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To the amazement of many Gentile believers, Israel's restoration
has begun, the "Prodigal" son is returning, just as the prophets
foretold. And just like the older brother, much of the Gentile church has
failed to comprehend the unconditional love of God and His faithfulness to
Israel, and is complaining about or even opposing this restoration, which is
beginning as a physical return to the ancient homeland, and will continue as a
complete national spiritual rebirth. The Lord will adorn them with a robe, prepare
a kingly feast and restore Israel's position in the Millennial Kingdom.
Worthy
Ministries
“Now if
the fall of them [Jews] be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them
the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?” - Romans
11:12
The
parable of the Prodigal son might also serve as an illustration of the
relationship between Israel and the Church.
In this
perspective, both Israel and the Church have been in the position of each of
the brothers, but for the purpose of this message, we will look at the Church as the older brother.
Since
the Jewish leadership rejected the Messiah at His first coming, the Jewish
people have been dispersed across the globe for nearly 2000 years, as it were,
fatherless, and without a homeland.
The
result of this rejection has been grace to the Gentile nations as the gospel
has gone out over the world, while the Jews have been persecuted, often in the
name of their own Messiah, Yeshua, (Jesus).
Although
the Gentile church was warned by Paul in his letter to the Romans (Chapter
11), not to become proud in their knowledge of the Messiah, but to
remain humble and loving toward Israel, to make her jealous, the church has
largely failed (until recently) and has, instead, adopted an attitude toward
Israel almost identical to the older brother in the parable of the Prodigal
Son.
Those
who believed that God had forsaken the Jewish people because of their
disobedience, remained silent or even participated in the persecution of Jews.
Now, to
the amazement of many Gentile believers, Israel's restoration has begun, the
"Prodigal" son is returning, just as the prophets foretold.
And
just like the older brother, much of the Gentile church has failed to
comprehend the unconditional love of God and His faithfulness to Israel, and is
complaining about or even opposing this restoration, which is beginning as a
physical return to the ancient homeland, and will continue as a complete
national spiritual rebirth.
The
Lord will adorn them with a robe, prepare a kingly feast and restore Israel's
position in the Millennial Kingdom.
So,
now... how will we, as the "elder
brother" church respond to this restoration of our "younger"
brother?
Will
we, in self-righteous contentment and jealousy despise and oppose this grace
toward Israel?
Will we
become angry and bitter that, after 2000 years of labor in the father's
vineyard, he hasn't thrown a party for us, but ecstatically welcomed our undeserving
"brother"?
If we
do, I believe we will miss our blessing.
Charles Spurgeon stated, "I think we do not attach
enough importance to the restoration of the Jews. But certainly, if there is
anything promised in the Bible it is this. The day shall yet come when the
Jews, who were the first apostles to the Gentiles, the first missionaries to us
who were afar off, shall be gathered in again. Until that shall be, the
fullness of the church's glory can never come. Matchless benefits to the world
are bound up with the restoration of Israel, their gathering shall be as life
from the dead."
A great
blessing of God is bound up with His love and faithfulness to the Jewish people
– a blessing for us which is closely related to our response to this returning
"Prodigal Son".
Will we
embrace him, join and participate in his joyful return?
Will we
be a responsible older brother and seek to mend and heal the wounded
relationship with the Father?
Or will
we remain silent as Israel is confronted by all manner of opposition, including
those who are calling for their annihilation?
My
friend – if there was ever a day when we need to be the elder son that should have been – it's today!
With so much work to be done, please remember us in your prayers, as we labor in the midst of this amazing prophetic restoration of the Lord's beloved (for the sake of the fathers), Israel.
Worthy
Ministries
is a Christian organization based in Israel with a global outreach to more than
120 countries on a daily basis.
Though
we are an internet ministry, we are also significantly involved in the land of
Israel. Living in Southern part of Israel near the Dead Sea, we run Worthy News
and minister full-time to the many spiritually hungry people in our region.
Learn about our Project Hear O Israel.
https://www.worthydevotions.com/christian-devotional/theres-another-blessing-coming
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