Most of you will remember the court battle in Beer Sheva between the Messianic believers and the orthodox community.  In the natural,one might say it didn’t turn out well considering all the time, energy, resources, prayer, and heart that was sown during those days.  We generally expect victory to look a certain way.  As we perceived it,that battle was not really about right and wrong or our reputation.   Our hearts’ desire was that ... Continue reading]]> (quoted from Arni Klein, Klein Fax, 20 Jan 2012)

Most of you will remember the court battle in Beer Sheva between the Messianic believers and the orthodox community.  In the natural,one might say it didn’t turn out well considering all the time, energy, resources, prayer, and heart that was sown during those days.  We generally expect victory to look a certain way.  As we perceived it,that battle was not really about right and wrong or our reputation.   Our hearts’ desire was that the souls imprisoned by a cultish religious structure would be freed.

Over recent months the darkness of the orthodox system has been front-page news.  The cover has been pulled back revealing their intolerance of any one different as being quite ugly and surprisingly violent.  Could it be that we are witnessing an unexpected face of victory?  Rather than this spirit being bound, it is being given more freedom so all might see it as it really is.  Many have long been at the edge of this community unable to take the step out to the freedom their heart longs for.

Beloved, this is a strategic time to focus our prayers on those that are hearing the Lord calling.  May this exposure be the push that gives those that really do love the truth the strength and conviction to make the break.

The Law ... Continue reading]]> In recent days and weeks, certain sects within the ultra-orthodox Jewish religious community, especially in Jerusalem and in Beit Shemesh, have openly displayed their utter contempt towards women.  This manifests a similar spirit seen in Islam, and is also the attitude of the antichrist. (Dan 11:37; 2Tim 3:3)  This contemptible behavior is in accord with the prayer in the Talmud (the sacred oral law and tradition of rabbinic Judaism), in which the men thank God for not making them women!

The Law of Moses, with all its seeming inequalities between males and females, nonetheless elevates women to a far higher status than in the laws and customs of the gentile nations of those times.  In the New Testament, brought in with the gospel (good news) of Jesus Christ, God further elevated the status and dignity of women, seen in numerous verses and passages throughout the gospels and epistles.  There are still differences in matters of priorities and service, but males and females are completely equal and loved in God’s estimation, and both are being converted into the image of the Son of God.  All are priests of God in Messiah; the Body of Christ is the Bride of the Lamb; husbands are admonished and commanded to love their wives as themselves.

The Gospel of Luke especially shows the Lord Jesus as a friend of downtrodden women, downcast women, widows, even of fallen and sinful women.  His whole manner and attitude towards women was one of utmost respect and mercy.  The Holy Spirit lifts the head of women to a station of honor, in which they do not need to feel less than men and put down, but can find their fulfillment in that for which God created and redeemed them to bring honor and glory to the LORD first of all, and to their husbands, if they are married. (Prov 31)  The contempt of darkened religious perversion of the love and truth of God toward women has no place in the heart and mind of men who also know the love and humility of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah who comes as the Lamb of God.

May many Jewish and Muslim women begin to look to the true God of Heaven and Earth for their joy and hope of salvation from the oppression, subjugation, and hatred which they suffer under, and find their liberty and dignity in the Lover and Healer of their souls.

From the beginning till the end of the year, our Lord and God watches over His people and His land! (Dt 11:12)  God ‘found’ His Sabbath rest in His Son, who came to bring the old order of things to an end that the light of a new way and day could be brought to mankind.

At our ... Continue reading]]> The Light has come, and the daylight begins to push away the darkness of winter days.  Spring must be in the air!

From the beginning till the end of the year, our Lord and God watches over His people and His land! (Dt 11:12)  God ‘found’ His Sabbath rest in His Son, who came to bring the old order of things to an end that the light of a new way and day could be brought to mankind.

At our Shabbat service, we celebrated the Festival of Lights, giving priority to the true Light who is eternal that came into the world to push back the darkness, over the temporal Hanukah lights of candles or oil which must be continually watched over to remain lit before they eventually do burn out.  As is our custom, we lit all of the candles on the hanukia (the menora or lampstand of Hanukah), as a visual testimony to the truth that the full light of God has come into the world through His Son, and He has made us light in the darkness).  The Lord’s Supper was also a wonderful part of the service — remembering Yeshua’s death until He comes. 

Being that we have many different cultures and languages among our congregation of Yeshua’s Inheritance, there was a presentation of songs by some of the different groups — such as Hebrew, Spanish, English, Russian, Korean, Burmese.  That which began at Pentecost with different tongues all praising the living God together has grown and increased to multitudes of redeemed people from out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation by the blood of the Lamb, singing a new song to Yeshua who was slain to bring us to God the Father.  Hallelu-Yah!  Amen! (Rev 5:9)

With these two universally known Hebrew words — both of which speak of the true God and Savior (Rev 3:14) — we visited Bethlehem yesterday on Christmas Day with two other families from our congregation, and some medical students and other friends.  We went first to an Evangelical Church, where we have been going since 2003 — during the Intifada — as an expression of the reconciliation which we have through the cross, even though our peoples continue to be in a perpetual state of hostility with each other.

At the Arab church there I was asked to share some introductory words from my heart, and spoke of the hope we all have through the gospel, which includes that Jesus will come back again to bring the Kingdom of God to Israel and the rest of the world.  Political solutions will not satisfy the need for the righteousness of God, the peace which He gives, and joy in the Holy Spirit.  At the end of the service, I was asked to bless the elders and the church with the priestly blessing in Hebrew, the language of the ‘enemy’.  I gently reminded the brothers and sisters there to remember that the name of YEHOVAH God is still upon His people Israel, and asked them to pray for the Jewish Israeli people to honor His name and of His Son.  Then I blessed them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  It was a very special time, and I thank the Lord that the pastor took the risk (and it is a risk!) to ask me for this honor.

After the service, we all (13 adults and 5 children) had a wonderful lunch at his home.  Then we went over to Beit Al Liqa — the extraordinary facility of the children’s ministry (of all ages) in Beit Jala.   http://www.beitliqa.org/eng/eng_home_page.html   There we enjoyed our final legendary hospitality of the rainy day, and were able to see how the work is still developing.  It was a very encouraging day, which only the Spirit of Messiah knows how to do!

After all the claims by Palestinians delegitimizing Israel’s right to exist, the Islamic repudiation of any Jewish history connected to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and the denial even by many (if not most) Palestinian Arab Christians of God’s everlasting covenants connected with Abraham, with ... Continue reading]]> Yesterday, in an interview on a U.S. cable network, Newt Gringrich, a Republican Presidential candidate, said that the Palestinian people are “invented”.  This, of course, raised an outcry from Palestinian Arab political, religioius, and intellectual leaders.

After all the claims by Palestinians delegitimizing Israel’s right to exist, the Islamic repudiation of any Jewish history connected to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, and the denial even by many (if not most) Palestinian Arab Christians of God’s everlasting covenants connected with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob and their posterity . . . it is the utmost hypocrisy for them to call “despicable” and “very racist” the remarks made by Gringrich regarding their identity and history.

Israel and the Jewish people have a long recorded history written in the whole of the Bible, and also in extra-Biblical sources.  The Israeli people from the beginning has never been about a “pure race or bloodline”:  there has always been mixture, yet with a clear sense of belonging to and identity with this particular people and nation.  This has been so in religion and peoplehood, for Israel’s existence comes from YHVH God Himself.

I know many Palestinian evangelical believers in Yeshua as Lord and Messiah, yet who do not know where they come from or who they are — other than to say that they are Palestinian Arabs, because their families were born in Palestine — a name given to the Land of Israel by the Romans after the final Jewish revolt in 132 AD, a name which derives from the Philistia (Philistines), and which means ‘invaders’ in the Hebrew Holy Spirit-inspired Scriptures.

These brothers in Messiah/Christ admit to not agreeing that they are necessarily Semites (from Noah’s son, Shem), which would mean that they are not then sons of Abraham.  They do not accept necessarily that they are sons of Ishmael — which of course they would not be if not sons of Abraham.  They do not accept any lineage with Esau/Edom.  They do not know who they are, but accept being a mixed race (which the word ‘Arab’ actually implies — ‘mixture’), and want us Israeli Jewish believers to be confused as to who we are, too, since we are also mixed through intermarriage with Gentiles.  (Again, Biblically, there has always been mixture within Israel, yet still an identifiable nation with detailed genealogies over centuries and thousands of years, one of the proofs as to who Jesus Christ is in the flesh.)

Apart from the Biblical record in the Old and the New Testaments, there will always be ‘inventions’ and confusion if we ignore the truth, and for those who do believe in Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, the Bible is supposed to our primary source for information, and the Scriptures are written for us living at the end of the age.

Judaism and the Jewish people also attempt to revise and re-write history with respect to the truth of who Yeshua/Jesus is and of His resurrection.  Islam and Muslims in their holy book, the Koran, have re-written history connected with the name of the true God, with Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac, with Jesus being the Son of God the Father, with His virgin birth and His death and resurrection.  Christians have gone beyond what is written in showing hostility toward the Jewish people and God’s faithfulness to restore them to favor in the Land of Israel which He promised long ago to be an everlasting possession, but not a “Jews only” state.  Even Jewish believers in Yeshua are not without inventions, not willing to accept many truths which the Holy Spirit has taught the predominantly Gentile church over the last 2000 years.

Stereotypes such as all Jews are Christ killers; or all Christians are anti-Semites; or all Muslims are terrorists are not helpful when true disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ are taught to speak the truth in righteousness and in love.  Most inventions of the mind or of lying spirits are an effort to give dignity and significance to ourselves or to our nation or our religious beliefs, especially when we think God or history writing has been “unbalanced”.  Just as the serpent beguiled Eve to think that she would be like God through disobeying Him, so is it foolish human pride seeking to find purpose and value through any thing other than the truth of the God who created us, spoke concerning callings and destinies of many peoples, and loves us to give us living hope of glory through repentance from our unbelief and rebellion towards faith in Him and His Word.

In this season when the birth of the King of the Jews and the Savior of the world is traditionally celebrated — especially by believers who can worship God in Spirit and truth — let us remember that Jesus died asking the Father to forgive us, especially for being ignorant of all that we have done and still do against Yehovah, and against His Anointed One.  He is coming again, and will bring righteous judgment against all who oppose Him and those upon whom is His goodwill.

Israel offered immediate rescue assistance to Turkey, but the Turkish government refused the initial request, saying they could manage without Israel’s expertise.  With the suffering and emotions rising, the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan changed his mind, and asked Israel for help with pre-fabricated temporary housing units, which Israel was quick to dispatch.

Turkey, as ... Continue reading]]> On Sunday Turkey suffered a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake, killing hundreds, injuring over a thousand, destroying more than 2000 buildings, leaving thousands homeless and struggling.

Israel offered immediate rescue assistance to Turkey, but the Turkish government refused the initial request, saying they could manage without Israel’s expertise.  With the suffering and emotions rising, the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan changed his mind, and asked Israel for help with pre-fabricated temporary housing units, which Israel was quick to dispatch.

Turkey, as leader of the Islamic Ottoman Empire for 400 years in Palestine, until defeated in 1917 by the British allied forces, had in recent years been an ally of Israel in the region.  More recently, under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Turkey has reverted to its hostility towards the sovereign Jewish nation, and has acted as a provocateur and an enemy.

Despite this, the God of Israel has instilled in His people an ethic that makes little logical sense, yet calls for a higher standard than other nations with other gods.  Christians as individuals are called to this standard in a more knowledgeable way, with the example of the Lord Jesus Christ not only teaching, but also demonstrating the way:

Mt 5:43-48

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

Pr 25:21-22

“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; 
      And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; 
       For so you will heap coals of fire on his head,
      And YHVH will reward you.”

Rom 12:17-21

“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.  Therefore,
      “ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
      If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
      For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Israel’s history is full of mourning turned ... Continue reading]]> Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held captive for more than five years by Hamas in Gaza, came back home yesterday, October 18.  It was a day of much anticipation and emotion throughout the nation.  When we saw Gilad walking out from the car which took him out of Hamas’ hands into those of the Egyptians — meaning that he had been freed — it was a moment of tears of joy and thanksgiving.

Israel’s history is full of mourning turned to joy, even if only temporal and temporary.  It looks forward to the day when the Israeli Jewish people will look upon Him whom they have pierced — upon Yeshua who is the greater Son of Israel — and the mourning throughout the millennia will be healed and bring unspeakable joy everlasting.  Jesus will be welcomed and blessed back home to His natural born family.  War will end, and righteousness and peace will reign, and the enemy will be subdued.

Israel is a family:  when one member suffers, all suffer with it; when one is honored, all rejoice wth him.  Yesterday, many are still suffering from the pain of being victims of terrible violent acts against them and their loved ones.  Yet yesterday, ‘all’ Israel rejoiced for Gilad Shalit and his family — and for being Israeli.

Our God is an awesome God!  He is the God of individual persons personally — the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob.  He is the God of a people, of a nation, of a family – the God of Israel.  He is a Father to His children — the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is not the God of a religion, and is never called the God of Judaism, or the God of Christianity.  He is the one true living God who is in personal and corporate relationship with those in covenant union with Him.

Yesterday, Israel and Israelis celebrated life.  There was the sound of joy and laughter ‘in the hills of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem’ around the country.  It was a day of dignity and honor, in contrast to those who prefer the sword and cruelty.  Praise the Lord!  “For who is God, except YEHOVAH!  And who is a Rock, except our God!”

May many Muslims be provoked to jealousy and seek the Father who does love them.  May many Jewish people take heart at the truth of the one Man, Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ, giving Himself as a sacrifice revealing the grace of God and the gift by that grace of the forgiveness of sins — removing the warfare from off us, and giving us peace — not as the world gives, and which surpasses understanding.

This evening marks the end of Succot/the Feast of Booths, and the Joy of the Law/Simchat Torah is celebrated.  May the Jewish people all over the world return back to the God of their fathers, and rejoice in Him!

The streets of Beer Sheva are full of children laughing and playing in the streets, ... Continue reading]]> Today is the 10th day of the 7th month in the Biblical Hebrew calendar.  It is the holiest day in the Jewish year; it is the Sabbath of Sabbaths, and today is, in fact, also the Sabbath day.  This day is called the Day of Atonements (Yom Ha-Kippurim; Yom Kippur)  You can read its significance in chapters 16 and 23 of Leviticus in the Torah.

The streets of Beer Sheva are full of children laughing and playing in the streets, as cars are not being driven on the roads.  Synagogues of full of people seeking God’s forgiveness of their sins, with the hope that He would grant them another year of life.  The Book of Jonah is read in the synagogues on this most holy day:  the very sign which Messiah Yeshua gave to His people who are still rejecting Him for who He is – that of Jonah — has sovereignly been placed into the liturgy of this most sacred day for the Jewish people to read!

What is striking about YHVH God’s requirements for this day on behalf of the children of Israel is that the nation should afflict its soul.  The nation is made up of individuals, each one of whom is called to afflict his/her soul.  There is no specific commandment to fast from eating:  fasting in itself does not afflict one’s soul; but if one’s soul is afflicted, he will not want to eat.

The Biblical record in the Old and the New Testaments does not really give us an account of Israel observing the Day of Atonements.  Even in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 8, there is the account of the people observing the first day of the seventh month — the Memorial of the Blowing of Shofars/Trumpets — and then the celebration of Booths, which begins on the evening of the 14th of the month (the 15th day).  Yom Kippur is skipped over in the account.

Looking ahead, we read in Zechariah chapter 12 that that day is coming when all Israel — the full remnant which remains from all the tribes — who will look on Him — on Jesus/Yeshua — whom we have pierced.  And then there will be a great travail of soul within each Israeli as part of a national/corporate reality.  When Israel finally sees and accepts her sin against the Father and the Son — the very One who has preserved them, and who gave up His life for them that their sins would be forgiven and removed — there will be a great affliction of soul, and God will dwell in the midst of His people.

For the Christian — those who call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ — has your soul been afflicted for the sins of the Church against the truth of Jesus?  When we read the assessment of the Lord Jesus Himself concerning His churches in chapters 2 and 3 of the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and His call to each person within the churches to hear what the Spirit is saying, have you ever experienced an affliction of your soul for your own part in that?  Have we ever been broken to the point of weeping for our own sinfulness, not merely over some sins we may be committing?

Rom 7:12   For indeed the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and just and good.

Rom 7:13  Then has that which is good become death to me? Let it not be! But sin, that it might appear to be sin, working death in me by that which is good; in order that sin might become exceedingly sinful by the commandment.

Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin.

Rom 7:15  For that which I do, I know not. For what I desire, that I do not do; but what I hate, that I do.

Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I do not desire, I consent to the law that it is good.

Rom 7:17  But now it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing. For to will is present with me, but how to perform that which is good I do not find.

Rom 7:19  For I do not do the good that I desire; but the evil which I do not will, that I do.

Rom 7:20  But if I do what I do not desire, it is no more I working it out, but sin dwelling in me.

Rom 7:21  I find then a law: when I will to do the right, evil is present with me.

Rom 7:22  For I delight in the Law of God according to the inward man;

Rom 7:23  but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin being in my members.

Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?! 

Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

As the Jewish New Year approaches next week, it is good to remember that Biblically, it is actually the beginning of the seventh month given by God to Israel, and is actually called a Memorial of the Blowing/Shout of Trumpets (see Lev 23).  It is His redemptive calendar within His comprehensive year.  We who have been born-again and are now seated with Yeshua in heavenly places are given a view of the whole of what YHVH is ... Continue reading]]> New Week greetings,

As the Jewish New Year approaches next week, it is good to remember that Biblically, it is actually the beginning of the seventh month given by God to Israel, and is actually called a Memorial of the Blowing/Shout of Trumpets (see Lev 23).  It is His redemptive calendar within His comprehensive year.  We who have been born-again and are now seated with Yeshua in heavenly places are given a view of the whole of what YHVH is doing within time, which still has another 1000 years or so (see Is 65:17-25 in light of Rev 20.  Isaiah is referring to a ‘born-again/regenerated’  perfectly “very good” new heavens and new earth, a ‘new creation’, just as we are now; and in both there is still sin and death.  John’s view of the New Heavens and New Earth is the eternal one following the final judgment, and there is no more sin with its consequences in that “perfect” which is to come (1Cor 13:10).)

Being the 7th month of redemption, God is finishing up His work, not beginning it.  The appointed times/holy days of this Hebrew month are collectively called the Celebration of Ingathering the harvest (Ex23:16; 34:22), especially as related to the redemption and salvation of Israel and the Jewish people, and through Messiah Jesus, that of other nations and Gentiles.  Trumpets begin to regather the people; seeing Yeshua whom we/they have pierced is the day of salvation for ‘all Israel’ (the full remnant from all the tribes), and judgment of the Lord’s enemies, both within and without; and Booths/Tabernacles is the presence of the Lord literally dwelling amongst His forgiven and cleansed people Israel during the Kingdom of God on Earth.  May He come speedily in our generation:  Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

Tuning the ears for the sound of the right trumpet sound. . . .

