"You Are My Witnesses" - Part 2

Last week's message studied Isaiah 44:6,8 that illustrated God as The King Of Israel and Jesus their Redeemer saying to them "You Are My Witnesses." Jesus commissioned His Disciples to be His witnesses "To The Ends Of The Earth" and the Apostle Paul made four missionary journeys. Jesus' Disciples indeed were His witnesses.

How about today? Is Israel now a witness of Jesus as the Son Of God and The Savior Of The World? This is a complex question since the majority of Israelis do not know Jesus as their Savior! In fact, Romans 10 is entitled "Israel Rejects Christ." Romans 10:1-3 shows the Apostle Paul speaking from his heart about his fellow Israelis, "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they are ignorant of God's righteousness."

There are two difficulties in the manor in which many Israelis attempt to have a relationship with God. They are attempting to reach God through their own righteousness in addition to being disobedient. Romans 10:21 illustrates God describing them, "All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people." 

As a result, can we come to the conclusion that Israelis are not "Witnesses" for Jesus as Savior of the world? Possibly, to a certain extent, however, notice what the Apostle Paul says about his brethren in Romans 11:11-12, "I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall to provoke them to jealously, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches are for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness?"

These two critically important verses show us that Israel's failure to recognize Jesus as their Messiah is a temporary scenario and their fullness or salvation will happen in the future according to God's Prophetic Timetable! Hallelujah! When and how will Israel be saved? Stay Tuned!

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You Safe Today And Forever,

Frank