Controversy of the Gospel ArrowsFromZion 6/5/19

How can we say we love Israel & eschew Messianic Jews who profess Jesus?

The Controversy of The Gospel
by Asher Intrater, Revive Israel

We as Messianic Jews believe it is our right and our calling to share the gospel of Yeshua (Jesus) to our people in love. Who we are and what we have to say is at times controversial, both in Israel and in the Church. 

Here are a few examples from the last twenty years:

·         Pastor John Hagee, in the promotion of his book, "In Defense of Israel" made the statement that Jesus did not come to be the Messiah of the Jews, just savior of the world. This statement is to explain his position as head of Christians United for Israel, that there is no need to be sharing the gospel with Jewish people.

·         Some years ago, a large demonstration was planned by ultra Orthodox Jews against the tiny community of Messianic Jews in Arad, in front of the home of Polly S. Polly is a widow and foster mother to 3 children. Thank God, that time the new police chief did a fine job of restricting the number of demonstrators and keeping the demonstration from becoming violent or disorderly.

·         Kibbutz Ramat Rachel, which has a tourist hotel and convention hall, has hosted many Christian conferences in the past. One year they were attacked by the ultra Orthodox because some of the conferences had Messianic Jews participating. Although the kibbutz was angered by these attacks, they were under great pressure to cancel any conferences featuring Messianic Jews.

·         In 2001 during the Feast of Tabernacles Jerusalem March, amidst tens of thousands of Christian Zionists and tens of thousands of secular Israelis, the police blocked a small group of Messianic Jews and pulled us out of the parade. Everyone else was allowed but the city government refused to let us march.

In response, let me answer a few questions:

Do we proselytize? Honestly, no. We evangelize. Proselytizing is converting someone to another religion. Evangelizing is sharing the love of Yeshua so a person can be born again in his heart. Yeshua did not come to start another religion. We are promoting revival, not religion. We have a religion: Judaism. We are Jews who believe in our own Messiah: Yeshua (who happens to be the savior of the entire world as well). Nothing could be more Jewish than that.

Is it against the law in Israel to share the gospel? No. There is an "anti-missionary" law which says that it is illegal to do two things: one, give financial benefits to someone in order to induce them to change their religion; two, forcibly baptize a minor without the consent of his parents.  We would, of course, never do either of those things. Nor would we want to. We do have a "mission" from God, but according to the definition of the word in Israeli law, we are not "missionaries."

Are we against Christian Zionists who do not believe in Jewish evangelism? I do not believe that any truly born-again believer would not want someone else, anyone else, to receive eternal life as he has received, and that includes Jewish people. If the gospel is for everyone, it is certainly "to the Jew first" (Romans 1:16). We as Messianic Jews in Israel are willing to risk our lives to see our beloved people receive salvation (Romans 9:1; Acts 21:13).

Over 30 years ago, I wrote that there would be 3 great movements which would ultimately lead to a national revival in Israel. Those three "prongs" are: 1) the demonstration of love by Christian Zionists, 2) the evil hatred of worldwide Islamic Jihad, and 3) the witness of Messianic Jews that it is possible to believe in Yeshua and still be Jewish.

Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com

See Tikkun-TV mails out many excellent, short teaching and ministry articles each week from Tikkun ministry leaders, like these: From Dan Juster The Replacement Theology Challenge Today, Who Can We Trust to Teach Us? and The Inability to Enforce Standards in Western Society | The Temporary, the Calamity & Eternity by Guy Cohen| Seven Reasons why Israelis are going to Elections Again by Ron Cantor | Eddie & Jackie Santoro are Sharing the Light in Jerusalem | Asher Intrater on A Strategic Alliance and Avi Tekle's The Preparation and the Harvest

Arni Klein writes about "A spirit of slumber -- a stupor -- is over the Land." An immutable foundational principle is laid out in 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10. Simply said, those who turn away from truth, become too blind to see. It’s the result of repeatedly choosing the ways of the world -- loving our life, loving the world, seeking the praises of men, trusting in man rather than God, and finally, not knowing the fear of the Lord.... We share these thoughts that we might see what is, exercise discernment with sound judgment, and understand what is coming" It is a truth that hounds Israel, just as much as it hounds the Western nations of the world.

