Ger-04 the Necessary Death of Israel — Art Katz

And all nervous and anxious for how this is going to come out, somewhat unpredictable. Because it's not only about a prophetic view, it is by a prophetic proclamation. And so such men are always fluttering leaves.

As often as they have spoken, it's always again a first time. So we have been praying through the day. I want to pray again now, because we have such a sense of the significance and the importance of this time.

Greatly opposed and very controversial. And so it's critical that our perspective be made clear. And for that we need the grace of God. Because it's not only a message which is at stake, but life and death itself.

Israel's Prophetic Future and the Church's Responsibility

For my Jewish kinsmen passing through Austria, as they will through all nations in the last days, in flight from persecution, in which most of them will not succeed, but a remnant will be redeemed and returned to Zion with everlasting joy upon their heads, mourning and sighing fleeing away.

So I'm giving you the end at the beginning. Just to alert your spirits that something very significant is at stake. And that the issue of Jewish survival and return is the issue of the church. A church that understands and anticipates this scenario and is prepared to fulfill it in every place.

So Lord, mercy from the throne. For this mouth and for these ears and hearts. And beyond this immediate congregation through the tapes that will go forth. Let many be instructed. Open the understanding of the church to what is your perspective.

What a privilege, Lord. So beyond the ability of any man to communicate. So we call upon you as the great Alpha and Omega of our faith. You begin and you end. I don't know how. And we trust you. And we thank you for your jealous love over us.

As the God who has ordained these days. Though greatly opposed. And now invite you to fulfill them. From the first word to the last. We thank and give you the praise in Jesus' name. Amen. So I want to be on record to say that my prophetic perspective did not come to me by revelation or dream or some other strange occurrence in my life.

It came out from the scripture itself. The prophetic scriptures. As the Lord began to open them. In conjunction with events in Israel and in the world. And my 37 year history in the Lord. And my commitment to the central principle of the faith.

The key of all interpretation. The cross. The suffering and death that precedes the glory. From which Jesus himself was not exempt. Nor the church. And not Israel. So there's an issue much greater than the success of the present state of Israel.

Namely the glory of God. Which is the kingdom of God. The coming of the king. In relationship to the preparedness of this people to receive him. And to participate with him. In his governance over his whole creation.

Isaiah's Vision of the Holy King

And so as I was looking over my bible this morning and yesterday. The book of Isaiah. I looked at the introduction to the book for the first time. And I liked what the author expresses here. What is central to Isaiah's whole perception of the faith and of Israel.

That vision that was given him in chapter 6 of his book. The Lord high and lifted up. And his train filled the temple. He saw the Lord as an exalted king. And that seeing was central to all of his perception of his prophecy.

For how we perceive Jesus as king will determine how we perceive anything and everything. For the angels that attended the Lord cried holy, holy, holy. The author says the terrifying holiness of God. Terrifying.

This is his introduction. This terrifying holiness. The fear of the Lord. A vision that commences the whole prophetic life of this man. Seeing Jesus as the exalted king. Who has chosen Zion as his residence and the seat of his authority.

And no matter how the nation Israel will fail historically in his intention. God will ultimately save and preserve the nation. And fulfill its destiny. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem.

You shall hear that from me every day and in every speaking. Out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem. From chapter 2 of Isaiah's prophecy. The mountain of the Lord's house over all of the other mountains and hills.

A statement of government and of rule. Which the church historically has reduced to poetry. Robbing the scripture of its literal meaning. And ascribing to Zion a metaphor. Symbol. Something of a poetic, literary, fanciful kind.

Very pleasant to consider. And very useful in preaching. But not at the cost of eliminating God's first and literal intention. This is not some stultifying legal code going out from Zion. But the whole breadth of God's wisdom for mankind.

Which I think that you'll observe the world desperately needs. It can only go from one place. Or it will not go at all. Zion. The holy hill. Where God has placed his king. And given him the nations as his inheritance.

Psalm 2. So this is my perspective. Very literal. Very centered in the issue of God's rule over his own creation. That brings in the whole issue of the election of God. Why Zion? What's the matter with Geneva?

