The Truth in Print Vol.
29, Issue 10, Nov. 2023
A Publication of the
Valley church of Christ,
2375 W. 8th Street,
Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)
Website
Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Loving Israel for the
Wrong Reasons
THE
HISTORY OF ISRAEL GOES BACK TO GOD’S PROMISE OF CHRIST THROUGH ABRAHAM’S SEED.
Gen
12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your
family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you.
Gen
12:2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
Gen
12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And
in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.“
In Galatians 3:8 in the salvation of all the
nations through faith in Jesus Christ you find the fulfillment of Gen 12:3.
Notice the specific mention of the Gentiles.
Gal
3:7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.
Gal
3:8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, "In you all the nations
shall be blessed."
Gal
3:9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.
In Gal 3:16, again, you find the fulfillment
of the Seed promise in Gen 22:18. The Jews would likewise be saved through
belief in Jesus Christ.
Gal
3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say,
"And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "AND TO YOUR
SEED," who is Christ.
Gal
3:17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years
later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ,
that it should make the promise of no effect.
Gal
3:18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God
gave it to Abraham by promise.
Gal
3:19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of
transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it
was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
(Note:
The promise is repeated to Isaac, Gen 26:4; to Jacob, Gen 28:14).
THE
NAME ISRAEL IS APPLIED TO THE NATION THAT DEVELOPED IN EGYPT.
Deu
4:1 “Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you
to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD
God of your fathers is giving you.
Deu
4:2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that
you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
SOMEONE
MIGHT SAY OR THINK,
“I
LOVE ISRAEL BECAUSE IT IS STILL THE CHOSEN RELIGIOUS NATION IT WAS WHEN GIVEN
THE LAW OF MOSES ON MT. SINAI.”
It is true that the Law or Old Covenant
(Testament) was given only to the Jews not to other nations existing then (Cf.
De 5:1-5; Ex. 20ff.; 31:24-27, written in a book). God continued at that time
to communicate with Gentiles orally.
THAT
NATION, ISRAEL, WAS GIVEN THE OLD COVENANT LAW FOR A DEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME,
WITH A VIEW TO CHRIST BEING THE END OF THE LAW (SEE ROM 10:4 “END”).
Rom
10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who
believes.
>
“end” G5056 Thayer: 1. end, i.e., a. termination, the limit at which a thing
ceases to be, …Christ has brought the law to an end.
>
“end”: G5056 CWSD: (VII) In Rom 10:4 it means either termination or goal.
SPEAKING
OF THE JEWS, PAUL SAID:
Gal
3:23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterwards be revealed.
Gal
3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we
might be justified by faith.
Gal
3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
ANY
TRUE CHRISTIAN DESIRES THE SALVATION OF ALL MEN REGARDLESS OF RACE OR
NATIONALITY.
•The
Gospel’s offer of salvation in Christ is not antisemitic – both Jew and
Gentile are equal in Christ, being Christians (Acts 11:26).
•The
Gospel’s offer of salvation in Christ doesn’t favor Arabs and Gentiles over
all others – both Jew and Gentile are equal in Christ, being Christians
(Acts 11:26).
Again,
the offer of salvation in Christ is for all men everywhere.
Gal
3:26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal
3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Gal
3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Gal
3:29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according
to the promise.
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS’ SALVATION à THE NEW TESTAMENT
POINTS TO THEIR BAPTISMS.
Mar
16:14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided
them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them
which had seen him after he was risen.
Mar
16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
Mar
16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned.
Act
2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter
and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Act
2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be
baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act
2:39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar
off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS’ LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD UNDER THE OLD TESTAMENT à
THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHES THE PRIESTHOOD CHANGED FOR THE JEWS TO CHRIST AS THE
ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST.
Heb
7:12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of
the law.
Heb
7:13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from
which no man has officiated at the altar.
Heb
7:14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses
spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
Heb
8:1 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High
Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the
heavens,
Heb
8:2 a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord
erected, and not man.
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS’ O.T. LAW à THE NEW TESTAMENT
TEACHES IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE WAY HAVING BEEN NAILED TO THE CROSS.
Col
2:11 In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands,
by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of
Christ,
Col
2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through
faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Col
2:13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,
Col
2:14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us,
which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it
to the cross.
Col
2:15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of
them, triumphing over them in it.
Col
2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a
new moon or sabbaths, ß Found in the Old
Covenant for Jews, 2 Ch 8:13.
Col
2:17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
WHEN
YOU STUDY OLD COVENANT WORSHIP FOR JEWS à THE NEW TESTAMENT
TEACHES IT “VANISHED,” AND THEY COULD BE GOD’S PEOPLE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT
(JER. 31:31-34).
