When Paul went to the Jew first, it was not because it seemed that Israel might yet accept Christ and His kingdom, but simply because God would leave Israel no excuse for rejecting Messiah. Paul confirmed Peter's message, and mightily contended with the Jews everywhere that 'Jesus is the Christ.' And miracles accompanied this confirmation testimony--greater miracles, indeed, than Peter himself had wrought. But, unlike Peter, Paul never offered the kingdom to Israel. His ministry among them was not to turn the nation to Christ, but to save any from among them who might believe, receiving salvation by grace, and to leave the rest without excuse. Thus God was concluding Israel in unbelief and, even at that early date, mightily using Paul to proclaim grace to the Gentiles.
quote by Cornelius Stam
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Are You Grafted In
Instead of us accepting the Divine precepts of a Holy Righteous God,
It appears that we've bought into all kinds of men's deceptive fraud.
We've been given the clear Oracles of God, unto which we are to live,
But it appears we choose the advice of others to justify all our sin.
God's chosen Nation Israel was broken off because of all their sin,
And it was only by God's Grace that the Gentiles were grafted in.
Paul uses the analogy of an olive branch that has been broken off,
To illustrate God's separation from Israel and their temporary loss.
He explains how Israel's the natural branch broken off for their sin,
And God took a wild olive branch, the Gentiles, and grafted them in.
The replacement of Israel with The Church wasn't God's inclination,
For Israel truly is and always will be God's only hand picked nation.
Their transgression opened up the door to God's present dispensation,
When Grace has appeared to all men leading them to God's salvation.
Also for the nation Israel by God's Grace a new way has been paved,
For Paul goes on to say that in the end all of Israel will be saved.
If the Israelis who turn away from unbelief will again be grafted in,
What may be the end for Professing Believers who live in wicked sin?
Today all Christians must obey The Truth and in Christ we must abide,
For if Christ has no place in our heart like Israel we may be denied.
(Copyright © 06/2002)
Paul's evangelistic mission was different from the Kingdom Apostles, but in many ways the same. The Kingdom Apostles preached Jesus the Messiah, ready to return to Israel and set up His Messianic Kingdom. From Israel, the Apostles, with Christ on David's Throne, were to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe everything Christ had commanded them. They would do that because all authority in heaven and on earth had been given to Christ. As we all know, that did not happen. It will happen in the future, but it has not yet happened. What has happened is that Christ revealed a Mystery through His Special Apostle Paul.
quote by Mark McGee
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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The Valley of Dry Bones
The prophet Ezekiel says God will one-day gather all the Dry Bones,
But will many of them simply return back to their religious homes?
The Dry Bones refer to the Jews that are scattered around the world,
This is something the average Christian doesn’t take time to herald.
Paul who was a Pharisee himself spoke very proud about his heritage,
He was very concerned for his people who had zeal without knowledge.
He wished he were cursed for Israel, the nation that he did cherish,
Knowing Zechariah said two-thirds of his nation will one-day perish.
However God had engraved Israel on the very palm of His Mighty Hand,
And the other one-third will be refined and restored into her land.
Peter said that some of Paul’s writings would be hard to understand,
Perhaps he was referring to Romans and about the people of the land.
The land above is not the Roman’s but is Almighty God’s Eternal Land,
The only land that was given to a nation with a promise and command.
For Peter said some will distort God’s Word through human deduction,
He followed with a sober warning that it would lead to their destruction.
And Paul had warned us who were grafted in, not to become conceited,
Seeing how some have replaced Israel, you can see it wasn’t heeded.
This was not a warning to Israel, but it was written for me and you,
For Grace is from the God of Israel and Salvation is from the Jew.
(Copyright © 08/2002)
Reconciling All The World
He had come in the fullness of time, the little baby pure and sublime,
Sent to this earth by The Father’s will, to be born in the land of Israel,
He was the promised Anointed One, God’s one and only Eternal Son,
And before this baby even came, Joseph was given the child’s name,
Mary’s child, Spirit conceived within, would save His people from sin.
