Lost Tribes of Israel

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate The “Lost Tribes of Israel”: One of the Greatest Mysteries of History Revealed For centuries, explorers, historians, archaeologists, and researchers studied and debated the fate of the fabled “Lost Tribes of Israel”. Following the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians, most of the members of the ten tribes were scattered throughout the empire. That was followed by the Babylonian captivity, and then still later the Roman dispersion that left few traces of a once great nation God had blessed. Through the years, the fate of the “Lost Tribes” has been of great interest. There were strange reports and rumors and fanciful theories that piqued interest but did little to add to the truth. Then a series of remarkable discoveries began to be made in places thousands of miles away. People groups were discovered in remote areas that followed many ancient Jewish customs and had tribal traditions and legends that they were connected to Israel. In 1985, when news of the Operation Moses airlift that covertly brought some 8,000 Ethiopian Jews to Israel was leaked, it was the first time that many people discovered that the “Lost Tribes” had indeed been found. God has uniquely positioned and equipped Jewish Voice to reach out to these newly found groups. For many years now, we have been conducting outreaches in remote areas, meeting physical needs of these often poor people groups, and sharing the Gospel of Yeshua. We have seen thousands come to faith in Him during these outreaches. Today, we are delighted to share with you an update on the status of the scattered Jewish People groups and our work among them in a new edition of The Lost Tribes of Israel photobook. We invite you to join us for a celebration of God’s preservation of His Chosen People in these wonderful pages. This stunning coffee table book is filled with beautiful color pictures from different Jewish People groups in Ethiopia, India, and Zimbabwe. You will meet the Beta Abraham, the Gefat, the Lemba, the Beta Israel, and the Bnei Menashe—confirmed by DNA evidence to be descended from the scattered Tribes of Israel. It will give you a new sense of their needs and the doors God has opened for us to reach them. Tags Lost Tribes Scattered Tribes Categories Israel Global Outreaches Share this article Related Articles THE BETA ISRAEL OF TACH GAYINT Learning to Hope Again More than He Could Have Asked From Paralysis To Praise Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

Update-The Igbo of Nigeria

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate Update - The Igbo of Nigeria Last February, we went to a group of people in Nigeria who strongly identify with and believe themselves to be descended from the ancient Jewish people of Israel. We were hosted by an organization called the Redeemed Israel Community of Nigeria (RICON). We conducted DNA testing on 124 males identified by RICON (as representative of the Igbo community). The DNA samples were sent to a trusted DNA lab in the United States. They were then compared to the worldwide data repository of Jewish samples amassed over the past 17 years. This repository includes the datasets of Dr. Michael Hammer, Ph.D. from the University of Arizona’s Anthropology department, along with the sample collection of Dr. Doron Behar, M.D., Ph.D. from Israel. These two scholars are the authors of all the relevant scientific papers on the DNA analysis concerning the Jewish people published over the past 20 years. After a careful comparison, the lab was not able to find any connection to the samples we collected. Jewish populations from around the world are found in 9 discrete subsets of humanity. These are in the following scientific groups: E1b, G, J1, J2, Q, R1a, R1b, Q and T. The entire sample set collected from the 124 Igbo males are from a different branch, commonly known as E1a, an African branch of the tree, like the E1b mentioned above. However, while the Jewish E1b group is from North Africa (Arab) populations, the samples from the Igbo tribe are from E1a, which is restricted to sub-Saharan African populations. Our purpose for providing this DNA testing for RICON was to assist them in their pursuit of truth concerning their historical lineage and identity. They are a remarkable group of people, and, although the DNA test results did not support their claim to be descendants of the ancient people of Israel, we consider them our brothers and sisters through our common faith in the Messiah, Yeshua. Jewish Family Finder DNA Kit Do you wonder if you might be Jewish? Discover your ethnic and geographic origins with the Family Finder DNA Kit. Created by Family Tree DNA, this analysis can also provide breakthrough to obstacles in finding unknown relatives. Family Finder offers powerful interactive tools to help trace your lineage through time and determine family connections. Everyone has a story. What’s yours? With the world’s most comprehensive DNA matching database discover your roots, connect the dots, and unlock your family history. You will also receive a decorative certificate presenting a summary of your results. Full results will arrive by email. If you would like to receive a printed copy of your full results, a $25 processing fee from Family Tree DNA applies. ADD TO CART Tags DNA Test Scattered Tribes Categories Outreach Stories Share this article Related Articles The Gospel To The Jew First Israel Holds the Key to World Redemption We Know That Jesus Loves Kids Bringing Healing, Health, and Hope Restoration Of All Things The Restoration of Israel Hebrew School with Danny Ben Gigi Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

