Holy Scriptures and Israel

The seven letters of the Book of Revelation (הִתְגַּלּוּת, Hitgalut) begin with the assembly at Ephesus, and Brother Gideon Levytam shows what the Lord saw there. These believers worked hard for the Lord and were patient in their trials. For His name's sake they did not give up. They tested those who claimed to be apostles and found them liars. They hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans, men who set themselves over God's people, and the Lord hated those deeds too.

Then Gideon turns to something sad the Lord had to say: thou hast left thy first love. First love is the love a believer had on the day he first knew the Savior's grace. An assembly can hold every truth and stay busy in the Lord's work while its heart grows cold toward Him. God spoke the same way of Israel's early love in the wilderness (Jeremiah 2:2). Yet the Lord does not say lost. He says left, and what was left can be returned to. He calls them to remember where they began, to repent, and to do the first works. Every believer overcomes by faith (1 John 5:5). To the one who overcomes, He promises to eat of the tree of life in the paradise of God.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

Opening Romans chapter 11, Brother Gideon Levytam teaches that God has not cast away His people Israel. Some say God has finished with Israel and passed her blessings to the church. Paul answers, God forbid. God is true, and if He would not keep His promises to Israel, no believer could be sure of His promises to the assembly. Paul himself is the first witness. He does not say he was an Israelite, but that he is one, of the seed of Abraham and of the tribe of Benjamin. A Jewish believer belongs to the assembly, yet by descent he remains a Jew. Born again ahead of his nation, Paul is a pattern of what God will yet do for Israel.

Gideon brings a second witness, Elijah the prophet (Eliyahu HaNavi, אֵלִיָּהוּ הַנָּבִיא). Elijah made intercession against Israel and said he alone was left. God answered that He had reserved to Himself seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal (1 Kings 19:18). God's people are to be prayed for, never against. Even so, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. It is the Jewish believers within the assembly. The rest of the nation were blinded. That blindness is God's judgment, partial and temporary, until the day when all Israel shall be saved.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

The study of the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה) reaches the close of chapter 10, where Brother Gideon Levytam teaches verses 8 to 12. I will hiss for them, says the LORD. The word means to whistle, lishrok (לִשְׁרֹק) in Hebrew, as a shepherd whistles and his sheep follow his voice. I will gather them, for I have redeemed them. The same Lamb whose precious blood redeems every believer will redeem the nation of Israel. Once the LORD scattered His people in judgment. Now He will sow them among the nations for a purpose: to serve the world as a nation of priests (Isaiah 61:6). Every true believer is a priest today as well, going into the presence of God and coming out to serve.

Turning to verse 10, Gideon shows why the LORD names Egypt and Assyria. Egypt recalls how God redeemed Israel from bondage, the story rehearsed at every Passover. Assyria carried the ten northern tribes into exile, and they too will be restored. He will bring His people into Gilead and Lebanon, every portion of the land He promised, until there is not room enough for them. When He passes through the sea with affliction, the sea stands for the nations, and God will judge those that afflicted Israel. And He promises, I will strengthen them in the LORD. The One who speaks is the Messiah, Jehovah the Son, and He strengthens Israel in Jehovah the Father. They shall walk up and down in His name, a redeemed nation in the full service of God.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

Brother Gideon Levytam concludes the first chapter of the Book of Revelation (הִתְגַּלּוּת, Hitgalut) with verses 17 to 20. When John saw the glorified Messiah, he fell at His feet as dead. The Lord laid His right hand upon him and said, "Fear not; I am the first and the last." In Isaiah these are God's own words, and here the Messiah speaks them of Himself. He was dead, and behold, He is alive forevermore, never to die again. He holds the keys of hell and of death. Through His death He broke the devil's power of death and freed all who lived in fear of it (Hebrews 2:14-15). For believers, death has become a servant that ushers them into the presence of the Lord.

Gideon then turns to verse 19, where the Lord Himself gives John the division of the whole book. John is to write the things he has seen, the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. The things which are belong to the present church age, in the letters of chapters 2 and 3. In verse 20, the seven golden lampstands are the seven assemblies, called to give light in a dark world. The seven stars are their angels, malachim (מַלְאָכִים), a word that also means messengers. They are those who shepherd each assembly, held in the Lord's right hand. Each letter that follows is addressed to the angel of its assembly and calls, "He that hath an ear, let him hear."

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

Brother Gideon Levytam brings us to Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, in Leviticus 23:33-43. It is the seventh and final feast of the LORD. It was given as a feast of rejoicing, and no one could rejoice before a holy God without atonement. So blood was shed on every day of the feast. The offerings commanded in Numbers began with thirteen young bullocks and fell by one each day, seventy in all. They stood for the seventy nations descended from Noah's sons, because God had the redemption of every nation in mind. For seven days Israel dwelt in booths, sukkot (סֻכּוֹת), the word that gives the feast its name. The roof was left open to the sky, and there they remembered how God brought them out of Egypt. The booth speaks to every believer of the faithfulness of God, and of the thanks owed to Him.

Gideon teaches that Sukkot, the last of the feasts, points to the kingdom the Messiah will bring at His return. In that day, as the prophet Zechariah foretold, all the nations will go up to Jerusalem to worship the King and keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Yeshua will reign as King of kings for a thousand years. It is the kingdom He taught His disciples to pray for: "Thy kingdom come." At this feast He cried, "If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink" (John 7:37).

