Not Just Semantics | Arrows from Zion 6/18/2020

Shelanu: It's Not Just Semantics 

by Donna Diorio

The recent Shelanu TV controversy that pitted Christian Zionist evangelicals against Israel's Messianic Jews brought the issue down to an unmistakable key spiritual issue.

Over the weekend I had to do a last minute edit on my article about the Shelanu controversy for the July 1st edition of the Messianic Times. In the process of doing the edit, the key issue for all the spiritual warfare finally came bubbling up to the surface in my consciousness.

 A great majority of Christians and almost all Jews who are not yet in the faith of Yeshua, assert that when a Jew comes to faith in Jesus, that means they have "converted to Christianity" and are no longer Jewish.

The next day I saw an article about Bob Dylan saying he still believes in Jesus. The Lutheran author stressed several times that "Dylan converted to Christianity." No, that is not what Dylan did, but that is also at the heart of the Shelanu TV controversy.

The spiritual opposition to Shelanu is not just semantics, and it is also not only based on fallout from Christian persecution of Jews. Jews and Christians took these same positions almost as immediately as the Gospel began to spread out from Israel into the nations.

This is a first century, pre-Christian-persecution-of-Jews, because for the Jews, the cross was an offense and a stumbling block from the beginning. As for Christians, the Jewish believers were quickly forgotten even prior to making the view official in the Nicean council of 325 AD. That move set believing Jews who still identified as Jews outside of the camp of Christianity. It was a political move to keep Christians faithful to the Roman hierarchy and so Christians would not revert back to seeing the Israeli Messianic Jewish leadership. If Christians saw Israeli Messianic Jews as the succession of the Apostolic first fathers, the first century Israeli Jewish Apostles,  how could the newly formed Catholic church claim the popes were the line of succession from the Apostle Peter? I am not being anti-Catholic, I am relating history.

So in all the centuries since, Christians and unsaved Jews have been in agreement on one thing: a Jew cannot be a Messianic Jew. Christian leaders through the ages pushed the idea that any Jew that came to faith in Jesus necessarily had to renounce all Jewish identity, and unsaved Jews pushed the idea that any Jew who came to faith in Yeshua was automatically no longer a Jew.

Both of those positions are wrong ... and that issue was the spiritual basis for the alliances that formed in the recent Shelanu controversy. It is so simple it almost escaped my recognition that this was the rallying point behind religious nationalist settlers and their Christian Zionist supporters in opposition to Israel's Messianic Jews having a channel to show that Jews can be in the faith of Yeshua without "converting to Christianity."

Consider this, the name for the new Messianic TV channel "Shelanu" was chosen with purpose because it is the Hebrew word for "Ours." What the Jews who put the new channel together wants and intends to do is to show Israelis that Jesus is not some foreign Christian god as they have been told. In fact, Yeshua was born an Israeli Jew in Bethlehem and He was raised Jewish in Nazareth. He fulfilled the Torah in His live on earth and the faith that was birthed in His resurrection was Jewish in the first century and is still Jewish today for every Jew.

At first I thought it was just ironic that unsaved Israeli Jews and their Christian Zionist allies united in opposition to the Shelanu TV channel calling it Christians forcing their faith on Jews. But it is not ironic, it is the very point of the spiritual warfare against Messianic Israelis.

Messianic Jews are every bit as Jewish as Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah they have placed their faith in. It is not just semantics that Jewish believers are called Messianic Jews rather than Christians. Once again, for the first time since the day of the Acts of the Apostles, there are thousands of Israeli Jewish citizens who live in the faith of Yeshua. Shelanu TV represents them as they say, Yeshua is OURS. Shelanu.

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

First up, Shani Ferguson of Maoz Ministries writes some truths that can help us all in finding God's solutions to all of life's problems: 1. He is the only judge of what is just and what isn’t. 2. His timing is the only clock that matters. 3. His plans are often the opposite of what human wisdom would suggest. 4. Sin does not happen in a vacuum, and always affects others who weren’t involved. 5. If you’re patient enough, God can use sin committed against you to make your life better (Romans 8:28). 6. As long as you’re breathing, there is always hope!

