This is Part II of a three-part story on Muslims converting to Christianity. If you have not done so already, we suggest first reading From Islam to Christianity – Apostasy that Enlightens – Part I

“The reasons to leaving Islam are manifold,” said Reuven Paz, a researcher specializing in Islam and radical Islamic movements at Interdisciplinary Center in Herzeliya. “Most people do so because they marry Christian spouses. Others – especially in the US and Europe – opt for Christianity to blend with the majority and become part of the new culture, and yet others – mostly in Africa – simply follow their tribe’s chief,” he argued.

But there are some whose motivation had deeper roots. Jamal Jivanjee, the Executive Director of Illuminate-US, a website dedicated to spreading the message of Christianity, said he left Islam at the age of 18, enchanted by Christ’s unconditional love.

“Being born and raised in the US, my father insisted on raising me as a Muslim. Despite being a pious man, he was empty. Islam had never been able to turn him into a happy man,” said Jivanjee, emphasizing that his father’s subsequent conversion brought him the peace he had always longed for. “After my father learned of my decision to become a Christian, he initially felt like a failure, blaming himself for failing to do enough to turn me into a devoted Muslim. But when he saw my eyes and the change in my attitude towards people and life, he accepted it,” he explained.

Unlike Jivanjee, whose conversion was sparked by sheer curiosity, others were motivated by a more acute urge. “The turning point happened to me in America when I went to a mosque and was told not assimilate because a Muslim’s mission is to Islamize the country. I left the mosque and never went back,” said Nonie Darwish, an Egyptian born writer, author of “The Devil We don’t Know; the dark side of revolutions in the Middle East”. “It took me many years to see the truth about the religion I was born in; a religion that encourages hatred, lies, slander, killing and terrorism – all in the name of Allah,” she continued.

Leaving Islam – or apostasy – is punishable by death; and even though some say the Islamic Holy Scripture, the Quran, doesn’t mention it explicitly, scholars have found evidence of implicit support for such a severe penalty. Similarly, there are numerous authentic religious texts ascribed to the prophet Mohammed that also support this claim.

However, some scholars say that the death penalty is a fanatical interpretation of the book, with the violence usually deriving from family members and radical elements rather than Islamic authorities. “Since the conversion is illegal, it’s usually expressed in violence (especially towards women). At the same time, many secular Muslims don’t view apostasy as something forbidden because Jesus is also a Muslim prophet,” reasoned Paz.

“The death penalty is typical of extremists – a group of educated people, who studied Islam by themselves,” he argued, referring to such individuals as Osama Bin Laden or Al-Qaeeda’s second in command, Ayman Al-Zawahiri. “Most Islamic clerics oppose conversion but they would not order the execution of a person who converted. Fanatics are a different case; for them Islam should encompass the entire world,” he continued.

Some Muslim scholars agree. Rayed Habib, a Palestinian cleric, who preaches in one of Bethlehem’s mosques, said Islam is a peaceful religion that objects to the murder of apostates. “Killing is a sin; it is forbidden in the Quran,” he told Israel Today. “Apostasy is wrong but that doesn’t mean we have to kill those people, especially since there is no law in Islam that orders us to do so,” he explained.

Habib also said that conversions don’t take place in Palestine. “There was only one person, who did it,” he told the magazine, referring to the son of Hamas, Mosab Hassan Yousef, “but he left to America because he feared radicals would kill his father. Other than him, nobody does it,” he claimed. If Habib’s claim about zero conversions is correct, it may suggest that they are not exactly tolerated, even if they aren’t punishable by death.

The internet is rife with cases of persecuted former Muslims in the Palestinian Authority, indicating that Yousef’s conversion is far from a rare phenomenon. In 2003, for example, a missing convert to Christianity was returned to his family, slaughtered and cut into pieces by Muslims. In a similar case that took place in 2005, another convert was shot dead by masked gunmen.

Similar expressions of violence and murder have been documented in many other countries, including Egypt, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Austria, Germany, the USA, and others.

But as Habib pointed out, it’s unfair to blame Islam for all the atrocities, stressing that other religions are far from perfect. Indeed, the conquest of Canaan by the Hebrews and the Crusades took thousands of innocent lives. But, unlike in Islam, historic violence has never been codified into the Jewish law. In Christianity, parts of the Old Testament that encouraged violence were subsequently replaced by Jesus’ approach of unconditional love, teaching people to “turn the other cheek” instead of fighting to extract an “eye for an eye” retribution. As far as the Crusades are concerned, many experts view them as a counterattack to the deeds of Abu Ali Mansur Tariqul-Hakim, accused of destroying a number of important churches.

Therefore, some say, that it is Islam, rather than other religions, that preaches intolerance and violence towards non-Muslims.

Be sure to check back tomorrow for the third and final part of this story

And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. John 8:32

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:

All of Mankind fell because ADAM believed one lie, so believing lies can cause us to fall from Grace.

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! Genesis 3:4

Sin only followed the belief in a lie. When the woman heard the snake, she believed the lie that their disobedience to Elohim’s Commandments will carry no consequences. She also believed that the Tree of Knowledge was “good” though the Creator had said it was deathly. When we believe in a lie it can cost us our life as it leads us to sin and the wages of sin (breaking Elohim’s Commandments) is DEATH!

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. Romans 6:23

In the course of my 24 years of serving Yeshua I have come across many lies that have become deathly doctrines. The most dangerous lies are those that happen because of mistranslation of the Bible or due to biased translation. I will bring a few serious examples here.

