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(Continued: An Exposition of Psalm 126)
As seen above, Israel's return to "the goodness of Jehovah" is his return to Jehovah himself. But since no one can come to Jehovah the Father except through Christ (John 14:6), the return in this instance must be to the Son. But in coming to Christ, Israel will have to call upon Him. "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 and how shall they preach, except they be sent? even as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that bring glad tidings of good things'" (Rom. 10:14,15). According to these verses Israel must be given God's Word in order that he might hear of Christ, might believe on Him, might call upon Him and be saved. "So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Rom. 10:17).
God has one way of saving people, which is "... through the foolishness of the preaching" (I Cor. 1:21)--not foolish preaching! Both Jew and Gentile have to be saved by the grace of God through faith, but faith comes by hearing, by the message of Christ. It is absolutely essential, therefore, that the truth be given to Israel. Notwithstanding these clear scriptural facts, some Bible students have come to the conclusion that Israel is to be saved, not by the preaching of the truth, but by looking literally upon the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes at the end of the Tribulation. As proof of this position, reference is made to Zechariah 12:10: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn" (King James Version).
Note carefully the sentence: "... and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced." From this translation the idea is gathered that Israel, at the end of the Tribulation, will look upon Jesus physically and bodily when He returns to this earth and, by seeing Him at that time, will accept Him. They then will be saved, not by faith, which comes from the preaching of the Word, but by sight. But this translation is incorrect. The American Standard Version accurately renders the Hebrew by saying that "... they shall look UNTO me [Jehovah] whom they have pierced ..." The same idiom is used by Isaiah in 45:22: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else." This language is an exhortation to the people who survive the Tribulation, as the context indicates, to look unto God and be saved. Obviously, this is an exhortation for them to place their faith in Jehovah and look to Him in trust for their salvation. Thus the people of Israel, when their power has been broken in pieces (Dan. 12:7), having heard the message of truth, will put their faith in the Saviour whom their ancestors pierced at His first coming. They will then call upon Him to come and deliver them. When they do this, He of course will come. This conclusion is confirmed by such passages as the following:- "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock;
Thou that sittest
above the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up thy might, And come to save us. Turn us again, O God;
And cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved" (Pa. 80:1-3).
"O Jehovah, thou God to whom vengeance belongeth,
Thou God to whom vengeance belongeth, shine forth" (Ps. 94:1).
These quotations are prayers of the penitent remnant of Israel, who at the time here foreseen will have been given the truth regarding Messiah and His redemptive work, and who will plead for him to leave His place in glory, to come back to the earth, and to save them. From these passages alone--though there are a number of others that teach the same things--we see that the convicted, penitent remnant of the Hebrews will "... look unto me [Jehovah] whom they have pierced ..."; that is, they will look to Him--not by seeing Him bodily when He returns to earth--but they will look by faith, a faith based upon hearing the Word of God, unto Him who "was wounded for our [Israel's] transgression ..." (Isa. 53:6). These people will be saved by the preaching of the gospel, just as all others are saved.
It may be necessary at this point for me again to call attention to the fact that the author of Psalm 126 is looking at Palestine as the land in which the developments seen in the prophecy have just started--only since the establishment of the new State of Israel. He sees the people returning to the land, literally to the land of their nativity. Moreover, in vision he sees certain ones bearing the seed, the truth of the grace of God through the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning blood, and sowing this seed in all Israel. This is indeed a vision of a nation-wide seed-sowing of the truth of God. Since this is a spiritual preview of the return which is now going on, it is also a vision of the nation-wide sowing of the seed throughout all Israel.
D. Time for Broadcasting the Seed--the Word of God
The inspired writer thinks of this period in Israel's history as the time of sowing. No one expects to reap the harvest at the time of planting. Planters have to wait until the seed germinates, springs forth, develops into a plant, and finally produces the head in which the new grain appears. Then it ripens for harvest.
Yet many people insist on seeing big and visible results¹ now in the form of a great number of Jews who accept the Lord. They do not see that now is the time to sow the seed in all Israel. Every one who realizes this fact can see that it is necessary to sow the seed at the present time. The sower must not concern himself with converts only. God takes care of that. Our business is to plant and to water, but He gives the increase (I Cor. 3:6) at the harvest time.
This seed-sowing in all Israel is a colossal task. No one man can do it alone. No small group can accomplish it. The reason for these statements is this: The people of Israel are scattered throughout the nations of the world. They speak the various languages of the people among whom they live. While it is true that there are great centers of Jewish population, as New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, many of them are living in isolated places. Those who are scattered and are few in number in various localities must have the message of the truth the same as those in large cities. But in places of great Jewish population the matter of reaching the Hebrews with the Word of God is indeed a problem. There are not enough trained workers to visit them. Many of them live in hotels and apartments, and, so far as being accessible to the sower is concerned, they might as well be barricaded behind castle walls. Moreover, it is most difficult to get them to attend a church or a, public gathering. How then can this seed be sowed throughout the nation? There is but one answer, and that is, through properly prepared literature and by means of the radio and television.