Or New York City? No, the holy hill. The city of Jerusalem. With the people Israel. Whom he has chosen. Not because they're the greatest, but because they are the least. There's a whole wisdom here. That would take days for me to expound.

Israel, the Church, and the Moral Conflict of God's Election

But you need to understand. That the whole of the mystery of Israel and the church is set in a moral context. Of cosmic proportions. A conflict with the powers of darkness. Of competing wisdoms and moral modes of being.

Not morality in some narrow way. But what is moral. What is ultimate. What is reality. What is value. What is ultimate significance. These are the great issues. Of God. With Israel. And the church. If we lack this context.

Then we will look upon Israel from a much narrower focus. The necessity to establish a state for Jews. A place of safety and a home that they long deserve. And therefore we would desire the success of that present state.

And be offended by anyone who seems to threaten that. But I'm suggesting that there's an issue larger than the success of Israel. But I believe that there is something much larger than just the success of the state of Israel.

It is the issue of a king, his rule and his law. And therefore Isaiah speaks frequently of the judgments that must come to Israel. Maybe we can leap ahead and take a look at chapter four of his book. Of scriptures not yet fulfilled.

That make reference to the day of the Lord. An apocalyptic event of judgment. That comes first to the house of God and to the people of God. And then also to the nations. And this phrase, on that day, punctuates all of the prophets.

On that day. They anticipated a day. The day of the Lord's appearing. The day of his judgment. The day in which he would requite all of the injustice and iniquity and evil that is in the world. So how prophetic are you?

What kind of church are you? Do you have this prophetic anticipation? Of this day of the Lord. The visitation of God. The penetration into time and history. Bringing judgment. Rule and righteousness. The consummation of all history.

Toward which we are rapidly tending. The church that is the church has this anticipation. It anticipates the day of the Lord. It waits for that day. It labors toward that day. It hastens that day. Seeing these things, Peter says, what manner of men ought we to be?

Hasting the day of the Lord's appearing. So the church is evidently not just a passive observer. But an active participant. And actually facilitating that day. By what manner of men we ought to be. Which we would not be if we had not this anticipation.

We would not be this manner of men. We would be something less. Something predictable. Something gewöhnlich. Ordinary. Slack. Christianity as a culture. A succession of services. Programs for the benefit of men.

Something to be enjoyed. And not a vital factor of God's use in consummating the age. So in verse 2 of chapter 4. On that day the branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious. Yeah. And the fruit of the land shall be the pride and glory of the survivors of Israel.

Whoever is left in Zion and remains in Jerusalem will be called holy. That sounds like a small number, a remnant of survivors. Surviving what? Last day's calamity and apocalyptic violence. Isn't the stage now being set for that right now in Israel?

Or do you think that there will be a successful negotiation with Israel's adversaries? Who did not in their demonic fury hesitate to bring down the heart of America's financial system. Can such an enemy be placated or appeased?

Not at all. We need to brace ourselves. For the fury that will be expended upon Israel itself. That will help us to understand the language of the prophet. That speaks about survivors and those who are left.

Who will be called holy. Is that a word that can be used presently? Not at all. And yet I want to say. Until there will be a nation that can be called holy. The purposes of God through that restored nation cannot be fulfilled.

Do you think that the church can come to this condition progressively? Through a process of improvement. I don't expect it for myself. Nor should you. And the reason that it's not an issue for you. Is you're not that concerned to be holy.

As he is holy. Which can only be obtained through union with him. Through resurrection. So I foresee that Israel must pass through a violence unto death. And that the surviving remnant will be brought up and into the life of God.

And will rightly be called holy. Once the Lord has washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion. And cleansed the bloodstains of Jerusalem from its midst. By a spirit of judgment and a spirit of burning.

Judgment as Redemptive Cleansing

So there comes the ugly word judgment. How can it be avoided? How can Israel be brought to holiness from where it presently is? Except through the judgments of God. Which are not punitive and harsh and cruel and mean.

But redemptive. And the church that loves the judgments of God loves God. The church that walks at the judgments of God. Is humanistic. Fails to understand the intentions of God. And that cannot be obtained cheaply.

Either for Israel or for ourselves. We need to love the judgments of God. For they are altogether righteous. And the prophet saw that. It's central to all their consideration. Because as the commentator says in the introduction to Isaiah.