It's really hard to edit her prayer points ministry this week because it is chocked full of wisdom on some dividing issues of the American violence that has spilled over into Israel and many other nations: " Jews have been historically wronged, perhaps more than any single people group in existence (I write extensively about it in the July Maoz Israel Report), but how they have responded has allowed them to become one of the most successful nations on earth— only 70 years after half of them were slaughtered. I’ve been approached before by people directly involved in recruiting Nazi youth. They wept on my shoulder and repented. I extended my forgiveness to them—but it was for their sake. I hold no animosity towards them—and definitely not towards their descendants. I say it because I believe there are powerful people using the media and their voices to keep minorities defeated and bitter— convinced they can’t succeed because they’ve been wronged too many times. That is simply not true. For the record, I’m all for deep repentance, reform and change! Let’s let God clean house! However, these powers continue to accuse and condemn even after people express their sorrow and regret. Those are telltale signs of the enemy’s tactics, and as such, we must pray fervently that voices of truth will be heard above the chaos.... Father we ask that for all those who are crying out for justice—that You would stand up and identify Yourself as Justice. For those crying out for things to be made right – that You would stand up and identify Yourself as the standard of all that is good and right."

On the point of forgiveness, she continues: "To me the most beautiful story of forgiveness is that of Joseph and his brothers. Not simply because he was able to forgive them for selling him into slavery, but because he was able to see their sin against him was part of God’s plan. Had they not wronged him, Israel and all his children and grandchildren (including Joseph) could’ve starved to death from the famine. In addition, Joseph even encouraged his brothers to forgive themselves. We don’t always see what God has going on behind the scenes when our life goes wrong. But we know that forgiveness is a superpower that cannot only heal us, but the one who wronged us. In addition, we are warned that if we do not forgive the sins committed against us, we will not experience God’s forgiveness and the freedom that comes with it."

You can also find Shani's writing in the June 2020 Maoz Israel Report: How David Became a Psalmist which is a TRULY amazing testimony of David and Lisa. And " For all the bad commentary the Children of Israel deservedly receive for their behavior in the desert, they don’t get enough credit for The First Thing Israel Ever Did.

Dani & LuAnne Sayag write that you can watch all the Carmel Congregation services on Facebook - midweek, welcoming the Shabbat (Friday night) and Shabbat services (Saturday morning) Learn more about this congregation on MT Carmel at their website

From the Kehila News Israel site here are just a few of the items I recommend: Eric Tokajer writes a powerful, biblical look at bigotry in Some Sin Can Only Be Seen Through the Eyes of G-D. Also the only Messianic preschool in Jerusalem facing closure after devastating COVID shutdown. Ron Cantor wrote about the Israeli bus driver could lose job after taking about Yeshua on the job but today the religious Jewish newspapers are reporting the man has been fired and of course, Yad L'Achim is claiming victory.

Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life in Sderot send their gratitude to those who are remaining involved in their ministry during the challenges to every due to Covid 19. They have been following the guidlines of authorities while the fulfilled "essential" work to families left helpless in their city. They also moved all their ministry services to the internet, but some things like delivering infant and adult diaper meant going shopping for those under strict quarantine unable to leave their houses for any reason, and of course food distribution to the needy. To help them help their community donate via PayPal or Click here

"Annexation" has a certain connotation which Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel (and many others) it the wrong word to use entirely. Sovereignty is the better word as Chuck says, " is God orchestrating the retaking of another 30% of Judea and Samaria for His people today." That does not mean it is not a highly controversial subject right now in Israel and also among the nations. There are many fears in Israel and many pressures outside of Israel not to take sovereign control of the 30% of Judea and Samaria that is being discussed. Chuck has some excellent prayer points for intercessors on this issue and also the issue of preparations that need to be made if the land is retaken by Israel. See it in the Friday Prayer Points 6/12/20  plus the other 10 prayer points he includes.

The Aliyah Return Center is a village in the Jordan River area set up as a place for Jewish immigratnts - an absorption & housing villiage that also does much more for immigrants. They have a new series of 16 videos to explain the work they do with the first being What Is Aliyah?. Also watch this video of their distribution to African immigrants being helped by Usumain Barka from Sudan talked to us in south Tel Aviv. They also sent Dean & Patti give their testimony who have been a major support the Israeli ministries for many years.  And this invite visit our new website and download our beautiful prayer guide

From Revive Israel Ron Cantor shares his A Prophetic Word for America in writing and in a message from the new weekly video Praise, Prayer, Prophecy and Preaching from Jerusalem to the Ends of the Earth. Also a new Revive 'Meet the Team' email introduces new people serving at Revive, like an Israeli Christian Arab and his wife who are both serving Revive. Also the new Director of Communication for Tikkun International and Revive Israel is a young man who is the son a Japanese father, Lebanese Italian mother, born in Brazil and American! They write about the new video outreach Revive is doing internationally, the outreach to the Spanish world, Shelanu TV and Beith Hayeshua, which is the rehab center for the addicted. Those who support the Revive Israel ministry receive these emails several times a year.

