olivetree

As you know, Gods representatives on earth haven't done a very good job. In old testament times there were periods were Gods people would get away from his word and laws and he would bring them back. Sometimes through disciplining them and sometimes through blessing them (Just like our lives I suppose). And we know of the atrocities that have been carried out in the name of Christ. e.g. the inquisition, the crusades, burning bible translators at the stake for going against the RC church and translating the bible for all to read. And the list goes on. At one time the heir achy of the church believed the world was flat and almost charged Columbus with heresy. The Church also censured Galileo for daring to say that the sun was the centre of our solar system and not the earth. Today we hear of cases within the Church of embezzlement, child abuse, etc. etc. We have all been let down by another believer some where and have let people down ourselves. However, through all of this one thing remains constant, that is Gods word, and his unconditional love for us.

As we have seen through history the Church hasn't always had it right. The main problem is in the traditions of men. For Jesus said;
Mar 7:13 making void the word of God by your tradition, which you have handed down. You do many things like this."
It seems to me that God has given us the information that we need in his word, but instead of looking there we sometimes turn instead to our customary or traditional values, which have sometimes developed through wrong or pagan influences.
This can be demonstrated in so many ways, for example. The "three wise men"? Nowhere in the bible does it say that there were three wise men. Where did it come from? Who knows? Who cares? This in itself is not earth shattering news and probably in itself doesn't make much difference. However, there are misconceptions that do make a difference.
Let's look at this one, "Jesus was a good Christian boy who went to church every Sunday" Some people will spot a couple of mistakes in this statement. Let's have a closer look. Jesus did not go to church, he worshiped at the temple or synagogue. It was on Saturdays not Sundays. He was not a Christian, he was a Jew. The name Jesus is derived from the Greek derivative of the Hebrew name that he was called. His Name was not Jesus but Y'shua. What's the big deal you may say, why does it make any difference. I suppose it shouldn't make a difference to your relationship with God or your love of Jesus, but it is usually the subtle things or half truths that Satan uses to deceive us.
Trying to put aside our preconceived Ideas when we read Gods word is difficult and takes time. Nevertheless, I believe it is important if we want to get to the truth.
Remember how Satan even used a statement from the bible to tempt Jesus in the wilderness (it is written), by using it isolated and out of context. So Jesus refuted what Satan said by using Gods word to show the true story.
A good knowledge of Gods word helps us to understand Gods character and will, and equips us to spot deceptions. As in Ephesians 6:17 the word is our weapon against Satan.

One of the points that I feel is vital that we get sorted out is the teaching that the nation of Israel has missed the mark and lost any claim to being God's people. Some churches teach that the Christian Church replaces Israel as the new spiritual Israel & spiritual Jerusalem. Have a look at what Gods word has to say about this.
I would like to point out some key verses to make a point, and I will include the text, however please look them up and examine their context to see if the points I'm making are valid. (Underlines are my emphasis)

With the two verses below we see God promising to be a God to the Jews forever;

Gen. 17:7 I will establish my covenant between me and you and your seed after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God to you and to your seed after you.

Gen. 17:19 God said, "No, but Sarah, your wife, will bear you a son. You shall call his name Isaac. I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.

Jesus and his disciples emphasised that the gospel was first for the Jews and then for the rest of the nations
Jesus himself said;
Joh 4:22 You worship that which you don't know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.

Paul who did so much to bring the word to the gentiles said;
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. (ie. Greek =Non Jew = Gentile)

The Jews hardness of heart and spiritual blindness toward Jesus was only for a time so that the full number of gentiles would come in. (see also Romans 11:25 on page two of this study)

Joh 12:40 "He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, Lest they should see with their eyes, And perceive with their heart, And would turn, And I would heal them."

There was to be a time when God would re-gather the nation of Israel and make them a nation again. We saw this happen in 1948

Jer 31:17 There is hope for your latter end, says Yahweh; and your children shall come again to their own border.

Zec 8:8 I will bring them back to dwell within Jerusalem. They shall be my people, and I will be their God, with faithfulness and justice.

Mic 4:7 And I will make that which was lame a remnant, And that which was cast far off a strong nation: And Yahweh will reign over them on Mount Zion from then on, even forever.