Posted on 03/07/2016 10:29:23 PM PST by Lera
Churches are bleeding to death because of their refusal to love and support the Jewish people.
An internal report from the Presbyterian Church USA, noted for its anti-Israel stance, predicts that it stands to lose 400,000 members over the next five years1. Methodists in the UK, whose leaders passed a resolution boycotting Israel some years ago, have also seen a dramatic decline in numbers, and are now making things worse by advocating a boycott of Cadbury2 - an insult to the memory and considerable legacy of the chocolate family's Christian ethos and significant contribution to Britain's wealth.
Not only that, but one of their number, Richard Cadbury, was a man dedicated to the cause of Jewish mission. After being taken ill with diphtheria during a tour of Egypt in 1899, he was cared for at a Jerusalem hospital (now a school) run by the Church's Mission among Jewish people where, sadly, he died. But out of gratitude for the kindness with which he was treated, he left them a tidy sum of money. This enabled them to extend the facility to include a new ward for the treatment of infectious diseases and employ an extra nurse, thereafter known as the Cadbury nurse.3
Best-selling author Bill Bryson, in his latest book The Road to Little Dribbling4, says he hadn't realized how Quakers5 in 18th century Britain were a bullied and downtrodden minority excluded from politics and academia. But they made their mark in industry and commerce, particularly in banking (Barclays and Lloyds) and the manufacture of chocolate (Cadbury, Fry and Rowntree).
"They and many others made Britain a more dynamic and wealthy place entirely as a consequence of being treated shabbily by it," he writes with his usual penetrating wit. And in that respect they had much in common with Jewish communities of the era. At any rate, Richard Cadbury loved the Jews because of his devotion to Jesus.
Scripture is quite clear that those who bless the seed of Abraham will themselves be blessed, but those who curse them will be judged. (Genesis 12.3) It is perfectly evident that both Methodists and Presbyterians, tragically now more influenced by worldly wisdom than biblical values, are under a curse of their own making. The worldwide blessing brought about by Methodist founder John Wesley's bold proclamation of the gospel (along with his support for Israel) has been lost.
In his notes on Romans, Wesley wrote: "So many prophecies refer to this grand event (of the restoration of Israel) that it is surprising any Christian can doubt of it. And these are greatly confirmed by the wonderful preservation of the Jews as a distinct people to this day. When it is accomplished, it will be so strong a demonstration, both of the Old and New Testament revelation, as will doubtless convince many thousand Deists in countries nominally Christian."6
Remember that he was writing this in the latter part of the 18th century, almost a quarter of a millennium ago, without the benefit of witnessing these very things taking place before his eyes. Yet in our generation we have been immensely privileged to watch God's chosen people, after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion, returning home to their ancient land from every corner of the world.
The biblical prophets foretold all this - in fact half of all Old Testament prophecies relate to Israel's restoration. Followers of Jesus, the Jew, ought to rejoice that, in fulfillment of ancient prophecies, his brothers in the flesh are back in the land. For the Scripture also makes clear that once they have all returned (which is still to happen), Jesus will reveal himself to the entire nation as the Messiah for whom they have long been waiting. And then he will return to rule and reign with all believers - both Jew and Gentile - who have bowed the knee before him.
Israel is not perfect, nor should we expect her to be. For the most part, Israelis are not yet following their Messiah, but Christians who claim to be disciples of Jesus should know better. We must love those whom God loves, including our enemies (Matthew 5.44). You who would boycott Israeli goods (which adversely affects Palestinians too as many rely on Israel for their employment), do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem, as the Bible commands? (Psalm 122.6)
I think Protestant Churches are cursed because they’re not Catholic.
Novus Ordo Catholic Churches are cursed for accepting Vatican II and the New Mass.
What part of Holy Scripture says I have some kind of obligation to support a radically secular state that proudly hosts an annual "gay pride" parade in Jerusalem?
Amazing how they can love sodomites and not Jews. Organized religion is showing what it really is.
You don’t think the PCUSA’s long-standing support of abortion has anything to do with it? Seriously?
That’s the primary problem right there.
You who speak boldly of the arrogance of those who proclaim the full word of God do so with the arrogance of one whose judgement is impaired by a Darbyesque version of the Closed Exclusive Brethren.
