— To uplift, inform and challenge —

Fellow Soldier,

Fortunately, much of my early study life in Christ was spent in the Bible’s first five books [the Pentateuch (Gk) or in Hebrew, Tanach] plus its other historical records.  By also having long resided among the likes of Leonard Bernstein, Manischewitz, Cohen, Epstein, Lipschitz, Jacobs, Zelnick, et al, I’ve converted from decades of prejudice, to one of deep respect for the original “elect” of God.  The Jews and the nation, Israel.

Our intent here is to remind of Israel’s greatness and the extreme offense it is to God, to esteem her any less than He.  A fair reading of history reveals that she’s been the pivot around which it all has revolved.  We dare not discredit her key role in God’s redemption of the world, her place today, or position in Christ’s, soon-to-be-established, millennial kingdom.

God Loves Israel

... and what God loves, true Christians also love.

(Part 1 of 7)

“For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.  He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye” (Deut 32:9,10).

Tears fell yesterday as we reflected upon our beloved ancestors in the faith; all that Israel has contributed, what she’s been through and all that Jews perennially contend with; spiritually, politically and individually.  Only the willfully ignorant or demonically blind can deny that Israel remains a unique, divinely covered and coveted nation; the “apple” of God’s eye.

Implicit in a believer’s love for Him, is respect for  His Israel.  Scripture forewarns that this jealous and just Judge of all, will soon weigh how we branches deal with this root of our faith.  His first “elect.” To love God, is to love Israel and to reject her, is to reject God.

God’s original “elect”

“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me” (Isa 45:4).  Be it in Hebrew, Greek or English, “elect” means to choose in preference over another, much as in public elections.  Without regard for political correctness, our Creator and Father God privily chose to elevate Jews as His special people.  Further, he chose a piece of real estate for Himself and gave it to His elect as an inheritance. “In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates” (Gen 15:18; Deu 26:15).  Greater “Israel.”

That’s the backdrop against which history’s drama has been playing since Genesis.  Sadly, and to their great peril, most folks do not subscribe to Father God’s Word.  Afflicted with the Sinatra syndrome of wanting to do it “My Way,” they defiantly swim against holy current.  Prideful arrogance licenses such to defame all that’s godly and to elevate evil beliefs as truth and from which the wise should flee (Jn 10:5).  These deceived, in or out of Christ, need to repent, plead and grovel ("to prostrate oneself; lie, kneel; cringe") for divine mercy.

Under a “New and better Covenant” (Heb 12:6; 12:24) today’s believers are also called elect (1Pet 1:2).  However, many new-borns are led astray concerning the nation Israel.  E.g., if they come into the church through a Charismatic ministry, they are likely taught falsely regarding God’s original elect.  This often results in a religious white-wash of the world's default prejudice concerning Israel and Jews ; anti-semitism.  Because many such teachers subscribe to aberrant Latter Reign or Manifest Sons of God, doctrine, new believers are taught that the Church has replaced Israel. Not all, but many ... as were we.

Early in our indoctrination under the tutelage of Faith teachers, we were taught that when we saw “Israel” mentioned in the New Testament, we were to mentally replace it with “Church.”  Though now labeled Replacement Theology (RT) it’s an old, old heresy. (P.S.  We are not calling you a heretic if you happen to hold to that view.  But ARE telling you it is unbiblical). Though a fuller discussion will have to be taken up in a Field Report, suffice it to note here ... RT holds to a belief that God’s relationship with Christians, either replaces, completes or fulfills His promises to the Israelites — today’s Jews and the nation of Israel.  It’s therfore an understandable bone of contention with sincere (though unregenerate) Jews who still earnestly labor under the Mosaic (Old) Covenant.

STILL God’s elect!

