by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 7, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Or Did You Always Hate the Jews?
On October 7th, 2023, over 1,200 innocent Jews were slaughtered—95% of them civilians. Men, women, and children butchered in the most barbaric ways imaginable. Infants burned alive in front of their parents. Elderly and babies beheaded. Women raped, sodomized, mutilated, and executed. Hamas filmed it all and celebrated their demonic acts. This wasn’t rumor or propaganda. The terrorists themselves posted the videos. Kibbutz homes had cameras that captured every moment of this hellish rampage.
This was pure evil. A foreshadow of what Zechariah 13 says is coming in the Tribulation, when two-thirds of Israel will be slaughtered. But God will preserve a remnant—protected supernaturally to reign with their Messiah.
Where Did the Outrage Go?
For about two weeks, the world stood in shock. Israel had the world’s sympathy… and then, as always, the tide turned. Suddenly, the Jews weren’t victims anymore—they were villains. The same voices that cried “never again” began whispering, “maybe again.” The masks came off.
Let’s put this in perspective:
- Proportional to America’s population, 1,200 dead Jews = 42,000 dead Americans.
- 8,700 wounded Jews = 300,000 wounded Americans.
- 251 Jewish hostages = 9,000 kidnapped Americans.
Imagine that happening here. Do you honestly believe America would tolerate it for one second? No—we would unite, flatten the entire Middle East, and erase Hamas off the map. Even the most “woke” and far-left wouldn’t hesitate. But Israel? The moment they defended themselves, the world turned on them.
Antisemitism: Out of the Shadows
I warned it would happen. I said antisemitism would come roaring out of the woodwork—here in America. And sure enough, it did. Influencers, politicians, conservatives, even pastors started blaming Israel. A year later, the hatred has only grown worse.
And I’ve watched it up close. Friends of mine. Subscribers to my newsletter. Pastors I once respected. Overnight, they turned into Jew-haters, spewing the same ancient lies that fueled pogroms, inquisitions, and the Holocaust.
Do You Even Realize Who You’re Hating?
Let me remind you of something God said:
Jesus is a Jew— Believers worship a Jewish God!
- “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.” (Genesis 12:3)
- “For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest.” (Isaiah 62:1)
- “He who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” (Zechariah 2:8)
God has not abandoned Israel. He has temporarily blinded them so that salvation could come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). You and I—Gentiles—are partakers in blessings that were given to them first (Romans 15:27). And you dare bite the very root that supports you (Romans 11:18)?
Let me be clear: to hate the Jews is to pick a fight with Almighty God.
A Warning You Don’t Want to Hear
If you’ve joined the chorus of Jew-hatred, if you’ve convinced yourself that the Church replaced Israel, or that the Jews are “getting what they deserve”—you are treading on holy ground, and not in a good way. God warned mankind not to mess with His chosen people. You’re not fighting politics—you’re fighting the LORD of Hosts.
And spoiler alert: you will lose.
Final Word
Israel is not perfect. They are in unbelief. But they are still God’s people, chosen and preserved by covenant promise. And He will finish what He started with them. You don’t have to like it, but you’d better fear God enough to honor it.
So before you open your mouth to curse the Jews—remember: you’re cursing the God who chose them. And that’s a fight you can’t win.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 6, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Bitterness robs peace. Christ calls us to freedom.
📖 “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” — Hebrews 12:14–15
🌿 The Poison of Bitterness
Bitterness is like a root—it starts small but grows deep, unseen by others until it begins to bear its destructive fruit. Many believers carry wounds from betrayal, disappointment, regret, or injustice. Left unchecked, those wounds fester into bitterness. And bitterness never stays put. It leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to despair.
Bitterness robs you of peace. It clouds your joy, poisons your relationships, and makes it nearly impossible to walk in the Spirit. Instead of living in the freedom Christ purchased for you, bitterness chains you down to the past.
⚖️ The Admonishment
God’s Word is direct: believers are not called to live in bitterness. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:31–32:
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
To cling to bitterness is to live in open opposition to the life God has called you to. It is spiritual quicksand, keeping you stuck and dragging others down with you. To refuse forgiveness is to forget how much you yourself have been forgiven.
