Sometimes by taking a fresh look at past events in church history, God is preparing the Christian and the church for Jesus’ return.
Sozo Ministries International was established in 1983 by Marion Daniel. “Our ministry’s vision is to bring wholeness to the world through Jesus.”
Our Jewish Journey
Marion Daniel writes, “When the Lord revealed to us that the church has not replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people, we began to seriously investigate the Hebraic roots of our Christian faith. We discovered how the church had deliberately severed these roots in the 3rd and 4th centuries’ and we came face to face with the shameful history of Christian anti-Semitism. God has given us a deep conviction to return to the roots of our faith so that we can finally return to His master plan.”
Website: Sozo Ministries International ‘About us.’
From the Jewish point of view: Christian Persecution of the Jews over the Centuries by Gerard S. Sloyan Professor Emeritus of Religion, Temple University.
Professor Sloyan – (summary) When a synagogue was burned down by a mob, Bishop Ambrose used his influence not to have it rebuilt and it’s reported that he said, it was ‘a site of unbelief’ and he wrote that there should not continue in existence a place where Christ was denied………In one of his epistles, (40) “Whom do the Jews have to avenge the synagogue? Christ whom they have killed, whom they have denied? Or will God the Father avenge them, whom they do not acknowledge as Father since they do not acknowledge the Son?” This kind of writing typifies the shape of the Christian argument had taken over the course of two centuries.” (3rd & 4th Centuries A.D.)
Christians, like Bishop Ambrose his attitude may have been different if he had realised that it was God’s intention, that the Jews didn’t know, that it was God’s plan for Jesus to be crucified, in order that he paid the for the sins of the whole world by laying down his life, so that all creation would be redeemed by his blood and through his resurrection receive eternal life. John 3: 16
The Community at Jerusalem
We read in the Acts the followers of Jesus met as a community at Jerusalem and thrived, until a disagreement arose between the Jewish sect, the synagogue of the Freedmen and Stephen. They secretly instigated men to make false accusations against him. He was accused of speaking against the holy place and the law; “For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us.” Acts 6: 8 – 14.
After this incident, Christians were arrested and brought before the courts. Paul was instrumental in this.
Pharisee Paul persecuted Christians.
Paul’s attitude towards Christians changed when he experienced seeing Jesus in a vision on the Damascus road, afterwards he knew Jesus in a personal way.
Paul took his gospel message first to the Jews on his missionary journeys. He wanted them to know and accept that Jesus was the promised Messiah. In his knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures he proved that the Christ had to suffer and was resurrected from the dead. Acts 17: 3.
On his ministry tours his first call was a visit to the synagogue, visitors were given the opportunity to share their news.
Paul addressed the people in the synagogue at Antioch of Pisida he informed them that those who lived in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognise him, nor understand the utterances of the prophets . . . fulfilled these by condemning Jesus. Paul continued to expound the prophesies of King David concerning the resurrection. Acts 13: 27-33.
Paul’s message brought Gentiles into the covenant promise of the Messiah through “Jesus being the end of the law, that everyone who has faith may be justified.” Romans 10: 8-13. Romans 11: 25.
This teaching from Paul became an open wound to the Jews of the first century and still is today. The Jewish Christians wanted the converted Gentiles to observe circumcision and the law given to Moses.
Christian Persecution of the Jews over the Centuries by Gerard S. Sloyan
Professor Sloyan writes, “Whatever resistance Jesus may have met as a teacher in his life time is now couched in terms of rancour over who is a Jew, and what are the limits of commitment to the faith of Israel. Uncircumcised gentiles and even the despised Samaritans are now thought capable of professing Israel’s faith.”
Paul in his discussions with the Christian Jews in his day, pointed to Abraham’s righteousness that was through faith, circumcision of the flesh was a seal. Righteousness through faith in Christ it is circumcision of the heart in the Spirit. Romans 4:9-15.
Paul wrote in his letter to the church at Rome that the Jews had hardened their hearts by rejecting his message.
“I want you to understand this mystery, brethren: a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of Gentiles are brought in.” Romans 11: 25.
Paul’s teaching in his letter to the Romans indicates he believed that God had not rejected Israel, but they had been ‘cut off’ from the olive tree, as a result of their unbelief and the mainly Gentile church has been grafted into the olive tree through belief in Jesus. The olive tree is a symbol of peace and light. Romans 11: 1, 17-24.
Dake’s Annoted Reference Bible page 169 Notes Romans 11: 25-29
“The fall of the Jews was not in itself the reason for the salvation of the Gentiles. They were to be saved whether they accepted or rejected the gospel. Genesis 12: 1-3. Romans 4 Galatians 6: 8-10. The unbelief of Israel could never give faith to Gentiles. The rejection of the Christ could only accelerate the salvation of the Gentiles. Acts 13: 46-48. 28: 28. Dake also states: The fullness of the Gentiles will end at the second advent of Christ and the national conversion of Israel. Romans 11: 25-29. Isaiah 66: 7,8. Zechariah 12: 10-13. 14: 1-21.
“I want you to understand this mystery, brethren; a hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the full number of Gentiles come in, and so all Israel will be saved; as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” Romans 11: 26, 27. Isaiah 59: 20, 21.