Is the God of Israel the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth — of the Universe?

Is YHVH (YEHOVAH or YAHWEH) the name of the one true God, or is some other god with another name?

Is the true God a Father with a Son and a people (other children)?  Or is the true God not a father and childless?

Was Abraham a ... Continue reading]]> Is the Bible — the Old and the New Testaments — true, or is the Koran?

Is the God of Israel the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth — of the Universe?

Is YHVH (YEHOVAH or YAHWEH) the name of the one true God, or is some other god with another name?

Is the true God a Father with a Son and a people (other children)?  Or is the true God not a father and childless?

Was Abraham a Muslim prophet who served the god of Islam?  Or was Abraham a Hebrew, who worshiped YHVH, the Everlasting God Almighty?

Did Abraham take Isaac, his covenant son, to offer him a sacrifice to YHVH, who intervened to prevent it?  Or did Abraham take Ishmael to offer as a sacrifice?

Is Yeshua/Jesus the Son of God, or merely a prophet?

Did Jesus/Yeshua die for our sins on the cross, or did He not?

Did Jesus rise from among the dead, or did He not?

Did the God of the Bible, the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, covenant with an oath to give the descendants of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Israel a specific land for an inheritance, within the whole of the nations with boundaries which He has determined?

Is the Lord Jesus Christ coming again physically to establish the Kingdom of God on this Earth for 1000 years?

Who is your God?  Are you saved?

Should believers in Yeshua/Jesus ... Continue reading]]> Israel and her supporters will be disappointed with the results of the vote in the United Nations scheduled for September 20 regarding either a mere upgrade of Palestinian status at the UN, or else the recognition of an independent Palestinian state.  This vote is despite, and in spite of, all international agreements previous regarding rules of war and of guarantees for a sovereign Jewish nation.  It will mark a significant retreat of human support for Israel.

Should believers in Yeshua/Jesus as Lord, Messiah, Son of God, Savior be disappointed . . . or should the state of affairs be a wake-up call.  In Hebrew, the word for someone ‘waking up’ is the same word for ‘revival’:  revival is for those who are alive, but drowsy or sleeping.  Are we alert to the times in which we are living, or are we just as uncertain as those in whom the Spirit of God is not dwelling?

When Yeshua was asked to state plainly by what authority He was doing what He was, He asked those who should have known by then to answer Him first:  ‘The baptism of John, where was it from?  Was it from Heaven, or from men?’ (Mt 21:25) This is the question that needs to be answered also concerning Israel today.  The viewpoint one takes on this issue will obviously greatly affect how we relate to her.  Jesus would wish that we were hot or cold, and not sit on the fence. (Rev 3:14-15)  When Jesus was being crucified, the rulers and leaders of the nation mocked Him, saying, “. . .He trusted in God; let Him deliver him now, if He will have him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”. . .  “The rest said, ‘Leave him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save him!’” (Mt 27:41-49) 

Israel claims to be the chosen people and nation of God, and many nations and peoples are watching and observing to see whether or not this is true.

God has givenIsraelas an example to the Church, and what happens towardsIsraelwill also happen towards the Church:  first the natural; then the spiritual.  If people want to makeIsraelthe scapegoat for all the world’s troubles, they will also make Christians scapegoats.  And they will be ‘justified’ by the false teaching that if only believers would pray and intercede more; engage in more effective spiritual warfare; take over the reigns of society, then the world would be a better place.  Yet it is clear that the world is becoming increasingly lawless, stressful, and nervous.

A ‘Pharoah spirit’ is rising.  One that does not know Yeshua nor the Father.  And it is making life more arduous for those who fear YHVH and for those who know Him personally.  This anti-christ spirit attacks all who are called by the name of God – whether they be Jewish or Christian.  Judgments from God will come, and He will save and deliver His people.  YHVH cuts (makes) and keeps His covenants, and He is a Savior to those whose trust is whole-heartedly in Him.  Our hearts deceive us, and He gives us a new heart as a promise of the New Covenant in the blood of His Son, which we are to guard. (Jer 17:9-10; 31:33; Ezek 36:26; Mt 15:18-19)  According to God’s covenants, He will bless those who bless the seed of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, and He will curse him who makes light of them.  This also would apply to how Jewish people (the House of Jacob) consider especially Christian believers, who are also of the seed of Abraham through faith.

The UN vote on Sept. 20 will be used by God towards bringingIsraeland the Jewish people to call upon Him, leading more to repentance towards God.  And further, to bring more Jewish people and others who are genuinely concerned for their well-being to the redemption through the Redeemer, the Lamb of God who died – was slaughtered – to confirm YHVH God’s promises to the fathers and to their descendants, and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy. (Rom 15:8-9)

If Israel has broken God’s covenants, why should it be a wonder that the nations will break their human treaties and agreements concerning Israel?!

As the nations seem more and more willing to sacrifice one nation so that not all the nations should perish from religious and nationalistic terrorists, and from others ‘doing what is right in their own eyes’, Bible-believing Christians should show mercy, and stand with the beloved enemy Israel for Jesus’ sake, as a nation back in [part of] the land promised to be an everlasting possession from YHVH, whose land it is, as is the whole Earth. (Rom 11:25-36)

http://www.ec4i.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128:give-pe

If a Mormon like Glenn Beck, and other ”unsaved” actors and ordinary persons, can take a strong public stand in support of the legitimate and moral right of Israel to not only exist, but also to be supported, ... Continue reading]]> Here is an excellent link to a presentation presenting the legitimacy of Israel from a legal and historic perspective.  As you know, the Palestinians are trying to get the UN later in September to nullify previous historic legal agreements regarding Israel.

http://www.ec4i.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=128:give-pe

If a Mormon like Glenn Beck, and other ”unsaved” actors and ordinary persons, can take a strong public stand in support of the legitimate and moral right of Israel to not only exist, but also to be supported, how is that so many Jewish people and Bible-believing Christians do not?

Taking some liberty, I ‘quote’ from Romans 2:25-29 :  For ‘baptism’ is indeed profitable is you keep
the ‘integrity of the Law and the Prophets’; but if you are a breaker of the ‘Word of God’, your ‘baptism’ has become ‘un-baptism’.  Therefore, if an ‘un-Christian person’ keeps the ‘truth of God’s promises’ will not his ‘unbaptism’ be counted as ‘baptism’?  And will not the ‘spiritually unbaptized’, if he fulfills the ‘commandments and instruction of God’, judge you who, with your written ‘Scriptures’ and ‘baptism’, are a transgressor of ‘them’?

And almost directly from John 3:10-12 :  Yeshua answered and said to [Nicodemus], ‘Are you the teacher of Israel (‘and of the Church’), and do not know these things?  Most assuredly, I say to you, we speak what we know and testify what we have seen, and you do not receive our witness.  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?!‘ 

What we are seeing happening before our very eyes in these days and times is bringing us nearer to that Day:
‘ For behold, in those days and that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, I will also gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat (in Hebrew, Yehoshaphat means “YHVH judges”); and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations.  They have also divided up My land.” (Joel 3:1-2)

May the fear of God fall upon the peoples and nations!

“Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the Throne, and to the Lamb!”

Thanks to the many of you who have written in, and to those who didn’t yet lifted a voice to our Father in Heaven.

From the time that the serpent got Eve and Adam to listen to him over the clear Word of God, we have inherited the tendency to believe lies over truth.  And when the lie is repeated enough and taught and passed on as being ... Continue reading]]> Greetings from the land where the lie is often spoken as truth,

Thanks to the many of you who have written in, and to those who didn’t yet lifted a voice to our Father in Heaven.

From the time that the serpent got Eve and Adam to listen to him over the clear Word of God, we have inherited the tendency to believe lies over truth.  And when the lie is repeated enough and taught and passed on as being true, it takes a rude awakening sometimes to open our eyes and ears to reality.  I was always brought up to believe that the truth of Jesus was not true — at least not for Jewish people.  If something is true, it is true for everyone.  Today Israel and Jewish people curses — although not always knowingly — both Jesus and those who believe in Him.  And Israel herself finds the nations delegitimizing and cursing the truth of her existence, and her witness to the one true God — even in her unbelief.  We reap what we sow; as we judge, we shall be judged.

In the present state of war preparations, Israelis were attacked and murdered.  Israel responded by killing the terrorists, and also some Egyptians, who may or may not have been complicit in the attacks near Eilat last week; and the news media, including some of Israel’s own, give a picture that Israel is the aggressor against Gazans and Hamas.  I heard a BBC newscast just two days ago, with the story stating that Israel had killed 15 Palestinians, including civilians, in response to a militant raid which killed  eight Israelis.  NOTHING about the civilians that the terrorists killed, including the injury of two children.  NOTHING about all the rocket attacks which had already begun on southern Israel towns and cities.  And with all this, Hamas and the other terrorist organizations involved who started the latest salvo during Ramadan, threatened Israel should Israel retaliate during Ramadan! 

The terrorists who chose to start the killings and attacks then also decided when the “cease-fire” should begin — 9:00 pm on Sunday.  Since Sunday at 9:00 pm (2100), rockets have been fired towards Ashkelon and other Israeli towns near Gaza.  Israel, once again, finds itself in a dilemma that no matter what she does, it is wrong.  Believers in Jesus/Yeshua, whatever we do or say about the truth of who He is, are never right in Judaism thinking. 

Praise the Lord for His righteousness!  His thoughts and ways are just and true, and His wisdom is awe-inspiring, and His judgments past finding out! 

Here is a link to a pretty amazing video about Hamas tactics against their own people and Israel:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUuhw0RpRMY

Here is a very wry response to the U.S. demands for Israel to always apologize:  http://yossibarnegev.wordpress.com/  (I do not know who the author is, as far as I know.)

And here is a video of rocket attacks in Beer Sheva this past Saturday night, with most being intercepted:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n5ICddnSJk

–return the heart of His people to Jerusalem and His Word, offering as many who will repent and believe today for salvation through Messiah Yeshua the blessedness of the first resurrection;

–tread down Jerusalem so that the Jews’ heart-cry and hope is only in Him who comes in the name of YEHOVAH;

–convict of national and generational transgression, sin, and iniquity against the LORD and His covenant so that He can forgive, cleanse, ... Continue reading]]> To fulfill Israel’s sovereign and redemptive election God is working to:

–return the heart of His people to Jerusalem and His Word, offering as many who will repent and believe today for salvation through Messiah Yeshua the blessedness of the first resurrection;

–tread down Jerusalem so that the Jews’ heart-cry and hope is only in Him who comes in the name of YEHOVAH;

–convict of national and generational transgression, sin, and iniquity against the LORD and His covenant so that He can forgive, cleanse, heal each and all of His  people when the full remnant from every tribe looks upon Yeshua whom they have  pierced.

“For though we walk in the flesh, ... Continue reading]]> I write this unexpected Part Two of our living today in Bible times.  I do so at some risk of what reactions you have, spoken or otherwise, but I hope that for the most part it is for building up of our faith in our God and Redeemer, and to prepare us for even worse to come before the far better ‘end of the Lord, who is very compassionate and merciful.’ (James 5:9-11)

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war in the flesh.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Messiah, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your (our) obedience is fulfilled.” (2Cor 10:4-6)

Yeshua reigns!  What a relief in days of trouble, and in the day of evil, to hold fast to what we have:  the name of the LORD, Yeshua, and the blood of the Lamb!  These words that we read from the apostle Paul, and are reminded of from the written words of the apostle John, were written in Bible days a little less than 2000 years ago for us today.  Surely we are living in both exciting and troublous Bible times!

Throughout Bible days – and Jesus promises to be with us all the days through the end of the age – there have been those within Israel and within the Church who would make the truth of the written word irrelevant.  It is to the Jews and to Christians – whether Jew or Gentile – that the Word of God has come and to whom He has entrusted it/them.  Therefore, we who know the truth of Messiah are more accountable before the Lord than other people:  we are in covenant relationship with Him through the shed blood of the Son of God for us.

How can we make irrelevant the Bible?  Jesus says that when we make our traditions or the explanations of our interpreters and commentators of greater value than the written Scriptures, we make void God’s word.  By our politics, we can make God’s word void; by so-called knowledge, we can make God’s word irrelevant; by thinking that the future can be changed from what has been planned from before the creation, we dismiss what God says.  By being party to accepting additions or deletions, we say that the Scriptures are irrelevant — dead.  The philosophy of Nietzsche that ‘God is dead’ is that which simply makes God irrelevant.  If God and His Word are rendered irrelevant – by our own understanding versus the revelation of Jesus Christ – then we will be more open to deception by the spirit of antichrist, who plays with the truth just enough to make his lie and evil intent seem plausibly worth accepting, hoping if possible to deceive even the elect.  Yet his perverse pleasure is to have those who are called by the name of the Lord dishonor Him and ourselves through believing the false prophets rather than the plain truth of the Spirit of YHVH:  “and so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which [we] do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as moved by the Holy Spirit”. (2Pt 1:19-21)

I am sobered by the times we live in when the words of Jesus pierce through them with end-from-the-beginning clarity of what has never yet been fulfilled:  “For then, there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be like it.  And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved, but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Mt 24:21-22)  These words Yeshua received from His Father – and, praise God, now our Father, too — to speak to us.  God loves us, and so tells us what He knows is good and needful for us to know about His thoughts and ways.  We should be under no illusion, nor deluded, to think that this war will bring peace to Israelis or to Palestinians.  It will not –wars are determined till the end — but we are to act in the present as best we can to carry out our proper duties.  This is true as we pray for and give any counsel to unbelievers.  How much more so for us. 

The Spirit of God tells His people to come out from Babylon – the ‘good country’, the material comfort, the alternative and counterfeit ‘promised land’ which the world offers.  Babylon represents a place of freedom and potential and worldly glory, whereas Egypt represents slavery and bondage.  In the Old Testament, YHVH spoke through the prophet Jeremiah to the physically exiled Israelis in Babylon to physically “flee from the midst of Babylon, and everyone save his life!  Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of YHVH’s vengeance. . .YHVH has taken out our righteousness.  Come and let us declare in Zion the work of YHVH our God.” (Jer 51:6-10)  In the New Testament, John heard a voice from heaven saying, “Come out of [Babylon], My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to Heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. . . . Therefore her plagues will come in one day. . .for strong is YHVH God who judges her!” (Rev 18:4-8)

If the sons of Issachar knew what Israel should do because they understood the times; if Daniel, through reading the Bible, understood the times and knew what to do; should not we — in the fuller light of history and with the whole Bible in our possession, and with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and leading us into all truth — be discerning the times and knowing what to do?  Are we making the Scriptures irrelevant so long as we prefer to stay with our hearts and maybe our bodies, too, in Babylon!?  Messiah the Lord teaches us like this to pray:  Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. . .lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (the evil one/the evil day); for Thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever.  Amen.

To return to the issue of putting things in proportion which I wrote about in Part 1:  when one considers how many thousands of Palestinians were killed by the Jordanian government military in 1970 (just to take one example, which a Bedouin today mentioned to me as he praised Israel), and the world let it be, the fact that till now, however terrible it is, that the heavy Israeli attacks on Hamas have resulted in ‘only’ about 500 deaths and many wounded, testifies to the general policy of Israel to minimize the deaths of both enemy forces and civilians caught up in the battle zone.  This is in direct contrast to Islamic jihadist (holy war) policy and efforts.  Yet the world, including many Jewish and Christian people, jump on Israel as barbaric and disproportionate in its response to determined threats to her existence.  War is not hell; Hell is hell.  But war is terrible.  Wars and fights come from lust and covetousness: wanting what someone else has, even if you have to murder to get it from them. (Ja 4:1-2)  This has been the spirit of Islam before there was a religion called Islam! (Ps 83; Obadiah)

WE have been GIVEN the KINGDOM OF GOD.  We need covet nothing of anyone:  in Messiah we have been given an eternal inheritance of all that God has!  Let us fight the good fight of faith, while being, insofar as is possible on our part, at peace with all men, doing good to all, especially to those of the household of faith.  If you want war to cease, let us first examine our own hearts, confess our sin and repent, and then let us look for, long for, love, hasten Yeshua’s appearing, fulfilling our obedience to Him and His Word with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!

When you hear people say – or perhaps when ... Continue reading]]> My words may pass away, but the Word of the LORD will never pass away!  Many of us have a tendency to add to or take away from the Word of God, rather than considering the whole counsel of God in the tension and reality of life it speaks to us.  We don’t necessarily intend to do that, and only those without godly fear would willfully do so with eyes opened.

When you hear people say – or perhaps when you say yourself – “in the days of the Bible”, what is meant by that?  If we really believe that the Scriptures have been written for us living at the end of the age, and that the Word of God abides forever, and that God will fulfill all that is written in the whole of the Old and New Testaments, then isn’t it true that we are living in the days of the Bible?!

You have received a number of e-mails from me recently and over the years.  For those who look at only one and come to any conclusions – whether positively or negatively – I would say, as I began this ‘letter’, that my words may pass away.  On the other hand, if you consider my letters together over time, a clearer and fuller picture would be discernible that otherwise can not be covered in any one or two letters, and, I sincerely hope, there would be a general consistency in the spirit of truth, even if not in every detail.  So, too, and much more so, with the Bible, which is truth both in spirit and in details!

Why am I concerning myself with this?  Most of the news media you see and hear focus on the perceived disproportion of Gazans being killed or injured versus the number of Israelis being killed or injured. (By the way, as I was now speaking with a friend on the phone, we are only about 1/2 hour drive away from the awful war going on!)  Just as in the last war in Lebanon against another terrorist organization, Hezbollah, the attention is also focused on the disproportionate weaponry being used by the two sides.  Believe me when I say, it’s scary enough to have a tree fall on your house during a storm, not to mention larger rockets, or even tons of bombs falling from airplanes in the sky.  As Yeshua advised, before going to war, consider first your enemy and his weaponry, and whether you think you can defeat them or not.  Is not the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ the same God as YHVH, God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob?

The size of armor and weaponry is not to be our only concern:  look at Joshua and the people marching around Jericho and the priests blowing trumpets; look at Goliath, versus David with his slingshot.  What are we going to do in ‘our Bible days’ when the Lord Jesus Himself directs the seventh angel to pour out his bowl of God’s wrath upon His enemies with great hail from heaven, each weighing about  one talent (62 lbs or 30 kg)!?  And at what force?!  The reaction of the people (revealed to us in advance by the Holy Spirit in the love of our Father) targeted by God is to blaspheme Him! (Rev 16:17-21)

In earlier days of the Bible, the Assyrian king Sennacherib taunted the Jews in Israel that no God of the nations had yet succeeded to defeat him.  With this taunt and blasphemy, the righteous King Hezekiah cried out to the one true sovereign God, YHVH, God of Israel, who sent the prophet Isaiah to encourage and comfort the King and the people, assuring them that Sennacherib and his forces would not succeed.  I am not writing this here simply to say that this situation in Gaza is similar, although I think it is the attitude of these Islamic jihadists to taunt and blaspheme the God and the people of Israel and of the Christians, but rather to go on to the outcome of the encounter in those days (2Kg 19:35):  the Angel of YHVH went out on a certain night into the camp of the Assyrians, and killed 185,000!  Was this proportionate?!  Because this figure staggers our imagination and even offends our sensitivities, some Bible translators and commentators try to ‘defend’ the inspiration of Scripture and the character of our God by saying that this number is obviously an error which mistakenly got in and stayed in our Bibles.

