Program 174: Does Yahuwah Play Favorites?
A new look at Romans 6 to 11

Yahuwah’s love for individuals is intense and infinite. He does not play favorites, but He has a plan to win many Jews to the truth.

Welcome to WLC Radio, a subsidiary of World’s Last Chance Ministries, an online ministry dedicated to learning how to live in constant readiness for the Savior's return.

For two thousand years, believers of every generation have longed to be the last generation. Contrary to popular belief, though, Christ did not give believers “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, he repeatedly warned that his coming would take even the faithful by surprise. Yahushua urgently warned believers to be ready because, he said, “The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Matthew 24:44]

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

* * *Part 1: Does Yahuwah play favorites?

Miles Robey: Does Yahuwah play favorites? Do Jewish people have an advantage that Gentiles don’t have? Hello, I’m Miles Robey and you’re listening to World’s Last Chance Radio.

In Romans, the apostle Paul refers to the gospel as being first for the Jews, and then for the Gentiles. Today, Dave Wright is going to be looking at that statement in the context of Romans 6 through 11. He’s got a new and interesting perspective on the plan of salvation to share with us.

Later, Elise O’Brien will be sharing with us a personal experience her family has gone through recently and the promise that gave them courage during difficult times. Stay tuned for another faith-inspiring promise!

Dave? The time’s all yours!

Dave Wright: Thank you, Miles. Have you ever had an identity crisis?

Miles: You mean, have I lost 10 kilos, traded in my old sedan for a bright red sports car, and started looking around for a trophy wife?

Dave: Well, I suppose that’s one kind of identity crisis. But now that you brought it up, have you? Now that you mention it, you’re looking a bit leaner.

Miles: “Yond [Miles] has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much.”

No, I’m very much in love with my wife. Why? Have you ever had a crisis of identity?

Dave: I have, as a matter of fact. I was 10 years old—

Miles: Did you trade in your old bicycle for a new one?

Dave: No, no. Nothing so simple as that for my identity crisis. When I have a crisis, I go big!

Miles: What happened?

Dave: I received the biggest shock of my life. I discovered that I … was … a Gentile!

Miles: That was your big crisis of identity.

Dave: Hey! Don’t laugh! In all the Bible stories, the Jews were the good guys; the Gentiles were the bad guys. We worshipped Yah, so I just assumed we were Jews.

Miles: Oh, naturally.

Dave: It took a bit of mental adjustment to accept that I was one of those horrible, loathsome Gentiles.

Miles: Yeah. Okay. I can see how that would be a bit of a shock to a little kid.

Dave: Well, with time, I was able to come to terms with this shocking realization, but a verse in Romans continued to bother me for some time. It made it sound like Yahuwah plays favorites. Let’s take a look at that. Could you please turn to Romans chapter 1 and read verse 16, please?

Miles: Sure! Give me just a moment to find it …

Here we go. It says: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of [Yahuwah] to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

Dave: Now doesn’t that verse make you feel like an also-ran?

Miles: An “also-ran?”

Dave: Yeah. You know, kind of like an honorable mention/consolation prize for competing even though you weren’t quite good enough to actually win.

Miles: Yeah, yeah, I guess it does kind of sound like that.

Dave: Of course, we know that’s not true. Our heavenly Father loves everyone. But Paul had a point to make. Would you turn now to Romans chapter 9?

Paul, as you know, was the apostle to the Gentiles. Peter was sent to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles. But Paul still longed for those of his own race to accept the truth.

Miles: Romans 9. Which verses?

Dave: Uhhh … read the first five, please.

Miles:

I am speaking the truth in Christ, I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race. They are Israelites, and to them belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ. Theos [or Yahuwah] who is over all be blessed for ever. Amen.

Wow! That’s saying something. To say that he could wish to be lost himself if only the rest of the Israelites could be saved? That’s quite a statement. Reminds me of what Moses said when he was pleading with Yahuwah to forgive Israel.

Dave: Shows a soul-deep love for the lost, doesn’t it?

Miles: Yeah, it really does.

Dave: Paul may have been appointed the apostle to the Gentiles, but he still yearned for the salvation of his own countrymen. However, he’s quick to point out that the Jewish rejection of the Messiah does not mean that Yahuwah’s word has failed. Far from it.

Let’s pick up where you left off. Start reading at Romans 9 verse 6 and let’s talk about this. Go ahead.

Miles: “It is not as though [Yahuwah’s] word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel.”

