The tumultuous events that have taken place this year, especially in the past several months, seem to be a harbinger of the end of the world. At the very least they seem to depict the end of the world as we have known it. Continuing Islamic terrorism, flare-ups in the never ending Arab/Israeli Mideast conflict (now being further fueled by "The Arab Spring"), plus worldwide financial problems, have shaken the earth. Its population now seems to be cloaked in a mantle of fear, a great cry for help is on the lips of many.
People are asking, "What happened to cause these devastating events? People are suffering from a loss of savings, jobs, coping with health problems, the loss of educational opportunities, home foreclosures, etc.. etc. They want to know how to survive in perilous times, and many are asking, "Why is a loving God allowing such awful things to happen to so many people?"
Unfortunately, the majority of the earth's people are traveling a broad way that leads to destruction, and our loving God wants them to choose His narrow way, which leads to eternal life (Mat 7:13-14). To accomplish His purposes, He allows us to get in positions that we don't like and want to be delivered from. The situation in Egypt got so bad that the sons of Israel cried out for deliverance (Exo 2:23). The crisis we now find ourselves in will likewise encourage people to cry out for deliverance. It also will cause many to turn from the broad way they have been following and onto YHVH's narrow way. They will finally chose to walk as Messiah Yeshua walked (1 John 1:7; 2:6; 2 John 1:6).
Fortunately, as Believers, we can see some good news in this global meltdown: The events reaffirm our belief that the hour for Yeshua's return and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth is drawing near. And, while we find an increasing number of desperately needy people in the world, the silver lining in this gloomy fact is that it is leading to an increase in the numbers of people who are now ready to hear the Good News. However, we will all need to work to effectively reach this potential audience.
At this time, each of us wants to ask ourselves, "What does my Father now expect of me?"
Yeshua's last words recorded in Scripture are, "Surely I am coming quickly." Our answer is also recorded, "Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus (Adonai Yeshua)" (Rev 22:20). This verse reveals the fact that, the followers of Messiah who are alive on earth when He returns are inviting Him to return and establish His kingdom. So, the best way to answer our question about our Father's expectations for us, is to ask another question, it being, "What kind of reception does Yeshua expect when He sets His foot once again on the Mount of Olives?" (Acts 1:9-11).
Surely He does not anticipate that He will be met by a group of Muslims, who see Him as a mortal man; nor by a mixed multitude of Christians who do not see themselves as members of the Commonwealth of Israel (Eph 2:11); nor by an assembly of Jews who do not recognize Him as Israel's Messiah (Mat 23:39). Surely He instead expects to be met by a multitude that has been gathered from every nation, tribe, tongue and kindred, who see themselves as Israelites, and who acknowledge Him as the greater son of David and their reigning King (Jer 23:1-8; Eze 37:15-25).
Our Messiah's expectations have not changed. Thus, we need to teach people the truth of who they are as part of the people of Israel. We need to help develop the "one flock with one shepherd" that He came to seek out (John 10:16).
Even though most "Christians" understand that "any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand," they are not devoting themselves to reuniting and restoring the whole house of Israel (Mat 12:25; Mark 3:24; Luke 11:17).
The fastest growing segments of Christianity today are home fellowships consisting of 20 people or less. And, a constantly increasing number of "revolving door Christians," who are looking for answers to their dilemma as they visit a seemingly endless smorgasbord of churches, congregations, fellowships, and home groups, now entertain a wide variety of endtime theories and speculations. Given this situation, what do we think will help unite the people whom the Father is calling in this last hour, and fulfill His desire, which is that His followers would be perfected in unity, so that the world will know that He sent His Son and loves them? (John 17:23).
The ultimate trigger for Yeshua's return is outlined by Peter. He said that Yeshua has ascended into heaven and is now seated at the right hand of the Father and will not return to the Mount of Olives until the restoration of all things - about which YHVH spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time (Acts 3:18-21). Virtually all unfilled prophesies deal with the regathering, reuniting and redemption of the whole House of Israel. The Bible is a Book about them being regathered into one holy house, into one redeemed nation, into one reborn and rededicated people who serve the One true God, the Holy One of Israel.
Imagine this scene on the Mount of Olives: The banished ones of Israel and the dispersed of Judah have been regathered from the four corners of the earth (Isa 11:12-14). Together, as one united house of Israel they have defeated their enemies and have prepared the way for their returning King. They lift their eyes toward heaven, the sky parts, and every eye sees Messiah Yeshua descending, His heavenly army right behind Him. When this happens, the kingdoms of this world will have begun to become the kingdom of our Messiah. The good news about this glorious scene is that we messianic forerunners will get to be there. We will be there, either in the welcoming party, or in the heavenly armies who accompany Messiah on His return.
While still here on this earth, it is our task to help, in some manner, to organize a much-needed "Welcoming Party." That party will be made up of mighty-man-Ephraim. He will have "come trembling from the west" and joined with his beloved brother, Judah. Together, as one reunited house of Israel they will have defeated their enemies and prepared the way for their returning King (Isa 11:27; Zec 10:7).
To get a handle on the magnitude of the task that lies before us, we need to have an idea of the size of the welcoming party that we need to help prepare. Jeremiah tells us that those whom YHVH will gather from the four corners of the earth and return to their own soil will be a very large number. There will be so many of them that, by comparison, the memory of the deliverance of a mere two and half million in the Exodus from Egypt will fade from view (Jer 23:1-8). Ezekiel says that the dry bones that come to life will be anexceedingly large army, and they will represent the whole house of Israel, which will have become one stick in YHVH's hand (Eze 37).
We surely have our work cut out for us. It is a seemingly impossible task given our current numbers and resources. While it is a gigantic endeavor, and while there are a lot of giants in the land, we are, in the spirit of Joshua and Caleb, well able. Our job is to do the possible, YHVH will handle the impossible.
We want to be in the advance guard that works to regather all Israel. we want to be found working to restore the Kingdom to Israel when our messiah arrives. Key of David Publishing serves as a logistical supplier that provides much-needed "word weapons" for Israel's warriors. This includes publishingZechariah's Patrol Reports and the Messianic Awakening Newsletter.
Key of David is pleased to report that 2011 saw the publication and distribution of over ten thousand copies of Who Is Israel? Redeemed Israel - A Primer. This little book is a concise 96 pages. Its success helped to increase the sales of its larger counterpart, Redeemed Israel - Reunited and Restored, which led to a necessary reprint of this 256 page work.
This latest revision of Redeemed Israel - Reunited and Restored rolled off the presses on December 9, 2011, and it is now being shipped. (Batya constantly "tweaks" her books by tightening the copy, improving the graphics, and adding tiny bits of extra info here and there. See The Difference in My "Israel" Books
In early 2012, Key of David hopes to offer two exciting new titles:Forgiveness and Accountability, and, Raptured onto the Back of a Horse.
We will keep you updated on our progress.
Great opportunities lie just ahead of us. One of those opportunities is to bring our tithes, offerings and gifts into our Father's storehouse (Mal 3:8-11). We ask you to please consider helping us, Angus and Batya Wootten, as we continue to work to bring balanced teachings to the Body of Messiah.
My prayer for you is that our Father might bless you and make you and yours "like Ephraim and Manasseh" (Gen 48:20).
Teshuw'ah (Victory) b' Yeshua,
Angus
Changing Lives
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