Seeds
Seeds are one of nature’s most amazing miracles.
Locked within a tiny speck of protein and starch
lies a complete blueprint for the life of
a growing plant. All the information about what it will look like,
how it will grow, and how it will reproduce is stored away somewhere
deep in the heart of these small capsules. All that’s needed for them
to live are the right conditions — a little heat, a little moisture,
and a little soil.
Another amazing fact about seeds is how they
are able to survive unharmed for years, even
centuries if need be, until growing conditions become right. They are
in a sense time travelers. These tiny ambassadors step out of one century,
sleep through vast portions of human history, and awaken much later
to begin to grow as normal. The seed of Israel is just like this.
Sprouting again after almost 2000 years, the
wonderful life of Israel is again being seen.
As the first communities in Israel formed around Messiah’s life began
to die, the Sovereign of Hosts preserved a seed from it and kept it
until now. Acts 2 and 4 describe what it was like in these communities:
All the believers were together and had everything
in common. Selling their possessions and goods,
they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and
ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying
the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:44-47)
All the believers were one in heart and mind.
No one claimed that any of his possessions
was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power
the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Sovereign
Yahshua, and much grace was with them all. There were no needy persons
among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold
them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’
feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. (Acts 4:32-35)
Had the Sovereign of Hosts not done that, there
would be little hope for mankind today. We
would resemble Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities
destroyed for their pride, abundance of food,
prosperous ease, sexual perversion, and not
caring for the poor and needy. As it is,
there is hope for men and women trapped in our present-day, Sodom-like
world system. That hope is a new Israel. For those who long for a new
life of love, unity, care, and healing, this is where it can be found.
No longer bound by geography and the need to
remain physically in just one land, the twelve-tribed
Israel will be in twelve tribal areas, in twelve different geographic
locations on the earth. Men from every tribe, language, people, and
nation will be a part of it, and its culture and social life will be
rich and varied. As in the illustration on our cover, the life of this
new nation will include week-long gatherings or festivals, as well
as other holidays, new moon celebrations, weekly Sabbaths, and sabbatical
years. In addition to providing a meaningful life of work and rest
for whoever truly desires it, Israel’s purpose will he to maintain
that life across the span of three or four generations, approximately
50 years, a long enough time to prove to the other nations of the earth
that a godly, caring, righteous life is possible. The light of Israel’s
example will show men everywhere what is normal. No one will have to
remain lost in darkness, confused as to what is the truth and which
way he should go. For those who long to know the truth and do what
is right, a demonstration of this life will be seen close at hand.
Those who have been chosen to be a part of it will find the home they
have instinctively known was theirs. They will be “grateful to be gathered”
and included in the life that will one day fill the earth.
It’s amazing what can grow from a tiny seed.
Romans 9:29
Ezekiel 16:49;
Genesis 19
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