2022 May-June Zion's Fire Magazine by zionsfire

Covenants, Angels, and Mediators Galatians Part 7 Israel at The Center of It All A Towering New Capital Is Rising in Egypt GeoProphecy Report

The Millennium Maze

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Zion’s Hope is a Bible-based ministry whose purpose is to proclaim to Jewish and Gentile people through out the world their need for personal salvation through Jesus, the Messiah of Israel. We’re also committed to helping Christians grow in their understanding of biblical prophecy and the importance of Israel in God’s plan for the Last Days. To that end, we teach Scripture in its historical, geographical, and cultural context to prepare God’s people for end-time events and the return of Jesus Christ.

Israel at The Center of It All

Marv Rosenthal

A Word From the Word Dr. Dan Hayden Dr. Hayden examines a biblical term which will help bring insight to your reading of God’s Holy Word!

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Israel’s importance in God’s plan for the redemption of humanity is clearly revealed within the very first book of the Bible.

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Galatians Part 7: Covenants, Angels, and Mediators

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A Towering New Capital Is Rising in Egypt

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Marv Rosenthal

Study the Bible in its histori cal, geographical, and cultural context and see it come to life!

There are three distinct views among scholars and students of Scripture regarding this period of time – but which view is correct?

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi sees the development of a new capital as crucial to the future of Egypt – and to his own personal legacy.

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The Mosaic Law was necessary for a time, but had a limit. It was not to be in operation forever.

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Even with all the glitter and promise of the yet-to-be-named city, the development has its detractors. Many Egyptians believe the project will do little to relieve the impover ished millions who live in crowded, unsafe, and unsanitary areas of Cairo.

Skeptics also view El-Sisi’s massive project as a means to galvanize the power of the Egyptian military while insulating himself and his government against any future uprisings. In fact, the Egyptian military owns 51% of the real estate development tied to the new capital city and Egypt’s Ministry of Housing controls the Presidentremainder.El-Sisiiskeenly aware of recent Egyptian history and is hoping to avoid the plight of former

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah El-Sisi sees the development of a new capital as crucial to the future of Egypt – and to his own personal legacy. His plan involves moving Egypt’s governmental minis tries to the new city, and luring hightech businesses, wealthy Egyptians, and global entrepreneurs to the new modern metropolis. When complet ed, “New Cairo” is projected to house a population of 6.5 million residents.

The CCP views Egypt and the Suez Canal as a vital land and sea link in its expansionist vision for con trolling the flow of trade and com merce from China through the Red Sea to Europe. But China’s dominant role in the new capital poses great risk for Egypt. It remains to be seen what the CCP’s response might be if Egypt were to default on the enor mous Chinese loans.

Despite the impressive stature of its emerging new capital, Egypt faces a sobering future. The Bible reveals that a time of great upheaval lies ahead for the ancient nation along the Nile. One can only speculate as to what role China will play, but there is

A Towering New Capital Is Rising in Egypt

With Egypt’s “New Cairo” capital progressing toward completion, China looks to notch another victory in its “Belt & Road Initiative.”

In the context of Christ’s future 1,000-year Millennial Kingdom on the earth, the prophet Isaiah revealed that after a time of devastation and suffering, Egypt will turn to God and He will rescue them. Ponder these words: “… for they will cry to the Lord because of the oppressors, and He will send them a Savior and a Mighty One, and He will deliver them. Then the Lord will be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians will know the Lord in that day …” (Isaiah 19:20-21; read all of Isaiah 19). u

esperate to avoid being left in the dust by her Arab neighbors, Egypt has embarked upon a plan to build an immense new admin istrative capital in the desert, 28 miles east of Cairo. A wave of impressive new sky-scraping development has swept through the Middle East in re cent years and now, Egypt wants part of the action. Its capital, Cairo, is a sprawling, congested, and inefficient metropolis of more than 21 million people.Thus,

Facing Future Realities

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3ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 GEOPROPHECY REPORTFLASHPOINT

With 80 floors, at a height of 1,300 feet, Egypt’s new Iconic Tower is the tallest building in Africa. It is the first of an even taller tower planned to be constructed in the form of an Egyptian obelisk.

Egyptian leaders. Presidents Hosni Mubarak and Mohammed Morsi were forced from power when tens of thousands of angry Egyptians poured into Cairo’s Tahrir Square – the center of Egyptian bureaucracy – to demand their resignations. Under El-Sisi’s new plan, his government will move out of the city to the safety of his new, militarized metropolis in the desert nearly 30 miles away.

Why a New Capital?

Of greater global significance, however, is the fact that China’s fingerprints are all over El-Sisi’s plan. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not only bankrolling the development of “New Cairo” through massive loans, it is literally construct ing the new capital city from the ground up as part of its Belt and Road Initiative (see Zion’s Fire, July-August 2020). Chinese technology and telecommunications will be embedded into 20 new towers (including the tallest tower in Africa) in Egypt’s new capital.

no ambiguity from the prophet Daniel concerning Egypt in the last days. He prophesied that Egypt will be attacked from the north and conquered by an oppressive leader (most likely the Antichrist). “He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt …” (Daniel 11:42-43).

Egypt’s Deliverance

WHY A UNDERSTANDINGCORRECT OF CHRIST’S KINGDOM IS CRUCIAL FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN

4 ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 COVER FEATURE

THE

MMAZEILLENNIUM

stand on various sides of this crucial issue, many Christians have thrown their hands in the air declaring that the subject of the “millennium” is too confusing. Sadly, some have put their heads in the sand like the proverbial ostrich, ignoring the millennium entirely. They proudly proclaim, “I am not a premillennialist, postmillennialist, or amillennialist: I am a panmillennialist – it will all ‘pan out’ in theThatend.”kind of response is not a “pan out,” but a “cop out” that dishonors the Lord. It is not an overstatement to say that your view of Christ’s Millennial Kingdom will have a dramatic impact on your understanding of God’s character, His purpose for the Church, the ongoing culture war, current events in the Middle East, and the central role of Israel in biblical prophecy. To treat the subject with a cavalier attitude is, therefore, a terrible mistake.

