A Review of the Book: The Jewish Utopia

by

Rabbi Michael Higger

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The Jewish Utopia

Michael Higger Ph.D.

 

All of the teachings of Rabbi Michael Higger are based on the false premise held by most Jews, and even some misinformed Christians that what were the CONDITIONAL PROMISES OF GOD TO THE JEWS, will still be fulfilled to the Jews even after God’s Word says that He divorced that once chosen people. Most of the CONDITIONAL PROMISES made to the Jews, now apply to all who are saved, regardless of race or ethnicity. Most of the CONDITIONAL PROMISES made to the Jews, will have a fulfillment AFTER the millennium in heaven, when the earth is restored.

 

My wife worked for an Adventist Jewish boss for many years, and he once asked her: “Don’t you think all the promises to the Jews in the Old Testament will yet be fulfilled to them?”

 

Book Review:

 

I have quoted many passages by Rabbi Michael Higger, from his book The Jewish Utopia and commented on some of them. These quotes will give the reader a good sense of what the Jews believe will transpire under their New World Order.

 

No Christians Who Believe in the Son of God and His Holy Spirit and/or His Humanity

 

"Sixth, Irsael will be a living testimony to the absolute unity of God. Consequently, in the ideal era, there will be no people who will believe in the division of the Godhead into two or more parts, or persons.189 Only those peoples who believe in one God will survive in the ideal world.190 Furthermore, the ideal people, by cleaving to God, will be an eternal witness to the Lord, that He is the true God, the living God, and the everlasting King.191 Indeed, the main justification for Israel's distinctiveness and separation from all other nations, will be that she identifies herself with the living and everlasting God, the Holy One of Israel;192 that she preserves the memory of her historic experience of receiving the Torah; and that she gives the Torah's ethical teachings to mankind.193" Rabbi Michael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 33.

 

Note by Ron: If you believe in the Son of God, and God come in the flesh in the form of Christ’s humanity, you won’t qualify for the New World Order!

 

The Prophecy of Isaiah Will be Realized

 

[Rabbi Higger speaks of the prophecy of Isaiah being realized, but what about the prophecy of Isaiah concerning the Messiah (Christ) which the Jews have rejected?]

"Such will then be the perfect ideal nation, comprising a people of righteousness, holiness, prophecy, learning, peace, and godliness. The Lord, therefore, promised Moses that in the ideal era, He would be glorified in Israel.194 For, an ideal people like Israel, having attained perfection, must ultimately have a far reaching influence on the course of the destiny of nations. In the rabbinic terminology, the spiritual fire of Israel will devour the wicked nations.195 The following biblical verse will then be fulfilled: " And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name of the Lord is called upon thee, and they shall be afraid of thee." 196 The prophecy of Isaiah will likewise be realized: " And their seed shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed." 197 Light, the emblem of the individual righteous, will also be the emblem of Israel. For, the Lord will he to the ideal people an everlasting light.198 " Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of the seven days."199 Unto Israel that light of the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings.200 Thus, in the ideal era, the light and glory of Israel will be of a divine nature, and, therefore, resemble the flaming glory of the Lord.  This is the force of Isaiah's prophecy: " And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his Holy One for a flame." 201 Again, as in the case of the individual righteous, God's goodness is stored up for the ideal Israel, the righteous people. Hence, the exclamation of the Psalmist: " Oh how abundant is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee! "202 Abundance, joy, wealth, plenty, and other sources of happiness, await Israel, the righteous people, in the ideal era.203 Israel will be blessed eternally, because their blessing will come no more through mortals, but directly from God.204 As the ideal, upright people, they will be loved and favored by God." Rabbi Michael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, pp. 33, 34.

"The unrighteous nations, as typified in the traditional Esau, who persist in their wickedness and injustices, will not share in the ideal era. Their rule will be destroyed and will disappear from earth before the ushering in of the millennium.210

The wickedness of these nations will consist mainly in accumulating money belonging to the people, and of oppressing and robbing the poor.211 These nations will be summoned to judgment, before the advent of the Kingdom of God.  This will be in accordance with the prophecy of Obadiah: "And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esay; and the kingdom shall be the Lord's." 212

Another group of wicked nations, as typified in the traditional Edom and Rome, will suffer the same fate as the first group. Their unrighteousness will be characterized by corrupt governments, and by their oppressions of Israel. These nations will not exist in the ideal era, and their rule will be abolished before the advent of the Messianic age.213 Allied with these unrighteous nations are those peoples who possess the wicked traits of the traditional Amalekites, Ishmaelites, and Gibeonites. Before the dawn of the new era, their end will come.214" Rabbi Michael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 35.