Who saw the holy exalted king by vision. That such a king cannot dwell in a Jerusalem that is not appropriate to his holiness. I understand that perfectly. I have no delight in visiting Israel. Personally.

And I'm Jewish. And I have lived there as an immigrant. But I am so uncomfortable. In walking through its streets. And sensing the moral character of that presence. City and state. That it's not appropriate for the king.

Either physically or spiritually. And that it must be purified by judgment. And that's how the prophet speaks and sees. So as we read from chapter one of Isaiah. Has the most unusual beginning. Hear oh heavens and give ear oh earth.

For the Lord has spoken. Why does the prophet appeal to the dumb and insensate elements of creation? Because his people will not hear and will not consider. You see what's required of you? A deeper apprehension of the word of God.

We do err because we treat the word of God lightly. Why haven't you asked? Why does he begin like this? You've never had the experience of speaking to the air and to the elements as I have. It's an experience in humiliation.

That the prophet has to bear. Because he has to experience what God himself is bearing. The people who will not hear and will not consider. And so the lament continues. I have raised children and brought them up but they have rebelled against me.

They have rebelled against me. Do you know what this prophet knows that we don't know? That according to the law in Deuteronomy and the books of Moses. Rebellious children who defy their parents and will not acknowledge their authority are to be stoned to death.

A nation that will not obey and will not consider brings upon itself a death sentence. A nation that will not obey and will not consider brings upon itself a death sentence. The prophet is very concerned about the state of Israel.

There is a time when all the religious functions are continuing. The Sabbaths, the festivals, the sacrifices, the worship. The people have no awareness of their own condition. Utterly deceived. Thinking that God is satisfied with their religious performance.

Thinking that God is satisfied with their religious performance. Even though they are in a state of rebellion. A rebellion that deserves a death sentence. A ox knows its owner, a donkey its master's crib.

A ox knows its owner, a donkey its master's crib. Dumb animals have a sense of loyalty and affiliation with their owners. But Israel does not know, my people do not consider. Is there something ironic in the judgment of God that will bring upon Israel a consequence that will not be tolerated?

Is it not ironic that God brings this judgment upon Israel through people who behave like animals? Like the most civilized nation of modern times, Germany. Becoming so brutal as to negate and nullify its entire culture.

So as to bring upon Israel a judgment that is inhumane. When men act like animals. Beastly. Has an echo of this statement of the ox and the ass. The dumb animals know better than Israel. And a nation reduced to an animal condition will judge her.

This is a prophetic perception. Of the ironic nature of God's judgments. And the question we need to ask is, is this a dated statement no longer applicable to the nation? Have they progressively improved since this time?

Or is this a timeless statement? Of a condition that yet prevails. Which cannot be improved. But can only be met by a nation that is transformed by the power of God. Made holy. As a surviving remnant.

After the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning. So we can read on sinful nation, verse 4, people laden with iniquity. A brood of evil doers. Children who are corruptors. Who have forsaken the Lord.

Who have despised the Holy One of Israel. And are utterly estranged. Utterly estranged. Separated. Alienated. Why do you seek further beatings? Why do you continue to rebel more and more? Again I say, is the prophet speaking only of the nation in his own time and generation?

Or of a condition that remains and is pervasive to this day? Or of a condition that remains and is pervasive to this day? We have to understand the prophetic statements. That are both applicable in point of time.

And yet have a continuing meaning. So what is the consequence in verse 7? What is inevitable if this is the condition of the nation? Your country lies desolate in verse 7. Your cities are burned with fire.

In your very presence aliens devour your land. That is made desolate and is overthrown by foreigners. It's an appeal to the prophet. For the nation to recognize its condition. As God himself sees it. And reveals it through the prophetic proclamation.

For the nation sees itself as prosperous. Celebrates its own religious practices. Still has its feasts and its sabbaths and full moons. Which God says is a stink in my nostrils. And then because our time is limited I'm required to rush further.

Justice for the Vulnerable as a Test of National Morality

Where the Lord is appealing to the nation. To wash themselves in verse 16. And make themselves clean. Remove the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. Learn to do God. Seek justice.

