My colleague Pastor Robbie, in an unmistakably concerned way, approached me recently and said, “Do you know what a widely known Bible teacher is saying about Israel on YouTube? I said, “No.” He responded with unease. He is now teaching “When Israel will Be No More” andsub-sequent teachings on the same subject. I was in utter unbelief and sat shocked to the core!” Why would anyone want to broadcast to all the nations that Israel will be no more needed in the future heavenly New Jerusalem?

Prevailing winds of antisemitism blow more brutally aggressive each week around the world. Opposing and unfavorable headlines soar. The vicious storm gusts, forceful enough to create strong opinions against Israel, appear both from the secular and religious worlds. Israel bashing seems to be one of the longest running themes of journalistic and media headlines in history. Our hearts are troubled at the continual assaults and antagonistic misinformation about Israel which we read on the internet news—much of which is twisted and outright lies.

As He respectfully completed the reading of the ancient Hebrew scrolls in the synagogues of His day, His identification with His Jewish nation remains with us in the Writings of the Apostles (New Testament). Yeshua was accustomed to allying Himself with His people as “we Jews”(John 4:22). Therefore with all due respect, I lovingly appeal to church leaders to ask, “When did He cease being a Jew?” His family tree was recorded in the first chapter of the book of Matthew. Could it have been placed at the beginning of the writings to cement the unbreakable connection with His earthly manhood years? We know the Lord treasures the nations; however at the same time He reminds the Gentiles to be a blessing to His Brethren (Matthew 25:40). Being in right relationship to Israel is not to be taken lightly, as He continually implied, “I am a Jew!” (Matthew 22:42; 2 Timothy 2:8). It is a fundamental truth with which the Church needs to come to grips. I will continue to remind us that “there is no Christian Messiah! He is either Jewish or He is not the Messiah” (Dr. Dwight Pryor). This basic point needs to be made clear so that followers will not fall into the trap of following “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4).

The persuasive rhetoric in the broadcasting of anti-Israel bias in the world media can be described as a pandemic of lies. The spiritual health of multitudes is being affected by those who are denouncing God’s chosen people, in widespread, epidemic proportions. International organizations and networks are hanging in the balance as they dangle on the edge of judgment (Deuteronomy 28:66).  Also many questionable leaders have chosen to castigate and scold the Jewish nation for rightfully defending her people. These leaders and their supporters have placed themselves in an extremely dangerous position with Almighty God and as far as the truth is concerned –remain with eyes closed.

The only Bible that Jesus would have schooled others from were Torah scrolls from which He stood up and read in the synagogues. There were simply no other means of understanding the Words of The Almighty at the time. There were no printing presses nor forms of printing works. The hand of the Jewish scribes meticulously penned the God-breathed words given by the Spirit of the Living God in Hebrew to holy Jewish men. Derek Prince taught us; we owe a great debt to the Jews for preserving God’s sacred words for all to read. With this great gift to mankind – it is heartbreaking to hear that some Christians still suggest that we need to  “toss the “Old” Testament in the dustbin of religious literature as “outdated.” Let us give our attention to the inspiring words of Godly Christians who walked in wisdom and understanding in relation to the Bible. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

While traveling the world, my husband and I were at times almost in unbelief at what we were hearing from congregations in different places on different continents. On our ministry journeys, we obtained a bird’s eye view of what the individual Christian’s  understanding of Jesus and His People was in different cultures. It soon became clear that most Christians had formed a Jesus  from their own imaginations…or a picture in their minds. Rather than shepherds teaching about His manhood, His childhood education, Jewish culture and beliefs, it does not seem to be too important, and centuries of ignorance developed. As a result, “Jesus became whatever they wanted Him to be for the intended audience in whatever era and culture they lived in.” (Dr. Tom Bradford, Torah Class) When we spoke about the Jewishness of Jesus, some of our precious Christian brothers and sisters came to us in tears, some in shock, and others could hardly believe their belief was in a Jew!  This is how we discovered the confusion in the church of who Jesus really was – as if a surprise – something they really had not thought about before or never had been told. We were amazed as we had not expected to encounter this cluelessness of the One and Only Redeemer of our souls.

God is preparing a City–Jerusalem (on earth) which will acquire a new name in the coming era of the bond between God and His World. Jerusalem, chosen by God, will become the heart of a world worship center for all humanity where “every knee will bow” (Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10-11) to the Creator-Father. I am confident that Yeshua will rule that kingdom with a “rod of iron” (Psalm 2:9; Revelation 2:27)  in all power and authority and the nations who “come up to Jerusalem to glorify His Father’s Name.” (Isaiah 2:3; Zechariah 8:22) For one thousand years) people of faith in the One True God and Creator will celebrate together as one assembly. God is a God of Oneness.(Ephesians 4:5) The Jewish Apostles knew God as One (not three) and there were no “two separate religions” with thousands of splits and denominations. There was only one faith – one God – through One Messiah. I have recommitted my life, what is left of it, to the Great King of the Jews who became the “lamb slain” the sacrifice for my sins.(John 1:29; Leviticus 1:3,4; Revelation 5:12) I reside on a mountain “around Jerusalem” (Psalm 125:1) and imagine in the mental landscape of my mind–the Glory of the Lord on Temple Mount. It is only in watercolor for me presently, but I know then it will be in full majestic color one day. That Kingdom will last forever – a reign – once it has begun (which Lance taught) will never end. “At that time they will call Jerusalem, the throne of the Lord and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the Lord.” (Jeremiah 3:17)

“It is written”appears quite often in our Bibles and while the meaning is clear, it became more understandable once I checked the Hebrew version of the scripture. My eyes suddenly opened wider with the comprehension of “It standswritten!” The weight and authority of the Hebrew expresses the finality of the matter of the authority of God’s Voice. God never changes and His Mind never replaces nor alters after His Voice has spoken. The words from His Mouth carries with it the depth of “Ana Nafshi K’ta’vit Y’ha’vit.

Franz Rosenzweig (1886-1929) became an influential theologian. He said “…Christianity is Judaism for the gentiles”. Wow. Think about that. He claimed it is likely that what Jesus said in John 4:22, few thinkers in Christianity have digested. He felt the stumbling block lies in the fact that too many Christians cannot come to terms with the Jewishness of Jesus. “My Jesus a Jew? Never!” (the voice of a Protestant Christian). September 2019 brought a shocking headline to the world.

Jesus gave the Torah (what Christians call the “Old” Testament) more power when He proclaimed that not even the smallest letter would pass away until its purpose is complete. “…verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:18). Jesus also said whoever tries to weaken even one of the smallest commandments (in the “Old” Testament)
will be the least-esteemed and regarded as small in the Kingdom (Matthew 5:19).