[Even to the Remotest Part of the Earth] God's Love for His Elect Israel
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August 31, 2008 |
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 At the dawn of the 20th century, something remarkable transpired in the barren land of Palestine. Jews who had been scattered in Eastern Europe, Russia, and around the world flocked to that land abounding in thistles, poverty, famine, diseases, and agony. Despite an incalculable number of deaths from malaria and famine, they did not forsake their strong faith and high ideals; they overcame all adversities and began creating kibbutz (a collective community in Israel that was traditionally based on agriculture).
In time, the state of Israel was born and the Jews had their own nation for the first time in about 1,900 years. This was possible for a people who had always held fast to God's Word of promise (Jeremiah 31:10).
On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of Manmin Central Church, this issue of Manmin News examines the will of God for His elect, which overlaps with the Church's world mission.
 Judaism: A Faith of God's Elect Israel
Israel is a democratic republic located on the southeastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea, and its capital is Jerusalem. Of the approximately 6.5 million people, more than 80% is Jew while Arabs makes up about one-sixth of the population. Judaism is adhered by 80.1% of the population, followed by Islam at 14.6%, and Christianity at 2.1%. Judaism is a traditional religion of the Jews based on the Law of Moses and founded in the 4th century B.C. They believe in Jehovah the only God, the coming of the Messiah, and the construction of a heaven on Earth, and display a strong sense of elitism.
God chose Jacob, whose heart was good and straight before Him, as the forefather of Israel. Jacob, in turn, was the son of Isaac, who was the son of Abraham, the forefather of faith. The 12 tribes formed from the 12 sons of Jacob make up the people of Israel today.
The Israelites migrated to Egypt on account of Jacob's son Joseph, left that country under Moses' guidance, and settled in the land of Canaan that is today the territory of Israel. Following a period of judges, Israel became a militarily strong and prosperous nation during the reign of King David who solidified the country's foundations but by his son Solomon's time, Israel was split into Israel in the north and Judah in the south. In 586 B.C., Israel was captured by Nebuchadnezzar and its people were held in captivity in Babylon. During the 1st century, B.C., Israel became a Roman province and was destroyed by Roman general Titus in 70 A.D.
Thenceforth, Jews had been scattered throughout the world, drifting and roaming about it for 19 centuries, and the magnitude of oppression and persecution in the form of massacres and expulsions in and from many countries they endured transcends all imaginations. Throughout their history, the Jews thrived under God's watchful eyes when they lived by His will but when they forsook His will, punishment in the form of afflictions and trials found their way.
Thus, we know that history attests to the fact that the Israelites did not suffer needlessly. Pontius Pilate, in sentencing Jesus to death, told the crowd in order to distance himself from a sinless death, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." The Jews replied, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!" and their demand came back to them as colossal persecutions.
As we read in Psalm 22:18, "They divide my garments among them, And for my clothing they cast lots," Roman soldiers divided Jesus' garments into 4 pieces and one soldier kept His clothing (tunic).
Here, "garments" in spiritual terms refers to Israel, God's elect. The fact that His garments are divided into 4 pieces and lost its shape and function as a piece clothing foreshadows the time when the nation of Israel will cease to exist and its people will be scattered into all directions. Then we also read in John 19:23, "Now the tunic was seamless, woven in one piece." Here, the "tunic" refers to the heart of Israel. The faith of the people of Israel in their God, which began with Jacob and lasted through the centuries, remained unchanged.
As they are a people harboring an unchanging heart, the Israelites have held fast to their culture and faith despite countless trials, and never forgotten that they are God's chosen people. Remembering His Word of promise (Jeremiah 31:10), they ended up reclaiming the land of their fathers (Ezekiel 38:8). Following the founding of the state of Israel, its citizens have cultivated waste lands and developed a variety of industries to join the ranks of developed nations, and have endured to this day amidst unceasing challenges and threats to their very existence from neighboring countries, and all of these attributes attest to their national identity.
 Christianity in the Remotest Part of the Earth
Even though Israel is the birthplace of Jesus and the origin of the Gospel, it is not easy to spread the Good News there. As its people unfortunately do not acknowledge that the Jesus their ancestors had crucified is the Christ, they are still waiting for the coming of the Messiah.
The freedom of religion is legally guaranteed but the reality is far from it. Evangelizing to Jews or people under the age of 18 is strictly restricted. To a people who regard the New Testament to top the list of "forbidden books," a Jew who accepts Jesus Christ is no longer considered a real Jew. Jewish Christians are also a target of terrorist acts.
Despite the age-long frame of thought rooted in the Law and elitism, mission work in Israel has continued. The fruit it has borne, however, is too few.
Spreading the gospel in Israel is possible only at the time of God's choosing and only by His methods. In the last days, this work requires manifestations of the fiery works of the Holy Spirit and a steady flow of spiritual messages that can shatter the Israelites' spirits hardened by the frames of the Law.
God has promised that He would not forsake His elect to the end. When the gospel returns to a land that had served as a stage for the cultivation of mankind during the 4,000-year history of the Old Testament and is the origin of the Gospel, the cultivation of mankind will come to a close.
Just prior to that, the God of love has left open for His elect the path to salvation. This will serve as the final proof that the cultivation of mankind has not failed on account of Adam's sinning but that the Providence of salvation has been wholly achieved through Jesus Christ.
Jews want miracles. No knowledge, doctrines, or sermons can raise Israel up; only signs and wonders are required. Mission work that goes above and beyond merely wishing Israel well, a ministry of the gospel that firmly attests to Jesus Christ to the Jews, is what is needed in Israel today, and the key is found in the works of the Holy Spirit.
By the works of the Holy Spirit that empowers man to do even greater works than what Jesus did (John 14:12), Israel will repent and receive salvation.
We give all thanks and glory to God for leading in His limitless love not only His elect but all people on the path to salvation.
~ The Dome of the Rock built by the Muslims on the grounds of the lost Holy Land
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