Jewish Life After Death

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Two sincere testimonies, and scripture, require us to redefine who has eternal life with the Father God in heaven.

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Christians interpret scripture to say that only born again Christians can enter heaven.

Jewish life after death experiences indicate that very devout, religious Jews may enter also, if they meet the requirements set in the Mosaic law.

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How is this apparent conflict resolved?

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Holiness throughout time

God set up a set of laws under Moses that defined righteousness and holiness.

History shows that the Jews constantly failed to live up to the requirements.

History also shows that MOST of all humanity cannot do this either.

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This is why there was a set of ritual sacrifices set up to make offerings and atonement for sins, and to reconnect with god on a personal level.

The ritual sacrifices were also a lot of work.

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The key to a relationship with God in both the old and new testaments was based on FAITH and OBEDIENCE.

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This is why Father Abraham was considered “saved” under new testament teachings, as well as many others.

His faith was counted as righteousness, even though he had never heard of Jesus.

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This also indicates that if true in the year 30 AD, then it is still true today.

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The world was simple then.

The world became increasingly complex, and more of an obstacle to holiness as time progressed.

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The Jews coming out of Egypt had to receive more instruction and guidance than Abraham did.

This is because there were more challenges to them in their time and world than what Abraham experienced.

They had lived through 400 years of bondage in a pagan land.

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The Jews failed quite a bit, even though holiness was spelled out for them.

There were 613 laws to obey.

Their leaders made it worse for them, adding the dictates and ordinances of man on top of the law.

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Still there were observant Jews.

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But because the law was very difficult to keep, God promised a new covenant of the heart, which would be superior to the law written on stone.

This is why Jesus came, to usher in the new covenant.

And this is why His sacrifice made unnecessary the ritual sacrifices for sin, and made forgiveness possible for everyone , without “having to work for it.”

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While grace abounded under Moses, grace more abounded under Jesus / Yeshua.

We now all had access to the holy spirit for comfort, teaching and guidance, where before, only the occasional prophet would have had access to Him.

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While the Mosaic law was excellent, it was also demanding, sometimes beyond the strength of the person to perform every duty.

The Way of Yeshua was the better way, so that no one would perish because they were weak and unable to perform.

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Still, Jesus said that the narrow way was the path to holiness, not the wide path, which led to destruction.

This meant the path to holiness could still be difficult and require great commitment.

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Today, the world is corrupt in a massive way.

Holiness is almost impossible.

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Law vs. Grace, or Both?

People make an “either law or grace”  argument today.

Most abandon the law, because they think grace is the easy path, and permissive when it comes to obeying the law.

Those who obey the law are accused of being legalistic, and trying to get saved by works.

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Jesus said he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.

This means the law still holds, for those who can follow it.

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It is understood that following the law just for legalistic reasons is not acceptable, but to follow the law with one’s whole heart, mind and strength is still inside god’s will.

In fact, this is what God commanded to begin with.

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Jews follow the law and believe grace is there for them.

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To be considered obedient, they have to obey ALL the law of Moses.

The only consideration is that the Temple was destroyed, so they cannot offer sacrifices there.

So instead, they do “mitzvahs” and daily prayers, in place of animal sacrifices.

While there are different disciplines within Judaism, the Orthodox come closest to obeying all 613 commandments.

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If God expects only the strictest observance to His Torah, for covenant compliance, and acceptance into heaven, then only the most Orthodox would fit this description, while other religious Jews would not meet the standards.

The others would be considered less observant.

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Statistics:

reference

http://www.jcpa.org/dje/articles2/demographics.htm

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World

60-75% of Jews are “religious” by some definition.

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Israel

25% Orthodox,

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America

47% “religious”

11% Orthodox

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This is the small remnant that seems most likely to be “saved,” if they are really compliant.

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BUT…….

Jesus said there was only one way to the Father, and that was through HIM.

So how do we resolve this?

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AGAIN……

Jesus said he did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it.

This means the law still holds, for those who can follow it.

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God’s covenant with Israel is an EVERLASTING covenant.

Many old testament Jews were mentioned in the NEW testament as being saved by faith and by obedience.

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God will still honor His covenant with Israel, as long as they honor it too.

