Thursday, October 29, 2009

Michelle Obama Dedicate Sojourner Truth Bust at Capital - Sojourner Truth and The Second Coming of Christ


(CNN) -- After a nearly decade-long effort, the National Congress of Black Women on Tuesday honored Sojourner Truth by making her the first African-American woman to have a memorial bust in the U.S. Capitol.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and first lady Michelle Obama applaud the unveiling of the Sojourner Truth bust.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and first lady Michelle Obama applaud the unveiling of the Sojourner Truth bust.

Truth, whose given name was Isabella Baumfree, was a slave who became one of the most respected abolitionists and women's rights activists.

"One could only imagine what Sojourner Truth, an outspoken, tell-it-like-it-is kind of woman ... what she would have to say about this incredible gathering," first lady Michelle Obama said at the Celebration of Truth ceremony. "We are all here because, as my husband says time and time again, we stand on the shoulders of giants like Sojourner Truth."

"And as just Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott would be pleased to know that we have a woman serving as the speaker of the House of Representatives, I hope that Sojourner Truth would be proud to see me, a descendant of slaves, serving as the first lady of the United States of America," she said.

Dignitaries and congressional leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, House Republican Leader John Boehner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, attended the ceremony marking the unveiling of the statue.

Along with musical performances, actress Cicely Tyson recited "Ain't I A Woman," Truth's famous 1851 speech to a women's rights convention.

Clinton and Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who worked together to draft legislation to commission the bust, were among speakers who paid tribute to the late C. Delores Tucker, former chairwoman of the NCBW, who spearheaded the effort for the Truth memorial.

"What a wonderful day it is to be here in Emancipation Hall for this great occasion when Sojourner Truth takes her rightful place alongside the heroes who have helped to shape our nation's history," Clinton said.

"Today, she takes her place in this Capitol, and we are the better for it," Clinton said. "She is a sojourner of truth, by truth, and for truth. And her words, her example and her legacy will never perish from this earth, so long as men and women stand up and say loudly and clearly, 'We hear you echoing down through the years of history. We believe that your journey is not yet over, and we will make the rest of that journey with you.' "

The bronze statue, which was crafted by Los Angeles, California, sculptor Artis Lane, will stand in Emancipation Hall at the Capitol Visitor Center.

"All the visitors in the U.S. Capitol will hear the story of brave women who endured the greatest of humanity's indignities. They'll hear the story of Sojourner Truth, who didn't allow those indignities to destroy her spirit, who fought for her own freedom and then used her powers ... to help others," Michelle Obama said.

"The power of this bust will not just be in the metal that delineates Sojourner Truth's face; it will also be in the message that defines her legacy. Forevermore, in the halls of one of our country's greatest monuments of liberty and equality, justice and freedom, Sojourner Truth's story will be told again and again.


Sojourner Truth (The Second Advent Doctrines)

Sojourner Truth (Isabella Van Wagener), the famous abolitionist, was believed to be a Seventh-dayAdventist - through the efforts of Uriah Smith.

Though her baptism by Smith is questioned by some historians, it is generally accepted that Sojourner Truth was acquainted with Advent teachings and accepted the Sabbath. She knew Ellen White, John Byington, Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and other prominent church leaders. She spoke at the Battle Creek Sanitarium and several other church gatherings. Her grave is in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek, near the White family burial place.

In October of 1856, Sojourner Truth went to Michigan to address the Friends of Human Progress Association. It was there that she spoke about the injustice of slavery and its impact on families. She told the audience about her five children that she loved but lost to slavery. However, Truth believed in God and also believed that all the rights and love that were taken away from slaves in this life would be returned to them in heaven.

On June 12, 1863, the newspaper ran a version of one of Truth's speeches from a meeting at the State Sabbath Convention in Battle Creek, Michigan. Here Truth spoke to the people about race relations and how God made everyone who they are, so it was not fair to degrade others based on their race because it was God who had made them that way. "Does not God love colored children as well as white children? And did not the same Saviour die to save the one as well as the other? If so, white children must know that if they go to Heaven, they must go there without their prejudice against color, for in Heaven black and white are one in the love of Jesus."

In an October 29, 1864 letter dictated by Sojourner Truth to a friend, Rowland Johnson, Truth speaks of her meeting with President Abraham Lincon. Truth told God that she believed Lincoln was a good man, and if he were spared and not "thrown into the lion's den and the lions did not tear him up," then she would know that God had saved him for her to meet. Therefore, in his four years, she at some point had to meet him. They spoke about the end of slavery and how grateful she was to him for signing the treaty. In her letter, Truth said, "I must say, I am proud to say, that I never was treated by anyone with more kindness and cordiality than were shown to me by that great and good man, Abraham Lincoln, by the grace of God, president of the United States for four years more."


The Narrative of Sojourner Truth
Written by Olive Gilbert,
based on information provided by Sojourner Truth. 1850

(Excerpt of Narrative)

THE SECOND ADVENT DOCTRINES.

In Hartford and vicinity, she met with several persons who believed in the 'Second Advent' doctrines; or, the immediate personal appearance of Jesus Christ. At first she thought she had never heard of 'Second Advent.' But when it was explained to her, she recollected having once attended Mr. Miller's meeting in New York, where she saw a great many enigmatical pictures hanging on the wall, which she could not understand, and which, being out of the reach of her understanding, failed to interest her. In this section of country, she attended two camp-meetings of the believers in these doctrines-the 'second advent' excitement being then at its greatest height. The last meeting was at Windsor Lock. The people, as a matter of course, eagerly inquired of her concerning her belief, as it regarded their most important tenet. She told them it had not been revealed to her; perhaps, if she could read, she might see it differently. Sometimes, to their eager inquiry, 'Oh, don't you believe the Lord is coming?' she answered, 'I believe the Lord is as near as he can be, and not be it.' With these evasive and non-exciting answers, she kept their minds calm as it respected her unbelief, till she could have an opportunity to hear their views fairly stated, in order to judge more understandingly of this matter, and see if, in her estimation, there was any good ground for expecting an event which was, in the minds of so many, as it were, shaking the very foundations of the universe. She was invited to join them in their religious exercises, and accepted the invitation-praying, and talking in her own peculiar style, and attracting many about her by her singing.

