***Yovel***

14th issue / December 2020

**********

”When once the existence of God guaranteed the existence of Isra- el, today the continued existence of the people Israel guarantees the existence of God.” Emil Fackenheim

IN THIS ISSUE: AS THOUGH HIDING HIS FACE

SIGNS OF THE COMING OF THE MESSIAH Part X

A sunset on top of mount Morganmaras at Lemmenjoki, Lapland. Photo: Jasmina Nurmesniemi ********** ***Yovel***

14th issue / December 2020

”Then have the trumpet sounded horn like a shofar, or in passive were commanded to blow them- everywhere on the tenth day of voice ”yuval”, is led or was led, selves on the shofar (Lev. 25:9), the seventh month; on the Day like in Isaiah 53: ”he was led like until The Sovereign Lord himself of Atonement sound the trumpet a lamb to the slaughter… for the blows it, this time the shofar cal- throughout your land. Consecra- transgression of my people he was led Yovel (Zech. 9:14). te the fiftieth year and proclaim punished.” Then He will announce freedom, liberty throughout the land to all Like a lamb which has a desire to liberation, a jubilee to all nations, its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee follow its shepherd humbly, to be to all of those who will hear His for you; each of you is to return to led, ”yuval”. voice. your family property and to your The three names of the shofar are Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus Christ, own clan.” like a road signs on our salvation started his ministry in the syna- (Lev. 25:9-10) path: Keren, which is the name in- gogue declaring with the words In Hebrew the fiftieth year is cal- cluding the personal calling, rose of Isaiah 61:1-2 proclaiming good led Yovel, a celebration year, jubi- up in smoke with the sacrificed news to the poor, freedom for the lee. It is the year of the blowing of ram instead of Isaac (Gen. 22:13). captives, release from darkness the ram´s horn. Thus Yovel got its On Mount Sinai the Israelites for the prisoners and proclaiming name from the shofar announcing heard the sound of that horn, Sho- the year of the Lord’s favor. the beginning of the year. far, for the first time when it called Proclaiming the jubilee, which is The sound of the Yovel declares the people to make the change, a The Messiah himself. the beginning of a new era, the turn a round, teshuva. In Him is the heritage restored, the era of God´s favour towards Israel. The nation learned the sound of one we lost in the garden of Eden. In Hebrew the word yovel can be the shofar when The Lord himself In Him is the essence of Yovel. read in two ways. Either ”yovel”, blew the horn (Ex. 19:16). (http://torah-art.net) which means a ram or a ram´s From that point on the Israelites Markus Nurmesniemi

In this Edition: Editorial: ”Go and Do Likewise” ...... p. 2 Julia Blum: As Though Hiding His Face ...... p. 3-8 Dr John Garr: Christian Fruit, Jewish Root ...... p. 9-12 Dr John Garr: Belonging to the Messiah ...... p. 13-14 Keijo Lindeman: The Day of the Lord - People Wander About as in the Fog ...... p. 15-17 Prophetical Perspectives: Signs of the Messiah´s Coming - Part X ...... p. 18-22

********** 2 Editorial ”Go and Do Likewise”

An expert in the law gets up and wants to test The fact that they pass the man lying by the God, the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. Yeshua road side without stopping is a clear picture knows his hidden motives but shows him of their legalism. They use the law as an excu- mercy and love. The man doesn´t know with se not to stop to help the poor man; one was whom he is talking. He literally gets up and not to touch a bleeding body. The spirit of the stands, which is a sign of defiance; disciples law remains unfulfilled. We do not see love were supposed to remain sitting while their for one´s neighbour on the hot and cruel road rabbi was teaching them. to Jerico. Instead, the law is observed literally. Is it an excuse, cowardness, hipocracy, pride, Yeshua answers the man´s question, what or sincere desire to obey the law? one should do to inherit eternal life, that he should love the Lord God with all his heart, The contradiction is evident. The duties and with all his soul and with all his strength, and tasks that God had trusted the Levites during love his neighbour as himself. many centuries had become vain rituals. They had no place in man´s heart to remind of When Yeshua brought up these two grea- God´s mercy and goodness. test commandments, which sum up all com- mandments, he confirmed the mainstream A person who believes in Yeshua, knows that Jewish way of thinking. These two greatest only the Spirit gives life. commandments summerize the Law; how to express love towards God and how to express Now we come to the shocking part of the sto- love towards another human being, created ry, where the way of thinking of the Jewish as the image of God. man of law really gets shaken. As of rule the Jews and the Samaritans hated and despised people´s responsibility? And this is not all, yet. But the expert in the law wanted to show each other. The Jews considered Samaritans a that he was righteous, and asked therefore people of foreign origin, who had taken over The Samaritan had stopped, given his time Yeshua: ”And who is my neighbour?” He may and settled in the land of their fathers. This and his money, changed his travelling plans have thought in his heart that only the Jews Samaritan, however, stops to help the Jew and taken the man to the inn, paid for the were his neighbours. This question leads to who is hurt. man to stay there promising to pay any extra one of the most famous stories and parables, costs at his return. the Good Samaritan. Yeshua told this parable to answer the ques- tion, who is the neighbour one should love How many of us would go and do the same? A man had left the holy city of Jerusalem that according to the law. Yeshua chose delibera- Especially to our enemies? Or to a person, is the symbol of God´s presence. He was wal- tely to present a Samaritan in a positive light who belongs to an ethnic group or nation, king down the road towards Jerico. This infa- to shock his audience. As for the Samaritans, against whom we may have prejudices we are mous town carried the stigma of sin. The road they, too, hated the Jews. not even aware of until we face a similar situ- connecting Jerusalem and Jerico was known ation where we have to choose? to be rough and dangerous. It was stony and But in this story the Samaritan shows unsel- hot, and it was called ”the bloody road”, be- fish compassion. Not only does he give first Yeshua´s words pierce our hearts. It leads us cause blood was often shed there, because aid and go his way, but he fulfills all the signs to the cross, source of mercy and grace, to it was good ground for highway robbers. This of loving one´s neighbour down to the last Yeshua, to ask for mercy for our own hardness travelling man was stripped off everything. He detail. He lifts a man upon his donkey. He lite- and indifference we too easily fall into in the was beaten until he bleeded, his clothes were rally lifts up the man, this bruised lamb lying storms of this fallen world. taken, his belongings were taken, his identity on the ground, upon the back of his donkey, was crushed, there was nothing else waiting and takes the man to the inn and nurses him ”Jesus told him: ´Go and do likewise´” (Luke for the man but death. The enemy has come there. 10:37). only to steal, to destroy, and to kill. If we imagine ourselves in his situation, how There was a priest and a Levite who took the many of us would have willingly stayed to same road on their way from Jerusalem and nurse the man, even all through the night, from the Temple, heading for Jerico. They had and even after having already taken the man With blessings, already performed their duties in the Temple. to the inn for others to look after, to other Markus Nurmesniemi, editor ********** 3 As Though Hiding His Face

At the top of Mount Morganmaras in Lemmenjoki, Lapland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi

