ERM - Tracing The Covenant People - Jesus The Christ

TRACING THE COVENANT PEOPLE--JESUS THE CHRIST

 

By Ella Rose Mast

 

 

All the prophets of Judah and Israel had foretold the Glories of a distant era when YAHWEH as YAHSHUA--Savior, would come to visit His people, these of the Covenant race.

We also read:--"Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me, and the LORD whom ye seek shall suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in; Behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of Hosts." (Mal. 3:1)

Matthew tells us that all things were done as foretold in Isaiah. (Matthew 1:22-23 and Isa. 7:14) The men of Israel knew that the birth of Messiah would be in Bethlehem of Judea. And even the slaughter of the babes by Herod's order was prophesied in Jeremiah

The prelude to the ministry of YAHSHUA or Jesus the Christ, was the preaching of John the Baptist in the wilderness of Judea as foretold by Isaiah in chapter 40. Jesus was then baptised by John and then led into the wilderness where He withstood the tempting of Satan. After that, His great work began. He went to Capernaum which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zebulun, and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled when spoken by the prophet Isaiah 9:1-2 and Matt. 4:13-16.

Since you readers are familiar with the principal events of His live, as YAHSHUA went about preaching and teaching and doing good, then we will look instead at the scenes which reveal that attitude of the Jews toward the Christ. First notice their reactions to John the Baptist. As he began preaching, many people went to hear him. Many believed and confessed their sins and were baptized. The Jewish authorities in Jerusalem sent priests to investigate. When they questioned him, he said he was not the Christ, but was the forerunner of Christ who was them among them tho they knew Him not. (John 1:19-28)

There was nothing secretive about the Christ. He had been revealed by His prophets. All these things, John the Baptist was telling them. But he knew that they did not believe him as they viewed this baptismal scene. John the Baptist then tells those Jews standing there:--'Oh, ye generation of vipers. Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come. Bring forth fruit for repentance and do not say--we have Abraham for our father, for I say unto you that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also, the ax is laid at the root of the trees; therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matt. 3:5-12)

The time had come for lost Israelites to be grafted back on to their own tree, and the fig tree would be declared of no use. In public statements, Jesus then branded the Jewish religious authorities as the real enemies of God and charged them with perverting truth and misleading the people. He reminded His people that they must beware of false prophets, which come in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are as raving wolves. Jesus declared that His enemies were so covetous and mercenary that they had commercialized the LORD'S sanctuary. He also told them they had made the temple a den of thieves.

It was plain from the very beginning that the message and ministry of Jesus had nothing in common with Judaism. As His work proceeded, it became very clear that He did not build either His Kingdom of His church using Judaism as a foundation. In fact, Jesus warned His disciples to be wary concerning these corrupt traditional dogmas now being used. The Old Testament writings of Moses and the prophets was not the Bible of Judaism. When Jesus took issue concerning the laws and customs of those days, He was not denouncing the laws of Moses, but these laws and customs which were their own writings, their own creation. Jesus said that He came 'not to destroy but to fulfill the laws of Moses'. The Rabbi of Judaism had added new restricting and impositions and the Sanhedrin now under their control had enforced them. Jewish ecclesiastical heads even challenged the Divinity of Christ. And they sought to kill Him. Jesus told them that if they had believed Moses, they would have believed Him, for Moses wrote of Him. 'If ye believe not his writings, then how shall ye believe My words?'

Today there has been great pressure to remove certain chapters of the Gospel of John from study courses in Protestant religion. Always, it is a good idea to take a look at any such portions of Bible which are studiously avoided. (John 8:12-59) They also claimed that they were Abraham's seed, and then stated that they were never in bondage to any man. Thus they betrayed their lack of knowledge as to what the Bible story contained. Jesus told them that -yes-He understood that they claimed to be Abraham's seed, and they were claiming this as thru Esau. But Jesus of course, knew that Esau sold his birthright by marrying outside his race, thus the children of his offspring were not the children of Abraham, only Edomites. They were thus the 'children of the devil and the lusts of their father they would do.' He (Cain) was a murderer from the beginning, and He tied them thus, back to Cain and Lucifer his father.

Then the Jews declared that Jesus was a Samaritan and had a devil. But they were not understanding a word that Jesus was saying when He said to them:--'Before Abraham was--I AM.' And they took up stones to kill Him, but Jesus moved out of their sight.

Later as Nicodemus asked them if the law of Judea judged a man before it hears him and knows what he does, the Jews replied:--'Art thou also of Galilee? Search and look, for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. (John 7:45-53--read all of John 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12). Then you will surely know who it was that opposed the Messiah-Jesus the Christ as He walked the earth in old Palestine.

