I See
Jesus in Gethsemane
Sweating blood on bended knees
Jesus kissed by Judas now
A kiss betrays His fevered brow
Jesus picking up an ear
Wonders aloud why Him they fear
Jesus meeting Peter’s eye
Sees him leave with bitter cries
Jesus asked “Are you God’s son?”
Declares it so and His judging’s done
Jesus with Rome’s Governor
Telling gently why He was born
Jesus sent to Herod then
Silent, robed…. He returns again
Jesus scourged by Roman hands
Fulfilling prophecy’s demands
Jesus on the pavement next
Pilate looks for a pretext
Jesus comforts Pilate some
The man’s afraid, somewhat undone
Jesus stands as they cry out
“Crucify him, crucify him…”
Jesus… Pilate caving in
Fulfilling the law’s demands of sin
Jesus, garbed in my own clothes
Wearing insults, stripes and blows
Jesus bears the heaviest load
Down the Dolorosa Road
Jesus stumbles, Simeon nigh
Forced to help his Savior die
Jesus climbs the frightful hill
There His Holy Blood to spill
Jesus meek as any lamb
Naked, pierced in Feet and Hands
Jesus lifted up from the earth
Giving us our second birth
Jesus coat upon the ground
Despised the shame without a sound
Jesus speaks, lo, seven times
Words without a need of rhyme
Jesus promises the thief
New life with Him and no more grief
Jesus light has fled away
Comes the darkness at mid-day.
Jesus gives His Spirit up
Unto His Father... He’s drunk the cup.
Jesus riven is his tent
Like the Temple veil now rent
Jesus dead upon the cross
My precious hope ! at such cost!
Jesus pierced now once again
Water now on earth He sends
Jesus’ loved ones stand aghast
They thought His rule of love would last
Jesus’ friends now bury Him
The rich cool tomb He enters in
Jesus passes from human view
Almost as if they never knew……..yet
“Jesus, Jesus we saw You,
We touched You, we loved You…. Where are You?”
Jesus setting captives free
And taking captive captivity
Jesus preaching to those who slept
Before upon the earth He wept
Jesus, flashing, breaking out!
His disciples, filled with doubt,
See Him now, again, What’s this?
It’s Jesus, yes! It really is!!!!!
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
I SEE
Monday, April 22, 2024
The Rich, Historic Roll Call Of Great Christian Thinkers And Scientists
The Rich, Historic Roll Call Of Great Christian Thinkers And Scientists
By
J. Warner Wallace
Published
March 2, 2018
https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-rich-historic-roll-call-of-great-christian-thinkers-and-scientists/
“If you listen carefully to our increasingly secular culture, you might think science and reason are completely incompatible with Christian belief. Several notable scientists and thinkers in the past two hundred years have been atheists, and their ranks seem to have grown in direct proportion with our increase in scientific knowledge. Is a scientific understanding of the world incompatible with Christian Theism? Must rational thinkers and scientific investigators abandon their belief in God to discover scientific truth or contribute to the larger scientific enterprise? No. In fact, the historic roll call of scientists has included many great Christian believers. I thought it might be helpful to remind ourselves of the contribution offered by Christian theists throughout the history of scientific discovery” (a much larger list provided the foundation for my summary):
- John Philoponus (c.490 to c.570)
He theorized about the nature of light and stars and criticized Aristotelian physics - Bede, the Venerable (c.672 to 735)
He wrote two volumes on “Time and its Reckoning” that revealed a new understanding of the “progress wave-like” nature of tides - Pope Silvester II (c.950 to 1003)
He influenced and shaped the teaching of math and astronomy in Christian schools - Hermannus Contractus (1013 to 1054)
He wrote on geometry, mathematics, and the astrolabe (a historical astronomical instrument used by classical astronomers and navigators) - Robert Grosseteste (c.1175 to 1253)
He is considered the founder of scientific thought in Oxford. He wrote books on the mathematical sciences of optics, astronomy and geometry. He believed that experiments should be used in order to verify a theory - Pope John XXI (1215 to 1277)
He wrote the “Thesaurus Pauperum” (a widely used medical text) - Albertus Magnus (c.1193 to 1280)
He was a scientist who may have been the first to isolate arsenic. He wrote “Natural science does not consist in ratifying what others have said, but in seeking the causes of phenomena” - Roger Bacon (c.1214 to 1294)