Written by: Julia Blum how on the first day of the of that same day; many of us Oh, it’s so easy for us to week, on that very same in- have been there and have ex- comprehend the absolute- (This text is extracted from credible Yom Rishon – Sun- perienced days like this: when ly glorious meaning of these Julia Blum´s book As Though day -- which began with the we come to the very end of words now – now that we Hiding His Face with the per- astounding tale by the wo- ourselves; when we feel as know that they referred to His mission from the author.) men about how they had not though a big, and scary in its bloody sacrifice only, which found Jesus’ body – the tale finality, period marks our life was completed, accomplis- that nobody actually believed as a finished sentence; when hed, finished with His death; THE ROAD TO EMMAUS – on the same very day, but at it seems as though everything now that we know that these - IT IS FINISHED! a later hour, two of them were is finished indeed and there is words actually marked, not traveling … to a village called nothing left to hope for and to the end, but the opposite, the The end or the beginning? Emmaus (in Hebrew it is Am- believe—It is finished! beginning of a new era. which was 60 ,(עמאוס -- maus And behold, two of them furlongs (about seven miles) Just two days earlier, the It’s so easy for us to know all were going that same day to a from Jerusalem. confused and terrified talmi- of it now, but at that very mo- village called Emmaus, which dim (disciples) of Jesus were ment, those standing around was from Jerusalem about se- At first glance, the words “that gathered around the cross. the cross desperately wat- ven miles (Luke 24:13) same day” seem to be a mere Speechless, stunned by horror ching His horrible agony and technical description, just to and disbelief, they were wat- hearing these words as the On that same day, one of the let us know exactly when they ching the agony of their Rabbi. very last words of their Rabbi most amazing stories in the were going to Emmaus. Howe- Have you ever thought of how before his death, gasped des- whole Bible begins. You will ver, there is so much pain and they must have felt when they perately as they took in their remember, of course, this despair in these simple words, heard their Rabbi wheezing plain meaning: it is finished! beautiful story of two discip- and for many of us they ring from the cross in a small and “All our hopes are gone! It’s fi- les from the last chapter of so familiar a sound. Most of weak voice: “It is finished”! nished!” I suppose, up till that Luke’s Gospel. Remember, us know this pain, the pain very moment they had still 4 been hoping, still been belie- have believed in, everything se “up” and “down” reaches that looked for redemption in ving for a miracle – not only we had left our old lives for, far beyond topography. These Jerusalem (Mechakei legeu- those who mocked him, but just didn’t work. It is finished! two go down from Jerusalem la beIrushalaim), like Anna. much more His disciples had because they are depressed Would they not be waiting waited for Him to come down The miracle didn’t happen; and confused, disappointed every moment for the Mes- from the cross, to deliver Him- the One we thought to be and bitter; because they have siah to come and to save Isra- self and the whole Israel and the Savior – died. Let us face lost all hope and are now des- el? They certainly would not thus to prove that He indeed it friends, it is finished, so let perate; because they are in- recognize God’s ”salvation, a was the Son of God. us not continue to build our deed going down. light to lighten the Gentiles, lives on empty expectations. and the glory of thy people Is- They had waited and belie- He is not what we thought He We can’t even begin to com- rael” in this tiny baby. ved till the very last moment. would be, He is gone, and our prehend their pain and their However, not only it did not lives now are now more des- disappointment. They didn’t When Jesus stepped into the happen, but He Himself said perate than ever before. We start hoping yesterday, or world of His people, this wai- that everything was finished! are going back. even three years ago. Like ting for the consolation of Is- Astonished, they kept staring everybody in Israel, they grew rael and looking for redemp- at one another: Did you hear And so they are now going up with this Messianic hope; tion were indeed the main that? He Himself just said back – back to where they had with this permanent drive characteristics of this world! it, these were His very last been, before they met Him; beyond; with this constant Almost everyone in Israel was words: it is finished! Everyt- back to what they had once look into the future and hope waiting and hoping in those hing we hoped for, everything left in order to follow Him. that one day it will become days. we believed in – everything Actually, it seemed as though present. is finished! There is nothing it didn’t even matter any- So, these men whom we see more to hope for, nothing more, where they went. For For centuries, the people of going down from Jerusalem, more to wait for. three years, they had thought Israel had been hoping and had known this hope their and felt that God’s face had waiting for Messiah to come whole lives, like everyone else Not only was our Rabbi and been shining upon them, but and to deliver, but now, when in Israel, and once they met Teacher taken and crucified, now God hid His face again, the hand of Rome was so hea- Jesus they just knew: that was not only did He die a horri- and complete darkness cove- vy upon God’s people, when it! He was the One! They had ble, cruel, humiliating death red their souls. It is finished! the nation could hardly carry found “the one Moses wrote on a Roman cross, but before There is nothing left for them the yoke which Rome and the about in the Law, and about He died he had made sure we here. It’s time to go from Jeru- High Priest had placed upon whom the prophets also wro- would not hold onto any false salem – to go down. them, no wonder everybody te”. expectations: it is finished! was talking concerning the co- Down from Jerusalem ming of Messiah, hoping and Now, finally, all their hopes My heart breaks as I try to believing that the footsteps of would be fulfilled. They were imagine how these two must You probably know how sym- the deliverer had been heard confident and positive; they have felt as they left Jerusa- bolic and how meaningful already. knew in their hearts that He lem and went down. Scripture these Hebrew words are: in “was the one to redeem Is- doesn’t tell us the reason why Hebrew, to go to Jerusalem is When, in the beginning of rael!” From that moment on, they are going to Emmaus – always to go up, laalot, while Luke’s Gospel, along with they had been together with perhaps one of them (or even to go from Jerusalem is always Joseph and Miriam, we en- Jesus for three wonderful yea- both) were born in Emmaus to go down, laredet. Of cour- ter the Women Court of the rs, and all this time all their and still had a family there. It se, there is also a topographi- Temple in Jerusalem to pre- hopes had rested on Him – is so much more though, than cal explanation for these ver- sent the baby to the Lord and only to be crushed and humi- just going home. It is, in fact, bs: Jerusalem is “a city on a to offer a sacrifice for their liated two days ago. a theological statement: It is hill” and technically speaking, firstborn according to the To- finished! We are going back going to Jerusalem is indeed, rah of Moshe, we find there ”The things which happened” to our old lives! We are going going up. righteous and devout people in Jerusalem two days ago, back because everything we waiting for the consolation of proved that they were decei- have hoped for these past However, there is no doubt Israel (Mechakei lenechamat ved and misled again, that three years, everything we that the true meaning of the- Israel) like Shimon, and those their hopes had been in vain –

Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 5 and now they feel more hope- rs of walking with the Lord, I are stiff-necked. The deepest knew that only His miracle – less and desperate than ever found myself outside of Jeru- fear I have in my heart is that the Miracle – could revive my before. salem, and it was so frighte- He would abandon me; and heart. ning that I thought I was also yet, the deepest hope I have This is the true reason why “outside of God”—and you in my heart is that He would RETELLING THE STORY they go down from Jerusalem know what? During this very never leave nor forsake me, – not only with ”their faces difficult season I realized a despite all my sins and weak- The Miracle downcast” , but their hearts very simple thing that I imagi- nesses. downcast as well, heavily and ne many people have discove- I love that famous story of slowly they wound their way red before me: we can endure I suppose I am not alone in the paralyzed man who was down: down and away from almost everything while we feeling this way, therefore, let down to Jesus through the Jerusalem; down and away believe that God is with us, each time we go through roof. Yeshua is asking there: from this deceiving place of while we believe that all our some trial, our first question Which is easier to say, ’Your lies and false hopes; down to trials are part of His plan, ho- is: God, are you still with me? sins are forgiven you’ or ’Get their old, practical life, -wit wever once we give in to this Why is it happening? Why are up and walk?’ This is an inc- hout empty expectations car- lying voice, once we start to you hiding your face? Have redibly profound question: rying with them painful and believe that God has abando- you, indeed, decided to finally Where does God’s power bitter disappointments. The ned us, that all the trials and give up on me? manifest itself more, in the miracle didn’t happen, the hardships we are enduring visible stories of healing and Teacher didn’t come down are sure and doubtless signs These were the thoughts and miracles, or in the invisible from the cross, the Messiah of Him having left us, of Him the doubts that I had to deal transformation of heart? didn’t show up… After all, has being finished with us, of Him with when God took me out God indeed promised that the no longer being in control of of Jerusalem. Was it indeed These thoughts are always Messiah would ever come? our life and our circumstan- God who brought me here? with me while reading the sto- Has God indeed said that? … ces—once we decide that, it is Has He indeed told me to go? ry of Emmaus also. There are finished for us indeed. You may remember who once many narratives in the Bible Has God indeed said? asked this question: Has God where we find much more It sounds almost incredible: indeed said? action: the sick are healed, For years, I had been thinking no sound believer would se- the dead are resurrected, the of and praying for this book. riously believe that God had Many troubles came into blind see and the lame walk, However, God didn’t allow abandoned them, or that He this world because the wo- chains fall off and prisoners me even to start it, until I ex- was not in control of their li- man listened to this voice are set free - all wonderful perienced firsthand this going ves—or would they? Indeed, and gave in to this question. stories where we can see God down from Jerusalem. I left no sound believer would se- Many troubles come into our visibly manifesting His might Jerusalem in completely dif- riously believe this… concer- lives when we listen to this and power. ferent circumstances, I knew ning anyone else. It is comple- voice and give in to this ques- that God Himself was bringing tely different, however, when tion. Thus, all the doubts be- However, I cannot think of me out and that I was just fol- it comes to ourselves. gin, and before we know it, a miracle more impressive lowing Him; but it seems that, we find ourselves down this that the one we witness in such is the nature of going Somehow, it is much easier “road to Emmaus”: bitter, Luke 24: the miracle of the from Jerusalem, even when for us to trust God for others disappointed, convinced that transformation of the hearts. God Himself is taking you and to see God’s love, mercy ‘it is finished,’ that the Lord There is virtually no action in down this road. It is always a and faithfulness to them, but has let us down, that He is no these verses, and by the end challenge, always a test be- it is very difficult for us to be longer walking with us. of the story nothing, absolu- cause, by very definition, it is as confident in His love, mercy tely nothing, is changed in the always going down. and faithfulness to ourselves. I went down this road. I know visible circumstances of the- We doubt His faithfulness to how it feels when you think se two men, and yet, everyt- Before I knew it, I was down us; we doubt His mercy and that God is not with you, that hing about them is totally and indeed: petrified and terri- patience with us; we doubt He has given up on you; that completely transformed! fied by my worst fears, I found Him being ready to continue He has just given you over to myself listening helplessly and with us, and we doubt it for your own fears and feelings They left Jerusalem that mor- endlessly to the vile, whining a good reason: who knows and doesn’t really care what ning utterly sad and disap- voice inside of me whispering better than we ourselves, how happens to you anymore. I pointed: faces downcast, day after day, hour after hour, many times we have violated know how heavy and dark my shoulders stooped, and with that God was done with me, His patience and how much heart was, and how much I the great difficulty they made that He had left me, that He we deserve to be left, to be needed His light to lighten up their way along the dusty was no longer walking with done with. this darkness. It is finished, I meandering road winding me, and that in fact, He had thought. down through the Jerusalem never brought me here in the I would fully understand if in- hills, but by the end of that first place. deed He decided to finish with While I was wondering whet- same day they are almost me; if indeed, He said to me: I her any hope was left for me, running back, up to Jerusalem For the first time in all my yea- will not go with you … for you I knew I needed a miracle. I (and trust me, one must be 6 full of energy and motivation Before they recognized Him – at the beginning of their jour- Retelling the Story in order to be able to make to enable them to recognize ney; once again, nothing, ab- this “aliya”, this ascent, this and see Him – He retold them solutely nothing, had changed What happens to us when we climb onto the hills of Jerusa- their own story. And, despi- in their visible circumstances. have an encounter with God? lem right after one has come te what they had thought, in The profound difference, ho- Not only do we see Him, but down). What has happened to this new story they were not wever, was that now they we see ourselves and our them? Where did such trans- abandoned – He was still with knew, without any shadow of whole life in a completely dif- formation come from? them! Somehow it changed doubt, that He was still with ferent light… All of a sudden, everything; the moment they them, that He was not hiding our perception changes and The story tells us that Yeshua knew that God was still with His face from them—even we understand all that we had met them on the way and them, they were both comple- though they no longer saw previously not understood: before they even recognized tely restored and revived and Him—and this knowledge the suffering, the embarras- Him He explained to them the were ready to return. changed everything! sing situations, the painful los- things concerning Himself: ses, suddenly we see it all in ”And beginning at Moses and Instead of going back to their Their eyes were opened to a completely different light— all the Prophets, He expoun- old lives, outside of God’s will, the truth: with a piercing the light of God. ded to them in all the Scrip- outside of Jerusalem, they re- and indeed eye-opening cla- tures the things concerning turned at once to Jerusalem rity they realized that He had It is like this when we meet Himself” . and to God! never abandoned them, and Him for the first time, and it the moment they realized is the same, sometimes even We have to realize, howe- We know that once they re- that, their hearts were re- more powerful, when we see ver, that His explanation was cognized Yeshua He became vived! And though nothing His face when we haven’t seen not only concerning Himself, invisible to them: ”Then their was changed in their visible it for some time—after He as it was not only His story: He eyes were opened and they circumstances, yet everything though hid His face from us; took them through the Sc- knew Him; and He vanished had been changed in their after we felt lost and abando- riptures, through Tanach, from their sight” . This means hearts and in their lives by this ned – like the disciples on the through the story of Israel, that by the end of their jour- incredible meeting and by the Emmaus road. When we have and in this sense, He took ney to Emmaus, there were retelling of the story. an encounter with God, He is them through their own story. again only two of them, just as retelling us our story, and the