THE POSITION OF MAN (AND WOMAN)

What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man (Adam) that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God (Elohim), Psalm 8:4,5- NASB

The position of Adam (Man and Woman) is a “little lower” than Elohim as they are created in the image and likeness of Elohim!

Elohim created man in His own image, in the image of Elohim-God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27

In many translations it says:

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.  Psalm 8:5 KJV

In Hebrew Elohim is the term for the Creator and Malachim is the word for angels, why would the translator of such a well -read Bible translate Elohim as angels? Because the doctrines of demons and men that entered the Church through Replacement Theology! If Mankind that is created in the image and likeness of Elohim is a little lower than the angels, that means that Lucifer-satan who is a fallen angel, is greater than Adam and thus greater than Elohim Himself!

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!¹³ “But you said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north.¹⁴ ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’Isaiah 14:12-14

Yeshua said:

And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Luke 10:18,19

You and I are created HIGHER than all the angels! That is why we can have authority over demons that are fallen angels! The only reason that Adam (male and female!) lost their authority was because they believed a lie and sinned! If we believe the Truth and obey Elohim, we too have authority over the angels!

Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3

DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN

The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host: Psalm 68:11 NASB

In Hebrew it says that the Women who preach, proclaim and declare the Good News are a Great Army! The name for women preachers or evangelists used in Hebrew is MEVASROT. There is no option to translate it any other way! However in the King James Version which has been the most prevalent version of the Bible in English it says “THOSE” instead of THE WOMEN. On purpose removing any traces of female gender in the very clear calling for women to be preachers and evangelist and preach the Gospel!

The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it. Psalm 68:11 KJV

This fatal error is due to the bias of the translators against Women which has caused untold wrongs in the Church since the Council of Nicaea and on! Tremendous abuses against women and even murder in religious circles have happened due to these doctrines of demons and men! Many women world- wide are prevented from obeying the High Call of Yah (God) because of these fatal lies!

Another purposeful mistranslation concerning women occurs in the New Testament:

 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7 NASB

Even a relatively accurate translation like the New American Standard is not perfect and here we find a change of name! The original Greek says,

“Greet Andronicus and Junia” Junia is the name of a woman in Greek and Junias is the name of a man. The name of this outstanding Woman Apostle was changed because it did not fit the theology of the translators!

Interestingly enough the King James Version does leave the original name of the Woman Apostle Junia in it!

Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7

Check your bibles in different versions and languages and see what they say, you will find many surprises that are fatal lies that lead to deathly doctrines!

This particular Woman Apostle was actually a believer before Paul got saved and had suffered a lot for the Gospel.

We salute Junia!

WOMEN SHOULD NOT TEACH MEN!

Another demonic doctrine made out of biased translation!

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1Timothy 2:12 KJV

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12 NASB

Here both translations have translated a Greek word in a biased way.

The word for “usurp authority” here in Greek is AUTENTEO. This word is not used anywhere else in the New Testament and it does not mean “usurp authority” but rather:

Influence a man through sexual manipulation!

At that time that Apostle Paul wrote a Pastoral Letter to Pastor Timothy, many of the Temple Prostitutes of the Temple of Diana were being saved. They were very “savvy” and very charismatics used to manipulate men with their sexuality! So, Paul was warning Timothy that these women needed to get cleansed and delivered before they could teach others!

This verse should have been translated as follows:

But I suffer not a convert from the temple prostitutes to teach and disturb a service, nor to influence men through sexual manipulation, but to be in silence until they are set free and walk in holiness.

That is a far cry from silencing all women and preventing women from teaching doctrine or entering leadership positions!

Deborah the Prophetess, taught the Sons of Israel Torah! She was the Ruler and King of the hour! Surely the women in the New Covenant should be free to do like -wise when called!

Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. ⁵ She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment. Judges 4:4,5

To be continued next week…

Your Friends and Mentors in Israel

Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent” Isaiah 62:1

While Jewish and Christian believers in the Bible accept the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt as an article of faith, archaeologists relate to the event from the standpoint of physical evidence. But ironically, this archaeological evidence can lead to diametricallyopposed conclusions.

For instance, Israel Finkelstein of Tel Aviv University claims that the Exodus never happened. He explains this in his book, The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Sacred Texts, which he co-authored with American colleague Neal Asher Silverman. This stands in stark contrast to Mikra mul Archiologia (Bible vs. Archaeology), a book by Daniel Moshe Levy and Joseph Rothstein, two Israeli archeologists who say that the Exodus did indeed happen, and just as the Bible says it did. There are many historical sources for the biblical text which have aroused great interest. The unnamed Pharaoh of the Book of Exodus is believed to belong to a different dynasty than formerly thought; a plague involving “the death of the firstborn” is found in an ancient Egyptian writing; and the story of Moses’ childhood appears in an Egyptian legend.

“Thirty dynasties are mentioned in ancient Egypt,” Levy said on Israel Radio. “They are divided into four periods—the Early Dynastic Period, followed by the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom and the Late Period. Most Israeli archeologists place the Exodus from Egypt at the time of the New Kingdom or the Late Period. That would be between the 15th and the 18th dynasty, or 1400-1200 BC. But in this period there are no archeological finds that relate to the Exodus. That’s why some archeologists say that the Bible is wrong.”

To compensate for this apparent lack of archeological evidence, Levy and Rothstein’s book describes a “lost tribe” dating to the 4th Dynasty (around 2500 BC). This is based on evidence of some 3,000 Egyptian graves that are different from others during that period. The skulls are not typical of Egyptian skulls of the time which have a long, extended structure, but rather are broader in form. In addition, these graves were found in a separate area, away from other graves.