So that child was named Jesus, and Immanuel, meaning God with us.
Generations will call Mary blessed; as He was the Son of the Highest,
Spoken by the prophets of old, this child, nations would now behold,
A prophet was sent to Israel to tell, God will be with them in Immanuel,
That message today, is better for us, when we believe in Christ Jesus.
Not only does He forgive us of our sin, but, Christ will also live within,
God with all believers, will reside, through Christ’s Spirit, living inside,
In the heart of mortal men of dust, when in The Lord, we put our trust,
Sealed by His Spirit when we believe, then Eternal Life we will receive,
As God makes us eternally whole, inside the heart of a believing soul.
Christ came not just for one nation, but to be all the world’s salvation,
First to Israel, Christ Jesus was sent, with John’s message, to repent,
But, his message was ignored, rejecting Jesus, as Messiah and Lord,
Now, reconciling all the world today, is The Christ, Israel turned away,
However, according to Zechariah, Israel shall accept Him as Messiah.
Then together we’ll believe as one, at the return of God’s Eternal Son.
When every single eye shall see, Believers reigning together eternally,
All the spiritual children of Abraham, blessed people from every land,
All coming together, in Jesus Christ, receiving from God, Eternal Life,
When this entire world is restored, under the Messiah, Christ our Lord.
(Copyright ©01/2010)
They Knew Him Not
Jesus came and they knew Him not, this my friend did cast their lot.
For Jesus was The One to come, The One foretold as David’s Son.
But God’s chosen people Israel, could not see that Christ did fulfill,
Ancient prophecies told by God, and soon will rule with an iron rod.
He was Light they couldn’t see; the Davidic promise destined to be.
He did preach on Israel’s sod, pointing men to the Kingdom of God.
From the Scriptures, He even read, but to a people spiritually dead.
He stayed with His people though, as the one they needed to know.
But Israel, God’s chosen Nation, was obstinate to God’s Salvation.
Instead the leaders plotted to kill, God’s Son, to appease their will.
In their blindness they’d fulfill, God’s Eternal plan on Calvary’s Hill.
As Christ was mocked and scorned, like prophets had forewarned.
Christ was pierced for me and you, and for the Nation of Israel too.
They will see the One they pierced, although for them it isn’t clear.
They’ll be filled with supplication, as God moves His chosen nation,
Then one-third will turn to Him, when Jesus cleanses them from sin.
Until then, God has turned to us, the Gentiles who believe and trust,
Through faith, He’ll return again, bringing Salvation to believing men.
Christ left us a witness as the Light, to come to God before the night.
How much more can you afford, to ignore that witness of The Lord?
(Copyright ©04/2006)
From That Child
The Christ Child born in Bethlehem, in Israel would bring to them,
Peace and Hope upon the earth, through our Lord’s special birth;
The virgin birth was God’s sign, that this baby was indeed divine,
And prophecies He would fulfill, through that tiny nation of Israel.
That Child would become a man, and carry out The Father’s Plan,
To save His people from their sin, all of those, who’d turn to Him.
The son given to Mary and Joseph, that carpenter from Nazareth,
Where it was even said by some, what good from it could come?
So that nation would then reject, The Savior sent for God’s Elect,
By turning away from God’s Will, as a whole, the Nation of Israel,
Ignoring what Isaiah prophesied, their Savior sent, they despised,
So The God of Israel would turn to, Gentiles such as me and you.
And that is where we are today, far from that baby laid in the hay,
Now seated at God’s Right Hand, His Salvation is for every land;
As believers throughout the world, are sent forth to be His herald,
Before He comes back to fulfill, God’s promises to chosen Israel.
When He’ll be sent back by God, to rule all earth with an Iron Rod,
As Christ reigns from Jerusalem, over all nations for a Millennium,
This after Christ returns in Majesty, and every eye in Israel will see,
The Lord and God of every nation, Israel’s long awaited Salvation.
