於2013-09-01發佈

猶太新年5774的以色列的彌賽亞猶太信徒
2013年8月24日
來源:錫安之光-凱瑞和珊蒂˙泰普林斯奇

"......氣息啊!你要從四風而來..."(以西結書37:9)

我為以色列的彌賽亞信徒守望和禱告了30多年。1982年當我第一次來到這聖地的時候,我只能找到分散在這片土地上的幾百名掙扎中的的信徒。但在2013年,我在他們身上看見煥然一新和熱情的力量。我相信在今天的以色列大約有20,000名彌賽亞猶太信徒從死裡復活成為了一個充滿活力的身體,一如以西結書37:1-14所說的在靈裡復活的"枯骨"。

我承認我的基本看法是來自於有限的瞭解和經歷。但無可否認的是,以色列的彌賽亞信徒已經燒煉成為一個火爐。對於在以色列的猶太人,信Yeshua(耶穌)是要付代價的。被社會和家庭排擠、身體遭受攻擊、失去工作、被驅逐出境、死亡威脅---這一切一直是 "日常"生活的一部分。然而,經歷過這一切之後,以色列的彌賽亞信徒以熱情愛他們的人民。像使徒保羅一樣,他們心中的渴望和向上帝的禱告是以色列的得救 (羅馬書10:1)。因此,他們祝福那些逼迫他們的人。當彌賽亞猶太信徒偶爾尋求司法途徑的扶持來糾正攻擊他們的人的錯誤的時候,並不是出於憤怒的報複,而是謙卑地希望改善這個國家的屬靈的氣氛。(一些美國基督徒能夠由此學習到一兩件事嗎?)

以色列的彌賽亞信徒中的許多領袖都是嬰兒潮時期出生的一批人,幾十年前他們從美國移民來到以色列。多年以來,他們一直在資源匱乏的狀態下,辛勤耕耘著被人忽視、剛硬堅硬的土地,播種並且澆水。從某種意義上說,他們類似於早期猶太復國主義者的先鋒--就是那些來自歐洲的猶太人,他們回到這塊被人們長久忽略的以色列土地上,重新建造它並且努力工作。只有這塊土地能夠自給自足之後,才能談得上毀壞的城市得以重建,古老的廢墟得以復原。同樣的道理,直到伴隨著幾個早期(通常也不多見)的豐收年之後,彌賽亞信徒才得以重建,古久的財富才得以恢復。

然而就在這個時刻,來了一群寶貴的外國人,他們幫助以色列人重建城牆(見以賽亞書 60:10)!在巴勒斯坦恐怖襲擊期間的2000~2006年,基督徒從世界各地 來到以色列,向猶太人伸出援手--當然也包括猶太信徒--這是史無前例的。眾多外邦愛耶穌的信徒,他們願意放下自己的生命,來服事耶穌和祂的以色列百姓。因著他們無私的奉獻和忍耐,本地的猶太人得到所需要的幫助,開始重新建造他們的家園。

今天,新的一代正在屬靈的層面上接管這片土地。他們出生和成長於以色列,他們或是在學校發光,或是衷心地在軍中服役,或是正在進入專業領域。他們與先輩一同在神的話語上堅定站立。他們以心靈誠實敬拜並充滿能力地見證神國度的福音。同時,他們極其地渴慕聖靈的澆灌和真正的復興。

當然,以色列的主內肢體也不是沒有他們的問題的。在個人,家庭和會眾的層面上存在著功能失調和罪。由於日常生活的需要很複雜以至於連一些虔誠的信徒除了安息日外也沒時間過肢體生活。有時,一些大的更引人注目的事工給一些小卻虔誠的事工帶來陰影。然而,以色列的肢體也在日趨成熟和合一。普遍意義上說,比起西方(包括美國)的大多數教會來說,這裡的肢體異象更專一並更謙卑地與耶穌聯合。

隨著5774年新年的到來,我們可以清楚地看到神在以色列應許的復興不遠了。將有更多的震動和可能的戰爭發生在這片土地上。透過這一切的發生,主要讓我們為阿拉伯和猶太的信徒禱告,讓他們剛強壯膽,持定他們在神裡的救恩。我相信不久神要使用他們為我們這些西方的信徒點燃復興的火花。

(來源:錫安之光-凱瑞和珊蒂˙泰普林斯奇)


Israel’s Messianic Jews at Rosh HaShanah 5774
August 24, 2013 

“…Come from the four winds, O breath…” (Ezekiel 37:9)

I’ve watched and prayed over the Israeli Messianic community for more than 30 years. My first time in the land in 1982, I could find only a couple hundred struggling believers scattered across the land. But in 2013 I see in them a refreshing and exciting strength. I believe the approximately 20,000 Messianic Jews in Israel today comprise a vibrant body brought back to life from the dead—a “dry bones’ resurrection” in the spirit of Ezekiel 37:1-14.

Admittedly, my generalized perceptions are based on limited exposure and experience. But undeniably, Israeli Messianic faith has been forged in a furnace. For Jews in Israel, belief in Yeshua (Jesus) has always come with a price. Marginalization from society and family, physical assault, job loss, deportation, death threats—these have always been part of “normal” life. Through it, however, Israeli Messianics love their people with a passion. Like the apostle Paul, their hearts’ desire and prayer to God is that Israel would be saved (Romans 10:1). Therefore, they bless those who persecute them. When Messianic Jews occasionally seek judicial redress for wrongs committed against them, it is not for angry revenge but in humble hopes of bettering the spiritual climate of the nation. (Could some American Christians learn a thing or two here?)

Many leaders in the Israeli Messianic Body are aging baby boomers who emigrated decades ago from the US. For years they plowed through neglected, dry and rocky soil, planting and watering seeds with what little resources were available. In a sense they resembled early Zionist pioneers—European Jews who came to rehabilitate and work Israel’s long neglected land. Cities could not be built, nor ancient ruins restored, until after the land first became sustainable. Similarly, the Messianic community was not rebuilt as such, nor its ancient treasures restored, until several seasons of early, often sparse, harvest had passed.

But then came precious foreigners who helped rebuild the walls (Isaiah 60:10)! During the Palestinian terror wave of 2000-2006, Christians from the nations arrived in support of Israel—and its Jewish believers—as never before. Many Gentile lovers of Jesus laid down their lives to serve Him and His Jewish people. By their selfless perseverance the indigenous Body received much needed support and began to be rebuilt.

Today a new generation is starting to spiritually take the land. Born and bred in Israel, they shine as lights in their schools, serve faithfully in the army, and are entering professional society. Together with previous generations they stand strong in the Word of God. They worship with purity and witness with power to the Gospel of the Kingdom. At the same time, they desperately seek an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and genuine revival.

Of course, the Israeli Body is not without its problems. There is personal, family and congregational dysfunction and sin. The demands of everyday life are so complex that often even committed believers have no time for Body life other than on Shabbat. Sometimes the few large, more visible ministries overshadow the many smaller but no less godly congregations. Yet there is increasing maturity and unity in the Israeli Body. Generally, there is far more focused vision and humble reliance on Yeshua than in the Western (including American) Church at large.

It’s plain to see that as Rosh Hashanah 5774 approaches, God’s promised revival of Israel is not far off. There will be more shaking in the land and possibly war. Through it, He wants us praying for Arab and Jewish Israeli believers to be strong and courageous, beholding the salvation of their God. I believe there’s soon coming a time when He’ll use them to spark revival for many of us here in the West.