Just a Thought - 06/27/2020

Blessings to all readers of this post. Have a safe and wonderful day.

Kindly allow me to update my readers and followers on the latest news coming from the holy land. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged to begin annexing parts of the occupied West bank as early as July 1st. Tensions continue to rise in the Middle East as arguments for and against annexation take center stage. Several Arab States including Saudi Arabia have voiced support for the Israeli move despite the threat of Palestinian aggression. Let us pray that should the annexation take place, the Lord will restrict any violence against Israelis or residents of the West Bank and Gaza. Stay tuned to the news coming out of the Middle East.

Secondly, Italian and Jewish medical experts are currently investigating the theory that the COVID-19 virus has mutated into a less virulent version. As it appears at this time, the virus has become much more infectious but much less lethal. If scientists verify this, that's good news! You may have noticed that here at home, there has been a steep spike in COVID -19 cases in the last few days but that the death rate is less than what is was in march, April and even May. While churches in California remain closed, their ministries continue through the use of social media technology albeit with restrictions. Let us pray that our great God will turn this situation around and that Satan's celebration of the closing of worship sites is short-lived.

And now, here is a very simple question for you: What one very important rule did the apostle Paul establish in all His congregations? Here is the answer from Paul himself:

"Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the congregations. Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised." - Corinthians 7: 17 - 18

When people "converted" in ancient times, they were not changing religious affiliation per se, but rather they viewed conversion as the changing from one people group to another. Some were willing and ready to completely sever all ties with their communities. Some were willing to undergo surgical adjustments to their bodies to become Jewish or in some cases, non-Jewish. Paul strongly discouraged this practice and taught that Jews and Gentiles should worship God jointly while retaining their distinct identities.

I believe that Paul's reasoning was simple. If non -Jews became Jews, then the God they worshiped would be too small as He would be the God of Jews only. On the other hand, if Gentiles retained their unique state as Gentiles while worshiping along side Jews, then God becomes the God of BOTH Jews AND Gentiles. This reasoning is clearly supported in the following verses:

"Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith" - Romans 3: 29 - 30

Just a Thought.

God willing, tomorrow I will give you the final installment of our current exploration of Paul's 1 Corinthians 15:52. Much of what I am sharing in our study, is not necessarily found in the bible, but is part of Jewish history and tradition. Of course, our Lord Jesus was aware of such practices as well. For example, the seven trumpet blasts announcing the arriving of the Sabbath was something Jesus followed as did indeed, all other Jews. Modern Rabbinic scholars have pieced together the most significant events in their seventy-two year old beloved State of Israel and have found what they consider to be parallels or equivalents to the Sabbath announcements. Their investigation into the relationship between the Old Testament trumpet blasts used to announce the approaching sabbath, and the recent major happenings in Israel has resulted in the most interesting conclusion. Please read carefully and study the portion tomorrow. I hope you will find it to be as exciting as I do.

Stay safe in the Name of Jesus, our Messiah.

Pastor Chandroo