“Along with the graves, clay fragments were discovered that are usually only found in Canaan,” Levy explained. “Also, archeological finds suggest that these people were wealthy and culturally advanced in earlier times, but had become poorer in later generations. If you see the children of Israel in this lost tribe, then their disappearance from later Egyptian archeological evidence can be explained by the Exodus from Egypt.”

The book tells of an Egyptian legend from the 12th Dynasty about a 4th Dynasty Pharaoh. The story is reminiscent of Pharaoh’s fear that the Israelites would become so numerous that they would overrun his kingdom, prompting him to throw the newborn sons of the Israelites into the Nile (Exodus 1).

“A priest tells Pharaoh about a horrible woman who carries children in her body who will rule over his empire in the future,” the legend says. “When Pharaoh hears this he falls ill. The priest comforts him by saying that this will not happen in his time but in his son’s.” Eventually, the children of this woman are saved.

Levy and Rothstein’s book also mentions an Egyptian inscription which describes the 5th dynasty Pharaoh Unas: “The Pharaoh Unas will stand trial before the One whose name is hidden, on the day the firstborn were killed.”

These are just a few examples of the archaeological evidence presented by the authors that support the biblical narrative. The book is not yet available in English translation.

 By Aviel Schneider – israeltoday.co.il – electronic  June 2012 edition

The Lost Jewish New Testament Rediscovered

June 2012 http://www.israeltoday.co.il 

Yeshua’s (Jesus’) rebuke of the fig tree baffles most readers, probably because they ask the wrong questions in trying to understand it. Although it makes no sense to curse a guiltless tree, when pressed to justify Yeshua’ behavior commentators are quick to point the finger at Israel.

 For example, http://www.Bible.com — whose mission is sharing the gospel with the entire world—has this “good news” for the Jewish people: “The fig tree is Israel which will be judged for a lack of repentance. They have the pretension of life, but not the substance of life.” This interpretation asserts that by cursing the tree Yeshua was cursing Israel.

Contrary to this harsh verdict, the disciples’ response clearly indicates that they did not see the dry fig tree as a condemnatory allegory. They did not feel sorry for the tree or lament Israel’s bad fortune. Rather, “they marveled, saying, ‘How did the fig tree wither away so soon?’” In his answer, Yeshua reveals the reason for their bewilderment: lack of appreciation for the power of faith.

This being said, it can still be asked why the disciples were apparently untroubled by what appears to be the unfair treatment of nature. Assuming their sensitivity to every aspect of the Law, they must have been aware of such commandments as: “Only the trees which you know are not trees for food you may destroy and cut down” (Deut 20:20). Therefore, rather than regarding this episode as denouncing the Law, Israel or nature itself, we should perhaps take the view of those around Yeshua that there was nothing wrong with His treatment of the tree.

This leads us to the possibility that Yeshua’ generation viewed nature as capable of being disobedient to God. From this point of view, the fig tree’s failure to produce fruit in honor of the hungry Messiah constituted an act of defiance. Although this may seem a rather bizarre idea, verses such “Day unto day utters speech” (Psalm 19:2) and “all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12) are not merely metaphorical. The idea that nature can disobey God is a well-established Jewish thought. Among other things, it rests upon God’s cursing the earth after it concealed Abel’s blood in conspiracy with Cain: “So now you [Cain] are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand” (Genesis 4:11). According to Jewish exegesis, the curse upon the earth also produced trees which do not bear fruit.

The fig is the only tree mentioned by name in the story of the Garden of Eden: “They sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings” (Gen 3:7). This remark, together with the following verse which states literally, “and Adam and his wife hid themselves…inside the trees of the garden,” gave birth to the following story: “When the first man ate from that tree, the Holy One, blessed be He, took him out of the garden of Eden. And he [Adam] courted all the trees but they did not accept him. They said to him: ‘This is the culprit who manipulated creation [to allow him to eat from the forbidden tree]’…But because he ate from its fruit, the fig tree opened its doors and received him” (Yalkut Shimoni, Bereshit 21).

This story portrays human beings and trees communicating in the Garden. The fig tree is singled out as the only one willing to help Adam and Eve—so God blessed it by making it one of the seven species (Deut 8:8). In contrast, the tree Yeshua encountered failed to live up to its primordial decision to sustain (the Son of) Adam (Man). In its act of defiance, therefore, the tree could not but receive what it deserved.

 By Tsvi Sadan

Now it shall be, if you diligently obey YHVH your God, being careful to do all His commandments which I command you today, YHVH your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Deuteronomy 28:1 NASB

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved!

The above promise was given to Israel thousands of years ago and it is still as powerful today as it was then. In the Hebrew the word for OBEY is the word SHMA that means to LISTEN, TO HEAR and TO OBEY. Most of us have heard the famous Hebrew declaration from Deuteronomy 6:4:

Shma Israel Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai Echad.

Which means: Listen, hear and obey o Israel for YHVH our Elohim, YHVH is Oneness in plurality and is united within Him!

The word for listening, hearing and obeying is a Triune word just like YHVH is Triune God! You cannot separate Father, Son and Holy Spirit! They are always together everywhere all the way from Genesis, though different in function. In the same way you cannot separate Listening from Hearing from Obedience, one without the other is empty and ineffective and actually impossible!  We cannot obey without hearing the Command of Yah (God) and we cannot hear if we don’t listen to His Voice. That is why the Hebrew for Deuteronomy 28:1 actually says:

Now it will be if you will listen, to really hear the voice of YHVH your Elohim, to watch and to do all the Commandments that I command you today, YHVH will position you in the highest place above all other nations.

