©August 18, 2012 Revive Israel Ministries

Head of Church - King of Israel

Yeshua (Jesus) is the central figure in the plan of God and in the whole of Scriptures. He is the first and the last (Revelation 1:8, 17); the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He fulfills many roles. As the Christ-Messiah, He is both Head of the Church and the King of Israel.

He is called King of Israel when He enters Jerusalem in triumph:

John 12:12-13 – Multitudes of people that came to the feast heard that Yeshua was about to enter Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, "Hoshana, Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel."

Yeshua is called Head of the Church by the spirit of revelation in the prayer of Paul (Saul) the Apostle:

Ephesians 1:20-22 – Which He worked in Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens, above all government, authority, power and office… He placed everything under His feet and gave Him to the church as head over all.

The church – (ecclesia in Greek) here is seen as an instrument of God's government. It is a group of people who rule and reign with Yeshua. God exercises authority over the world through this body of people, of whom Yeshua is the leader; the ecclesia is His governing body.

How did Yeshua receive this position? – By ascension. He not only rose from the dead, but kept rising above all spiritual powers until the highest place in heaven. By the crucifixion we receive atonement; by Yeshua's descent into hell, we receive deliverance from hell; by His resurrection, we receive eternal life; by His ascension, we receive spiritual authority to rule and reign.

The ecclesia was created by Yeshua's ascension as a governing body. Therefore the international church is essentially "ascension-minded."

How did Yeshua receive His position as King of Israel? - By incarnation (and circumcision).

Matthew 1:1 - The genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, son of David, son of Abraham…

The New Covenant scriptures start with Yeshua's birth from the line of Abraham and David. Authority to govern God's kingdom on earth was given by covenant to Yeshua through David from Judah from Abraham. Yeshua was not only born into this planet, He was circumcised when He got here (Luke 2:21). He was born of a woman to be the head of a new human race (Genesis 3:15, I Corinthians 15:45). He was born of David's seed to sit on David's throne and rule God's kingdom on earth (Luke 1:32). The incarnation transferred to Yeshua the authority of Adam from creation; the circumcision transferred the authority of Abraham by covenant.

The kingdom of Israel has more of a "possessing the earth" attitude, whereas the church is more "ascending into heaven" minded. One is upward moving from earth toward heaven; the other downward moving from heaven to earth. Yeshua is head of the Church by ascension and king of Israel by incarnation. Both offices are parallel. Yeshua is not schizophrenic. He is at the same time head of the Church and king of Israel. The two titles will one day become one (Zechariah 14:9, Ephesians 1:10).

Both roles require a commitment to a group of people. His position as head of the Church demands a covenant committed to all the people in the international ecclesia. The position of a father in a family demands commitment to the children of the family.  Just as a father cannot be a father by himself, Yeshua cannot be head of the Church by Himself. He is connected essentially to that group of people. He has defined Himself by them.

Similarly, as king of Israel, Yeshua has committed Himself to this nation. He defines Himself through this group of people. There is no Yeshua without the Church and there is no Yeshua without Israel.

Yeshua's dual role as head of Church and king of Israel demands a covenantal commitment between those two groups. The reconciliation and cooperation between Israel and the Church represents a major prophetic restoration in the kingdom of God in our day. Through Yeshua, Israel and the Church are "forced," or rather "destined," into partnership.

The Church is being grafted into Israel (Romans 11:17), and Israel is moving toward national salvation (Romans 11:26). The Messianic Jewish remnant is part of both, and therefore plays an essential role as bridge between the two. The two will become one body (Ezekiel 37:17-22, Ephesians 2:12-16).

Christian Zionists

The newspaper Israel Hayom did an extensive write up on the recent Christians United for Israel conference. The article referred to Christian support for Israel as a revolution in the history of religion and the relationship between the Church and the Jewish people. It even described some complex biblical theological issues correctly. Pray for the continuing cooperation between Christian Zionists and Israel; and for the witness of the love of Yeshua from these Christians to our people. To see article:
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=5448

Messianic Soldiers

The newspaper Yediot Yerushalayim published the testimony of David R, a dear friend of one of our sons. David had been rejected from citizenship and the army for years because of his faith. After years of legal work, the Israeli Supreme Court granted him permission for permanent residency and enlistment. Today he serves in the armored division of the IDF.

The positive article, including color picture, under the title "Messianic in Uniform," respectfully dealt with his faith, and referred to him as a Messianic Jew. The article included a quote from David, saying, "The view of the New Covenant is that it is important for a person to serve everywhere he lives." Pray for David's wellbeing and testimony, along with the many, many other Messianic soldiers who serve faithfully and sacrificially in the IDF.