Dr. Erez Soref: Who's On Your Team? | One For Israel

January 31, 2026 | 26:59

In a divided world of political tension and religious conflict, Dr. Erez Soref, a Jew turned Christian missionary, advocates for unity through faith in Yeshua. His journey of spreading the gospel to his people in Israel and beyond reveals the power of humility, recognition, and collaboration in building God's kingdom. Joined by archeologist Danny "the Digger" Herman and legal counsel Thomas Damianos, they exemplify reconciliation between Arabs and Jews, bridging divides through their shared belief in Jesus. Together, they strive to embody the oneness in Messiah and inspire others to embrace unity amidst chaos and division.

#Israel #Bible #BibleHistory #Archaeology #Judaism #JewishHistory #Christianity #Messiah #Unity #ErezSoref #DannyHerman

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| Dr. Erez Soref: Who's On Your Team? | One For Israel | January 31, 2026

Yeshua is our one thing,
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Our one unifying purpose.
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I think that jesus make us one.
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Jesus even matches himself with the sheep gate.
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The heart of the people was one,
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Drawn together in unity by one purpose.
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There is no difference between arab and jews
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In faith of jesus.
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Every name on the wall mattered
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Because every name matters to god.
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I am dr. erez soref.
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I was born and raised in the heart of israel,
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But i never heard the gospel message
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Until on a journey abroad,
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My eyes were opened to the jewish messiah.
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From that point,
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My life has been dedicated
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To bringing this gospel back to my people israel,
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Equipping them to reach israel
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And the world.
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Together, as jews and gentiles,
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We are one in messiah, one for israel.
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Unity, a word that is so idealized
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From the global stage to the corporate world,
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From the body of messiah to our family gatherings.
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Unity is a wonderful idea,
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But often very difficult to achieve.
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But god's design and yeshua's prayer
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Is that we would be one,
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That we would identify
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Our tribe as those
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Who follow messiah's vision of god's kingdom.
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But is this possible
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With so much disunity in our world?
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After all, political differences are driving a wedge
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Within our nation.
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Old grudges cause bitter separations in families.
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Differences in dogma and worship style
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Can cause tears of division in the church.
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When we experience godly unity,
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It is truly a miracle.
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It's not a natural thing, it's supernatural.
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In our story of nehemiah,
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He saw a truly miraculous unity form
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To carry out the vision that god gave him.
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In your tribe and on your team,
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It is imperative that you find the key to unity.
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Today, we'll examine who's on your team
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As we walk the walls with nehemiah.
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Behind me is the church of the holy sepulchre
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In jerusalem,
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The traditional site
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Of yeshua's crucifixion
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And resurrection.
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Each section of this church is effectively owned
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Or managed by a different christian denomination.
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Even minor intrusions from rival denominations
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Have at times sparked fistfights.
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There have been serious conflicts here
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Between the different
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Traditional denominations represented.
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It's so bad that centuries ago,
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The keys to the building had to be entrusted
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To a non-christian neutral party.
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Yeshua's body was broken here.
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No matter what denomination you are,
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One thing we all have in common
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Is that we are sinners in need of a savior.
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If we can't find unity on this point,
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What else is there?
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Yet, the conflict at this church
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Stands as a shameful reminder.
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We, his people,
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Have broken and fragmented messiah's body
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Over and over again.
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But nehemiah's story gives us hope
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That the body can truly achieve unity,
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Rallying around the vision of god.
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Nehemiah had arrived in jerusalem
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And told the people
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All that god had put on his heart
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To rebuild the walls of jerusalem.
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He came with a letter from the persian king,
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Giving him status as the new governor of judea.
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Now, imagine the scene.
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He was a man who had spent his whole life
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Hundreds of miles away
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In the comfort of the persian palace.
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He hadn't returned with the first wave of captives.
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Nehemiah was jewish,
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But may have been seen as an outsider.
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He came with only a letter granting him authority.
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However, the people of jerusalem
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Didn't grumble against nehemiah as their new leader.
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Once nehemiah laid out the plan,
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They simply said, let us rise up and rebuild.
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If you've ever worked with people,
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You'll realize that this in itself
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Was a miracle.
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Nehemiah presented the vision
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And the people rallied together in unity to do the work.
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This is a unity and a drive
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That could have only been empowered by the spirit of god.
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But the people of israel still came together
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To accomplish the work.