IM SHAMOA TISHMA- if you will listen, to really hear the voice of YHVH

The reason why most people are not experiencing more breakthroughs is because most people are not doing SHAMOA TISHMA, they are not listening to the Voice of YHVH to really hear what He has to say and DO it! Most people “assume” what He is saying and/or dismiss His Voice altogether! I have no doubt that if all the Body of Yeshua would stop all plans and agendas to corporately listen to hear Yah’s Voice; we would all go into Teshuva (Repentance) and would get sanctified with the Truth at the speed of light! There would not be any divisions among us! Yeshua prayed that prayer that is yet to be answered!

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. John 17:17, 21

Please notice that UNITY is contingent to TRUTH, in other words we all must believe the same thing and interpret the Word the same way! Truth is not relative it is absolute. In fact Truth is a Spirit; the Spirit of Truth is the Holy Spirit!

That is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. John 14:17

If we would all be listening to really hear the Holy Spirit (no our doctrines, opinions, fears or experiences) we would be all hearing the same thing since Elohim is not divided within Himself! Father, Son and Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) are all saying the exact same thing; they are even thinking the same thoughts!

When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me. John 15:26 NASB

The reason for so many divisions in the Body of Messiah is because different people are listening to different spirits and they think it’s God!

It really started with Emperor Constantine of Eastern Rome who said that IESUS (not Yeshua) appeared to him in a dream and promised him the crown of Eastern Rome. From then on he extended peace to the believers as long as they would obey his doctrines of demons and men starting with the decisions taken during the Council of Nicaea to divorce and separate from everything Jewish!

I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, he who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way (elsewhere, from some other quarter) is a thief and a robber. John 10:10 AMP

Of course Constantine was listening to another spirit that is not the Spirit of Truth and a battle weary Church fell into deception with him! Ever since -different spirits have deceived the Church and the proof is that there are so many denominations and everyone thinks that they are the only true one!

Before I put my trust in Yeshua, I was working as a Tour Guide in Israel. I used to take many tourists to the Holy Sepulcher Church which is a pagan shrine built around First Century tombs believed to be by many Christians; the actual site of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus. For about 20 years or more the different denominations that hold custody over the site, would not come into agreement as to how to finish the roof, so it was an unfinished structure! I used to laugh about those Christians that did not seem to get into one accord about something so simple!

Then I laughed but today I cry with the Almighty whose hands are tied until we come into AGREEMENT and UNITY because of the sanctification of the Spirit of Truth!

It is only when we are ALL sanctified with the Spirit of Truth that we will be one like the Father and the Son are One and then, the world will believe! This is better than any evangelistic campaign because the Presence of His Glory will flood a Bride that is sanctified with the Truth!

Until then we exhort all to lay down their lives before the Master and to circumcise our hearts and ears so we can listen to really hear and then from that place to go ahead and DO all that He tells us to do!

We cannot afford another Civil War in the Body of Yeshua like has happened  throughout Church history every time that YHVH has restored a lost Truth (like baptism by full immersion or speaking in tongues, the use of musical instruments, dancing, the restoration of Shabbat and so on.)

You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Acts 7:51

This time we cannot afford to be stiff necked as ancient Israel was or have uncircumcised ears and miss the time of our VISITATION! The lower we will bow before Him, the less we think we know- the better so He can speak to us all and we can hear Him and obey Him!

When he has brought his own sheep outside, he walks on before them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will never [on any account] follow a stranger, but will run away from him because they do not know the voice of strangers or recognize their call. John 10:4, 5 AMP

We must die to selfish opinions, selfish ambitions, false assumptions and pride. Then and only then we will be able to listen and really hear the PURE DOCTRINE OF MESSIAH that has been hidden for 1800 years behind the spirit of deception of Replacement Theology!

This is an urgent Divine Call to the Body of Messiah worldwide to lay down all plans and unnecessary activities in order to seek Him and to listen so we can really hear what the Spirit of Truth is telling to the churches and especially to the leaders of the congregations and ministries! It is time to stop attacking each other or even be tolerant and apathetic to each other’s deceptions and really LISTEN.

What are the urgent CHANGES that He is requiring individually and corporately?

And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

We cannot put up with the divided condition of Yah’s House any longer as a divided house will not stand! We must take all the necessary steps to REPENT and to find out what He is saying to all of us. The outcome of SHAMOA TISHMA will be total UNITY like the Father and the Son are One, and of course an outpouring of His Glory that will help us collect the End Time Harvest at the speed of light!

When Israel sees a united Bride, full of the Glory, it will be able to see Messiah!

Have you listened to what He has to say lately?

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent” Isaiah 62:1

Your Friends and Mentors in Israel

Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman

Have you ever had a day like this poor brother? I know I have!

In his case, he wandered too close to a group of playing children and got knocked over,

losing his head… Oh yes, there are days like that!

Think about the picture… our brother who is having a bad day (really bad in fact)

is giving us a clue as to how to cope; do you see it?

His gaze is upward, to things that are above!

And notice this: He really does look pretty calm, doesn’t he? He’s had his worst day in a long time,

he’s been knocked down by all that is swirling around him in this life,

and yet he is calmly looking heavenward…

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

(Psalm 121:1-2)

I wonder what would happen if we lifted our eyes to the things that above before the crisis hit!

