Shalom
Please note that you may receive more than one copy of this Report since we have several mailing lists and want to be sure that we thank everyone who has helped us in the past. This particular email is being sent to Messianic Israel Congregations, Fellowships and Ministires.
2009 was an exceptionally challenging year. The good news is, tribulation came with it for many of us, and in this life we must experience tribulation (John 16:33). If we can receive it, we know that in the end our trials were "good news" because, overcoming tribulation helps us to enter into the kingdom of our God (Acts 14:22; Rev 2:26). And it looks like 2010 will offer similar times of testing...
As Messianic Believers we need the trials we encounter. We need to see them as opportunities that will help us become "Overcomers," and bring us closer to the day when the kingdom of this world becomes the kingdom of our Lord, YHVH, and His Son, Yeshua (Rev 11:15).
The Father has set the time when the kingdom He conferred on Yeshua, and which He in turn conferred on His disciples, will be restored (Luke 1:32-33; 22:29-30; Acts 1:6-7). Yeshua told His disciples to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. He also taught them to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Mat 6:9-13; 6:33; Luke 11:2). The question we need to ask ourselves is, "What does the Father expect from me in order to be someone who is helping to establish His kingdom here on earth?"
Let me share with you how Batya and I, through Key of David Publishing, are trying to answer this momentous question.
First, we know that, to be a "kingdom" it first must have three elements: 1) a king, 2) a territory, and, 3) a people. Regarding the Davidic kingdom that is destined to one day be restored to all Israel, we know that Yeshua, the Greater Son of David, will be its King (Ex 37:23-24; Acts 15:16). The allotted territory that is destined to be in His promised Kingdom is repeatedly outlined in Scripture. However, the last element gives us a problem. That is, how do we, the people, take possession of His Kingdom?
To take possession of the Land calls for a presence there of people who recognize the King as their King. This in turn means, the people are the problem. We must realize that the Father promised to bring His redeemed people back the land until there is "no more room." Fulfillment of that prophecy calls for hundreds of millions of Israelites (Isa 35:10, 51:11; Zec 10:7). To solve this problem Israel's lost sheep must first become "found sheep." Moreover, we need to understand that, in order to be a "lost sheep," the sheep first had to "lose" something. So, what did they lose?
The sheep lost the knowledge of their heritage. To become found sheep, what do they need to find?
They need to understand who they are in the eyes of their Father. And they need to fully understand His call on their earthly lives.
YHVH says His people are destroyed for a lack of lack of knowledge. Israel lost out when they rejected His Torah-based knowledge. But when they change their ways, they begin to regain godly knowledge. They become better equipped to walk as YHVH's chosen people. They are empowered to more fully seek their King (Eze 34; 37:15-28; Hos 3:5; 4:6; Dan 12:4; 1 Pet 1:1; 2:9-10).
Our "people problem" is best solved by first providing the people with the understanding they need in order to make the necessary changes.
Teaching about our heritage, purpose, and destiny is truly a hallmark with Key of David books and materials. Batya has refined this essential message down to one short paragraph:
"Though people try to make it complicated, we found the truth about Israel to be simple: Long ago the Father divided Israel into two houses, Ephraim (Israel) and Judah; they were given different punishments, prophecies, and promises. As His 'two witnesses,' they were sent in different directions to accomplish different purposes, and in this last day He would have the two come together, that they might serve to confirm His truth in the earth (1Ki 12:15,24; Hos1:11; John 8:17)." [From the book, Redeemed Israel.]
We realize that a great destiny lies just ahead for the children of Israel. We understand that we too, are citizens of Messiah Yeshua's "commonwealth of Israel." We too, are "part" (but not all) of the "chosen people" (Eph 2:11-19; 1 Pet 1:1; 2:9-10). And we now need to share this understanding with our brethren. We need to go to those who sense that something is missing in their lives. They are seeking fulfillment and Abba wants to use us to help guide them- to Him, His Messiah, His ways, and into His eternal Kingdom.
Our Father swore that a day would come wherein the sons of Israel and Judah would come, "weeping," and seeking YHVH, their God. He said of this lost people, "They will ask for the way to Zion, turning their faces in its direction; they will come that they may join themselves to YHVH an everlasting covenant that will not be forgotten." He also said, "My people have become lost sheep; Their shepherds have led them astray. They have made them turn aside on the mountains; They have gone along from mountain to hill and have forgotten their resting place" (Jer 50:4-6).
To find our way home to Zion, we need to follow Abba's directions for our return. And, He long ago explained that we must, "Set up for yourself roadmarks, Place for yourself guideposts; Direct your mind to the highway, The way by which you went. Return, O virgin of Israel, Return to these your cities" (Jer 31:21).