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And what's fascinating is that nehemiah takes the time
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To list every person who worked on the wall,
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Section by section, 43 sections in all.
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Now, if you read this portion for your devotional time,
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It may feel a little tedious,
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A string of unfamiliar names
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We never see again in scripture.
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So why did nehemiah make the point
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Of listing them all out?
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Nehemiah understood the importance
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Of the work that god had given him to do.
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And every man that took the time and energy
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To do this work had set aside
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Their agendas, priorities, and their livelihood.
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Some of those men listed may have been rich, some poor.
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Some were priests, elders, magistrates, farmers
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Or merchants.
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But that day, everyone took on the work
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Of a wall builder.
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Nehemiah didn't just notice their sacrifice,
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He honored it.
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He recorded their names, their families,
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And exactly what they did.
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Their names were attached to jerusalem.
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This is the mark of godly leadership.
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Leaders, especially the leaders of god's people,
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Do not take for granted
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When people gather around a vision god gave you.
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Recognize, speak their names,
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Give honor when honor is due.
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Offer words of affirmation, privately and publicly.
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Let them know that their contribution matters,
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Not just to you, but to the work of the kingdom.
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Every name on the wall mattered
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Because every name matters to god.
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In building the wall,
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The first people nehemiah listed
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Were the high priest's family
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That worked on the sheep gate.
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The high priest and his family were honored in israel.
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He was the only person on earth
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That could enter once a year into the presence of god,
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The holy of holies.
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He was the highest spiritual authority
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In the land.
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Yet, when it came time for the work on the wall,
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The high priest didn't relegate the duty
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To the common people.
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He didn't think the work was beneath him.
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He took his brothers and began working alongside
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His fellow israelites.
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Kingdom unity is not just everyone wanting the same thing.
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Of course, there are differences of opinion.
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Sometimes we need to agree to disagree,
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But true unity is birthed when the spirit
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Brings humility.
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When we put down our status, our egos,
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Our agenda before god,
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Not elevating ourselves above others.
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The high priest could have been forgiven
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For delegating his share of the work,
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But he insisted on serving beside his fellow israelites,
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Putting off his white linen garments
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And taking up bricks and hammer.
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This is how we should act.
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No one thinking of themselves as greater than one another.
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Paul tells us:
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Unity without humility
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Is just ambition with a crowd.
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Let humility be the foundation of our unity.
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Let humility be the foundation of our unity.
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The work had begun on the walls of jerusalem.
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The high priest himself led the charge
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By rebuilding what is called the sheep gate.
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This was the gate closest to the temple.
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As you may guess from the name,
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This was the one gate around the city
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Where sheep would come in.
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Not for grazing, not to be sold,
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They were brought in the city
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To go to the temple for sacrifice.
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Once sheep came through that gate,
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They were destined for the altar.
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So the sheep gate, in a way,
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Was the very entry point for the sacrificial system.
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This was the place where the lambs entered
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Before being offered to god.
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And here is the high priest,
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The one who would present those sacrifices
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Before the lord.
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He's working with his own hands
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To restore the very gate
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Through which the sacrifices would pass.
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It's almost prophetic.
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The one who intercedes,
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Prays to god for the people,
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Is the one repairing the way for the sacrifice to come.
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It speaks of yeshua, our high priest.
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He declared that he is the gate for the sheep
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And is the good shepherd.
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Instead of a high priest leading sheep for slaughter,
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Our high priest became the gate,
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The door of salvation,
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And he offered his own life to atone for us.
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To get some insight,
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We are talking today with archeologist,
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Danny "the digger" herman.
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Jerusalem is such a fascinating city
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With so many points of interest,
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But its eastern edge over here
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At the site called the lion's gate
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Is less known yet super interesting.
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The old city of jerusalem, one square kilometer,
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Has seven gates surrounding it.
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And the lion's gate is the main gate facing the east,
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Facing the judean desert and jericho.
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Why is it called the lion's gate?
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What were its names in antiquity?
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And how does it relate to the scriptures?
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Let's take a look.
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When entering the lion's gate today,
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First of all, look at an impressive entryway.
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The metal doors are still here intact.
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But the magic is to think
00:10:49.249 --> 00:10:50.784
That 2,000 years ago,
00:10:50.784 --> 00:10:52.419
This was the place of another gate
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From the time of jesus.
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In proximity to the pools of bethesda,
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Just around the corner.