March 26th I asked myself the question, this hardening of the heart that Paul spoke of, did it make the leaders of Israel unlikely to receive Jesus as their Messiah at and after Pentecost?
During the 40 days before Jesus ascension, he spoke to his disciples about the kingdom of God, Peter expected Jesus to return soon after Pentecost. Peter believed Jesus, when during his ministry he indicated that there were those standing listening to him who would not die before they saw him return with the angel and the kingdom of God come with power. Mark 8: 38. 9:1.
After the healing of the paralysed man at Gate Beautiful Peter proclaimed to the crowd that Israel’s rulers and people had acted in ignorance when they crucified Jesus and if they repented their sins would be blotted out and the times of refreshing, the restoring of the throne and land of King David would come with the appointed Messiah, Jesus whom heaven must receive until the time established all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old. Acts 3: 1-21
Peter and John were arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin and the high priest’s family which included Caiaphas and they were asked, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said, “”Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well.” Acts 4: 1-22. The Sanhedrin’s decision: they were warned against speaking or teaching in Jesus’ name.
Is this when Israel’s branch was broken off the olive tree?
The Sanhedrin’s hearts must have been ‘hardened’ we know the Sadducee’s didn’t believe in the resurrection and the Holy Spirit speaking the word through Peter, Caiaphas didn’t respond.
Another possibility they were ‘cut off when the community at Jerusalem were scattered, through the stoning of Stephen, although the Apostles remained at Jerusalem.
Jesus’ prophecy the events that proceed his return.
Paul perhaps was mindful of Jesus’ words, “Jerusalem will be trodden down until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Luke 21:24.
Many Christians believe that this prophecy was fulfilled in 1967 after the 6 Day War when after Israel took over Jordan’s eastern half of the city. Israel controlling Jerusalem after a gap of 2,000 years.
However, many more Christians believe that this prophecy was fulfilled only in part in 1967. The times of the Gentiles continues until Jesus returns.
According to Zechariah Israel’s present day defence of Jerusalem is described by him as a great stone like the heavy stone that grinds the corn
Zechariah 12: 2, 3. “On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the people; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves.” Meaning that Israel is using a strong hand against their enemies, as we have seen over the last few years in the contention between Israel and the Palestinians.
Since the 1970’s there have been numerous attempts to bring a peaceful settlement between Arab, Jew and Palestinian. On Wikipedia which is an on-line encyclopaedia
The website ’Israeli – Palestinian peace process’ summarises the peace initiatives and treaties up to the present day: like the UN resolution 242 November 22nd 1967, The Oslo Accords, Camp David year 2000 and the ‘Road Map’ for peace.
In 2000 Israel started to build the wall dividing Israel from Palestine.
After 52 years of Israeli’s living alongside the Palestinians, in order to solve a huge problem of national security: the constant suicide bombings and threats of invasion. Israel’s leaders decided to build a wall 705 km, it runs through the centre of Israel and around Jerusalem.
The wall will fall, Gog will invade when Israel is at peace and God will allow Gog and his allies to break down the wall.
Ezekiel’s prophecy “ . . . shall quake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the cliffs will fall, and every wall shall tumble to the ground.” Ezekiel 38: 14, 15, 20.
It’s followed by Jerusalem being surrounded by the armies of nations and Israelis will flee to the mountains and only a remnant will remain.
Jesus calls the church to watch, be ready for when this sign is being fulfilled.
“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you know that its desolation is near. “ Luke 21: 20
Jesus will call out his church before this battle takes place, and he will call when we least expect, so we must be ready.
Paul informed the Thessalonians that Jesus will call out his body of believers to meet with him in the air, before he returns to the Mount of Olives. This meeting is were both those who have died in faith are awakened and those who are alive, where our bodies will be raised imperishable. All will come together at this awesome event and meet Jesus face to face. 1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18. 1 Corinthians 15: 42, 46.
After this takes place those who come to faith they will suffer going through the tribulation, in this period of time there will be a build-up of tension between the nations against Jerusalem.
So, this is when I understand the times of Gentiles are fulfilled, when the full number have come to faith and Jesus returns and takes up the fight with the remnant of Israel and defeats the nations that will be led by the Antichrist.
Sometimes by understanding past events helps us to navigate our lives today.
God’s love reaches out to us as he earnestly desires to heal our wounds.
Lord, I lift to your throne of grace those who have been scarred by past events and those who are affected today by Paul’s words, people who feel rejected and wounded by being part of the branch ‘cut off’. God loves Israel and we shouldn’t judge them.
Jesus wants to heal our open inflamed wounds that will fester resentment, hatred and bitterness. All that Jesus suffered in his flesh, he was wounded for our transgressions and he bore them on the cross. “By his stripes, his wounds we are healed.” Jesus does it through his life laid down for forgiveness of sin, “On the cross Jesus was heard to say, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Just as Jesus forgave his fellow-men and women in their words and treatment of him, so we come to our Father God and in Jesus’ name truly forgive those who have wounded us and were we have wounded others. Isaiah 53: 5, 10. Luke 23: 34.