 

Note by Ron: It’s interesting to note that the Jews have been first in accumulating money via usury which is prohibited in the Bible. This practice has oppressed and robbed the poor. Think of credit card interest which goes as high as 28%, and of course the benefactors are Jews.

Rabbi Higger picks and chooses what he wishes from Isaiah. He and most of his fellow Jews reject the prophesies of Christ in Isaiah, to wit: http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/charts/Isaiah's%20Messianic%20Prophecies.htm

 

Israelitic and NonIsraelitic | All NonIsraelitic Will be Destroyed Before the Millennium

 

"In general, the peoples of the world will be divided into two main groups, the Israelitic and the nonIsraelitic. The former will be righteous; they will live in accordance with the wishes of one, universal God; they will be thirsty for knowledge, and willing, even to the point of martyrdom, to spread ethical truths to the world. All the other peoples, on the other hand, will be known for their detestable practices, idolatry, and similar acts of wickedness. They will be destroyed and will disappear from earth before the ushering in of the ideal era."218 Rabbi Machael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 36.

 

"All these unrighteous nations will be called to judgment, before they are punished and doomed. The severe sentence of their doom will be pronounced upon them only after they have been given a fair trial, when it will have become evident that their existence would hinder the advent of the ideal era.219 Thus, at the coming of the Messiah, when all righteous nations will pay homage to the ideal righteous leader, and offer gifts to him, the wicked and corrupt nations, by realizing the approach of their doom, will bring similar presents to the Messiah. Their gifts and pretended acknowledgment of the new era, will be bluntly rejected.220

 

For the really wicked nations, like the wicked individuals, must appear from earth before an ideal human society of righteous nations can be established. No ideal era of mankind can be established as long as there are peoples living idolatrous, ungodly lives ; as long as there are oppressors of the righteous, friends of slavery, enemies of freedom and liberty, and defiant enemies of God.221

 

Hence, Israel, and the other righteous nations, will combat the combined forces of the wicked, unrighteous nations under the leadership of Gog and Magog.222 Assembled for an attack upon the righteous nations in Palestine near Jerusalem, the unrighteous will suffer a crushing defeat, and Zion will thenceforth remain the center of the Kingdom of God." Rabbi Michael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 36.

 

Note by Ron: The Messiah mentioned by Rabbi Higger won’t be Christ, because He does not reign on this earth during the Millennium. This earth will be desolate during that time. End note.

 

Three Wars, the Third Destroys Rome Per Revelation 17:16

 

"...three wars in three different parts of the world will take place during the period preceding the advent of the ideal era. The fiercest of these three wars will be the one that will take place at Rome."225 Rabbi Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 37.

 

"Messiah will then be recognized by all the peoples of the earth as the one who will usher in the ideal era. Accordingly, all the nations will bring gifts to the leader of the new era. ‘Post-men carrying the gifts will be numerous.’235 Moreover, the very people of Israel, the ideal righteous people, will be the honorary gift that the nations will offer to the Messiah, the ideal righteous head.” " Rabbi Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 38.

 

Note by Ron: As formerly mentioned, this “messiah” will be Satan, because Jesus will not touch down on this earth when He comes. He will not touch down on this earth until after the Millennium, when all sin and sinners have been destroyed. End note.

 

Jewish Redemption and Salvation

 

"At the outset, it should be pointed out that the terms, redemption and salvation, have a radically different connotation from that which they have in Christian theology. As Abravanel has convincingly proved,347 Jewish redemption stands for the physical liberation and freedom of Israel. For, the people of Israel will attain the height of their spiritual functions and potentialities only through their attainment of material freedom and liberty. The problem of their spiritual development goes hand in hand with the problem of their physical safety and protection." Rabbi Michael Higger, The Jewish Utopia, p. 57.

 

"Israel will function spiritually and live up to their universal, moral and ethical responsibilities, only when they have obtained absolute physical freedom and liberty." p. 64.

 

"Again, the Shofar, announcing the freedom and liberty of the people, will be blown at the Temple in Jerusalem.355 For, Israel will be able to function spiritually and thus serve as an example for the rest of the world, only when they build up a Utopia, or a spiritual paradise on this earth, where they will be eternally safe and protected."356 p. 64.

