ISRAEL: A NATION OF MIRACLES Dr Josimar Salum

ISRAEL: A NATION OF MIRACLES 

Dr Josimar Salum 

June 20,2025 

How can we explain the enduring existence, resilience, and extraordinary achievements of the Jewish people across millennia of persecution, exile, war, and dispersion?

Reason alone cannot account for it.

Despite their historical disobedience and rejection of the Messiah, the Scriptures testify this: 

“Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” Romans‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Their preservation, restoration, and global impact can only be rightly understood through the lens of the Grace of God. It is not merit, politics, or chance that sustain Israel — it is the sovereign hand of God.

The testimony below, of unknown authorship, echoes this truth: Israel remains a living miracle, not because of who they are, but because of who God is.

There is something about this people — the people of Israel — that feels like a living miracle.

A people the Pharaohs tried to erase 3,000 years ago… and failed.

A people the Babylonians sought to annihilate 2,500 years ago… and failed.

A people the Romans tried to wipe out 2,000 years ago… and failed.

A people the Nazis attempted to exterminate 80 years ago… and failed.

A people the Arab nations fought in five wars to destroy… and failed.

This is a small nation in number, yet marked by a singular strength — the blessing of God.

Wherever they lay their hands, they prosper: in finance, commerce, science, philosophy, literature.

They turned a desert into a flourishing land — not with oil or gas, but with liberty, democracy, intelligence, and unwavering resolve.

This is the people who gave the world Einstein, Newton, Spinoza, Freud… and countless others who profoundly shaped human thought.

There are truths that reason and logic alone cannot explain. There is only one word: miracle.

For over two and a half years, this people has fought on seven fronts.

Many predicted their exhaustion, even collapse.

Yet once again, they defy expectation — opening a new front against the Iranian threat, one that even unsettles Arab regimes.

This people, though few, possesses the courage of nobles, the wisdom of prophets, the endurance of the righteous, and the resolve of survivors.

How could it be otherwise? They are the descendants of Abraham, Solomon, David, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, Daniel… and more than a thousand prophets and messengers of their lineage.

They are the ones who brought monotheism and the knowledge of the one true God to the world — a people driven by a thirst for life, for work, for innovation, for continuity — a drive sustained for over 4,000 years.

I can find no better way to describe them than this: a nation of miracles.

If the Arab world had clear vision, it would choose to unite with this people — to learn from them, to work alongside them. Perhaps then, we too would share in their knowledge, their wisdom, and their dignity.

However, we must not ignore the spiritual dimension of their current reality.

On October 7, 2023, during what was publicly celebrated as an ancestral festival of freedom, a national event took place in Israel marked not by remembrance of God, but by acts of idolatry, immorality, and open rebellion. In the midst of the celebration, a massive statue of Buddha was erected, and people danced around it — a clear violation of the commandment of the Lord, who forbids the making and worship of any image or idol (Exodus 20:3–5).

This was more than a cultural expression — it was a moment of spiritual provocation, knowingly or not, against the very God who called Israel to be holy unto Himself. Throughout Scripture, the prophets repeatedly warned that turning to false gods invites judgment — not because God abandons His people, but because He is both gracious and just.

Tragically, Israel’s enemies struck on that very day. It stands as a sobering reminder that no covenant, no history of miracles, no divine calling removes the need for repentance and faithfulness. God remains faithful to His promises — but He also calls His people to return to Him with all their heart.

After all, we believers should pray for their conversion to Yeshua — the only name by which we must be saved.

This is exactly what the Apostle Paul expressed as the burden of his heart:

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” — Romans 10:1

Despite Israel’s historic rejection of Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, the Scriptures make it clear that God has not rejected His people. Their endurance is a testimony of His covenantal faithfulness — but salvation, for them as for all, is found only through faith in Yeshua the Messiah.

Yet even as we marvel at the miraculous preservation and influence of the Jewish people, we who believe in the Messiah must remember this: God’s ultimate purpose is not merely their survival, but their salvation.

We are called not only to honor God’s covenant with Israel, but to pray fervently for their eyes to be opened, that they may see Yeshua — the promised Messiah — and turn to Him in faith.

“And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.’” — Romans 11:26

Let every believer echo Paul’s cry: that the nation of miracles may yet experience the greatest miracle of all — redemption in the name of Yeshua, their King.

#ASONE

WHY I DON’T USE TITLES LIKE “PASTOR” OR “APOSTLE” TO DESCRIBE MYSELF By Dr. Josimar Salum

 

WHY I DON’T USE TITLES LIKE “PASTOR” OR “APOSTLE” TO DESCRIBE MYSELF

By Dr. Josimar Salum

It is not out of rejection of the ministerial calling, but out of biblical conviction and reverence before God. Titles such as “pastor” or “apostle” were not established in the Scriptures as forms of titling, self-affirmation, or personal exaltation, but rather as gifts and assignments of service within the Body of Christ. That’s why I choose to be identified by the fruit of the ministry and the testimony of my life, not by titles that can easily be distorted or misinterpreted.