Dave: Okay. So Yahuwah’s word has not failed, although the majority of Jews have rejected the Messiah. Then Paul explains a vital point: not all who are blood descendants of Abraham, not everyone who is of that lineage, is to actually be considered Israel. “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel.”

All right. Go on. Verse 7.

Miles: “Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, ‘It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.’”

Dave: He’s referring to what Yahuwah told Abraham in Genesis 21. Next verse?

Miles:

In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are [Yahuwah’s] children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Not only that, but Rebekah’s children were conceived at the same time by our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that [Yahuwah’s] purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” Just as it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” [Romans 9:8-13]

Dave: This is an important passage for anyone who, like 10-year-old me, has worried that they are not blood descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This passage establishes that one’s DNA, one’s birthright, does not guarantee salvation in the slightest. Between Abraham’s sons, Ishmael and the sons of Abraham’s concubines and his third wife, Keturah, were all rejected. Only Isaac was chosen.

Likewise, Esau was rejected while Jacob was chosen. It’s Yahuwah’s prerogative to select whomever He wishes.

Miles: That sounds a bit, well … unfair, doesn’t it? I mean, Arabs, as descendants of Ishmael, could feel a bit left out. And we’re even further removed! We’re no descendant of Abraham at all!

Dave: Well, keep reading. Which verse are you on now?

Miles: Uhh … verse 14.

What then shall we say? Is [Yahuwah] unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses,

“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” [Romans 9:14-15]

Dave: So, see, Paul’s anticipated your concern. Now he’s coming to the point of this entire passage. And it’s beautiful. Go ahead.

Miles:

It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on [Yahuwah’s] mercy. For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore [Yahuwah] has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden. [Romans 9:16-18]

Dave: This is a profound point. Salvation … does not depend … on your effort or desire. It doesn’t depend on mine, either. It certainly doesn’t depend on being born Jewish. It depends entirely upon the will of Yah and His mercy.

Miles: All right … that sounds all well and good, but honestly that’s not completely reassuring when it also says that Yah “hardens whom He wants to harden.” I mean, this sounds uncomfortably close to pre-destination.

It’s like, whoops! You’re somebody Yah chose to harden! Too bad, so sad, but there’s nothing anyone can do about it. Sucks to be you!

Dave: All right. Let’s look at a few examples of Scripture where it says Yahuwah “hardened” someone’s heart, and then let’s compare it with some other passages of Scripture. Because remember, any interpretation must be consistent and harmonious with other passages of Scripture.

Okay, turn to Genesis 10 and let’s start with verse 1.

Miles:

Now Yahuwah said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him, and that you may tell in the hearing of your son and your son’s son the mighty things I have done in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them, that you may know that I am Yahuwah.” [Genesis 10:1-2]

Dave: So. Scripture states unequivocally that Yahuwah “hardened” Pharaoh’s heart. The word translated into English as “hardened” comes from the Hebrew word, chazaq.

It’s number 2388 in the concordance. Strong’s Concordance states that it means to be or grow firm or strong; to strengthen. It also can be translated as to … are you ready for this? … confirm.

Now, when you put in that definition, how does it read?

Miles: “Now Yahuwah said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh; for I have confirmed his heart and the hearts of his servants ….’”

Dave: We must always remember that it is Satan that forces the will. Yahuwah guards freedom of choice. He didn’t arbitrarily decide to make Pharoah the big, bad villain in this story. Pharaoh made his own decisions just as we do. Always.

Pharaoh had a soul to save, too. He could have chosen to cooperate with Moses in fulfilling Yah’s will. But he didn’t. That was his choice. He resisted the Holy Spirit’s drawing. So, Yahuwah allowed the natural course of events to occur. Every time Pharoah rejected the appeals of the Holy Spirit, he hardened himself in his course of action. Yahuwah simply confirmed it.

Miles: I suppose that goes along with Paul’s words in Romans 8 where he says that “we know that all things work together for good to those who love [Yah], to those who are the called according to His purpose.” [Romans 8:28]

Dave: Exactly. Even more, turn to 2 Peter chapter 3 and read verses 9 and 10. Every single passage of Scripture that is confusing or makes it sound like the Father plays some sort of divine lottery to select who’s to be saved and who’s to be lost should be read in the context of 2 Peter 3:9 and 10.