There are three distinct views held by scholars and students of Scripture regarding this period of time – Premillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Amillennialism. These three views will be explained further on in this article, but by word of introduction, it’s important to realize that those who identify as “Pre-,” “Post-”, or “A-” millennialists have divergent views of the millennium which bear tremendous ly upon their systematic approach and under standing of theology and eschatology (the study of lastSincethings).scholars

POSTMILLENNIALISTS,PREMILLENNIALISTS, & AMILLENNIALISTS have divergent views of the Millennium which bear tremendously upon their systematic approach and understanding of theology eschatology.and

illennium, by simple definition, is a period of 1,000 years. It is derived from the Latin word, mille, meaning “thousand.” From a biblical perspective, the “millennium” is the period of time associated with the establishment of Christ’s kingdom and His reign over the earth.

Article by Marvin J. Rosenthal 1935–2022

5ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 THE MILLENNIUM MAZE

Introduction by David Rosenthal

A WORD OF INTRODUCTION

Postmillennialism, in the final analysis, is simply a veiled form of humanism. It is man supposedly doing through the Gospel what only the Son of Man can do at His return and assigning to the Church a task (bringing in the Kingdom) which God never assigned.

ThisAMILLENNIALISMviewteaches that the Kingdom of God exists now in the hearts of redeemed men, and there will be no literal, physical, visible, 1,000year Kingdom on Earth established by Christ and over which He will rule.

Book of Revelation

Notwithstanding some past postmillen nial theologians such as Jonathan Edwards and Charles Hodge, as well as some present advocates, Postmillennialism is fatally flawed. Nowhere does a proper exegesis of the Word of God teach that the Gospel will successfully permeate the world.

By its very designation, this viewpoint cries, “no millennium.” The letter “A” negates, and prefixed to the word millenni um says “no millennium.” According to this view, there will be no literal, physical, visible, 1,000-year Kingdom on the earth established by Christ and over which He willAmillennialismrule. teaches that the Kingdom of God exists now in the hearts of redeemed men. Originally and fundamen tally, Amillennialism was a reaction against Premillennialism rather than a conclusion reached through exposition of the Word of God.First, to reach such a conclusion, amillennialists suggest that the myriad of

Postmillennialism

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God’s Promised Earthly Kingdom in Relation to Bible History the the the

The Gospel will not transform the world and bring in the Kingdom to which Jesus will one day give His stamp of approval and then return to rule. Even if it could be successfully argued that the Gospel is going to permeate the world, it must be remem bered that Christians are sinners saved by grace, still possessing a sinful nature. Believers have problems enough trying to bring unity and tranquility to the local church, where turmoil and splits too frequently occur, let alone trying to estab lish the glorious, worldwide Kingdom of which the prophets spoke (Isaiah 11-12), and to which Christ will one day return to establish and rule (Revelation 20:1-6).

This millennial view proclaims that the Gospel will one day permeate the entire world and bring in the Kingdom – that man, unaided by direct divine intervention, will usher in the golden age, and that following man’s achievement, through the spread of the Gospel, Christ will physically return to the earth. At least 6,000 years of history cry aloud boldly – IMPOSSIBLE!

His Kingdom set up

Amillennialism

TestamentOld His promisedKingdomandpredicted In Gospelsthe His Kingdom offered and rejected In the Book of Acts His Kingdom in transition In

TestamentNewEpistles His postponedKingdomand in mystery form In

and established

Such an optimistic view is biblically unwarranted and historically naïve. The very concept of the Church is that it is an assembly of believers called out of the world and placed by the Spirit into the Body of Christ – not an instrument to live within the world to make it suitable for Christ’s return.Man’s scientific and technological advances have been impressive. In space, he can place a man on the moon. On Earth, he can “bypass” the heart, “transplant” the heart, and “counterfeit” the heart, but man will never learn how to make a “bad heart” good and equip it for Heaven. And the overwhelming majority of men will never accept the NotwithstandingGospel. all of man’s advances in every area of physical endeavor, in the spiritual realm, he has not moved himself one inch closer to Heaven, nor has he become a more moral being. This world is no friend of grace; this world is under divine judgment.

thatThisPOSTMILLENNIALSMviewassertswearecurrently living in an indefinite time known as the “millennium.” Only as the influence and spread of the Gospel permeates the world and brings in a “golden age” of spiritual prosperity and righteous ness will Christ return.

With amazing, unfounded consistency, they blur the distinctions between physical Israel (the natural posterity of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob), physical-spiritual Israel (the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – Jews who accepted Christ), and the Church, Jews and Gentiles together.

Though the Mosaic Law was added to the Abrahamic Covenant as a way of life, it never annulled the promises sovereignly bestowed in divine grace to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to their descendants, in perpetuity.

But when the text relates to Israel and her future Kingdom blessings, they with draw from normative interpretation to allegorization.Thus,when convenient, Israel does not mean Israel; Jerusalem does not mean Jerusalem; the throne of David does not mean the throne of David; Christ’s future rule on the earth becomes His present rule in the hearts of men; and a 1,000-year Kingdom Age becomes a hodgepodge of conflictingCertainlyinterpretations.therearefigures of speech in the Bible, but to support amillennial doctrine, amillennialists take figures of speech to an extreme, unfounded position. What good, then, is an inspired Word from God if men allegorize those words to fit their preconceived theological system?

There are glorious and eternal promises given to the Church, but they are distinct and separate from those given to Israel.

To support amillennial doctrine, amillennialists take figures of speech to an extreme, unfounded position. What good, then, is an inspired Word from God if men allegorize those words to fit their preconceived theological Church.toIsrael;esofandPentecost,Church,cientChurch.ingchaoshistoricallyAmillennialistssystem?havebroughttoanunderstandofthedoctrineoftheToconfuseanIsraelwiththetruewhichbeganatistoobscureconfuseagreatbodybiblicaltruth.Promis-madetoIsraelareforpromisesmadetheChurchareforthe

7ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 THE MILLENNIUM MAZE

It is a strange irony that when a text condemns Israel it is interpreted literally. Israel broke the Law – that is literal Israel. Israel had their chance – that is literal Israel. Israel rejected Christ – that is literal Israel. But when God says that Israel is the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8), somehow that becomes the Church. When it is said that Israel will be the head of the nations and not the tail, that is interpreted as the Church. When God declares, “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel” (Jeremiah 31:31), amillennialists say the covenant is with the Church.