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In Leviticus 16, Brother Gideon Levytam draws our attention to the Day of Atonement, the sixth of the seven feasts of the LORD. One man of one tribe could enter the Holy of Holies, and only on one day of the year. Aaron came washed and in white linen. He atoned for himself before he atoned for the nation, because the high priest was a sinner like the people he represented. Two goats were set before the LORD. One was killed and its blood sprinkled before the mercy seat, the kaporet (כַּפֹּרֶת). The other carried Israel's iniquity, transgression and sin away into a land not inhabited. Atonement was made even for the holy place, because a holy God was dwelling among an unclean people.

Setting that beside the day Israel keeps now, Gideon shows what has been missing since the temple fell. There is no altar, no priesthood and no sacrifice. The fasting and the prayers remain, but not the blood that the LORD said makes atonement for the soul (Leviticus 17:11). Aaron entered once a year and secured a covering for a year. Yeshua entered once by His own blood and obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). The goat could only carry sin away from the camp. The Lamb of God takes it away altogether. Israel's own Day of Atonement awaits the day they look upon Him whom they pierced, and a fountain is opened to them for sin and for uncleanness.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

From Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6, Brother Gideon Levytam shows the significance of the Feast of Trumpets, the fifth of the seven feasts of the LORD. These feasts are appointed seasons, moadim (מוֹעֲדִים), and God calls them His own. Scripture names the first day of the seventh month Zikaron Teruah (זִכְרוֹן תְּרוּעָה), a memorial of the blowing of the trumpet. He commanded the blast and gave no reason for it. Israel later called it Rosh Hashanah (רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), the head of the year. The shofar sounded, but blood was still required. A burnt offering, a meal offering and a sin offering were commanded with it, each a picture of the greater sacrifice to come.

Drawing the calendar forward, Gideon shows that God has already kept four of these appointments. Passover was fulfilled in the Messiah's death. Unleavened Bread spoke of His sinless life. First Fruits was fulfilled in His resurrection. Shavuot saw the forming of His assembly from Jew and Gentile together. The LORD who kept those four will keep the three that remain. The reason withheld in Leviticus is the regathering of Israel, when a great trumpet shall be blown and His people are gathered one by one (Isaiah 27:12-13). Israel is in the land in part, but the nation is not yet restored to her God. For believers the same trumpet carries a nearer hope. The LORD Himself shall descend, and those who are His will be caught up to meet Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

Brother Gideon Levytam closes Romans chapter 10 with verses 14 to 21, where Paul sets out the remedy for Israel's unbelief. No one calls upon the Lord without believing on Him. No one believes without hearing. No one hears without a preacher. And no one preaches unless he is sent. Isaiah calls the feet of such messengers beautiful (Isaiah 52:7). Feet are not a lovely part of the body, yet they become beautiful when they carry the besorah (בְּשׂוֹרָה), the good tidings of peace. So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Gideon shows why the nation is not yet saved: they have not all obeyed the gospel. Paul does not say only that Israel did not believe. He says Israel did not obey. Have they not heard? They have. Creation declares the glory of God day unto day, and the word of the LORD came to Israel. No one will stand before Him without excuse. Moses foretold that God would provoke Israel to jealousy by a people who were no people, and Gentiles who sought Him not have been made His own. Israel's national regeneration is postponed to a future day, not lost. All Israel shall yet be saved. And still the LORD says of Israel, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient people. Yeshua said over Jerusalem, how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathers her brood, and ye would not (Luke 13:34). He longs still to gather them, and He will.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

Opening chapter 10 in his verse-by-verse study of the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה), Brother Gideon Levytam teaches verses 1 to 7, spoken to the remnant returned from Babylon. Ask the LORD for rain in the time of the latter rain, the malkosh (מַלְקוֹשׁ) that falls in the spring. In Israel rain stands for God's blessing, material and spiritual, on a land that drinks its water from heaven (Deuteronomy 11:14). The idols and the diviners comfort in vain; Israel wandered as a flock with no shepherd. The LORD's anger burned against the false shepherds who led His people astray. But the LORD of hosts visits His flock, the house of Judah.

Drawing the contrast, Gideon shows the true Shepherd in verse 4, where four times it says: out of Him. Out of Him comes the cornerstone, the sure foundation on which Israel and the church alike are built (Isaiah 28:16). Out of Him the nail, the peg on which everything hangs. Out of Him the battle bow, and out of Him every oppressor is defeated. This is the Messiah, the King of chapter 9 who came in humility. Israel will be healed through Him, and will be victorious because the LORD is with them. The LORD promises: I will strengthen the house of Judah; I will save the house of Joseph; I will bring them again, for I have mercy upon them. The ten tribes are not lost. They shall be as though He had not cast them off, and their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

The study of the Book of Revelation (הִתְגַּלּוּת, Hitgalut) reaches chapter 1:9-16, where Brother Gideon Levytam brings us to the apostle John on the island of Patmos. John did not go there for a vacation. The emperor Domitian had banished him as a prisoner for the word of God and the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah. John calls himself a brother and companion in tribulation. He means the opposition believers meet for their testimony, not the great tribulation to come (John 16:33). The emperor meant to silence him. Instead the LORD met him there and gave him the Revelation. In the Spirit John heard a voice behind him, loud as a shofar.

Gideon shows what John saw when he turned. Seven golden lampstands stood before him. They are the seven assemblies of Asia Minor, each called to give light to those around it. In the midst was one like the Son of Man, Ben ha-Adam (בֶּן הָאָדָם), the person Daniel saw some six hundred years earlier (Daniel 7:13). This is the glorified Messiah, a King in the role of a judge. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and nothing in the life of His people is hidden from Him. Out of His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, the truth of God's word. He stands in the midst and knows the spiritual condition of every assembly, in every country and century. God can use His own anywhere, even on a prison island. Believers are called to give light in a dark world.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.