JE SUIS JUIF

January 12, 2015

The world’s attention has been drawn to the City of Lights where another dark stain of terrorism was spilled onto the pages of history. Two separate incidents, resulting in the deaths of 17 citizens of France, brought grief to many. 

On Sunday, January 11, 2015 an estimated 1.5 million people, led by some 50 world leaders, marched in the streets of Paris, with millions more assembling in other cities. In addition to showing solidarity with those who grieved, they wished to take a stand against those seeking to impose Islam through terror. Many carried signs with the words “Je suis Charlie” (“I am Charlie,” referencing Charlie Hebdo, the publishing house where 12 people were murdered for cartoons satirizing Islam). 

“Je suis Juif” (“I am a Jew”) signs were also present. The kosher grocery store was targeted precisely so Jewish people would be killed. The slain include:
•    Yoav Hattab, 21, son of the chief rabbi of Tunis
•    Yohan Cohen, 22, a Jewish student whose parents moved to France from Algeria
•    Philippe Braham, 45; his brother is a rabbi in a Paris suburb
•    François-Michel Saada, 63, a retiree whose children live in Israel

Philippe Braham’s children attend a Jewish school near where the same terrorist who shot their father had shot a French policewoman the previous day. Knowing even a few details of those who were shot in cold blood personalizes the horror.

Similarly, we learned that Sarah, the daughter of one of our team members in France, was at work a block away from one of the shootings when it occurred. Understandably the Israel family, along with the entire Jewish community of France – indeed the nation – were shaken by these tragic events. Knowing that simmering anti-Semitism easily boils over to evil actions has many of France’s half-million Jews seriously considering making aliyah to Israel.

The “Je suis Juif” signs reminded me of the story of King Christian X of Denmark during the Nazi occupation. As it’s been told, the Nazis issued an edict that Danish Jews had to wear the yellow Star of David. The king’s response was to encourage all Danes to follow his example and wear the dishonored badge. 

Perhaps he would have done so, but history never records such a requirement by the Nazis in Denmark. The delightful story is, alas, apocryphal, at least in the details. 

However, there are many stories of Danish resistance. In fact, much of Denmark’s Jewish population was able to escape the deportation order in October 1943. Many thousands were helped to escape by boats of every kind to Sweden. Fewer than 500 were rounded up by the Nazis and sent to Theresienstadt; 90% of those survived the war.

I have Danish blood in my veins. My maternal grandmother, Helga Mogensen Payton, was born in Horsens, Denmark. Lori and I visited that small city on the occasion of our 25th wedding anniversary. We also visited the Netherlands, where Lori’s maternal grandparents have roots. We’ve been to Anne Frank’s home in Amsterdam. We have stood in the narrow hiding place in the ten Boom home in Haarlem, and thrilled at their story of courage and sacrifice. 

Lori and I often have visited the Garden of the Righteous Gentiles on the grounds of Jerusalem’s Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. We have seen the rows of trees marked with plaques bearing the names of folks like Corrie ten Boom who, at the risk (and sometimes the cost) of their own lives, helped spare Jewish people from death.

I have wondered many times, Would I have the courage to risk my life to save another’s? More specifically, would my professed love for the Jewish people extend to sacrificing for them? It’s one thing to talk about my deep gratitude to the Jewish people for the spiritual riches – the Scriptures, our Messiah – which we have received through them. It’s another to take a stand in the face of manifest hatred and malevolent butchery.

As the tide of evil and terror continues to rise, the hypothetical moves closer to actual. Hatred of the Jewish people resulted in this week’s obituaries carrying the names of Yoav and Yonatan, Philippe and François-Michel. We have every indication they will not be the last.

Who will stand with the Jewish people when it matters most? What if all who bear the name Christian – kings or not – would identify with the Jewish people? What would the Lord have me do?

Je suis Juif.

Written by Executive Director, Wes Taber

Sharing God's Heart for the Jewish People

To Arrowhead and Back Again

Arrowhead Bible's
a great place to teach
though Fishtail, Montana's
not easy to reach.