He contributed in areas of optics, mechanics and geography; he promoted empiricism and was one of the earliest advocates of the modern scientific method. He was also responsible for promoting the concept of the “laws of nature” - Theodoric of Freiberg (c.1250 to c.1310)
He gave the first correct explanation for the rainbow in “De Iride et Radialibus Impressionibus” (or “On the Rainbow”) - Thomas Bradwardine (c.1290 to 1349)
He was called “the Profound Doctor”and his studies lead to important developments in mechanics - Jean Buridan (1300 to 1358)
He developed a theory known as ‘impetus’; an important step toward the modern concept of ‘inertia’ - Nicole Oresme (c.1323 to 1382)
He was one of the early founders and promoters of ‘modern sciences’. He made many scientific discoveries, including the discovery of curvature of light through atmospheric refraction - Nicholas of Cusa (1401 to 1464)
He made contributions to the field of mathematics and developed the concepts of the ‘infinitesimal’ and of ‘relative motion’ - Otto Brunfels (1488 to 1534)
He was a botanist and his “Herbarum Vivae Icones” was a formative work in the field of botany - Nicolaus Copernicus (1473 to 1543)
He introduced the ‘heliocentric’ world view, discovering the earth and the solar system planets revolved around the sun - William Turner (c.1508 to 1568)
He is the “father of English botany” and was also an ornithologist - Ignazio Danti (1536 to 1586)
He was a mathematician who wrote about Euclid (an astronomer, and a designer of mechanical devices) - Giordano Bruno (1548 to 1600)
He was an Italian cosmologist who argued that the Earth revolved around the Sun and that other worlds also revolved around other suns - Bartholomaeus Pitiscus (1561 to 1613)
He was a mathematician who may have coined the word trigonometry in the English and French Languages - John Napier (1550 to 1617)
He was a Scottish mathematician renowned for inventing logarithms and his promotion of the use of decimals - Johannes Kepler (1571 to 1630)
He invented “Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion” based on data he got from Tycho Brahe’s astronomical observations - Laurentius Gothus (1565 to 1646)
He was a professor of astronomy who wrote many books on the topic - Galileo Galilei (1564 to 1642)
He was a renowned scientist defended ‘heliocentrism’ (to his own peril - Marin Mersenne (1588 to 1648)
He was a mathematician who communicated with other mathematicians related to concepts concerning what are now known as “Mersenne primes” - René Descartes (1596 to 1650)
He was one of the key thinkers of the “Scientific Revolution” and the Cartesian coordinate system (used in plane geometry and algebra) was named after him. He did formative work on invariants and geometry. - Blaise Pascal (1623 to 1662)
He was a great thinker, known now for “Pascal’s Law” (physics), “Pascal’s Theorem” (math), and “Pascal’s Wager” (theology). - Nicolas Steno (1638 to 1686)
He was considered a pioneer in both anatomy and geology - Seth Ward (1617 to 1689)
He was the Savilian Chair of Astronomy and wrote the foundational volumes, “Ismaelis Bullialdi Astro-Nomiae Philolaicae Fundamenta Inquisitio Brevis” and “Astronomia Geometrica” - Robert Boyle (1627 to 1691)
He was a scientist and theologian who proposed that the study of science was not in conflict with the study of God but could actually glorify God - John Wallis (1616 to 1703)
He was a mathematician who wrote “Arithmetica Infinitorumis” and introduced the term “Continued Fraction” He also worked in areas of cryptography and helped develop calculus - Gottfried Leibniz (1646 to 1716)
He was a “polymath” who did work on determinants and the development of a calculating machine - Isaac Newton (1643 to 1727)
He is still considered to be one of the greatest scientists and mathematicians in history. He founded the principles and theories of “Newtonian Physics” - Carolus Linnaeus (1707 to 1778)
He is known as the “Father of Modern Taxonomy”, but he also made contributions to ecology - Leonhard Euler (1707 to 1783)
He was an important and substantial mathematician and physicist - Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718 to 1799)
She was a mathematician who was eventually appointed to a position within the Vatican by Pope Benedict XIV - Isaac Milner (1750 to 1820)
He was a “Lucasian Professor of Mathematics” and he developed a process to fabricate Nitrous Acid - Olinthus Gregory (1774 to 1841)
He wrote “Lessons Astronomical and Philosophical” and as a mathematician he became the mathematical master at the Royal Military Academy - William Buckland (1784 to 1856)
