© 18 March 2016 Revive Israel Ministries

Destined to be ONE

By Daniel Juster, Th. D., (Excerpt from: The Identity of the Church: The Body of Messiah)

The book of Acts and particularly Acts 15 is a key passage for our understanding of the position and identity of the Gentiles who responded to the message of the Gospel and came into the kingdom. 

At first glance the response of the leader of the Jerusalem Congregation, Jacob (James) in Acts 15 regarding the Gentiles who were being saved, is curious.  He quotes a passage from Amos 9:10-11 that is millennial in its original context.  In the Septuagint version, it reads;

God at first showed his concern by taking form the Gentiles a people for himself.  The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written, “After this I will return and will rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild and I will restore it that the remnant of men may seek the Lord and all the Gentiles who bear my name…" (Acts 15:14-17).

What Did Amos Mean?

Jacob’s view is that God is taking a people for himself from the Gentiles, not that he is taking some people and converting them to be Jews or to be now a part of a new, " third race," that is neither Jew nor Gentile.  His quotation of Amos looks toward the final things, the last Age, when Israel and the nations are one under the rule of the Messiah.

Jacob’s argument fits the whole context of the Synoptic Gospels.  If the Kingdom has broken into this world, as proven by the signs and wonders of Yeshua and the Apostles, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, then another aspect of the Kingdom would also be fitting: the coming of the Gentiles to submit to the government of David.  Though Yeshua does not yet rule on a throne on earth from Jerusalem, He has begun to rule and is seated at the right hand of God. 

Inclusion

The prophets speak in multiple places about the conversion of the nations, their coming to the light of the Messiah.  He is a light to the nations, a banner for the peoples, and brings God’s salvation to the ends of the earth.  Gentile inclusion, without conversion to Judaism, is the picture of the prophets, and this is now already taking place.  However, there is the full turning of the nations to the God of Israel, that is yet to come.  The Amos text is seen as already beginning to happen.  The Tent of David is the re-establishment of Davidic covenant and the gathering is coming under his rule, under the covering of his Tent. 

The coming in of the Gentiles is further evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah and the Kingdom has broken into this Age.  Israel and the nations are destined to become one under the rule of the Messiah.  However, at the present time, we see Jews and Gentiles as one in the Messiah.  They are an eschatological foreshadowing of the Age to Come.  They show the Age to Come as already demonstrating itself in the present Age.

In this message Asher Intrater shares on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the power of revival and the prayer that precedes it. To listen in English with French translation, click HERE!

By Betty Intrater

Taylor Force was a West Point graduate who served 5 years in the Army including stints in Afghanistan and Iraq. But his military background was of no help when facing Israeli style warfare. He was fatally attacked while on vacation in Jaffa, walking with friends along the boardwalk. A young Palestinian armed with a knife stabbed him to death at a time when danger did not seem imminent.

This is the type of warfare Israelis face regularly. It is a kind of Russian roulette. You can't prepare for it or know when it will appear. You simply look over your shoulder, try to be observant, pray and hope for the best.

Many in the international community do not realize that there is a high level of integration of Jews and Arabs in Israeli society. Israeli Arabs who have full citizenship for the most part live at peace and integrate with their Jewish neighbors. Palestinian Arabs who live in the territories work in Israeli cities. In many cases they are valuable and trusted employees.

Taylor Force was not aware that the enemy in Israel is not clearly marked with a different style uniform standing on the other side of a barbed wire fence. He is within and can strike any time.

Rob Parker, from IHOPKC, shares more on the topic of Stewardship with our team, a central subject to our faith. To watch in English, click HERE!