Yeshua called his followers to radical discipleship—a life lived entirely for the coming kingdom. His teachings equip us for the suffering and hardship we are destined to experience as we await that kingdom. For those from relatively affluent societies, this first-century Jewish model might seem archaic, but Yeshua’s apocalyptic worldview is still a foundational component of our faith. Bill Scofield joins us to talk about his church in Redding, California, which he planted with discipleship as its sole focus. Bill will be speaking at Tzadi Advance, an event for young adults aged 18–35, from January 2–6, 2025, in Fountain Run, KY.

– Chapters –

(00:00) Introduction to Bill Scofield and his ministry.
(03:00) Discipleship: The Core of Bill’s Vision.
(07:28) Understanding Discipleship: A First-Century Perspective.
(12:28) Preparing for Trials: The Two Foundations Parable.
(22:34) Love Leads to Obedience and Sometimes Visa Versa.
(25:29) Treasures in Heaven: The Heart of Generosity.
(28:30) Continuing in Grace: Stewardship vs. Appreciation.
(37:57) The Cost of Discipleship: A Call to Radical Commitment.
(48:24) Invitation to Tzadi Advance: Worth It.

– Episode Resources –

Bill Scofield on X

The Apocalyptic Gospel Podcast:

Gospel Training Community

Tzadi Advance

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Why did the church break away from Judaism? Why did a small group of followers of a first-century rabbi start a new religion that was different from his? This fall, as a new biblical year begins, First Fruits of Zion’s Torah Club small-group Bible study program embarks on a new journey. It’s called The Sent Ones: Acts of the Jewish Apostles. The Sent Ones will take students through the book of Acts and beyond, exploring and explaining the great divorce between Judaism and Christianity. Our guest for this episode, First Fruits of Zion’s Director of Education, Daniel Thomas Lancaster, will explain what this Bible study is about and why this knowledge is so critical for us today.

–  Resources –

Torah Club

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Messiah Podcast goes on location to scenic southern Michigan, where First Fruits of Zion now holds our premiere summer camp known as Camp Tzadi. Camp Tzadi provides a fun and meaningful summer experience for Messianic Jewish and Gentile teens, providing a space for rich spiritual encouragement and needed social connections with others of like mind. With microphone in hand, Jacob Fronczak roamed the grounds of an action-packed day at camp to talk with First Fruits of Zion’s Founder and Director, Boaz Michael, camp counselors, support staff, our primary camp teacher, Aaron Eby, and finally, some of the campers themselves, all on location in scenic southern Michigan. It has been only seven years since the first Camp Tzadi, but it has become a legendary experience and a real lifeline for the kids in our community. 

– Chapters – 

(00:00) Jacob Fronczak goes on location. 
(03:04) Camp Tzadi is making Messianic teens into disciples. 
(06:07) Camp creates strong leaders, families, and community. 
(09:55) Camper-turned-counselor wants others to have the same life-enriching experience. 
(12:32) Camp Tzadi is a community for isolated Messianic teens. 
(15:11) Moving through the ranks from camper to division leader. 
(16:11) What fun things go on at camp? 
(17:31) Building life-long relationships at camp. 
(20:46) Messianic Jewish prayer life at camp. 
(24:00) Spiritual growth through camp teachings from 2 Peter 1. 
(38:30) What the campers have to say. 
(46:01) What kind of campers would benefit from attending camp? 

–  Resources – 

Camp Tzadi

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Every year, on the ninth day of the Jewish month of Av, the Jewish people mourn the loss of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, along with a host of other tragedies that occurred on that same day throughout its history. Why would getting one step closer to its rebuilding instigate a war between Hamas and Israel? What is so important about this ancient building that would prompt a Gentile Christian from Texas to devote his life’s work to researching and teaching the world about the Temple? Joseph Good is a pioneer in the modern Messianic movement and one of the world’s leading experts on the Holy Temple. If you have ever wondered why the Torah would devote such extensive space to describing the building of the Tabernacle and what prompted David and Solomon to build a Temple and the Babylonian exiles to rebuild it, this episode is for you. 