The Joseph Project letter this month focuses on the attacks from Gaza which were followed by fires, mostly terrorist-arson fires. Two who cities were burnt to the ground and Joseph Project invites all to have a hand in re-supplying the residents of those towns as they must relocate to new homes with the clothes on their backs. They are also focusing on the Lone Soldiers who serve in the IDF but have no home or relatives in Israel. This is a sacrifice they have made to come to Israel to serve in the IDF and many through the years have tried to make their off-time more supportive & nicer than being all alone. Learn more at the website. Also, while in Israel, you can be a volunteer for a day at their distribution plant email for info. 

The Return to Zion (Shavei Tzion) congregation in Haifa is led by Leon Mazin who shares with us the Passover Events Hosted by Return to Zion. They write it is an important time to help those in need and to bring some joy to their lives — and that they did with a festive Pesach dinner in honor of Holocaust survivors, an event especially for new immigrants many of whom heard for the first time the story, traditions and true meaning of Pesach and the central role of Yeshua in it, and serving the needy and children suffering from cancer with the 120 food baskets & Passover supplies. Also their collective call to prayer. Read all about it by clicking the title above.

Hasdey Yeshua write about their journey since starting the Arad congregation in 2000. From a small home group, to a rented home where they met for many years until the religious ultra-Orthodox in the city pressured the landlord to kick them out, then began the many years they have met for services in outdoor spaces which left much to be desired! They  have searched high and low for a permanent, affordable space for the congregation to meet and ask, "Please pray for us to have wisdom from the Lord." They give an good report on their Bedouin outreach and for Jewish Bedouin they have also encountered - Bedouin who practice some form of Judaism that is without the Rabbinic additions.

Intercessors for Israel write about the new - 3rd elections - for the Israeli government, with prayer points. Also you can read the whole Friday Prayer Points online here.

From Revive Israel Cody Archer writes Worship in The Kingdom and also interviews Bassem Adranly in VIDEO Social Clashes of Islam. Asher does a video on how the Holy Spirit has worked from Genesis to our day - a progression which he calls Holy Spirit: 5 Stages of Dwelling. There is also an invitation for this weekend: SHAVUOT LIVESTREAM INVITATION: Join Revive Israel & others on their annual prayer and fasting night vigil livestream broadcast on the eve of Pentecost, Erev Shavuot. It will start at 7pm to midnight Israel time on June 8th. Click link to learn more. 

Israel Pochtar writes about the work they have launched in Ashkelon with a New outreach center & Alpha Course in Ashkelon. The building is currently used for humanitarian relief, distribution of food and clothing, bible studies, meetings and discipleship courses - and they have been able to be a great blessing to elderly Holocaust survivors who are mostly house-bound. They also do much among the new immigrants who have so much need. As Israel writes, "We invest a great deal of work and passion into our evangelism, as well as humanitarian outreach, and we see a visible result; people's response is amazing!" Their Alpha program, which is designed for seekers, not yet believers, sounds so innovative. Israel writes that "Most come with such an open heart, eager to learn more about God and faith in Yeshua." Do you want to become a part of this new work?  They would love to have you.

Howard Bass writes with an update from the congregation and return of four of their people after being abroad for 2 years. Howard asks for prayers for them all as the LORD directs their steps forward, as their decisions will also affect the future of the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation. Also Randi Bass is in the US with her 92-yr old father who is slipping into eternity. Pray for her. Howard has teachings here and here and a special spot on KehilaNews.allisrael. He also shares his firsthand account of the Messianic Worship Event that was attacked by the violence-prone Jewish group called Lahava. Howard offers wise counsel: "Israel is still the enemy of the gospel, so as you pray, please do not be naive:  the Jewish people, and Israel as a nation are still in opposition to the God of their fathers, and need to repent and believe the gospel."  

Ronit Bender sends an update (including her medical update, see in Urgent Healing Needs below). She still has a leaking heart valve but is still awaiting results of the latest echo. In the meantime she is re-connecting, some by design and some by Divine...appointment, that is. She ran into someone who had bullied her in school was able to speak forgiveness to him for it, which opened doors for her to minister to someone overhearing the exchange. She also went back to her first ever school reunion and again was able to speak of her life of faith since she last saw her school mates. This is how it is done in Israel, and it is meaningful because it is from someone who shares the same challenges as other Israelis and have done so for a long time.  Ronit's email was brimming with good reports - including how she is cleared to travel to Australia in October and Holland in November. Please continue to pray for Ronit, and consider helping with financial support.

“Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit”

Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is in the power of the tongue

Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders and believers with urgent health needs 

NEW: Shlomy Abramov of Awake Israel, wife Miriam sent out the Facebook urgent prayer request after Shlomy's leg was cut. Later she reported that because of a condition where blood does not flow to his legs as it should, he was advised by a specialist in case of injuries, he could lose his leg because of the blood flow issues. Shlomy has to wrap his legs daily because of the blood flow issues. When his leg was cut Monday Shlomy was bleeding profusely. Doctors did get it under control and are monitoring the dressing. Please pray for Shlomy  | CONTINUE to PRAY for the urgent healing needs of EDDIE SANTORO and Jacob Damkani | Ronit Bender is awaiting results from her heart echo test results although she has she feels so much better - but has had a persistent cough for months now. She will have to go to a lungs doctor...and the heart valve is still leaking. Please continue to pray for Ronit. She has been released to travel to Australia in Oct, and Holland in Nov despite the outstanding issues.| Martin Sarvis has undergone arthroscopic surgery and is now in the healing process. Surgery was successful and now will have physiotherapy for a couple of months. 

    Ruth Nessim has several health issues, one of the most critical is her EYES which has sent her to the hospital many times. Please pray for Ruth in Nahariya|  Olga Bikas’s health condition that seems to have become chronic, with no hope from the doctors for any improvement in the future. This, no doubt, puts an additional emotional and physical burden on our family. Please pray for her acute back pain. | Albert a Messianic leader from southern Israel, has had a successful surgery and an amazing recovery but keep praying for total restoration |  Rania Sayegh asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.

This is a touching tribute to the steadfast faith of Eddie and Jackie Santoro, who we have been praying for over the last nearly 4 years. Eitan Shishkoff has titled it Heroes of the Faith. You can read Eddie Santoro's own experience in his book, Lifted Up: Overcoming through the Power of Love on Amazon.

The Understanding 

by Donna Diorio

In 1998, as Benjamin Netanyahu's first term as Israel's Prime Minister was coming to an unplanned end, there was a strong campaign among the religious parties to legislate against the Israeli believers in Yeshua from sharing their faith.  I have always believed that God removed Netanyahu from power because he allowed the religious parties to increase too powerfully and threatening to the Israeli Messianic Jewish believers ability to fulfill their mandate from God. 

With new elections, the liberal party took control and Israel became less safe in national security because of it, but Messianic believer-citizens became more safe. That seems to be the trade-off politically for Israel. My trust is that God will keep both of those needs balanced. That balancing act may be exactly what we are seeing  unfolding again in the chaotic Israeli political situation. While Netanyahu is strong on protecting Israel from international pressures, he is miserably weak in protecting the religious freedoms of Israeli Messianic Jewish believer-citizens. 

Here is another troubling fact: the Israel-supporting Church generally has the exact same strength and weakness as Netanyahu. When Netanyahu failed to adequately speak up for the Israeli believers in 1998, I believe God sovereignly  removed Netanyahu from office.  He moved to limit the damage that the religious parties were set on doing to the Israeli believers sharing their faith. In God's eyes, the believers are every bit as important as the whole nation of Israel because, in fact God's plan to save Israel from annihilation in the end times is inextricably entwined with His plan to bring "all Israel" to faith in Yeshua through the testimony of Israeli Messianic Jews.  

Fast Forward to 2019. Netanyahu's political problems may be of God because once again Israel may be getting a course-correction so that too much power is not given prematurely to religious parties in opposition to the Gospel.  There are again increasing reports of aggressive religious persecution against the Israeli believers.

 Just this morning the Times of Israel tweeted about a meeting where the Israeli  President gave reassurances: "Rivlin to Christian leaders: Israeli sovereignty will never erode religious freedom".  The problem, of course is that this promise is pointless if it does not extend to Israeli Messianic Jews who profess Yeshua. 

