HF131 - Bypassing the Sacrifice
To: Hebraic-Foundations@yahoogroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Fri, September 17, 2004
Subject: Bible Study HF131 - Bypassing the Sacrifice
Hebraics,
There is an angry spirit at work in the world. We are seeing it fully exposed with Muslim terrorists. Of course it didn't begin with them. The nature of wrath is resident in the lost man. It is one of the tell tale signs of his lostness. But what we are seeing today figures in with what the Bible describes as an end time scenario.
However, this study is not about end times in particular. In the following study we want to take a closer look at religions that are created at the expense of the cross. The same angry spirit simply manifests more intensely under the guise of these religions.
We will first consider Talmudic Judaism and we will look at the Muslim faith. Both religions are born of the same spirit. Actually many of the religious concepts of the Muslim faith were taken directly from the Talmudic writings.
This is Bible Study HF131 - Bypassing the Sacrifice.
Let's begin by talking about the Judaism that came out of the ashes of the temple destruction in 70 a.d. The Judaism after the temple destruction is far removed from the worship of God's ancient people. At the center of the ancient faith was the blood sacrifice. The Judaism that emerged from the ashes of the temple set aside the very essence of the Old Testament faith.
God had spoken through Moses causing the people to understand that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sin. This is why animal substitutionary sacrifices became central to the religion of the Hebrew people. Of course each sacrifice spoke of the great sacrifice that would be fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Yet today, there are no blood sacrifices to be found in Judaism. The blood sacrifice was bypassed.
Perhaps it should be pointed out that the rabbi who taught that fasting atoned for sins rather than the need of a blood sacrifice ended his life without hope. Rabbi Jochanan ben Zaccai taught that fasting, prayer, and good deeds equaled any blood sacrifice. Notice carefully how the Talmud records the Rabbi's final moments: (Barakhoth xxviii) --- This Rabbi survived the temple destruction of 70 a.d. ---
"When R. Jochanan ben Zaccai was taken ill, his disciples went to visit him. As soon as he beheld them, he began to weep. His disciples said unto him, 'O Light of Israel, Pillar of the Right Hand, Strong Hammer, why dost thou weep?' He answered and said unto them... 'Now when I am to be led into the presence of the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He, who lives and is through all eternities, whose anger -- if He is angry with me -- is an eternal anger; whose fetters -- if He will bind me -- are everlasting fetters; and whose death -- if He put me to death -- is an eternal death; whom I cannot appease with words, nor bribe with money; and not only so, but two ways open before me -- the one leading to Paradise and the other to hell (Gehenna), and I do not know upon which of these two ways I shall be led, shall I not weep?'"
Notice very carefully how Zaccai describes God as an angry God; "If He is angry with me -- it is an eternal anger; whose fetters -- if He will bind me -- they are everlasting fetters. --- And I do not know upon which of these two ways I shall be led, shall I not weep?"
Rabbi ben Zaccai had no hope. God had clearly stated that there is no forgiveness without the blood atonement. Not only was Zaccai without hope, but he was the one largely responsible for the re-invention of Judaism after the temple destruction. Zaccai had rejected the only blood sacrifice that could give a person the assurance and seal of eternal life. Until the blood of Jesus is sprinkled upon the human heart, there can be no divine assurance.
This is the reason that the closer the Jews come to Talmudic Judaism, the more militant they become. And the more they consider all other Jews to be traitors to Judaism. The same is true in the faith of Islam. The only good Muslims are considered to be warriors, and especially those who become the martyrs. Bad Muslims are those who refuse to go on Jihad, that is, those who may wish to be at peace with others.
Lets take a closer look at the Muslim faith. As I said earlier Islam is modeled largely after Talmudic Judaism. Many of the stories that Mohammed incorporated into his religion come directly from the Talmudic writings, through his exposure to the Jews. Of course Mohammed always put his twist on these stories. (Mohammed himself wrote nothing. He was not lettered.) Fact of the matter is that Islam is based largely on twisted Bible stories, both from the Old Testament and from the New Testament. (Of course the Talmud is also based largely on a twist of Scriptures.)
So you find an angry spirit in both these religions that wish to bypass the blood of Jesus Christ. The Talmudic writers spoke of Jesus as being a sorcerer. The Muslim writings speak of Him as simply another prophet - that He neither died on the cross, nor was He the Son of God, nor did His death atone for anything. In fact the faith of Islam wraps itself around Mohammed.
