Comments on: Hagee: “Defending” Israel to Death http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/ Kevin Geoffrey--the firstborn son of a first-generation, American, non-religious, secular Jewish family--is today a Jewish believer in the Messiah Yeshua. He is a strong advocate for the restoration of Jewish people to God through Yeshua, and for all Jewish believers in Messiah to their distinct calling and identity as the remnant of Israel. Kevin is the founder of Perfect Word Ministries, a Messianic Jewish equipping ministry, and is the author of the Messianic Devotional and The Messianic Life series of books. Kevin is licensed as a Messianic Jewish Teacher by the International Alliance of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS) and ordained by Jewish Voice Ministries International. Kevin resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife Esther and their three beautiful sons, Isaac, Josiah and Hosea. Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:35:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 By: marti http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-145 marti Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:29:26 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-145 Great read Kevin, and thank you for your courage. I have listened to Pastor Hagee in the past, but with the book Jerusalem Countdown, knew he was off track and stopped putting so much trust in his words. With this book I am greatful that I am strong enough to read, pray and discern the truth and thankful to Yeshua for other strong people who stand up and speak out. Shalom, Marti Great read Kevin, and thank you for your courage. I have listened to Pastor Hagee in the past, but with the book Jerusalem Countdown, knew he was off track and stopped putting so much trust in his words. With this book I am greatful that I am strong enough to read, pray and discern the truth and thankful to Yeshua for other strong people who stand up and speak out. Shalom, Marti

]]> By: BrianW http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-142 BrianW Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:49:16 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-142 Sounds like someone has spent a little too much time studying the Rabbinical refutations to Yeshua as Messiah and allowed his paradigm to be shifted by weak human logic, inventing a way for opposing paradigms to somehow simultaneously be true. Sounds like someone has spent a little too much time studying the Rabbinical refutations to Yeshua as Messiah and allowed his paradigm to be shifted by weak human logic, inventing a way for opposing paradigms to somehow simultaneously be true.

]]> By: Z. Morales http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-134 Z. Morales Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:26:25 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-134 I totally agree with the previous writter. I'm just another dog under the Master's table. It is my greatest privilege to have Yeshua as the Lover of my soul. At this stage in my life I have enough walk with Christ to avoid this trap. I feel betrayed and the pain is almost unbearable, because I can see the lambs in the Kingdom being fed this poison. And sadly he is not the only person feeding the body of Christ all kinds of poisonous stuff. But I know that my Lord will not keep silent. Yeshua will protect the little ones in the Kingdom, for He is the Good Sheperd. I totally agree with the previous writter. I’m just another dog under the Master’s table. It is my greatest privilege to have Yeshua as the Lover of my soul. At this stage in my life I have enough walk with Christ to avoid this trap. I feel betrayed and the pain is almost unbearable, because I can see the lambs in the Kingdom being fed this poison. And sadly he is not the only person feeding the body of Christ all kinds of poisonous stuff. But I know that my Lord will not keep silent. Yeshua will protect the little ones in the Kingdom, for He is the Good Sheperd.

]]> By: susan.williams2008 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-125 susan.williams2008 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:00:27 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-125 Kevin, Thank you for the clarification on John Hagee's stance and CUFI, I listen to him preach quite ofen, and have had concern about some of the things he has said. I feel led by Christ to have found and committed to support you. I have supported CUFI, but something always made me feel as if it wasn't right for me to support. I believe the Bible entirely, and could not find peace with what he has been saying about the messiah and savior not being one in the same. Jesus was very clear in Matthew 15:26: He answered, 'It is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs.' She said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table.' meaning that he was there for the Children of the Jews and not for the Gentiles. Because she humbled herself, and had great faith, he granted what she asked. Jesus was sent first to the Jew then to the Gentile. I feel blessed to be one of the dogs under the master's table, or the wild branch grafted into the vine. Kevin,
Thank you for the clarification on John Hagee’s stance and CUFI, I listen to him preach quite ofen, and have had concern about some of the things he has said. I feel led by Christ to have found and committed to support you. I have supported CUFI, but something always made me feel as if it wasn’t right for me to support. I believe the Bible entirely, and could not find peace with what he has been saying about the messiah and savior not being one in the same. Jesus was very clear in Matthew 15:26:
He answered, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.’ meaning that he was there for the Children of the Jews and not for the Gentiles. Because she humbled herself, and had great faith, he granted what she asked. Jesus was sent first to the Jew then to the Gentile. I feel blessed to be one of the dogs under the master’s table, or the wild branch grafted into the vine.

