©April 4, 2010 Asher Intrater
Last Monday at 7:55 AM, a female suicide bomber blew herself up in the Lubyanka station of the Moscow metro. At 8:30 another suicide bomber blew herself up in the Culture Park station. In all 39 were murdered, and 100 hospitalized.
Most media reports described the terrorists as Chechnyan rebels. That is true, yet not true. In the 1990's the Chechnyan nationalist movement was taken over by Muslim extremists. The "politically correct" journalists are trying to downplay the fact that this terrorist attack was less "nationalist" and more "jihadist" and "Islamic."
Dimitri Prokopev (reporting for Maariv) wrote that the Chechnyan Jihadists have become exporters of terror throughout central Asia. Ninety percent of Chechnyan terror is being directed not to Moscow, but to Dagestan, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkariah, and within Chechnya itself. Their goal is to set up an Islamic Emirate.
Doko Omarov, the leader of this terror ring and known as the Bin Laden of Chechnya, published a video clip the day after the bombing, stating, "On March 29 two special operations were performed in order to wipe out the infidels." Another of their leaders, Sayid Maburiatiah, wrote recently, "The days have passed in which we are fighting for the word, 'freedom.' Now we are fighting for Allah."
Russian President Medyevdev declared that Russia will "wage all out war against the terrorists until every last one is destroyed." Prime Minister Putin was less polite. (Note: Comparing the international pressure on Israel, perhaps we should propose to Russia to stop building homes in the Moscow suburbs, and to make peace by "painful" concessions to terrorist demands.)
Passover in Jerusalem
On the Sabbath before Passover, we preach on the crucifixion of Yeshua (Jesus), and on the Sabbath right after Passover we preach on the resurrection. I feel the joy in the heart of God to know that after 2,000 years, Messiah is again being proclaimed in Jerusalem, in Hebrew, in the anointing of the Holy Spirit, from Jews to fellow Jews.
Acts 2:14
Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice and spoke to them: "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen to my words."
Acts 4:33
The apostles gave witness in great power about the resurrection of the Lord Yeshua, and great grace was on all the people.
Our people are more open to the good news of eternal life than ever before. The witness of Yeshua's death and resurrection is being shared throughout Israel with love and truth.
Resurrection Service
On Saturday afternoon, we gathered for the joint Resurrection service at the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem. Several hundred were in attendance, including international guests, Arab Christians, and Messianic Jews. The service was led by Arab Christiansfrom the Jerusalem area.
We celebrated the resurrection of Yeshua while standing in front of the open tomb. (We don't know for sure if this is the exact location, but it is the most probable one according to research. The ancient stone tomb with the open door is strikingly similar to the description in the New Covenant scriptures.)
Most of the worship and sharing was in Arabic. Chaim W. led us in a praise song in Hebrew and Oded S. taught some scriptures in Hebrew. The fellowship was real, honest, and loving. Even though Palestinian Arab Christians and Israeli Messianic Jews often have opposing opinions on political issues, we put those differences aside to celebrate our unity in Spirit and faith.
Passover and the Song of Solomon
Rabbinic tradition holds that Solomon wrote the Song of Songs during Passover. Because of that, the Song of Songs is read aloud in synagogues in Israel throughout the Passover season.
Medieval Bible expositor, Rashi, quotes the predominant Jewish view that the Song of Solomon is referring to the love between God and the people of Israel. This view is parallel to the historic Christian interpretation that the Song of Solomon refers to the love between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:32). So who is correct?
The Hebraic concept of "Kehilah" would include both the Jewish idea of Israel and the Christian idea of the Church. The international Church and the remnant of Israel are two "overlapping" camps. They are parallel and united, but distinctive.
The Body of Messiah can be seen as two camps, or as a double camp.
Song of Songs 6:13
What do you see in the Shulamite? She is like the dance of the double camp.
Yeshua loves both Israel and the Church. He has great desire for both. When we put those two together, His love is so passionate, that it can only be compared to the passionate love of a man for his bride. Can you feel it?
Song of Songs 7:10
I am my beloved's and His desire is for me.
Today a true spiritual bride is in love and purity. We have love for Yeshua in worship and adoration. It is a spiritual version of a bride's love for her groom. There is beauty and pleasure in our submission to His Lordship
Isaiah 33:17 – Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is far off.
Another theme of the Song of Solomon is the Land. The love of the bride and groom; and the love of Messiah, the Church, and Israel are both compared to natural aspects of Israeli landscape and wildlife. While foreign to most Christians, the passionate love for the land of Israel is well-known in both Jewish and Zionist thought.
The people of Israel are described in the Bible as being "married" to the land of Israel. (Isaiah 62:4 – Nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you will be called Desirable and your land Married; For the Lord delights in you and your land shall be married.) The Song of Solomon speaks of the love of a man and woman, of Christ and the Church, and compares both to the land of Israel.
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