He was a geologist who wrote “Vindiciae Geologiae” (The Connection of Geology with Religion Explained) - Lars Levi Læstadius (1800 to 1861)
He was a botanist who wrote proficiently and discovered four species - Edward Hitchcock (1793 to 1864)
He was a geologist and paleontologist who wrote on the topics of “Natural Theology” and fossilized tracks - William Whewell (1794 to 1866)
He was a professor of mineralogy who wrote “An Elementary Treatise on Mechanics” and “Astronomy and General Physics Considered with Reference to Natural Theology” - Charles Babbage (1791 to 1871)
He was a mathematician, philosopher and mechanical engineer who wrote “The Difference Engine” and the “Ninth Bridgewater Treatise” - Adam Sedgwick (1785 to 1873)
He was a geologist who won both Copley Medal and the Wollaston Medal. - John Bachman (1790 to 1874)
He was an American naturalist who wrote many scientific articles and named several species of animals - Robert Main (1808 to 1878)
He was an astronomer who won the Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society - James Clerk Maxwell (1831 to 1879)
He was a mathematician and theoretical physicist who developed the classical electromagnetic theory (he was able to synthesize all prior unrelated observations, experiments and equations of electricity, magnetism and optics into a consistent theory) - Gregor Mendel (1822 to 1884)
He is considered the “Father of Modern Genetics” for his studies related to the inheritance of traits in pea plants - Philip Henry Gosse (1810 to 1888)
He was a marine biologist who wrote “Aquarium” and “A Manual of Marine Zoology” - Asa Gray (1810 to 1888)
He was a botanist and wrote what is now known as “Gray’s Manual” (which is still an important botanical book). He also wrote “Darwiniana” in which he wrote about the relationship between Evolution and Theology - Francesco Faà di Bruno (1825 to 1888)
He was an Italian mathematician who is famous for “Faà di Bruno’s Formula” - Julian Tenison Woods (1832 to 1889)
He was a geologist who wrote “Geological Observations in South Australia” and “History of the Discovery and Exploration of Australia” - Armand David (1826 to 1900)
He was a botanist and a zoologist who described several species new to the West - George Stokes (1819 to 1903)
He was a mathematician and physicist who was a President of the Royal Society and made contributions to “Fluid Dynamics”, optics and mathematical physics - George Salmon (1819 to 1904)
He was a mathematician who won the Copley Medal for his work in mathematics - Henry Baker Tristram (1822 to 1906)
He was an ornithologist and a founding member of the British Ornithologists’ Union. He wrote “The Fauna and Flora of Palestine” - Lord Kelvin (1824 to 1907)
He was a mathematical physicist and engineer who won the Copley Medal, the Royal Medal, and made important contributions in the field of Thermodynamics. - Pierre Duhem (1861 to 1916)
He was a physicist, a mathematician and a philosopher of science who contributed to the field of “Thermodynamic Potentials” - Dmitri Egorov (1869 to 1931)
He was a Russian mathematician who made important contributions in the area of “differential geometry” - Max Planck (1858 to 1947)
He was a physicist who is considered to be the founder of Quantum Mechanics. He won the 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics - Robert Millikan (1868 to 1953)
He was a physicist who won the 1923 Nobel Prize in Physics. He wrote about the important relationship between faith and reason in “Evolution in Science and Religion” - E. T. Whittaker (1873 to 1956)
He was a mathematician who contributed to the fields of applied mathematics, mathematical physics and the theory of “Special Functions” He was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and he wrote “Theories of the Universe and the Arguments for the Existence of God”. He also received the Copley Medal - Arthur Compton (1892 to 1962)
He was a physicist who won a Nobel Prize in Physics - Georges Lemaître (1894 to 1966)
He was a professor of physics and an astronomer who first proposed what later became known as the “Big Bang theory” - David Lack (1910 to 1973)
He was an ornithologist and the Director of the Edward Grey Institute of Field Ornithology. He wrote “Evolutionary Theory and Christian Belief” and was known for his study of the genus Euplectes - Charles Coulson (1910 to 1974)
