Daily Word (Courtesy of B.L.Jenkins Sr.)
Today is Pesach Sheni, "the Second Passover,." The origin of this semi-holiday is quite fascinating. On the first anniversary of the Exodus, while all the Jews were occupied with preparing their lambs for the annual Paschal Offering, Moses was approached by a small group of Jews who were ritually impure and thus excluded from offering, or partaking of, the Passover Lamb. "Why should we be deprived?" they exclaimed. "We, too, want to experience the spiritual freedom gained by participating in the Passover service!" Moses agreed to convey their grievance to the Almighty, and incredibly, the heartfelt wishes of this small group caused G-d to add a mitzvah to the Torah. G-d instructed that from that year and onwards all those who weren't capable of offering the Passover Lamb in its proper time on the 14Th of Nisan, due to impurity or distance from the Temple, should offer the Passover Lamb exactly one month later, on the 14Th of Iyar. This is the holiday of the second chance.
Is there some dream you feel has been lost? Is there a lost opportunity that you seek to regain? If so, today's holiday is made for you. The second Passover left some Jews unable to participate because of impurity. Yet, on their petition to G-d, He gave them another chance! Do you want another chance? If so, go to G-d today and tell Him your dream.
Remember, Jewish holidays are not commemorations of historical events; rather, they are spiritual reenactments. No two holidays are alike. Every holiday features a distinct spiritual energy, offering us the opportunity to gain inspiration and the necessary spiritual powers in a specific area of our service of G-d. On Passover we receive the strength to liberate ourselves from our natural enslavement to our impulses and destructive habits.
The lesson of Pesach Sheni is that it is never too late. Never think: "everyone else has already left Egypt weeks ago and is well on their way toward receiving the Torah—and I haven't even begun my spiritual journey! I'm impure!" Don't despair, you too can make the Passover leap and join everyone else in their state of Redemption, worthy of receiving the Torah on the holiday of Pentecost. Today, remember your dream and go live it!
Note: Perhaps you know someone who might benefit from this word. If so, feel free to copy and paste it to them. You have my permission. BLJ SR.
The Power of Return (Courtesy of meaningfullife.com)
"The eternal significance of the Second Passover, says the sixth Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak Schneersohn (1880-1950), is that it is never too late to rectify a past failing. Even if a person has failed to fulfill a certain aspect of his or her mission in life because s/he has been "contaminated by death" (i.e., in a state of disconnection from the divine source of life) or "on a distant road" from his people and G-d, there is always a Second Passover in which s/he can make good on what s/he has missed out.
The Second Passover thus represents the power of teshuvah -- the power of return. Teshuvah is commonly translated as repentance, but it is much more than turning a new leaf and achieving forgiveness for past sins. It is the power to go back in time and redefine the past.
Teshuvah is achieved when a negative deed or experience is applied in a way that completely transforms its significance. When a person's contact with death evokes in him a striving for life he would never have mustered without that experience; when his wanderings on distant roads awaken in him a yearning for home he would never have otherwise felt -- these hitherto negative experiences are literally turned inside out. Contact with death is transformed into a more intense involvement with life; distance into a greater closeness."
For further excellent study click the link below:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/470865/jewish/Pesach-Sheni.htm
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Mystery of The Gospel- Part 2
So now that you have looked at Acts 21 let's break some portions down.
Act 21:17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Act 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Act 21:19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Act 21:21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Act 21:22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
When Paul arrives in Jerusalem and meets with James and the elders they received him gladly. And when he gave them the details of his ministry with the Gentiles the glorified God. But they immediately had reservations because of the rumors they had heard. They point out that there are many thousands of Jews who are believers in Yeshua and "they are all zealous for the law". Hint to Paul, believing in Yeshua has not altered the Jews from following the Torah. And tightly so, Yeshua was a Torah observant Rabbi. So, do you think they are upset for Paul teaching the Gentiles to observe the Torah? No, the Gentiles are in their synagogues learning Torah.