Rescue the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Rescue the oppressed. Defend the orphan. Plead for the widow. And the condition of a nation is prophetically always determined by how this country treats the weakest and poorest.

And that is true for any nation. What is the truth of its condition, its moral condition? Don't look at its culture or the way in which it perceives itself. How does it treat the weakest among its members?

The alien. The stranger in the land. The widow and the orphan. Austria can be instructed by this. In what you did with the weak, the stille im Lande, in the 16th century. Whom you brutalized and pursued and persecuted and murdered.

At the very time when your culture and your Renaissance buildings and cathedrals were flourishing. What is a prophet? One who sees as God sees. Contrary to the way in which men themselves perceive. And brings the word of God based on that seeing.

Why? So that people hearing that word can agree with God about the truth of their condition. And repent of it. And so avoid the judgments that would otherwise come. So God is pleading through the prophet.

Make your hands clean. Get cleaned up. Remove evil. From before my eyes. What makes evil evil? It's not only the ugliness and the brutality. But conducted as if God himself is not seeing. Or that if he does see, it does not matter.

It is such a statement of human presumption. To believe that God does not see what you are doing. Or that if he does see, it doesn't matter. And you can continue in your injustices and your violence all the same.

Right before his eyes. While you are yet the called and chosen nation. Little wonder that the same prophet tells us that Israel suffers double for her transgressions. This is the nation called to reveal God as holy.

And to instruct the gentile nations that there is a living God. Against whom we cannot offend and violate. But if the nation itself violates their God. As if he does not see. What judgment must come upon them?

For the nation's sake. For they are failing to sanctify God before the peoples. For that reason Moses could not enter the land. Because he struck the rock when he should have spoken to it. One moment of irritation and vexation.

But God judged him severely. For in that one act you fail to sanctify me before the people. And if you have failed to lead the people before God. You who are my representative. The prophet who brings the law from the mount.

Have acted in such a way as to give a false impression of what I am as God. Therefore this is the judgment. Oh you dear children. You are so shallow. So naive. So unaware. Why? Because you have not been instructed by Israel's own example.

These things are written for our admonition. Upon whom the ends of the age have come. So come now. Let us reason together. The Lord says in verse 18. Though your sins are like scarlet. They shall not be.

Though they are red like crimson. Though they are red like crimson. They shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient. You shall eat the good of the land. But if you refuse and rebel. You shall be devoured by the sword.

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Do you believe this? Or is this poetry? Can we confidently trust this text? That is the mouth of the Lord speaking. And that your unwillingness to reason together with me.

Your unwillingness to reason together with me. Come let us reason together. What an invitation. Though your sins are like scarlet. I'll make them as white as wool. If only you'll come and reason with me.

But if you refuse and rebel. The sword will pursue you. Not just now in this present historical moment. But throughout all your generations. So long as you remain in that condition of rebellion. That refuses to consider.

That will not reason and will not consider with the Lord. Now I want to quote from a Hebrew Christian commentator. Perhaps you have heard of Kyle and Dalek. The most estimable Old Testament scholars of the 19th century.

I have their collected works on the Old Testament. Meisterstück. Gorgeous. Kyle is German. Dalek is a Hebrew Christian. Scholars. Hebraists. Grammarians. Who weigh up every nuance of the word. Writing in the 19th century.

Before the advent of the state of Israel. Speaking about the judgments of God that must fall. And that Israel must be eaten by the sword. Because it has spurned the invitation of God to reason together.

Now I'm quoting. Because of a decision reiterated in the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus. And maintained to this day. So the rejection of Jesus. Is the rejection of the invitation of God to reason together.

That the sword would not have to pursue Israel. Into the 20th century. Into the Nazi time. And now though in its own land. Will yet pursue them there. And that's why it says in verse 27. Zion shall be redeemed by judgment.

And those in her who repent by righteousness. But rebels and sinners shall be destroyed together. And those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed. Is God the same yesterday, today and forever? Or is it embarrassing for us now to consider God's judgment?

Because the world has changed. And these are modern times. And these are old testament concepts. I want to say God has not changed. His sword is still out. Israel is still in the place of rebellion. Still refusing to reason together.