Thus it was the Jews that occupied the chief seats of the Sanhedrin and in the assemblies of the Scribes, and they were the ones who were responsible for the rejection of the Christ. And they still reject Him today. The people of our race as a whole followed Jesus. When the true Pharisees were gathered together Jesus would ask them questions, and one question He asked was---'Whose son was Christ?' They answered:--'The son of David.'--But they could not explain how if David called Him LORD, then how is He the son of David?

The enemies of the Christ were not thru with their evil world. They reasoned that if they let Jesus continue then the Romans would come and take away their place as rulers of that nation. Thus they watched and sent forth spies and waited hoping that Jesus would use some words so that they might deliver Him unto the power and authority of the Governor.

We would suggest that you read the booklet by Dr. Swift about the 'Trial of the Christ', as they finally brought Him before the High Priest and the Sanhedrin, --at night--which is also illegal. False witnesses were found. And HE -- 'The Light of the World' was declared guilty to death by his Jewish council.

Pilate thought the trial was very unfair. He called the chief Priests and rulers together and he said:--'I find no fault in this man.'--I find no fault in these things ye accuse Him of, nothing He has done is worthy of this cry for His death.

Pilate, according to other writings, was very disturbed by this turn of events and he thought that if he gave them a choice between Jesus and the so called robber, Barabbas, then he thought they would chose Barabbas, for he was captain of this Blue Tunic Army that had been robbing the caravans coming in to Jerusalem carrying the Israelite tithe which still came in to the temple, and was being used against their own people. But as Pilate gave them a choice between Jesus and Barabbas, the Jewish Priests and Elders cried out to Crucify Christ. Pilate then took the path of Israel purification and he washed his hands in clear water before this multitude saying:--'I am innocent of the blood of this just person. You see to it.' And again they cried 'crucify Him. Let His blood be upon us and our children.'

Now, remember the Edomites (Jews) in control here in Judea did not understand this idea of a Messiah coming to rescue His people. After all, they were not His people. And He had told them that they could not understand His words because 'They were not His people.' Pilate had met with YAHSHUA, and he was very disturbed at what was happening. He was faced with the frenzied presence of those who were the politicians in control of the land.

Thus, the die was cast. YAHSHUA--JESUS THE CHRIST was led to Calvary and put to death. Think of His earthly mother standing there, believing that this was very God Himself. And yet not understanding why this was necessary. The disciples and the women at the scene must have been in shock. How could this happen even tho He had tried to prepare them for this day.?? You all know the story of how the sun refused to shine on this terrible scene taking place on Golgotha's hill. The earth trembled, and shook even as far off as Rome. Little did the Jews realize that their cry of 'Crucify Him' would be the signal for the lifting up of 'The Christ' to be the Savior of the world.

Now, the death of Christ sets you free from sin as an individual. No longer does your spirit go to rest in the Netherworld. Rather, it is on the way home. But we who are still here in earth are living with the effects of sin such as evil, sickness, accidents and untimely death. All these things that sometimes people say do not seem fair. However, remember that we are still living in a damaged world. But our God makes even the hatred of even His most bitter enemies accomplish unwittingly His Holy purposes. We thus believe that He loves us and wants the best for us. We have to believe that or life has no meaning.

Even tho the Jews thought they had gotten rid of their enemy, still they could not have even accomplished this deed unless it had been allowed. Remember His people, were here in the flesh. How else could He have saved them from this penalty of death but here in the flesh---to do it for us? He could have called in a legion of Angels, but how could the scriptures have been fulfilled. Thus is must be. (Matt. 26: 53-54)

Thus it is written:--'Christ so loved---that He bare our sins in His own body on the cross, that we now being dead to sin, should live unto righteousness.' (I Peter 2:24) In otherwords, the spirit within us is incorruptible. Thus we only win here in the flesh. And since this is the truth, then He had to come in the flesh to rescue His people and graft them back on to His own olive tree---this is the salvation for Israel.

Now, we are under the New Covenant which does not depend on whether we stumble or not. Now if you sin, then go straight to our Father for forgiveness. If you carry a guilt complex, then you have not totally accepted this great gift to you His household. For as His physical body died there on the Cross, you were free form your guilt complex. Therefore, accept His sacrifice. For He became the Lamb without spot of blemish and His physical body died for you as He fulfilled the prophecy.

Remember, --Therefore, I say unto you:--'The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.'--(see Matthew 21:33-46) Thus the Kingdom was taken from Judea and it is not there today as Israeli. In fact, most of the Covenant people and the throne had been moved long before the birth of YAHSHUA in Bethlehem as a tiny babe. Read the pronouncements of Matthew 8:11-12---This determines the future of the Jews. Since Judea had been taken over by the enemy, then Jesus was talking to them here in verse 12, and running your references shows you that they were who He was talking about.

