The Missionaries are Coming!!!

This newspaper was born out of necessity. We, as a Messianic community in Arad, realized, following several incidents, that the general public holds a number of misconceptions with regard to the Christian faith in general and to our congregation in particular. And this, we would like to mend. So, with great humility, we present to you the first issue of The Messianic newspaper. We hope we can refute some prejudices that concern us and clarify who we really are.

Why do we even bother to spread our faith in public? Why do we give out books, risking “aggravating the orthodox” that lead to threats and even violent acts against us? Why do we try to convince others that what we preach is right? Why aren’t we satisfied with “live and let live”?

Well, the answer is quite simple.
When Yeshua was asked which is the greatest commandment of the law, He answered: “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.” Well, if you saw your friend who was about to drink poison, wouldn’t you stop him? If your neighbour was dying from an illness which you had the cure for, wouldn’t you give it to her? We, who know that there is no other way to be saved but by believing that Yeshua is the son of God, and that He died for us, to atone for our sins, and that he who does not receive the gift of salvation condemns his soul to eternal damnation. Isn’t it our duty to warn our brothers and sisters? We, who were commanded to love our neighbours, how can we stand aside while our beloved brothers and sisters are in danger?

And it is true that throughout history the people of Israel suffered great persecutions, were tortured and massacred, and all by the hands of people who called themselves “Christians”. But, know that not everyone who calls himself a Christian is indeed one. Yeshua was born a Jew, lived as a Jew, and was crucified with the statement “King of the Jews” written above His head. He was sent to save the Jewish people first as was foretold by the prophets of ancient times. Any man who claims otherwise is making a terrible mistake. Any man who uses the name of Christianity to harm others is not a true believer.

The time has come to stop using the events of the past as an excuse to reject the Messianic faith out of hand.

At times like these, when violence is spreading out like a pestilence, and the spiritual darkness is deepening. At the last minute before midnight, which is the minute before the darkest hour of the day. It is time to open your eyes and your hearts and to return to the Lord. Reclaim your Messiah from the gentiles. Yeshua the Messiah from Nazerath, who was born in Bethlehem Ephratha. As was promised to the people of Israel, and as was kept by God, who loves us so much that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Presented with love. “A Minute to Midnight” editorial board