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Hope of Israel
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1. There is ONE Creator God, whose name is YEHOVAH (YHVH): the One who will be, is and always was. He is the Great, the Mighty, the Awesome One. Beside Him THERE IS NO OTHER: from before the universe was formed and into eternity. He is the ONE LORD, KING, ROCK, REDEEMER, and SAVIOR; the One who is ultimately holy, merciful and Just. To Him ALONE we offer our deepest love and highest devotion (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:13-15; 34:5-7; Deuteronomy 6:4; Isaiah 42:8; 43:10-11; 44:6-8, 24; 45:5-6, 21-22).
2. Yeshua the Messiah was a FULLY HUMAN BEING born from the union of his father Joseph and mother Mary (Luke 4:22; John 6:42). The appearance of the Messiah (Anointed One), a King and descendant of David, as chief HUMAN AGENT of YEHOVAH, will usher in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God here on this earth. He will be empowered by YEHOVAH to disarm the nations and bring peace and harmony to the world through the spreading of YEHOVAH's Truth. Yeshua the Messiah is known as the Second Adam (I Corinthians 15:45). Adam brought ETERNAL DEATH to his descendants through disobedience and partaking of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. On the other hand, Yeshua the Messiah, at his first appearance, brought ETERNAL LIFE to YEHOVAH’s people Israel through obedience and partaking of the Tree of Life. His death on the tree -- and his subsequent resurrection from the dead as the first-born of many brethren -- assures those Israelite followers of YEHOVAH God that they will rule as spirit beings in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. The Messiah's second appearance will be proceeded by the return of an Elijah figure, who will restore the regathered people of Israel to a pure faith (Isaiah 11; Micah 5:2-4; Jeremiah 23:5-6;; 33:14-18; Malachi 3-4).
3. The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God is the GOAL and MEANING of history; it is the chief longing of those who know, love and serve YEHOVAH God in the present time. In that age YEHOVAH God Himself will dwell with His people Israel, the will of YEHOVAH God will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and the knowledge of YEHOVAH will fill the world as the waters cover the sea. YEHOVAH will be KING over all the earth, His Truth will reach all nations, and all of His people Israel will experience the joy of His salvation. The perfect and good WAY of YEHOVAH God will be demonstrated once and for all, in sharp contrast to the tragic millennia of human evil, rebellion, waste and ruin. The people of Israel will be able, at long last, to reach their full potential as creatures made in the image and likeness of their Creator God. The Kingdom of YEHOVAH God will not come through gradual human agency, but by the restoration of all Israel followed by the decisive, overwhelming intervention of YEHOVAH God in history, the "great and terrible Day of YEHOVAH," spoken of by all the Prophets (Isaiah 2:2-4; 11; 24; 66; Zechariah 14:1-9; Daniel 2:44; 7:27).
4. The people of Israel (all 12 tribes), descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, have an eternal covenant with YEHOVAH God that will never be revoked. Regardless of all sins and failures, they are the CHOSEN NATION, the priestly kingdom, the SERVANT of YEHOVAH whom He has vowed to use to bring the light of His Truth to the whole world. Because of this great mission, and YEHOVAH's faithfulness and covenant love toward Abraham, they remain beloved in His sight -- the "apple of His eye." Though scattered through the nations, the complete and full restoration of all twelve tribes to the Promised Land is the SURE theme of all the Prophets. Joseph will draw near to Judah and the envy between them will depart. This regathering of Israel, including the return of the "Lost Tribes," is the KEY prophetic sign of the Last Days -- signaling the impending judgment of YEHOVAH God on His people Israel and the arrival of the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God (Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:27-31; Jeremiah 31:27-40; Ezekiel 36-37).
5. The Holy Scriptures are made up of the 22 books of the Hebrew Bible: the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings (TANAKH). The Hebrew and Aramaic texts of these books make up the inspired, unique, fundamental revelation of YEHOVAH God to His people Israel. They have no equal in authority and power; they are FULLY SUFFICIENT for all matters of faith and doctrine. The documents of the New Testament -- as well as the Mishnah, Talmuds, and Midrashim -- should ALWAYS be viewed IN THE LIGHT of these Holy Scriptures (Deuteronomy 4:4; 12:32; Psalm 1:2; 19:7-11; 119:89, 142, 160; Isaiah 8:16-22; Malachi 4:4-6).
6. The WAY of YEHOVAH God for His people Israel, as revealed in the first five books of the Old Testament (Torah) and amplified in the Prophets and Writings, is an ETERNAL LAW -- NEVER to be altered. It is chiefly summed up in the TEN COMMANDMENTS (Words) spoken to all Israel at Sinai, but is known and illustrated by precept, example, principle and admonition, throughout the Old Testament. That Way is essentially one and UNCHANGING, and though revealed to and through Israel, is ultimately applicable FOR ALL NATIONS -- bringing peace, justice, love, truth and righteousness to the world (Psalm 119:89, 142, 160; Isaiah 2:2-4).