1. JESUS TAUGHT US NOT TO SEEK HONORARY TITLES

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.” (Matthew 23:8)

Jesus warned His disciples against the desire to occupy positions of prominence through religious titles. He reminded us that we are all brothers, and that greatness in the Kingdom of God is expressed in serving, not in being called by an exalted name.

“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12)

“You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts; what is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.”

(Luke 16:15)

These words of Jesus are clear: titles and positions that exalt a person before others may be abominable to God.

2. NO MAN WAS EVER CALLED “PASTOR” IN THE BIBLE

Although the gift of shepherding is mentioned as one of the ministerial functions given by Christ (Ephesians 4:11), no man in the Scriptures is ever addressed by the title “Pastor” as a personal identifier.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”

(1 Peter 5:4)

Only Jesus is called “the Good Shepherd” and “the Chief Shepherd.” Neither Paul, Peter, James, nor John were called “Pastor.”

• The function of shepherding appears in Scripture as a ministry of service, not as a social identity or hierarchical title.

• This reveals that the pastoral ministry is a gift, not a label for personal elevation.

3. TRUE AUTHORITY IS RECOGNIZED, NOT IMPOSED

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”

(Romans 1:1)

Paul first presents himself as a servant—doulos, a willing slave—before mentioning his apostleship. His authority was not in a title, but in faithfulness to the mission received from Christ, the fruit of his labor, and the testimony of the Spirit and the Church.

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)

4. I AVOID THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF GIFTS

Ministerial gifts—whether apostolic or pastoral—do not grant status, but bring responsibility.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

• These are not positions of prestige, but manifestations of the Holy Spirit for the edification of the Church.

• Choosing not to use titles is a conscious act to preserve the simplicity and purity of the Gospel, avoiding the idolatry of names and positions.

“If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.”(Galatians 6:3)

5. MY IDENTITY IS IN BEING A CHILD OF GOD

Above any function or ministerial gift, I am a child of God. That is my eternal identity. The ministerial roles I fulfill are merely temporal expressions of obedience to the divine vocation  

—never a definition of my value or position in the Kingdom.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1)

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” (Matthew 23:11)

#ASONE

THE REVEALING OF JESUS AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LAWLESS ONE By Josimar Salum

THE REVEALING OF JESUS AND THE DESTRUCTION OF THE LAWLESS ONE

A Biblical Teaching from 2 Thessalonians 2 and the Epistles of John

By Josimar Salum

The Lawless One Revealed and Destroyed

“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (NKJV)

This striking passage reveals not the “Antichrist”—a term Paul never uses—but the lawless one, also described as the man of sin and the son of perdition (2 Thessalonians 2:3). He is a prophetic figure who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4 (NKJV)

What Is the “Temple of God” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4? Does it means a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem?

Some interpreters claim that Paul is referring to a future, literal temple in Jerusalem. According to this view, the “man of sin” is a political or religious figure who will physically enter a rebuilt Jewish temple and declare himself to be 'God's..

However, this interpretation presents a serious issue: nowhere in Paul’s letters—nor anywhere in the New Testament or Old Testament—does Scripture teach that the temple will be rebuilt, apart from the historical reconstructions by Nehemiah and later by Herod. On the contrary, the New Testament clearly teaches that the temple standing in the first century pointed to the body of Jesus, which He said would be raised in three days.

There is no direct or indirect biblical support for such a prophecy.

In fact, this idea is inconsistent with Paul’s entire biblical framework, which emphasizes the 'spiritual', not physical, nature of God’s dwelling place.

Paul’s Consistent Definition of the Temple

Throughout his letters, Paul consistently uses the term “temple of God” to refer to the Church—the collective body of believers in whom the Spirit of God dwells, not a physical structure made with hands:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” — 1 Corinthians 3:16

“For we are the temple of the living God.” — 2 Corinthians 6:16

This interpretation aligns perfectly with Paul’s declaration in:

Acts 17:24 – “God, who made the world and everything in it… does not dwell in temples made with hands.”

According to this interpretation the “man of sin” will not enter a physical stone building in Jerusalem, but will instead try to infiltrate and seek to corrupt the Church—placing himself at the center of worship and authority among the people of God. So is this truly an individual man, a literal eschatological leader, as many believe?

The most biblically faithful and theologically consistent interpretation of the phrase “temple of God” in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 is that it refers to the Church, not a future rebuilt temple in Jerusalem.

The “man of sin” exalts himself within the sphere of the Church, not within a physical building, but among those who profess to be God’s people. He seeks to usurp spiritual authority and occupy a place that belongs only to Christ.

