Why the hesitation and disinterest among those claiming devotion to Yeshua?

This article is primarily directed at those who claim to acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah.  It is intended to be both a mild rebuke and a rallying cry.

First, let me clarify that when I say “acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah,” I am NOT referring to the “christ” of Christianity or the false Messiah of counterfeit Messianic and Nazarene Judaism, since all of those groups promote a mystery Babylon man-god Messiah.  Ok, got that?  This is an important “given” you should remember whenever you view my comments regarding the counter missionary issue.  I am NOT referring to the antichrist (replacement Messiah) of those false faith systems.

We actually agree with many of the counter missionary arguments used to prove Messiah is not "G-d in the flesh" and that Torah is still in force.  Because of that agreement, we present a unique and dreadful problem for counter missionaries - a problem that largely disarms them.  You need to remember that our dispute with counter missionaries does NOT include their arguments with which we agree.  From this point in the article onward, my use of the term "Messianic" is to be understood to refer to TRUE Monotheistic Messianics like ourselves, who recognize that Messiah is NOT G-d and that Torah IS still in force.  Now let us continue …

I have become increasingly dismayed and frustrated by the lackluster defense of Yeshua’s claim to being Messiah and his accomplishments in response to intense, and often ruthlessly hateful counter missionary efforts..  In fact, there is often ZERO defense put forward.  I do NOT promote or suggest hatred, anti-Semitism, or "damning" of counter missionaries; however, I do feel forceful and spirited defense of Yeshua and the New Testament should be a PRIMARY objective of all true Monotheistic Messianics and Netzarims.

I am the administrator for the SHeMA (Scriptural Hebraic Monotheistic Alliance) Bulletin Board.  One of the forums present on that BB was created to discuss the counter missionary and anti-Paul movements.  I have been distressed to see a serious lack of interest in that particular forum.  At the time of this writing, it is one of the least visited of all 13 forums on the Bulletin Board.  I'm one of the only people that even contributes to the forum!  The lack of interest shown among those that claim to acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah has shocked me and caused me to realize that the mission and authority of Yeshua is GROSSLY under acknowledged and under appreciated among many Messianics.  Frankly, I'm at a loss to understand WHAT some "Messianics" think of Yeshua!

Sadder still is the apparent trends I see regarding this observation.  It seems that reduction in appreciation and perceived importance of Yeshua is directly proportional to interest in Torah.  In other words, as Torah appreciation increases, appreciation and reverence for Yeshua decreases.  It reminds me of the the proverbial question as to whether a person can "walk and chew gum at the same time."  It seems many Messianics cannot appreciation Yeshua and Torah at the same time.  When appreciation for one increases, the other decreases.  This is not only very sad, but it is also very BAD!  Thus, I have decided to do my best to reintroduce and re-emphasize Yeshua to those Messianics that may have taken their "eyes off the prize" that comes from embracing our Messiah and savior, Yeshua the Messiah.  It is perplexing, and I am only now beginning to grasp the enormity of the problem.  In short, Yeshua is not really a primary issue for a LOT of "Torah observant" Messianics and Netzarims today, particularly those that realize he is not "G-d in the flesh."  Because of this, the motivation among many monotheistic Messianics to oppose counter missionary efforts is tragically weak.  It is just this lack of motivation that proves my observation that Yeshua has become less important to some Messianics.  To say I am disappointed is a gross understatement.

Of course, the observation I just expressed also causes me to realize why counter missionaries are so successful these days at stealing from Yeshua's flock.  The shepherd is still there, but the sheep are leaving the pasture because they do not know their shepherd.

Where are all the Monotheistic Messianic apologists hiding?  Hello?  Devoted followers of Yeshua? Come out; come out, wherever you are!  Put your mouth and keyboard where your alleged beliefs are.  Stop sitting on your hands while Yeshua’s name is dragged through the proverbial mud, his accomplishments slandered, and his very existence denied!  If you TRULY acknowledge him as you so claim, STOP SITTING IDLY BY WHILE YAHSHUA’S MISSION, ATONING WORK, AND CLAIM TO MESSIAH ARE BRUTALLY AND SHAMELESSLY ATTACKED and while the Brit Chadasha (New Testament) is wickedly misrepresented and promoted as a "Christian creation" instead of the recording of Hebraic truths that it actually is!

