Here we are where Israel in unbelief denies its own Promised Messiah, because its religious leadership did not know the season nor the year of his visitation. For He was only to come for a short period in the figure of Moses. So maybe just maybe we shall see why and at the same time find out how to maintain a constant walk of faith which is our victory. The very thing that Israel never accomplished.
Romans 9:30-10:4 "What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written (by Isaiah in 8:14-15, 28:16, 8:14), "'Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.'" Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness (Isaiah 51:1), have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (KJV)
Romans 9:30-10:4 "What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written (by Isaiah in 8:14-15, 28:16, 8:14), "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own (Isaiah 51:1), they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (ESV)
Romans 9:30-10:4 "This conclusion of the prophetic reference pointed towards the rock as the spirit identity of human life. In Messiah, GOD has placed his testimony of humanity's identity in front of [our] their eyes, in Zion, the center of their religious focus, yet, blinded by their own efforts of their own eyes efforts to justify themselves, they tripped over him. But those who recognize him by faith, as the Rock from which they were hewn, are freed from the shame of their sense of failure and inferiority. (Look at Deuteronomy 32:18, "you have forgotten the Rock that birthed you....", and in Isaiah 51:1, "Look to the Rock from which you were hewned." It is only in him that humanity will discover what they are looking for. "Who is the son of man?" Humanity's physical identity is defined by their spiritual origin, (Genesis 1:26-27), the image and likeness of GOD, "I say you are Petros; you are Mr. Rock, a chip of the old block! [Look at Matthew 16:13-19]. Humanity's origin and true identity is preserved and recorded again in the Rock of ages. The term, "rock" in those days represented what we call the "hard drive" in a computer and its language; the place and evidence of life. Look at 1Peter 2:6.) GOD knows how my heart aches with deep and prayerful longing for israel to realize their salvation. I have been there myself. I know their zeal and devotion; their problem is not their passion; but their ignorance. They are tirelessly busy with their own efforts to justify themselves while blatantly ignoring the fact that GOD already justified them in Christ. Christ is the conclusion of the Law, everything the Law required of humanity was fulfilled in him; he thusly represents the righteousness of the human race, based upon faith (and not personal performance). (The Mirror)
Again I am inclined to go further but the LORD willing this I shall do in our next visit. When we pickup the message of Salvation.
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