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3. The Unfolding of the Mystery of God in the Oneness of Christ with His Church
The Unity of Jewish and Gentile Christians: The richly blessed mission of Paul among the Gentile peoples of Asia Minor and Greece aroused the legalistic Jews of the Old Covenant in their inmost being. They opposed the preaching of the apostle, instituted on different occasions legal proceedings against him, and finally, tried to kill him. They saw in his mission to the nations a betrayal of the law of Moses, of the chosen people, of the covenants of God, of the circumcision, of His promises and of the promised kinship (Romans 9:1-5). They understood their identity to be at stake. The Jews did not want to understand the special promises God made to Abraham (Genesis 12:3; 18:18; 22:16-18; 26:4; 28:14), to Isaiah (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; 60:3) and to Daniel (Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14,27). They “alone” wanted to remain the chosen people, and did not want to share with the Gentiles the privilege of divine kinship.
But Peter and Paul received direct revelations and commands from the resurrected Christ to offer the entire gospel, in particular, to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-19; 10:1-48). In the obedient execution of this instruction they experienced how the Holy Spirit also fell on non-Jews, who believed on Jesus Christ. This caused a storm of protest among the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem. Both Peter, before the other apostles (Acts 11:1-18) and Paul, before the entire Jerusalem council of apostles ((Acts 15:1-35) had to give an account of their mission among non-Jews. But the Holy Spirit led the majority of Jewish Christians to more or less give approval to the grace of Christ, which had broken through to the Gentile nations. The divine act of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on non-Jews who had believed, stood firm, and was undisputable ( Acts 1:5; 10:44-48). The recollection of hitherto lightly regarded promises of the prophets, made it easier for them to subject their wills in the face of spectacular revelations proceeding from the mystery of Christ (Acts 9:11-12; 11:7,16; 15:7-11, 13-19).
At the apostolic council in Jerusalem James and Paul gave Biblical reasons for the new unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians, and described the conversion of non-Jews as a part of the mystery of Christ (Romans 16:25-26; Ephesians 3:1-11). In the process they emphasized with fitting arguments the spiritual similarities of the two currents, which had been revealed to them through special revelations (Galatians 3:28-29; Ephesians 1:9-10; 2:1-22; 3:3,11). Most of the Jewish Christians accepted at that time the spiritual reality of a single body of Christ, in which each member had its own characteristics, form and task. Together, however, they are invigorated from the same blood, and quickened by the same Spirit. This fact allowed them to accept unity amidst diversity. Christ is our peace. Through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:14, 18).
The Salvation of all of the Sons of Jacob: In spite of the great love Christ had placed in Paul's heart for the Gentiles he still suffered, just like the prophets of the Old Covenant had previously suffered, under the obstinacy of the nation of Israel. In answer to his sighs and prayers for his people he received from God a special revelation concerning the mystery of Christ; namely, that at the end of days “all Israel” would be saved (Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 31:33; Romans 11:25-27). But who is “all Israel”? Certainly not the present state of Israel, in which Jews, atheists, Druze, Muslims and Christians live together as citizens. Even here the talk cannot be of just orthodox and liberal Jews in Israel, since more Jews live in New York than in the entire state of Israel. If circumcision be counted as a criterion for the fulfillment of the promise, then Muslims, too, are saved, since they are all circumcised. As a further exclusion Paul writes, that not everyone who descends from Israel is an Israelite, and not every descendant of Abraham is his child (Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8). John summarizes: They say they are Jews, and are not (Revelation 2:9; 3:9).
Much more, we read in the revelation of Jesus Christ to John that from each of the twelve tribes of Israel 12,000 members will be sealed (Revelation 7:1-8). The full number of 144,000 would thus be “all Israel”, regarding of who Paul writes, they will be saved at the end of the days (Romans 11:26). John formulated a similar promise, when he writes of the pouring out of the Spirit upon Israel at the time of Jesus' return: Every eye will see Him: and they also who pierced Him (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:37; Revelation 1:7).
It is a comfort to all who love Israel to see the number of Jewish Christians in Israel and in all the world increasing. It is clear to see, thereby, that the hard-heartedness of a part of Israel has been removed. Thousands of Messianic Jews are being incorporated into the body of Christ.
Biblically speaking, we should remain sober and reject every form of anti-Semitism. In the same way, we should reject every uncritical form of pseudo-love Semitism; for with ever more orthodox, as well as liberal Israelis, an anti-Christian hatred is growing. This hatred is an indication that the world is being prepared for the “son of perdition”, whose mystery is beginning to be made known in our days (2. Thessalonians 2:1-12). Not only Christ, but also the antichrist and the whore who will accompany him, will be surrounded by a mystery, in order that they not be recognized too quickly (Revelation 17:5-14). Not just a few of the devout stand in danger of falling for this veiled deceiver.
PRAYER: We thank You, Heavenly Father, that Your beloved Son died His atoning death in place of the sinners of the Jews and the unjust of the nations. Whoever accepts His complete redemption becomes saved and he is assured to be a member of Your kingdom. Lord, open the eyes of the sinners that they may recognize the privilege prepared for them.
QUESTION:
- Who joins in spiritual prayer in the kingdom of God?