At the top of Mount Morganmaras in Lemmenjoki, Lapland. Photo: Jasmina Nurmesniemi 7

An old railway bridge in Central Finland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi most important part of this re- though hiding his face from started their sad and ho- The main accusation of the told story is Him, Himself. Des- us. peless journey to Emmaus. Christian world against Isra- pite all we may have thought What happened to them on el, the accusation lying at the and felt, in this new story we There is something more, ho- this road, what they learned foundation of all other repro- are not alone – He is and has wever, that you are going to about Israel, about Messiah aches and rebukes, is that always been with us! learn from this book. Not only and about themselves, chan- the Jewish people did not re- to me or to you, but to my ged their lives forever. cognize their Messiah and re- I went down this road - the people as well, God wants to jected and crucified Him. For road that begins with the retell their story. So many lies You might be utterly confused two thousand years, Israel has words: It is finished – and I have been told over centu- and disappointed today, you been blamed for this. know how much I needed to ries—both to Israel and about might feel sad and hopeless – hear Him retelling me my sto- Israel. but, as we begin this journey The time has come for us to ry; how much I needed to rea- together, I hope and pray that have an Emmaus experien- lize that He had always been The time has now come for Yeshua Himself will walk with ce—the time has come for with me, that He had never God Himself to retell Israel you on this road, and that Israel to hear her story retold. left me, even for a moment. her story. from Him you will learn things about Israel, about Messiah, Yes, when we read the Gos- That, to me, was His promise: We want and we need that: and about yourself, that will pels and see the gracious per- My Presence will go with you, like in a doubly-exposed roll of change your life forever. son of Jesus of Nazareth proc- and I will give you rest – and film with its images overlap- laiming the Kingdom of God this promise He never broke! ping, we want to begin seeing FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH: to his own people, we wonder God’s reality show through HIDDEN MESSIAH IN how it was possible for Israel And this is exactly what God is our visible circumstances. JEWISH THOUGHT to miss the Messiah who was doing today. To me and to you, given to them in such an “ob- He wants to retell our stories. It happened once on the road REDEFINING THE TERMS vious” way. He wants us to open the Bible to Emmaus – can it also hap- and to find there our hope. pen to us? Can it also be our There is a common idea that However, when we begin He wants us to realize that road? Are we on the Emmaus Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled to see the coming of Jesus even though there are many way? the messianic prophecies of and the birth of Christianity as though things in our lives, TANACH and that the Jewish against the background of Je- all these as though things are On that same day, says Sc- people’s failure to recognize wish society at the beginning not only parts of His plan, but ripture, utterly confused and Him could only be understood of the first century; when we are parts of His love. He is as disappointed, the disciples as blindness on their part. begin to study the messianic 8 expectations of the people of cognition of this fact among His hiddenness from Israel electronic or mechanical, in- Israel while comparing them scholars in recent decades. In was part of God’s original de- cluding photocopying, recor- with the ministry of the Na- this sense, the retelling of the sign for Israel and Messiah. ding, or by any information zarene, we begin to under- story of Israel and Messiah His plan was that Israel should storage and retrieval system stand that it was by no means has already begun. However, not recognize the Messiah— without express written per- as overwhelmingly easy as it there is more to this retold save for a remnant, to whom, mission from the author. Co- seems to us today, to recog- story: there is still a huge dis- as Paul writes, “It pleased God ver design and layout by My nize the One who indeed was parity between how God sees … to reveal His Son”. Zion LLC. the Way and Truth, among the our story, and how the people All biblical quotations are ta- many others also claiming to around us see this story. In complete harmony with ken from the NKJV, unless ot- know the way and the truth. this plan, Jesus came in such herwise indicated. We begin to understand that My humble hope is that this a way that our people would our people could not recogni- book might make a small step not be able to recognize Him ze Jesus as Messiah, and those towards resolving this dispa- as the Messiah—as though hi- who did recognize Him were rity—that it would become a ding His face from us. able to do so only because it small piece of our retold story. was revealed to them by the In this book, we will see that Father Himself: “Jesus answe- not only could our people not © Julia Blum, 2015. You can find Julia’s books on red and said to him, “Blessed recognize Him, but they were All right s reserved. “As Amazon. There is also link to are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, For not supposed to recognize Though Hiding His Face” by the books at the end of her flesh and blood has not revea- Him. Julia Blum. Published by Julia introductory of her blog: led this to you, but my Father Blum in USA, 2017. No part who is in heaven.” It was not because of their of this publication may be blindness that Israel did not reproduced or transmitted https://blog.israelbiblicalstu- There has been a growing re- recognize Jesus, but because in any form or by any means, dies.com/julia-blum/

www.yovel-magazine.com

Yovel-Magazine is Found on Web: www.yovel-magazine.com

Is there an article or a teaching that you would like to grab again, but you don´t have it at hand?

On our pages you can read in or download from the issues published whenever it suites you.

