144,000 Jews for Jesus - Revelation Chapter 7

[Saintscruiser]

I have a book that I read and re-read a lot called, There's A New World Coming by Hal Lindsey. He goes verse by verse through the entire book of Revelation. I have 4 books by 4 different authors for a study guide. When I got saved, it wasn't long after that I began my trek through Revelation and have been doing it on a regular basis....I just don't get tired of it.

But he dives into why 144,000 evangelists from the Jewish race is called. (That is 12,000 from each tribe of Israel and there are 12 tribes. 12 x 12 = 144,000) He goes into why the Jews are called the "chosen race." He states that the Jewish people are woven throughout the entire Bible starting with Genesis 11 continuing uninterrupted through Luke and other New Testament books like Hebrews and James which have a strong Jewish emphasis. Over 3/4's of the Bible is about the Hebrew people and that shows the importance which they hold in the eternal purposes of God.

Four thousand years ago God called Abraham out of Assyria, which is now Syria and gave him some fantastic promises and sobering responsibilities. He promised Abraham a son who would sire a unique race of people - a nation chosen and blessed by God in a special way.

 

[Saintscruiser]

God had many reasons for creating the Hebrew race, but Mr. Lindsey narrows the list down to the 4 most important ones. When I was reading this the other day, even though I've read it many times, it really penetrated this time.

1) The Jewish people were to receive and write down God's revelation to man. Though the Jewish people have failed in performing many of the things God wanted them to do they did fulfill this extremely important task....to write the Bible. Virtually every book of the Old Testament and New Testament was penned by a Jewish writer. There were a few possible exceptions, but no Gentile ever enjoyed proof of penning a book.

2) The Jews were chosen to protect and preserve the textual purity of the Scriptures they wrote. The degree of success which the Jewish scribes had in doing this is one of the wonders of the Ancient World. Considering the turbulent history they endured and the unbelievable job they did to preserve the Scriptures, every Christian and Jew should give them humble thanks. Comparing the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were penned in 200 B.C., was virtually identical when compared to the oldest known scrolls found. I have other examples if you want them so you can check all of this out yourself.

 

[chimney55]

There are other reasons that I see. The Jews were chosen to spread the word about the one true God. Not because they were more numerous, smarter, or mightier than other people because they were the least of nations at the time. God however chose them that His glory might be revealed through them. And against all odds, this previously small group of people have survived attempt after attempt to wipe them out. (and they are still trying.) They were chosen also to be God's first "missionaries". Most of the world at the time of Abraham was pagan/polytheistic/animistic. They were to be God's beacon. Even in the times that they were living among gentiles, you can read where others came to a knowledge of God. He promised a Messiah through the Jews. Otherwise, people would be searching all different people groups for the Messiah--descent from the Jews was one of the first characteristics of the Messiah. (and, yes, I know, lots of people are still looking for the messiah through different people groups, but He's already come.)

 

[Saintscruiser]

There are other reasons that I see. The Jews were chosen to spread the word about the one true God. Not because they were more numerous, smarter, or mightier than other people because they were the least of nations at the time. God however chose them that His glory might be revealed through them. And against all odds, this previously small group of people have survived attempt after attempt to wipe them out. (and they are still trying.) They were chosen also to be God's first "missionaries". Most of the world at the time of Abraham was pagan/polytheistic/animistic. They were to be God's beacon. Even in the times that they were living among gentiles, you can read where others came to a knowledge of God. He promised a Messiah through the Jews. Otherwise, people would be searching all different people groups for the Messiah--descent from the Jews was one of the first characteristics of the Messiah. (and, yes, I know, lots of people are still looking for the messiah through different people groups, but He's already come.)

Yep, I'm getting there. I just hate super long posts, so I do smaller ones.

 

[chimney55]

I'm so sorry, SC! I thought that it was odd that the post just ended like that. I'll just step out of the way.

 

[Saintscruiser]

3) Jesus' lineage was through the Hebrew people. There were over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament which referred to the coming of the Messiah. Mr. Lindsey states, and it's very true, that the people who had predicted His coming, even though He had the full prophesied credentials, rejected Him. BUT, we all know about the ancestors of Jesus who is a descendant of King David and Abraham. Remember all of those begats in Matthew Chapter 1?

4) The Jewish race was chosen to witness to a pagan world that there is only One True God and to show men how they can come to know Him. If it wasn't for the Jews rejecting, would we have had that chance to be grafted into the vine? Throughout the four thousand years of their existence, the Jews were not always willing to witness this fact to the world. However, even the Jews rebellion still points to God since it's been foretold in prophesy. History is full of evidence of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Jewish people and their ancient homeland Israel.

I always DVR Mr. Lindsey on Fridays, TBN @ 7:30 p.m. He was discussing the stance of the catholic church concerning the Jews. (He also talked about Juan Williams getting fired from NPR.) You can't argue truth nor facts. Oh you can, I suppose, but I do believe you'll lose.

 

[chimney55]

Okay, I just gave the "Reader's Digest Condensed Version"

 

[LisaLisa]

okay, i just gave the "reader's digest condensed version"

LOL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[blondeambition3]

There are other reasons that I see. The Jews were chosen to spread the word about the one true God. Not because they were more numerous, smarter, or mightier than other people because they were the least of nations at the time. God however chose them that His glory might be revealed through them. And against all odds, this previously small group of people have survived attempt after attempt to wipe them out. (and they are still trying.) They were chosen also to be God's first "missionaries". Most of the world at the time of Abraham was pagan/polytheistic/animistic. They were to be God's beacon. Even in the times that they were living among gentiles, you can read where others came to a knowledge of God. He promised a Messiah through the Jews. Otherwise, people would be searching all different people groups for the Messiah--descent from the Jews was one of the first characteristics of the Messiah. (and, yes, I know, lots of people are still looking for the messiah through different people groups, but He's already come.)

Yes! God however chose them that His glory might be revealed through them.

 

[blondeambition3]

Okay, I just gave the "Reader's Digest Condensed Version"

It was a really good one too! (lol)

 

[blondeambition3]

3) Jesus' lineage was through the Hebrew people. There were over 300 specific prophecies in the Old Testament which referred to the coming of the Messiah. Mr. Lindsey states, and it's very true, that the people who had predicted His coming, even though He had the full prophesied credentials, rejected Him. BUT, we all know about the ancestors of Jesus who is a descendant of King David and Abraham. Remember all of those begats in Matthew Chapter 1?

4) The Jewish race was chosen to witness to a pagan world that there is only One True God and to show men how they can come to know Him. If it wasn't for the Jews rejecting, would we have had that chance to be grafted into the vine? Throughout the four thousand years of their existence, the Jews were not always willing to witness this fact to the world. However, even the Jews rebellion still points to God since it's been foretold in prophesy. History is full of evidence of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Jewish people and their ancient homeland Israel.

I always DVR Mr. Lindsey on Fridays, TBN @ 7:30 p.m. He was discussing the stance of the catholic church concerning the Jews. (He also talked about Juan Williams getting fired from NPR.) You can't argue truth nor facts. Oh you can, I suppose, but I do believe you'll lose.

I so love Hal! Yes! In my heart of hearts I 'know' there are many reasons WHY the 'replacement theologists' (that I kept mistakenly calling 'reformationists'.. I don't even think that's a word, just 'my' description for them.. lol) want the physical Nation of Israel and the Jewish People out of the way in the last days.

 

[trukinlady]

Bump.......

 

[Saintscruiser]

Bump.......

Great bump, Lady T! I second that....not because I started the thread, but because people need to know God's Heart concerning His people....the Hebrew Nation. With everything that is going on in the middle east now, it's nothing LESS than a miracle that Israel is still there, and not blown off the map. Man cannot out think Almighty God, which shows He is in control! Hallelujah! Amein! Shalom to the land of Abraham, Issiac, and Jacob!