Many of us recall that lovely John Lennon song, "Imagine". It was written in an era of "love, joy, and peace" that we all think of as "the 60's". Lennon's goals were good, if somewhat misguided in the particulars. After all, the first line is, "Imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try"!
He was advocating a completely humanistic scenario where peace would be enhanced by the practice of communism and globalism. He envisioned a world where there was nothing worth dying for... and also nothing worth living for.
He was advocating a completely humanistic scenario where peace would be enhanced by the practice of communism and globalism. He envisioned a world where there was nothing worth dying for... and also nothing worth living for.
However, misguided humanism aside, the "End Game" Lennon had in mind is still worth considering. There WILL come a time when "the world will be as one", and the "brotherhood of man" will be shown in a world where there is "no need for greed or hunger". This is the message of the Hebrew prophets. Not a time when everyone will exist in a delusional stupor, without passion or goals, but a time when everyone on the planet will reach his or her full potential. It will be a time surpassing the prosperity of Solomon's day, when there was, "peace all around him, on every side. From Dan to Be'er-Sheva, Y'hudah and Isra'el lived securely, every man under his vine and fig tree" (M'lakhim Alef/First Kings 4:25 (5:5).
In the meantime, we are called to work towards this vision of redemption in our own lives. We are sent to spread the message of King Messiah, who has promised to return and reign over his people Israel from his throne on Mount Zion. We are told to teach others his commandments. We are instructed to receive with open arms all those who would bow to the Israeli King, and serve as part of his kingdom. There is no room in this vision of the Messianic Era for segregation, ego, or separation. The People of the King, whether Jew or Gentile, are all challenged both to obey his instructions and to receive one another without question into the Chavurah of Messiah.
Rather than building walls and barriers enforcing segregation between those who claim to be followers of the One True God and King, we should be about the purposes of the Kingdom, building bridges between those who would otherwise be at enmity with one another. While we all understand the natural inclination toward insularity and sectarianism, Messiah called us to rise above such attitudes. He wants his people to be accepting of everyone—Samaritan, Greek, Roman, Syrian, as well as his Jewish brethren... everybody has a place at his table.
What do you think? Is it possible to rise above the animosity, the fear, and the distrust? Is it possible to move beyond the pogroms and the Holocaust, building a Messianic community that rejoices in both our similarities and our differences? Can Jewish followers of Yeshua find it in their hearts to welcome Gentiles into the Messianic Kingdom?
Likewise, can Gentile followers of the Israeli King humble themselves to learn about Israel and the Jewish people—the REAL Jewish people, not the imaginary "Biblical" people that many Christians have placed up on a pedestal. You see, the Bible is the record of real people, who make mistakes, and who need to be forgiven. It is not a book about angel-like saints who have never sinned. More importantly, the Bible is a book about Jewish people, by Jewish people, and for Jewish people. If we want to learn what it says, then we must be willing to learn about the people who wrote, compiled, and preserved "the Book".
Do you think you can do that? Can Gentiles really accept Jews? Can Jews really accept Gentiles? I think it's possible. But it will take work from all parties involved. Are you up to the challenge?
May we all be blessed as we together build the dream of a unified planet in service to the Lord and Master, Mashiach Yeshua!
Imagine there's a Kingdom
It's easy if you try
The world a global empire
"Hosanna!" is the cry
Imagine all the people
Living for the Way...Imagine there's no bound'ries
It isn't hard to do
No murdering or hate, for
There's one religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living in shalom...You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope today you'll join us
And the world will be as one!
Hashem said through the prophet Yo'el that in the end times, "I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days" (Yo'el 2:28,29).
What is your dream for the Messianic Kingdom? What is your vision for implementing Messianic community? Is your imagination as good as John's? Is your vision any higher, or your calling any greater?
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