He was a prominent researcher in the field of theoretical chemistry who won the Davy Medal. - Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900 to 1975)
He was a geneticist who was critical of young Earth creationism. He argued that science and faith did not conflict - Michael Polanyi (1891 to 1976)
He was a ‘polymath’ who was active in physical chemistry, economics, and philosophy. He wrote “Science, Faith, and Society” - Aldert van der Ziel (1910 to 1991)
He was a physicist who researched “Flicker Noise”. He wrote more than 15 books and 500 scientific papers. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers named an award after him - Carlos Chagas Filho (1910 to 2000)
He was a neuroscientist who led the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and wrote “The Origin of the Universe”, “The Origin of Life”, and “The Origin of Man” - Sir Robert Boyd (1922 to 2004)
He was a pioneer in British space science and was Vice President of the Royal Astronomical Society. - Arthur Peacocke (1924 to 2006)
He was a biochemist who worked in areas related to the theory of Evolution. He won the Templeton Prize. - C. F. von Weizsäcker (1912 to 2007)
He was a nuclear physicist who co-discovered the “Bethe-Weizsäcker Formula” He wrote “The Relevance of Science: Creation and Cosmogony” and led the Max Planck Society - Charles Hard Townes
He is a physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics and wrote “The Convergence of Science and Religion” - Ian Barbour
He is a physicist who wrote “Christianity and the Scientists” and “When Science Meets Religion” - Stanley Jaki
He is a professor of physics at Seton Hall University who won a Templeton Prize and promotes the idea that modern science could only have arisen in a Christian society - Allan Sandage
He is an astronomer who made several discoveries concerning the “Cigar Galaxy” and wrote the article “A Scientist Reflects on Religious Belief” - John Polkinghorne
He is a particle physicist who wrote “Science and the Trinity” and won the Templeton Prize. - John Lennox
He is a mathematician and philosopher of science and Professor of Mathematics at the University of Oxford. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles on mathematics and co-authored two Oxford Mathematical Monographs. He’s also written “The Theory of Infinite Soluble Groups.” And “Seven Days That Divide the World: The Beginning According to Genesis and Science”. - Owen Gingerich
He is an astronomer who teaches the History of Science at Harvard and is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Philosophical Society, and the International Academy of the History of Science - R. J. Berry
He is geneticist and a former president of the Linnean Society of London who wrote “God and the Biologist: Personal Exploration of Science and Faith” - Michał Heller
He is a mathematical physicist who writes on “Relativistic Physics” and “Non-Commutative Geometry”. He also wrote “Creative Tension: Essays on Science and Religion” and won the Templeton Prize - Ghillean Prance
He is a botanist involved in the “Eden Project” and current President of “Christians in Science” - Donald Knuth
He is a renowned computer scientist and is known as the “Father of the Analysis of Algorithms”. He wrote “The Art of Computer Programming”
Eric Priest
He is a mathematician and an authority on Solar Magnetohydrodynamics who won the George Ellery Hale Prize - Robert T. Bakker
He is a paleontologist who was an important player in the “Dinosaur Renaissance” and an advocate for the theory that some dinosaurs were warm-blooded - Joan Roughgarden
She is a biologist and Stanford professor who wrote “Evolution and Christian Faith: Reflections of an Evolutionary Biologist” - Kenneth R. Miller
He is a biology professor at Brown University who wrote “Finding Darwin’s God” - Francis Collins
He is the director of the US National Human Genome Research Institute who wrote “The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief” - Simon C. Morris
He is a British paleontologist who studied the Burgess Shale fossils and was the co-winner of a Charles Doolittle Walcott Medal and also won a Lyell Medal - John T. Houghton
He is a professor of atmospheric physics and is co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He won a gold medal from the Royal Astronomical Society - Christopher Isham
He is a theoretical physicist who developed “HPO Formalism” and wrote “Physics, Philosophy and Theology” - Stephen C. Meyer
He is a geologist with a PhD in history and philosophy of science from Cambridge who co-founded the Discovery Center and wrote “Signature in the Cell” and “Darwin’s Doubt” - Michael J. Behe