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And not only was that gate known to jesus,
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Jesus even matches himself with the sheep gate.
00:11:04.030 --> 00:11:07.968
I quote from the gospel of john
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Chapter 10, verse seven:
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With all of the excitement of reading that text
00:11:21.748 --> 00:11:24.351
Of how this amazing recovery of the jews
00:11:24.351 --> 00:11:28.021
Returning to jerusalem and rebuilding the city,
00:11:28.021 --> 00:11:30.323
Rebuilding its wall, you need to remember,
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We're talking about a flock of immigrants
00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:35.529
Who have just traveled a long journey
00:11:35.529 --> 00:11:37.497
To return to the promised land,
00:11:37.497 --> 00:11:39.366
To return to their holy city.
00:11:39.366 --> 00:11:41.568
How much means do they have?
00:11:41.568 --> 00:11:43.537
What is their capability?
00:11:43.537 --> 00:11:44.938
They're small in numbers,
00:11:44.938 --> 00:11:46.039
They're small in ability.
00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:49.176
And what they did may have been just symbolic.
00:11:49.176 --> 00:11:51.778
I'm not sure that what they build
00:11:51.778 --> 00:11:54.214
Is really truly a massive city wall
00:11:54.214 --> 00:11:56.550
Like what we see today.
00:11:56.550 --> 00:11:58.451
It did create a frame to the city.
00:11:58.451 --> 00:12:00.787
It did mark the gates.
00:12:00.787 --> 00:12:02.522
But you need to remember, they're not even independent.
00:12:02.522 --> 00:12:04.658
They're under persian rule.
00:12:04.658 --> 00:12:06.326
Later they'll be under hellenistic rule.
00:12:06.326 --> 00:12:08.595
And today the whole thing is also buried
00:12:08.595 --> 00:12:10.864
Beneath the later stages of jerusalem,
00:12:10.864 --> 00:12:13.033
Which were far more massive.
00:12:13.033 --> 00:12:15.502
It is definitely buried beneath the walls
00:12:15.502 --> 00:12:18.738
That were later built.
00:12:18.738 --> 00:12:19.806
Perhaps these stones
00:12:19.806 --> 00:12:20.707
Were also recycled.
00:12:20.707 --> 00:12:22.209
That's the magic of excavating.
00:12:22.209 --> 00:12:24.311
You never know what you might find.
00:12:24.311 --> 00:12:26.146
And today we are seeing here not just the lion's gate,
00:12:26.146 --> 00:12:29.549
But recently, recently we found
00:12:29.549 --> 00:12:32.118
The lion's gate from the time of ilia kapitolina
00:12:32.118 --> 00:12:35.555
Over the sheep gate from the time of jesus.
00:12:35.555 --> 00:12:38.992
And if work could continue here,
00:12:38.992 --> 00:12:40.827
We will also find the remains from the times
00:12:40.827 --> 00:12:42.863
Of nehemiah,
00:12:42.863 --> 00:12:44.197
Of the first temple period, of canaanite times.
00:12:44.197 --> 00:12:46.399
Who knows?
00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:50.370
Once the priests completed the sheep gate
00:12:51.171 --> 00:12:53.640
And the first section of the wall,
00:12:53.640 --> 00:12:55.508
They dedicated it to the lord.
00:12:55.508 --> 00:12:57.677
By dedicating the first,
00:12:57.677 --> 00:12:59.579
They entrusted the rest to god's blessing.
00:12:59.579 --> 00:13:02.749
Centuries later, at this very same gate,
00:13:02.749 --> 00:13:05.719
Yeshua entered and encountered a paralyzed man
00:13:05.719 --> 00:13:09.422
Laying by the pool of bethesda.
00:13:09.422 --> 00:13:11.524
The gospels tell us
00:13:11.524 --> 00:13:13.126
That when the waters there were stirred,
00:13:13.126 --> 00:13:15.562
The first to enter would be healed.
00:13:15.562 --> 00:13:18.899
When yeshua asked the man if he wished to be healed,
00:13:18.899 --> 00:13:22.636
He lamented that he could never reach the waters in time.
00:13:22.636 --> 00:13:26.106
Yeshua replied with authority:
00:13:26.106 --> 00:13:28.842
"get up, take up your mat and walk."
