Shalom friends, 

I recently attended a big gathering of Christians in support of Israel, part of a worldwide movement that has been growing for decades. Why are so many Christians moved to support Israel? One reason is that they see the return of Jewish sovereignty in Israel as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, and Israel's current struggles--made all the more evident with this summer's war against Hezbollah--at the center of end-time events.

Messianic Jews are also avid supporters of Israel, and therefore welcome the support of the Christian community. At the same time, we can't help but notice that we are hardly on the radar of most of these folks. Perhaps they fail to see that the restoration of a Jewish remnant for Yeshua is just as prophetic as the restoration of a Jewish homeland in Israel. Indeed, the two restorations have had parallel courses in recent history. Here are a few highlights:

Mid-19^th century. The idea of a return to Zion begins to grow among European Jews. At the same time, Jewish Christians begin to identify more clearly as Jews, and to envision a return to Jewish identity as followers of Messiah. In 1865, just as the Jewish population in Israel is beginning to grow, Jewish Christians in Great Britain form the first Hebrew-Christian Alliance.

World War I. The Hebrew Christian Alliance of America is formed. Great Britain takes over the Land of Israel from the Turkish Empire, calling it Palestine, and commits to the establishment of a Jewish homeland. After the war, emigration increases and Jewish governmental structures are formed in Palestine, and the International Hebrew-Christian Alliance is formed, as the worldwide movement of Jewish followers of Yeshua expands. Some Jewish believers advocate a much stronger Jewish identity and practice than has been accepted in the past.

1948. In the aftermath of the Holocaust, entrenched anti-Jewish attitudes among Christians begin to change. Many Christians no longer view Jewish life and tradition as negative, which gives fuel to the movement for Jewish identity among Jewish followers of Yeshua. The British withdraw from Palestine and the independent state of Israel is formed.

1967. The liberation of Jerusalem is a major landmark in Israel's history, and a reminder of biblical prophecy. In the years immediately following, a Jesus movement in America will draw in many young Jews, including a large number of future Messianic Jewish leaders. This group will pioneer a stronger Jewish identity than ever before, and embrace the phrase "Messianic Judaism." The Messianic Jewish movement enters a period of dramatic growth, especially in North America, and takes root in Israel as well.

What does the future hold? These parallel restorations will converge. The restored Jewish homeland in Israel will become home base to a restored Jewish remnant for Yeshua. This is already beginning to happen, as the Messianic movement in Israel continues to grow and strengthen. Its connection with the worldwide Messianic Jewish movement is also growing, as the UMJC and other groups increase their partnership with the Israeli Messianic community as you've been reading about here at www.umjc.org.

This Jewish movement for Yeshua will gain a greater and greater share of life in Israel, and will be the key to Messiah's prophecy: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!'" (Matt. 23:37, 39). Whether in Israel or abroad, as members and supporters of the Messianic Jewish community, we are part of this fulfillment!

In Yeshua, 

Russ Resnik

Executive Director