©May 31, 2013 Revive Israel Ministries

More Than a Zionist

By Asher Intrater

Was Yeshua a Zionist?  No, He was not a Zionist; He was more than a Zionist.  Here are three dimensions of being "more" than Zionist:

1. Kingdom or State

When Yeshua was raised from the dead, He taught for 40 days on the coming of the "kingdom of God" – Acts 1:3.  His disciples understood this to mean, "restoring the kingdom to Israel" – Acts 1:6.  And while changing the disciples' understanding of the timeframe, Yeshua affirmed that indeed, ultimately, He would restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:7).

The vision of Herzl and Ben Gurion was to have a Jewish State. We agree. However Yeshua is proposing a kingdom. A kingdom is more than a state, just as the position of a king is greater than the position of a prime minister. Yeshua is returning to be King of kings, not just a head of state.

2. Shekinah Glory

What "kingdom" did Yeshua and His disciples refer to as "restoring?" – the only one that could be "re"- stored: the kingdom of David and Solomon.  In that kingdom, the cloud of glory filled the Temple (II Chronicles 5) and the fire fell on the altar (II Chronicles 7).  However, in the kingdom of Yeshua, the presence of the Holy Spirit and the glory fire  dwells inside the disciples themselves, not in the Temple (Acts 2:1-4).

Which is greater?  Glory dwelling in the Temple or Glory dwelling in the People? – Obviously the latter. The word Shekinah means "dwelling inside." 

3. All Nations

When Yeshua's disciples asked Him to restore the kingdom, He sent them out to be witnesses of Him and His kingdom from "Jerusalem, all Judea and Samaria, and even unto the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). In effect He expanded the borders of Israel, not just to include both sides of the Jordan (very “politically incorrect” these days), but all the way to California and Japan – to the ends of the earth.  In so doing He fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah for Israel to be a "light of the nations" (Isaiah 42:6; 49:6).

Yeshua's kingdom is for all peoples (Isaiah 9:6; 56:7).  This is not just a Zionist state; nor even an Israelite kingdom.  It is a worldwide commonwealth, or empire, under the rule of Yeshua the Messiah (great-great-great grandson of David and Solomon). 

With Greta Mavro

Chapter 12 of First Corinthians has an amazing description of what is referred to as charismatic or spiritual gifts. But the word "gifts" is not exactly written there.

I Corinthians 12:1 – "concerning spiritual gifts, I would not have you ignorant."  The Greek here for "spiritual gifts" is pneumatikon, which means "spiritual matters" not gifts.

1Corinthians 12:4 – "There are diversities of gifts but the same Spirit." The Greek here for "gifts" is charisma. There are diversities of "charismas." 

1Corinthians 12:5 - "There are differences of administrations, but the same Lord."   The Greek here for "administrations" is diakonia: ministry of service .

1Corinthians 12:6 - "diversities of operations, but it is the same God who works all in all. The Greek here is energima: power to be used.

I Corinthians 12:7 – "manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit."  The Greek here is fanerosis: a public, shining exhibition.

"Charismas" can also refer to a person's attributes or talents (such as creativity, musical ability or beauty). The Holy Spirit gives us His own attributes for free. So it can correctly be translated as gift.  Unfortunately, some see the term "gifts" as meaning an added or optional, peripheral element. 

No, these are essential spiritual matters.  The pneumatikon, charismas, services, ministries, diakonia, administrations, operations, energima, powers, works, fanerosis and manifestations are primary functions of the Holy Spirit and an expression of God Himself.  In all these we most certainly believe.

By Ron Cantor, assistant pastor

Paul wrote that eventually all Israel shall be saved (Romans 11:26). We are a long way from seeing that, but when we realize that just 65 years ago there were virtually no Messianic congregations in Israel and only a handful of Jewish believers, it is clear that God is at work.

We are praying for a mass awakening in Israel, but until then we are thrilled to see fruit—however small. Over the past few weeks several Israelis have prayed to receive Yeshua. A new believer brought her mother a few weeks ago and during the worship she confessed Yeshua.

One of our elders, Moti Cohen, reached out to a man in need of healing during the week and invited him to our meeting.  Moti brought him up and the whole congregation prayed for him.  Then he too confessed faith in Yeshua. The week before that, at the end of our service, another man prayed to receive the Lord.

There is an excitement in the congregation to have fresh, new life; and we have faith for many more salvations. Please keep these young believers in your prayers.