Religion has always been a subject of interest to me. What people believe, and why they believe it. I took a number of courses on religion in college, but mostly I've just read a great deal on the subject.
I find your posts quite interesting. As a Christian, I wish I had the ability to interact one-on-one with informed persons such as yourself so I could understand more about Judaism, particularly as it relates to the beginnings of the Christian faith.
I offer for your consideration a sample of the rabbinical writings that tend to support some of the Christian beliefs that have been discussed in this thread. It is difficult to produce lengthy material because of the medium, so I will keep it limited to a few items. Thanks for any insights.
"The Son of David will come only in a generation which is either altogether righteous or altogether wicked. 'In a generation which is altogether righteous;' as it is written: 'Then will your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever' (Is. 60:21). Or 'altogether wicked;' as it is written: 'He saw that there was no one, and he was appalled that there was no one to intercede' (Is. 59:16)... 'And behold, one like a son of man, coming in the clouds' (Dan. 7:13). It is also written, 'gentle and riding on a donkey' (Zech. 9:9): if they are righteous he will come in the clouds. If not, he will come humbly and riding on a donkey." --Sanhedrin 97b.
"Rabbi Hanin said that Israel will not require [listen to] the teaching of the Messiah-King, because in Is. 11:10 it is written: 'In that day the Gentiles will rally to the root of Jesse,' but not Israel. If this is so, why will the Messiah-King come, and what will he do?" --Midrash Bereshith Rabbah par. 98.
"The Messiah-King will clearly elucidate for them the Torah and the errors into which they have thus far fallen..." --Matanoth Kehuna
Shalom