YAHSHUA had prepared His disciples for the coming doom that was soon to engulf Judea, this land which saw His Kingdom in the days of Solomon as an example of what is should be like when the Kingdom is flourishing as it should. He had chosen this ancient city of Jerusalem for a prominent piece in this great Mosaic of His program. However, now a New Jerusalem was being prepared. It had been a building for some time in the west, being prepared for just this event and rejection of this old city. Having sown hate and rebellion, the Jews would soon be reaping the whirlwind. Those Israelites who still remained in Old Judea, until this was all over, would soon leave the old city to its fate.

Yes. The Apostles would still try to turn those in power in Jerusalem to the right path, just as Noah did in the High Tarim Basin. But is would be to no avail. As History has proved, it is not enough to say you believe in God as the Jews claim to do. For Christ said:--'I am the way, the truth and the life. No man cometh to the Father except by Me.' (John 3) In otherwords, here stood YAHWEH in the flesh as YAHSHUA saying this great truth, and the enemy did not recognize or understand what was said. "The Light of the World" shown upon the Jews but they were blind and comprehended it not. And so shall it be until they will look again on Him whom they pierced.

Yes. It seems that both Israel and the Davidic throne apparently vanished from the archives of history. Israel disappeared after the Assyrian captivity and the throne seemed to vanish after the death of Zedekiah and Judah's Babylonian captivity. But YAHWEH in His Covenant with Abraham, guaranteed the perpetual National existence of His people Israel; and His Covenant with David. He declared that David's house and throne would be established forever. Thus the nation of Israel and the throne of David must have continued some where during the intervening centuries or else God's word has failed and important links are missing in the chain of prophecy. Instead of looking the world over to find a people and a throne to fit the Bible specifications, stupid people have doubted God's honor by assuming that the covenant race was absorbed by other nations, and that the throne, if it had any future significance at all, is being held in abeyance until Christ returns. Church leaders give little or no thought to these matters about which the prophets have written so much.

When the tribes of Jacob-Israel were nationally organized into the Kingdom of God at Mount Sinai, God warned the people of their dispersion for a period of 2520 years.

(7 times 360) The Davidic throne came to an end in Jerusalem about 586 B.C. after less than 450 years. Both Israel and Judah transgressed the terms of the Mosaic covenant which was conditional. And thus they were removed from Palestine. But because of these facts, are we to conclude that God's unconditional Covenant with Abraham and David have failed to materialize?

Did the promise of perpetuity to the nations of Abraham, and to the throne of David come to naught? These are tremendous important questions. They cannot be set aside as inconsequential matters. The inspiration of Holy Writ, and the words of God Himself, are involved in these problems. Nations of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob--then their descendants with the throne of David in the midst, have existed and functioned continually from their beginning to the present time, or else the Bible is wholly unreliable and unworthy of the reverence it receives. There is no sense in sidestepping this issue and try to spiritualize such material, such as a physical throne, and nations, or try to say these covenants have been fulfilled in the Jews or the Christian Church. They are supported by neither prophecy nor by history.

Perhaps if they would look in scripture one more time, back before the Israelites were driven out of the Holy Land, you would discover that in II Samuel 7:10 that YAHWEH said:--'Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more, neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them anymore, as before times.' This decree could not have referred to Palestine. First, because the Israelites were already in Palestine, also the tense indicates an appointment and planting at a future date.

Genesis 49 states that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a law giver from between his feet, until Shilo comes; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be.'--many Bible scholars agree that Shilo refers to Christ as the reigning Messiah at the time of His second coming. If the word of prophecy has not failed, then David's throne has been occupied by some of Judah's posterity somewhere among the nations during every generation for almost 3000 years without one single intermission. How can people read their scriptures and not see this?--Blindness has happened to Israel until the fullness of the nations become. But the nations are now all in place. Have been, for many years and still they do not see.

As YAHWEH, Himself, as YAHSHUA fulfilled His rescue of His people at the appointed time, then why doubt His other promises? We read then in the old books, that the Jews put Mary earthly mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Martha, and some others in a boat and set it adrift on the Mediterranean Sea. But we also remember that some ships of Joseph of Arimathea were in the harbor and watching the events after the crucifixion. We also find from the old records, that the Jews locked up Joseph of Arimathea because he claimed the body of Christ, which they had planned to throw on the garbage dump[ outside the city. But YAHSHUA turned him loose and escorted him to his ship and the women and Lazarus were also on the ship which then sailed away to the west.

As the Apostles began their work in the city of Jerusalem, they met much persecution until all of Israel finally left old Palestine. Rome had been petitioned and they gained permission to migrate to the west where the rest of their people had gone. This left the old land, and the city of Jerusalem totally in the hands of the Jews. Their experience when the city was destroyed is told by Josephus, the Judean historian in his book by that name.

Thus prophecy moved forward. But where did the Apostles go to find LOST ISRAEL? This is also outlined in the scriptures but blind Israel does not read or see.