The Messianic body in Israel believes with a united heart that "All Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:26). The idea that one nation, Israel, is promised a predestined, national revival is a radical concept. It is too radical to be based on one verse, even coming from Paul (Saul) the apostle. It must be a principle developed throughout the Scriptures. The prophets of ancient Israel began to have revelation of Israel's salvation. It is from their prophecies that Paul received the biblically based authority to make such a bold statement in Romans 11:26.

"Israel is saved in YHVH, an eternal salvation" (Isaiah 45:17).

"In YHVH all the seed of Israel will be righteous and praise" (Isaiah 45:25).

"I will give salvation to Israel, My glory" (Isaiah 46:13).

"Your people will all be righteous; will inherit the earth forever" (Isaiah 60:21).

This last verse became the basis for the rabbinic teaching that all religious Jews have eternal salvation. All Israel has a part in the world to come, as it is said, "And your people will all be righteous" - Masekhet Avot 1:1. The interpretation of Isaiah's prophecies as referring to eternal, national salvation is parallel in the New Covenant and in the Talmud/Mishnah - with obviously quite differing applications.

The other prophets, particularly Jeremiah, continued in Isaiah's viewpoint, which in turn paved the way for Paul's revelation in Romans.

"In His days, Judah will be saved" (Jeremiah 23:6).

"Time of great tribulation for Jacob and he will be saved out of it" (Jeremiah 30:7).

"YHVH saves your people, the remnant of Israel" (Jeremiah 31:7).

"In those days, Judah will be saved" (Jeremiah 33:16).

The contexts of these passages are prophecies describing the Messianic king, the restoration of Israel and the New Covenant. The early chapters of Jeremiah focus on God's judgment for Israel, the latter chapters on God's judgment for the nations. Right in the middle is a poetic, prophetic section, concerning the restoration of Israel. Jeremiah 30-33 is parallel to Romans 9-11, which was Paul's thesis on the restoration of Israel as well.

Jeremiah 31:7 states that the time of Israel's national revival is during the great tribulation. Israel's revival and end time tribulation are concurrent. Other prophets continued in the same insight; also describing Israel's revival in the context of end time tribulation:

"Time of tribulation such as never was ... and at that time your people shall be delivered" (Daniel 12:1).

"Sun turned into darkness, moon into blood, before the coming of the great and terrible day of YHVH ... whoever calls on the name of the YHVH will be saved, for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance" (Joel 2:31-32).

"YHVH will save the tents of Judah first" (Zechariah 12:7).

The vision for national revival in Israel in the end times is established by the full range of Israel's latter prophets. The root of biblical authority for this idea goes all the way back to the prophecies of Moses in the Torah.

"Blessed are you, Israel, a people saved by YHVH" (Deuteronomy 33:29).

We would not emphasize the salvation of Israel were it just an isolated verse in Romans. However, Israel's restoration, remnant, and revival during end times' tribulation are major themes of Scriptures, from the Torah to the New Covenant.

All quotes from the Scriptures were translated from the orgininal Hebrew by the author.

Yad Hashmonah is the only Messianic Jewish settlement (moshav) in the world. Its witness is one of the most significant to the nation of Israel. Last year two lesbians requested to arrange a wedding reception at their facilities. When the moshav explained that this was against their principles of faith, the lesbians sued them for sexual "harassment"! This September the sentence was handed down against Yad Hashmonah with a fine of 75,000 shekels.

The moshav office is being flooded with antagonistic correspondence. The lesbians have received positive media coverage for "the victory of their enlightened sexual preferences over the primitive views of the Messianic cult."

The problem with the fine is that others in the homosexual-lesbian community will seek to hold events, with threats of more law suits. Moshav representatives told the court that with such a sentence they may have to shut down all of their hotel-conference-restaurant facilities. The judge said, "better that you shut down everything than continue to discriminate" (against sexual preferences).

Such an attack could not have happened to an orthodox Jewish institution in Israel, because the religious establishment would rise in protest. But the Messianic community is left undefended, stranded between secular and religious clashes.

However, God is with us, and what was meant for evil can be turned to good (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28), and result in a testimony to the authorities (Mark 13:11, Luke 21:13, Philippians 1:12). In the 11-page decision the judge noted that Messianic Jews believe in the Tanakh and the New Covenant, that they do not rent their hotel rooms to unwedded couples, and that they see homosexuality as against the ways of God and of natural creation.

The judge ruled that the honor of the lesbians was belittled - thus transgressing the law against sexual discrimination, which in this case means sexual "preference", which in turn represents sexual "harassment".

Pray urgently for wisdom for Yad Hashmonah leadership, for spiritual protection, for financial provision, against legal precedent, against attacks from homosexuals and lesbians, for unity in the Messianic body on the issue, and for a positive witness of biblical values and the good news for salvation.

Also in this issue of the newsletter:
Daniel Juster: Independent or Accountable Network?
Eitan Shishkoff: What About US?
Marty Shoub: Celebrating with Reverence and Joy