Thursday, November 29, 2007

What do Jew mean? A biblical analysis of Judaism

Differing types

A. nominal Jews) ethnic
Deu 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Sadly the majority of today’s ethnic Jews have an atheist worldview. They may still worship on the Holidays for the sake of ethnic pride, yet the majority has altogether turned away from Jehovah. Some of this is due to liberalism and a lot of this is due to the Holocaust.
The Holocaust was an ungodly evil event. So could God allow it? Were His people not obedient? First and foremost, it was an evil action done by Hitler & the Nazis with some help from the Vatican. As a result of this Germany was cursed. Their nation was split open, their name was blasphemed, many Germans were killed in WWII and any survivors have lived in exile. The New Testament teaches that their ilk will be resurrected to the Final Judgement and caste in the lake of Fire to burn for eternity.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
However, could it be that perhaps the Jews were disobedient enough to God not to have the protection from God? Now remember two things. First, God was not directly responsible at all for the Holocaust. Second, He did saved the Jews from certain and total annihilation. So if you are a Jew reading this remember how God spared your people so that you could read this today. Yet the massacre may have been allowed due to the disobedience of the Jewish people.
I think many Jews would at this point assume that I am going to say that it was because of the death of Jesus. Not at all. The death of Jesus was a propitiatory sacrifice for sin. This is a good thing for both Jew and Gentile alike! The death of Jesus is our chance at eternity!
Joh 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Some may think that it is because that Jews did not join the Christian Church. Not at all! The Majority of Christians churches with which the Jews have dealt with (Catholic) were not even true churches but apostate from the Bible. Others (mainline protestant) did not have a handle on what it meant to be the true church of God.
Historically, Jews did not interact much with the persecuted ana-baptist true churches. But even then it is wrong to simply join a group to get in good graces with Jehovah. He does not care about our friends or family but our souls.
Eze 18:1 The word of the LORD came unto me again, saying,
Eze 18:2 What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
Eze 18:3 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, ye shall not have occasion any more to use this proverb in Israel.
Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Eze 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
In actuality I believe that Jews have been experiencing the most persecution the world has ever seen because they have rejected their own God and Messiah.
They followed the legalism of the Rabbis then went on to engage in the idolatry found in Kabbalah. The Jews had followed and sometimes led the world in the greatest heresies of world civilization. Such as the Jew, Karl Marx whose invention of Communism led to the destruction of a 100 million lives.
Through the centuries the Jews have rejected their Messiah this had led to curse after curse. But in order to reject the Messiah you have to reject the tana’ach and so the Jews have been rejecting the law in some way shape or form for centuries.
If you have a problem with pop-Christianity then I support you. But what about Jesus? If you do not understand his offer hopefully you will better by the end of this article.
B. Israeli Jews) ethnic and geographic
“The hour is approaching, when the tribes shall go up to their own country; when Judea so long a howling wilderness, shall once more blossom like the rose; when, if the temple itself be not restored, yet on Zions Hill shall be raised some Christian building, where the chants of solemn praise shall be heard as erst of old the Psalm of David were sung in the tabernacle. Not long shall it be ere they shall come-shall come from distant lands where’er the rest of roam; and she who has been the offscouring of all things, whose name has been a proverb and a byword, shall become the glory of all lands. Dejected Zion shall raise her head, shaking herself from dust, and darkness, and the dead. Then shall the Lord feed his people, and make them and the places round about his hill a blessing. I think we do not attach sufficient importance to the restoration of the Jews. We do not think enough of it. But certainly if there is anything promised in the Bible it is this. I imagine that you cannot read the Bible without seeing clearly that there is to be an actual restoration of children of Israel.” Charles Hadden Spurgeon “The Church of Christ” (sermon)
What is interesting about this statement, is that Spurgeon wrote this (1800’s) well before establishment of the nation of Israel and he never claimed the popular title of Dispensationalist. Instead, his theology (reformed Baptist) typically took a replacement theology position. Yet even at this time before the miraculous return it was obviously in the scriptures and he could not deny Bible prophecy.
Israeli Jews may come across the board in their ways and practice of Judaism. Yet God has caste them upon the center stage of world and prophetic events. They live among the physical record of the Bible. They realize that their people have claimed the land for 1000’s of years. They are hated supernaturally by all their neighbors. Yet they one of the most talented nations on all the earth. The miraculous is the essence of their life.

C. Babylonian Jews) Rabbinic Judaism which is the religion of the Jews. They are broken into various denominations (Orthodox, Reformed, Conservative, Hasidic etc. ) Yet ultimately there is the same theme. They are essentially the religion of the Pharisees. Some may very on issues of charismatic, & liberal vrs. Conservative. However they hold fidelity to the OT along with the Talmud and Mishna.
This religious system may have started off on the right foot with OT. However, they failed on three issues. Obviously they reject Jesus and the NT. But even more interesting they fail to live according Mosaic Law. Also they have cultishly added to the OT revelation with Talmud and Mishna.
Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.
Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Most Jews admit that these are man-made writings but then go on to argue them as divine anyhow. This practice is very similar to that of the Catholics. There is a reason for this and the reason is that they both have Babylonian origins. Pharisaical Judaism never truly repented of their idolatries. They replaced Godly worship with temple idolatry much like the Catholics Muslims and Jews.