]]> http://yeshuaarmy.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/women-of-the-bible-and-modern-economics/ Thu, 24 May 2012 12:54:08 +0000 Yeshuaarmen http://yeshuaarmy.wordpress.com/2012/05/24/women-of-the-bible-and-modern-economics/

Biblical gems are found everywhere in Israel, even in economic journals

Slipped in among the stories on the real estate market, the foreign currency exchange, unemployment and the like, it is not uncommon to find articles dealing with biblical subjects in Israeli economic periodicals. For example, an item in the March issue of the Hebrew economic journal Calcalist describes in modern terms how the Tabernacle built by the children of Israel in the Sinai wilderness, was financed. When Moses asked the people to donate their possessions for the building of the sanctuary, it was the women who contributed the most, both by donating their gold and silver jewelry and by using their skill as weavers.

The article’s author, Gil Heusman, describes it as a “female initiative.” Here are some excerpts from the article, which reflects Israel’s unique role as the People of the Book:

Following the people’s sin with the Golden Calf, Moses commanded that the Tabernacle be built. To accomplish this, he called upon the people to provide the material. What happened then? The women, being proactive, initiated knitting projects without being asked. The result was precious textiles suitable for use in the holy Tabernacle. As we read: “And the skilled women spun with their hands and brought what they had spun—blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen” [Exodus 35:25].

The men were upset by this and appealed to Moses: “So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing and said to Moses, ‘The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done’”[Exodus 36:4-5].

In response, Moses appealed indirectly to the women while addressing the entire congregation. “So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, ‘Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary.’ Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it” [Exodus 36:6-7]. One might question what the real intentions of the women were. The men seemed to think that their offerings were aimed at raising their status in the eyes of the nation. The men saw this as a threat, so they persuaded Moses to put a stop to it.

Another possibility is that the women were not concerned about their status in the community but simply wanted to be productive. Wandering in the desert did not allow many opportunities for creativity. The building of the Tabernacle presented the women with the chance to contribute something of value and to use their inherent skills.

Perhaps this explains why they were so easily convinced to participate in the construction of the Golden Calf. That, too, was an opportunity to be creative, but in a negative way. The construction of the Tabernacle, on the other hand, provided an opportunity to participate in a godly endeavor.

By Aviel Schneider – israeltoday – electronic issue june 2012

The Yeshua army – Norway

Sing to Elohim, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the YHVH, and exult before Him. Psalm 68:4

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved!

This entire report is dedicated to understand the importance of the Desert and most particularly the City of Eilat  for the restoration of Israel and the salvation of mankind! Everything that has fashioned Israel as a nation and everything that has to do with Salvation started in the desert! Just to mention a few important events:

1. Moses is prepared as the Deliverer of Israel  in the Desert of Midian for 40 years
2. Torah is give in the desert of Sinai
3. Israel is fashioned as a nation walking for 40 years in the desert
4. King David is prepared to rule Judah and Israel in the wilderness of Ein Gedy
5. The Kippurim (Atonement) scapegoat is sent into the desert
6. Demons roam in desert places after they leave a person
7. Yochanan Hamatbil (John the Baptizer) is prepared in the Desert.
8. Yochanan also preaches REPENTANCE to Judah in the desert
9. Yeshua is immersed (baptized ) under Yochanan in the Desert of Judea

10. Yeshua is empowered for Ministry for 40 days in the Desert.

11. Shaul-Paul the Shaliach (Apostle) was prepared for 3 years in the Desert

12. The last and most important even before the RETURN of Messiah Yeshua is the restoration of the Anusim/Sephardic Jews to their possession in the Negev (South) Desert of Israel!

There is of course many more things that happen in the desert but these are the most important ones! In Hebrew the word for DESERT is MIDBAR and MIDBAR comes from the word DABAR which means WORD or the WORD! So we see that in the MIDBAR (Desert!) The DABAR (Word!) is given to the people of Israel and it is called TORAH (5 Books of Instructions also called 5 Books of Moses starting with the Top 10 Commandments!).

It is this very thing that has forged the People of Israel as “ The People of the Book”. These Commandments given to our people in the Desert are what I call “The Heavenly Constitution!”. Any nation that will adopt the Top 10 Commandments as the national constitution will thrive!

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. Psalms 119:98

We can see that YHVH delights in preparing His Chosen Vessels in the Desert: Moses, Joshua, King David, Yochanan Hamtbil (John the Baptist), Yeshua the Messiah, Shaul-Paul the Apostle and so on….

O God, You are my Elohim; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water. Psalm 63:1

In the Midbar (Desert), the Dabar (Word) speaks in a clear way to the people that are being prepared for a great task! In that place of dryness, prophetic revelation is poured out like Rivers of Living Water to those that are thirsty and dry and seeking Him! The MIDBAR is the Divinely Appointed place of preparation for Greatness! It is from this place that all of Israel has been impacted! It is from this place that Yeshua was anointed to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom and it is to this place that the Holy Spirit sent us almost 5 years ago!

He changes a wilderness into a pool of water And a dry land into springs of water. Psalm 107:35

EILAT THE STRATEGIC SOUTH GATE OF ISRAEL

Islamic Jihad book: Eilat ‘life or death’ for Israel

Terror organization published book claiming Palestinians have underestimated southern-most city’s strategic value to Israel: ‘From here Israel sends out its octopus arms to the coasts, cities and capitals of Africa, Asia
Elior Levy from Ynet

The volatile security situation in Sinai, last summer’s terror attack on Route 12 and the recent firing of Grad rockets towards Eilat have led Israel to reassess its defense strategy vis-?-vis its southern borders. A new book released by Islamic Jihad’s armed wing, the al-Quds Brigades, highlights the strategic importance of Eilat and its port to Israel.