Miles: “[Yahuwah] is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

Dave: Yahuwah is unwilling that anyone should perish, and that includes Pharaoh, too. But He’ll never force the will. If a person is obstinately bent on resisting the spirit of Yah, the Father will step back—He’s very polite—and allow the person’s own actions to confirm their choices.

Miles: Okay, that does sound a lot better. And it is consistent with Yahuwah’s character of love.

Dave: Another point to remember is that salvation depends on faith.

Miles: And, according to Paul, Yahuwah “has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” [Romans 12:3b] Everyone’s been gifted with sufficient faith to be saved, if they’ll just choose to do so.

Dave: Exactly. But that faith must be acted upon. When you hear the gospel, you must choose to believe. Turn to Mark 4. Mark chapter 4. There’s a parable here that really illustrates this point. Start with verse 3.

Miles:

Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. [Mark 4:3-8]

Dave: Now drop down to verse, uh, 14. Verse 14.

Miles:

The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred. [Mark 4:14-20]

Dave: It always boils down to personal choice. When we hear the truth, are we going to reject it immediately? Are we going to accept it only to let the cares of life distract us away from obedience? Or are we going to fully embrace it, letting it transform us through faith?

The problem in Yahushua’s day—and, to be precise, it was a problem stretching back centuries—was that the Jews didn’t want to be saved by faith. When you’re saved by faith, you rely totally and completely on the salvation Yahuwah has provided. You acknowledge you can’t do anything. But the Jews didn’t want to admit that.

Miles: Eats away at personal pride, doesn’t it, to admit we can’t do anything to save ourselves?

Dave: They didn’t want to be saved by faith alone. They preferred to have a hand in it. They wanted their own efforts to count for something, so when Yahushua came preaching the true gospel of the kingdom, they rejected it.

Paul clearly states that this was the reason the Jews rejected their Messiah. Read it in Romans 9 verses 30 to 32.

Miles: All right, it says, uh:

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.

Dave: So they heard the gospel, but it didn’t appeal to their pride. So, they rejected it.

Miles: Now, a lot of Christians believe that all the Jews will be saved in the end. I always thought it was more of an individual thing. But listening to you now, does this mean that Yahuwah has no more plans for the Jews? I’m thinking of Yahushua’s mourning over Jerusalem when he said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.” [Matthew 23:37-38]

Does this mean that all the prophecies and promises are now just for spiritual Israel? Those amongst the Gentiles who believe?

Dave: That’s a good question. Absolutely salvation is and always has been on an individual basis. Go to chapter 11. Let’s take a look at that next. Go ahead and start with verse 1.

Miles:

I ask then: Did [Yahuwah] reject His people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [Yahuwah] did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to [Yah] against Israel: “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was [Yahuwah’s] answer to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”

Dave: Now notice what he says next. He’s drawing a comparison between the days of Elijah and the Jews of the Christian era. Go on.

Miles:

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written:

“Elohim gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”

Dave: There’s that word, harden, again. Those who reject the drawing of Yah’s spirit will be strengthened and confirmed in their choice. However, Yahuwah has always had a remnant amongst the Jews. Those who have believed in Him and obeyed Him and that’s no different now. There are Jews who believe the gospel and there will be more who accept salvation in the future.

Miles: That makes sense. And it’s in keeping with the Father’s character of love.

We’re going to take a quick break and be right back.

* * *

Advertisement

Extrapolations have their uses, but they also have their limitations. Some Christians have taken their belief in a triune godhead and extrapolated from that the belief that the archangel Michael, spoken of in the Old Testament, as well as the “angel of the covenant” are references to Christ in his pre-incarnate form.

This deduction seems reasonable. After all, if Yahushua, as “God the Son,” is one-third of a divine trinity, then it would stand to reason that he has existed from eternity past, just as have “God the Father” and “God the Holy Spirit.”

But is this deduction, based on extrapolation, accurate? If our assumptions—however reasonable they may appear—are based on faulty or inaccurate conclusions, our beliefs will be off.

To learn the truth about the identity of Michael and whether or not Yahushua had a pre-incarnate existence, look for the previously aired radio program entitled, “Michael & Yahushua: One and the Same?” Once again, that’s “Michael & Yahushua: One and the Same?” [Program 171] You can find it on our website at WorldsLastChance.com or look for it on YouTube!

* * *Part 2: Does Yahuwah play favorites?

Miles: So, as we were saying in our last segment, there is and has always been a remnant of Jews that will be saved.

