Richard's Watch

Looking for the signs of Jesus' return

Richard's Watch

Category Archives: Messiah

The anointed one whom Jews are expecting

A prophetic word for December 2025 – Veronika West

Posted on by
Reply

Veronika West posts on her Ignite Ireland ministry Facebook:

“…**A WORD FOR DECEMBER**….

I don’t usually do “Monthly Words”….but God showed me something so powerful this morning concerning this Month….!!

…As I prayed this morning,…the Lord showed me December like a Spiritual Womb for the coming year….

…I saw this month in the realm of the Spirit as a fertile place in the deeper realms in the place of Ascension, a sacred place when God plants the seed in our Spiritual Wombs for the next season

….I saw this Month of December is not just a bridge but as it is a conception point in the Spiritual realm….

…What we receive,…align with, and cultivate now will determine what will grow and what will be Birthed in the Year ahead….

I hear these words,…

…”December a Marked Month of Spiritual fertility and divine exchange that plants the Seeds of Greater Destiny”…!!

…As I heard those words, I felt a strong quickening of the Holy Spirit to pray,

…”Lord, make me spiritually fertile in the secret place,…in the deeper realms of Ascension where the Seeds of Greater Destiny can take deep root that will bring to Birth Greater Fruit…

…Holy Spirit…Come and Brood over me,…Overshadow me,…Prepare the soil of my heart to receive the seeds of Purpose and Destiny for the New season ahead”..

…While praying, I was then led to look at the Hebrew calendar alongside the Gregorian calendar.

…What I saw was powerfully poignant and speaks to what I heard the Lord say,…

…We are now transitioning from the ninth month into the tenth…

…The ninth (9)month on the Hebrew calendar is Kislev, and that timing carries deep prophetic significance….Kislev marks the beginning of Winter, the season where seeds are hidden before they sprout….

…It also contains Hanukkah, a Sacred Celebration of Rededication, miraculous provision, and Radiant Light breaking forth into darkness….

….the Scripture shows Kislev as a month when God releases secret messages, weighty burdens, divine strategies and where He speaks concerning the spiritual foundations for what He intends to build and establish next…!!

Nehemiah 1:1 describes Nehemiah receiving the burden that launched the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the month of Kislev….

…Zechariah 7:1 records a word of the Lord coming during Kislev, calling the people back to genuine devotion.

…Haggai 2:18 marks this month as the moment the foundation of the second Temple was laid, a divine reset and a New Beginning….

…So we see how Kislev consistently marks moments where God speaks,…and gives Divine Assignments,…calls for the re-dedication,…and where He Sets Foundations for the Seasons ahead….

…It is a month of Holy Hidden-ness,…and Supernatural Conception where God deposits what will grow,…mature and manifest in the days to come….

…Prophetically, this month is not a month of passivity or apathy but a Month that is Preparing for a Divine Pregnancy for the Birthing of the NEW…!!

…Where Deep Calls to Deep,…where the Spirit is calling His people to prepare their inner sanctuary, to open themselves up spiritually, and to be Ready to receive what He is planting in our Spiritual Wombs for the year ahead.

….December is not about simply wrapping up the old year…it is about receiving the Divine Blueprints for the New One….

I SEE GOD BREAKING THE SEAL OF SACRED SCROLLS AND THE LIVING REVELATION BEING RELEASED AS SEEDS INTO THE WOMB OF THOSE RIGHTLY ALIGNED IN THE UPPER ROOM.

….And I submit,…those who posture themselves in the secret place NOW…will carry something EXTRAORDINARY into the New Year that that will deeply impact their Kingdom Assignments and Covenant Connections…

….This is a month about listening intently and deeply…being intentional in praying boldly and remaining spiritually sharp and receptive to the movement’s in the womb that the Spirit is making…!!!

…GET READY…For God is Overshadowing,…Sowing, and He is now looking for fertile ground…in which to make a Divine Exchange for the Future!!!”

+ + +

My friend Chris Moyler, a contributor on this blog, adds this excellent comment:

‘Tky dear Veronika
During SUKKOT this year, I was delighted to receive a download from the LORD concerning the prophetic plan that the LORD has embedded within the 7 Feasts of Israel.
It is a profoundly Christ-centred plan and yet it is, at the same time, a profoundly Israel-centred plan.
Several times in my life now, I have received powerful revelations from the LORD during the Feasts, which have always been an enduring blessing.
Where he seems to be leading me to is a Christ’s work in and through Israel theology of the Bible, as opposed to the church centred theology that we are so familiar with.

In these days of rising Jew hatred, I believe that it is important for us Gentiles Christians to connect with the Jewish roots of our faith if we are to stand strongly on behalf of the Jewish people.

What has frustrated me thus far is that attempts to connect can lead us into Jewish culture, rather than a truly Bible-based Judaism.
That’s why I am v encouraged by this latest revelation and I believe with you that, at this time, the LORD is indeed opening something quite new.

For me, the essence of Hanukkah is the desire to strip off Gentile identities that have been imposed upon the true Torah based revelation of our Creator.

And I don’t believe that many Christians understand how many Gentile overlays exist concerning a true Hebrew-based understanding of the WORD.

Studying the Feasts afresh is most illuminating, in a way which has taken me by surprise yet again

God bless you dear Sister.
Thank you sincerely for your faithful labour for the Truth in our troubled day.’

Chris x

Chance of eternal salvation being stolen, replaced by probable eternal damnation – Neil Mackereth

Posted on by
2

A week ago on Wednesday I was blessed to meet my dear friend Neil over lunch and he soon divulged a brief word he’d been given during that night. As we munched, he mulled over the ENORMITY of what the Lord had dropped into his mind. It was, “Not the way I might have worded it!”

Here’s what Neil was led to write:

SHEEP OR GOAT?

INTRODUCTION

This morning (6 Aug 25) at about 2 am, I woke up with a start. The Lord said to me:

“Satan is stealing the chance of eternal salvation and replacing it with the probability of eternal damnation.”

I felt called to write about the “Sheep and the Goats” judgement (Matthew 25:31-46 – The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations). Rather than slavishly going through the scripture line by line, I would ask that you read it carefully via the above link, before continuing with this article. Clearly, the sheep represent the righteous and the goats represent the unrighteous, and it is a prophetic parable.[RB: an End-times one too]

As we move on, I am sure you will see why I realised that what I was writing was a follow on to, and amplification of, my last article: The Bandwagon of Deception.

“THE LEAST OF THESE”

Jesus, speaking to the “sheep”, says: “Truly I tell you whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” To the goats He says: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these you did not do for me” (v:40;45).

The question is: who are: “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine“? In my mind’s eye, I see Jesus gesturing with His hand towards a group “one of the least of these ….”: In other words, Jesus is indicating that there is a third group present, who are “witnesses” to the event (i.e., other than the “sheep” and the “goats”).

I have read some erudite articles, and listened to some eloquent talks, on the sheep and goats’ scripture. The most frequent response to who “the least of these” could be is that they are “Christians”. Another popular view is that the term is referring to “anyone in need”. There is a problem with this latter understanding: If the “sheep” are not Christians, the text would seem to be indicating that performing “good works” is all that is required for entry to eternal life in the Kingdom of God, and that is definitely not what the Bible says.