From there you can also find added materials

and links to the writers´s own web pages, teachings and archives.

www.yovel-magazine.com ********** 9 Christian Fruit, Jewish Root

A moment of worshipping the God of Israel by the lake in Finland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi

Written by: personal word on it: “Don’t the opposite of what he said. and he never changed either John D. Garr, Ph.D. even begin to think that I have What Jesus said has continued his ethnicity or his religion. He come to destroy the law or to echo across the corridors of knew full well that “salvation the prophets; I have not come time to this day: “Until heaven is from the Jews” (John 4:22), Victorious Christian Living to destroy but to fulfill” (Matt- and earth pass away, not one and he admitted that he was Empowered by Hebraic hew 5:17). jot or tittle shall pass from the “sent only to the lost sheep of Insight law until all is fulfilled.” Since the house of Israel” (Mathew Since the “law and prophets” heaven and earth still stand 15:24). were the core of biblical Juda- today, we can only conclude One of the most fundamental ism, the religion practiced by that any faith that Jesus would axioms of biblical understan- the Jewish people from the recognize and approve has to Jesus did not even start a new ding is this: every authentic time of Ezra, and the foun- be a Jewish faith founded on religion when his death on the Christian practice or experi- dation of second-Temple Ju- the Hebrew Scriptures. cross opened the door of sal- ence has a biblically Hebraic daism—the system in which vation to all the nations and foundation. Simply stated, for Jesus and the apostles expres- JESUS, THE REFORMER peoples of the world. every Christian fruit, there is a sed their faith—it is absurd Jewish root! Christianity is— to assert that God designed Jesus was not an innovator or Instead, he began to “bring and always has been—a Je- Christianity to replace Juda- a supersessionist: he was a re- also” the “other sheep” that wish religion, and it will never ism. former and a restorationist. were not of the fold of Isra- cease to be a Jewish religion. el (John 10:16). He did not Christian theologians, pastors, In his own words, he fulfilled destroy the house of Israel Neither Jesus nor his disciples teachers, and laypeople— Judaism by filling it full–brin- and create a new people of ever intended to start a new from the heretic Marcion to ging it to its logical completion God. He rather grafted wild religion called “Christianity” today’s academicians and pul- through his own life, death, olive branches into God’s fa- in order to replace a failed piteers—have attempted to resurrection, and ascension. mily tree of salvation and co- religion called “Judaism.” In- contort the words from Jesus’ Simply stated, Jesus was a venant relationship (Romans deed, we have Jesus’ own mouth to have him mean just Jew, his religion was Judaism, 11). He did not terminate ********** 10 God’s covenant with the na- one can deny this fundamen- planets, stars, and–even wor- THE BIBLE OF THE JEWS tion of Israel and create one tal truth: for every Christian se–emperors and kings if it with the Gentile nations. He fruit there is a Jewish root, a were not for the understan- The Bible is a Jewish book rather made provision to in- fundamental principle that ding of the one God that they from Genesis to maps! (Yes, clude Gentiles in the com- continues and must be app- received through the divine even the maps in the back of monwealth of Israel through lied to every aspect of Christi- revelation given to Hebrew many Bibles are Jewish maps.) a process of spiritual naturali- an life and experience. prophets and sages. zation so that those who were It is a simple historical and “without God in the world” All those who truly believe The very fact that Christians theological fact that the very became “fellowcitizens with in Jesus as Lord and Savior understand that there is only Scriptures which give Christi- the saints” and “of the same should, therefore, freely re- one God and that God is a ans a hope of eternal life were body” (Ephesians 2:19; 3:6). cognize, understand, and person who can be engaged written by Jewish authors practice the Jewishness of in faith and relationship is across the span of centuries. True Christian faith, therefore, their faith by “searching the the foundational truth that is but an expansion, not a rep- Scriptures,” as both Jesus and is encapsulated in the most The coordinated and consis- lacement, of the faith of Abra- Paul instructed (John 5:39; 2 fundamental of all Jewish sta- tent message of the Hebrew ham and of the Jewish people. Timothy 3:15-16) to see how tements of faith, the Shema: Scriptures presents one con- Jesus was the reformer who they should live in faith and “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our tinuing theme: the one and restored Judaism to its origi- obedience before the living God, the Lord is one” (Deute- only God of the universe cho- nal foundations and purpose God. ronomy 6:4). se to create human beings in (Hebrews 9:10). his own image and likeness He advocated a radical return Every Christian in history Face it: the Gentile world still and to establish and maintain to fulfilling the spirit of the To- should have been given the is largely a polytheistic world, relationship with the human rah, the easy yoke of obedien- liberty to share in the rich and it would be entirely so if race, even sacrificing himself ce in faith, rather than being heritage of the faith of Jesus it were not for the fact that in the person of his Son Jesus bound to the letter of the To- by drawing from the roots Israel, through her prophets in order to redeem the fallen rah by traditions of punctilio- of God’s family tree the rich and eventually through the human race and restore hu- us performance of prescribed nourishment of divine self- Messiah Jesus, fulfilled God’s man beings to fellowship with ritual. disclosure (revelation) mani- commandment to be a “light him through the Holy Spirit. fest in the Hebrew Scriptures to the Gentiles and for salva- CHRISTIANITY’S so that their lives could have tion to the ends of the earth” God gave his Word in the form JEWISH ROOTS been established in the most (Deuteronomy 27:2-3; Isaiah of the Hebrew Scriptures to holy faith of Jesus and the 42:6; 49:6). confirm this divine truth, and The four most important apostles. he gave it to the Jewish peop- things in the Christian faith The fact that Christians wor- le as a sacred trust so that and in the lives of all Chris- THE GOD OF THE JEWS ship the one true God is en- they could be stewards of his tians are direct products of tirely dependent upon the mysteries and could convey Judaism. Christianity owes Christians are privileged to transmission of that funda- that understanding to the rest its understanding of God, the worship the God of the Jews. mental knowledge from the of the world. Christian fruit: Bible, the Messiah, and salva- Gentiles today would still be Jewish people. Christian fruit: Jewish root! tion to the Jewish people. No worshipping trees, statues, Jewish root!

The Messiah Gate on the inside of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 11

The harvest is ripe for reaping. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi

THE MESSIAH OF THE JEWS he was still a real Jew, not an salvation. The church itself is a Jewish apparition (John 20:25). In entity. The idea for “church” The one whom millions of heaven, he is still a Jew, the Face it: if it were not for the was not an innovation intro- Christians across the centu- Melchizedek high priest of the Jewish people and the Jewish duced by Christians in the first ries of time and in the- pre tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:12- Messiah, the masses of peop- century. Indeed, the church sent world recognize as the 13). When he returns, Jesus le in the world would have was born on the day of Pente- Messiah is a Jew. Jesus was will still be a Jew (Acts 1:11). known nothing about salvati- cost, but not in Acts 2. born a Jew, he lived a Jew, he on much less experienced it. died a Jew, he resurrected a Christianity owes its under- The church was born on the Jew, he ascended to heaven a standing of the Messiah and The fact that millions of Gen- day of Pentecost at Sinai when Jew, he sits at the right hand its experience of the Messiah tiles have been saved by grace God summoned Israel to his of the Father a Jew, and he to the Jewish people. The through faith in the Messiah is presence to enter into a cove- will return to earth a Jew. The Messiah is a Jew. Christian fundamentally the response nant to become his “congre- Messiah lived, died, rose, as- fruit: Jewish root! to a Jewish person and a Je- gation” or “community.” cended, and is coming again: wish understanding. Christian but only as a Jew. SALVATION FROM THE JEWS fruit: Jewish root! So, the church was “born again” on the day of Pente- Though many Christians belie- “Salvation is from the Jews.” CHRISTIANITY IS cost in Acts 2 and given a re- ve Jesus was the first Christi- Jesus said it without equivo- A JEWISH FAITH newed commission to take an, the truth is that he was a cation (John 4:22). How could the good news of God’s king- Jew. this be? Salvation is first a Every major foundation of dom into all the world with person, the person of God’s Christian faith and practice— Holy Spirit empowerment. He was not a Baptist, even Son, Jesus. Since the Savior the God of the Jews, the Bible though we know for certain was from the Jews, salvation of the Jews, the Messiah of The earliest church merely that his cousin John was a is from the Jews. That’s simple the Jews, and salvation from continued in continuity with Baptist! He was not a Catholic enough! the Jews—is Jewish. Each the community of Israel as or a Protestant. He was a Jew. Christian fruit has a Jewish God himself had set it forth Salvation is also a concept and root! at Sinai. It also continued the The fact that he was born of a an experience which is entire- synagogal model in which Je- Jewish woman confirmed his ly Jewish. Judaism and Chris- One might expect, then, that sus and the apostles had been Jewishness (Hebrews 7:14). tianity–which was birthed everything else that is aut- reared. Jesus was recognized as a from its matrix–are the only hentic in Christian faith and Jew throughout his life (John religions in the world that experience also has a Jewish The ekklesia of Apostolic Sc- 4:9). When he was executed teach the concept of sin and foundation. And so it is! ripture was a continuation of by the Romans, he was legally atonement, the theological the kahal of the Hebrew Sc- proclaimed to be a Jew (Luke truths that are the foundation THE CHURCH IS JEWISH riptures. Acts 2:32 proves that 23:38). When he resurrected, of the idea and experience of the church operated in perfect 12 continuity with the synagogue mans 4:3). If, as some Chris- ahavah of the Almighty, and it in God’s own benediction tradition of Judaism, for its tians have suggested, there pervades every dimension of for human beings (Numbers daily life maintained the three was no faith before Christiani- human life. While the Greeks 6:24). Peace for Christians is a functions of the synagogue: ty was born, why is it that the imagined a trichotomized Jewish idea too! 1) a Beit Knesset (House of one passage of Christian Sc- love as eros (sexual love), phi- Christian fruit: Jewish root! Meeting) wherein believers ripture that is often called the leo (love of humankind), and “continued stedfast in the “Roll Call of Faith” does not agape (divine love), for the BACK TO OUR ROOTS apostles’ fellowship,” mention one Christian name? Hebrews, there was only one 2) a Beit Midrash (House of ahavah, true divine love that Everything we Christians have Study) wherein they conti- Everyone cronicled in Hebrews was manifest in love for God, that is of value to us we owe nued in the “apostles’ teach- 11 is a Hebrew. Faith, then, is love for humanity, and love to the Jewish people. It is high ing,” and from the Jews. for one’s mate. time that all Christians recog- 3) a Beit Tefillah (House of Christian fruit: Jewish root! Christianity is a religion of nize this fundamental truth Prayer) wherein they conti- love, but it is founded on a Je- that Jesus himself continually nued in “the prayers” of the Grace, too, is a Jewish con- wish idea. taught and practiced. Jewish faith. Then, decades cept. Noah found grace in Christian fruit: Jewish root! after the resurrection -of Je God’s eyes. Everyone who is It’s time for us to return to the sus, James still referred to the saved today is saved in pre- PEACE IS JEWISH biblically Hebraic foundations gatherings of the Christians as cisely the same manner in of our Christian faith so that “synagogues” (James 2:2). which Abraham was saved: by Peace. we can be even more produc- grace through faith. Now there’s an all-encompas- tive in our devotion to God as The church, therefore, was, is, sing Jewish idea. It’s not just we follow the example that and will ever be a Jewish enti- God’s chesed is a major theme the absence of warfare. It’s Jesus himself established for ty. Christian fruit: Jewish root! of the entire Hebrew Scriptu- health, security, wholeness. us. res. God’s grace manifest in It’s shalom that comes from It’s our Christian fruit, but it FAITH AND GRACE loving kindness is well docu- the Sar Shalom, the Prince of has a Jewish root! ARE JEWISH mented first in the Hebrew Peace. It’s the shalom from Scriptures, then in the lives of the one whose name is Sha- © Restore! All rights reser- Faith is not an exclusively believers. lom. The peace that the world ved. This material may not Christian idea that originated Christian fruit: Jewish root! is always seeking while waging be reproduced in any form in the first century. If anything, war is the peace that passes without the express written it originated with the father of LOVE IS JEWISH understanding, the peace of permission of the editor. faith, Abraham who “believed God. The peace that the God God, and it was credited to Love is a Hebraic experience. of the Jews gives is his ever- him for righteousness” (Ro- It is the essence of God, the lasting shalom, the final word www.hebraiccommunity.org

