In Touch Quarter 4 - 2016

4 th Quarter 2016 • No 189 Christian Friends of Israel UK
The maker of all things
including Israel
Jeremiah 10:16
INSIDE
UNDER THE CHUPPAH
HEBRAIC STUDY - THE LAMB SLAIN
THE SHALOM INITIATIVE
REPRESENTATIVE PROFILE - SCOTTISH BORDERS
HEBREW WORD STUDY - THE LORD WHO SEES - OUR PROVIDER
CFI UK CONFERENCE REPORT
FESTIVAL SEASON REPORT
RESOURCES
Education • Advocacy • Aid

Editorial
Concern for
the Church
About us
CFI-UK seeks to bless Israel by
means of practical and moral
support, and to serve the Church in
teaching about God’s purposes for
Israel and the Hebraic heritage
of our faith.
CFI also produces a monthly Prayer
Letter, an audio Middle East News
Report and distributes the Haverim
Hebraic teaching CDs.
Please send for full details of
projects in Israel and also of the
many teaching resources available.
As an educational charity,
we carry a variety of
resources relevant to our
purpose. We do not
necessarily endorse every
view expressed by our
guest writers or authors
of these resources.
Published by:
CFI Charitable Trust
PO Box 2687
Eastbourne
BN22 7LZ
Tel: 01323 410810
Fax: 01323 410211
Email: info@cfi.org.uk
Websites: www.cfi.org.uk
www.keshercourse.org.uk
facebook.com/cfiuk
twitter.com/cfi_uk
Registered Charity
No. 1101899
Registered Office c/o
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Eastbourne, BN21 1BF
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Front Cover Image:
Sea of Galilee
south end from the east
Jacob Vince
In my previous editorial I focused
on Paul’s anguish and concern
expressed in words for his own
ethnic people, ‘I speak the truth in Christ,
I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in
the Holy Spirit – I have great sorrow and
unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could
wish that I myself were cursed and cut off
from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those
of my own race, the people of Israel’ (Romans
9:1-3).
I suggested that if Paul had this
attitude and anguish, yet despite this
was still prepared to focus his attention
on ‘us’ Gentiles to whom he was called,
then should this not place on us an equal
measure of responsibility and concern
for Paul’s own people, the people of
Israel? I suggest that all who support
Christian friendship of Israel do indeed
take this approach and have this attitude.
However, Paul also writes in similar
manner about his concern for the
Church. The temptation for those who,
like myself, have come to realise the
significance and relevance of Israel to
the Church, is to dismiss others within
the Church who have not hitherto come
to such a realisation. Indeed we may
even speak disparagingly about the
wider Church to the extent of calling
it apostate. In other words, “we’re all
right Jack” but blow the rest of them!
We seek to separate ourselves from the
wider Church and potentially prefer,
even relish in the fact that we are on the
fringe. In many respects it is easier being
on the fringe just talking to those we
agree with, whilst at one and the same
time disparaging those with whom we
do not.
Let’s then look at how Paul felt about
the Church, even with all its huge
failings such as in the Corinthian church
where some things were happening that
didn’t even happen outside the church.
Well in the same way that Paul felt
about his own ethnic people, see Romans
10:1, he likewise or in similar manner
expressed his feelings for the Church.
To the church in Philippi, ‘I have
you in my heart’ (Philippians 1:7-8). Do
we? Concerning the wider Church,
expressed in his letter to the church at
Corinth, ‘besides everything else, I face
the daily pressure of my concern for all the
Churches’ (2 Corinthians 11:28). Just look
at the context of the ‘besides everything
else’. First Paul provides his credentials,
including his ethnic identity, ‘Are they
Israelites – So am I, Are they Abraham’s
descendants? So am I. Are they servants of
Christ? I am more’ (2 Corinthians 11:22-
23). Then the ‘besides everything else’ that
he has been through: ‘worked harder…
in prison more frequently… flogged more
severely… five times forty lashes minus
one… beaten… stoned… shipwrecked…
day in open sea… danger from bandits, own
countrymen, Gentiles, city, country, sea,
false brothers… hunger… thirst… cold…
naked’ (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
First of all, despite much of this
happening at the hands of his fellow
Jews, Paul still holds his concern for
his own ethnic people of Israel (Romans
10:1). But the point that should more
widely be noted is that even in light of
the phenomenal danger, persecution
and troubles Paul has gone through, the
‘besides everything else’, Paul says that he
faces ‘daily’ yes, ‘daily the pressure of my
concern for all the churches’ (2 Corinthians
11:28) – ‘all’ the churches, not just some
of them.