If they are Christians, and the scripture “No-one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6) makes me think they must be, then I am convinced that when the King (Jesus the Jew) says, “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” He must be talking about His Jewish “brothers and sisters” (“brethren” in some translations), i.e., all Jewish people.

BROTHERS AND SISTERS (BRETHREN)

There are several scriptures where Jews, including unbelievers, are referred to as brothers and sisters, or brethren. In Acts 2:29 Peter, in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, calls the assembled crowd brethren (“Fellow Israelites” in some translations). Similarly, both Stephen (Acts 7:20) and Paul (Acts 13:38) call Jews, both believers and nonbelievers, “brothers” or “brethren”, depending on the Bible version.

WHEN?

The “sheep and goats” judgement takes place on the Earth, just before the start of the Millennium. Its purpose is to determine who will enter the Millennium Kingdom, i.e., to ensure that the righteous, rather than the cruel and wicked, will populate the world. It is not to be confused with the White Throne judgement, which takes place at the end of the millennium (Revelation 20:12-15).

RELEVANCE

We are in a time of uproar: multitudes are clamouring for the destruction of Israel. The truth is, God has told us that this would happen. We dangerously underestimate our God, if we believe He has been caught unawares by the world-wide outpouring of aggressive and vitriolic antisemitism.

God is omniscient and has always known that this ploy of Satan’s would have to be addressed. The prophetic scriptures give us a hint of God’s foreknowledge. I believe that this prophetic parable hinges on how people relate to, and behave towards, the Jews.

CONCLUSION

While I recognise that there are good arguments to support the case for the “witnesses” being Christians, I think it is unsafe to ignore the likelihood that they are, in fact, Jewish.

As mentioned above, we are in a time of extreme antisemitism which, as explained in The Bandwagon of Deception, is so deeply entrenched in the church that many “Christians” believe the church has replaced Israel in God’s favour, which is a diabolical lie.

Whether we like it or not, the Jews are God’s chosen people – the Bible, from beginning to end, makes that abundantly clear. Those shouting against Israel are showing a wilful determination to trample God’s chosen people underfoot.

I beg you, don’t believe the lie and let Satan steal your opportunity for eternal salvation.

Israel in the End Times – Neil Mackereth

Posted on by
Reply

I invite those who may be unfamiliar with the importance of the Jewish people and state of Israel in our heavenly Father’s purposes to read my dear friend’s incisive article, for which I express my admiration and gratitude:

ISRAEL IN THE END TIMES

Background

At its opening, the Bible quickly moves to the fall of man, brought about by satan’s lies and trickery. Then follows God’s sovereign selection of Abraham and his descendants, as His chosen people, and His everlasting covenant with them. The Bible continues with how the Jews became established in Israel, and the story of their triumphs, failures, trials and tribulations. The Old Testament (OT) prophets predicted the First Coming of Jesus and the events of His life, death and resurrection. The New Testament (NT) describes how Jesus accurately fulfilled those OT prophecies. The NT provides details about the work of the apostles and disciples in spreading the Gospel, evangelising Gentiles and establishing churches.

At its close, the Bible describes a time of great tribulation, before Jesus returns and satan is defeated.

All the prophecies relating to the First Coming of Jesus were fulfilled. That is miraculous (supernatural) and has huge implications for our appreciation of the many prophecies concerning the Second Coming of Jesus. If the “First Coming” prophecies have been fulfilled, we can be certain that prophecies concerning his Second Coming will also be fulfilled.

The Significance of Israel

One of the key events predicted in both the OT and NT, is the restoration of the Nation of Israel. Jesus said that this would be a sign of the times, i.e., of the End Times, the climax of history. The events surrounding and following the restoration of the Nation of Israel, and the return of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland in 1948, were accurately prophesied in extraordinary detail in many scriptures, written thousands of years before the events took place. In reality, the 1948 restoration was a response to the “never again” cry after the Holocaust. However, it transpires that “never again” did not mean the Jews would never again be persecuted. What it does mean is that the Jews have determined that never again will they be led to their
slaughter like unsuspecting sheep!

The endurance of Jewish customs, practices and traditions, which they maintained whilst scattered throughout the world for nearly nineteen hundred years, is an
incredible phenomenon. It is, quite frankly, a mystery and a miracle that the Jewish people and their national identity survived. Since 1948 they have, with God’s help, successfully defended their Nation from several attacks by seemingly much more
powerful enemies. Now, in 2024, they are again fighting for their survival.

Why Israel Has to Survive

Why has Israel survived, and why must it survive? The answer, in part, to this vital question can be found in the oft neglected NT chapters 9 to 11 of Romans, which focus on the importance of the Jewish people. The author, the Apostle Paul, was himself Jewish and loved the Jewish people, longing for them to see what he had come to understand – that Jesus is the Son of God and their Messiah. He hoped and prayed that the Gentiles in the churches he founded would recognise and understand that the Jewish ancestry of Jesus, and the history of the Nation of Israel, are foundational and essential elements to the Christian faith.

It is to this history and destiny that the Apostle Paul refers in Romans 9-11. Paul points out that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people. They are the nation whom the Father adopted out of His great love. And although Israel appears to have failed to fulfil its destiny, that does not mean that God has in any way decreed that His adoption of Israel is null and void. As far as Paul is concerned, once adopted, always adopted. God has made an everlasting covenant with His people Israel. The church has not replaced Israel.

By God’s grace, Gentile believers in Jesus are like wild olive branches that have been grafted into the cultivated olive tree – a tree made up of faith-filled Israelites since the time of Abraham. Gentile believers are now a part of faithful Israel’s story. Indeed, we cannot and must not separate ourselves from that story.

In this time of grace, the Gentiles can hear and respond to the Good News about Jesus and come to enjoy the blessings of the promises given to Israel, not least the promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Paul speaks about a time when the Jewish people – his own people – will no longer be blinded by their unbelief about Jesus. Vast numbers will see the Deliverer from Zion (Jesus). The veil will be lifted from their understanding and they will then know that Jesus is their Messiah. As Paul prophesies in Romans 11:26: “All Israel will be saved.” Jews will come to believe in Jesus in such numbers that we will be able to say that the nation of Israel as a whole has been saved.

In summary: there is a time-frame in which,

(a) the Gospel is preached primarily to those who are not Jewish “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in”; i.e, until the number of non-Jews who confess Jesus as Lord is complete. That number, and the date when it will be reached, is known only in heaven.

(b) Until that time, there is a remnant of faithful Jews who are chosen by grace (Romans 11:5); these are Jewish people who have chosen, like Paul, to confess that Jesus is Messiah and Lord. When the full number of Gentiles has come in, Paul was certain that circumstances will be such that the Jewish remnant will turn from godlessness and
look upon the one whom they pierced and weep in repentance. There will be a great move of the Holy Spirit among the Jewish people – so great that we will be able to
joyfully declare the fulfilment of the prophecy: “All Israel will be saved!”

