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Jerusalem, 17s, 67s and the Yovel….

The last few days has seen a number of interesting conversations converge leaving me with a number of thoughts and interesting musings.  I’d like to share and see what feedback is out there…

I have gone on record before saying that in my opinion 2017 is a significant year. I have sensed that for more than 35 years and not because I was born in 1967.  My birth year is tied to the recapture of Jerusalem and I have long been acutely aware of the history of events on the 17s and 67s, some of which Rabbi Judah ben Samuel allegedly prophesied.  He believed the Messiah would come in 2017.

A poor pic snapped during the waning stages of our Seudat Moshiach under the Retreat Dean and Chuck recently helped me complete. Here we have Tommy and Dorothy at the far end of the table, Reynna and Tzefanyah to their left and Chris across from his youngest son, Nathaniel in the hands of off-camera wife, Mary. My two eldest sons are visible on the far left. Gunnar (i) and Jeremiah.
A poor pic snapped during the waning stages of our Seudat Moshiach under the Retreat Dean and Chuck recently helped me complete. Here we have Tommy and Dorothy at the far end of the table, Reynna and Tzefanyah to their left and Chris across from his youngest son, Nathaniel in the hands of off-camera wife, Mary. My two eldest sons are visible on the far left. Gunnar (l) and Jeremiah.

I do not remember which, but either during our Seudat Moshiach or our Shabbat Oneg, we were discussing the many events of recent prophecy and the return of the Moshiach and the restoration of Jerusalem and the Tent of David as the center of the world.  During our discussion I shared my thoughts on 2017 and Jerusalem.

Last night I read and re-posted an interesting letter from brother James Block about the significance of Jerusalem in Scripture and what we need to be doing to speed the Messiah!  In it he makes a solid case from Scripture about the incredible importance of Zion to God and His Messiah.

Then, today, I receive an email about the ‘return of 10-Israel’ and a link to an exceptional compilation of commemorations that occur next year that are all seemingly Jubilee related.  Continue reading “Jerusalem, 17s, 67s and the Yovel….”

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

Breaking Israel News (BIN) has a terrific article up this morning that delves in the Seder observance of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers.  I appreciate Eliyahu, the author, giving us a fair shake and accurately reflecting our position, even if he is not entirely in agreement.  I appreciate, too, that he uses a number of individuals to confirm various degrees and types of observances among our larger community.

It is very interesting to track BIN’s fascination with and coverage of Messianic and Hebrew roots believers as they exit the Church in droves as the Spirit leads them back to the ancient paths.  BIN recognizes something deeply spiritual and prophetic is occurring and they are bravely willing to openly wrestle with it.  We must walk in grace and humility sharing when given opportunity and letting the Ruach do His work!

Enjoy this article and if so led, comment here and there. Share on Facebook, etc…

Christian Seders a Growing Phenomenon

By Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz April 28, 2016 , 12:30 pm

“And this day shall be unto you for a memorial, and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.” Exodus 12:14 (The Israel Bible™)

The Passover Seder plate, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 22, 2016. Passover is celebrated to commemorate the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt some 3,500 years ago. (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The Passover Seder plate, on the eve of the Jewish holiday of Passover, April 22, 2016. Passover is celebrated to commemorate the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt some 3,500 years ago. (Photo: Hadas Parush/Flash90)

The unique phenomenon of Christians participating in Passover seders is beginning to catch on, as many non-Jews delve into the Jewish roots of their faith – but it is taking on new forms that are unexpected and may cross some delicate red lines.

Annie Washburn of rural Tennessee, with her hair covered and modestly dressed, can pass for an Orthodox Jew. Her family held a seder for about 20 people. It became clear that this was not a traditional Jewish home when, in true Passover spirit, her Chasidically bearded husband, Tom, slaughtered a lamb. “As a memorial, not a sacrifice,” she stressed.

Susan Conrad Gates from Indiana adopted many Jewish rituals as important aspects of her Christian observance, lighting Shabbat candles every week and observing Hanukkah. She also reads the weekly Torah portion on Saturday, incorporating readings in the Gospel. Thirty years ago, reading the Bible led her to wonder if people still observed the feasts. At that time, she took part in a Passover seder led by the Chosen People Ministries. For her it is significant as, Continue reading at BIN…

An Explanation to a Jewish Brother [re-blog]

Following begins a good article by friend and brother, Al McCarn.  He and I have been having a very special bridge building experience as we have gotten to know and build friendship with a Jewish brother.  I count it a rare privilege to be involved in a friendship strong enough to begin exploring and discussing differences rather than simply sticking with points of commonality.  As we have discussed, mutual respect and genuine desire to understand the other without expecting them to change to our way of thinking has led to real openness and trust where in we don’t do much tap dancing or hiding in the shadows.  Very refreshing.