 

Rebuilding of the Temple When the Righteous are in Control

 

“The Temple, furthermore, will signify the rule of the righteous in the world, and the disappearance of the wicked.498 That spiritual center will be built only when the unrighteous nations will reign no more.498a One of the morning prayers thus reads: " Gather our scattered ones from the four corners of the earth. Let them that go stray be judged according to thy will. . . . Let the righteous rejoice in the rebuilding of thy city, and in the establishment of thy temple.
And in the flourishing of the horn of David thy servant, and in the clear-shining light of the son of Jesse, thine anointed." 499 Indeed, the test of the new righteous world will be the renewed spiritual Temple. An age in which society functions in righteousness, will have also a universal spiritual center, a symbol of the new era of righteousness.500 That Temple will be the pride and glory of the righteous”.501 p. 80.

 

No Sacrificing in the Third Temple

 

"The third theory, found in rabbinic literature, concerning animal sacrifices in the Temple of the future, is the radical view that there will be no sacrifices whatever, and that righteousness and justice in action, will take the place of sacrifices.492 Indeed, all the other characteristics and symbolic significances, ascribed by the rabbis to the Temple in the ideal era, would seem to uphold this view concerning animal sacrifices. The Temple, above all, will signify the Kingdom of God on earth.493 The Lord Himself will build the everlasting Temple, in which He will cause His Divine Presence to dwell eternally, and to which all the worshippers of the world will direct their prayers.494 The name of God will be sanctified in the world, when His sanctuary will be established at Jerusalem.495 The Holy One will renew His world from Zion, when, in the words of Isaiah, " the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the top of the mountains ".495

The Temple will, therefore, become the spiritual center of all the peoples on earth, so that it will be the focus of spiritual life for all the nations in the world. Isaiah's prophecy will then be fulfilled: "And many peoples shall go and say: 'Come ye, and let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' " 496. pp. 79, 80.

 

Festivals and Holy Days

 

"The festivals and holidays that signify divine and universal truths will likewise be enthusiastically observed by the members of the new social order of the Utopia of the righteous.568 The views that some traditional festivals will not exist in the ideal era, only register the opinion of some rabbis that, in that era, some of these festivals may lose their historical significance, and a new interpretation of those festivals may be essential, since the ideal Israel will lead the whole world in the new life of genuine justice, righteousness, and of universal peace.564" p. 90.

 

Prophets in the New World

 

"The spiritual life of that ideal period, will similarly be marked by the appearance of a new form of prophetism. In the past, only a few individuals were spiritually gifted with prophetic visions. But in the era to come, every one will possess that power. The prophecy of Joel will thus become true: "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My spirit upon all flesh." 565 Moreover, in the past, not all prophets or prophecies were made public. But in the future, all visions and prophecies of every prophet will be made known to all people,566 Similarly, every one will learn to know the name of God, and all will be in a position to see God and His glory."567. p. 90.

 

A Perfect World in the Messianic Age

 

"The radical change in the world, which will result in practically a new world, will be accomplished through the mercy and goodness of God.571 With the advent of the Messianic period, therefore, the world will become perfect in all its aspects and phases.572 This optimism is also voiced in one of the Pseudepigraphal books: " Then shall the heart of the inhabitants of the world be changed, and be converted to a different spirit. For evil shall be blotted out, and deceit extinguished. Faithfulness shall flourish, and corruption be vanquished. And, truth, which for so long a time has been without fruit, shall be made manifest ";573 " But the Day of Judgment shall be the end of this age and the beginning of the eternal age that is to come; wherein corruption is passed away, weakness is abolished, infidelity is cut off; while righteousness is grown and faithfulness is sprung up ".574. p. 91.

 

"CHAPTER X

THE KINGDOM OF GOD | Ellen White said that Old Jerusalem would NEVER BE BUILT UP AGAIN (by God, that is)

 

We are now in a position to discuss the Jewish conception of the Kingdom of God. The contrast between the Christian dogma and the Jewish doctrine of the Kingdom is evident. The dogmatic doctrine of the Kingdom in the New Testament is not a continuation of the prophetic hope at all. Nothing is mentioned in the New Testament of the spiritual and material glory of Palestine in the day of fulfillment. The Kingdom that Jesus, according to the New Testament account, speaks of, is more mystical, inward, and personal.575 The New Testament is mainly concerned, not with the earthly, but rather with the heavenly Kingdom of God. We read thus in John 18, 36:

 

"Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews. But now is my kingdom not from hence." Unlike the prophets, therefore, Jesus thought of the Kingdom as having actually begun with him and his disciples.576 Compare Mark 1, 15: " And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." For, in the New Testament, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are practically identical.577 This dogma of a purely spiritual Kingdom, independent of the material, earthly world, was later expounded more fully by the sophisticated argumentation of Paul: " Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood rannot inherit the Kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit corruption." 578 In Romans, 14, 17, Paul remarks: " For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." 579