The Devil’s Rage

Hopefully you can see why the Jewish people had to survive. In spite of being exiled from the Land that was promised to them by Almighty God, in spite of expulsions
from other alien lands that they inhabited thereafter, in spite of periods of intense and violent persecution in many different places over thousands of years, in spite of the “Final Solution”, the appalling, demonic onslaught of the Holocaust (Hitler’s murder of 6 million Jews, in his attempt to obliterate them), the Jewish people have survived!
And, as already discussed, three years after the end of the Holocaust, part of the Promised Land was miraculously restored to the Jewish people: Israel was re-established as a nation, and Jews have returned from dispersion (the Diaspora).

Why has this enduring vindictiveness been so intense? Because satan knows what the Bible says, albeit he is blinded to the reality that he cannot win. He has been desperate to prevent or postpone the establishment of appropriate (prophesied)
conditions for the Second Coming. That is why the Jewish people have been subjected to sustained attempts by the forces of evil to wipe them out.

How it must torment and anger satan that the Jewish people have, against all the odds, survived his various onslaughts. Furthermore, satan’s seeming successes have proved to be failures. How he must have wailed when Jesus rose from the dead. How he must have wept when Israel was restored as a nation in 1948. And, above all, how he must be howling today as this tiny Nation is so vigorously and effectively responding to demonic atrocities perpetrated by Hamas and built on by Iran and its other proxies.

The End-Game

Satan is now provoking unprecedented world-wide genocidal hatred of the Jews. Many of the world’s leaders, and millions of people supporting the “Palestinian cause”, cannot see, or refuse to accept (are denying the truth), that a fundamental tenet of radical Islam is the destruction of Israel and the extermination of all Jews. Radical and apocalyptic Muslims see “ethnic cleansing” of Jews as a religious duty. Any compromise or appeasement with such blood thirsty and diabolical fanatics, however tempting the short-term gains may appear, would lead to disaster.

Satan is continuing his endeavours to ensure that there is no Nation of Israel to which Jesus can return. Things are getting ever more intense and chaotic, and satan certainly appears to be succeeding in rallying the world against the Jews. However, it is clear from Biblical prophecy that God foreknew the things we are witnessing. He has given us all the information we need to read the “signs of the times” and to stand firm in the knowledge that Victory is assured. Our certain hope is in the truth of the Word of God: He will deal with the enemies that surround Israel (Zechariah 12) and Jesus will return (Matthew 24, Revelation 1 et al), and He will take His throne in Jerusalem, as King of Israel; albeit there will only be a remnant of the Jewish people (Zechariah 13:8-10).

Then “never again” will truly mean NEVER AGAIN

Jesus says “Yes, I am coming soon.”

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Neil Mackereth is the author of SIGNS – The Significance of Bible Prophecy and click for an introduction and for his many articles on Richard’s Watch

THE Elephant in the Room – Neil Mackereth

Posted on by
1

THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Introduction

Shortly after I woke this morning (Monday 24th June), this thought came to mind: Jesus is a Jewish man and the Son of God. He is sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and all power and authority has been given to Him. Surely, He must be deeply distressed by what He is witnessing in the World and, in particular, in His native Israel.

Israel faces intransigent enemies that are determined to destroy her. It does not take much research to discover that Israel’s adversaries do not want a two-state solution, unless that can be used as a stepping stone towards achieving their frequently stated goal; the annihilation of Israel. The lies of murderous apocalyptic Muslim terrorists have been accepted by much of main-stream media, without due diligence, and broadcast as facts. This worldwide outpouring of terrorist propaganda has done much to encourage the antisemitic and anti-Zionist hatred that is now prevalent in society.

So why doesn’t Jesus deploy legions of angels to end the fighting and, in showing His omnipotence, bring the world to its senses? The answer is in Matthew 26:54: “But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled”. Jesus made it abundantly clear throughout His ministry that scripture is sacrosanct, and all prophecy will be fulfilled. The time for His return is soon but not yet.

God’s Love for Israel

God’s love for Israel is unequivocal and everlasting. He keeps His Word: Israel’s existence, hope and future are based on the promises and covenants made with and through the patriarchs and prophets (Gen 12:1-3; 15:18; 17:8; Deut 30:1-10; 2 Sam 7:16; Psa 89:33-37; Jer 31:31-33). Israel is the apple of God’s eye (Zech 2:8)

Accepting that scripture is sacred and inviolable leads to a number of challenges. For example, the Bible clearly shows, in Genesis 12:3, that God will bless those who bless Israel and curse those curse Israel (note, it does not say: only if Israel behaves in a way that we deem appropriate). I have a burden of concern for the huge number of people who are cursing Israel: Lord, they know not what they do. Unwittingly or otherwise, their words and actions demonstrate an allegiance to Satan, the father of lies (John 8:44) and the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12: 10-12).

Even more worrying is that many of those who curse Israel profess to be Christians – that can only be a tenable position for those “Christians” who do not accept the authority of the Word of God (the Bible), and/or if they believe in replacement theology, i.e., that God has transferred His covenant blessings from Israel to the church. That, and any other interpretation, requires the dismissal/ignoring of swathes of scripture that indicate the everlasting nature of God’s love for, and covenants with, Israel

The Elephant

The tiny nation of Israel is constantly in the news, antisemitism is rife, and there are grounds for believing that many of the prerequisites for the war against Israel, described in Ezekiel 38 and 39, are in place.

Many people are supporting an anti-Israel cause that they have not researched and do not understand (and don’t seem to want to understand). As mentioned above, many are cursing Israel and are unaware that to do so is very unwise.

We all know that Israel is the focus of the world’s attention, is surrounded by her enemies, and is a central aspect of our faith and hope. Jesus will return to Jerusalem to take His throne as King of the Jews. Nevertheless, much of the church is avoiding the subject. Is it too sensitive, too controversial (and hence potentially divisive), too difficult, or deemed unnecessary? This large and obvious problem goes to the heart of our Christian convictions and, in particular, our belief in the authority, accuracy, necessity, sufficiency and integrity of the Bible.

Not discussing these fundamental issues is THE elephant in the room.

Neil Mackereth, 24 June 2024

PS (RB, news 9 July):

Contemporary Jewish records of Jesus < check!!

Posted on by
6

[Published 30 May 2022]
Here’s the second of Tim Shey’s comments upon What Does Jesus Look Like? – and note our chat on this blog’s (then) previous post (earlier publication of Pilate’s Report ):

Richard: This is a really beautiful and uplifting story about a small child seeing Jesus. Colton seeing Jesus reminds me of:

  • Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”
  • Matthew 11:25: At that time Jesus answered and said,  “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
  • I Corinthians 1:27: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

[I respond re. Colton “Yes Tim, and it wasn’t Colton alone but also the child-prodigy Akian who painted Jesus’ portrait.”  – What is also interesting is that Kenneth Hagin describes Jesus EXACTLY as Akiane Kramarik paints him. I read a few books by Kenneth Hagin years ago. Hagin was sitting on this bed reading the Bible when Jesus walked into the room. Hagin describes Jesus as around 5’11” or 6′, very muscular, dark hair and olive skin color.]