Finnish and Israeli flags were waving together at the March of Life in Tampere, Finland in August 2019. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 13 Belonging to the Messiah

Written by: movement’s leading apolo- When the Holy Spirit that ic heritage, but he channeled John D. Garr, Ph.D. gists, he was on his way to knocked him off his high hor- all of his erudition into proc- Damascus of Syria to further se had finished with him, Paul laiming the Good News that The first official apostolate to efforts at suppressing this would be a “new creation.” the God of the universe has the Gentile nations featured emerging sect that was chal- become incarnate, suffered the ministry of Paul, the Phari- lenging Pharisaic control over Suddenly, Paul was “in Mes- and died for the sins of man- see, a student of Gamaliel, the doctrine and practice in - Je siah,” and Messiah was in him kind, ascended in glory, and grandson of Hillel the Great, wish society. Suddenly he was by the Holy Spirit. Instantly, will come again to establish one of Israel’s finest sages. He blinded by a profound light everything changed as he ex- his Kingdom. was proud of his pedigree and that left him virtually para- perienced a paradigm shift of of the fact that concerning the lyzed, able to whisper only a cosmic proportions. This Pauline lesson is one that Torah (law) he was blameless. feeble, “Who are you, Lord?” should be learned by all be- All that he had aspired to be lievers in Jesus, particularly He was an impassioned de- The reply was just as stunning in the Ioudaismos (Judaism) those who seek to recover the fender of mainstream Juda- as his condition: “I am Jesus of his ancestors suddenly pa- Hebrew foundations of the ism of his day. Despite a Hille- whom you are persecuting.” led in comparison to the ra- Christian faith. “If any man lian education in pluriformity diance of the One who was be in Messiah, he is a new and tolerance, his zeal for the In Paul, God found a man of the Sun of Righteousness. All creation and everything has Torah and for rabbinic tradi- unbridled zeal and fervor for his training in Torah, Nevi’im, become new” (I Corinthians tion had been fanned into a the Word of God, a man who Ketuvim, and Mishnah took 5:17). rage of violent confrontation needed only a reorientation on new meaning as he beheld with the talmidim (disciples) to become one of the greatest the wonder of their very es- Paul summed up this revolu- of Jesus. witnesses to the good news sence–the living, incarnate tionary understanding: “The- of the emerging Kingdom of Word himself. re is neither Jew nor Greek, Having just supervised the God. slave nor free, male nor fema- execution of one of the Jesus He never discarded his Juda- le, for you are all one in Christ

Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 14

Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). For others, it has been the ry creature,” on equal terms; Israelites, Black Jews, and ot- siren song of esoteric know- therefore, it is of no conse- hers are honest in their desire Race, color, ethnicity, nationa- ledge that sends them on a quence whether one is of Ju- to identify themselves with lity, gender, stature, handicap neo-Gnostic ego trip. For still dah, Benjamin, Levi, Ephraim, the People of the Book, and simply do not matter anymore others, it has been an often Manasseh, Simeon, Cherokee, they may well find some ob- after one is “in Messiah.” The convoluted attempt to estab- Apache, Zulu, Mossai, Hunan, lique connection; however, only thing that is important is lish some genetic, genealogi- Hindi, Sammari, or Aborigine. their efforts, though often “the new creation.” cal link with the people of the full of sound and fury, signify first covenant. This thirteenth The real truth is that everyone nothing. The case is closed. Despite this profoundly ob- tribe, the Wannabes, has on earth likely has some trace vious truth that is central to emerged to claim for themsel- of Abraham’s DNA. But, even The verdict is in: In Messiah is Christian faith, there have al- ves special status. that is of no consequence. the new creation. Who could– ways been those in Christian or would want to–improve on circles who somehow have More often than not this subt- This is why Paul warned not to that! not felt that it was adequa- le, soulish exaltation of flesh engage themselves in “endless te simply to be among the manifests itself in separatism, genealogies,” and engage in Notzrim, the Messians or the exclusivity, and elitism, which logomachy to no profit. These Christians. are little more than idolatry. exercises offer no advantages, © Restore! All rights reser- but they do pose grave dan- ved. This material may not be Something more is required! While God still maintains his gers both to the believer and reproduced in any form wit- irrevocable covenant with to the body of Messiah. hout the express written per- For some Gentiles, it has been the physical descendants of mission of the editor. conversion to Judaism, even Abraham through Isaac and One needs look only as far obviating the sacrifice of Jesus Jacob, the New Covenant has back as the Third Reich to in their quest for self-identity. renewed and extended that see what the spirit of elitist Abrahamic covenant to “eve- idolatry can produce. Anglo- www.hebraiccommunity.org **********

Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 15 People wander about as in the Fog

Written by: vens tremble, and the earth and darkness sumed by the fire of His je- Keijo Lindeman will be shaken from its place alousy.” (Zephaniah 1:14-18). at the wrath of the LORD of ”The great Day of the LORD Hosts on the day of His bur- is near—near and coming The Day of the Lord is not a ”For we know in part and we ning anger”(Isaiah 13:9-13). quickly. Listen, the Day of the single event; several things prophesy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9) LORD! Then the cry of the will be happening on that day The prophet Isaiah speaks mighty will be bitter. That day according to God´s timing and ” Behold, the Day of the LORD about the day of the Lord, the will be a day of wrath, a day order. A common interpretati- is coming - cruel, with fury day when God judges god- of trouble and distress, a day on is to consider the time of and burning anger- to make lessness and sin in the world. of destruction and desolation, tribulation as one single event the earth a desolation and to Several other prophets of a day of darkness and gloom, or time, when everything hap- destroy the sinners within it. the Old Covenant also speak a day of clouds and blackness pens. However, when we stu- For the stars of heaven and about the events and judg- ( Hebrew OT araphel = thick dy what the Bible says about their constellations will not ments of the day of the Lord, fog) , a day of horn blast and the happenings of the Day of give their light. as do the writings of the New battle cry against the fortified the Lord, there are many di- The rising sun will be dar- Covenant as well. The judg- cities, and against the high cor- verse happenings going on, as kened, and the moon will not ments of the Day of the Lord ner towers. I will bring such the prophet Zephaniah says, give its light. will cause shakings not only distress on mankind that they for instance. According to I will punish the world for its on the earth but also in the will walk like the blind, becau- Zephaniah the Day of the Lord evil and the wicked for their heavens. The Day of the Lord se they have sinned against contains e.g. following events, iniquity. will also be the day when the the LORD. Their blood will be which will be accomplished I will end the haughtiness of Lord comes and believers are poured out like dust and their according to the order and ti- the arrogant and lay low the gathered up to the Lord in flesh like dung. Neither their metable set by God. pride of the ruthless. rapture (1 Thes. 2:1-3; Mat. silver (Hebrew OT keseph = I will make man scarcer than 24:3, 20-22, 29-31). silver, money) nor their gold - The Day of the Lord will be pure gold, and mankind rarer will be able to deliver them on the day of wrath (from which than the gold of Ophir. On the Day of the Lord people the Day of the LORD’s wrath. the church will be rescued; (1 Therefore I will make the hea- will wander about in thick fog The whole earth will be con- The. 1:10; 5:9).