When she had convinced the people that she was a lover of God and his cause, and had gained a good standing with them, so that she could get a hearing among them, she had become quite sure in her own mind that they were laboring under a delusion, and she commenced to use her influence to calm the fears of the people, and pour oil upon the troubled waters. In one part of the grounds, she found a knot of people greatly excited: she mounted a stump and called out, 'Hear! hear!' When the people had gathered around her, as they were in a state to listen to any thing new, she addressed them as 'children,' and asked them why they made such a 'To-do;-are you not commanded to "watch and pray?" You are neither watching nor praying.' And she bade them, with the tones of a kind mother, retire to their tents, and there watch and pray, without noise or tumult, for the Lord would not come to such a scene of confusion; 'the Lord came still and quiet.' She assured them, 'the Lord might come, move all through the camp, and go away again, and they never know it,' in the state they then were.

They seemed glad to seize upon any reason for being less agitated and distressed, and many of them suppressed their noisy terror, and retired to their tents to 'watch and pray;' begging others to do the same, and listen to the advice of the good sister. She felt she had done some good, and then went to listen further to the preachers. They appeared to her to be doing their utmost to agitate and excite the people, who were already too much excited; and when she had listened till her feelings would let her listen silently no longer, she arose and addressed the preachers. The following are specimens of her speech:-

'Here you are talking about being "changed in the twinkling of an eye." If the Lord should come, he'd change you to nothing! for there is nothing to you.

'You seem to be expecting to go to some parlor away up somewhere, and when the wicked have been burnt, you are coming back to walk in triumph over their ashes-this is to be your New Jerusalem!! Now, I can't see any thing so very nice in that, coming back to such a muss as that will be, a world covered with the ashes of the wicked! Besides, if the Lord comes and burns-as you say he will-I am not going away; I am going to stay here and stand the fire, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! And Jesus will walk with me through the fire, and keep me from harm. Nothing belonging to God can burn, any more than God himself; such shall have no need to go away to escape the fire! No, I shall remain. Do you tell me that God's children can't stand fire?' And her manner and tone spoke louder than words, saying, 'It is absurd to think so!'

The ministers were taken quite aback at so unexpected an opposer, and one of them, in the kindest possible manner, commenced a discussion with her, by asking her questions, and quoting scripture to her; concluding, finally, that although she had learned nothing of the great doctrine which was so exclusively occupying their minds at the time, she had learned much that man had never taught her.

At this meeting, she received the address of different persons, residing in various places, with an invitation to visit them. She promised to go soon to Cabotville, and started, shaping her course for that place. She arrived at Springfield one evening at six o'clock, and immediately began to search for a lodging for the night. She walked from six till past nine, and was then on the road from Springfield to Cabotville, before she found any one sufficiently hospitable to give her a night's shelter under their roof. Then a man gave her twenty-five cents, and bade her go to a tavern and stay all night. She did so, returning in the morning to thank him, assuring him she had put his money to its legitimate use. She found a number of the friends she had seen at Windsor when she reached the manufacturing town of Cabotville, (which has lately taken the name of Chicopee,) and with them she spent a pleasant week or more; after which, she left them to visit the Shaker village in Enfield. She now began to think of finding a resting place, at least, for a season; for she had performed quite a long journey, considering she had walked most of the way; and she had a mind to look in upon the Shakers, and see how things were there, and whether there was any opening there for her. But on her way back to Springfield, she called at a house and asked for a piece of bread; her request was granted, and she was kindly invited to tarry all night, as it was getting late, and she would not be able to stay at every house in that vicinity, which invitation she cheerfully accepted. When the man of the house came in, he recollected having seen her at the camp-meeting, and repeated some conversations, by which she recognized him again. He soon proposed having a meeting that evening, went out and notified his friends and neighbors, who came together, and she once more held forth to them in her peculiar style. Through the agency of this meeting, she became acquainted with several people residing in Springfield, to whose houses she was cordially invited, and with whom she spent some pleasant time.

One of these friends, writing of her arrival there, speaks as follows. After saying that she and her people belonged to that class of persons who believed in the second advent doctrines; and that this class, believing also in freedom of speech and action, often found at their meetings many singular people, who did not agree with them in their principal doctrine; and that, being thus prepared to hear new and strange things, 'They listened eagerly to Sojourner, and drank in all she said;'-and also, that she 'soon became a favorite among them; that when she arose to speak in their assemblies, her commanding figure and dignified manner hushed every trifler into silence, and her singular and sometimes uncouth modes of expression never provoked a laugh, but often were the whole audience melted into tears by her touching stories.' She also adds, 'Many were the lessons of wisdom and faith I have delighted to learn from her.' . . . . 'She continued a great favorite in our meetings, both on account of her remarkable gift in prayer, and still more remarkable talent for singing, . . . and the aptness and point of her remarks, frequently illustrated by figures the most original and expressive.

'As we were walking the other day, she said she had often thought what a beautiful world this would be, when we should see every thing right side up. Now, we see every thing topsy-turvy, and all is confusion.' For a person who knows nothing of this fact in the science of optics, this seemed quite a remarkable idea.

'We also loved her for her sincere and ardent piety, her unwavering faith in God, and her contempt of what the world calls fashion, and what we call folly. 'She was in search of a quiet place, where a way-worn traveller might rest. She had heard of Fruitlands, and was inclined to go there; but the friends she found here thought it best for her to visit Northampton. She passed her time, while with us, working wherever her work was needed, and talking where work was not needed. 'She would not receive money for her work, saying she worked for the Lord; and if her wants were supplied, she received it as from the Lord. 'She remained with us till far into winter, when we introduced her at the Northampton Association.' . . . . 'She wrote to me from thence, that she had found the quiet resting place she had so long desired. And she has remained there ever since.'

Source:
http://www.africawithin.com/bios/sojourner_narrative.htm#second
(An Excerpt) This Far by Faith - Sojourner Truth


THE BIRTH OF SOJOURNER TRUTH

While living in New York, Isabella attended the many camp meetings held around the city, and she quickly established herself as a powerful speaker, capable of converting many. In 1843, she was "called in spirit" on the day of Pentecost.
The spirit instructed her to leave New York, a "second Sodom," and travel east to lecture under the name Sojourner Truth. This new name signified her role as an itinerant preacher, her preoccupation with truth and justice, and her mission to teach people "to embrace Jesus, and refrain from sin." Sojourner Truth set off on her journey during a period of millennial fervor, with many poised to hear her call to Jesus before the Day of Judgement.

