Prophetic
Insights: Seeing Events From Heaven's Throne Room
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Our Israelite Faith
What Should We Believe?
by
Angus and Batya Wootten
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How does one begin to answer the
all-important question, "What should I believe now that I have
begun to understand my role as part of the people of Israel?"
In our day, we find an infinite number of answers about faith
through the internet, television, and other media venues. We are
flooded with words on the subject, and we are warned of a
latter-day flood of words that comes forth from Satan's mouth.
Moreover, he spews out these words in order to sweep the believing
children Israel away from the truth (Rev 12:15).
In this hour, we who seek to follow the Messiah of Israel need
to be especially careful about what we believe. The abundance of
opinions available to us in an instant makes for a gigantic
religious smorgasbord at which we can freely dine. However, we need
to beware this buffet because some of the offerings are seasoned
with "spiritual arsenic." Moreover, after passing through this
dinner line, it seems that Believers seldom end up with similar
plates of food. For this reason, we ask, what basic truths and
understandings must we have on our eternal plates? What essential
foods will best strengthen us and help us to fulfill our Father's
plan to restore the whole house of Israel?
To begin, we note that the first Adam was disobedient and ate
from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. There was "good"
food on Adam's plate, but the little bit of evil found there
brought about a death sentence that affects us to this day. And
yet... the Father continued to love Adam's heirs. He even sent His
Son Yeshua, the second Adam, to re-gather us. Our Messiah offers us
His empowering Bread of Life to eat. In Him we find the eternal
redemption that we so desperately need.
On a cross made of two sticks/trees (etz), Messiah
Yeshua took our place - He bore our sins and paid the price for our
transgressions - so we could find eternal forgiveness and become
one new man in Him. It is essential that we understand that He
could not pay this high price in man's behalf unless He was our
Elohim, unless He was truly God come in the flesh (Psa
49:10,15; John 1:1; Eph 2:15). Having paid that high price, He left
life on this earth and then rose from the grave. He ascended into
heaven and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the Ruach
haKodesh.
When we invite Yeshua into our hearts, the Holy Spirit begins
to change us from within. He woos and draws us and seeks to conform
us into the image of our Messiah. He works to write YHVH's eternal
Torah on our hearts - for that is the essence of the promise of the
New Covenant. He wants to empower us to have a faith like that of
Yeshua, to walk as He walked, and to do that which is pleasing to
the Father. So it is that, to have the power Israel needs in order
to prevail in the last days, we must have the Holy Spirit (Jer
31:31-33; Zec 4:6; John 5:19; Heb 8:10; 1 John 5:4-6).
These are essential truths that must always be on our
proverbial faith plates.
Having A Working Faith
Concerning faithfulness (fidelity/faith), we see in the Old
Covenant that YHVH is a God of faithfulness, that only the faithful
will enter into His Gates, that in this life, faithful friends are
hard to find, and that they bring healing and will not lie (Deu
32:20; Pro 13:17; 14:5; Pro 20:6; Isa 26:2). In the New Covenant,
Yeshua told His disciples to have faith in YHVH, that righteous men
must live by it, that it comes from hearing the Word of God, we all
have an adequate measure of it, and, we are called to walk by faith
and not by sight (Mark 11:22; Rom 1:17; 10:17; 12:3; 2 Cor
5:7).
YHVH chose us for salvation through sanctification by the
Spirit, and by faith in His Word of truth. He declares that, "My
righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul
has no pleasure in him."
Faith preserves our soul. It is "the assurance of things hoped
for, the conviction of things not seen." By it, the men of old
gained approval. Without it, it is "impossible" to please God. He
who comes to YHVH "must believe [must have faith in the fact] that
He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him"
(2 Th 2:13; Heb 10:38-39; 11:1-2,6).
Concerning our faith, James warns us that it will be tested -
because testing produces endurance. Testing comes so we can be made
perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. When being tested we must
ask for help in faith and without any doubting. The one who doubts
is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. In this
unstable state, one should not expect to receive anything from YHVH
(James 1:3-8).
Faith is more than just believing something. The devil
"believes" that God exists. Our faith must consist of more than
just believing, as in assenting to a fact. Faith calls for action
on our part. James says, "What use is it, my brethren, if someone
says he has faith but he has no works?" Faith alone will not save
us, without accompanying works it is useless, even dead faith. If
we see a brother in need to do more than just pray, we must also
help provide him with the necessities of life. In this way, we show
our faith by our works. Abraham was justified by works when he
offered up Isaac (his son) on the altar. His faith resulted in
works and that combination was credited to him as "righteousness"
(James 2:14-26).
So, what kind of works should Israelites have on their
proverbial faith plates?