Restoration of All Things

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate Restoration Of All Things God's plan of redemption not only saves us from damnation, it also restores the damage that was caused by sin. We believe in the biblical principle of restoration. God made everything in the world “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Yet, Adam's sin and Satan's rebellion caused much destruction. God's plan of redemption not only saves us from damnation, it also restores the damage that was caused. That restoration is first personal. Our spirit, soul, and body are redeemed. However, God's restoration is also general, and includes everything in the world. Personal restoration is better known in the Christian world, while world restoration is better known in the Jewish world. The New Covenant includes both. The traditional Jewish prayer, “Aleinu” (It is incumbent upon us), which closes every service, three times per day, makes a petition “to repair the world in the kingdom of El Shaddai.” The word here for “repair” is “Tikkun.” [This is the name used for the cooperative ministries with Dan Juster, Don Finto, David Rudolph, Eitan Shishkoff, and Paul Wilbur.] World restoration (Tikkun Olam) is central not only to the Tikkun ministry, but to the worldview of the kingdom of God. There are five passages in the New Covenant that speak specifically of world restoration. Matthew 17 – The Church Romans 11 – The Messianic remnant Matthew 19 – Natural Creation Acts 1 – Kingdom of Israel Acts 3 – All Things MATTHEW 17:11 Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. Yeshua prophesies that someone in the spirit and power of Elijah will come “first” – that means before Yeshua returns. The “days of Elijah” restoration will take place before the 2nd Coming. The phrase, “all things,” cannot mean all things in the world, because that will only happen after Yeshua returns. This restoration is parallel to the prophecy that “the bride will make herself ready” (Revelation 19:7). The elements of the kingdom of God will be restored within the community of faith before Yeshua returns. When He returns, what is within the people of God will be revealed and given to the nations. A central theme of prophetic ministry in our generation is the restoration of the true Church as we approach the 2nd Coming. ROMANS 11:15 What will their restoration be but life from the dead? There will also be a restoration of the Messianic remnant of Israel. This dual restoration can be seen in Revelation 7:4 and 9. The elements to be restored are those found in the early community of faith in the book of Acts. There we see sacrificial love, extravagant giving, bold evangelism, miraculous signs, and unity of the saints. The end times remnant of Israel will be even stronger than the apostolic community of the first century (Romans 11:12). The revival of the end times will be greater than the revival they experienced (Acts 2:17). The Messianic remnant will be a key element leading to the resurrection of the dead. MATTHEW 19:28 In the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. As both the international Church and the remnant of Israel come into their fullness (Romans 11:15 and 25), they will together call upon Yeshua to return (Matthew 23:39, Revelation 22:20). At that time, the kingdom of God will be established on the earth for a thousand years. This Millennial kingdom will include two key elements. The first is “regeneration.” The Hebrew translation says, “renewal of creation.” The Greek original is paliggenesia. Pali means “again” and genesia means “genesis,” like creation in the book of Genesis. Natural creation will be redeemed (Romans 8:19-22). The heavens and earth will be renewed as they were immediately after the flood of Noah (II Peter 3:3-5). People will begin to live longer lives (Isaiah 65:17, 20). The second element is a worldwide kingdom with its capital in Jerusalem. ACTS 1:6 Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? The apostles expected Yeshua to restore the Davidic kingdom immediately upon His resurrection from the dead. However, He told them they first had to receive the Holy Spirit and preach the gospel to the nations. His kingdom was to be international, not just Israelite; and spiritual, not just governmental. It is a renewal and expansion of the Davidic kingdom (Isaiah 2:2-4). The former dominion will be restored (Micah 4:8). Yeshua