In even earlier days of the Bible, the same Angel of YHVH killed all the first-born in Egypt, from Pharaoh’s household to the slaves’, plus animals.  Was God disproportionate in expressing what was in His heart, given the objectives He had in mind?  Pharaoh and his army were then thrown into the sea and all drowned.

Sometime later in Bible times, when the Jews who had not returned from exile at the command of Cyrus to return and rebuild Jerusalem were in danger of being exterminated through the irrational hatred of Haman in Persia (Iran), we read about the second decree by King Ahasueras that allowed the Jews to defend themselves.  On the set day, the Jews killed 500 men in the capital.  Queen Esther then requested that the Jews be allowed to do again the next day more of what they had done on the first.  They hung all of Haman’s sons (all of whom were, by the way, descendants of Amalek, himself a descendant of Esau/Edom), and killed 300 more men.  All this was in the capital city.  Around the rest of the kingdom, a total of 75,000 of their enemies were killed, those who had determined in their own hearts and minds that the Jews should be wiped out. (Esther 9:1-16)  Was this disproportionate to the threat that they had faced?  Would the threat have been removed had they not ‘finished the job’ on the second?  Is not the Lord going to finish His strange work of  judgment in order to remove all things which offend from entering into His Kingdom?  Our own flesh struggles with the magnitude of evil and the necessary righteous judgments of God to put it away.  Maybe that is why Joshua and the Israelis in their ‘Bible days’ stopped all the killing which God had commanded them to do:  they just couldn’t understand it or take it any more.

How many babies were killed in Bethlehem by Herod’s hateful self-serving command surrounding the birth of Yeshua?  What was the reaction – beyond the grief of ‘Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more”?  How did they respond towards God, who allowed such a thing connected with the promised Messiah and Savior?!  Certainly we know that the love of God is not self-serving!

Were the six million Jews who were scientifically and calculatedly slaughtered during the Holocaust an overkill to effect a shameful and guilty conscious on the Christianized West especially, opening the way for the world’s representatives through the United Nations to vote in the establishment of the State of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people?

Is God being too heavy-handed when he prophetically warns us that two-thirds of the people of all the land (earth?) will die in order that the remaining third will be refined and tested and purified to each call on the name of YHVH as their God?! (Zech 13:8-9; Mt 24:21-22; Rev)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God!  God is a consuming fire!

Yet for all the suffering and tragedy connected with each of the above events, we celebrate our God and Savior, and what He has done to bring righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit through these events and judgments!

It is a God-given, thus moral, responsibility and authority for a government to protect the general welfare of her citizenry, even by force when required.  It is our responsibility as believers to pray that our leaders not only act wisely and prudently, but even more that they be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.  Then, the lives of the people may be more quiet and peaceable, appreciative of godliness and reverence, both towards the one true God, and towards our fellow-man.  (Rom 12:17-21 – 13:1-7: 1Tim 2:1-6).

Please, do not misunderstand this one ‘article’ to think that I am hard-hearted toward what is going on in Gaza, both against a real enemy, and against those innocently trapped in a deplorable situation, not to mention against our own soldiers and sons risking their lives to defeat their enemies and defend their country – and from a higher perspective, though they may not recognize it, to free people to receive true and real life from the living God of the living.  Without Jesus, no one will enjoy life!

How the world and those who are of it evaluate and judge this war is one thing; let us be careful how we do, and be extremely careful that we do not find ourselves judging God.  His Word judges us. (Heb 4:11-13). 

The Body of Messiah, as a priesthood representing our peoples before God, is called to intercede for our nation in the face of all the ... Continue reading]]> A call for a national fast by the believers in Israel has gone out for this week, Aug 8-9, coinciding with the Jewish day of mourning over the destruction of the two temples, and for other calamitous events which have occured on or near the same Hebrew calendar date of the 9th day of the 5th month.

The Body of Messiah, as a priesthood representing our peoples before God, is called to intercede for our nation in the face of all the existential threats she faces.  For us to have any authority before God on behalf of our unbelieving people, the believers must face squarely our own sins as God’s people under the blood of the New Covenant at this time.

Not only are there external enemies and threats to seek to destroy Israel from being a nation anymore, but there are both external and internal agents seeking to prevent Israel and the Jewish people from being what God has created and redeemed her for.  We still, even as born-again Spirit-baptized and -filled believers in the truth of who Jesus Christ is, too often show a likeness to Israel who did/do not want to have the living God be her King, but wanted/want a king like the Gentiles have.  We want to be like the Gentiles, rather than a holy people serving the Holy One, and being a servant nation as a royal priesthood to bless other nations and peoples for the glory of our Father in Heaven and the Lord Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ.  Too many Christians — or by any other name that clearly identifies any and all believers with Yeshua/Jesus — want a Jesus that is like the ‘holy’ men of other religions, and not the unique and only-begotten Son of God who alone is the Mediator between God and men.

As we humble ourselves and seek God’s face, let us acknowledge our own sins first — as is required of the priests serving YHVH God — according to the calling and ministries we have in Messiah/Christ, so that there might be healing and deliverance and revival within the household of faith.  Then, perhaps those outside will come and see what the Holy Spirit is doing that brings lasting hope in the God of hope.  All their sins are a consequence of not believing in the name of the Son of God; all our own sins are for not believing what He says.

A visiting Zambian pastor has been very impressed with the abundance of ... Continue reading]]> While the Arabs are uprising and suffering around the Middle East and North Africa, the Jewish people in Israel are staging their own social protests.  One major difference is that in Israel there has been no violence or military intervention against her own people.  Until now the government of Israel has always been “of the people” and not some separated class of people.  In Israel we are family.

A visiting Zambian pastor has been very impressed with the abundance of food and commodities in Israel, as well as with the excellent road and highway system.  The people –  both Jewish and Arab — he sees living together and sharing the life together.  Yet Israel has forgotten YHVH her God, who has made it possible for all this plenty, and has taken much of the credit herself for the successes.  Even in this unbelief and rebellion, the God of covenant is showing HIS faithfulness, even to a stubborn and stiff-necked people, as He continues to show Himself faithful.  His desire is for His people to return back to Him, and for those who are enemies of His people to also repent and come under His good and gracious covering in the Commonwealth of Israel.

Socially, Israel has a growing gap between the relatively few rich, and the increasing poorer and poor.  The cost of living in Israel is very high, with high prices and low wages.  As of this writing, there are public and private sector strikes and demonstrations against government policies.  Doctors have been on strike for more than four months; parents are protesting the cost of high child-care; students are protesting the high cost of higher education and of housing costs; young married couples are protesting the near impossibility to purchase a modest apartment for a reasonable price; fuel prices are very costly, and the price of new cars are taxed at a rate to bring the cost to double the price.

While we stand on God’s promises regarding the Promised Land to the descendants of Jacob, He also has given commandments regarding the social welfare, and promises of righteous judgments against those who oppress the poor, the needy, the widow, the orphan, the weak of society.  May the Israeli government show itself sensitive to the real and felt needs of the general populace.  May the Church in Israel show itself a willing vessel to help in whatever ways it can; may Jerusalem/Israel/Zion turn to and bless Him who comes in the name of YHVH.

Ezek. 11: 14-16  -  pride of circumstances

Zech.  12: 7 – pride of election 

Rom. 11: 25-32  – pride of man

     God works in mysterious ways, but always with wisdom and perfect understanding in all things.  He has a plan which He conceived before time began, and He will fully display its perfection when time is no more.  Meanwhile, a major objective of all His activities is to resist the pride which is in man ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                                     16 May 1998

Ezek. 11: 14-16  -  pride of circumstances

Zech.  12: 7 – pride of election 

Rom. 11: 25-32  – pride of man

     God works in mysterious ways, but always with wisdom and perfect understanding in all things.  He has a plan which He conceived before time began, and He will fully display its perfection when time is no more.  Meanwhile, a major objective of all His activities is to resist the pride which is in man and in nations, and to bring forth in His children the choice fruit of the Holy Spirit:  a holy man and people, who have learned from the Messiah Jesus to be meek and lowly in heart.  To whom much is given much is required.  To whom has more been given than to Israel and to the Church?

      With this in mind, I want to share about a subject that many of us pray about, even worry over.  Over the years, many people have complained to the congregational leadership and even blamed us regarding this matter.  As one who also is deeply interested in the same, I have sought the LORD about it, and not too long ago I believe that He has given me His answer.  The subject is:  Why aren’t more Israelis repenting and believing in Yeshua, and why doesn’t our kehila do something to make the services more Jewish or Israeli in order to be more effective in this regard?

      In the beginning the first believers were Jews and the church had a heavily Jewish flavor.  Because the nation of  Israel did not accept or receive her long-promised Redeemer-King, then afterwards, in fulfillment of the Word of the Lord, God took away the privileges belonging to Israel as first-born among the nations unto God, and He gave them to the Gentiles in order to obtain His fruit (Mt. 21:40-46).  (This follows a consistent Biblical pattern of the first-born losing the presumed birthright and blessing, even if only for a time.)  From then until now the Body of Messiah has been heavily un-Jewish in outward personality and style.  The relatively few Jews who have been born- again have had effectually little impact.  Even in Israel today it is no easy matter to define or determine Jewishness or Israeliness.

    The answer to the subject lies in the necessity of God to cause His people to humble themselves—each one and all together—in order to know the glory of God in His wisdom to build up (edify) the weak and despised, even His Church.  Many who are first shall be last.

      Let us look together at three passages from the O.T. and N.T., from which I believe the Holy Spirit opened my understanding to see their relevance to our own day and time:

1. Ezek. 11:14-17 (Deut. 8:10-18) – Those living in Jerusalem, the beloved city of the Great King, believed that they were special because they lived in Jerusalem and in the Land of Israel.  They disdained in their hearts those Jews who were living in the dispersion, saying, “Get you far from YHVH;  this land is given to us as a possession!”  But God comforted those in captivity outside the land and said that he would be for them a little sanctuary.  The Good Shepherd cares for those who are dismissed in the eyes of the so-called privileged, and He brings us home according to His promise!

Brothers and sisters, most Jews who are saved today live in the diaspora and not in Israel.       In Israel the Jewish leaders presume to themselves the determination of who/what is a Jew while remaining indifferent or hostile to the claims of Jesus.  But the LORD has been faithful to many Jewish people not living in Israel today.  There is no place for pride before God!  It doesn’t “cut it” with Him.

     2.   Zech. 12:7 (Dt 17:20) -  In  order to subdue pride in the chosen  House of David to whom belonged the  ruling authority, YHVH would save others from the House of Judah first.  Today most of the Israeli Jews who do believe in Yeshua are immigrants like most of us here.  Very few are native-born (“sabras”).  Think what it is like when local people or an influential family controls a situation.  It becomes very difficult for an outsider or a newcomer to fit in.  The locals have the language, the culture, the contacts, the power.  They think, “This is how it’s done here, and we know how to do it!”

          God in His sovereign grace and wisdom is giving those with less status and natural privileges an opportunity to grow and develop confidence.  He wants all His people to be kings and priests.  Likewise is our Father in Heaven subduing the pride of the Israeli by showing His love for us all who live here in the Land of the Covenant.  The personal relationship of each of us with Father is of great importance and value.

       3.    Rom. 11:25-32 (Deut. 32:21) – God is still saving gentiles and is using them to provoke Israel to jealousy and even to anger.  Look at how many foreign workers are being brought into the Kingdom of God right under our Jewish noses right here in Israel and Beer Sheva!  Still the Jewish people are partially blinded and will be until the fullness of the gentiles is completed.  Meanwhile God is requiring Israeli believers here to accept their gentile brethren fully and equally, just as we have wanted them to accept us fully and equally in Messiah.  It is by mercy that any of us are saved by God.

      The prayers of the Lord Yeshua and of all the saints throughout the generations have been accumulating until today for the Kingdom of God the Father to come and for Israel to be restored and saved.  We are entering into the labors of others also working by the Spirit of Messiah, and the time is near when God is going to answer all these prayers.  We can be thankful for all of the Jewish people being saved today.  Much opposition to the truth of God still reflects the great pride in man.  We want to see more “real” Israelis repent and believe the truth of Messiah in Jesus.

      Peter, the apostle to the Jews, was a typical Israeli.  The lesson he had to learn is one we must all learn:  to accept God’s way of doing things.  The Holy Spirit will glorify the Lord Yeshua the Messiah and not ourselves or our culture.

      Let us remain obedient with faith in what we have been given to do and God will take care of the consequences.  Praise the LORD!  Amen.

 Rom. 11:33-36

                                                                                                                                                                              12 Oct  2002

Ps. 138:1-6     “. . .for Thou hast magnified Thy word [saying] upon all Your Name” (v. 2)

                    –recognition of God’s Name brings forth songs of praise (psalms included musical  instrumentation);

                    –songs of YHVH and of His ways;

                    –the names of God a progressive revelation of Himself to His people–in fact to the world–finding fulfillment under Heaven and in this present creation in the Name above all names, Yeshua (Jesus), ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                               10 June 1995

                                                                                                                                                                              12 Oct  2002

Ps. 138:1-6     “. . .for Thou hast magnified Thy word [saying] upon all Your Name” (v. 2)

                    –recognition of God’s Name brings forth songs of praise (psalms included musical  instrumentation);

                    –songs of YHVH and of His ways;

                    –the names of God a progressive revelation of Himself to His people–in fact to the world–finding fulfillment under Heaven and in this present creation in the Name above all names, Yeshua (Jesus), our Savior God;

                       –names are significant throughout Bible, both prophetically and in reference to character of a person, sometimes becoming forever associated with good or with evil, e.g., Abram/Abraham, Jacob/Israel, Samuel, Daniel, Delilah, Jezebel

                       –in eternity, both the Lord Jesus and we will have new names–an eternal testimony from God our Father of  who and what we are (Rev. 2:17; 3:12; 19:12)

                   –The YHVH’s  name is praised for His lovingkindness (grace) and truth:  we come to know Him as He has revealed Himself through His names which He has made known to us, e.g., El Shaddai (God Almighty or Nurturer);     God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob; I AM; YEHOVAH; YHVH our Righteousness, our Healer, our Peace; YHVH of Hosts; Wonderful; Father of Eternity; Immanuel. . .

                   –We, as the people of the Living God, are called by His Name–that which gives us identity and identifies us with YEHOVAH GOD of Israel and with His Son Yeshua whom He sent.  (Num 6:23-27)

                      –the LORD tells Israel that He would call His servants by a new name (Is. 65:15)

                      –in the N.T. the Holy Spirit says that Jesus would be called a Nazarene, according to the prophets  (Mt. 2:23)

Is. 11:1       (also read the added segment from Tree and Shrub in Our Biblical Heritage about the “shoot”, the netzer)

                   The netzer is specially chosen from among many offshoots from the roots of the olive tree.  It is by all appearances small and insignificant, yet in truth it is the one in which is contained the life and hope of future generations.  Yeshua is God’s Twig; He is the Netzer–the Nazarene.  God in His wisdom chose a small, lowly regarded town called Nazareth (נצרת ) as the place in which His Son would grow up “in order that” Yeshua  should be called “Notzri“.  Not Bethlehem, and so perhaps a Yehudi or Beitlachmi; not Jerusalem, and so Yerushalmi; but Nazareth and a Notzri (“my netzer” / “נצר שלי”).

                   In the eyes of Israel, Jesus is insignificant, of low esteem, not the Hope of Israel in Whom is her life.  He is the Stone which the builders rejected, but whom the Father, the Husbandman and Vinedresser, has made the rock of offense and the head of the corner (cornerstone and foundation stone). (Ps 118:22; Is 8:14; 28:16; 1Pet 2:6-8)

                  God chooses the foolish and the weak things in the eyes of the world to confound the wise (Ps 119:141; 1 Cor. 1:23-31).  YHVH chose Isaac, and his half-brother Ishmael mocked him;  God chose the children of Israel, the fewest in number, because He loves them; God chose David, the youngest of Jesse’s sons, but a man after God’s own heart; the LORD chose Jerusalem to be His city, yet it has no natural resources of the great capital cities of the world; Jesus emptied Himself of all glory to become not the rightful King, but rather the servant of servants – meek and lowly in heart.  The meek shall inherit the earth; those who fear God and do righteousness will see His favor.  To the world foolishness and weakness–”friars”; to God wisdom and salvation, life from death.

                   [Other examples of God's foolishness being wiser than man's wisdom are His choices of the Seed of the Woman; Jacob; Bethlehem; Ruth the Moabitess;  Solomon, the son of David and Batsheva; Mary; the Lamb.]

                   God will fulfill His Word.  In Mt. 2:23 the Word of God says that through the prophets Yeshua would be called a Nazarene.  A few examples from the Scriptures of the use of the Hebrew word netzer and its root derivations are:

                      Ex. 34:7        in connection with the Name of God, who keeps lovingkindness for thousands

                      Deut. 33:9    Levites (esp. Pinhas) kept covenant with YHVH in preference over his family and kinsmen

                      Is. 49:6         the preserved of Israel by the Servant of YEHOVAH

                      Jer. 4:16       the watchers sent by God against Jerusalem and Judah

                      Ps. 25:10       the paths of YHVH are grace and truth for the keepers of the LORD’s covenant and testimonies

                      Ps. 119:2      blessedness ( inner-man happiness, satisfaction) of those who keep the LORD’s testimonies

                       Ps 119:22    supplicating God to remove reproach and despite on account of keeping His testimonies

                      Prov. 4:23    keeping of one’s heart essential to the issues of life

     Yeshua fulfills all these, and we are called to do so as believers in Him; Israel is also called to be notzrim in truth, both morally and spiritually.  Yeshua is YHVH’s Tzemach (Branch; Plant; Sprout – Is 4:2; Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zech 3:8; 6:12).

 From the Greek texts, we find the following applications of the Messianic use of the name Notzri/Nazarene:

              –Lk. 18:37-38     Associated with the Son of David, Messiah

              –Lk. 24:19          Known by His disciples (on way to Emmaus after resurrection of Yeshua)

              –Rom. 2:28-3:4   An issue of the heart, both to be a Jew and a Christian (whether Jewish or gentile by birth)

                       –seeking God’s approval

                       –suffering indignity for the sake of the name of the Lord Jesus Christ the Nazarene (not merely Jesus of/from Nazareth, though this has its own proper use as well) (Acts 5:41-42)

              –Mk. 16:6     The angels refer to Jesus the Nazarene as the One the women are seeking at His tomb

              –Acts 22:8; 9:5   Yeshua calls Himself the Nazarene (הנצרי ) after His ascension when He appears to Saul (Paul) and identifies Himself to him, according to Paul’s own testimony.

