Grafted In

I often am asked about the Menorah/Fish/Star of David symbol at left. The symbol illustrates the ‘grafting in’ of Christians to the Jews. 

As always we go to the Scriptures for the Truth of the matter! The Apostle Paul wrote beautifully on this, pointing out not only the importance of the grafting, but also of the original plant & root. He wrote in Romans 11:17-25: But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree? For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

I think it both beautifully illustrates the Christian grafting into the tree, as well as the importance to value the its Jewish roots. Christians are to care for, support, love and pray for the natural branch (Israel) because as he illustrates, if the plant & root die, so do the grafted-in branches.

In the first century ‘Christian’ was a derogatory term used to refer to Jews who had believed Jesus was the promised Messiah who had come. Not 2 separate religions. Blame for the separation into 2 religions both to the early Christian church and the Jews. Sadly!

That menorah/fish symbol have been found in early archeological digs in Israel, I’ve written about it here on my blog before. Some Scriptures which illustrate that wonderful menorah/fish symbol further are......

Ephesians 2:14
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

Ephesians 1:5
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will,

Galatians 3:7
Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 
and similarly, Jesus said in discourse to the Pharisees in John 8:41-45:
You are doing the things your own father does.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!

There are few who call themselves Christian who love or even care about Israel & the roots of our religion, which is Judaism. Truly, I believe it’s only when we know the OT & embrace the roots of Christianity that our Spiritual walk with God, the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob truly awakens. If you wish to know more about Christianity from its roots, I highly recommend you visit Ariel Ministries (ariel.org), the ministry of Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum.

Love & Shalom!

Ancient Messianic Synagogue Symbol

Ancient Messianic Synagogue Symbol
Article by Evangelical Press News Service

Aurora, Colo. (EP) — A Messianic Seal from the Christian church in ancient Jerusalem has been rediscovered after 2000 years. This ancient symbol was found on Mount Zion. It is believed to have been created and used by the Jewish believers who called themselves Nazarenes in the first Messianic Church.

Three companies—Olim Creative Products of Tiberias, News About Israel (NAI) of Jerusalem, and Christian Floral Delivery of Colorado—jointly announced the discovery of this ancient symbol, which has been copyrighted by NAI. It consists of three separate but integrated symbols: a menorah at the top, a star of David in the middle, and a fish at the bottom. In each of the renditions of the three-part symbol the star is created by interlacing the stand of the menorah with the fish.

The Messianic Seal was found etched or inscribed on eight ancient artifacts. The artifacts were presented to Ludwig Schneider, editor in chief of NAI's magazine, Israel Today, in 1990. They came from Tech Otecus, an elderly monk who lived as a hermit in the Old City of Jerusalem. Otecus said that in the1960s he had personally excavated about 40 artifacts bearing the Messianic Seal from an ancient grotto located in the immediate vicinity of the Upper Room on Mount Zion.

What was once the main entrance to the grotto is now covered with a jail-like heavy wire mesh enclosure. Its door, leading down into the ancient baptismal place, is tightly secured with a heavy chain and lock. According to Schneider, the last remaining entry to the grotto was sealed shortly after he excitedly told the priests at the local monastery about the discovery of the Messianic Seal.

Schneider photographed eight artifacts which were given to him by Otecus, and showed the pictures to the curator of the Israel Museum. "When he had carefully studied my pictures," Schneider recalled, "the curator immediately promised me that these artifacts and their unique symbol were an important find. He told me that the museum had seen other artifacts bearing the same three-part symbol from some other sources he did not specify."

According to Bob Fischer, president of Olim Creative Products and co-author with local historian and artist Reuven Schmalz of their book, The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church, the ancient three-part symbol has, since 135 A.D., been suppressed by various Israeli groups or agencies, such as the Israel Museum and Orthodox rabbis in the Old City of Jerusalem, while simultaneously being buried for these nearly two millennia by the church.

According to Fischer, at least two of the eight artifacts were obviously ceremonial pieces which may have well been used by James the Just, the brother of Jesus, who is said to be the first pastor of the church, or perhaps even by one or more of the Twelve Apostles.

One of the eight artifacts is a brick-sized block of well-worn local marble. This piece bears an etched version of the Messianic Seal with a Taw (the last letter in the ancient Hebrew alphabet that looks exactly like a sign of the cross) in the eye of the fish symbol, as well as the ancient Aramaic lettering proclaiming the use of this artifact as a stand to hold a vial of anointing oil. The ancient Aramaic is transliterated as, "La Shemen Ruehon" (For the Oil of the Spirit). Another of the eight artifacts is a small, almost intact, vial which could well have sat on top of the marble stand.

Commenting on what he characterized as the "monumental importance" of this archaeological discovery, Fischer said, "Beyond the historical background of the Nazarenes, the first Jewish believers who founded the Jerusalem Church, the Messianic Seal itself proclaims to the world the pervasive Jewishness of Jesus Christ and the decidedly Jewish foundation and roots of the church founded in His name."

"The Messianic Seal of the Jerusalem Church," Fischer continued, "strikes at the very roots of anti-Semitism while proclaiming a compelling message that restores unity: Jew with Jew, and Jew with Gentile. The importance of this discovery cannot be minimized. The Messianic Seal is not only just the key to understanding the Dead Sea Scrolls, it can and should shake the foundations of the church and orthodox Judaism with its incredible message of unity and love. It breaks down barriers that have existed for millennia and points the way toward restoration." —Evangelical Press News Service
___________________________________________________________________________________

This symbol found on anointing jars on Mount Zion and believed to have been carried by the apostles, who may have known that the rod called Union that was broken and was to be rejoined in the end was in reference to the House of Israel (Christianity) and Judah (Judaism) and perhaps this was the symbol of the hope for that day which appears to be happening right now with Christians United For Israel and many others...

Thanks to John R. on BOF for this!
___________________________________________________________________________________
Romans 11:25
"a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in"