Tag: Jesus

Why Jesus Didn’t Die For Your Sins

Christianity teaches that Jesus, the perfect sinless lamb-of-God had to die for people’s sins so they can be forgiven and make it to heaven. Christianity also touts that it is only through a blood sacrifice a person can receive atonement for any sin, whether intentional, unintentional, past or future sin. It is propagated to congregants that all of us, whether Jew or Gentile, are eternally doomed unless we believe Jesus is the Messiah who died and overcame sin and death through the resurrection. Guilt, condemnation, and fear are the key ingredients while dangling promises of heaven and eternal life to motivate people to believe. These beliefs come from various places throughout the New Testament, which just by cleverly labeling it the “New” Testament sends the message anything before it is old news, invalid, and irrelevant. Out with the old, in with God’s new and improved way of doing things. And yet, Malachi 3:6 and 1 Samuel 15:29 clearly state God is neither a human nor does God change. We do. With that said, let us explore what the “Old” Testament, or Hebrew Bible, has to say about sin, sacrifices, forgiveness, believing in the Messiah to be saved, etc.

These verses of 1 Samuel 15:29 are from Christian versions.

While it is true that all of man sins eventually as the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 3:23 and it is true sin has consequences as he further explains in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death,” it is not necessarily death or blood of an animal or blood of a human in Jesus’ case that can make it right or to put in Biblical terms, make atonement. It can be confusing, however, when a Christian cherry-picks verses, as they (formerly we) seem to specialize in doing in order to propagate a doctrine. Christian missionaries and ministers often point to Leviticus 17:11 which in part states, “For it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” That is their AH-HA GOTCHA moment. And yet, when studying sacrifices and other passages found in the Hebrew Bible, we see God provides a variety of methods to teach His people a tangible lesson about sin and forgiveness; moreover, He provides grace and mercy well before Jesus and still today regardless of Jesus.

First, understand, that there are many different types of sacrifices, most of which are a form of praise and worship and have nothing to do with sin such as the burnt offering, meal offering, the daily morning and evening offerings, various offerings during the feasts of the LORD, etc. In fact, the sin and trespass offerings, also known as the purification and guilt offerings, are only for unintentional sin, meaning you, your household, the congregation, or the nation accidentally violated God’s law without realizing He had a law against such a thing.

Second, please study and know there is no sacrifice for intentional sin only unintentional sin. Understanding this concept is critical. I encourage you to get a Strong’s Concordance or Google the terms unintentional and intentional in the Bible. You will not find any sacrifice for intentional sin for if you knowingly and purposely sinned, you went through God’s judicial process and would have been eventually stoned or cut off (same thing) should the account of two or three witnesses manifest. The sin or purification offering is for if a sin was unintentionally committed against the LORD whereas the trespass or guilt offering was if a person unintentionally sinned against another person and by default the LORD as well. You will notice Leviticus chapters 4-6 states that those who unintentionally sinned against their brother, neighbor, or another person had to make restitution to the person they accidentally sinned against. Hence, love God, love others concept taught in both the Hebrew and Christian Bibles. While reading about the trespass also known as the guilt offering, notice in Leviticus 5:6-13, that the Torah teaches if a person cannot afford to bring a lamb, goat, turtledoves, or a pigeon, they can instead simply bring flour for forgiveness. Flour for forgiveness?! And yet, there is no blood in flour so based on Christian theology, how could that person be forgiven? Nevertheless, Scripture reveals that a person shall be forgiven indeed (see vs. 13). The overall message, God is teaching His people is, yes, sin has consequences, and He uses the concept of sacrifices whether it be ideally a costly sacrifice of an animal or even flour to reveal even unintentional sin is not to be taken lightly (pun intended) and yet certainly forgivable upon repentance. Now learn your lesson and don’t let it happen again.

The Book of Hebrews, along with other New Testament books, replaced words from various Scriptures found in the Hebrew Bible. Consequently, Christians are led to believe God required a human sacrifice to put an end to animal sacrifices. Compare Hebrews 10:5-8 to the Psalm the author cited in Psalm 40:6-8. We can see in this example the anonymous author of Hebrews significantly revised the Psalm, making it seem like a human sacrifice was required.

Rather, the sin sacrifice of animals is simply a tangible physical means God uses to reveal the concept of consequences and accountability for ourselves and one another. God recognizes humans need physical, tangible memorials to help us remember Him and His instructions for living – see Numbers 15:37-41 as another tangible physical reminder. God commanded the Israelites to wear tzittzits, strings from the hem of their garments to remind them to obey God’s commands.

Similar to the lesson of the sin sacrifices, as a parent, at times you take away your kid’s electronics or TV time when they sin. Upon doing so, it’s not because you need their electronics, rather you are insisting they sacrifice something with the hopes of teaching them what they did is not permissible in your eyes and they ought not to do it again. You, like our Heavenly Parent, hopefully, are fair and just upon deciding what they must sacrifice on an age-appropriate and offense-appropriate level or affordability level. Flour.

