Yes — Orthodox Jews reject Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah and are still awaiting His first coming.
Les Feldick repeatedly recounts conversations with Jewish rabbis who insist the Messiah has never appeared. They say 'He's not going to return; He's going to come.' Because Orthodox Jews do not accept Jesus of Nazareth as Israel's Messiah, they regard the Messiah's coming as entirely future. Their expected Messiah is a conquering man, not God, so Jesus does not fit their expectations. They continue to watch for what they believe will be His first coming.
Acts 8:1 — Les quotes this verse to show Saul of Tarsus consenting to Stephen's death, a key moment of Jewish rejection of Jesus and the believers.
Acts 7:59-60 — Stephen's final prayer while being stoned shows the early Jewish opposition to Jesus as the Messiah.
In Acts 7:59-60, Stephen, while being stoned, calls upon the Lord Jesus and says, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he kneels down and cries with a loud voice, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." After saying this, he falls asleep. In Acts 8:1, Saul of Tarsus is consenting to Stephen's death, and a great persecution arises against the believing Jews at Jerusalem, scattering them throughout Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. These verses record the historical reality that the Jewish religious establishment and a zealous young Saul rejected Jesus of Nazareth and persecuted His followers. The stoning of Stephen and Saul's consent show that this rejection of the Messiah continued even after the resurrection and ascension of Christ.
Les Feldick explains that Orthodox Jews believe the Messiah has not yet come because they do not recognize Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. He tells of a Jewish rabbi who argued with an evangelical pastor, insisting, "He's never been here before. He's coming the first time when He comes." Les says they cannot reckon with the fact that Jesus was already here, was rejected, went back to glory, and will return. The Messiah that Orthodox Jews are looking for, according to Les, is a man with political, military, and economic power — not God. Les cites a chief rabbi who wrote that the coming Messiah will have political clout, destroy Israel's enemies, and bring peace to the world. Les points out that this description is actually a perfect match for the Antichrist rather than Jesus. Les also notes that many Jews in Israel see the signs of the times and believe the Messiah's first coming is near. They are preparing for what they think will be His arrival, but they still view it as a first coming, not the return of Christ.
Les says that Jewish people have told him they cannot comprehend that the Messiah will be God. Instead, they expect a man who is a superman with military, economic, and charismatic power. One chief rabbi in the Jerusalem Post wrote that Israel's coming Messiah will come in with political clout, have military power, destroy Israel's enemies, and bring peace to the whole world. Les points out that this description matches the coming Antichrist, not Jesus of Nazareth.
Les tells the story of a Jewish rabbi who argued with an evangelical pastor. The pastor said Christ was here the first time and will return. The rabbi answered, "He's never been here before. He's coming the first time when He comes." Les explains that Jewish people cannot reckon with the fact that Jesus was here, was rejected, went back to glory, and is coming again. Because they do not recognize Christ as their Messiah, they set the Messiah's appearance wholly in the future.
Les says the rabbis' expectation of a man who will rule the world in peace and elevate Israel is the perfect description of the man of sin. They are looking for a man who can solve all their problems and bring peace to the nations. Les warns that they are describing the Antichrist, though they do not see it.
Les comments that before Christ's first coming, every Jew longed for the King, Messiah, and Redeemer. A few recognized Him, but the majority rejected Him and were blinded, according to the Book. Les uses this to show that Israel's unbelief was not an accusation but a fulfillment of Scripture.
Saul of Tarsus Consents to Stephen's Death
Les shows that Saul, a zealous Jew, approved Stephen's execution, reflecting the mindset of Jews who rejected Jesus as the Messiah and persecuted His followers.
The Rabbi Says the Messiah is Coming, Not Returning
Les tells of a Jewish rabbi who insisted the Messiah has never been here and will come only in the future, because he does not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
Jewish Messiah Expectation Describes the Antichrist
Les explains that the Jewish people's expectation of a superman Messiah with military and economic power is exactly the description of the Antichrist.
Israel Preparing for the Messiah's First Coming
Les notes that many Jews see world events signaling the Messiah's near coming, but they view it as a first coming, not the return of Christ.
Israel Blinded Because They Rejected Jesus
Les says the majority of Israel could not believe Jesus was the Christ and were blinded, according to the Book.
Chief Rabbi: Messiah Will Be a Man with Political Clout
Les cites a chief rabbi who wrote that Israel's coming Messiah will be a man with political and military power, not God.
The Coming Messiah Fits the Man of Sin
Les says the rabbis' description of the coming Messiah perfectly describes the man of sin who will sign a seven-year treaty and then break it.
Rabbi: He's Never Been Here Before
Les repeats the rabbi's argument that when Messiah comes it will be His first time, because they cannot accept that Jesus has already come and will return.
Acts 7:59: And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Stephen's final words show that early believers saw Jesus as Lord and Messiah, even as Jewish leaders rejected Him.
Acts 7:60: And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Stephen's prayer for his executioners reflects the grace of Christ, while his death marks the intensifying Jewish rejection.
Acts 8:1: And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Saul's consent and the persecution show the zeal of unbelieving Jews against those who believed Jesus was the Messiah.
No. Les tells of rabbis who say the Messiah has never been here and that His coming is still in the future. Orthodox Jews do not recognize Jesus of Nazareth as Israel's Messiah.
According to Les, they expect a man with political and military power who will elevate Israel and bring peace to the world. Les says that description is much closer to the Antichrist than to Jesus.
Les says the majority of Israel could not believe that Jesus was the Christ, and the Book says they were blinded. He adds that a few recognized Him as the Messiah, but most rejected Him.
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