will sit upon His throne in Jerusalem; the apostles will sit on twelve thrones governing the tribes of Israel. Those who have “followed Him” will sit on thrones governing the rest of the nations when Yeshua returns in glory (Matthew 16:27; 19:28; 24:30; 24:46- 47; 25:21; 25:31; 26:64). ACTS 3:21 Whom the heavens must receive until the time of the restoration of all things; which God has spoken by the mouth of all His prophets since the world began. Ultimately, God will restore all things. There is nothing that will not be restored. This includes everything planned at creation; everything prophesied to Israel; everything promised to the Church. It includes all things in heaven and earth (Ephesians 1:10). God's commitment to restore all things is a source of great hope and encouragement to us all. Author Asher Intrater Tags Biblical Teaching End Times Israel Messianic Jewish Categories Messianic Judaism Teachings Share this article Related Articles The Gospel To The Jew First Israel Holds the Key to World Redemption We Know That Jesus Loves Kids Bringing Healing, Health, and Hope The Restoration of Israel Update - The Igbo of Nigeria Hebrew School with Danny Ben Gigi Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

Israel Holds the Key to WORLD Redemption

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate Israel Holds the Key to World Redemption “I am as likely to reject My people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!” - God In a day and age when Israel is being increasingly delegitimized in the press, in politics, and even in the pulpit, God is looking for a people who will carry His heart for Israel. In this short article, I want to give you five rock-solid, biblical reasons why every Believer should stand with Israel. When I say “stand with Israel,” I’m not speaking from a political perspective, but rather from a biblical perspective. If you look at Israel through a political lens, you’ll end up hating Arabs or Jews—or both! But if you look at Israel through a biblical lens, you’ll end up loving both Arabs and Jews. This is not intended to be an exhaustive study, but rather just some basic principles backed by Scriptural evidence that I think will help equip you to answer those who seek to delegitimize the nation and the people of Israel. 1. God’s Heart is for Israel and the Jewish People! If the title of this article was “The One Reason Why Every Believer Should Support Israel,” this would be the reason: God’s heart is for Israel and the Jewish people! That really should be good enough for us and should seal the deal. Listen to some of these indisputable statements made by God Himself to Israel and the Jewish people: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD who has compassion on you” (Isaiah 54:10 NIV). “I have loved you with an everlasting love …” (Jeremiah 31:3 NIV). “I will not forget you! See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me” (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV). “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature” (Jeremiah 31:36 NLT). These Scriptures are just a few that scratch the surface of God’s heart and His feelings for Israel. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, how can we think that He would ever change how He feels about this? Of course, God’s heart is for every nation of the world. It’s His desire that no one would perish (Jew and Gentile alike), but there is only one people group on this planet that He chose as the agent through whom salvation would come, and that is Israel! 2. It Reconnects Us to Our Heritage, Our Identity and Our Destiny The Jewish people are the Messiah’s own people because Jesus is Jewish! He wasn’t just Jewish for 33 years and then became a Christian when He ascended to heaven. He was born King of the Jews, He was raised by Torah observant parents, He was called “rabbi” by those who followed His teachings, He was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, He died King of the Jews, and He’s returning as the Lion of the tribe of Judah! Our heritage in the Messiah is a Jewish heritage: Romans 9:3-5 – “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ.” Get the Large Silver Trimmed Shofar This beautiful Yemenite shofar is made of a Kudu horn and exquisitely adorned with handcrafted silver plated accents. Let this special shofar serve as a conversation starter and reminder of God calling our hearts to worship Him. ADD TO CART Ephesians 1:3-5 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in the Messiah…He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus the Messiah to Himself…” Jeremiah 31:31-34 – “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah … I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” 3. We Have Been Grafted in to Provoke Israel to Jealousy Unfortunately, rather than provoking Israel to jealousy, the Church has been a source of much pain to Jewish people throughout the centuries. In the name of Christianity, Jews have been maligned, persecuted, and even killed by cross-bearing men and women who