Israel Pochtar of the Beit Hallel writes about Believing Lawyers Look at Aid New Israeli Immigrants. "Immigration of Jews hasn’t stopped since Israel was first established. To this day, Jewish people are returning to Israel from all over, but especially from Russia and Ukraine. The circumstances of their departure are often very harsh, and people leave to return to their ancient homeland with hope of a better future for their families. The reality many face when they first arrive in Israel is oftentimes overwhelming." He also writes, The Desert's Silence Serves a Purpose — God's Voice is Heard the Loudest There. Read and watch his short video online.

From the latest Tikkun Global magazine: "The big news in Israel is the possible upcoming annexation of certain areas in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank). This is a tricky situation. On the one hand, this is land that God himself promised to the Jewish people, and it was stolen from them by the Romans. There is no statute of limitations on God's promises. However, on the other hand, there are thousands of Palestinians whom God loves, who live in that area. Let's be in prayer for Prime Minister Netanyahu to be led supernaturally by the Spirit of God."

Also these articles from Tikkun ministers: Dan Juster's A Modest Proposal for Theological Integrity. Eitan Shishkoff's Eitan Shishkoff. Asher Intrater's God Told Me!…Really? and Also Executor of the Wrath of God

Messiah's Mandate is Ron Cantor's personal ministry, he writes: "I am thrilled to report to you that Shelanu TV is still live and broadcasting in Hebrew to a potential 700,000 homes (over 3,000,000 people‚ Jewish and Arab). Of course, they are not all watching (YET!), but we trust that God will use this channel to reveal the Jewishness of the Messiah to His ancient people. Your gift today will help us create more online content in Hebrew! Our media team just finished making our second teaching video in Hebrew. The first one aired on Shelanu TV on Shabbat."

He also sends news reports AP fires Palestinian journalist at PLO's request, compromising all journalistic integrity, Gulf state diplomat publicly appeals to Israel against annexation to preserve the progress made with Jewish State and Anti-Israel BDS uses George Floyd death to promote anti-IDF blood libel (as in LIE!)

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

URGENT PRAYER NEED A prayer request for Naomi, for a dear family that is a part of Israel Pochtar's pastoral team, who was diagnosed recently with colon cancer. "Despite what this battle entails, we are confident in God’s unfailing Word and promises." Read in her own words, as she has been prepared for chemotherapy which will begin next Monday. | Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE, and is suggesting further tests. Please intercede for Ronit: No weapon formed against her shall prosper! | Olga Bikas severe back pain has kept her in "quarantine" for the past 4 years or so! Please pray for God to do a miracle of healing for Olga. | Please pray for Rachel Netanel's brother who is recovering | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear wife, Elisheva  | Continue please to pray for Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need she is losing sight! Prayers for a miracle for Ruth.| Pray for Rania Sayegh who asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.

Revolution and Biblical Worldview
by Daniel Juster
Restoration from Zion, Jerusalem

I have been greatly saddened to see the extent to which younger Christians and Messianic Jews are saluting revolutionary social movements that are opposed to the Biblical World View.  Perhaps they do not realize this incompatibility. 

As I reflect on history, it seems that every social revolution that was not directly motivated by the biblical worldview or indirectly influenced by this world view, has led to destruction. The Roman Catholic Catechism amazingly warns against utopian movements that are not based on biblical norms, and as you know I am not a Roman Catholic, but this statement is amazing.   

“The Antichrist’s deception already begins to take shape in the world every time the claim is made to realize within history that messianic hope which can only be realized beyond history through the eschatological judgment. The Church has rejected even modified forms of this falsification of the kingdom to come . . .”

Let’s just recount a few of these revolutions, biblical and anti-biblical.

The Biblical normed movements include the following:  the anti-slavery movement in England led by the famous Evangelical William Wilberforce who was friends with former slave trader John Newton who wrote the famous hymn Amazing Grace.  Then came the anti-slavery movement in the United States backed by Jonathan Blanchard, the founder of Wheaton College, the famous revivalist Charles Finney, and the  Stowe family, the most famous of which is Harriet Beecher Stowe. Her father and brother were anti-slavery ministers. Then in recent years the biblical-based civil rights movement under Rev.  Martin Luther King. The biblical movements all hearken back to the idea of all humans having equal worth and created in the image of God. (U. S. Declaration of Independence). In Acts 17:26 we read, “From one He made every nation of men to live on the face of the earth, having set appointed times and the boundaries of their territory.” 

