Seeds of destructionDespite what some religious Israelis believe, we’re nowhere close to salvation Yael Mishali
Forty years ago there was no problem convincing us that we were the generation that will bring the beginning of salvation. We had a young and still excited state, and a good atmosphere overall. During our trips in the Bnei Akiva religious youth movement we did not learn to identify different leaves, or the stars above during the night. We also didn’t learn the history of our early kibbutzim. During our trips, we were repeatedly presented with verses about salvations. Everything was about these verses, and it was as though the entire country was made up of followers of Bnei Akiva and Rabbi Kook (both father and son.) There was no shortage of harbingers. Things are crowded in Jerusalem now? Well, "Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with cane in hand because of his age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there." (Zechariah 8:4-5). The need for a light railway in Jerusalem is clear proof of the national-religious doctrine’s fortitude. Salvation is here. This is what salvation looks like. Indeed, the set is ready and we see signs; those who look for such indications can find them. But salvation? This is what salvation really looks like? And this precisely is the time to pull out of our other pocket the indications that salvation is all about pre-messianic pangs and suffering and chutzpa. But aren’t you embarrassed by the fact that this is what our salvation looks like? In recent years, some members of the national-religious camp looked at the present and said: “This is it. We are the Third Temple.” Here and now. We no longer need to mourn previous destructions, Ninth of Av is a needless day of fasting, and our mourning customs are no longer relevant. But I’m not there yet. The sense of salvation, or even the beginning of salvation, does not surge within me. The opposite is true. Indeed, I do not wish to see the Temple being built on Temple Mount or anywhere else, and I too can see a sovereign Jewish state as a sign, but not like this. I honor the previous destructions the way they are, because Jerusalem was justifiably razed. Twice. Who wishes to maintain a society whose agenda is about bloodshed, paganism, incest, and needless hatred? And isn’t it a sign that today bloodshed, idol worship, incest and needless hatred are the leading values in the State of Israel? Isn’t it a more significant harbinger than the backdrop of prosperity?
The same is true for the complete loss of trust in the legal system, in public officials, in the executive, in the police, in the doctors, and in the teachers. We are precisely at the point where “without the fear of the government men would swallow each other alive.”(Pirkei Avot 2:3). This is the beginning of destruction, at least.
This is why we have a lump in our throat, and why our heart aches.
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When I lived in Israel, I found the the same thing Yael writes about so eloquently. As Israel is today, I do not want a Temple nor am I fully supportive of the Actions of the people of Israel much less We Jews as we act in abject rejection of a Living God.
I know without Messiah, without Jesus, there is no hope for Israel. I also know that Christians gloss over the sins Jews do out of displaced application of Scripture. Frankly a Sinner is a Sinner Jewish or otherwise and need to be confronted.
Until the Church realizes the gospel is not about saving the Land but the people and it is a Mandate From Heaven, a commandment from Jesus, a direct order from God to Witness to and to Warn my people of Sin and tell of salvation .
Then the damnation that is occurring to Israeli now will fall upon the heads of those who should have known better when HE SAID, To the Jew first, then the Gentile.
How dare we deny anyone the message from the Prince of Peace that in a time of tribulation soon to come there is salvation for the Jew first then the Gentile.
How dare we not?
Do we stand with Blood on our hands as Israeli in rebellion to God, is pardoned by inaction and false security from a Church that refuses to go and do as Jesus Said.
The pathos of the land is obvious to those who live there, it is time those from afar came and offered something more than milk and cookies, meet and greet, and plant a tree or save a Family but DENY THE GOSPEL to every Jewish soul.
It is disgusting to God how the City of God had become the harlot of nations where tourist build altars to dead gods and lifeless saviours.
Isn't it time, YOU saved a Jew?
Michael James Stone
