OF CHRISTIANS, THE JEWISH PEOPLE & POLITICAL ISRAEL

Lately, I have read a lot about the Jews, the nation of Israel, and the end times. I know there are a lot of people talking about Israel being God's chosen people and that the timetable of God "tick-tock" around the present-day nation of Israel. So we have lots of Israeli sympathizers - pray for the safety of Israel from her enemy, pray against nations who stood against Israel, and some Christians even observes the festivals and celebration of the Jewish people! I was wondering what this is all about?

Yes...the Israelite are God's chosen people in the natural (at one point until the Savior, the Redeemer revealed Himself). After Christ came through the line of Judah, the middle wall of separation between God and man was broken once and for all. There is now a new creation - a new people group - called Christians first in Antioch (much better to be known as people of the Way, people of the Book). These new Christians are now the people of God, the family of God of which God became the Everlasting Father. These new Christians have no racial distinction, no gender distinction, and no class distinction - Jews and Gentiles, man and women, bond or free, children and adults! All of us come to the Father through Jesus Christ. All of us who confess and believe that Christ is Savior and Lord are adopted as sons and daughters of God, accepted in the Beloved, and receive eternal redemption, life, and love!

The Bible said that the remnant of the Lord (the Messianic Jews) shall return and be saved. Yes, we are seeing more and more of them opening up to Jesus as the Messiah. The number shall increase. But as far as I am concern, present political Israel is no way near the idea of God's chosen people. They need the blood of Christ flowing through the nations just as much as any other nations in the world including Malaysia. Political Israel is very much dictated by the course of the world and so are the Palestinian, the Arabs and all the Muslim nations, so-called Christians nations, and secular countries!

SO, YEAH...I AM NOT AN ISRAEL SYMPATHIZER! I don't give two hoots to celebrating the feasts like Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacle. I love what it represents but NOT to actually observes it like some would do. Yeah...I would not "die" for the Jews either - or be a defender of the Jewish people. Their record of atrocities is no different than any others "self-serving" nations. They kill and main, they retaliate and plot revenge, and they squander off others too!

I don't understand why Christians can be so naive. We think that USA's unflinching support of the nation of Israel is because the USA is fulfilling her role as God's servant! Utter nonsense - the Americans will do anything to protect herself and her interest! Period!

I am just musing. Please, you don't have to agree with me. You can still join the tour of the Holy Land. You can still have your kosher!!

WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM

It's so easy to interpret the Scriptures to suit our worldview, our beliefs. Somehow or others we can find bible verses that can explain our theory or "theology". A case in point: there are those who are bent towards same-sex relationship have found real "proof text" to support their lifestyle. Ironic, isn't it? They are others, not so controversial but subtle indeed, because of their skewed and overemphasis on a particular doctrinal coloring, have a tendency to interpret Scriptures from that coloring. Examples: prosperity gospel preachers, faith movement, heavy shepherding, grace teachings, and most recently, the Father heart theology. I believe that most of the "movement" stated here have a measure of truth in it.

Recently, I heard a message "refuting" the obvious text in Hebrews 12:2.... who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame..." that the joy set before Him was not the salvation of multitudes but the face of the Father. The theory is that it is not about the mission the Father sent His Son to accomplish - breaking down the wall of separation between God and man - but that Jesus saw the face of the Father, the approving face of the Father calling Him. So Jesus saw his Father's approving face that gave him the motivation to endure the cross and despising the shame. He saw his Father standing there as he faces the cross so joy came over him - his "self-esteem" and "significant" and "security" skyrocket - he could endure the terrible cross - after all, the joy of the Lord is our strength. Did you notice? The coloring of this whole teaching is about the Father's heart, Father's love!

Just thinking!