faithfully attended church on a weekly basis. As a matter of fact, many of the “Church fathers” have actually taught that God was through with Israel and that His promises were now transferred from Israel to the Church. Romans 11:11 – “I say, then, they [Israel] did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles [nations], to make Israel jealous.” Romans 11:17-18 – [Paul is speaking to the Gentiles] “…But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.” Get the Large Silver Trimmed Shofar This beautiful Yemenite shofar is made of a Kudu horn and exquisitely adorned with handcrafted silver plated accents. Let this special shofar serve as a conversation starter and reminder of God calling our hearts to worship Him. ADD TO CART 4. Jewish Revival Will Lead to World Revival and the Return of the Messiah We should stand with Israel because it holds the key to world redemption. As a result of Israel rejecting the Messiah, salvation has come to the Nations of the world. However, Scripture is clear that when Israel accepts their Messiah, it will be life from the dead! Yeshua can’t return until Israel welcomes Him back. Therefore, we must remember that the Gospel is still the power of salvation to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). Romans 11:11-15 – “Again I ask: Did they [Israel] stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles [nations] to make Israel envious [jealous]. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles…For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” Matthew 23:37-39 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’” 5. The ‘Church’ Has a Debt to Israel Who Brought Them the Messiah Romans 15:25-27 “…but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to [the Believers in Jerusalem]. For if the [nations] have shared in [Israel’s] spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.” We entered the Jewish new year with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, and in this special season of renewal, I want to encourage you with this important fifth point. Amazingly, Paul would travel to the Gentile Believers around the region to collect money for the Believers in Jerusalem. And just as Paul ministered to Israel in material things in order to fulfill a spiritual debt, when you give to organizations that support Israel and her people, you are also fulfilling this Biblical mandate. Together For Israel exists to “partner with the Church for the salvation of Israel” and, by God’s grace, we are seeing people around the globe participate in a supernatural way. When we give financial help to the needy in the Land, we always tell them that it is not from us, but rather from Believers around the world who have a love for the God of Israel. Get the Large Silver Trimmed Shofar This beautiful Yemenite shofar is made of a Kudu horn and exquisitely adorned with handcrafted silver plated accents. Let this special shofar serve as a conversation starter and reminder of God calling our hearts to worship Him. ADD TO CART Author Scott Volk Tags Israel Biblical Teaching Support Israel Categories Israel Share this article Related Articles The Gospel To The Jew First We Know That Jesus Loves Kids Bringing Healing, Health, and Hope Restoration Of All Things The Restoration of Israel Update - The Igbo of Nigeria Hebrew School with Danny Ben Gigi Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

The GOSPEL to the Jews first

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate The Gospel To The Jew First For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. - Romans 1:16 (NIV) Editor’s Note: Following is an excerpt from Chapter 5 of Jonathan Bernis’ new book, Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel. To learn more about this exciting new book, including how to receive your own copy, please see pages 8-9. The woman was shocked when the young man spoke to her. She was a Samaritan. He was a Jew. And everybody knew Jews looked down their noses at Samaritans. They considered them to be half-breeds, mongrels who had thrown away their godly heritage by intermarrying with non-Jews. The Jews were also incensed that the Samaritans had the temerity to look down on them. They insisted that they had an older, and therefore more accurate, version of the Holy Scriptures and that their Mount Gerazim, not Jerusalem, was sacred to God. Jews hated the Samaritans so much that when they were traveling from Judea to Galilee, or vice versa, they usually went miles out of their way to avoid setting foot in Samaria. But here was this fellow, apparently going straight through her country and also asking her to draw Him a drink of water from the nearby well. The rest of the story is found in the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John: Then the Samaritan woman tells Him, “How is it that You, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?” (For Jewish people don’t deal with Samaritans.) Get the Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel Package One tiny nation Israel. It’s not the richest or most