A Chosen People

It seems this old world is filled with controversy. At least that’s as I see it. The recent Mel Gibson film, The Passion of the Christ, is a case in point. Attendance to the film has been overwhelming, far greater than any present day prophets imagined. However, I can’t recall in my experience any other movie that has so stired the embers of controversy between the basic beliefs of Christians and Jews.

In the Old Testament days Abraham walked with God and was told he would be the father of many nations and that he would begin by circumcising the male members of his family and followers. Circumcision was a sign that was to set them apart from other peoples and clans. God said they would be a chosen people and that He would bless those who blessed Abraham and his followers and He would curse those who cursed them. It can be seen down through their turbulent history that God’s promises for Israel have been fulfilled.

The Jew has historically denied Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus, Himself a Jew, has said in John Chapter 14, verse 6, “I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” As a Christian I believe that. When push comes to shove and I am asked if a Jew can enter Heaven, I’d have to say, “Only if he knows Jesus as his Savior.” However, I do believe in my heart of hearts that as God’s chosen people and the apple of His eye – and they still are; it has not been rescinded – He has a special plan to draw them to Him: It’s called the Great Tribulation when the Anti-Christ or Beast as he is referred to, rebuilds the temple and causes the Jews to believe he is the long-awaited Messiah. However, midway through this devastating future seven-year period, this false messiah violates his commitment to them, erects an image of himself in the Holy of Holies and demands, on penalty of death, that he be worshipped. By so doing he reveals his falseness. Described in Revelation Chapter 7, 144,000 servants of God will be set apart with a seal on their foreheads: 12,000 from each of the tribes of the children of Israel. No one can harm them. As I understand it, they will be similar to 144,000 Billy Grahams preaching the Gospel.

In addition, Revelation Chapter 11 introduces two more witnesses who come upon the scene. What’s interesting about these two is that they are identified not by name but by their abilities. “These have power to shut heaven,” verse 6 reads, “so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have powers over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.” Indisputably, these two are none other than Elijah and Moses. When their witnessing is concluded they will be killed and their bodies will lie in the street in Jerusalem for 3-1/2 days. After that the breath of life from God enters them and they will stand on their feet, and everyone will see them ascend to heaven in a cloud.

It occurs to me, that through the troubling times of the Great Tribulation and their miraculous deliverance, the collective eyes of the children of Israel will be opened and many will finally see and accept Jesus as their Messiah.

And so, although only a relatively few Jews have accepted Jesus as their Messiah, while the majority in Israel today are agnostics, even atheists, the time is coming when God’s grace will provide a special revelation. His power, might, and love will open blind eyes and give opportunity for His chosen people – the apple of His eye – to receive Jesus, their promised Messiah. And by so doing, the controversy feared by some between Jews and Christians that is currently taking place due to Mel Gibson’s film, will be no more. At least that’s as it occurs to me on this bright spring day.