He is a biochemist and a professor at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania who coined the term “irreducible complexity” in his study of cellular structures. He wrote (or co-wrote) “Darwin’s Black Box”, “Science and Evidence for Design in the Universe” and the “The Edge of Evolution” - William Albert Dembski
He is a mathematician and statistician who taught at Baylor University and wrote “The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance through Small Probabilities” and “No Free Lunch: Why Specified Complexity Cannot Be Purchased without Intelligence” - Charles B. Thaxton
He is a physical chemist who holds a doctorate degree in the history of science from Harvard University. He wrote “The Mystery of Life’s Origin” and “The Soul of Science”. - Guillermo Gonzalez
He is an astrophysicist who studies the late stages of stellar evolution using spectroscopy, and he is also doing research on extrasolar planets. He wrote “The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery” - Paul Kwan Chien
He is a biologist known for his research on the physiology and ecology of intertidal organisms. He is a professor at the University of San Francisco where his research is centered on the transport of amino acids and metal ions across cell membranes as well as the detoxification mechanisms of metal ions. He wrote “The Cambrian Explosion: Biology’s Big Bang” in “Darwinism, Design and Public Education” - Cornelius G. Hunter
He is a professor of biophysics at Biola University whose research is centered on nonlinear systems and molecular biophysics. He wrote “Darwin’s God: Evolution and the Problem of Evil”, “Darwin’s Proof: The Triumph of Religion Over Science”, and “Science’s Blindspot: The Unseen Religion of Scientific Naturalism” - Scott Minnich
He is a microbiologist who is studying the temperature regulation of Yestis enterocolitca gene expression and coordinate reciprocal expression of flagellar and virulence genes. He co-wrote and presented a paper to the Second International Conference on Design & Nature, entitled “Genetic Analysis of Coordinate Flagellar and Type III Regulatory Circuits” - Henry F. Schaefer, III
He is a computational and theoretical chemist who studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University. He is a member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science and is the Professor of Chemistry, Emeritus, at UC Berkeley - 100.Geoffrey Simmons
He is a medical doctor and wrote “What Darwin Didn’t Know: A Doctor Dissects the Theory of Evolution” and “Billions of Missing Links: A Rational Look at the Mysteries Evolution Can’t Explain” - 101.Wolfgang Smith
He is a mathematician, physicist, and a philosopher of science who has written extensively in the field of “Differential Geometry”. He has either written or contributed to “Cosmos and Transcendence: Breaking Through the Barrier of Scientistic Belief” and “The Wisdom of Ancient Cosmology: Contemporary Science in Light of Tradition” - 102.Marcus R. Ross
He is a vertebrate paleontologist who contributed “The Cambrian Explosion: Biology’s Big Bang” in “Darwinism, Design and Public Education”
“While this list may seem long, it’s only a small representation of theists who retained a robust belief in God while deeply exploring the truths they learned through reason and scientific observation. In fact, there’s a good chance I’ve accidentally omitted your favorite scientist. This only illustrates the point further; the history of scientific thought is replete with devout Christian believers.”
THIS IS AN EXCERPT FROM THE ARTICLE LINKED.
https://coldcasechristianity.com/writings/the-rich-historic-roll-call-of-great-christian-thinkers-and-scientists/
Saturday, April 20, 2024
For Those Who Dismiss Israel
For Those Who Dismiss Israel
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.
John 4:19-26
19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall ye worship the Father. 22 Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth: for such doth the Father seek to be his worshippers. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and truth. 25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh (he that is called Christ): when he is come, he will declare unto us all things. 26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
A friend from Facebook challenges us to find "a Scripture from the New Testament where believers and the church are instructed to support Israel."
