Israel, the Church, and the Last Days Paperback – January 1, 2005

Israel, the Church and the Last Days is a decent overview of Bible prophecy from a Messianic perspective. Co-authored by Keith (Asher) Intrater and Dan Juster, it's really more like a collection of topically unified prophetic essays with each "co-author" taking turns writing chapters. This gives the book a somewhat disjointed feel. For the most part it covers prophecy from a modified dispensationalist point of view that most evangelicals would be comfortable with. And while the authors emphasize the need for greater unity between Messianic Jewish groups and Gentile churches they don't push the issue of making Gentiles act "more Jewish" in order to be "more saved" -- a refreshing stance coming from these two Messianics who otherwise promote the Hebrew roots goal of restoring the Jewish Church to its rightful place among Gentiles and motivating Gentile churches to evangelize in Israel. The broad brush approach to prophecy topics is a bit tedious for people who have a strong background in eschatology -- no epiphanies here. But for new believers, especially Jewish converts who are wary of Gentile Christian insensitivity toward Israel (or outright anti-Antisemitism) and bogus replacement theology thinking, this is a great place to start. The authors do divert from classic dispensationalism in a couple of important areas. They seem to be a little unsure about the placement of the Rapture in the prophetic timeline. They seem to place it shortly before Christ's return at Armageddon... like days or minutes depending on where the subject comes up in the book. This is a classic evangelical point of disagreement and can be forgiven. But their wishy-washy approach vexes. They fully embrace a European Anti-Christ interpretation although many Messianics see that now in a restored Middle East Caliphate. And they do take a very strong position for the evangelization of Israel -- a position I support -- confronting Dispensationalist lukewarmness on this issue in the opening chapters. The book's strongest point is its chapters on the Millennial Kingdom of God. Very good, insightful and scriptural with a few remarkable off-the-wall insights for what is otherwise an understudied prophetic topic. I had the pleasure of worshiping at Rabbi Intrater's Tel Aviv congregation last year and found him to be a very warm and welcoming pastoral host. His congregation is a mature, well-established Messianic church that resembles, in doctrine and worship style, most modern evangelical and charismatic churches. There are special Jewish customs and blessings added but the only Jewish dancing I saw was by an American Gentile tourist who probably is way too into the Hebrew roots thing back at home. But congregations like this are one of the keys to opening Jewish hearts in Israel to Jesus Christ. This book is recommended for new converts, especially new Messianic believers. It is interesting for all others and recommended for those who want to learn more of the thinking behind the ministries of its authors. Shalom!

I have read many books having to do with Israel and the church authored by both Jewish and Christian writers. This one is just very, very good; one of the best ones. The writer is a Messianic Jew whose home is in Israel. I recommend this to everyone who knows that though Israel is special...the church has a real place and purpose also. I do not believe, as many do, that the church will be raptured out of here and then comes tribulation and salvation for God's other (earthly) people - the Jews. The author of this great book does not believe the Scripture teaches that either. I recommend this book; get it, read it and study it right a long side the Bible. Your love and trust for our Messiah Jesus will only grow and become more focused.Remember that He taught us to pray, "Thy Kingdom Come." He also said in his great High Priestly prayer of John 17: "I do not ask you to take them out of the world." We must start paying much more attention to what Jesus actually said!

This book is co-written by two authors, and it is somewhat redundant, but over allit is a good study, especially the final chapters. Clearly explains a lot of things thathave been misunderstood. I consider it a worthwhile investment of time.

This is a good book for believers who do not understand the Jewish thoughts to the return of Christ. It gives a better understanding to our roots as believers. Our Lord and Savior was afterall a Jew.

Israel is back in the Land and so are the Messianic believers. It is time our Jewish brothers in the Lord opened our Gentile eyes to the meaning of Yeshua and a better understanding of the days ahead! This book does that. Thank you Dan and Asher.

Totally recommended. Both authors write in such clarity and authority that becomes such a blessing on every believer heart, both intellectually and spiritually.