Here is the key to why you see so much militancy and martyrdom taking place among Muslims today. Mohammed actually declared war on all of mankind who refused to adhere to his Muslim teachings. Mohammed so closely aligns himself with Allah that is very difficult to distinguish them apart. But the issue goes much deeper. Islam is a religion of the sword. Any Muslim who refused to take up the sword is considered a hypocrite and a bad Muslim. Only those Muslim who die as martyrs are guaranteed a place in the Muslim heaven. (Which, by the way, is very sensual.)
This helps us understand why these terrorists can kill not only Americans, but also other Muslims with no regret. A good Muslim is commanded to kill the bad Muslim along with all of mankind who refuse to adhere to Mohammed’s twisted religion. Killing others for the cause of Allah is considered the highest of religious duties.
And so anyone who says that the religion of Islam is peace loving, that person does not know much about Islam. Hatred for all things non-Islam is a core teaching for the Muslims. To kill anyone who does not adhere to Islam is a noble deed. Here is a small sampling of quotes from Islamic writings:
"We unsheathed our swords and testified to the unity of Allah, and we proved that His Apostle [Mohammed] brought truth. We smote them and they scattered. The impious met death. They became fuel for Hell. All who aren't Muslims must go there. It will consume them while the Stoker [Allah} increases the heat." (Isaq:348)
It continues with, "Many a noble, generous man we slew this day. We left them as meat for the hyenas. And later, they shall burn in the fires of hell."
The Muslim faith teaches terrorism as the primary weapon of choice. Listen again:
"Prepare against them whatever arms and cavalry you can muster that you may strike terror in the enemies of Allah, and others besides them not known to you."
Now notice how Mohammed compares himself to the Biblical prophets:
"Allah said, 'No Prophet before Mohammed took booty from his enemy nor prisoners for ransom.' Mohammed said, 'I was made victorious with terror. The earth was made a place for me to clean. I was given the most powerful words. Booty was made lawful for me. I was given the power to intercede. These five privileges were awarded to no prophet before me." (Ishaq:326)
Again we hear, "Allah said, 'A prophet must slaughter before collecting captives. A slaughtered enemy is driven from the land. Muhammed, you craved the desires of this world, its goods and the ransom captives would bring. But Allah desires killing them to manifest the religion.'" (Isaw:327)
It should be noted that the same spirit that manifested in Talmudic Judaism, moved forward with Mohammed, was also to be found in Adolph Hitler. It is now returning in greater measure to the Muslim world. What we do know is that the Muslim world by and large yet extols Hitler. This Jew hatred is Satan inspired. Satan knows that his time is up when Jerusalem begins to look to Jesus Christ as the atoning Savior. Somehow he must gain Jerusalem to himself. You have often heard me say, "It began in Jerusalem. It ends in Jerusalem."
Now, what about the true sacrifice that brings true peace to the troubled soul? We know it is through the blood of Jesus only. The best thing we can ever do for a Jew or a Muslim is to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. Is it easy? Hardly. Yet many Jews are even now turning to Jesus. This can also be said to some degree of those in Islam. It appears that the Muslim world is next to the final frontier in the spread of the gospel. The final frontier is Jerusalem itself. (The frontiers are rapidly diminishing.)
Coming back to the angry spirit, we need to understand that this traces back to the fall of Adam. When Adam turned from the Lord, he found himself spiritually in league with Satan. Thus Adam underwent a nature change. This spiritual defect is inbred in the human race. The only way it can be eradicated is for the person to become reconciled to God through the blood of the cross.
Paul speaks to this in saying, "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of God, even as the rest." (Eph2:1,3)
It is the blood of God's sacrifice that brings total reconciliation of man to the true God. Two apostolic writers draw attention to the sprinkled blood. Peter said, "[To the] chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ [repentance and turning] and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." (1Pet1:1,2)
The fullest measure speaks of the very peace of Jesus Christ that fills the heart of the sprinkled one. The warfare is over. Peace has filled the soul of the troubled, angry one.
Then in directing our attention to the new covenant, we hear this in the book of Hebrews; "[We have come] to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel." (Heb12:23,24)
Abel's blood cried out for vengeance. The blood of Jesus speaks of love, mercy, and acceptance. The moment the blood of the sacrifices touches our human spirit; at that moment know God as our Father. We know of His love. And we know of His redeeming grace given us in Jesus Christ. We become part of His family. But one other thing happens --- Our nature changes. We are no longer angry men and women.
To bring this part of the study to a close I'll simply point out that many say that what is happening in Iraq is a cultural war. Certainly that is true to some extent. But the greater matter is that Satan knows that his time is short. Right now he has a particular religion in the world through which he can kill, steal, and destroy.
The study is open for discussion. Feel free to add your thoughts or ask questions.
Blessings,
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)