[[I think Protestant Churches are cursed because they’re not Catholic.
Novus Ordo Catholic Churches are cursed for accepting Vatican II and the New Mass.]]
You say that with a straight face seeing your Pope invited Muslims into Europe and lie to the people of the world saying they will benefit their society? Dude THAT IS A CURSE . Not to mention that the protestant churches mentioned are ecumenical with Rome and have forgotten why the protested.
If you don’t know why the physical descendants of Jacob are special to God then you have missed most of the point of scripture . Careful you just might be one of the wild branches that are cut off.
Nonsense. These so called churches are bleeding members primarily because they have abandoned the most basic tenets of Christian morality and reduced themselves to little more than far left social clubs.
Although they do have very nice stained glass windows.
Rom_2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Full Word of God = Jesus is the Israel of God, and heir of all the promises.
The natural branches are cut off, and, as such, have no hope, no "holiness,' but are utterly damned unless they convert. You read warnings about Gentile peoples being cut off from the tree, but ignore that Paul is warning them from sharing the Jews' fate.
You don’t think the PCUSA’s long-standing support of abortion has anything to do with it? Seriously?
The PCUSA's spiral in to destruction began long before the modern abortion movement or the modern (secular and socialist) state of Israel.
Those who think the promise to Abraham applies to how the United State treats the modern (secular and socialist) state of Israel should review Romans 4.
Not Biblical. Jesus in not Israel. Jesus is God.
Not Biblical. Jesus is not Israel. Jesus is God.
PCUSA, like many mainstream churches, lost the willingness to preach Scripture. As the church tries to conform more and more to society, Scripture becomes an inconvenient truth. The pulpit negotiates through Scripture like an old man dodging potholes.
Pastors and pastorettes are reduced to just doing social commentary.
Maybe you should read this chapter of Romans because God has a plan for Israel and she won’t always be a secular state. Ezekiel said they would be brought back in unbelief .
The problem with the PCUSA is the same problem many churches have -> They do not believe God’s word and they work against his plan for the salvation of the Jewish nation so their own branches are being broken off.
Meanwhile these same churches are trying to make friends and are chumming up to Israels muslim enemies and working AGAINST God’s plan for the nation of Israel .
They do not even realize they are siding with antichrist.
Maybe you should google what is written in Arabic all along the top outer and inner walls of the mosque that sits on the Temple mount in Jerusalem .
God has a plan for Israel , it matters not what your plans for them are.
(Romans 11:1) I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
(Romans 11:2) God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,
(Romans 11:3) Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.
(Romans 11:4) But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
(Romans 11:5) Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
(Romans 11:6) And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(Romans 11:7) What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
(Romans 11:8) (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
(Romans 11:9) And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:
(Romans 11:10) Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
(Romans 11:11) I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
(Romans 11:12) Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?
(Romans 11:13) For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
(Romans 11:14) If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
(Romans 11:15) For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
(Romans 11:16) For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
(Romans 11:17) And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
(Romans 11:18) Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
(Romans 11:19) Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
(Romans 11:20) Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
(Romans 11:21) For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
(Ezekiel 37:6) And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.
(Ezekiel 37:7) So I prophesied as I was commanded: and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones came together, bone to his bone.
(Ezekiel 37:8) And when I beheld, lo, the sinews and the flesh came up upon them, and the skin covered them above: but there was no breath in them.
(Ezekiel 37:9) Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.
(Ezekiel 37:10) So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.
(Ezekiel 37:11) Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.
(Ezekiel 37:12) Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.
(Ezekiel 37:13) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,
(Ezekiel 37:14) And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.
Jesus is both the Israel of God and God Himself, for the same reason He is both the mediator between God and man and God Himself:
Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Mat_2:15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
“The natural branches are cut off, and, as such, have no hope, no “holiness,’ but are utterly damned unless they convert.”
While I agree they must be born again and some have been and all will in the near future IAW Scripture. The branches are not cut off, but SOME have been broken off so that we may be grafted in.
Romans 11:17-18 King James Version (KJV)
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Romans 11:25 King James Version (KJV)
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Romans 11:28-32 King James Version (KJV)
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
They are loved by our God because of the Patriarchs and if my God loves them so do I! They became enemies for our sake, Praise God for the Jewish people for now we have hope. We can be nourished from the Root also
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