God will not leave Himself without witnesses. There is a remnant whom God will choose to be His ambassadors in every age even amidst great apostasy among His own. The Apostle Paul is confidently citing God’s reassuring words to the despairing Elijah that He has reserved to Himself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal (Rom. 11:4). Elijah was not alone contending for the faith.

Today, there seemed to be an overwhelming tide for contemporary style worship modelled after the entertainments of the world. The singing of hymns and the use of the King James Bible seemed to be so old-fashioned as the prophet Jeremiah observed in Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said We will not walk therein

It is indeed unfathomable and mind-boggling that a people whom God has given so much privilege would be so far from Him. Today, as we survey the church scene, it is sad to observe for the majority, church life is simply a Sunday routine. I pay my tithe and don’t bother me the rest of the week. There is no desire to serve, no zeal for prayer in this materialistic society. It seemed the only thing that matters is to get ahead for this life. There is little desire for witnessing, little traces of spiritual vitality.

While the Gentiles nations come to acknowledge Israel’s Messiah, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Saviour, Israel remains rebellious and unbelieving. The word “gainsaying” means “contradicting or opposing”. While the Gentile nations put away their idols and have faith in Jesus Christ, Israel remains indifferent and unmoved.

It is interesting to observe through Church History the movement of Holy Spirit in the salvation of Gentile nations reached with the gospel. From Israel, the Apostle Paul brought the gospel to Europe. And the gospel continued to spread to the continents of Africa, America and Asia. Truly, many of the people in Asia were idol worshippers before they received the gospel, putting away their idols. We are seeing this trend continuing today. God is opening the spiritual eyes of those who have no link with Israel’s Messiah, Jesus Christ. Thank God for His mercy that the gospel is carried by Gentile missionaries to Gentile nations steeped in idolatry.

Israel is precious in the sight of God. God created and chosen Israel to bear His name out of all the nations of the world. Israel was the apple of His eye. The privileges given to Israel were tremendous. They had God so nigh to them. Yet, they forsook their God by going after strange gods. This is Israel’s history. Time and again they rejected their God.

The Apostle Paul’s conscience is very clear that his heart was for the conversion of the Jews. Into every city the Lord directed him, he would first preach the gospel in the Jewish synagogue. When the Jews reject the gospel, he would then preach to the Gentiles. He saw that many of the Jews were not ready to receive Christ Jesus for they went about to establish their own righteousness (Rom. 10:3) although the Word of God has been sounded forth throughout the Roman Empire.

It was sad that Israel rejected their Messiah, Jesus – the Suffering Servant foretold by the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 53:1 (KJV) 1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? The people of Israel thought that Jesus the King will free them from being a vessel state of Rome and Israel will once again be strong again as a nation. When He rode on a donkey into Jerusalem on the Sunday before His crucifixion on Friday – His disciples shouted, “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest” (Luke 19:38). The disciples understood this Jesus is the King prophesied by Nathan the prophet in the Old Testament who will sit upon David’s throne to rule forever! How can a man rule forever? Jesus Christ, dear friends, is not a mere man, He is the Son of God, the exact representation of God.