00:13:28.842 --> 00:13:32.579
When criticized for healing on the sabbath,
00:13:32.579 --> 00:13:34.748
He declared:
00:13:34.748 --> 00:13:40.420
In nehemiah's day,
00:13:40.854 --> 00:13:42.255
We see the high priest working to restore a wall.
00:13:42.255 --> 00:13:45.592
At this same gate, generations later,
00:13:45.592 --> 00:13:48.295
We behold our high priest, yeshua,
00:13:48.295 --> 00:13:51.264
Working not to rebuild stones,
00:13:51.264 --> 00:13:53.500
But to make a man whole.
00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:55.902
Discover how you can pick up bricks
00:13:56.636 --> 00:13:59.506
And build with god.
00:13:59.506 --> 00:14:01.274
Order our new book today,
00:14:01.274 --> 00:14:03.376
"walking the walls with nehemiah"
00:14:03.376 --> 00:14:05.512
And awaken god's vision in your life.
00:14:05.512 --> 00:14:08.515
Available in print, audible and kindle.
00:14:08.515 --> 00:14:15.017
Available in print, audible and kindle.
00:14:15.017 --> 00:14:19.196
Nehemiah had led jerusalem in rebuilding the wall
00:14:20.197 --> 00:14:24.001
And the people came together in unity and humility
00:14:24.001 --> 00:14:26.904
To take up the work.
00:14:26.904 --> 00:14:28.605
When we humble ourselves and come together in unity
00:14:28.605 --> 00:14:32.009
With a vision,
00:14:32.009 --> 00:14:33.444
We are able to build not just a physical structure,
00:14:33.444 --> 00:14:36.914
But an eternal house.
00:14:36.914 --> 00:14:39.083
But not all unity builds the kingdom of heaven.
00:14:39.083 --> 00:14:42.353
There's a kind of unity where man builds without god,
00:14:42.353 --> 00:14:46.090
Out of ambition and desire to make a name for ourselves.
00:14:46.090 --> 00:14:50.461
Unfortunately, this sometimes happens even in ministry.
00:14:50.461 --> 00:14:55.099
It's babel, a man-made unity,
00:14:55.099 --> 00:14:58.502
Together, but without god.
00:14:58.502 --> 00:15:00.871
When we build this way, god works against us,
00:15:00.871 --> 00:15:04.174
As he worked against the builders of the tower of babel.
00:15:04.174 --> 00:15:07.845
When the center of our efforts is men,
00:15:07.845 --> 00:15:10.647
It's bound to fail.
00:15:10.647 --> 00:15:13.050
But when we work in unity with god's vision,
00:15:13.984 --> 00:15:17.421
God is working with us.
00:15:17.421 --> 00:15:19.523
He himself builds with us,
00:15:19.523 --> 00:15:21.425
And that is what will last.
00:15:21.425 --> 00:15:23.794
He is at the center, a strong foundation.
00:15:23.794 --> 00:15:26.997
In that god-driven unity, miracles happen.
00:15:26.997 --> 00:15:30.701
The unity that israel experienced under nehemiah
00:15:30.701 --> 00:15:33.904
Was miraculous.
00:15:33.904 --> 00:15:35.572
People came together in godly humility,
00:15:35.572 --> 00:15:38.308
Working with all their might.
00:15:38.308 --> 00:15:40.377
Some people even took double their share of work.
00:15:40.377 --> 00:15:43.680
Nehemiah summed up this momentum saying:
00:15:43.680 --> 00:15:47.317
"we built the wall,
00:15:47.317 --> 00:15:48.685
"and all the wall was joined together
00:15:48.685 --> 00:15:50.454
"to half its height,
00:15:50.454 --> 00:15:51.889
"for the people had a mind to work."
00:15:51.889 --> 00:15:55.359
The word translated as "mind" here
00:15:55.359 --> 00:15:58.362
Is the word "lev" in hebrew, the heart.
00:15:58.362 --> 00:16:01.765
The heart of the people was one,
00:16:01.765 --> 00:16:04.034
Drawn together in unity by one purpose.
00:16:04.034 --> 00:16:07.438
As believers in yeshua,
00:16:07.438 --> 00:16:09.106
We also have one thing that unites us.
00:16:09.106 --> 00:16:11.809
In ephesians, paul tells us:
00:16:11.809 --> 00:16:34.198
Yeshua is our one thing, our one unifying purpose.
