 1:4.

What many Jewish people refuse to admit

Many people today who claim to be 'Jewish,' never even take the time to investigate the issue of Creation vs Evolution, nor whether (both) the Old and New Testaments are true. Others who may claim to believe in God and the Old Testament say that the reason they reject Jesus as the Messiah is because of what Jeremiah said in the passage below.

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, The LORD our righteousness." Jer. 23:5-6

Note the phrase "In His days," with regard to what He will do: i.e. save Judah and Israel and provide safety and security. And since Jesus did not, in His lifetime on earth, do the above, many people today who call themselves Jews say that for this reason Jesus can't be the Messiah.

What they refuse to realize is that we are still living in the days of Jesus. This is clear for the following two reasons:

1. Because Isaiah the prophet foretold that the Messiah would "prolong His days" (Isa. 53:10) in the same chapter where we are told that He would be "pierced through," (Isa. 53:5) and "cut off from the land of the living, for the sins of the people, to whom the (punishment) was due." Isa. 53:8.

2. It is the year 2016 AD, which stands for Anno Domini, or "in the year of our Lord."   In this regard, the term BC, means "Before Christ."   That's right, the actual year that the world is under to this very day revolves around the Birth and Life of Christ. For 2016 years ago the "eternal life" was made flesh and became a man in the person of Jesus Christ (I John 1:1-2; John 1:1-3, 10, 14).

The prophet Daniel also predicted the death of the "Messiah, the Prince," and that He would be "cut off" ... to "make atonement for iniquity" (Dan. 9:24-26).   Note also that Proverbs 16:6 tells us that "by lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned (or paid) for."

The prophet Zechariah also predicted that God Himself would die, or "Me, whom they ... pierced," (Zech. 12:10-14) and that the families of Israel would weep over Him, when they finally "look upon" Him and realize what they did to Him and what He did for them to save them, and what He will yet do for those who love and serve Him (I Cor. 16:22; John 12:26). See also Isaiah 9:6; John 19:34 and Rev. 1:7.

The death of the Messiah was also prophesied by King David when it was revealed to him that God would "not allow (His) Holy One to undergo decay" (Psalm 16:10). And since "decay" almost always takes place soon after death, this prophecy also foretells that God's Servant (the Messiah) would be raised up from the dead: something that is very clearly stated in Isaiah 53:10 with regard to the One who would bear the sins of the people and then "prolong His days."   See also Isa. 26:19 and Psalm 9:13 with regard to God's ability to raise the dead, and Hosea 6:1-3 with regard to being raised up "after three days."

The book of Hebrews (1:1-2) is quite clear that ever since God's Son came we are living in the last days. Note also that Jesus did, in fact, claim to be God's Son in Luke 22:70. See also John 4:25-26 and 5:17-18. And since Jesus told His disciples that He is coming back to get those who are His own (John 6:37-40, 14:1-3) we can say emphatically that when He returns He will fulfill the prophecy above from Jeremiah 23.

In this regard we also note that it was prophesied that "the builders" (or Jews) would reject the very "stone" who would become the cornerstone (Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16; Matt. 21:42; Acts 2:22-36; I Pet. 2:6-10) and that Jesus Himself told us that He would be coming back (Acts 1:9-11; John 14:1-3) -- meaning that He is not yet finished with His works on earth, yet His work of providing atonement for sins is done (John 19:30; Prov. 16:6). In this regard, it is also significant that the sentence Jesus was guilty of was to claim that He was God's Son and the "King of the Jews," which is what Pilate, the Roman governor who sentenced him actually wrote above His head and which was nailed to the cross: Matt. 2:2; 21:5; 27:11. That was His "crime." And to those who say that God doesn't have a Son, we point out that the Scriptures say otherwise: for example Proverbs 30:4, Psalm 2:1-12, and Isaiah 9:6 make this quite clear.   The New Testament makes this even more plain. See for example Luke 22:70, John 4:25-26, 5:17-18, and Matt. 16:13-16.

Who are Israel and the Church
Who are the Chosen, Elect, People of God?

Consider the quote below from Isaiah, and note what it says, versus what it does NOT say.

"Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.
Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, according to the faithful mercies shown to David ... " Isa. 55:1-3

Note that the above verse does not say, 'Ho! Every Jew who thirsts,' or 'Every Israeli who thirsts,' but 'Every one', which means that the good news of Messiah, the seed of Abraham, is for Everyone. And everyone who comes to Him (and acknowledges Him for who He is and repents, or changes their mind about their sin) is 'chosen.' We can say this because that is what the Messiah said, and what His followers also confirmed: i.e. that the gospel is available for everyone who seeks after God and who wants to be saved. This is made plain by the verse above, and by statements made by the One who not only claimed to be the Messiah (John 4:25-26), but who fulfilled many of the prophesies made about Him: including rising from the dead. Consider also the following statements that Jesus made.

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and the One who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out." John 6:37

"This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me, I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. ... that everyone who beholds the Son, and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I, Myself, will raise him up on the last day." John 6:39-40

"Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door (i.e. of his or her heart), I will come into him (or her) and sup with him (or her)." Rev. 3:20

"I am the door, if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:9-11

"I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me." John 14:6

"If anyone loves Me he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our abode with him." John 14:23

"Unless you believe that I am (He), you will die in your sins." John 8:24

The above verses make it abundantly clear, that Jesus, who is called Christ, claimed to be the only way for someone to get right with God: or to become one of God's children.

While reading articles on this topic, we came across an article called "The Commonwealth of Israel, by Gavin Finley MD. A portion of it is quoted below with regard to the Church.

"The word "church" merely means "assembly." The Greek word "ekklesia" means "called out," "congregation," or "assembly." It is only when the object of the assembly is mentioned that the word has anything beyond just a generic meaning. The so-called "church" should be properly presented as "The Congregation of Israel", or "The Congregation of Israel's Anointed Messiah". Those more Biblically correct names would help connect the dots and help Christians ... (understand) their true identity.

True born-again ... Christians are by that atoning blood ushered into the Congregation, the Nation, and the Commonwealth of Israel. ... (Yet) ... Christians, for the most part, are blind to their corporate identity in the Commonwealth of Israel."

Romans 11 tells us that a partial hardening has happened to many people of Jewish and Israeli descent and that many gentiles have been "grafted in" to the "olive tree" (Nation and Priesthood) of God's people, who are citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20) and of the New Jerusalem, which is from above (Rev. 21-22). Note that it is the church that is grafted in to Zion or the New and heavenly Israel: as opposed to the present nation of Israel that requires any of it's new citizens to renounce their faith in Jesus in order to become a citizen.

In Romans 11 it is clear that Gentiles are grafted into a God's nation called Israel: which becomes more than just a non-political and local "Church." The New Testament also makes it clear that God tore down, not only the old veil that covered the holy of holies, but also the whole temple itself and will some day build a new one, where God Himself will dwell: Matt. 21:42-44, Rom. 3:28-31, I Pet. 2:9-10, Isa. 11:11-12, 49:13-18, 56:3-8, Micah 4:6-8, and Zeph. 3:8-20.

In regard to this time of "re-structuring" the "church" from a local body of believers to an Israelite nation, gentile followers are instructed not to be arrogant toward people of Jewish or Israeli descent (Rom. 11:18-22): nor to abandon their faith in the Lord and His goodness ... that has 'great reward.' Heb. 10:35-39; Isa. 25:6-9; 35:3-5. Some Christians pervert this and by making false statements such as that people who claim to be Jewish are "God's chosen people" and therefore don't need to believe in (Jesus) the (only) Messiah.

It is also claimed by many Christians that we will all be "raptured" out from the earth and not go through the great tribulation, but rather that this time period is only for "the Jews." With regard to this end-time period and who is in it, Stephen Amy says the following:

"Pretribulation authors typically acknowledge that there will be saints on the earth during the tribulation, but they deny that such saints are members of the church. This assertion grows from dispensationalism, a method of interpreting Scripture that distinguishes Israel from the church in the last days. Thus they explain that although saints can be on the earth, the church is not. But there can be no doubt that believing Jews are portrayed as members of the church (from Pentecost to the coming of the Lord) in such passages as Eph. 2:14; Rev. 2:8-11, and Rev. 3:7-13. The ... assertion that believing Israel is not ... (part of) the church ... fails to consider that:

(1) believing Jews and gentiles go through the tribulation (Rev. 7:4-8, 9-14);
(2) the church, since the time of Pentecost, has been composed of Jews and gentiles; and
(3) the book of Revelation is written “to the churches” (Rev. 22:16)." ⁶

Are the Church and Israel the same?