powerful country in the world, but in God’s eyes, Israel is the most important nation on Earth. ADD TO CART Yeshua replied to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman tells Him, “You don’t have a bucket, and the well is deep. Then from where do You get this living water?” Yeshua replied to her, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never be thirsty. The water that I give him will become a fountain of water within him, springing up to eternal life!” “Sir,” the woman tells Him, “give me this water, so I won’t get thirsty or have to come all the way here to draw water!” He tells her, “Go call your husband, and then come back here.” “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Yeshua tells her, “You’ve said it right, ‘I have no husband.’ For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you have now isn’t your husband. This you’ve spoken truthfully!” “Sir,” the woman tells Him, “I see that You are a prophet! “Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you all say that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Yeshua tells her, “Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But an hour is coming—it is here now— when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people as His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman tells Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called the Anointed One.) When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” Yeshua tells her, “I—the One speaking to you—I am.” —John 4:9–11, 13–26 What the World Owes the Jews There are so many lessons to be learned from this passage of Scripture. For example, when the woman asks, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” we see that Yeshua’s ministry will extend beyond just the Jewish people and include Gentiles and even Samaritans (who were even more despised than the Gentiles). The Jews and the Samaritans were well aware that sin had brought sickness and death into the world. When Yeshua tells the woman about the water He can give her, the water that will make it so she never thirsts again, He is telling her that she too can have eternal life through faith in Him. This is a signal that His Messianic mission goes beyond what the Jews were expecting. Yeshua is more than just the King Messiah who will liberate the Jews from Roman occupation of their land and reestablish the kingdom of Israel. He is the Savior of the world. But the main thing I want us to take away from this conversation is Yeshua’s proclamation that “salvation is from the Jews.” From the very first time He spoke to Abraham, God had already chosen Abraham’s descendants to be a light to the nations and bring blessing and salvation to the world. But salvation was to be offered to them first and then through them to all the nations of the world. Get the Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel Package One tiny nation Israel. It’s not the richest or most powerful country in the world, but in God’s eyes, Israel is the most important nation on Earth. ADD TO CART The world owes the Jewish people a great debt of gratitude. Yeshua came into the world through the Jews, and they will also play a central role in His return. Any discussion of the last days is incomplete if it doesn’t give a prominent role to Israel and the Jewish people. It is only because of what Yeshua, a Jew, accomplished when He suffered and died on the cross on our behalf that God sees us as holy, set apart, sanctified, and pure. This is a wonderful promise of the new covenant—a promise that was originally given to Israel alone but that Gentiles receive by an engrafting into God’s family through faith in Yeshua. It is through this engrafting that Gentiles become partakers in all the promises and blessings of God. Paul says the gospel is to the Jew first (Romans 1:16) because all the promises of God were first given to the Jews. Yeshua the Messiah came as a Jew, born of Jewish parents in a Jewish land, and followed the Jewish customs and practices. His disciples were all Jews and, as we’ve already seen, His earthly ministry was devoted to His own people. He fulfilled the prophecies written by Jewish men in the Jewish Scriptures. What could be more Jewish than to believe in such a Messiah? John 3:16 says God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son for all of mankind—Jews and Gentiles alike. But His earthly ministry—His miracles, healings, and teachings—were given to and for the Jewish people. This is very important to understand: the promises and blessings of the new covenant were given to the Jew first, and then, some thirty years later, were opened to the Gentiles. Thus, the fifth key to unlocking the prophetic mysteries of Israel is to understand that the gospel is to the Jew first, and this precedent remains in effect today. In fact, it is the key that unlocks the gospel’s growth to the nations. When we grasp the truth that every Gentile who has received Jesus as Lord and Savior heard the gospel because of the faithfulness of those original Jewish disciples who