The Israeli Army Asher Intrater

The Israeli Army

Asher Intrater

Israel

December 12, 2007

The Israeli army has a significant role to play in biblical history, and also in future end times prophecies. Today there are a couple of hundred Messianic Jewish believers in the Israeli army. They are in need of our prayers.

Consider these biblical passages that indicate the connection between Yeshua and the army of Israel:

In Joshua 5, we see Yeshua (Jesus) in His pre-birth form as the commander of the armies of YHVH; however, we see no army behind Him.

In II Kings 6, Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened. He sees the heavenly armies of the Lord, but does not see the commander.

In Revelation 19, we see both the heavenly armies and the commander, descending from Heaven, but we see no earthly battle.

In Zechariah 14, we see the commander of the armies, and the earthly battle over Jerusalem, but we do not see the heavenly armies.

In II Samuel 5, we see the heavenly army of angels and the earthly army of Israel working together in tandem.

Many end times prophecies point to the Second Coming of Yeshua at the climax of a great war in which the nations of the earth attack Jerusalem. There is a heavenly aspect and an earthly aspect to that apocalyptic war. The heavenly army of Yeshua is connected to the earthly army of Israel.

An important link in that connection is the group of Israeli Jewish soldiers (particularly officers) who are at the same time believers in Yeshua. Almost all of the Messianic Jews in Israel at the age of 18 are enlisted in the army.

Over the last decade or two, Messianic Jews have gained a good reputation in the army for being honest, patriotic, and hard-working soldiers. Since the army is not based on religious affiliation, but on the quality of the soldier's performance, Messianic Jews have found an objective forum in which their faith can be judged, not in words, but in deeds of character and integrity.

On the other hand, the army is by no means a "spiritual" environment. By the very nature of warfare, the army is based on a "subculture" of power and force, not on love and sensitivity. This places the born-again, Messianic soldier in a difficult position, between "a rock and a hard place." They are called to walk in the fruit of the spirit in kindness and peace, in the midst of other soldiers who can be at times carnal, uncaring, and even cruel.

Their predicament reminded me of the interactions between David and Joab. David cried out, saying, "Joab and those like him are too harsh for me (II Samuel 3)." Suddenly it struck me why those reactions are recorded in the Bible. They are given as an example for us. David is the image of a "spirit-filled believer" as a soldier. Joab is the image of a "non-spiritual" soldier.

Joab and soldiers like him, though they are not motivated by the right spirit, are still used by God to accomplish His purposes. Joab led the army into many victories for the Lord, even the conquest of Jerusalem (I Chronicles 11). On the other hand, Joab murdered two innocent commanders, and in the end, was part of a rebellion against David's son, Solomon (I Kings 1).

I believe that along with biblical heroes like David and Joshua, the Messianic believers in the Israeli army today are on the front edge of spiritual warfare leading to the Second Coming of Yeshua and the establishment of His kingdom on earth.

Please pray with us for:

God's guidance on the Israeli Army to fulfill its destiny as described in the prophecies of the end times.
For the good news of Messiah Yeshua to be spread throughout the soldiers, backed up by a testimony of personal integrity.
For the Messianic soldiers to have time for prayer, bible study, and spiritual refreshment.
For Hezi I, one of the higher ranking Messianic officers currently serving in active duty in the Israeli Army.

We give thanks to God for the fruitful ministry this Hanukah week:

A national gathering of 200 Messianic university students and young adults for a Hanukah celebration at Ma'ayan congregation in Kfar Saba. Liran S led the worship; Eli B led the meeting; Daniel G led the Hanukah blessings, Freddy I gave a short message; fun and fellowship were enjoyed by all. Thank God for the unity and spirit of the young adults in the Messianic fellowships in Israel.
The national teen conference, Katsir, held near the Sea of Galilee, was the best ever, attended by 180 youth and counselors. Worship was led by David S and by Eli C, teachings were given by Danny S, Mike N, Eitan S, and Asher I. The staff, under Eitan's guidance, did a great job ministering to the teens. The teen Messianic fellowship in Israel is growing and strengthening.
The "Isaiah 19 vision" delegation from Israel, led by Mike N, returned safely after successful ministry, sharing and "bridge building" among the Turkish, Armenian, Kurdish, and ex-Muslim Christians. The Turkish Christians were touched by the testimony of unity between the Israeli Messianic Jews and the Palestinian Christians.

