The Jews are still God's chosen ones

There seem to be many mind sets in the Christian world. The first seems to think that the Jewish people no longer have a place in God's plan and so they should be ignored. The second is those who think that studying the Jewish faith is an excellent way to better understand Christianity.  Others are called to reach out to their Jewish brothers and sisters, pray for them, and reach out to share Jesus with them.

For those who seem to think they Jewish people should be ignored, have not been reading the events which will lead up to the return of Christ. God is NOT done with his chosen people yet. The stage is even now being set for those end events to come to pass.

Those who believe understanding the Jewish faith as a better way to enrich their Christian walk - are totally correct. There are many passages in the New Testament that will come alive when the full richness of culture and faith are revealed.

Lastly, a huge huzzah for those who are reaching out and sharing Christ. God didn't intend for only Gentiles to have Christ, but for His people as well. Remember, Christianity started first with the Jews, then spread to the Gentiles and the rest of the world.

Keep praying for Israel. For those who support God's people will be blessed.

And keep an eye on the sky, listen for the trumpet and shout, and be ready, as events began to unfold for Christ's return.

'Why Not Question' : The Blessing

As Christians, we are entitled to the Aaronik blessing given by God to the children of Israel in Numbers 6:23-27. How? According to a verse in the New Testament, Christians are grafted onto the branch of Judah. (Reference not given since the blogger has seen the verse but can't find it.) What that means is that as Christians we are have a part in the Jewish inheritance.

Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, on this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them.

The Lord bless (Barak - benefit) thee, and keep (shamar - take heed, protect)thee:
The Lord make his face shine ( or - give light or cause to shine) upon thee, and be gracious (chanan - literal gracious) unto thee.
The Lord lift up his countenance (panim - face) upon thee, and give thee peace (shalom - completeness).

And they shall put my name (shem - honor, authority, character) upon the children on Israel and I will bless (barak - benefit) them.

Wow! The Lord blesses his people. So why do we say 'May God Bless you'? We should say, 'God will bless you!' Because according to the Bible,God blesses his people. There is no 'he might'.

It's time for Christians to stand up with their Jewish brothers/sisters and claim what is part of our rightful inheritance.

'Why Not Question' : Christmas - Myth and Truth

The blogger of 'Why Not Question' celebrates Christmas as a nice family holiday but has removed much of the religious significance it once held.

Why?

Because the blogger understands the truths about how the holiday truly came to pass and the traditions it has encompassed over the years.

Myth : Christ was born on Christmas day.
Truth : The shepherds were in the fields with the sheep. This only happens during lambing season. More than likely Jesus was born sometime in the fall. Estimations by Biblical experts places the birth sometime in September. December would be much too cold for the shepherds and the sheep. Sheep are very fragile and die easily from the elements.

Speculation : Christmas was invented by a certain religious group in order to entice the pagans into the church by embracing the Solstice.

Myth: There were only three wise men and they were present at Jesus' birth.
Truth: The Bible never gives a specific number. It simply says Magi and tells about the three gifts given. The Bible specifically says Mary and Joseph were in a house - NOT the stable. It also says that Harod killed all male children under two years old and indicates that a great deal of time had passed between the birth and Magi's arrival.

Myth: A huge star was present.
Truth: There were a series of astronomical conjunctions and that caused quite a stir in Rome. The Jewish people were the only ones who had no such knowledge, they didn't pay any attention to the stars,emphasized by Harod having to call the religious leaders to find out what the Magi were talking about.

There are quite a number of other myths and truths mixed in with Jesus' birth and Biblical scholars are researching to find out what really was going on historically. It doesn't detract from the savior's birth. Instead, it adds to the current Christian's understanding of what truly happened and brings the Word of God to life far more accurately - destroying the mythos that has sprung up over the centuries.

Christians should celebrate the truths coming to light because each new historical fact proves Jesus was born, is a real person, and not a myth.

'Why Not Question' : Three Days and Three Nights - Where Did They Go?

The Bible tells us Jesus was in the grave for three days and three nights. Yet most churches teach Christ was crucified on Friday and rose on Sunday morning. Does anyone else see the error in this? If tradition is correct - than Christ was only in the tomb for two nights and one day. What happened to the other two full days and one night? And why do people blindly believe what is being taught rather than what God's word says?

We are instructed in Timothy to study God's word, workman who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. However, it seems today's Christians are too 'busy' to bother and only listen to what their priest, preacher, pastor, tell them. Thus, an erroneous teaching about the when Christ was crucified and rose, has stayed around for far longer than it should have.

It is far more likely Jesus died on Wednesday and rose on Saturday. The Jewish day runs from Sunset to Sunset - not Midnight to Midnight as it does today. Thus the sabbath would have started on Friday when the sun went down to Saturday at the same time. One would also speculate that Christ rose at the moment the sun set. The next morning the women went to the tomb - since it was customary to wait three days. Seems they wanted to make sure the person was actually dead. This little piece of information gives new meaning to the raising of Lazarus,the reaction of his sisters and why Jesus waited longer before going to see Mary and Martha.

Most Westerners are unfamiliar with Eastern culture and so this very important point escapes the reader. So Christ being in the grave three days and three nights emphasizes the point he was dead. It is also interesting to note NO ONE had come back from the grave - not in those days. So Jesus rising was quite spectacular.

Adding these little known details begins to bring the accuracy of the Bible to the fore front, defusing what tradition teaches and enriching God's word for the modern day believer.

'Why Not Question' - The Ark of the Convenant - Where is it?

It seems quite strange that the Ark of the Covenant, something so central to the Jewish faith, would simply vanish. There is a great deal of speculation from various researchers and hunters about where it finally ended it. Each has compelling evidence to support their claims, but none have yet found the Ark. All that is really known is that it was removed from the temple and has disappeared from modern day.

Here are some are the theories:

The first suggests the Ark was removed and hidden in the passages below the temple mount where it waits to be rediscovered when the world one more needs it.

A second theory is that it was found during the crusades and removed from Holy Land. It was taken to a temple, then moved again, and possibly resides in a sealed area under the floor of an English cathedral.

The third and most compelling, is that it is currently in a stone church in Ethiopia. Only the high priest is allowed in and no outside researchers have been allowed inside to verify the claim. Several interesting points seem to substantiate the claim. The appointed priest often goes blind and only serves a short term before death. Also, the people of the country have celebrations, with their own copies of the Ark in attendance. It is the only place in the world where this happens.

Whether or not the Ark of the Covenant still exists, or, as some historians are beginning to question, it even existed at all, is a matter of much speculation and research. Many spend their lives trying to find it. Yet, the greatest symbol of the Jewish faith has vanished from history, perhaps never to be found again.

(Information shared here comes from several recent documentaries on Syfy and National Geographic channels.)