(Copyright ©12/2009)
A Message To Proclaim
With many slipping into eternity daily we have a message to proclaim,
However many people are ignorant of the Gospel to The Church's shame.
When Paul prayed for the boldness to fearlessly speak Christ's name,
He was filled with Power so many of his hearers were never the same.
The Gospel message is for all to hear; The Bible makes it very clear,
However, many will not give an ear as the end of this age draws near.
And men who simply mock and jeer will be condemned eternally I fear.
Jesus said to all with ears; with sober understanding let him hear.
Jesus was clear at the start but is The Church carrying out her part?
Since the time is so dark, has indifference settled into our heart?
If you haven't done your part, with Jesus it's not too late to start.
But if His appeal doesn't move your heart He may tell you to depart.
Israel had zeal without knowledge; do we have knowledge with no zeal?
Like Israel do we have a stone heart or one with love that can feel?
Without love that leads to zeal, perhaps like Israel we're not real.
From Christ's end it's a done deal, we just have to obey His appeal.
With the only true message of life we are told to become a sacrifice,
And remember, Paul was jailed and beheaded for the cause of Christ.
Told to snatch men from the pit, so why do we choose to quietly sit?
You can be sure that Paul didn't quit, until his head hit the basket.
Disciples Commissioned
We’ve been sent on a mission, to fulfill the Great Commission,
It is to share God’s Revelation; of our Lord’s work of salvation,
God’s Truth, revealed in Christ, Truth that offers all Eternal Life,
A work, finished by Christ Jesus, with only faith required by us;
We’re sent to help others believe, so New Life they can receive.
God passed the witness to men, who, in Christ, are Born Again,
Starting with Apostles of Christ; those who lived during His life,
With a message of God’s Kingdom, citing near was God’s Son,
With His Message of Salvation, to Israel, God’s chosen Nation,
The Apostles the foundation alone, with Christ The Cornerstone.
They are the foundation for us, disciples today, of Christ Jesus,
Sent with Good News of Christ, who was for us God’s Sacrifice,
Paying for all men, sin’s penalty, so we could have life eternally,
We have God’s message to herald, now, to today’s entire world,
That Good News of Salvation, first to Israel then to every nation.
The Apostles for us, set the stage, as God for all turned a page,
Opening for all, this Age of Grace, still coming to Christ by faith,
Sent by God, this day and hour, in Christ’s Authority and Power,
To be Christ’s witness, to all men, that they must be Born Again,
To enter into Eternal Life, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©11/2011)
A Day To Remember
A day to remember a special event, when by God, The Savior was sent,
To a wayward peoples below, of whom, The Lord, they would not know,
The Savior was sent for every Jew, a peoples whom The Lord foreknew,
Yet, the people would receive Him not, giving that nation a spiritual blot.
Yet, Christ was indeed Israel’s Savior, the One and Only Eternal Creator,
Sent as God’s Peace and Salvation, unto Messiah’s only chosen nation,
Messiah was sent down for His elect, yet, their Savior, men would reject,
By God’s very own, Christ was denied; and later by them to be crucified.
The rejection by Israel of Christ Jesus, would soon after benefit all of us,
As Messiah would turn to every nation, in doing so, fulfill His Revelation,
Just as the angels did herald, Good News and great joy, to all the world,
God’s Light was sent into every nation, as Christ is the world’s Salvation.
Today friend, does the world remember, Christ, during all of December?
Do people celebrate God’s Gift to all, or is Christ just something small?
Do we today have New Holiday cause, replacing God with Santa Claus?
Replacing the manger with a tree, with no thought at all towards Calvary!
