Israel and the Jews - Book Reviews
Silver D. (2003) A Slow Train Coming: God’s Redemptive Plan for Israel and the Church. Out of Zion Ministries. MT Carmel, Israel.
An excellent exposition of God’s plan for world redemption or ‘one track salvation’ through the Jewish people and the church, using key events or milestones in the history of Israel from Adam and Eve to the present day. David Silver emphasizes God’s covenant promises to the Jewish people and how the church is grafted into the olive tree and receives its blessings from the root. He explains the causes of anti-Semitism based on replacement theology, which developed as the Roman church broke away its Jewish root and adopted Greek philosophy. Silver exposes many deceptions: our God is Yahweh not Allah, the Palestinian myth which has led to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict and misdirected Christian ministries which work against Messianic Jews.
Silver makes some excellent suggestions on how Christians can pray for the peace of Jerusalem: as well as praying for the political situation and salvation of the Jewish people we pray for the witness and unity of the Messianic Jewish community and invest in Israel financially by supporting aliyah and evangelism. He identifies Ruth, Esther and Elijah callings: befriending, intercession and prophetic ministries as ways of standing with Israel in these End Times, even through the Tribulation.
The book is clearly written and supported by documentary evidence in the form of extensive appendices, including a chronicle of Anti-Semitism in England, a table which shows comparisons between the Medieval canon of the catholic church and Nazi measures and a map showing the British partition of Israel.
David Silver is a Messianic Jew who made aliyah with this family from New Zealand in 2002 with the vision of bringing the Jewish gospel to the nations and to educate the church. He writes with clarity, passion and purpose.
www.out-of-zion.com
Ezagouri C. (2013) Israel the Land in Controversy. Xulon Press www.xulonpress.com
In this timely book, Claude Ezagouti deals with the burning issues concerning the land of Israel from a biblical perspective. He explains that this special land belongs to God and his chosen people and is not to be sold permanently or divided. Jerusalem is the focal point of God’s operations, the holiest place where heaven and earth meet. It is where Jesus will return to reign for the Millennium hence it is coveted by Satan. This helps us to understand why the Arab nations want to own it and remove all Jews from this sacred place. The author traces the history from the time when God made a covenant with Abraham, through battles between Jacob and Esau to the Philistines, during the time of King David to the present day resurgence of the old enemy, the Palestinians, who want Jerusalem as their capital.
Ezagouti also explores the spiritual dimension of the Jews calling to be a light to the Gentiles, their exile through disobedience, but God’s restoration of His people through Zionism and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, to be a part of the one new man, the bride of Christ.
The author is of Sepharadic Messianic Jew and is a fervent Zionist. He now pastors Morning Star Messianic Fellowship in Tiberias and has been an international teacher and speaker for more than 20 years. He is also a member of the board of ‘Intercessors for Israel.’
Tsukahira P (2003) God’s Tsunami- Understanding Israel and End Time Prophecy
www.God’s-Tsunami.com
As the title suggests this book shows how God is shaking the earth and Israel is the epicentre of the End Time conflict before the second Coming of Christ. Tsukahira, a Japanese Christian married to a Messianic Jewess, brings some refreshing insights from an Asian and historical perspective of what God is doing in the nations, likening the wave of revival from China back to Jerusalem to a tsunami. He gives a perceptive analysis of the ongoing conflicts between the Arab nations and Israel and identifies the roadblocks to reconciliation between Israel and the Church. Tsukahira has a gift of drawing out the prophetic significance of bible events, characters and art work and relating them to End Time scenarios, with a focus on the prayer and reconciliation ministry of the Carmel Assembly, Haifa, of which he is a founding member.