Third, understand sacrifices cannot be made in your backyard or just anywhere you please, but rather can only be made in the place the LORD chooses being in the Temple in Jerusalem (see Exodus 20:24; Leviticus 17:3-6; Deuteronomy 12:13-14, 16:5-6), which at this point in time does not exist. This is the only reason sacrifices are not currently happening. Nevertheless, notice what King Solomon proclaims in a prophetic prayer as he dedicates the first temple. In 1 Kings 8:22-53, but especially highlight verses 44-50 for it is there we see Solomon describes a variety of scenarios for both Jew and Gentile to receive forgiveness including when Jews are dispersed in various lands, taken captive, etc. with no capability of accessing the Temple, all they must do is repent and God will forgive them! Lamentations 3:22-26 as does Psalm 50-51, Psalm 103, Isaiah 1:16-20, and numerous other passages throughout the Hebrew Bible clearly state all one must do is pray to God and repent for their sin and He will gladly forgive them! I implore you to search this out for yourself. Explore terms like sin, forgiveness, salvation, etc. in the Hebrew Bible – an enlightening picture will unfold.

Fourth, did you know that Torah, God’s teachings, will be taught to the entire world from Jerusalem? Several passages such as Isaiah 2; Micah 4; and Ezekiel 44 reveal Torah will be taught. Moreover, the nations must also comply with Torah, God’s voice, His law one day INCLUDING worshipping God on the Jewish Sabbath according to Isaiah 66:22-24 AND bring sacrifices, according to Zechariah 14:16-21.

Fifth, please study the future prophecies found in Ezekiel 36-48, which include the resurrection, regathering, and restoration of all twelve tribes of Israel to the land of Israel. Within those incredible chapters notice the prophet Ezekiel shares that not only will God’s Torah be willingly obeyed by the House of Judah and the House of Israel, but that sacrifices will once again resume. What’s fascinating is these sacrifices are being led by the prince, presumably what some refer to as the Messiah, or an anointed ruler (see Ezekiel 44-46). Notice in Ezekiel 45:15-25, that the “prince” makes sin or purification offerings as well as all the other offerings on behalf of himself and the people, but only for unintentional sins as discussed previously. If Jesus is the one and only Messiah or “prince,” the perfect sinless lamb of God who made a sacrifice once and for all as the anonymous author of Hebrews proclaims, why does the Hebrew Bible prove otherwise?

Also, you will find there is no sinless Messiah described in the Hebrew Bible for it clearly states there is no one without sin according to 1 Kings 8:46 and Ecclesiastes 7:20.

Lastly, in Jeremiah 31, the chapter that predicts the new covenant, notice verse 30 says, “But everyone shall die for his own iniquity.” That’s strange don’t you think? Why doesn’t it say that Jesus will be the final sacrifice as he will die for everyone’s iniquity and the world will live happily or heavenly ever after? Why doesn’t it say this here in Jeremiah 31 particularly when it is discussing the New Covenant? The entire chapter of Jeremiah 31 is revealing the future full regathering and restoration of Israel one fine day in the New Covenant and yet, is still speaking of people dying for their own sin – being responsible for their own sin not trusting in Jesus to do it for them.

The law and prophets clearly speak to this several times as if giving plenty of advance warning of a future religion that will teach such concepts – most likely because this concept of human sacrifices has been a pagan practice since before ancient Israel even existed! Please review Deuteronomy 24:16; 2 Kings 14:6; Psalm 49:7; Ezekiel 18 and 33, all of which speak to the fact that a human cannot die for another human’s sins. Everyone is accountable to God for themselves. So why do we think Jesus, a human, can die for our sins?

Also, now knowing the law and prophets speak nothing towards such concepts of a Messiah dying for our sins, nor do we need to believe in a Messiah to be saved, and we now understand human sacrifice for the atonement of sin is forbidden, plus forgiveness is granted simply by repenting when a temple is not in place, and when it is in place, flour can be used as a substitute for blood, and if God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets first as Amos 3:7 states, why would we suddenly think God changed not only His pure language (see Zephaniah 3:9) from Hebrew to Greek, did away with His instructions found in Torah, and yet didn’t reveal it to His prophets of such dramatic changes or that a person must believe in His one and only son, the Messiah, in order to be forgiven and saved?

Ironically, I discovered this and so much more when I attempted to write an article proving Jesus is the Messiah using only the Old Testament. Needless to say, upon doing so, over many astonishing and grievous months, God “flip-flopped” my faith as His word clearly declares Jesus did not die for my sins, your sins, or anyone’s sins but his own!

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Beyond Heaven and Hell: A Jewish View of Salvation

One of the most significant differences between Christianity and Judaism concerns the definition of salvation.

