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
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.
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
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.
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.