PS NOTE: See next post on apocryphal nature of this collection, as in original post:

THE ARCHKO VOLUME – Historical Evidence for Jesus Christ

The full title: THE ARCHKO VOLUME OR, THE ARCHEOLOGICAL WRITINGS OF THE SANHEDREN AND TALMUDS OF THE JEWS [These are the official documents made in these courts in the days of Jesus Christ]. Translated by Drs. McIntosh and Twyman. [Previous post Pilate’s Report refers]

Here are some chapter headings:

Chapter IV: “Jonathan’s interview with the Bethlehem shepherds–Letter of Melker, Priest of the Synagogue at Bethlehem.”

Chapter V: “Gamaliel’s interview with Joseph and Mary and others concerning Jesus.”

Chapter VI: “Report of Caiaphas to the Sanhedrim concerning the execution of Jesus.”
[Records of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin, by Eliezer Hyram, B. 24. Taken in Constantinople, October 16, 1883].

Chapter VII: “Report of Caiaphas to the Sanhedrim concerning the resurrection of Jesus.”

Chapter VIII: “Valleus’s notes–‘Acta Pilati,’ or Pilate’s report to Caesar of the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus.”

Valleus Paterculus was a Roman historian who authored HISTORIA ROMANIA.

Page 128: “Valleus says that in Judea he met a man called Jesus of Nazareth, who was one of the most remarkable characters he had ever seen; that he was more afraid of Jesus than of a whole army, for he cured all manner of diseases and raised the dead, and when he cursed the orchards or fruit-trees for their barrenness, they instantly withered to their roots. After referring to the wonderful works of Jesus, he says that, although Jesus had such power, he did not use it to injure any one, but seemed always inclined to help the poor. Valleus says the Jews were divided in their opinion of him, the poorer class claiming him as their king and their deliverer from Roman authority, and that if Jesus should raise an army and give it the power he could sweep the world in a single day; but the rich Jews hated him and cursed him behind his back, and called him an Egyptian necromancer, though they were as afraid of him as of death.(Valleus Paterculus, B. 72, found in the Vatican at Rome).”

Chapter IX: “Herod Antipatris’ defence before the Roman Senate in regard to his conduct at Bethlehem.”

Chapter X: “Herod Antipas’ defence before the Roman Senate in regard to the execution of John the Baptist.”

Chapter XI: “The Hillel letters regarding God’s providence to the Jews, by Hillel the Third.”

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
Reply

Yesterday, 2024 (re controversy in USA, kindly bear with typo):

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11).

This event would be replayed later but at a higher level when, once again, Simon will be caught by surprise! But before that, the four fishermen disciples were to become part of the twelve chosen as ‘Apostles’, who were given power and authority (Matt 10:2). And Simon was to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ real identity. He blurted out “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” to which Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Also, he was further blessed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and hear Father speak about His beloved Son and instruct Peter, James and John to heed Him (Matt 16 and Matt 17).

Yet this same Peter later earned a severe rebuke from Jesus because, in his devotion, he was shocked upon hearing Jesus speak of His destined execution and in dismay he spoke against God’s plans!  AND then, when that dreadful event transpired, poor Peter was distraught during Jesus’ trial to hear himself thrice deny his association with Him! Even so, he was again blessed when Jesus visited, instructed and commissioned the Twelve (minus Judas the betrayer) after His miraculous resurrection from the dead.

However, Peter must have considered his thrice-denial would cost him dearly in losing his standing with his Lord. Hence, a critical crisis of self-confidence for Peter.

So, why not go back to fishing – and far away from Jerusalem?  His ex-fisherman friend John records Simon Peter as having told him and five others – seven in total – he was going fishing – and they replied, “We’re going with you!” (John 21:2-3).  In fact, Peter was heading into his own resurrection: that of his own self-worth, identity and calling!

ACTION REPLAY

John continues: ‘They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have you any food?” They answer Him, “No” and He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast, and were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish…

DSCF3144

‘Then as soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it, and bread (Note:) Jesus said to them “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not broken.’

Believing readers will be very familiar with the wonderful reinstatement of Peter.  When John recognised who the man on the beach was he told Peter and, being determined to be back with Him, Peter donned his outer garment and dived fully clothed into the water and swam about 100 meters to shore.

This dear man, so like all of us as imperfect disciples, is asked thrice if he loves the Lord much more than his fellow disciples – that is, with ‘agape’ love: the unconditional, unconquerable, benevolent goodwill, as given by the Father and Jesus. Peter, rescinds and over-rights his previous thrice-denial to profess a less emphatic love (‘phileo’) that he knows he can give. In repeating His question at that lower level Jesus accepts but tests his profession further, thus giving him a threefold commission to be His under-shepherd.

[Note: ‘agape’, a word to which Christianity gave a new meaning, for outside the NT it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. It means a love by choice and refers to will, rather than ‘phileo’, a brotherly love by chance and emotion – New Spirit-Filled Study Bible.]

DSCF3150

Read more deeply, if you’ve not already done so, about the significance of the specific size of this ‘resurrection’ catch in Joanne Rolston’s 153, Signs and Symbols. In part 2 we will go deeper into them as we look into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…

[Photos: ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall Players, copyright Richard J Barker]

The modern-day restoration of Israel in her weakness – Chris Moyler

Posted on by
4

Publishing my friends Neil Mackereth’s and Chris Moyler’s comments on Israel stimulated them to further thought, in what’s been an intensely busy period.

Chris says, “I wrote it all so fast, completely from the hip, in two quick sessions. I have it, completely unedited as a document (but) am currently putting in the foundations for our new extension. Pure crazy, but the LORD is most definitely in it. Chris”

He raises A QUESTION….

“Are Christians interested in the scriptural basis for the support of modern day Israel?

I don’t think so. Maybe just a few……. I presently find myself up against a wall of disinterest.

My aim in writing about Israel is NOT that we should pontificate about her, but that we should have a sound scriptural underpinning to our prayers. i.e. that our prayers should not be weak and general, but bold and purposeful-prayers of great clarity.

Your thoughts please???? Chris xx”

Continue reading →

Modern Israel and Paul’s letter to the Romans – Neil Mackereth

Posted on by
7

The previous post with Neil’s covering email refers:

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL – SOME COMMENTS ON ROMANS

After 2000 years of study, it may seem unlikely that there will be any truly new insights in our examination of Biblical prophecy. It is possible, however, that some truths will only be revealed at the appropriate time “But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end” (Dan 12:4).

There was much that the disciples did not understand until Jesus was crucified, rose again and ascended into Heaven. In similar vein, much of Isaiah is clear to us now, after the cross, but must have been mysterious for the 800 years before Jesus was born

The OT is full of promises and prophecies that show that God has a special relationship with Israel and that they would be “the power in the land”. However, certainly in worldly terms, Gentiles appeared to take over the position of favour on the earth. Prophecy indicates that, in due course, God’s relationship with His chosen people will be restored. “Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved, as it is written” (Rom 11:25, 26 (KJV)).

“The fullness of the Gentiles” should not be confused with “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24): one refers to spiritual blessing, the other to earthly power. It may be that Jerusalem will not be free of Gentile involvement in its affairs until Jesus returns to take David’s throne. The very expression “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” shows something will change, and implies a difference between Gentile believers and Israel. Is there a counter in Heaven – the numbers mounting while Satan watches, without knowing the target figure?