Secondly, amillennialists have histori cally brought chaos to an understanding of the doctrine of the Church. To confuse ancient Israel with the true Church, which began at Pentecost, is to obscure and confuse a great body of biblical truth. Promises made to Israel are for Israel; promises made to the Church are for the Church.Blend these two divinely instituted, sepa rate entities into one; deny a literal future Kingdom established by Christ and over which He will one day rule; and the Old Testament prophets, the Gospels, portions of Romans and Acts and the books of Galatians, Hebrews, and Revelation, in particular, become a patchwork of illogical, unrelated, often non-cohesive facts. Thus, God’s outworking of human history is totallyThirdly,distorted.amillennialists are inconsistent in their adherence to the laws of biblical interpretation. They normally interpret the Word of God historically, grammatically,

and literally, as indeed they should.

future messianic blessings promised to Israel were preconditioned promises. The nation did not keep the preconditions and thereby forfeited the promises. Such a view flies callously in the face of the vast amount of biblical truth stretching from Genesis to Revelation, authenticating the uncondition al character of the Abrahamic Covenant and its future Kingdom-blessing compo nents.The Abrahamic Covenant was no more conditioned, once inaugurated, than the message of salvation by grace through faith is conditioned, once appropriated.

It wasn’t until the 16th century that the Reformation fathers broke with Rome over justification by faith and other Sodoctrines.enmeshed were the Reformers in the battle over these life and death issues that they paid little attention to prophetic matters ...

So enmeshed were the Reformers in the

Premillennialism

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There are glorious and eternal promises given to the Church, but they are distinct and separate from those given to ToIsrael.interpret Israel’s promises for the Church or the Church’s promise for Israel does irrepa rable harm to the Word of God and the divine character itself.

The word “millennium” comes from two Latin words, mille meaning “thousand” and annus meaning “years”; thus, the concept of

This millennial viewpoint is a system of theology which teaches that Jesus will return at the end of this age to both initiate and rule a 1,000-year, literal and physical Kingdom on the earth. Satan will be bound; the ravages of sin upon the earth will be lifted; life expectancy will be increased; animals will become benign; the Earth will give her full bounty; and peace will at last become a reality in the earth.

battle over these life and death issues that they paid little attention to prophetic matters. And Amillennialism, as a system of interpretation forged in the crucible of an anti-Semitic Roman environment, contin ued largely uninterrupted on into Protestantism. These views are reflected in many of the old classical commentaries and parroted in many of the new ones. Clearly, few doctrines taught within the Church have done more harm to the cause of Christ.

To interpret Israel’s promises for the Church or the Church’s promise for Israel does irreparable harm to the Word of God and the divine character itself. It should not be inferred by the statement which follows that amillennialists are consciously antiSemitic, but it is strongly and uncompro misingly stated that Amillennialism has its fountainhead in Roman theology, which is irrefutably anti-Semitic. Therefore, it sought to separate Israel from any promise of resto ration at the end of the age and ultimate divine blessing, and at the same time to place on her head all of the divine cursings. By the 4th century, emerging Roman theology sought to distance itself from all Jewish culture and custom when interpret ing the Word of God.

Thus, for instance, the date of Easter was set in A.D. 325 at the Church Council of Nicene so that it would not coincide with the Jewish Feast of Passover for centuries. It wasn’t until the 16th century that the Reformation fathers broke with Rome over justification by faith and other doctrines.

And Amillennialism, as a system of interpretation forged in the crucible of an anti-Semitic Roman environment, continued largely uninterrupted on into Protestantism. These views are reflected in many of the old classical commentaries and parroted in many of the new ones.

Rather, they are redeemed through divine grace so that God’s glory will be manifested through men throughout the endless ages. God’s glory is the sum total of His intrinsic, eternal perfections. Holiness, justice, truth, love, goodness, mercy, longsuffering, faithfulness, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence – these are some of the divine perfections. When these attributes are displayed, God receives glory.

Nowthelastbounty;earthbecomeincreased;lifethetheSatanKingdomliteralandthiswillwhichisThisPREMILLENNIALISMmillennialviewpointasystemoftheologyteachesthatJesusreturnattheendofagetobothinitiaterulea1,000-year,andphysicalontheearth.willbebound;ravagesofsinuponearthwillbelifted;expectancywillbeanimalswillbenign;thewillgiveherfullandpeacewillatbecomearealityinearth.theChurchiscalled upon to reﬂect His glory, to proclaim with words and to demonstrate by actions the intrinsic, eternal perfections of God.

God’s glory was manifested, above all else, in the person of the Son of God. The apostle John wrote, “No man hath seen God at any time; [but, in marked contrast] the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father [the place of intimacy], he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Men can see the invisible God through the visible Son. Jesus himself said to His Father, “I have glorified

God’s glory was manifested in creation: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and

Amillennialists often object to the concept of a literal Kingdom on the grounds that a 1,000-year Kingdom is only mentioned in one chapter of the Bible; namely, Revelation, Chapter 20. And to that they hasten to add the observation that Revelation is a symbolic book. However, the words “thousand years” are mentioned six times in Revelation Chapter 20 (vv. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). And of paramount importance, the concept of a Kingdom Age permeates the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Revelation Chapter 20 simply adds to the already highly and repetitively established fact of a golden age – its duration of 1,000 years.

the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). God’s glory was manifested in redemptive history. Thus, Moses besought God: “Shew me thy glory” (Exodus 33:18). God’s glory was manifested in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Thus, Israel would learn that their God was a consuming fire (Exodus 24:17). God’s glory was manifested in the Church. Jesus died on Calvary because God is holy and hates sin. Jesus died because God is just and must judge sin. Jesus died because God, who is truth, declared that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Jesus died because God is love and, though He hates sin, He loves the sinner. Jesus died because God is good and merciful and longsuffering. Calvary, properly understood, is a manifestation of the glory of God; and the true Church has, by faith, been to Calvary.

