I recently came across an article describing Israel as portrayed in the Bible; it stated that the Scriptures liken Israel to both "thorns" and "fig trees." Upon further reflection, I realized just how unfathomable the wisdom of Jehovah God truly is! In the Old Testament, Israel is depicted as "thorns"—and thorns are inevitably destined to be consumed by fire. Although God repeatedly sought to preserve Israel, the people persisted in their wickedness; consequently, Israel could never shed its "thorny nature." This "thorny nature" breeds destruction, occupies land in vain, and squanders resources. This is precisely why Israel suffered destruction and remained scattered for nearly two thousand years! The people of Israel must repent! Whether you identify as an Israelite or a Jew, you are bound to repent—for God’s judgment has already fallen upon you! This also explains the true reason why the population of Israel has never increased. From antiquity to the present day, Israelites and Jews alike have worshipped Mammon! The greatest sin of Israel and the Jewish people is idolatry! The "Golden Calf" has never truly departed from among them. Israelites and Jews must grasp one fundamental truth: While your wealth may be increasing, your descendants are steadily diminishing. This is because the blessing bestowed upon Abraham has departed from you; thus, your numbers can no longer be as countless as the stars in the heavens or the sands upon the seashore!
In the New Testament, Jesus frequently employed the parable of the fig tree—a metaphor specifically used to represent the people of Israel and the Jews. Today, it appears that the true Israelites have vanished, leaving behind only the "Jews." The Tribe of Benjamin, for instance, effectively ceased to exist as early as the era of the Judges; those claiming to be Benjaminites today are merely impostors. Northern Israel was assimilated long ago; indeed, the Assyrian Empire deliberately orchestrated the assimilation of the Israelite people. In the New Testament era, "Israel" was largely synonymous with Samaria; by the time Jerusalem was rebuilt, the majority of Israelites had already interbred with Gentiles. Consequently, none of the other Israelite tribes remain today; the only tribe that might possibly retain a degree of purity is the Tribe of Judah. Yet, if even the Tribe of Judah has interbred, then, in essence, there remain no pure-blooded Jews or Israelites left in this world. This is precisely why pastors and preachers constantly emphasize that Christians constitute the "New Israel"—the new people of God! For if we fail to comprehend the nature of the people Jehovah God desires, then we—the "New Israel"—risk becoming just another people whom He detests and casts aside. What kind of descendants of Abraham does Jehovah God desire? Who are the true descendants of Abraham? Jehovah God is the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Israel! Abraham, Isaac, and Israel were not perfect men, yet they shared one common characteristic: they all feared Jehovah God! These three men were the ancestors of those Israelites who never worshipped the Golden Calf! Therefore—whether it be a nation, a people, a family, or an individual—to be blessed, one must fear Jehovah God! If a fig tree bears no fruit, it is destined to wither away!
Let us now consider why the Israelites are likened to "thorns." (Exodus 3:4)When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”— Why did Jehovah God choose to appear to Moses from within a thorny bush? The thorns symbolize the nature of the Israelites' lives: stubbornness and rebellion! Moreover, the Israelites were perpetually engaged in idolatry, worshipping the gods of Egypt. Yet, from amidst these corrupt Israelites, Jehovah God called Moses forth; this was the true purpose behind Jehovah God appearing to Moses from within the thorns. (Genesis 26:4) I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and will give them all these lands, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, — Jehovah God is truly faithful! Jehovah God indeed caused Abraham's descendants to become as numerous as the stars; yet, regrettably, the Israelites failed to bring blessings to the nations of the earth. Instead, the nations of the earth suffered even greater misery because of the Israelites. Thus, this is the true reason why the Jewish people were brought to the very brink of extinction! I would like to ask the Jewish people: If Jehovah God has the power to bless the descendants of Abraham, does He not also have the power to destroy the descendants of Abraham? Let the Jewish people ponder this for themselves!
Let us now turn our attention to the fig tree in the New Testament! (Matthew 7:16) By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? — We must marvel at the wisdom of Jesus! Jesus knew the character of the Israelites; Jesus knew exactly what kind of people the Israelites and the Jews were! Jesus told us directly: Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? The Jews have always been a people who prioritize money above all else! The Jews care nothing for "familial bonds"; they invariably place their own self-interest first! What did Jesus tell His disciples? (Matthew 28:19) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,— Jesus told His disciples to go forth—to make disciples of *all nations*! I ask Christians and Christian leaders worldwide: Have you truly followed Jesus' teachings? Have you truly made disciples of all nations for Jesus? Instead, you engage in self-righteous acts of violence and distort the Scriptures! Who is the Antichrist spoken of in the Book of Revelation? The "Antichrist" refers precisely to those self-righteous Christians! I no longer wish to concern myself with those self-righteous Christians! I simply wish to tell all Jewish people that you must reflect: Is your money truly what matters most? Or should you instead return completely to the path of your ancestors? The only Jewish ancestor whose heart was truly pleasing to God was "David." Why was King David pleasing to God? I can state with absolute certainty to the Jewish people: Abraham, Isaac, Israel, and King David were all men who revered and feared the LORD God! Jewish people, while you still draw breath, make haste to confess your sins, repent, and return to the LORD God! Your money cannot save your lives! Your money cannot grant you entry into eternal life! The LORD God does not fear your rebellion or your greed, for He possesses over ten thousand ways to punish the Jewish people! Jewish people, repent—and do so quickly!
