Dear friends:

The following are fascinating insights into Messianic Judaism in Israel by Stephen Yulish, a Messianic Jew.  The short video from Israel linked at the end is especially interesting, giving insights into the life of Messianic Jews there.  Thanks to John Terry of Revelation Files for this although I also received it directly.

Jim
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Boiling Hot Excrement
By Stephen Yulish Ph.D.
 
People often ask me where I get the ideas for my articles. I tell them that the Holy Spirit whispers in my ear. They often look at me askance. Well, this morning was a perfect example. The Lord reminded me of a statement that an Orthodox Rabbi said to me years ago. He was a member of Aish Hatorah in Jerusalem, an organization that tries to bring Jews back to their roots so to speak. I had told him that while I now believed that Jesus (Yeshua) was the Messiah and was God, I still considered myself a Jew. He disagreed and we argued back and forth for weeks as all Jews love to do.
 
That should have been proof enough for him but it wasn't. Before I go any further let me say that while I love and serve Yeshua that does not mean I have to deny my Jewishness. Paul did not. See 2 Corinthians 11:22-23 or Romans 11:1. Sure there is no Jew nor Gentile in Christ and we are all one new man but I still have Jewish flesh. More later.
 
Well the rabbi finally gave in and told me that while I was still a Jew I would spend eternity in boiling excrement for believing in Yeshua. I later found out that it says this in the Talmud, b.gittin 57a. As Paul said in Philippians 3:4-8, while I was a Jew of the Jews, all of those things now count as rubbish in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus the Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things in order that may gain Christ.
 
I have lost family and friends. I have lost material things and my health but I do count them all as rubbish in view of gaining Christ.
 
Where am I going with all this rambling? I found a video this morning which you can find after my article. It was a news program in Israel, in Hebrew,
about Messianic Jews in Israel. I cried when I watched it. These Jewish believers must have been like the early believers 2000 years ago. You must cut them some slack about what they say about Christians. They are living in hostile territory amongst unbelievers. They see many so-called Christians including the Vatican, World Council of Churches and other liberal denominations siding with the Palestinians.
 
They see other Christians saying that they are now Israel. They circumcise their children as a tradition as is putting up a Mezuzah (I have one on my door) not as a religious symbol. Their new blood covenant is now with Jesus as is mine.
 
Watch the Israeli interviewer refer to Jesus as Yeshu not Yeshua. Yeshu is an Hebrew acronym which means 'may his name be blotted out'! In another place, an Orthodox Rabbi refers to Yeshua as Yoshke the bastard. My dear sweet Jewish mother, when seeing a statue of Jesus on some Catholic's lawn yelled out "Yoshke Pondra!" This refers to an infamous Jewish book which labeled Jesus as the bastard son of Mary and a Roman centurion. I kid you not.
 
Sad, but see what these poor Israeli believers have to live with. I have felt persecution but nothing like these people. I too am told by Christians that I am too Jewish and by Jews that I am too Christian. Sue me!
 
This video gives you a glimpse into the time when as Paul wrote in Romans 11:26 all Israel will be saved. Finally, don't hate the traditional Jews. God gave them a spirit of stupor, Romans 11:8, and they know not what they do.
 
Forgive them their trespasses as God commands us to do, Matthew 6:14.
 
Now I know why the Holy Spirit reminded me of that boiling excrement!
 
Come quickly Lord Jesus!

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Title: Israel Channel 2 News - 23 February 2007
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6244392868781886952&pr=goog-sl
 
Description: An interesting news documentary concerning the Messianic Jewish Community in Israel.