IS GOD GONE?

Sojourner Truth first met the abolitionist Frederick Douglass while she was living at the Northampton Association. Although he admired her speaking ability, Douglass was patronizing of Truth, whom he saw as "uncultured." Years later, however, Truth would use her plain talk to challenge Douglass. At an 1852 meeting in Ohio, Douglass spoke of the need for blacks to seize freedom by force. As he sat down, Truth asked
"Is God gone?" Although much exaggerated by Harriet Beecher Stowe and other writers, this exchange made Truth a symbol for faith in nonviolence and God's power to right the wrongs of slavery.

  1. Sojourner Truth, along with several members of her family, are buried in Oak ... Town," the more than 2,000 local church members observed the Sabbath on Saturday.

Sojourner Truth's grave by .JAIMEE..
A frequent lecturer at the “Old San” was Sojourner Truth, shown in this portrait with President Abraham Lincoln.

Sojourner Truth, nationally known as a charismaticSojourner Truthspeaker for abolition and women's rights, visited Battle Creek in 1856. She was impressed with the people she met and moved here a year later. For the next 27 years, the illiterate ex-slave made Battle Creek her home, as she continued to travel the country, agitating for human rights for black and white alike.

Sojourner Truth gravesite at Oak Hill Cemetery, Battle Creek, MichiganFor the first ten years she lived in the area, Truth had a home in the village of Harmonia, a community of Quakers and Spiritualists a few miles west of Battle Creek (now the location of Fort Custer Industrial Park). In 1867 she and her family moved into town, where she lived until her death in 1883. Sojourner Truth, along with several members of her family, are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, on the east side of the city.

James and Ellen WhiteAnother non-conformist was attracted by the tolerance and openness of the Battle Creek community in this period. In 1855, a small group of Seventh-day Adventists invited visionary Ellen White, and her husband, Elder James White , to settle here and make the village the headquarters for their new denomination. In the next fifty years, the small band of believers grew to over 200,000 members world-wide. The SDA church initiated an extensive missionary and health education evangelical ministry, established one of the largest printing and publishing houses in the United States Seventh Day Adventist Central Publishing House - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED IMAGE, sponsored colleges and medical training institutions and founded a health care facility which became "the largest institution of its kind in the world."

Until the early years of the twentieth century when it decentralized, the SDA church was a major influence in Battle Creek. Centered in the west end of town, known as "Advent Town," the more than 2,000 local church members observed the Sabbath on Saturday. From the 1860s they adhered to revolutionary dietary and health principles, based on the teachings of Ellen White.

Dr. John Harvey KelloggThese principles were put into practice by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg, the director of the world-renowned Battle Creek Sanitarium. The "San," as it was known locally, was famous around the world for its water and fresh air treatments, exercise regimens and diet reform. The San doctors were universally recognized for Palm Garden of the Famous Battle Creek Sanitariumtheir diagnostic, surgical and medical expertise. In its 65 years of operation under Dr. Kellogg's leadership, the San served thousands of patients, including presidents, kings, movie stars, educators and industrial giants, as well as impoverished charity patients.




Sojourner Truth ( 1797-1883)

Christened Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was a Black abolitionist, who developed attitudes more favorable towards President Lincoln than some of her colleagues.

"Hoping to visit Lincoln, Sojourner, when she was about sixty-seven years old, made a long, round-about journey from Battle Creek, Michigan, which was then her home, to Washington, D.C. After she arrived, she found to her surprise that she was unable on her own to secure an appointment to visit Lincoln. Sojourner then asked Lucy Colman—a white, Massachusetts-born schoolteacher who had become an anti-slavery lecturer—to arrange it for her. After some weeks, Mrs. Colman, using Mrs. Lincoln's black dressmaker as a go-between, succeeded in arranging an appointment. When Mrs. Colman finally took Sojourner to the White House on 29 October, [1864] the two women had to wait several hours until it was their turn to see the busy president. Having every expectation of being welcomed, they were not 'sitting-in' in protest," wrote historian Carleton Mabee.
1

Sojourner Truth herself said: "Upon entering his reception room we found about a dozen persons in waiting, among them two coloured women. I had quite a pleasant time waiting until he was disengaged, and enjoyed his conversation with others; he showed as much kindness and consideration to the colored persons as to the white. One case was that of a colored woman who was sick and likely to be turned out of her house on account of her inability to pay her rent. The president listened to her with much attention, and spoke to her with kindness and tenderness."
2

British journalist Fred Tomkins said that on February 25, 1865 Sojourner Truth was denied admission to the White House and that when he mentioned it to Mr. Lincoln, he "expressed his sorrow, and said that he had often seen her, (and] that it should not occur again." Historian Mabee maintains that "available evidence indicates that although Sojourner was not welcomed at Lincoln's White House as quickly as she would have liked, nor always welcomed, nor clearly welcomed with 'reverence,' at least she was welcomed once, and probably more often."
3


Footnotes

    1. Carleton Mabee, in Martin H. Greenberg & Charles G. Waugh, editors, The Price of Freedom, Slavery and the Civil War, Volume One, The Demise of Slavery, p. 352.
    2. Sojourner Truth, letter on November 17, 1864 (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAStruth.htm)



Sojourner Truth Monument Unveiled
(Follow this link to read about the history of the project.)

MonumentPark.jpg (49369 bytes)BATTLE CREEK, Mich. --Almost 3,000 people cheered as Dr. Velma Laws-Clay, chair of the Sojourner Truth Dedication Committee declared, "the moment has arrived" during the dedication ceremonies for the Sojourner Truth Monument at the Kellogg Arena on September 25 .

The Sojourner Truth Institute of Battle Creek and the committee have worked with the National Association of Negro and Black Professional Women (NANBPW) and other supporters since 1997 to develop the monument. The project was originally suggested by the NANBPW in 1993.