My students are eager
to learn from God's Word.
Staff's helpful in serving;
no murmurings heard.

Lectures and quizzes
and papers all due,
Before you can know it
the class is all through.

The week in Montana
has drawn to a close;
I shut my computer
and pack up my clothes.

Everyone's ready
for Christmas break,
Goodbyes are said,
our departures we take.

The ride down to Billings
90 minutes will last;
I watch through the window
the beauty we pass.

Three Arrowhead students
are sharing this ride
Alicia (great driver!),
Faith, Amber beside.

From Billings to Denver
the last two will fly;
Faith's a bit nervous --
first time in the sky.

I'll join them to Denver,
not on to Fargo;
My home destination
is ORD, Chicago.

Our first stop in Billings:
Alicia's fine home.
Her mom made us supper
ere further we roam.

Then off to the airport,
bag checks okay.
Now sit at the gate
and chat time away.

I hear my name called
to get an upgrade;
I'm glad for the legroom,
and the switch made.

The plane's a commuter
an old turboprop --.
but Billings to Denver
is just a short hop.

Our plane lands on time
but there's no open gate.
The "penalty box"
is our non-joyful fate.

The minutes tick by,
on the tarmac we wait.
Our captain regrets
our arrival is late.

At last a reprieve:
our gate is in sight.
The gangplank extends --
we rush out in the night.

The terminal at last!
My legs stretch in haste.
My gate is quite far;
i increase my pace.

Approaching i notice
none milling around --
but wait! Is there hope?
My plane's yet aground!

It's then that I note
between jetway and jet
is a gap of two feet --
that flight I'll not get.

No time to despair,
the next flight I'll make;
from Denver to ORD --
how long could that take?

Turns out, quite a while,
though it's only eight,
"No more flights tonight,"
Now, isn't that great?

United has perks
for you, frequent flyer;
they'll bend over backwards
to help you acquire...

a room for the night,
half an hour away;
seven bucks for a meal
to brighten your stay.

But God has much more
in His plans for my plight;
those Arrowhead students
along on my flight...

also are stranded
in Denver all night.
I help to ensure
that they're treated right.

The "night's sleep" is short
but all is okay;
the shuttle returns us,
and we fly away.

In class we'd learned Ezra
did study and teach,
and taught us to practice
whatever we preach.

So now I just landed
at ORD -- ain't it great?
And our pilot says...
we must wait for our gate!

I smile while thinking
how God orders events
that in the moment
make so little sense.

Life's an adventure!
God often will test
to see if I live what
I teach to the rest.

"God designs what we go through; we decide how we go through it."

Thankful to be safely home with my dear wife and family! And for a great week with some wonderful friends at Arrowhead. And I've heard from Faith and Amber; they have met their families in Fargo.

P.S. This bit of doggerel inspired by my old college buddy (and now airline pilot) Tom Little who posted while we still were in the penalty box:

Remember,,,
when you have time to spare, travel by air!

How do we love the Jewish people?

Many times in almost four decades of ministry Lori and I have been asked, “How can we reach the Jewish people (usually stated, “the Jews”) with the gospel?}

Recently – and the first time in memory – someone asked, “How do we love the Jewish people?” Related to that was the question, “Should we love Jews and Gentiles the same?”

Love is a wonderful prism through which Christians should view the subject of Jewish-Gentile relations. And of course we want our thinking to be informed by God’s Word.

To begin, I don’t think the spiritual needs of the Jewish people are greater than that of the Gentiles. “Both Jews and Gentiles are all under sin. There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:9-10).

“For there is no distinction; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All mankind is under God’s judgment. And the same solution to the sin which separates us from a holy God is available equally to both Jews and Gentiles: the atoning sacrifice of Yeshua (Jesus). “…being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Messiah Jesus (Romans 3:24).