But let's look at a few more verses.
Act 21:23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
Act 21:24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
Act 21:25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
James and the elders had already judged that the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised to be accepted into the faith of Yeshua or accepted into the synagogues. But the Jewish believers were under the impression that Paul was telling the Jewish believers that they should not be circumcised or observe Jewish customs.
Let's take a moment and look at the custom of the Temple. The Gentiles were allowed in the Temple's outer courts. In fact, the largest of all the courts was the great court of the Gentiles. But they could not enter into the inner courts of the Temple. There was a great dividing wall that stood between them. Josephus describes, "There was a partition made of stone all around, whose height was three cubits; its construction was very elegant; upon it stood pillars, at equal distances from one another, declaring the laws of purity, some in Greek, and some in Roman letters, that 'no foreigner should go within that sanctuary under pain of death."
Think of this, there were thousands of believing Jews but none of them were being dragged before the Sanhedrin. There is a message from Paul more controversial than the resurrection of Yeshua.
If you want to get ahead, notes and discussion are being presented from; Grafted In Israel, Gentiles and the Mystery of the Gospel, D. Thomas Lancaster.
Act 21:17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Act 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Act 21:19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Act 21:21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Act 21:22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
When Paul arrives in Jerusalem and meets with James and the elders they received him gladly. And when he gave them the details of his ministry with the Gentiles the glorified God. But they immediately had reservations because of the rumors they had heard. They point out that there are many thousands of Jews who are believers in Yeshua and "they are all zealous for the law". Hint to Paul, believing in Yeshua has not altered the Jews from following the Torah. And tightly so, Yeshua was a Torah observant Rabbi. So, do you think they are upset for Paul teaching the Gentiles to observe the Torah? No, the Gentiles are in their synagogues learning Torah.
But let's look at a few more verses.
Act 21:23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
Act 21:24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
Act 21:25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
James and the elders had already judged that the Gentiles did not have to be circumcised to be accepted into the faith of Yeshua or accepted into the synagogues. But the Jewish believers were under the impression that Paul was telling the Jewish believers that they should not be circumcised or observe Jewish customs.
Let's take a moment and look at the custom of the Temple. The Gentiles were allowed in the Temple's outer courts. In fact, the largest of all the courts was the great court of the Gentiles. But they could not enter into the inner courts of the Temple. There was a great dividing wall that stood between them. Josephus describes, "There was a partition made of stone all around, whose height was three cubits; its construction was very elegant; upon it stood pillars, at equal distances from one another, declaring the laws of purity, some in Greek, and some in Roman letters, that 'no foreigner should go within that sanctuary under pain of death."
Think of this, there were thousands of believing Jews but none of them were being dragged before the Sanhedrin. There is a message from Paul more controversial than the resurrection of Yeshua.
If you want to get ahead, notes and discussion are being presented from; Grafted In Israel, Gentiles and the Mystery of the Gospel, D. Thomas Lancaster.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
The Mystery of The Gospel
Eph 6:19 Pray that I will be given the message to speak and that I may fearlessly explain the mystery about the good news(Gospel).
Eph 6:20 I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should. (CEV)
What is this "Mystery of The Gospel" that Paul wants to proclaim fearlessly?
Remember we are looking at this question through the eyes of the early believers and Jews of the time and from an Hebraic view. Let's first take a look at Acts chapter 21.
Act 21:17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Act 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Act 21:19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Act 21:21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Act 21:22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
Act 21:23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
Act 21:24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
Act 21:25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Act 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
Act 21:27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
Act 21:28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."
Act 21:29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
Act 21:30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Act 21:31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
Act 21:32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
Act 21:33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
Act 21:34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
Act 21:35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
Act 21:36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"
Act 21:37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Act 21:38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"
Act 21:39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people."
Act 21:40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Take a bit and think on the above. Look at it from the eyes of the Jews of the time including those who were following Yashua.