]]> By: Kln http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-113 Kln Thu, 15 May 2008 16:13:34 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-113 Likewise I cringe [when] people of God engage in vicious name calling even failing to mention the good that this pastor is doing. Love overlooks a multitude of sins and so far I havent met a perfect person. Cannot the body have diffrent parts? Or must they all beat up, and hold friendship from the unsaved? I'm with you Pastor Hagee. I will be a friend anyway without demanding a conversion. Good Day to you all. Likewise I cringe [when] people of God engage in vicious name calling even failing to mention the good that this pastor is doing. Love overlooks a multitude of sins and so far I havent met a perfect person. Cannot the body have diffrent parts? Or must they all beat up, and hold friendship from the unsaved? I’m with you Pastor Hagee. I will be a friend anyway without demanding a conversion. Good Day to you all.

]]> By: Pamela Kelly http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-102 Pamela Kelly Sun, 06 Apr 2008 19:19:08 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-102 I was very disturbed when I read your blog about Pastor John Hagee. He is clearly in error about the mission of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. I cringe inside when I think about all the gullible Christians who may read or have read Hagee's book and take his words at face value because they support his ministry! I was very disturbed when I read your blog about Pastor John Hagee. He is clearly in error about the mission of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah. I cringe inside when I think about all the gullible Christians who may read or have read Hagee’s book and take his words at face value because they support his ministry!

]]> By: Rick Moorefield http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-87 Rick Moorefield Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:34:56 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-87 I almost don't know where to start here, whether it was from the outrageous claim by John Hagee that Jesus did not say He was The Messiah, or for the shell game that is going on among those who feel that modern-day Israeli political ambition is more important than The Word of God. Sadly, the evangelical world is more interested in being invited to the Knesset and the Purim party, than in boldly proclaiming the Gospel as Peter, John and Paul did. Where is the light to the Jewish people? Hagee must think that the Jews are still waiting for The Messiah. How tragic! I almost don’t know where to start here, whether it was from the outrageous claim by John Hagee that Jesus did not say He was The Messiah, or for the shell game that is going on among those who feel that modern-day Israeli political ambition is more important than The Word of God. Sadly, the evangelical world is more interested in being invited to the Knesset and the Purim party, than in boldly proclaiming the Gospel as Peter, John and Paul did. Where is the light to the Jewish people? Hagee must think that the Jews are still waiting for The Messiah. How tragic!

]]> By: Naahma Golden http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-70 Naahma Golden Fri, 04 Jan 2008 05:18:40 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-70 Shalom, brothers and sisters - Thank you, Kevin, for this article! I recently read Pastor Hagee's book, "Jerusalem Countdown." Unfortunately, I read it AFTER I signed on to receive news and information from CUFI. As I read the book, I thought I was either too stupid or too old to keep track of all the directions Pastor Hagee was taking me. Turns out, I am neither. For much of the time, I was horribly confused and many times had to re-read what I had just read. You can believe that I had my Bible out through the whole thing. With my own Scriptural proof at my side, I discovered misquotes, misinterpretations, and twists and turns that left me completely baffled and breathless. The last chapters of the book were, to my mind, awfully close to blasphemy. It's not for nothing that we are instructed to test everything! I tossed the book onto the back of my bookshelf, wondering if maybe it shouldn't go out to the trash instead. Amazed that any author as Bibically well trained and educated as Pastor Hagee could take such liberties and live to tell the tale, I was very dismayed when I realized that he is leading a huge flock the wrong way. There is much he will be held accountable for at the last trump unless he sees the error of his ways and soon. That said, we are accountable as well. While I will not give Hagee credence again on any matter, the Master instructs us to forgive and to pray for our enemies and for those who would destroy us. It is incumbent upon us (isn't it?) to pray for this "brother" who is so very badly deceived. Thanks again, Kevin, for your courage. Na'ahma Shalom, brothers and sisters -

Thank you, Kevin, for this article! I recently read Pastor Hagee’s book, “Jerusalem Countdown.” Unfortunately, I read it AFTER I signed on to receive news and information from CUFI. As I read the book, I thought I was either too stupid or too old to keep track of all the directions Pastor Hagee was taking me. Turns out, I am neither.

