Will Israel be Saved?
A Study of the Dual-Covenant Theology and its Modification
(PART II)

The mystery of God’s mercy to the Jews

What was a mystery of the Jews to the Apostle Paul become clearer in the light of what the Apostle John wrote in the book of Revelation.

The book of Revelation is given to the Church at large in Asia Minor through the writings of the Apostle John. He had been the pastor of a large church in Ephesus, and was exiled to the Isle of Patmos (just off the coast of Ephesus) by the Roman Emperor Domitian in 95 A.D. for preaching the Gospel. While on the isle, the apostle received a vision from an angel – one who looked like Jesus (some state it was His personage) on things to come.

The beloved apostle, who had spent his whole life in ministry for the Gospel, was given instructions to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor on future things to come. The first three chapters were commendations and warnings. Then in chapter 4, the Apostle John is taken up into heaven to see of things yet to come.

Many Christians use Rev 4:1 as their supportive scripture to claim a pre-tribulation rapture theory. While this article is not about the rapture or even end times, certain things of the tribulation period must be brought out to show how the Jews will come into salvation.

Instantly, the apostle was standing in the spirit in heaven where he saw what was happening in heaven right before horrible woes were about to come upon the earth. A scroll was opened by Christ who sat upon the throne and a mighty angel gave shout. The unfolding of the tribulation period was then revealed. It is during this time that God will give every opportunity for Israel to be saved.

Seals were opened, showing travesty upon the earth. Trumpets blasted in heaven announcing the woes. These travesties, or woes, known as the tribulation period, would last seven years. The first half would not be as bad as the latter; war, death, and destruction, however, will plague the earth, moving its way toward Israel as its prime target. The anti-christ and false prophet direct their attention in gaining the confidence of Israel and the world-at-large, claiming to come in the name of peace. This anti-christ makes a covenant with Israel, even allowing them to set up their sacrifices to God as they had done under the Old Covenant. In his “so called” acts of kindness toward the Jews, he will deceive many. His goal, however, will be to take over the world.

144,000 Jewish Christian evangelists
According to Rev 7, 144,000 Jewish Christian evangelists will come forth during this period of time, all from the 12 tribes of Israel, and will be sealed (as a protection) by God. How they come to believe in Christ is not told in scripture. These 144,000 evangelists will travel throughout Israel denouncing the anti-christ and false prophet, and will spread the Good News of Jesus, the Messiah to the Jews. The evidence of the perilous times and words from their own Scriptures will be too great to resist. Many Jews, therefore, in Israel will come to know Christ as personal Savior.

Rev 7:3-4…Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. KJV

The Abomination of Desolation
At mid-point of the seven-year tribulation period marks a pivotal change. The anti-christ, who earlier had come in the name of peace, will have gained great power. He will then reveal himself for who he really is, and the world will be horrified at the deception they experienced under him. He will then command that all people bow down and worship him. As his support, he will have the false prophet to exalt him. This time of the tribulation period time is now called “The Abomination of Desolation” (Dan 9:27 & Mat 24:15). While he had earlier allowed the Jews to reinstitute their sacrifices in the temple, he now demands that they, along with everyone else, worship him (Dan 8:11-14). The world will be in total chaos. This exposure marks the mid-point of the tribulation period and a time when God pours out His judgment upon the earth (Dan 12:1).

At this point of time, the 144,000 Jewish evangelists are raptured up to heaven (Rev 12:5b & Jer 30:4-7). The Jews, out of fear of the anti-christ, will scatter and flee from Jerusalem into the mountains to escape the wrath that is taking place in the city (Mat 24:15-21). All who have come to know Christ during the time of the tribulation will probably be killed. Jews, including converted Jews, will be the most hated and targeted. Those who have been martyred for their faith in Christ will go to heaven. They will, however, rest under the altar in heaven in white robes until all the tribulation saints are killed and gathered together. (Rev 6:9-11).