If the Church is separate from Israel, or Zion, then why would the apostle Paul say that there is "no distinction" between Jewish and Gentile believers (Col. 3:11, Rom. 10:12), that we are all one in Christ, and that the dividing wall (between Jew and Gentile) has been broken down: Eph. 2:14?

In this regard, note what the Lord said to His 12 disciples who were definitely part of His Church: i.e. that after the resurrection they would sit on 12 thrones: judging the 12 tribes of Israel: Matt. 19:28. Therefore, since the 12 apostles were (and are) part of the church, to rule over Israel will they not also have to be part of it? See also Isaiah 32:1-8.

When the Lord returns He will gather the 'outcasts' and 'afflicted' and make them a 'remnant' and a 'strong nation' and 'reign over them from Mount Zion' (Micah 4:5-6) -- suggesting quite strongly that the new nation of Israel will be comprised of people from many nations. This happens from all over the earth (Isa. 11:10-12; Matt. 24:29-31), and involves 'many nations ... who ... join themselves to the Lord ... to become His people (Zech. 2:11): including foreigners who once were not His people: Hos. 2:23; Isa. 56:3-8; Zeph. 3:19-20; I Pet. 2:9-10.

To assert that the rapture of the church occurs before the tribulation is to assert that believers (who comprise the church) are separate and distinct from Israel or Zion; however, in Romans 11:25-31, we learn that Israel is the crown -- or completion -- of the church, and that after all the Gentiles who are willing to come to Christ actually do, then God will save the whole Jewish and Israeli nation: which will become believers in the Messiah all at once. The apostle uses the words "come in" to refer to what the Gentiles are now still doing: i.e. coming in to the new nation of 'Israel' -- whose Founder, Maker, King, and "seed" is none other than the Son of God: Yahshua, the Messiah (Matt. 21:5; 27:11; John 12:15; Zech. 9:9; Gal. 3:14-28; Heb. 1:5-14; Phil. 2:9-11). Note also that when the great wedding feast is discussed in Isaiah 25:6-9, nothing is said of two different groups. However, in this regard, Jesus did say that many of those who were invited to come, made excuses, because they were too busy with other things (Luke 14:16-23; Matt. 8:10-12). However, those who were seeking God and His kingdom will say:

"This is our God, for whom we have waited, that He might save us ... "let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." ... The One who will "wipe tears away from all faces."   Isa. 25:8-9

What we must all do to inherit eternal life
This applies especially to Jewish people

1. Stop cursing yourself by rejecting your only hope of salvation: i.e. God's Son, Yahshua, also known as Jesus, who gave His life and suffered a horrible death to pay the price of our forgiveness and offer all who come to Him eternal life: John 6:37-40; 12:32; 14:1, 6; I Cor. 16:22; Rom. 6:23; 10:4.

2. Stop cursing yourself by cursing Yahshua's people, the seed of Abraham: i.e. Born again Christians -- both Jew and Gentile (Gal. 3:16-29; 4:21-31; Rom. 9:6-8; Matt. 23:39; Acts 9:1-5). For there is no longer any more "Jew nor Greek" slave nor free man, male nor female, but rather we (believers in Messiah) are now one in Christ, and are "Abraham's offspring" according to promise: Gal. 3:28-29.

3. Confess your sins to God, ask for His forgiveness, and be willing to change your ways and / or to ask God to change you. Matt. 18:3; Luke 13:1-3; Rom. 3:23-27; Eph. 2:8-9

4. Call upon God's Son Yahshua, Jesus to save you. Acts 4:12; Rom. 10:9-13; Rev. 3:20.   The One who said: "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me, I will certainly not cast out." John 6:37

We conclude with what the (Jewish) apostle Peter said over 1900 years ago to a group of Jews in Jerusalem:

“And now, brethren, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. But the things which God announced beforehand by the mouth of all the prophets, that His Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren, to Him you shall give heed to everything He says to you. And it will be that every soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.' And likewise, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and his successors onward, also announced these days. It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘ And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ For you first, God raised up His Servant and sent Him to bless you by turning every one of you from your wicked ways.” Acts 3:17-26

See also:
Who is Israel?
Why I left Judaism
Who is the true Israel
On the Brink of WWIII
Is everyone a child of God?
Prepare to meet your Maker
Scriptures on Israel's Restoration
Rothschild Zionist New World Order
Who is the Prophet Moses spoke about?
Christians are God's Chosen People: Not Jews
Christianity's Unholy Alliance with False Zionism
15 Year-Old Nathan's Testimony of Heaven, Hell, WWIII

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