Friday: Further Thought – The Elect
Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “Before the Sanhedrin”, pages 77-79; “From Persecutor to Disciple” pages 112-114; “Written From Rome”, pages 474, 475, in The Acts of the Apostles; “Reaching Catholics”, pages 573-577, in Evangelism; “What to Preach and Not to Preach”, pages 155, 156, in Selected Messages, book 1.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Notwithstanding Israel’s failure as a nation, there remained among them a goodly remnant of such as should be saved. At the time of the Saviour’s advent there were faithful men and women who had received with gladness the message of John the Baptist, and had thus been led to study anew the prophecies concerning the Messiah. When the early Christian church was founded, it was composed of these faithful Jews who recognized Jesus of Nazareth as the one for whose advent they had been longing.” – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pages 376, 377.
“Among the Jews are some who, like Saul of Tarsus, are mighty in the Scriptures, and these will proclaim with wonderful power the immutability of the law of God. . . . As His servants labor in faith for those who have long been neglected and despised, His salvation will be revealed.” – Page 381.
“In the closing proclamation of the gospel, when special work is to be done for classes of people hitherto neglected, God expects His messengers to take particular interest in the Jewish people whom they find in all parts of the earth. As the Old Testament Scriptures are blended with the New in an explanation of Jehovah’s eternal purpose, this will be to many of the Jews as the dawn of a new creation, the resurrection of the soul. As they see the Christ of the gospel dispensation portrayed in the pages of the Old Testament Scriptures, and perceive how clearly the New Testament explains the Old, their slumbering faculties will be aroused, and they will recognize Christ as the Saviour of the world. Many will by faith receive Christ as their Redeemer.” – Page 381.
Discussion Questions:
|
(22)
The only solution is to get connected Christ all the time and be partners with him.
I'd say that "jews" here may also represent any form of religion or lifestyle that is chosen by a person, who follows it by tradition or comfort! Christ represents a change in all that we are set and sure! And this is not easily taken, sometimes. Jesus came to show to the world that what seems to be madness, irrational, and improbable may be the highest level of our mission! To die for friends, enemies and even to self because of love seems non-sense! Thank God that Jesus came to be the material example of God's great mercy to a self-destructive (by choice) created humanity! He made Himself low just to say in our own language that He is pure Love!
Although there are Adventist beliefs that align with the orthodox Jewish faith, the Jewish psyche has been molded by its historical experiences, such as “Christian” pogroms and the Nazi Holocaust. These would be barriers to reaching those in the Jewish community because the Adventist community does not share a similar history, and (I think) has distanced itself from the Jewish community to avoid persecution. Similarly, I do not recall strong reactions from the Adventist community to anti-Semitic acts, possibly for fear of being identified with Jews. This begs the question of how one can develop a trusting relationship with a people group while not acting against the injustice they experience. I imagine the most effective means of forging a true relationship with the oppressed is to defend them.
There is another aspect to this question which is raised by the Apostle Paul’s statement in Romans 9:13 (Malachi 1:2-3), “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." How do Adventists relate to followers of Islam? There are elements of the Islamic faith that are coincident with Adventist practice, for example, abstention from tobacco and alcohol, and the consumption of unclean meats. But again, I think relationship comes down to what we do when someone is in trouble, specifically, when someone is trying to escape persecution and certain death by seeking refuge in another country. What do we do should be conditioned by what we would hope others would do for us in similar circumstances. I do not see this kind of response in the Adventist community. But I have seen concerns about Islam "taking over" in North America.
In my hometown there is a Seventh Day Adventist Church that I believe has close to 200 members that were all orthodox jewish and accepted the Christian faith! Yes, God has been working with jews and all races! He is coming and will attract to Himself those who hear His call!