So what responsibility does this
place on us? How do we feel about all
the churches we know? How do we
feel about the church gathering we
may attend? Perhaps some of us have
decided to cut ourselves off from our
predominantly gentile brothers and
sisters in the wider Church with poorerunderstanding.
If this is the case, then
surely it should not be so. We need to
repent of such an attitude and hold
the same one as Paul, indeed that of
Jesus – even if simply in honour of
Paul’s own place in reaching out to the
predominantly gentile world with God’s
salvation through Jesus – of which we are
the beneficiaries today. What we need
to ask is, have we not become arrogant
toward the wider Church? If so, then
after confessing this, let us come before
the throne of grace and ask how we can
better serve the Church as Christian
friends of Israel. In this way and with
God’s help we will live up to both parts
of our founding twofold calling, to bless
Israel and serve the Church.
2 IN TOUCH • 4 th Quarter 2016
www.cfi.org.uk

Feature
David Soakell
Under the
chuppah
חּופָ‏ ה
Many of you will remember
that in our fourth
quarter 2015 edition of
the ‘In Touch’ magazine Christian
Friends of Israel welcomed on
board Kristie King as our youngest
Area Representative.
Well, what a difference a year makes.
We are delighted to tell you that
Kristie is now married, and Julia and
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Kristie
and Ivan declaring their vows and
their love at their wedding in August
2016.
Kristie writes, “I just wanted to let
you all know that on the 6 th of August
I went from being a Miss to Mrs
when I married Ivan. After meeting
last year on a Christian dating site,
it wasn’t long before we both knew
that the Lord had brought us together
and we were happily married under
the wedding chuppah (canopy) in
Manchester. Ivan is a wonderful godly
man, worship leader and much more
and I am so thankful that God brought
us together.”
Although I have been trying to allow
Ivan and Kristie time to themselves,
along with the task of making a new
home in Bolton, we have been keeping
‘in touch’ of late and Kristie stated,
“We had a beautiful honeymoon in
Italy and are now home and excited
for what the Lord has planned for
the future. Thank you all for your
prayers.”
As you may remember, although
Kristie was born in the UK, she grew
up in Haifa, Israel, with her parents.
Whilst living there, they birthed a
feeding program called ‘The Ravens
Basket’ which feeds Jewish, Arabic,
Druze and Russian families. On
returning to England Kristie has
been part of a dance team ministry
who travel not only around the UK
and Ireland – but to many different
countries in the world – sharing
through dance, drama and media
the story of Israel, biblical prophecies
of old and those that are yet to be
fulfilled. It’s a great way to ‘awaken’
the church to its Hebraic roots, as well
as sharing with the Jewish community
that there are Believers/Christians
who love and pray for Israel. At the
time, I remember Kristie telling me,
“My passion as a young woman who
has lived, breathed, gone to school
and much more in Israel – is to share
the ‘reality’ of what that all means.
As someone who has lost friends to
the horrors of the terrorism that is
growing stronger in the Middle East
day by day, I know what it is like to
really know ‘that he who keeps Israel
neither slumbers nor sleeps’.”
I was really pleased to hear Kristie
state that she was “excited for what the
Lord has planned for their future”, and
I am really pleased that part of that
future will include her role as a CFI
Area Rep. When Kristie came on board
as a representative in 2015 she took on
Sheffield as her area; however she will
now be looking after the Bolton area.
So, on behalf of all at Christian Friends
of Israel, we would like to welcome
into the ‘CFI family’ Mr & Mrs Ivan
and Kristie Daniel-Sam, and we pray
for every blessing upon their marriage
and future.