Dave: Just as there will be a remnant from every culture, every tribe and nation, every race and religion.

Miles: And Yahuwah still has plans for them. I just want to ask this flat-out: do you ever get the feeling that Yahuwah prefers those of Jewish lineage?

Dave: You mean, does He play favorites?

Miles: Well, no … I mean, that just sounds so wrong. But, yeah. I guess sometimes, even though I know intellectually Yahuwah doesn’t play favorites, I’ve got the feeling that He does prefer the Jews.

You know, there’s all the he who touches you, touches the apple of His eye talk. [See Zechariah 2:8.]

Dave: I understand and I think a lot of people can feel that way. I’ve met people who insist they’re descendants of the “lost tribes” of Israel. They can’t prove it from their ancestry or family name, but they’re convinced that, genetically, they’ve descended some way or other from one of the lost tribes of Israel. One woman told me that her heart had convicted her this was so, and so she believed it to be true.

And, of course, my own crisis of identity when I discovered as a child that I was a—gasp!—Gentile.

Whenever you get feeling that way, remember the story of Cornelius. He was a Roman centurion living in Caesarea. He was directed to send to Joppa for Peter.

Miles: Oh, yeah. I remember. Yah sent Peter a dream in which he saw a sheet lowered with all kinds of animals, clean and unclean, in it. In the dream he was told to rise, kill, and eat.

Dave: Which, of course, horrified him as a torah-observant Jew. Let’s take a look at that. The story’s in Acts 10. What did Peter say when he was told to kill and eat these unclean animals?

Miles: Uhhh … Verse 14: “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

Dave: For those who say the law was nailed to the cross, I just want to point out that this occurred a number of years after Christ’s ascension. So what does the voice say in response to Peter’s objection?

Miles: “The voice spoke to him a second time, ‘Do not call anything impure that [Yah] has made clean.’”

Dave: This isn’t suddenly giving free-license to eat unclean foods. Yahuwah has never declared the uncleans foods to be suddenly clean. This was teaching a lesson about prejudice and Peter understood it as such. He went with the messengers to Caesarea, to the home of a Roman centurion, and upon seeing all the “uncircumcised Gentiles” gathered there, what did he say? Verses 28 and 29.

Miles:

He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But [Yahuwah] has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Dave: Peter clearly had not interpreted the vision to mean he could now eat anything he wanted. It was a lesson on prejudice and racism and he clearly understood the lesson.

So Cornelius explains his own experience. How an angel came and told him his prayer was answered and directed him to send for Peter. Start reading again at verse 33. This is the last of Cornelius’s explanation.

Miles:

So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of [Yah] to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that [Yahuwah] does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right.

Dave: There is your answer: Yahuwah does not show favoritism. He accepts everyone from any background who comes to Him for salvation.

Miles: Well, would it be fair to say the Jews had an advantage?

Dave: I think that would be fair to say. Anyone who has the highest levels of truth also has the greatest advantage. Someone raised in a Christian home to believe in the goodness and love of the Father is going to have an advantage, I suppose you could say, to someone raised in a heathen home to fear demons.

However, remember, as we’ve said before, that each belief system has enough truth in it that, if followed, will leader the seeker into still greater truth.

Miles: Yeah. Yahuwah’s made sure of it.

Dave: It wouldn’t be fair otherwise.

Also, remember Christ’s parable of the faithful steward. Let’s take a quick look at that. It’s in Luke 12, I believe. Luke 12 and . . . not sure of the verses. Let me see. Oh, yes. Start reading Christ’s words at verse 42.

Miles:

Who will be the faithful, sensible steward whom his master will put in charge of his household to give them their supplies at the proper time? Happy is the servant if his master finds him so doing when he returns. I tell you he will promote him to look after all his property. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master takes his time about returning’, and then begins to beat the men and women servants and to eat and drink and get drunk, that servant’s lord and master will return suddenly and unexpectedly, and he will punish him severely and send him to share the penalty of the unfaithful. The slave who knows his master’s plan but does not get ready or act upon it will be severely punished, but the servant who did not know the plan, though he has done wrong, will be let off lightly. Much will be expected from the one who has been given much, and the more a man is trusted, the more people will expect of him.

Dave: The Jews in Bible-times, and Christians today, have been blessed with an abundance of truth. Is there an advantage to that? Of course! But to whom much is given, much is expected or required.

