From: Bill.Carlson@p0.f18.n104.z1.FIDONET.ORG (Bill Carlson)
Newsgroups: alt.messianic
Subject: Bar Kochba And Moshiach
Date: 25 Jan 93 19:33:02 GMT
Organization: FidoNet node 1:104/18.0 - Midrash, Denver CO

To: friedenb@fir.egr.msu.edu

 GF> Newsgroups: alt.messianic
               -=> Quoting Gedaliah Friedenberg <=-
[comments on Martin Luther]

Of course, it is common knowledge that earlier in Martin Luther's
ministry, he was PRO-Jewish (saying such things as: ...if I was a Jew
I'd rather be a pig than a Catholic, due to the terrible things the
Catholic church did to the Jews).  And that later in his life, he
said the things you mentioned.  (Some have speculated that he was
going out of his mind in captivity later in his life - like when he
threw the ink bottle at the wall, which stain can still be seen today).

But, goodie :-)  Since we are sharing "brief" stories, here's one for
you:

Former Leading Rabbi finds the Messiah,  [adapted from a narrative by
                  Dr. Jacob Gartenhaus]....
Rabbi Daniel Zion,  former Leading Rabbi of Bulgaria  and later Leading
Rabbi  of Jaffa  Israel.  The article says that more controversy has he
been the subject of than any other personality.   Scores of articles in
both  Jewish  and  Christian  periodicals  have been written about him.
He  first  made  his  confession  of  Belief in Yeshua in 1952, and was
discharged  from being a Leader of Jaffa the same year, Rabbi Zion  was
allowed to tell of his experience on Kol Israel Radio station in Israel
such  a thing  had  never  been permitted before. {His Kol Israel Radio
statement follows}....
  ...More than 20 years ago, I had the first opportunity of reading the
New Covenant.   It influenced me greatly.   I began to speak of it in a
small circle in Bulgaria.   I always regretted  that Yeshua the Messiah
has been estranged from the community of Israel. Yeshua had nothing but
good for the Jewish people. He called them to repentance and proclaimed
the Kingdom of G-d.  But I must confess that my position as a Rabbi did
not  allow  me  at once to come out openly before the world in order to
spread this truth until,  G-d in His great mercy,  set me free from all
fear.   He brought me into this country of Israel,  where  at  first  I
discharged my duties as a Rabbi of Jaffa.   After I gave up my position
[as a Rabbi],  I went to Jerusalem where for a whole month I engaged in
fasting, prayer and supplicaton.   It was then that I asked G-d to show
me the right way,  and the  Eternal  heard my prayer.   On the first of
Shebat,  5710  [Spring 1950],  the  Holy Spirit  revealed  to  me  that
Yeshua is indeed the Messiah,who suffered for us and sacrificed Himself
for our sin.   A  burning  fire in my heart gave me no rest until I had
publicly confessed my faith.   In  spite of all difficulties, suffering
and persecutions,  which  I  have  endured  incessantly,  nothing could
dissuade me from my faith.   On  the contrary, G-d to Whom I have given
my heart and to Whom I turn in all my needs,  has given me the strength
and power to continue in my witness.  He spoke to me through a verse in
Is.41:10:Fear thou not; for I am with thee; yea, be not dismayed, for I
am thy G-d;I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteousness."
By this  I understood that a great and important task has been given to
me by the Eternal,  which I must accomplish at all costs.  Do not think
that I have left Judaism.  On the contrary, I have remained Jewish, and
become more Jewish because  Yeshua Himself  remained Jewish.   I comply
with the Torah, just as Yeshua the Messiah complied with it.  May it be
G-d's will that Yeshua the Messiah come to unite the whole world in one
faith,  that everyone may be prepared for the  Kingdom of the Almighty,
in order that the words of Zechariah 14 be fulfilled:   'And  the  L-rd
shall be King over all the earth'. 2
     2 Postcript: Rabbi Zion was able to proclaim his faith in Yeshua
to thousands  of Jewish people till he died in his one hundredth year.
 THERE YOU HAVE IT, STRAIGHT FROM THE FORMER LEADING RABBI OF YAFFA!

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