Who or What is a Jew?

WILL THE REAL JEW PLEASE STAND UP

Since no one stood up, let’s give a definition of “what is a Jew”?  As used in the Bible, a Jew is a shortened from of Judahite.  However, after the resurrection of Jesus there may be more to the definition than just a nick-name.  Paul answers the question to a degree in Romans 2.  Many will probably reject the following description, but it is scriptural none the less.

Romans 2:28-29 KJV  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  (29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Romans 2:28-29 CLV  For not that which is apparent is the Jew, nor yet that which is apparent in flesh is circumcision;"  (29)  but that which is hidden is the Jew, and circumcision is of the heart, in spirit, not in letter, whose applause is not of men, but of God."

Above is a KJV and a Concordant Literal version of the same two verses.  According to Paul, what is a Jew?  To begin just because he dresses like a Jew, sacrifices in the temple like a Jew, teaches in the synagogue like a Jew, and keeps all the feasts and offerings like a Jew doesn’t mean he is a Jew.  As a matter of fact, it means that he is NOT a Jew.  Just because he is circumcised like Abraham does not mean he is a Jew.  As a matter of fact, he may not even be a Jew.  Being a Jew depends on one and only one criteria – Is he a believer and follower of the King of Judah?  Jesus Christ is the King of Judah.

A real Judean is one of spirit that dwells from the inside.  The circumcision of the heart is the one that is important not that of the flesh.  Our praise comes from God not from other people.

Two Baskets of Figs

Jeremiah is shone a vision containing two baskets of figs.  One basket contained good edible figs and the other contained bad, rotten figs that could not be eaten.  This took place after the first invasion of King Nebuchadnezzar when King Jeconiah and the choice leaders, women, and children were deported to Babylon.  God is dividing the Judeans (or Jews) into two groups or baskets – the good Jews and the bad Jews.

Jeremiah 24:1-3 NET  The LORD showed me two baskets of figs sitting before his temple. This happened after King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon deported Jehoiakim's son, King Jeconiah of Judah. He deported him and the leaders of Judah, along with the craftsmen and metal workers, and took them to Babylon.  (2)  One basket had very good-looking figs in it. They looked like those that had ripened early. The other basket had very bad-looking figs in it, so bad they could not be eaten.  (3)  The LORD said to me, "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I answered, "I see figs. The good ones look very good. But the bad ones look very bad, so bad that they cannot be eaten." 

It appears that God directed the actions of the Babylonian King and his military to only choose the good figs as prescribed by God to be taken captive to Babylon at this particular invasion.  God promises to care for their welfare in Babylon.  At the conclusion of the 70 years of captivity they will be brought back to the land and they will acknowledge that God is the Lord of all. 

God states the good figs will give their heart to Him.  These are the ones who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and the King of Judah and also of the Kingdom of God. 

Jeremiah 24:5-7 NET    The LORD said to me,  (5)  "I, the LORD, the God of Israel, say: 'The exiles whom I sent away from here to the land of Babylon are like those good figs. I consider them to be good.  (6)  I will look after their welfare and will restore them to this land. There I will build them up and will not tear them down. I will plant them firmly in the land and will not uproot them.  (7)  I will give them the desire to acknowledge that I am the LORD. I will be their God and they will be my people. For they will wholeheartedly return to me.' 

The ones not deported such as King Zedekiah, his officials, and the people of Jerusalem are the bad figs.  This group of figs also includes the ones who escaped to Egypt or elsewhere.  These figs are so bad they cannot be eaten.

Jeremiah 24:8-10 NET   (8)  "I, the LORD, also solemnly assert: 'King Zedekiah of Judah, his officials, and the people who remain in Jerusalem or who have gone to live in Egypt are like those bad figs. I consider them to be just like those bad figs that are so bad they cannot be eaten.  (9)  I will bring such disaster on them that all the kingdoms of the earth will be horrified. I will make them an object of reproach, a proverbial example of disaster. I will make them an object of ridicule, an example to be used in curses. That is how they will be remembered wherever I banish them.  (10)  I will bring war, starvation, and disease on them until they are completely destroyed from the land I gave them and their ancestors.' "

What will happen to the bad figs?  They will have horrific disasters befall them and they will be an object of reproach.  Curses will be composed using their namesake.  God will bring war, starvation, and disease on them until they are completely destroyed from the land He gave them and their ancestors.  Much of this has happened already, but the final end will be completed at the wrath of God (or maybe sooner).  It has been surmised that people of actual Judahite DNA are the Sephardim Jews who escaped into the area of Spain after the Roman destruction of 70-73 AD.