A hypocritical Christian today, just like a hypocritical Pharisee in Yahushua’s day, is far worse off than, say, a Hindu or Muslim today, or Samaritan or Greek in Christ’s day. There are many very sincere Hindus and Muslims. If they are living up to all the light they have, trying to live good lives consistent with the truth they have, they are in a much better place than a Christian who’s been exposed to great light and rejects it because it’s inconvenient.

Miles: Or uses the light they do have to judge and find fault with others.

Dave: Exactly.

Yahuwah, being a loving Father, wants everyone to be saved. Turn to Romans 11 now. Paul is going to describe a fascinating process by which Yahuwah is seeking to draw the Jews to the truth.

See, we all have been shaped by our upbringing, by the beliefs with which we were raised, by our past experiences. I know a lot of Christians tend to be dismissive of modern psychology, but I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe Yahuwah is the greatest psychologist there ever was.

Miles: Yeah, okay. I can see that. He is, after all, our Creator. He hardwired our brains.

Dave: And He knows how our cultural upbringing has shaped our thoughts and emotions.

Not to wander too far off course, but this is why I keep emphasizing that it is not our job to convict others of sin. It is the Holy Spirit’s job. The spirit of Yah knows the best way to reach each individual heart and does it in the gentlest way possible.

We only see the outside. It’s easy for us to just tromp all over another without a thought to what else he or she may be dealing with at the time.

Miles: And sadly, it’s just that sort of behavior that has turned many away from Yah.

Dave: Yes.

Getting back on track, Romans 11 reveals a fascinating plan Yahuwah has implemented in His efforts to draw out a remnant of the Jews to be saved.

Miles: What plan is that?

Dave: You’re going to laugh because it sounds funny, but I can prove it from Scripture: Yahuwah is going to make the Jews . . . jealous.

Miles: Jealous? Yeah, that’s funny. How’s that going to work, though?

Dave: Well, let’s start in Ephesians 2. Keep your finger there in Romans 11 because we’re going to come back to it in just a moment, but first read Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11 to 13. This is describing the condition of the Gentiles before the gospel was preached to them.

Miles:

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without [Yahuwah] in the world. But now in Christ Yahushua you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. [Ephesians 2:11-13]

Dave: So this is where the Gentiles started out: without hope and without Yah, excluded from citizenship in Israel as well as the promises given to Israel. But now, the gospel since the time of Christ has gone to the nations of the Gentiles. This is creating a situation in which Yahuwah can be merciful to all.

Let’s go back to Romans 11 now and read verses 30 to 32. He’s speaking to the Gentiles here about the Jews. Go ahead.

Miles: All right, it says, quote: “Just as you who were at one time disobedient to [Yahuwah] have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of [Yahuwah’s] mercy to you. For [Yah] has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all.” Unquote.

What does this mean?

Dave: Basically, when the gospel was rejected by the Jews as a nation—we know that there were plenty who did receive and accept it, but most did not—the gospel was then taken to the Gentiles. This was to have a two-fold effect. First, of course, was because Yahuwah wanted the Gentiles to be saved. Secondly, though, was that Yahuwah knew that the emotional response of the Jews to seeing the gospel go to the Gentiles would be jealousy.

This may sound strange, but anyone who has ever spent time reading the Talmud will understand.

Miles: Oh, yeah. The Talmud. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Talmud is the oral traditions of the Jews written down. It is incredibly racist. It contains passages that clearly establish the supposed superiority of the Jews.

Now, I just want to establish, this is not scriptural. This is the core text of modern Rabbinic Judaism but it’s not part of the Bible. There are even statements in there that justify taking advantage of non-Jews and classifying them as less than Jews.

For example, let me open a document here on my computer … okay. The Schene luchoth haberuth, page 250b of the Talmud—I may be mispronouncing it, but it says, quote: “Although the non-Jew has the same body structure as the Jew, they compare with the Jew as a monkey to a human.” Unquote.

Then, the Ereget Raschi Erod, 22 30 of the Talmud says, quote: “The Akum (non-Jew) is like a dog. Yes, the scripture teaches to honor the dog more than the non-Jew.” Unquote. So yeah. Rabbinic Judaism’s central text is extremely racist and teaches Jews to feel superior to all non-Jews.

Dave: Not all Jews hold to these beliefs, but it is taught in the Talmud. Fortunately, Yahuwah accepts everyone where they are. If someone has had such beliefs inculcated into them from the womb, yeah. They’re likely to look down on non-Jews. That’s what they’ve been taught. So, Yahuwah, as the master psychologist, has implemented a plan to work with them where they are and that plan, as explained in Romans 11, is to make them jealous.

