In this issue of The Prophetic Messenger we will start a message about the door closing to the Gentiles which means that the time will come when no more Gentiles can be saved.

1. The Gospel to be Preached First to the Jews
In the gospel of Matthew chapter 10, Jesus told the disciples to only preach to the Jewish people. In Matthew 10:1-8 it says "1 And when He had called unto Him His twelve disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. 2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. 5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: 6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give." Jesus also spoke about only preaching to the children of Israel when a woman of Canaan came to him. In Matthew 15:21-24 it says "21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. 23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. 24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel."

2. The Jewish People Demand the Death of Jesus Christ
When Jesus Christ stood before Pontius Pilate, Pilate found no fault in Him. But the people cried out saying "Let him be crucified". In Matthew 27:11-26 it says "11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked Him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when He was accused of the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. 13 Then said Pilate unto Him, Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? 14 And He answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly. 15 Now at that feast the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. 16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? 18 For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him. 19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him. 20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said unto them, Whether of the twain will ye that I release unto you? They said, Barabbas. 22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let Him be crucified. 23 And the governor said, Why, what evil hath He done? But they cried out the more, saying, Let Him be crucified. 24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. 25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children. 26 Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified."

Notice in verse 24 how Pilate washed his hands before the multitude saying " I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it." But the people responded saying "His blood be on us, and on our children." The apostle Peter, preaching on the day of Pentecost, acknowledged that the Jewish people demanded the death of Jesus. In Acts 2:36 it says "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

3. Jesus Christ's Great Commission and Ascension
After Jesus Christ rose from the dead, He was seen by the apostles and He told them to wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost. In Acts 1:2-9 it says "2 Until the day in which He was taken up, after that He through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen: 3 To whom also He showed himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And He said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. 8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight." In verse 8 Jesus told the disciples that after they received the Holy Ghost they would be witnesses not only in Jerusalem but also to the uttermost part of the earth.

The Door Is Closing - Part II. Read this article in the next issue of The Prophetic Messenger.

As Christians if we want to live in victory and if we want to be able to share the Word Of God with others we must know the Word of God ourselves. Let's see what the Bible says about this. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11. " If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." John 15:7. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." John 8:31. We encourage you to put the following scriptures in your heart:Nahum 1:3-4, Matthew 5:3-12, I Kings 6:37-38, Mark 6:4-6, Deuteronomy 7:6-7, Psalm 117:1-2, Hosea 1:10-11, Mark 9:38-40, John 1:32-34, Exodus 15:20-21. Use only the Old King James version of the Holy Bible. (If you have any questions about this please see the book New Age Bible Versions, by G.A. Riplinger ©1993, ISBN 0-9635845-0-2.)

To order the book Why Are So Many Christians Confused About Bible Prophecy? send a check or money order for $20.00 with your name and address to: Mysteries From The Word Of God Ministries, P.O. Box 6391, Vancouver, WA 98668. You can also order on-line at www.bookonprophecy.org or order it at your favorite book store ISBN 0-9711584-0-1

We invite you to worship with us on Sundays! Our church is called The Ingathering Fellowship. We meet at 9400 NE 72nd Ave, Vancouver, WA (The Barberton Grange).

Sunday School is from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. Church service begins at 1:45 pm. If you would like a map, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: Mysteries From The Word Of God Ministries, P.O. Box 6391, Vancouver, WA 98668. Request the map to the church service.