And that brings us to the religious riot at a private Messianic worship event in the Clal Bldg Pavillion in Jerusalem last week. It was reported on Facebook the next day by Shelly Greenberg, a law intern and Messianic believer who witnessed the riot. Because of her experience in Messianic events, she also helped to get arriving guests of the event into the facility, past the rioting Lehava organization. 

Shelly Greenberg wrote that "Kids were crying, mothers and old people were terrified. . . . I must say, I've been dealing with those kind of things for years, but I have never seen them so possessed. They were in craze." Even the police & SWAT teams that arrived failed to control the crowd she said.

Inside the concert proceeded but outside, after two hours the riot area was finally pepper sprayed. As far as we know there were no arrests made and we have not been able to find any coverage of the riot in the Israeli newspapers. See coverage in Messianic news here and here. Some videos also captured a small measure of the riots posted on Facebook here and here.

We need to understand that God has placed a mantle of great purpose on the Jewish believers in Israel, and He will defend them waiting for us to step come alongside them 100% as He intends. They are paying the price for our failures to support them in prayer, in finances and in the political influence we hold. 

The religious persecutions of 2019 are a continuation of the opposition to the Gospel we see in the Acts of the Apostles, and which has shown itself time and again since Israel's modern re-birth in 1948. We must know this and not let it deter us from cooperating in the vision God has for the faith of Yeshua to bloom again in Israel. 

"Those that do not learn the lessons of the past are doomed to repeat it." | In 1998 the Zvili bill sought to stop the gospel from going forth in Israel by Israeli Jewish citizens was stopped due to months of tireless efforts by the Messianic Action Committee. Through their informing Christians about the threat they faced a strong worldwide outcry rose among Israel-supporting Christians. Israeli politicians noticed.  But the political realities were that Netanyahu's promises to Christians not to let the bill pass was too much for Netanyahu to uphold. He was under the same pressures to allow the religious parties too much power in order to maintain a coalition government.

Meanwhile Israel-based Christian organizations came up with their own solution to deal with the religious opposition in proposing what was known as "The Understanding".  What they hoped for was their agreement would ease the religious political resistance to their own presence in Israel. It certainly did not ease the resistance for the Israeli believer-citizens and was viewed by many as a betrayal of them and of the faith, as well.  

Here is some of the wording of The Understanding: 

"We believe that the covenant which God concluded with the people of Israel was never revoked. We deeply respect the Jewish people in their identity and integrity not engage in activities, which have as their intention to alienate them from their tradition and community. Nor will we exploit, for the benefit of our denominational interests, such economic, social or psychological needs as may emerge. 

"We earnestly call upon the government of Israel to maintain its enlightened policy which allows our Christian communities in this country, both native as well as expatriate, to freely follow our vocation, which includes among others, caring for our members; engaging in many social and charitable projects; welcoming and assisting pilgrims and visitors from abroad; and maintaining schools and institutions for teaching and research - to the end, that the Christian communities in the State of Israel may flourish in harmony with those of other faiths."

I am among those that believe the understanding expressed in The Understanding falls short of what God wants to see from Christians in terms of supporting His plans for Israel. The reason is because it fails to see Israel is coming to faith in Yeshua now and they are coming by the anointing of God on the Israeli Jewish believers to bring them to faith. 

The Understanding ultimately left the Israeli Jewish believers vulnerable to un-protested persecution by the very Israeli religious organizations that "non-proselytizing" Christians have entered into agreement with. It has encouraged the Israeli believing community to suffer in silence. Why talk about what your family doesn't want to hear about of your hardships? We really have to do better, don't we? 

Increasingly Israel-supporting Christians are learning the truth and coming to cooperate with the plans of God for it. We can love our Israeli brothers and sisters in Messiah, and put them in the forefront of our desires to support Israel with the full knowledge that this is what God wants from us.

Post Script I have sat for over a decade on the article I wrote originally on The Understanding from which this new article has been drawn. For the sake of the Israeli Ministries, I believe it is time to acknowledge the past so we don't repeat it once again in 2019.  Our alliance is to God's plan for Israel. We can't brush the Israeli Ministries aside as inconsequential to Christian ties to Israel.