We do well to remind ourselves that God is true to His Word and does not forget or renege on promises ... of which we’ve named but two to Israel re: election and land. "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise ..." (2Pet 3:16a).  He has spoken volumes on her behalf; much of which is to the Church’s benefit.  Two evidences of her uniqueness are, most peoples: 1) have hated Jews from the outset, and  2) despise Israel’s very existance.  Suggesting something at work other than reason.  History reveals that no other nation has been so persistently despised, destroyed and dispersed ... yet survives.  Being regathered to their land with culture and language intact after 1900 years of dispersion, cannot be rationalized without invoking divine providence.  “Coincidence” simply loses out.

Amazing are her recent achievements in view of but six decades of restored nationhood and her size.  Especially while constantly defending herself against attack.  Approximately NJ in area, she’s the 100th smallest nation with less than 1/1000 of the globe’s population. Yet, per capita, Israel has the most •patents, •museums, •engineers, •scientists, •scientific papers, •companies traded on Wall Street, and •is the world’s most immigrant-absorbing nation.  Plus, •she has one of the planet’s most modern and powerful military.

Israel is the second highest per capita book publisher and though tiny, her economy is larger than the total of all her neighbor’s.  She has the densest concentration of high-tech firms, world’s largest research center and is one of the few nations with a space program, nuclear power and atomic weapons.  Israel also invented airborne military drones; a choice weapon of modern warfare and is the only nation to enter the 21st century with a net gain of trees ... even the more remarkable in view of a challenging environment.  Who, but God?!

Israel’s contributions to medicine, science, the arts, agriculture, sports, etc., are vastly disproportionate and too numerous to here list.  Some of these elect have become the world’s most highly regarded: Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, the prophets and the apostle Paul.  More recently: Maimonides, Einstein, Bohr, Disraeli, Bernhardt, Ben-Gurion, Mendelsson, Shoenberg, Gershwin, Sarnoff, Bernstein, Salk, Pasternak, Kern, Houdini, Goodman, Groucho, Koufax and countless others.  Bear in mind, she’s produced these great people and achievements while constantly defending herself from enemies bent on annihilation: Haman, Herod, plus Hitler, Hussein, Hussein, etc.

Is it coincidental that every day this global blip makes international news, yet only the geographically astute can even locate her on a map?  Is it a matter of chance that the combined world nations (UN) habitually and unfailingly condemn this particle of the planet?  No!  It’s because she is God’s elect.  Anyone or thing even remotely related to Him is abhorred by His arch enemy and agents.  Likewise, the church.

Yet, existent within Christendom are MANY who view Israel with satanic contempt. Disdain for Israel within the church is commonplace.  It’s sinful!  A frightful fact and from the company of which, all who love God, should flee.  By any other name and whether subtly expressed or denominationally boycotting Israel, it’s anti-semitism.  It’s like poking a finger in God’s eye ... HIM! who assures that the day is at hand when we each will be rewarded for all our thoughts, words and actions “... whether ... good or bad” (2Cor 5:10).

Dear one in Christ, we pray these few thoughts and closing scriptures will prompt a heart exam in light of the Truth.  Time is getting short.

“... [I will] be the God of all the families of Israel, and they shall be my people.  Thus saith the LORD, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness; even Israel ... The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jer 31:1b-3).

“God did not cast off his people which he foreknew ... Did they stumble that they might fall?  God forbid: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles ... For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?  And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches” (Romans 11:2a,11a,15,16).  Amen!

— Related articles —

Part-2 — Our Hebrew Roots —Without roots there can be no fruit.
Part-3 — Jews, Gentiles and The Church — God divided mankind into distinctive groups.
Part-4 — Judaizing The Church — Today’s Pharisees are at work to seduce you.
Part-5 — Judaism's Lubavitchers — They aim to teach all Gentiles their Noahide Laws.
Part-6 — "Messianics" ... whaa? — Does Scripture support Christians “keeping Torah”?
Part-7 — Messianic Christianity — A syncratic religion.

ABOUT US:  Founded in 1993, Hallelujah Living Ministries is a donation-based, non-denominational Christian outreach to uplift, inform and challenge followers of Jesus Christ.  For more information or a copy of our always-free print newsletter, please include a  postal mail address along with your comments and prayer requests. Thank you for visiting  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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