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by Jan Markell
If you hadn't guessed, Olive Tree
Ministries is pro-Israel. In fact, we would be labeled a
"Christian Zionist" organization, which certain radio
ministries have derided in a most non-Christian manner. We
love the Jewish people and I have or had many Jewish family
members who were believers. Others went to their graves
ignoring the Messiah and His message.
I have mixed feelings when it comes to various "Nights
to Honor Israel" being held around the country. A
local mega-church in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area has had
some in recent years. I attended in 2007 and was so bitterly
disappointed -- in fact, sickened --that I chose not to go
back last week. Forgive me if this takes on a twinge of being
harsh. That is not my purpose. I am just passionate
that all come to a knowledge of the Savior while there is
time. I would also like to know when was the commandment to
take the Gospel to the Jew abrogated? (Romans 1:16)
Both this year and last year the pastor of the Word of
Faith mega-church ended the program by telling both Jews and
non-Jews in the audience that the Jews do not need to be
either evangelized or "saved." They automatically
are. Pray tell, where does the Bible say that?? The
pastor said that "all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:26)
Yes, they will be saved when they see Him whom they pierced.
(Zechariah 12:10) But a remnant must be reached before that.
What is to be made of the Jewish revival (or Messianic
revival) of the last 35 years?
This pathetic position is borne out of "Dual Covenant
Theology." If you understand no other heresy today
(and most of us are busy putting out heresy fires as there are
so many), pay attention to this one. It could lay the
groundwork for saying all sorts of people do not have to be
saved to enter Heaven, which is just blatant Universalism.
"Dual Covenant Theology" teaches that Jews can be saved
without believing in the Messiah Jesus. God supposedly has a
separate plan for the Jews and thus faith in the Messiah is
not necessary. Romans 3:23 is also tossed out, which says
that, "the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto ALL and upon ALL them that believe: FOR THERE IS
NO DIFFERENCE." John 14:6 quotes Jesus Himself: "I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but
my Me." How much clearer can it get??
The sad fact is that there are those who "love the
Jews to death" -- literally. In their zeal to be
popular with the Jewish community and in not wanting to
"offend" Jews, they do not want to tell them the truth about
eternal life. A small band of these people are "Christian
Zionists"; however, most in that movement, including this
ministry, profoundly reject the "Dual Covenant Theology." We
love the Jews enough to witness and risk "offending them" so
that we might love them into Heaven.
Years ago a Jewish believer dared to "risk" and
"offend" my Orthodox Jewish dad. Had this man not done so, as
of my father's death in 2001 he would now be in the flames of
hell. But as he neared death that year, he did not die in fear
as he gasped for breath in his closing minutes.
With that in mind in 2007 when I attended the "Night to Honor
Israel" at this same church, I was seated in an all-Jewish
section simply because seating was scarce. As I sat down, a
Jewish man -- a total stranger to me -- turned and said to
me, "We Jews are safe here. We know no one will try to
evangelize us at this church. We know it does not believe in
witnessing to Jews." He was right. This mega-church would
rather please the Jewish community and "love them into eternal
damnation." So this "Night to Honor Israel" was really a
"Night to Curse the Jews."
What an end-time trick of the devil! Convince the
church that there are some groups -- including God's own
Chosen People -- that they can be saved without the cross!
I have met many people from this Twin Cities' church. They are
wonderful people but are being misled by a Pied Piper of
heresy. And there are many others like him supposedly
"honoring Israel."
A prominent promoter of this theology was confronted by a
missionary to the Jews in Texas. The missionary is Spencer
Parker from "Light of the Messiah Ministries." He has given me
permission to print this. He wrote the following to me:
"During the reception (after the 'Night to Honor Israel'), I
went up to him and said, 'As a Jew, I have been told that if I
were to die without accepting Jesus I would be condemned to
hell. Is this true?'
"The pastor assured me that
if I studied the Torah and lived by its teachings, I have
nothing to worry about. Those are his exact words."
This high-profile church also has repeated "Nights to
Honor Israel" but withholds the most important message: The
gospel of salvation through Messiah Jesus Christ.
The hour is much too late to let this go by. Challenge
these false teachers no matter how "prominent" they are. They
are not just deceiving Jewish people, they are deceiving and
confusing their own loyal followers who deserve better. I
believe they are dishonoring God and will have to answer to
Him some day. It may not be a pretty scene.
While these churches think they
are "honoring the Jews," they are, in fact, acting out a
perverted anti-Semitism of the worst kind. Ushering the Jewish
people (or anybody) into hell by withholding the gospel is
hardly blessing them or doing them a favor.
To better understand this and other false
teachings, visit our Web site and the category of
"Spiritual Deception."
RADIO:
Listen to my conversation with Eric Barger last weekend
(October 25) on the "cult of liberal Christianity." You may be
in it. What are the best options to deal with it? The program
which also features other guests, is posted at
"Radio Archives."
Live radio this weekend features
Gary Bauer on last-minute campaign 2008 issues. You can
always "listen live" at Web site of my home
station,
AM980 KKMS, Saturday, 9 to 11 AM CST with a rebroadcast
Sunday, 12 to 2 PM out of Minneapolis/St. Paul.
For
podcasting
information, visit this
link. We air in various markets in the U.S. and are heard
coast-to-coast on Sirius Satellite Radio, Family Net
Channel #161. All live weekend programming goes up
on our
"Radio Archives" late Monday. |