John sums up the essence, call, hope and purpose of our faith
when he says, "Whatever is born of YHVH overcomes the world; and
this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith" (1
John 5:4). We are given the gift of faith to help us in our call -
which is to overcome the world. We do that by helping to establish
our Messiah's eternal Kingdom, here, on earth (Mat 6:10). It is not
enough for us to believe that Yeshua wants to one day establish a
Kingdom. We must couple our faith with works that move us toward
His stated goal. We must not be idle and think He will one day do
all of the work. Yes, our works must truly be faith-based and
God-inspired. Moreover, if we do something in the flesh, it will
ultimately be exposed as a work of the flesh - but doing nothing
will similarly be exposed as being of faithless flesh. Our God uses
His people to accomplish His work in the earth. If we know that He
wants to establish His Kingdom here, that knowing must be alive in
our hearts.
We also must better understand the role of Jerusalem and the
Believer.
Our Messiah will one day return to a particular Land and to His
chosen city, Jerusalem. From there He will rule the earth. Although
the whole Earth is YHVH's, Jerusalem is its center. She is the
promised "Bride." We learn much by seeing ourselves as Messiah's
Bride, but we also learn if we see Him as the Bridegroom and
ourselves as His Body. In this way, we see ourselves as Jerusalem's
Bridegroom/Protector. Like a bride, we will become one with her, so
we pray without ceasing for her well being. Like a husband, we care
for her and protect her from those who would molest her. There is a
higher call that is yet to be realized by the modern Nation of
Israel, because the city they so dearly love, and have fought so
hard to protect, is destined to become the "City of the great King"
(Isa 62:1-7; Psa 122:6; 48:1-2; Mat 5:35; Mark 2:19; Eph 5:24-31;
Rev 21:2,9-10).
Our promised "dessert" is the New Jerusalem, and we, the
Believers in Messiah Yeshua, are now being called to help prepare
this delicate dish.
Keeping the Word - Genesis to Revelation - On Our
Plates.
The night before Messiah Yeshua went to the cross for us, He
prayed to the Father concerning both His disciples and each one of
us. He said, "I have given them Your word...I also have sent them
into the world...I do not pray for these alone, but also for those
who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be
one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be
one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the
glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one
just as We are One: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made
perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them as You have loved Me. Father...I have declared
to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which
You loved Me may be in them, and I in them" (John 17: 14-26).
The "words" Messiah Yeshua spoke to His disciples (which words
they believed and ultimately wrote about) were foretold in Torah.
Yeshua is the promised Prophet likened unto, and even greater than
Moses. As promised, YHVH put His Words into the mouth of His Son.
The Son then spoke those words of promise to us, and we must
believe in them - even as we believe in the Torah that foretold of
them. Either we believe in the Messiah's Word, or Father will call
us to account for our unbelief (Deu 18:15-19; Mat 12:6,41-43; John
5:36; 12:48; Heb 1:1; 3:1-6).
We must have an abundance of the Father's Word, Genesis to
Revelation, on our plates. We cannot eat too much of this
nourishing food. It is like Manna that we must hide in our hearts.
It will strengthen us in the days when we need to run with
horses.
Faith and Israel's Restoration
Messiah Yeshua is gathering His flock and that flock belongs to
His Commonwealth of Israel. His ministry was about re-gathering
Israel's lost sheep. He called for us to be "One," even as He and
the Father are "One." His plan for us is that, as a truly repentant
people, we might be re-gathered back to our own soil; that we might
be a nation set apart in holiness and true dedication to our God
(Jer 3:21; 23:1-8; 31:9; 50:4; Eze 34; John 10:30; 17:22; Eph
2:10-20).
The Holy One of Israel is now in the process of restoring His
chosen nation, and we are part of that nation. He is now making its
"two sticks" one in His Holy hand (Eze 37:15-28). Even so, we need
to recognize its other members even as we do with our actual
families, knowing that each one of us can be "in a different place
with the Father," yet still be "family." We do not compromise what
we know to be the truth, and we treat them with the loving respect
due to family members. Through our walk (which is our true
testimony), we try to help draw them closer to the Father.
We are being re-gathered as a Nation, thus we need to seek
unity wherever possible. However, unity is not the same as
uniformity. Each one of us is unique and very special to the
Father. Each of us needs to see, know, understand and trust in the
fact that, He has a good plan in store for us. He says, "I know the
plans that I have for you...plans for welfare and not for calamity
to give you a future and a hope."
YHVH follows this promise with the declaration that, once we
begin to grasp His plan, and to trust in it, something glorious
will happen: "Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me,
and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you
search for Me with all your heart."
We are about to find, discover, and know the Holy One of Israel
in a new, more profound, and powerful way than ever before. For He
has sworn, "'I will be found by you...and I will restore your
fortunes and gather you from all the nations and...places where I
have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to
the place from where I sent you into exile'" (Jer 29:11-14).
Our plates must always be liberally sprinkled with loving
concern for the whole house of Israel.
As Believers in Messiah, we have been blessed with the
unmerited grace and favor to see the truth about our heritage. Most
importantly, we are getting a glimpse of the coming glory that
awaits a redeemed, reunited, and restored House of Israel. We have
been uniquely chosen to be in the forefront of this prophesied
re-gathering of the whole house of Israel. This knowledge has
changed our lives. However, we must realize that there is a reason
why we have been chosen to be in the forefront at this time.