Battle Creek Mayor Ted Dearing officially welcomed Sojourner back to Battle Creek. "She will serve as a constant reminder of her messages of dignity, respect and freedom for all, messages that are just as relevant today as they were 100 years ago," Dearing said. "Let her serve as a reminder that though we have come far as a city we can do better, and let us not rest until all have freedom and equality." More than 12 musical and artistic groups participated in the dedication, including the Hope College Gospel Choir, the Battle Creek Boy Choir, the Battle Creek Girls Chorus, and the Kellogg Community College Eclectic Chorale among others. The dedication festivities also featured the artistic work of thousands of Calhoun County students through the Arts Focus on Truth program coordinated through the United Arts Council of Calhoun County. The Kellogg Arena activities were followed by a March for Truth from the arena to Battle Creek’s Monument Park led by the University of Michigan Marching Band.


Sabbath Truth -The Truth about the Sabbath

AIDS IS MAN-MADE - INTERVIEW WITH DR. BOYD GRAVES

BOYD GRAVES DISPLAYS THE 1971 HIV FLOW CHART AFTER URGING UN AIDS OFFICIALS TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT DURING THE U.S. INVESTIGATION INTO THE MISSING

DR. BOYD GRAVES EXPOSES U.S. SPECIAL VIRUS PROGRAM ON

LAWYER…ALL » HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST DR. BOYD GRAVES EXPOSES

Dr. Boyd Graves Death - AIDS/HIV activist Dr Boyd Graves r.i.p.

Who is Dr Boyd Graves? You've never heard of him, right? Well, he did research into CANCER VIRUSES, you can catch CANCER like you can the common cold?.

click to enlarge image


June 9th 1969. What's so special about that date? HR 15090, page 129. HIV is synthetic, attests Dr Boyd Graves. On June 9th 1969 the Pentagon went before Congress and asked for $10,000,000 to produce a 'synthetic biological agent that will deplete the immune system to allow for the onset of infectious disease'. HIV arrived in 1979, ten years after the promise of HR 15090. And there's a serious ETHNO-SPECIFICITY issue. But it gets better...

This interview is from May 2009 - if you're not a fan of hip hip, skip to 3:33 where the interview begins. The last correspondence with Dr Boyd Graves was a phone call of him being visited by Federal Agents. There is little or no information on the 'net about the circumstances of Dr Boyd Graves' death.

HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST, DR. BOYD GRAVES, EXPOSED THE FORMERLY .

AIDS, NIXON AND AMERICA’S FUTURE: PL91-213

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: SINCE DECEMBER 1, 2000, WORLD AIDS DAY, BOYD GRAVES, J.D. HAS LAUNCHED A ONE MAN EDUCATIONAL WAR ON THE TRUE LABORATORY ORIGIN OF AIDS. ..

IN 1970, PRESIDENT NIXON SIGNED PL91-213 AND JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, III BECAME THE “POPULATION CZAR.” NIXON’S AUGUST 10 NATIONAL SECURITY MEMO LEAVES NO DOUBT AS TO THE GENOCIDAL NATURE OF DEPOPULATION.

US GAO DELAYS AIDS LAB ORIGIN REPORT (APRIL 6, 2002)

SEE, E.G., PL91-213 (3/16/70), NSSM 200 (12/74), U.S. HOUSE RESOLUTION 15090, AIDS PANDEMIC, IT IS OUR NATION STATE, IT IS U.S.. BOYD E. GRAVES, J.D.,




Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Obama Honors Americans Killed in Afghanistan -Does the nation of Israel have a distinct and separate future from the church in the kingdom of God?


President Obama salutes as an Army team carries the remains of Sgt. Dale Griffin.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Obama Honors Americans Killed In Afghanistan


The president made a midnight trip to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to honor the return of fallen soldiers in Afghanistan. Obama took part in a solemn process, transferring the remains of 15 soldiers and 3 DEA agents from the back of the C-17 to a base mortuary. At least 55 U.S. forces have been killed in October — the deadliest month of the war for U.S. forces since the 2001 invasion to oust the Taliban.


Does the Nation of Israel have a Distinct and Separate Future from the

Church in the Kingdom of God?

