Thursday, September 9, 2021

Feast of Trumpets 2021 – Yom Teruah: September 7, 2021

 Feast of Trumpets 2021 – Yom Teruah               September 7, 2021 

Trumpets:  A Day of blowing of trumpets 

The Lord’s festival cycle runs with the agricultural year in the land and as we approach the end of the growing season, with the wet season starts after the Feast of Tabernacles.  

The end of the season will happen with the sounding of the shofar (trumpet) blast on Rosh HaShana (the civil New Year) or Yom Terurah (Feast of Trumpets) which occurs on the same day. 

On this day the high priest was to blow a trumpet. Not just an ordinary trumpet, but a special one made out of a large ram's horn. It was called a shofar. You could not play a tune on it; all it could do was giving out one piercing blast. 

Shofar: hollowed-out curved ram’s horn trumpet, signified a warning, an alarm of war    These are the fall Feast Days are important events in our lives. 

Leviticus 23:1-2 The LORD said to Moses,  (2)  "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the LORD, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies. 

Feast of Trumpets {Yom Teruah}: REPENTANCE

Day of Yom Kippur {Atonement}: REDEMPTION

Feast of Tabernacles: REJOICING 

Leviticus 23:24 Tell the Israelis that on the first day of the seventh month you are to have a Sabbath of rest for you, a memorial announced by a loud blast of trumpets. It is to be a sacred assembly

There are many different meanings for the Feast of Trumpets:

Each one of these can be a complete message in itself. 

·      Rosh HaShanah (Head of the Year, Birthday of the World)

·      The Time of Jacobs trouble, birth pangs of the Messiah

·      The Day of the Awakening Blast { Sounding of the Shofar}

·      Yom HaDin / Day of Judgment / The Opening of  the Books 

·      Yom HaKeseh ( The Hidden Day) meaning “The Day of the Hiding” 

·      Ha Kiddushin (Wedding Ceremony of the Messiah

·      Ha Melech (Coronation of the Messiah)

·      The resurrection of the dead

·      The last trump (shofar) when the Lord Jesus returns. 

Genesis 1:14 Then God said, "Let there be lights across the sky to distinguish day from night, to act as signs for seasons, days, and years, 

Seasons means:  mow’ed – an appointment, a fixed time or season, specifically, a festival 

The Hebrew calendar is the annual calendar used in Judaism. It is based upon both the lunar cycle (which defines months) and the solar cycle (which defines years). This is in contrast to the Gregorian calendar, which is based solely upon the solar cycle. 

Notice, Jesus Holy Days are there from the very creation of the earth. 

Daniel 7:25 He'll speak out against the Most High and wear {oppress or persecute} down the Saints of the Highest One. He'll attempt to alter times and laws, and they'll be given into his control for a time, times, and half a time. 

Times means:  zem-awn; seasons, time 

·      Satan is attempting to alter the festivals the Saints are celebrating. 

·      Satan is at war against the Father, Lord Jesus, angels and the Saints. 

·      This day is about War. 

Numbers 10:9 When you wage war in your land against an enemy who is hostile to you, you are to sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before the face of the LORD your God and you will be delivered from your enemies. 

Malachi 3:16 Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 

Malachi 3:17 "On the day when I act," says the LORD Almighty, "they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him. 

Malachi 3:18 And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not. 

Yom HaDin / Day of Judgment / The Opening of  the Books 

Do we talk with each other?  Are we written in this Book. 

·      Feast of Trumpets is likened to a day of Judgment with mercy extended and the Feast of Atonement is a day of Mercy while atoning for our sins with Justice.

·      It is a day to remind people to repent of their sins and to remind God of His mercy. 

Numbers 29:1 "You are to hold a sacred assembly on the first day of the seventh month of each year. No servile work is to be done. It's a day of blowing trumpets for you. 

1 Corinthians 14:8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 

Psalms 47:5 God has ascended on high with a shout, the LORD has ascended with the blast of a trumpet. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Zechariah 9:14 The LORD will appear over them—his arrow will shoot like lightning. The Lord GOD will blow the trumpet, and go out with the southern windstorm. 

There are many different meanings for the Feast of Trumpets:

Each one of these can be a complete message in itself. 

The Time of Jacobs trouble 

Jeremiah 30:7 Alas! For that day is great, So that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, But he shall be saved out of it. 

Daniel 12:1 "'At that time Michael will arise, the great prince who will stand up on behalf of your people, and a time of trouble will come like there has never been since nations began until that time. Also at that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who will have been written in the book. 

