The Jews and Jerusalem...The End?

By Reverend Mark Hunnemann

"Lest you be wise in your own sight, I want you to understand this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved..." (Romans 11:25-26)

This is the second in a series on whether the End is near. Last week I gave my own "State of the Union" observations in Is This The End? It was the most difficult blog I ever wrote, and I ended up getting pretty sick...maybe the anxiety, I don't know. Anyway, I want to shift gears and discuss eschatology proper (study of end times). Specifically, as per the text above, I want to ask whether the predictions regarding the Jews and the End times have been fulfilled.

We have to be careful for what I call the "Red Sky Syndrome", which Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for. At night and in the morning they could look at the sky and give a fairly accurate prediction for that days weather. However, when it came to something infinitely more significant,  they missed all the prophetic signs which pointed to Him as their Jewish Messiah. Similarly, Jesus and the apostles gave us specific signs we should look for as indicators of His Second Coming. In agreement with the consensus of church history, I personally do not distinguish between the Rapture and the Second Coming. Why are we caught up in the air then?  As when ancients went out of the  the city gates of Rome to escort their victors home (back into the city) in celebration, I believe that God wants ALL of His children who will reign with Him to meet Him enroute to His final triumph. If you disagree (and most of you probably do), then that is cool. The Second Coming of Jesus is the visible return when all enemies will be vanquished!

Are we in the Last Days--yes and maybe. Since the First Coming of Jesus we have been in the Last Days, but if we mean the time right before the Second Coming, then I THINK we may be. Jesus and the apostles tell us to not miss the signs of His imminent return. Vigilance and diligence, is what we are called to. If we look at the list of sins that will be prevalent, then we can't help but note that they have been pervasive in every generation. So, my thinking is that there will be--due in part to advanced technology--an INTENSIFICATION of these sins, as we discussed last time.

It is noteworthy that the bloodiest century from a military perspective was the twentieth century And unprecedented natural disasters have occurred..I mentioned last week that abortion on demand is the most wicked and depraved activity ever practiced in the history of humanity.That most Christians have a dismissive attitude toward this monstrous evil is another factor that I think is significant. A blinding or moral paralysis seems to have descended upon us...a spirit of deception.

The sign I want to focus on is the prediction of a revival amongst the Jews prior to Jesus' return. In the text above in Romans 11:,25-26.This text has been hotly contested regarding it's interpretation, but I think the meaning is patently clear. Paul does distinguish between Gentiles and ethnic Israel/Jews. The glory of the "mystery" that Paul is revealing is that "All Israel will be saved" prior to Jesus return.The term "all Israel" does not mean each and every Jew alive will be converted. For example, after the Super Bowl it was said, "All Seattle was in the streets celebrating." That clearly does not mean each and every person living in Seattle.....just a whole lot of them. That is the sense of what the text in Rom.11 means--a mighty revival will occur within the Jewish community. Where though? Just in Israel or worldwide?.It would seem the latter makes more sense.

Is that happening? And what of the Jews retaining control of Jerusalem for the first time since 70 AD? There is no doubt that God is saving Jews today in a marvelous way. However, I personally do not see the kind of conversion indicated in Rom 11. Again, this does not refer to EVERY living Jew being saved, but a mighty work. I did some research on this topic, and I must confess that I don't see it....not.yet. And I may be wrong! There is no doubt that more Jews are coming to Christ these days, but the reality is that the vast majority of ethnic Jews are still unbelievers. Or am I wrong?

Some point to the at least partial control of Jerusalem in 1967 as significant. Surely it is since that is the first time that has occurred since 70  AD.. However, upon reflection, I do not know how this bears testimony to any end times predictions. Surely, it has no bearing on their conversion we spoke of. I know that many, since the influence of dispensationalism, have envisioned a literal  Temple with animal sacrifices.And the taking of Jerusalem would be step in that direction. But I find odious the notion that converted Jews would even want to sacrifice animals in light of Christ's work on the cross. It seems contrary to all the book of Hebrews discusses at length.This is taking us far afield into debates regarding the Millennium and so on. Suffice it to say that I personally envision a more comprehensive work of revival and salvation within the Jewish community before this sign is fulfilled. But honestly, I dunno....

Let us end this section as Paul did, as he contemplated the future conversion of the Jews...."For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?" For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen." (Romans 11:34-36)

After Your Deliverance

By Stephen Piersall
God’s Preservation Ministry http://sfprs.org/   

Staying free after a Deliverance session is not the end but in fact, the beginning. This is when you get your life on the straight and narrow path with God and do your daily reading of the Bible, praying, tithing, and attending your local church regularly and be baptized. However, sometimes people cannot seem to get out of their past behaviors, and they slip back into their old ways. Ever notice on all these TV shows/movies, etc. that when people think they have a haunting they immediately call “Ghost (demon) Investigators" instead of going to a church for help where they live?

 

Unfortunately, in our ministry people who have become free from evil, stay focused on the past and will look at everything and anything and try to make things into the wicked doings. Sort of like leading a horse to water, just cannot get them to drink when you want them too. As parent’s it is no different. We only want the best for them and will do most anything to keep them safe and secure, even after they become adults. Once you get your life right with God you still will go through trials, tests, temptations, and attacks. Satan tempted Jesus three times and the evil one left in defeat. God has a plan for us too, and we must stay in vigilante against temptation. When we are under attack just remember stick to your belief in God, use the Bible as your sword, and pray like you have never prayed before, as this too shall pass, as everything here is worldly. Make sure you clean out ungodly books, videos, pictures, photos, knickknacks, etc. Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead and guide them—when in doubt get rid of it.

 

When you become a Christian, it is like getting a new citizenship. We are no longer of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we are just travelers passing through our time here on earth. This alone should help us to stay focused on the goal of a life as a Christian. Matthew 12:43-45, “When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.” We want to make sure, if the evil spirit returns, it will find your house full of the Holy Spirit and the power of Almighty God.

 

John 5:1-15, “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir; I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” Most coercion comes in through sin as Legal Rights, and most demonic strongholds are nurtured by sin. To walk out through Deliverance and to stay free we too should go and sin no more! We need to change bad habits that turn to sin and ask God to show us through the Holy Spirit what we must still correct in our daily lives. Praying first thing in the morning and before bedtime is the best way to staying in tuned with God. Do not walk your life with feelings that go up and down but choose to walk the truth from the word of God.

 

Make sure to get water submersion baptizing. Statistically, most new Christians who back slide were not baptized. Baptism is a command and not an option. Get involved with your local church; it is okay to “shop” around to find one that makes you feel most at home. Then get involved, join in, volunteer, be accountable for your Pastor. Do not wait until evil attacks; the best defense is a good offense. Open your Bible and read it, pray, and put on the full armor of God (see Ephesians chapter six). Advance the kingdom of God, witness, testify, walk the talk/walk of Jesus and above all guard your thoughts. You are what you think. Know that the combat zone is your mind and take authority over it, walk in freedom, and stay free!

 

May God Bless you, and it’s well overdue for America to Bless God!