ALONG LIFE'S HIGHWAY
by Reverend R.H. Sawyer

page 2

Simply being a descendant of Abraham will not prepare a living soul to recognize the coming King of Israel, or to find happiness and peace in his glorious presence. In the parable of the Ten Virgins, I think that Jesus would have His followers to see that something more than the appearance, or outward form is essential. Five of the virgins were foolish, failed to make a proper preparation and were not permitted to enter into the wedding festivities.

Yet these five, to all outward appearances, were the same as their companions. They were dressed as the others were dressed, they carried lamps which seemed to be ready for use, and they were expecting the coming of the Bridegroom, but they lacked the essential oil, the symbol of spirituality, which alone could qualify them to enter the presence of their Lord.
We are admonished by Israel's coming King: "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of man cometh."

To watch and pray as he has commanded is to cultivate a mental and spiritual condition, without which we could not hope to appreciate and enjoy the King and His kingdom, even if we were permitted to enter it.

An alien, or foreigner looks eagerly forward to the day when he will be permitted to become a citizen of America, and, if he is wise, he will begin at once to learn the language, laws and customs of the country, and of the people, for his life is to be made up of and will depend upon, his knowledge and practice of these things. The mere fact of his material presence in the country which he has chosen will not make him a citizen of that country, or enable him to enjoy the many blessings of citizenship.

There must be a mental, and spiritual transformation take place before such a man can receive the advantages of the new country.

This is especially true of those who would enter the kingdom of God and become "fellow citizens with the saints." A spiritual transformation, so strange and startling in character as to be described by Jesus as being "born again", seems to be essential for every individual, whether he be Israelite, Jew or Gentile.

This will not be readily understood, or accepted by many persons, more especially those who are of Israel, and, therefore, "Heirs of the promises made unto the fathers." Nicodemus was such a favored one, being addressed by our Lord as “A master in Israel”, and yet the Lord said to him, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3: 3)

A man may be possessed of a finished education, of wealth and power - he may be “a master in Israel” but without this spiritual transformation, or rebirth, he is "of the earth, earthy," a materialistic creature, so blind, in a spiritual sense, that he is unable to even see the kingdom of God.

A writer in Destiny Magazine said: "How can they enter the kingdom, unless they first acquire the kingdom mind? How can God give the kingdom to anyone unable to receive it?"

The Gospel of The Kingdom is being proclaimed in many lands today, and many are the able arguments being presented, in a zealous effort to convince the world that we are Israel. The world will never be convinced of this important fact through these human efforts. The heathen, or the nations, will acknowledge God and His chosen people, only after that chosen people have been spiritually transformed by the power of God. (See Ezek. 36: 22 38.)

There is no thought of unkind criticism of the noble work being done by our many Israel societies in this and other countries; I have watched the growth of the Anglo-Israel movement from a few isolated believers to a multitude numbering millions, and feel a personal interest in every part of it, and a justifiable pride in the good work of every individual believer.

It is for this reason that I am seeking to emphasize, at the risk of being misunderstood, the statement that an ever-increasing spirituality is not only important, but also absolutely essential to our successful proclamation of the kingdom message, and to our entrance into the kingdom.

That we are Israel is an incontrovertible fact! That we are His "battle axe, and weapons of war," we have a right to proclaim, and that God is using us, at home, and on the battle front, to "break in pieces the nations, and to destroy kingdoms", the world is beginning to realize, and the knowledge of our numbers, wealth and power should make us, not the most proud, but the most humble people of all the earth, bringing us to our knees before God, praying that his Kingdom may come, and His will may be done on earth by all men, and more especially by all who are the family of Israel.