Remember they were still Jews.
We'll post more in a couple of days.
I'll give you a hint to think about. Pastor Barry was talking with a Jewish customer and his son and explaining how he as a Gentile was celebrating Biblical holidays and eating Kosher. The customer explained that Pastor was more "Jewish" than some of the members of the Synagogue. His son then stated "We have to do those things."Pastor Barry's response, "But I get to do these things."
Think of it!
Eph 6:20 I was sent to do this work, and that's the reason I am in jail. So pray that I will be brave and will speak as I should. (CEV)
What is this "Mystery of The Gospel" that Paul wants to proclaim fearlessly?
Remember we are looking at this question through the eyes of the early believers and Jews of the time and from an Hebraic view. Let's first take a look at Acts chapter 21.
Act 21:17 When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly.
Act 21:18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present.
Act 21:19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
Act 21:20 And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, "You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law,
Act 21:21 and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs.
Act 21:22 What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
Act 21:23 Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;
Act 21:24 take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.
Act 21:25 But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality."
Act 21:26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.
Act 21:27 When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,
Act 21:28 crying out, "Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place."
Act 21:29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
Act 21:30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut.
Act 21:31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
Act 21:32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
Act 21:33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done.
Act 21:34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
Act 21:35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
Act 21:36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, "Away with him!"
Act 21:37 As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, "May I say something to you?" And he said, "Do you know Greek?
Act 21:38 Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?"
Act 21:39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people."
Act 21:40 And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Take a bit and think on the above. Look at it from the eyes of the Jews of the time including those who were following Yashua.
Remember they were still Jews.
We'll post more in a couple of days.
I'll give you a hint to think about. Pastor Barry was talking with a Jewish customer and his son and explaining how he as a Gentile was celebrating Biblical holidays and eating Kosher. The customer explained that Pastor was more "Jewish" than some of the members of the Synagogue. His son then stated "We have to do those things."Pastor Barry's response, "But I get to do these things."
Think of it!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
You were made to think.
Before we continue on our journey of The Word I would like to interject some thoughts from a wise man. One may not agree with all of Rev. Finney's thoughts but I believe that he was on the mark with the following.
From The Rev. CHARLES G. FINNEY,SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1851
"You were made to think. It will do you good to think; to develop your powers by study. God designed that religion should require thought, intense thought, and should thoroughly develop our powers of thought. (2)
If my brother is inquiring after truth, I will, by the grace of God, “hear with both ears, and then judge.” But I will not promise to attend to all that cavillers may say, nor to notice what those impertinent talkers and writers may say or write who must have controversy. But to all honest inquirers after truth I would say, Hail, my brother! Let us be thorough. Truth shall do us good. (3)
I have not yet been able to stereotype my theological views, and have ceased to expect ever to do so. The idea is preposterous. None but an omniscient mind can continue to maintain a precise identity of views and opinions. Finite minds, unless they are asleep or stultified by prejudice, must advance in knowledge.… True Christian consistency does not consist in stereotyping our opinions and views, and in refusing to make any improvement lest we should be guilty of change, but it consists in holding our minds open to receive the rays of truth from every quarter and in changing our views and language and practice as often and as fast as we can obtain further information. I call this Christian consistency, because this course alone accords with a Christian profession. A Christian profession implies the profession of candor and of a disposition to know and obey all truth. It must follow that Christian consistency implies continued investigation and change of views and practice in conformity with increasing knowledge. No Christian, therefore, and no theologian should be afraid to change his views, his language, or his practices in conformity with increasing light."
In the true spirit of the previous thoughts, I reserve the right to change my position on any previous postings as study and facts lead. Remember, we were made to think.
