To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date sent: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 16:44:14 -0600
Subject: HF049 - Myth, Legend, and Reality
Hebraics,
This study will be different in that it combines fact with fiction. The
focus of the study, however, is upon the closing gap between the
Christian and Jew. Its theological background is based on the premise
that Christian and Jewish redemptive history cannot be separated.
This is study HF049 - Myth, Legend, and Reality.
As a beginning point, I want to encourage members to place a one
dollar bill before you. On the front is a picture of George
Washington. On the back are the two sides of the official seal of
the United States. It is the seal that I want to draw attention to.
The seal on the left of the dollar (which is the back side of our
national seal) has a pyramid with a capstone 'eye.' At the top of the
seal is written 'Annuit Coeptis.' The bottom has 'Novus Ordo
Seclorum.' The bottom inscription is properly translated as, 'a new
order of the ages.' (Not 'New World Order.')
Charles Thompson who chose this motto, said, "The date
underneath is that of the Declaration of Independence and the
words under it signify the beginning of the new American era, which
commences from that date."
The word 'seclorum' relates to our word secular. Both seclorum
and
secular are from a word for a seed. The point is that the United
States was to be a secular society, and yet would carry in it the
knowledge of the true God. We would be the new seed, so to
speak, of God's continuing plan for the world. From this nation
would come great and awesome blessings. But she would not hold
the sword in vain.
The term 'Annuit Coeptis' means 'providence has favored our
undertakings.' (In the Latin both the subject and the tense of the
verb have to be chosen by the reader.) Annuit means 'to nod to,'
or, 'to agree.' So the eye of providence speaks of God giving His
blessing upon the great undertaking of this infant nation.
But there is more. Benjamin Franklin wanted to have a picture of
Israel crossing the Red Sea. However, the pyramid was chosen,
with the 'eye of providence' looking down on Israel in her escape
from Egypt. You can fill in the blanks on how this relates to our
new nation. But this also shows how much the founders of our
nation identified with the ancient people of God.
Why is it that this Christian-based nation wanted to identify so
strongly with Israel? The simple answer is that for whatever reason
Biblical Christians have always had a feeling of kinship for the
Jewish peoples. This kinship comes right out of the Bible itself.
Perhaps it is something that God has inscribed upon our hearts.
Let's continue. If you look at the front of the seal, to the right on
the
dollar, you find an eagle with an olive branch, and a batch of arrows
in its claws. The offer is peace or war, and that this nation is prepared
for either. Then we have an extra interest, notice that the stars above
the head of the eagle are actually arranged as the Star of David.
(Official information on the Great Seal can be obtained at
http://www.greatseal.com/index.html)
The Star of David was adopted by the Jews for their national symbol
in the 1800s. However, it has always been an ancient symbol used by
Semitic tribal peoples, and the Hebrews in particular. Historians also
tell us that it was used by the early Jewish Church. To support this, an
early Christian symbol has been uncovered in Israel, that consists of the
seven-stemmed candlestick, with a fish attached below it, and the Star
of David just below the fish.
I provided the afore information to show how strong a feeling our
fathers
had for the ancient faith of Israel. George Washington actually wrote the
Jewish congregation in New York a letter of appreciation and
encouragement, in that they were to feel at home in America. (I'll not
take time to post the letter here.)
So we have a nation that has become a land of protection for all
sorts of peoples. Jewish writers tell the story that America was the
first country to every welcome them as equal citizens, and to grant
them the protection that belonged to all her citizens.
Now for a little modern history. It is interesting to note that the one
nation in particular that stands between Israel and the possible
destruction of that nation is the United States. Why is it that this
country makes a stand for such a tiny country? And why is it that
conservative Americans in general, which by the way, makes up the
bulk of this nation, have such strong feelings for Israel?
Once again, the reality of all this is that the Christian and the Jew
cannot be separated in their redemption history. One Jewish writer
said, "As goes the Christian, so goes the Jew."
Christianity was birthed out of Old Testament Judaism. For this
reason alone, Christians retain strong feelings for the Jewish peoples.
Then we have our Bible. Our Bible is written throughout by Hebrew
men. It is written in Hebraic thought form. And whether we realize it
or not, Christians who are able students of the Scriptures, are
conditioned to thinking Hebraically. It cannot be avoided. The Bible
we read comes right out of a Semitic culture.
Even more than that, it is written in our Bible that the non-believing
nation of Jews is going to turn to Jesus in the final days of this age.
And this is our strongest motivation to look to and pray for the Jews.
It is here that we catch a sense of kinship. Jesus Christ will be their
Savior. Paul calls this fact a mystery, and then, "The Deliverer will
come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob."
(Romans 11:26)
To add some history to this, we have been seeing over the past
many years a movement of Jews to Jesus. While it is not in
mass, it is on a level that would have been deemed impossible
some times ago. Not this alone. There continues to be
movement among Christians and Jews to look at one another with
differing vision than in the past. This can only be from God.
But what of the legends and myths? Let me just share briefly on
this. The ancients had a number of legends concerning the final
battle of Israel, that is, Armageddon. One legend that is taught is
that the Shekhina (Holy Spirit) has to come back to them, and to
the land, and that the ten lost tribes of Israel will come to their
defense, and from this Messiah will turn the battle.
There is a lot of teachings concerning the lost tribes of Israel, as to
who are actually are. But this is not what our study is about. Even
the sages spoke of various groupings. However, the one thing that
the sages did not even consider, is that there would be a reality of
someone coming to the aid of Israel, but it would Christians who
would provide a fulfillment in part for the ancient legend.
This study is just for curiosity. Feel free to discuss it, to or add to
it, or to take away from it. It is open on all counts.
If any of our members have an area that you would like to see a
study on, please let it be known. In addition, the forum is always
open for membership discussions. Put your questions on the table.
Shalom in Christ,
Buddy
Lawrence E. (Buddy) Martin, HF Host
email: Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
"See to it that no one comes short of the grace
of God; that no root of bitterness springing up
causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)