In many Christian traditions, salvation is primarily understood as being rescued from the consequences of sin through faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Savior. Depending upon the denomination, salvation may also involve baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, participation in the sacraments, good works, or some combination of these elements (John 3:16; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38–39). Although Christians differ on the details, most agree that faith in Jesus occupies a central role in one’s salvation.

When I began examining the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) apart from later theological interpretations, I was struck by how differently the Scriptures describe salvation. The question naturally arose: if belief in a future Messiah is the central requirement for salvation, where do the Torah, Prophets, and Writings explicitly teach this doctrine?

The answer may surprise many readers. Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, there is no passage stating that one must believe in a future Messiah in order to receive God’s forgiveness or be saved. Rather, the overwhelming emphasis is that God Himself is Israel’s Savior, Redeemer, and Deliverer.

Consider just a sample of the many declarations found throughout the prophets:

  • Isaiah 43:11: “I, even I, am the LORD, and besides Me there is no savior.”
  • Isaiah 44:6: “I am the first and I am the last; besides Me there is no God.”
  • Isaiah 45:21–22: “There is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth.”
  • Hosea 13:4: “You shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me.”

These passages repeatedly direct humanity toward God Himself as the source of redemption. The emphasis is not on faith in an intermediary, but on trusting, worshiping, and returning to the God of Israel.

Repentance and Forgiveness in the Hebrew Scriptures

Another striking theme throughout the Tanakh is the connection between repentance and forgiveness.

Psalm 51 records King David’s prayer after his sin with Bathsheba. David does not appeal to a future sacrifice or mediator. Instead, he cries directly to God for mercy, confessing his sin and asking for a clean heart and renewed spirit.

Likewise, Psalm 51:16–17 declares:

“For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.”

Psalm 103 similarly emphasizes God’s mercy toward those who fear Him and seek to walk in His ways.

The prophets repeatedly echo this message:

  • Isaiah 1:16–18 calls Israel to wash themselves, cease doing evil, and learn to do good.
  • Ezekiel 18 teaches that a wicked person who repents and turns from sin will live.
  • Hosea 14 calls Israel to return to God and receive forgiveness.
  • Joel 2:12–13 urges repentance because God is gracious and merciful.

From a Jewish perspective, these passages demonstrate that God’s forgiveness has always been available through sincere repentance, prayer, and a return to His ways.

Individual Responsibility

Another important theme concerns personal accountability.

The Torah teaches:

“Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall children be put to death for their fathers; each shall be put to death for his own sin.” (Deuteronomy 24:16)

Ezekiel expands this principle in chapter 18:

“The soul who sins shall die.”

The prophet repeatedly emphasizes that each person is responsible for his or her own conduct before God.

For this reason, Judaism has traditionally understood atonement and forgiveness through the framework of repentance, restitution, prayer, and divine mercy rather than through the death of another individual on one’s behalf. While Christians and Jews interpret these texts differently, the principle of individual responsibility remains a foundational element of Jewish theology.

Salvation in the Tanakh: Physical and National Redemption

Another significant difference concerns what salvation often means in the Hebrew Bible.

Many modern readers immediately associate salvation with the afterlife. In the Tanakh, however, salvation frequently refers to deliverance from physical danger, oppression, exile, persecution, or national distress.

Consider the language of:

  • Psalm 53:6
  • Psalm 80
  • Psalm 91
  • Isaiah 51–52
  • Jeremiah 30–31
  • Ezekiel 34–39
  • Zephaniah 3

Again and again, God promises to rescue His people, gather the exiles of Israel, restore Jerusalem, establish peace, and bring justice to the world.

The prophets envision a future in which the nations stream to Jerusalem to learn God’s ways (Isaiah 2:1–4; Micah 4:1–4), the earth is filled with the knowledge of God (Isaiah 11:9), and God’s presence dwells among His people.

In this sense, biblical salvation is often portrayed not as escaping the earth for heaven, but as participating in God’s redemption of the world itself.

The Future Redemption of Israel

The prophets also describe a future restoration in which Israel is regathered, spiritually renewed, and brought into a deeper covenant relationship with God.

Ezekiel writes:

“I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean… I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes.” (Ezekiel 36:24–27)

Jeremiah 31 likewise speaks of God writing His Torah upon the hearts of His people.

These passages describe a future age in which God transforms His people, forgives their sins, and renews their relationship with Him. Significantly, the emphasis remains upon God’s direct action, His covenant with Israel, and the restoration of obedience to His Torah.

Two Different Understandings of Salvation

Christianity and Judaism ultimately approach salvation from different starting points.

Christianity generally understands salvation through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the means by which sins are forgiven and eternal life is secured.

Judaism, drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, understands salvation primarily as God’s ongoing work of redemption through repentance, forgiveness, covenant faithfulness, and the future restoration of Israel and the world. The focus remains upon turning directly to God, walking in His ways, and trusting in His mercy.

Both traditions speak of redemption and hope, yet they define those concepts through very different theological lenses.