The beginnings of the Kingdom of God on earth after the resurrection of Jesus were the good figs of Judah.  They completely separated themselves from the temple of Jewishness and to differentiate them from the bad fig Jews they came to be called Christians or followers of Jesus the Christ (Greek word for Messiah).  The followers of Jesus were originally mostly all Judahites or the good figs.  Jesus became the King of Judah due to the dominion promise given to Judah and carried down through generations and completed in the life of Jesus.  The fig tree is a symbol of Israel but the figs of Jeremiah came from two completely different trees as attested to by Jesus in Matthew 7:17-20.

Matthew 7:17-20 NET  In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.  (18)  A good tree is not able to bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree to bear good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  (20)  So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

The good tree only bears good fruit and the bad tree only bears bad fruit.  Both trees, good and bad, represent Judah or the Judahites but there is a clear separation between the two groups.  Through faith, the good figs believed in Jesus and the bad figs did not. The bad figs were looking for a military Messiah, along the lines of the Maccabees, who would rise up in revolt against Rome. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did not qualify and did not meet their expectations. Therefore, the basket of good figs became Christian believers, while the evil figs rejected Christ and ultimately openly revolted against Rome and were destroyed as prophesied by Jesus.

The King of Judah

Jesus, is/was the perfect man who perfectly obeyed and fulfilled the laws of God.  His mother was of the linage of Judah and His Father was the Holy Spirit.  Although considered the best of the fig tree fruits, He inherited the dominion promise, became the King of Judah, and He is also the very fig tree itself.  Various branches have been attached to Him and all these branches bear good fruit or are thrown out.

John 15:1-6 NET  "I am the true vine (fig tree) and my Father is the gardener.  (2)  He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes (disciplines) every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit.  (3)  You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you.  (4)  Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine (tree), so neither can you unless you remain in me.  (5)  "I am the vine (fig tree); you are the branches. The one who remains in me — and I in him — bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.  (6)  If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch, and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and are burned up.

Those who accepted Jesus as Messiah became the branches of the good fig tree. These were the inheritors of the dominion mandate given to Judah. Those who refused to accept Jesus as Messiah were cut off and are no longer inheritors of the dominion mandate. Jesus clearly said that there is no way that anyone can bear fruit apart from being attached to Christ.

The early Church, founded on Jesus Christ and the apostles, was the true Judah “tree” that produced the good figs according to the New Covenant prophecy of Jeremiah 24. However, the Judean followers of Jesus were a small minority and were not in control of the temple in Jerusalem. When the bad figs rejected Jesus as Messiah, the believers were persecuted and finally expelled from the land. They were excommunicated from Judaism and thus the good fig Judahites lost their identity as Jews and became know as Christians.  The end result is that gentiles (nations) or a gentile church did not replace the original church consisting of Judahites of the tribe of Judah.  The New Covenant was made by Jesus, King of Judah, to the good fig Judahites.  Any and all gentiles (nations) can be saved and become a convert to the true house of Judah (the original Church) and NOT as a convert to Judaism which is the religion of the bad figs.

The bad figs have been allowed back into the land of Canaan.  Although they may be Sephardim Jews, Ashkenazi Khazars, Edomites, or a mixed breed version, they have been allowed back for their judgment became they did not want Jesus Christ to reign over them.

Luke 19:27 NET  But as for these enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and slaughter them in front of me!' "

Conclusion

The most astounding and unbelievable story is that many Christians, particularly in the USA, support these modern day Israelites.  Calling them the chosen people, the return of Biblical Israel to the land, the healing of the breach between Israel and Judah, and other lies is the upper limit of being deceived.  There are so many Christian internet sites and blogs that have preached this false message for so long they actually believe it and their minds will most likely not be changed.  Hal Lindsey, Tim LaHaye, Tom Horn, Terry James, Gary Stearman, David Bay, Chuck Missler, and several others are intelligent people with noteworthy ideas who give out fantastic information but are completely deceived by the real origin and purpose of the current nation of Israel.  The prophecy of Obadiah will not be fulfilled with the Palestinians but with the nation of Israel that contains the real Edomites.