Glory lies just ahead. But, we will not enter into that glory
alone. Again, YHVH wants to restore us as a nation, thus, He wants
us to share with others about the life-changing truth which He has
blessed us. Paul said, "Whoever will call on the name of YHVH will
be saved." But he also asked, "How then will they call on Him in
whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they
have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will
they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'how
beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good
things!'" (Rom 10:13-15).
We are being called to share the good news that has changed our
lives with those to whom the Ruach leads us. As good students of
the Word, it is time for us to cease to be spectators in this
amazing restoration that is presently taking place. It is time for
us to become active and effective participants and pioneers. We
know the essentials that must be on our plates and it is time for
us to step up and help guide others through the end-time buffet. It
is time for us to share the truth, to tell others about what we
have found to be both true and nourishing (2 Cor 7:7).
The world was created with God's spoken words and is even held
together with His Word: Genesis to Revelation. Everything involves
words, whether spoken, written, thought, sung or depicted. Words
are important and so is choosing the right ones. Messiah Yeshua
said He spoke only as the Father directed Him so speak
(John 8:26,28; 8:38; 12:50). We need to learn to do the same.
Words that are inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh can
change lives for the better. So let us ask the Father to give us an
opportunity to speak such words. Let us ask Him to allow us to work
this day toward rebuilding His glorious Kingdom.
Amen and Amen. May it be so in our day!
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Your thoughts and comments.
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would like to hear your thoughts and comments. To share them, go
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At
Key of David Publishing words are very important to us. So
it is
that we are pleased to present to you a new publication. It is a
light, and yet most satisfying fare. It is economically priced so
you can feed it to the masses. It is pleasing to the eye and
pleasant to the palate.
It is our newest book, Who Is Israel? Redeemed Israel - A
Primer.
This powerful and concise 96 page book readily defines our
Israelite faith. It lifts up the Messiah and points us toward the
restoration of the whole House of Israel. Those who proof-read the
manuscript have said that this is Batya's best work ever! It is an
easy read that gets the essentials of our faith across in a short
time. It includes charts and graphics, plus chapters that can be
used as an outline for Bible Studies. Most importantly, this
encouraging little book points the way toward the glory that lies
ahead for those of Redeemed Israel. You will surely be blessed and
inspired as you read this informative little book - so be sure to
order additional copies for friends and loved ones! We believe you
will want to give a copy of it to everyone you
know!
Who Is Israel? Redeemed Israel - A Primer, is being printed
and is scheduled to be shipped on January 7, 2011.
Who Is Israel? Redeemed Israel - A Primer will be
available as a 96 page paperback book, as an audio book on CD, it
will be down loadable to Iphones and similar devices, and as an
electronic book that can be read on Ipads and similar devices, plus
we are making a PowerPoint video teaching that is based on the
book. This latest work is now at the printer and is scheduled to be
shipped on January 7, 2011. Special prepublication prices are
available on all pre-orders placed prior to January 7,
2011.
To pre-order books go to Key of David
Marketplace
To
download the Table of Contents, Foreword, Introduction and the
First Chapter at no cost go to Book Sample
Chapters.
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I Am
YHVH
We
encourage you to listen to a new song, written by Batya and
recorded by our friend, Will Spires. The song is titled
"I
AM YHVH"and it is truly inspiring. You might
want to listen to it before you pray. The song is about the
Father's heart cry for His chosen people: Judah and Ephraim. You
can hear it as you enter the Zachariah's Patrol website or Key of David Marketplace, and
it can
be downloaded for free at Key of David
Marketplace. Several people
have asked for the song on a CD so they can play it in their cars.
So we have made available at Key of David
Marketplace. a
CD that has seven renditions of the song for $4 (to cover shipping
and handling costs).
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Upcoming
Events
The Messianic Israel Alliance Southwest
Regional Conference will be held in Henderson, Nevada, on Friday,
Saturday and Sunday, January 28-30, 2011.
For more information go to Upcoming Events
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Contact Information
Key of David Publishing's
Books are available at the Messianic Israel Alliance
Marketplace (Phone
800-829-8777). They also are available at Key of David Publishing Marketplace, where Bookstores, Ministries, and
Way Stations are eligible for a quantity
discount.
Websites
to visit:
Messianic Israel Alliance The
MIA will help you to understand the Hope of Messianic Israel plus
Messianic Israel Inclusion Theology. The MIA gives you the options
of being an Ally, Friend or a Partner in restoring the Kingdom to
Israel.
Bnai' Ephraim International
This is the premier online presence that advocates for this
generation's sons and daughters of Ephraim.
Zechariah's Patrol Reports This
exciting site offers an abundance of prophetic insights that will
help you see how events on earth and in our own lives are viewed
from Heaven's Throne Room.
To
support Key of David and Zachariah Patrol Reports go to Key of David Marketplace. Or
to the Messianic Israel Alliance. Or
send snail mail to Key of David, PO Box 700217, Saint Cloud, FL
34770. Or call us at 407-344-7700.
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