I can’t wait to sit down face to face with this Jewish brother and get to know him and his family better.  Baruch Hashem!!

An Explanation to a Jewish Brother

In Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus, James Tissot depicts one Jew's honest attempt to understand Yeshua of Nazareth and his followers. Although Nicodemus eventually became one of Yeshua's followers, Christians have overlooked one very important point: neither he nor Yeshua ever ceased being Jewish.

In Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus, James Tissot depicts one Jew’s honest attempt to understand Yeshua of Nazareth and his followers. Although Nicodemus eventually became one of those followers, the world has overlooked one very important point:  neither he nor Yeshua ever ceased being Jewish.

In recent days my friend Pete Rambo and I have enjoyed a lively email exchange with a Jewish brother.  By this time we have identified many of the key differences in our beliefs and the ways we perceive the world.  I think it is safe to say we are confident enough in our relationship that we can ask some pointed questions without fear of alienating one another.  The good thing is that we are all curious about what we believe, and we genuinely want to know how we each perceive the world.  This has been eye-opening on all sides.  I have learned that some of the things I thought I knew about Jews and Judaism were not quite right, just as our friend has learned that some of the things he thought he knew about Christians and Messianic believers were not quite right.  This is the kind of dialogue that is essential if we are to come to an understanding of one another and begin to cooperate in bringing Messiah and building his kingdom.

What I share here is a response provided to our friend in answer to two questions.  The first concerned our celebration of Passover (Pesach) – as in, why do non-Jews celebrate the Feast, and how do we do it?  The second question involved our description of ourselves as something other than Christian.  In other words, how is it that we believe in Yeshua, or Jesus, as Messiah, but do not consider ourselves Christians (or at least traditional Christians).  In the interest of building mutual understanding, here are my answers to those questions.  Continue reading….

Seudat Moshiach!! (Feast of the Messiah)

The eighth day of Passover (Unleavened) is often celebrated with a big feast called Seudat Moshiach.  The Feast of the Messiah was instituted by Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, better known as Baal Shem Tov, in the 18th century.  His purpose was to establish a feast that made tangible the reality of the coming Moshiach with lively Scriptural discussion, food, nigunim, celebration and four cups of wine.

Rabbi Amichaye Even-Israel, son of the eminent scholar and author Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, told Breaking Israel News, “The main goal of Seudat Mashiach is to try and internalize the issue of the coming of the Mashiach (Messiah) as a ‘real’ issue and not as a myth or a fairy tale. This is why we eat and drink while discussing this issue – to symbolize that it is real and could be ‘digested’”.

Texts such as Isaiah 11, Ezekiel 37:15ff, Isaiah 60-62, Zechariah 14, among others are passages that are discussed along with eating, singing, dancing and generally rejoicing in Moshiach!

I searched for ‘Seudat Moshiach’ and could not find a Seder to get some ideas from, but did find a number of announcements for synagogue and Messianic celebrations in the coming days.  Chabad Chayil in North Miami Beach Continue reading “Seudat Moshiach!! (Feast of the Messiah)”

Will I ever be enough for you, Israel?

I didn’t write this, but I wish I had….  both Al’s comments and the original blog itself.  Want to hear and understand my heart and what I see in Scripture?  This does a pretty good job encapsulating my thoughts.  Hats off to both Al McCarn for this find and comments as well as to the original author, Virag Gulyas, being willing to radically share her heart and frustration.

“This is a paradigm-shattering concept that Christians and Jews especially need to understand.  The sooner we do, the sooner we arrive at Messiah’s coming in power and great glory to finish this work of redemption and restoration.”

Somewhere in the prophets, just before God talks about the terrible things that happen when Israel is attacked in the Last Days and Messiah comes in the nick of time, there is this promise of restoration:

“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them back, because I have had compassion on them; and they will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the Lord their God and I will answer them.  Ephraim will be like a mighty man, and their heart will be glad as if from wine; indeed, their children will see it and be glad, their heart will rejoice in the Lord.  I will whistle for them to gather them together, for I have redeemed them; and they will be as numerous as they were before.  When I scatter them among the peoples, they will remember Me in far countries…

Continue reading: Will I ever be enough for you, Israel?