Addressing the book, titled “Umm Rashrash (Eilat) – life or death for Israel,” a senior Jihad operative said, “From the city of Eilat (Israel) sends out its octopus arms to the coasts, cities and capitals of Africa and Asia and cunningly sneaks into the fabric of their lives to carry out its plans, which are aimed to destroy these cities and thus preserve (Israel’s) existence.”

The 156-page book explores Eilat’s history and its conquest while claiming that Jewish leaders from the early days of Zionism recognized Africa’s importance. To prove its point, the book mentions that the Zionist movement’s leaders considered establishing a Jewish state in Uganda. It also notes that late prime- minister David Ben-Gurion sought to improve Israel’s relations with various African countries in hopes they would support the Jewish state during crucial votes at international bodies.

WARNING LIGHTS!
In the book, Islamic Jihad also outlines its plan to restrict Israel’s movement from the Red Sea to the Horn of Africa:

• Maintain security-related cooperation between the Arab states and attempt to establish a joint Arab naval force.

• Boost Arab military presence in the region.

• Form a strategic alliance between Arab countries bordering the Red Sea.

  The senior Jihad operative admitted that the Palestinians have underestimated Eilat’s strategic importance. “We did not allow our soldiers (attack) this target – only rarely – because we did not have any knowledge regarding the importance of this target and the special place Eilat’s port has in Israel’s strategic outlook,” he said.

THE EILAT PRAYER TOWER!

The gates of your land are opened wide to your enemies; Fire consumes your gate bars. Nahum 3:13

When YHVH sent us to Eilat we did not fully realize the purpose neither did we know the fight that was awaiting us. Satan had kept the South Gate of Israel for long enough and he was not happy for us to relieve him from his evil “gatekeeping job”. Most of the wars of Israel have started from Eilat and the Body of Yeshua was in terrible strife!

And knowing their thoughts Yeshua said to them, “ Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25

We have always loved, blessed and prayed for the South Gate of Israel but what are we there to do? And why leave the beautiful Mountains of Jerusalem for this dryness so far away from the rest of Israel. Indeed we felt like “John in the Isle of Patmos” exiled and banished! A few prophetic words began to come forth about establishing worship in the South Gate, other words about Revival and yet other words about the return of the Anusim according to Obadiah 20 (Spanish Jews that were forced to convert to Catholicism in 1492 in Spain and Portugal). All these were great visions and great prophetic words and we started to see signs of fulfillment as the Eilat Prayer and Worship Tower was established almost 4 years ago!

This was a pioneer work of the Spirit that began to be contested by every power and principality in the region, by non- spirit filled Christians, by spirit filled Christians and by nearly “everything that moved”! Though we remained quite low key all these years, the taxi drivers began to realize that there is a Prayer Tower in Eilat as many of the saints coming and going to the Tower from the nations to pray and worship would testify to them of its existence!

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Matthew 5:14 NIV

TERROR ATTACKS THWARTED!

Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:19

Many Grads and other rockets have been fired against Eilat and yet in a miraculous way they have missed all human targets and there has almost been no damage in the city! Praise be to Yah that has answered the insistent prayers and prophetic proclamations that have come out of the Eilat Prayer Tower!

Heart Cry for Revival

And My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

During all these years we have stood in intercession, repentance and prophetic proclamation for REVIVAL in Eilat and in all of Israel, for the protection of Eilat’s borders and for the return of the Anusim! The enemy tried to deal tremendously low blows against us, to the point that we would want to die or leave! Blow after blow, rejection after rejection, stroke after stroke, we have hang on for dear life keeping the South Gate of Israel covered, the prayer and the worship going, our fight for unity and revival in the Body alive against all odds!

The Finnish Season

During the winter months Eilat has a very nice climate so many Scandinavians and especially from Finland frequent the city! Many of them visited the Eilat Prayer Tower and were mightily touched by the Word and the Spirit! Many of them returned to Finland more rested because of the nice holydays in this beautiful city but also because of the touch of the Holy Spirit, deliverance, healing and revelation that they received during the services in the Tower!

The Ends of the Earth

Wonderful Vessels of Yah (God) such as Prophet Ian Johnson from New Zealand, Pastor Phyllis Lines from Australia and Pastor Elizabeth Harold from Papua New Guinea have visited the Eilat Prayer Tower and have been blessed to take the Dabar (Word) from Zion to their nations and have also blessed the City of Eilat and the saints that have gathered with prophetic prayers and encouraging words!

A Multitude of Nations!

Many powerful saints from all walks of lives, prophets, intercessors and apostles have visited the Tower, have been refreshed, transformed and have left a deposit of anointing that is opening the Heaven over Eilat! Among those nations are Germany, UK, Italy, Norway, France, USA, Curacao, Brazil and many, many more!

The wilderness and the desert will be glad,and the Arabah will rejoice and blossom; Like the crocus. It will blossom profuselyand rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Isaiah 35:1,3

Israelis are Being Saved!

Many Israelis have been touched by a word, a book, a song or a prayer. Some we never see again and we believe that the seed planted will bear much fruit but some return to the Tower.