by - Alan Nairne

  1. The definitive place of the NT in the interpretation of the OT
  2. Christ – the termination of OT redemptive prophecy
  3. The covenant promises to Abraham were redemptive
  4. How about Romans chapters 9-11?
  5. Will there be a millennial kingdom?
  6. The New Testament use of Old Testament prophecies
  7. General Conclusions
I. The definitive place of the NT in the interpretation of the OT
To answer this question I believe we must understand the meaning of the Covenants, God’s purpose for “Israel, and the nature of an “Israelite”. Whilst we can pick up some clues from the Old Testament histories, the New Testament teaching is definitive as to the true significance of the covenants and histories of the Old Testament. This I cannot enough emphasize. In fact I will go so far as to say that without the NT the OT cannot be properly understood. Why is this so? Because Christ is the whole meaning and purpose of the OT. As Paul says concerning the Jews, who had the oracles of God (Rom.3:2), “…the children of Israel…their minds were blinded: for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains untaken away; which veil is done away in Christ” (II Cor.3:14). It was this blindness that not only caused the Jews of Jesus’ day to mistakenly believe in a permanent and dominant national future for Israel and all she represented, but also caused them to reject their Messiah and his saving work.
I am afraid that much of today’s interpretation of the Scriptures is very reminiscent of the way the Jews of Jesus’ day interpreted them. We may not merit the plagues of Rev.22:18-19, or Paul’s “anathema” of Gal.1:8-9 (AV), but it is better to make sure we stand on Biblical ground!
Writers on this subject usually point out that many of the Church Fathers (i.e. during the first few centuries AD) refer to a “millennial kingdom” in which the nation of Israel features prominently. Surely, we may think, they being so close to the Apostolic age should know what the Apostles taught? It is true, where there is clarity of statement (some Fathers are ambiguous), that both views are fairly equally represented. The other view is, of course, that there is no earthly millennial kingdom to follow the Second Coming of Christ. So they are not really any great help. Anyway, we base our view on Scripture, not on the Church Fathers, however valuable their writings may be. All that those Fathers who see a millennial kingdom indicate is that they agree with the views of the Jews, and, perhaps the majority of Jewish Christians of their times. That the Apostles did not so interpret the OT Scriptures I hope to show.
If we say, “Well, this “other view” sounds like the ‘Replacement Theology’ I have heard spoken against – but I would like to see how they arrive at their ideas” – fine, I hope you see that there is a credible alternative understanding of Scripture. Alternatively, you may like to critique this paper. Equally fine. But I do hope you will do two things. One is, use OT and NT Scriptures in keeping with the sense of the whole NT. The other is, set forth a detailed description from Scripture of the proposed millennium and Israel’s place in it, in a way that is not at variance with the NT. But, failing both these responses, or “Well, I am happy to believe what I have always understood, which the majority of Christians believe, anyway, and, what does it matter?”, I guess what I have to say is not for you. To those who may wish to use this paper, I hope that my use of the KJV or RV will be no stumbling block. The use of any version will yield the same results.
Perhaps we can now briefly refresh our memories concerning the early salvation-histories about which the NT draws definitive conclusions.
II. Christ – the termination of OT redemptive prophecy
Salvation-history is continuous from the first promise of redemption given to Adam and Eve following the sin which they brought into the human race. This promise decreed warfare which would take place between the seed of the serpent and the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent (Gen.3:15). Whilst this warfare would in each generation be played out on the stage of human history, the prophecy related primarily to THE SEED who is Jesus, the Son of God. Paul makes this clear in the Galatian epistle (3:16) that although Abraham received covenant promises concerning his seed, the promise was not to Abraham’s “seeds”, the many, but to one SEED, who is Christ. Prophecy largely terminates upon HIM. It is only in Christ we inherit these redemptive promises. Rev.19:10 is to a similar effect – “…the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” As Paul states, “Christ is the end of the law unto righteousness to everyone that believes.” Rom.10:4. Even when the church was seen afar off in the OT prophecies (Eph.3:5), its purpose was that “…unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen” (Eph.3:21). And to the Colossians “…he is the head of the body, the church: ….that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Col.1:18).
In postulating a millennial kingdom, with Jewish dominance, sacrifices, temple, priesthood, etc., there is a subtle shift of emphasis away from Christ’s preeminence, to say nothing of it being in plain contradiction to the messages of Galatians and Hebrews, as I hope we shall see.
III. The covenant promises to Abraham were redemptive
The covenant promises concerning God’s favour to the human race continued down through Abraham’s descendants. But the promises were not to all his descendants, but only to those who specifically embraced them, and this involved the election of God. It was very personal. Hence the rejection of not only Ishmael, Abraham’s son through the slave girl Hagar, but also of Esau, in favour of Jacob his twin – both sons of Isaac, with Sarah, Abraham’s true wife as their grandmother..
Continuing the history of Abraham’s clan, Jacob’s sons went down into Egypt, their descendants remaining there in excess of four hundred years, numerically becoming a threat to the stability of Egypt, where they were made slaves; the knowledge of the God of their Fathers being all but lost.
The books of Exodus to Deuteronomy tell us of God’s redeeming power to deliver his people from Egypt, and of the arrangements he made at Sinai for his people to live and worship him acceptably. These arrangements, moral, civil and religious, are broadly comprehended under the term “The Law” – the so-called Mosaic covenant.
It is important to see that the clans of Jacob received their formal constitution as a nation at Sinai. Without this “Law” with its Levitical priesthood, elaborate sacrificial and purificatory ritual, and civil and hygiene laws, there would have been no “nation”. Moreover, the Lord made it clear that in the event of apostacy the nation would be judged to the point of non existence (Deut.28 and Lev.26). Yet, even in the event of apostacy God’s purposes will not fail, for he will ensure that a “remnant” will be left (cf. Lev.26:42ff) through whom the covenant promises would continue until their fulfillment in the Messiah. (cf. Rom.11:1-5) This feature is the burden of the prophets. But it is important to recognise that these purposes are fulfilled, not through an apostate nation, but through the remnant within that nation. More of this later.
Concerning the covenant at Sinai, we need to understand that, in essence, nothing had changed. Paul tells us (Gal.3:19) that the law was added, or, came alongside, that which was already in existence – i.e. the Abrahamic promises. That is, the Abrahamic covenant “embraced” the Mosaic covenant. The way of personal salvation, revealed in the Garden of Eden, (Gen.3:21; 4:4) through faith and sacrifice, was still the same for each individual. The “Law” was given, not to procure salvation, but to provide a format within which godly Hebrews could, as a matter of love to their God, in thankfulness, and in the spirit of the law (see Deut.10:16 & 30:6) live lives that were pleasing to him. The covenant was also given so that the Lord could display his power through the nation (Ex.34:10). Conversely, in the event of rebellion, chastisement would follow, and for total apostacy, rejection and destruction.
The NT makes it quite clear that the nation, land, priesthood, tabernacle, temple, offerings, were, like Eden, and so much else, picture books of the reality that was to come, and a vehicle to ensure that God’s Deliverer would be able to come in the “fulness of time”. What kind of duration was envisaged for the law – and, by implication the nation? “Until the seed should come to whom the promises were made” (Gal.3:19).
We have seen in the first paragraphs of this section that it was through Abraham’s offspring that the covenant promises were passed down through the generations. Nevertheless, it may be a shock for me to tell you that being Hebrew or Jewish is nothing to do with blood. When Abraham was told to circumcise his household (Gen.14:14; 17:10-14) he did so, and included his 318 fighting men who would not have had his blood in their veins. These multiplied down the generations, and we are told that of those that went down into Egypt 70 were from the loins of Jacob – but they were so numerous that they needed the land of Goshen to live in, only a tiny minority of whom would have descended from Jacob.
Can we forget the Moabitess Ruth who became part of the covenant people and a forbear of the Messiah? Or Uriah the Hittite and other Gentiles in the lists of David’s mighty men who were adopted into the covenant people? To become a Jew was open to any Gentile.
Nevertheless it is clear that neither the accident of birth into the chosen nation, nor even undergoing the seal of circumcision was guarantee of being part of the “remnant”, for such had to have the necessary faith to receive the promises of redemption through the coming Deliverer. What does Paul say? “they are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Rom.9:6ff).
In the same place he deals with the election of Abraham’s progeny, already considered. In Romans 2 he says, “he is not a Jew which is one outwardly….but he is a Jew which is one inwardly.” (vv.28-29). There was, therefore a nation within a nation.
To the same effect is his argument “Know therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham…” (Gal.3:7), and “..if you are Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Gal.3:29). At the end of the chapter he blesses the church in the words “peace…and mercy…upon the Israel of God.” (Gal.6:16). Some, who wish to retain a permanent status for Israel constituted as of old, would have us believe that Abraham has a future “earthly” seed and a “heavenly” seed. But such an interpretation (based partly on the “stars” and “sand” of Gen.22:17) is reading things into Scripture to fit a preconceived scheme, and in doing so denies the total teaching of the NT.