Stillness of a swamp in the midst of mist in Northern Finland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 16 - The Day of the Lord will be keseph=silver, money) into a day of trouble and distress the streets, and their gold will (the church will go through seem unclean. Their silver and great distress, Mat. 24:20-22, gold cannot save them in the 29-31; Dan. 12:1-3; Rev. 7:9- day of the wrath of the LORD. 17). They cannot satisfy their - The Day of the Lord will be appetites or fill their stomachs the day of destruction and de- with wealth, for it became the solation. stumbling block that brought - The Day of the Lord will their iniquity” (Ezekiel 7:17- be the day of darkness and 19). gloom. - The Day of the Lord will be ”Come now, you who are the day of cloud and thick fog. rich, weep and wail over - The Day of the Lord will be the misery to come upon the day of trumpet blast and you. Your riches (Hebrew OT war cry against fortified cities keseph=silver, money) have and high corner towers. rotted and moths have eaten - On the Day of the Lord gold, your clothes. Your gold and silver and money will lose silver are corroded. Their cor- their value (they will be repla- rosion will testify against you ced by an anti-christian sys- and consume your flesh like tem, Rev. 13:16-18). fire. You have hoarded treasu- re in the last days. Look, the The Bible gives plenty of infor- wages you withheld from the mation about all these happe- workmen who mowed your nings of the Day of the Lord, fields are crying out against but we will focus here mainly you. The cries of the harves- on the day of the thick fog. Stillness of a swamp in the midst of mist in Northern Finland. Photo: ters have reached the ears of We will briefly look into the Markus Nurmesniemi the Lord of Hosts. You have economic slump that occurs lived on earth in luxury and on the Day of the Lord. On self-indulgence. You have fat- the Day of the Lord a thick fog ness and fog same is sadly true about the tened your hearts in the day will cover the earth; people body of Christ, as well. Bibli- of slaughter. You have con- wander about like blind men, ”Arise, shine, for your light cal values and principles are demned and murdered the anguished, not knowing what has come, and the glory of trampled on. Believers, who righteous, who did not resist lies ahead. the Lord rises upon you. See, seek to follow the word of you. Be patient, then, brot- darkness covers the earth God, are being oppressed and hers, until the Lord’s coming. The on-going coronavirus and thick darkness (Hebrew persecuted. See how the farmer awaits pandemic has made it hard OT araphel= thick fog) is over the precious fruit of the soil— for us to perceive the future. the peoples, but the Lord rises We are approaching the time how patient he is for the fall There is no certainty about upon you and his glory ap- when the quilt of blindness, and spring rains. You, too, be the length of time this pande- pears over you” (Isaiah 60:1- which has covered the eyes of patient and strengthen your mic will continue its course, 2). the Israelis, is taken away, and hearts, because the Lord’s co- or what scars it will leave in they will see the glory of the ming is near. Do not complain the world´s economy, emplo- Along Zephaniah, the prophet Messiah (Eze. 39: 28-29). As about one another, brothers, yment, business world, poli- Isaiah also speaks about the the world is heading for spi- so that you will not be judged. tics, and sports, etc. Moreo- time, when darkness covers ritual darkness, glory will be Look, the Judge is standing at ver, there is no knowledge of the earth and a thick fog the increasing in Israel, and more the door” the behaviour and mutation peoples, and there is no cer- and more Israelis will accept (James 5:1-9). of the virus, or if there will tainty about the future. A Yeshua the Messiah as their be a second and possibly a thick fog will cover the who- Saviour and King. One of the events of the Day third wave of the pandemic. le earth, and Israel, too, will of the Lord will be economic People and nations hope that suffer because of it. The dark- The Day of the Lord and slump. There will be a time a vaccine will resolve the ness Isaiah speaks about me- financial collapse when normal economic sys- problems caused by this pan- ans first of all spiritual - dark tems, and social systems in demic. This fog the corona- ness and turning away from ” Every hand will go limp, and general, will collapse. Gold, pandemic has created gives the faith (Mat. 24:3, 12:2; 2 every knee will turn to wa- silver, and money lose their foretaste of what will happen Thes.2:1-3). ter. They will put on sackcloth, value. All this will happen on in the future, when the events and terror will overwhelm the Day of the Lord, when the of the Lord´s Day start surging Time has come when the them. Shame will cover all Messiah´s coming is near. The over the world. Bible, or the Word of God, is their faces, and all their heads apostle Paul admonishes us to not much appreciated among will be shaved. They will put our trust on God instead Isaiah´s message about dark- people of the world, and the throw their silver (Hebrew OT of uncertain wealth, for God 17 will give us all we need (1 Tim. security fall apart, believers feet and a light for my path” End time gloom, while they 6:17-19). Paul encourages the should support each other (Psalm 119:105). are waiting for the morning wealthy to be generous in and take care of the rest of star to rise (Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. good days, in order to be pro- God´s children, the way they ”And we have the word of the 1:19; Rev. 22:16). vided for in the future. used to do in the days of the prophets made more certain, early church (Apt. 2:37-47, and you will do well to pay at- God is in control, and everyt- It is comforting to know that 4:32-37). In James´ letter the- tention to it, as to a light shi- hing will be accomplished ac- God will take care of his own re is a beautiful promise about ning in a dark place, until the cording to His word and will, even in difficult times, when rains of the Spirit and a spiri- day dawns and the morning and He will take care of His normal social arrangements tual harvest, or the revival on star rises in your hearts” (2 own, those who believe in for security and provision fall the eve of the Lord´s coming. Peter 1:19). Yeshua, until the end. apart. God´s Word is the light for the It is reassuring to know that When the events of the Lord´s Believers do well in preparing believers´ path in the dark- believers won´t wander in Day begin, we can rely comp- themselves for those coming ness and fog of the End time. darkness or fog, for God´s letely on the protection and difficult days. When social prophetical word will shine on care of the Holy One of Israel. networks built to maintain ”Your word is a lamp to my their way in the middle of the **********

Stillness of a swamp in the midst of mist in Northern Finland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi ********** 18 Prophetical Perspectives

Signs of the Messiah´s Coming - Part X *******

Written by: blessed by My Father, inherit Mine, you did for Me.’ Then ment, but the righteous into Keijo Lindeman the kingdom prepared for you He will say to those on His left, eternal life.” (Matthew. 25:31- from the foundation of the ‘Depart from Me, you who are 46) ”For we know in part and we world. For I was hungry and cursed, into the eternal fire prophesy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9) you gave Me something to prepared for the devil and his ”Of the increase of his go- eat, I was thirsty and you gave angels. For I was hungry and vernment and peace there Me something to drink, I was you gave Me nothing to eat, will be no end. He will reign The Messiah´s coming and a stranger and you took Me I was thirsty and you gave on David´s throne and over the court of justice for the in, I was naked and you clot- Me nothing to drink, I was his kingdom, establishing and nations hed Me, I was sick and you a stranger and you did not upholding it with justice and looked after Me, I was in pri- take Me in, I was naked and righteousness from that time ” When the Son of Man son and you visited Me.’ Then you did not clothe Me, I was on and for ever. The zeal of the comes in His glory, and all the the righteous will answer Him, sick and in prison and you did Lord Almighty will accomplish angels with Him, He will sit on ‘Lord, when did we see You not visit Me.’ And they too this” (Isaiah 9:7). His glorious throne. All the hungry and feed You, or thirs- will reply, ‘Lord, when did we nations will be gathered- be ty and give You something to see You hungry or thirsty or a ”Go, my people, enter your fore Him, and He will separate drink? When did we see You stranger or naked or sick or in rooms and shut the doors be- the people one from another, a stranger and take You in, or prison, and did not minister hind you, hide yourselves for a as a shepherd separates the naked and clothe You? When to You?’ Then the King will little while until his wrath has sheep from the goats. He will did we see You sick or in pri- answer, ‘Truly I tell you, wha- passed by. See, the Lord is co- place the sheep on His right son and visit You?’ And the tever you did not do for one ming out of his dwelling to pu- and the goats on His left.Then King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, of the least of these, you did nish the people of the earth the King will say to those on whatever you did for one of not do for Me.’ And they will for their sins. The earth will His right, ‘Come, you who are the least of these brothers of go away into eternal punish- disclose the blood shed upon