Should you wish to get in touch with
Kristie for any CFI engagements in
the Bolton area, please contact her at
thealabastergirl@hotmail.co.uk
facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 4 th Quarter 2016 • IN TOUCH 3

Hebrew Word Study
Melissa Briggs MA,
Hebrew University of Jerusalem,
Melissa is an experienced Hebrew
teacher with a desire to make the
rich language of the Scriptures
accessible to Christians.
Adonai Yireh
The Lord who Sees – Our Provider
We’ve heard God is our Provider - but what
does that actually mean?
This summer my family and I were invited for a
meal at a campsite we visited. When I saw our hostess a few
hours before the meal, I asked her what we could bring.
“Just bring yourselves,” she generously replied. “I have
already provided for you. It will be lovely to spend time
with you.”
I checked again that she really had enough for all of us,
and then I profusely thanked her.
Then as I walked away, replaying her words in my head,
I felt the Lord gently speak to me: “That is what I have done
for you too. I’ve already provided for you.”
Sure enough, when we arrived at our friends’ tent a few
hours later, an elaborate collection of folding tables and
garden chairs were assembled – enough to accommodate all
of the invited guests. The table was laid, and the food was
plentiful and delicious. In the end, even more guests were
invited from neighbouring tents to enjoy the feast.
The Lord used this family’s generosity to challenge my
notion of what his provision looks like in my life. So often
I feel I do not want to be a burden, or that I must bring
something to the table, or that my needs are a
surprise to God.
Today we have lost sight of the crucial
planning that went into a long journey in biblical
times. We are spoiled and blessed by the luxury
of endless service stations and supermarkets.
They relieve of us of the pressure to anticipate
and pack provisions.
In Abraham’s day the length and expected
time of a journey was carefully calculated. Food
was meticulously prepared, counted and distributed so that
all of the sojourners’ needs would be meet for the entire
duration.
What if God, as our Provider, has already looked ahead,
anticipated all our needs, and is confident that he has
plenty to accommodate us? What if there are no surprises or
emergencies in Heaven?
The Biblical Hebrew word for ‘provider’ indeed paints a
picture of God seeing our needs – and seeing to them! In
fact, the very phrase used to describe God’s role as Provider
“The-LORD-Will-Provide”. This
could also be translated as “the LORD who sees”. Yireh is
from the verb ra’ah אָ‏ ה which רָ‏ means see/look/perceive/
behold! 1
This phrase comes from the account of Abraham’s
binding of Isaac in Genesis 22: “And Abraham lifted up his
eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a
thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and
offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham
called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is
יְ‏ הֹוָ‏ ה יִ‏ רְ‏ אֶ‏ ה Yireh' is ‘Adonai
In the Mount
of the LORD
it shall be
provided
said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
(Genesis 22:13-14)
Yireh is also related to the word Hagar uses to praise God
for his provision of water for her and Ishmael in their hour
of need: “So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her,
“You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen
him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13)
God’s provision for his people includes the physical, like
rams and water, and also the spiritual. Abraham’s binding of
Isaac is a powerful foreshadowing of the incomparable work
that Jesus the Messiah accomplished on the cross, through
which the provision for all our needs has been decisively
met. There, at the same place that Abraham offered up his
son, our Heavenly Father offered up his own precious Son
as a fulfilment of Genesis 22:14.
In Jesus we now have all our spiritual needs provided for:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has
blessed us in Christ (Messiah) with every spiritual blessing in the
heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). What a marvellous truth!
Although there is much to be said of the virtues of tithes,
offerings, and wise investments, God’s provision for our
essential needs is a gift of grace from a loving Heavenly
Father. Do I feed or clothe my young children based on their
good behaviour? Certainly not! I care for their
needs because they are my beloved children –
not because they have earned it. Jesus echoes
the same sentiment about God’s provision:
“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And
not one of them will fall to the ground apart from
your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all
numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value
than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)
We are to seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness,
and let God take care of the provisions as he foresees our
needs (Matthew 6:33). Though it is vital to guard against
laziness, greed, or a sense of entitlement:
“But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought
nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of
the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will
be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation,
into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge
people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root
of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have
wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many
pangs. But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.”