The two witnesses
With the opening of more seals and the sounds of trumpets, a huge earthquake will take place, and chaos in the sky will begin. “Real wrath” will have come upon the earth – the “Day of the Lord” will have begun. God will strike hard at Satan and his kingdom (Joel 2:1). According to Rev 8:13b, woe will be placed upon the inhabitants in the earth. How far that will stretch is unknown. Demons are loosened from the pit of hell, and wars will be escalated – all targeted against Israel. In God’s effort to bring His people to eternal salvation, two witnesses will come on the scene to witness for Christ in Israel and warn the people not to take the mark of the beast. They will prophecy for 42 months, being very powerful and doing many miracles, yet causing many plagues. (Who these two witnesses are is a debate by many Christians; however, again that is not the subject of this article.) These two witnesses will be given power to do what no man could do. Plagues will come upon the earth similar to the plagues that were given to Egypt under Moses when the Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go. They will, however, be far worse and more wide-spread. The ravages of war will cover over 1/3 of the population on earth being killed (Rev 11:3-6). Again, many Jews will come to Christ simply out of fear. They will, however, be saved until eternal salvation.

Following the dreaded plagues, the biggest earthquake known to man will occur. The two witnesses will be killed by acts of the anti-christ, having their bodies lay dead in the street for 3 ½ days for the world to see. They will then come back to life, stand up, and will visibly be resurrected up to heaven.

The preaching of angels
At the end of the tribulation period, three angel will fly to the ends of the earth preaching the Gospel to everyone. God is giving the whole earth a chance to accept Christ as the Messiah.

Rev 14:6-7 Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth; to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people; saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.

Mat 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Another angel will come telling the earth that the city where the anti-christ reigns is about to fall.

Rev 14:9-11 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice. “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark in his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of his indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever received the mark of his name.

The Gospel will now have reached the ends of the earth. Even in His judgment upon the earth, during the worst of times, God is still trying to reach people to come to Christ – Jew and Gentile alike.

The Christians who are killed during the tribulation period, both Jew and Gentile, will lie under the altar in heaven until its completion. Through it all – Israel will be saved, referring to Romans 11:26.

The importance of keeping scripture in its proper context

Doctrines are formed by taking scripture out of its original context. The aim of proper interpretation is to get at the plain meaning of the text – what did the original author mean when he was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write a particular scriptural passage? So many people want to pick and choose scripture to form what they want it to mean.

Keeping all scripture in its original context, reading all surrounding scripture will help clarify its true meaning. The doctrine of the Dual Covenant, or any modification, along with any other doctrinal error, comes so easily came by pulling scripture out of its original context. It instead changes the Word of God to become the "word of men."  It is therefore, critical to properly study the Scriptures, rightly dividing truth.

2 Tim 2:15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Tim 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Scripture will ALWAYS support scripture when it is properly understood in its original context.

Unbelief and disobedience brings its own consequences

Throughout the Old Testament, God shows His people the ramifications of what happens when they are in unbelief and disobedience. As we scan the Old Testament scriptures and into the New, we will see how God has stretched His hand of mercy upon His people, as well as we will see a pattern of consequences with their unbelief or disobedience:

• Through the sin of Adam, all mankind became cursed upon the earth.
• Through unbelief, God brought a flood upon the earth.
• Because the sons of Noah fought against each other, they were separated, and their seed became nations – one against the other.
• The tower of Babel became mans’ effort to reach God on "their terms." They were scattered throughout the earth.
• God made a promise with Abraham that his seed would be blessed through a covenant of land. Many times over throughout scripture has Abraham’s seed gone against God and lost their land. God still continues to reach them.
• Isaac’s sons (Esau and Jacob) fought for their birthrite. Jacob took it away from Esau, causing their seed to war against each other – even to this day.
• Joseph, son of Jacob, was sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers. Joseph eventually gained favor and ruled Egypt under the Pharaoh. In desperation, while in famine in Canaan, Joseph’s brothers came to him for food. The family was brought to Egypt to temporarily live in plenty only to see bondage after the death of their brother Joseph. This bondage lasted for over 400 years.
• Under Moses, God led his people out of bondage to head for their land of promise. They went into disobedience and unbelief, causing that generation to remain and die in the desert. It took another generation to come to maturity (40 years) before they could enter into their promised land.
• After the Jews entered their land of promise, they did not complete what God told them to do – wipe out all of the Canaanites. Instead, they allowed some to remain, bringing back idol worship among God’s people.
• God brought on judges to rule over Canaan and keep the people connected to Him. God gave them prophets to warn of pending dangers. The people, however, wanted a king like their neighbors and lived in rebellion.
• Eventually Israel split into two nations because of warring with each other. God’s people did not listen to the prophets and many went back to idol worship.
• In spite of warnings by the prophets to come back to God, Israel disobeyed and was conquered by the Assyrians and taken into captivity. Their captivity lasted over 200 years.
• In spite of warnings by the prophets to come back to God, Judah disobeyed and was conquered by Babylonia and taken into captivity. Their captivity lasted over 70 years.
• When the Persians conquered Babylonia, God’s people were released to go back to their land of promise. While only a remnant returned, most of God’s people got involved in idol worship within their land of exile. Within the remnant who returned to Canaan, only a remnant of them remained faithful to God. Most of the Jews who went back got involved in Canaanite idolatry through intermarriage.
• When Jesus came to earth as the Son of God 400 hundred years later, He came to set men free. All who would believe in Him could have eternal life with God. Most of His own people, however, rejected Him as their prophesied Messiah. Because of their unbelief, God then gave an opportunity for the Gentiles to be converted. He clouded the Jewish eyes against Jesus as the Christ until the fullness of the Gentiles is completed. At that time, God will re-open their eyes to see Christ as the true Messiah. It has been 2000 years - we are now in that time.
• A time is yet to come when their opportunity will be returned for the Jews to receive Christ as their Messiah. The book of Revelation gives evidence of that happening. Then, and only then, will Israel be saved.
• In the final end, all the earth will be given a chance to accept Christ as the true Messiah. Then the end will come!

Throughout all of this time, many died in their sin and went to hell because of unbelief and disobedience. Man cannot blame God for His extended mercy on a people, even under covenant, who refused His love and grace and then died in their sin.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of all Christians to witness to all people, including the Jews, to receive Christ as their risen savior – the Messiah of mankind. In Him, and only through Him, can one receive eternal salvation in God and gain entrance into heaven. To refuse brings on an eternity in hell.

The dangers of the modified Dual-Covenant doctrine

While the Israelis gladly accept multi-millions of dollars into Israel, they see non-proselytizing Christians as a means of support in the attack and defenses of the war with Iran. Having millions of American Christian voters from every state in the U.S investing in Israel, the results are lots of money for Israeli purposes, and wields impressive power for its Christian leaders. The Israeli government, who does not believe in Jesus Christ as the Jewish Messiah, wants this money into their land, and, best of all, it comes with no spiritual threat to the Israeli people. [i]

If the organization of Christians United For Israel continues to gain power in Washington D.C., it will at the same time be flooding Israel with tourists, investments, and lots of money. Already having a foothold in Israeli politics, this “Christian” power machine will become so influential not only in U.S. policies, but the economy of Israel as well. It will then be in a position to start dictating internal Israeli affairs. [ii]

• How is it that one Christian organization could be so powerful that it has the power to influence military control with the United States and Israel against an attack on Iran?
• How is it that one Christian organization could gather enough Christian support to overrun U.S. politics by Christians “who love Israel,” but care nothing about the “salvation of the Jewish people?”
• What will that refusal do to the possibilities of good Christian organizations or the individual’s ability to witness to our fellow Israelis the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
• How is it that one Christian organization could be so influential as to speed up end-time events, resulting in the rapture of the Church, tribulation, and the second coming of Christ? Would God allow such a travesty or would it instead cause world disaster and the thwarting of God’s end-time plans because man intervened to do God’s business?