For much of the time, I was horribly confused and many times had to re-read what I had just read. You can believe that I had my Bible out through the whole thing. With my own Scriptural proof at my side, I discovered misquotes, misinterpretations, and twists and turns that left me completely baffled and breathless. The last chapters of the book were, to my mind, awfully close to blasphemy. It’s not for nothing that we are instructed to test everything!

I tossed the book onto the back of my bookshelf, wondering if maybe it shouldn’t go out to the trash instead. Amazed that any author as Bibically well trained and educated as Pastor Hagee could take such liberties and live to tell the tale, I was very dismayed when I realized that he is leading a huge flock the wrong way. There is much he will be held accountable for at the last trump unless he sees the error of his ways and soon.

That said, we are accountable as well. While I will not give Hagee credence again on any matter, the Master instructs us to forgive and to pray for our enemies and for those who would destroy us. It is incumbent upon us (isn’t it?) to pray for this “brother” who is so very badly deceived.

Thanks again, Kevin, for your courage. Na’ahma

]]> By: Mary Runge http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-55 Mary Runge Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:58:48 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-55 I cannot even to begin to tell you how dear and extra special it is to hear the Jewish people stand up and defend our Lord, our Messiah. Before my conversion I never gave the Lord, or the Jewish people any thought to tell you the truth. But when I was reborn, I was given a love, a special place in my heart for the Jewish people and I know that is from God Himself. I have listened to John Hagee over the years and when he made these statements my heart was broken. Why? Because no matter how intelligent the man is, I knew he was wrong in this. There is no mistake. What people are struggling with I suppose, is he deliberately doing this or is he so blind, so deceived? Actually, due to the seriousness of the matter, I do not think we should waste our time with that. What is important in these last days, is that we know the Word of God for ourselves. Satan is very clever and very good at deception. Very good at twisting scripture. He often uses a tiny bit of truth with lies. To me? Deceived or deliberate? What matters is, no matter how much John Hagee verbally expresses his love for the Jewish people, what he is really saying is he does not care for them at all. To deny the precious gift of salvation to the Jewish people is worse than the Holocaust....because in the end it will be damning their souls. We should pray for the man, but also stay away from this man and not listen to or read his articles or "sermons" anymore. He is a false teacher. Truly you will and I will see our Messiah returning in the clouds soon. Lift up your heads. Mary I cannot even to begin to tell you how dear and extra special it is to hear the Jewish people stand up and defend our Lord, our Messiah. Before my conversion I never gave the Lord, or the Jewish people any thought to tell you the truth. But when I was reborn, I was given a love, a special place in my heart for the Jewish people and I know that is from God Himself. I have listened to John Hagee over the years and when he made these statements my heart was broken. Why? Because no matter how intelligent the man is, I knew he was wrong in this. There is no mistake. What people are struggling with I suppose, is he deliberately doing this or is he so blind, so deceived? Actually, due to the seriousness of the matter, I do not think we should waste our time with that. What is important in these last days, is that we know the Word of God for ourselves. Satan is very clever and very good at deception. Very good at twisting scripture. He often uses a tiny bit of truth with lies. To me? Deceived or deliberate? What matters is, no matter how much John Hagee verbally expresses his love for the Jewish people, what he is really saying is he does not care for them at all. To deny the precious gift of salvation to the Jewish people is worse than the Holocaust….because in the end it will be damning their souls. We should pray for the man, but also stay away from this man and not listen to or read his articles or “sermons” anymore. He is a false teacher. Truly you will and I will see our Messiah returning in the clouds soon. Lift up your heads. Mary