Highly recommend for seasoned open minded believers. Great book from štart ti finish, and great news of Restoratuon to share with family and friends. Michael

very good book

The writers of this book maintain that Scripture should where possible be interpreted within the context of the "Author intended meaning", which I found was a refreshing and illuminating approach. Care being taken not to take Scripture out of it's true context where it's original meaning could be in danger of being lost or distorted.The Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures being interpreted in the context of the circumstances in "which they were spoken, to whom they were spoken, by whom they were spoken, and as it would have been understood by all concerned at the time they were spoken". A principle which will ensure, as far as is possible, that there is no misconception in reading & understanding the true meaning behind the Scriptures themselves.. (Eg; when Israel was a nation besieged or the Body of Believers were under persecution etc.).Many aspects of Scripture are discussed using this principle of interpretation with special reference given to the interpretation of Biblical prophecy, the Gospel message and the numerous Hebrew prophets.The differing, often controversial, opinions within the Church in relation to the "End Times", including the Rapture, Tribulation, Millennium and the appearance of the anti-Christ are also examined, with each position explained alongside the writers' own interpretations and whether or not they agree.The place of both Israel and the Church are similarly examined in detail, both in their own rights and in so far as they relate to each other, the Gospel and the "End Times".The authors ask at the outset that the book be read with an "open mind" so I will not "spoil the plot" by explaining the personal interpretations of the writers here. In my experience this often causes either instant dismissal or acceptance of the book with an appropriate vote given to the review. I think that instant dismissal of this book in such a manner would be disappointing as there is so much on offer here.As I progressed through the book I was pleasantly surprised how much I agreed with the interpretations given in this work. Even those who will disagree with the observations here will surely obtain some enlightenment from this book and will perhaps examine the Scriptures more closely in future. A recommended read.

Having an interest in this area without exagerated conspiracy theories I've found this book well balanced inits reproach. You may not agree with all the conclusions in it but having read previous articles and book by the authors I fell that their approach can be trusted.

This book should be a set book in any Bible school.

Les auteurs, juifs messianiques, nous partagent leur compréhension des temps de la fin, à partir des textes de la Bible.(livre en anglais).

On the whole this is a very welcome book in that neither author supports the idea of a pre-tribulation rapture. However I would like to draw your attention to a few of its shortcomings, Its restorationism leads one author to say that the miracles of Jesus were only the result of his restored humanity, not his divinity. Miracles point to the divine identity of the Servant of the Lord in the book of Isaiah.Dan Juster also fails to realise that the word translated earth (erets) can often mean the land (of Israel) and thus tells us that everyone is going to be saved during the millennium. This is a misinterpretation of the prophecies in Isaiah and a sort of millennial universalism. The knowledge of the Lord will cover the LAND as the waters cover the sea. Paradise is restored “on My holy mountain” that is in ISRAEL. During the millennium the nations will send deputations up to Israel to renew their allegiance, but NOT ALL nations will do this and some will be punished for it (Zech 14), which surely shows that they are not regenerate. Similarly Joel’s prophecy regarding the pouring out of the Spirit refers not to all people, but to all THE people (i.e. of Israel), but for the sake of the Church it is brought forward and there is a partial fulfilment. Those who mourn at the Messiah’s appearance are the tribes of ISRAEL, not the world as a whole (What Matthew and Revelation say on this has to be interpreted in the light of Zechariah, not the other way round): once again, not tribes of the earth but tribes of the LAND. On this point Keith Intrater is more accurate than Dan Juster.One author also misinterprets the word kingdom. It essentially means the restored kingdom of ISRAEL, but the Messiah’s RULE will extend over the whole earth. The kingdom of God has come now only in the sense that we can now become its future members and though the Spirit, now enjoy eternal life. It will only be physically and visibly established when Jesus returns. Keith Intrater seems to posit a partial rapture which is questionable. Rev 20 gives us a detail (the martyrs are resurrected), but other passages (1 Cor 15) seem to indicate that the whole church is involved.The national turning of the Jewish nation to the Messiah will come, not in the wake of a “restored” Church which includes a Jewish remnant, but as a result of seeing Jesus with his glorified church in the sky (as a result of the rapture): it is then that the real Pentecost happens and Joel’s prophecy is fulfilled in its primary sense. This comes after the Great Tribulation which has seen the Jewish nation fall into gross idolatry, but before the Day of the Lord, which Jesus intervenes to save Israel and destroy her enemies. The Jews who are to be made jealous are those of the Remnant, not of the nation as a whole.Both authors sidestep the uncomfortable idea that it is the false messiah (antichrist or Beast II) who will, under the protection of the European dictator (Beast I), rebuild the temple, and when this European leader demands to be worshipped in the temple, provokes a mass Jewish apostasy which is the trigger that sets off the Great Tribulation. As with most North American exegetes both authors confuse the two beasts of Revelation 13: both of them are suffering from a dispensational hangover.