Bible-believing Christians who are waiting for their final redemption and look for that moment when we fly to heaven have no business heeding the words of a non-believer. Even if he’s a Jewish scholar (rabbi). Even if he, too, is anxiously anticipating the appearance of Messiah. Unsaved Jews await a man, not Jesus Christ—the true Messiah.
The rabbi I refer to is Rabbi Sholom Berger; his understanding is not biblically informed. He’s no more than an ear-tickler who will only lead you astray and ultimately cause you disappointment in the god which he has convinced himself and his followers he believes in.
It goes back to the same old problem: Too many Christians who can’t be satisfied with the completed canon of Scripture. The Holy Bible, in its most accurate translation in any particular language, just won’t do for them. They must have more!
Earlier this month, it was Rabbi Berger who gave us proof of his crazy views by bringing in words of the “sages.”
Anyone whose explanation includes these words: “Contrary to biblical sources” or “Despite what the prophets prophesied,” can be ignored forthwith. Don’t read a single word more.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with theirlips; but their heart is far from me.But in vain they do worship me, teachingfordoctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:8-9).
If you persist in following the train of thought of heretics, you will forget and ignore what God’s Word actually does say. You will find yourself desperately trying to reconcile a man’s views with the Lord’s words. Rearrange the pieces any way you want; they will not fit together. (Toss them aside and beat a quick trail back to the lighted way.)
The article that was recently released on the Internet began with a short quote from Isaiah. It said the quote was from Isaiah 17:1-14. Nope. What it was, was an abbreviated portion of that passage—guaranteed to mislead.
The article went on to say: “The Mishkolitz Rebbe [as Rabbi Berger is known] said that the war in Syria is a form of God’s mercy on the land of Israel and the nation.” They quote the rabbi: “My heart tells me that God has mercy on Israel. Despite what the prophets prophesied, that the War of Gog and Magog needs to be inside Jerusalem, God is sweetening the judgment and is making this war happen in Syria.” (Breaking Israel News 10-10-15)
“Despite what the prophets prophesied…”! Just what qualifies a man to be a rabbi? And how many Christians even know where, who or what Aroer was in Isaiah’s time? Or who and what Ephraim refers to? Do you know what those names signify? Is your Bible knowledge that deep? If not, why not? It matters.
In the meantime, take a look at Isaiah 17. It is one complex passage. Bible scholars cannot even agree on the location of the Aroer cited in this passage. Nowhere is Gog and Magog mentioned and his “vision” does not match up with what Rabbi Berger is suggesting.
There is such a thing as hope. And then there is wishful thinking. We can do the careful, time-consuming work of studying Scripture, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Or we can latch onto someone’s flawed personal views of what’s going on around the world as it pertains to his personal interpretation of prophecy. (Except then, we find ourselves forcing round shaped events into the square holes that Scripture describes. It just won’t work.)
Prophecy should never be subject to our private emotions and wishes:
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” ( 2 Peter 1:20).
The subject of prophecy is a worthy endeavor when we carefully study God’s Word. Rabbi Berger’s layout of current events, in light of Isaiah 17, is ridiculous and delusional.
Go back to the Bible, folks. Do the steady and faithful work. Trust and obey. Our Savior will return soon enough. In the meantime, He will enlighten us through His Word and by the light of His Holy Spirit. He has already faithfully revealed Himself in His Word. That’s enough.
“Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).