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The War in Israel

The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Our role at this time was to intercede for Israel.  There has been a unity birthed in the spirit that has led many in the body of Messiah worldwide to pray in the same manner.  First we prayed that the missiles fired by Hezbollah would miss their intended targets and harmlessly explode in desolate places.  I believe most of the missiles did indeed miss their marks, Praise God.  However so many were fired that some did explode near civilians and there were far too many Israeli civilian causalities. Some of the missiles and weapons that Israel faced were more far more sophisticated than the Jewish State had ever encountered.  In fact this war turned out to be one Israel has not ever experienced.  Never before were so many rockets fired into the country and never before did the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) encounter outright guerilla warfare. It was also amazing but not unexpected to see how the media was so slanted against Israel.  After the kidnappings and missile attacks against unarmed Israeli civilians the world expected Israel to be soft and nice!  Indeed Israel never targets civilians to be killed.  Innocent civilians are hit only because they are in the line of fire and are deliberately put in that position by the heartless terrorists who pretend to be their protectors. While Hezbollah fired missiles indiscriminately into Israel not caring who they killed, it was Israel who the world condemned for using disproportionate force!  The lies that people will believe!  We also prayed for the Israeli soldiers and for the people of Lebanon.  Lastly we prayed for the Islamic terrorists, that they would come to faith in the true and living God.

Back to Kazakhstan

Each year I try to make at least one trip back to Almaty, Kazakhstan.  Toward the end of July I found myself back in the Central Asian world in which our family lived for five years.  I am always welcomed back with great warmth, affection and gratitude for our having pioneered the Messianic Jewish Community of faith in that region of the world.  They are doing great!  One of the men I worked with in Central Asia, Lev Falcovich, has significantly helped the Messianic Jewish community in Almaty.  Along with International partners he has founded a Messianic Jewish Bible school!  When I was in Almaty there were over 50 students attending!  This is such a key for the training of these students will enable us to raise up new leaders.  A lack of leadership has been the greatest weakness in the Messianic Jewish Community worldwide.

The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood. The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood. The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood.

The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood. The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood.

The war in Israel has occupied much of my attention during August.  I felt this was a time for us to focus on the situation there and embrace our call to be a Royal Priesthood.

The Kazak Connection

During our years in Kazakhstan, outside of the Jewish community, the people we most connected with were our Russian speaking brethren in the church.  While many of the people there had a genuine love for the Jewish people it was like pulling teeth to get their leaders on board.  The Russian speaking church was so far along in its’ own culture and calling that it was a tremendous challenge for them to theologically and culturally embrace the uniqueness of Israel and God’s purpose for her.  The Russian Orthodox Church has a long history of anti-Semitism and its’ influence has continued among the people to this day.  Since we were not in Russia but in Kazakhstan, what about the Kazaks?  During this past visit I have discovered, much to my delight, an understanding of the Remnant of Israel on the part of the Kazak leadership in the Body of Messiah.  Ahmed, who is an overseer of a network of Kazak and Uzbek congregations throughout Central Asia, told me he had a vision from God.  In this vision he told me the Lord spoke to him and revealed that the name of the Messiah is not Issah (the Kazak translation of Jesus) but Yeshua!  In fact the entire Kazak congregation I visited in a village just outside of Almaty called Jesus Christ by his true Hebrew name and title, Yeshua Hamasiach!  This was without the teaching of any man!  In fact Ahmed told me that their leadership believes that part of the calling of their congregational network is to teach the rest of the body, the true name and Jewish origin of the Messiah.  There is now a wide open door for a partnership and cooperation with the Kazak believers and Messianic Jewish believers in Kazakhstan.  These Kazak believers actually tithe a tenth of their income to the Messianic Jewish Congregation in Almaty.  Ahmed quoted me the scripture in Romans 15 illustrating the debt owed to Israel by Gentile believers.

Romans 15: 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

The local Kazak pastor Saken, told me that after his congregation blessed our Almaty Messianic Jewish Congregation, that 5 months later they were abundantly blessed with a huge financial gift enabling them to purchase music and sound equipment needed for their worship team!  I thought, if only the entire body of Messiah in the USA and Norway would get this message!

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

In Dushanbe, Tajikistan a Tatar Pastor from Word of Life congregation also received a revelation that the name of Messiah is Yeshua Ha Mashiach.  I believe that what God is doing among the indigenous peoples of Central Asia is very significant.  Central Asia is the heart of the Silk Road.  Many believers in Asia and especially in China believe that in the last days the message of salvation will travel west via the Silk Road all the way to Jerusalem.  When I was in China the underground congregations there all spoke of this “Back to Jerusalem” movement.

I believe that these revelations are preparing the way for the gathering of a Messianic Jewish believing remnant in Jerusalem to welcome the Messiah back to earth to sit on the throne of David in the city of the Great King!

Matthew 23:39 For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Start Spreading the News

In Frank Sinatra’s famous song, New York, New York the tune begins with the words, “Start spreading the news”!  Could Frank have been prophetic?  The good news of the Kingdom of God is about to spread throughout New York City and then I believe flow to the rest of America.  I know the scripture says the word of God will go forth out of Zion but New York City is the gateway to the entire world and, once again I remind you, has the largest Jewish population of any city on earth.  Little by little, one person at a time we are increasing the number of Jewish disciples of Messiah in the Big Apple.  We are now looking at establishing three meetings per week.  We desperately need your prayers as we launch out here in New York.  Many have told me New York City has been a graveyard for many Jewish ministries.  First there is great spiritual opposition here.  Second the expenses to live and work here are very high.  No wonder the song says, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere”!

I am continuing to challenge my brothers and sisters everywhere to pray for our ministry and for the Jewish community in New York City to open their eyes to the light of Messiah.  I also want to ask those of you who are reading this newsletter to pray about participating as a financial partner with the Gates of Zion.  There should not be a financial shortfall in the funds needed to accomplish the Lord’s work among the Jewish people in this strategic city.  If you are already partnering with us I want to ask to pray about making a modest or even generous increase in the amount.  If you are not yet participating with us financially, now is the time to get on board!  I have been receiving story after story about those who bless Israel and the Jewish people who have been blessed big time.  In fact I am compiling these stories and will include them in my upcoming book.  If you have a testimony and I am sure there are many out there, please e-mail me the story.  For those of you who have been faithfully sowing into the Gates of Zion, our hearts are filled with gratitude for your partnership.  For those who are not, now is the time we need you.  It is now possible to give to the Gates of Zion online!  We have a secure means to give via credit card or by Pay Pal.  You can also send your monthly gift automatically.  Visit our new web page at www.gatesofzion.net

You can also subscribe for my daily e-prayers on our web site.

For the salvation of the Jewish people, with Blessings, Shalom and Love,

Your co-laborer serving Yeshua – A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:32)

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Mail to our clearing house at:
Gates of Zion
PO Box 55123
Phoenix, Arizona 85078

Thank-you for your generosity and faithfulness.