00:16:35.232 --> 00:16:40.104
Paul goes on to say:
00:16:40.104 --> 00:16:47.411
When we are all in unity of purpose,
00:16:48.212 --> 00:16:50.614
Vision and the spirit,
00:16:50.614 --> 00:16:52.449
God pours out his diverse gifts to us
00:16:52.449 --> 00:16:55.652
In unique ways.
00:16:55.652 --> 00:16:57.254
We each have a gift that allows us
00:16:57.254 --> 00:16:59.189
To contribute to the edifying
00:16:59.189 --> 00:17:01.258
Or building up of this temple of the lord,
00:17:01.258 --> 00:17:03.894
The body of messiah.
00:17:03.894 --> 00:17:05.696
Every person and every gift is vital for the whole.
00:17:05.696 --> 00:17:10.767
We have our own dr. thomas damianos
00:17:11.568 --> 00:17:14.605
In the studio today,
00:17:14.605 --> 00:17:16.173
Legal counsel for one for israel,
00:17:16.173 --> 00:17:18.909
An arab believer in yeshua.
00:17:18.909 --> 00:17:20.978
He will give us a powerful picture
00:17:20.978 --> 00:17:23.447
Of how jews and arabs come together in unity
00:17:23.447 --> 00:17:26.650
In messiah.
00:17:26.650 --> 00:17:27.918
Shalom, thomas, thank you so much
00:17:28.652 --> 00:17:30.354
For taking the time and come to talk to me today.
00:17:30.354 --> 00:17:34.158
You know, we've been friends
00:17:34.158 --> 00:17:35.192
A long time
00:17:35.192 --> 00:17:36.293
And we've been working together
00:17:36.293 --> 00:17:37.227
A long time, but our viewers
00:17:37.227 --> 00:17:38.962
Don't really know you.
00:17:38.962 --> 00:17:39.930
Can you tell us a little bit
00:17:39.930 --> 00:17:41.331
About yourself, and especially
00:17:41.331 --> 00:17:43.167
How you connected to one for israel?
00:17:43.167 --> 00:17:46.370
My name is thomas damianos.
00:17:46.370 --> 00:17:47.905
From the name, you can see
00:17:47.905 --> 00:17:49.306
That it's not an arab name
00:17:49.306 --> 00:17:51.208
Because my father, he is a greek,
00:17:51.208 --> 00:17:54.344
But my mother, she's an arab
00:17:54.344 --> 00:17:55.913
And we live in israel as an arab christian family.
00:17:55.913 --> 00:17:59.983
Years ago, about 20 years ago,
00:17:59.983 --> 00:18:01.852
When i came to faith,
00:18:01.852 --> 00:18:03.654
I searched for a place to study the bible.
00:18:03.654 --> 00:18:07.491
Actually, i didn't find.
00:18:07.491 --> 00:18:08.959
It was very difficult to find
00:18:08.959 --> 00:18:10.727
A college for biblical studies in israel.
00:18:10.727 --> 00:18:15.299
I found that there is a bible college in israel,
00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:21.038
But it's for jewish believers
00:18:21.038 --> 00:18:24.174
And i didn't know what that means,
00:18:24.174 --> 00:18:26.343
Jewish believers, really.
00:18:26.343 --> 00:18:28.212
I know there is a jew and there is a christian,
00:18:28.212 --> 00:18:30.881
But jewish believers in jesus,
00:18:30.881 --> 00:18:33.217
I didn't know that.
00:18:33.217 --> 00:18:34.484
But i was interested and i came to the college
00:18:34.484 --> 00:18:37.020
And i met you 20 years ago.
00:18:37.020 --> 00:18:39.389
There is a big gap between arabs and jewish,
00:18:39.389 --> 00:18:42.759
You know.
00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:44.127
It's not like we are a unit together.
00:18:44.127 --> 00:18:47.231
You are arab, that's it, you are arab,
00:18:47.231 --> 00:18:49.032
And a jewish is a jewish.
00:18:49.032 --> 00:18:51.368
And when i came, actually, i will tell you the truth.
00:18:51.368 --> 00:18:53.737
It was for me, in the beginning,
00:18:53.737 --> 00:18:55.772
It was difficult
00:18:55.772 --> 00:18:57.307
Because i didn't expect
00:18:57.307 --> 00:19:00.377
What will be our conversation.