FOREVER. (Chag Sameach)

image

At least a half dozen times we are told that Passover is a statute to be kept ‘forever’ in ‘all your dwelling places.’

Does your preacher affirm this? 

Worth asking the very hard questions!!  What a blessing last night and today fellowshipping with families as we celebrate God’s Feast in God’s way.

If this is bondage, lock me up and throw away the key!!  🙂

http://bible.com/59/exo.12.14.ESV

Sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb Returns to Jerusalem After Millennia [PHOTOS]

I have warned for a couple years now that the day is coming when sacrifice would begin again in Jerusalem.  This NOT a bad thing, in fact prophecy clearly teaches in Ezekiel 43 and following that when the Messiah comes, He will preside over the sacrifice in the Temple.  Other passages as we have explored before, also prophecy future sacrifice, contrary to Christendom’s assertion in the negative.  I have covered this in detail through a number of posts.  Here are just a few under one search term.

Well, today I read a jolting and deeply exciting article that portents again just how very very close we are to having sacrifice re-instituted which is a clear sign the Messiah is near.

Breaking Israel News reported yesterday that

Sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb Returns to Jerusalem After Millennia [PHOTOS]

koran-trumpet-768x644One of the highlights of the Jewish year, the Passover offering, is making a comeback. On Monday, a reenactment presented the Biblical commandment in its full glory, which is fortunate since many rabbis  believe that neglecting this important mitzvah (Torah commandment), even in the absence of a Temple, has grave consequences for Israel.

Just four days before Passover, the day the Bible commands Israel to bring a lamb to the Temple to be sacrificed,  a group of Kohanim (members of the Jewish priestly class) sacrificed a lamb on Mount Scopus overlooking the site of the Temple. The Kohanim wore ritual clothes conforming to Biblical requirements and were accompanied by music played on silver instruments specially made to serve in the Third Temple.
Continue reading at http://www.breakingisraelnews.com/66076/passover-sacrifice-makes-comeback-overlooking-temple-mount-photos/#HaYB8uVCVCDmM0CW.99

A fun post: drummer boy…

Lately, I have been enjoying some videos my youngest son has been making.  Most center around his drumming where he might take a short video of some odd/fun new surface or spatula, er, sticks.  Other fun videos on his YouTube channel include capturing a swarm of bees and his passion, deer hunting thoughts…

Anyway, we’ve enjoyed these enough that I thought we’d share…

Continue reading “A fun post: drummer boy…”

A book I want to read…

I have long believed that Scripture does not teach a pre-trib or secret rapture. My full expectation is that like Noah, we will be on the earth for judgment, though Divinely protected as in the Ark. Nowhere, ever, in Scripture do I see an example of God snatching someone out of trouble, rather than displaying His power by preserving IN the judgment. Consider Israel in Goshen while Egypt was being devastated.

Well, it appears Michael Snyder has written a book on the topic and good friend Al has a terrific review… Makes me want to dig into this book.
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End Times Reality Check: A Review of The Rapture Verdict, by Michael Snyder

BFB160418 The Rapture VerdictWhat do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the pre-Tribulation rapture have in common? There is probably a joke in there somewhere, but the punch line escapes me. The answer, though, is that all of them are part of mainstream Christian practice (at least in the West), but none of them have much basis in Scripture. When held up to the light of Scripture, the Jolly Elf, the Whimsical Rabbit, and the Get-Out-of-Persecution-Free Card actually belong more in the realm of legend, myth, and wishful thinking.

There is no need to explain to Christians that Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny do not exist. Everyone knows that – and it would be better if our children understood it from the start rather than having to face their first crisis of faith when their kindergarten friends expose the truth. What everyone does not know, or does not want to admit, is that the doctrine of Jesus coming back to snatch His people away from the earth before the trials of the Last Days is not consistent with Scripture. The problem up to now is that there has been no comprehensive reference book written to examine this question from a critical point of view….

Continue reading at: https://thebarkingfox.com/2016/04/18/end-times-reality-check-a-review-of-the-rapture-verdict-by-michael-snyder/