August 2022 CMNZ/PFI Newsletter

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The High Holy Days

By Chris Nel

By this time of the year the Spring Feasts of Passover, First Fruits, Unleavened Bread, and Pentecost lie behind us. In Israel, the long, hot, dry days of summer have run their course, giving way to autumn, and ushering in the time of the Autumn Feasts.

While we will be enjoying the new life that spring brings here in the Southern hemisphere, the first two of the Autumn Feasts in Israel are about to begin. The biblical feasts are called Moedim (מועדים) in Hebrew (fixed appointments). They are often remembrances of important times in Israel’s history. Furthermore, God says that these feasts are to be Holy Convocations (Mikra’ei Kodesh), meaning a holy dress rehearsal for future events. So, what is the purpose of these God anointed appointments? To stop – and remember God’s goodness and provision in the past as we look forward to future prophetic fulfilments of His awesome promises. Just as the Spring Feasts have already found their fulfilment in the Messiah’s first coming, so, the Fall feasts are about to be fulfilled with the promised second coming of Israel’s Messiah.

The first two of the Autumn Feasts starting late in September this year, Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur are known as the High Holy Days. In Jewish tradition the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) is called Rosh Hashanah, meaning the start of the new year, though biblically the Hebrew New Year starts two weeks before Passover (Israel’s spring). Yom Teruah starts on the first of Tishrei, the seventh month, (Israel’s autumn), and is commenced with the sighting of the new moon. At face value the reason for this feast is not clear. All Israel is commanded to do, is to blow trumpets. It is when we start to look at the reason for, and significance of trumpets in the Scriptures that we begin to understand the reason God commanded this feast.

Throughout biblical history, trumpets were used for many purposes. On the one hand it was a joyful sound to announce the coming of the bridegroom at a wedding, to announce the arrival of the king of Israel, or a call to worship. On the other hand, it was a call to repent, a call to war or the arrival of an enemy. The trumpets that will announce future times are manifold and will elicit one of two responses: For those of us who know and love Him and look forward to His return, this will be a sound that brings tears of joy – but to those who do not know Him, who have mocked Him and believed themselves to be impervious to judgement, the same sound will bring terror as Rev 1:7 states: “Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of Him.”  The annual observance of this feast day brings attention to our disposition before God, and how we will respond to end time events. 

The Feast of Trumpets, celebrated on the 1st of Tishrei, marks the start of the “10 days of Awe”. This is a time of heart-searching for the Jewish people. During this time, they greet each other with the words “May your name be written in the good book”, meaning; may your name be written in the Book of Life. Prophetically these ten days point to the time of The Great Tribulation, explained more in detail in the book of Revelation. The main purpose of the Ten Days of Awe is to bring the whole nation of Israel to repentance and faith in their Messiah. 

The 10 days of Awe culminate in Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement, which is the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. This is the one day of the year, on the tenth day of Tishrei, when the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies, the most sacred area of the Temple. On this day God would evaluate the nation of Israel. Therefore the Jewish people refer to Yom Kippur as the day of judgement. The High Priest would offer atonement for himself and for the entire nation. Prophetically this Day of Atonement points to the second coming of Yeshua at the end of the Tribulation period, when He will come to judge.  

Therefore, in the future when the trumpet will be blowing, it will be a wonderful sound for those who put their faith in Yeshua, and a terrible sound for those who hardened their hearts and rejected the Saviour’s perfect Atonement on the cross.

Why Biblical Prophecy is so Important

By Zohar Gonen

During winter much of the ministry of Celebrate Messiah NZ is devoted to the teaching ministry to believers around New Zealand. Very often I find myself teaching on prophecies, especially prophecies related to End Times. 

I’ve noticed that most churches avoid biblical prophecy altogether, while the ones that do address it, devote very little time to teaching this from the pulpits. The reasons for avoiding eschatology (the study of End Times) may vary. Some pastors just don’t know enough about this topic to present it in a confident way. Others just don’t see a good reason to engage in such a controversial subject. They speculate that understanding prophecy isn’t necessary, not a salvation issue.  So why even bother?

Over a third of our Bible is, in fact, prophecy, and there is good reason for it. Sometimes it is difficult to see the relevance of the preaching from the pulpit to what we hear on the news, or to discern where the current trends of our society are leading to.

Thus, avoiding the subject of biblical prophecy can leave many in the church, especially young people, largely complacent and unconcerned even though society looks more and more like the days of Noah.

We can compare this to a young man that is on a very important journey but is missing a roadmap or an itinerary for his trip. He may eventually arrive at his destination, but with great hardship and a sense of disorientation along the way. 

In the same way, as true believers, we do have the guarantee of arrival to our eternal destination, Heaven. However, without the roadmap of where things are heading on the biblical timeline of world events, even with a passionate desire to continue on our journey of faith, discouragement can easily set in. 

Therefore, we must study biblical prophecy, or we would fail to see the past, present and future happenings on the earth through the lens of the Bible.

Consider for a moment the younger generation, who often seek to make sense of life. They desire to have answers to what they see and hear in this world. If they won’t find the answers in the framework of their church,  they will likely seek it elsewhere.

 It is for these reasons that it is so important to have balanced teaching within our churches and home groups, consisting of the full counsel of God, spanning the entire breadth of Scripture, which is incomplete without the inclusion of end time prophecy.