00:19:00.377 --> 00:19:03.180
When i saw you, actually,
00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:04.881
I saw a man of god that he loved jesus
00:19:04.881 --> 00:19:09.186
And there is no difference.
00:19:09.186 --> 00:19:11.088
You believe in the same lord that i believe,
00:19:11.088 --> 00:19:15.092
In jesus christ, the messiah.
00:19:15.092 --> 00:19:17.094
You opened the door
00:19:17.094 --> 00:19:18.328
And you accepted me as a student, i remember,
00:19:18.328 --> 00:19:22.165
And when we start to study the bible,
00:19:22.165 --> 00:19:26.203
Actually, it was the first time for me to know
00:19:26.203 --> 00:19:29.539
Actually that jesus, he's a jew.
00:19:29.539 --> 00:19:32.442
That means the best friend of mine,
00:19:33.176 --> 00:19:35.646
He's my lord, he's my savior,
00:19:35.646 --> 00:19:37.981
But when i found that jesus, he's a jewish,
00:19:37.981 --> 00:19:40.550
God give me a lot of love to the jewish people.
00:19:40.550 --> 00:19:45.455
I remember that i was praying
00:19:45.455 --> 00:19:46.990
And like god opened my eyes
00:19:46.990 --> 00:19:52.162
And i saw that all my life
00:19:52.162 --> 00:19:56.033
I thought something about the jewish people,
00:19:56.033 --> 00:19:58.135
But after i believed in jesus,
00:19:58.135 --> 00:20:01.938
He changed me.
00:20:02.306 --> 00:20:03.206
For many of our viewers,
00:20:03.206 --> 00:20:05.008
They keep hearing about the jews and the arabs fighting.
00:20:05.008 --> 00:20:07.678
Yeah. -but we experience something different
00:20:07.678 --> 00:20:10.681
At one for israel. -yeah.
00:20:10.681 --> 00:20:11.715
Yeah. -and i think it will be
00:20:11.715 --> 00:20:12.482
Very fascinating,
00:20:12.482 --> 00:20:13.950
So tell us about how did you feel
00:20:13.950 --> 00:20:16.053
And how do you see it happening
00:20:16.053 --> 00:20:17.521
In the last years as well?
00:20:17.521 --> 00:20:20.057
When we were studying here,
00:20:20.057 --> 00:20:22.359
It was the first war in gaza
00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:25.228
And it was a terror attacks inside israel.
00:20:25.228 --> 00:20:29.833
And i remember that here, in the bible college,
00:20:29.833 --> 00:20:34.104
It was something that i didn't have this experience.
00:20:34.104 --> 00:20:37.574
I saw students, jewish students,
00:20:37.574 --> 00:20:42.579
That came to us and we pray together,
00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:45.682
Arabs and jews,
00:20:45.682 --> 00:20:47.050
We pray to jesus, to god.
00:20:47.050 --> 00:20:51.321
Please god, make peace in our land.
00:20:51.321 --> 00:20:55.192
We prayed for the arabs
00:20:55.192 --> 00:20:58.295
And we also prayed for the jewish in israel.
00:20:58.295 --> 00:21:02.999
So it was very unique.
00:21:02.999 --> 00:21:05.402
I don't think that we can see
00:21:05.402 --> 00:21:07.771
What's happening in the bible college,
00:21:07.771 --> 00:21:09.539
You cannot see it outside.
00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:11.441
If you go outside the building,
00:21:11.441 --> 00:21:14.311
There is no unity.
00:21:14.311 --> 00:21:16.246
There is only hate. -and we had many times
00:21:16.246 --> 00:21:18.448
That people would come to the bible college,
00:21:18.448 --> 00:21:20.784
The service people or whatever,
00:21:20.784 --> 00:21:22.519
And they would see us and they would see the students,
00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:25.389
They listen and they hear that it's the jews and arabs
00:21:25.389 --> 00:21:28.091
And like, what's going on here? -what's happening?
00:21:28.091 --> 00:21:29.559
Yeah, what is this place? -what are you talking about?
00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.461
Arabs and jews praying together?
00:21:31.461 --> 00:21:33.029
The jewish people believe in jesus?
00:21:33.029 --> 00:21:37.067
And everybody who came to the college,
00:21:37.067 --> 00:21:41.938
Like constructions, like services,
00:21:41.938 --> 00:21:44.574
And people that are not believers,
00:21:44.574 --> 00:21:47.177
It make impact on their lives.