                                    

Birds, Goats, & the Two Works of Christ

BIRDS, GOATS, AND THE TWO WORKS OF CHRIST

Judah, the son of Jacob, was the holder of the dominion or scepter promise.  The genealogical linage can be seen in the first chapter of Matthew and the third chapter of Luke.  This was fulfilled with the birth of Jesus, of the tribe of Judah, who is the current and eternal holder of the dominion or the kingship of the entire earth, not just Canaan.

Aaron was of the tribe of Levi, therefore the priests are referred to as Levites or Aaronic priests.  The priests of the temple fulfilled the sacrificial duties and therefore the Levites or Aaronic priests of the 1^st century Jerusalem temple unknowingly offered up Jesus Christ as the perfect sacrifice for sin. 

However, a human being from either the linage of Judah or Levi were never given the work of establishing the Kingdom of God, which will be done at the return of Christ.  The birthright promise was given to Joseph and then to Ephraim and Manasseh.  The current nation of Israel, even if there is an authentic tribal member of Ephraim and Manasseh among them is not qualified to bring forth the birthright or the Kingdom of God.  Only the leaders and the majority of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh can constitute the birthright.  It will also require the entire tribes of Israel and God will search and find them.  The birthright promise does not involve kingship (which is the dominion promise) but a family or kingdom of righteous people in total agreement with Jesus Christ and the laws of God.

Ezekiel 34:11 KJV  For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.

Cleansing Ceremony for a Healed Leper

Leviticus 14 details the ceremonial law for the cleansing of a leper.  The cleansing process was performed during the same day the leper was healed.  There is more to the process than the coped verses below but the primary point is the two live birds.

Leviticus 14:4-7 KJV  Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:  (5)  And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water:  (6)  As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water:  (7)  And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Leviticus 14:4-7 KJV:  Highlights concerning the two birds

Two birds alive and clean / one of the birds to be killed over running water /  dip the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water / let the living bird loose into the open field.

The live bird is dipped into the blood of the sacrificial bird over water which is the basis of Baptism.  The leper had to be already healed and the ceremony was priestly recognition proclaiming the leper had been healed.  Likewise Baptism is a public testimony the repented sinner is now a Christian justified by faith in Christ.  The two birds are a symbolic type of Passover and Tabernacles.  Jesus was sacrificed or crucified on Passover and thus fulfilled the work of the 1^st advent.  Fifty days after His resurrection He sent the Holy Spirit as a partial fulfillment of Pentecost.  The Pentecost event and the receiving of the Holy Spirit today is not receiving the fullness the Holy Spirit or the complete filling as some claim today.  It is only a partial filling, an earnest, or a down payment.

The complete finished work of Christ is in two stages or junctures with the two birds as a symbolic type.  The first stage involves the death or sacrifice of the first bird and the death sacrifice of Jesus fulfilled the first stage or the first sacrificed bird.

The live bird was dipped into the blood of the sacrificed bird over a bowl of water.  The second appearance of Jesus will represent the live bird with smeared blood or drops of blood on His robe.  Revelation chapter 19 pictures the returned Jesus on a white horse with His robe (or vesture) dipped (the Greek word bapto defined as baptized) in blood.  This is symbolic of the live bird set free in the field (world).

Revelation 19:13 KJV  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Isaiah 63:3-4 KJV  I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.  (4)  For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.

The death, or first work of Christ imputes or credits eternal life to the believer but at the second work of Christ we will be given eternal life.  The sacrifice of animals only covered sin as did the sacrificial death of Jesus, but the return of Jesus will remove sin completely.

The leper was pronounced clean of the eighth day and was anointed with oil.  Recall the parable of the ten virgins and oil?  The Ten Virgins  The pouring of oil on the healed leper is a type and shadow of the future fulfillment of the eighth day of Tabernacles_, not the partial fulfillment at the Pentecost event.

