The
Messianic Seal
By Jane Diffenderfer, Messianic Home
Recently discovered artifacts
found in Jerusalem reveal the Hebraic nature of the first century
believers in Messiah Yahshua [Jesus’s actual name]. Several pieces of
pottery have been found with the symbol of the Menorah and Fish
intertwined together in such a way as to reveal a Star of David in the
center of artwork. What is the meaning of this symbol and why has the Holy
One of Israel allowed it to be discovered at this time in history?
The Menorah, or seven branched
lampstand has been a symbol of Jewish identity from ancient times. It
represents the Torah (Instructions of the Law) given to Israel. For the
commandment is a lamp; and the Torah/law is light; and reproofs of
instruction are the way of life (Prov. 6:23). Israel is
destined by G-d to be a light unto the nations and the
Menorah is a beautiful symbol of that Light.
The fish has been a symbol of
Christian identity for nearly 2000 years. Our Messiah first spoke to a
small group of fishermen with the words: Follow me, and I will make you
fishers of men (Matt. 4:18). The new disciples were quick to drop
their nets to go and gather men for the Holy One of Israel because of the
Hebrew Scripture: Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord,
and they shall fish them... (Jer. 16:16). The Fish has been a
meaningful symbol of the followers of Yahshua who have been commissioned
by G-d to reveal His Grace.
For the past 1700 years the
Menorah has stood alone to represent the Torah and the Fish has been
swimming on it’s own to represent Grace. In these miraculous days Abba is
restoring His truth to His people and we are seeing the two become one in
Messiah. We are to become one people, one body, and one faith. The Two
Sticks of Ezekiel (Ez. 37) are to become one in the hand of the Lion of
the Tribe of Judah. When Torah and Grace are in perfect balance they
reveal the Star of David, the Son of David who is our Messiah and King.
There shall come a Star out of
Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel
(Num. 24:17). Yahshua said of Himself: I am the root and the offspring
of David, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16).
The Messianic Seal and it’s
recent discovery is revealing the original intent of our Father for His
People. Jews and Gentiles are to find their identity together as one
people belonging to Messiah. Yahshua is the Torah (in Hebrew -devar
- the Word) made flesh and when He is lifted up many Gentiles will come to
the brightness of His rising and be captivated by the Grace and Mercy of
the Holy One of Israel. The Gentile Fish is not to continue swimming on
it’s own but is to be caught for Messiah. In discovering the Hebraic roots
of the faith many former Gentiles are finding themselves joined to the
chosen people - the Israel of G-d. Wherefore remember,
that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, ... That at that
time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of
Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and
without G-d in the world: But now in Messiah Yahshua ye who
sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah (Eph
2:11-13).
The Messianic Seal reveals
Yahweh’s original intention for His people and what Messiah has
accomplished for us. For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and
hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Eph. 14).
Yahshua’s death on the
cross/tree abolished in his flesh the enmity [the opposing of
G-d and one another], even the law of commandments
contained in ordinances [dogmas]; for to make in himself of twain
one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto
G-d in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off [Gentiles/LoAmmi
Israel], and to them that were nigh [Jews/Torah faithful Israel].
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now
therefore ye are no more strangers [without knowledge] and
foreigners [of G-d’s Kingdom], but fellow citizens
[same citizenship of the people consecrated unto G-d - the
chosen people] with the saints [Hebrews], and of the household
[related by blood, kindred] of G-d (Eph. 2:15-18).
Yahshua did not abolish the
Torah of G-d. We need to heed His instructions and renew our
minds to: Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets
(Matt. 5:17). Yahshua came to fulfill Torah by correctly interpreting
it. The Torah represented by the Menorah will continue until as Yahshua
says: For verily [truthfully] I say unto you, Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till
all be fulfilled [come to pass]. Many of the Torah’s prophecies about
Messiah, Israel and the Gentiles have not come to pass even today.
Yahshua came to abolish only
the enmity caused by man’s sin and the wrong interpretations of
Torah that opposed G-d. The sin had separated man from
G-d. The wrong interpretations of Torah created isolationism
instead of evangelism and withheld the goodness of YHWH’s Word from
others. It has always been the Father’s intention for His Torah to be
given to the nations/Gentiles as well as to Israel. Israel is to be a
light (menorah) to the nations. Arise, shine; for thy light is come,
and the glory of YHWH is risen upon thee ... YHWH shall arise upon
thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come
to thy light (Is. 60:1-3).
It is through the Torah that
Yahshua is revealed. In Messiah’s own words He upholds Torah. For had
ye believed Moshe/Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
(John 5:46).
The Menorah is a symbol for
the Tree of Life. The pattern given to Moshe describes the Menorah as
being fashioned of gold with almond buds upon it’s branches (see Exodus
25:33). At it’s roots we see the symbol for Messiah in the Star of David
... there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of
the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious
(Is. 11:10).
The Star of David is only
displayed in the Messianic Seal when the Menorah and Fish come together.
It does not exist independent of the Torah and Grace symbols. The Star of
David has six points to it representing the six days of creation. At the
center of the perfectly balanced star we find the Sabbath rest given to us
as a free gift in Messiah. And His rest (Sabbath) is glorious.
The Fish symbolizing Grace
needs to be caught on the Hebraic roots of the faith. The swimming fish
displayed by Christians is separated from the Jewishness of it’s Messiah.
Fishers of men need to go forth and preach the gospel that will be
received by the Jew first and then to the Gentile. Those who have been
given the understanding of the Messianic Seal need to preach the good news
of the Torah-Grace of G-d available to whosover will receive
it. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah: for it is the power
of Elohim unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first,
and also to the Greek [Gentile] (Rom.1:16).
The Menorah is steadfast and
firm. It’s symbolism is of eternal value because it was created from the
pattern of the heavenly. The Fish has mobility as long as it is swimming
and on it’s own. When captured by Yahshua’s fisherman the Fish will lose
it’s life in Messiah. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it;
but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same
shall save it (Matt. 8:35).
The Fish needs to come to the
Menorah. In Ezekiel’s Two Sticks, Ephraim (from the Church) is brought to
Judah (from the Synagogue). Thus saith the Lord G-d;
Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of
Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him,
with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in
mine hand (Ez. 37:19). Yahweh is doing this work of grafting
all believers in Yahshua into the same Olive Tree of Israel.
When the Star of David is in
perfect balance between Torah and Grace we see the truth of who Messiah
is. Torah without Messiah as taught in rabbinic Judaism does not reveal
Yahshua to the world. Messiah’s Grace without Torah as taught in the
Church does not reflect the reality of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It
is time the two voices for the Holy One of Israel unite as one. When they
do the beauty of Messiah will be revealed to both Houses of Israel (Judah
and Ephraim) and to the Gentiles. The Messianic Seal reveals this message
in it’s rich Biblical symbolism.
Mirrored with permission from
http://www.messianichome.org/Articles/2000/Fall/messianic_seal.htm
© 2001, LAMB Ministries
Please visit the Messianic Home website
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For additional
articles on the Messianic Seal, please see the following pages:
http://www.mindspring.com/~cvn76/mnt-zion.htm
http://www.webspawner.com/users/tms1/
http://www.israeltoday.co.il/article/Default.asp?CatID=4&ArticleID=38
http://www.christianity.com/partner/Article_Display_Page/1,1183,PTID4859%7CCHID5%7CCIID120157,00.html |
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