7. Salvation is an individual matter involving personal faith in the One God -- YEHOVAH. Such a conversion involves a total surrender of the self, heartfelt repentance of sins, and sincerely calling upon YEHOVAH God DIRECTLY as SAVIOR, REDEEMER and LORD. While no mediator was required for those called and chosen by YEHOVAH God, Moses was the Old Testament mediator between the children of Israel and YEHOVAH God. However, that mediation lasted only as long as Moses lived. Under the New Testament covenant there is "one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 2:5). Following his death and resurrection he became an EVERLASTING MEDIATOR for those Israelites who will rise up in the Second Resurrection. Those of Israel who truly turn to YEHOVAH in this way will experience forgiveness, grace and the power and joy of the holy spirit. They will be given a "heart of flesh" and the Torah will be "written in their hearts" (Isaiah 45:22-24; 43:25; Psalm 145:18; 103:9-14; 40:6-8; Micah 6:6-8; Ezekiel 18; Genesis 12:1-3; Jeremiah 16:19; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2-3).
8. The HOPE of Israel is the resurrection. Resurrection is spoken of ONLY in the context of Israel – but NEVER of any other nation. Resurrection is also in the context of those who know what is written in the Law. We have to note and agree that every prophet of Israel was sent ONLY to Israel as a people, although they prophesied about others. YEHOVAH God has determined that the New Covenant is made with none others apart from Israel. The New Covenant is made with those who had the Old Covenant – NAMELY ISRAEL ONLY. It would not be a New Covenant to anyone else! In the New Covenant or Testament the Messiah LIMITS the resurrection and eternal life to those YEHOVAH God has given him. IT IS ONLY FOR “SHEEP.” The Messiah says, “I give UNTO THEM [the “sheep”], eternal life” (John 10:27-28; Matthew 10:5-6; Matthew 25:33-34).
9. YEHOVAH's Ecclesia (Church) can ONLY be made up of physical Israelites who have been called by YEHOVAH God and who have accepted the Messiah's sacrifice for their past offences. The "Church" must be comprised of those who are from the House of Judah plus the House of Israel, who are redeemed under the terms of the New Testament made to Israel. The Old Testament congregation of Israel is repeatedly called the "Congregation of the LORD" in Scripture. It was founded upon YEHOVAH God and His laws, and the New Testament congregation ("Church") is no different! The rest of the Israelites will receive their chance at the Second Resurrection that occurs after the 1,000-year reign of YEHOVAH God and the Messiah. (Acts 7:38; 1 Corinthians 1:2).
10. The people known as Jews today are not who they seem. According to the popular concept the word "Jew" is supposed to relate to Israel, or to all of YEHOVAH's "chosen race" as a single entity. But, prophecy from Moses on gives separation between each tribe of Israel and also separation in destiny between the House of Israel and the House of Judah, right into the "last days." Yet, somehow the churches of this world lump the tribes of Israel all together and call them "the Jews" together with any person of any race who calls himself a Jew. Author Arthur Keostler (and others) offer proof that the Eastern European Jew is descended from the large Khazar Kingdom which existed in Russia in the early centuries. The Khazars adopted Judaism as the State religion prior to the eighth century, as a political move to create a buffer between Muslims on one side and "Christians" on the other. Documents and correspondence from that period are still available from as far away as Spain and Egypt. One important fact is that the Khazar people themselves claimed descent from Japheth. They were not Semites so they did not descend from Abraham! Yet they are known today as being "Jews" and to speak against them is falsely said to be anti-Semitic! (Genesis 10:1-3; Revelation 2:9; Revelation 3:9).
11. Those of us of Israel have our names in the Book of Life from birth -- from "the foundations of the world." All of our names are there. One can know that his name is in the Book of Life by trusting in the true gospel. Those who have chosen not to believe the gospel will stand before the Messiah with their works and their own righteousness to commend themselves to YEHOVAH God rather than on the Messiah's work and his righteousness -- and risk having their names removed from the Book of Life. There is ONE chosen race that is "special" -- a word that means being "a valued property." These had their genetic code written into the Book of Life, "before the foundations of the world"! It is their responsibility to see that their names are not blotted out of the Book of Life! This confirms what Paul said about election being made before a person has done good or evil. The Bible does not record any progressive or later entries into the Book of Life! Eternal life is given to the redeemed Israelites out of those written in the Book, who are worthy. The names of individual non-Israelite people of the earth are not recorded. (Exodus 32:33; Deuteronomy 29:20; Psalm 69:28; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 13:8, 17:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
12. YEHOVAH God Himself is returning to this earth at the beginning of the Millennium to rule from a newly-constructed Temple in Jerusalem. For the last 1,700 years millions of "Christians" have focused on the so-called "Second Coming of Christ" as THE main event which ushers in the Kingdom of YEHOVAH God. However, the "coming of the Messiah" at the end of the age is definitely NOT the major emphasis of the Old Testament prophets. In fact, less than a dozen texts describe the role of the coming Davidic King (the Messiah) and, in contrast, there are literally HUNDREDS of texts in the Hebrew Prophets which deal with the end of the age and the return of the Creator God Himself. Much too often Christians have allowed themselves to hastily read through the texts, all the while ASSUMING that when the prophets write of YEHOVAH Himself acting in decisive ways, they actually refer to His Messiah. How often have you heard preachers and ministers say that "when Jesus returns, his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives." Unfortunately, this is CARELESS AND UNSCHOLARLY exegesis. The prophets ALWAYS maintain a CLEAR DISTINCTION between the DRAMATIC APPEARANCE of the LORD God (YHVH) and the coming of the Messiah and his subsequent rule over Israel UNDER YEHOVAH God. (Ezekiel 37:25-28; Isaiah 66:15-16; Isaiah 26:20-21; Ezekiel 34:11-13, 15; Zechariah 2:10-11; Zechariah 8:23). |
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Hope of Israel Ministries |
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