00:21:47.811 --> 00:21:50.213
They said, wow, this place is very unique.
00:21:50.213 --> 00:21:53.950
I think that jesus make us one.
00:21:54.651 --> 00:21:58.422
There is no difference between arab and jews
00:21:58.422 --> 00:22:00.991
In faith of jesus.
00:22:00.991 --> 00:22:02.459
I think for us at one for israel,
00:22:02.459 --> 00:22:04.661
Because we're so used to it,
00:22:04.661 --> 00:22:06.129
On our staff, we have jewish believers in christ
00:22:06.129 --> 00:22:09.766
And arab believers in christ,
00:22:09.766 --> 00:22:10.867
And we just love each other as people
00:22:10.867 --> 00:22:12.536
And we don't think about it.
00:22:12.536 --> 00:22:13.970
Our student body is like that
00:22:13.970 --> 00:22:15.972
And it seems natural,
00:22:15.972 --> 00:22:17.140
But when people come to visit,
00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:19.242
It's shocking to them. -it's shocking to them, yeah.
00:22:19.242 --> 00:22:21.745
Thomas, you were also very instrumental
00:22:21.745 --> 00:22:24.381
Together with the academic department
00:22:24.381 --> 00:22:25.949
In creating this unique program for senior pastors,
00:22:25.949 --> 00:22:29.853
Both jewish and arab. talk a little about that.
00:22:29.853 --> 00:22:32.389
One of the thing god put in my heart,
00:22:32.389 --> 00:22:36.793
If can we bring the pastors together,
00:22:36.793 --> 00:22:40.397
Arab pastors and jews,
00:22:40.397 --> 00:22:42.098
To put them in one place to study together
00:22:42.098 --> 00:22:46.169
And to give them the tools
00:22:46.169 --> 00:22:47.838
How to serve the lord jesus in israel,
00:22:47.838 --> 00:22:52.142
It will impact about all the body of messiah in israel.
00:22:52.142 --> 00:22:54.845
That was my vision, my dream,
00:22:54.845 --> 00:22:56.913
And i remember it was a time,
00:22:56.913 --> 00:22:59.382
Not also for, it was a time that if arabs
00:22:59.382 --> 00:23:03.587
Go to the jewish city, they will hit him,
00:23:03.587 --> 00:23:06.790
And if jews came to arab city,
00:23:06.790 --> 00:23:08.792
They also will attack him and hit him.
00:23:08.792 --> 00:23:10.427
It was a disaster. -a very tense situation, yeah.
00:23:10.427 --> 00:23:13.296
And i remember you told me: "thomas,
00:23:13.296 --> 00:23:16.633
"i think that this is the right time
00:23:16.633 --> 00:23:20.470
"and the exact time
00:23:20.470 --> 00:23:21.404
"that we need to start
00:23:21.404 --> 00:23:22.506
"this program
00:23:22.506 --> 00:23:23.907
"because we need to show the world
00:23:23.907 --> 00:23:26.710
"that there is different in israel."
00:23:26.710 --> 00:23:29.613
All what's happening outside between arabs and jewish,
00:23:29.613 --> 00:23:33.550
It's not supposed to be
00:23:33.550 --> 00:23:35.752
In the body of the messiah.
00:23:35.752 --> 00:23:37.087
Is there a story that comes to mind
00:23:37.821 --> 00:23:40.590
When we talk about the subject?
00:23:40.590 --> 00:23:42.526
When we start our program,
00:23:42.526 --> 00:23:47.364
I got a phone call from bethlehem.
00:23:48.131 --> 00:23:51.368
One of the pastor, he called me and he told me:
00:23:51.368 --> 00:23:54.104
"thomas, i heard that the bible college, you know,
00:23:54.104 --> 00:23:58.074
"one for israel, they make like a joint
00:23:58.074 --> 00:24:01.244
"degree between arabs and the jewish pastor."
00:24:02.178 --> 00:24:05.949
He told me: "wow, that's amazing."
00:24:05.949 --> 00:24:09.753
And he told me: "listen, i am a pastor.
00:24:09.753 --> 00:24:12.756
"i serve the lord in palestine, in bethlehem.
00:24:12.756 --> 00:24:16.293
"but i want to tell you something,
00:24:16.293 --> 00:24:18.461
"that i love jewish,
00:24:18.461 --> 00:24:20.697
"and my dream is to be connected with jews."