From The Rev. CHARLES G. FINNEY,SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY 1851
"You were made to think. It will do you good to think; to develop your powers by study. God designed that religion should require thought, intense thought, and should thoroughly develop our powers of thought. (2)
If my brother is inquiring after truth, I will, by the grace of God, “hear with both ears, and then judge.” But I will not promise to attend to all that cavillers may say, nor to notice what those impertinent talkers and writers may say or write who must have controversy. But to all honest inquirers after truth I would say, Hail, my brother! Let us be thorough. Truth shall do us good. (3)
I have not yet been able to stereotype my theological views, and have ceased to expect ever to do so. The idea is preposterous. None but an omniscient mind can continue to maintain a precise identity of views and opinions. Finite minds, unless they are asleep or stultified by prejudice, must advance in knowledge.… True Christian consistency does not consist in stereotyping our opinions and views, and in refusing to make any improvement lest we should be guilty of change, but it consists in holding our minds open to receive the rays of truth from every quarter and in changing our views and language and practice as often and as fast as we can obtain further information. I call this Christian consistency, because this course alone accords with a Christian profession. A Christian profession implies the profession of candor and of a disposition to know and obey all truth. It must follow that Christian consistency implies continued investigation and change of views and practice in conformity with increasing knowledge. No Christian, therefore, and no theologian should be afraid to change his views, his language, or his practices in conformity with increasing light."
In the true spirit of the previous thoughts, I reserve the right to change my position on any previous postings as study and facts lead. Remember, we were made to think.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Grafted In
Rom 11:1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
Rom 11:2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
Rom 11:3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life."
Rom 11:4 But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
Rom 11:5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
Rom 11:9 And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
Rom 11:10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."
Rom 11:11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.
Rom 11:12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
Rom 11:13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
Rom 11:14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Rom 11:15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
Rom 11:16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
Rom 11:18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
Rom 11:19 Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
Rom 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Rom 11:22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Rom 11:25 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.
Rom 11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
Rom 11:27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
Rom 11:28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom 11:30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Rom 11:34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
Rom 11:35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"
Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
This chapter in Romans has been presented in part in many churches across the nation to support the thought that the "Church" has replaced Israel. And if you read the whole text and understand it for what it says and not be biased by personal Theology you will see that it is not about replacement. We did a study on the topic of being "Grafted In" and it is posted on Victory Life Blog:
http://victoryvb.blogspot.com/2009/08/scriptural-jealousy.html
Below is a video from First Fruits of Zion about Olive Tree symbolism in the Bible.
Rom 11:2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel?
Rom 11:3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life."
Rom 11:4 But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."
Rom 11:5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace.
Rom 11:6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened,
Rom 11:8 as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day."
Rom 11:9 And David says, "Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them;
Rom 11:10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever."
Rom 11:11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous.
Rom 11:12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!
Rom 11:13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
Rom 11:14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them.
Rom 11:15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?
Rom 11:16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
Rom 11:17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree,
Rom 11:18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.
Rom 11:19 Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in."
Rom 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Rom 11:22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
Rom 11:23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again.
Rom 11:24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Rom 11:25 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.
Rom 11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, "The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob";
Rom 11:27 "and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins."
Rom 11:28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies of God for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom 11:30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience,
Rom 11:31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy.
Rom 11:32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Rom 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Rom 11:34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?"
Rom 11:35 "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"
Rom 11:36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
This chapter in Romans has been presented in part in many churches across the nation to support the thought that the "Church" has replaced Israel. And if you read the whole text and understand it for what it says and not be biased by personal Theology you will see that it is not about replacement. We did a study on the topic of being "Grafted In" and it is posted on Victory Life Blog:
http://victoryvb.blogspot.com/2009/08/scriptural-jealousy.html
Below is a video from First Fruits of Zion about Olive Tree symbolism in the Bible.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
The Macaroni Principle
Welcome. I saw the following video on a training disk for group leaders from the First Fruits of Zion. I thought it was a wonderfully simple explanation of why we need to understand our Hebraic roots. Enjoy and ponder.
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