Heb
8:8 Because finding fault with them, He says: "BEHOLD, THE DAYS ARE
COMING, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH—
Heb
8:9 NOT ACCORDING TO THE COVENANT THAT I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS IN THE DAY
WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT; BECAUSE
THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT, AND I DISREGARDED THEM, SAYS THE LORD.
Heb
8:10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER
THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS IN THEIR MIND AND WRITE THEM ON
THEIR HEARTS; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.
Heb
8:11 NONE OF THEM SHALL TEACH HIS NEIGHBOR, AND NONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, 'KNOW
THE LORD,' FOR ALL SHALL KNOW ME, FROM THE LEAST OF THEM TO THE GREATEST OF
THEM.
Heb
8:12 FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, AND THEIR SINS AND THEIR
LAWLESS DEEDS I WILL REMEMBER NO MORE."
Heb
8:13 In that He says, "A NEW COVENANT," He
has made the first obsolete. Now what is
becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS’ TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM à THE NEW TESTAMENT
TEACHES ITS DESTRUCTION BY GOD WHICH CAME IN AD 70.
Mat
24:1 Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came
up to show Him the buildings of the temple.
Mat
24:2 And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly,
I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be
thrown down."
Mat
24:15 “Therefore when you see the 'ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION,' spoken of by
Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place" (whoever reads, let him
understand),
Mat
24:16 “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. … (Cf. Dan
12:11)
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS AS A NATION à THE NEW TESTAMENT
CONFIRMS THEY ABUSED THE BLESSING OF BEING CHOSEN BY GOD – THEY LOVED THE IDOLS
AND FALSE GODS OF THE NATIONS, BEING A STIFF-NECKED REBELLIOUS PEOPLE (CF.
STEPHEN’S SPEECH TO FELLOW JEWS, ACTS 7; READ DE 9:6-7, 24).
Act
7:51 “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist
the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you.
Act
7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed
those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the
betrayers and murderers,
Act
7:53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept
it."
WHEN
YOU STUDY THE JEWS’ HUMAN TRADITIONS AS A NATION à THE NEW TESTAMENT
TEACHES THEIR HUMAN TRADITIONS WERE “VAIN WORSHIP” (CF. MATT 15:3-9; MAR
7:5-9).
Mar
7:5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, "Why do Your disciples not
walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed
hands?"
Mar
7:6 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you
hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR
HEART IS FAR FROM ME.
Mar
7:7 AND IN VAIN THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF
MEN.'
Mar
7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—the
washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do."
Mar
7:9 He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that
you may keep your tradition.
THAT
GOD CHOSE ISRAEL THROUGH WHOM CHRIST CAME ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, AND THEN MOST
JEWS REJECTED JESUS CHRIST WAS A GRIEF TO PAUL:
Rom
9:1 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me
witness in the Holy Spirit,
Rom
9:2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.
Rom
9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren,
my countrymen according to the flesh,
Rom
9:4 who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises;
Rom
9:5 of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came,
who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
PARTIAL
BLINDNESS OF ISRAEL IS SEEN IN THEIR REJECTING THE NEW COVENANT, AND BECOMING
ENEMIES OF THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL (ROM 11:25-32). PAUL (A JEW HIMSELF) IS
TRUTHFUL AND IMPARTIAL IN STATING THIS. BUT THERE IS ALSO A REMINDER TO THE
GENTILE CHRISTIANS THAT THEY MUST REMEMBER THEY WERE ONCE DISOBEDIENT TO GOD,
AND SO THE HOPE REMAINS THAT MORE AMONG THE JEWS WILL BE CONVERTED TO CHRIST
THROUGH THE GOSPEL, I.E., THE NEW COVENANT. IT IS THE NEW COVENANT THAT IS
GIVEN TO BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES THAT IS SPOKEN OF HERE.
Rom
11:25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this
mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part
has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Rom
11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "THE DELIVERER
WILL COME OUT OF ZION, AND HE WILL TURN AWAY UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB;
Rom
11:27 FOR THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS."
Rom
11:28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies
for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the
fathers.
Rom
11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Rom
11:30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy
through their disobedience,
Rom
11:31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy
shown you they also may obtain mercy.
(Cf.
Isa. 59:20-21; Matt 26:28; Rom 1:16-17; Rom 3:21-23; Rom 6:23).
PAUL
QUOTED ISAIAH’S TRUTHFUL AND HONEST STATEMENT TO FELLOW JEWS WHO IN UNBELIEF
REJECTED THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL (ACTS 28:17-31).
Act
28:23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to
whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them
concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till
evening.
Act
28:24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some
disbelieved.