The ultimate overriding purpose of human history is the glory of God. God was not created for man; man was created for God. Men are not saved primarily so that they can enjoy God in Heaven forever, although, to be sure, that is why most people initially trust the Savior.

9ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 THE MILLENNIUM MAZE

a 1,000-year Kingdom Age.

Now the Church is called upon to reflect His glory, to proclaim with words and to demonstrate by actions the intrinsic, eternal perfections of God. Paul wrote to the Church: “Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).

God’s glory is manifested in still another way, and this bears strongly on the subject of this article. Speaking through His proph et Isaiah, the Lord proclaimed, “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory” (Isaiah 46:13). Israel is God’s glory, and if men want to see and know what God is like, they should watch how He deals with Israel. God calls Israel His “crown of glory” and His “royal diadem” (Isaiah 62:3).

PREMILLENNIALISM acknowledges God’s glory by taking God at His word –Jesus will rule – on the earth – for 1,000 years. Believe it! Put it in the bank! Live in the glorious reality of it! u

Enough! God is holy, just, true, loving, good, longsuffering, faithful, omnipotent, immutable, and infinitely more. In the first instance, the millennial issue is not prophetical, it is theological. It is not so much a consideration of what will happen tomor row, it deals with what God’s character is like today. Because He is a faithful God, He will keep His promises to Israel – this requires a literal, millennial Kingdom established by the Lord Jesus Christ. God will keep His promises to the believer – this requires a home in glory in His presence forevermore.

“I will bring thee again”

Speaking through His prophet, Isaiah, the Lord proclaimed, “I will place salvation in Zion for Israel, my glory” (Isaiah 46:13). Israel is God’s glory, and if men want to see and know what God is like, they should watch how He deals with Israel.

If God does not keep His word to Israel, He is not true. If God does not have power to fulfill His purposes, He is not omnpotent. If God does not know certain things are going to occur and gets caught offguard, He is not omniscient. If God has wearied of Israel, He is not longsuffering. If God has changed His mind, He is not immutable. And in this we must be clear –if God has changed His mind in relation to His purpose for Israel, perhaps He will change His mind concerning His purposes for the Church. Perhaps we do not have a

Because He is a faithful God, He will keep His promises to Israel – this requires a literal, millennial Kingdom established by the Lord Jesus Christ.

“until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places wither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of (Genesis 28:15).

POSTMILLENNIALISM detracts from God’s glory by attributing to the Church a purpose God never intended –man through the proclamation of the Gospel will bring in the Kingdom.

“I will not leave thee”

The Divine Presence –

“I am with thee”

When the patriarch Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, was about to leave the land of promise, God said to him:

“I will keep thee”

The Divine Pledge –

The Divine Guarantee –

thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4).

And in those five promises, the entire history of the nation of Israel was kaleido scoped:

The Divine Protection –

home in glory. Perhaps He is going to rescind His grace toward us.

The Divine Promise –

COVER FEATURE 10 ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022

AMILLENNIALISM infringes in God’s glory by calling into question His attributes – there will be no literal Kingdom.

In the fullness of time, Jesus Christ came to Earth as the Lamb of God to be the sacrifice for the sin of humanity. Soon, however, He will return, not as a Lamb, but as the conquering, triumphant Lion of Judah!

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The apostle John reveals that Jesus “was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness …” (John 1:4-5). As lights illuminate the celebration of our Savior’s birth, let us never forget that Jesus is the Light of the World.

In 2 Timothy 3:15, Paul says to Timothy: “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in ChristThat’sJesus.”what salvation is; it’s being in Christ Jesus. Salvation is not a thing – it is not just something you receive as a rite of passage into Heaven. Rather, salvation is a Person. It is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

When we receive Christ as our Savior by faith, the Holy Spirit places us in Christ. It is as though we are surrounded by Him –immersed in Him. It’s much like a baby in a womb. Even though the baby has its own identity, it is dependent upon the mother for everything, and what happens to the mother, happens to the baby. The baby is “in” the Whenmom.weare in Christ, what’s true of Him becomes true of us. Since He is holy, positionally before God we are holy. Since He has eternal life, we have eternal life. That’s what salvation is all about. Salvation is being in Christ Jesus.

I don’t want to equate America and Christianity, but there is an illustration here. I am born-again in Christ – therefore, I am a Christian. Therefore, wherever I go in the world, that’s my identity. If those around me love Christ, they like me. If they don’t love Christ, they don’t like me.

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The phrase “in Christ” is probably the most crucial phrase in the Bible. “In” means

was born in America. I am an American citizen, and I have an American passport. Therefore, wherever I go in the world, that’s my identity. If the people of the country I’m visiting like America, they like me. If they don’t like America, they don’t like me.

Written by Dan Hayden

“within, or inside of.”

Have you received Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? It’s the only way to be saved! u

– 2 Timothy 3:15

When we receive Christ as our Savior by faith, the Holy Spirit places us in Christ. It is as though we are surrounded by Him –immersed in Him.

IN CHRIST

cISRAELenterallattheofit

ISRAEL AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL13ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022

Written by David Ettinger and David Rosenthal

Tragically, however, many within Christendom today believe Israel has little or no relevant role to play in God’s future plan for the world. They believe Israel’s relevance has come and gone with the death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus – who was, of course, Jewish, and resided in Israel.

Another evidence of Israel’s special place in God’s heart is that after nearly 2,000 years of being scattered across the earth, God miraculously brought her back to the very same piece of real estate she had occupied in the days of her antiquity –along with the same ancient language. No other nation can make this claim.

It’s true the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ is not just for Israel, but for all of humanity – even to the furthest corners of the earth. But it’s equally true that God has never rescinded the unconditional promises He made to Abraham and his descendants.

make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3).