THE STORY OF AHAVA

The story of Ahava (not the real name) is particularly exciting! She is our neighbor and I was concerned about her demeanor so started praying for her. Her boyfriend told me she was sick and had fallen and broken her ribs. On Passover eve I passed through their apartment only to see them and their friends totally drunk! When I asked the boyfriend to speak to Ahava, she came staggering to the door and hang on my neck on a “drunk embrace”. I told her “I am concerned about you and am praying for you”. Ahava said: “Help me, please, he (boyfriend!) broke all my ribs! Will you help me? I said Yes I will! On the following day that was Shabbat I passed through her apartment and told her “you are coming with us to pray”! “Where to? She asked?”  I said “to a good place!  We took her in the car to the Eilat Prayer Tower to our Shabbat meeting. She already gave her life to Yeshua in the car and we ministered some deliverance during the meeting!

When she stepped into the worship hall, she felt like she had stepped into Heaven! Since then Ahava has broken all ties with the boyfriend, has cleansed her apartments from all witchcraft objects and amulets, is being disciple and is studying the Word and praying every day! She frequents most of the Worship and Prayer meetings in the Tower!

We did not know that Ahava was an accomplished singer that has established a well- known band in the City of Eilat! She looked like a complete wreck when we found her, divorced, living in sin, poor, sick and old! Today to the Glory of Yah Ahava is starting to bloom like never before and she takes every opportunity to share with all that we and Yeshua rescued her from sure death!

PRAYER

Please pray for Ahava and her two children that are not with her and keep praying that the Eilat Prayer and Worship Tower will remain a beacon of light in the Desert of Eilat. Pray that it will be filled with Word and Worship all the time that many more intercessors from the nations will come and that many Israelis will find Messiah and will serve Him radically and especially musicians and omanim (artists!)! We and our team are here to stay until YHVH so desires! We have suffered much these last 5 years here but we know that REVIVAL is knocking at the door of the South Gate of Israel and that our stand has made a difference!

AN OPEN HEAVENS!

Lately the Holy Spirit has showed me that there is an Open Heavens in Eilat because of the prayer and the worship from the Eilat Prayer Tower! Praise be to Yah!

THANK YOU!

Thank you beloved friends and partners for believing in us and in our calling and for supporting us faithfully in prayer and giving! Thank you to all the intercessors that have come and gone from the Eilat Prayer Tower! Thank you for all the offerings that you have left behind to enable us to continue without giving up, to make the desert bloom! Thank you Yeshua that Your Grace is sufficient for us and Your strength is made perfect in our weakness!

We welcome to the Tower Team beautiful Sarah who is a great blessing in all respects and an accomplished musician and especially violinist! The sounds of praise coming out of that violin can truly cause the Glory to come down! We also welcome Pastor Peggyan who will be the Tower Keeper for the next year! May Yah use you mightily to make the MIDBAR bloom!

For the Restoration of Israel and the Salvation of the Nations against all odds!

Your friends and mentors in Israel

Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman

Kad-Esh MAP Ministries

The Yeshua army

For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; and I will make you like a warrior’s sword. Zechariah 9:13

Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:

There are times when “normal ministry” is not enough but rather an urgent “Call to Arms” in order to gain as much Kingdom Territory as possible in the shortest amount of time! All those that are aware of the times that we are living in agree that these are indeed the End Times and that Bible Prophecy is being fulfilled “at the speed of light”. Moreover it is clear to all those of us that love Yeshua with all of our hearts that “business is not as usual”.

We are standing before the greatest awakening of all times!

YHVH (the Lord) is recruiting His End Time Army! The time of “civilians” in His Body has come to an end and also the time for a hippy kind of “pacifism”! Yeshua wants His Bride pure and holy and ready to advance the Kingdom like never before! He is eagerly waiting for His True Bride to shine to such an extent that the powers of darkness will be blinded by the Light!

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

We are living in extreme times and extreme times demand extreme measures! Satan has been kidnapping the hearts of this generation into gross immorality of a kind never seen before. Fornication, drug addiction, homosexuality, abortion and the like are not considered shameful anymore. This present day society has grown accustomed to darkness and has exchanged light for darkness. It calls the evil, good and the good evil. Very basic foundations are destroyed already!

Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

Yeshua said to His Jewish disciples about 2000 years ago that they must be light and salt in the midst of the world!

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:14-15

He prayed a prayer in John 17 where He requested Abba not to take the believers out of the world but that they will be preserved from the world in the midst of the world!

I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. John 17:15

In other words He did not suggest building communities of believers separately from the rest of the people but rather asked us to shine in the midst of darkness!

HOLINESS MUST BE RESTORED!

But how can we shine when the lifestyle of a large portion of believers is almost the same and some -times even worse than that of the neighbor next door? How can we shine if we practice the same social practices as the rest? It is so common for young Christians to date and to experiment sex before marriage, just like anyone else. Purity and abstinence is not in “fashion” among a large amount of church goers! Too many Christian women have experienced at least one abortion because of one reason or another. Divorce in the Church is at an all -time high not any less than among the “worldly people” and self- centeredness and rebellion runs rampart just like anywhere else!

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under- foot by men. Matthew 5:13

Disrespecting parents and elders has become totally acceptable just like with the rest of the world and making plans without consulting the Almighty is quite normal among believers! In fact it is quite amazing to see that too many Christian couples got married because of sexual attraction and lust and without consulting the Holy Spirit, their parents or their pastors first. It is no wonder that so many end in divorce! Covenant are not covenants, promises are not promises and people that are considered good believers and churchgoers break their word right and left and think nothing of that!