I have my own opinions of why those claiming to be “Messianic” rarely exert any effort to oppose the ferocious efforts of counter missionaries.  I will opine on this subject by answering the question:

What is the reason for the disinterest and hesitation among Yeshua's alleged followers?

One of my answers to this question will no doubt cause consternation among many that adore Judaic traditions and Jewishness.  Well, sorry, but I am not one to shrink back from what I feel must be addressed just because of the offense others may feel.  I am personally convinced that ultra-Semitism is a primary factor contributing to the reluctance of most alleged Messianics to forcefully oppose counter missionaries, the lion’s share of whom are Judaic inspired.  In fact, my observations regarding the slothful response to counter missionaries by Messianics further convinces me of the seriousness of the ultra-Semitism issue.

Briefly, here is a list of reasons why I think many “devoted” Monotheistic Messianics choose to NOT defend Yeshua’s important accomplishments and Kingship.  I have personal experience with each one of the reasons I list below since they ALL applied to me at one time.  Fortunately, I have now awakened to the fact I had grown lazy in my proclaiming Yeshua as Messiah, and I do NOT intend to fall into these errors again!  I have also known individuals to which each of these characteristics apply!

1. By far, the primary reason many Messianics choose to "stand down" and not participate in a defense of Yeshua is because they are paralyzed by feelings of ignorance, and therefore feel they cannot adequately present their defense.  This is especially true regarding Messianic prophecies in the Tanakh (Old Testament).  Most people WRONGLY understand the discussion to be limited to ONLY the question of whether or not prophecies “prove” Yeshua to be Messiah.  Friend, such is NOT the case!  The issue of “prophecy” is only a small part of the attack plan used by counter missionaries.  Also, a person does NOT need to be a prophecy expert in order to provide a rebuke to counter missionaries.  I will elaborate in a separate article, but the key to successfully opposing counter missionaries is this:
   


• First, neither the counter missionaries nor those that acknowledge Yeshua as Messiah can PROVE, conclusively, their arguments using ONLY the Tanakh!  The counter missionaries know this, which is why they resort to baseless hatred, shameless slander, speculation, etc. to ensnare people in their web of deceit.  Counter missionaries largely depend upon the “fog of history” and a "pick and choose" method of New Testament context shredding.
• Second – Virtually all counter missionary arguments with which we disagree are based ENTIRELY on biased assumption!  Once their deceit is exposed and the weakness of their “proofs” revealed, their arguments melt away into the pit if wickedness from which they sprang.

2. I also think many monotheistic Messianic/Netzarims may honestly not know what Yeshua's role is!  Seriously, I think there is a significant lack of knowledge and an indecisiveness regarding Yeshua among today's Messianics and Netzarims.
3. Many Monotheistic Messianics/Netzarims are too inwardly focused and have long ago forgotten their responsibility to “go unto all the world” proclaiming Yeshua.  In short, they have failed to recognize their most important mission.  Because of this, they devote much of their time to ONLY their own self-centered growth or to “managing the flock” they may currently lead instead of seeking to add to that flock or protect it from blood-thirty counter missionary wolves. "Evangelism" and "missionary" work has either been all but forgotten or, in some cases, somewhat despised because those two terms sound so "Christian."  Bringing souls to Messiah is not really very important to some Messianics.  Instead, the focus on "Torah" has all but erased the importance of Yeshua, which leads to the next reason.
4. There is a mesmerizing, tunnel-vision focus on “Torah” among many Messianics, which has caused them to develop a diminished, almost trivial opinion of the importance of Yeshua the Messiah.  Such people worship “Torah” instead of the G-d that gave us that Torah.  Even the very word, “Torah,” has evolved into a cult word for many people. People forget that all it means is “teaching” or “instruction,” and that there is nothing particularly significant about the word "Torah."  Frankly, because of the cult-like mystical way the word “Torah” is used, I have decided to make a conscious effort to NOT use the word “Torah.”  Instead, I will use the clear MEANING of the word with use of the terms “teaching” or “instruction.” If others wish to worship Torah, that is their right, but I choose instead to worship the giver of those instructions, YHWH, and to honor the one he anointed as His personal emissary and earthly king, Yeshua the Messiah.  One of the primary ways to honor and worship YHWH Elohim (G-d) is to honor the man he anointed as His personal emissary, Yeshua the Messiah, but that is often lost amid the striving to learn "Torah."  I will study and attempt to increasingly adopt the “teachings” into my life, since study and implementation of G-d's instructions is an integral part of true worship, but I will NOT worship those teachings or support the making of a "TORAH IDOL" any longer!