(1 Timothy 6: 6-11)
Ultimately, money is not our provider. The Lord is
our Provider – Adonai Yireh. Sometimes he uses money to
provide for us, but he can provide in many creative ways. A
currency could crash tomorrow and millions in cash would
be worthless, but the Lord’s provision is secure, and not
restricted to this world’s financial system.
4 IN TOUCH • 4 th Quarter 2016
www.cfi.org.uk

יְ‏ הֹוָ‏ ה יִ‏ רְ‏ אֶ‏ ה
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with
what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake
you.” So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
(Hebrews 13:5-6)
Do you feel disqualified from God’s provision because of
past mismanagement of finances? The story of the Prodigal
Son offers amazing hope for even the most despairing of
situations (Luke 15:11-32). Despite the fact that the younger
son had squandered half of his father’s money – he is
immediately welcomed back and given the family’s signet
ring. He is not shamed, punished or condemned by the
father upon his return. Do you trust that your Heavenly
Father will do the same for you, if you humble yourself in
his presence?
If you are experiencing hardship in the area of provision,
then call upon the Lord to show you why. We serve the God
who sees and cares about our needs, spiritual, financial or
otherwise – and he sees to them! Do we believe that the Lord
has already provided for us? That we are seen by him? Are
we trusting that he has enough and is enough for all our
needs? Are we willing to forsake any love of money to fully
trust him – our generous Adonai Yireh?
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his
riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
If you are interested in learning the Hebrew language through online
tuition (or in person if you are local to Berkshire), or if you are interested
in hosting a Hebrew language day for a group in your area, please contact
Melissa for more details at: hebrew.explore@gmail.com
1. Note: The LORD our Yireh is famously rendered as ‘Jehovah Jireh’ in
certain Bible translations and songs, but the word Jehovah is a misnomer. It
is a muddle of two Hebrew names for God (the consonants from YHVH and
the vowels from Adonai). More information regarding Jehovah is available
in the Hebrew word studies section of CFI’s Kesher course.
Shalom Initiative
The Shalom Initiative is the outreach of
the UK Jewish community to Christian
friends in support of Israel and in defence
of the persecuted across the Middle East.
This newly-launched initiative is supported by
the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the
Jewish Leadership Council. Heading it up is
Steven Jaffe.
Belfast-born Steven will be familiar to many
Christian Friends of Israel supporters from his
speaking at ‘CFI’ events across the country and
his appearances on Revelation TV. Steven is
grassroots consultant to the Board of Deputies
whose work has embraced Christian friends
across the UK.
Steven says: “the last three or four years
of my life has been a tremendous journey. I’ve
visited parts of the country I scarcely knew
existed! More importantly, I deeply value my
many friendships with Christian supporters of
Israel. We are living in an age of unprecedented
co-operation between Jews and Christians
across the world, to defend what we hold dear
and in order to face common challenges.”
The Shalom Initiative is the Jewish
community’s response to the Shalom
Declaration (www.shalomdeclaration.org).
The declaration has been signed by over 200
UK ministries, prayer groups and churches as
a public act of solidarity with Jewish brothers
and sisters.
CFI Trustees signed the declaration and the
initiative was supported by area representatives
and activists across the country (see In Touch,
2nd Quarter 2015).
Steven describes the Shalom Declaration as “a
very public act of friendship from our Christian
friends in the face of growing anti-Israel
extremism and anti-Semitism. It touched the
hearts of many in the Jewish community. Hence
the desire to deepen friendships and to create
a new platform to encourage working together
both nationally and locally.”
He explains: “the Jewish community values
those who wish to stand with us in defence
of Israel from extreme and unfair criticism.
Given our own history of persecution, genocide
in Europe and expulsion from Arab lands, the
community also has a key role in exposing the
persecution and genocide of other minorities
across the Middle East, including the ferocious
genocide against the Christian communities.”
The Shalom Initiative will work with
Christian Friends of Israel and other ministries
to provide mutual support and encouragement.
Steven says: “CFI’s long-standing prayerfocused
advocacy work and practical support
for Israel is hugely appreciated by the Jewish
community. I remember former and current
directors, Geoffrey Smith and Jacob Vince,
receiving standing ovations at the plenary
meeting of the Board of Deputies in Brighton.”
