Salvation is of the Lord

Rev. Jim Jester

May 19, 2024

SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 17:1-7

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.”

INTRODUCTION

The first mention of God’s covenant with Abram is found in chapter 15 of Genesis. Chapter 17 continues that thought and is crucial to our understanding of the Bible.

We have just read how Abram had his name changed to Abraham, because he was elected to be “a father of many nations.” The name change signified a change in his status under God. Most seminaries teach our clergy that Abraham was only the father of the “Jews.” This makes God a liar, for the modern jews (until 1948) have never founded any nation, much less many nations. And just imagine, if you lived prior to 1948 and are reading the Bible and see the words “a father of many nations have I made thee” and you were told, as today, that the jews are the country of Israel, when there was no such country, you would respond with something like, “You’re nuts!” The people of Israel are not holed up in a particular country, but are scattered throughout the west. Israel is a people, not a geo-political state.

Besides, the “Jews” got their name from the tribe of “Judah.” So if the seminaries teach that Abraham was a “Jew,” which is only one tribe, then where are the other tribes? Aren’t they being left out of the covenant? This is a major error! Of course, at this time, there were no tribes of Israel as yet, so Abraham could not have been a jew. And, if the jews had wanted to be truthful, they would have named their country Judah, not Israel.

Furthermore, nowhere in the Bible is Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, or Joshua ever referred to as a “Jew.” In fact, the jews, by their own admission, are not even descendants of Abraham (except in a partial ethnic mix)! Jesus said to them, “You are of your father the devil.” Since this is true, then who are they?

THE MODERN JEW

The Bible has much to say about the modern day “Jew.” The jews never accepted the Christ, and their leaders were the ones who caused Him to be put to death. They were a mixed breed who had united with Rome for political reasons (Ref. Jn. 11:47-48).

Jesus told them they could not understand his words, because they were not of God (Jn. 8:47). In Matthew, he accused them of being hypocrites, fools, blind guides, serpents, whitewashed tombs and a brood of vipers. He told them: “…For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.”(Matt. 23:25)

The Pharisees had learned the art of usury in Babylon (Dan. 1:4), and were in full use of it at the time of Christ. These were the same jews that Jeremiah prophesied about when he called them “evil figs” in Jeremiah 24. Most of these “evil figs” were eliminated over the following centuries; but eventually another nation of their breed arose up about 740 AD. Our Lord referred to them as, “Those that say they are Jews [Judahites], and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” (Rev. 2:9) This “new” (historically) group of “Turkish stock” vipers stormed into the Russian Ukraine area and set up what was called the Khazaria Empire.

The Khazars were not a religious people. However, in the early part of the kingdom there were various religious factions attempting to gain political power. Finally, the king felt he had to make a move to preserve his empire. So he called in representatives of all three religions that were proselytizing his subjects. After questioning each of the three religious envoys: Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths, the king chose Judaism. Historians believe it was an entirely political decision, because Judaism offered him the most control over his subjects.

The Khazaria empire vanished about 965 AD and was assimilated into Russia. From there many of the jews emigrated into Poland and eastern Europe, where the most industrious ones became goldsmiths. Out of goldsmithing evolved modern day usury and lending practices that all nations use today.

God has used the counterfeit jews of Khazaria to punish his Israel nations when they are in rebellion against Him. These perverted people enjoy ravishing blind and naive Christians. Until Christian-Israel nations get rid of the debt-usury treadmill, the jews will maintain their supremacy over them, and laugh at the gullibility of Christian people. And, not only will they laugh in scorn, but will continue to see to it that White nations will be invaded by people of color to ultimately breed them out of existence as a race. To the jew there is no racial equality allowed for White folk; it’s just “equality” for everybody else.

Christians, of all people, ought to know who the jews are, since they are their biggest enemy. But sadly enough, Christians are the worst informed and are quite ignorant about jews in the world. One difficulty is that the word “Jew” has so many meanings attached to it that it is hard to identify what is meant. Another difficulty is that most churches do not teach about race and jews; or they will ask a jew about it and not get a straight answer. The term “Jew” really is a slang word taken from the name, Judah, one of the sons of Jacob/Israel, and can have multiple meanings:

1. Geographic aspect – Jew can mean Judean, one who lives in the land of Judea; or, a citizen of the state of Israel today.
2. Ethnic aspect – Jew can mean Judahite, denoting a pure genetic descent from the tribe of Judah; or, it can mean there is no genetic relation at all,as those who call themselves “Jews” today.
3. Religious aspect – Jew or Jewish means the Talmudic traditions of the elders, a religion rooted in Babylonian tradition. This could apply to anyone who practices Judaism regardless of ethnicity.

