Another Voice of Reason - in USA Today!

 

The Conundrum of Merit

  "The only difference between the sheep and the goats is what they did, or didn't do." - Keith Green

Merit is a tricky subject. We all know that we are saved by faith; but what, exactly, does that mean?

Moses said to Israel in Deuteronomy 9:5 "Do not think it is because of your righteousness" that God is giving Israel the Promised Land. He emphasizes in several other places that is the sovereign work of God that the small, weak, rebellious people of Israel were "chosen." No merit on their part.

On the other hand, the parable of the sheep and the goats, and several other of the Master's parables, seem to indicate that "action" is a requirement.

The Apocalypse of John says: "Therefore, remember from where you have fallen, and repent, and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and I will remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent."

I often say that "merit has merit" - but in what way? 

Here's what I believe, though it flies in the face of conventional theology.

• I believe merit has "merit." That is, I believe our actions matter; and, more than that, I believe our actions reveal our heart, and that as we move towards righteousness in our actions, we obtain favor that allows us to ask for bigger things from Hashem. This does not in any way diminish the work of Yeshua - it is through Him, ultimately, that things in the Spirit are facilitated and accomplished. But we have a role to play, and how big that role is depends on our faith AND our actions (remember "show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith BY my works.")
• I believe we are saved "from" sin, but we are saved "FOR" good works - meritorious works.
• I believe in the Jewish concept of "Tikkun Olam" - the restoration of all things. This was the work of Yeshua, as the second Adam; he reversed the curse brought by the first Adam. BUT he also opened the door for us to join him in this work. Obviously we are not living in a restored world - yet. But we all have the opportunity, within our sphere of influence, to participate in the restoration. How? By our WORDS and our DEEDS, large and small. Plant a flower. Plant a tree. Speak encouraging words of life to someone. Right a wrong. Repent of sin. 

The list of things any and all of us could do to make the world a better place is endless. Those righteous acts - mitzvot - have value. They help to restore the world, and they help to hasten the return of Messiah - and THAT is a worthy goal.

The Fallacy of a Two State Solution, and the Return of Mashiach

 Soon, and in our day.

Observant Jews all over the world pray for the day that they will return to the land of Israel, the temple will be rebuilt, and Mashiach will return. 

True gentile believers all over the world long for the return of Yeshua (Jesus) to rule and reign.

Could that time be now, for both events?

Politically, the world is turning against Israel. Just 80 years after the holocaust, antisemitism has surged in a way many thought could never happen again.

Geographically, there is already a "two state solution" - Israel and Jordan. The enemies of Israel do not want a "three state solution" - they will only settle for the complete eradication of the nation of Israel.

Spiritually, under the radar, many of us are coming to realize that the "Age of the Gentiles" is coming to a close. The institutional church, built on antisemitic Constantinian politics and traditions, is imploding on itself. True believers are looking for an anchor, they are looking for Truth, and they are returning to the ancient paths.

So, what might be next? I see three possible scenarios:

1. Israel repents. This would be the ideal outcome.
   It may not be a coincidence that October 7 centered on an ungodly rock concert in the holy land. I am not at all condemning the concert, OR condoning the violence - far be it from me! I am just making an observation that Israel is currently a very secular state, and that makes it spiritually weak. If Israel repents, I believe Messiah would come back. Chabad  believes this as well. There are other initiatives underway, such as Facing Each Other - a Jewish organization focused on "Redeeming Yeshua back to Israel."
2. Israel does not repent, and faces a second "great tribulation."
   The first great tribulation for Israel was the destruction of the second temple in 70 AD. Another period of tribulation would not be judgement, but mercy - Hashem calling his people to repentance, attempting to drive them to repentance. God forbid.
3. Israel's enemies reach a point where they are poised to wipe Israel off the map.
   I don't personally believe that Hashem will allow Israel to be destroyed again. This is where the Abrahamic Covenant comes in. Even if Israel does not repent (in a timely fashion,) Even if no one else in the world takes Israel's side, I believe that Hashem would sovereignly step in to prevent Israel's destruction; and at this point in history, that would most likely mean the return of Mashiach. 

I believe prayer changes things, I believe prophecy is "what may be" not "what is inevitable," and I believe that man has a free will that Hashem honors. It may not be tomorrow, it may not be next year, but the return of Messiah is closer than it has ever been. May it be soon and in our day.

"Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Amen.