 The apostles and disciples are identified with Jesus as Christians (משיחיים ) or as of the Nazarenes (נצרים).

–Acts 11:26        first called Christians (meaning belonging to Messiah/Christ, or followers of Messiah/Christ)

–Acts 24:5          scornfully referred to as Nazarenes; Paul takes the opportunity to declare his faith        and hope

–Acts 26:28        Jewish King Agrippa referred to Paul’s persuasiveness to make him a Christian;              Paul had borne testimony to the sufferings of Messiah and of His resurrection

–1 Pet. 4:14-16   apostle to Jewish believers refers to suffering as Christians for the Name of Christ

–Acts 6:14           a name of contempt by false witnesses

–Acts 3:6; 4:10    healings and miracles done in the Name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene (Yeshua ha-                              Mashiach ha-Notzri)

         –Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34  demons, evil and unclean spirits, knew Yeshua as the Nazarene, the Holy One of God

The devil always desires to make God’s people ashamed or afraid of being known by the names God uses.  Both Jews and Christians have done much which has brought reproach and dishonor to our own people and so to our God and Savior.  Yet if we pay notice only to the ways in which the seed of the serpent has abused the Name of YHVH or of His Anointed One, then we will not hear the voice of our Shepherd, whose Name is honorable to God, and He has placed His Name upon us.

Just as Jews in the diaspora often times want(ed) to dissociate themselves from their God-given identity (also oft used in derision), so many Christians do the same–some due to rebellious unbelief or to a bitter root, others due to a sense of shame or of guilt, still others from fear of ridicule or of disapproval.  Nonetheless, even as the name of Israel and of Jews remain to this day, so too has YHVH preserved the name (Hebraically- and English-wise today) of Notzri/Christian.  If we look to Yeshua/Jesus and suffer with Him for His Name’s sake, then we will be glorified together with Him.  The cross of our Lord does not permit us to find our comfort by seeking to save our own lives and names (reputations), but rather by losing our life for Yeshua’s  sake.  Then His promise is that we will indeed find life.  We are hidden with Messiah in God.

As we see through faith God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ as the Holy Spirit reveals and enlightens through the Scriptures, then the sayings ( (אמרים of God–not His words (דברים) only, but what He is saying with His words–are magnified, enlarged, are seen more fully and clearly:  great is the glory of YHVH, our pride of self is exposed and abased–grace and truth come through Jesus Christ the Nazarene.  We have no boast but in the cross of our Lord.

Through believing on the Name of the Son of God, the Spirit of God opens up the whole of Scripture to lead us and confront us with liberating and sanctifying truth and love, as He magnifies all that comes forth from the mouth of God and fulfills in us and through us all that His Name means.  Do you know this in your own life, and do we know this together as a congregation gathered together in His Name?

To whomever has an ear to hear, let him/her hear what the Spirit is saying.  God is faithful to His own Name (He is not unknown or anonymous, and it is our duty and our privilege to make known and honorable His Name–especially here in Israel where they have forgotten it or show their broken relationship with Him through much vain superstitions), and to the name He has sovereignly chosen to bestow upon His beloved Son – hated without cause — who died upon the cross for our sins (John 19:19): 

                         Jesus the Nazarene, the King of the Jews                  הנצרי המלך היהודים ישוע 

Nazarene – נצר

(from Tree and Shrub in Our Biblical Heritage; pages 82-88; written by Nogah Hareuveni)

“Frequently the olive tree is surrounded by offshoots, the strongest of which are kept by the farmer for transplanting.  In this context it is easy to understand the words of the prophet Isaiah: ‘And a shoot (hoter) shall grow out of the trunk of Jesse, and a twig (netzer) shall sprout from his roots.’  (Is. 11:1)

The offshoots that surround an olive tree grow both from the roots and the trunk of the tree.  When a trunk offshoot grows into a sturdy “branch”, it is sometimes cut out from the trunk, together with a thick knob at its head–the hoter, or shepherd’s staff.  It serves the shepherd both as a weapon and as a tool for directing the flock.

Unlike the hoter,  worked from the offshoot that grows from the trunk of the olive tree, the netzer is an offshoot that grows from the roots of the tree.  The olive grower destroys most of these offshoots, leaving only one or two of the sturdiest to develop into new saplings for transplant.  This is the guarded offshoot [the word netzer being derived from the Hebrew word natzor, to guard], selected from among all the others to propagate the new generation of olive trees. . . .

These characteristics of the olive offshoots help explain the words of Isaiah (in 11:1) which describe the Messiah, a descendant of David, son of Jesse, who will be a leader of his flock (represented by the hoter, the shepherd’s staff with which he leads his flock) and who will grow as the guarded sapling (the netzer) from the roots of the stock of Jesse.  Though that ancient stock was chopped down during the destruction of the Temple, the roots did not lose their ability to put forth the new growth of a fruitful tree. . . .  After being planted, the olive tree offshoot grows into an olive tree of great age. . . .

Moreover, the olive offshoot can survive for days after being severed from the parent tree, even without soil or water.”

“. . .מסביב לגזע הזית גרופיות-גרופיות, אשר החזקות בהן תישמרנה בידי האיכר כ”נצרים” לנטיעת עצים חדשים

 בקשר זה אפשר להבין את דברי הנביא:  “ויצא חוטר מגזע ישי ונצר משורשיו יפרה” (ישעיה י”א: א’).  הגרפיות, אשר מסביב לעץ זית, יוצאות בחלקן מן הגזע ואחרות עולות מן השורשים.  כאשר גדלה ומתעבה גרופית שצמיחתה מן הגזע, יש המנתקים אותה ממנו, עם האזור המעובה אשר במקום הניתוק.  לאחר מכן מחליקים אותה ומעבדים אותה למקל, אשר בראשו גולה, או “חוטרת”.  זהו מקל הרועים – החוטר – המשמש את הרועה ככלי נשק וגם ההנחיית העדר. . . .

 שלא כמו החוטר, המעובד מגרופית הגדלה מן הגזע, מתפתח הנצר מגרופית העולה מן השורשים.  הכורמים נוהגים להשמיד את מרבית הגרופיות הללו, ולהשאיר רק אחד או אחדות מהן ברצותם לטפח שתילים חדשים.  אלו הם הנצרים:  הגרופיות אשר נצרו אותן מבין כל אלה שהושמדו, כדי להעמיד מהן דור חדש של עצי זית. . . . 

 בתכונות אלו של גרפיות הזית מוסברים יפה דברי ישעיה על המלך לעתיד-לבוא מבני בניו של דוד בן-ישי, שיהיו בו תכונות של מנהיג (המסומלות בחוטר, הוא מכשיר הנחיית העדר שבידי הרועה), ואשר יצמח כנצר

משורשי גזע-ישי, הוא הגזע העתיק שנכרת עם החורבן, אך שורשיו לא איבדו את חיוניותם להצמיח מחדש אילן פורה (“יפרה“). . .לאחר נטיעתה גרופית של זית, היא מצמיחה עץ רב-שנים.  יתר על כן:  גרופית הזית עשוייה לשמור על חיוניותה גם ימים רבים לאחר תלישתה מאילן האם – וזאת גם אם לא תינטע באדמה ואף לא תקבל אספקת מים . . . .”    (שיח ועץ במורשת ישראל, כתב: נגה בראובני, עמ’ 88-82)

                                                                                             ”Go Unto All Nations” Magazine

                                                                                              Hong Kong Asso. of Christian Missions

For the first time since the dispersion of the children of Israel almost 2000 years ago, more Jewish people in the world today live in the State of Israel than in any other country.  More than 40% of Jewish people live here.  Close to 68% of the more than 5.4 million Jews who live in the country are native born (sabras).  The modern state is ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                            Oct 2007

                                                                                             ”Go Unto All Nations” Magazine

                                                                                              Hong Kong Asso. of Christian Missions

For the first time since the dispersion of the children of Israel almost 2000 years ago, more Jewish people in the world today live in the State of Israel than in any other country.  More than 40% of Jewish people live here.  Close to 68% of the more than 5.4 million Jews who live in the country are native born (sabras).  The modern state is 59 years old, and YHVH God is actively intervening in the affairs of men to bring to fulfillment His covenantal promises and oaths given long ago – as recorded in the Bible – and which He confirmed by the words of the Lord Jesus and of His apostles. (Gen 17:4-8; 26:2-5; 28:13-15; Ezek 36:22-28; Mt 5:17-18; 2Cor 1:20)

“You only have I known.” (Amos 3:2); and, “Israel is my first-born” (Ex 4:22-23).  Israel is a special nation.  It is unique amongst the lands and nations of the world.   There were other nations, such as Babylon, Assyria, and Egypt before Israel came into being, but God has declared Israel – the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – to be His inheritance (Is 19:25).  YHVH chose the children of Jacob not because they were/are better than the other nations or people groups (that is, the Gentiles), nor because He needed a large number of people to accomplish His purposes to glorify His name and the name of His Son.  (If so, He would have chosen the fathers of those who became the Chinese!) 

No, the LORD’s thoughts and ways are not like ours.  The Father of all the families in the world (Eph 3:14-15) chose Israel before they were even a people so that they should not boast about being God’s Chosen People to the hurt or offense of other nations.  God chose us (I am myself a Jew) because He loves us – just as through Messiah He chooses out individuals from every nation and tribe and family in the same manner – and has called us to be a blessing to Himself and to all nations for His holy name’s sake.                                                         

This high calling has proven too great for the Israelis to live up to (Acts 15:10), just as it would be for any  other nation or person had God chosen them.  Only Yeshua/Jesus, the Messiah and Son of the living God, only He has completely and fully pleased and satisfied God the Father.  Israel’s hope is going to be realized only through Jesus; the Church’s hope is going to be realized only in Messiah/Christ.  The tension between this destiny of holiness and between being like the gentiles is powerful in these last days.

With this very brief theological and historical background, we can view in perspective the context of life and Christian ministry in Israel.

LIFE OF ISRAELIS TODAY

Despite being the People of The Book, most Israelis and Jewish people around the world are ignorant or unbelieving regarding the covenantal relationship with YHVH. (Ezek 36:16-29)  This results in the present deteriorating conditions of life in the nation.  Not because of Jewish people’s obedience is God fulfilling His perfect plan of redemption of saving His people from their sins, but rather by His mercy and grace for the honor of His holy name.  We are immigrating (making aliyah) from all the countries to which we were scattered.  Jerusalem is considered by God to be the political and religious/spiritual capital of Israel.  But as with the chosenness of the Land and of the People, God’s choice for His city is contested by those who do not have His word in their heart.

Since the beginning, defense has been the top priority of securing Israel’s borders from neighboring Arabic nations – predominately Islamic – who have opposed and resisted the re-establishment of a sovereign Jewish/Israeli state.  YHVH God’s sovereignty over all the nations brings with it both satanic  and human negative reaction!  This emphasis on defending the nation and her borders from continuous wars and rumors of war has burdened the population with high taxes.  The cost of living in Israel is very high.  The standard of living is a mix of first and third worlds.  Compared to her immediate neighboring countries, Israel surpasses them all in providing a relatively high standard for her citizens.  At the same time, wages are low, sometimes oppressively so.

Israel’s economy is no longer based on agriculture, as it was in its first 30 years, but has shifted to high-tech research and development, in which she excels in a number of areas. In the Negev Desert southern region of the country, much desert research and application of water use and irrigation is carried out through Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.  Music and the arts play a major role in the cultural life of Israelis.  All these talents and works are beneficial to other nations also, but Israel’s calling as the Chosen People of God is to honor and glorify YHVH as a holy people, and to serve the other nations to bless them for His holy name’s sake!

Modern medicine is practiced at a high level, and is provided at low cost to most members of the society without distinction.  Although Israel is located at the western edge of Asia, her political and economic models are western oriented.  Educational institutions of higher learning are very competitive in receiving applicants.  The cost of education continues to grow, placing a further burden on the normal wage earner.

The stereotypical path for many Israeli youth is that they finish high school at age 18, go into the compulsory military service for two years (girls) or three years (boys); upon completion of their duty they travel to other far parts of the world, often to the east, or to South America; then [the parents hope!] they return to Israel to study, get married, and continue their lives.

Israel and the Jewish people are an interwoven cross-cultural fabric which God is making and forming to be a praise to His name.  We come from many different cultures which we acquired over our long years of exile:  many languages, skin colorations, cuisines, styles of music, art, literature.  Israel is truly a masterpiece in the making!

RELIGIOUS LIFE

Some people have the mistaken impression that the Israeli people live holier lives than people from other nations.  When they visit the “Holy Land”, they have been disappointed or even disillusioned to find Israelis acting in ways unsuited to the “holy people of God”.  This is a cause of stumbling for even many Christians who do not understand the prophetic word given by the Holy Spirit through Ezekiel (36:24-27) that [most of] the Jewish people would be brought back in unbelief and living in the manner of gentiles to the land of promise before the Lord would cleanse them of all their uncleanness.  Israel today is primarily a secular society with lots of authority in the hands of ultra-orthodox religious and political parties and leading rabbis (Jewish spiritual leaders and teachers).  Believers in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God make up a negligible percentage of the population (much less than 1%).

Significant issues governing life and cultural events are regulated by orthodox halacha (rules and regulations for every facet of living):  for example, determining who is Jewish from birth; who has legal authority to marry in a Jewish wedding; who/what legitimizes divorces; who conducts burial ceremonies.  The orthodox Jews fall into many streams within the religion of the Jews.  Some do not even recognize the existence of the current nation, because to them the Messiah has not yet come!  (Of course He has!)  Others accept the State, but refuse military duty, and receive exemptions to study in yeshivot (Jewish religious seminaries).  And then there are those who are religious Zionists, believing that this land is ordained by God for the Jewish people, and that the Jews must defend and preserve it by all legitimate means sanctioned by law – and sometimes in ways deemed unlawful.

Other streams of Judaism, such as Reform and Conservative, are seeking to gain legitimacy in Israeli Jewish law, and have had a very limited amount of success till now.  In other religions – including Christianity – there are many similarities to the way in which Jewish people conduct themselves in the affairs of God and man.  The Jewish people are a glimpse of humanity.  It is important that believers in Jesus recognize this when looking at – even judging – the Israeli Jewish people.

There is something of a religious/spiritual revival in Israel, but not yet a return to YHVH God Himself, and especially not in the full repentance of believing the gospel.  There is very much a looking eastward (Ezek 8:15-16) by many Israelis, seeking spiritual meaning in forms of eastern religions and various New Age expressions.  Nothing has changed much since Moses and the Prophets warned Israelis not to follow the ways of the heathen, but to keep covenant with the one true God who created them for His own glory.

KOSHER FOOD

One of the main features of Israeli culture is kashrut, or, religiously acceptable food for eating.  Part of this dietary custom is based on the Law of Moses regarding the types of food – especially with respect to meat, fowl, and fish – which YHVH God of Israel allowed or forbade for His people to eat (Lev 11).  Many Israeli Jews, whether religious or not, will “keep kosher” in their homes, and many restaurants have kashrut licenses so that religious Jews will know that the food there complies with regulations.  These regulations also include, in rabbinic Judaism, the separation of meat and dairy in food production, storage, consumption.  This is based on a misunderstanding of the commandment “do not boil a kid in its mother’s milk” (Ex 23:19), and has led to all sorts of religious regulations requiring, for example, separate dishes and silverware for either meat or for dairy products; separate refrigerators and sinks, as well.  These rabbinic restrictions place a financial burden on many people and also in their eating habits, and upon their conscience as “good Jews”, and their freedom to eat other people’s food preparations and provisions.  Under the New Testament in Messiah, Yeshua has broken down this wall of enmity between Jews and Gentiles, making it possible to be sent as “missionaries” anywhere in the world, and to be free to eat socially and sociably with all people, giving thanks to God, to whom belongs the Earth and all its fullness! (1Cor 10:25-33)  The Lamb and His blood have made us kosher!

One of the main weapons which ultra-orthodox authorities will use against restaurants, banquet halls, and conference centers is to threaten to invalidate their kashrut license, which for many of these establishments would mean losing their ability to remain open and operate successfully.  This legal sanction is used not only lawfully against violators of dietary regulations, but also against such businesses who, for example, host Messianic/Christian events, especially those sponsored by local Israeli believers.

THE SABBATH

The Sabbath day (Saturday; the 7^th day of the week) is the blessed and sanctified day which God made a sign between Him and Israel (Gen 2:3; Ezek 20:12).  YHVH gave Israel the Sabbath to observe to remind His people that He is the Creator of the universe in six days (Ex 20:11), and also that He is the Redeemer and Deliverer (Dt 5:15).  It is a covenant sign for Israel to remember YHVH’s work in this creation, whereas the Church is a witness to the new creation in and through Christ, and to the eternal New Heavens and New Earth to come for all who are the Lord’s.  Thank God for the day after the Sabbath! While the Sabbath continues to bear a certain difference from other days of the week in Israel, it has become more and more like any other day throughout most of the country, except for a few ultra-religious pockets in parts of the nation, such as the Mea Shearim section in Jerusalem, and Bnei Brak in the Tel Aviv area.  Religious Jews today will not drive a car on Shabbat; will not smoke (if they do on other days); will not write; will not spend money; will not use a phone, turn on electrical switches, or cook a meal.

The spiritual battle for the hearts and minds of unsaved Jewish people everywhere today is fought over the issue of ultimate authority:  does it belong with the teachings and traditions of man; or does it lie with the Word of God as written in the Tanach (the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Writings) and the New Testament?  According to the Lord Messiah Himself, more Jews would believe in Him if they believed what Moses and the Prophets wrote! (Lk 16:29-31; Jn 5:44-47)

There is a sense, similar to the time surrounding the lifetime of Jesus, that people are “waiting for Messiah to come”.  Street signs and car bumper stickers even proclaim this!  We are in the last days when many false messiahs will come on the scene, promising peace. (Mt 24:4-5)  Within one sect of “mainstream” Judaism – Chabad – many believe that their rabbi, who died in 1994 at an old age and never was in Israel, is the Messiah.  Even today they actively promote his picture and his teachings as if he is the Messiah for the Jews.  Others are looking for a political or military leader.  Yeshua said that Israel would accept someone “coming in his own name”, but that He “comes in the name of His Father”, in the name of YHVH (the LORD)! (Jn 5:43; Mt 23:39)

MESSIANIC BELIEVERS

The Jewish believers in Yeshua/Jesus in Israel go by – and are called – several names:  Jewish believers in Jesus; Messianic Jews (Yehudim Meshichi’im); Hebrew Christians (Ivrim Meshichi’im); Christians (Meshichi’im or Notzrim); traitors and infidels.  Depending on who is saying what to whom, the description can sometimes be clear as a reference to faith in Yeshua; sometimes it is not clear; sometimes it carries a negative connotation.  Even the Chabad Jews who believe in the Lubavitch Rebbe are considered Messianic Jews since they are Jews who believe in a Messiah.  Therefore, it becomes a matter of great importance that we distinguish ourselves as believers in Yeshua/Jesus as the Messiah, based on the Bible.  The Lord tells us that if He was called names of dishonor, so, too, would we if we are of His household (Mt 10:24-26).