The prophet sees those who are sowing the seed in Israel and realizes that it is a heartbreaking situation. Those who are really sowing do so in tears. They go forth weeping, bearing the seed of preciousness. There is opposition, persecution, misrepresentation on the part of many against those who are working in Israel. They are handicapped, experience difficulties, and face situations that are all but impossible. Some actually endure privations. If there is no trouble, the devil will see to it that some develops. Yet the prophet sees them going forth, sowing with heavy hearts, but looking forward, however, to the reaping time and an abundant harvest.
That there is a special time of world-wide seed-sowing is clear from the following passage: "For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself a ransom for all; the testimony to be borne in its own times; 7 whereunto I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I speak the truth, I lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth" (1 Tim. 2:5,6). Note the statement, "... the testimony to be borne in its own times.'' From many passages of Scripture we learn that the real time for the preaching of the gospel "in its own time" is the Tribulation Period. Then it will be given to all nations and bring about the mightiest of all revivals. Read carefully Revelation, chapter 7. In this passage we see that there will be 144,000 Jewish servants, who are sealed, and who will bring about this mighty awakening. Thus the testimony will be given in its own time during the first part of the Tribulation. The results will come then, for we are told that, when God's judgments are in the earth, "... the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness" (Isa. 26:9). This time, of course, as is recognized by all prophetic students, is the Tribulation.
This seed-sowing in Israel now is only the necessary preparation for the greater, world-wide seed-sowing which Israel, in turn, will do in the Tribulation. Since they do not have the message of truth regarding salvation through the blood of Christ, we who have it must give it to them now--while we still have time and opportunity, before the doors are closed against the preaching of the good news of the gospel.
E. The Time of Harvest
The gracious harvest time is coming. The seed is to be sowed in the field of all Israel, which at the present time may be compared to a dry, arid land with only a moist spot here and there. The seed that falls into these spots will germinate immediately; but that which falls on the dry soil lies dormant until the rains come. Then it springs forth. In the dry field of Israel, where indifference toward spiritual things is greatly in evidence, there are those, as "moist spots" here and there, who are eagerly seeking for the truth. When it is presented, they accept it and receive the Messiah. But the bulk of the seed sowed in the field of Israel now remains unwatered and dormant. The refreshing and enlivening rains will come, paradoxically, in the form of the Tribulation judgments, after the church is raptured. Those receiving the Word will, with a new life and power, spring forth at that time--a mighty army, 144,000 strong. It is in their hearts that we are sowing the seed now. They will, figuratively speaking, leap forth and seize the banner of Christ, dropped by the ascending church as it goes to meet its Lord in the air.
Then the 144,000 will go forward proclaiming the unsearchable riches of Christ to the world. These future Jewish evangelists will bring about the World-Wide revival, the like of which has never been before. All other mass movements toward God will pale off into insignificance in comparison with this mightiest of all revivals, which occurs in the first part of the great Tribulation. John was granted a vision of this mighty awakening. He saw an innumerable host of people from every nation, tribe, tongue, and language coming to God, washing their robes, and making them white in the blood of the Lamb. They, therefore, stand before the throne of God forever and ever, praising and worshiping Him for their redemption. These are the saints who come out of the great Tribulation. This statement, found in Revelation, chapter 7, precludes our identifying this group of redeemed ones as the saved of all times as it is often, interpreted. This position is a mistake, because it is plainly stated that this group comes out of the great Tribulation, that period of seven years during which God's judgments are falling upon the world. That these people are saved is evident, because they wash their robes and make them white in the blood of the Lamb.
But why, one asks, do we say these 144,000 are the Jewish evangelists who will conduct this mightiest of all revivals? The proof is self-evident. God declared to Abraham that He would bless all nations in and through his seed. While it is true that the seed of Abraham refers to the Messiah, as the seed par excellence, yet the word seed being a collective noun in the singular form, is also plural. This fact is seen in the statement of Genesis 15:5 made to Abraham, that his seed should be as numerous as the stars of the heavens. Thus it is clear that seed, though as a singular collective noun referring to Messiah in Genesis 15:5, also embraces Abraham's literal descendants. Thus we are correct in interpreting Abraham's seed as embracing the Jewish nation. Everything that you and I have of a spiritual nature has come from God to us through the Jewish people. Since this original promise states that God will bless all nations in Abraham's seed, and since we see the blessing of all nations in the revival mentioned in Revelation 7, we may be certain that those through whom the blessing will come will be these 144,000 Jewish evangelists. Since these servants are sealed, they evidently are serving Him. Naturally then, after giving us a vision of them, John gave an account of the results of their labors, the conversion of an innumerable host, which no one can number, from every nation, tribe, tongue, and language.