D. True Judaism) Faithful Jews
When I think of true Jews, I think of those who are Jews that are not linked up with a particular Babylonian denomination. A good example of this would be Radio talk show host Dennis Prager. The good Jews of today carry many OT and NT heresies. Yet they have a desire to follow the torah, honor Jehovah and have a positive viewpoint about evangelical Christians. Yet while they are religious and generally good no one is truly righteous in the sight of God. Without Jesus they do not have the atonement needed in order to enter the Kingdom of God.
Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.
Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

E. Pseudo-Jews)replacement theology[cults and traditionalist churches)
Psa 105:8-11 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac; And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
Rom 9:1-5 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

I like to say that these types of people suffer from a condition I like to call “Ishmaelitus”. Essentially these people would prefer to claim the favor of the OT God above and over the Jews. Therefore, they argue that somehow God had lost favor with the Jews and therefore God had moved his favor over to this group through their superior or more righteous practices.
Christians throughout history have sadly been duped out of NT Churches in exchange for these pseudo-Jewish Ishmaelite organizations.
Rom 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Rom 11:21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.


F. Ultra Zionist) Those who see the fulfillment of the gospels through the securing of the Land of Israel for the Jews. The primary example of this group is the pastor John Hagee. There are many issues in which I agree with John Hagee in fact there are many actions by which I even admired Him. Yet I feel that his position veers away from the gospel in the following ways. The Old Covenant in no way is an alternative to salvation through Christ. Because no one can earn salvation, since they are all guilty before God. John Hagee has sacrificed this fundamental doctrine in order to fellowship with Babylonian Jews. Many in this group like the Messianic Jews may get confused over the nature of the Law.

G. New Covenant Hebrews) true church
Hos 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.
Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
True Church Christians are those who adhere strictly to the New Covenant. Their sense of ecclesiology as well as their doctrine of salvation. They do depend on the Old Testament to provide their worldview. Fundamental beliefs such as Monotheism, the Name of God (Jehovah), morality (Ten Commandments), the necessity of blood atonement for sin, and prophecy. True church Christians recognize the authority of the Old Testament and take it literally. They are grateful to the Jewish people and the Jew who saved their souls. (Jesus Christ) New Testament Christians are included in the line of Abraham spiritually. Though they recognize that they have not replaced Israel. They desire offer Jews the New Covenant by which they may have access to the future resurrection of the dead and have the eternally secure hope of Heaven. True Church Christianity is Hebrew in their respect for the Old Covenant. They are also Hebrew in The sense that they belong to the New (Jewish) Covenant.
Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom 11:18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
Rom 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.

H. Messianic Jews) Jewish Christians who are faithful to Hebrew culture and followers of Christ.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Rom 14:4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
Rom 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Rom 14:6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Rom 14:7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Some Jews are finally coming into New Testament Faith in Christ. The question has occurred “Must a Jew become a Christian to be saved?”
Unfortunately this question is far to narrow with to many differing implications. Jews Need to be Christians in the since of the New Covenant. Yet they are not asked by God to abolish the Old Testament like the pseudo Jewish replacement theologians.
One of the problems is that we have forgotten that the Old and New Covenant are two separate covenant. The New Covenant not promise a blessed earthly life, neither does the Old Covenant promise eternal salvation.
Exo 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
Exo 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Joh 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
Joh 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is my view that both the Old and New Testaments are separate covenants and as such. If someone wants to follow them both they must do so distinctly. In other words a saved Jew can go to the synagogue but also fellowship with gentiles at a New Testament church. Some may think it mockery to argue for a Messianic Jew to go to church, but this I believe is the ruling of Galatians.
Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
The body of Christ is both Jew and Gentile. But a Jew must follow the law. While a gentile does not need to. Therefore it is a separate covenant.
Gal 3:12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
So I believe there ought to be a distinction though we should honor the Jewish converts who will have fidelity to their law. Just as much as a U.S. soldier who is saved ought to still honor his country.

The Tana’ach (Old Testament) affirms true Christianity

a. A plurality within the Godhead.
Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
The word for God here is “Elohim”
. Which by definition allows for natural plurality. Most would argue the OT is strictly monotheistic with no more than one person of the Godhead. However the OT never introduces an isolated monotheistic God.

b. The three in one Trinitarian nature of God
Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.
Why these three? Why not others?
c. The single Messiah
Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Gal 3:16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.


d. The virgin-born Messiah
Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

e. The Deity of the Messiah
Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

f. The prophecy by the Messiah
Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

g. The New Covenant
Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, 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.
Jer 31:34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

h. The Sacrifice of the Messiah
Isa 53:2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
Isa 53:9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isa 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

i. The execution of the Messiah
Psa 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
Psa 22:2 O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
Psa 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Psa 22:4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
Psa 22:5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
Psa 22:6 But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Psa 22:7 All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
Psa 22:8 He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
Psa 22:9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
Psa 22:10 I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
Psa 22:11 Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
Psa 22:12 Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Psa 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
Psa 22:14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Psa 22:15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Psa 22:16 For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
Psa 22:17 I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
Psa 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Psa 22:19 But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
Psa 22:20 Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.

j. The Resurrection of the Messiah
Psa 16:8 I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psa 16:9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Psa 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

k. The Glorification of the Messiah
Psa 110:1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

l. God’s people live by faith
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

m. Righteousness imputed not of works
Zec 3:1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.
Zec 3:2 And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
Zec 3:3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel.
Zec 3:4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.

n. Gentiles included in the New Covenant
Amo 9:11 In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old:
Amo 9:12 That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this.

o. The Holy Spirit poured out upon God’s People
Joe 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joe 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.


p. The Judgement by the Messiah
Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
q. Salvation through the Messiah
Zec 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

This subject is quite exhaustive and I apologize for only skimming certain parts. Feel free to comment.
In Christ,
Matt