I also see no evidence that heaven rejoices more over a Jewish soul saved than a Gentile one. Both are made in God’s image. In Romans 4 the Apostle Paul emphasizes the fact that Abraham was:

1)      justified by faith (vs. 9)

2)      before he was circumcised (vs. 10)

3)      so that he could be the father of faith to all who believe (vs. 11-12).

So, why do we make a distinction if circumcision (the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham’s descendants through Jacob) makes no difference? The best reason I can think of is because God does.

·         In the Old Covenant (Testament)

o   God divides the world’s peoples into two groups: the Nation (Israel) and the nations (everyone else). In Deuteronomy 7:6-9 God tells us why He selected Israel from all other nations: His purposeful love, and His promises to the patriarchs.

o   In Genesis 12:1-3 those promises include:

¨       the land (boundaries are delineated and the territory promised unconditionally in Genesis 15)

¨       a great nation (singular, though “peoples” also come through Hagar and Keturah, the line of promise was through Isaac, then Jacob/Israel)

¨       a blessing (both personal to Abraham – a great name), and global (all the families of the earth).

o   God associates His name with the Jewish people

¨       “I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”

¨       “the God of Israel” appears 101 times in Scripture

o   God associates His name with His action in Jewish history: “I am the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt”

¨       God introduces Himself to the Hebrew people at Sinai with this description – Exodus 20:2

¨       The phrase is found repeatedly in the Torah (Leviticus 19:36; 25:38; 26:13; Numbers 15:41; Deuteronomy 5:6; 8:14; 13:5; 20:1).

o   God chose Israel

¨       “Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8)

¨       To be His unique people [129 of the 130 times “ami“ (“My people”) is found in the Old Testament it refers to Jewish people/the nation of Israel)

o   The promises of Messiah were made to the Jewish people through the Jewish prophets throughout the Tenach (Hebrew Scriptures).

o   Those desiring to identify with the true God came to Israel (e.g., Egyptians who left with the Hebrews in the Exodus – the “mixed multitude”; Rahab, Ruth, Naaman the Syrian). Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem had a Court of the Gentiles for God-fearing non-Jews.

·         In the New Covenant

o   In the Gospels and Acts we are introduced to “Gentile God fearers” who attach themselves to Israel (e.g., the Ethiopian eunuch who travels to Jerusalem to worship, and reads Isaiah 53 on the journey home).

o   Yeshua initially presents Himself as Messiah exclusively to Israel (“His own” in John 1:11).

o   The disciples and early followers of Yeshua are Jewish; the 120 gathered in the Upper Room (Acts 2) were observing Shavuot – the Feast of Weeks.

o   It is a great surprise to the early believers when Gentiles are added to the faith (see Acts 15 for the first Church council’s ruling on the matter).

·         In both Old and New Covenants we find a future for Israel. The Jewish people will be restored to the Land but more importantly to the Lord (His Law will be written on the hearts of His people – Jeremiah 31:33-34). Based on the clear teaching of Scripture, this restoration is not because Israel has earned or deserves it (see Ezekiel 20, e.g.). It has everything to do with God’s reputation [“for My name’s sake” and “in the sight of the nations” are key phrases] and His character [God’s enduring love and integrity in keeping His promises – His very motivation in choosing Israel in the first place (Deuteronomy 7:8)].

Does God love everyone? John 3:16 tells us He does.

“Does God love everyone equally?” is another question. [God’s “Jacob have I loved but Esau I have hated” statement is a challenge to our sense of fairness – especially when the choice was made while the twins were in utero (Romans 9:10-13). What about “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 21:20)?]

So, what does it mean to have God’s heart for the Jewish people? Foundationally, it is recognizing their unique role as His chosen people and loving them as He does. For a sampling, Israel is:

·         the “apple of God’s eye” (Zechariah 2:8)

·         His treasured possession (Exodus 19:5, Deuteronomy 14:2)

·         His inheritance (Deuteronomy 4:20)

·         His offspring/children (Deuteronomy 14:1)

·         His wife (Jeremiah 31:32).