Haven’t we learned from Israel’s mistake, or will many today still forsake,
A Savior, Who came in a humble way, to bring all Salvation, even today,
In spite of men’s failures in the past, Messiah offers all, salvation to last,
So today, accept God’s Gift of Christ, and you shall receive Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©11/2011)
Gatherings By God
Soon God shall gather His Bride, all Believers, for who Christ died,
Greeting His Church in the clouds, gathered with Heavenly Crowds,
When Jesus Christ returns again, to receive all who are Born Again,
When gathered to begin Eternal Life, with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Then God will gather all, not some, of the nations, up to Jerusalem,
Where all nations we see His Hand, against all who parted His Land.
When final judgment shall be poured, upon all nations, by The Lord,
And so all nations will understand, to Israel, belongs The Holy Land.
God shall then regather tiny Israel, as His prophesies He does fulfill,
Gathering His elect out of every nation, with Christ as their salvation,
For in God’s Palm they are engraved, so all of Israel shall be saved.
Gathered and placed by God’s Hand, back into The Promised Land.
Then God will gather all nations as one, under Jesus Christ, His Son,
The Reign of Christ will never cease, as He brings everlasting peace,
Not just to some, but to all the world, as God’s Kingdom is unfurled,
To every tribe, tongue and nation, that accepts, Messiah’s Salvation.
Today the choice belongs to you, whether you’re a Gentile or a Jew,
For all will be gathered by The Lord, God’s Word cannot be ignored;
Be gathered for judgment to death, before or after your final breath,
Or be gathered unto Jesus Christ, to enter with Him into Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©07/2010)
Dark As Before
In this darkened world we live, God’s Only Son was sent to give,
A Hope and Light to every nation, through The Lord’s Revelation,
Spoken of through all the ages, by Prophets and Ancient Sages,
And revealed by our God’s plan, to bring Salvation to every man.
Revealed to the Nation Israel, a peoples waiting for God to fulfill,
The many promises, to that land, yet, they would not understand,
He was their Messiah to come, and not sure, where He was from,
But, He was that promised One, not only for Israel, but everyone.
They were blinded through unbelief, so, their Nation saw no relief,
From that darkness, they were in, brought on them by all their sin.
God sent salvation to that race, who had fallen from God’s grace,
But, blinded by all their iniquity, they had eyes that could not see.
The darkness when Christ first came, in our land is quite the same,
Shifting hearts against The Lord, so revealed Truths goes ignored,
Opposing all they should’ve feared, consciences, now are seared,
So that believing in Satan’s lies, is now seen to be politically wise.
As John the Baptist paved the way, for what Jesus Christ did say,
Those of us, who are Born Again, must be God’s voice to all men,
While leading men to a second birth, before Christ returns to earth,
So others too, can have Eternal Life, with The Savior Jesus Christ.
(Copyright ©07/2009)
Messiah Is Coming Back Again
Messiah is coming back again; please let me repeat the word again,
He came once as The Lamb of God to take away the sin of all men.
I boldly proclaim that He came although it's not politically correct,
For Israel is still waiting for Him to come and deliver God's Elect.
Christ told His Jewish Disciples that He had sheep of another pen,
This was Christ referring to the Believers made up of Gentile men.
To this day the tiny nation Israel remains God's only chosen nation,
But their falling from God's Grace brings to all men God's Salvation.
For He came unto His own but they received Him not as God's Anointed,
However a day to purge the land for David's sake has been appointed.
He was named Jesus, for He came to save His people from their sins,
But being far from God, there were many hearts Jesus could not win.
Many knew Jesus as Immanuel which Scripture says means God with us.
But although He was in their midst many were blind by power and lust.
But like Elijah we're reminded that not all bent their knee to Baal,
And the time is coming when the nation of Israel will again prevail.
For God promised that He wouldn't reject all the people of the land,
Soon they will see the one they pierced and see His side and hands.
On that day they'll be cleansed from all their sin and wickedness,
In a fountain for David's House and all of Jerusalem's inhabitants.
