Two groups of Jews

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<div> <A HREF="id329.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Government in Gods Church">Government in God's Church</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id330.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="HWA Radio Transcript 1979">HWA Radio Transcript 1979</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id333.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Is God speaking to us?">Is God speaking to us?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id334.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Do you believe God?">Do you believe God?</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id335.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Warnings and Exhortation">Warnings and Exhortation</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id336.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Righteous Judgment">Righteous Judgment</A></div> <div> <A HREF="id337.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The physical and spiritual blessings of ">The physical and spiritual blessings of submission</A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=380 width="100%" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>“</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="@PMingLiU" ><B>TWO GROUPS OF JEWS</B></FONT><B>”</B></div> <bR> <div> The book of Revelation is about future things we are about to experience.  Recently, as we observed the Feast of Tabernacles, we try to be practice the life style of Kings and Priests.  Using  a scripture about this will get our minds set in a proper approach to the subject.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Proverbs 25:2).</div> <div> This <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>searching out matters<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> is hard work and too many of us are too often having to admit we didn<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>t fulfill this commission in earlier years.  We are recognizing now that we listened to men who had not done their homework, if you will, either.  Not knowing with understanding the meaning and importance of our subject today has brought much confusion and error, and unanswered questions upon God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s people.  Our thoughts on the calendar, not being the least to consider here, as one of the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>matters,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> because of so many ties to other subjects, the Calendar  issue becomes one of salvation.</div> <div> This should motivate each of us to live even deeper into this study to see how intensely it is bound to other subjects, other matters, concerning our salvation.  Let<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s use scriptures now to gain God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s perspective on what we will call <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>The Two Groups of Jews.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT></div> <div>  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>For he is <U>not</U> a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 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<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Romans 2:28 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT> 29).  We see clearly by the first definition here that being a Jew is not proven by physical means.  The physical claims of being a Jew, showing a large nose perhaps, or claiming circumcision, is not what proves a person is a Jew.</div> <div> We are aware and know of a nation called the State of Israel, which is filled with people shouting to the world that they are Jews.  These claims and other displays of physical signs such as hair styles or clothing, all fit exactly with the word <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>outward<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> in verse 28.  The word <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>outward<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> in Strong<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s Concordance is actually a combination of two words, #1722 and #5318.  The first word #1722 is EN and has to do with a fixed position in [place, time, or state].  The second word # 5318 is PNANEROS meaning:  Shining i.e., apparent [lit or fig] as an adverb, publicly or externally. So, we are looking for a group that has a fixed position regarding their expression publicly, that is shining, or apparent.  Yes, we<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>ve all seen the round caps, the flat brimmed hats, the black coats, uniforms, even the incessant head bobbing used by one particular sect.</div> <div> Focus now on verse 29.  It is revealed here by definition what a real or true Jew is.  First, we see the <U>activity is inward</U>, opposite from the other group.  The word <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>inward<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> of this verse is shown by Strong to be two words combined, also.  The first is #1722 again, showing this too is a set or fixed position in place, time, or state.  The second word is #2927 meaning concealed, i.e., private, hid, secret.  We see further the verse relates to a changed heart, from physical to a spiritual state.  We recognize also that this private spiritual state is the position that brings praise from God.  This group has no need to cry out to the world continually for help because they are praised by God.</div> <div> Can we see clearly that there are two (2) groups defined by God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s word?  That is why in Romans 3: 1<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT>2, Christ praised Jews revealing that they possessed the oracles of God; then in Matthew 23:13<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT>14, He defines Jews as hypocrites.  The word hypocrite in Strong<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s code is #5273, meaning <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>imposter<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”-</FONT>someone who is claiming to be someone or something they are not.</div> <div> We are further warned of this false group in the book of  Revelation. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Rev. 3:9).</div> <div> The word <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>behold<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> by meaning, gives us a command as we learned earlier, to search out, to know, about these people<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT> these liars<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT> these imposters and expose them!</div> <div> Next let<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s go to a scripture that shows us there is no difference in sin, even in the context of the two  groups.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>What then? Are we better than they?  No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Romans 3:9<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT>10).</div> <div> What is the scriptural difference between the two  groups mentioned here as Jews and Gentiles, or we may say, the true Jews and imposter Jews?  Look to verse 22 for the answer in Romans 3, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Rom. 3:22-23).  So we see here that the righteousness of God comes unto all Israel all people through Christ, but it only comes upon or onto those who believe.  Belief then is the difference maker between the two subject groups<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-“</FONT>the Jews<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> and the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>imposter Jews.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT>  Good things come because of this belief. <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation<B> through faith in His blood</B>, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness that He might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Romans 3: 24 <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT> 26).</div> <div> We must have faith, for our <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>belief,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> in the blood of Christ to gain God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s grace, to be redeemed and to be justified.  Again, in verse 26 it is belief in Jesus which allows justification.  The fake or imposter Jews do not believe in Jesus and are not in the game, so to say.  We find that God has no part in these people because of their unbelief in His son.   <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.  For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> (Ephesians 2: 17<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT>18).</div> <div> Christ operating in spirit power, was able to perceive in a crowd who believed and who did not.  Christ recognized the two groups. Christ said, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >`“</FONT>But there are some of you that believe not.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>  For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.  And He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'”</FONT> (John 6: 64<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ></FONT>65).  Many left when that was revealed, apparently not wanting to be exposed as nonbeliever imposters in a multitude of true believers.  This is declared in verse 66,  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT>  The key issue of <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>belief in Christ<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> came again in verse 69.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>And we believe and are sure that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT>  A second witness to Christ<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s perception of imposters is revealed in verse 70.  <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>Jesus answered them, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >`</FONT>Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'”</FONT></div> <div> We have heard much over the years about belief or faith and how Abraham is called the father of the faithful.  Focus for a moment, if you will, on one aspect of the Abraham/ Isaac sacrifice story: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>And Abraham said unto his young men, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >`</FONT>Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'”</FONT> (Genesis 22: 5).  We see here an absolute faith displayed by Abraham.  He believed in God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s word that his son Isaac would extend his bloodline to many nations. Here, before arriving at the place for the sacrifice, he declared to those who came with him that he and the lad would return.  He believed that no matter what was to take place on the mountain, that he and Isaac would come back down.</div> <div> Brethren, we have in scripture the critical nature of belief in God<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s words.  In New Testament verses, we saw that belief is the defining difference between the two groups of people that most <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>religious<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> today are still confused about.  In Old Testament verses, we saw that belief was crucial in Abraham<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >'</FONT>s passing the test from God.</div> <div> Understanding the difference between the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >“</FONT>two groups,<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >”</FONT> true Jews and imposter Jews<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT>believers and nonbelievers<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >-</FONT>is a valuable tool.  As we put to practice trying to live as Kings and Priests, let us remember, to search out the matters concealed by God gains each of us glory from God.   </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Richard Vogan</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>