The Jewish people are precious in God’s sight, honored and loved (Isaiah 43:4), and His witnesses and servant (43:10). He is Israel’s Redeemer, “the Holy One of Israel,” their Creator and King (43:14-15). He has engraved them on His palms (49:15-15).

The Scriptures are very clear: Israel mattered a great deal to God. And the prophetic words which accompany such expressions of love indicate this love is not merely past tense. [See Isaiah 43:5-7 as one example in context.]

What does love look like? Pastor Steve DeWitt (Bethel Church in Crown Point, IN) defines love as “Actively seeking the good and joy of others.” So how do we seek the good and joy of the Jewish people? Here are 10 suggestions:

  1.  Don’t ignore/overlook the Jewish people. Over the years we have noted with sadness how easy it is for the Jewish people to NOT be represented in missions conferences on college campuses and in churches. We often see “tracks” for reaching Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, animists, etc., but many times the Jewish people aren’t on the program.

Many evangelical churches work to diversify their missions giving, yet often no Jewish ministry is on the budget. The clear biblical priority of the Jewish people in God’s plan has dropped entirely off the radar for many. Our esteemed colleague Jhan Moskowitz (now with the Lord) said it well: “The greatest form of anti-Semitism is the withholding of the gospel from the Jewish people.”

Thankfully, there are wonderful exceptions. Our hearts soar when hear of messages preached in local churches which reflect God’s heart for the Jewish people.

  2.  Recognize Israel’s distinction from the Church. Supercessionism is reflected in a theology that reads the Church back into the Old Testament and considers Israel to be the Church in the New Testament. The failure to distinguish between God’s dealings with national Israel and His purpose for the global Church produces numerous errors.

As examples, God’s unconditional covenant regarding the Land promised to Abraham (Genesis 15) gets spiritualized or ignored. Specific commands to national Israel are confusing when applied to the Church. What is the New Covenant believer’s relationship to laws regarding observing the Sabbath, eating unclean foods, or mixing cotton and linen in clothing?

We are loving the Jewish people when we don’t spiritualize or misappropriate for ourselves the blessings of God to Israel. (“Every promise in the book is mine, every chapter every verse every line” is a catchy song reflecting a lousy hermeneutic, in my opinion.)

  3.  Remember God’s blueprint for the Church. In Ephesians 2 Paul details God’s design for the Bride of Messiah:

¹³ But now in Messiah Jesus you [Gentiles] who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both [Jews and Gentiles] one and has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that He might create in Himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.”

The result of Messiah’s cross-work, for both Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Him, includes:

·         peace (vs. 17)

·         access in one Spirit to the Father (18)

·         fellow citizenship, members of the same family (19)

·         built together to be God’s dwelling place (22).

Eph. 3 unveils the mystery:  ⁶”This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Messiah Jesus through the gospel.” Hallelujah!

  4.  Have an attitude of humble gratitude. As Gentiles, our spiritual heritage was destitute: dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1-2). But that is true of Jewish people as well. In Paul’s words, ”For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God’” (Romans 3:9-11).

However, Scripture contrasts the spiritual legacy of the two groups:

a.       Jewish inheritance (Romans 9):  ⁴ They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.  ⁵ The ancestors are theirs, and from them, by physical descent, came the Messiah, who is God over all, praised forever.

b.      Gentile position (Ephesians 2): “¹¹ Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separated from Messiah, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

One could almost think Paul foresaw what could happen down the road as more Gentiles were added to the Body (and he saw the continuing resistance of his kinsmen to the gospel). Using an “olive tree” analogy, Paul writes to the non-Jewish “wild branches,” instructing “Do not be arrogant toward the (natural) branches” (see Romans 11:17-21).

Reading the words of the Church fathers regarding the Jewish people we get the sense that Paul’s injunction has been widely ignored. Even understanding the difficulties of discerning motivations and the forces shaping cultures far removed from ours, it is easy to see how Jewish people reading the patristic writings don’t come away feeling loved and valued.

After the Church was birthed (Acts 2), Gentiles heard the gospel of the Jewish Messiah from Jewish witnesses. Are we grateful?

