© 23 December 2016 Revive Israel Ministries

Jonah's Two Prophecies

By Asher Intrater

Jonah delivered two major prophecies.  The first is recorded in II Kings 14:25 - to enlarge the borders of Israel.  It was a message of victory and power.  He seemed to be very motivated to this kind of prophecy.

The second was recorded in the Book of Jonah to bring repentance and revival to the nation of Assyria – a Gentile nation, often seen as an enemy of Israel.  Jonah very much did not want to bring this message.  It was counter intuitive and contrary to his motivation and orientation.  He said "No" to the Lord.

He had to overcome his own resistance to the message.  When he did (with the help of a big fish), the message brought revival to the whole nation.   The message about repentance was based on his own personal testimony of a miraculous "death and resurrection" experience.  That was a form of pre-gospel message.  He fulfilled an image of Yeshua (Matthew 12:40).

An entire nation came to faith.  This was an initial stage of the future international Gentile church. It was a predecessor to Paul's preaching to the Gentiles and establishing churches around the world.

In addition, the moral reformation in the nation of Assyria changed the whole society. They became the most powerful nation on the earth and dominated the history of the Middle East for the entire 8th century BC.  They became a great "kingdom" power on earth.

Repentance, revival, testimony of Yeshua's future death and resurrection, Gentile church, kingdom authority, changing history… all that resulted from one message!  Jonah's two prophetic messages were parallel, but the Assyrian message had more effect than the Israelite message. The message that required death to pride and ego produced more than the one of victory and power.

People are usually more motivated to the type of messages that fit our idea of victory, but often it is the message that requires denying oneself and one's ambition is what has the greater results for the kingdom of God. Even Yeshua had to pray "Not my will but Yours…" at Gethsemane before the Crucifixion.  Ultimately that self-denying obedience produced much more fruit than His healing revivals before the cross.

We may also see in these two types of prophecies the two parallel paths of Israel and the Church.  The disciples of Yeshua wanted to "restore the kingdom to Israel" (Acts 1:6) in the first century.  However, Yeshua sent them out to the Gentiles "unto the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).  Perhaps they didn't want to "give" the kingdom to the Gentiles, just as Jonah didn't want to.

Thank God, today we have the opportunity to do both. We serve the dual restoration of Israel and the Church (Romans 11).  Both are coming to their fullness as we approach the coming kingdom of Messiah on earth.

The greatest Jewish holiday and moment in history should be the birth of the Messiah, for it gives purpose and meaning to the history of not only the Jewish people, but all peoples.

WATCH!

In this video Asher takes us back in history to understand what the connection between Chanukah and Christmas is.

WATCH!

Basem Aldernaly

The Islamic call to prayer sounds from mosques all over Israel several times a day and there is little, if anything, that the Israeli government can do about it. But as the Body of Messiah, we have authority in the name of Yeshua to spiritually take back control of the day from its start: sunrise.

“Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
that it might take hold of the ends of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?” – Job 38:12-13

“The Lord said to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’
The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
You people shall be volunteers in the day of Your power;
in the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.” – Psalms 110:1-3

One of the Islamic calls to prayer happens at dawn. I believe that God is calling us in this time to physically rise from our beds BEFORE dawn in order to worship Him, to pray, and by doing so, take back the morning from the devil who is daily filling the air with his rebellious proclamations. So please join us in following the example of Yeshua, who also rose before dawn to pray (Mark 1:35), and let’s take back the morning!

Eddie Santoro

For some time now it’s been our goal to turn the leadership of Ahavat Yeshua over to the younger generation. This goal was advanced recently as we set Jonathan Moore as our first "young" elder. He was ordained as a deacon several years ago and quickly took on much responsibility and leadership. Also his wife, Simcha was the congregational secretary for several years and now has become the director of women's activities.

The same day we also set Jeremiah as a deacon. He has been a leader of one of our worship teams for several years and has blessed the congregation with his gift of administration. Likewise his wife Rachel serves with him on the worship team and has also worked as the head of our children's program for the last two years.

Several months ago, we ordained 3 other deacons and now have a total of seven. We are surrounded by a faithful, hardworking, and YOUNG team who are helping us as we labor to see Messiah Yeshua made known in Jerusalem.

Please pray for Jonathan and Simcha, and Jeremiah and Rachel as they begin this new chapter in their lives along with the other emerging young leaders of Ahavat Yeshua.