©November 29, 2013 Revive Israel Ministries

Menorah

By Asher Intrater

The Bible speaks of the Menorah, or Lampstand, on three levels: one in the Torah, one in the Prophets, and one in the New Covenant.  Moses was commanded to build a 7–branched, golden lampstand and place it in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40). The priests were required to take care of the lampstand, but there was no clear teaching as to the spiritual meaning of the Menorah.

This is the lampstand that was supposedly rededicated by the Maccabees and celebrated on the holiday of Hanukah. The lampstand at Hanukah is called in Hebrew a Hanukiah.  It has 9 lights (for 8 days, and 1 to light the others). It is NOT a replica of the Tabernacle Menorah, but it has become in some way representative of this Menorahin Jewish religious tradition.

On the second level, the prophet Zechariah saw a vision of a mystical Menorah, with two olive trees, one to each side. This symbolized the Lord restoring Zion and the Temple by the power of His grace and spirit (Zechariah 4:1-10). This vision became the basis for the symbol and seal of the modern State of Israel.

The third level is found in the book of Revelation in which John has a supernatural vision of Yeshua in a glorified form, standing in the midst of 7 lampstands, representing the 7 churches or congregations of Asia Minor (Revelation 1:12, 20), which are symbolic of all types and streams making up the international ecclesia.

As the Mosaic lampstand found expression in Jewish religious tradition, Zechariah's prophetic vision found expression in modern Zionism, and John's vision pictures people of every tribe, tongue and nation being glorified by the power of God.

By Eddie and Jackie Santoro

Last week we had our first general members' meeting and over ninety people participated. The entire leadership team worked together to present a clear picture of the foundational values of our congregation, what it means to be a member, the calendar for the year to come, and a financial review of the previous year--with questions and answers following the food break. The meeting was very successful.

Keep praying for our Congregation. It is really doing very well and is a vibrant, living expression of a local congregation in Jerusalem in these last days.

By Aviram Eldar

Recently, Yo-Yakim, a Messianic leader from Arad and Opher Caradi, a deputy in the religious Shas party in Beer Sheva, were interviewed together on a southern Israel radio station. At one point during the interview Yo-Yakim replied that "Messianic Jews are Jewish people who believe Yeshua is the Messiah."At this moment, Caradi began shouting angrily against belief in Yeshua, and demanding that the broadcast be ended. The interviewer repeatedly asked him to calm down but was not very successful. From that point the interviewer became favorable towards Yo-Yakim because of his kind and respectful approach. In the end Yo-Yakim was given more time to defend his beliefs and explained, "We share our faith with other people and give them a chance to make their own decision."

Pray that many Israeli's would seek out the truth about Yeshua for themselves.

Roni Rejuwan

The human race lives in a dilemma before God. We have to stand in judgment for what we have done during this life, but no one can be declared righteous before God on his own merits. King David expressed it this way, "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous” – Psalm 143:2. This verse is an excellent statement from the Hebrew Scriptures of our inability to stand in judgment on our own.

Pray for the revelation of our sin and need for God's grace through Yeshua.

By Paul Wilbur

This past spring I had the privilege of being appointed as the new executive director of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance. The IMJA is a well-established ministry that has roots and fruits in more than 20 nations. I feel that my new mission is to make the IMJA a valuable tool in assisting the national alliances, and to be a voice for unity in the greater body of Messiah. Asher and I have been close friends for more than 30 years. We met recently with Hanan Lukats, president of the Israeli Alliance (where Asher also serves on the board of directors), to discuss possibilities for mutual cooperation in the future.

Pray for much fruit in both the International and Israeli Messianic Jewish Alliances.

Recently we were privileged to take part in Dan and Anja's wedding. Anja has been overseeing our translation work at Revive for the past 7 years and serves as our European coordinator. Dan has a B.A. in theology and is a certified tour guide in Israel. The wedding was attended by some 75 "not-yet-believers," who all sensed the joy, love and presence of God throughout the ceremony.

Pray that the light of Yeshua would continue to shine through Dan and Anja.