Think of the magnitude of this rejection of God's invitation. Though your sins be as scarlet. I will make them as white as snow. If only you will reason with me. Let's talk this over. Consider what I'm saying.

This is my own mouth has spoken it. Or the sword will devour you. To refuse to consider God after that. A refusal which prevails to this day. Is to assure that that word will be fulfilled. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.

Zion Redeemed by Judgment and Prepared for the King

And that these judgments therefore will be fulfilled. Because if men will not respond to God by the word. Then may they respond by judgment. But may they respond. For Zion shall be redeemed by judgment.

When the word fails. Prophetically spoken. As the mouth of the Lord having spoken. Then it must be redeemed by judgment. But it must be redeemed. Because the law must go forth out of Zion. Because Zion must be a habitable place for an exalted king.

And not be a moral slum. Inappropriate for an exalted king. You see the difference between Isaiah and ourselves. We want only to see a state to succeed. And from that premise. And from that premise then everything follows.

But it's not the prophets premise. Which is God's. He sees the king as exalted. His consideration of God is a priority greater than the consideration of the nation. He starts with another premise. Not that the nation needs a homeland.

Not that the nation needs a homeland. But that the exalted king needs a sanctuary and a dwelling appropriate to his majesty. Everything depends where you begin. What is your basic premise? Is it centered in man and success?

Or the exalted king and his glory? And that's the issue. What of the church that is unwilling to consider the judgments of God. And is offended by the judgments of God. And prefers success to glory. Such a church is itself in the danger of apostasy.

Of apostasy. Of falling away. Even while you're conducting services. Because your view of Israel is the projection of yourself. You have not the prophetic jealousy for the glory of God. Either in the nation Israel or in the church.

For you the measure is the issue of success. Both for yourself and for Israel. You're not on prophetic ground. And therefore your every seeing is warped. So God has to send you a man like me. With great opposition.

You don't want to hear him. He's against Israel. No, I'm for the glory of God. Through a nation that will be redeemed through judgment. Not as the cruel provision of God. But the necessary and righteous provision.

When men will not hear. And will not consider. O sinful nation then. O sinful nation then. And sinful nation now. Nothing has changed. And modernity does not alter. What issues from the mouth of the Lord.

Modernity. We need to come into the reality of Isaiah. This is definitive reality. And the so called modernity. And the way of seeing. Is itself illusion and deception. And will leave us totally unprepared for the realities that must come.

The spirit of burning and the spirit of judgment. In Jerusalem itself. The sword that will pursue. And it will offend us. Because we do not see prophetically. And understand what is at issue. An exalted king.

Who has chosen Zion and Jerusalem. To be the place of a sanctuary and dwelling. With a people appropriate to himself. That the law might go forth out of Zion. To all nations. Who will study war no more.

Prayer for Prophetic Maturity and the Church's Preparation

Enough for the first speaking. Let me pray for you. The mercy of God. For your own categories. The radical adjustments that you have made. To bring yourself into alignment with God. For he has not changed.

Only we have. And in that condition we are not in a position to bless Israel. We will only bless Israel prophetically. And I pray for the church of Austria. Because I know that I know. That a remnant of the lost sheep of the house of Israel will be passing through.

In their last days flight from persecution. And who will receive them. And what will they see in the church. That will reveal you. And bring them to the place of repentance. That you have been seeking since the time of Isaiah.

So I'm asking for mercy. For the church itself. So out of adjustment. So lacking the prophetic perspective. So thinking that Isaiah is passe. No longer valid and applicable. Though the Lord is the same yesterday, today and forever.

And so is Israel. Unchanged. Rebellious. Unwilling to hear. And therefore the sword of the Lord and judgments must come. Mercy Lord. Mercy for us to understand. And to pray rightly. In agreement with you.

Not in opposition. And to welcome the prophetic word. And the prophetic messenger. Who will adjust us. In the reality of God. Of those things that are yet future. But come to pass. That you might have in Zion a place for your habitation.

Through a people who have been made holy. Through the spirit of burning and of judgment. Even as your word says. Bless the church. Bring it of age. Prophetic maturity. Open our ears in these days. And change us.

We thank you and give you praise. In Jesus name. Amen.