Miles: Where does it say that? I mean, that’s new information to me. I think it’s kind of funny but hey! If it works, that means more people will be saved. Where does it say that, though?

Dave: Paul’s explaining to the Gentile believers in Rome that the Jews have always had, and will continue to have, a remnant who do accept the truth, which is salvation by faith. But the majority of the Jews, as we said earlier, didn’t want free salvation. They wanted to work for it. Okay, let’s start at, uh, verse 5 of Romans 11s.

Miles:

So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written:

“[Yahuwah] gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”

And David says:

“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! [Romans 11:5-12]

Dave: Did you catch that? Verse 11: “Salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious.” This doesn’t mean that Yahuwah loves the Gentiles less or values the Jews more. It simply means He knows how to reach everyone where they’re at, and He’s set in motion a process to reach as many Jews as possible.

Miles: So, the prophecies went first to the Jews. The Messiah is Jewish. The promises were given first to the Jews, and yet it’s the Gentiles embracing the truth and inheriting the promises. Yeah, I can see how that could arouse jealousy. Brilliant!

Dave: Yahushua likened this to the work of pruning which arborists do to trees. Leave your finger there in Romans 11 and turn back to John 15. Start reading at verse 1. This will make the rest of Romans 11 make a lot more sense.

Miles: All right, uh …

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. [John 15:1-8]

Dave: When the Jews rejected the Messiah, they were “pruned,” you could say, from the True Vine. But there’s still hope for them! And Romans 11 tells us how. Start at verse 13.

Miles:

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches. [Romans 11:13-16]

Dave: See? He’s got hope that there will yet be Jews that accept salvation. He says their acceptance of the gospel will bring them life from certain death. Now he’s going to explain how that happens. Verse 17.

Miles:

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if [Yahuwah] did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. [Romans 11:17-21]

Dave: The Messiah was sent to Israel. You could say that the Vine, the original stock, is Jewish. Consequently, the Jews are the natural branches. Yes, they were pruned off due to unbelief, but there’s still hope for them: they can be grafted in again!

Keep going. Verse 22.

Miles:

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of [Yahuwah]: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for [Yahuwah] is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree! [Romans 11:22-24]

Dave: So there is equal hope for both Jews and Gentiles. And many of both will be saved. The rebellious Jews who rejected the Messiah can be grafted into the parent stock again. They’re the “natural” branches. This is what it means for the gospel to be “first for the Jew.” This is the process by which Jews can still be saved.

Keep going at verse 25. Paul promises that many Jews will, in the end, embrace the truth and be saved.

Miles:

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for [Yahuwah’s] gifts and His call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to [Yahuwah] have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of [Yahuwah’s] mercy to you. For Yahuwah has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all. [Romans 11:25-32]

Dave: When Yahushua returns, it will be seen that Yah’s word hasn’t failed. The promises to Israel will all be fulfilled. Both the natural branches grafted back in, as well as the wild branches that have been grafted in will, collectively, make up the Israel of Yah and to them, all of His promises will be fulfilled.

* * *

You are listening to World's Last Chance Radio.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.

* * *Advertisement

Deuteronomy 6 verse 4 declares, “Hear, O Israel: Yahuwah our Eloah, Yahuwah is one.” This is an unequivocal statement regarding the nature of our Creator. He is one. Not two. Not three-in-one. Not many. He. Is. One.

Recently, a word study into the Hebrew definitions of the words of this passage has emerged suggesting that embedded in this passage is proof for a triune godhead. If this is true, it would establish support for the trinity from the Torah itself. If it is not true, you should know why so you can share with others who believe in a triune godhead.

For a deep study into this passage and what the words really mean, look for the previously aired radio program entitled “New evidence for the trinity ! Or not?” [Program #173] That’s “New evidence for the trinity! Or not?” You can find previously aired programs on our website at WorldsLastChance.com or on YouTube!

* * *Daily Mailbag

Miles: Time for our daily mailbag! Today’s question is coming from the Pearl of the Indian Ocean; the teardrop of India.

Dave: Sri Lanka?

Miles: Ding! Ding! Ding! Give the man a gold star. Yes. Sri Lanka is also said to be the original source of cinnamon. Its national flag is one of the oldest in the entire world, going back to 162 BCE.