The book of Hebrews makes it clear that the Mosaic provisions of the Levitical priesthood, the sacrifices and the law were only temporary – “he takes away the first [covenant], that he may establish the second.” (10:9). Earlier in chapter (8:13) the writer had said “In that he said a new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away.” How can we square with these Scriptures the teaching that Israel and its Old Covenant shadows are to be restored? The book of Hebrews is devoted to teaching otherwise.
IV. How about Romans chapters 9-11??
We must conclude from these Scriptures that the olive tree of Romans chapter eleven is nothing less than the totality of the promises to Abraham. The natural branches therefore will have comprised those “of faith” in Israel, since they were first in opportunity. The people of God (“the election” (Rom.11:1-12)), Jews from OT times, and now Jews and Gentiles – form the olive tree, since the Abrahamic promises in Christ must now extend to all nations as was their original intent. Paul writing to both the Ephesian Christians (Eph.2:11-22) and those at Colossae (3:10-11) makes it clear that racial and national distinctions are forever gone.
What, then, did Paul mean when he said in Romans chapter eleven that “all Israel will be saved”? (v.26). It is totally within the sense of Scripture as we have looked at it, to believe that “all Israel” will be the totality of the elect, both Jew and Gentile, that is, the completed olive tree. I find that perfectly satisfying.
Now, undoubtedly, Paul gives us to understand that there will be a turning to God of Jews, resulting in unprecedented blessings to mankind (Rom.11:11-12). What sort of blessings? Ethnic Jews (the Scripture implies no more), natural branches that they are, will be grafted back again into the olive tree and comprise, with the Gentiles blessed by their response, the Church of God (vv.13-21).
It appears to me that those who believe in a special future for Israel that, in the purposes of God, are distinct and separate from the Church, are seeking to build up the Old Covenant that became obsolete (Heb.10:9) was “waxing old and is ready to vanish away” (Heb.8:13)
Moreover they must also (and do!) maintain the reestablishment of the Old Covenant. They have to, for without it the nation has no religious significance.
To the contrary, as we have seen, Israel “after the flesh” was only a means to an end – which end was eternal redemption through the Christ. Israel, had she seen “the things which belong[ed] unto [her] peace” (Luke 19:42) would have been foundational for the Church because she would have received her Messiah. The old forms having fallen away, she would have constituted the Church, the true Messianic people, and would have continued to be called “an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation….the people of God” (1 Peter 2:9-10) along with the Gentiles who likewise responded. As it is, they did not. The Gentiles did receive Jesus as the Christ, and therefore became the Messianic people as described by Peter.
But one way or the other, both the falling away of the old forms, and the demise of old fleshly Israel had to be permanent. For one thing it was apostate. For another, as long as it continued in its then present form Israel posed a threat to the true church. As it was, their long history of rebellion in slaying of prophets and wise men (Matt.23:31-36) culminated in the murder of God’s Son, and upon that generation was promised the final judgment – “behold your house is left unto you desolate” (Matt.23:38). In the following chapter Jesus spells out this judgment – a razing of the temple to the ground, the nation pictured as a rotting carcase to be devoured by vultures (Matt.24:15-28). Until this took place in AD70, Israel was the prime mover in the persecution of the infant church.
What was the reason for this rejection of Messiah? Because in their unbelief and rebellion they wanted a political Messiah who would deliver them from the Roman oppressor, and create a powerful nation to whom the Gentiles would be subservient. This was a carnal interpretation of the OT prophecies, and is the picture created by those who believe in a restoration of the nation in God’s purposes!
To those who so teach, the question must be asked – where biblically do you fit the idea of a revived Israel, dominant among the nations?
The short answer by those who propound it is – during the Millennium. I say “the short answer” because some see Israel beginning to take her place (in their understanding of future biblical history) some seven years before the Second Coming and the commencement of the Millennium. I regard these interpretations as peripheral and cannot deal with them in this paper. I shall therefore confine myself to examining the concept of the existence of Israel in a future Millennium, upon which the whole matter stands or falls.
V. Will there be a millennial kingdom??
The idea of a Millennium – a period of 1000 years to follow Christ’s Second Coming is gained from the book of Revelation chapter 20. The fact that this period is mentioned only once in Scripture may not disqualify it from consideration if it is in keeping with other Scriptures. But I do not see it as such for the following three reasons, at least.
Firstly, that it occurs in a highly symbolic portion of Scripture ought to sound a warning. The book of Revelation is full of symbolic numbers – 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 24, 42, 666, 1,000, 1260, 1600, 7000, 12,000, 144,000, 200,000,000 – a little search will find more. Is it not foolhardy to base such a concept foundational to a whole prophetic programme on a figure which any consistent hermeneutic would interpret as symbolic? Nevertheless, it is this very numeral that is used as a literal basis for supporting a great superstructure of the doctrine of the Millennium, with Israel’s dominant place in it
Secondly, it is argued that chapter 19 which portrays the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus, immediately precedes the one thousand years millennium verses in chapter 20 of Revelation. Again, if the book was generally interpreted with each chapter chronologically following the previous one, it could be admissible. But the chapters lends themselves, indeed, demand, and usually are, interpreted in cycles. Whilst there are many variations in exactly how the cycles are to be arranged, chapter twenty can be seen to commence a fresh recapitulatory cycle. Again, it is perilous to built such a comprehensive prophetic scheme on such an uncertain foundation.
Thirdly the consistent testimony of the N T is that the Second Coming of Christ is the termination of history. Consider the following Scriptures:-
For the ungodly
What is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?…..For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father, with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matt.16:26-27
The Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. II Pet.3:9-1-
Behold the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all…Jude 14-15
Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him,…and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Rev.1:7.
For the Church
Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God. Luke 12:18.
Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire. I Cor.3:19
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you….but rejoice…that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad with exceeding joy. I Pet.4:12-13
Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. James 5:7
Gird up the loins of your mind…and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. I Peter 1:13
Let your loins be girded..and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord…when he cometh. Luke 12:35-37.
And now, little children, abide in him; that when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. I John 2:28
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Col. 3:4-5.
It doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like him..I John 3:2.
Consider also the following Scriptures to the same effect – II Tim.4:8; Phil.3:20; I Cor.1:7-8; Luke 19:13; I Thess.5:23; Phil.1:16; Phil.1:9-10; I Thess.5:9-10; I Cor.11:26.
Consider also the parables of Jesus in Matthew chapter 13 concerning the harvest, which, he explains is the end of the age. This is but a small selection of Scriptures from the NT. The consistent testimony is that Christ’s Second Coming is not the beginning of a new time of probation for the ungodly, and a new start for Israel, or anybody else, but the termination of history with the resurrection of both wicked and godly dead, followed by judgment, and the eternal state. This is the consistent testimony of all the historic creeds. As I said earlier, we base our understanding of Scripture upon Scripture, not tradition, however ancient. But when the tradition totally conforms to Scripture we do well to ponder seriously before departing from their testimony.
But what are we to do with all these prophecies in the OT which speak of a glorious future for the nation of Israel? Well, first of all we need to see what the NT says about the OT prophecies. There are a number of Scriptures which set out principles of interpretation.
VI. The New Testament use of Old Testament prophecies
Consider firstly Paul’s testimony to king Agrippa in Acts 26 – “…I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.” (vv.22-23).
Secondly, Peter says:- “Of which salvation [i.e. our salvation] the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that preached the gospel unto you…” I Peter 1:9-12.
In the first Scripture the expression “none other things” is pretty restrictive! Paul would restrict the message of the OT to redemption. Even Peter in the second Scripture is restrictive. “UNTO US they did minister the things…” So the burden of the Spirit of Christ in the prophets of old was redemption and the Church. Of course, it ought not to be necessary to say it, but clearly the Apostles were referring to the prophecies concerning the “age to come”, the “days of Messiah”, the “New Covenant” age, etc. in which they were themselves ministering. In saying “not unto themselves” they were not, of course, denying the other main burden of the prophets for their own times which concerned the apostacy of Israel and Judah, their captivities, and restoration. But the promises of restoration in the near future often merged into pictures of glorious prospects of the true Israel under her Deliverer in the present age.
In looking forward to this coming when the significance of the Old Covenant was to cease, and with it “Israel after the flesh” (I Cor.10:18), how could the Spirit of God convey the spiritual nature of the Church other than under the forms then existing? Is it not the same with ourselves concerning “heaven” described as having streets of gold, a temple a 1500 miles high cube (or maybe a pyramid) with a wall all around only 216 feet high! And those gates of pearl (some oysters!)!!!