This understanding is rooted entirely in Paul’s own writings, which consistently teaches that the people of God are the dwelling place of God—not bricks and mortar.

His coming is according to satanic operation:

“The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders,

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:9–10 (NKJV)

Paul emphasizes that this lawlessness was already active in his time—2,000 years ago:

“For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (NKJV)

Therefore, this lawlessness cannot refer exclusively to a future, unique individual. It represents an ongoing spiritual rebellion already at work in the world, though it will be manifested ultimately in a man figure, but what kind of spiritual entity, as it says it is "a mystery of lawlessness"?

Paul uses:

• Singular nouns: man, son

• Singular pronouns: he, himself

These terms indicate a personal figure—yet Scripture never names him. Nor does it say he is the Antichrist, the Beast, or the king of Daniel 11.

What the Bible Says — and Does Not Say

Paul introduces unique titles in 2 Thessalonians:

• “Man of sin”

• “Son of perdition”

• “Lawless one”

These titles appear nowhere else in the Old or New Testament. While some link this figure with the “little horn” (Daniel 7), the “king who exalts himself” (Daniel 11:36), or the “Beast” (Revelation), these connections are interpretive, not textual.

John and the Spirit of the Antichrist

John is the only biblical writer who uses the term “Antichrist,” but he does not refer to one specific future man. Instead, he defines Antichrist as:

• A spirit (1 John 4:3)

• Many persons (1 John 2:18)

• Anyone who denies Christ (1 John 2:22; 2 John 1:7)

“Even now many antichrists have come.” — 1 John 2:18

“He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” — 1 John 2:22

“This is the spirit of the Antichrist… already in the world.” — 1 John 4:3

“This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” — 2 John 1:7

John never uses Paul’s language. He does not speak of a “man of sin,” “lawless one,” or “son of perdition,” and he does not identify the Antichrist with the Beast of Revelation.

Is the Man of Sin Necessarily One Man?

Not necessarily. Consider the biblical pattern:

• Jesus is one man, yet represents a new humanity.

• The Beast is one figure, yet symbolizes an empire or system.

• The Antichrist is a spirit and a category of persons.

Therefore, the man of sin can't be referred biblically to:

1. A literal future individual

2. A type of ruler or religious deceiver

3. A symbol of satanic rebellion

4. A person representing a system (like Babylon or the Beast)

What is certain: Paul presents him as a singular, self-exalting being who will oppose God and be destroyed at Christ’s appearing.

Just as Christ is referred to as the One Man, could the man of sin be the counterfeit—an antithesis to Christ, the One Man? And just as Christ will be revealed, so too will the lawless one be revealed?

The Glorious Appearing of Jesus

“…whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:8

The Greek word epiphaneia means a glorious, public manifestation. It is not a hidden event but a visible, final revelation of Christ.

“God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” — Acts 2:36

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” — Colossians 1:13

Christ already reigns. His appearing does not inaugurate His Kingdom—it exposes falsehood, destroys rebellion, and consummates His reign.

Every Eye Will See Him

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.” — Revelation 1:7

This is not a secret rapture, but a global manifestation.

The Joy of the Bride

Jesus spoke of His absence in bridal terms:

“But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.” — Luke 5:35

The Bride, like the wise virgins in Matthew 25, prepares in holiness and longing:

“Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” - Revelation 19:7

Restoration and Final Judgment

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before,

whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things…” — Acts 3:19–21

Christ’s coming brings both judgment and restoration.

Glory for the Righteous, Wrath for the Rebellious

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath…

who will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life…

but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth—indignation and wrath…” — Romans 2:4–11

THE GREAT DIVIDE — NOT THE GREAT RESET

This is the final divide:

• Destruction for the lawless one

• Judgment for those who reject the truth

• Glory and eternal joy for those who wait in holiness

THE COMING OF CHRIST WILL DESTROY THE LAWLESS ONE.

The mystery of lawlessness is the active power of fallen flesh, the old nature, still operating in those who reject truth. Christ will destroy this fully at His appearing.

“Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature…” — Colossians 3:4–5

“Our old self was crucified with Him…” — Romans 6:6

“Put off the old man… and put on the new man.” — Ephesians 4:22–24

“Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” — 1 Corinthians 15:50

“The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.” — 1 Corinthians 15:26

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory… then He will sit on the throne of His glory…” — Matthew 25:31–34

“Then the end will come, when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father…” — 1 Corinthians 15:23–25

“We are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.” — 2 Peter 3:4, 7, 10, 13

ONE CHURCH — ONE SHEPHERD — ONE KINGDOM — ONE KING

“There is one body and one Spirit.” — Ephesians 4:4

“So in Christ we, though many, form one body.” — Romans 12:5

The Kingdom is already in operation. Christ reigns now. His coming will consummate all things.

“Those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace… will reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:17

#ASONE