Later, God also made a covenant with Israel’s King David that was built upon the earlier Abrahamic Covenant. God promised He would establish an everlasting dynasty that would one day be ruled by David’s greater Son – an ultimate reference to Jesus Christ at His Second Coming when He returns as King to rule the world from

God promised Abraham fruitfulness and blessing, descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5), and an everlasting land grant (Genesis 17:8). Ever since, Israel has been “the apple of [God’s] eye” (ZechariahCompelling2:8).evidence of this can be seen in the continued existence of Israel. History is replete with detailed accounts of nations, kingdoms, and empires attempting – and failing – to wipe Israel from the face of the earth. In some cases, the attacking nations themselves were destroyed.

he central importance of Israel in God’s plan for the redemption of humanity is clearly revealed within the very first book of the Bible. God instructed a man by the name of Abram (later changed to Abraham) to leave his home in Ur of the Chaldees and journey to Canaan (Genesis 12:1). God said to Abraham:…Iwill

Exodus 19:5-6: “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”

“Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts

“O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his Isaiahchosen.”44:1:

ISRAEL AS GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE

Isaiah 43:1: “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.”

Isaiah 41:11: “Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall Jeremiahperish.”31:35-37:

“I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.”

Deuteronomy 7:6: “For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the

How disastrous! Such a misinterpreta tion or outright disregard for the central role of Israel in both history and prophecy has caused significant confusion among Christians and immeasurable harm to the Church. Where many Christians regard Israel as having no current or future relevance, God deems Israel as crucial to His future plan for the ultimate redemption of humanity. Even as Israel has strayed from God throughout her history, she remains the unyielding object of His love, care, and preservation.Withthis in mind, let’s look at several passages (though not exhaustive) of what God Himself says about Israel.

Jerusalem. These unconditional covenants established by God with His Chosen People remain just as real, relevant, and rock-solid today as the day He made them.

ultimateIsraelrevealingmanyBelow105:6;Deuteronomy15:5;Genesis17:8Exodus19:5-67:6;10:15Psalm130:7-8Isaiah2:2-3Isaiah41:9;43:1Isaiah43:10;44:1Isaiah61:9;62:6-7Jeremiah31:35-37Zechariah2:8Romans11:1;11:25-27isasamplingoftheversesofScriptureGod’sloveforandHisplanforherrestoration:“ReplacementTheology”–alsoknownas“supersessionism”–erroneouslyadvancesthebeliefthattheChurchhasreplaced(superseded)Israel–andthatthepromisesgiventoIsraelintheOldTestamenthavebeensomehowtransferredtotheChurch.

Note: This condition and promise will be fulfilled in the Millennial Kingdom.

Isaiah 61:9: “And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath Isaiahblessed.”62:6-7:

Isaiah 43:10: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he …”

They are the bedrock of God’s future plan for the world, and yet sadly, such teaching about Israel and God’s covenant promises to her is rare or non-existent in many of our churches. Even more troubling is a theological view known as “Replacement Theology” – also known as “supersessionism” – which advances the belief that the Church has replaced (super seded) Israel – and that the promises given to Israel in the Old Testament have been somehow transferred to the Church.

INSIGHT FEATURE 14 ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022

ISRAEL PROTECTED

“Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen ...”

GOD’S PURPOSE FOR ISRAEL

Psalmearth.”105:6:

Note: 1 Peter 2:9 refers to believers in Christ as a “chosen generation,” which we are. We share this responsibility and honor with believing (redeemed) Israel today.

ISRAEL BLESSED

Mayloves.our

your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of [Zion] the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.”

Psalm 130:7-8: “Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.”

churches recognize and affirm Israel’s rightful place as God’s chosen, central, and beloved people –even as we pray that her eyes will be opened to receive her coming Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ! ◆

ISRAEL AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL15ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022

Romans 11:1: “I say then, Hath God cast away his people [Israel]? God forbid.”

ISRAEL REDEEMED AND RESTORED

Some claim the vast majority of these proof-passages are from the Old Testament, but that’s an unconvincing argument. God voiced His regard for Israel irrefutably and explicitly in the Old Testament, and nowhere in the New Testament has He disavowed it or declared it null and void.

Isaiah 41:9: “Thou [Israel] whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.”

Those who cast Israel aside, or believe Israel is no longer relevant to God’s future plan for the redemption of humanity, will struggle in vain to deny the profusion of biblical passages which prove God is not yet done with Israel.

Isaiah 2:2-3: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains [of Israel], and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”

Those who cast Israel aside, or believe Israel is no longer relevant to God’s future plan for the redemption of humani ty, will struggle in vain to deny the profusion of biblical passages which prove God is not yet done with Israel.

What is clear is that God has a deep and abiding love for Israel. Sadly, many of our churches (with some notable excep tions) are doing little to instill this into the hearts of believers. Yes, God loves His blood-purchased children in Christ, and churches are quick and right to teach this. But God also loves wayward Israel and looks to the day when He will restore her to Himself. Regrettably, the Church is often mute when it comes to teaching the flock to love her as well – that is, to love what the Lord

Romans 11:25-27: “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in

ISRAEL NOT REJECTED

Deuteronomy 10:15: “Only the Lord had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day.”

is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.”

AN ISRAEL-CENTERED BIBLE

“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my [God’s] kindness shall not depart from thee [Israel], neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee” (Isaiah 54:10).

ISRAEL SET ABOVE ALL NATIONS

As I serve Christ, there are so many moments that are precious and blessed, but two in particular standTheout.first involves a vegetable-distribution ministry wherein I give to the needy in and around Jerusalem. I remember one day in particular when I was very tired and simply did not feel like

While we were at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – one of the traditional sites of Christ’s death and resurrection –

Here is what they shared.

This moment really stood out to me as, had I given in to my reluctance, I would have completely denied the great need these women had, and the great joy this fulfilled need brought them. I was so grateful to God for prompting me to serve Him in this way.

ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022

We asked them to share a recent ministry highlight as well as one area in their lives where our beloved Zion’s Hope friends can best pray for them.

he past few years in Israel have been tough, but our Zion’s Hope Jerusalembased ministry staff, Joshua, Alina, and Lisa have faithfully forged on, sharing the Gospel with the unsaved and ministering to the needs of believers.

I met a young man from Ethiopia and had a wonderful opportunity to speak with him about Christ. ISRAEL

Joshua SERVANT’S HEART 2022 HAIFA,

The other memorable moment con cerned the ZH Servant’s Heart ministry team from America that was here in June.

MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS from the Land of Israel

going to pick up the vegetables and distribute them. I just wanted to stay home and rest.