(Copyright © 07/2003)
There is a difference between Moses and Paul. Moses was the great Law-giver to the nation of Israel, while Paul is the great dispenser of Grace to the Church, the Body of Christ.
quote by Henry Grube
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Paul was to know and proclaim God's will, His purpose, in view of Israel's rejection of christ. Had god been taken by surprise in the crucifixion of Christ Would He now be forced to resort to some makeshift arrangement No, for the crucifixion was all part of--indeed, the central part of, His secret, eternal plan, now revealed to Paul.
quote by Cornelius Stam
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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One Like Moses
As God had passed over Israel, He will lift to Heaven you and me.
Blood was used per God’s Will, on the doors for the angel to see.
Jesus Christ was the one to fulfill, that blood today for you and me,
On the cross on Calvary’s Hill, Christ shed His blood for men see.
Without the blood that was shed, there’s no remission for our sin.
Like Israel, so filled with dread, from their darkened hearts within,
All men are indeed spiritually dead, and must die because of sin.
But Christ died for all men instead, so His Spirit can reside within.
Israel was within a darkened land, a land of much pain and strife.
They were moved by God’s hand, to the Promised Land full of life.
As we look back and understand, we today live in a world of strife.
Today we look to The Son of Man, in whom we can gain New Life.
God saw Israel in time of need, and sent Moses to help His nation.
He sent Moses as one to lead, and to bring Israel to His Salvation.
Through Moses God had freed, the peoples of His Chosen Nation.
Once again He will send His seed, to show them Eternal Salvation.
One like Moses is God’s Son, His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ.
Christ was God’s Chosen One, sent as God’s Lamb and Sacrifice.
In Christ all was said and done, when God paid the ultimate price.
And once again Christ will come, to lead all nations to Eternal Life.
(Copyright ©12/2005)
Repent And Produce Fruit
John had preached repent and produce fruit for The Kingdom is near,
And although Israel had ears to listen, their hearts could not hear.
In light of Isaiah's fulfillment, in Israel it was abundantly clear,
Most men were steeped in religious tradition without any Godly fear.
Although John called them to produce fruit it was not their desire,
So he warned all those who did not would be thrown into the fire.
John was preparing the way for The One, who was spiritually higher,
And Christ preached of an Eternal Kingdom and warned of Eternal Fire.
However many of God's chosen people were hard hearted and deceived,
And when Christ came fulfilling Scripture, He was not even received.
But there was a remnant using Scripture and prophecy was perceived,
Even the thief on the cross was filled with awe and He too believed.
Christ was the fulfillment of the Law which ended that dispensation,
And Grace came upon the world through the rejection of that nation.
The law exposes sin and brings upon the world God's condemnation,
But through the cross, Christ brought us God's Mercy and Salvation.
As Grace comes to a close The Church has become complacent many fear,
Are we becoming like Israel, as the Lord's return draws ever near?
Friend, Jesus was and now is God and not just a prophet, man or seer,
Shouldn't we heed His words as He said He who has ears, let him hear?
(Copyright ©01/2004 Bob Gotti)
Jesus Christ: A Philosophy Of Enlightenment
Jesus Of Nazareth lead no armies in conquest
slaughtered no enemies with blood red hands
conquered no border sovereign nations in wars
declared my kingdom is no part of this world
Jesus Christ raised the dead cast out demons
healed the blind preformed many miracles
awaited birth ministry death and resurrection
Who is this Jewish Yeshua the famous Jesus Christ?
Is Jesus Of Nazareth the promised Messiah of Israel?
Is Jesus Christ the Son of God as his disciples claimed?
Did the word become flesh incarnate die for our sins?
After approximately two thousand years still worshipped?
Was Jesus God willingly born manifest in human form?
How can one God be a Holy Trinity three unique persons?
Were multiple messianic prophecies fulfilled by Jesus Christ?
If Jesus is God why would he willingly die a horrible death?
If Jesus died on a criminal cross then how was he resurrected?
