“those who say they are Jews and are not”
(Rev 2:9b, NKJV)
In the Ethiopian servant of the court the new covenant found its first protoptypical convert outside Judaism. An eunuch, but carrier of the seed of Abraham!
In the teaching of Day 240 to 244 we extensively discussed the seed of Abraham. To refresh the memory we will recount a few of the conclusions reached and which now, in the light of the context which has developed with the last few teachings, will have even wider application –
- Since the male sperm that conceived Jesus came from God, Jesus had no physical seed from the lineage of Abraham and David.
- From various passages in Scripture, like Gal 3:16, it becomes clear that it is not about the physical descendants (seeds) of Abraham (and David) – it is about the spiritual seed of Abraham and David, and his Name is Jesus the Christ!
- The promise that was made to Abraham and David concerned spiritual descendants who would be born from the immortal seed of God – Jesus. They would be born in the flesh, but grounded in spiritual principles, not in bloodlines!
- We know that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50), thus we are, like Abraham, “justified … through faith”. Verse 26 elucidates it further – “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” The LITV translates it beautifully – “And if you are of Christ, then you are a seed of Abraham, even heirs according to promise.”
- When God speaks of the seed of Abraham and David it is without a doubt directly specified as the spiritual Seed which would spring forth in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s seed for a new race on earth. This race would in the Last Adam receive a new spiritual genetic make-up enabling them to eternally, in the flesh, live with Him on earth.
- Therefore Jesus reprimands the haughty Jews, who throughout history lays claims to their physical genealogy (of Abraham) and says, “do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.” (Luke 3:8).
- In Matt 21:43 Jesus warns the Jews – “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.” In other words – there are man “who say they are Jews and are not” (Rev 2:9; 3:9); not all who are from Israel are Israel (Rom 9:6b) – “who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption” (Rom 9:4).
- Now we have a clearer understanding of what Gal 3:28 actually means – “There is neither Jew nor Greek.” And in verse 29 it is so explicitly stated that we cannot misread it – “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”
- Thus, to use Kelly Varner’s rhyming aphorism – The Jew, my friend, is you!
- Sela: Discuss the matter of Rev 2:9 with God.
- Reads: Num 33; Hos 12; Ezek 25
- Memorize: Hos 12:7
- For a deeper understanding: Read Steve Okitika’s The battle for nations.
