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The Jewish People are really Jehovah’s Witnesses!“‘You are My witnesses,’ declares the LORD [Jehovah]…” Isaiah 43:10 NASThe name, Jehovah’s Witnesses or Witnesses of Jehovah—however used—is a scriptural concept. But to whom did the LORD give this name?Has the LORD instructed Christians to be witnesses for Jehovah—or witnesses for Jesus? Witnesses of JesusThere is not a single New Testament (or Old Testament) scripture that calls Christians to be the witnesses of Jehovah. On the other hand, the New Testament commissions Christians to be the “witnesses of Jesus” (Acts 1:8), the “ambassadors of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20) and as “beheaded for the witness of Jesus” (Revelation 20:4). The commission given to Christians by Jesus was that they should be his witnesses in all the world by preaching the Gospel (Matthew 24:14).But the Jewish people are witnesses for Jehovah in a different way. It was not because Israel preached God’s Word that they were called His “witnesses.” Rather, it was because God revealed His glory and character to others by the miraculous manner in which He guided them, chastised them and saved them! In three instances in the OLD Testament God said to Israel, “Ye are my witnesses.” These three times are to be found in Isaiah 43 and 44. In those two chapters, Isaiah establishes five historic facts concerning who are the “Witnesses” of Jehovah.The “Witnesses” of Jehovah…
“Replacement Theology”“Replacement theology” would say that the Jews have long since forfeited this title. But this text in Isaiah 43:5,6, was a prophecy that is only now in the process of fulfillment! The Jewish people are being regathered from all over the world to the Land of Israel. Although their regathering has been motivated not only by religious fervor, but by a practical solution to the Diaspora—this does not matter. The Bible reveals that as the Jews are regathered to their Land, the LORD would bring them through experiences in which they would gradually lose their faith in man’s “peace process,” but increase their faith in God. This faith would enkindle a true religious vitality that will reach their “inward parts” and fit them for their special role in God’s 1000-year Messianic Kingdom on earth (Isaiah 2:1-4).“Witnesses” of JehovahThrough history the Jewish people have thus been the “Witnesses” of Jehovah in specifically two ways: First, God has revealed His power and glory by the miraculous manner in which He has dealt with them (Isaiah 43:-12). God delivered them from Egypt, led them through the Red Sea, sustained them in the wilderness, led them through the River Jordan, gave them the land of Canaan—and made them a nation. During their chastening and dispersion, the phenomenal preservation of the people of Israel over the centuries as a distinct and identifiable people among nations is itself a miracle of history. They have left blood-stained footprints of martyrdom in every nation they have trod. Neither persecution, nor famine, nor any other force was able to cause them to disappear in assimilation. However, after 2,000 years—contrary to every pattern of history—they are now reestablished in their homeland, an independent nation. Surely the LORD’s power and glory have been witnessed through this people!The second way they are the “Witnesses” of Jehovah is how their history proves the validity of God’s Word—the Bible. Every detail of their history has been prophesied and is either fulfilled already, in process now or yet to be fulfilled in the future. Their original establishment as a nation, their destruction as a nation and dispersion as a people, the circumstances of their regathering, their future role—all were prophesied in the Bible All this detailed fulfillment is an extraordinary witness to the immutability of God’s Word. Therefore, these are the reasons why the LORD has said to the Jewish People—“YE ARE MY WITNESSES, SAITH JEHOVAH.” Promises to Christians and JewsThe “JW’s” today—and other replacement theology-believing Christians—do not see any special future blessing for the Jewish People as a whole. However, God’s Plan does hold out hope—“From the standpoint of God's choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:28-30 NAS). Since God promised that the Seed of Abraham would inherit the Land and bless all the families of the earth from Jerusalem (Genesis 22:18, 19; Jeremiah 32:41; Isaiah 2:2,3)—what right have any Christians to annul this promise? These blessings were never forfeited! Their promises are “forever” (Amos 9:14, 15).If we say God as cancelled his promises to the children of Israel, what confidence can we have in His promises to us as Christians? Disinheriting God’s Chosen PeopleSome Christians, on the other hand, strongly support Jews going back to the Holy Land because they believe, in fact, that as soon as a Jewish Temple is built, Jesus will return. Their theology says that then 144,000 Jews will accept Jesus—while the rest who do not will be eternally dammed. That would mean that there would be more than 6 million more Jews who would not just suffer and die—but also be tormented forever. Unbelievable? This second and “final” holocaust is really what Evangelicals actually believe. So even some who criticize their fellow Christians for their replacement theology believe this final horrific scenario.But that view would make Apostle Paul’s statement, “All Israel will be saved,” a gross exaggeration (Romans 11:26). Christians cannot afford to disinherit God’s chosen people. Otherwise, they might expect to find themselves disinherited! Speaking to the Gentiles, Paul said, “Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will He spare you” (Romans 11:13-22). Apostle Paul explains that we Gentiles should not be conceited just because we benefited by Jewish blindness to their Messiah. There would only be a temporary rejection and hardness of heart: “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25 NIV). When the Christian church is complete, she will be part of the Deliverer with her Head Jesus Christ: “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins" (Romans 11:26,27 NIV). In the meantime, Christians are to speak “tenderly” to the Jewish people and assure them God is blessing them now and that they should believe their prophets and cherish their destiny (Isaiah 40:1,2 NIV).Real Jehovah’s Witnesses, A Glory to GodAfter the People of Israel, Jehovah’s (actual) Witnesses, have been gathered back to the Land of Israel, God will be glorified in their example and leadership among the nations. “Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory…” Isaiah 43:5-7Then all peoples of all nations and customs, and cultures and religions—(even the self-proclaimed JW’s)—will have to go up to Jerusalem to learn about the God of Jacob from the Jewish people…. “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:1-4 Send for your free booklet—“Israel a Nation of Miracles”—free of charge. |
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