THE TRUTH IN PRINT
Jan. 2007, Vol. 12: Issue 12
A Publication of the Valley church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364

THE KING IS JESUS CHRIST AND HE REIGNS TODAY!

The two articles below appeared on our website during the month of December. These were also newspaper articles the church ran during the month as well. The necessity of speaking out, I believe, is evident from the introduction to the first article.

JESUS IS KING OF THE JEWS AND OF ALL MEN

This time of the year you get the usual non-offensive "religious" articles. Institutions seek journalists who strive to please all by equating Christianity, Judaism and the Muslim religion. This customary "take your pick" type of religious writing is deceiving in many ways.

When the wise men came to Jerusalem they asked, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Being the Son of God, Jesus was the King of the Israel (Cf. Lk. 1:35; John 1:49). The Christ (Messiah) had been born in Bethlehem of Judea in fulfillment of Micah's prophecy (Cf. Matt. 2:2-6). In that vicinity an angel said to shepherds out in the fields, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Lk. 2:11). Being the Christ he was Lord of all!

Concerned reader, Jesus is not only the King over the Jews today but He is everyone's King. He rules today from heaven and has all authority in heaven and upon earth (Read and understand ~ Lk. 10:22; John 3:35; 5:22-27;17:2,10; Matt. 28:18-20; Eph. 1:19-23). If you desire eternal life then you must understand this. Why? Because Jesus Christ is the judge of all the world (Read Matt. 7:21-27; 2 Cor. 5:10). You must believe in and serve Him according to his will, the New Testament, in order to be saved (Cf. Jo. 12:48, 14:6; Mk. 16:15-16; 2 Th. 1:7-8). You may read an article explaining the difference between the Gospel of Christ and major world religions at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/notislam.htm .

THE ISRAEL OF GOD TODAY

The modern state of Israel is not like the Biblical theocracy that the Israel of old was. Neither structure nor boundary equates with that of king David's and Solomon's time. Under the old Mosaic covenant retention of the land, as promised, was "conditional" upon keeping God's covenant. However, God foretold they would not keep His covenant. And the penalty would be their captivity and loss of the land (Cf. De. 28, 29:58-64). Following the loss, and captivity, God told them a return to Him would effect their return to the land (Cf. De. 30:1-9). Upon their return He tells them their possession of the land is still conditional upon keeping His covenant (Cf. De. 30:8-10). Once again they did not keep His covenant and once again they lost the land. This explains why the Jews were under Rome's control when Jesus Christ was born King of the Jews (Cf. Matt. 2:1-6; Jo. 18:33-37).

The New Testament teaches that the Israel (spiritual) of God today is made up of those who have faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Cf. Jo. 1:41; Rom. 2:28-29; Phil. 3:3,9; Gal. 6:16). His kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and rule (Cf. Jo. 18:36; Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 2:22-36; Eph. 1:18-23). Those with faith in Christ are said to be the spiritual descendants of Abraham (Gal. 3:26-29; Rom. 11:28). These in Christ's church make up the "new man" in Christ from among both Jews and Gentiles (Cf. Eph. 2:10-22). The Gospel is God's power unto salvation for all men (Rom. 1:16). You may read more about the difference between the old Israel and Christ's church at http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/speakout.html .

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This "Christmas Season" we heard a great deal, of course, concerning the middle east controversies, Iraq, Iran, Israel and the Palestinians, etc. It appears from a "religious" viewpoint (and I must admit that it increasingly more difficult to separate some people's politics from their religious views) that the Dispensationalists and premillennialists are having a hey day. Some say that Dispensationalism now dominates the American Evangelical scene. That would include many so called non-denominational bible churches, Baptists, Pentecostals, Armstrongists, Charismatic groups, etc.

On the political scene references are being made to "Zionism." What is Zionism? It is said to be an international political movement that supports a homeland for the Jewish people in the land of Israel. Of course, the idea of "nationhood" is traced back to the information we have in the Bible of God giving the Jews the land Canaan in Old Testament times. Zionism, we are told, has produced the "modern" state of Israel.

I believe a good example of the influence of the dispensationalists viewpoint is seen in Jerry Falwell. As a noted religious leader (I by no means consider him to be God's leader) he believes that God's purpose for the United States is the protection of the Jews. I believe he was the one coined with having said, "To stand against Israel is to stand against God." I'm certain that "politically" Israel's leaders are delighted to have all the Evangelicals' support. But I'm also certain that this kind of pandering has caused many to err in their religious beliefs as to

just who the people of God "religiously" are today. (See the above article, "The Israel Of God Today.")

A discussion on Evangelicals in our national news lately pointed out that Israel had picked up on the extent of the movement and its support. Thus, Israel is flooding the evangelical churches with tourist videos for prospective visits to the so called "holy land." Concerned reader, there are some things that Christ's church teaches that man made churches do not teach. One thing that few dare to teach on today is that the church of Christ is the true Israel of God!

By Bob Lovelace

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