Zephaniah 1:14-16 "The great Day of the LORD approaches—How it comes, hurrying faster and faster! The sound of the Day of the LORD there includes the bitter cry of the mighty soldier.  (15)  That day will be filled with wrath, a day of trouble and tribulation; a day of desolation and devastation, a day of doom and gloom, a day of clouds and shadows.  (16)  a day of trumpet and battle cry against fortified cites and watch towers. 

Matthew 16:3 Red sky in the morning, cloudy and storming.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, yet you can't interpret the signs of the times? 

1 Chronicles 12:32 The tribe of Issachar supplied 200 leaders, along with all of their relatives under their command. They kept up-to-date in their understanding of the times and knew what Israel should do. 

Isaiah 58:1 "Shout aloud! Don't hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Declare to my people their rebellions, and to the house of Jacob their sins. 

The Day of the Awakening: Changed to Spirit at the Trumpet 

Daniel 12:2 Many of those who are sleeping in the dust of the earth will awaken; some to life everlasting, and some to disgrace and everlasting contempt. 

Isaiah 26:19 "But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. Those who live in the dust will wake up and shout for joy! For your dew is like the dew of dawn, and the earth will give birth to the dead. 

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 With a shout of command, with the archangel's call, and with the sound of God's trumpet, the Lord himself will come down from heaven, and the dead who belong to the Messiah will rise first.  (17)  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Let me tell you a secret. Not all of us will die, but all of us will be changed; (52) in a moment, faster than an eye can blink, at the sound of the last trumpet. Indeed, that trumpet will sound, and then the dead will be raised never to decay, and we will be changed. 

Ephesians 5:14 for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, "Wake up, sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.'' 

Day of Judgment / The Opening of the Books 

God always has desired to forewarn before He brings judgment 

2 Corinthians 5:10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of the Messiah, so that each of us may receive what he deserves for what he has done in his body, whether good or worthless.  {rewards} 

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 the workmanship of each person will become evident, for the day of judgment will show what it is, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's action.  (14)  If what a person has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  (15)  If his work is burned up, he will suffer loss. However, he himself will be saved, but it will be like going through fire. 

Daniel 7:10 A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened

Revelation 20:11-12 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 

Psalms 50:4-6 He summoned the heavens above and the earth below, to sit in judgment on his people.  (5)  "Assemble before me, my saints, who have entered into my covenant by sacrifice."  (6)  The heavens revealed his justice, for God is himself the judge. Interlude. 

Wedding and Wedding Supper of the Lord Jesus:  The Scriptures is a marriage covenant 

Joel 2:16 Gather the people, Sanctify the congregation, Assemble the elders, Gather the children and nursing babes; Let the bridegroom go out from his chamber, And the bride from her dressing room

1 Peter 1:18-19 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,  (19)  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. 

1 Corinthians 6:20 because you were bought for a price. Therefore, glorify God with your bodies. 

Matthew 25:6-7 "But at midnight there came a shout: 'The groom is here! Come out to meet him!'  (7)  Then all the bridesmaids woke up and got their lamps ready. 

Luke 14:16-17 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.  (17)  At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 

Revelation 19:7-9 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.  (8)  Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God's holy people.)  (9)  Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" And he added, "These are the true words of God." 

Coronation of the Lord Jesus as our King 

Psalms 98:6 With trumpets and the sound of a horn; Shout joyfully before the LORD, the King

Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter. 

Revelation 4:8-11 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,' who was, and is, and is to come."  (9)  Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,  (10)  the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:  (11)  "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being." 

Revelation 19:11-14 Then I saw heaven standing open, and there was a white horse! Its rider is named Faithful and True. He administers justice and wages war righteously.  (12)  His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many royal crowns. He has a name written on him that nobody knows except himself.  (13)  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called the Word of God.  (14)  The armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, follow him on white horses. 

Revelation 19:15-16 A sharp sword comes out of his mouth to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod and tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  (16)  On his robe and his thigh he has a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS 

Is this where Jesus is crowned King 

Revelation 5:9-14 They sang a new song: "You are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slaughtered. With your blood you purchased people for God from every tribe, language, people, and nation.  (10)  You made them a kingdom and priests for our God, and they will reign on the earth."  (11)  Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels, the living creatures, and the elders surrounding the throne. They numbered 10,000's times 10,000 and thousands times thousands.  (12)  They sang with a loud voice, "Worthy is the lamb who was slaughtered to receive power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise!"  (13)  I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and on the sea, and everything that is in them, saying, "To the one who sits on the throne and to the lamb be praise, honor, glory, and power forever and ever!"  (14)  Then the four living creatures said, "Amen!", and the elders bowed down and worshiped. 