– Chapters –

(0:00) Introducing Joseph Good, leading expert on the Temple. 
(1:58) A debut on Christian Television.
(5:34) Passover Seder research sparked a lifetime of study.
(14:43) How a 1967 paratrooper started the Temple Institute.
(17:52) A Gentile’s contributions to Jerusalem Temple research. 
(20:15) Current status of rebuilding the Temple.
(24:58) Why is the location of the Temple important?
(35:15) Why would a red bovine prompt Hamas to attack Israel?38:16 What are we missing by the absence of a Temple?
(42:17) Why would a Christian want to see the Temple rebuilt?
(47:02) The key to understanding end-times prophecy 

–  Resources –

Sacrifices from a Messianic Jewish Perspective

Jerusalem Temple Study

Second Temple App

Hatikva Ministries

Joseph Good on Youtube

Rosh HaShanah and the Messianic Kingdom to Come

Measure the Pattern

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

What happens after we die? Thousands of people have reported near-death experiences—brushes with death in which they encounter God, Jesus, angels, and departed family members—and have come back to tell us what awaits us on the other side. After Heidi Barr’s own near-death experience (NDE) she became a hospice nurse. She joins us today to share what it’s like to pass on and stories of her encounters with the afterlife. 

– Chapters –

(00:00) A Near Death Experience (NDE). 
(12:11) Jewish Heritage and upbringing
(14:35) Midwifing people into the next life.
(18:39) Becoming a Jew who believes in Jesus.
(24:13) Jewish rituals surrounding death. 
(26:51) Interactions with the other side before death.
(29:58) Is an NDE just neuron’s firing? 
(32:18) More real than real.
(35:48) Near Death Experiences that are traumatic.
(39:48) The mercies of God in the last moments of life.
(42:54) A productive mindset around death. 
(48:04) Terminal Lucidity.
(52:25) Human suffering and free will. 

–  Resources –

What I Saw in Heaven: 
The Incredible True Story of the Day I Died, Met Jesus, and Returned to Life a New Person 

Torah Club

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Messianic Judaism is a prophetic movement of the Holy Spirit. Jews and Gentiles are recovering a Jewish reading of the New Testament and a body of Messiah that has room for both Jews and Gentiles to live out their respective roles and callings. The Hebrew Roots movement is something different. On this episode of Messiah Podcast, Daniel Thomas Lancaster (Education Director for First Fruits of Zion) and Jeremiah Michael (Education Director of the Bram Center for Messianic Jewish Learning in Jerusalem) join us to help us sort through the differences between these two streams of thought and how to steer clear of the many dangers that litter this ancient path.

– Chapters –

(00:00) Introductions
(02:23) What is Messianic Judaism and what are some traits of Hebrew Roots?
(09:52) Messianic Judaism does not pronounce the Sacred Name of God aloud.
(16:22) Jesus’ Hebrew name is not “Yahshua.”
(19:35) How should the biblical calendar be calculated?
(25:58) Are Davidic dancing, circle dances, and banners part of Messianic Judaism?
(30:24) One Law: Can Gentiles wear tzitzit in Messianic Judaism?
(35:00) Gentiles and Sabbath observance.
(39:40) Hebrew Roots regards many elements of Christianity to be idolatry rooted in paganism.
(46:16) Who are the ten lost tribes? Two House and British Israelites theories.
(55:12) When should the shofar be blown?
(1:00:19) A word of encouragement for a brighter future.

–  Resources –

HaYesod: The Foundation: The Land, the People, and the Scriptures of Israel

Why Christians Misunderstand Hebrews, Messiah Podcast Episode 51

The Sabbath Breaker, by Daniel Thomas Lancaster

From Sabbath to Sabbath, by Daniel Thomas Lancaster

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

Civil rights leaders in the black community have long been divided on their stance toward the existence of Israel. Some see the black struggle for civil rights as analogous to the Palestinian cause, while others, including Dr. King, were staunch allies of Israel, seeing the plight and eventual victory of the Jewish people as a model for the black community. Our guest today is the founder and CEO of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel, Pastor Dumisani Washington. In his book, Zionism and the Black Church, he explains why Israel is a defining issue for Christians of color.

– Chapters –

(00:00) Introduction to Dumisani Washington.
(02:20) Overview of the Institute for Black Solidarity with Israel.
(04:44) How Dumisani’s connection to Israel began as a young child.
(08:24) Black American spirituals flourish in the stories of Israel’s history.
(13:54) Zionism vs. Black Hebrew Israelites.
(20:24) Working for Christians United for Israel.
(24:27) Reasons for authoring Zionism and the Black Church.
(27:49) Misuse of the term “apartheid” in reference to Israel.
(32:49) What is Zionism as it relates to the Black church?
(39:35) Forms of Zionism and the impact on civil rights.
(47:08) How the Black relationship with the Jewish People was hijacked.
(53:10) The Durban conference that launched the modern BDS movement.
(59:13) What can be done by the Black church to combat anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism?