Dave: Wow. I wasn’t aware that any national flag was that old. So what’s today’s question?

Miles: Well, Ayaansh—forgive me if I’m mispronouncing your name—has a great question. He writes: “Dear Brothers, Thank you for your broadcasts. A friend shared one of them with me and I am really interested in hearing more. I don’t have a shortwave radio and I don’t have the time to sit and listen to a recording from YouTube. Is there any other way that I can listen to your radio programs?”

Dave: Yes! As a matter of fact, there is. I’m so glad you asked. On our website, click on the WLC Radio icon. On that page, select the language you want. Then, you have several different options. You can download each radio program as an MP4 file. Alternately, you can also download a mobile app to your phone. Just click on whichever one you need. There’s a mobile app for Apple devices as well as one for Android.

Miles: So, yeah. There’s a variety of ways to listen. Get your earbuds in and you can listen to them from your phone!

Dave: Isn’t modern technology great?

Miles: Ahhh … as long as it stays available!

Dave: That’s true, that’s true.

Miles: Okay, we’ve time for one more quick question. Magdalena from Córdoba in “sunny Spain” writes: “I want to express my appreciation for the ministry of WLC. I have learned so much from the articles, eCourses and videos on your website. They have been a wonderful resource for our family as we have transitioned to worshipping at home.

“I want to give back in some way. Do you accept donations? How can I help in your ministry?”

Dave: Well, thank you, Magdalena. That is very kind of you and I know I speak on behalf of the team when I say thank you for your kind and generous response. As a matter of fact, we actually do not accept donations. However, there is certainly a way you can help us.

Scripture refers repeatedly to the orphaned, the widows, and those in need of assistance. We actually have a branch of our ministry that gives to those in honest need. The problem is, although our team members are spread all over the world, in our individual lives, we all only know of those in our local sphere of influence. We need help in identifying those genuinely in need.

Miles: That’s right. Finding out who is in need is just as important as sending funds to them. So, even though we do not accept donations, we do need your help. We view those who help us identify people in need as equal partners in this venture.

Dave: And this is something you can do at your local level, too. Most of us grew up thinking of tithes as something we give to the church—whichever church of which we were members. But if you go back and read what the Bible actually has to say about tithes and offerings, much if not most of it was actually to be spent helping the fatherless and the widowed. Hosting the poor for the annual feasts, that sort of thing.

Miles: That’s right. I remember being surprised to discover that.

So. If you know of people in your vicinity that are in need, giving to them directly is a great way to return tithes and offerings to Yahuwah. And, again, we welcome hearing from you of people you know of who are in dire need. Go to our website and look for the WLC Alms ministry to read through the criteria that needs to be met to receive help.

Dave: Proverbs 19:17: “If you help the poor, you are lending to Yahuwah—and He will repay you!”

Miles: Beautiful promise! If you’ve got questions or comments, we’d like to hear from you, too. Just go to our website at WorldsLastChance.com and click on Contact Us.

Up next: your daily promise with Elise O’Brien.

* * *Daily Promise

Hello! This is Elise O’Brien with your daily promise from Yah’s Word.

I really enjoy sharing true stories that illustrate the promises given to us in Scripture. I personally find it faith-inspiring to hear of the many ways Yahuwah has helped others. It encourages me because I know that what He has done for others, He can do for me, too, and I get a lot of enjoyment out of passing that encouragement along to you, our listeners.

But today, I’m going to do something a little different. I’m going to share with you a personal story. A story that comes from my heart.

My son has been sick for many years. Starting when he was 10 years old, he would complain of feeling tired all the time. He seemed to have difficulty breathing while running, and after an afternoon of playing with his friends he would be sick in bed for weeks, running low-grade temperatures. I took him to his pediatrician who suggested he try an inhaler. But … he didn’t get better. Finally, after months of taking him back over and over, she asked me if I were paying him enough attention at home. She suggested that there was nothing truly wrong with him, he was just pretending to be sick in order to get attention. That was my sign to find a different doctor because she had obviously exhausted everything she knew to try.

As the years passed, my son got sicker and sicker and sicker. When he was 13, he was spending most of every day in bed, weak and exhausted. By the time he was 14, he was bedridden. I took him to doctor after doctor after doctor. I would tell each one: “I know my son. He is sick. He’s not depressed. He. Is. Sick!” They would all run a variety of tests, try different things, but eventually, after a number of months, they would circle back around to telling me that my son was depressed or that he was faking it just to get attention.

