Continuing the discussion from Do people of different faiths/religions go to Heaven?:
What about the Jewish religion? This puzzles me as I don’t understand how the 1st Covenant covers their eternity in Heaven when they do not believe in Jesus as the Messiah. I’ve read scripture recommendedby others but it seems to confuse me and you are my most read and accepted knowledgeable source. Also, thank you so much for ALL your intellectuali insights for this simple person.
Are you Jewish? Family?
J.
Those of Israel could obtain a degree of righteousness through the law.
Eze 18:27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.
Their salvation would come at the resurrection.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
When Jesus came he was able to offer salvation by faith in him as Messiah
Joh_8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
When Paul was given the gospel of grace for the gentiles, salvation by faith was also made available to all.
Rom_1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
This is my understanding…
In OT times the Holy Spirit could be withdrawn. We saw that with King Saul and also King David asked God not to take the Holy Spirit from him when he sinned. With the new covenant that Jesus brought, the Holy Spirit is sealed within the believer.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who[[a]guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:13-14
This is a guarantee given to the church alone. Before the church came and after the church leaves, this guarantee will be gone.
Before the new covenant, Jewish people and others demonstrated their faith in God by obedience and also in the promise of a coming redeemer. Keeping themselves was their responsibility. After the church leaves to be with Jesus, it will be the same for the tribulation believers. Jesus’ parable of the bridesmaids or virgins speaks on this when He answered the disciples questions in Matthew 25.
The Jewish nation had always been promised a kingdom age. When Jesus ascended into heaven in Acts 1, the disciples asked Him, “Will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” They knew the promise of God. They didn’t know when.
The millennium kingdom will be made up of Jewish believers and God will have fulfilled His promise to them.
This might be helpful.
Who Goes Where And When? – Grace thru faith
I will say that different Christians have different views and you can expect a lot of differing answers to your question.
First, welcome @jjgulfwarvet
This seems to be a recurring theme lately here. Jesus answered this.
“When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, 'Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, "A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
But they all began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master.
Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’" Luke 14:15-24
The man giving the banquet is God.
The guests are the Jews.
The servant is Jesus.
The guests who made excuses to not accept the invitation are the Jews.
The people, the streets, lanes, poor, crippled, blind, and lame are US. The Gentiles.
Now the Jews of the Old Testament were saved through Faith, and of the Law. When Jesus came, He came for them, to cement them into Salvation. But when they rejected Him, it opened it up for anyone who does, including us non-Jews, to enter into heaven. Now it is all about Jesus for everyone.
Peter
No, born Southern Baptist but have friends of many different religious practices. I’m retired military and have gone to various services on base when there and here I am. I really can’t find which religious realm I belong in, but know I am a Christian. I seem to view the many theological isms as confusing sometimes and seem to not find what lane I’m in. I hate to admit this as I have post Masters degrees, you really go over my head sometimes. Lol
Thank you very much for the clarity. You guys are very helpful.
I appreciate you being here, brother, and thank you for your service to your country.
As I mentioned before, there are many different denominations and theological positions, as I am sure you are well aware. When I first joined this forum, I was still wrestling between Reformed and Arminian theology, but that is no longer the case.
One of my Reformed brothers, and I dislike reducing these things merely to labels, patiently walked alongside me for over 30 years. About a week ago, before our Father in Heaven and our Lord Christ Jesus, I finally settled the matter in my heart. I became convinced that Reformed theology is the only doctrinal framework I can faithfully embrace.
I have encountered passages of Scripture whose depth and consistency on these matters are simply overwhelming, and I can no longer resist what I believe the Scriptures plainly teach.
You will, however, find solid and biblical brothers here, men strong in the faith (1 Pet. 5:9), workmen who rightly divide the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15), and faithful expositors of the Scriptures (Neh. 8:8). Some can go even deeper than I can in handling the text, doctrine, and the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
As iron sharpens iron (Prov. 27:17), there is much to learn from brethren who are grounded in the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
Stay strong in Messiah Yeshua brother.
Shalom achi.
Johann.
Thank you Johann and btw, I’m female but I appreciate you thanking me for my 21 yrs service. I am just very interested in many of the topics here and you seem to have an insight to which I’m searching, among others. I may not join many conversations until I feel like I won’t make erroneous mistakes but I’ll be reading. Thanks again.
Just give me a shout when you need me, I’m always here. On a sidenote, I didn’t receive a notification for your response.
Shalom achot.
Johann.