In Romans 11, Paul (the “Apostle to the Gentiles”) reasons that branches of the Abrahamic “tree” have been broken off and Gentile branches (believers) grafted in. The tree, whose roots Gentile Christians share, is essentially Abrahamic. Note that Paul never considered himself as having ceased to be a Jew, nor as having moved into a new religion, nor did he ever disparage his Jewish pedigree. Jesus as Messiah was for Paul the full expression of Judaism. Later (Rom 11:13-14) Paul added that, despite his calling as the apostle to the Gentiles, the ultimate motivation of his ministry was the salvation of his fellow Jews (Rom 10:1)

The Biblical predictions (prophecies) of a restored Israel are amazing, and the re-establishment of the Jewish nation in Israel, fulfilled in 1948, is even more so. The survival of national identity in dispersion, which the Jews maintained for nearly nineteen hundred years, prior to the rebirth of Israel, was a phenomenon in itself

Continuing in Romans 11 we see that this hardening will stay “until the full number of the Gentiles has come in;” and Paul adds, “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob, and this is My covenant with them.” (Rom 11:25-27). Does this mean that Israel will be brought within the blessings of the Gospel of Grace (the New Covenant), or that the Jews will be blessed on a different principle (the Abrahamic Covenant), or a bit of both? I really don’t know. Certainly, there is a remnant saved by grace: “at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom 11:5, see also Rev 12:17)

As mentioned above, the OT clearly shows that the Jews enjoyed a special relationship (blessing). Jesus confirmed the patriarchal promise: “Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy.” (Rom 15:8, 9). We can understand that the Cross broke down the barrier and levelled all distinctions. As to righteousness “there is no difference, for all have sinned;” (Rom 3:22, 23), as to mercy “there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him.” (Rom 10:12). However, the promises to Israel are very specific. If there is “no difference”, can God give blessing on a principle, which seems to imply that there is a difference? In other words, the expectation of certain promises to Israel would appear to be inconsistent with the concept of “no difference”!

Romans 11 indicates that Gentile believers and Israel now enjoy the same privileges. Nevertheless, it is part of the same revelation that although grace comes to the Gentile just where he is, it does not confirm him as a Gentile, but gives him a new nationality as a citizen of the Kingdom of God; for in the Church “there is neither Jew nor Gentile.” (Gal 3:28. Contrast with John 4:22, “Salvation is from the Jews”). The promises to Israel, on the other hand, imply that blessing will reach the Jew as a Jew, i.e., recognizing his national position and endorsing his special relationship under the patriarchal covenant. Jesus will return to Jerusalem and take His throne as King of the Jews

The New Testament opens with the record of the genealogy, birth and ministry of Jesus as “the Son of David, the son of Abraham;” (Matt 1:1). Jesus was “a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth” (Romans 15:8). The angel told Mary that the son she was to bear would be King on “the throne of his father David and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever” (Luke 1:32,33). The question the Magi asked: “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” (Matt 2.2) appeared to be a confirmation of Jewish expectation

In both Daniel and Matthew, Jerusalem is the focus for End-Time events and that confirms the necessity and huge significance of the re-establishment of Israel and the re-unification of Jerusalem. The history of the Jews is a record of miraculous events: their escape from Egypt, their ordeals and God’s provision on the journey to the Promised Land were miraculous. Their successes and failures, conquests and captivities, their whole history is interwoven with miracles. The seventy years from Jesus’ birth to the dispersion of the Jews were full of remarkable events and prophetic fulfillment. From that time until 1948, however, there seems to have been a lull, as far as Biblical prophecy is concerned. We can now see the miracle of Jewish survival in dispersion. This is a new era: the very existence of modern Israel is the miraculous and essential ingredient for the next stage of prophetic fulfillment

In summary: “God has not cast away His people Israel” (Rom 11:1,2 KJV). In the Acts of the Apostles, Jerusalem was the centre for God’s people on earth, Gentiles were then admitted, “grafted in”. Initially, the Church was essentially Jewish. The Apostles taught in the temple (Acts 2:46; 3:1, 5:42). Their testimony was in line with the old prophecies (Acts. 3:19-26.), and even when the Christians were scattered by persecution, the Apostles remained in Jerusalem.

Those Christians who left Jerusalem evangelised only among the Jews (Acts. 8:1, 4, and 11:19). Peter had to be persuaded to go among the Gentiles (Acts. 10), and that was not popular within the Church (Acts. 11:2-18). Over the centuries the number of Gentile believers grew and the Jewish membership fell away. In Israel today there is a remnant “who obey God’s commandments, and hold to the testimony of Jesus” (Rev 12:17); Jews, and yet Christians; Jews who believe in Jesus, the One whom secular and non-messianic Jews will continue to reject, until He appears.

It is my personal view that there are two courses to the fulfilment of End-Times prophecy:
  1. The church (which includes messianic Jews) will be raptured, and…
  2. The remnant of Israel will then come to recognize who Jesus is, a conviction of sin, repentance and be saved.

Neil Mackereth, 15th November 2023

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
Reply

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four forsook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11).

This event would be replayed later but at a higher level when, once again, Simon will be caught by surprise! But before that, the four fishermen disciples were to become part of the twelve chosen as ‘Apostles’, who were given power and authority (Matt 10:2). And Simon was to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ real identity. He blurted out “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” to which Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Also, he was further blessed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and hear Father speak about His beloved Son and instruct Peter, James and John to heed Him (Matt 16 and Matt 17).

Yet this same Peter later earned a severe rebuke from Jesus because, in his devotion, he was shocked upon hearing Jesus speak of His destined execution and in dismay he spoke against God’s plans!  AND then, when that dreadful event transpired, poor Peter was distraught during Jesus’ trial to hear himself thrice deny his association with Him! Even so, he was again blessed when Jesus visited, instructed and commissioned the Twelve (minus Judas the betrayer) after His miraculous resurrection from the dead.

However, Peter must have considered his thrice-denial would cost him dearly in losing his standing with his Lord. Hence, a critical crisis of self-confidence for Peter.

So, why not go back to fishing – and far away from Jerusalem?  His ex-fisherman friend John records Simon Peter as having told him and five others – seven in total – he was going fishing – and they replied, “We’re going with you!” (John 21:2-3).  In fact, Peter was heading into his own resurrection: that of his own self-worth, identity and calling!

ACTION REPLAY

John continues: ‘They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have you any food?” They answer Him, “No” and He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast, and were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish…

DSCF3144

‘Then as soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it, and bread (Note:) Jesus said to them “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not broken.’

Believing readers will be very familiar with the wonderful reinstatement of Peter.  When John recognised who the man on the beach was he told Peter and, being determined to be back with Him, Peter donned his outer garment and dived fully clothed into the water and swam about 100 meters to shore.

This dear man, so like all of us as imperfect disciples, is asked thrice if he loves the Lord much more than his fellow disciples – that is, with ‘agape’ love: the unconditional, unconquerable, benevolent goodwill, as given by the Father and Jesus. Peter, rescinds and over-rights his previous thrice-denial to profess a less emphatic love (‘phileo’) that he knows he can give. In repeating His question at that lower level Jesus accepts but tests his profession further, thus giving him a threefold commission to be His under-shepherd.