One doctor was quite blunt, telling me, “Every symptom you ask him, he has. There is no medical reason he has all these symptoms. He would benefit from seeing a therapist.” My insistence that I knew him and that he was sick was not enough to get a diagnosis. All I could do was pray and pray and keep trying to find answers.

Finally, just a few days ago, in fact, the fifteenth doctor—doctor number 15—was finally able to give us a diagnosis. My precious son has a streptococcus infection, and he has had it for so many years now, that it’s gone systemic. Going untreated for so long has damaged his internal organs. This fits with what I’ve been telling the doctors: that he’s tired all the time, that any exertion at all makes him worse, but that he does improve slightly as long as he’s on antibiotics. The good news is, though, that he can now finally get better. It’s going to take a while to fully recover because he’s been sick for so many years, but now, at 18 years of age, he can finally recover and have a normal life again.

As I was thinking over the years and years I struggled to find answers, being the lone voice insisting that something was wrong, as I thought about the tears I’ve shed and the prayers I’ve prayed while trying to get a diagnosis, I remembered the Saviour’s parable in Luke 18.

The chapter starts out saying, “Then Yahushua told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.” The parable is of a widow who appeared before an unjust judge, insisting she be given justice. For quite some time, the judge rejected her pleas. Eventually, though, he became so irritated by her persistence that he finally granted her justice.

Yahushua ended the story by saying, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not [Yahuwah] bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly.” [Luke 18:6b-8a]

In life, we don’t always get immediate answers to our prayers. Sometimes, it can even take years. But I am here to tell you that throughout it all, our loving heavenly Father hears our prayers and sends strength to sustain us through every trial.

We have been given great and precious promises. Go and start claiming!

* * *Part 3: Does Yahuwah play favorites?

Miles: This has been a really interesting study and I like the fact that there is yet hope for the Jews. Not in the sense that evangelicals believe, but that Yah has a plan to lead those whose hearts can be drawn into a saving relationship with Him.

Dave: That’s what it’s all about. That’s what it’s always been about: Yahuwah’s desire to save to the uttermost all that come to Him.

Yahuwah’s actions reveal His hidden, inner heart, and what that reveals is a love so vast, a kindness so profound, a long-suffering patience so deep, that anyone at all, regardless of past sins or mistakes, can find salvation. He loves you, He loves me, just that much. And if you were to be lost, if I were to be lost, He would spend eternity missing us. That’s how much He loves us.

Miles: That’s beautiful. I’d never really thought about Yahuwah missing the lost, but with a heart of love like His, yeah. Now that you put it that way, I can see it.

Dave: To close, would you please read Ephesians 2, verses 4 through 10. And as Miles reads, I want to invite our hearers to close your eyes and soak in these words that show the lengths to which Yahuwah will go to save you . . . because He loves you.

Miles:

But because of His great love for us, [Yahuwah], who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And [Yahuwah] raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Yahushua, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Yahushua. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of [Yah]—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are [Yah’s] handiwork, created in Christ Yahushua to do good works, which [Yahuwah] prepared in advance for us to do.

Dave: The full glory of Yah and His plans for His children won’t be seen and grasped until His kingdom is established on earth. Only those who experience it will know what it is.

Miles: It reminds me of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 2 verse 9 which says: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which [Yahuwah] has prepared for those who love him.”

Dave: Amen. His love is incomprehensible. We’ll be gaining insights into it throughout all eternity. So don’t give up on witnessing to others. Yahuwah hasn’t! There are still many souls to be saved.

Miles: Thank you, Dave.

Well, our time is up. Please join us again tomorrow, and until then, remember: Yahuwah loves you . . . and He is safe to trust!

* * *

You have been listening to WLC Radio.

This program and past episodes of WLC Radio are available for downloading on our website. They're great for sharing with friends and for use in Bible studies! They're also an excellent resource for those worshipping Yahuwah alone at home. To listen to previously aired programs, visit our website at WorldsLastChance.com. Click on the WLC Radio icon displayed on our homepage.

In his teachings and parables, the Savior gave no “signs of the times” to watch for. Instead, the thrust of his message was constant … vigilance. Join us again tomorrow for another truth-filled message as we explore various topics focused on the Savior's return and how to live in constant readiness to welcome him warmly when he comes.

WLC Radio: Teaching minds and preparing hearts for Christ's sudden return.