The loss of Jesus as the Jewish Messiah
Christians who choose not to evangelize the Jewish people, believing they have their special way to God, only emphasizes and confirms to the Jews that Jesus was never their Jewish Messiah. They have seen two thousand years of conflict, persecution and death, all in the name of Jesus, only to see Christians admitting that Jesus was never their Jewish Messiah in the first place.  This kind of action brings distrust and hatred of Jews against Christians, and displays the highest form of anti-Semitism to God’s people because it denies the Jewish people the right to their very own Messiah.

These kinds of Christians most assured will have to stand before God for their actions.

Escalation of an American/Israel war with Iran

John Hagee has openly expressed with Washington D.C., through CUFI, strong support for the escalation of an American/Israel war with Iran. His goal spans beyond the supporting of Israel, and is one of “implementing a one-sided and radical approach to the Arab-Israeli problems in the Middle East. Such a showdown, Hagee claims, would bring Bible prophecy to an end, the rapture of the Church, the tribulation upon the earth; thus, leaving the Jewish people to die at the hands of military forces and experience another massive holocaust.” This again, is the worst kind of anti-semitism. [iii]

Other end-time predictions by John Hagee

John Hagee has a long history of making strange predictions about world events that have been proven wrong time and time again. In the late 1990s his books cried out with Y2K hysteria to ridiculous proportions. In addition, he inaccurately predicted that the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin was the "beginning of the end" in his book by the same title.  In every book he authors, he continuously warns of catastrophes in various forms that are immanent. Recently he has been preaching that 2007 would be a "significant" year in Bible prophecy, claiming it can be "mathematically" backed up by the biblical text.

As with so many popular prophecy teachers out there today, they continue to make inaccurate predictions and false prophecies. Their followers simply forget or forgive them for their error. Most of them don’t even realize their super heroes are constantly revising their predictions and end-times charts. [iv] It is time we lay aside these timetable prophecies and just allow God to be God.

Misinformed preaching

The specific details, hidden motivations and goals of these supporters of Israel are never preached from any pulpit. Christians who love the Jews from congregations all across the United States may hear sermons on the pre-tribulation rapture, and even occasionally hear sermons on the Great Tribulation, but they never hear the two themes of the (1) supporting of Israel and (2) the rapture/tribulation together. If they did, these misinformed congregations would then put two and two together, knowing that all the Jews they strongly supported to emigrate to Israel, and their refusal to witness to them and others in Israel about Christ would bring their Jewish brothers and sisters into a near- future holocaust that will be greater than the world has ever experienced. [v] These Jewish people will in turn go to hell, and Christians by the millions will have to stand before God for their blindness in following one of the greatest heresies that has entered into the Church in modern times.

It is up to you!

If your pastor, someone you greatly admire and respect, starts preaching a different kind of gospel, leading his congregation into alliances with people or organizations that you now know are at odds with the scriptures, who would you follow? Would it be your pastor or God? Choosing God is easy when there is no price to pay, but standing up for truth when every one around you persecutes and rejects you is entirely different. [vi]

If you are already involved in such travesty, you have come to a crossroad in your life. Will you follow your pastor or follow God by speaking up for the truths of the Word of God, or would you ignore it and blindly follow an apostate gospel?

Pray for the salvation of the Jewish people

Pray for the salvation of the Jewish people. Pray that well-meaning Christians come to the knowledge of truth and speak up against the heresy that is flooding the Christian church today. Allow God to be God, to do what He must do, and do it in His own timing.

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes , for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

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[i] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html Cooper, Neil. The Israel Report.
[ii] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html Cooper, Neil. The Israel Report.
[iii] http://www. LewRockwell.com. 2007
[iv] ibed
[v] ibed
[vi] http://theisraelreport.com/commentary2006_falwellfallout.html . Cooper, Neil. The Israel Report.