[Note: ‘agape’, a word to which Christianity gave a new meaning, for outside the NT it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. It means a love by choice and refers to will, rather than ‘phileo’, a brotherly love by chance and emotion – New Spirit-Filled Study Bible.]

DSCF3150

Read more deeply, if you’ve not already done so, about the significance of the specific size of this ‘resurrection’ catch in Joanne Rolston’s 153, Signs and Symbols. In part 2 we will go deeper into them as we look into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…

[Photos: ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall Players, copyright Richard J Barker]

Contemporary Jewish records of Jesus

Posted on by
Reply

Here’s the second of Tim Shey’s comments upon What Does Jesus Look Like? – and note our chat on the previous post:

Richard: This is a really beautiful and uplifting story about a small child seeing Jesus. Colton seeing Jesus reminds me of:

  • Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”
  • Matthew 11:25: At that time Jesus answered and said,  “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
  • I Corinthians 1:27: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

[I respond re. Colton “Yes Tim, and it wasn’t Colton alone but also the child-prodigy Akian who painted Jesus’ portrait.”  – What is also interesting is that Kenneth Hagin describes Jesus EXACTLY as Akiane Kramarik paints him. I read a few books by Kenneth Hagin years ago. Hagin was sitting on this bed reading the Bible when Jesus walked into the room. Hagin describes Jesus as around 5’11” or 6′, very muscular, dark hair and olive skin color.]

_____

THE ARCHKO VOLUME – Historical Evidence for Jesus Christ

The full title: THE ARCHKO VOLUME OR, THE ARCHEOLOGICAL WRITINGS OF THE SANHEDREN AND TALMUDS OF THE JEWS [These are the official documents made in these courts in the days of Jesus Christ]. Translated by Drs. McIntosh and Twyman. [Previous post Pilate’s Report refers]

Here are some chapter headings: Continue reading →

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
Reply

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four foresook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11). Continue reading →

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
Reply

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four foresook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11). Continue reading →

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
Reply

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four foresook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11). Continue reading →

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
2

[First published 2018]

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four foresook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11). Continue reading →

The Coming Davidic Messiah

Posted on by
Reply

This summation of the who, what and why of the up-coming Millennium is a valuable reminder of our goal as active Christians. Also, knowledge of the Kingdom as our inheritance is fundamental because our spiritual opponents claim ignorance of that fact dis-empowers believers (see Christian Inheritance & End-times Church for source.)

Nicholas's avatarAll Along the Watchtower

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

-Revelation 3:21

The Kingdom is woven into all the teachings of Christ. He taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom come”. He taught that our good deeds on earth are seen by our Father in Heaven, and that He will reward us in the resurrection. He taught that His Kingdom is not of this world, and that this world is in darkness. Christ’s moral teaching is so sublime as to be unattainable by the flesh: it is the power of the Spirit, who is given to us as an earnest of the Kingdom, that makes us able to live as Christ did.

In our suffering, the resurrection is our comfort. The Kingdom is what we are striving for: even as we wait…

View original post 494 more words

A post-Resurrection miracle as a ‘mystery’ now revealed – part 1

Posted on by
2

Not long after Father God brought Jesus the Messiah back from the dead by His Spirit, the One who’s the radiance of His glory went once again in search of His ex-fisherman friends. Of the two sets of brothers who’d been partners in the fishing trade on the Sea of Galilee before deserting their nets to follow a peripatetic teacher, their boss had an exceptionally severe crisis of self-confidence.

GONE FISHING!

So this ‘son of Jonah’, named Simon, decided to return to the simple life of sitting in a boat with buddies and dragging a net in the hope of getting a catch – but it proved to be an exercise in futility!

A few years earlier on that inland sea, the four fishing partners encountered and had been ‘called’ by The One to follow Him. Jesus amazed the crowds there with His teaching and had asked Simon if He could address them from his moored boat. Jesus knew the men had worked hard all night without having caught anything because, when He’d finished speaking, He told Simon to sail into deep water and lower his nets despite the fruitless night – Simon was overwhelmed by the result!  They’d got such a large number of fish that another boat was called for – then both began to sink with their massive weight!!

So Simon changed his tune. Upon hearing Jesus’ instruction he’d objected because of the poor night, yet respectfully referred to Him as “Master” – but in amazement at the fresh catch breaking nets and sinking boats, Simon addressed Him with the superior term of “Lord”; thus suggesting he was beginning to understand the status of this astonishing teacher. In the account by one of those partners, John, they’d previously met Jesus immediately after His baptism in the river Jordan and Andrew had brought his brother Simon to see Jesus, who then spoke of his identity and implicit destiny, “You are Simon son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated ‘A Stone’, Petros/Peter: John 1:42).

DSCF3120

After that huge catch of unspecified quantity, Jesus called Simon into his destiny: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men!”  That is, a fisher of men. When they’d landed their boats the four foresook all and followed Him (Luke 5:10-11).

This event would be replayed later but at a higher level when, once again, Simon will be caught by surprise! But before that, the four fishermen disciples were to become part of the twelve chosen as ‘Apostles’, who were given power and authority (Matt 10:2). And Simon was to have a personal revelation of Jesus’ real identity. He blurted out “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God,” to which Jesus responded, “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” Also, he was further blessed to see Jesus’ transfiguration and hear Father speak about His beloved Son and instruct Peter, James and John to heed Him (Matt 16 and Matt 17).

Yet this same Peter later earned a severe rebuke from Jesus because, in his devotion, he was shocked upon hearing Jesus speak of His destined execution and in dismay he spoke against God’s plans!  AND then, when that dreadful event transpired, poor Peter was distraught during Jesus’ trial to hear himself thrice deny his association with Him! Even so, he was again blessed when Jesus visited, instructed and commissioned the Twelve (minus Judas the betrayer) after His miraculous resurrection from the dead.

However, Peter must have considered his thrice-denial would cost him dearly in losing his standing with his Lord. Hence, a critical crisis of self-confidence for Peter.

So, why not go back to fishing – and far away from Jerusalem?  His ex-fisherman friend John records Simon Peter as having told him and five others – seven in total – he was going fishing – and they replied, “We’re going with you!” (John 21:2-3).  In fact, Peter was heading into his own resurrection: that of his own self-worth, identity and calling!

ACTION REPLAY

John continues: ‘They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children have you any food?” They answer Him, “No” and He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” So they cast, and were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish…

DSCF3144

‘Then as soon as they came to land they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid on it, and bread (Note:) Jesus said to them “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three, and although there were so many, the net was not broken.’

Believing readers will be very familiar with the wonderful reinstatement of Peter.  When John recognised who the man on the beach was he told Peter and, being determined to be back with Him, Peter donned his outer garment and dived fully clothed into the water and swam about 100 meters to shore.

This dear man, so like all of us as imperfect disciples, is asked thrice if he loves the Lord much more than his fellow disciples – that is, with ‘agape’ love: the unconditional, unconquerable, benevolent goodwill, as given by the Father and Jesus. Peter, rescinds and over-rights his previous thrice-denial to profess a less emphatic love (‘phileo’) that he knows he can give. In repeating His question at that lower level Jesus accepts but tests his profession further, thus giving him a threefold commission to be His under-shepherd.