For those seeking to understand the Jewish perspective, the most important step is to examine how the Torah, Prophets, and Writings themselves define salvation and to allow God’s revealed Word to shape one’s understanding of redemption.

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Detective of the Divine: The Case of the Resurrection

Imagine investigating a missing-person case. Several witnesses come forward. Each insists they were present at the scene, yet their accounts differ significantly regarding who was there, what happened, and when events occurred. As an investigator, would you confidently close the case based solely on those testimonies?

This is the question I found myself asking while examining the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ resurrection.

The resurrection is presented as the defining event of Christianity. If true, it would be one of the most important events in human history. Therefore, it deserves careful scrutiny. As a student of Scripture and a self-described “Detective of the Divine,” I approached the Gospel accounts looking for consistency, corroboration, and evidence.

What I discovered was not a single, unified testimony but a collection of narratives that differ in noteworthy ways. The Gospels disagree about how many women came to the tomb, when they arrived, who they encountered there, and when Jesus allegedly appeared to them. While Christians often argue that differing details demonstrate independent testimony, investigators also recognize that significant contradictions can raise questions regarding reliability.

The purpose of this article is not to mock faith or attack sincere believers. Rather, it is to examine the evidence and ask whether the resurrection accounts meet the standard of proof one would expect for such an extraordinary claim.

Let us dissect and discuss…But first, grab your New Testament.

Gospel Comparisons of ResurrectionDownload

Consider how and when the women saw the resurrected Jesus such as: In Matthew 28:1-8, Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” came to the tomb around dawn the day after Sabbath and experienced an earthquake when an angel came down from heaven and personally rolled away the stone. Supposedly it scared the guards, plural, to death paralyzing them in fear. In Mark 16, after Sabbath was over, early in the morning, when the sun had risen, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James (and Jesus), and Salome brought spices to anoint the body. At first, they were perplexed as to who will roll the stone away for them, but when they arrived, the stone was already rolled away for them. What happened to the earthquake and seeing the angel descend? The speculated but not proven author of Mark skips over that detail. Seems like a highly important detail to somehow forget. Upon arriving at the open tomb, they see a young man inside. No mention of the guards in that version.

A few verses earlier, evidently the tomb’s stone is able to be moved by just 1 person since Joseph (not Mary’s husband) rolled it himself in Mark 15:46 so that leads me to believe 2 or 3 women could have rolled it if just 1 man could have. In Luke 24, on the 1st day of the week, very early in the morning, certain women and “other women with them” so now we have a group of women went to the tomb with spices to anoint the body. Upon arriving, like in Mark, but unlike in Matthew, they discover the stone is already rolled away. After going inside the tomb, suddenly not 1 man as recounted in Mark, but in Luke’s version 2 men were inside the tomb.In John’s version found in John 20, he describes just 1 woman went to the tomb, Mary Magdalene, while it was still dark so not at dawn or after dawn like the other versions describe. No mention of any earthquake nor other women or 1 or 2 men or angels are told to us in John’s version, but we do learn Peter and another disciple race to the tomb and reveal another interesting clue and that is that the linens Jesus was wrapped in were neatly folded within the tomb (John 20:5-7). Verse 9 of John 20 states the disciples did *not* know of any Scripture (in Tanakh) prophesying the Messiah must rise from the dead because there is none. Rather, the Messiah is to bring world peace, unity, and elevate the Jews to assist in teaching Torah to the world as a light to the nations (Isaiah 2, 11, 42, 49, 53-56 among others).

Also, we learn in John’s version that both Joseph and the Pharisee Nicodemus wrapped and anointed Jesus’ body in spices (John 19:38-42) upon his burial. If Nicodemus and Joseph already anointed Jesus’ body, then why did the women need to come again to do so at the time of his burial in Luke 23:56 PRIOR to Sabbath and why did the women return to do so AGAIN AFTER Sabbath as defined in Mark 16:1? Matthew writes about a guard or guards being there to seal the stone whereas none of the other gospels do; Joseph rolled the tomb in place. Yet, the women wondered how they would unroll the stone as if impossible to do so- then why come to anoint him in the wee hours of the morning or at dawn, depending on which version, if the stone cannot be unrolled and if they cannot unroll it themselves? This does not make sense.

Assuming Jesus lived and died though there are no historical writings of such events (read Was the New Testament Inspired by God or Rome), clearly, his body was missing or the Pharisees and Romans could have simply opened the tomb to dispute the claim of the resurrection. I suppose they still could have done so, but we know not of historical documents stating this theory so for the sake of argument, let’s say Jesus indeed existed, died, and the body was indeed missing. Conversely, had the Pharisees or other Jews or the Romans discovered Jesus indeed did resurrect from the dead, wouldn’t that have been the catalyst to producing far more believers instantly rather than just a small group who were already Jesus’ fans? How come we have no documentation of detailed accounts of the resurrected Jesus appearing to any of the alleged 500 Paul claims though Paul didn’t even personally know Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:5-8)? Not to mention Paul’s order of appearance list also contradicts the gospels. There is no account of Jesus revealing himself to anyone but primarily the women first, then some men, IF any of that is even true.

