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Continuing in God’s Kindness
Brian Hennessy
Reading in the eleventh chapter of Romans, I was struck by the
sternness of Paul’s message to incoming Gentile believers concerning
the Jews. Using his celebrated tree analogy, he warns us over and over
to treat the “natural branches” with respect and kindness, including
those who had rejected Jesus. He reminds us we are not in Kansas
anymore, but are now on Jewish turf. “So mind your manners and don’t
act like you’re something special. Because you’re not.” Or as he put
it:
“Do not be arrogant towards the [natural] branches; but if you are
arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the
root supports you. You will say then, ‘Branches have been broken off
so that I might be grafted in.’ Quite right, they were broken off for
their unbelief, and you stand only by your faith. Do not be conceited,
but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will
He spare you.” (v.18-21)
God’s #1 House Rule
Now as sobering as that statement is, it is what he says next that
really got my attention. Paul does not say, as you might expect, that
the condition which will determine whether we remain in this tree or
not is our continued faith. A warning to stay close to Jesus and not
fall into unbelief as they did. No, he declares the determining
factor is keeping a proper attitude towards the Jews. That is,
if we don’t continue to show the same kindness to them – as well as to
all men– that God showed towards us, we too will be cut off. He
writes:
“Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell,
severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His
kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.” (v. 22.)
He was revealing to us, that although our faith in Jesus was the
ticket that gained us entry into the Israel of God, it was still God’s
mercy and grace that opened the door. “For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of
God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Eph. 2:8,9).
Therefore, as His invited guests, the number one requirement for all
those who want to remain in the house is to treat the former tenants
with love and respect. And if we violate that rule we will be evicted
as surely as if it we had lapsed into total unbelief. Whether that
means a loss of eternal salvation or just a share in the blessings of
the millennial kingdom is not clear. I suspect the latter. Regardless,
it is vitally important we realize how high up on God’s list is his
warning to avoid all forms of anti-Semitism.
Favoritism?
Now this “be-extra-nice-to-the-Jews” rule spoken by Paul is not based
on some secret Jewish code to always look out for the brothers. Not at
all. Paul understood that his brethren the Jews were still God’s
chosen people, even in their unbelief. “From the standpoint of God’s
choice, they are beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Rom. 11:28).
And he was warning us newcomers not to treat them as if they’d been
rejected by God, no matter how things looked.
As Paul explained, God had placed a temporary veil of unbelief over
the hearts of the majority of the Jewish nation in fulfillment of
Isaiah’s prophecy. “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not,
and ears to hear not, down to this very day” (Isa. 6:9,10; Rom. 11:8).
Jesus had also referred to this sad judgment that had befallen the
nation for their former idolatries (see John 12: 37-41).
But Paul wanted us to know that this judgment was not permanent (even
though it has lasted another 2000 years). For God had promised to
remove the veil one day and turn things around for the Jews. Paul even
told us when that would happen. It would occur as soon as the last of
His chosen people who were living among the Gentiles had been found
and brought in. Then He would remove the veil He had placed over
Jewish hearts and grant them the same grace to believe in the
redemption brought by Yeshua as He had granted us. And then all of
Israel would be saved.
“For I do not what you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery-
so that you will not be wise in your own estimation- that [only] a
partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the
Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will saved” (Rom. 11:25,26)
What’s more, he wanted us to know that it was their very rejection of
the Gospel that was propelling the message of salvation into the
Gentile world so we could be redeemed. It was “for our sake” they
opposed the gospel. So we should be grateful and understanding, not
angry and upset with them.
“From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake,
but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake
of the fathers” (Rom. 11:28).
Preparing for Finals
Now I say all that to say this: I believe the Church is about to be
tested in this area as never before. For I see a powerful storm of
anti-Semitism arising that will soon shake the whole world and reveal
the true condition of men’s hearts towards the Jews and Israel. Even
more importantly, towards God and His promises.