There are no definite figures as to how many Jewish believers in Jesus there are in Israel, but the overall number of evangelical believers is somewhere between 10,000-11,000.  At present there are over 100 congregations/churches within the Messianic Jewish community.  Most Jews still come to faith through the witness of Gentile Christians, but an increasing number are being brought to repentance and faith through the testimony of friends, or through reading books – often those which tell of Jews who became believers.  And now, of course, many more families are bringing up their children in the knowledge and way of the Lord.

Many of the congregations use the Hebrew language as the primary language within the services, but there are many in which Russian is the “official” language for worship and teaching/preaching.  In our own congregation, Hebrew is the unifying language, and we provide translations into Russian and into English.  More than half of the members of our congregation are from a Russian-speaking background.  Everyone is encouraged to learn and to use Hebrew as much as possible, since we live in Israel and Hebrew is our common tongue.  Praise God for helping us, since still most believers in Israel are immigrants who have come from other countries, speaking Spanish, Rumanian, Amharic (Ethiopian), etc.

A growing number of native-born Israelis are repenting and believing the gospel, but they still make up a very small minority within the whole Body of Messiah in Israel (not to mention in the world!).  As God brings more of the Gentiles to saving faith in Jesus, we should expect to see more Jews being saved on the way to that Day approaching when all Israel – the full remnant from all the tribes – will be saved when they see Him whom they have pierced.  (Rom 11:25-27; Rev 7:4-8; Zech 12:10) 

The believing community in Israel has developed remarkably in the past 25 years.  There is a much greater awareness within Israeli society that Jews do and can believe in Jesus and still retain our identity as Jews.  Hundreds of books have been written in or translated into Hebrew to help inform and educate believers in our knowledge of the Lord and of our walk of faith.  Summer camps for children have multiplied to meet the growing number of children from believing families, as well as to fit the varied interests and expressions of the Messianic body.  Youth conferences, soldiers’ conferences are organized every month, sometimes every week somewhere around the country within the Body of Christ.  Uncountable local and international leadership events and prayer gatherings take place regularly and frequently in Israel.  It has reached the point where we have too many good things to choose from!  Our Father in Heaven is surely pleased whenever He sees barriers which Jesus broke down being enjoyed, as brethren are expressing His reconciliation through the blood of the cross in unity and love between Jewish and Arab believers; and as different streams within the Body – charismatic, Pentecostal, “baptistic” – rejoice in opportunities to mix in humility and love for the sake of the name of Yeshua and of the gospel.

There are now more believers serving in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) than at any other time in her modern history.  As the generation of fathers and mothers has grown and multiplied, so have our children come of age to enter military service in larger numbers.  This provides the believing soldiers a stronger support network, as well as real-life situations in which to mature in their faith and relationship with the Lord, to demonstrate the truth of the faith through their own life and conduct, and to share with those who still do not know the one true God and His only-begotten Son.  It is a key stage of transition from youth to becoming young men and women.

Evangelizing in Israel is technically legal, but is still viewed with much suspicion and disfavor by the majority of society.  Anyone who witnesses about his/her faith to others with the intent to persuade them that Yeshua is the truth is considered a missionary, which is a very negative term here.  There are laws against adults knowingly witnessing to minors (not their own children), that is, to those under the age of 18.  Of course, minors can speak of their own faith with others in their age group, such as at school.   Reasonable laws also exist to prohibit offering any bribe or other inducement or promise of material gain as a means to cause someone to “change his religion”.  We are often falsely accused of doing such things, but God cannot be deceived, and He knows the heart of every person.

The most effective way that is used to show Jewish people why we believe in Jesus as Lord and Messiah is through the prophesies given in the Old Testament.  Some key passages which are often referred to are Isaiah 53; Jeremiah 31:31-37; Micah 5:2; Daniel 9:24-27.  These portions have historically been accepted as Messianic – applying to the Messiah – and so have much credibility to influence someone to re-consider his “inherited” prejudice and ignorance regarding them.

There are anti-missionary groups, such as Yad L’Achim (Hand to the Brothers) and Lev L’Achim (Heart for the Brothers), which aggressively operate to prevent Jewish evangelism.  They employ strategies and tactics to discourage, and even intimidate, Jews from hearing the gospel and from attending Messianic worship services.  Little has changed since the New Testament was written, and just as false witnesses and false accusations were used against Yeshua or against Paul in a futile effort to stop the spread of God’s good news, so today similar methods are used against the evangelical Messianic community.  In different cities around Israel, and in different congregations over the years, there have been various degrees of persecution and harassment to disrupt life, and at times to the extent of loss of jobs or the ruin of businesses.  Bible book stores have been burned; congregational facilities have been destroyed by arson; windows have been broken in homes; believers have been publicly insulted and humiliated simply because of their faith in Jesus.  Violent demonstrations and riots have occurred at Shabbat services; baptisms have been forced to be carried out in other places due to measures used by such anti-missionary groups.  Some of these situations have been taken to court, with mixed results.

Surely there are those amongst these groups that do fear God, while many are innocents caught up in a spiritual battle which they do not realize or understand.  Others are simply rabble-rousers who are willing to make trouble for a price.  We know that Saul – before he was Paul – was such a God-fearing Jew who was sent out by religious/political authorities to persecute the beginning church.  He did a good job!  Then one day, by the grace of the living God, Yeshua was revealed to him and he repented and believed, giving the rest of his life to suffer for the sake of the name of Him whom he had been blaspheming.  So, too, we believe that there are amongst these anti-missionary forces some who truly fear God and believe with all their heart that it is right that they oppose the Holy Spirit and the gospel.  And we also believe that God, in His lovingkindness, will also reveal to them the truth about His Son, and change their hearts and spirits to love the One they now hate without cause.  Meanwhile, the believers need to trust the Lord, loving Him above all things – even our own lives – and to grow more into the image of God through blessing those who curse us, praying for those who persecute us, loving our enemies – all this for the sake of Yeshua who died for our sins while we were His enemies, not knowing what we were doing.

Over the course of years in struggling for the right to be considered as Jews while accepting Jesus to be the Messiah and Savior, the Israeli Supreme Court has ruled against the legitimacy of that idea.  They base their judgment on historic precedents and perceptions:  that for a Jew to believe in Yeshua is to forsake Jewish identity and the Jewish people. (Jn 9:22; 12:42)

Religious and political interests which oppose the gospel have tried several times to change existing legislation, or to make new laws, which would further restrict the liberty to evangelize or preach the gospel to the Jewish people.  Thankfully these efforts have not yet succeeded, but the intent to do so is strengthening.  This is a matter for prayer that the Lord would prepare the believers to remain faithful to the Great Commission which He left us with to carry out until the end of the age.

Gentile Missions

What can Gentile groups do to engage in Jewish ministry?  Firstly….pray.  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; pray for reconciliation between Jewish and Arab believers; pray for Israel and the Jews to repent and return to their God through the only Way – Jesus – and so find true peace and security through the forgiveness of their sin.

As Gentile believers, the Holy Spirit has given inspired instructions for reaching out to Jews for their salvation.  The New Testament is based upon what was written in the Old.  Therefore, it is important to know the whole Bible when speaking to Jews about Yeshua, as they are usually ignorant of their own Scriptures, but in their souls they know that they speak to them as God’s chosen people.

The specific role of non-Jewish Christians is to provoke Israel to jealousy (Rom 11:11) by your humble and thankful relationship with the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob through knowing the truth about who Jesus is.  Gentile believers can express to the Jews that they love Israel and Jewish people because of their faith in Jesus as Messiah and the Savior whom God promised.

The Jewish person may not respond in a way or as quickly as hoped for.  The Apostle Paul teaches the necessity, therefore, of also showing mercy to them (Rom 11:30-32) because of the great mercy shown to you by God.  Gentile believers can also support Jewish ministry through financial gifts to the believers.  (Rom 15:26-27)  This helps the many Messianic believers who live near poverty levels to know they are loved and blessed by their brethren, and to enable them to maintain even a very modest level of living and to be freer to serve the interests of the Lord.  Too often well-meaning Christians want to “bless Israel” by donating money to Jewish institutions, some of which actually discriminate against the believers!  Should there be a desire to bless unbelieving Israel in this manner, then it is best to give first through the local believers, and allow them to give to suitable organizations in your name and in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This puts a local personal face of the Messianic/Christian community as the channel of blessing Israel.

 Finally, you can come as tourists and see for yourselves what God is doing with living stones!  Visiting the Holy Land makes the Bible a very personal book, as places and geography written about in the Holy Scriptures become familiar.  Jesus was born in Israel (Mt 2:20-21); He grew up and ministered in Israel; He was crucified, buried, and resurrected in Israel; this same Yeshua will return to Israel to establish God’s Kingdom on Earth!  Even so, come Lord Jesus! 

                                                                                             Article for www.comeandsee.com

Jesus knew that His Father loved Him because He always did that which pleased Him.  What will it take for God the Father to answer His Beloved Son’s prayer?:

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                                          9 Jan 2009

                                                                                             Article for www.comeandsee.com

Jesus knew that His Father loved Him because He always did that which pleased Him.  What will it take for God the Father to answer His Beloved Son’s prayer?:

“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your Word is truth.  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

“I do not pray for these [apostles] alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word (their teaching and preaching while they were still alive, and the New Testament writings we have that they wrote):  that they all (born-again believerss) may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.  And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one:  I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. . . .

“O righteous Father!  The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  And I have declared to them Your name (i.e., Father), and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

YHVH God, the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, is, by that very fact and truth, Sovereign over all things.  There is none like Him – never was nor ever will be – for nothing exists are was created and made except by and through Him.  Can the mortal human being, or any other created thing, comprehend such a thing!?  Certainly not!  But it is by faith we must believe that God IS, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, and it is through genuine faith in this one true God and in His Word – what He says – that we can begin to understand that what He reveals to us in His Word is truth.  The fear of YHVH is the beginning of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom.

We are living in Bible times!  Does not the Word and Spirit of God speak to us that we are towards the end of the last days?  Are not the Scriptures written for us, upon whom the end of the ages is come?  Are not prophecies being fulfilled today – both ‘pleasant’ ones and ‘unpleasant’?  The days of the Bible did not end 1900 years ago, but we are even now living in days which the prophets and apostles were given to see long ago!

I remember when I was an unbeliever that I would ask Christians why there is not peace if the Messiah/Christ had already come, if, as they say, Jesus is really the true Messiah whom the Jews have so far rejected but are supposed to believe in for salvation.  It is both tragic and amazing to me how those Christians had no clear answer for me!  Once I became a believer and was saved, I began to read the whole Bible as being the Word of God, and not as just some special book put together by men, nearly all of whom were Israelis (the exceptions being Job and Luke).

Once I began to read the Bible with faith that it IS God’s word, I also began to repent from some of my own thinking and started to believe what the Holy Spirit communicated from my Father in Heaven.  It was painfully clear that He and I had not been thinking alike on quite a number of things!  That included the issue of war and peace.  The Lord plainly says that even though Messiah has come [the first time; another one of those things where we had not thought alike], there will be not only rumors of war, but actual wars until the end – until the same Lord Jesus Christ comes again.  I read this in Daniel, in Psalms, in the ‘Olivet Discourse’, in Revelation. . .all right there “under my nose”!  The Scriptures give the simple and straight-forward answer to the often asked question, “Why isn’t there peace if the Messiah has come?”  And this applies to other often asked questions as well.

The present war in Gaza by Israel against Hamas has again brought to the surface the deep divisions within the Body of Christ, especially close at home here in Israel and in the Palestinian Authority.  Try as we may to be reconciled to one another, there are some serious underlying issues that we carry with us so long as we only do our best to understand, to forgive, to be forgiven, to “give it to the Lord”.  Clearly, something more is required which only the triune God can provide by His grace above and beyond our best desires and efforts.  Otherwise, if it were so simple for us to just engage in serious and heart-felt reconciliation ministry, we would take credit for that which required a true prayer in the Spirit by the only-begotten Son of God, who, even now, as the Son of Man for us at the right hand of the Father, intercedes for us (not for the world).

Yeshua/Jesus/Yasu is the only one who can heal these deep, deep wounds of our histories, of God’s sovereign will and choices, of our own particular experiences and perceptions of those histories, of our feelings of acceptance or rejection by God the Father Himself.  On the cross, Yeshua bore our sins and makes healing possible for our spirit, soul, and body.  HE has done it!

The Creator of the Heavens and the Earth is sovereign Lord of all.  Jesus tells us that He has received all authority from the Father over all things in this creation.  And there is war in the heavenlies, and on the Earth.  Should we who believe, despite all, not rejoice that our Lord and Savior is God of Hosts (Armies)?  He knows how to lead in battle and victory, despite serious and heavy losses on the way.  He has been there Himself. . .and overcome!

When we complain and murmur and falsely accuse, we are really saying that we do not like the way God manages and oversees His affairs.  Rather than us maturing into sons of God who can faithfully cooperate with Him in His business and be faithful witnesses as we represent Him in the world, we tend to let our own ‘wisdom’ and personal interests rise back up (although they are supposed to be reckoned as dead, crucified with the Lord when He died for us) when things get too difficult for us to understand or to explain to others without fear or embarrassment.  We revert too easily and quickly to our unredeemed and unsanctified viewpoints, rather than abide in God’s overall and far better viewpoint.

There is a peace which the world gives.  The only wise God and Savior tells us that the peace He gives is not the same, and not only within individual hearts of those who believe.  (Remember, Jesus says that He did not come to bring peace to the world, but a sword.  In the prayer of Jesus, He declares that those who come to saving faith are no longer of the world.)  The peace which Jesus wants to give also applies to nations and people groups.  For this, He is coming again, and in righteousness He judges and makes war! (Rev 19:11)  To be called sons of God for being peacemakers, or pursuers of peace, can only be so if it is the peace of Jesus that we are speaking about and acting upon.

As believers together in the truth of Messiah being Jesus, the Son of God the Father, we have been given authority to become children of God.  Our identity and unity are both fully realized IN Messiah, and not in our particular emphases – cultural or otherwise – on other subjects of great interest and importance to us within the vast treasures of God’s world that He has created and made.  Each of us has been given a calling and gift, and even perhaps a ministry.  We can tend to make what is given to ‘me’ the “most important”, while denigrating and diminishing that which the Lord has sovereignly chosen to give to others.  We are one body, but many members.  Christ is not divided.

What this current war in Gaza has brought out WITHIN THE BODY are strong sentiments based sometimes on one’s own interpretation of God’s plan, which, when false, leads brethren to ‘excommunicate’ others from even Heaven’s gates for those who do not see it their way. We all can try to justify ourselves, but God clearly tells us that all our own righteousnesses are as filthy rags!  That is why our unity is only truly found IN MESSIAH, in whom is all of God’s righteousness.

How can a Jewish brother, for example, say to any other Christian that, unless he understands and accepts God’s continuing purpose for Israel as a nation, he is not in the Body of Messiah, not saved!?  How can any Arab brother, for another example, say to any Jewish or other believer that, unless he is willing to nullify Israel’s legitimacy as a nation (which YHVH God for His own holy name’s sake has pre-determined to restore) in order to satisfy their sense of justice, he is not a true Christian?!

The perfect Father in Heaven is, if I may reverently say so, looking down at His squabbling adopted children, saying, “This one is My son/daughter, and this one is My son/daughter.  How can you be saying to each other that you are not my sister or brother!?”  Believers are commanded to love one another – those within the household of faith – in a higher way than we would love our own unsaved loved ones or people, or than we would love our enemies.  God also loves all these different ‘categories’ in ways that are only begun to be discerned once we believe and know the truth.  We are to love one another as Jesus has loved us.  He got pretty annoyed (but not in a sinful way) with His own people because of their unbelief. (Mt 17:17), yet He willingly gave His life for them/us all in His primary love for His Father.

What will it take for us to trust the Lord – in His holiness and wisdom and love – so completely that the work of the blood of the cross and the Holy Spirit in us brings us to that place where Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane at the peak of His testing and temptations:  not my will, but Yours, Father, be done?

What will it take for the Father to answer Jesus’ intercessory prayer for us?  I do not know, but I do know I want to be in the answer, overcoming the world in the joy of my Father and my Lord.  As Yeshua prayed, it is for the glory of the Father, and the Son, and those who become one together with and in Him.

                                                                  Published in Messianic Times June/July 2011 Issue 

Persecution of believers in Yeshua as Lord and Messiah, the Son of God, is not a new thing in Israel.  Rather, it is a phenomenon that has returned to Israel, for opposition to the gospel and persecution against those who believe the good news began in Israel already from the days since Yeshua was born.  (Mt 2)  Following this attempt to destroy the messianic hope in Israel at its inception, it ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                                     Feb 2011

                                                                  Published in Messianic Times June/July 2011 Issue 

Persecution of believers in Yeshua as Lord and Messiah, the Son of God, is not a new thing in Israel.  Rather, it is a phenomenon that has returned to Israel, for opposition to the gospel and persecution against those who believe the good news began in Israel already from the days since Yeshua was born.  (Mt 2)  Following this attempt to destroy the messianic hope in Israel at its inception, it surfaced again during the days of Yeshua’s ministry, threatening to excommunicate from the Jewish community (the synagogue) all those who would follow the Lamb of God. (Jn 9:22)  This persecution of the saints continued after the Holy Spirit was given to the first church. (Acts 4:17; 7:51-60)

As Stephen agreed with the words of Yeshua in that this opposition and irrational hatred began long before against the Holy Spirit, yet Stephen’s words as he was being stoned to death also demonstrate the power and the love of God within those who are so badly treated:  “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”

Throughout the last four decades, attempts by Jewish believers in Yeshua have failed to convince the “guardians of the religious identity of Israel” that one can believe in Yeshua, the Son of David, Son of Abraham, and still remain a Jew.  Jewishness has become defined as accepting historical rabbinic Judaism as the essence of what makes one ‘Jewish’.  Several court cases have been fought at the Supreme Court level, and never yet has a Jewish person (born of a Jewish mother) won a case for identity as it relates to Israel’s Law of Return for Jewish people to immigrate to Israel and receive entitlements as a Jew.

More recently, a case has been adjudicated by an Israeli Jewish believer, Penina Conforti, seeking a kosher certificate for operating a food business in Ashdod.  Although initially won at the Supreme Court level, the rabbinic authorities vehemently protested, saying that the issue is a religious matter and not one to be decided by civil authorities.  The Supreme Court then refused to grant the license unless the believer complied with regulations set by the rabbis.  This is fair enough, but the requirements placed on this believer in Yeshua to operate her bakery were more stringent than those applied elsewhere, thus not making one law for all.