“Part of the job of the Shalom Initiative
is to ensure the Jewish community knows
we have friends in the Christian world. Too
many headlines in the Jewish media focus on
boycott resolutions debated by various Church
denominations. Few hear about the Nights to
Celebrate Israel which are taking place around
the country or the Christian contribution to
various regional Friends of Israel groups.”
SPECIAL REPORT
The parliamentary advocacy day organised
by Christian Friends of Israel and the Zionist
Federation is the absolute model of our
communities working together.
The Shalom Initiative’s first campaign is
Postcards for Jerusalem, allowing Jews and
Christians to express their appreciation that we
can visit a remarkably safe and free city in the
Middle East.
The distance between Jerusalem and
Damascus is only 150 miles but the differences
could not be more stark. There are huge areas
of the Middle East which are unsafe to visit but
in Jerusalem residents and visitors alike enjoy
a large measure of security and freedom of
worship.
The postcards - which are to be sent to
the Foreign Secretary - have a stunning view
of Jerusalem on the front. On the back is a
printed message to the Rt Hon Boris Johnson
MP. The message requests him to pass on to
his Israeli counterpart our appreciation that we
can visit a safe and free Jerusalem.
Steven is delighted to say that several
thousand of these postcards have been
distributed to Christian supporters from every
corner of the UK. We take the opportunity
to enclose a postcard for you to use. Should
you require more they can be obtained free of
charge from: shalomdeclaration@yahoo.com
PLEASE NOTE: We at CFI UK consider it
wise not to send details openly on a postcard,
so recommend you enclose in an envelope,
address by hand as on the postcard, then stamp
and send accordingly.
facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 4 th Quarter 2016 • IN TOUCH 5

Report
Israel and the New Covenant
Robin Lane
CFI UK Annual Conference 2016 - Report
After some very difficult weeks leading up to the
conference, Saturday 17 th September dawned fair and
final preparations started at 8 o’clock in the morning.
A number of visitors were very keen for the conference to
start, some arriving within minutes of us opening up Victoria
Baptist Church – much earlier than expected! This proved to be
a bit of a challenge as the bookstall and the ministries exhibition
were not ready to open until 9 o’clock. However, these ‘early
birds’ were content to go into the main auditorium, claim their
seats, and wait whilst the setting-up was completed.
They were a sign of the interest that the conference publicity
had aroused, with more than 400 people gathering to hear
David Pawson and Werner Oder, up to 25 percent of whom had
not been to a CFI Conference before. We quickly overflowed
Victoria’s car park and filled up that of the neighbouring school
too. It was a very busy start to the day, with extra chairs needed
for latecomers. But somehow the Lord enabled us to work
everything out, and people enjoyed the opening time of praise
before settling down to listen to the first message.
People warmed to David Pawson immediately when he
expressed his delight at being able to teach us from the Bible
at the age of 86, despite having cancer “all over his body.” He
taught with great clarity and authority, focusing on ‘The Five
Crucial Covenants’ from amongst the full number in the Bible.
David spent just over an hour taking us through the Noahic,
Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and Messianic covenants. He
described the party involved, the promise included, any proviso
made, any penalty associated, the relevant duration and, finally,
the divine purpose.
After a break for refreshments, Werner Oder took to the stage
and combined a description of his lost childhood, as the son of
a Nazi war criminal, with probing questions about what it is
that actually saves believers from their sinful nature. Drawing
powerfully on his own experiences in overcoming his past, Werner
presented three steps to freedom: stop shifting the blame for
your sin, stop holding on to the past, and grasp the importance
of the resurrection life of Jesus Christ – not just his atoning
death on the cross. Many in the audience were deeply moved by
Werner’s message.
The lunch break was followed by a series of presentations
on the work of CFI UK over the last year, carried out within
the context of many difficulties and several tragedies. The staff
team and volunteer helpers are deeply grateful to the Lord for
carrying us through such a year.