Israel & God’s End-time Prophetic & Redemptive Purposes

In Romans 11:1, Paul asks and answers a significant question concerning Israel. He asks: “has God rejected His people?” He then answers “By no means!” He adds to this in verse 2 stating: “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” The rest of Romans 11 expands on this truth.

Bible prophecy, in both Testaments, speaks about Israel in the last days being a nation again and in disputed possession of the land that God gave them by an everlasting, unconditional covenant. The fact that Israel is strategic to so much of what is happening in world affairs today is a fulfilment of Bible prophecy.

 In the Church however, there are those who still hold to the conviction that God has rejected Israel and that God has replaced Israel with the Church. There seems also to be an increasing number of Church leaders and congregants who are wondering why there is a growing interest in the Church about Israel and her place in God’s plans and purposes, especially in these last days.

SIMCHA 2022 will look at

  • Israel and the last days as detailed in Scripture
  • why we should take note of the approx. 30% of Scripture that is Bible prophecy
  • the importance of the Hebraic perspective on interpreting Scripture, on truth and on understanding Bible prophecy
  • the lateness and the urgency of the hour and the importance of God’s people being like the sons of Issachar (1 Chronicles 12:32)
  • Israel and the Church in Romans 9-11
  • and more…

 Our sincere desire with these meetings is that those who gather will not just be those who already have some understanding of Israel’s place in God’s prophetic and redemptive purposes but that Church leaders and congregants who are questioning and asking would also be drawn by the Holy Spirit. 

 Please be encouraged to invite your Church leaders and others in your congregation and pray that the Holy Spirit will draw them. 

SAVE THE DATE: 

8 OCTOBER—Christchurch

9 OCTOBER—Nelson

5 NOVEMBER—Palmerston North 

6 NOVEMBER —Auckland 

Prayer For Israel Annual Retreat Report

By Michael Thomas (Director Prayer for Israel NZ)

“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” (Matt 8:26)
Back in February, when I first got the idea of having a 2022 Prayer for Israel NZ Retreat, I was afraid, very afraid in fact. As I’ve never led such an event, I felt under qualified. I was somewhat concerned that Prayer for Israel NZ (PFI NZ) had run its course. 

But that myth evaporated like the morning mist when I saw how the conference came together and all the right speakers, equipment and resources appeared at just the right time. I must acknowledge the very hard work of several people, especially Ailene Davies regarding how things came together. Yet there were things that far outshined all of our best laid plans. I can only attribute the true success of this retreat to God Himself. I believe strongly, stronger now than ever, that God’s purpose and commission of PFI NZ is still very much alive. I was so glad to experience it first-hand.

Approximately 80 people showed up for the conference, some of whom didn’t know about PFI NZ even 24 hours before the event started. Yet, God pulled together men and women from different churches and walks of life. All had one thing in common, God laid Israel upon their hearts. I was glad to see so many men at the conference. I am grateful for the women of prayer, but I was asking God for genuine, solid men. And God answered. 

I’d like to thank the different speakers: Zohar Gonen, Hon. Alfred Ngaro, Murray Dixon, and Joanna Moss. And I’d also like to thank my wife, Teresa Thomas, who did an amazing job with the music and worship times. And finally, I’d like to thank all who came and gave the event such full support.  

During our closing session, I asked men to stand before God and ask how they could be used of Him to further God’s purpose and calling of PFI NZ.  As a mission-oriented part of the Body of Christ, the members of this body have unique giftings and callings. I asked everyone present to think of how to grow this ministry. As we discovered during this retreat, God loves to answer our prayers. I’m asking all of us to pray and ask Him how to make this
ministry more effective for His purposes. Please, let us know what he’s telling you! 

Blessings b’Shem Yeshua! (In the Name of Jesus!),

Our 2022-2023 Messianic Art Calendar is now available

With the Jewish New Year right around the corner, Jewish people worldwide will soon be greeting one another with l’shana tova! (Happy New Year) and giving art calendars as gifts. It’s a lovely tradition, which is why we at Celebrate Messiah NZ are pleased to offer our Messianic art calendars at the onset of each new year.

Our 13-month Messianic art calendar “Messiah Revealed” (September 2022 – September 2023) features images of the Holy Land and includes Western and Hebrew dates, and Jewish and New Zealand holidays.

Each month of this calendar points to a prophecy concerning the person and work of Messiah as found in the Hebrew scriptures. As you view these beautiful photographs of the Land, where Jesus spent His entire life on earth and will return to reign as King, we hope you get to know Jesus the Messiah better than ever before.

This calendar makes a great gift for a friend or even a meaningful gift for yourself to put on your own wall. Order yours today. $20.00 each (plus $4.30 postage) contact [email protected] or phone 027 273 4446

PFI Prayer Focus

Prayer group

By Michael Thomas, PFI Director

Pray for the salvation for the people of Israel

  • Pray for openness to the Gospel and for situations that lead to that openness

Pray for Israel-related ministries

  • Pray for boldness, provision, and fruit for ministries that aim to bless Israel

Pray for issues in the land of Israel

  • Pray for the concerns of Israel’s government, the people in the land, and among the Jewish people worldwide.

Pray for pastors and churches in New Zealand

  • Pray that NZ pastors and churches would obtain a clear understanding of Israel's role in God's redemptive purposes, and be bold in standing for Israel in these days of increased anti-Semitism.

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