We sincerely thank you for your prayers and support for our ongoing ministry of local evangelism, prophetic praise watches in Hebrew, discipleship and equipping, planting local Messianic congregations, and aggressive strategic giving to the saints in Israel.

Acts of the Holy Spirit

Asher Intrater

Israel

The early disciples and apostles of Yeshua (Jesus) related to the Holy Spirit in a very personal and direct manner. The Holy Spirit was involved in all their activities and decisions. They saw the Holy Spirit as a partner in their ministry, cooperating with them in a willful and intelligent manner. Here are ten examples:

Acts 5 - Ananias and Saphira: Their mishandling the money of the offering was described by Peter as "lying to the Holy Spirit" (v. 3) and as "testing the Holy Spirit" (v. 9).

Acts 5 – Apostles on Trial: After being arrested again, Peter explained to the High Priests that they were witnesses of the resurrection; not only they, but "the Holy Spirit also is witness" (v. 32).

Acts 7 – Stephen at Martyrdom: Right before being stoned, Stephen rebuked his murderers, saying, "You have always resisted the Holy Spirit" (v. 51).

Acts 8 – Philip and the Eunuch: The Holy Spirit gave Philip specific instruction to approach the Ethiopian's chariot (v. 29), and when he had finished sharing, the Spirit "caught Philip away" (v. 39) and transported him supernaturally to Ashdod.

Acts 10 – Peter and Cornelius' Household: Peter had a vision of a sheet descending from heaven with unclean animals. As Peter thought about the vision, the Holy Spirit gave him the interpretation, as well as specifically informing him that the men from Cornelius had arrived and that he was to travel with them to their home (v. 19; also 11:12).

Acts 13 – Antioch's Missionary Team: At Antioch there were teachers and prophets. The saints fasted and prayed. Then the Holy Spirit gave instructions as to who and how to start the new ministry: "The Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"

Acts 15 – Jerusalem Council and Decree: After prolonged discussion among the leaders, a decision was made to give Gentiles full standing without having to fulfill Jewish tradition. This decision was reached by cooperation between the leaders and the Holy Spirit. James wrote: "It seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us" (v. 28).

Acts 16 – Macedonian Direction: Saul (Paul) and his team were planning to travel to Asia Minor to preach, but the Holy Spirit stopped them and redirected them westward into Europe. "They were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia… The Spirit did not permit them" (v. 6-7).

Acts 20 – Warning Paul of Sufferings: As Paul traveled, the Holy Spirit warned him of the difficulties awaiting him in Jerusalem. "The Holy Spirit testifies in every city saying that chains and tribulations await me" (v. 23).

Acts 20 – Appointing Elders in Ephesus: As Paul's team appointed leaders in the city, they described it as a specific ordination of the Holy Spirit, "among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the congregation" (v. 28).

In all these examples, the Holy Spirit is seen as an independent, self-thinking agent, who determined and directed the actions of the early believers. The Holy Spirit is not pictured as a neutral energy or force, but a as a person with feelings and opinions.

While the disciples believed in Yeshua as Lord, their day-to-day, immediate contact and relationship was with the Holy Spirit. Yeshua is in heaven; the Holy Spirit is here with us. Understanding and relating to the Holy Spirit in this way would require a "paradigm shift" for many believers today.

While the Holy Spirit is present everywhere, the interactions described above are of a specific presence at a specific time and place. By comparison, while there is electricity in the atmosphere at all times, when lightning appears, it strikes at a definite time and place. (The omnipresence of the Spirit does not contradict His manifest presence.)

The book of the Acts of the Apostles could also rightly be called the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The apostles saw their faith as an active cooperation with another distinct being – the Holy Spirit – who was involved with them, living in them and around them. May it be so with us!