Other OT Scriptures when interpreted literally often yield just as ridiculous results. Consider Ezekiel’s parcelling out the land of Israel – using cubits it is far too small, using rods there is not room for it in Palestine! To say nothing of the fact that the restrictive features of the natural terrain are totally ignored. Moreover, are we going to reconstitute nations long since vanished – Moab, Ammon – for them to feature in end-time drama? And as for the lion eating straw as the ox (Isa.11:7), God could do it, but are we to believe he will recreate the lion’s digestive system to suit?
How did the Apostles understand and use the OT prophecies? Let us consider their use of a couple of representative NT Scriptures. James’ words to the Jerusalem council in Acts 15 -
“…Simeon [Peter] hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, “After this I will return, and will build againthe tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up; that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called….” (vv14-17).
The Apostles saw the “tabernacle of David” as a picture of the new people of God which included Gentiles in this present age. That is its plain meaning. What more familiar picture of the Church do we have in the NT but that of a Temple?
Take Peter’s message on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2 -
“…[Jesus] ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death:…Men and brethren , let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried,…Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ…” (vv.23-31).
David, “being a prophet” recognised that God’s promises to him and his offspring related to none less than the Messiah himself, and that the Davidic throne was but a picture of the heavenly throne of “great David’s greater Son”. I believe we need to understand that these men of God in the OT had a lot more spiritual discernment than we give them credit for. They knew that they, and the history of their nation, were but shadows of the eternal substance. They did not entertain illusions of an indefinitely continuing present state of affairs. Why do so many of us ignore the Divine interpretation of these promises, and do not accept the fulfillment that even the Patriarchs, David and the Prophets saw?
Did Abraham think that he had the land for ever? No; but he knew that what it pictured was for ever. What does the writer to Hebrews tell us?
“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out unto a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; …By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,…for he looked for THE city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker IS GOD….these all [the heroes of faith in this chapter] died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they …desire a better country, that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a CITY.”…these all…received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.” Hebrews 11:8ff.
I assume my readers will know the Scriptures which refer to Jerusalem as the New Covenant heavenly city, but, hoping that you will read the contexts of all these Scriptures, you will find them in Gal.4:21ff and Heb.12:18ff. And, best known, perhaps, that in Revelation 21, also pictured as the bride of Christ. The true biblical significance of Jerusalem, or Zion is in its prefiguring of the corporate people of God (also pictured as the Bride of Christ) in this age. This is in contrast to Babylon of old, with the whore, prefiguring the corporate manifestations of a persecuting secular and religious world as described in the book of Revelation chapters 17 and 18. In each case there are two cities and two women It may be exciting to remember the Six Day War, and follow the career of Saddam Hussein and his visions of a new Babylon, but the Scriptures focus upon no such things any more than that of a biblically significant end-time Jerusalem located in Palestine.
Then was the promise to Abraham and his people of possession of the land to its utmost borders (Gen.15:18) never fulfilled? We are told that this is yet awaited. But the promise was utterly fulfilled, for we are told by Joshua (21:43,45 and 23:14)
“So the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein…there failed not aught of any good thing which the Lord had spoken unto the house off Israel; all came to pass.”
Solomon in his day acknowledged this in almost identical words (I Kings 8:56). The selfsame boundaries promised to Abraham are also specified (I Kings 4:21,24). To ignore this testimony and insist that Israel has still “everlasting” title to the land is to ignore the explanation given in the NT and substitute something from Judaism.
VII. General Conclusions
Throughout the whole of the NT there is not a whisper of a 1000 years earthly Millennium after the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and, without doubting the sincerity and godliness of my brothers and sisters who do so believe, nevertheless we distort the Scriptures when we insist on this. I recognise that the NT quotes only a relatively few from the mass of the OT Scriptures, and that patience and discernment is required to understand some of them – and the writer to the Hebrews had to lament that so many of his readers lacked this (5:11-14).
We need this same patience and spiritual discernment to understand these and many O T Scriptures that are not used in the NT. It is all too easy to put them wholesale into a “Millennial bin” against a future earthly, national fulfillment, but it is bad hermeneutic. Fortunately such handling does not preclude the teaching of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, but if to attract Jews we teach them these things as part of the Gospel, we risk diluting it and sending them into a “bypath meadow”. Restoration of Jewish nationalism and Judaism was no part of the Apostolic Gospel – it was precisely the opposite.
I know that perhaps most of us were taught these things from our youth. It was so in my own case. And, as I also know, early thought patterns resist change. “Surely”, we say, “the establishment of a Jewish state in 1948 was prophetically significant?” Well, I am glad for the Jews sake that they have their land. But is it any more significant than the preservation of the Arabs who also have their own lands?
Let us, as Scripture teaches evangelise the Jews both in their own land and worldwide, and believe that God’s purpose is for a turning worldwide of Jews to Him, with its consequent worldwide blessing. Keeping things in perspective, there are far more Jews living in America than ever there are in Israel. I have read, too, (in fact, copied and distributed) the article in a 1999 Renewal magazine of the Jerusalem rabbis’ reading the NT and turning to the Lord. Praise the Lord! May all Israelis worldwide turn to the Lord and bring in God’s promised blessing to even more Gentiles. But let us not build up a Judaism with which Paul had constant conflict, and which God destroyed in AD70. The Lord’s purposes now are greater than that; they are worldwide in keeping with the original promise to Abraham.
A last word (but one!). If Jewish Christians wish to incorporate their culture into their worship and service, that is excellent. As in my worship and service my “Englishness” will be apparent – that, too, I hope, is excellent!. I trust that our cultures will liberate us and not inhibit us. But let us not say that there is anything essentially superior in Jewish culture for the Christian. (A buzz word these days, is “roots”). But I fear that the supposed importance of our “Jewish roots” is taught today. But there is none (Gal.3:28,29).
We have already seen that inheriting the covenant promises has nothing to do with race or blood. Nevertheless Christians and Israelis make a racial claim of descent from old Israel as title to the promised land. There are further grounds on which that can never be fulfilled. Do any Israelis claim genealogical continuity back to even NT times? Most modern Jews are of Khazaric descent. Now whilst this can be debated, the Khazari race seems to lie behind the Ashkenazik Jews of Eastern Europe, and these Khazars converted to Judaism in the Middle Ages. Judaism, both medieval and modern has nothing to do with the OT. It originated in Pharisaic/Talmudic teaching. Judaism never approaches the Bible except through the Talmud, and therefore Judaism today owes far more to Eastern Europe than ever it does to the Old Testament.
We really do need to remember that this very Judaism, and all it stood for led that generation, (because they did not understand the prophecies but interpreted them rather similarly to those of us today who teach a Jewish restoration) to reject their Messiah. (Acts 13:27ff). Celebration of the new order under OT typical figures is fine, but that is a very different thing. The modern vogue is too much like establishing the old again. The only true Jew has always been one who by faith has embraced the promises of God.
Whole chapters – even books – have been written on the various aspects of this subject. There is much which I cannot deal with in a short paper such as this. It is suggestive rather than exhaustive. Although I believe that what I have set forth has credible and ancient origins in the history of interpretation, neither it, nor the alternatives I have sought to displace should be made a test of fellowship or orthodoxy. THAT covers only the fact of the personal Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with resurrection (or “rapture”) upon which we all agree.
Finally, I wish to say that I have many friends whom I esteem in the Lord, who, whether they have investigated these things or not, believe in what I sought to correct in this paper. Actually, there are very few folks with whom I have the opportunity to discuss such matters. Sadly, most Christians I know do not have a detailed interest in Scripture. So this subject is not a big deal for me . I have not sought to “convert” them, and I am not on a crusade. It is far more important that we should all learn to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourself. And I trust that no one will interpret anything written in this paper as anti-Semitic. Israel, as always, even in rebellion, is still “beloved for the Fathers’ sakes” (Rom.11:28).
But I am concerned with what is biblically true concerning the whole range of Scripture, and have always been willing to unlearn what I thought I knew. Moreover, I have not just discovered these things. I have seen and embraced them for probably twenty-five years at least. I am still learning, and I find that exciting.
So in closing I wish you all God’s richest blessing, and trust that, as the Berean Christians, we will search the Scriptures, daily, to see whether these things are so. Acts 17:10:ff.
Maranatha! Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (I Cor.16:22, Rev.22:20).
Alan Nairne Witney, England
For a critique of this article by William B Chalfant go here
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Maturer thoughts on “All Israel will be saved”