–  Resources –

Zionism and the Black Church

Institute for Black Solidarity With Israel

Christians United for Israel

Tent of David, By Boaz Michael

"Soon and Very Soon" - Andrae Crouch"Go Down, Moses" - Fats Waller
"Down By the Riverside" - Mahalia Jackson

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

From before the beginning of time, God planned to call out a people from among the nations and to bring a redeemer from among them. For centuries, the followers of Yeshua forgot that the unfolding of this history of redemption centers on the people of Israel. Our guest today, Dr. Gerald McDermott, has written A New History of Redemption, a book that puts Israel back at the center of God’s plan to save the world from sin and death.

– Chapters –

(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Gerald R. McDermott.
(01:44) The root of the irrational support for Hamas from university campuses.
(05:44) How does the history of redemption reveal the nature and beauty of God?
(09:01) Jonathan Edwards’ impact on American Christian theological development. 
(10:43) Jonathan Edwards as a Christian Zionist.
(14:21) Ancient Israelites might better be known as “The Jewish Church.”
(16:21) Jewish Election: God has never abandoned his people.
(23:37) Allegiance to the Messiah is a central component of faith, even in the Old Testament.
(27:20) Understanding prophetic “types.”
(37:16) Theophanies and reconciling the verse that states that “No one has ever seen God.”
(45:00) Marcion and the gnostics vs Judaism. Body vs Spirit. 
(49:59) How do we know that the State of Israel is important in God’s plan of redemption?
(56:16) What comes next in redemptive history, and how can we prepare for that?

–  Resources –

A New History of Redemption

Other Books By Dr. Gerald R. McDermott

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

The reestablishment of Jewish sovereignty in Israel was a significant milestone in the unfolding of God’s end-times prophetic plan—a sign that the end is near. The recurring conflict in the Middle East is a harbinger of an apocalyptic battle yet to come—the war of Gog and Magog. Our guest today, Doctor Jeffrey Seif, has written a timely book about the role of Iran in this coming war and how this role was foretold thousands of years ago by the prophets of Israel.

– Chapters –

(0:00) Introducing Dr. Jeffrey Seif on Messiah Podcast.
(01:53) The journey from Jewish hippie to Messianic scholar.
(08:32) PhD research at Cambridge in criminology.
(13:00) What is the UMJC, Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations?
(15:10) Characterizing the spectrum of Messianic Jewish congregations.
(18:00) Filling the legendary shoes of TV personality Zola Levitt.
(20:29) A historical and modern menace east of the Euphrates.
(26:13) Iran’s relationship with Jews crumbled with Zionism.
(27:46) When Muslims and Christians are at peace with Jews, their societies prosper.
(30:53) Israel is geo-politically positioned at the crossroads of the world.
(32:37) What is the value of learning from extra-biblical literature?
(39:25) The historical impact of Parthea on both Israel and Rome.
(43:08) The power of the Islamic religious ideology to motivate extreme action.
(44:21) How should we respond to a world that appears to be falling into war and chaos?
(46:44) We are called to love, not hate.

–  Resources –

The Iranian Menace in Jewish History and Prophecy, Dr. Jeffrey Seif

Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.

As the Nazis attempted to eradicate the Jewish people from every corner of Europe, one country’s Jewish population actually grew, thanks to the tireless efforts of Metropolitan Stefan of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and Messianic Jewish Rabbi Daniel Zion. Avi Mizrachi and his daughter Devorah share the harrowing story of the heroes who courageously and repeatedly put their lives on the line to save the Jewish population of Bulgaria from Hitler’s death camps.– 

– Chapters –

00:00 Introduction to Avi Mizrachi and his daughter Devorah
05:27 Family connections between the Zion and Mizrachi family
09:51 The fruit of friendship between a Metropolitan Bishop and Chief Rabbi.
13:15 A mystical vision that prompted Rabbi Daniel Zion to believe in Jesus. 
17:42 Pre-war life for the Sephardic Jews of Bulgaria.
20:37 Devastating legislation that paved the way for Hitler.
25:15 The miracle of March 9, 1943 – Stopping the First Deportation attempt.
33:18 Fleeing to the forest to join the partisans and fight the Nazis.
39:08 Rejecting despair with Truth, Faith, and Love (Emet, Emunah, and Ahavah).
41:15 How to maintain gratitude and perspective in a concentration camp.
45:44 Why did the Tzar of Bulgaria decide to defy Hitler?
49:50 A gesture of gratitude in the Bulgarian Palace.
51:47 What lessons can be learned from the past?
59:42 Constant roadblocks: A story of Aliyah 

–  Resources –

Dugit

Legacy of Hope: Hidden Heroes from Generation to Generation

Daniel Zion, Biography and Selected Writings of Rabbi Daniel Zion

The Power of Civil Society in a Time of Genocide: Proceedings of the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church on the Rescue of the Jews in Bulgaria, 1940-1944

– Who is Messiah Podcast? –

Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.

Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today.