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.