In many church circles I would be considered “religious” for preaching repentance, purity and holiness but the entire Bible speaks of it!

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12: 14 NIV

The word Holy in Hebrew is KADOSH which means set apart, separated and not for common use. What does that mean to us? How do we relate to the call to Holiness? One thing is sure without Holiness no one will make it to Heaven; no one will see the Lord!

Holiness starts when we respond to the Holy Spirit! He is the Spirit of Holiness! I remember when I just got saved the Holy Spirit did not let me smoke or speak evil anymore. But how many times we shut the voice of the Holy Spirit because of convenience? Do we let the Holy Spirit bring conviction to our hearts; do we ask our Abba to help us? Do we practice an intimate walk with Yeshua and His word? Those are very important and urgent questions! In fact this is a matter of life and death to many! We are at the time of the greatest apostasy or the greatest AWAKENING! I prefer an awakening even if it is a bit “rude” than apostasy don’t you think?

HOLINESS AND UNITY

Consider this serious scripture:

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of YHVH. He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” Malachi 4:5-6

Unless the relationships between parents and children is restored to love and holiness the earth will suffer a greater curse. One of the biggest problems inside and outside of the Church is strained relationships, hatred and strife in families. Can the earth suffer a greater curse unless there is repentance in this matter? Indeed it can and it will! We must struggle to have repentance and reconciliation in families. This is a real war!

And what about the greater family, the family of Yah (God?). There have been so many church splits and so many strained relationships inside of churches? Have we forgotten that it is as we dwell in harmony that Yah commands the Blessing?

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! For there YHVH commanded the blessing—life forever. Psalms 133:1-3

But how can we live in harmony if sin is running rampart? Sin always brings strife and every demonic spirit! We must repent and be cleansed at the speed of light!

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17

Many years ago the Almighty spoke to me and told me that restoring the Church to the Hebrew Foundations of faith is a matter of life and death! I was amazed at the sharp revelation but when Israel was in apostasy Elohim called them through Jeremiah the Prophet to go back to the ancient paths!

Thus says YHVH, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah told the People of Israel to STAND or to STOP and to look for the ancient paths of Torah, righteousness and holiness. He promised them that if they found those ancient paths given by YHVH to the People of Israel, they would also find REST for their souls! Most of the people today are restless, impatient and hyperactive. If the pastor preaches more than ½ hour they begin to fidget in their chairs. They have no rest in their souls, there is no shalom!

THE ARMY OF THE SONS OF ZION

Beloved this is a Call to Arms! We must preach repentance to the Church at the speed of light! The whole Body of Messiah world- wide has to find these Ancient Paths that the Jewish disciples of the First Century walked in. This move of restoration and awakening must happen globally BEFORE Yeshua’s return!

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Yeshua, the Messiah appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time. Acts 3:19-21

It is time for the Sons of Zion to be revealed! It is time for the Army of the Sons of Zion to come forth!

For I will bend Judah as My bow, I will fill the bow with Ephraim. And I will stir up your sons, O Zion, against your sons, O Greece; and I will make you like a warrior’s sword. Zechariah 9:13

And who are they? Those that have Zion as their Mother! Those that follow a Jewish Messiah are grafted into the Olive Tree, love Yah’s Torah and follow Biblical (Hebrew!) Culture!

But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:17, 18

Who are the Sons of Greece? Those that have Greece/Babylon as their Mother, they follow ancient Greek culture with pagan feasts and celebrations, they hate everything Jewish, are afraid of the Torah and practice a “cheap grace gospel”. This cheap grace gospel is nothing but license to sin in the name of “grace”.

Many of the true Sons of Zion are mixed with Babylonian Greek culture, replacement theology and a cheap grace gospel. They are suffering in their spirit as they know that something is wrong and that something is missing in their faith but do not know what it is! There are MILLIONS of these Sons of Zion, true Sons and Daughters of the Most High God that feel trapped in a Babylonian religious system that has left them dry and confused! It is heart breaking as they are true children of the King but do not know Him, His Word or the true Gospel made in Zion as the Jewish Apostles preached 2000 years ago!

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:4

For their sake we must ACT and we must act quickly to help restore them to the True Faith as handed by Yeshua to His Jewish Disciples prior to the Council of Nicaea! We must bring Israel and the Jewish Roots of the faith to them quickly before they are swept away with the judgment that is coming to this present world system!

For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 1 Peter 4:17

We have a Great Harvest to collect in Israel and in all the nations of the world but it starts with a Great Awakening in the Church itself!

The Awakening of the Sons of Zion!

Jew and Gentile grafted in together in the same Ancient Olive Tree with the same Roots, the same Word and the same Hebrew Foundations!

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the (Jewish) apostles and (Hebrew) prophets, Messiah Yeshua Himself being the corner stone. Ephesians 2:19, 20

When the Army of the Sons of Zion is READY, we will see the greatest REVIVAL that the world has ever seen!

For if their (the Jews) rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Romans 11:15

Your friends and mentors in Israel

Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman

“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent” Isaiah 62:1

JOIN THE ARMY OF THE SONS OF ZION AND HELP OTHERS COME OUT OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY! HELP STIRR THE AWAKENING IN THE CHURCH WORLD-WIDE AS YOU PARTNER WITH US TO SPREAD THIS MESSAGE THROUGH ALL MEANS POSSIBLE!

The Yeshua army

 Explore the New Testament from a Jewish perspective. This week: When Jesus confronted religious figures over kosher issues, was he arguing for or against the Torah (Law)?

The Yeshua army