took the gospel to the ends of the earth, we then realize what a great debt of gratitude we owe to the Jewish people. It is only because of what Yeshua, a Jew, accomplished when He suffered and died on the cross on our behalf that God sees us as holy, set apart, sanctified, and pure. The Gospel to the Nations In my book A Rabbi Looks at the Last Days, I told of how God called me to move to Russia to share the good news of the Messiah with the Jewish people there. It was a truly amazing time in my life, and if you haven’t yet read that book, I invite you to do so. There is so much I’d like to share with you regarding those years in Russia, but, as I said, much of it is already recorded in my previous book. One of the stories I related had to do with an experience I had while flying from the former Soviet Union to a speaking engagement in Uppsala, Sweden. On the airplane as I was reading Matthew 24, which talks about the Messiah’s return from heaven in the last days, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to a single word in verse 14: “nations.” This verse says that the gospel must be proclaimed to all nations before Yeshua’s return. Now, I knew both the Hebrew and Greek translations for this word. In Hebrew, nations is goy (Gentiles), and goyum means “people of the nations.” The Greek word for nations is ethnos, from which we derive the word ethnic. Whenever I read this passage of Scripture previously, I thought of nations as landmasses set apart by geopolitical boundaries established by man. Yet on that flight, I realized the word used in this verse literally means “race,” “tribe,” or, in today’s vernacular, “people group” or ethnic group. 1 As we have already discussed, the Jewish people have been scattered all over the world. It is rare to find a country without at least some Jews. And the same is true of many other ethnicities. In nearly every nation on earth, you will find a number of distinct people groups. Think of the United States, where there are millions of people of African and Hispanic descent, plus Americans from China, Korea, Vietnam, Ireland, Britain—people from every nation on earth. When Jesus said the gospel of the kingdom must be preached to every ethnos, He was not saying we had to reach only geopolitical countries. He was saying we had to reach the distinct ethnic groups that live within those countries. This is a great calling for us! When this is coupled with what Paul tells us in Romans 1:16, that the gospel is “to the Jew first” and then to the nations, we see the priority of taking the gospel to every community in every country where the Jewish people have been scattered. In my mind, this is the missing link in world missions. Reaching the Jewish people is a vitally important key to reaching the nations for Yeshua. Get the Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel Package One tiny nation Israel. It’s not the richest or most powerful country in the world, but in God’s eyes, Israel is the most important nation on Earth. ADD TO CART In Romans 11:11–15, we are told that Israel’s rejection of Jesus as their Messiah has now caused the gospel to go to the nations (ethnos). What a blessing this is for those who were not born Jewish. But if that was a blessing, what greater blessing is in store when the Jews come back to God by recognizing Yeshua is their promised Messiah! Paul called himself “the apostle to the Gentiles,” and it’s easy to see why. He traveled throughout the entire known world to spread the good news of the Messiah, Jesus. Even so, everywhere Paul went, he demonstrated this precedent that the gospel was to the Jew first. A careful reading through the Book of Acts will show that whenever Paul went into a new community, the first thing he did was preach the gospel in the local synagogue. Following are some examples: Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was immersed; and when he had taken food, he was strengthened. Now for several days, he was with the disciples in Damascus. Immediately he began proclaiming Yeshua in the synagogues, saying “He is Ben-Elohim.” - Acts 9:18–20 When they arrived at Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. They also had John as a helper. - Acts 13:5 Setting sail from Paphos, Paul’s company came to Perga in Pamphylia. John left them and returned to Jerusalem. But they passed on from Perga and came to Antioch of Pisidia. Entering the synagogue on the Shabbat, they sat down. After the reading of the Torah and the Prophets, the synagogue leaders sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, speak.” - Acts 13:13–15 Now in Iconium, the same thing happened—they entered as usual into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a large number of Jewish and Greek people believed. - Acts 14:1 After passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As was his custom, Paul went to the Jewish people; and for three Shabbatot, he debated the Scriptures with them. He opened them and gave evidence that Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, saying, “This Yeshua, whom I declare to you, is the Messiah.” - Acts 17:1–3 Get the Unlocking the Prophetic Mysteries of Israel Package One tiny nation Israel. It’s not the richest or most powerful country in the world, but in God’s eyes, Israel is the most important nation on Earth. ADD TO CART Author Jonathan Bernis Tags Biblical Teaching Jewish Israel Categories Messianic Judaism Teachings Share this article Related Articles Israel Holds the Key to World Redemption We Know That Jesus Loves Kids Bringing Healing, Health, and Hope Restoration Of All Things The Restoration of Israel Update - The Igbo of Nigeria Hebrew School with Danny Ben Gigi Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

