(Continued: Chapter VII- Messiah Awaiting Israel's Cry For Help)

We have abundantly seen that the remnant of Israel of the end time will penitently and in genuine faith repent of their sins against God and Messiah and will plead for Messiah to come to save them: "Who shall ascend into the hill of Jehovah? And who shall stand in his holy place?" (Ps. 24:3).

These rhetorical questions are answered in the following words:

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart;
Who hath not lifted up his soul unto falsehood,
And hath not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from Jehovah,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is the generation of them that seek after him,
That seek thy face, even Jacob.

According to these verses, Israel of the end time will be in dead earnest concerning their being acceptable to God.

The inspired Apostle Peter, at the house of Cornelius (Acts chapter 10), gave a brief message concerning Jesus of Nazareth who will accept all who come to Him.

34 ... Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: 35 but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is acceptable to him. 36 The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)—37 that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; 38 even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. 40 Him God raised up the third day, and gave him to be made manifest, 41 not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name every one that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins (Acts 10:34b-43).

In Acts, chapter 15, is a record of the first church conference which was called by the elders of the church in Jerusalem to confer the question as to how people are saved. Some of the brethren insisted that the formula for salvation is: faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour plus observing the law of Moses. These misguided brethren insisted that "Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (Acts 15:1b). After much discussion apostle Peter guided by the Spirit of God, declared;

7 ... Brethren, ye know that a good while ago God made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; 9 and he made no distinction between us [Jews] and them [Gentiles], cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why make ye trial of God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in like manner as they (Acts 15:7b-11).

Since salvation of the soul is the most important consideration of life, one cannot afford to neglect the settling of this question, once for all; for, asks the inspired Apostle, "How shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Heb. 2:3). There is no hope of eternal life for the one who neglects or fails to receive Christ as Lord and Saviour. Jesus declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. 17 For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him" (John 3:16,17).

SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL
Shepherd of Israel, keeping Thy sheep—
Never forgetting in slumber or sleep;
Folding them gently when night cometh on,
Going before them at break of the dawn!

Shepherd of Israel, true to Thine own
When the false hireling servant hath flown;
Laying Thy life down their pardon to win,
Shedding Thy blood to redeem them from sin!

Shepherd of Israel, strong is Thine arm,
Shielding Thy flock from each threatening harm;
Gath'ring the lambs as they falter and fall,
Safe in Thy bosom enfolding them all!

Shepherd of Israel, soon to appear,
Soon to deliver Thy little flock here!
Just to behold Thee, their richest reward—
Shepherd of Israel, Jesus, their Lord!

Chorus:
Shepherd of Israel! Shepherd of love!
Watching Thy flock from the glory above!
Knowing how weary their wilderness way;
Praying for them—ever living to pray!