I debated in my mind whether or not to go through with it, but finally came to the conclusion that I needed to go do it. My team and I picked up the vegetables as usual and distributed them to those in need. As it turned out, two of the women to whom we gave the vegetables were so grateful and so happy that they took the time to write us letters of thankfulness. I was not expecting this at all.

I met a young man from Ethiopia who I chatted with for about an hour while our group was inside the church. Our discus sion focused on the Gospel, the centrality of Christ, and how He died for our sins.

Each week we close the meeting by holding hands and reciting the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26.

Therefore, I would be most grateful if those who pray for me would pray that the Lord would continue to guide me and give me wisdom as I share the message of the Gospel with the lost souls in the Holy Land.

After more than a year of online Zoom lessons, it was great to come back to full activity, that is, face to face. Every week 20 to 30 kids ages 6-11 come to the church after school, have lunch together, play together, and learn together.

That was such a blessing to hear, and indeed we pray continually that the lessons the kids learn at this young age will remain and grow in their hearts into the fullness of faith.So, yes, the Kids Club has been my ministry highlight of 2022.

Your generous support makes it possible for us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with Jewish and Gentile people in the Middle OnlineEast.

We’ve had a blessed year in many areas, but what most stands out to me is our weekly Kids Club.

. . we pray continually that the lessons the kids learn at this young age will remain and grow in their hearts into the fullness of faith.

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Every meeting includes a lesson, and this year we went back to teaching about the nature and character of God: How He reveals Himself to us; how He is the one

17ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS

Of course, we also have other activities, and we were blessed this year to have new members on our team, in addition to two new teachers. One of them is a music teacher who has worked for years at various schools and kindergartens, and now leads a music activity every month with our kids. Another teacher leads crafts and games and organizes monthly birthday celebrations.Wehavebeen praying for years for God to add numbers to our team of workers, and we see Him answering our prayers wonderfully, bringing new people of different ages and backgrounds who are willing to serve the Lord in this ministry.

Alina

true God; how He is one in three persons; and how He is omnipresent and omni scient. We teach different aspects of God’s nature in three lessons each, through the lives of the Old and the New Testament heroes, and through the lives of the saints throughout history.

This is our prayer for each and everyRecently,child. one of our deacons brought his granddaughter to visit. After staying for the lesson and observing it, he told me, “I always heard about Kids Club in our church, and I thought it was mostly time for games. But now that I see the deep lessons the children receive through it, I understand what an important ministry it is!”

1-888-781-9466Phonewww.zionshope.orgDonations:Donations:

When the Servant’s Heart group exited the church, I was still talking with the Ethiopian man, and that proved to be an amazing moment for me because as I was talking, I noticed the team saw us and began praying for us. Not only did I feel blessed to have the team’s support in prayer, I was overwhelmed by the realization that we were all there at the right time and right place, and that it was the Lord who brought all of us together for that witnessing opportunity.Thesetwo moments were recent high lights for Regardingme. prayer, more than anything, I would love for our Zion’s Hope friends to pray for the Lord to give me wisdom. Specifically, I need wisdom as I approach the people of Israel here on the streets. Each person is unique, and every situation is different. It’s my desire to be sensitive to God’s leading as I approach them with love, openness, and listening ears.

May the Lord bless you, keep you, be gracious to you, and give you peace! u

Among

ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS 18

Lisa

my isareofgivingoutreachesmissionaryinIsraelisfreewalkingtoursJerusalem.Thesetoursopentoanyonewhointerested.THEGARDENTOMBINJERUSALEM

One of my recent highlights is a lesson of how the Lord leads His people.Among my mission ary outreaches in Israel is giving free walking tours of Jerusalem. These tours are open to anyone who is interested. Aside from speaking about the historical sites, I always give the biblical connections to the places we are visiting when applicable, as well sharing the Gospel whenever I get the opportunity.Oneday, I decided to visit an out-ofthe-way location not far from the West Bank Palestinian city of al-Jib – which is ancient Gibeon – and shoot a live video. I sometimes do this so that those who have already been on my tours of Jerusalem can learn about different parts of Israel. I post these on Facebook for all to see.

I also explained to him about all the obstacles I had that day, especially how the audio on my video did not work, which caused me to return here at this precise moment. I said to him, “God was arranging for me to meet with you.”

around, but while I was exploring one of the caves in the historic area, I found a man hiding in one of them! He was Arab, but fortunately spoke a little bit of Hebrew–enough that we could communicate.

He was receptive to everything I said, though I don’t know how much of it he believed, and I was able to give him an Arabic Bible. He also gave me his phone number so that I could contact him again and follow up on our meeting.

On behalf of Alina, Lisa, and me, I want to thank every one of you for your prayer and support. Thank you for caring about Israel and the families of the Zion’s Hope missionaries. Without you, we could not do what we are doing throughout Israel.

Regarding prayer, I ask the supporters of Zion’s Hope to pray for the Kids Ministry at our church – especially now! We recently finished our summer camps, so please pray what the children learned will work mightily in their hearts and bring forth fruit for the Messiah Yeshua.

For this particular video, my objective was to quote prophecies from the Book of Jeremiah, since the location I was in is mentioned several times in this book of the IBible.brought with me a brother from my church to help me record the video. We went ahead and made the video, but when I got home and reviewed it, I realized that the most important part of it – the prophe cies and the biblical truths I tried to share based on these prophecies – did not record correctly. The audio could not be heard.

I was upset about this, and knew I had to go back there that same day to reshoot the video. Even though it was late in the day and getting dark, something was on my heart. Therefore, I went back, but this time I went alone – I didn’t want to bother my friend again.

Regarding prayer, I ask the Zion’s Hope family first of all to pray for this young Muslim man, that he would read the Bible I gave him, and eventually give his life to Christ.For me personally, please pray that my unsaved family will be saved.

He was very polite and we talked. I told him that I believed in Christ, and he shared a little about himself. He told me, among other things, that he was Muslim and had come to the cave to hide. Why was he hiding? He liked to smoke hashish and didn’t want his fellow Muslims to find out about it. He knew they would mistreat him.

