11 Responses

1. HiJoel,

   I am waiting for John’s book to arrive in the mail from Amazon. Looking forward very much to reading and learning from it.

   Salvation is of the Jews, and God revealed His plan of redemption through them. If only they would believe it themselves!

   You’re so right about the attitude of those who do not really believe that Jesus is coming again to rule and reign from Jerusalem when it comes to the apostle’s question to Him about the timing of the return of the Kingdom of God to Israel. I even hear it from some Messianic Jews who have been taken in by what amounts to a non-premillennial eschatology, and with that, a non-Millennial Kingdom worldview perspective. They may mouth faith in the coming again of the Lord, but be far from it in their expectation and anticipation.

   Thank-you for raising these issues.

2. I think all Christians should visit Israel. I did in 2012, I walked and camped some of the Jesus trail from Nazareth to Capernaum. Also visited Masada and En Gedi. I spent a week in Jerusalem and attended a sabot. Being there gives a feel for Jewish life and the Bible for sure. The whole Bible is centered there past, present and future. I cant wait to read the book.

3. Its hard to see why anyone reading Gods word would come to any other conclusion, its actually quite frighting how far from truth many have strayed.
   A ‘Christian’ secondary teacher only last week attempted to explain to a friend and i how Palestine was carved up after world war two, he simply wasn’t interested what the word says. Good work both, i shall purchase the book.

4. Thanks for your ministry!

   Here are some comments on what John says.

   4:17 He says that the Essenes were Hellenised. Certainly there are overlaps with the Pythagorean movement, but in the Jewish context the Essenes were rather combating the main-stream Jewish practice of that day and called for a religion of the heart, of purity and rigorousness—all to “make the path of the Lord straight” before the coming of the Lord’s day (which they perceived as their call)!

   Also, even if Jesus did not mention the Essenes, there are many overlaps and allusions.

   4:30 John focuses on the connection between Zealots and Pharisees. Do not forget that the Zealots are criticised in the Talmud, where they are called ‘Biryonim'(wild).

   Also Christianity has a form of synergy in the eschatological process: we can “hasten the Day of the Lord” (by mission and holiness) (although its arrival is a work completely by God).

   5:30 In fact, there are many, many overlaps with “common eschatology” in Jesus’ eschatological speech. To see these similarities and patterns helps in understanding what Jesus is saying—i.e. how the first hearers would have understood what he said.

   12:55 If John means with “public declarations” that the church has officially condemned chiliasm, this is not true. Individual Church Fathers argue against and disagree with chiliasm, but it has never been officially condemned. In 1944 the Holy See stated that “it is not possible to teach a softened millennial scheme without risk (or: safely) (Systema Millenarismi mitigati tuto doceri non posse)”. As far as I know, the official position of the Catholic Church, in terms of statements, does not go further than that.

5. Ordered 2 copies of John’s book. I have a good friend who I think will appreciate it. I recommend others think about giving their pastor a copy or head of education. Thank you for all you do Joel.

6. Love it. Thanks much Michael!

7. This blessed me very much…Thanks for sharing! My walk in Christianity has been so steeped in Replacement Theology, and believing that God is completely dependent on us to, “establish the Kingdom of God on the earth,” so that He can come back for a, “bride without spot or wrinkle,” that I was left hopeless that He would ever return. All of the teaching focused on how special America was, and preserving this great nation. I feel sick to my stomach over the arrogance of these teachings…show me where they are anywhere in the Bible! Jesus Christ as the atonement is our only hope! My heritage is Jewish, though I know so little about their faith, and I am yearning to return to Jesus as the, “King Of The Jews!” I feel hope in my Lord for the first time in years! I feel so drawn to reach out to the Jewish people with the revelation of Christ. I have no idea if this will ever come to fruition, but I pray it will. Thank you for helping to educate me. Come, Lord Jesus!!!!

8. From what i can gather from Jewish sources i.e. comments on Talmudic history and development of early post Temple Judaism, Jewish believers in Jesus were a substantial force vying,alongside the Karaites for the heart and soul of the Jewish people ,for many years after the Temple’s destruction.It was a long struggle.
   Eventually the schools founded in the hinterlands of Babylonia won out. This utter triumph of Talmudic over Messianic Judaism seems to have been achieved mainly through political maneuver, by people such as Judah Ben Nasi. but Jewish sources do relate anecdotes of certain Jews enlisting the aid of demons in securing certain concessions from Roman authorities. To me the efforts of Proto-Talmudic scholars cannot be overlooked in trying to determine the source of the Jewish decline and the Gentile ascension in the early church.
   My opinion is the fusion into the one new man was never very strong (at that point) as witnessed by the furious struggle of Paul against Peter, James and others about gentile circumcision.
   I think what happened is the scribes and pharisees simply won the tug of war.But as you guest mentioned this was of course all in God’s plan.

   “For God has consigned all men to disobedience, so that He may have mercy on them all. 33O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways! 34“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”…

   I learned all this from strictly (Talmudic) Jewish sources. Except the scripture by Paul of course. Just wanted you to know.

   Since your writing a book on Mystery Babylon-thought this might be interesting to you also:
   Do you think Micah 7:8-14 will be fulfilled in the tribulation ? Speaking first of the fall of Mystery Babylon ? ( vs. 8-10) and the end of her taunts at the believers. But also the flight of believers into the wilderness (specifically verses 14-15)
   Hosea 2:14-15 says the valley of Achor will be a door of hope.
   Because Achor means trouble, maybe the refugees from Jerusalem will go through the door of hope and then follow the Jordan river all the way up up to the Sea of Galilee and then on into Bashan and Gilead.
   To me this a lot more reasonable than trying to run to Petra.What’s out there? There is no real scriptural support for Petra other than a weak connection in Daniel.
   Anyway. Just thought I’d mention this. I’m Still trying to figure out what to tell people if they ever need to know.

9. Just realized I should have written Judah ha Nasi.

10. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl15gJpZNDk

    Check out this well know native Israeli evangelist , confronting intolerant Talmudic Jews in Israel. This guy is brave. God bless and protect him !

11. Yakov Damkani. Hes a solid evangelist. Iranian Jew.