Following the afternoon break there was another time of
sung praise before David Pawson presented his second message,
‘Israel and the New Covenant.’ He noted that Jesus was sent
to the Jews, that the New Covenant is Jewish, that the Jews
were the first to benefit from it, and that the disciples were
not in error when they asked Jesus about the restoration of the
kingdom. However, most of the Jews rejected the New Covenant
and quickly rejected Christianity – but they will eventually
benefit from the New Covenant. David looks forward to the day
Jacob Vince, CFI UK Chief Executive, welcomed visitors to the conference.
David Pawson, full of the Spirit, taught with wisdom and authority.
David Soakell, CFI UK Liaison Officer, reviewed a year of hard work by the
Area Representatives.
6 IN TOUCH • 4 th Quarter 2016 www.cfi.org.uk

A full house at Victoria Baptist Church listened to David Pawson teach about the covenants.
Werner Oder preached a powerful message.
when Jews and Christians are one flock, one new man in Christ
Jesus, and live together in the New Jerusalem.
Good use was made of social media during the day, with some
of the key comments by the speakers being ‘tweeted’ as well as
posted on CFI’s Facebook page. One example was David Pawson’s
definitive statement that, “The Jews will always be God's people,
and through them he blesses the whole world.” Another was one
of his forthright statements about salvation: “None of your bad
deeds can keep you out of heaven and none of your good deeds
can get you in!”
Later on Werner Oder’s provocative statement was tweeted,
“Forgiveness does not save us; forgiveness is not salvation.” That
was followed shortly afterwards by his key point from Romans
5:10, “For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to
him through the death of his Son ... How much more, having been
reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
Thus it was that Matthew Soakell told us that in addition to
what was taking place at Victoria Baptist Church, there had
been 2,900 interactions on social media by lunchtime, with
various followers responding to the tweets and Facebook posts.
Some of these interactions came from visitors at the conference,
one tweeting early on: ‘Very moving worship at this conference,’
and another later tweeting, ‘Just heard Werner Oder speak
… inspired.’ That was followed by yet another person tweeting
‘Amazing testimony and teaching from Werner Oder - it was for
freedom that Christ has set us free!’
After the conference, too, there was much positive feedback
both verbally and through social media. One visitor tweeted,
‘Thank you for a wonderful day! Great teaching, worship and lots
of info,’ and another wrote ‘Wonderful Bible teaching today …
Privilege to hear David Pawson & Werner Oder.’ A third visitor
said, ‘An excellent conference which we found encouraging,
inspiring and really challenging’; whilst a fourth wrote on
Facebook: ‘Life changing conference ... thanks to all of you.’
So thank God for a successful outcome to all the conference
planning and arranging. Audio recordings of the messages are
now available in CD format, as described below.
CFI UK Annual Conference 2016 - 4 CD set
This set includes three teaching messages by David Pawson and Werner Oder, plus a collection of shorter messages
about the work of CFI UK. It was recorded live at CFI-UK’s Annual Conference 2016, which was held on 17th
September. The teaching covers the place of Israel within the New Covenant. David Pawson examines this biblically
within the context of the five main biblical covenants; whereas Werner Oder, through personal testimony, considers its
impact upon individual believers.
Disc 1: The Five Crucial Covenants (David Pawson)
Disc 2: It is for Freedom that Christ has Set You Free (Werner Oder)
Disc 3: Israel and the New Covenant (David Pawson)
Disc 4: CFI UK - Blessing Israel, Serving the Church (CFI staff feedback)
CDS131 // 4CD SET // £13.50 (incl. p&p)
BY GOD, I WILL. The Biblical Covenants. David Pawson
It can bewilder many Christians that teachers and preachers using the same Bible can come up with so many different
interpretations and, more particularly, applications of God’s Word. One of the main reasons for this confusion is their
handling of the word ‘covenant’, which is so fundamental to Scripture. The two key questions are: how many covenants
has God made with human beings, and how many of these apply to Christians today?
Some say there is only one (‘the covenant of grace’) running right through Scripture, though they might add a second
(‘a covenant of works’) which applied only to Adam in Eden. Most think there are two (the ‘old’ and the ‘new’)
corresponding to the Old and the New ‘Testaments’ (a synonym for ‘covenant’). Others claim to have found seven
(though they usually call them ‘dispensations’). David Pawson believes there are five which are basic to the story of our
redemption – the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and Messianic. Only one of these is ‘old’ and therefore obsolete;
only one is ‘new’ but endorses the other three. With this insight we can ‘rightly divide the word of truth’ (2 Timothy
2:15; NIV has ‘correctly handle’). See if you agree!