Wouldn’t the resurrected Messiah be sure to reveal himself to his accusers? To those who didn’t believe him? Wouldn’t that be far more magnificent and noteworthy to propel God’s mission? Wouldn’t that be far more effective and critical in sharing the ‘good news’ of the gospel, particularly to the so-called lost sheep Jesus was sent to (Matthew 15:24) as in the Jews?

MOTIVE

Let’s say for the sake of argument, the Pharisees or Romans inspected the tomb and verified Jesus’ body was missing. Is it not possible though that the body was removed? Who would have the most motive to remove Jesus’ body?

We are told the disciples did not believe the women when they came to them to report Jesus’ body was removed. Also, interestingly enough in John’s version, found in John 20:1-2, Mary Magdalene runs to the disciples to tell them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” Wow! Did she see him or not? In other accounts, she ran into Jesus either at the tomb or upon leaving the tomb prior to seeing the disciples (Matthew 28:7-10; Mark 16:8-11). In John’s version, she runs to the disciples first to tell them Jesus’ body is missing, but then later, after Peter and another disciple inspect the tomb, Mary Magdalene speaks to two angels and Jesus appears to her, which she then ran to the disciples again to report what happened (John 20:11-18). Do you see the confusion in the timetable and details of the various gospels?

These many different accounts of the same epic moment seem suspicious and become less credible the more the reader compares the testimony of the so-called witnesses. But back to motive…the disciples, being men of various trades, although disappointed and humiliated, could easily have gone back to their occupations. However, there is one person in particular who had EVERYTHING to lose if Jesus did not rise again. Mary, Jesus’ mother, not only would have been financially ruined if Jesus did not rise from the dead, considering she and her other sons would be the laughing stock of town, but she could have been stoned per the law since upon his death, it would be evident she was not “miraculously impregnated” by the Holy Spirit but rather by Joseph or whomever. Is it not strange the women knew where Jesus’ body was being each account testifies the women were there when he was placed in the tomb unlike the disciples, AND showed up either in the middle of the night or at the crack of dawn to anoint his body when they or Nicodemus already did so while allegedly not knowing how they would open the tomb themselves, AND there are so many different versions of the details of what happened next, AND the linens just happen to be folded neatly all pointing to the women?! Is it not possible wanting to spare Mary, the mother of Jesus and their friend, the women got together to remove the body under the guise of anointing the body, folded the linens neatly in place upon unwrapping them, and then after making it look like he vanished, ran to the men to tell them their many different versions of what happened?

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Could the women be bringing anointing oils because Jesus wasn’t actually dead? Were they using these oils for medicinal purposes? Why use such oils on a dead body? Were the women coming to where his body lay to nurse him back to health? Could Jesus have walked off on his own or with assistance?

Furthermore, could the women or men have hallucinated having been under great post-traumatic stress? Could they have seen a ghost as some versions express? How many reports are there in modern ages of people seeing their dead loved one’s ghost or ghosts in general? Plenty, interestingly enough. There even is a ghost story in 1 Samuel 28:11-19 where the medium saw the ghost of the Prophet Samuel, much to her horror. The ghost of Prophet Samuel was recognizable, had a physical appearance, could clearly communicate, and EVEN still gave a prophecy to King Saul, and yet, the dude was still technically dead! So could the disciples have seen and likewise conversed with Jesus’ ghost?

Could they have concocted seeing Jesus or could they have been deceived into seeing someone else posing as Jesus since they did not recognize him? Or could have the unknown authors of the gospels created the story themselves since there is no other documentation of Jesus’ life let alone a resurrection? Why would not people document the most epic event in all human history – his miraculous resurrection?! Even if he actually did rise again, others in the Tanakh/Old Testament rose again such as Elijah resurrected children (1 Kings 17 & 2 Kings 4), does that make Elijah or those children THE MESSIAH? Even so, Jesus still doesn’t fit the majority of the profile of the Messiah as described by the prophets-besides being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5).

Also, if Jesus did rise from the dead, Matthew 7:53 says the graves were opened and there were numerous resurrected people walking around. What happened to those people? How come NO ONE ELSE documented anywhere that historians know of this hugely monumental event? Maybe because it is largely fiction just as has been proven about Herod’s non-existent census. 

Moreover, why create a following and rise from the dead just to vanish? If Jesus actually did exist and survived the crucifixion, isn’t it possible Jesus could just have disappeared so the Romans couldn’t properly kill him off?

Or, is it possible all of it is fiction?