The Kingdom of God, as pictured by the Jewish prophets, on the other hand, is an ideal society of nations on earth, living in accordance with universal ethical rules of genuine justice, righteousness, and peace. The ideal Kingdom is a  universal idealization of the most important experiences of Israel in the past. The Davidic ruler, to be recognized universally, will be the perfect ethical character. The people who are to constitute the ideal community at the beginning of the ideal future are a remnant. The new people will not be sinless; but it will be ennobled and purified. The exalted moral and spiritual state of the ideal stock will manifest itself by the universal knowledge of God. That knowledge will permeate the life of the individual, as well as the relation between man and man, or the functioning of the new society of the Universal State. Peace, justice, and righteousness will prevail everywhere. Jerusalem will be a center of rejoicing of the ideal people. All the nations will flow unto God's house in Jerusalem. For, the religion of the new Israel will be the ideal religion, to which all the nations will spontaneously be drawn.

What the prophets anticipated did not come to pass. The rabbis, unconsciously, took up the idea of the Kingdom of God, where the prophets left off. The spiritual leaders in Israel expanded and developed that glorious dream of an ideal Universal State. The people who are to constitute the ideal community at the beginning of the ideal era, will be, instead of a remnant, the entire ideal people of Israel. The new people will be practically sinless. The evil inclinations in man, due to the new conditions, will be removed. Jerusalem will become the ideal capital of the new Universal State.

God will be universally acknowledged as the Lord of Love, Peace, Justice, and Righteousness" pp. 92, 93.

Note by Ron: Note the contradictory statements by Rabbi Higger. On page 91, it says:  "The radical change in the world, which will result in practically a new world, will be accomplished through the mercy and goodness of God.571 With the advent of the Messianic period, therefore, the world will become perfect in all its aspects and phases.572

Then on page 92, 93 it says: “The new people will not be sinless; but it will be ennobled and purified.”

Also, Higger correctly admits that “what the prophets anticipated did not come to pass.” He does not discern the reason WHY WHAT THE PROPHETS ANTICIPATED DID NOT COME TO PASS. It was because Israel failed to meet God’s CONDITIONS, so that His promises were not fulfilled to Israel. Rather, Judah was divorced as God’s chosen people. Most Jews totally reject the notion that all God’s promises to them were CONDITIONAL UPON THEIR OBEDIENCE. They act as though all God’s promises to them will be UNCONDITIONALLY FULFILLED in the future. All the passages of Scriputure that Higger applies to the future, are what COULD AND WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THE JEWS HAD PUT AWAY SIN DURING THEIR 490 YEARS PROBATION OF DANIEL 9, which ended in A.D. 34. End note.

 

Conclusions:

 

Rabbi Higger quotes Jeremiah and many other Old Testament verses, but he clearly is selective in his use of the Scriptures. As noted, he totally ignores Isaiah’s account of the coming of the true Messiah. He quotes Jeremiah, as well, but obviously does not believe the following passage:

 

Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

 

The SDA Bible Commentary correctly comments on the many portions of the Old Testament that were CONDITIONAL upon the obedience of the Jews. They failed to fulfill those CONDITIONS, as Adventists are doing today. Thus, God’s promises will not be fulfilled to either. There are many statements by Ellen White that say Adventists are following exactly in the footsteps of the Jews.

 

"The sin of ancient Israel was in disregarding the expressed will of God and following their own way according to the leadings of unsanctified hearts.  Modern Israel are fast following in their footsteps, and the displeasure of the Lord is as surely resting upon them." Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 94.

 

"Now it is just EXACTLY as in the days of the Jews. When a message came in, why all the power of the leaders [such some leaders on this forum] WAS PUT AGAINST IT, THAT IT SHOULD NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE PEOPLE. Now, brethren, GO TO GOD FOR YOURSELVES, and on your knees plead with God...If God sends us light, let it come to us, and let no man close the door, or try to close it. Don't close it yourselves. Open the door of your heart and let the brilliant rays of light shine into your heart and into your mind. I pray you, let the Sun of Righteousness in." E.G. White, Manuscript Release #900, Manuscript 9, 1890. 1888 Materials, p. 541.

 

PROLEPSIS PROPHETIC STATEMENT Foretelling the fate of the professing SDA church militant—by Ellen G. White:

prolepsis

Origin

pro·lep·sis

/proʊˈlɛpsɪs/ Show Spelled[proh-lep-sis] Show IPA

noun, plural pro·lep·ses /-siz/ Show Spelled[-seez] Show IPA.

1. Rhetoric . the anticipation of possible objections in order to answer them in advance.

2. the assigning of a person, event, etc., to a period earlier than the actual one; the representation of something in the future as if it already existed or had occurred; prochronism.