To return to our cities, there are three things that we need. To find our way home to Zion, we first need to...
Know, Understand, and Be Fulfilled
1. Know that as a Believer In Messiah Yeshua (Jesus the Christed One), Israel's Messiah, we are redeemed and have been adopted into the family of our Heavenly Father, the God of Israel (Rom 8:15, 8;23; Gal 4:5, 5:10; Eph 1:5). In this way, we are full and equal citizens in Yeshua's eternal "Commonwealth of Israel" (Rom 9:4; Gal 3:29; Eph 2:11-22).
2. Understand that life is a "test." As part of the "chosen people," we are "chosen to choose." As Batya repeatedly points out in her books, to be "chosen" means that, on a daily basis we will be tested in order to see whether or not we love the Lord, our God, with all our heart, soul, and might (Deu13:3). It also means that our Father wants His Kingdom to come to this earth, and He wants us, His chosen people, to be part of it. He wants us to be among His forerunners who help build His kingdom (Mat 6:10; Luke 11:3; Acts 3:19-21). Making His heart's desire known to His people is one important way that we can show our love for Him.
3. Be Fullfilled by being the servant priest you were created to be. Represent YHVH by walking as Yeshua walked. Seize on the opportunities He gives you to help Israel's lost sheep become found sheep. Help prepare them. Work with the Ruach to help them become a people who are empowered to return to their own soil (Jer 1-8; 29:11-14; 1 Pet 2:9; 1 John 2:6). Fulfill all the good plans your Father has for you by allowing His Spirit to guide you in the way He would have you walk. Know that He has promised us, "Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left" (Isa 30:21).
These are the goals that we, at Key of David Publishing, have been working toward. Looking back, we see that 2009 was both a trying and productive year for us and for Key of David Publishing. But despite our trials, with YHVH's help, we managed to publish two important new books: Israel Empowered by the Spirit, and, The Voice - Hearing the Almighty. We also published four audio books, Redeemed Israel - Reunited and Restored, In Search of Israel, Mama's Torah - The Role of Women, and The Voice - Hearing the Almighty.
Looking Forward to 2010
As James says, "If the Lord wills," if He allows it (James 4:15), we have a lot of we want to accomplish in the next calendar year. For example:
One of our great disappointments at the last MIA National Conference was that, due to technical difficulties the testimony of a dear friend did not get recorded. Retired Israeli IDF Colonel, David Yaniv gave a stirring testimony about how he came to faith and was healed of paralysis by Messiah Yeshua. He also shared of his love for the people of Ephraim and the rejoining of the two sticks (Eze 37:15-28). Our disappointment was great, but... The incident led Batya to resurrect a dormant project: A book of inspiring and encouraging testimonies by various Messianic Believers- David Yaniv included!
We also are currently working on publishing an audio version of Israel: Empowered by the Spirit. My book, Restoring Israel's Kingdom is currently out of print. We want to do a new book that will keep many of RIK's essential truths while adding many new prophetic insights. However, for the time being, we want to make the out of print version available as an EBook. We also want to make our other out of print books available as EBooks. These are basically a PDF file on a CD that can be printed out, or read on a computer screen. Plus we want to format our books so they can be download and read on machines such as the Amazon Kindle, and to have our audio books downloadable so they can be listened to on an IPod and similar devices.
Our need and goal is, to let the world know that there are Messianic Believers, that there is a Messianic Israel movement, and that the Messianic Israel Alliance is a forerunner in it. Over the years our primary method of getting the word out has been "word of mouth," and it has been effective and economical. It doesn't cost to lend a book or CD, or to forward an email, or suggest that someone visit the MIA or Key of David Marketplaces. The effective tool that is "word of mouth" advertising remains king in this field. It makes a difference when you tell someone how a book has changed your life. Of course we also encourage congregations, fellowships and ministries to carry our books and to even have a small lending library.
If possible, if funds were made available to us, we also would like to increase our presence on the Internet with an updated web site and perhaps some advertising. But we leave these things in the Father's hands.
In closing, I want to say that there would not be a Key of David, and we would not have published books if it were not for the support of our co-laborers. You have made these things possible with your contributions and by purchasing and distributing our books. So, with all our heart we want to thank you for your help and support, and we pray that you will be inspired to continue to co-labor with us.
Contributions to Key of David (which go to Angus and Batya and their particular efforts), may be made online at the Messianic Israel Alliance, or at the Key of David Marketplace. Or, mailed to Key of David, PO Box 700217, Saint Cloud, FL 34770. Or, by phone at 407-344-7700.
Shalom b'Yeshua,
Angus
This is a team effort, so we would like to hear your thoughts and comments.
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