Thus I have attempted to break down the confusion over the word “Jew” with: 1) the National Jew, 2) the Genetic Jew, and 3) the Talmudic Jew. Point being, that race is an issue in the Bible, and those who know this are able to understand it much quicker and fuller; far beyond the modern church.

The end-time prophecy of the doom of the jews that “are not,” is found in the book of Obadiah. It is obvious to us that the jews are not the “chosen people” of Scripture. If they aren’t, then who is?

THE COVENANT PEOPLE

Back to our text in Genesis chapter 17.

In verses 10-14, we read of what God required of Abraham to seal this everlasting covenant. All male children, eight days old, including bondservants that dwelt in Abraham’s house, shall be circumcised. Any male not circumcised would be cut off from his people. Circumcision was a symbol of power and productivity in the ancient world. It was not exclusively done in Israel, but it took on special significance for the covenant family: They were a people committed physically (racial purity) and spiritually (of the heart) to serving the Lord. “Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.” (Deut. 10:16)

This symbol would later, especially in the New Testament, be the true substitutionary “circumcision” of the heart that would reseal the covenant to the sons of Isaac of the divorced and lost house of Israel.

Romans 2:28-29, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”

Galatians 6:15, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.”

Genesis chapter 17, verses 15-19, tells of the promise of God to Abraham of the chosen seed, Isaac. God told Abraham that he was to change Sarai’s name to Sarah, meaning “a mother of many nations.” And like Abram’s name change, her’s too was indicative of her special place within the covenant family.

In hearing this promise, Abraham laughed in his heart, and doubted that he being 100 years old, and Sarah 90 years old could ever conceive a child. Abraham then pleaded that Ishmael should be the seed. But this wasn’t God’s plan, for he said,

“Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.”(Gen. 17:19)

The Christians today who claim to be “spiritual Israel” should take heed to this verse. There is no such thing as a spiritual Israel. If you are a real Christian, it is because you are actually a genetic descendant of Isaac, for the Lord said, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”(Isa. 42:8) Salvation is not given to all, only to Isaac’s line.

The New Testament also witnesses that this is true: “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”(Gal. 3:29) The phrase, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called” is found 3 times in the Bible: Genesis 21:12, Romans 9:7, and Hebrews 11:18.

Where does this leave those who profess to be “spiritual” Israelites? It leaves them blind to their identity as the true covenant people of God (more on this later).

Now back to our text at verse 20:

“And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.”(Gen. 17:20)

This promise has been kept, for the “twelve princes” are the twelve Arab nations of today, which of course, is that “great nation.” You may recall the prophecy of the angel in Genesis 16:12; who can deny that they have become “wild men” and that their hand is “against every man!” God continues and says:

“But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.”(Gen. 17:21)

So Abraham obeyed God that same day and sealed the covenant by circumcising himself, Ishmael, and all the menservants of his household. The lesson here is that salvation is of God, and it is for the literal descendants of the covenant seed (no one else).

THE COVENANT CUT

Genesis chapter 15 records that the Lord came to Abram to prove He called him out of Ur of the Chaldees in order to give him Canaan.

“After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.”(Gen. 15:1)

Abram objected and brought up the point that he had no heir; then God assured him that he would, and took him outside to look up and see the stars and said, “So shall your descendants be.” Abram was convinced.

Abram asked, “Lord God, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it[Canaan]?” (Gen. 15:8)So the Lord commanded Abram to prepare a sacrifice, which of course he did.

“And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him.”(Gen. 15:12)

The Lord then told Abram that his seed would be in captivity for four hundred years in a nation that was not theirs. But they would come out, with great substance, when God would judge that nation. Of course, this was the prophecy of the Egyptian bondage of the children of Israel. The Lord then promised Abram a long and peaceful life.

Continuing in chapter 15 we see the covenant was cut:

“And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces. 18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.” (Gen. 15:17-18)

This “smoking furnace” and “burning lamp” sealed the promises that God had made to Abram. Then the Lord God names the existing nations that Abram’s seed would either rule over, or take over, altogether. Remember, Abram was fast asleep: Do you think he knew about these manifestations of God passing between those pieces of the sacrifice? Do you think Abram had anything to say in the matter? Did Abram make the choice to believe? [The answer is “No” to all.] Salvation is of the Lord.