Kitson H. (2000) Jerusalem the Covenant City. Hatikvah Ltd. UK
Jerusalem, means ‘City of Peace’. It is God’s dwelling place and centre of His operations throughout history. Kitson explains its uniqueness and its centrality to Judaism using Bible quotations to support his arguments. He traces its history, showing how biblical prophecy has and is being fulfilled and how the destiny of the Jewish people and the nations is linked to Jerusalem. Kitson documents the Zionist dream, rebirth and restoration of Israel and recent political events and attempts to divide the land in relation to God’s covenants and judgements. He examines possible eschatological events including a different interpretation of Daniel’s ‘Seventy Weeks’ prophecy. There are some interesting details such as secret deal made by the Vatican and the influence of the Kosova conflict.
The book is very well written and easy to read. Arguments presented are supported by prolific references, notes and maps. Kitson has been making documentaries for film and TV for forty years. The film ‘Jerusalem the Covenant City’ took seven years to produce showing the amount of research undertaken for this wonderful explanatory work.
Hagee J. (2006) Jerusalem Countdown - a warning to the world. Front Line. Florida
John Hagee gives an excellent spiritual insight into the End Times in the light of political events and Biblical prophecy. He releases shocking information about Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, which has already reached its final stage, her alliance with Russia, the imminence of attacks on Israel and the US with mini nukes hidden in mosques and the possibility of an Israeli/US pre-emptive strike using nuclear bunker-busting bombs. This is set in the context of the clash of cultures: Islam’s agenda to dominate the world through force and Western democracy; the contrast between Iran’s plan to ‘wipe Israel off the map’ and God’s promise of the land to Israel, Ahmadinejad’s expectancy of the imminent second coming of the 12th Imam or Mahdi and Christianity’s expectation of the Second Coming of Jesus.
Hagee shows the futility of the ‘Roadmap to Peace’ and how it violates the Word of God: God’s covenant with Abraham and purposes for the Jewish people and plan for Jerusalem. Sadly the Israeli government has already given up Gaza, some of the West Bank and the battle for Jerusalem has already begun. (Hence the title of this book.) The build up to the battle of Armageddon, between ‘the kings of the East’ (China) and ‘West’ (EU and the Anti-Christ) is helpfully interpreted in the light of political events.
Hagee explains how the Jewish people became separated from the Gentile Church and why they have been hated and persecuted throughout history as ‘Jesus Killers,’ a lie propagated by the Church Fathers. This and the false charge of ‘blood libel’ were behind the Crusades, Spanish Inquisition and the Holocaust. The Church has much to answer for and Britain too for breaking the promise to Israel under the British Mandate.
One of the unique features of the book is Hagee’s deep understanding of prophecy and the Jewish inheritance, the relationship with the Gentile Church and God’s distinct purposes for each. He explains the election of the Jewish people as God’s witnesses to the nations, especially during the tribulation, after the rapture of the Church and the significance of Jerusalem. Christians are saved by proclamation of the gospel and Jews by revelation. Christians are indebted to the Jews for their spiritual inheritance and have a duty to bless Israel in return. We are warned that the nations will be judged according to whether they have blessed or cursed the Jewish people!
Clearly written and dynamic in style by best-selling author, John Hagee, Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Church, San Antonio, Texas.
Evans M (2008) Betrayed: The Conspiracy to Divide Jerusalem
This book reveals the secret plan to divide Jerusalem, to relinquish the Temple Mount, Christian Holy sites, and part of the Old City. Powerful nations...the U.S., Russia, China, the Arab League, the EU and the UN...are trying to wrest East Jerusalem from the Jews to appease Arab rage.
Tens of thousands of Bible holy sites are in the Holy Land: Abraham walked with Isaac in Judea and Samaria; Jacob pitched his tents there; Joshua drove out the Canaanites from the land. When God visited Jacob as he slept with his head on a stone at Beit el Bethel (House of God), he gave Jacob a vision of angels ascending and descending a stairway to heaven.
Now, the vultures gather yet again, sensing that more of the City of David will be laid on the altar of sacrifice. President Bush has agreed to what is being called “The Final Status Plan” to divide Jerusalem before the end of his term in January 2009.
Betrayed: The Conspiracy to Divide Jerusalem will transport you back in time to the purchase of the property by King David from Araunah the Jebusite and forward to the rebirth of the nation of Jerusalem according to God’s prophetic plan.