A moment in prayer by the lake in Finland. Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 19 her; she will conceal her slain hers. This refers, among other from among the nations, and foreigners invade her” (Joel no longer” (Isaiah 26:20-21). things, to a general biblical they will have no right to exist 3:1-4, 9, 12-17). principle: How have we trea- in the Messianic Thousand- When Yeshua was born into ted our human brothers who year Kingdom (Gen. 15:16; Then another angel came out this world, the angel Gabriel have been in great distress Deut. 19:10; Prov. 6:16-17; of the temple in heaven, and made the declaration that He and need (Luke 10:29-37)? Joel 3:19). he too had a sharp sickle. Still would be the King over the Have we shown kindness and another angel, with autho- house of Jacob (Israel) on the mercy and given help, or have The nations will be judged on rity over the fire, came from throne of David forever (Luke we been selfish, indifferent, the basis of their attitude the altar and called out in a 1:31-33). and hard-hearted, in which towards Israel loud voice to the angel with case we will be judged merci- the sharp sickle, “Swing your When Yeshua the Messiah lessly (James 2:13)? We ought “Yes, in those days and at that sharp sickle and gather the comes to establish His king- to do good to all people but time, when I restore Judah clusters of grapes from the dom on earth and sits and especially to believers (Gal. and Jerusalem from captivi- vine of the earth, because its reigns on the throne of David, 6:9-10). ty, I will gather all the nations grapes are ripe.” So the an- it will happen through judg- and bring them down to the gel swung his sickle over the ments and in righteousness. The Messiah´s least brothers Valley of Jehoshaphat. The- earth and gathered the grapes refers, however, first of all re I will enter into judgment of the earth, and he threw The time for this promise to to the Jews (Matt. 25:31-46, against them concerning My them into the great winepress be fulfilled will come ultima- 28:10; Acts 3:22-26). Nations people, My inheritance, Isra- of God’s wrath. And the wi- tely, when Yeshua haMashiah that have shown antagonism el, whom they have scattered nepress was trodden outside comes with His angels and towards Israel, God´s own among the nations as they the city, and the blood that His raptured ecclesia on the people, and have divided the divided up My land. They flowed from it rose as high as Mount of Olives in the mid- land promised by God to Isra- cast lots for My people; they the bridles of the horses for a dle of a very difficult and har- el, and even tried to destroy bartered a boy for a prostitu- distance of 1,600 stadia” (Re- rowing time; the time when her, will all be judged in the te and sold a girl for wine to velation 14:17-20). enemy forces are besieging court of the nations before drink. Now what do you have Israel and Jerusalem in order the Lord. All those power- against Me, O Tyre, Sidon, and When the age of the church to destroy them (Zech.12:1- ful troops of the enemy that all the regions of Philistia? Are is drawing towards end, and 14:15). gather against Israel and the you rendering against Me a the Messiah´s coming is near, Messiah will be destroyed recompense? If you retaliate good and evil will each grow We learn from the Book of Re- as casualties of war and in against Me, I will swiftly and to the maximum (Rev. 22:11- velation that all anti-Christian the judgments that will meet speedily return your recom- 12). Revelation 14 tells us powers of the earth will then them. pense upon your heads.. that as the Son of Man comes be gathered there to make Proclaim this among the na- upon the clouds, He will send war – not only against Israel The Holy One of Israel will tions: Prepare for war (jihad)! His sickle and the ripe har- but against the Messiah and not permit His unrepenting Rouse the warriors! Let the vest of righteousness of the His army (Rev. 19:11-21). enemies in their sinfulness fighting men draw near and -at earth will be reaped during God allows all this happen; and ungodliness to enter the tack...Let the nations be rous- the short and powerful revival through anguish caused by Messianic Kingdom of Peace; ed and advance to the Valley preceding the Messiah´s co- the siege of the enemy, the they will be judged and meet of Jehoshaphat, for there I will ming (Rev. 14:14-16). Lord will make the stiff-necked end before the court of the sit down to judge all the na- Israel humble herself to cry nations (Zech. 14; Joel 3). The tions on every side. Swing the The same vision also descri- out to God and to welcome proud and the arrogant will sickle, for the harvest is ripe. bes another harvesting, that her Messiah (Zech. 12:9-13, fall, and the surviving rem- Come, trample the grapes, for of judgment, which follows 13:8-9, Dan. 12:1). nant, who have entered the the winepress is full; the wine the last revival of the age. Evil Kingdom of Peace, will fear vats overflow because their has reached its maximum on God will also gather all the and tremble in front of God´s wickedness is great. Multitu- earth; it is time for the sickle enemies of Israel and of the power and holiness (Isa.13:9- des, multitudes in the valley of God´s judgments to reap. God of Israel to the valley of 13; Ezek. 38:18-23, 39:1-7; of decision! For the day of the Jehoshaphat to be judged be- Micah. 7:15-17). Lord is near in the valley of de- Nations will be gathered to fore the court of the nations cision. The sun and moon will be judged, when the Mes- (Joel 3; Micah. 4:11-13; this is How indiviuals and nations be darkened, and the stars no siah comes. According to the where the nations will be jud- will be judged, depends longer shine.The Lord will roar prophet Joel, this will take ged; the last judgment won´t also on how much innocent from Zion and thunder from place in the valley of Jehos- be until after the Millennial blood they have shed in their Jerusalem, the earth and the haphat.This name in Hebrew Kingdom, Rev. 20). wickedness, especially blood sky will tremble. But the Lord means ”Adonai judges”, and it of believers and Jews among will be a refuge for his people, is the symbol of the judgment When the Messiah is seated the nations (Rev. 16:4-7; Zech. a stronghold for the people of of the ungodly all over the on His glorious throne, Genti- 2:6-8). Many nations will be Israel.Then you will know that world. According to Joel´s vi- le nations will be judged befo- judged heavily, because they I, the Lord your God, dwell in sion, God will judge nations on re Him according to how they are guilty of bloodshed. It may Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem the grounds of each nation´s have treated the least brot- be that they will be wiped off will be holy; never again will attitude towards God´s cove- ********** 20 nant people Israel and Jerusa- liness, and demonstrate His when your plunder will be among them will be like Da- lem. One major reason for the holiness and majesty among divided among you. I will gat- vid, and the house of David nations to turn against Israel Israel and all nations (Ezek. her all the nations to Jerusa- will be like God, like the an- will be the controversy over 39:21-29). lem to fight against it; the city gel of the LORD going before Palestinian areas (Joel 3:4). will be captured, the houses them. So on that day I will set After the Bar Kochba rebelli- In the middle of this tribula- ransacked, and the women out to destroy all the nations on, the Roman Emperor Had- tion, the remnant of Israelis raped. Half of the city will go that come against Jerusalem” rian (117-138 AD) gave, out accept Yeshua and cry out to into exile, but the rest of the (Zechariah 12:7-9). of pure spite, the Jewish state Him (Zech. 12:9-13). That is people will not be taken from the name of Philistine. By gi- when Israel´s Messiah comes the city. Then the Lord will go And this will be the plague ving Israel the name of their to judge the enemies of God out and fight against those with which the LORD strikes all ancient archenemy, the Philis- and of Israel, and He will nations, as he fights in the day the peoples who have warred tines, the Emperor wanted to trample the grapes in the wi- of battle. On that day his feet against Jerusalem: Their flesh humiliate the Jews, who had nepress of God´s wrath. God will stand on the Mount of will rot while they stand on dared rebel against the Ro- will show the nations that in Olives, east of Jerusalem, and their feet, their eyes will rot man empire. spite of her mistakes Israel the Mount of Olives will be in their sockets, and their ton- is the apple of His eye, and split in two from east to west, gues will rot in their mouths. In different languages of to- whoever touches her with evil forming a great valley, with On that day a great panic from day the name of Philistine in their hearts is going to be half of the mountain moving the LORD will come upon has taken the form of Pales- judged in the court of nations north and half moving south. them, so that each will seize tine, which has become a (Zech. 2:6-8; Obad.12-15). You will flee by my mountain the hand of another, and the tough bone of contention in valley, for it will extend Azel. hand of one will rise against these end times before the The Lord will also let the Gen- You will flee as you fled from the other. Judah will also fight Messiah´s coming. Hadrian tile nations, who have divided the earthquake in the days at Jerusalem, and the wealth also gave Jerusalem a new Israel´s territory, know that He of Uzziah king of Judah. Then of all the surrounding nations name, Aelia Capitolina, after has promised this land on oath the Lord my God will come, will be collected—gold, silver, the second name of the Em- to His covenant people Israel, and all the holy ones with and apparel in great abundan- peror. and whoever tries to declare him”(Zechariah 14:1-5). ce. And a similar plague will null and void God´s promise strike the horses and mules, Everything will culminate in will eventually have to answer The LORD will save the tents camels and donkeys, and all a dispute about Jerusalem, for it (Gen. 15:18, 17:8; Deut. of Judah first, so that the glory the animals in those camps when hostile nations gather 34:1-4; Ezek. 36:24-28). of the house of David and of (Zechariah 14:12-15). to besiege Jerusalem (Zech. the people of Jerusalem may 12:1-3). The Lord allows all The Messiah will come to the not be greater than that of ”...For the LORD of Hosts at- this happen in order to be Mount of Olives to save Israel Judah. On that day the LORD tends to His flock, the house of able to judge the nations for will defend the people of Je- Judah; He will make them like their wickedness and ungod- ”A day of the Lord is coming rusalem, so that the weakest His royal steed in battle. The