Another recent case involved Nachalat Yeshua Messianic congregation in Beer Sheva, which sought a measure of legal justice in a civil court against the Chief Rabbi of their city, and against the national antimessianic organization, Yad L’Achim, which has set itself up as a vigilante protector of Jewishness.  The two defendants were involved in organizing a demonstration against the congregation – the second time such a large-scale protest had taken place against this group of believers by these same two parties.  The illegal demonstration of about 600 religious Jews resulted in a riot and aggravated trespass against the privately owned Christian property and against the believers there who had gathered for their regular worship service.  The civil court and secular judge ruled against the believers, stating that the two defendants acted responsibly to exercise their right and responsibility to protect Jewish souls (pikuach nefesh), and that neither was responsible for any of the illegal acts that occurred.  The congregation was ordered to pay the defendants a heavy penalty for having brought them to court.

There is still, at this time, the criminal case pending from an attempted murder in 2008 of a family of believers in Ariel.  Their teenage son, Ami, was very seriously injured from a bomb placed in what had looked like a Purim gift package left at their front door.  As of this writing, the courts have not determined whether the “Jewish terrorist”, as he has been described by the Israeli media, is mentally fit to stand trial and be held responsible for his crimes, despite his own admission of carrying out the murder attempt, plus other murders of two Palestinians that he did accomplish over the previous 12 years.  He claims that “God is pleased with what I have done”, as he acts out of his own worldview of what a Jewish Zionist state should be.  (Jn 16:2-4)  Democracy, in its normal understanding, is not a part of that vision, and neither are Palestinians or faith in Yeshua.

In Arad, the community of believers there have undergone seven years of constant harassment and trouble, with the help of the police and the mayors during those years.  Despite many totally false or exaggerated claims against the believers, the authorities continue to allow the sect of religious Jews, again assisted by Yad L’Achim, to persecute the believers in Yeshua.  (It is important to remember that scripturally, persecution begins with prejudiced antagonism against those who trust in the one true God.)

In nearly every case, media coverage of the Messianic faith and community is always mixed in the presentation of facts, and not necessarily representative of most of the Body of Messiah.  This need not be too surprising, since most of these journalists and reporters are not interested in making the faith in Yeshua attractive for Jewish people to seriously consider.

These are just a few samples of many instances to hinder the freedom of believers in Yeshua in Israel, along with many others denying or restricting visas to evangelical volunteers; turning back certain black-listed Jewish believers from entering the country; vandalizing property of believers and churches, even to the extent of burning and destroying; refusing to rent apartments to certain believers or to hire them for jobs.

A few points to keep in mind with respect to Jewish opposition to Yeshua and those who love Him: 

1.  “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for [the Gentiles] sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers” (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob). (Rom 11:28)  This remains true, and Israel demonstrates this in many ways, and, thankfully, so does God.

2.  Some of the persecution against the believers is done by God-fearing Jews (such as Saul/Paul was), and whether consciously or not, they are acting in accord with Dt 13, which speaks of how to treat  those who would lead Israelis away from YHVH God.  Since Yeshua was accused and crucified on the false charges that He was a false prophet and a blasphemer, then any of us who believe in and follow Him are worthy of condemnation as well, in their understanding.  It is a case of calling good evil; holy profane; the truth a lie.

3.  Denying a kashrut certificate to a believer is similar to forbidding a Gentile from coming into contact    with grapes once they are in the process of being made into wine.  This Talmudic/Rabbinic law would be based on Hag 2:13-14, which, in their determination is also applied to any Gentile or to an apostate from Judaism:  any [food] handled would be unclean and not considered acceptable (kosher).

4.  The two legislative restrictions regarding evangelism are reasonable:  no targeting of persons under the age of 18 (I would not want my own children targeted by what I perceived to be a false religion orcult.); no offering of material benefits for listening to or accepting the gospel message.  The efforts by extremists to forbid all forms of evangelism through legislation would be bad law, especially in what is supposed to be a democratic society.

5.  The Scriptures seem to clearly indicate that persecution will increase as the Day of the LORD nears. (Mt 24:9-14)

There is not one ‘opinion’ among the believers in Israel as to how best to react and respond to varying levels of persecution.  Each situation presents its own need to seek God’s will, for it is the honor of the name of Yeshua that is truly at stake. (Mt 5:11)  Yeshua is a  “sanctuary, but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel”, and is still “destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be spoken against.”  (Is 8:14; Lk 2:34)  

But an attack on one part of the body is an attack on all.  How are we as members of that one body to respond to the suffering of another?  When is action (Acts 24:10-21; 25:9-12) called for, and when is it only a matter of praise and prayer for the faith and boldness to continue in the face of all of the risks and threats? (Acts 4:17-31)  Peter also warns us not to “suffer as a . . .meddler in other people’s matters.  Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.  For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God!” (1Pt 4:15-17)

Many still do not know what they are doing, and the heart of the Father continually cries out through us:  “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.  For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Rom 10:1-2)

God has given responsibility and ... Continue reading]]> One of the names of the God of Heaven and Earth is YHVH of Hosts (Armies).  When the apostle John wrote (Jn 12:37-41) to us what Isaiah saw (Is 6), he reveals to us the Messiah – Yeshua/Yasu/Jesus – is YHVH of Hosts!  Our God has not changed, and continues to wage war, both in the heavenlies and on the Earth, at least until the Lord Jesus Christ returns to reign with righteousness and justice.

God has given responsibility and authority to human governments – even to unbelievers – to protect the innocent and punish the evil-doer.

 Rom 12:17-21 – 13:7   Neither our own past personal or national sins cancels out or disqualifies the present duty and responsibility of governments – which the Spirit tells us God Himself has ordained – to protect the general welfare of a people against internal criminals and against external enemies.

 It is wrong to execute personal vengeance.  God has established civil government to act against evil-doers in such a way as to deter future acts of evil.

It is not a sin, then, in this present evil world, for governments or its citizens to engage in war, but, in fact, may actually be an act of righteousness and love to protect the people.

1Tim 2:1-6   God recognizes that most leaders in authority are not born-again, and so commands believers to pray for all men, for kings and all who in authority. . .that they be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.

Even born-again leaders are in a dilemma:  how to govern a worldly nation according to the teachings of Messiah and the cross, when all the kingdoms of this world are opposed to the Kingdom of God?  The believer in prayer is also in somewhat of a dilemma:  not only may we suffer for righteousness’ sake, even though praying for our leaders and living godly lives, but the wisdom for our leaders, even if they are believers, may still fall far short of accomplishing a ‘good’ solution, no matter the outcome of war.

Believing and unbelieving leaders have been given by God a moral responsibility before God and for their nation to protect and defend its legitimate interests.  It is true that not all leaders ‘love’ their own people or their enemies.  Not all wars are justified by those who strike first.  God will judge, and He knows how and when to defeat a nation, and to raise one up victoriously.

All killing is not murder in God’s view, and godly people are sometimes in a situation requiring them to kill and to be killed in war – even innocent civilians are killed.  It is the intent and purpose of the killing that God will judge as merely killing or whether as murder.  Although very grievous, it is not sin in war when non-combatants or otherwise innocent people are killed if there was no deliberate intent or act to kill them without regard.  The Sixth Commandment, which Yeshua/Jesus confirms in His Sermon on the Mount, is “You shall not murder” (Lo tirtzach).

The use of force is sometimes necessary to achieve desired righteous results, and even to express love.  Parents are instructed by God to use the rod to chasten their children if they love them and if ‘talking’ was not enough. (Pr 13:24; 22:15)  Abraham, surely a man of peace, and called a friend of God, knew how to wage war to rescue his ‘brother’ Lot. (Gen 13)  God Himself, the perfect Father, must at times use strong measures when we who are His children do not properly respond to His grace.  He will also need to use strong and terrible judgments to teach the inhabitants of the world [His] righteousness. (Is 26:9)

When criminals and enemies transgress the accepted law beyond what is tolerable, civil governments have God’s delegated authority and approval – they are His ministers – to take up arms and to even kill.

If we who are born-again and have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us do not always use peaceable means to settle conflicts between believers, what should we expect from those who do not know the love of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ?!

War is a terrible reality of the present ages.  Yeshua won the war on the cross; most people have either not yet heard or believed the report.  More people have died since the ‘peace treaty’ was signed by God through their continued unbelief and open rebellion.  May many amongst the Arabs and the Jews come to know the love of the truth as it is in Jesus.

May He return in our own days, and cause war to cease!  Amen.

Much ‘blood has been spilled’ over the outcry of the “all the [Israeli Jewish] people” to Pontius Pilate washing his hands wishing to be “innocent of the blood of this just man”:  “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Mt 27:24-25)

In the sovereignty and wisdom of God, and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this Scripture is full of life and death, for “death and life are in the power of the tongue, ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                                      14 June 2011

Much ‘blood has been spilled’ over the outcry of the “all the [Israeli Jewish] people” to Pontius Pilate washing his hands wishing to be “innocent of the blood of this just man”:  “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Mt 27:24-25)

In the sovereignty and wisdom of God, and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, this Scripture is full of life and death, for “death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit”. (Pr 18:21) This publicly spoken word by the rulers and the common people had consequences which were not understood or foreseen when rashly uttered. (Acts 5:28)  When Adam disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, he had no idea really of what he was doing and the dreadful consequences of his action – that in him all future human beings would be starting out in life as sinners and dying!

Through the centuries the Jewish people have suffered much because of the irrational hatred toward Yeshua when He walked among us.  The Romans and other Gentiles have taken those words and, still wanting to wash their hands of their own evil part in the crucifixion of this ‘Just Man’, caused horrible suffering to the Jewish people and to the nation Israel because of this blood we have brought on ourselves as being guilty of rejecting the Son of God, and seeing to it that He was put to death on the tree. (Acts 2:22-39)  The ‘curse’ of blood-guiltiness turns into the ‘blessing’ of atonement when any Jewish person or Gentile repents and believes the good news of salvation through the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sin and sins.

I want to look again at this shout of ‘all the people’ in the light of God’s sovereign grace reigning through His righteousness.  The blood of Jesus will either forever cleanse those who love life that comes through confession of Yeshua as Lord, and believe with our heart that God has raised Him from the dead, or else it will bring eternal condemnation for those who love the fruit of refusing the goodness of the Father to bring us into His household and family.

God has dealt with Israel in a unique way among the nations in that He has cut covenants with her fathers, extending to their descendants, including a chosen king and priesthood; and ultimately, in the fullness of time when Messiah came, God cut a new covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah. (Amos 3:1-3; Rom 9:4-5; Jer 31:31; 33:17-25; Gal 4:4-5) The full meaning of these wonderful truths of the Creator and the Redeemer of the Heavens and the Earth will find their full expression only when the Lord Messiah returns to restore the Kingdom to Israel and over all the other nations.  This is crucial in the plan of God in order to fulfill all that is written in the Law and the Prophets, so fulfilling all the promises of God concerning all things. (Mt 5:17-19; Rom 15:8-9)  In the cutting of covenants – rather than merely ‘making’ a covenant – the shedding of blood is a vital part of the covenant in which a life has been sacrificed as the binding price of the ‘deal’.  And for our sins to be forgiven there must be the shedding of blood. (Lev 17:11)

At Sinai, the covenant with the Children of Israel from all of the twelve tribes was cut by the blood of oxen offered unto YHVH, God of Israel.  As Moses read the Book of the Covenant to all of the people, they said, “All that YHVH has said we will do, and listen to”.  Then Moses took the blood and sprinkled it on the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which YHVH has cut with you according to all these words.” (Ex 24:3-8)  With this covenant, YHVH and the People of Israel became forever joined in covenant union.  Israelis and Jewish people may come and go the way of all flesh, but the covenanted nation with the God of the covenant endures forever!  Anti-semitism is first and foremost against YHVH Himself. (cp Acts 9:1-5)

In Lev 16:32-34 and again in chapter 23:28-29, the LORD gives His people the opportunity to have their sins atoned for and removed in order that He might dwell among them as a holy people, justified by faith in the provided sacrifice for the forgiveness of their sinfulness.  This blood of the atonement was given upon the altar for all of the people and for all else that pertained to the whole religious and civil life of the nation.  Any Israeli that did not afflict his soul that day for what God did to grant him life would cut himself off from his people – he would no longer be part of the people because he refused the blood that was shed to provide forgiveness for all his sins he committed under the terms of the covenant made at Sinai, and the covenant cut with those just prior to their entry into the land of Canaan. (Dt 5:1-3)

This means of atonement by the blood on the Day of Atonements was everlasting, and was God’s means until Messiah came to offer Himself as a guilt offering for sinners. (Is 53:10; Heb 9:23; 10:12-14)   At the last Passover supper with His apostles, Yeshua spoke to them about His upcoming betrayal and suffering and death.  The cup of the New Covenant in His blood, shed for all of us, but first of all for the House of Israel and the House of Judah, is our constant reminder that Jesus is the covenant (Is 49:8) which God has cut with His people. (Lk 22:20)  He is the Lamb of God who was slaughtered as an acceptable sacrifice to God, and “His side was pierced with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out”. (Jn 19:34-35)

He is also the Scapegoat who willfully, in His innocence, bore all their/our sins, and is wrongfully blamed for all our woes.

When Caiaphas, the High Priest responsible that year, said to the religious leaders who were alarmed at so many of the Jewish people beginning to believe in Yeshua, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish”, the Holy Spirit inspired the apostle John to write:  “Now this he (Caiaphas) did not say on his own, but being High Priest that year he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” (Jn 11:49-52)  Caiaphas did not realize that he was actually prophesying!  But if God can cause a donkey to speak, he can certainly bring forth truth from a man, even one opposed or ignorant of His full intentions.  And being High Priest of the Israeli nation that year, the words of Caiaphas had power and authority, and his unintentional sin brought guilt upon the people. (Lev 4:3)

When all Israel accepted God’s covenant at Mt. Sinai with all its holy and righteous commandments, they did not realize what they were really committing to when they said, “Amen” to put themselves under the yoke of the Law.  When all the [Jewish] people cried out that the blood of Jesus should be on them and on their children, they did not realize the consequences and power the words from out of their heart and mouths would carry throughout the generations and millennia.

Praise God!  On the cross, our Savior, the Son of Man, called out to His Father – and the Father of Israel (Ex 4:22) – “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Lk 23:34)

Praise God!  In His own divine love and wisdom, and in His own faithfulness to His Word, His promises, His covenants – He had His priestly nation ‘sprinkle the blood of the New Covenant’ firstly upon themselves and their descendants! (Heb 7:27; Is 52:13-15)  The atonement has been provided for the whole House of Jacob, and the way was opened for the Gentiles to also be purified and brought near!  The covenants belong to Israel of the flesh (Rom 9:3-5).  Those who repent and believe receive the blessedness of God’s grace and favor.  The day is coming when all Israel – the full remnant from all the tribes who turn from ungodliness – will be saved and enter into the good of the New Covenant cut with them by the One whom they have pierced. (Rom 11:26-27; Zech 12:10-14)  They will afflict their souls and cease from all their works.  Those who still refuse His provided sacrifice will cut themselves off from their people and His people.  The blood of the Messiah which God promised to His people Israel has been shed for all people and nations everywhere at all times.  The Lamb was slain from before the foundation of the world, and all of God’s covenants are based upon His eternal plan of redemption. (Rev 13:8)

Praise God!  His will has been done, is being done, and will be done – on Earth as in Heaven.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!

The Temple is a: 

                              House of God– a dwelling place for the Father and his family

                             Throne room – King of Righteousness

                             Seat of judgment — Judge of Righteousness

                             Holy Place – glory and worship of God

Dt 12:11-14   the place where YHVH God chooses to make His Name abide.  There you shall bring all [of your offerings].

 Josh 18:1; Ex 25:40   the Tabernacle – made according to the Heavenly pattern – set ... Continue reading]]>                                                                                                                                                                        Tisha b’Av/9th of Av 

The Temple is a: 

                              House of God– a dwelling place for the Father and his family

                             Throne room – King of Righteousness

                             Seat of judgment — Judge of Righteousness

                             Holy Place – glory and worship of God

Dt 12:11-14   the place where YHVH God chooses to make His Name abide.  There you shall bring all [of your offerings].

 Josh 18:1; Ex 25:40   the Tabernacle – made according to the Heavenly pattern – set up in Shiloh      (for almost 400 years)

 2Sam 7:1-7,11,13   David wants to build YHVH a house; God says that He never spoke a word about that to anyone from the tribes of Israel.  The Son of David (not Solomon nor a son of Solomon, but of Nathan Lk 3:31) will build a house for God’s Name, and His throne will be established forever.

2Sam 24:16-25; 1Kg 3:15   Jerusalem the chosen place for the altar of sacrifice to YHVH

1Kg 5:5; 8:27   Solomon directs Hiram to build a house for the Name of YHVH God; the Shechinah Glory was in that Temple, which cannot contain the fullness of the God of the Universe!

Jer 26:6   YHVH declares through Jeremiah that He will destroy the Temple and Jerusalem

2Kg 25:8-9; Jer 52:12-14   the first Temple – the House of YHVH – burned and destroyed by     Babylonians in 586 BC

2Chr 36:22-23   Cyrus, King of Persia, commanded by YHVH God of Heaven to let Israelis return to the   Land of Israel and build another House of YHVH in Jerusalem

Hag 2:1-9   new Temple built, not as glorious as the first:  the Shechinah Glory was not there!  Destined to be greater than the first temple and to be filled with the glory of YHVH:  Yeshua was there!

Zech 7:4-7; 9:18-19   no more fasting for believers in Messiah on the 9^th of Av (the fifth Hebrew month), or in the month of Tishrei (the seventh month); all of these mentioned fasts(and in the 4th and 10th months) have to do with the destruction of the Temple, and the Babylonian invasion and captivity; Messiah Yeshua has brought days of rejoicing instead of mourning

Mt 24:1-2   Jesus prophesied the destruction of the 2^nd  Temple, which occurred in 70 AD

Jn 2:19-22   Jesus Himself the Temple in His own body

Mt 12:6   Jesus greater than the Temple

1Cor 6:19-20   born-again believers are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and we are to glorify God in our     body and in our spirit; sacrifices of thanksgiving, of praise; our bodies a living sacrifice

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Dan 9:27; Mt 24:15; 2Thes 2:3-4; Rev 11:1-2   the antichrist perverting the Temple of God

Ezek 43:4-12; Mal 3:3   millennial Temple in Jerusalem in the Land of Israel, God’s dwelling place in the midst of the children of Israel, Levites offering sacrifices in righteousness

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Rev 21:1-4,22-23   no physical Temple in the new heavens and new Earth, for YHVH God of Hosts and the Lamb are its Temple.  The glory of YHVH God fills His new creation; God will be all in all!