✝ The Encouragement
Here is the good news: you don’t have to stay bitter. Christ bore your sin, your shame, your hurt—all of it—on the cross. He offers peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7) and joy unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8).
When you surrender bitterness to God, you are not making excuses—you are entrusting it to the righteous Judge and the One who can bear your burdens. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to, “cast all all your burdens upon Him., for He cares for you.”
Forgiveness is not weakness—it is strength. It is choosing to live free in Christ rather than chained by resentment.
🌟 The Path Forward
- Acknowledge it: Admit to God that bitterness has taken root in your heart. He already knows.
- Replace it: Fill the space bitterness once occupied with God’s Word, prayer, and thanksgiving.
As you take these steps, you’ll find peace rushing in where bitterness once lived.
🕊 Closing Word
Dear believer, bitterness is a thief. It steals your joy, your peace, and your testimony. But Christ has called you to freedom. Let today be the day you dig up that root and surrender it to Him.
Remember, “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). Don’t let bitterness rob you of what Christ has already secured for you. Walk in forgiveness, and live in the fullness of His peace.
How to Break Free From Bitterness and Anger?
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 4, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Jesus is Jewish
From the very beginning, God promised a Deliverer. In Genesis 3:15, the Lord declared that the Seed of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. That Seed was carried through Israel—through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the royal line of David. Not Gentiles!
The angel Gabriel told Mary:
“He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” —Luke 1:32–33
Jesus of Nazareth, God the Son, was born a Jew. He is the promised King of Israel. To forget this is to deny the very foundation of our faith.
And yet—today much of Christendom has turned its back on Israel and the Jewish people. Antisemitism and anti-Zionism are preached from pulpits that should instead proclaim grace, love, and truth. This hatred does not merely dishonor Israel—it grieves the heart of God. Israel is the apple of God’s eye — Zechariah 2:8.
Scripture reminds Gentile believers:
“…salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
“…they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:28–29)
We worship a Jewish Savior. If that bothers you, you may want to examine your salvation. To despise Israel is to despise the very nation God chose to bring forth the Messiah.
Christ the Jewish Kinsman-Redeemer
The Book of Ruth foreshadowed the ultimate Redeemer. Boaz could redeem the mortgage on the property belonging to Ruth because he was a kinsman, he was willing, and he had the ability to pay the price. These same Jewish requirements apply to the redemption of the Earth itself.
In Revelation 5, John wept when no one was found worthy to open the scroll—the title deed to the Earth. Why? Because redemption required a true Kinsman, one who met all the qualifications.
“But one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.’” — Revelation 5:5
Christ alone fulfills the role. He is Jewish—of the tribe of Judah, the royal line of David. He is our Kinsman by birth. He was willing—offering Himself in obedience to the Father. And He was able—paying the ultimate “blood price” at the cross.
Because He shed His blood, Christ has the legal right to redeem God’s forfeited inheritance of the Earth. The scroll in Revelation 5 represents that inheritance, and only Jesus, who is Jewish remember, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, could take the scroll from the Father and open its seals.
This means the very hope of creation’s redemption rests on Christ being a Jew—the promised Seed, the Son of David, the Root of Jesse, the Lion of Judah.
A Call to Believers
- Stand against antisemitism and the lies of replacement theology.
- Stand with Israel, because God has not abandoned His people.
- Stand with the Word of God, which testifies that Christ will one day reign from Jerusalem as Israel’s King and the world’s Lord.
💡 Never forget: we as Gentile believers are grafted in. We don’t replace Israel—we partake of the promises of God through Jesus Christ.
The Lord Jesus warns Gentile believers
‘do not boast against the branches (you Gentiles). But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root (Gentiles played no part in bringing for salvation— God designated that to Jews), but the root supports you (It is because of what God promised Abraham, It is because God created the Jewish people for Himself, it is because God chose to commit them all (Israel) to disobedience that you Gentiles even have salvation).’
Romans 11:18
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 2, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Predestined or Free to Choose?
Introduction
The Bible declares two truths that, at first glance, may seem difficult to reconcile. On one hand, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). On the other, Paul writes that believers were “chosen in Him before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). Some have twisted these verses into a doctrine claiming that God predestines certain people for heaven and others for hell. But that is not what Scripture teaches. Let’s take a closer look.