Now we know in prior centuries the Church did not do well whenever we
were given this test. And though many have learned from the mistakes
of former generations and repented, many have not. And if those with
cold hearts do not quickly warm up and heed Paul’s warning “to
continue in the kindness of God,” it could cost them their sunny place
in the kingdom. There will be no more make-up tests. (See my blog,
“Ready for finals?)
This evil storm of anti-Semitism that is coming will be the most
frightening onslaught the Jews have ever faced. The equivalent of a
Category 10 hurricane. Jeremiah called it the time of “Jacob’s
trouble” (Jer. 30:7). Daniel called it “a time of distress such as
never occurred since there was a nation” (Dan. 12;1). Jesus called it
the “great tribulation” (Matt. 24:21). And Isaiah called it the
“travail” of Israel’s birth pangs (Isa. 66:8,9).
But unlike former times, this worldwide explosion of hatred will not
result in their ghettoization, expulsion, or near annihilation - for
“everyone who is found written in the book will be rescued” (Dan.
12:1). Not only will they be rescued (and all those found standing
with them), but this conflict will result in the great turning around
of Jewish fortunes that Paul said would come one day. It will become
the catalyst that precipitates all the glorious prophecies concerning
the restoration of Israel to her God, and the destruction of all her
enemies.
As followers of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, we want to make very
certain we are on the right side in this conflict, or we will find
ourselves fighting against God.
The Beginnings of Labor
I believe Israel as a people are now in their ninth month and going
into labor. God is using the world’s growing satanic hatred towards
the Jews (and towards Him) to bring on her contractions. Slowly but
surely Israel is being forced into the painful position of birthing a
Palestinian state, even though she knows it will be committing
national suicide. This “peace” initiative is being presented to her as
another “Sophie’s Choice.” Choose to allow a jihadist state to be set
up on the high ground of Judea and Samaria, or have it imposed upon
you by the world’s powers.
And as Israel anguishes over this evil choice, hovering in the
background is the specter of a nuclear Iran threatening to blow Israel
off the map. Clearly we have the makings of another “final solution.”
But a Palestinian State is not the state that is going to be birthed.
For as Isaiah prophesied concerning Israel, “Who has heard such a
thing? Who has seen such things? Can a land be born in one day? Can a
nation brought forth all at once?” (Isa. 66:8) We saw it happen once
with the birth of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. But there is
more. For Isaiah continued, “As soon as Zion travailed, she also
brought forth her sons. Shall I bring to the point of birth and not
give delivery?” says the Lord. Or shall I who gives delivery shut the
womb? says your God.” (Isa. 66:9).
C’mon, Light My Fire!
Every day the servants of Nebuchadnezzar feed the fire of their hatred
with which they plan to incinerate Israel and all those foolish enough
to ally themselves with her. But they do not know the plans of God.
“Indeed My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to
pour out on them My indignation, all My burning anger; For all the
earth will be devoured by the fire of My zeal” (Zeph. 3:8).
That’s why Christians who have the Spirit of God must listen closely
to His voice and not be afraid to step into that coming inferno with
Israel, as God leads, and take the heat. Because that is where Jesus
will be. As even Nebuchadnezzar’s servants discovered, those who go
into the fire will not be harmed by the flames. “Look I see four men
loosed and walking around in the midst of the fire without harm, and
the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods” (Dan. 3:25).
Never has Paul’s warning to be not “wise in our own estimation” been
more important. Let us not think that just because we name the name of
Jesus and call ourselves Christians we are God’s most important
people. Nor think that whatever happens to Israel is irrelevant to the
kingdom of God. If that is your mindset you need to read Romans 11 and
ask God to reveal His heart to you. For if we do not continue in the
kindness of God towards them we will be excluded from the last roundup
celebration we all are so anxiously awaiting.
Therefore, let us not be self-righteous or ignorant of these truths
any longer, for the kingdom of God is at hand. And the time has come
for the mystery of the Jews to be solved. “For God has shut up all in
disobedience that He might have mercy on all” (Rom. 11:32)
September, 2010
www.bhennessy.com
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