Two thousand years ago most of the children of Israel rejected their Messiah, the Lord God destroyed physical Israel, particularly Jerusalem, and its Temple (Mat 23:38, Luk 21:20-24), which had been turned into a place of merchandizing by the religious hierarchy (Mat 21:12-13), as today's Church has also become. Instead of animals to sacrifice they sell books, tapes, and CDs, promising greater prosperity in all the things of the flesh. No matter how wonderful you think your pastor or favorite televangelist is they have no right to sell the Gospel. Claiming it to be a tithe is still selling the Word of God. No matter how the issue is spun, the Bible says freely you have received, freely give (Mat 10:8). They are the modern day Pharisees. They, like their spiritual ancestors, keep the truth of the Gospel from their congregations, and make their disciples into twice the children of hell they are (Mat 23:15).
The promises, originally given to Abraham and his physical descendants (Gen 12:1-3, Gen 17), were now given to believer's in Jesus Christ only (Rom 15:8, Gal 3:16), and the children of physical Israel that weren't killed in the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD were scattered and made captives of all the nations of the earth (Luk 21:24). The apostle Paul likens Israel after Jesus' finished work on the cross as an olive tree. Believers in Jesus are grafted in to the olive tree and non-believers are torn out of it. It isn't a matter of the “Church” replacing Abraham's physical descendants as Israel, it's the Lord God rejecting those who rejected His only begotten Son. Moses prophesied the day:
Deu 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
And Peter, on the day of Pentecost, restated the prophesy to the children of Israel, and warned them again:
Act 3:22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you.
Act 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
And many other warnings were given to the children of Israel, but still, only a few thousand repented and believed on Jesus as their Messiah. They, along with the gentiles who believed, became the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). Israel after the flesh would shortly be destroyed, but those that harkened (Act 3:23) unto Jesus would avoid the destruction and flee Jerusalem as He warned them to do (Luk 21:20-21).
Why wouldn't they hear the Messiah?
Mat_17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
It isn't that they weren't told to harken, to obey, they were (Deu 18:15, Act 3:22-23), but, they didn't believe He was who He said He was.
Joh 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
Joh 5:38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
Joh 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 5:41 I receive not honour from men.
Joh 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
Joh 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
What could cause so many to fall away from the Word of God? To not know the time of His coming, to recognize their savior (Luk 19:44)? The same thing that happened to most of the lost sheep of Israel has happened to the so-called “Church” today. They've exchanged the Word of God, or commandments, for the traditions of men (Mat 15:3-9). The book of Daniel points to the time of the Messiah (Dan 9:24-27). Isaiah points to the purposes and conditions of His coming in much greater detail (Isa 7:14, 8:14-15, 28:16, 42:1-4, 49:1-7, 50:4-9, 53:1-12). Had the Israelite's of the time of His coming studied the scriptures, they would have known and been ready to receive Him, but, just as today, they listened to men who told them what they wanted to hear, not the truth (2Ti 2:15, 2Ti 4:4, Tit 1:14).
Take heed from the stories in the Bible regarding the children of Israel, and do not fall into the same traps and snares they did (1Co 10:11). Today's obstacles to salvation are even greater than then. 2 Th 2 tells us that in the last days there will be a “great falling away” preceding the return of Jesus Christ. We are clearly in these times as most of the professing Christians in the world look to their governments for guidance, and abide by the laws of man over the commandments of God. The Word of God has been so twisted and distorted that's its original meaning is lost and God's “children” don't care, in fact many take pleasure in their man made traditions and idols, such as their church buildings and flags and books, CDs and DVDs, supposedly Bible-based, that leads them away from the Holy Spirit and to follow the flesh. The great falling away of God's “people” has caused these lost souls to covet wealth and self righteous adulation in their false temples, known as churches. To support the wars of the devil's kingdoms, and to practically worship a condemned people and a forsaken, desolate piece of land in the middle east.
Take a few minutes here and think these things over carefully: Are you following God's commandments or the traditions of men when you support the government's wars? The Bible tells us that the whole world lies in wickedness (1Jo 5:19) and that the kingdoms of the world belong to Satan (Mat 4:8-9). Why would a “Christian” let him or herself get talked into fighting for Satan's kingdoms?
Mat 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
2Co_10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
Despite all the scriptures to the contrary, most self proclaimed Christians still think it's a good thing to fight for the kingdoms of the world. No matter what country you fight for or against, it's still Satan's! Therefore, only Satan can win when his kingdoms fight against each other in the flesh. If you've read and understood this you know you've been misled, you've been deceived by the very thing which you've been taught was supposed to teach you about God and His Word, the “Church”, instead they've led you into breaking His Commandments.
Another grievous example of man’s traditions taking precedence over the commandments of God is in the area of money. Despite several warnings from Jesus, self pro-claimed “Christians” still chase after wealth and material possessions like the pagans do (Mat 6:32). Pastors implore their congregations to give more and more, they need bigger Church buildings, more people in the Churches, more of everything, bigger houses, more expensive clothing and cars. With the promises of material gain for themselves, many Christians think what the Lord intended as giving as your heart leads (2Co 9:7), is really a religious stock market, or a magic money multiplier. Instead of making disciples of Christians and leading them to endure to the end and salvation, the modern religious leaders are more like CEOs of corporations that are judged by the balance sheet, and not the character of their congregations, a perversion of the purpose of assembling together for fellowship and worship of God. You're not under the law, you aren't required to give 10 percent of your earnings, although the religious leaders like you to think that, but as was said above, Christians are to give as their heart leads, not under compulsion, not under false doctrine, but cheerfully, from a pure heart, expecting nothing back. Think carefully about this Christian: why would the LORD lead you to chase after that which makes it harder to enter into Heaven? Is the purpose of the Church to make money or to gain salvation for the lost?
Mat 19:23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luk 1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
Luk 6:20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luk 6:21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luk 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
Luk 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
Luk 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
This is the state of today's “Church”, totally corrupted by and conformed to the world. Completely removed from its original calling, which is to gather a people out from the world, call them out of the world as God called Abraham out, and to remain faithful to Him and obey His commandments. Instead, the average “Christian” is as corrupt and immoral as the pagan non-believer, divorce rates are as high or higher, infidelity, hard-hearted, giving only to family, if that, not to all who ask. Wanting old Covenant punishments for all others, but New Covenant forgiveness for themselves. Far more interested in the things of the world than the Word of God, and happy to pay others to tell them what they want to hear, rather than study God's Word for themselves. Delighting in the false doctrines of prosperity and raptures and wars, et al. They have become, just as the children of Israel 2,000 years ago, a people who won't recognize their Messiah and their Messiah will not know them either when He returns (Mat 7:21-23).
Worse than not knowing Him, they now align themselves with a group of condemned blasphemers who DENY His Coming, His DIVINITY, and all the things He FULFILLED on the CROSS (Joh 3:18)! The Bible is crystal clear on the gathering of the Tribes of Israel, it can only be done by the Messiah (Deu 30:3), and concerning the physical descendants of Abraham, none can be blessed, or be brought back into Covenant with God until they acknowledge the Messiah (Mat 23:39)! The result of nearly 200 years of Dispensational, or duel Covenant Theology in the churches' has been the creation of a false religion known as Judeo-Christianity, which of course is an oxymoron: how can you join one religion that believes its Messiah hasn't yet come, to one that believes He has come? To deny Christ is of the antichrist, plain and simple (1Jo 2:22-23). If your “Church” leaders won't tell you that, then you are obviously going to the wrong place to learn about the Bible.
Why is it so important to understand the True Israel of God (Rom 11, Gal 6:16) is spiritual, like as the kingdom of Heaven? Why do you need to know that a True Jew, or Israelite is one who's heart is circumcised (Rom 2:29)? Why do you need to know that the true Temple of God is the body of Christ, the believer (2Co 6:16), and not a physical building the unbelievers want to restore in Palestine? Because it is the essence of the New and Better Covenant promised by all the Old Testament prophets, of which Jesus Christ is the mediator (Heb 8:6, 12:24).
2Co 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Because, only if you know these things will you truly be able to be in Covenant with the LORD. You must know who you are in Christ in order to be truly saved, to fulfill your duties and obligations and to not be deceived as most in the “Church” are. The truth is not taught in the “Church” any more, as Paul said “sound doctrine” is no longer tolerated (2Ti 4:3).
The “Church” has convinced a majority of Christians that they are “saved” regardless of what they do or believe. They have deceived you into giving up your birthright in Christ to a group of unbeliever's in Satan's counterfeit “Israel”. Becoming spiritual Esau's, when, of course you need to become as Jacob (Rom 9:13)! They've made merchandise of you and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and you've made them rich in the process, hoping and lusting after riches yourselves. The religious hierarchy, whether it be massive like the Catholic “Church” or some of the larger denominations, or just a pastor in a small local “Church” that inserts himself between you and the True Mediator of the New and Better Covenant, Jesus Christ, have been deceived, and now deceive whoever stays in their man-made temples (2Ti 3:13), teaching for doctrine the traditions of men and not the Commandments of God (Mat 15:2-6, Mar 7:8-13, Col 2:8).
Think Christian, think hard, pray and ask for God's Wisdom (Jas 1:5), His Holy Spirit leading you to all truth (Joh 16:13). Remember how God called Abraham out of his homeland (Gen 12:1)? Remember that Church means a called out body of believers, not an physical, material institution (see Strong's G1577). Near the end of the book of Revelation God is calling His People out yet again (Rev 18:4). The “Church” has fallen away from God (2Th 2:3), is conformed to the world (Rom 12:2, 2Th 2:10-12), and even frequently commits spiritual fornication with the world (Rev 14:8, 17:2, 17:4, 18:3, 18:9, 19:2)! The worst is yet to come for the so-called “Church”. Just as He destroyed Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD, He IS going to do the same to the Harlot Church and those that do not harken and obey His command to come out of her!
Rev 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
Think of all the false doctrine's this man-made religious institution called the “Church” has given you? Isn't it obvious that if you stay in her you'll be physically destroyed? Following that logical conclusion, won't your soul also be relegated to the Lake of Fire as well? Yes, of course it will, but, it doesn't have to be that way. Care enough about God’s Word to study it, rightly divide it (2Ti 2:15) and recognize where you should be and where you shouldn't be, whom you should seek fellowship with and who not to (2Co 6:14) A Christian must know who they are in Christ!
1Pe 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Pe 2:10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.
Come out of the “Church”, warn others to do the same. Accept your spiritual birthright, you are the Israel of God, you, the believer in Christ, not the unbelievers who call themselves Jews and Abraham’s descendants. As for them, pray for them and preach the good news to them, don't help them to store up God's wrath against themselves, as they are surely doing now.
When the Messiah started His ministry He said He came only for the “lost sheep of Israel”. They were lost sheep because their “shepherds” had led them astray:
Jer 50:6 My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains: they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their restingplace.
Join me and my brothers and sisters as we seek to call today's lost sheep of the true Israel of God out of the “Church”, join us in the true Israel of God, and come out of the man-made temples of false doctrines, idol worship and spiritual fornication.
Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Pray always,
Daniel Mark
dmark2012 on Skype.