  5.  Remind the Jewish people (and the Church) of God’s enduring covenant faithfulness. This can be done by preaching those passages that both teach and illustrate this truth. (Ezekiel 20 is my favorite, in part because it is unknown; I incorporate it when teaching Perspectives.)

But we also have “tangential” opportunities to reference God’s hesed (steadfast lovingkindnes). As one example, when citing A.W. Pink’s seven qualities of God, the first three qualities (uninfluenced, eternal, and sovereign) all are directly related to God’s love for the Jewish people. Surely His qualities of love extend to all people. But this would be a great place to remind the Church of God’s enduring love for the Jewish people, simply by noting the context of the quoted passages. YHVH’s covenant steadfastness to Israel bolsters our confidence He will not forsake us (2 Timothy 2:13 is a NT restatement of this wonderful truth).

  6.  Consider Israel’s national future. What are the implications of the biblical promises yet unfulfilled? Surely if everything culminated with the Church being gathered to her Bridegroom and the glorious Marriage Supper of the Lamb ushering in the eternal state, God could simply destroy Earth after uniting us to His Son. But Daniel’s 70^th week (Daniel 9) picks up where the 69^th leaves off – with Israel in primary focus.

And it is to the Jewish people Messiah reveals Himself when His feet touch down on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:3-5) after His wrath and judgments have been poured out on the nations who oppress the Jewish people during the Tribulation. In Zechariah 12 God says He will “make Jerusalem a cup of staggering to all the surrounding peoples” (vs. 2). “All the nations of the earth will gather against it” (vs. 3).

Verses 7-9 of Zechariah 14 detail the physical deliverance of the Jewish people. But it is the verses which follow that make our hearts thrill the more:

¹⁰ “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.”

Zechariah 13 tells of the fountain opened for cleansing from sin and Israel’s spiritual restoration. And then we have the reign of Yeshua (14:9ff), with Jerusalem the capitol. And the Jewish festival of Booths will be observed – by Gentiles, even (14:16-19).

The Church Age, a mystery in the OT, is an insertion amid God’s dealing with Israel. He promises to fulfill the final chapters when the “pause button” is released. [Who in our churches even knows about Israel’s prophetic future? Should they not, when Scripture reveals it?]

The Church and Israel are not identical people of God. Neither are they in competition. Right now, Jews and Gentiles are being united through faith into the Body of Messiah – the Church. And if we understand correctly, the saints will return to reign with Yeshua in His earthly reign when David’s greater Son takes His throne.

This culminating rule on earth will bring full circle God’s prophetic purpose for the physical descendants of Jacob, and will result in God’s greater glory among the nations – something repeatedly referenced in our Bibles. This matters to God – look how much of Holy Writ is devoted to it. Should it not matter to us?

  7.  Speak the truth in love. Scripture is clear: the Jewish people need the Savior. They (and the Church) need to be reminded of that. The Jewish people (like all others) are under God’s judgment – but it begins with them (Rom. 2:9-10).

When we speak of God’s wrath against Israel’s unbelief and disobedience, we should do so with the sorrow reflective of Jeremiah and Yeshua. The very tone of voice we use (warm and tender versus indifferent, dismissive, or derisive) when speaking of the Jewish people communicates much.

I once observed a believer who literally backed a stranger into a corner, wagged his finger under the poor trapped man’s nose and said angrily, ”You’re going to burn in hell if you don’t repent.”

The response came quickly: “And something tells me you’d be happy if I did (go to hell).” [OY!!]

  8.  Align with the biblical priority. Most Gentiles are fine with Paul’s statement that judgment is “to the Jew first” (Rom. 2:8-9) [Interestingly, “glory, honor, and peace” are also first to the Jewish people in vs. 10 – and verse 11 emphasizes God’s impartiality!]  

More often than not Romans 1:16 is quoted with the wrong punctuation: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” But God didn’t put a period there!