Detective’s Final Report

After reviewing the available evidence, I am left with several observations:

  1. The resurrection narratives contain notable differences regarding the participants, timing, and sequence of events.
  2. The Gospel accounts are formally anonymous writings. While church tradition later attributed them to specific individuals, the texts themselves do not identify their authors.
  3. Independent contemporary documentation of the resurrection event itself is lacking. This is especially significant given the extraordinary nature of the claims.
  4. The resurrection claim must ultimately be evaluated alongside the broader question of whether Jesus fulfilled the messianic expectations described throughout the Tanakh.
  5. From a Jewish perspective, the primary test of messiahship is not whether someone performed miracles or was believed to have risen from the dead, but whether that individual fulfilled the prophetic mission assigned to the Messiah: gathering the exiles of Israel, establishing universal peace, rebuilding Jerusalem, and bringing the nations to knowledge of the One God.

As a result, I do not find the evidence sufficient to conclude that the resurrection accounts establish Jesus as the promised Messiah of Israel. The accounts may reflect sincere beliefs, evolving traditions, misunderstandings, or theological interpretations developed over time. However, as a Detective of the Divine, I must follow the evidence where it leads.

For me, the case remains unresolved on historical grounds and unproven on biblical grounds. When measured against the standards established in the Hebrew Scriptures, the messianic claim remains unsubstantiated.

As such, I close my notebook and consider this case closed, or you could say dead.

~Carrie Renee, Revised 6.17.2026; originally published August 28-29, 2020

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What Is the Torah Portion & Haftarah About?

Did you know when Jesus / Yeshua read Isaiah 61 in the synagogue on Shabbat (Sabbath/Saturday), which we can read about in Luke 4:16-30), He was reading from that specific week’s “Haftarah” portion? For thousands of years, those of the Judaism faith have read from the Torah and Haftarah. A major part of the Jewish worship service since the days of escaping Babylonian captivity (see books of Ezra & Nehemiah), is the public reading of the Torah.For the Jewish people learned the hard way while under Babylonian captivity to forsake God’s instructions will inevitably lead to physical and spiritual bondage. The Torah is the first five books of the Bible, also known as the Law, or God’s instructions for life. Each week, in today’s congregations of Judaism, Messianic Judaism, and many Hebrew Roots’ congregations read a certain portion of the Torah in their services. So the whole world (of those groups) is studying the same portions in unity. However, many years ago, circa 175 BC, when Antiochus Epiphanes conquered the temple, he outlawed the public reading of the Torah, replaced the holy artifacts with pagan gods within the temple, slaughtered pig, an unclean and abomination according to Leviticus 11, Deut 14, and Isaiah 65-66, as a means to mock God’s ordained sacrificial system, and even tormented and killed Jews for holding to their belief in the one true God and their desire to adhere to His laws. All of this was an “abomination of desolation”, which will happen again according to prophecies found in the Books of Daniel, Matthew, and Revelation. Consequently, the rabbis of those days researched and prescribed related passages of the Torah found in the Prophets to be read each week instead of the Torah during that tumultuous time. This became known as “Haftarah”, which means “conclude”. After that horrific time, the practice of reading from the Prophets stuck so today, passages called portions from the Torah and the Haftarah, which are related are read. In Messianic Judaism (and possibly Hebrew Roots too), related portions from the Brit Chadesha (Renewed/New Covenant) are read as well. This photo captures this week’s. The Torah portion’s title is selected from the first few words of the passage. You will notice all of these passages have to do with sending out (i.e. spies & apostles). I hope you had a peacful, wholesome #Shabbat!

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Will People Be “Raptured” To Heaven?

Many evangelical Christians believe in something called “the rapture” where the dead Christians will be resurrected and the Christians alive at that time will all be whisked away to heaven when Jesus returns for them and then Jesus and “his saints” will hide out in heaven for 7 years or so while God pours out His wrath on Earth to those who rejected Jesus. Then, according to this doctrine taught throughout some evangelical protestant denominations, Jesus will come back to Earth for technically a third time and bring all his peeps with him to rule and reign. 

Now, imagine being up high up in the sky as if parasailing and getting to see the big picture. It would certainly change your perspective. Using a plethora of Scriptures, this article lifts you above the doctrinal distractions to help you see the big picture.

As a foundational reminder, Amos 3:7 tells us God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets first.

THE THREE R’S

The prophets of the Hebrew Bible say nothing about people who must believe in a Messiah to be saved, forgiven, or to have eternal life. Nor do they say anything about a rapture of believers in a Messiah. The prophets do, however, predict people will be resurrected, rescued, and restored.

RESURRECTED

Let’s take a look at some Scriptures within the prophetic books that speak to a resurrection. The text we are reviewing can be found in Daniel 12:1-2, Isaiah 26:18-19, Ezekiel 37:12.

