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WHY JEWS & CHRISTIANS?
Why are both Jews and Christians lumped
together and -why is it that both are bitterly hated by the
Muslims?
Truly, the name Israel provokes the descendants
of Ishmael to wrath but what does it have to do with
Christianity?
In the Bible, the names of people are used to
reveal the character of the one who bears the name. Thus,
the Lord is called by many names. For instance: Messiah,
Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the
Son of Man, the Bread of Life. the Light of the World,
Emmanuel, Alpha and Omega, Wonderful, Counselor,
the Mighty God, the Prince of Peace, etc..
Yet, there is a name that both God and His Son,
Jesus Christ, have closely in common and it is Israel-
Notice that Israel literally contains the name God.
The Hebrew for God is Elohim and the shortened form is
El. Thus, Isra-el bears the name God in its suffix.
However, few realize that Israel is also one of the
names of Jesus.
Hosea 11:1 supports this fact:
"When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and
called my son out of Egypt."
Even though this prophecy had an
immediate reference to Israel and to God*s
deliverance of the nation from Pharaoh,
the New Testament applies the prophecy directly to Jesus
Christ.
"And (Jesus) was there until the death of Herod:
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the prophet
(Hosea 11:1), saying. Out of Egypt have I called my
son."
Thus by comparing the prophecy of Matthew to
that of Hosea, the latter informs us that one of our
Savior's names is Israel.
HOSEA 11:1 MATTHEW 2:15
***** And (Jesus) was there until
When Israel was a the death of Herod; that it might
child, men I loved be fulfilled which was spoken
him, and called my of the Lord by the prophet,
son out of Egypt saying, Out of Egypt have I
***** called my son (Israel)
Thus, since our Savior is so closely related to the
name Israel and since He is the head of the Church, then
it follows that He who hates Israel likewise has a hatred
for the Christians, the followers of Christ.
In fact, the Apostle Paul links Israel to the
Church in a close fashion.
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision (the
natural Jew) availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision (the
Gentiles), but a new creature. And as many as walk
according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and
upon the Israel of God"- Gal 6:15-16.
The Apostle refers to both Jew and Gentile that
have put their faith in Jesus Christ as the "Israel of God."
In Romans 11:17, Paul explains that some (not
all) of the Jewish branches of the olive tree were broken
off, and the Gentile branches were grafted in among the
natural branches which remained. Paul calls the Gentiles
a "wild olive tree." m Romans 11:17, as well as other
scriptures, the olive tree is a symbol of Israel (e.g. Jer
11:16. Hos 14:6).
The Lord compares the relationship that exists
between the righteous Gentiles and Israel to a branch that
is grafted into an olive tree, a symbol of Israel. This
demonstrates the relationship that must exist in God's
kingdom between Jews and Gentiles.
Of course, to be a part of God's eternal kingdom,
both Jew and Gentile must put their trust in Jesus Christ
(Acts 4:12) but the Bible does speak of a day that a
remnant of Israel that are spared during the days of great
tribulation will do just that.
"And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written,
There shall come out ofSion the Deliverer, and shall turn
away ungodliness from Jacob " (Rom 11:26).
For more on this particular subject, our book
offer this month titled: The Mystery: A Lost Key - is
recommended.
PERPETUAL HATRED
The Bible predicts that as the age draws to a
close that both the Jews and Christianity will become the
focus of the world's bitter hatred.
Jesus said concerning the followers of Christ in
the Olivet Discourse:
"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted,
and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for
my name's sake" (Matthew 24:9)
Concerning the Jews, Ihey too shall be hated,
especially by the descendants of Ishmael. Said the
Psalmist concerning the conspiracy of the ten kingdoms
against Israel in the last days:
"For, lo, thine enemies make a tumult: and they
that hate thee have lifted up the head. They have taken
crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against
thy hidden ones. They have said. Come, and let us cut
them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may
be no more in remembrance" (Psalm 83:4-5).
The prophet Ezekiel also speaks of the near doom
of Israel in the time of their calamity and in the time that
their iniquity had an end - plainly a future prophecy since
Israel's iniquity (sinfulness) has not yet come to an end.
"Because thou hast had a perpetual hatred, and
hast shed the blood of the children of Israel by the force
of the sword (warfare) in the time of their calamity"
(Ezek 35:5).
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