THE ELECT

When Peter wrote to the Christians he addressed them as:

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” (I Pet. 1:2)

Abraham was elected to be a father of many nations. The doctrine of Election has been debated and discussed over the centuries, culminating with the Protestant Reformation. The question of who is the Elect has various answers:

1. Calvinism teaches the Elect are those of any race who are predestined by God’s decree to be saved. The choice is God’s.

2. Arminianism teaches the Elect are those of any race who have accepted Christ now and remain faithful. The choice is the individual.

3. Covenantalism teaches the Elect are those of Israel’s race, for whom Christ died. The choice is God’s, by His covenant.

The first two theological positions teach a Gospel of personal salvation, with nothing more. But the third position (covenantal) teaches what Jesus called “the Gospel of the kingdom.” The kingdom was Israel’s kingdom! So who are the Elect? The Bible is very plain about this:

“For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.”(Isa. 45:4)

Yes, only Israel is the Elect of God. There are many who will balk, resist, or even vehemently oppose a Christianity that is not universal, calling it “racist.” But who cares — this is God’s Word. And, there is no evidence in the New Testament that “this pattern was changed to include everyone after the cross” as churchianity has claimed.

There are many Scriptures that speak of Election, Predestination and the Decrees of God in regard to His chosen people (not jews):

Psalm 135:4, “For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure.”

Romans 8:30, “Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

Ephesians 1:5, “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

II Timothy 1:9, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

CONCLUSION

God provided clues in his Word for identifying ancient Israel. There is no doubt that Israel fulfilled these marks and was identified by them. Even more exciting is the fact that these features enable us to identify Israel today! Listed below are sixteen aspects that positively identify Israel.

National:

1. Israel was to become a great and mighty nation (Gen. 12:1-3)
2. Israel was to become a vast multitude of people (Gen. 22:17)
3. Israel was to form a multitude of nations (Gen. 17:4-6)
4. Israel was to rule over other nations (Deut. 15:6)
5. Israel was to be a blessing to all nations (Gen. 22:18)
6. Israel was to always have a throne and a succession of kings (Gen. 35:11, Gen. 49:10, Ps. 89:36, Jer. 33:17)

Geographical:

1. Israel was to have a new home, other than Canaan (II Sam. 7:10)
2. Israel ’s land was to be inhabited by people from many nations (Ez. 38:8)
3. Israel was to have a land of villages without walls or gates (Ez. 38:11)
4. Israel was to have a land of great agricultural wealth (Deut.28:8-11)
5. Israel ’s land was described as being the camp of the saints(Rev. 20:7-9)

Spiritual:

1. Israel was to have a new religion and saved by God (Jer. 31:7, 31- 37)
2. Israel was to carry the gospel to the whole world (Isa. 49:3-6)
3. Israel was the only nation given God ’s Law (Ps. 147:19-20)
4. Israel was to be blind to her identity (Isa. 42:16-19)
5. Israel was to be called by a new name (Isa. 62:2, Acts 11:26)

This is the short list of the identifying marks of Israel. If Israel exists today, as she must, there is only one race where all these marks fit. They most certainly do not describe today ’s jews. However, they do fit the Anglo-Saxons, Celts and other Northwestern European people. No other race has been a blessing to the world in its culture, art, churches and technology. Only one monarchy in history can trace its existence from modern times back to kings David and Solomon. Queen Elizabeth can trace a genetic link through the English, Scottish and Irish kings back to the Israelite kings of the Bible. The Stone of Destiny, upon which these kings have been crowned for hundreds of years, is the famous Pillar Stone of Jacob, our ancestor. Again, the jews have none of this for their heritage.

Don Elmore asks and answers, “Why did Jesus die only for the people of the covenant, which became His everlasting kingdom? So that Israel ’s two kingdoms could be reunited with each other and with Christ their husband, and Israel could rule and reign with God. What a fantastic and marvelous gospel! It is not Calvinism nor Arminianism but the ‘gospel of the kingdom.’”

So Israel’s two kingdoms, the House of Israel and the House of Judah, have been united once again. And so says Paul to the Ephesians:

“Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off[Israel’s captivities]have been brought near in the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made us both[Israel & Judah]one, and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments and ordinances[old covenant system/divorce decree]that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace.” (Eph. 2:12-15, RSV)

Praise ye the Lord.