The prophetic book of Daniel was penned during the time that the exiled Jews were living in Babylon. So when this angel relayed these words to Daniel, the angel was referring to Jews as “your people” way in the future. Specifically, this prophecy is believed by Orthodox rabbis to be referring to the Battle led by Gog of Magog. Clearly, the angel is telling Daniel with the intention he will write it down for future generations to know and be encouraged that during that awful time Jews will be rescued if they are not blotted out of the book of life, meaning if they are still alive at this time. Zechariah 14 and Ezekiel 38 also describe this horrific battle of Gog and Magog (note: many Orthodox rabbis believe we are in the end times battle of Gog and Magog now since October 7, 2023, the day Israel’s enemies succeeded in a surprise attack similar to the one described in Ezekiel 38).

In regards to the expression, inscribed in the book, meaning the Book of Life, other passages within the Hebrew Bible equate that expression to mean an Israelite, now known as Jews, are literally alive because they haven’t transgressed the Torah, God’s instructions. In other words, to intentionally violate God’s boundaries means one will be removed or blotted out from the Book of Life. This is why on Yom Kippur, Jews strive to be inscribed in the Book of Life for another year by carefully examining their lifestyle and repenting to God and others when necessary.

Daniel 12, verses 1 and 2, indicate that those Jews (not Christians) who are alive during this devestating time will be rescued, whereas many of those that are dead, will be resurrected. Some sects of Orthodox Judaism teach there will be two resurrections – one will be for the Jews (Israelites) wherever Jews are located globally, with the Jews buried in Jerusalem resurrected first, and a separate resurrection for Gentiles (non-Jews) later. However, there are very few references of a resurrection in the Hebrew Bible; thus, how many resurrections there are, what that will look like, and the timing, are all speculated, but the general consensus among sects of Orthodox Judaism is everyone is resurrected at some point in the future. Generally speaking, Reform Judaism, a more liberal denomination of Judaism, does not focus on mystical and mysterious prophecies or the World-To-Come; rather, bringing heaven to earth here and now is the focus. Nevertheless, hints of resurrection are found within the prayers, songs, and poems of the Reform Judaism siddur (prayer book used at each worship service).

Notice in Eze. 37:12 the reference to “O My People” a.k.a. Jews/Israel and that God will bring them “to the land of Israel.” Not raptured to heaven.

RESCUED

We touched on Jews being rescued, but let’s take a closer look at these passages found in Jeremiah 16:14-16, Ezekiel 34:27-29, and Zechariah 8 and 12.

This particular text in Jeremiah 16 is interesting because it reveals this rescue operation of the Jews will make the original Exodus story look like nothing compared to this greater exodus to come. I didn’t type out the entire text, but I also wanted to point out how God says through the prophet Jeremiah that it will be as if God is sending fishermen to haul out Jews. What exactly that looks like is yet to be determined, but you get the idea God loves Jews very much and promises to rescue Jews at that terrible moment. It’s going to be epic!

God is all about making His Name known or His Presence and authority known. He’s all about taking people from a culture of worshiping many false gods to a culture of worshipping Him the One True God. God desires direct, personal relationship with everyone. Just as He made Himself known to both the Israelites and Egyptians in the Book of Exodus, God will do so again when He rescues Jews in the future. At that time, all of the Jewish and non-Jewish populations worldwide will know who the One True God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is!

Here we have yet again (see above), God saying through a different prophet that He will rescue Jews from wherever they are in the globe, and notice the text says they will be brought to Jerusalem to permanently dwell. It says nothing about saving Jews to live in heaven, nor rapturing anyone, but rather this Scripture and others emphasize bringing heaven to earth as God’s presence dwells on Earth in Jerusalem among God’s people: Jews.

This verse I included because it speaks to how much God loves Jerusalem inferring Jews living in that holy city. It also validates what God told Abraham when He said in Genesis 12:3, I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. Note: If you want to survive all that’s to come, don’t say or do anything against Israel/Jews (see Zechariah 14). Because to do so, is to harm those in the apple of God’s eye (Zechariah 2:8). I feel like most evangelical Christians are aware of this important truth, thankfully.

Although Isaiah 56 doesn’t specifically refer to Jews being rescued, I’m including it within this teaching, because it does state that anyone who chooses to keep God’s covenant, meaning live by the instructions He gave Israel at Mt. Sinai, will also be brought to Israel. It infers these Jews-By-Choice (converts) will also be rescued. This chapter of Isaiah 56 later says these individuals will be considered even better than sons and daughters, meaning naturally born Jews (because they volunteered for this lifestyle on their own when they could have chosen an easier path).

TORAH: The Sacred Highway to God’s presence, Jerusalem, Heaven on Earth

Although the prophets don’t directly state how the rescued Jews will travel to Jerusalem, there are hints particularly in the Book of Isaiah that Jews may travel by foot on a sacred highway or road of sorts. In other passages, it describes a worldwide earthquake, mountains crumbling, and land moving. Perhaps continents reconnect or the seas part so Jews (and non-Jews) will be able to get to Jerusalem by road similar to how God paved an unexpected path through the Reed Sea when the Israelites fled Egypt. Of course, airfare seems like a more realistic option currently!

