A Burden Born from Love
My heart is heavy for the Jewish people, God’s chosen nation. As a born-again Christian in Scotland, I run bornagainchristians.org to share the truth of Jesus Christ. Recently, I watched a YouTube video by Joseph Cohen, an Orthodox Jew with the Israel Advocacy Movement.
I tell you something, he has a tremendous burden for the Jewish people, combating antisemitism, which has run rife since the attack on Israel on October 7th. Please visit his website here https://www.israeladvocacy.net/, you will find his content addictive.
In the YouTube video, he said something that caught me of guard as I choked on my tea, he said Jesus didn’t fulfil Old Testament (OT) prophecies like bringing world peace or rebuilding the Temple (see the video “Jew Recites The Quran Verse Muslims Don’t Want to Translate,” 14:14-14:20). This broke my heart. Cohen, like many Jews, is waiting for a Messiah who has already come.
Without faith in Jesus, there’s no salvation. The Bible is clear in John 14:6 (NKJV): “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” I don’t believe in dual covenant theology, the idea that Jews can be saved through the Mosaic Law alone. Acts 4:12 (NKJV) says, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
My fear is that Jews who reject Jesus could be deceived by the Antichrist in the coming tribulation. But there’s hope, and we can help. Let’s explore why Jews need Jesus now.
The Jewish Hope for a Messiah
Jews like Cohen are zealous for God, looking for a Messiah to fulfil OT prophecies. They expect a leader who will bring peace, restore the Temple, and gather Israel’s people. Isaiah 2:4 (NKJV) says, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore.” Isaiah 11:11–12 (NKJV) promises God will “recover the remnant of His people” and “gather together the dispersed of Judah.” Ezekiel 40–48 describes a future Temple. Cohen’s video reflects this view: Jesus didn’t meet these expectations, so he believes the Messiah is still coming.
I respect this zeal, but it echoes Romans 10:1–2 (NKJV): “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Without knowing Jesus, Jews miss the salvation He offers. Worse, their Messianic hopes could make them vulnerable to deception in the last days.
Jesus, the True Messiah
As born-again believers, we embrace a dispensational view of biblical interpretation, understanding God’s plan as unfolding in distinct stages or “dispensations” throughout history.
We know Jesus is the Messiah who fulfilled many OT prophecies in His first coming. Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV) says, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities… And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” This describes Jesus’ death on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Psalm 22:16-18 (NKJV) foretold, “They pierced My hands and My feet… They divide My garments among them,” pointing to His crucifixion.
Jesus will fulfil remaining prophecies, like world peace and the ingathering of Israel, at His second coming after the tribulation. Zechariah 14:4 (NKJV) says, “His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,” ushering in His kingdom. But without faith in Him now, Jews face spiritual separation. John 3:36 (NKJV) warns, “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” Jesus is the only way, not the Law alone.
The Tribulation and the Antichrist’s Deception
My heart aches because Jews who reject Jesus could be deceived during the tribulation, a seven-year period of chaos after the rapture of believers. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 (NKJV) says, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them.” After this, the Antichrist rises.
Daniel 9:27 (NKJV) describes him: “He shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.” This suggests a peace deal with Israel, appealing to Jewish hopes for peace, like Cohen’s expectations.
But the Antichrist betrays this covenant, desecrating the Temple. 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4 (NKJV) says he “opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God… so that he sits as God in the temple of God.”
Matthew 24:24 (NKJV) warns, “False christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” The Antichrist’s signs could mimic Messianic promises, deceiving Jews who expect a leader to rebuild the Temple or bring peace.
This is why I’m burdened: Jews need Jesus now to avoid this deception. There is a glimmer of hope in Revelation 7:4-8 (NKJV) shows 144,000 Jews sealed for protection, protected during a period of tribulation, be a great witness and bring revival for the Jewish people through God deploying these Jewish Evangelists and Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV) promises, “They will look on Me whom they pierced,” as a remnant turns to Jesus.
Our Call to Share Jesus with Israel
God loves Israel, and so must we. Romans 11:25-26 (NKJV) says, “Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so, all Israel will be saved.” But salvation comes through Jesus, not a separate covenant. We must act now to share the Gospel. Here’s how:
- Pray: Like Paul in Romans 10:1, pray for Jews to know Jesus. Ask God to open hearts in Scotland’s Jewish communities in Glasgow or Edinburgh. Visit our site at http://supportingisrael.co.uk/,
- Share: Use OT prophecies like Isaiah 53 to show Jesus as Messiah. Websites like ONE FOR ISRAEL (oneforisrael.org) have simple videos, great for sharing online or in person.
- Connect: Reach out to Jews in Scotland with love, not debate like Cohen’s video. Join our community at https://bornagainchristians.faith/born-again-network/groups/viewgroup/6-supporting-israel
- Learn: Jews for Jesus (jewsforjesus.org) offers NKJV-based booklets on Messianic prophecies, perfect for outreach.
A Final Plea
At bornagainchristians.org, we believe Jesus is the only way to God. My heart breaks for Jews like Joseph Cohen, waiting for a Messiah who’s already come. The tribulation looms, and the Antichrist may deceive many by mimicking their hopes.
But God promises to save a remnant (Zechariah 12:10). Let’s pray, share, and love the Jewish people into a relationship with Jesus.
Visit bornagainchristians.org for resources and join me in this mission.
Together, we can help Israel find their true Messiah before it’s too late.