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Jewish NDEs affirm hope for those still under the “law”

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There is also the exemption, sometimes called the “law of the gentiles.”

Romans 2:

13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

15 Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

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So if this understanding can apply to gentiles who

by nature obey God, then it should also apply to

righteous Jews who, knowing the law, obey God as

well.

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Testimony of Alon Anava

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP5_Am-3bVg

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http://www.alonanava.com

http://ndestories.org/alon-anava/ check posts

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3UTF4pOlE#t=10

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Notes from video:

He was a sinner and drug addict, and died in a taxi

After he died, he felt the glory and peace of universe

29 min mark…… met angel of death, utter darkness, thick, suffocating, tearing him apart.

He cried out to God for help

Then by 42 min……..light triangle shaped appeared, and came closer, and enveloped him

By 47min……..God was downloading billions of gigibites of information into him, flooding truth into him, and this was great relief and pleasure.

By 53 min……..he was in heavenly court, surrounded by righteous Jews, and they were seeing all his sins, and judging him as prosecutors

Deeply embarrassed and shamed, as he saw his sins affected everyone there

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Garments are to be worn, and each mitzvah or good deed, clothes a soul…..and each bad deed created a blemish….but he was naked, had no garment at all…..exposed all his sins , deep shame

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He had not just failed them, he failed God.

He could not see God, but he heard God’s thoughts toward him.

He could feel the disappointment of God toward him.

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He was given a choice, obey God or go into utter darkness,

To keep from going into utter darkness, which he found scary beyond words, he had to agree:

To obey the covenant in all its detail.

To fix mistakes, and

to tell others his experience.

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If he wanted to avoid darkness….there would be no second chance for mercy.

He was returned to life because of this agreement.

His life changed dramatically, and now he is very devout Jew, and honors God with his life.

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He did not meet Jesus.

He was in a different court.

Apparently he was being judged by the Mosaic law, which is very strict and hard to obey perfectly.

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He met angel of death. Not Jesus.

So there is a different judgment of a Jew.

But it is still godly judgment.

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Testimony of Moshe Levy, Near Death Experience

Moshe Levy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CzpjTGHNwM

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Notes from video:

Dark place, thick, could touch the darkness and choke in it, fear, wanted to escape, punishment for selfishness,

Scary figures woe to him, forms surrounded him,

A very beautiful man appeared, gentle: his grandfather,

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He was now in a world of truth, and had left a world of lies,

He was told he hurt others by wrongdoing,

He was told he was worse than an animal,

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He saw his life, felt shame,

2 angels told him he was a wicked man, and showed him a fiery hell,

Fear…..

He responded he wanted to do teshuvah (repentance),

He was allowed to go back to life.

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He did not meet Jesus either.

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He was given a second chance, to fix his life, and get close to God.

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Interesting points:

Jews with the NDE were not directed to accept Jesus as messiah, but to be good Jews.

Judged by OT standards and covenant.

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There is a place for religious Jews in heaven.

They may not be with Jesus in a higher “mansion,” but there is a place of rest for them.

Many mansions in heaven

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Devout Jews may never see the Father or have access to Him, if they make it to heaven.

They may never meet Jesus either.

They may never rule and reign with Him.

But they will find peace and rest in a special place there.

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Remember, the path is narrow….for both born again Christians, and even more narrow for devout Jews.

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God is faithful, to keep all His covenants with man.

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He has only made covenants with

1.. Jews, through the Mosaic covenant.

2.. Christians, through the blood of Jesus.

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God has not made any other covenants with any other people group.

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So, the choice is either the Mosaic Law, and observing the 613 commandments.

Or

Accepting Jesus as Savior, and accepting forgiveness of sins through his death on the cross.

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If you choose the Mosaic law, realize it is very hard to keep.

Even Paul the devout apostle admitted this.

If you choose this, you will find peace and rest in next life.

But you will not see the Father.

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If you choose Jesus/ Yeshua , then Jesus will carry your yoke for you, and make your burden light.

He has made the sacrifices for you.

And he has made the Holy Spirit available to all those who call upon His Name.

And when you die, you will be with both Jesus and the Father.

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