[Note: ‘agape’, a word to which Christianity gave a new meaning, for outside the NT it rarely occurs in existing Greek manuscripts of the period. It means a love by choice and refers to will, rather than ‘phileo’, a brotherly love by chance and emotion – New Spirit-Filled Study Bible.]

DSCF3150

Read more deeply, if you’ve not already done so, about the significance of the specific size of this ‘resurrection’ catch in Joanne Rolston’s 153, Signs and Symbols.  In part 2 we will go deeper into them as we look into the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven… continue reading.

[Photos: ‘The Life of Christ’, Wintershall Players, copyright R Barker]

A big, untold story: online videos of Jews explaining why they believe Jesus is the Messiah viewed over 23 million times. Here’s the latest.

Posted on by
Reply

Especially interesting developments in view of the Romans 11 aspect of Prime Minster Netanyahu’s foresight expressed in his Christmas message from the Christian Embassy, Jerusalem (click to read).

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

yeshua-videos“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” — the Apostle Paul (Romans 1:16)

With so much bad news in the U.S., Israel, Russia and around the world these days, I thought it might be good to kick off 2017 with some very good news.

Here, then, is an update to a column I published on September 22, 2015 about “a big, untold story” that “the media isn’t reporting” but is very much “worth examining.”

“Millions of Jews have begun a quest to find the Messiah,” I wrote at the time, based on conversations with key Messianic Jewish ministry leaders in the U.S. and Israel. “For reasons I cannot fully explain, Jews are suddenly searching for answers to the deepest and most important questions concerning life and death and God and atonement and eternity, in…

View original post 1,308 more words

Five big things to celebrate on Israel’s 68th modern birthday.

Posted on by
1

News of welcome growth for the ancient tree we’re grafted into…

joelcrosenberg's avatarJoel C. Rosenberg's Blog

israelUPDATED: As the modern State of Israel turns 68 years old, the citizens and residents of this tiny country find themselves facing serious threats. But amidst all the sobering headlines, there is much good news, too.

Here are five big things I’m celebrating — I hope you will, too.

First, the very fact that the State of Israel exists today, and is celebrating her 68th modern birthday, is evidence of the dramatic fulfillment of ancient Biblical prophecies, and a powerful testimony that the Bible is the very Word of God. 

  • Many ancient Biblical prophecies — notably Ezekiel 36, 37, 38 & 39 — indicated that Israel would be reborn as a geopolitical nation state in the “last days” of history, that Jews would return en masse to the holy land, and that the Jewish people, with God’s help, would rebuild the “ancient ruins.”
  • For much of the past 1,900, many people around the world — including, unfortunately, many…

View original post 1,173 more words

The most momentous world-changing events in 2,000 years? (#2)

Posted on by
Reply

After a short but relevant digression let’s continue my report on Clifford Hill’s editorial on the reconciliation between Orthodox Judaism and Catholicism by looking at the other possible world-changing event I alluded to when summing up Five Spiritual Trends. This one came to my attention on New Year’s Eve thanks to Anne Kelly, but matters delayed my coverage until Dr Hill’s item:

Arieol Cohen Alloro with Canon Andrew White, courtesy Facing Each Other http://www.facingeachother.com/

Ariel Cohen Alloro with Canon Andrew White, courtesy Facing Each Other (Facebook)

‘Vicar of Baghdad’ Canon Andrew White reports on 29th Dec on Facebook that,

‘Orthodox Rabbi Cohen believes Jesus is coming soon, he keeps stressing he is in no way a messianic Jew. He is very Kabbalistic though. All he presents is very complex. With my Jewish understanding hat on I can’t accept this but without my kippa on …………..’

They met on 14th December in King David Hotel, Jerusalem, and recorded a 7 minutes video (rabbi’s voice is very soft and we notice a slight effect of MS in the canon’s louder tone). YouTube notes: ‘Ariel Cohen Alloro is introducing Canon Andrew White to his Jewish Orthodox historical challenge to legally return Yeshua to Israel, back to the Jewish establishment and to reach authentic ideological reconciliation between Judaism and Christianity’.

PEACEAccording his website Facing Each Other, “Ariel is not an official Rabbi, but a dilligent student of one of the greatest Rabbis today, who mastered the discipline of his Teacher and brings us now his innovative work, an essential contribution for the redemption of Israel and the whole world.  This is an original initiative by Ariel Cohen Alloro who is an Orthodox Jewish Priest (Cohen) and it comes out of his personal discovery in the Torah and Chassidic Judaism.”

Furthermore it claims, “The Message of Ariel Cohen Alloro is perfectly balanced between Judaism and Christianity and is using the proper tools to create unity among all believers in a Messianic redemption of the world.

“When you listen to Ariel, please bear in mind that every statement he makes is in perfect harmony with traditional Judaism and yet it fits the concepts of traditional Christianity too in an unusual way, a way that Jewish mind can absorb and Christian mind can fathom. It is a phenomena how Tree of Joseph (Christianity) and Tree of Judah perfectly unite and become one Tree….”

A brief video of their later meeting provides a useful summation for Andrew stresses in introducing his friend that,

“What rabbi Cohen is insistent upon is that Jesus has a role in returning to the real Israel – NOT some theoretical Israel in the sky! – but Israel here and now.”

Be discerningly blessed as you listen and investigate. In part 3 we will briefly recap upon developments as well as consider a Messianic standpoint.

Brief ‘Bio’:

Mentioned occasionally on this blog, this will introduce overseas and newer readers to Canon Andrew White, Vicar of St. George’s Church in Baghdad and president of The Foundation for Relief and Reconciliation in the Middle East. Andrew works to provide spiritual home, medical care and humanitarian relief to the region while promoting reconciliation among Christians, Jews and Muslims in the most dangerous areas of the world.

VoB frontBefore his 15 years in Baghdad, he served as a mediator between Israel and Palestinians and rose to prominence in the Siege of the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. Personal contacts with Yasser Arafat and Israeli PM Ariel Sharon resulted in their joint approval to a draft declaration against violence in the name of religion. This was put to religious leaders of all three Holy Land faiths. Through exhausting discussions agreement was reached but the only difficulties came from Christians(!!), who “often feel they have to be even more Palestinian than the Muslims, to show how committed they are to the cause”, on top of “rivalries and tensions between different denominations”!!

The outcome in January 2002 was ‘The Alexandria Declaration’, from which many other initiatives have arisen despite continual violence. Andrew writes, “The sticking points were not theological but political”. (See Encouraging news from Iraq.)

Read also Cranmer’s Canon White deserves a Knighthood, which concludes by saying he deserves a gallantry medal.

The most momentous world-changing events in 2,000 years? (#1)

Posted on by
6

In his ProphecyTodayUK editorial ‘Turning The World Upside-Down’ Clifford Hill writes,

“We live in momentous times! Everything is  being shaken …everything is changing at an ever-increasing speed! …Every day something new happens that causes us to change our thinking and re-assess what we had considered immutable, unchangeable, everlasting.”