Thus the first fruits of this great seed-sowing in Israel will come in the form of the conversion of the 144,000 Jewish evangelists, who conduct the world-wide revival. During that revival unnumbered multitudes from all nations, who will constitute the real harvest of which the psalmist speaks (Psa. 126:5,6), will be brought to the Lord. Finally, the gleanings of the harvest will come at the end of the Tribulation, when all Israel will return to the Lord, will accept Him, and will plead for Him to return. Then they, converted Israel, will bring all men to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Now, let me repeat, is the seed-sowing time. The Tribulation and the beginning of the Millennial Age will be the harvest time.
F. The Reward of the Faithful
My friend, do you want to invest in a project that will bring the greatest returns and dividends throughout all eternity? If you do, then join with us in this world-wide seed-sowing in Israel now. Those who assist the ones sowing the seed in Israel will share equally in the rewards that those doing the actual sowing will receive. The reasong for this statement is that "He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward" (Matt. 10:41).
A certain amount of the work will be done by the laborers. For this service they will be rewarded; but those who make it possible for them to accomplish their task will receive just as much of a reward as will those who actually do the work. Thus, my friend, you will receive at the judgment seat of Christ a reward commensurate with the service in which you participate.
The Biblical Research Society is one of the agencies working in the field of Israel by sowing the seed at this crucial moment. Praise God that there are others, both individuals and organizations, likewise sowing the seed. Pray to the Lord of the harvest that He may give you the vision, and enable you to do what you can in this hour of world crisis, at this seed-sowing time. Remember that the seed-sowing time will not continue always. The doors are being closed rapidly in many places. What we intend to do for God in the way of seed-sowing must be done with all dispatch and haste.
G. The Final Question
Dear Christian friend, to whom God has entrusted some of this world's goods. I have a very vital heart-searching question to ask you: "For what purpose did the Lord entrust you with His bounties? Was it simply that you might live in ease and enjoy the comforts of this life? or did He put in your care as a faithful and wise steward or stewardess His goods in order that you might use them for the salvation of souls, for whom He gave His life?" Remember, this question will be asked you when you come before the judgment-seat of Christ: "For we must all be made manifest before the judgment-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad" (II Cor. 5:10).
"But, you may reply, "God did not entrust this money to me. I worked hard, laboring into the wee hours of the night, making this money. I have been frugal and have saved, depriving myself on many occasions of the enjoyment of this money." Did you ever think my dear brother and my sister, that it is God who gives you the power to make money? (Deut. 8:18) Who gives you health, strength, and the opportunity of accumulating what you have? In fact, let me ask you, "What do you have that you did not receive?" The Biblical answer is, "Nothing." All that you are, and all that you have, have been given you and entrusted to you by the Lord. The facts are that He has given you whatever "talents" you have (Matt. 25:14-30) and the "pounds" you possess (Luke 19:11-28). He expects you to use these in His service.
Those who heed this admonition will not be ashamed when they appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive their eternal rewards. But those who do not heed the warning will be sorely disappointed, being conscious of the fact that they have been unfaithful in administering the talents and the funds which have been entrusted to them to use in His service and to do it with a cheerful, willing spirit.
"Stop laying up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but keep on laying up for yourselves treasures in heaven ..." (Matt 6:19,20, lit. trans.).
Footnotes:
¹ There are some of the Hebrew people who are accepting the Lord Jesus as a result of the work of the Biblical Research Society. But, as is well known, the Jews in large numbers are not now accepting the Saviour. According to the Scriptures this is not the time when they will do that. It is true that throughout the Dispensation of Grace some have seen the truth and accepted the Messiah. Many of these have proved to be great and shining lights for the Lord in their day and time. But results do not necessarily consist only of those who come out and accept Him personally as Saviour. There is a two-fold purpose in the preaching of the gospel, which is set forth in II Corinthians 2:15,16; "For we are a sweet savor of Christ unto God, in them that are saved, and in them that perish; 16 to the one a savor from death unto death to the other a savor from life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?"
We are, of course, delighted whenever anyone is brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus; but it is necessary for us to sow the seed in all Israel now in order that it may be watered by the judgments of the Tribulation, and then bring forth the mighty results of the salvation of an innumerable host of people. Thus the amazing results from our work--far beyond our wildest imagination--will come later--in the Tribulation.
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