People today do not know the plan of salvation because they choose to remain ignorant, even though the truth is available to them.
Les Feldick says every person in these fifty states should know that we are in the end times, yet most do not know because 'they choose to remain ignorant' (Clip 7). He also points out that some have never heard the gospel, even in church, while others hear it and say 'thanks, but no thanks' (Clips 2-3). He compares this to Israel, who could have known and should have known Jesus but did not (Clips 1, 4).
Romans 10:18-19 — Paul asks whether Israel heard and whether they knew, showing that the message was available yet Israel remained ignorant—the same pattern Les applies to people today.
Romans 11:25 — Paul identifies a partial spiritual blindness that has come upon Israel, which Les links to the widespread refusal to know the truth.
In Romans 10, Paul asks about Israel: 'But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.' He then asks, 'But I say, Did not Israel know?' The Apostle shows that Israel heard the message, yet did not know the truth. He quotes Moses: 'I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you' (Romans 10:19). Paul also writes of Israel's condition in Romans 11:25: 'For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.' This identifies a spiritual blindness that has come upon the nation of Israel.
Les Feldick explains that ignorance of the Scriptures is not a capacity problem. He says most people are ignorant 'not because they don't have the capacity, but because nobody has taught them' (Clip 1). At the same time, he says they choose to remain ignorant: 'Most of them don't even know what you're talking about. Why? Because they choose to remain ignorant. They don't have to be, but they are' (Clip 7). He repeatedly tells his classes that when Jesus came to Israel, they could have known who He was and should have known who He was, but they did not know (Clip 4). Their ignorance was not a lack of brainpower; it was because 'they've refused to see what the Book says' (Clip 5). Les applies this to America: every person in the fifty states should know we are in the end times, but most do not (Clip 7). The Gentiles have done the same thing Israel did—they have cast aside their opportunity and said 'thanks, but no thanks' (Clip 3). Many who have never heard the gospel have been in church all their lives (Clip 2), and those who hear and understand but reject it are the ones who will be condemned (Clip 2). He also notes God has placed a national spiritual blindness on Israel, though individual Jews can still believe (Clips 6-7).
No. Les Feldick says people are 'totally ignorant'—not because they lack brain power, but because they have refused to see what the Book says (Clip 5). He also notes that most people are ignorant of Scripture because no one has taught them (Clip 1). Ignorance in this sense is not a mental deficiency but a choice or a failure to be taught.
Yes. Les says there are multitudes, even in America and in our own communities, who have never heard the gospel. He has had people come to his classes and tell him, 'Les, we've never heard the gospel before,' even though they had been in church all their lives (Clip 2). At the same time, the average person invited to a Bible class often responds, 'I'm not into that kind of stuff' (Clip 3).
Paul asked whether Israel had heard—and affirms that their sound went into all the earth (Romans 10:18)—and then asked, 'Did not Israel know?' (Romans 10:19). Les says Israel could have known who Jesus was and should have known, but they did not know (Clips 1, 4). He applies this to our day: every person in these fifty states should know we are in the end times, but most do not, because they choose to remain ignorant (Clip 7).
Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts
brought them to a knowledge of Jehovah. They could have been a nation and a kingdom of priests. I say could have every time, because they didn't, but they could have. Hypothetically, this is the way it could have all happened, as I've got the timeline on the board. All right, now let's go over to another one, to Isaiah 59.
Ignorance from Lack of Teaching
Les says most people are ignorant of the Scriptures, not for lack of capacity, but because nobody has taught them—and Israel should have known who Jesus was.
Never Heard the Gospel Even in Church
Les says multitudes, even church people, have never heard the gospel; only those who hear, understand, and reject it will be completely condemned.
Gentile Refusal of the Opportunity
Les says the Gentiles have done what Israel did—cast aside the opportunity and said 'thanks, but no thanks,' reflecting the average person's mentality.
Israel Could Have and Should Have Known
Les tells his classes that when Jesus came to Israel, they could have known who He was and should have known, but they did not know.
Refusal to See What the Book Says
Les explains that Israel's ignorance was not lack of brainpower but a refusal to see what the Book says.
Israel's Spiritual Blindness
Les teaches that Israel has been under a spiritual blindness to this day, though individual Jewish people can still believe.
Choosing to Remain Ignorant
Les says every person in America should know we are in the end times, but most do not because they choose to remain ignorant.
Romans 10:18: But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Paul affirms that Israel heard the message; Les uses this to show that hearing does not automatically produce knowledge.
Romans 10:19: But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Paul's question shows that Israel could have known, yet remained ignorant—Les applies this to people today.
Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Paul reveals a partial blindness on Israel, helping explain why a nation with the truth could still not know.
Les Feldick says every person in America should know that we are in the end times, but most do not know because they choose to remain ignorant—they don't have to be, but they are (Clip 7). Some have never been taught the Scriptures (Clip 1), and others who are invited to Bible study simply reply that they're 'not into that kind of stuff' (Clip 3).
Yes. Les says many people have come to his classes and told him, 'Les, we've never heard the gospel before,' even though they had been in church all their lives. He calls this a sad commentary, but says it is still the truth (Clip 2).
He repeatedly told his classes that Israel should have known who Jesus was (Clip 1). They could have known who He was and should have known, but they did not know (Clip 4). Their ignorance was not from lack of brainpower, but from refusing to see what the Book says (Clip 5).
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel Failed to Evangelize the World — Isaiah to Acts