A miracle is what only God can do.  He may act providentially as He oversees the affairs of His creation, but when ... Continue reading]]> Pentecost Sunday — the day after the seventh Sabbath following the celebration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ — begins tomorrow in the morning light of day.  The life of believers in Yeshua as Messiah and Lord is a miracle of new spiritual birth, based upon the faith in the truth of the miracle that He rose from the dead. 

A miracle is what only God can do.  He may act providentially as He oversees the affairs of His creation, but when He intervenes to further His purposes He does so in a way that it is clear that He did it.  Those who oppose the one true God will always seek to find some natural explanation, but when the facts are looked at in detail, it becomes evident that a miracle occurred that only God could have accomplished.  The glory is His, not any created thing.

Shavuot/Weeks – Pentecost/50 Days marks the birthday of the Body of Christ, the Church.  On that day more than 2000 years ago, 120 Jewish Israeli disciples of the Messiah whom God brought through the Jewish people and first sent to them received the gift of the Holy Spirit:  the miracle of new birth, when God comes into repentant sinners who have placed their hope in Jesus and makes us a new creation.  From our human and creature limitations, the Creation of the Heavens and the Earth is a miracle; so, too, is the redemptive New Creation.  For God, it is ‘normal’; it is His glory being revealed and displayed.

God is still “commanding all people everywhere to repent.  For He has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man He has appointed.  He has given proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead”.  This good news has not changed; it is as relevant today as then.  Let us fear God and worship Him only.

Holocaust is a Greek word meaning “whole-burnt offering by fire”.  This is a term for one of the sacrifices offered unto YHVH God by Israel under the Law of Moses.  It is also the word used to describe ... Continue reading]]> This evening in Israel marks the beginning of Holocaust Remembrance Day.  The Holocaust of the Jewish people, in particular, by the Nazi regime during WWII is unique in its scale and impact.  There is really no other effort at genocide that compares historically.

Holocaust is a Greek word meaning “whole-burnt offering by fire”.  This is a term for one of the sacrifices offered unto YHVH God by Israel under the Law of Moses.  It is also the word used to describe the sacrifice of Jesus Christ/Yeshua the Messiah in His crucifixion. 

The sacrifice of approximately 6,000,000 Jews — unwilling though it was on their part — was the catalyst to move the principalities and authorities of the world to grant the Jewish people a sovereign homeland in Palestine/The State of Israel by a large majority in the United Nations in November 1947 — 30 years after the Balfour Declaration proclaimed by the British Government during WWI.

In our day and generation there is a growing movement in the world to de-legitimize the reality of the Holocaust — either by denying it altogether, or by minimizing its scale and scope, or else by making it comparable to other genocides.  This movement even has adherents among some Jews and Israelis and some Christians.  If the Holocaust can be de-ligitimized for what it was — despite all the evidence to the contrary — it helps in legitimizing the de-ligitimization of the “resurrection” of the State of Israel’s right to exist and its right to continue to defend itself.

About 2000 years ago, the Israeli Jewish people as a whole de-legitimized the uniqueness and impact of the “holocaust” of the Messiah, the Son of God.  By so doing, our people also continue until today to deny or minimize the reality of the actual and unique resurrection of Jesus, proof that God justified Him during His life and through His being put to death.

Just as the one true God is active today to bring His people Israel back to Himself through their repentance over our ultimate rebellion against Him, so, too, is the same God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob working to bring the nations to accept HIS JUSTIFICATION of the re-establishment of a nation of Jews back in the very land which He promised to those Fathers and to their descendants as an everlasting possession.  God’s long-suffering over His own beloved people is for the purpose of salvation, that many more would be saved by repentance and faith in His gospel.  This same attribute of our God is working to bring salvation to many more Gentiles, i.e., non-Jews/Israelis, and to bring both Jews, Christians, and nations to fear Him who alone forgives sins.

The salvation of all depends on their relationship to Jesus Christ, and is connected in some measure to their relationship to the least of His brethren.  (I will leave that an open comment.)  The inheritance which the God of Israel offers to nations is connected to the salvation of ‘all’ Israel, His first-born among the nations.  There are others which will become His, but not without the first-born.

Holocaust Remembrance Day offers much to chew and to meditate on.  Yeshua Messiah is Lord of all history, and He is the Keeper of His people — both of the flesh, and also of the Spirit.

Beyond that, though, YHVH demonstrated by His great power that He alone is the one true God.  He defeated all the gods of Egypt, and showed Pharoah and the people that none of their so-called gods can compare with YEHOVAH, the Creator of the ... Continue reading]]> Today is Passover in Israel.  Most Jewish people around the world remember that YHVH delivered His people Israel out of slavery in Egypt to bring them liberty to serve Him in the promised Land of Canaan. 

Beyond that, though, YHVH demonstrated by His great power that He alone is the one true God.  He defeated all the gods of Egypt, and showed Pharoah and the people that none of their so-called gods can compare with YEHOVAH, the Creator of the Heavens and Earth, and the Redeemer and Deliverer of His people out from the nations!  Jesus Christ has been given all authority by the Father – by virtue of His crucifixion and resurrection from among the dead – of things in Heaven, things on the Earth, things under the Earth and in the seas.  Jesus Christ is LORD!  The Lamb of God is risen indeed!

History has a way of repeating itself, perhaps with different clothing but with the same inner essence.  There is nothing new under the sun.  As the Jewish people at the time of Yeshua’s first coming wanted the Messiah to give them dominion now over their enemies and the nations, so too do many Christians today, as the day of Christ’s return nears, want Him to grant them the kingdom now as if His coming is either delayed or irrelevant.  Even those closest to Jesus, such as Judas Ishcariot, one of the apostles, seemed to be motivated in his betrayal by the desire to rule on his own terms what he clearly undestood to be God’s promises.  Judas took a truth and misapplied it.  Yeshua/Jesus Himself will come to restore the Kingdom of God back to Israel and over Israel and the nations.

But, in the meantime, there is a kingdom which we have been given authority to rule:  The Kingdom of God is within you.

It is written in Proverbs that “one who controls his/her own spirit is stronger than one who takes a city”!  Part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control/self-government.  Why should God give us control over other people and nations when we have not yet learned to control ourselves — our appetites, our tongues, our greed, our stubbornness, our anger, our presumptuousness?! 

God does not intend to give over again to sinful men dominion over the works of His hands, and Adam and Eve were not given dominion over other humans.  (Even though born-again believers are justified through faith, we still have our old man contending with the Spirit of God within us, and, sadly but true, we do find ourselves giving into it at times.)  The Son is still bringing many others into the Father’s household to give us together who are His the privilege of ruling and reigning with Him.  “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection.  Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”    We, by His grace, shall reign WITH JESUS, not instead of or apart from His actual return and presence, or of our own personal bodily resurrection. 

There is for us a present kingdom and dominion:  control our self!  “…reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves alive to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.    For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

After the power and signs and wonders of the Passover; after the power and signs and wonders of the cross:  Does the Lord Jesus Christ reign in your heart and mind?

In an article published April 1 in the online JWR (Jewish World Review), ... Continue reading]]> In recent days there have been interesting items in the news and opinion pages, which we as believers in Israel would do well to heed as realistic attitudes.  One is a survey of Israeli young people; the other a couple of paragraphs of an insightful commentary by Caroline Glick.  She found it pertinent to express her views about Messianic Jews in her article concerning a Jewish problem.

In an article published April 1 in the online JWR (Jewish World Review), “Jewry’s Jewish Problem”, Caroline Glick, whose commentaries I generally find to be very incisive, makes use of her perception – and that of most Jewish people everywhere – regarding Messianic Jews to make her point.  Here is an excerpt from the article:  

According to the AJC and Brandeis surveys, less than ten percent of American Jews tend to accept the Arab line against Israel. Given the wall to wall support for Israel among American Jews, why do American Jewish organizational leaders refuse to do what their members want them to do? Why are they taking Jewish communal funds to finance activities and causes that are offensive to the Jewish community? Why are they pretending that the call to end communal funding for anti-Israel activities is a call for an abrogation of free speech?

To get a sense of how unprecedented this is, it is useful to consider the American Jewish community’s response to Jews for Jesus. While Reform and Orthodox rabbis agree on almost nothing relating to Jewish laws and practices, since the emergence of Jews for Jesus in the 1970s, Reform, Conservative and Orthodox rabbis have been unified in their rejection of the Christian missionary group’s protestations of being Jewish.

Everyone understands that while Jews have a perfect right to change their religion, they have no right to force the Jewish community to accept Christians as Jews. That is they have no right to change the definition of Judaism to include people who worship Jesus. So-called Messianic Jews falsely call themselves Jews to undermine the community from within. But no Federation feels compelled to invite a representative of so-called Messianic Jews to proselytize on stage as part of a panel discussion in order to “welcome multiple voices.” Hillel organizations have rightly refused space and funding to Messianic Jewish groups.

But today, American Jews find themselves helpless when a marginal group of anti-Zionist Jews demands —like the Messianic Jews of their day—communal funding and space for their anti-Israel activities.

The anti-Zionist groups make the same arguments as the Messianic Jews. They call themselves pro-Israel even as they engage in activities aimed at harming, defaming, weakening and delegitimizing the Jewish state. They claim that refusing them communal funds constitutes a violation of their free speech rights.

Yet while communal leaders did not hesitate to call the so-called Messianic Jews’ bluff, they cannot find the way to expunge anti-Israel groups from their umbrella organizations. The explanation for this behavior apparently is apparently social. Federation leaders don’t mind disappointing evangelical Christians. But most of their friends are leftist. Consequently, the perceived social cost of taking action against groups like Theater J, J Street, B’Tselem, Breaking the Silence and Jewish Voices for Peace is too high for many American Jewish leaders to bear.

As a present election of grace, we Jewish believers in Jesus are a proof of God’s faithfulness to His covenant promises to His people, and we establish the truth that Jesus says He has come to fulfill all that is written in Moses and the Prophets.  We are not here to impose His Kingdom before the time, but rather to call people out to Him now, and be spared the wrath to come.  What the Jewish Israeli apostle to the Jews preached to all the people of Israel after he was baptized by the Holy Spirit at Shavuot/Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago still remains the essential message of God to His largely unrepentant people.

The other article of interest shows the attitudes of young Israeli people to what they perceive as the most important issues facing the county:

A survey carried out by a German foundation finds Israel’s youth has become more nationalist and does not expect peace. Some 1,200 Jewish youths and 400 Arab youths (not from the Palestinian Authority-controlled areas and not between the ages of 18 and 21) were polled. The survey shows that a third of Jewish youth in Israel say Judaism is the most important goal for the State of Israel – up from only 18% a year ago. Only 14.3% of Jewish youth said democracy was Israel’s most important objective. Over 40% of the Jewish youth identify politically with the nationalist parties, with another 20% expressing solidarity with the “moderate” right-wing. Only 11.5% identify with the left-wing. Among Arab youth, 35% said they “don’t know” their political affiliation – approximately four times more than in the Jewish sector.  Some 41% of the Arab youth said their most important goal was to build a happy family, and 3% said it was to contribute to society.  Among Jews, it was 65.5% and 8.5%, respectively. Nearly three-quarters of Jews felt that security concerns must “always” or “nearly always” take precedence over ideals of democracy if they clash. (INN)

There is a revival of religion and nationalism around the world.  When these two combine –  together with fear, envy, and hatred — an explosive and unprecedented outbreak of violence can be expected.  May the Lord help us “be still, and know that He is God”.

Praise the Lord for the neighbors, and the other residents who joined with them to protest against the religious oppressors!  This is what we need to see more of in Israel if there is going to be a breakthrough in the ranks of those in control:  local, Hebrew-speaking, ordinary Israelis — and those not so ordinary — ... Continue reading]]> The demonstration in Arad took place, and Channel 1 news covered it.  Here is a link, which also has English sub-titles: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnR6DYmHdOI

Praise the Lord for the neighbors, and the other residents who joined with them to protest against the religious oppressors!  This is what we need to see more of in Israel if there is going to be a breakthrough in the ranks of those in control:  local, Hebrew-speaking, ordinary Israelis — and those not so ordinary — standing up and speaking out against the baseless taunts and accusations of the opposers of the believers, who represent that which is good and right in the truth of our Lord and Messiah.

in English

While this reflects favorably on the Israeli system of law — that no one is officially above it — it also demonstrates the sad state of affairs in a country which would allow such a man to rise to such a position of power and influence over a period of ... Continue reading]]> Yesterday, the eighth and former President of the State of Israel, Moshe Katzav, was convicted as a rapist, sexual harasser, perjurer, and an obstructer of the judicial process.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=201648 

While this reflects favorably on the Israeli system of law — that no one is officially above it — it also demonstrates the sad state of affairs in a country which would allow such a man to rise to such a position of power and influence over a period of many years.  Not only is rape, sexual harassment, and adultery too often dismissed in this generation and society — placing many victims into the position of feeling like the perpetrators, which sometimes may also be the common truth — but a nation which has been called and chosen by the Creator and Redeemer of the Heavens and the Earth to be a holy people continues to dimly reflect this reality.

It is often said that Israel is called to be a “light to the Gentiles”, but the Scriptures actually show that the Messiah Himself — the true Servant and Elect One who embodies all that Israel is to be — HE is the One given as the Light:

Is 42:6-7   I, YHVH, have called You in righteousness, and will hold Your hand;  I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people (Israel), as a light to the Gentiles; to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the prison house.

Is 49:5-6   And now YHVH says, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of YHVH, and My God shall be My strength), indeed He says, ”It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the Earth”.

The whole of the Bible shows clearly the spiritual condition of God’s people — whether Israel/Jews or the Church/Christians –  and our need of repentance unto salvation and/or unto humble obedience in the fear of God.  Israel’s democracy is flawed, as are others who consider this form of government to be the ideal.  Yet God has not called Israel to emulate the Gentiles, but to be a kingdom of priests, and to return unto His righteous rule, with YHVH Himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshua the Messiah) being her King in truth.  The ignoble conviction of Israel’s “Public Citizen #1″ only further testifies to that.

Israel is in need of new birth, not merely correction and fixing.  She is in need of healing, not outwardly and physically only, but inwardly and spiritually.  She needs a new heart and a new spirit, even the Spirit of the God and Savior who still loves her for His holy name’s sake, and for the sake of the fathers — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel.

Israel’s reflection of the true light is dim indeed:  she has preferred the works of darkness, rather than come to Him who is the True Light, whose life is the light of men.  All of her contributions to the benefit of the world’s peoples are as dead works, since they are done for her own praise and not for the praise of Him who has enabled her.  The former glory is fading and passing away, that the true glory may shine in its eternal fullness!

2Pt 1:19   And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

Yesterday’s harsh verdict against the former Israeli President, Moshe Katzav, is a self-indictment:  we can not save ourselves however we may wishfully hope.  God has made it profoundly simple:  there is only one name by which anyone can be saved — Yeshua/Jesus!  Thank God for His love and faithfulness to keep His covenants, and may this next year see many more Gentiles and Jews come to His Light, shining like the sun in its strength.

The ‘modern’ calendar for the whole world till now is centered around the person of Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua).  The all-encompassing ”creative” year begins in Winter around the ... Continue reading]]> The one true living God has left His witness in every place, including in His sovereignty over times and nature.  The universe at large, and our unique solar system set within it, both bear witness to His Godhead and plans, to His times and His seasons.  (Gen 1:1-19; 8:22; Ps 19:1-6; Jer 31:35-37; 33:25-26)

The ‘modern’ calendar for the whole world till now is centered around the person of Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua).  The all-encompassing ”creative” year begins in Winter around the season of His birth into the world and His circumcision, testifying to Him being the first-born of creation, and of coming in the flesh as a Jew. (Col 1:15-17; Lk 2:21-24)  The “redemptive” year – which YHVH gave to Israel for a testimony – is set within the overall created order, and begins in the Spring, during the season of Yeshua’s death and resurrection, upon which foundation our salvation is grounded through faith.  This newness of life which the Spring proclaims testifies to Yeshua being the first-fruits from among the dead (1Cor 15:12-23).

As the birth of Messiah came during the darkest and bleakest time of year, He also came as the Light of the world, with each day increasing its light in the hope of a ‘better and cheerful Spring’.

The believer in Jesus can rejoice in all of God’s wonderful works, from the beginning of the year through to the end.  His Word and His Spirit have given us to know and understand the times in which we live, and the signs of His coming.

Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, goodwill toward men!  This is still the acceptable year of the LORD; Today, if you will hear His voice, is the day of salvation!

What alerted me to be concerned was an internet article sent out by someone (with an Arab name) which took some of the facts of the case, and turned ... Continue reading]]> An arson attack was carried out a few nights ago on the Christian and Missionary Alliance center in Jerusalem.  There were people inside sleeping during the attack.  I was able to meet with them when they came down to Beer Sheva on Sunday for a work project at HaMaKoM Bible House. 

What alerted me to be concerned was an internet article sent out by someone (with an Arab name) which took some of the facts of the case, and turned it into a propaganda attack against Israel for the plight of Christians here.   The CMA owns the two properties in Beer Sheva which are of special importance to us:  HaMaKoM Bible House, and the ‘Old House’, which is where Nachalat Yeshua Congregation meets and carries out other ministry.

While the explosives which were sent out of Yemen headed, apparently, for synagogues in Chicago, in the U.S., received much Israeli and world-wide coverage, the actual attempt to destroy a Christian church building, with sleeping people inside, in the heart of Jerusalem has, to the best of my knowledge, gone virtually unreported.

Pray for the salvation of Jewish people, of the Arab people, and for the thoughts and intentions of the heart of believers caught up in the conflict.  There will be a prayer meeting in Jerusalem at the CMA center on Saturday night.

In praying for the peace of Jerusalem, please know that only the coming again of Yeshua is going to settle once and for all the lack of peace there and everywhere else.

There is a wave of deception entering from without and working within the “Church” connected with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven to judge the nations and to establish His righteous reign over Israel and the rest of the world.  Many professing believers/Christians — and some are truly so — are ... Continue reading]]> This news is not new!  It is also good news for those who love His appearing!  It is the same “old” news!  It remains current news!

There is a wave of deception entering from without and working within the “Church” connected with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ from Heaven to judge the nations and to establish His righteous reign over Israel and the rest of the world.  Many professing believers/Christians — and some are truly so — are re-defining terms to interpret the Word of God to be saying what He isn’t, or else to not be saying what He is.  The spirit at work in this seeks to de-legitimize both Israel and the gospel in their uniqueness; to make what God calls “new” (as in New Covenant and new creation) only something re-newed or re-cycled; and to weaken doctrinal support not for these only, but also for the hope of the literal and personal return of the same Yeshua/Jesus who ascended in bodily form to sit at the right hand of the Father until the time appointed.