00:24:20.697 --> 00:24:24.434
And actually we accept him,
00:24:24.434 --> 00:24:26.736
And it was very difficult
00:24:27.304 --> 00:24:28.838
To him to start here... -yeah, i remember.
00:24:28.838 --> 00:24:30.974
Because he was coming at three o'clock in the morning,
00:24:30.974 --> 00:24:34.377
But that thing has changed his life.
00:24:34.377 --> 00:24:38.481
A few days ago, i met a friend at the street
00:24:38.481 --> 00:24:42.852
And he called me: "thomas, come."
00:24:42.852 --> 00:24:44.788
I came to him and he told me:
00:24:44.788 --> 00:24:46.656
"i want to tell you, wow, it was amazing.
00:24:46.656 --> 00:24:48.959
"a few days ago,
00:24:48.959 --> 00:24:50.226
"an arab pastor came to our congregation,
00:24:50.226 --> 00:24:53.063
"but for 15, the first 15 minutes,
00:24:53.063 --> 00:24:56.700
"he talked about the bible college,
00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:59.369
"about one for israel, how it's changed his life."
00:24:59.369 --> 00:25:02.172
And he says that
00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:04.407
"i'm here standing in front of you
00:25:04.407 --> 00:25:07.510
"because one for israel,
00:25:08.011 --> 00:25:10.380
"because they support me and they give me scholarship.
00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:16.219
"and after 20 years, i get training
00:25:16.219 --> 00:25:19.756
"and they changed my life between arabs and jewish.
00:25:19.756 --> 00:25:22.926
And today i'm gonna preach about peace,
00:25:22.926 --> 00:25:26.930
"about how arabs and jews can be one in the messiah."
00:25:26.930 --> 00:25:31.167
And he said: "this is because what i studied
00:25:31.167 --> 00:25:34.070
"in this bible college."
00:25:34.070 --> 00:25:35.171
Thomas, thank you so much
00:25:35.171 --> 00:25:36.172
For taking the time.
00:25:36.172 --> 00:25:37.407
And it's always so encouraging to remember
00:25:37.407 --> 00:25:39.909
That we are one in the messiah.
00:25:39.909 --> 00:25:41.811
Amen. -and for our viewers,
00:25:41.811 --> 00:25:43.780
We want you to know that we are praying for you,
00:25:43.780 --> 00:25:46.316
That you too will experience
00:25:46.316 --> 00:25:49.085
The peace of the messiah in your heart
00:25:49.085 --> 00:25:52.122
And that you will remember and be encouraged
00:25:52.122 --> 00:25:54.691
By the fact that in the messiah,
00:25:54.691 --> 00:25:57.327
The jewish people and the arab people
00:25:57.327 --> 00:25:59.129
Absolutely love each other.
00:25:59.129 --> 00:26:01.564
It's not hard to find something to divide.
00:26:02.465 --> 00:26:05.769
That's why the night that yeshua was betrayed,
00:26:05.769 --> 00:26:08.805
He cried out to the father for us,
00:26:08.805 --> 00:26:11.541
That we would be one as he and the father are one.
00:26:11.541 --> 00:26:15.612
It's only the work of the spirit
00:26:15.612 --> 00:26:17.747
That will bring unity.
00:26:17.747 --> 00:26:19.215
Let's call out to the lord
00:26:19.215 --> 00:26:20.984
To bring that unity on us in our day.
00:26:20.984 --> 00:26:23.887
Let us come together in humility,
00:26:23.887 --> 00:26:26.289
Putting our own agendas aside.
00:26:26.289 --> 00:26:28.992
Let's celebrate each other's contributions and gifts,
00:26:28.992 --> 00:26:32.328
Following the example of our master builder, yeshua.
00:26:32.328 --> 00:26:36.299
Unity not only allows god to flow through us,
00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:40.704
But it also helps us when we face
00:26:40.704 --> 00:26:42.939
Opposition and oppression from outside forces.
00:26:42.939 --> 00:26:46.509
Join us next time in our study
00:26:46.509 --> 00:26:48.812
And we'll see how we can stand against fear
00:26:48.812 --> 00:26:52.415
As we continue to walk the walls with nehemiah.
00:26:52.415 --> 00:26:52.415

Dr. Erez Soref: Who's On Your Team? | One For Israel

January 31, 2026 | 26:59

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