Key Verses
Romans 8:29
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.”
Ephesians 1:4
“Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”
Whosoever Will May Come
God’s Word could not be clearer: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Christ’s sacrifice was sufficient for all. His death was not limited to a select few but offered for all mankind (Hebrews 9:12). As Peter affirms, God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
All means all. The invitation is open to everyone.
What Predestination Really Means
Romans 8:29 doesn’t say God predestines individuals to heaven or hell. Instead, it says believers are “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” Predestination is about God’s plan for those who believe—our calling, our identity, and our future in Christ.
Take time to read what the text actually says. Notice the order: “Whom He foreknew, He also predestined…” (Romans 8:29). Foreknowledge is not the same as predestination. God, in His omniscience, knows who will respond in faith—but knowing is not the same as forcing.
Predestination concerns the believer’s destiny to be conformed to Christ, not a forced choice of salvation. On the other side, those who reject God in unbelief will stand without excuse at the Great White Throne judgment. God is just.
Likewise, Ephesians 1:4–5 tells us that God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This means He established the believer’s position in Christ before time began. Our adoption, inheritance, and ultimate conformity to Christ were secured—not a predetermined fate of heaven or hell.
If Scripture meant heaven or hell, it would say so plainly. Instead, it speaks of our identity, security, and purpose in Christ.
A Picture to Understand the Mystery
Think of humanity as a mighty river flowing from Adam onward. Along the riverbanks stand countless doors. On every door is written: “Whosoever will, come!” The invitation is open. Anyone may walk through by faith in Christ.
But here is the divine mystery: when a person steps through that door and looks back, they see written on the other side: “Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world.”
From our perspective, we choose to believe. From God’s perspective, He had already chosen us in Christ before time began. Free will and God’s eternal plan are not enemies—they are perfectly woven together in His wisdom.
Conclusion
God does not force anyone into heaven or hell. Scripture is clear: no one will have an excuse at the Great White Throne judgment. “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
The Bible affirms both man’s responsibility to respond and God’s sovereignty in salvation. The invitation remains: “Whosoever will, may come.” And when you come, you discover this unshakable truth—you were chosen in Christ before the world was formed.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 31, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
All Mankind Will be Judged by Paul’s Gospel
📖 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” — Galatians 1:6–7
The apostle Paul doesn’t waste any time with pleasantries in his letter to the Galatians. He’s astonished—outraged—that these Gentile believers, who had been gloriously saved by grace through faith alone, were now being pulled away by smooth-talking false teachers. Men had crept in and added conditions to Paul’s gospel—works, rituals, law-keeping—turning the good news into a powerless counterfeit.
Paul calls it exactly what it is: a perverted gospel. Not “good news” at all, but a distortion that strips the cross of its saving power. No wonder he writes with urgency, warning them that those who preach another gospel are under God’s curse (Gal. 1:8–9).
⚠️ And here’s the sobering truth: nothing has changed in 1,900+ years. The names and faces are different, but the false teachers are still here—masquerading as pastors, priests, and teachers of truth. They package their lies in religious language, but the substance is the same: “Jesus is necessary, but not enough.” Add sacraments. Add works. Add law. Add your effort. Live a holy life and persevere to the end. Horrors!
That is not the gospel. That is bondage. That is deception. That is a one-way ticket in the wrong direction—down.
There is only one gospel that saves: the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
There is only one gospel by which all mankind will be judged (Romans 2:16).
There is only one gospel defined with crystal clarity in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4:
✝️ Christ died for our sins.
🪦 He was buried.
🌅 He rose again the third day.
That’s it. Nothing to add. Nothing to subtract. The finished work of Christ stands alone.
Anything else is not the gospel—it is a perversion. And Paul’s words still thunder across the centuries: “If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:9).
Friend, don’t be deceived. Don’t be moved away from the simplicity of the gospel. Don’t exchange the freedom of Christ for the chains of religion. Stand firm in the truth of God’s grace.
Because in the end, when you stand before the Judge of all the earth, it won’t matter what church you attended, what rituals you performed, or what traditions you clung to. It will come down to one thing: Did you believe the gospel of Christ revealed to Paul, the gospel of grace?
There is only one gospel. Believe it. Stand in it. Proclaim it.