In Zechariah 14:16-21, even non-Jews must come to Jerusalem to celebrate and worship God for the holy holiday of Sukkot, also known as Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths. Presumably, both the Jew and non-Jew could travel to Jerusalem using the new and improved Interstate known as the “Sacred Highway.” Ha-ha!

RESTORED

In addition to the prophets revealing a resurrection and rescue of Jews, the prophets also reveal that the physical wealth of Jews will be restored in Israel. “Double for your trouble” you could say. I have listed only a few passages that refer to this concept, but there are many more.

Isaiah repeatedly speaks to the fact that leaders of other nations, kings, will fall in line as they will be subservient to the kingdom of Israel (see above). With that said, you may want to study Isaiah 52 and 53 to understand how kings or leaders of other nations will be shocked to see Israel, the once suffering servant will be elevated. That’s right, Isaiah 53 isn’t describing Jesus, but rather Isaiah clearly identifies several times leading up to that infamous and misunderstood passage that Israel is the servant.

In Jeremiah 30:18-19, we once again see yet a different prophet refers to Israel as “outcast” whereas Isaiah chose “suffering servant,” but Jews are not despised forever. For here, as in many other passages, God encourages Jews documenting that God has a plan to restore, rebuild, and replant. Moreover, to elevate Jews and the nation of Israel.

CONCLUSION

As highlighted earlier, God reveals His plans through His prophets (Amos 3:7). Isn’t it strange that there are no texts in the entire Jewish Bible, or “Old Testament,” about non-Jews or Jews being raptured to heaven or anything pertaining to such doctrine? Interestingly, the prophet Jeremiah says that at that time the Gentiles (non-Jews) will be shocked and realize they were taught lies. Notice it doesn’t say Jews will be shocked, but specifically, the prophets declare the Gentiles will be surprised. I know I sure was upon realizing all of this.

In conclusion, the prophets of the Hebrew Bible make no mention of people being raptured to heaven but do frequently refer to Jews being resurrected, rescued, and restored to Israel.

SOUL-WORK

To study this topic more, I invite you to review the following passages in addition to the ones already presented:

  • Deuteronomy 30:3-4;
  • 1 Chronicles 16:35;
  • Nehemiah 1:9;
  • Psalms 2:6; 48:1-2; 74:2; 78:68; 87:1-7; 102:16; 106:47; 107:2-3; 125:1; 132:13-14; 147:2;
  • Isaiah 2:3; 11:11-12; 43:5; 56:8; 59:20;
  • Jeremiah 3:14-18; 29:14; 31:8,10; 32:37;
  • Ezekiel 11:17; 20:34-41; 28:25; 34:13; 37:21; 39:27-28;
  • Hosea 11:10;
  • Micah 2:12; 4:2;
  • Zephaniah 3:20;
  • Zechariah 10:10.

To investigate passages referring to being ‘inscribed in the book’ or being ‘blotted out’ meaning those living or dead, see these Scriptures:

  • Daniel 12:1-2;
  • Exodus 17:14; 32:32-33;
  • Deuteronomy 25:6,19;
  • Psalm 9:5-6; 56:8; 69:27-28; 139:16;
  • Malachi 3:16.

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Music of the Heart

praiseincoastlands

This past Sunday, I was afforded the opportunity to lead worship at a church here in York, Pennsylvania. For most of 2016 I along with a few others led worship for that church, but I stepped down last Fall per the Spirit’s leading since evidently He was preparing me for this next salty adventure. So after many months of not leading worship, I was delighted it worked out I could once again join them. Many times throughout 2016 that same church body graciously allowed me to play the songs I wrote on the piano. Since stepping down, I felt led to learn how to play the guitar and absolutely love it…even more so than the piano! On Sunday, I was able to play the guitar as well as I song I wrote! I am thankful for people who are gracious and encourage utilizing the gifts the Lord had given us. I look forward to play such songs at the beach soon. Worship by the Sea sounds remarkable to me!

The song I wrote on 1/24/17 and opened with is called… Check it out! The words and chords are below.

“Let It Be” by Carrie Renee Turner

Chords A, G, D, A

Chorus:

A              G              D               A

Oh, Let it be, Let it be, Let it be.

Verse 1:

A                           G                   D                A

Oh, why fight the undoing? Just let it manifest!

A               G                   D                     A

Our God is revealing your heart in this mess.

{Chorus}

Verse 2:

A               G                         D                     A

Our God isn’t shrinking as He sees your ugliness.

A               G                       D                     A

Perhaps He is healing your heart in this press.

{Chorus}

Verse 3:

A                      G                       D                     A

Trust in our Father, as He creates your holiness.

A                 G                     D                           A

Sons and daughters, beloved, you are blessed!

{Chorus}

 

Afterwards, I played Though You Slay Me and then Take Courage My Heart…. We finished up with Great Are You Lord!

 

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