Does God support the U.S.A.? Should christians support the U.S.A.? The Bible says nothing at all about the U.S.A. But in it Jerusalem is spoken of 811 times in 764 verses. In the New Testament she is spoken of 141 times. There are more than a few things the New Testament does not command that are not only permissable but advisable.
If God treated the church today the same way the PRO Palestinian church treats the Jews... But I don't believe God to be in any way (that) callous.
Of the 27 books in our New Testament 24 are written by Jews. Two are written by a gentle, Luke, and the writer of one, the book of Hebrews, is uncertain. Over 95% of our Bible 66 books are written by Israelis. An esteemed teacher of the Bible, Chuck Missler, estimates that 5/6 (over 83%) of the Bible concerns Israel.
WHAT DOES the Tanakh say about the Jews, Jerusalem and Israel? WHAT DOES the Brit Hachadasha say about them? Is there any Biblical call to oppose Israel's present day government?
Does 1st Timothy 2:1-4 apply to Israel today?
Romans 11:26-31?
The New Covenant (the New Testament) shows that Jesus 1st priority was to go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And He did. Later the church was born in Israel. The Holy Spirit was first given as promised by the Lord Jesus to 120 Israeli Jews. Then on that same day 3000 more JEWS were baptized and added to the church! Later the apostle Peter would receive the first gentiles into the faith. Yeshua was and is the King of the Jews. Is He King over all Jews? He IS the King of kings. He IS Lord of ALL. What is most importnt is WHAT WE ARE. God is immutable, unchanging. We are not. We are (or were) fickle, emotional and even volatile sinners in need of a Savior. We are (or may become) fickle, emotional and even volatile saints in need of a Savior. Who among men and women doesn't need to change and to be changed in some way? But will we? The choice is ours. Though many Jews in Israel remain ignorant or are in active denial, God still loves them and He will give the Saving Grace of the Messiah (the Christ, their anointed King of kings) when they turn to Him in faith. Does God support Israel or any nation, or all nations? God will answer our prayers of faith. It may well be up to us! We should pray God supports all the human race!
1 Timothy 2:1-4
I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 2 for kings and all that are in high place; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and gravity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
OR...
"ye have not, because ye ask not; ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss,"
James 4:1-3
Whence come wars and whence come fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your pleasures that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and covet, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war; ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may spend it in your pleasures.
The real issue is: will we believe that God no longer acknowledges Israel as a people and a nation of His choosing??? And: will we say He will not keep the promises He made to them and their Fathers??? God is not a liar. He will have to keep them. No doubt that will be meaningless to atheist Jews (and gentiles) who deny, reject and refuse the Messiah and the gift of everlasting life He offers all. But they can change if they so choose. The New Testament word repent means to change. It means to change one's mind. Jesus first sermon was very short and simple:
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:15
The Old Testament word repent carries additional meaning. Repent means to have sorrow, even regret and to turn and to return, to return to God for forgiveness and to amend our wrongs.
So then if the Jewish people repent, if they change their minds, if they believe the gospel and turn to God and receive their Messiah Yeshua in true and abiding faith, how can they be denied the inheritance God promised to them? The land will be theirs, Yes? No?
Think. Everywhere God has led the Children of Israel they have encountered persecutions, inquisitions and pogroms from the gentile nations, even from gentiles who call themselves christian. From the Philistines who stopped up Abraham's wells, to Egypt's Pharaohs who enslaved them and killed their male children, to Barak King of Moab who hired a seer to curse Israel, to the Edomites who refused to let them cross through their land. They were vilely and violently persecuted by the Roman Catholics and even some by the Eastern Orthodox. Muslims have called for their enslavement and their deaths. And in the Day of the Lord all nations will surround them to annihilate them. WHY? Because satan, "the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" who is "the god of this world" seeks to destroy all mankind! Satan seeks to blind "the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them." Satan is a faith blocker and if possible a faith killer. God's way of saving us from this murdering thief is the gift of His Son.
Yet and still God loves the unbelieving, both gentiles and Jews.
Moses spoke this to them as he told them of God's instructions for them concerning their entry and conquest of Canaan:
Deu 7:7-10
7 Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: 8 but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, 10 and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
He has a particular love for todays Israelis. They and God have a history. It is such a History that allowed Jesus to say to the Samaritan woman: "Ye worship that which ye know not: we worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews."
The Jews a God's SOVEREIGN choice. He Love them and the days of Moses because of the promises he made to their fathers. He loves them today for the same reason: because of their Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua... to name only a few. See Verse 28 below.
God gave them gifts and callings that are not to be changed. See Verse 29 below.
God gave them the land. See Psalm 105:7-11
Romans 11:1-36 - I say then, Did God cast off his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not cast off his people which he foreknew. Or know ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah? how he pleadeth with God against Israel: 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, they have digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have left for myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to Baal. 5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. 7 What then? That which Israel seeketh for, that he obtained not; but the election obtained it, and the rest were hardened: 8 according as it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, unto this very day. 9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, And a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them: 10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, And bow thou down their back always. 11 I say then, Did they stumble that they might fall? God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and thou, being a wild olive, wast grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; 18 glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 for if God spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. 22 Behold then the goodness and severity of God: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, God's goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wast cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and wast grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in; 26 and so all Israel shall be saved: even as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer; He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 And this is my covenant unto them, When I shall take away their sins. 28 As touching the gospel, they are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sake. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are not repented of. 30 For as ye in time past were disobedient to God, but now have obtained mercy by their disobedience, 31 even so have these also now been disobedient, that by the mercy shown to you they also may now obtain mercy. 32 For God hath shut up all unto disobedience, that he might have mercy upon all. 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.
Psalm 105:7-11
7 He is Jehovah our God: His judgments are in all the earth. 8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, The word which he commanded to a thousand generations, 9 The covenant which he made with Abraham, And his oath unto Isaac, 10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant, 11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance;
Yes? No?
If the prophecies of Deuteronomy show what God will do to them in their unfaithfulness, what does the Bible show He will do for them when all faithful Israel is saved? It is enough that God chastises them severely. The nations who add to that chastening violent persecution God calls enemies. Those who curse His people saved or unsaved will be cursed. God often repays "in kind." Bless and you will be blessed. Curse and you will be cursed. Remain ignorant and indifferent and you will be ignored treated with indifference. If you sit on the fence He will wait for you to choose to love your enemies or to hate them.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men.
From the time of Jesus' death and resurrection until recently the Jewish people have rarely resisted evil men. And for the accident of their being born Jews the world has smitten them over and over. And they have many times simply waited until the ungodly wrath of the gentiles was satisfied. Wow "Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matthew 5:38-39
Bob Mumford says that it's a good idea to turn the other cheek. He says that if we return below for blow we may find ourselves in a war we cannot win.
But since WW2 Isreal has been more resistant. Why? Because in 1948 the nations of the world decided to solve the "Jewish question" by returning the land of Israel to them. This was followed in 1948 by an immediate attack on Israel by Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. After that Israel has had to fight her enemies in a series of military conflicts between Israeli forces and various Arab forces, most notably in 1956, 1967, 1973, 1982, and 2006. A more complete list of the wars and conflicts is found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Israel#Table
I don't think there are but a few Christians who will turn the other cheek, give their shirt to the one who takes their jacket, go the extra mile, or easily or at all lend to those who ask to borrow. But Jesus calls us who believe to this. And he called the Jews who preached to to the same thing. God in Christ is calling us to something to which our flesh simply cannot and will not submit.
Matthew 5:38-48
38 Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Does God support the U.S.A.? Should christians support the U.S.A.? The Bible says nothing at all about the U.S.A. But AGAIN, Jerusalem is spoken of 811 times in 764 verses In the New Testament she is spoken of 141 times.
What is called Judaism has been made obsolete. But the remnant Children of Israel who are now faithful to their Messiah Yeshua AND THOSE who will become faithful to Him are not excluded from God's divine grace of everlasting life. Nor are they excluded from "the lot of [their] inheritance; the land of Canaan / Israel.