I then explained to him that no meeting like the one we were having was by acci dent, that everything is under God’s sover eignty. I said to him, “I believe it is God’s will that I be on this hill, at this cave, at this moment, and that I would meet this guy who was hiding.”

A Closing Word from Joshua

The recording went fine this time

This is definitely a story of how God guided me in a way I never could have imagined, for the purpose of bringing the Gospel to one particular individual.

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We hope you will join us for one of these epic tours – or combine them for a very special time of Bible study, spiritual renewal, and warm Christian fellowship.

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Or, choose our Ancient Lands of Glory Tour, which combines these 3 amazing tours into 1 epic journey!

ONLINE: www.zionshope.org

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VISIT JERUSALEM, BETHLEHEM, THE RED SEA, PETRA & MT. NEBO IN JORDAN, THE LAND OF MIDIAN, & JABAL AL-LAWZ IN ARABIA! 13 DAYS - ABBREVIATED ISRAEL WITH JORDAN & SAUDI ARABIA BIBLE LANDS SPLENDOROF COMBINE BOTH TOURS FOR AN EPIC JOURNEY TO ISRAEL AND TO THE HIDDEN BIBLICAL TREASURES OF JORDAN AND ARABIA! 17 DAYS - FULL ISRAEL TOUR WITH JORDAN & SAUDI ARABIA ANCIENT LANDS GLORY NEW! WITH DAVID & ILONA ROSENTHAL OCTOBER 2022 BIBLICAL TOURS JOIN US! ARABIA SEA OF GALILEEPETRA JERUSALEM OF LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE FINAL OPPORTUNITY! – CALL NOW! FINAL OPPORTUNITY! – CALL NOW! FINAL OPPORTUNITY SEE TOUR DETAILS BELOW

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warmly invited to journey with us for 1 of 3 wonderful tour opportu nities this fall. On our Wonders of the Holy Land Tour, we’ll focus exclu sively on the picturesque Land of Israel. I, along with Zion’s Hope staff, will be teaching on-location–providing perspective and biblical insight as we tour the key sites of the Holy Land including Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, the Jordan River, Caesarea, and so much more!

ONLINE: www.livingpassages.com 1-888-771-8717

On our Bible Lands of Splendor Tour, we’ll begin in Jerusalem and journey south to the Red Sea and beyond. You’ll discover hidden biblical treasures connected to the historic Exodus – and to biblical prophecy as well. Petra, Mt. Nebo, Midian, the Split Rock of Horeb, and the towering Jabal al-Lawz (Mt. Sinai) await you in the majestic desert landscapes of Jordan and Saudi Arabia!

Paul writes in Galatians 3:19: “Wherefore then serveth the law?” In other words, “What purpose does the law serve?” Paul answers his own question:

It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator (v. 19).

The Mosaic Law was Israel’s law system, a system instructing her on the things she should do – love God, love one another, for instance – and not do – commit adultery, steal, and kill, among others. The Mosaic Law was necessary because Israel was not doing the things she should have been doing, and was doing things she should not have beenHowever,doing.

The purpose of the Mosaic Law, Paul explains, was to bridle the unbridled sinfulness of humanity. If there is no Godgiven law that sets standards for living – for example, how to treat other people, how to respond to authority, how to care for the

GALATIANS PART 7

needy – there is no measuring point for right and wrong. How will people know what is right and wrong unless God tells them?

20 ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 INSIGHT FEATURE

COVENANTS,ANGELS, AND MEDIATORS The MOSAIC LAW“ LIMITED”

the Mosaic Law was not to be in operation for all time; it had its limit. The Mosaic Law would be in effect until “the seed should come to whom the promise was made.” This seed was the Lord Jesus Christ. The reference to the “promise” was first made in Genesis 3:15 and realized through Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. Furthermore, the Mosaic Law “was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” What does this mean? Paul explains in the next few verses. He writes in verse 20: “Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.” In other words, a mediator is only needed to help decide matters involving multiple parties. There is no need for a mediator

rom the inception of his letter to the Galatians and through chapter 3, verse 18, Paul taught how the Mosaic Law has been fulfilled by salvation through faith by grace.1 Paul has been vehement in supporting this crucial doctrinal truth. However, doing so opened him up to a logical question: If the Mosaic Law is no longer of any account and is inferior to grace, why was it in effect for so long? What was its importance?

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou [Moses] shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.

their existence was predicated upon the Law and the interpretation of the Law. Today, the ultra-orthodox base their interpretation of the Law on the commen taries of the leading rabbis down through the centuries who were supposedly the experts of the Law. Collectively, they have produced thousands of books that interpret the WhatLaw.

21ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 GALATIANS PART 7: COVENANTS, ANGELS, AND MEDIATORS

when just one party is involved. The Abrahamic Covenant was an unconditional pact instituted by God and to be carried out by God. He was the only “party” involved and therefore that covenant did not require a mediator.However, when we come to the Mosaic Covenant four centuries later, a mediator was required because it was conditional; it was bilateral. God made the offer to Israel saying, in essence, If you do such and such, THEN I will do such and such in return. Two parties were involved: God and Israel. The offer was made in Exodus 19:4-7:

kind of laws do these volumes interpret? One example is, what does a woman do if while in the kitchen she inadvertently spills milk on meat? Orthodox Jews do not mix dairy and meat products (a misinterpretation of Exodus 23:19, which says, “Thou shalt not seethe a kid in his mother’s milk”). The actual reason for this law is that cooking a goat in its mother’s milk was a worship practice of the Canaanites, and God did not want the Israelites to emulate the Canaanites in any way. However, over the centuries the rabbis reinterpreted this law to say that Jews were not to eat dairy and meat at the same time, which, of course, is incorrect.

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the

Israel replied: “All that the Lord hath spoken we will do” (v. 8). This covenant was a conditional cove nant because its implementation depended on each side keeping its part of the bargain. God would do all He said for Israel if she would obey His commands. This bilateral covenant, the Mosaic Covenant, “was ordained [prepared] by angels in the hand of a mediator” (Galatians 3:19 – though angels clearly played a role in the Mosaic Covenant, commentators are hard-pressed to determine what the role was.)

The Mosaic Law dominates Orthodox Judaism today. It dominated ancient Israel in the time of the Old Covenant, and it dominated Judaism in the time of Paul and the early Church.