The reverend doctor has in mind one of the events I alluded to as the 6th world-changing spiritual trend of 2016, additional to those Rick Joyner noticed (here). Both events indicate a significant trend of great Biblical and prophetical importance. One was drawn to  my attention over the recent New Year, but let’s consider Clifford Hill’s editorial first.

He refers to a statement made a couple of months ago by “a group of 25 Orthodox rabbis that attracted very little attention in the media but which may prove to be an event that changes the course of world history“ (emphasis added).

CJCUCInstrumental in this event is the Centre for Jewish-Christian Understanding & Cooperation. The CJCUC demonstrated its deep committment to dialogue and theological exchange since 2008 when it invited Christians to come and study the Hebrew Bible. In Who We Are reference is made to Christendom’s ungodly antagonism (which arose out of Jewish authorities’ persecution of early believers):

‘For the nearly 2,000 years of Jewish exile prior to the establishment of the Jewish State, persecution, pogrom and even bloodshed muted any possibility of dialogue, turning us into sworn enemies instead of national partners.

‘But a sea change has occurred during these last several decades. Christians are sincerely trumpeting the call that G-d remains faithful to His initial covenant with Israel, and that the Biblical prophecy is continually being fulfilled through the people of Israel living in its covenanted land. Even the most desperate of times, during this last period, when Israel was forsaken by many of the Diaspora Jews, Christians continued to visit the Holy Land and comfort Zion and her people with prayer, offerings and sincere fellowship. This new reality is one of the great miracles of our times and calls for our faiths to foster friendship and mutual support.’ (Emphases RB)

Published on 3 December 2015 the Orthodox Rabbinic Statement on Christianity is entitled, ‘To Do the Will of Our Father in Heaven:  Toward a Partnership between Jews and Christians’, which opens as follows:

‘After nearly two millennia of mutual hostility and alienation, we Orthodox Rabbis who lead communities, institutions and seminaries in Israel, the United States and Europe recognize the historic opportunity now before us. We seek to do the will of our Father in Heaven by accepting the hand offered to us by our Christian brothers and sisters…’

It makes for highly informative reading and should be read by all Christians. In recognising that the Church of Rome’s ‘official teachings on Judaism have changed fundamentally and irrevocably’, the Statement declares:

‘Now that the Catholic Church has acknowledged the eternal Covenant between G-d and Israel, we Jews can acknowledge the ongoing constructive validity of Christianity as our partner in world redemption, without any fear that this will be exploited for missionary purposes. As stated by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel’s Bilateral Commission with the Holy See under the leadership of Rabbi Shear Yashuv Cohen, “We are no longer enemies, but unequivocal partners in articulating the essential moral values for the survival and welfare of humanity”. Neither of us can achieve G-d’s mission in this world alone.’

[I flag the lack of relevance such a ‘dual covenant’ has for the Messianic movement.]

NEW ATTITUDE TO JESUS

C Hill 163835Clifford Hill notes one of the Statement’s key points is in the Orthodox acknowledgement that Jesus upheld the centrality of the Torah, which was the original bone of contention brought against the Apostles by false witnesses (Acts 6:13-14). Clifford writes,

“In the Gospels there are many occasions when Jesus disputed with the Pharisees concerning their interpretation and practice of the Torah, but he always upheld the Torah as the unchangeable word of God. In the Statement from the Orthodox rabbis this is acknowledged in a momentous passage that unties 2,000 years of misunderstanding between Jews and Christians. The Statement affirms a declaration by 18th Century German rabbi Jacob Emden:

‘Jesus brought a double goodness to the world. On the one hand he strengthened the Torah of Moses majestically, and not one of our sages spoke out more emphatically concerning the immutability of the Torah. On the other hand he removed idols from the nations’.“

HISTORIC TURNING POINT

The Statement now bears over 60 rabbi’s signatures and Clifford points out (emphases added),

“This is surely a notable miracle and could signal a turning point in the history of Jewish-Christian relations, as prophesied by the Apostle Paul in a letter to Christians in Ephesus. He said that the purpose of Jesus was to destroy the barrier between Jews and Gentiles. “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace” (Eph 2.15).

CJCUC’s Academic Director endorses Dr Hill’s opinion by saying,

“This proclamation’s breakthrough is that influential Orthodox Rabbis across all centers of Jewish life have finally acknowledged that…Christianity and Judaism have much in common spiritually and practically. Given our toxic history, this is unprecedented in Orthodoxy.”

Another significant passage is on Jew’s and Christian’s ‘common covenantal mission to perfect the world under the sovereignty of the Almighty’. In the summary of Christian doctrine delivered in his letter to the church in Rome, St Paul saw a future when barriers between Gentiles and Jews would be broken and they’d powerfully be used by God in a spiritual unity of ‘One New Man’. This wouldn’t happen ‘until the full number of the Gentiles has come in’ (Rom 11:25), which Jesus prophesied will be when Jerusalem ceased being trampled upon by Gentiles (Luke 21:24).

REJECTION OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY

Clifford makes no bones about the falsity and damage done by this accursed theology in providing grounds for the Holocaust. And so this Statement from Orthodox rabbis brings a great opportunity for the Church:

“This is an historic time for Christians throughout the world to call upon church leaders to respond to this statement from Orthodox rabbis by humbly apologising for the false theology we have propagated for centuries. We should also be humbly confessing before God that we have dared to teach that he is not a covenant-keeping God who would never ever break his promises.”  (Emphasis added)

He concludes by pointing out to Protestants that,

“Now is the time, while God is shaking the whole world, for Christians to recognise our responsibility for so many of the tragedies of history and to reach out in love and humility to our Jewish brothers and sisters. The Catholic Church has done this: surely Protestant Church leaders should do the same – reaching out in the name of Jesus the Jewish Messiah.”

Read Clifford’s full editorial > Turning the World Upside-Down.

The Statement has not been without reaction within Judaism and which has been given a most informative answer – read about the controversy here and  CJCUC’s perspective here.

AN ‘ISRAEL REFORMATION’

Clifford’s call reiterates that of Dr Jurgen Buhler, Executive Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, in his excellent exposition published in March 2015.

Jurgen writes in The Coming ‘Israel Reformation’ in The Church on ‘a major paradigm shift’ concerning Israel is taking place for Israel, and for the Church. He uses scripture to outline how the Church should relate to the Jewish people and the state of Israel, as under these topics:

  • remember your pagan past
  • acknowledge the Hebrew roots of your faith
  • appreciate the irrevocable calling over Israel
  • recognise your spiritual debt to Israel
  • expect the restoration of Israel.

Jurgen concludes,

‘In the New Testament, the Apostles affirm the enduring calling over Israel and strongly establish the hope of Israel’s restoration. This is demonstrated in the last question they posed to Jesus before his ascension: “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6) Paul also conveys this hope to the church in Rome: “For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” (Romans 11:15) In other words, he maintains that the greatest calling and blessings still lays ahead for Israel. This means every church should embrace a theology of hope regarding Israel and support her full restoration.’

Next, we’ll look at the New Year’s news I received about an Orthodox priest speaking up for Jesus!…continue reading here.

[#1,000 – as here]