The Restoration of Israel

Skip to main content Toggle navigation Donate The Restoration of Israel I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth. - Isaiah 49:6 The doctrine of the restoration of Israel has a long and revered place in the history of Protestant theology. Its roots go back to the Puritans. From there it passed to the Lutheran Pietists in Germany and Scandinavia. By the mid-19th century, it was the consensus doctrine of British and American Christianity. I summarize this history in my book, Passion for Israel. The basic doctrine of the restoration of Israel teaches the following points: First, that the Jewish people are still God’s elect people and will be preserved as a distinct people forever. Second, that they will be returned to their historic homeland in the Middle East. Third, that they, as a nation, will finally accept Yeshua (Jesus) and be submitted to His Kingship over Israel. Some taught that the return to their homeland would take place after the embrace of Yeshua. But by the mid-19th century, the return to the land—at least in part—was seen as preceding that restoration. In addition, many, but not all believed that Israel’s salvation would lead to the Millennial Age when Israel would be the chief of the nations and would rule with the resurrected or translated Body of the Messiah. So convinced of this were the British Anglicans and German Lutheran Church leaders that they agreed to cooperate on establishing an Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem to receive the returning Jewish people that they might accept Yeshua. Anglican Christ Church still stands in the same location as a testimony to the planting of the church by Jewish Bishop Solomon Alexander. The project of Christ Church was endorsed by Queen Victoria and British Parliament. At this point, it looked like replacement theology was in decline and being overcome. In the mid-20th century, this doctrine was used as part of effective evangelism in the Jesus movement. One of the most important books popularizing this was Hal Lindsay’s, “The Late Great Planet Earth.” Get the Passion for Israel Book “Passion for Israel: A Short History of the Evangelical Church’s Commitment to the Jewish People and Israel” aims to help heal past wounds and inspire more Christians to stand together in support of Israel. ADD TO CART Though I disagree with some of his dispensational scheme, his presentation of the return of the Jewish people to the Land is solid. A copy of his book can be found on the desk of Prime Minister David Ben Gurion in the Kibbutz Sde Boker residence of his last years. The doctrine was also used effectively in launching the modern Messianic Jewish movement. The greatest example of this was in the evangelistic pioneering work of Manny Brotman in his, “Jewish Bible Approach,” and in the presentation in John Fischer’s, “His Ambassadors to God’s People.” The average person reading Scripture will quite easily see what the text says and can conclude that the Bible is a supernatural book. So the anti-restoration people give up a most powerful evidence for believing in the Bible as God’s word. I argue that our doctrine of restoration is solidly based on a natural reading of the Bible in its original context, and the meaning of a text is first of all its original context. We quote only a few of these important texts. “I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them, says the LORD your God” (Amos 9:15). Does this verse speak to the ethnic-national people or a metaphorical future people from all nations who will inherit the eternal Kingdom which is metaphorically the Land? Would this interpretation be a comfort to faithful ancient Israelites? “Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations. Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon. The LORD dwells in Zion” (Joel 3:20-21). This passage comes after the description of a severe world judgment of nations that are described as invading Israel. It is hard to see how this would be the Church. Get the Passion for Israel Book “Passion for Israel: A Short History of the Evangelical Church’s Commitment to the Jewish People and Israel” aims to help heal past wounds and inspire more Christians to stand together in support of Israel. ADD TO CART “Is it too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept? I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). There is no legitimate way to confuse the meaning here. The promise is to Israel and includes the salvation of the nations. A new Israel of Jew and Gentile replacing Israel cannot be the interpretation. “Can a mother forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Your sons hasten back and those who laid you waste depart from you. Lift up your eyes and look around; all your sons gather and come to you. . . Though you were ruined and laid waste, now you will be too small for your people, and those who devoured you will be far away. The children born during your bereavement will yet say in your hearing, ‘This place is too small for us; give us more space to live in’” (Isaiah 49:15-20). Can this be the situation after the first return after Babylonian captivity? No, for this glorious turning of the nations to favor Israel to this extent has not yet happened. Indeed, the first return was a small minority. The Jewish people of the first century were a minority, less than 1/3 of those alive at the time. Israel remained under foreign domination except for one brief and corrupt period. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look about you: All assemble and come to you; your sons come from afar, and your daughters are carried on the arm. Then you will look and be radiant, your heart will throb and swell with joy; ... Foreigners will rebuild your walls and kings will serve you. Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations, their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined... No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise... the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous, and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands … for the display of my splendor” (Isaiah 60 selections). Get the Passion for Israel Book “Passion for Israel: A Short History of the Evangelical Church’s Commitment to the Jewish People and Israel” aims to help heal past wounds and inspire more Christians to stand together in support of Israel. ADD TO CART It is a comfort to know that Jerusalem’s destroyed (or past) glory will soon be restored. “‘So then, the days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when people will no longer say, “As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of Egypt,” but they will say, “As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the descendants of Israel up out of the land of the north and out of all the countries where he had banished them.” Then they will live in their own land’” (Jeremiah 23:7-8). Can this be the Church? No, the Church was not banished. Can this be the return from Babylon? No, this was a small remnant that returned and 500 years later was still a minority of the Jewish people, perhaps less than a third. There was never such a mighty and great return such that this language was used, not until today. There is still more to come from this verse. This return is to make the Exodus pale by comparison. This has to be a prophetic word about the literal national people of Israel. “For I will take you out of the nations, I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities, and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees, and be careful to keep my laws. You will live in the land I give your forefathers, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness” (Ezekiel 36:24-29). In this passage on the New Covenant, parallel to Jeremiah 31, we have an amazing promise to the national people that has not yet been fulfilled. The meaning is plain. The promise of being born again is connected to the return to the Land, and there is a national salvation. Certainly Paul had many passages in mind when he wrote looking forward to this national salvation in Romans 11. Note this and the wars that are described at the end, including in Joel 3, Zechariah 12 and 14, and Ezekiel 38 and 39 would not fit if the return to the Land was only after the Jewish people embrace Yeshua. So in all these ways, the doctrine of the Restoration of Israel has the most firm foundation and is solid indeed. When Romans 11:28 and 29 tell us that the gifts and call of God to Israel are irrevocable, we clearly are to understand the fulfillment of all God’s promises to Israel in their Land! Get the Passion for Israel Book “Passion for Israel: A Short History of the Evangelical Church’s Commitment to the Jewish People and Israel” aims to help heal past wounds and inspire more Christians to stand together in support of Israel. ADD TO CART Author Dr. Daniel Juster Tags Biblical Teaching Israel Messianic Jewish Categories Messianic Judaism Teachings Share this article Related Articles The Gospel To The Jew First Israel Holds the Key to World Redemption We Know That Jesus Loves Kids Bringing Healing, Health, and Hope Restoration Of All Things Update - The Igbo of Nigeria Hebrew School with Danny Ben Gigi Contact Financial Governance Press Releases Privacy Get Email Updates © 2018, Jewish Voice Ministries UK Site design and build by newmedia

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