3. the use of a descriptive word in anticipation of its becoming applicable.

4. a fundamental conception or assumption in Epicureanism or Stoicism arising spontaneously in the mind without conscious reflection; thought provoked by sense perception.

5. Pathology . the return of an attack of a periodic disease or of a paroxysm before the expected time or at progressively shorter intervals.

 

PROLEPSIS PROPHETIC STATEMENT:

 

Here is the Spirit of Prophecy prophesied prolepsis statement regarding the final fate of that once Noble Ship. This is a major LYNCHPIN to my warning message. Can you explain it away? Are you a passenger on this once NOBLE SHIP, that is about to sink to rise no more? NOTICE WHO SEPARATES FROM WHOM:

 

"Jesus sends HIS PEOPLE a message of warning to prepare them for his coming. To the prophet John was made known the closing work in the great plan of man's redemption. He beheld an angel flying 'in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him for the hour of his Judgment is come and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters [Rev. 14:6, 7.].

The angel represented in prophecy as delivering this message,  symbolizes a class of faithful men, who, obedient to the promptings of God's Spirit and the teachings of his word, proclaim this warning to the inhabitants of earth. This message was not to be committed to the religious leaders of the people. They had failed to preserve their connection with God, and had REFUSED THE LIGHT FROM HEAVEN therefore they WERE NOT of the number described by the apostle Paul: 'But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day we are not of the night nor of darkness' [1 Thess. 5:4, 5]. 

The watchmen upon the walls of Zion should be the first to catch the tidings of the Saviour's advent, the first to lift their voices to proclaim him near, the first to warn the people to prepare for his coming. But they were at ease, dreaming of peace and safety, while the people were asleep in their sins. Jesus saw HIS CHURCH, like the barren fig-tree, covered with pretentious leaves, yet destitute of precious fruit. There was a boastful observance of the forms of religion, while the spirit of true humility, penitence and faith--which alone could render the service acceptable to God--was lacking. Instead of the graces of the Spirit, there were manifested pride, formalism, vainglory, selfishness, oppression. A BACKSLIDING CHURCH closed their eyes to the signs of the times. God did nor forsake them, or suffer his faithfulness to fail but they departed from him, and SEPARATED THEMSELVES from his love. As they REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS, his promises were NOT FULFILLED to them."  E.G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 4, pp. 199-200 [The 1884 edition of The Great Controversy, 199, 200].

 

Note these important delineations in the above statement:

·       Ellen White is addressing HIS PEOPLE.

·       Ellen White is addressing those to whom God committed the EVERLASTING GOSPEL of Revelation 14.

·       Ellen White is defining the angel represented in prophecy as symbolizing a class of faithful men.

·       Ellen White is saying emphatically that the final Loud Cry message is delivered NOT BY THE LEADERS OF THE SDA CHURCH, but by a class of faithful men, because the leaders had failed to preserve their connection with God and had refused light from heaven!

·       Ellen White is addressing "watchmen upon the walls of Zion," NOT FALLEN BABYLON!

·       Twice Ellen White mentions HIS CHURCH, NOT FALLEN BABYLON.

·       It is the MEMBERS of said church that SEPARATE FROM GOD, AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO SEPARATE FROM THEM OR BE CORPORATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR APOSTASY.

·       The above reasons are why there is another coming out of a faithful remnant FROM APOSTATE JERUSALEM AS WELL AS FALLEN BABYLON.

·       Isa 37:31   And the remnant that is escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward: 

·       Isa 37:32   For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant, and they that escape out of mount Zion: the zeal of the LORD of hosts shall do this. 

Ellen White is addressing a BACKSLIDING CHURCH whose leaders and laity alike failed and rejected light from heaven and who refused to comply with the conditions so that God's promises are not fulfilled to them. Consider the following commentary on the 1884 Great Controversy that the above statement is quoted from:

“Consider for a few moments the chapter in the first edition of Great Controversy, Volume IV, published by Pacific Press in 1884. In Chapter XXVII, ‘The Snares of Satan,’ you find that about four pages in the latter part of the chapter were omitted from the later editions of Great Controversy. These four pages are to be found in Testimonies to Ministers, pages 472 to 475. The information contained in these four pages is very valuable to Seventh-day Adventists and was very appropriately included in the first edition of Great Controversy, Volume IV, which when it was published was like the other volumes considered to be A MESSAGE ESPECIALLY TO SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS, and to [all] Christian people sympathizing with them in beliefs and aims.” W. C. White, Selected Messages, Appendix C, pp. 452, 453.

 

~rwb