]]> By: Donna Diorio http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-30 Donna Diorio Mon, 17 Dec 2007 18:39:08 +0000 http://www.kevingeoffrey.org/2007/11/21/hagee-defending-israel-to-death/#comment-30 Excellent article, Kevin. I have a deep sense that God is putting His finger on this controversy in order to open the eyes of so many Israel supporting Christians to His priority system for "all Israel" to be saved. Hagee and many super pro-Israel Christian ministries have completely eclipsed God's own priority for the harvest in Israel by their obsessive focus on Israel's politics - both internal and international. I was very struck by a comment you made about that Hagee meant "Yeshua did not come to be the Messiah of Israel, he means, 'the Messiah who will lead the Jews in their revolt against Rome." It is exactly what Hagee means, but also it is exactly the focus of the Christian support that Hagee now rallies for Israel--making the Church a sort of 'messiah who will lead the Jews in their revolt against' the political powers of today. Don't get me wrong, I believe we should rally support for Israel in our governments but that focus should not supercede our vision for the salvation of Israel. As someone who advocates for the indigenous ministries of Israel, I can tell you that the focus of Hagee's followers is definitely NOT ever on the indigenous ministries laboring in the Israel's harvest. I believe--in fact, I am hoping--that this controversy is God beginning to break up the wrong focus among Christian Israel supporters (and many Messianics, too, I might add who put politics first and harvest second)to set our priorities in order with His own toward Jews and Israel. What an awesome Christmas present if this 'tis the season for God to put our eyes on the Messiah's charge to us in answer to the question, "Lord will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" Which was: "It is not for you to know the times or season which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Until Yeshua comes again physically to the earth, we are to be witnesses to Him to Israel, not trying to restore the kingdom to Israel completely prior to His return. This is a little like what King Saul did when he knew he was to wait for Samuel to come offer the sacrifice, but because of the pressure of the people King Saul went ahead and did it. God stripped him of the kingdom that day. I believe this is going to be a controversy that will separate the Saul's from the David's. Saul confessed to Samuel, "I have sinned...because I feared the people and obeyed their voice." John Hagee is ready to bend the gospel over backwards in order to tell Israel in the flesh what it wants to hear. What that does to the 10-15,000 Jewish believers in Israel does not appear to concern him at all. If he has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, this controversy could turn to great good that will serve the very purposes of God in building the Living Temple in Israel. Shalom! Excellent article, Kevin. I have a deep sense that God is putting His finger on this controversy in order to open the eyes of so many Israel supporting Christians to His priority system for “all Israel” to be saved. Hagee and many super pro-Israel Christian ministries have completely eclipsed God’s own priority for the harvest in Israel by their obsessive focus on Israel’s politics - both internal and international.

I was very struck by a comment you made about that Hagee meant “Yeshua did not come to be the Messiah of Israel, he means, ‘the Messiah who will lead the Jews in their revolt against Rome.”

It is exactly what Hagee means, but also it is exactly the focus of the Christian support that Hagee now rallies for Israel–making the Church a sort of ‘messiah who will lead the Jews in their revolt against’ the political powers of today.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe we should rally support for Israel in our governments but that focus should not supercede our vision for the salvation of Israel. As someone who advocates for the indigenous ministries of Israel, I can tell you that the focus of Hagee’s followers is definitely NOT ever on the indigenous ministries laboring in the Israel’s harvest.

I believe–in fact, I am hoping–that this controversy is God beginning to break up the wrong focus among Christian Israel supporters (and many Messianics, too, I might add who put politics first and harvest second)to set our priorities in order with His own toward Jews and Israel.

What an awesome Christmas present if this ’tis the season for God to put our eyes on the Messiah’s charge to us in answer to the question, “Lord will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

Which was: “It is not for you to know the times or season which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall recieve power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, AND YOU SHALL BE WITNESSES TO ME IN JERUSALEM, Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Until Yeshua comes again physically to the earth, we are to be witnesses to Him to Israel, not trying to restore the kingdom to Israel completely prior to His return. This is a little like what King Saul did when he knew he was to wait for Samuel to come offer the sacrifice, but because of the pressure of the people King Saul went ahead and did it. God stripped him of the kingdom that day.

I believe this is going to be a controversy that will separate the Saul’s from the David’s. Saul confessed to Samuel, “I have sinned…because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”

John Hagee is ready to bend the gospel over backwards in order to tell Israel in the flesh what it wants to hear. What that does to the 10-15,000 Jewish believers in Israel does not appear to concern him at all. If he has ears to hear what the Spirit is saying, this controversy could turn to great good that will serve the very purposes of God in building the Living Temple in Israel.

Shalom!

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