Is Jesus the only king who will rule his kingdom for eternity?
poem by Terence George Craddock
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Israel
You've had your troubles Israel
I've seen them all
But you put the writing on the wall
Israel Israel yeah
You know I've seen you fall so many times
I've cried for you and that's a crime
Israel Israel Israel
Where there's sand
Where there's beautiful sand yeah
You know you got a kind of feeling
That's just grand
Take me into your arms
Let me be with you
Israel Israel Israel
I like the smiles up on your people's faces
They make you feel warm embraces
And I want that kind of smile
that kind of smile
Israel you make the whole world think about you
And if they don't they'll find a reason
to shout about Israel Israel
You're the only one Israel Israel
Tell me all about it!
Tell me all about it
Tell me all about it
Oh take me into your arms
And make me feel your goodness
Be with me Israel
Hey hey hey hey
Oh oh oh
Take me into your arms
Let me hold hold you to myself
Oh I want to Israel
Israel Oh take me back into into your arms
Israel Israel Israel Israel
Israel
song performed by by Bee Gees from Trafalgar
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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An Eternal Source
There is one man, Jesus Christ, who is the role model of my life,
My friend, His Word I hide inside, He is my shield and my guide.
The never ending source for me, of what through God I can be.
It is The Word of God of course, that Living and Eternal source.
Inspiring men through the ages, with God’s Wisdom on its pages.
And God’s Eternal Wisdom friend, found in The Bible has no end.
God’s Word began back in Eternity, before this world came to be.
His spoken word, penned by men, is the Bible’s source my friend.
Wisdom from its pages flow, challenging Believers as they grow.
Transforming a heart and mind, while leaving all the past behind.
Directed from the dark of night, through its pages filled with light.
Filling up with the mind of Christ, while preparing for Eternal Life.
To Moses God spoke The Law, to a nation both weak and small.
This Law would point every nation, to Jesus Christ, for salvation.
Christ then spoke to Apostle Paul, instituting Grace over the Law.
Through one man all would fall, but in Christ, there’s Grace for all.
Israel was given the oracles of God, to be led by His staff and rod,
To lead all nations to the place, so they could accept God’s Grace.
Grace has appeared to all men, in a world that stood condemned.
This Grace helps us to live our life, while we wait for Jesus Christ.
Friend God’s Divine Revelation, was spoken to reach every nation,
In the last days through Jesus Christ, to lead all men to Eternal Life.
Forgotten will be the words of men, all earthly wisdom that they pen.
Soon their wisdom God will sever, but God’s Word shall last forever.
(Copyright ©11/2005)
The Christmas Message
The Christmas message we must herald, is Christ came for all the world,
When Our Lord left His Eternal Throne, to come to a people all His Own,
As Christ came to the nation Israel, as the Word of Prophecy He’d fulfill,
John the Baptist witnessed for Him, coming to save His people from sin.
In a human form He’d condescend, so Spirit of Truth we’d comprehend,
Coming to earth as Light and Truth; to dwell among men as living proof.
But the Nation Israel, God’s Elect, regarding John’s witness would reject,
The Lamb of God and His Salvation, sent by God, to His Chosen Nation.
In Jesus Christ men saw Eternal God, who came to walk this earthly sod,
Jesus condescended to you and me, the God of Heaven and of Eternity.
The very essence of God, was Christ, Who had come to be His Sacrifice,
To give His people a Hope and Peace, that from God would never cease.
Christ was born through a human birth, to dwell with man upon this earth,
Flesh we could see, touch and hear; the Eternal God men reverently fear.
Proof sent from His Father above, to demonstrate for everyone His Love,
Sending His Only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth, to grant all men Eternal Life.
The Eternal Creator, of all things, came to this earth, as The King of kings,
To give His very life a ransom for all, to redeem all men, from Adam’s fall.
God came in Grace and affirmation, through Jesus Christ, to every nation,
So, if in His Son you’d only believe, Eternal Life in Him you would receive.
(Copyright ©12/2008)