However, the anti-biblical movements led to death and destruction. The French revolution and its guillotine, the Russian Marxist revolution, and other terrible Marxist examples: China, Cambodia, and today in Venezuela. As Satan masquerades as an angel of light, we should note that the movements of our day may indeed come from an antichrist spirit. The Devil, we read in John 10:10 comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. Tens of millions have been slaughtered. Marxist phrases like “To each according to his need and from each according to his ability,” sound so attractive but can be so deceptive as they call for a leveling equality tyranny. 

Today, we find ourselves in a situation of tragedy in the loss of a black man by the name of George Floyd and the police abuse of other blacks. We also see the carnage of black on black crime, 7500 killed and we are not supposed to mention this. Why?  Because the revolutionaries do not want us to see the whole picture but to focus on the anti-police anti-American ideas they put forth. A biblical conscience should be deeply outraged by all this pain. There should be movements of believers to clean up police and to lift the lives of our minority friends who are equally valued.

However, we now find the leaders of movements of deception were ready, poised to take advantage of the situation, spreading violence, utopian anarchist messages, Marxist ideology, and more. When they occupy part of a city, they steal the property rights of the citizens. When they demonize police, they demonize many who give their lives to protect the people.  They violate Romans 13 that exhorts us to respect the civil authority and the power of the sword in authority.  

The views and tactics of these radicals are anti-biblical. They single out white people and include Jews in that category! Yet in the Bible, we speak of many ethnic groups. They are white, black, yellow, and every shade and style of bodily form.  All are created equal. White-skinned people have many different backgrounds from many ethnicities, some nations with colonial history but some having no such history. From the European nations have come the very ideas of civil rights and human rights that we seek to extend and advance (especially England).

The atheist historian Tom Holland in a recent book notes that all we value in rights, tolerance, and mercy come from the influence of the biblical world view. Amazing!  However, when Martin Luther King spoke biblically, he rightly said that human beings should be judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin. When whites are being made to repent for white privilege and especially white group guilt, this is the spirit of communist re-education camps not real biblical repentance for sin. Of course whites in America today are by percentages more privileged. But in the Bible, this would not be cause for repentance for a special original sin type guilt. It would be a source of gratitude for all that has been received in God’s providence and then would require a responsibility to lift those who are not so privileged. White guilt in America could have value as a concept if those who are privileged of all races do not seek to lift those who are less successful. But repenting for whiteness as inherently evil is anti-biblical. I do think the American Church has reason for repentance in not focusing its primary efforts to the poor, for the Gospel is the greatest liberator.

In a biblical world view, we must not identify with movements that single out people of any color for special guilt or praise on account of skin color and ethnicity. All ethnicities have good things to be praised and bad things from which to be redeemed. We all are sinners. As such we can look at the sad history of the world.  It is not merely Europeans that have oppressed people.  All of world history shows one ethnic group oppressing and subjecting other ethnic groups. It is the nature of sin to favor those who are “like me” and to disfavor and distrust those who are not. The Bible speaks to this in the numerous texts on how to treat the stranger, demanding that the Gospel first be given to the poor to lift them and finally in the parable of the Good Samaritan. We ask the question, “Who is my neighbor?” and the parable answers the questions and extols the hated and marginalized Samaritan.

However, the Marxist influence in the Black Lives Matter movement, (and black lives really do matter), and the anarchist anti-police and anti-government thrust will lead to terrible destruction especially for the poor and marginalized. Believers must not enable or support these aspects of what is going on.   When people are asked to repent for being white this is more a communist shaming and re-education tactic than the Biblical call repentance before a holy God who says all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  All are called to deep repentance before him, to search our hearts for any prejudice and by the Spirit to root it out of our hearts. We will never be perfect on the issue of preferring ourselves to others, but must always work against this selfish tendency. However, Christians and Messianic Jews must not cow-tow to Marxist and anarchist phrases and demands. We must call all to repentance.

In our universities, leftist ideologies have reigned. We have for 60 years sowed to the wind in our universities and in the United States are now reaping the whirlwind. The corruption of the movement for civil rights and lifting black communities is being corrupted with Marxist and anarchist ideas and will lead to more destruction. The only hope I see is in the Gospel and a massive revival beyond anything we have ever seen. Such is the deep darkness right now, but my hope is that the Lord will rise upon us.  (Is. 60)

            See this article online at the Restoration from Zion website

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Donna Diorio  donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
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