Act
28:25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had
said one word: "The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet
to our fathers,
Act
28:26 saying, 'GO TO THIS PEOPLE AND SAY: "HEARING YOU WILL HEAR, AND
SHALL NOT UNDERSTAND; AND SEEING YOU WILL SEE, AND NOT PERCEIVE;
Act
28:27 FOR THE HEARTS OF THIS PEOPLE HAVE GROWN DULL. THEIR EARS ARE HARD OF
HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, LEST THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES
AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, LEST THEY SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEARTS AND
TURN, SO THAT I SHOULD HEAL THEM." ' (Note: B.L., Jesus used this: Matt
13:14-17)
Act
28:28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent
to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!"
SOMEONE
MIGHT SAY OR THINK,
“I
LOVE ISRAEL BECAUSE CHRIST IS COMING BACK TO JERUSALEM AND IS GOING TO REIGN IN
JERUSALEM IN THE REBUILT TEMPLE.”
JESUS
WILL APPEAR “A SECOND TIME” TO AWARD SALVATION ON THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.
Heb
9:24 For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are
copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us;
Heb
9:25 not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most
Holy Place every year with blood of another—
Heb
9:26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world;
but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the
sacrifice of Himself.
Heb
9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,
Heb
9:28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly
wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
EVERY
PERSON OF EVERY RACE INDIVIDUALLY WILL STAND BEFORE CHRIST ON THAT DAY.
Joh
5:28 Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the
graves will hear His voice
Joh
5:29 and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and
those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Mat
25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with
Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
Mat
25:32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them
one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
Mat
25:33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.
Mat
25:46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous
into eternal life."
CHRISTIANS
ARE NOT TO BE IGNORANT ABOUT THAT DAY!
1Th
4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have
fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
1Th
4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring
with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
1Th
4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and
remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are
asleep.
1Th
4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice
of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise
first.
1Th
4:17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in
the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the
Lord.
1Th
4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
STUDY
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS AND YOU ARE NOT STUDYING SALVATION IN CHRIST!
Example:
We need two “states” in Israel and Palestine.
· Study Christ’s rule
over the nations and He rules them with a rod of iron (Ps. 2:8-9).
· Study Christ’s second
coming and where is Israel as a nation?
It doesn’t exist –
every person of every race individually will stand before Christ on that
day.
HE
COMES IN THAT DAY TO BE GLORIFIED IN HIS SAINTS.
What
happens to Jews outside of Christ here? (Gal 3:26-27)
2Th
1:7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is
revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
2Th
1:8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those
who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Th
1:9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of
the Lord and from the glory of His power,
2Th
1:10 when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be
admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was
believed.
THE DAY OF THE LORD
WILL COME AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.
What’s happened to
Israel and Jerusalem here? It doesn’t exist – every person of every race
individually will stand before Christ on that day.
2Pe
3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but
is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all
should come to repentance.
2Pe
3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the
heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2Pe
3:11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
2Pe
3:12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which
the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with
fervent heat?
2Pe
3:13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new
earth in which righteousness dwells.
WHEN CHRIST JUDGES
“ALL” ON THAT DAY ANYONE NOT FOUND IN THE BOOK OF LIFE IS CAST INTO HELL.
What’s happened to
Israel and Jerusalem here? It doesn’t exist – every person of every race
individually will stand before Christ on that day.
Rev
20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face
the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Rev
20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were
opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead
were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the
books.
Rev
20:13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up
the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his
works.
Rev
20:14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second
death.
Rev
20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake
of fire.
WHO
DO CHRISTIANS THANK GOD FOR WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY?
1Co
15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the
trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be
changed.
1Co
15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put
on immortality.
1Co
15:54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put
on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
"DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY."
1Co
15:55 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?"
1Co
15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.
1Co
15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ.
1Co
15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
STUDY
THE NEW TESTAMENT AND THE ISRAEL OF GOD IN GAL 6:16 IS THE CHURCH OF CHRIST.
Gal
6:12 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel
you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross
of Christ.
Gal
6:13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to
have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
Gal
6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Gal
6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails
anything, but a new creation.
Gal
6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them,
and upon the Israel of God.
THE
RECOGNIZED “JEW” RELIGIOUSLY BY GOD IS NOT IN PHYSICAL OUTWARD APPEARANCE, OR
BY PHYSICAL CIRCUMCISION, BUT INWARDLY HAVING OBEYED THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST --
WHOSE PRAISE IS NOT FROM MAN BUT GOD.
Rom
2:28 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which
is outward in the flesh;
Rom
2:29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the
heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from
God.
Valley Church of Christ
2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com
Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.
Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm
To learn more call,
visit or visit our website at:
http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com