This is an example of how the Mosaic Law turned into tradition, and how the tradition turned into a new law. It is this tradition-turned-into-law to which today’s orthodox Jews adhere.

For Jews of the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law was everything; it was at the center of their very life. Every aspect of

IT IS TOTURNED-INTO-LAWTRADITION-THISWHICHTODAY’SORTHODOXJEWSADHERE.

Tragically, all this accomplishes for the orthodox is to have a burden placed upon them they can never lift. They can never lift the burden because their misinterpretation of the Law can never be perfectly met. The Mosaic Law dominates Orthodox Judaism today. It dominated ancient Israel in the time of the Old Covenant, and it dominated Judaism in the time of Paul and the early Church.

Article by Marvin J. Rosenthal 1935–2022

In Acts 7, just moments before he was to be martyred, Stephen, in addressing the Jewish leadership, said in verses 51 53:

The Role of Angels

. . Mosaicthe Law turned traditioninto...traditionturnedintoanewlaw.

The idea here is that the Israelites may have been physically circumcised, but their hearts and minds were uncircum cised; they were hostile to Christ, the Jewish Messiah sent from God the Father. However, far more than just being hostile to Christ, the religious leaders were His “betrayers and murderers.” This is ex tremely strong language, but tragically accurate. Stephen accuses the Jewish leadership of betraying and murdering the promised Messiah.

22 ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 INSIGHT FEATURE

Stephen then identifies these “betrayers and murderers” as those “[w]ho have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.” We see here again that angels were involved in the giving of the Mosaic Law. This is why the writer of Hebrews says of Jesus, “Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they” (HebrewsToday,1:4).this emphasis on angels sounds strange to us. However, at the time Hebrews was written, angels were es teemed by the Jewish people as mediators of the Mosaic Law. Therefore, if Jesus is not superior to angelic beings, the message of grace over the Mosaic Law is empty.

Proof number 3 is in Hebrews 1:10: “And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands.” We see Christ as the Creator (John 1:1-3).

And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteous ness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

– Hebrews 1:4

angels involvedwereinthegivingoftheMosaicLaw.. . BEING MADE SO MUCH BETTER THAN THE ANGELS, AS HE HATH OBTAINEDINHERITANCEBYAMOREEXCELLENTNAMETHANTHEY.

again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?

Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

And again, when he brin geth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.

For unto which of the angels said he [God] at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And

Which of the prophets have not your fathers andpersecuted?theyhave slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One . . .

Therefore, if Jesus is not superior to angelic beings, the message of grace over the Mosaic Law is empty.

The point is that angels are messengers and helpers. They were created by God to help do His bidding. They are servants; Jesus, however, is royalty, and He rules with a scepter. Furthermore, we are told in verse 9, “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.” Again, Jesus, who is the eternal God, is above all created things; He is superior to all.

Proof number 2 appears in verses 7 and 8:

However, Christ is superior to the angels, the writer continues, and submits several proofs of this truth. The first proof is in Hebrews 1:5:

What angel is greater than God’s Son? The answer is obvious. Verse 6 carries the same forceful argument: “And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.” Logic dictates that individuals do not worship someone they regard as beneath them. If the angels worship the Son, He is superior to the angels.

A Grave Warning

23ZION’S FIRE | MAY-JUNE 2022 GALATIANS PART 7: COVENANTS, ANGELS, AND MEDIATORS

This salvation was first spoken of by Jesus while He was on Earth, and later spoken –“confirmed” – by His disciples, those who heard His message firsthand. Additionally, God’s “great salvation” was also proclaimed by God the Father “bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, accord ing to his own will” (Hebrews 2:4). God performed miracles and wonders among the people that they might see with their own eyes that Christ was His Son sent with the good news of eternal life for everyone who would place their trust in Him.

When the angels “spoke” the truthfulLaw,Mosaicitwasandsteadfast. IT SINNED,FORCONSEQUENCESPROMISEDTHOSEWHOANDTHESECONSEQUENCESCAMETOPASS.

1 In other words, the Mosaic Law was not abolished (Matthew 5:17-18; Romans 10:4).

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recom pence of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.

To not give heed to these things is to “let them slip.” The imagery here is of a sailboat that is tied to a dock. However, if

Up next: “Part 8: The Mosaic Law and Salvation.” The Mosaic Law was never intend ed to be a way TO life. Nobody ever found acceptability before God by keeping the Mosaic Law. Rather, the Mosaic Law was given as a way OF life.

the line were loosed, the wind would carry it away further and further from where it was secure. It would be driven about by the Thewind.writer of Hebrews then pens these sobering words in verses 2 and 3:

Grace by faith alone in the Lord Jesus Christ is God’s gift to humanity. Through it we are freed from the consequences of our sins and its penalty – eternal damnation–and given new life, eternal life, in God the Son u

Created beings will come to an end, but Jesus has no end; He is eternal. The writer continues his defense –proof number 5 – of Christ’s superiority in verse 13: “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?” God the Father never addressed such words to the angels, only to the Son. The enemies of God will not fall to angels, but only to Christ.There could be no doubt in the minds of the Jews after reading this that Jesus Christ was not only superior to the angels, but that He was their Creator! As such, the grace He brought by dying on the cross for the sins of the world was far superior to the Mosaic Law.

They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

There is no escape from refusing the grace of God and the salvation by faith that comes with it.

Having established his watertight argument, the writer of Hebrews can make some rock-solid assertions. The first comes in Hebrews 2:1: “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” A modern-day translation: “We ought to make absolutely sure we clearly understand what the Scriptures say about Christ and how superior He is to angels and all other created beings; in fact, He is the Creator of all beings.”

When the angels “spoke” the Mosaic Law, it was truthful and steadfast. It prom ised consequences for those who sinned, and these consequences came to pass. If this was the case with the Mosaic Law, how much more severe will judgment be for forsaking the truth of God as revealed in Christ? There is no escape from refusing the grace of God and the salvation by faith that comes with it.

Far from being inferior to the angels, Jesus is the creator of the angels; they are the work of His hands. More proof of Christ’s superiority – number 4 – comes in verses 11-12:

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