   Because of their inward focus and “Torah” focused mind set, the importance of Yeshua fades from the "Messianic" list of top priorities.  Therefore, in my opinion, they cease to be TRUE followers of Yeshua and show themselves to lack devotion to the one they claim to honor as King Messiah.  Torah idolatry also causes Messianics to closely align themselves with the most devoted OPPONENTS of Yeshua, which is mentioned in reasons 5 and 6.

5. Some "Messianics" are not true Messianics.  Instead, they are pseudo-Messianics and actually fall more into the camp of “Judaism” than Messianism.  These types actually consider those that oppose Yeshua as brethren!  Of course, such is NOT the situation found within the pages of the New Testament.  Unfortunately, many Messianics today show by their unwillingness to oppose Yeshua's detractors that they do not wish to follow the example of the first true Messianics.  This leads to the final reason, which I feel is second only to the feeling of ignorance, as the core reason Messianics passively sit by and choose to not forcefully oppose their "Judaic" friends even though those "friends" have no qualms about brutally attacking Yeshua's authority and mission.
6. Another common reason, in my opinion, why many of today's Messianics choose to allow counter missionaries to "raid the flock" is because they possess varying levels of an Ultra-Semitic mind set.  This attitude causes them to forget the job of a "Shepherd."  and also causes them to elevate “Judaic” thought and the Hebrew language to unscriptural positions of importance, even though "Judaic" thought often harshly attacks Yeshua.  As a result, since many Messianics strongly relate to the common counter missionary embrace of "Jewishness," hebrew language worship, and Judaic thought, they refuse to forcefully put forth any significant opposition. This misplaced sympathy many Messianics possess is something counter missionaries profit from.

   As I say elsewhere on this web site, "Judaic" and "Hebraic" are NOT the same!  A Messianic is no less Hebraic if he or she opposes Judaic based counter missionaries.  In fact, the MOST Scripturally Hebraic people are Messianics!  Why should we embrace as "brothers" those that tirelessly work to rid the world of Yeshua's name?  It is sadly rare to see many Messianics openly opposing Judaic sages and Rabbis whom they hold in high esteem.

   I cannot understand how a person can, 1) claim to believe Yeshua to be Messiah, 2) believe his death to be essential for providing atonement, 3) believe that he will return to rule as King of the earth, and yet consider those that forcefully oppose him and the New Testament to be friends!  What this proves is that some Messianics esteem Yeshua's opponents (Judaic Rabbis, "Oral" Torah opinions, etc.) MORE than they esteem him!  They consider it "rude," "unloving," or anti-Semitic to openly oppose some of Yeshua's worst enemies!  What kind of twisted Messianic "belief" is that?  This is yet more evidence of a gross lack of understanding of the immense importance of Yeshua in G-d's Divine Plan.

There are more reasons, but those listed above will suffice, since all reasons are variations of those shown.  It is my intention to "take off the gloves" and expose issues that counter missionaries hope to conceal.

It is not my intent to elaborate on each of the listed items in this article.  I will leave that to other articles that have been, or will be placed on this web site.  My intent is to try and energize Yeshua’s followers to do what he asked them to do.  If it takes a mild slap upside their head to accomplish this; then, I'm going to do a little slapping!  I make NO apology for my devotion to Yeshua and consider HIM to be far higher in authority and esteem than any other Rabbi - past, present or future.  If some people are offended by that, they need to take their problem up with YHWH Elohim (G-d), who chose Yeshua as King Messiah!

As I said earlier – Hey! Monotheistic Messianics and Netzarims!  Stop sitting on your hands while Yeshua’s name is dragged through the proverbial mud, his accomplishments slandered, and his very existence denied!  If you TRULY acknowledge him as you so claim, GET OFF YOUR BUTTS AND SAY SO!  STOP SITTING IDLY BY WHILE YAHSHUA’S MISSION, ATONING WORK, AND CLAIM TO MESSIAH ARE BRUTALLY AND SHAMELESSLY ATTACKED!

And if you don’t, stop claiming to be something you are not!