· How can the United States, a nation founded on biblical principles, lead the charge to divide the City of David and in so doing, touch the apple
· How can President Bush, who said following the events of 9/11, “From this day forward, any nation that continues to harbor or support terrorism will be regarded by the United States as a hostile regime,” consider negotiating with Mahmoud Abbas and the HAMAS terrorists that control Gaza?
· America’s moral fabric is moth-eaten, filled with holes and rotten. How can America regain her moral clarity?
· Jesus’ disciples questioned him in Matthew 24:3 about His promised return: “What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” Will America awaken before it is too late for redemption?
This is the true story of what is happening today in Israel and the Middle East. It is the tragic story of Israel’s future, brokered in backrooms and in terrorist lairs, in cabinet rooms and across conference tables, with no regard to Israel’s security or historic claims to the land. Dictators who practice the most barbaric customs are crying for a “negotiated peace” when, in truth, the desire is to see Israel “wiped from the map.”
Heidler R. D. (2006) The Messianic Church Arising : Restoring the Church to Our Covenant Roots. Glory of Zion Ministries. Denton. Texas. USA.
A wonderfully inspiring book, showing true revival can only come through the church embracing its lost inheritance and covenant blessings through the Jewish root. Heidler gives a carefully researched history of the church, which was vibrant and Jewish until it lost its way under Constantine in the fourth century. The Roman Church model absorbed pagan practices and Greek philosophy, distorting our understanding of God’s word and losing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
The author explains the spiritual significance and blessing of keeping the Feasts of the Lord as the cycle of life: keys to personal and corporate revival, with much practical guidance on how to celebrate them. True revival will come when we honour God and the Jewish people and through a lifestyle of holiness, thankfulness and continual prayer and worship celebrating God’s goodness.
Robert Heider is an apostolic teacher with Glory of Zion International Ministries and a senior pastor and dean of the Issachar School. He has obvious teaching skills and writes in a dynamic style. The book is supported by detailed appendices and references.
Facius J (2001) Hastening the Coming of the Messiah. Sovereign World. Tonbridge. England.
An illuminating easy read, explaining the Church’s role in hastening the Coming of the Messiah. It is the Church’s responsibility to fulfil ‘The Great Commission to make disciples of all nations’: firstly in evangelising un-reached people groups and secondly encouraging aliyah (the return of the Jews to Israel). Our destiny and Jesus’ Second Coming are tied up with the Jewish people. Facius explains that Jesus cannot return until His Bride is ready. This means that a massive exodus of Jews from all over the world has to take place. It is not the Church’s responsibility to convert Jews to Christianity but to honour the root and help the Jews back to Israel, where God will pour out His Spirit upon them, revealing His glory and so that they can bring blessing to the whole world. God is calling His people to holiness, being set apart for His prophetic purposes: both prayer and action are required. God must keep promises to His covenant people and He will judge the nations on how they treated the Jews. There is no neutral position. Those who do nothing are cursed like those who practise anti-Semiticism. God is waiting for the Jews to turn to Him in their distress and not to rely on their own strength. The battle over Jerusalem is the Lord’s. Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is for completeness: Spiritual restoration through Christ, not political manoeuvres over land.
Scheller G. (2006) Operation Exodus. Sovereign World, Ellel, Lancaster with Ebenezer Emergency Fund revised edition
This book is an amazing testament to God’s faithfulness to His people, the Jews, the volunteers and the intercessors, who were obedient through extreme trials and tests of faith to fulfil the prophetic vision of the Jewish people returning to Israel, given by revelation to Gustav Scheller in 1982, whilst he was in the USA. Scheller realised the link between the End Time prophecies, Isaiah 49:22 and Jeremiah 16:14-15 and destiny of the Jewish people. Steve Lightle had a similar revelation and a vision of a massive exodus from the former Soviet Union following its fall, during an intercessory prayer conference in Jerusalem. The Lord revealed this was the time for action right in the middle of the Gulf War in 1991!