We know of a church that has in its bylaws that Jewish evangelism must be included in its missions giving based on Romans 1:16. And a former Life in Messiah board member is following the example of his father (a pastor) by contributing a check to LIFE each January 1 – his “firstfruits” giving to the Lord is “to the Jew first.”

  9.  Understand Jewish sensitivities and culture. Love pays attention to the wants and needs of others so that their good and joy is maximized. The deep wounds the Jewish people have suffered over centuries – too often at the hands of those identified as Christians – is a huge barrier for the gospel.

It seems a minor step, but interspersing vocabulary “friendly” to Jewish ears (e.g., Messiah, Yeshua, Jewish people, Hebrew Scriptures)  with their “gentile” counterparts (Christ, Jesus, Jews, Old Testament) helps them feel “at home.”

Jewish holidays provide a great opportunity for building bridges. As a side benefit, it helps Gentiles recognize the Jewish roots of our faith and gain insights into Scripture. “Messiah in the Passover” seders are one example, and we’re delighted when churches host these. A “Happy New Year to our Jewish friends” sign at Rosh Hashanah is a loving touch churches can employ. (For ideas, please see http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/calendarofjewishholidays)  

  10.  Get to know Jewish people. It’s impossible to love in a vacuum. The best love is what Yeshua modeled: incarnational and relational. Spending time with people, listening to their stories and sharing our own, is something most everyone can do.

As one idea of a conversation starter, think about watching our video letter (http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/whatsnew/) with a Jewish friend. Asking their opinion of the message would help you gain their perspectives of Christians/Christianity, and perhaps spark opportunities for dialogue. How wonderful it would be to counter misperceptions by contrasting the hateful actions of some with the clear teachings of Yeshua (we are to love even our enemies, e.g.) and with acts of lovingkindness toward our Jewish neighbors.

Another option for interchange with Jewish people on spiritual matters is “In Search of Shalom.” This website, developed by Life in Messiah in cooperation with other partner ministries, provides on-line training in sharing your faith. It also allows you to chat with seekers using your own computer or mobile device. www.insearchofshalom.org is the place to start.

As always, more could be said, but I’ll hit “pause” here. May God help us – His Church – to reflect His love for His chosen nation. Together we are going to reign with our Redeemer, Israel’s Messiah and Savior of mankind – to the praise of His glorious Name.

Putting "air" back into LIFE

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http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/ways-to-give

Last week George (our veteran Force Recon Marine with the eagle eye) went out to trim the bushes around HQ. Quickly he was back inside.

“SOMEONE HAS STOLEN OUR AIR CONDITIONERS!”

My first thought was that the wall units in the front office had been heisted – but surely we would have noticed?

But then the realization hit: the four AC condensers for the rear of the building, which had been situated on the south side parking lot, indeed were missing. The only sad remnant (see photo) were the wires protruding from the wall.

OY! Why this -- why now -- why us? Lord...?

This is already a year in which Life in Messiah is trusting the Lord for "extra" funds. [We're bringing in field workers from four continents for staff conference this summer. Five major projects remain to complete renovations in our New York ministry/training center.]

And now, this?

The thieves had evidently worked quickly. They pulled the electrical breakers, snipped the lines, nipped the units, and vanished. And no one was the wiser until George saw what wasn't there.

Many others, including the security systems vendors, AC providers and fencing folks giving us quotes, tell of all kinds of metal thefts – mostly copper, in all forms. (The excavator next door to us reports steel pipes were stolen off his lot the prior week.)

Even AC units situated on roofs are being pilfered. And numerous churches on Chicago’s south side are being hit. Easy prey, I guess.

The police officer who came to take the report told us that same night someone stole a pickup truck and trailer from just down our street. The surmise: our ACs ended up on the back of the trailer, and are in a scrap yard somewhere.

Quotes are being sought to replace the four AC condensers. But before we put them in place, we are advised to put fencing and security cameras in place. The latter has been a “wish list” item for some time. 

Now it feels a bit like “locking the barn door after the horse is out.”

Thankfully, no one was injured and our insurance will cover a portion (minus the $5,000 deductible). The replacement AC units will be more expensive, as the newer technology/refrigerant is required.