The gospel/good news goes out to “whosoever” from whatever nation and group of people.  God is working to save whosoever repents and believes His good news concerning repentance and faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, and the free gift of eternal life to all who truly believe.  Any consequential transformation of a society or a culture is only in part and definitely temporary.  Only the return of the Lord to establish the Kingdom of God on the Earth is going to permanently change this situation at a universal level.  Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is working to bring as many as will to have part in the better resurrection, which is the first resurrection, which is far better than merely entering the Millennial Kingdom in the flesh for those of Israel and of other sheep nations who come through the great tribulation without giving themselves over to the antichrist, and upon whom Yeshua will show mercy and compassion at the end of the age.

To make this as simple as possible:  as long as Satan is the god of this world, then the world is not going to be transformed to a degree satisfactory to YHVH God and His Son; and as long as Israel — His chosen people and nation — remains an enemy of the gospel, then the God of Israel is not going to be satisfied with any lesser transformation.  Both of these conditions will prevail until the coming again of Yeshua, and thank God that the Father has set a time for this!

Therefore, it is for true believers not to lose sight of the blessed hope as we go about being light, salt, and a fragrance in the world in the faith, hope, and love that more individuals will have their own heart and minds transformed by that which is the power of God to save:  the gospel.  In God’s Kingdom, every part will be holy in order that all is holy.  It appears that the elect are going to be more and more “hid with Messiah in God”, and not be the most vocal and visible, or high profile, or most popular, or even most ‘influential’.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH!

It is still summer, and not only is Israel still not saved, but the summer-time-clock has ended, and we are back on standard time.  With all the different time zones and arbitrary time changes, Yeshua knew what He was saying when He said that we can not know the day and hour of His coming!  Praise God that He knows how to keep His own time!!

An interesting survey taken by the Israeli ... Continue reading]]> Greetings in the goodness of our God.

It is still summer, and not only is Israel still not saved, but the summer-time-clock has ended, and we are back on standard time.  With all the different time zones and arbitrary time changes, Yeshua knew what He was saying when He said that we can not know the day and hour of His coming!  Praise God that He knows how to keep His own time!!

An interesting survey taken by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics was published today in the Israeli newspapers, which shows that more Israelis are becoming more religious.  Less than half the population – 42% -  (according to survey statistical measurements ) consider themselves secular.  Most of those surveyed say that they have become “more religious” than they had been before.  The survey broke down the Jewish people into 5 categories:  ultra-orthodox; religious; traditional-religious; traditional, but not religious; secular.

Just yesterday, I was speaking with a new believer about how there is religious revival all around the world in all the religions.  Acts 17:26-31  “And [God] has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the Earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own [Greek] poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’  Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.  Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from among the dead!”

True and full repentance and revival comes when people come back to the living God Himself, and this is only through His Son, the Lord Yeshua Messiah/Jesus Christ.  There are many ways to come to Jesus; but there is only one way to come to the Father.

The verses quoted above gave me another way of thinking what it means to take the gospel “to the Jew first, and then to the Greeks” (which is the actual Holy Spirit inspired word in the text, not ‘Gentiles’), or that the gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to the Jew first, and also of the Greeks”.  Not everyone necessarily meets or knows or has an opportunity to witness to an actual Jewish person, or to a Greek.  But everyone — and every believer — does know in their own cultures those who are “religious”, and who think that they are more righteous than those who are not; and also those who “philosophize” and “politicize”, who consider the creation and possibility of “gods” or “a god”, but have no “Rock” to stand on.  (I am speaking very generally here.)  It seems that those to whom the gospel first goes are to these “religious, whose righteousness is of law”, and to those who think on “eternal” things, but do not have a rudder to keep them on a steady and clear course.  These “Jews” and “Greeks” have a sense of a “Judge”, a concern for accountable government,  and a hope to attain the world to come by their “good works” and traditions, and by their “good ideas, worldly wisdom, and politics”.  Each in some measure have a fear of God, even if He is unknown to them personally, but hope that should He actually exist, that He would find favor with them.

But even the actual Jewish people have to repent and be born-again through saving faith in Yeshua; even Cornelius — a God-fearing [Roman] military man —  had to learn the way of salvation through the God of Israel’s Messiah for the Jews, and also for the “good person”; and Paul felt the unction to reveal the true and personal God to the Greeks who only knew of Him as a rumor.  And the issue has to do with Jesus coming again to judge the world in righteousness!  Hallelu-Yah, say all the saints! 

Turning to religion is a step in the right direction for some people, and a falling away for others.  The religious spirit is opposed to the liberty which comes to those whose faith is anchored in the truth of the gospel.  The gospel is neither Jewish nor Greek; it is neither religious nor political nor military; it is neither right nor left.  May we see many more of the Jews and of the Greeks, and also of those “who were not initially invited”, come into the Father’s house!

This week, the Jewish people are preparing for the holiest day of the year in Judaism — the Day of Atonements.  In the survey, most of the Israelis, including the secular, go to the synagogue on that day, if they ever go at all.  My family did the same as we grew up in Conservative Judaism in the U.S.  Let us pray for their eyes to be opened, and their hearts to be stirred.  In the wonderful sovereignty of God and the authority which Yeshua has over His own countrymen, the Book of Jonah is read in the synagogues on Yom Ha-Kippurim (The Day of Atonements)!  Yeshua said that Jonah — a prophet from the Galilee —  is the only sign He would give them to prove who He is!  Our Lord and God reigns, even in Israel!

God bless you all, and praise Him that our names are already written in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Heaven!

This year we have experienced here in Israel an assault on essential truths of the faith which we have received through the Scriptures.  Our Father in Heaven is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth, and the enemy is seeking to deceive believers – the elect – if it were possible.

The Feast of Dedication (Hanukah) reminds us of the battle within Israel amongst ... Continue reading]]> Jude 3 – contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints

This year we have experienced here in Israel an assault on essential truths of the faith which we have received through the Scriptures.  Our Father in Heaven is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and truth, and the enemy is seeking to deceive believers – the elect – if it were possible.

The Feast of Dedication (Hanukah) reminds us of the battle within Israel amongst the Jewish people over the worship of God in the Temple.  This was about 160 years before Jesus was born.  The LORD helped the Macabees win the victory to re-establish the worship of God according to the truth as understood under the Law and the Prophets.  But the Macabees, too, were but men like us, and before long, the decline reached to the point of no return.  There remained a remnant that sought true freedom, not only from the Roman powers which the Macabees invited into Israel, but freedom to worship God with all their hearts, soul, mind, and strength, and to see Israel redeemed from all her unrighteousness.

A greater than the Macabees has come, and He is also greater than the Temple.  Jesus came into Israel, and into the world which He made, in order to re-dedicate the true worship of the one true God, and to establish the Kingdom of God in the hearts of any who would believe.  It required His death and resurrection and ascension to make this reality in those who have been born again by the Holy Spirit.  Yet the same battle rages today within the Church, the Body of Messiah, as in the days of the Macabees.

I want to look at a few of the issues that we must earnestly contend for in faithfulness to the New Covenant and the revelation of Jesus Christ:

Ex 20:6; Mt 10:37-39; 22:36-40 the Deity of Jesus: we must love Him with all our heart; He is LORD

Rom 10:14; Mt 10:28-33 Evangelism:  we must confess His blessed name to others that they may be saved

Mt 16:15-17; 1Jn 2:20-26,28 Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God

1Jn 4:1-6; Jn 5:18-20; Lk 3:38; Mt 1:1 Jesus Christ came in the flesh: He is the Son of God; He is the Son of

Man:  He is the Judge (God is the Judge)

Acts 1:9-11; Lk 9:26 The Lord Jesus Christ is coming again in the body

Jn 14:6; 1Jn 5: 4-5,9-13 Jesus is the only way to God the Father

Heb 6:2; Rev 20:10-15; Mt 25:41-46; Mk 9:42-48; Dan 12:1-2; Is 66:22-24 Everlasting judgment and condemnation for those who will not to believe

To love God is to obey Him.  To love others is to keep the commandments of God.  For us to worship God the Father in spirit and truth, and to love others as we love ourselves, we must uphold these truths of the faith once delivered unto the saints.  The Lord’s Supper is a constant reminder of the shed blood of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin until He comes again.

Lev. 10:3 By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be honored.

Eph 2:11-12 As we continue to let the Tabernacle in the Desert instruct us of God’s pattern for us to approach Him in prayer, the passage from Ephesians notes “the middle wall of separation”, which separated Israel from the other nations.  God in ... Continue reading]]> Priorities in Prayer:  The Wall of Separation He’s Broken Down

Eph 2:11-22

Lev. 10:3 By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy, and before all the people I must be honored.

Eph 2:11-12 As we continue to let the Tabernacle in the Desert instruct us of God’s pattern for us to approach Him in prayer, the passage from Ephesians notes “the middle wall of separation”, which separated Israel from the other nations.  God in His wisdom separated the people He had chosen and called to Himself from the surrounding heathen peoples of the world in which they lived.  In spiritual reality, the gentiles then were without Messiah, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.  Israel/the Jewish people are in a similar spiritual condition as the gentiles then, but there is a difference:  Israel is still the nation chosen by God, even if there is a willful collective amnesia regarding that and its significance.

But we remember (Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets) that YHVH spoke the gospel to Abraham when He promised him that, through him, ALL the families of the Earth would be blessed (Gen 12:3).

v. 13-15 But NOW in Messiah Jesus, those who were once far off – spiritually and physically – have been brought near by the blood of    Messiah.  He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, having broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His FLESH the enmity, the law of commandments in ordinances, so as to create in Him ONE NEW MAN from the two, making peace.

NOW, both Jews and all other peoples have access into the court of God’s people, since Jesus died for ALL, and God’s salvation through the forgiveness of sins is offered to ALL (Day of Atonements).

v. 16-17 Jesus came to die that He might reconcile them both to God in ONE BODY through the cross (the altar), thereby putting to death the enmity.  Jesus came and preached peace both to those far and near.

How can born-again redeemed Jews be hostile towards the gentiles when once we realize and appreciate that Messiah, the Son of God, died for my and our sins!     How can the gentile Christians remain hostile to Israel and the Jewish people when once they realize and appreciate that, in God’s sovereignty and grace, Israel’s promised Messiah has been shown to be the Savior of the whole world, and given gentiles access to the true living God!

v. 18-19 Through Jesus we both have access by one Spirit to the Father – both in our relationship as sons and daughters, and also in our prayers.  Both Jewish and gentile believers are fellow citizens of God’s Kingdom and members of His family, His household.  All persons, whether or not believers, have been redeemed to God by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and this speaks to the reality of the broken down wall of separation.

As we have noted before,  entry into the Holy of Holies –representing symbolically the spiritual reality of Heaven, God’s dwelling place – brings us to God the Father, which Jesus opened up for all believers through the veil, that is, His flesh – firstly by His birth, but foremost by His death on the cross.

v. 20-22 We are being built together as a holy temple in the Lord for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Inwardly, this speaks of the cross and the crucified life being grasped hold of in the life of the born-again believer, in the power of the resurrection, of an endless life unto God, who has cut for us each the New Covenant by forgiving us our sins.  In these things there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, free nor slave, rich nor poor, but rather a new creation.

1Cor 10:17 one bread; one body; priestly intercession for all the Body of Messiah, whether Jew or Gentile

Lev 23:17 two loaves; with leaven.   Shavuot (Weeks) looks ahead to the day when the middle wall of separation and the enmity between God and man, and between Israel and the nations, was broken down by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and God’s Spirit being given to all who believe on Him.

Lev 23:37-43   v.41 – temporary:  statute forever in your generations, but God with His people continuing everlasting

Last week we spoke about the fire offering to the God which speaks of the purity of our lives which the LORD requires of His people.  Jesus baptizes us with fire to purify us and to make us suitable as His holy and pure bride.  This has been God’s ... Continue reading]]> Keeping YHVH’s Feasts:  Rejoicing in God’s Word

Lev 23:37-43   v.41 – temporary:  statute forever in your generations, but God with His people continuing everlasting

Last week we spoke about the fire offering to the God which speaks of the purity of our lives which the LORD requires of His people.  Jesus baptizes us with fire to purify us and to make us suitable as His holy and pure bride.  This has been God’s heart – His thought and intention – from the day He created man in His image and likeness; in other words, for seven days, or throughout time.

Forever here in v. 41 means till the end of time, whether personally until one dies, or whether historically until time ends.  For it says here in these and other verses that we are to celebrate seven –even eight—days in the seventh –and other—months.  It all speaks of TIME and SEASONS, yet we know from the Word of God that in the new heavens and new earth time will be no more.  ETERNITY has no time:  no sun and moon; no day and night for those who will live in the Presence of God forever and ever!

But this brings us to that which does not pass away with time:  the very Word of God it(Him)self.  The Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself is the Word of God, says, “Till Heaven and Earth [this creation] pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled” (Mt 5:18); and again, “Heaven and Earth [this creation] will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (Mt 24:35)

The Scriptures speak briefly of what will be after time – in the new creation:

1Cor 2:9; Is 64:3 (4 Eng) – “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Rev 21:1-8 “Now I saw a new heavens and a new Earth, for the first heavens and the first Earth had passed away.  Also there was no more sea.  Then I, [Howard], saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people.  God Himself will be with them and be their God.  And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’  Then He who sat on the Throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’  And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’  And He said to me, ‘It is done!  I am the Alpha (Aleph)and the Omega (Tav), the Beginning and the End.  I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.  He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.  But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.’ “

As believers in God through Jesus, we as children of God our Father are expected to uphold the truth of God’s Word (Jude 1-4).  Jewish people today in synagogues around the world are finishing and beginning anew the reading of the Torah.  Jesus says that He is the beginning and the End.  Do we believe what God reveals through the Bible about the beginning of this creation?  If not, can we say that we really believe what He says about the end of this creation and of things afterwards?

The first appointed time given by YHVH God is the Sabbath (Lev 23:1-3).  Israel was commanded to keep the Sabbath holy as a reminder that YHVH God is Creator and Redeemer (Ex 20:11; Dt 5:15).  The Sabbath was given to Israel as a sign of the covenant with YHVH God (Ex 31:13,17).  A sign points somewhere or to something.  Every week Israel is to keep the seventh day as a testimony of who the true God is and what He Himself says that He has done:  created the heavens and Earth in six days, and He rested on the seventh.  We are to deny ourselves, not to lean on our human understanding or knowledge, but humbly as children hear, believe, and obey what our God and Father says about any and all things.  WE ARE TO REJOICE IN GOD AND IN HIS WORD!  From beginning to end!  John says that those who are of the world do not hear Moses and the prophets and the apostles.  Those who are of God do hear and speak what they have seen and heard (1Jn 1:3;  4:4-6).  There is a tremendous spiritual battle going on both without and within the household of God’s covenants – Israel and the Church – to deny the truth of the Bible and its authority.  We are to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints.  God’s Word does not change; neither does He.  Therefore, Israel is not destroyed, nor the Church.  For those who overcome and rejoice in God and keep His commandments, we can KNOW that the same Jesus who ascended up into heaven will again return to fulfill all that is written regarding all things for all time.

Jesus died on the cross as a seal upon God’s Word to perform it.  Let us honor Him and His death by rejoicing in the Word of God our Father.  The truth sets us free to glorify God even as Jesus glorified Him.  He suffered and was rejected because He trusted in God and upheld His Father’s will and purposes.  As we rejoice in Him, He will rejoice in us.  The Feast of Booths speaks of God’s Kingdom – of God’s presence in the midst of a holy and purified people.  The Sabbath is the day which belongs to Him, and His Kingdom and His rest will continue throughout eternity, beyond time, never to be relinquished again.  Come, Lord Jesus.

There are well-meaning dear brothers and sisters in Messiah who do not celebrate the birth of the Savior at this time of year.  They have their reasons for this, just as I once did.  The danger, however, is that we will harden our hearts from being able to rejoice at all in the birth of Yeshua – from singing the great songs of Heaven over His ... Continue reading]]> John 3:13 (5-21) The Son of Man has descended from – and ascended to – Heaven

There are well-meaning dear brothers and sisters in Messiah who do not celebrate the birth of the Savior at this time of year.  They have their reasons for this, just as I once did.  The danger, however, is that we will harden our hearts from being able to rejoice at all in the birth of Yeshua – from singing the great songs of Heaven over His coming into the world He made to redeem people like you and me and them.

Jesus came into the world to defeat the works of the devil, and so give hope and joy to persons who are looking and waiting for salvation and redemption from futility and despair.  God came in the weakness of flesh and blood to deal a death blow to spiritual forces of wickedness who are oppressing the whole creation of a loving and good Father.

This same Jesus who died and rose again ascended back to the presence of God His Father, and this same Redeemer will come again to establish the Kingdom of God on Earth.  Meanwhile, He is establishing the Kingdom in the hearts of men, women, and children who turn from their ways unworthy of God and instead put their hope and trust in His mercy and grace.  Yeshua has come and God has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us to live a life freed up to give honor and glory to God.  We learn to say ‘no’ to sin and ‘yes’ to righteousness, because the Son of God has set us free from the power of sin and given us the power of holiness.  This is His love for us so that He can live within us, and that we can live in His presence.  God is not only for us; He is not only with us – Immanuel; God is in us:  Messiah in us, the hope of glory.  The incarnation was the beginning of the end for Satan because Messiah, Son of David, came to utterly defeat the Goliath of this world.

God’s desire is that none should perish but rather inherit eternal life through believing in and loving His only-begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He alone is the mediator between God and man, and so we are commanded to pray for and to seek the salvation of all persons through the preaching of the glad tidings.

Just as Mary was pregnant with the Holy Child within her, so too does the Holy Spirit conceive Messiah in every born-again child of God.  It is as Christ grows within our hearts and thoughts and every act of our lives that the reality of the glory of God becomes more real and visible – as a light shining in darkness.  Do people see Messiah in us?  Do they see the truth of the incarnation: that God has come to dwell in the midst of His people, according to His promises?  Is there this witness in our relationships with our fellow human beings?

Indeed, the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits for the revelation of the sons of God.

Jesus teaches what He lived and died for:  to make peace – true peace, God’s peace – to all who truly come to Him for salvation.  He forgives; He cleanses; He heals.  Jesus is truly the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.

The Holy Spirit is working to transform (convert) us into God’s likeness, that the glory of God would be revealed in and through us; that the name of our Father in Heaven would be sanctified in us.  It is all for the honor and glory of Yeshua, the Son of the Father’s love, who was crucified in order that God’s love would be manifest to all.  He did not create this world just so that it might be destroyed by the devil and all who take his side – whether actively or passively.

God paid the ultimate price to have what He wants:  us.  The whole Earth will be filled with the knowledge of YHVH as the waters cover the seas.   With the angels we sing, “Glory to God in the highest”.   The holy and spotless Bride of the Lamb of God cries out, “Come, Lord Jesus”.

God the Father and the Son are both instrumental in the giving of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to the believers in Jesus.  The giving of the Spirit is after the recognition of the bodily resurrection of  ... Continue reading]]> Acts 1:4-5 (Mt. 4:11; John 14:16,26) – Yeshua commanded the disciples to wait for the Promise of the Father, which you have heard from Me, for  John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit .