Lifting of the Veil The bible defines people into two categories: The Jews, who are also called Israel or Jacob; and the Gentiles, who are everyone else in the world. God created a nation of His own choosing, which began when He called Abram, (later named Abraham), from the city of Ur in the land of Babylonia in approximately 2,000 BC. Through Abrahams lineage, came the promised son, Isaac; Jacob (later called Israel); and the 12 sons of Jacob, called the patriarchs. Jacobs sons became the heads of the 12 tribes of Israel. Israel (the Jews) became Gods chosen people according to Gods covenant with Abraham. Abrahams other son, Ishmael, was born to Hagar, the slave of Sarah, Abrahams wife; and he also had 12 sons, who became the heads of the nomadic Arab nations. Through the ancestry of Abraham, later came Moses, whom God used to deliver His people (the Jews) from their 400 years of bondage in Egypt. To Israel, the Jews, was given the 10 Commandments. The first 5 books of the old testament of the bible are called the Torah, also called the 5 books of Moses; and they contain 613 commandments, which are called Mitzvot. The Torah is Judaisms most important text. The word Torah means to teach. Through the Torah and the old testament, the Jewish people knew that God had promised them a coming Messiah, taken from the Hebrew word Mashiah, which means The Anointed One; or, Christ, a king, priest, and a prophet, picked to lead Gods chosen people, The Consecrated One. When Yeshua (Jesus) arrived during the rule of King Herod in Israel, during the rule and occupation of the Roman government, He was not recognized as the promised Messiah. But, their (Jews) minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But, whenever anyone turns to the Lord (Yeshua) (Jesus), the veil is taken away. 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 (NIV). The glorious Gospel of salvation through Jesus (Yeshua) was offered first to the Jewish people. I (Apostle Paul) do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery (salvation), brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part (blind to the Gospel) until the full number of the Gentiles has come in; and in this way, all Israel will be saved. As it is written: The deliverer (Yeshua) (Jesus) will come from Zion (Heaven); He will turn godlessness away from Jacob (the Jews). And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins. As far as the gospel is concerned, they (Jews) are enemies for your sake; but, as far as election (Gods chosen people) is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs; for Gods gifts and His call are irrevocable; just as you (Gentile unbelievers), who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their (Jews) disobedience; so they (Jews), too, have now become disobedient in order that they (Jews) too may now receive mercy as a result of Gods mercy to you (Gentiles). For God has bound everyone (Jews and Gentiles) over to disobedience so that He (God) may have mercy on them all. Romans 11:25-32 (NIV). Then, because of the Jews unbelief in Jesus as the promised Messiah, God had the apostles take the message of salvation to the Gentiles. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then, Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: We had to speak the word of God to you (Jews) first. Since you reject it, and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord (Jesus) (Yeshua) has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life, believed. Acts 13:45-48 (NIV). Now, that the Gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary for the atonement of sins has been offered to the Gentiles, they too will be judged according to their belief, or unbelief. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age (satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers; so, that they cannot see the light of the Gospel that displays the glory of Christ, Who is the Image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord; and ourselves, as your servants for Jesus sake. 2 Corinthians 4:3-5 (NIV). Gentiles have been included in Gods plan for salvation; but, their disbelief will also bring the judgment of God on them. For if God did not spare the natural branches (Jews), He will not spare you (unbelievers in Jesus) either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell (unbelieving Jews); but, kindness to you (believing gentiles), provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they (Jews) do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in; for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature (gentiles), and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree (Jews); how much more readily will these, the natural branches (Jews), be grafted into their own olive tree (believing Jews)! Romans 11:21-24 (NIV). Gods greatest gift to mankind was in the sacrifice of His own Son to take our place in judgment. Jesus (Yeshua) took on all our sins and iniquities and was made sin for us; so, that we could be made the righteousness of God. For God so loved the world that He gave his One and Only Son (Yeshua) (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him (Jesus) (Yeshua) is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of Gods One and Only Son. John 3:16-18 (NIV). To the Jew and Gentile alike: Now is the time of your salvation! As Gods co-workers, we urge you not to receive Gods grace in vain. For He says, In the time of My favor, I heard you; and in the day of salvation, I helped you. I tell you, now is the time of Gods favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV). Bob Akins Faith House Ministries Intl +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Bob Akins Proclaiming Jesus Christ to the World Faith House Ministries International 6518 Santiago Ct Apollo Beach FL 33572-2112 USA
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 08:46:29 +0000
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