We’ve already had “Security System” as one of the remaining “Big Five” projects for Beit Immanuel. (Immanuel House, Life in Messiah's ministry/training center in Brooklyn, is undergoing renovations.) A friend in the security business is quoting just over $8,000 for the alarm system, secure access, and surveillance equipment for Immanuel House. (He’s not licensed to install in NY, but thinks he can talk volunteers through the process.)

We’re still getting competitive quotes for the AC/security work at HQ, but expect the cost here to exceed the Brooklyn quote. Securing both buildings has moved from “wish list” to “priority.” We will do the work at minimum cost – but since this is "extra budget," we need to have funds committed before we act.

So – we begin by asking, “Lord, whom would you raise up to help with this project?”

Sometimes He provides when someone “in the business” chooses to discount or donate equipment or labor. Perhaps someone with a heart for ministry and who understands the importance of security will write a check to help underwrite the projects.

We are eager to see how the Lord chooses to meet this need – perhaps through someone YOU speak with this week. Please pray, and act as the Lord prompts you.

An easy way to participate personally is to simply click on the following link, click on the DONATE button, and indicate AC/Security in the PURPOSE box on the top of the page:
http://www.lifeinmessiah.org/ways-to-give/how-to-donate

Every blessing in Messiah,

Wes Taber

Executive Director

http://www.lifeinmessiah.org

P.S. Just to be clear: whatever steps we take to protect our buildings and personnel, our security will always remain firmly in the LORD!

P.P.S. Should more funding come in above what the AC/Security project needs, any excess will go to fund the remaining Immanuel House improvements in Brooklyn.

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Biblical Zionists (of which I am one) rightfully point to the Holy Scriptures to defend Israel’s “unconditional title deed” to the Land of Promise. The same Bible also gives clear conditions for Abraham’s descendants being able to dwell there in peace and security under God’s blessing: faith in the Lord and obedience to His Word.

Blessing Israel goes beyond calling for borders the IDF considers defensible. If all of Israel’s enemies were to lay down their arms tomorrow, our call for her people to repent from sin and find forgiveness through Yeshua would still need to resound. For apart from a right spiritual standing with the Holy One of Israel, why would we think that a modern state would escape the same judgment as did the nation of old? And beyond the temporal survival of a nation-state, what of the graver concern of the eternal standing of individual souls?

Though markedly unreported, Israel already is blessing the world through humanitarian aid, medical advances, rescue teams and cadaver dogs sent to disaster sites, and drip irrigation education in the poorest of countries. And this at a time when so much treasure and effort is invested in defense of the state.

But her greatest blessings to the nations are yet to be realized. “Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!” (Romans 11:12).

What motivation ought every believer in Yeshua have to share the gospel with our Jewish friends: to see the fullness of the promise to the “father of faith,” Abraham, “And in you shall ALL the families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). To think of a people not only restored to the Land but also with hearts restored to the Lord, and under His blessing and protection fulfilling His eternal purpose as a light to the nations to the praise of His glory is a bright prospect, indeed!

Today's Events in Light of Prophecy

My friend Phil Gottschalk (who teaches philosophy and apologetics at Tyndale in the Netherlands and shares our love for the Jewish people) recently posted a blog about studying prophecy in light of what is happening in the world today. [Seehttp://drphilginnlspensees.blogspot.com/2011/03/shoot-from-hip-response.html#comments.]

Among his thoughtful musings was the statement, “I think biblical prophecy is interesting and there are many things for us to learn from it. However, I think, for instance, speculation about who or what is the beast and who or what is the Antichrist is rather pointless. When these people or institutions or states come into being there will be no mistaking them.”

Over the three and a half decades of involvement in ministry with American Messianic Fellowship/Life in Messiah International, I’ve often been asked about how a whole variety of events may fit into the prophetic puzzle. Yeshua’s description (Matthew 24:4 ff) includes “wars and rumors of wars…famines and earthquakes in various places.”