Jewish New Year 

Rosh HaShanah marks the Jewish New Year and is a part of the season of repentance. Rosh in Hebrew means “chief or head” and shanah means “year.” Rosh HaShanah is the head of the year on the civil calendar, and is also known as the birthday of the world since the world was created on this day 

Interesting side However, unlike the Feast of Tabernacles, there is no command that the Feast of Trumpets must be kept in a specific location—what we call a "Feast site." We are free to keep the Feast of Trumpets in our home church locations.   

This feast symbolizes a vast turning point in world history. It pictures the  changeover between the age of man, of darkness, and of Satan to the age of God, the World Tomorrow, the Millennium, and the Kingdom of God. 

This is why we are here to celebrate this day, the Feast of Trumpets.

 

Sunday, September 5, 2021

The Book of Revelation 1:1-20, September 4, 2021

 The Book of Revelation 1:1-20                                   September 4, 2021 

First let’s notice up front, the Revelation is singular, not plural. 

Revelation:  means “The Unveiling or disclosure 

           The ultimate end, finish of all things.

           The only book promising a special blessing to the reader.

           404 verses containing over 800 hints from the Old Testament.

           It presents the climax of God’s Plan for Man. 

Apostle John, the Author of: 

           The Gospel of John.

      Three Epistles (1, 2, 3 John).

           The Book of Revelation. 

The Patmos Exile 

Patmos is a small island, 6 miles by 10 miles, 40 miles from Miletus and 24 miles from the coast of Turkey. John was exiled by Domitian (A.D. 81-96), the brother of Titus who destroyed Jerusalem. According to Irenaeus (2nd century A.D.), Revelation was written by John during the reign of Domitian. 

Irenaeus, Clement, and Eusebius wrote that after Domitian died, John returned to Ephesus, went to the churches, and appointed leaders, and set things in order. 

Revelation 1:1 The Revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 

The Revelation: Be revealed, Unveiling, disclosure. The curtain of the future is lifted and shows us what is going to happen. 

Of Jesus Christ: Revelation is made by Jesus and John wrote it down on what he was told and saw and then give to the Saints 

Revelation 1:2 who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. 

We will find that all things that John saw are “visions” of the Book of Revelation. 

Testifies means: to give evidence as a witness in a court of law, bear witness, be a witness, give one's testimony, 

John testifies to everything he saw and wrote it down 

Word of God: The phrase, Word of God is used of both the Scriptures and the Person of Jesus. 

The Word of God is inspired: 

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 

The Word of God is truth: 

Psalms 119:151 You are near, O LORD, And all Your commandments are truth. 

The Word of God sets you free: 

John 8:32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

The Word of God produces faith: 

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 

Is one of the Blessing from Revelation is faith. 

The Word of God is Lord Jesus: 

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. 

The Testimony of Jesus 

Revelation 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." 

Revelation 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. 

Read; Hear; Keep:  This is the only book with a special promise if you do these three things.  

·      Blessing who reads aloud,

·      Blessings who hear it and

·      Take to heart, what is written in it 

Blessed means: supremely blest; fortunate, well off, spiritually happy from God’s perspective. 

This is the first of many Blessings in the Book of Revelation if we do these things. 

Greetings to the Seven Churches 

Revelation 1:4 John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the Seven Spirits who are before His throne, 

Isaiah 11:2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him; {1} the Spirit of wisdom and of (2) understanding, the Spirit of (3) counsel and of (4) might {power}, the Spirit of the (5) knowledge and (6) fear of the LORD,        {is the Holy Spirit the 7th Spirit. 

The number 7 indicates in Scriptures fulness, perfection, a sacred number.  We will notice There are seven churches, seven spirits, seven seals, seven trumpets, seven thunders, seven vials, etc.  7 is all throughout the Book. 

7 churches are located in the western part of modern day Turkey, a Roman Province of Asia. 

1st time:  who is and who was and who is to come:  Jesus, the Gospel  

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,  (4)  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 

Revelation 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 

3 Names of Jesus:  The faithful witness, Firstborn from the dead; The ruler over the kings of the earth 

These descriptions of Jesus will be used throughout the Book of Revelation and the Bible by explaining what they mean. When we see these terms, we will know it will be talking about Jesus.  

Ruler of the King 

1 Timothy 6:15 At the right time, he will make him known. God is the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords. 

Blood of Jesus washed us {cleanses} us from all sin. 

1 John 1:7 But if we keep living in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

Revelation 1:6  and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 

Kings and priests”:  This is importance to each of us for the future 

Revelation 5:10  And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth." 

Dominion and Glory 

Daniel 7:14 Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed. 