The Day of Atonement and Two Goats

As stated earlier, the second work of Christ is the removal of all sin.  The atonement ceremony with the appropriate information can be found in Leviticus chapter 16.  There is much more to the sacrifices and ceremony than what is given in the 4 copied verses below, but the current understanding is the two goats.

Leviticus 16:7-10 KJV  And he shall take the two goats, and present them before the LORD at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  (8)  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.  (9)  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD'S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.  (10)  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness.

The ceremony of the Day of Atonement involved two goats.  The first goat was to be sacrificed outside the tent (or temple) and the blood of the sacrifice was to be brought into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled on the mercy seat for the atonement of the sanctuary as a covering for sin.  The second goat was to remain alive.  The priest was to lay his hands of the head of the goat while imputing all the sins of the people onto the goat.  A different man was to take the goat and release it into the wilderness (or an uninhabited area).  In this manner the sacrificed goat covered all sin and the live second goat removed all sin for all people.

The first goat, a shadow and type of Jesus’ death, covered sin or imputed righteousness in the eyes of God.  The second, a type and shadow of the return of Christ, will forever remove sin and make us completely righteous before God. 

When Jesus returns, He will come as the Son of Joseph with His robe dipped in blood as the King of the Judah linage and will fulfill the birthright promise as the son of Adam through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  The second coming will also fulfill the type and shadow symbolism of the second live bird released in the field and the type and shadow symbolism of the second goat carryings the sins of the people into the uninhabited places.

The first bird and the first goat represent the dominion (scepter) work of Judah which was to bring forth the Messiah as the suffering servant and sacrificially dying to cover the sins of the people.  The second bird and the second goat is a work of Joseph (or Ephraim and Manasseh) which would save the world or remove sins as if they never happened although a complete and total removal will not take place until the second coming of Jesus Christ when the birthright promise is fulfilled.

Reversal of Jewish and Christian Eschatology

The nature of the two works of the Messiah in the Bible is that Jesus would first appear as the suffering servant and claim the dominion or scepter promise as initially given to Judah and be a sacrificial sin offering to cover the sins of the believers (or all people if they repent and believe).  This kingship promise was later given to David by God as an everlasting covenant referred to as the Davidic Covenant.  This covenant was fulfilled by Jesus at His first advent when He became King of the Kingdom.  At His second appearance, Jesus will inherit and fulfill the birthright promise by bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to the earthly domain.

It was apparently inconceivable to the Jewish mindset (then and now) that the Messiah could be a conquering eternal ruler of the world and at the same time show evidence of weakness, failure and death.  To resolve this contradiction, the concept of two messiahs was developed by the Jews, with the names of “Messiah ben Joseph” for the first one who would die and afterwards, the second would appear called “Messiah ben David.”

Jesus Christ first appeared as the suffering servant, preaching meekness and the coming of the Kingdom of God.  He was despised by the majority of Jewish leaders, was put to death by crucifixion, rose from the dead after three days, and prophesied to  return, as the ruler of the world.  As stated in, “Jewish Expectations of a Messiah” the Jewish intellectuals do not promote a messiah on an installment plan.  If Jesus had started the Kingdom of God immediately after His resurrection and drove out the Romans, He may have been immediately accepted by the religious leaders.  According to Talmudic writings, after 2000 years, the Jews are attempting to be their own messiah and establish their own dominion with a one-world-system and total control.  Jesus first appearance was to inherit the dominion or kingship of the Kingdom of God as promised through Judah, die as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world, and establish a basis of salvation and righteousness.

It is my understanding that medieval Jewish eschatology has named (or invented) a person called Armilus (or Armilius), with a description that is comparable to the Christian antichrist.  Armilus will, according to legend, apparently kill Messiah ben Joseph who is the first appearance of the Jewish messiah.  Ben Joseph will then be replaced by Messiah ben David, or to explain it another way, ben Joseph will be supposedly resurrected and become ben David.  This, of course, is the opposite understanding of the New Testament scriptures (with the added Jewish feature of an Armilus type of antichrist).

For more information concerning Messianic Jewish eschatology, go to the following link: 

The Life & Times of the Antichrist - Part 3