We received the following note from our friend, Pastor David Jones of Ruach Ministries in Brandon, Florida. He had received a note from a visitor to his congregation and wanted to share it with us.
David's congregation keeps copies of our small book On hand for visitors: "Who is Israel? Redeemed Israel: A Primer." They gave a complimentary copy of the book to a lady named Donna, who later wrote and thanked David. She also included a letter she had sent to her ministry friends about the book.
We kept the price of this revealing little book as low as possible ($2.00 each in lots of 25 or more) so people can afford to hand it out. And, we are having great success with it. The book readily explains the truth about both the houses of Israel (Ephraim and Judah), includes graphics, lists, and charts, plus, 3 of the Review Chapters can be used in a simple Bible Study.
Anyway, the first note is from Pastor David, the second note is from Donna to David, and the third note is a letter from Donna to friends on her ministry mailing list.
We hope reading it will encourage you as much as it encouraged us.
Blessings to You and Yours,
Batya
From Pastor David to us:
I just received this and thought you would like to see it. I received it from a lady who recently visited at Ruach.
David
http://www.ruachonline.com/
From Donna to David:
Pastor Dave,
I loved the book we received when we visited your ministry. I couldn't put it down. Awesome. Thank you.
Donna
From Donna to her Friends:
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
As many of you already know and are doing, we must continue to pray for and support Israel and the Jewish people like never before However, do we fully understand why? As proclaimed in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge."
The Holy Spirit led me down a path I did not intend to go down as far as learning about our Jewish roots in Christianity and studying the Torah. It is radically changing my perspective on many things I did in ignorance. This was based on my heartfelt prayer everyday which is this. "Lord I want to know your truth-not the truth of man." This journey to discover His truth has challenged everything I have been taught in the church. Moreover, it has definitely taken me out of my comfort zone and into a deeper revelation of the God we claim to serve.
The Torah (the first five books of the Bible written by Moses) is Yahweh's teachings, instructions, and directions for all His children to live by so we will reap blessings, not curses, life and not death. Yahweh does not have one set of instructions for the Jews and another one for Christians - the whole Bible is the Holy Book for all followers of Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, both Jesus and the Apostle Paul taught from the Torah and the Book of the Prophets. More importantly, they obeyed and lived according to Yahweh's commandments as well. Our Jewish Messiah became the living Torah and is why Jesus himself said in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Until Jesus Christ's second coming occurs, the Law (Torah) and the Book of the Prophets have not been totally fulfilled! This is why Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5:18, "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law (Torah) until everything is accomplished." Answer this question. Has heaven and earth disappeared yet? Of course not! Therefore, the Law (Torah) still applies to New Covenant believers!
As a matter-of-fact, during the one thousand year reign and rule of our King of kings, and Lord of lords, all nations (people) will be required to observe and participate in the Festival of Tabernacles (see Zechariah 14:17-19).
In this hour, Yahweh through His son, Yeshua, is bringing restoration to the Kingdom of Israel and all who believe (both Jews and Gentiles) in our Jewish Messiah shall be saved. This is one of many reasons why the Lord is calling us to understand the significance of our Jewish roots in Christianity and beseeching His church and this nation, to return to our Judeo-Christian heritage. The Holy One of Israel-Yahweh (the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob) is beginning to make the "sticks" of Ephraim (Gentiles) and Judah (Jews) one stick in His holy hand (Ezekiel 37:15-28).
As believers we were offered the gift of salvation by being grafted into the root of Israel (Jesus Christ-The Jewish Messiah). Apart from Israel the Church has no covenant. In Messiah, we are called to join the covenant people and to be part of His holy commonwealth (see Ephesians 2:11-13, Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:8-12). Jesus Christ is the "root" (the Vine) of Israel's olive tree and believers are the branches. As long as we (the branches) remain in the vine (Jesus) we will have the blessed hope of inheriting all the promises of the covenant, culminating in eternal life.
Recently I received and read a phenomenal book written by Batya Ruth Wootten titled Who Is Israel? Redeemed Israel: A Primer. I beseech all of you to read this book with a teachable spirit. Educating ourselves is critical to help prepare us for the unchartered territory we are now entering as we embark into the new era.
Together we CAN make a difference for His Kingdom. Blessings until we meet again.
Thanks and God Bless!
In His Service,
Donna M. Rogers
Angel of Love and Light Ministries
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