September 17, 2005

Subject: Re: Tzemach News Service Message

Name: Jonathan M. Murray

Message: Dear Friends @ Tzemach:

While I share many of the same viewpoint regarding Biblical Redemption through the Jewish nation, I also see some troubling movement to more Jewishness and less Christ-likeness. For instance in your article about Rabbi Katuri it was not mentioned that he is a leading Kabbalist (Jewish Mystic) and your strong bond with the "Temple Mount Faithful Movement" headed by Gershon Solomon who think the Messianic Jews are the ones delaying the coming of the Messiah. The first coming to some Jews. My point of difference with the TMF is the idea of a Temple necessary for the return of Christ who is the true and only cornerstone. Any Physical Temple built is not for Christ who abhors sacrifice and what then does the temple serve? Are we afraid to use the name of Jesus Christ? Must we call him The Great King, the Messiah who are we trying to win favor with? I thought Tzemach stood for a Branch from our Hebrew Roots to Christ. Please correct me where I am in error?

Yours in his Kingdom,

Jonathan

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This is the news report to which he was responding:

HTTP_REFERER: Week ending September 17, 2005

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Dear Jonathan Murray,

Thank you for your correspondence and inquiry.

You have brought up a number of points, which I will attempt to address, but most of them require much deeper study. Invariably our responses are seen as "our opinion." We strongly recommend our two-year bible course where students see a “whole-bible” perspective and not just “our opinion.” There is no fee for the course work. For more information please see: http://www.tzemach.org/who.htm

I will begin with addressing who we are. Although we are “Messianic” from the perspective that we follow the teachings of Jesus, (Yeshuah, or Yahoshuah) our Messiah, we are not a part of the “Messianic” denomination. From what you have stated in your email you appear to be Messianic, since you appear to be offended by Gershon Salomon, yet you used the word “Christ,” which we do not use, and also in general most “Messianic” believers would not use either. We are a body of true believers who have received personal revelation from the Lord, both individually and as a body. We have found great error in a large portion of at least 1700 years of Christian doctrine and, as a result, we have diligently pursued truth. Biblically, we are all instructed to “let a thing be established in multiple witnesses, through Yeshuah (Matthew 18:15,16), Moses (Deuteronomy 17:6, also 19:15), and through the Father, since he confirmed His covenant with the “seed,” or offspring of the three patriarchs, i.e. Israel. We have, therefore, chosen to discard all doctrinal teachings that cannot be confirmed through three scriptural witnesses. We are especially amazed when we encounter people who are Jewish by blood, have received the revelation of Jesus (or Yeshuah) from God, and then turn around, discard all of their faith-upbringing, and embrace all of the doctrinal teachings of modern Christianity, regardless of the fact that one of the first things we find Yeshuah saying is “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law (Torah) or the Prophets (Haftorah); I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished.” (Matthew 5:17-18)

If we have a Jewish identity it is only because of the Messiah in the midst of us. We are “betrothed” to the King of the Jews. What is the pursuit of a world religion in comparison? We are not concerned about offending people with truth (which is clearly evidenced throughout our web site), yet understand that if you offend a person when they first meet you, you have effectively cut off any opportunity to communicate any further witness. Not mentioning that Rabbi Katuri is a Kabbalist is simply not information that was communicated to me through our news sources. Still that has nothing to do with “Messiah identity.”

Gershon Salomon, who openly confesses a personal revelation from “the Word of the Lord” while lying nearly dead on the battle field, sees those who call themselves “Messianic” basically working in opposition to the job the Lord gave him to accomplish. If I were Jewish I know how that would make me feel toward them.

You are correct that a physical temple does not need to be built, but for the people of Israel it is very important to be faithful to God and His directives to them. King David, when first made king, deliberately went to Jerusalem and delivered the city from the hands of the enemy before meeting the Philistines on the battlefront to the west. He understood that if Jerusalem was delivered, the rest would fall at his feet. The mountain (Zion, Moriah) needs to be cleansed from all pagan shrines to prepare the way of the Lord (the coming of Jesus).

I was also taught that “Christ” abhors sacrifice, and was therefore shocked to my foundation to read Ezekiel 46. Ezekiel 40-48 is prophetic of the millennial reign of the Messiah, and although it is sometimes difficult to identify when Ezekiel is speaking spiritually and when he is speaking physically, either way the Prince (Jesus) is receiving sacrifices ... in the age to come! If Jesus abhors sacrifice, why would the apostle Paul make an animal sacrifice some thirty years after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus? (Acts 21:26)

We are not afraid to use the name of Jesus, Yeshuah, Yahoshuah, but during World War II many Jews were sent to their deaths and the last thing they read, inscribed in the floor as they entered the chambers was “You killed my Jesus, now I kill you.” If they are seeking God (and why would they come to our site if they are not) we should not present a “stumbling block” to them. They know who we are. “Jesus” is all over our web site. He never forced himself onto anyone.

The Hebrew word “Tzemach” literally translates “Branch.” Jeremiah uses it prophetically where he says,

"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD.
When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch (Tzemach);
And He will reign as King and act wisely
And do justice and righteousness in the land.
"In His days Judah will be saved,
And Israel will dwell securely;
And this is His name by which He will be called,
The LORD our righteousness.' (Jeremiah 23:5-6)