Witnesses Chosen Beforehand

Israel in the Nations

John Glueck

Witnesses Chosen Beforehand

“As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, if you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace… But now it is hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you when your enemies will throw up an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side; and they will level you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not recognize the hour of your visitation.” Luke 19:41-44.

Today the good news has gone out throughout the whole earth and is beginning to return to Judea and Samaria and back to Jerusalem! The day of our visitation grows ever closer, just as it was in the days when Yeshua spoke the words above. In those days, God sent John to turn the hearts of many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God in preparation for Yeshua’s coming. Luke 1:16-17. At this time, God is sending us to do the same task.

Those of you who long for the salvation of Israel are dear to the heart of God. It is of highest importance that his chosen people receive Messiah Yeshua now. We are the ones who have been positioned in the lives of the Jewish people. Some of us God has chosen as his first fruits among Jewish believers. Others he has chosen from the nations where most of the Jewish people live, primarily the USA and Israel. Many of you travel to the state of Israel and support the work of life and witness to Messiah Yeshua reborn in our time. We are his faithful witnesses!

Still, many people have the idea that they can do nothing as they see the conditions in the earth are becoming more and more fearful. Since lawlessness has greatly increased and it is clear that no one has any solution, it is absolutely essential that we are ever more effective as lights in a dark place. These conditions have come about as the result of God himself preparing for harvest. God has chosen you as a laborer for his harvest field; a faithful witness to what Yeshua has done for you.

After he was crucified, Yeshua appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days to strengthen them and prepare them to receive the Ruach HaKodesh, the Holy Spirit. Yeshua told them not to leave Jerusalem until they received the gift “my Father had promised…”

“So when they met together, they asked him, Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel? He said to them; it is not for you to know the times or dates the father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria… And to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-8

Immediately thereafter, they waited for the promise of the Father. Soon, the Feast of Shavuot or Pentecost came and with it the glorious empowering of the Holy Spirit. They became witnesses of the promised Messiah, Yeshua. After the miracle of speaking with other tongues, Peter got up to give a testimony and 3000 people were added to their number that day. In chapter 2:32, Peter said that he and his fellow disciples were witnesses of the resurrection of Yeshua.

Witnesses give testimony. We are the evidence, and we give testimony of what Yeshua has done for us. The gift of the Holy Spirit has given us power. Arguments from Scripture, Jewish tradition and practice have their place, but we must be the evidence that Yeshua is the Messiah, alive today and at work in our midst, just as he was then. I might ask the question of you today, are you overflowing with love and power, ready to give a testimony about Yeshua? 

Later on, in Acts 10, we find that Peter again was chosen for a special task. He had a vision that caused him to leave his friend Simon’s house in Joppa and go to Caesarea. He went to a home owned by a man named Cornelius, a God fearer, one who was pursuing joining the Jewish people of that time. Peter spoke about the wonders of Yeshua and his works of healing and deliverance among the Jewish people. In verse 39-40, he said that he and his fellow disciples were witnesses of everything Yeshua did and that God raised him from the dead, even allowing him to be seen by them! 

Peter then makes a remarkable statement: “he was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses chosen beforehand… ” Our Father caused many people to see Yeshua after he rose from the dead as a testimony! This did not just apply to the 12 apostles, but for example “to 500 brothers at one time.” I Cor. 15:6

They were eyewitnesses of Yeshua’s resurrection and they could testify that they saw him the rest of their lives! The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the others there that day. The rest, as they say, is history. Together, they brought the good news to the ends of the earth in their time. Messiah ben Yoseph, the suffering servant who rose from the dead, gave them boldness and courage to conquer darkness! They turned the world upside down.

Today, we are very near the fulfillment of the apostles question to Yeshua in Acts 1:6. Thousands of Jewish and Gentile believers have had the extraordinary experience of seeing Yeshua, including me. Countless others have experienced his miracle working power, signs and wonders transforming them into new creatures in Messiah. They are witnesses’ chosen beforehand!

The time has come for the Lord God to restore the kingdom to Israel! The time the prophets foretold when King Messiah ben David would sit on the throne of Israel to govern the earth from Jerusalem is near! Lets share this good news in every way knowing that time is short!

Thousands of Jewish believers are leading witnesses in the midst of Israel and the Diaspora along with their brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. A holy people is being prepared from every nation, every tribe and tongue to rule with King Messiah. We are living evidence of Yeshua’s resurrection, witnesses chosen beforehand. 

Last week, one of our partner ministries in Israel was able to hold a meeting for 1000 first-generation Jewish immigrants. Many heard the story of Yeshua for the first time, responding to the call to find peace with God through the plan of atonement. They will diligently follow up with all those who attended.

The time of Jacob’s trouble is coming. At that time, in the midst of pressure and sorrow, the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32 will take place. The Holy Spirit will be poured out on all flesh revealing Yeshua in unprecedented fashion, harvesting the Jewish people and releasing awesome judgments upon those who hate him. And then Yeshua will return to take up his throne. Nothing else can solve the problems of mankind.

Can I ask you a question today? Are you prepared to meet Yeshua? Are you filled with the Holy Spirit, leading people toward knowing Yeshua and serving the body of Messiah? Please pray this simple prayer with me.

Father in heaven, I commit myself to you today; spirit, soul and body. I offer myself to you now and forever. Pardon my sins and cleanse me of my iniquities in Yeshua’s name. Come to me now and fill me with the Holy Spirit. Make me your witness, chosen beforehand to testify about your saving power… give me boldness and courage to tell others what you have done for me! B’Shem Yeshua!