Photo: Markus Nurmesniemi 21 cornerstone will come from peared to them and told them bours will have their share in strike down the nations, and Judah, the tent peg from him, that Yeshua would be coming these events of the end time He will rule them with an iron as well as the battle bow and back in the same way He went judgments (Ezek. 38:22; 39:1- scepter. He treads the winep- every ruler together. They into heaven (Acts 1:9-11). 7, 17-20). Israel will have huge ress of the fury of the wrath of will be like mighty men in It was from the Mount of Oli- spoils of war after the war God the Almighty. On his robe battle, trampling the enemy in ves that the Messiah went (Ezek. 39:8-10). and on his thigh he has this the mire of the streets. They into heaven, and He will re- name written: King of kings will fight because the LORD turn to the Mount of Olives, Resurrected believers and Lord of lords” (Revelation is with them, and they will when the enemy has taken will judge the nations 19:11-16). put the horsemen to shame”( Jerusalem, and Israel is in gre- Zechariah10:3-5). at distress and on the brink of ”Enoch, the seventh from When the Messiah comes destruction (Zech. 12:9-13). Adam, also prophesied about to judge the nations, He will ”But now many nations have them: Behold, the Lord is co- come with all His angels, who assembled against you, saying, In their distress the remnant ming with myriads of His holy will take care of the executi- “Let her be defiled, and let us of the people of Israel will call ones to execute judgment on on of the judgments (Matt. feast our eyes on Zion.” But out to God and their Messiah, everyone,and to convict all 25:31; 2 Thes. 1:6-10). they do not know the and Israel will be saved (Zech. the ungodly of every ungodly thoughts of the LORD or un- 12:9-13). This is the moment act of wickedness and every The risen saints will also be derstand His plan, for He has the Lord has been longing for harsh word spoken against there to judge with the Lord. gathered them like sheaves to – that He could have mercy on Him by ungodly sinners” When the Messiah comes to the threshing floor. Rise and Israel (Isa. 30:18-20). When (Jude 14-15). the Mount of Olives, He has thresh, O Daughter of Zion, the Messiah has put Israel ”on with Him all the holy ones in for I will give you horns of iron the right course” and back to ”On that day the LORD will de- their resurrection bodies, - ac and hooves of bronze to break Him, away from the ways of fend the people of Jerusalem, cording to Zechariah 14:4-5. to pieces many peoples. Then apostasy, He will quickly deal so that the weakest among you will devote their gain to with the enemies of God and them will be like David, and That royal clergy of the new the LORD, their wealth to the Israel. the house of David will be convenant in their white linen Lord of all the earth” (Micah like God, like the angel of the robes, like angels of the Lord 4:11-13). God uses Israel also as an LORD going before them. So in their resurrection bodies, Behold, I have created the instrument to gather all hosti- on that day I will set out to will take part in the execution craftsman who fans the coals le Gentiles for judgment. The destroy all the nations that of the judgments, in the army into flame and forges a - wea Lord will pour upon the be- attack Jerusalem”(Zechariah of the King of kings, riding on pon fit for its task; and I have lieving remnant of Israel such 12:8-9). white horses (Rev. 1:4-6; Lev. created the destroyer to wre- supernatural power that they 6:10; 2 Chron. 5:12). ak havoc. No weapon formed will crush under their feet the ”But those who are conside- against you shall prosper, and hostile nations that attack red worthy to share in the age People often think that what you will refute every tongue them. God also gives Israel to come and in the resurrecti- follows after the Lord´s co- that accuses you. This is the wisdom and power to develop on from the dead will neither ming and the resurrection heritage of the servants of such weapons that make the marry nor be given in marri- of believers is the heavenly the LORD, and their vindica- weapons of the enemy ineffi- age. In fact, they can no lon- wedding party of the Lamb, tion is from me, declares the cient. ger die, because they are like ”a feast of harp playing”, so to Lord”(Isaiah 54:16-17). the angels. And since they are say, while on the earth, at the Atomic weapons will be sons of the resurrection, they same time, the anti-Christian ”If only My people would used, too, particularly neut- are sons of God” (Luke 20:35- time of wrath is raging. listen to Me, if Israel would ron bombs whose radiation 36). follow My ways, how soon I will cause all human and ani- Thus the holy ones would not would subdue their enemies mal tissue burn and rot on ”I saw heaven standing open come and reign on the earth and turn My hand against the spot. It is interesting that and there before me was a until the time of blessings and their foes! Those who hate among those who develop- white horse, whose rider is the Kingdom of Peace. the LORD would feign obedi- ped nuclear weapons there called Faithful and True. With ence, and their doom would was a Jew, Oppenheimer, un- justice he judges and makes The Bible is very clear, howe- last forever. But I would feed der whose supervision the war. His eyes are like blazing ver, that the church that has you the finest wheat; with U.S.A. built the first nuclear fire, and on his head are many been taken up will judge the honey from the rock I would bomb (1945). Neutron bomb, crowns. He has a name writ- nations with the Lord and the satisfy you” (Psalm 81:14-16). as well, was developped by a ten on him that no-one knows holy angels, and contribute to Jew, Samuel Cohen. but he himself. He is dressed the establishing of the Mes- Acts chapter one describes in a robe dipped in blood, and sianic Millennial Kingdom. how the Messiah went into The Bible seems to indicate his name is the Word of God. heaven from the Mount of that in the area of Golan (Ba- The armies of heaven, dressed Anti-Christian troops of the Olives on a cloud. While the san) especially, the attacking in fine linen, white and pure, dragon, the beast, and the disciples were still looking enemy will be destroyed by follow Him on white horses. false prophet, which fight into the sky after their Master, Israel´s neutron bombs, and And from His mouth proceeds against Israel and the God two men dressed in white ap- the surrounding hostile neigh- a sharp sword with which to of Israel, will then be judged 22 and will meet their end (Rev. cles. And should any of the which have attacked Jerusa- that we, as a nation, would 19:11-21). families of the earth not go lem will go up to Jerusalem to inherit blessings and receive a up to Jerusalem to worship celebrate the Feast of Taber- blessed part in the Messiah´s Only the godfearing remnant the King, the LORD of Hosts, nacles and worship the Lord Kingdom. from nations will have the then the rain will not fall on Almighty, Yeshua the Messiah, right to start a new life in the them. And if the people of who reigns on the throne of May the Holy One of Israel Messiah´s Kingdom of Peace, Egypt will not go up and en- David. also grant us grace that we which evil-doers have no way ter in, then the rain will not would be faithful followers of entering into (Isa. 13:9-13; fall on them; this will be the Only a remnant is left from of the Messiah, so that we 24:1-6; 29:17-21; 66:15-24; plague with which the LORD these ”goat” nations, and it would get to be with the Mes- Micah 7:15-17). strikes the nations who do not may be that some nations siah, when He returns to the go up to celebrate the Feast have been totally wiped off Mount of Olives. The survivors of Gentile -na of Tabernacles. This will be from among the nations. tions will go up to Jerusalem the punishment of Egypt and ”Sheep” nations, who have to worship the Lord of all the nations that do not blessed God´s people Israel go up to celebrate the Feast of and helped the least brothers, ”Then all the survivors from Tabernacles” will have the Messiah´s bles- the nations that came against (Zechariah 14:16-19). sing. Jerusalem will go up year af- ter year to worship the King, In the Thousand-year King- May the Holy One of Israel the LORD of Hosts, and to ce- dom of the Messiah, the sur- grant that our nation be part lebrate the Feast of Taberna- vivors of those Gentile nations of these ”sheep” nations, so **********

Photo: Jasmina Nurmesniemi

********** 23 ***Yovel***

14th issue / December 2020

**********

”...that all of them may be one (echad)...” Joh. 17:21

Chief editor and layout: Markus Nurmesniemi Writers: Keijo Lindeman (Finland), Dr Clifford Denton (England), Dr John Garr (United States), Markus Nurmesniemi (Finland). Also other writers on these topics are presented. Translators: Pirjo Pulli, Tanja Lehto, Markus Nurmesniemi Photographing by: Markus Nurmesniemi, Jasmina Nurmesniemi Contact info: [email protected] (e-mail), Mänttä, Finland www.yovel-magazine.com New edition published in every six months. All rights reserved. You may distribute this journal.

Yovel-journal is a publication without any strings attached to any denominations. On our behalf, we are helping The Body of The Messiah to return to the first century practise concerning apostolical -uni ty (echad), communion, agape love and the obedience to the Word of God. Journal is not responsible of possible personal opinions in the writings of our writers. Nor the journal isn´t taking any part of disputes and quarrels. Yovel only seeks to enlighten the return to our Hebrew roots of our precious faith as clear as possible to the delight and benefition of us all, scoping the whole message of The Bible.

**********