Posted by Bibleman [Bibleman] on November 07, 1999 at 12:41:29 {zExURjw8QAMSSTtTA17sslyACFuF8c}:
In Reply to: Very fine food posted by NewT on November 07, 1999 at 10:55:01:
This is an interesting concept.
I reflect on the fact that Jesus sent out TEN SLAVES with minas. I'm thinking now that one of those slaves went out to establish some focussed form of Messianic Judaism. (Of course, one slave was the "temple class" organization of Jehovah's witnesses who proved to be a sluggish and evil slave). But still, if these slaves are organizations or what I call "ministries" then I would think that Messianic Judaism is one of them.
It amazes me that the Jews actually do worship YAHWEH of the OT, and some apparently understand they must accept Jesus ben Josephus of Nazareth as the Messiah.
Thus it is interesting, since the natural Jews as well must at least be some of these branches and not be totally wiped out, that while facing total annihilation during the HOLOCAUST, "the days were cut short or not flesh would be saved." That is, if Hitler had won the war he would have killed all the Jews on the planet and the nation would not be around to be part of the 144,000 (which I think must be a symbolic number).
So if they were spared because of the "holy ones" then their entry into the kingdom must be via a different route than those associated with the "temple organization." That is, they don't have to become Jehovah's witnesses. Jesus is likely going to harvest them at the correct time from orthodox Judaism, at least, those who are serving Jehovah correctly.
Just a thought.
In the Bible, Jews and Jehovah's witnesses are linked together during the HOLOCAUST. This focusses on them as spiritual and natural Israel.
Of note, Matthew does reference "because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the GREATER NUMBER will cool off." This greater number suggests a lesser number. I believe this is the reference to spiritual Israel and fleshly Israel, under some ancient covenant with Jehovah still. That is, Israel is the "greater number", the more populous compared with Jehovah's witnesses pre-1939. The increase of lawlessness is the world turmoil leading up to and including World War II and the "cooling off of the love of the greater number" addresses the increase in anti-Semitism just before the HOLOCAUST which helped to facilitate it. Another indication that the great tribulation was the HOLOCAUST.
So thanks for this article. I have recently come to understand that we must consider the Jews, the fleshly Jews and what is going on in Israel as very much a part of Bible prophecy, even though Jehovah is likewise dealing with a separate branch of "spiritual Israel" at the same time.
Cheers,
Bibleman