Part II A Critique of the Premillennial View of Scripture and Review of its Historical Development with a consideration of Revelation 20:1-6.

The large majority of modern Jews in the world is of Eastern European - and thus perhaps mainly of Khazar - origin. If so, this would mean that their ancestors came not from the Jordan but from the Volga, not from Canaan but from the Caucasus, once believed to be the cradle of the Aryan race; and that genetically they are more closely related to the Hun, Uigur and Magyar tribes than to the seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Should this turn out to be the case, then the term "anti-Semitism" would become void of meaning, based on a misapprehension shared by both the killers and their victims. The story of the Khazar Empire, as it slowly emerges from the past, begins to look like the most cruel hoax which history has ever perpetrated. (Arthur Koestler, The Thirteenth Tribe, p. 17).
Old Khazaria existed from about 500 A.D. to about 1000 A.D.

Old Khazaria adopted the religion of Talmudic Judaism about 740 A.D.

Khazaria was reborn on May 14, 1948.

The most cruel hoax which history has ever perpetrated.

New Khazaria.

New Kharzaria (Israel)

Hoax of the millenium

When he (Satan) speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)

As long as Apostate Israel (New Khazaria) exist...there will never be any peace in the Middle East. Modern-day Jewry is of Eastern European/Aryan descent and thus they are not Semitic. Let the truth be told everywhere.