Judgment Day is coming for all

Submitted by Michael S (United States), Jul 24, 2016 at 04:50

Hi, Tovey

I agree with what you said, to a large extent. There is still a little to pick at, though:

"When the LORD presented His Holy One of Israel in the first advent, the circumstances of rebellion were still evident in the 'pharisaical' mindset of a leadership not willing to correctly understand the appearance of HaMashiach, especially after the cleansing of the Second Temple. The immediate prophecy of the Savior was fulfilled after He told the Jewish of the time that Israel would not see Him again until they were willing to say, 'blessed is He that comes in the name of the LORD.' "

1. Remember that the "Pharisaical midset" continues among religious Jews today, who look up to the Pharisees as the preservers of their religion. Also, Paul the Apostle had been a Pharisee, and Jesus ate with members of that sect -- a true mark of acceptance, in both directions. Jesus accepted much of what the Pharisees taught; and indeed, the church structure was initially patterned after Pharisee synagogues. The main thing Jesus was at odds about with that sect, was their tendency to "strain at a gnat, yet swallow a camel". Many Jews today think similarly about the ultra-religious among them.

2. You didn't specify what the "correct understanding" of Messiah is. From a normal Jewish perspective, "Messiah" should be spelled without capitalization, because they don't consider the promised "anointed one" to be a king any different from, say, King David. They don't ascribe divinity to him, nor even a special status approaching that of Moses. They also consider, according to scriptures, that their only One Savior is God. There were saviors of Israel in the past, such as Samuel and the other Judges. David himself, upon whom Messiah is patterned, also saved Israel from its enemies. God, however, is ascribed ultimate honor and glory, when Israel is "saved".

I think the main issue Jesus had with the "unbelieving" Jews, was that they didn't accept his having been anointed and sent from God. Instead, the Jews anointed and sent one another and would not accept "unlearned outsiders" such as Jesus. They basically communicated that he "was not one of them, and never would be!!!" Until they repented and reversed that thinking, Jesus would not accept them; and neither would God.

God's special protection of the Jewish people, however, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, continues to this day. As Jesus said, "God sends rain upon both the just and the unjust." In the final judgment, though, in which Jesus will sit as the judge, all men will be either condemned or spared, depending upon their works. Those who forgive others, for instance, will be forgiven; and those who will not forgive those who offend them will not be forgiven by God for their own wrongs.

None of this bodes well for most people, including Jews, Christians and outsiders. The Muslims will have an interesting place in that day. I hope I survive judgment myself, so I can see how it turns out.

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