Zion's Glory Update 6-19-11

Dear Friends,

Greetings in the mighty name of Yeshua! We returned from our trip to the States several days ago and although we were tired physically, we were renewed in the Spirit. We sensed that the message we shared on Israel and the Last Days was extremely important and timely. Based on the response we received, we are confident that many were encouraged afresh to take their stand for Israel in this end time battle.

We also want to extend a warm greeting to those who are receiving Zion's Glory updates for the first time. Our hearts are filled with excitement and thankfulness for each one of you. It is our hope that these updates will be an important tool to help you understand the events that are unfolding here in this day. We believe that the information and insight that we supply to you will empower you as you intercede and pray. So we welcome you to the Zion's Glory family and thank you in advance for the prayer and support that you will extend to us, as we labor here in Israel for the Gospel.

And finally, we want to express a heartfelt word of thanks to the Pastors, Messianic rabbis, our friends and our family who received us so warmly. The love and support that you extended to us was as a cool glass of water to a thirsty traveler. We felt loved and blessed and we were honored to be with you.

Immediately upon our return, we heard the news of a new wave of persecution to hit our congregation. It is safe to say that our success in building the local body and its expression of Yeshua's life is stirring up waves of spiritual darkness. For years we have expected that the local, indigenous declaration of the Gospel in the cities and towns of Israel would not go forth without persecution.

Most of the population of Israel is non religious and they are open to hearing about Yeshua. They may not be ready to accept him but their response to the Gospel usually ranges from interest to polite rejection. On the other hand, the smaller portion of Israeli society that are ultra religious hate all Messianic Jews and would like to see us destroyed and removed from Israeli society.

The current wave of persecution started when a young couple who serve as leaders in our congregation befriended a neighboring Israeli teenager. The young girl had many needs and "N" devoted much time and love to helping her. At the same time, as you may remember there had also been several very successful proclamations of the Gospel in Israeli media. In one prime time television show, my fellow elder Asher gave a major interview about Messianic Judaism. In another prime time show, Asher gave another brief but powerful testimony of the Gospel and there were "clips" of our congregation worshiping Yeshua.

Although initially this young woman's parents accepted their daughter's relationship with "N", they became more disturbed as "N"s faith in Yeshua began to impact their daughter. At the same time, members of the Orthodox congregation where Asher regularly attends recognized him on TV and forbid him to continue attending the congregation. It seems that a group of orthodox rabbis in Jerusalem became aware of these two events and decided to use them to launch an attack against these three people.

Please understand at this point that an attack against any Messianic believer in Israel is an attack against all Messianic believers.

On Sunday of this past week, Asher, "N" and her husband received a summons to appear in court the following day. The parents who brought the suit against them were represented by a religious lawyer and a representative of an anti missionary organization. The accusations were that Asher was leading a Messianic cult, and tried to entrap a minor and that "N" had been in contact with a minor against the youngster's parent's will. When a letter that was written by Asher to the parents was presented saying that the young girl was not allowed to come to our congregation without parental permission, the judge dismissed the case. She said that she refused to engage in a theological argument in the courtroom and charges were dropped. She did order all contact between N and the minor to be severed but ordered the parents to pay all the court fees.

We praise God for the victory but were filled with a foreboding that this is just the beginning of a major attack against the believing community in Jerusalem. Even as I write, I have just learned that "N" was summoned to the police station today and she has been officially charged with the criminal offense of trying to convert a minor. Of course the charges are blatantly false, but it will require much time, energy and money to wage this battle in the courts.

The parallels to the first century believers in the Book of Acts is remarkable. As in the days of Yeshua, the anti Yeshua spirit is being manifest in the "Pharisees" of this day. The persecution is occurring as a result of the public proclamation of the Gospel in the city of Jerusalem.The battle is not against individuals but ultimately it is against the name of Yeshua. And finally the goal of the attack is not to remove or imprison a few believers but rather it is aimed at eliminating the very name and presence of Yeshua from Israeli society.

Although this struggle is being worked out here in Jerusalem, we want to impress upon you that again, as in the first century, what happens to the believers here in Jerusalem will have a direct impact on the Kingdom of God throughout the world. So with all of our hearts, we ask you to enter into this battle with us. Now is the time for the Body of Messiah throughout the earth to arise and come to the defense of the Gospel in Israel.

"Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(Eph6:12) And again let us remember that "we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds". Let us together "demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (IICor10:3).

We ask you to please pray and intercede for victory in the spirit and in the courts. Pray that not only would the charges be thrown out, but that God would use this incident to further the gospel and that many would hear the truth and be saved as a result of all that will go forth.

We thank you for being our support team in this time of battle. As your prayers empower those of us on the front line, we know that God will bring the victory!

We send you our love from Zion,

Eddie and Jackie

---

If you would like to give financially to our ministry, send your tax deductible contribution payable to "Tikkun International" (designated for Zion's Glory) to our mailing address below. Please include your name, mailing address and email. For your convenience it is now possible to to donate through any major credit card. Just press the button on the left and complete the convenient form.

http://www.tikkunministries.org/zg-donations.php

Tikkun Ministries
PO Box 2997 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20886
(designate all donations for "Zion's Glory")