Revelation 1:7 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. Even so, Amen. 

Tribes do not want to be under the rule of our Creator.  Jesus’ ascension was in the clouds and will come back the same way, in the clouds.  We have covered many Scriptures throughout the Bible on this. 

Coming with the clouds 

Matthew 24:30 Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all 'the tribes of the land will mourn' when they see 'the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven' with power and great glory. 

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty." 

Again, the same wording as vs. 4, 

2nd time:  who is and who was and who is to come:  Jesus, the Gospel  

Jesus was at the beginning and end of our lives, Beginning of time of creation, etc.  We will see this term many times in the Book of Revelation.  [21:6, 22:13} 

Isaiah 41:4 Who has performed and carried this out, calling the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD; the first and will be with the last; I am the One!"  {am He} 

Jesus is saying He was with the very first Generation {Adam and Eve} to the very last generation. 

Vision of the Son of Man 

Revelation 1:9 “I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Jesus Christ. 

John was a prisoner on the island during Domitian’s reign from 86 to 96 AD because of the Word of God and Testimony of Jesus. 

Revelation 1:10 I came to be in the Spirit on the Day of the Lord, when I heard a loud voice behind me like a trumpet, 

“The Day of the Lord”, in the Spirit {vision), with the trumpets we know about 

Revelation 1:11 saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and, "What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." 

Why these seven churches?  We need to realize there are things written in Chapter 2 and 3 of Revelation that pertain to you, me and us as a group of the concerns that are found. 

The seven churches in the province of Asia each received the whole Book of Revelation on the mail route, and each received an individual letter from Christ 

Vision of the Risen Lord Jesus (vv. 12-18 

Revelation 1:12 Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, 

Verse 20 tells us the secret meaning who and what are the lampstands, symbolized the 7 churches, Jesus is not going to leave us in the dark on what the symbols means.  So, Lord Jesus tells us the secret meaning. 

Revelation 1:20 The secret meaning of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and the seven gold lamp stands is this: the seven stars are the messengers {or angels} of the seven churches, and the seven lamp stands are the seven churches." 

Revelation 1:13 and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. 

Son of man:  is always means Lord Jesus from other Scriptures 

In the midst. Of the church and we know will be with us always. 

Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. 

It is even more personal to each of us when we pray at the dinner table 

Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." 

Josephus tells us that the priests were girded about the breasts, not the loins.  We see Jesus as our Great High Priest, with garment down to His feet and His chest has a golden band.  

Revelation 1:14 His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; 

Daniel 7:9 "As I looked, "thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. 

Thrones:  The Fathers and Lord Jesus 

Revelation 1:15 His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; 

Does feet show power trampling upon his enemies and His voice meaning His Gospel as preached by his ministers worldwide,  {Rom 10:18} 

Revelation 1:16 He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 

The seven stars are “the angels of the seven churches, verse 20. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow, as it judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. 

Daniel 10:5 I looked up and there before me was a man dressed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. 

Daniel 10:6 His body was like topaz, his face like lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and his voice like the sound of a multitude. 

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. 

Third time Jesus said this.  A believer falls at the feet of Jesus, 

Revelation 1:18 I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. 

Jesus just said He lived as a man, died on the Cross and now alive in His glorified resurrection state. 

3rd  time:  who is and who was and who is to come:  Jesus, the Gospel  

Jesus just said He has authority over those who have died physically

and over their present resting place, which will be emptied and destroyed at the time of the great white throne judgment 

Revelation 1:19 Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 

This is a summary or break down of the Book of Revelation. 

John was to write: 3 major things, 1. Have seen, 2, things which are, 3. Things will take place 

1. Things which you have seen – Rev 1:12-18 (seen the Risen or Vision of Jesus) 

2. Things which are – Rev 2 and 3  (this is what we are going to cover, next few times, the Seven Churches, seven church will receive 7 personal letters from the Lord Jesus.  The Most important part of the Book of Revelation is Chapter 2 and 3) These chapters is what will affect us personally, right now. 

3. Things which will take place – That which follows after the Churches, Chapters 4-22.  What the future holds for the Church, Saints and the world. 

Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches. 

Jesus explains the mystery of the seven stars are the angels (red letter)

Mystery of the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Where are the Lampstands, right now, in Chapter 1:  On the earth. (vs 4)

Why use lampstands, they are to bare the light to the Word, what is the churches commission, is to bare the light to the world. 

What was Israel commission, to bare the light and that is why the Menorah (7 candle stick holder) is the official symbol of Israel today and not the Star of David on their flag.  Israel was intended to be the proclaimers of the Creator to all nations.