The recent tumult in the countries around the Mediterranean basin (Egypt, Libya, et al.) and the earthquake/tsunami/nuclear reactor meltdown in Japan last week would make great fuel for stoking the prophetic furnace. But something sadly macabre occurs when the tragic loss of human life is brushed aside in the rush to see how the latest catastrophe fits into a prophetic scheme.

In the mid-1970’s I was first exposed to the “eschatological excess of newspaper exegesis” (reading into today’s headlines a certain fulfillment of prophetic scripture). I admit the adrenaline rush was heady at first. But I began to liken it to eating cotton candy: a sugar high, with no nutritional value, and an inevitable crash when the Lord didn’t return right away.

And today? One need not look far to document the parallel between the violence and corruption that marked Noah’s day and ours (cp. Gen. 6:5&11 with Matt. 24:37). The reshaping of governments in the Middle East while radical Islam is surging makes for interesting possibilities for the near future. The earthquake in Japan graphically reminds us how quickly a single event can set in motion dramatic change. Now would be a great time to write a novel about how world events are shaping up for the end of days.

But I have no more desire to feed “speculative prophetic cotton candy” to others than to eat it myself. Predicting the time of the Lord’s return only causes one to lose credibility when the date passes. No one knows the day or the hour of Yeshua’s return “but the Father only” (Matt. 24:36).

Neither do I want to join the ranks of scoffers Peter describes (2 Peter 3:4), who sniff, “Where is the promise of His coming? …All things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”

There IS a day appointed for the Lord’s second coming, just as there was His first (Dan. 9:25; Gal. 4:4). And Israel is at the “epicenter” (Joel Rosenberg’s descriptive word). This is true:

• · Geographically – Ezekiel 38:12 describes Israel as the people living “at the center of the world”; the eastern Mediterranean is the land bridge between three continents.
• · Spiritually – Jerusalem is the place where God has set His name (Deut. 12:5; 2 Chron. 7:12).
• · Prophetically – Daniel’s “70 weeks” (Dan. 9:24ff) have in view the Jewish people (“your people”) and Jerusalem (“your holy city”). As I read Scripture, the first 69 “periods of seven” have been fulfilled in history. The 70^th will culminate in the return of the Savior to fulfill what remains of the promises to His people, and for “Jesus to reign where e’er the sun doth its successive journeys run.”

A purpose for living with a sense of the imminence of Messiah’s coming for His bride is found in 1 John 3:2-3, which states:

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

Further, we have the exhortation of Titus 2:11-14:

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

Beyond the motivation for personal purity, the expectancy of the imminent return of Yeshua should create within us a sense of urgency do the Father’s work “as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (Jn. 9:4).

We do not know when our Lord will return, true enough. But none of us is guaranteed tomorrow (including loved ones and friends who don’t yet know Him). And even should He tarry for many years to come, ours is the only generation we are here to reach.

So, I will continue to monitor the news – with an eye toward Israel especially. But I do not want my energies to be diverted to “mere beginnings of birth pangs” when there is a world to win.

What about you?

September 24, 2009

Lori and I just returned from a "meeting filled" (and meaningful) trip to FL and NC. We were privileged to represent Life in Messiah at two churches (Boca Grande, FL and Asheville, NC). We also were in three meetings in homes where we met long-standing praying/giving ministry partners and made some new "Friends for Life."

It's a joy to share some of what the Lord is doing with people who have a heart for Israel and the Jewish people. Lately we've been telling folks that Life has "found a new gear" -- and skipped a couple to get to this one! We're excited to see God at work in so many places and in so many ways.

On the plane ride back to Chicago from NC my seatmate, Christopher, turned out to be an Evangelical Christian who was interested to learn of our ministry. We're grateful for each opportunity to introduce people to Life in Messiah, and continue to look to the Lord for the resources (personnel and finances) needed for the expanding work.

We're especially seeking an experienced "construction supervisor" and "guest house manager" to volunteer for service in Brooklyn. (Contact Office@LifeInMessiah.org for details.)