Lesson 27

Many non Christian, religiously minded people will reject the notion that salvation comes only through Jesus. They have their own beliefs and traditions for salvation or how to ascend into enlightenment. The Jews were expecting a saviour to come and bring the blessings God had promised them. To determine who the saviour was upon arrival, the Jewish leaders, during the second temple period, devised several miracles that only the true messiah could perform. These 4 tests, known as the messianic miracles had to be performed by the messiah as proof of authenticity. The miracles had to be verified by the Sanhedrin, then the individual would be accepted as their messiah. The four miracles were, (1) Cleansing a Leper. The Bible records only God healing leprosy. (2) Casting out a Deaf and / or Dumb Spirit. Since the spirit could not talk it could not say it’s name, or if deaf, could not hear the question or the command to leave. (3) The Healing of Birth Defects. Someone born without typical parts (i.e. deaf) could not be healed or repaired. (4) Raising the Dead after three days (i.e. the fourth day). The freshly dead may come back to life but not after three days when corruption and decay had started. The Jews believed these tests comprised the four physical human conditions that could only be corrected by God. Jesus completed all 4 of these miracles. Most Jews and their leaders rejected Jesus as the messiah. They were blinded by God so the gentiles might follow. This was done so that salvation could come to all of humanity through the death of Jesus. When do those blinded by God get to personally choose Jesus for themselves? Where is salvation found?

Romans 11:7-12…15…25-28 A stumble with a purpose. New Testament for Everyone.
7 What then? Did Israel not obtain what it was looking for? Well, the chosen ones obtained it – but the rest were hardened, 8 as the Bible says: God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that wouldn’t see, and ears that wouldn’t hear, right down to this present day. 9 And David says, Let their table become a snare and a trap, and a stumbling block and a punishment for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they can’t see, and make their backs bend low for ever. 11 So I ask, then: Have they tripped up in such a way as to fall completely? Certainly not! Rather, by their trespass, salvation has come to the nations, in order to make them jealous. 12 If their trespass means riches for the world, and their impoverishment means riches for the nations, how much more will their fullness mean! …15 If their casting away, you see, means reconciliation for the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? …25 My dear brothers and sisters, you mustn’t get the wrong idea and think too much of yourselves. That is why I don’t want you to remain in ignorance of this mystery: a hardening has come for a time upon Israel, until the fullness of the nations comes in. 26 That is how ‘all Israel shall be saved’, as the Bible says: The Deliverer will come from Zion, and will turn away ungodliness from Jacob. 27 And this will be my covenant with them, whenever I take away their sins. 28 As regards the good news, they are enemies – for your sake! But as regards God’s choice they are beloved because of the patriarchs.