67.The Lost Sheep of the House of Israel

67. THE LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

2:9. "I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are of the synagogue of satan."  (See also 3:9.)
 It is perfectly clear from Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 that there is a Biblical standard required for claiming the name Jew. Those Jews who did not accept Christ were "cut off" from the people of God: Deuteronomy 18:15-19; = Acts 3:22-23; 7:37,51; John 15:6; Romans 11:17-24.
 One of the best-kept secrets in the world today is that there is no traceable genetic relationship between those calling themselves “Jews” today and those of the Biblical era. So-called DNA evidence for genetic kinship with Abraham which is being approved by the Rabbis fails to attain scientific credibility on many points. For example, Abraham is not here to compare his blood with today’s samples.

The standard traditional doctrines of most Evangelicals and others teach that those who call themselves Jews today are genetically descended from Abraham and are Christ's "brethren after the Flesh."[i]

Nowhere did Christ call them His "Brethren after the flesh." But He refuted this teaching, Matthew 12:48-50:

While He yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and His brethren stood without, desiring to speak to Him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But He answered and said unto Him that told Him, "Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?" And He stretched forth His hand toward His disciples, and said, "Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father which is in heaven, the same is My brother and sister and mother."

Christ was not born "after the Flesh" but was virgin-born. His "brethren" are therefore those born of the Spirit.

In Old Testament times genealogical descent was of great importance for three reasons: kingship, priesthood and land rights. The New Testament is very clear that the only legitimate Heir to these rights is Jesus Christ of Nazareth, Hebrews 1:2. He is King, High Priest and Owner of the whole earth. Since He is alive forevermore, the inheritance is now secure and incorruptible in Him and is accessible to every ethnic and genetic group without respect of person.

Jesus warned the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" so that they could repent. However, all those who did not repent and accept Him were cast out, rejected, disinherited, (Matthew 23; Mark 12: 1-9, 12; Luke 10:1, 10-11; 13:28, 35; 14:16-24, 26-33; 15:11-32; Galatians 4:30). Even so, all those who will repent and turn to Christ can be restored, (Romans 11:23-24).

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[i] For example, L.V.D. Tiller says: "As Christians we owe a debt of love to the Jewish people for they are 'His brethren after the flesh' – this can be said of no other people. Furthermore the words of Jesus himself cannot be ignored: 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me' (Matt. 25:40)," ("What is God Doing in Israel?" Pentecostal Evangel, February 9, 1975, 8-10.)

   The basis of this theology is found in their mis-interpretation of the Old Testament prophets who foretold a return to the land after the Babylonian captivity, for example: Jeremiah and Ezekiel. An unbiased study of these texts, however, shows that they were literally fulfilled in the accounts given by Ezra and Nehemiah. They were spiritually fulfilled in the incarnation, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ. The Bible itself gives full proof that a literal future fulfillment of the prophecies of return to the land is distinctly denied.

  This lesson is an edited excerpt from my book Revelation In Context. My Book is available at the Living Word Bookstore in Shawnee, Oklahoma and is also available online at www.amazon.com  or www.xulonpress.com. Free downloads are available at www.revelationincontext.sermon.net