Haifa Israel
January 15, 2010
We live in a modern age world. Technology increases at a much higher rate as each year goes by, much like a snowball rolling down a mountain. As each year goes by we see the new “gadgets” that are released ultimately knitting us all closer together and making the world a much smaller place. With today’s mobile phones, PDA’s and ever decreasing in size laptop computers we can access information and contact others at the push of a button or with a gentle swift of a finger across your touch screen device. The prophet Daniel foretold us of what would happen in the end times - Dan 12:4 "But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (NKJ).
Yeshua tells us that the sons of darkness are more cunning than the sons of light - Luke 16:8 "... For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light” (NKJ), and that we are to be as wise as serpents, yet as harmless as doves since we are sent into the midst of wolves (who are cunning animals) - Matt 10:16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (NKJ).
Shaul (Paul) also tells us to be wise and to redeem the time - Eph 5:15-16 “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” And again in Col 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. (NKJ)
Anyone who looks at the world today and sees where it is going (that is, while it is still going!). We see that everything is headed towards global interaction via the internet. With such internet sites as ‘You Tube’ and ‘Facebook’ the ability to reach people with any kind of message is easy, quick, free (or it costs next to nothing), unlimited – as apposed to TV, radio or papers that are confined to countries or continents - and highly accessible as stated in the previous paragraph. With search engines such as ‘Google’ thousands and millions of results pop up in front of you in the time-frame of a tenth of a second.
According to comscore.com, the global leading company in measuring the digital world, the average Israeli spends more time on the internet than any other people group in the world, spending 57.5 hours online during the month – twice as much time compared to the average person in the U.S, which did not rank in the top 15 countries. The second nation in the list is Finland with 49.3 hours per month. See the following link for more info: http://www.comscore.com/Press_Events/Press_Releases/2006/05/comScore_Launches_World_Metrix
Now, you are probably asking yourself why I am sharing all this “wonderful” information with you? Here in Israel there are a number of young believers that have it on their hearts to use these mediums of communication to share the gospel with our lost nation. There are currently numerous websites on the internet in Hebrew that carry the salvation message in the form of filmed and written testimonies of Israelis that have come to know Yeshua as their Messiah, teachings of who the Messiah is according to the Tanach (Hebrew scriptures or “Old Testament”) and how Yeshua fulfilled them, articles regarding many different issues that are unique for a Jew living in Israel or abroad that have to do with the Bible and the gospel message, and many more. These website have been launched in the past few years and together have had hundreds of thousands of views.
Most of these websites have materials such as New Testaments, complete Bibles and other materials, all in Hebrew, available to anyone by simply requesting them via the website. These sites also have an open channel for communication where individuals can ask questions and make contact with believers. These email exchanges then turn into phone conversations and later into personal meetings and invitations to home groups and congregational meetings.
One of the most obvious advantages of operating such sites in Hebrew is the easy accessibility to those who otherwise would not be able to get a hold of such information or teachings such as religious Jews or others who wish to remain anonymous and those who are interested in hearing of Yeshua but do not know where to turn to. This is the case also in Muslim countries where it is illegal to share the gospel.
It is important for me to state that these sites are a mere tool to reach people. Nothing can substitute a conversation with a person face to face that includes prayer and teaching from the living word, and this we intend to continue. However, when it comes to handing out material or distributing fliers in order to place material in peoples hands the internet and electronic media has a clear advantage. Also, evangelism based on personal relationships is clearly more intimate than anything else but most people in Israel do not really know anything about Messianic believers let alone have a close relationship with one, but these sites create an opportunity for those who don’t.
The enemy has been using the mass media to slowly and covertly embed his lies in the minds and lives of the entire world. The internet is also being used as a tool of unrighteousness to spread false faiths, evil doctrines and everything apposed to the word of God. So why can’t we take that same tool or vessel that the enemy has been using for his purposes and use it to further the kingdom of God on earth by revealing truth and light to those who are in darkness? We can, and we are thanks to God’s grace.
One site that I, along with another young Messianic believer named Elia, are working on is called "Medabrim" which means "talking" in Hebrew. This site is a base for Israeli believers to share their testimonies of how they came to know Yeshua as their Messiah with our people. The sites URL is www.medabrim.org.il Although the site is entirely in Hebrew I encourage you to have a look at the testimonies (usually you can translate sites if you have Google Toolbar) and share the site with non believing Israelis that you may come across and have a chance to share the gospel with – that's what it is running for. They can get in touch with us via the website if they have any questions or want to meet.
My main purpose for writing and sharing this with you is for you to lift up this area of evangelism in prayer. Many, many seeds are being sown each day as people visit these sites and hear Yeshua proclaimed in Hebrew by Israelis. Even if people are completely against Yeshua, it is enough for His name to be mentioned for a seed to be sown and for the Spirit to work. As we read in the word some sow and others reap. We must all sow constantly and seek to reap where the Lord opens the door. The Lord works in mysterious ways that are high above ours, Hallelujah! For more info on these websites in general you can go to: www.oneforisrael.org
The Lord bless you as you bless Israel by standing in defense of her right to exist on the land given to the Jewish people by the God of Israel. Lets pray that Israel will turn back to their God. Do not be silent, but share this with your fellow Christians, share it with your pastors, and with anyone you have a chance to speak to. Lets also pray for that breakthrough to the Muslims, and please remember to pray for all of the soldiers in the IDF -they are defending and fighting for the Kingdom of God.