God supports all humankind. No? We would all die in a new york minute if He did not. What God is after is the Jew and gentile who will love Him, love their families, their brethren in the Messiah Yeshua, their neighbors and their enemies... But above all, Love and Trust and follow His Son. John 14:6; John 14:27
The church age in which we live is drawing to a close. If you don't accept the coming rapture and millennial Messianic 1,000 Kingdom I won't holler. But God will do as He has planned from before the worlds were founded. His purpose in the church age?
ONE NEW MAN.
Ephesians 2:14-16
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain ONE NEW MAN, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
THE MYSTERY REVEALED.
Ephesians 3:9-11 (ASV)
"to make all men see what is the dispensation of the MYSTERY which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now unto the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known THROUGH THE CHURCH the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:"
THE CHURCH.
(Where the ASV reads "the dispensation of the mystery" the KJV and the YLT read: "the fellowship of the secret.")
This ONE NEW MAN CHURCH is surely a facet of the manifold mystery of God. If God in His mercy has allowed by the fall of the children of Israel that the gentile be saved and enriched, dare we oppose Israel? Dare we oppose God's intentions for Israel's future? Dare we enter into a dispute with God over what He has done and will do for the children of Israel? Or a dispute with God over what He has given them and will give to them?
Mark 4:11 the mystery of the kingdom of God
Ephesians 1:9 the mystery of his will
Ephesians 3:4 the mystery of Christ;
Ephesians 6:19 the mystery of the gospel,
Colossians 1:27 the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Colossians 2:2 the mystery of God, even Christ,
Colossians 4:3 the mystery of Christ,
1Timothy 3:9 the mystery of the faith
1Timothy 3:16 the mystery of godliness;
Revelation 1:20 the mystery of the seven stars
Revelation 10:7 but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then is finished the mystery of God, according to the good tidings which he declared to his servants the prophets.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there followed great voices in heaven, and they said, The kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Deuteronomy 7:1-10
1 When Jehovah thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and shall cast out many nations before thee, the Hittite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; 2 and when Jehovah thy God shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them; 3 neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. 4 For he will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and he will destroy thee quickly. 5 But thus shall ye deal with them: ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. 6 For thou art a holy people unto Jehovah thy God: Jehovah thy God hath chosen thee to be a people for his own possession, above all peoples that are upon the face of the earth. 7 Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples: 8 but because Jehovah loveth you, and because he would keep the oath which he sware unto your fathers, hath Jehovah brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Jehovah thy God, he is God, the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, 10 and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Zechariah 12:1-5
1 The burden of the word of Jehovah concerning Israel. Thus saith Jehovah, who stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him: 2 Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of reeling unto all the peoples round about, and upon Judah also shall it be in the siege against Jerusalem. 3 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all the peoples; all that burden themselves with it shall be sore wounded; and all the nations of the earth shall be gathered together against it.
4 In that day, saith Jehovah,
I will smite every horse with terror, and his rider with madness; and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the peoples with blindness. 5 And the chieftains of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem are my strength in Jehovah of hosts their God.
"IN THAT DAY..."
Zechariah 12:5-9
6 In that day will I make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; and they shall devour all the peoples round about, on the right hand and on the left; and they of Jerusalem shall yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem. 7 Jehovah also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem be not magnified above Judah. 8 In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them. 9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Joel 3:4-14
4 Yea, and what are ye to me, O Tyre, and Sidon, and all the regions of Philistia [Palestine]? will ye render me a recompense? and if ye recompense me, swiftly and speedily will I return your recompense upon your own head. 5 Forasmuch as ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly precious things, 6 and have sold the children of Judah and the children of Jerusalem unto the sons of the Grecians, that ye may remove them far from their border; 7 behold, I will stir them up out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head; 8 and I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the men of Sheba, to a nation far off: for Jehovah hath spoken it. 9 Proclaim ye this among the nations; prepare war; stir up the mighty men; let all the men of war draw near, let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning-hooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Haste ye, and come, all ye nations round about, and gather yourselves together: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. 12 Let the nations bestir themselves, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat; for there will I sit to judge all the nations round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle; for the harvest is ripe: come, tread ye; for the winepress is full, the vats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.
Revelation 19:11-21
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.
Isaiah 2:1-4
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah's house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. 3 And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. 4 And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Rev 20:1-15
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 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. 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. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.