B482 // BOOK // 107 pages // £9.50 (incl. UK p&p)
Order by phone, post or website.
facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 4 th Quarter 2016 • IN TOUCH 7

Feature
James Whitman
serves as president
of The Centre for
Judaic-Christian
Studies (JC Studies)
Reading the Bible for all it’s worth! PART 3
The Lamb Slain
My job is to add depth to the way you read Scripture by tapping into our covenant roots – which are
historically and uniquely Jewish.
We began this series identifying
strategies for keeping the Testaments
connected, followed by ways to see
the consistency of the Father’s words
and deeds from Genesis to Revelation.
In this third article we’ll explore how
the person and work of the man
Jesus (Yeshua from Nazareth) shed
additional light on everything we read
in God’s word, and everything we
encounter in daily life.
While editing a new video course
on the Book of Revelation, the apostle
John’s Spirit-vision of Jesus as a lamb
captured my imagination. Keep in
mind that this unveiling of Jesus
Christ (Revelation 1:1) is written well
after he died on a Roman cross, was
raised to new life by the Lord’s Spirit,
and ascended to the right hand of his
Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac,
and Jacob. Through a series of breathtaking
images, John leads us to and
focuses our attention on a shocking
revelation in chapter five, verse six:
“And between the throne and the four
living creatures and among the elders
I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had
been slain...” (Revelation 5:6)
The Setting: In chapter four, John’s
second use of “in the Spirit” transports
us, along with him, into visions of
heaven, a wondrous multitude, and
a throne inhabited by one they call,
Lord God Almighty. The content of
their worship, “for you created all things,
and by your will, they existed and were
created,” (Revelation 4:11) ties us back to
Genesis.
The Problem: In the right hand of the
enthroned one is a scroll (book) secured
by seven seals. Unfortunately, a
question from a powerful angelic figure
results in a fruitless search for anyone,
anywhere, worthy to look into (or
interpret) the scroll. The first sound to
break the silence is that of the prophet
sobbing from a profound sense of grief
and hopelessness. Not exactly what
you’d expect to witness in heaven.
The Solution: The next sound is that
of an elder consoling the apostle John
with good news. There is indeed
someone worthy, “Weep no more;
behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, has conquered, so that he
can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
(Revelation 5:5). In our new course on
Revelation* Dr Ron Herms suggests,
based on compelling textual evidence,
that the scroll in question tells the story
of every man, woman and child. It is
the book of human history, whose only
interpreter has impeccable covenantal
credentials (Mosaic and Davidic).
The Dramatic Unveiling: Yet all that
goes before does not prepare us
for what comes next. The elder’s
beckoning to behold in 5:5 causes
us to lift our eyes with John in 5:6.
What do we see? The Lion is a Lamb,
‘standing, as though it had been slain,
with seven horns and with seven eyes,
which are the seven spirits of God sent out
into all the earth.’ (Revelation 5:6). John
intentionally leads his readers to this
point. And from here forward, he uses
the Lamb – in reference to Jesus – as
the controlling image throughout his
apocalypse, or unveiling. Why?
No doubt you have enough kingdom
expertise to answer the question for
yourself. Jesus overcame all of evil’s
power and authority as a lamb. That
part we grasp. But John is using his
unveiling to testify that God has
always operated this way – and that
Jesus still conquers evil the same way.
The image of the slain Lamb opens
biblical understanding like a key opens
a chest full of treasure.
CREATION - THE GIFT OF BEING ALIVE
John gives voice to what the Early
Church believed when he declares that
the Lamb is slain from the foundation
of the world (Revelation 13:8). If you
compare versions of the Bible, you
will see that the Greek in this verse
is challenging to interpret. But this
translation seems consistent when you
connect John’s idea with other apostles
like Peter (1 Peter 1:18-21) and Paul
(Colossians 1:15-20).
Crucifixion reveals the Holy God’s
heart of radical love, willing to
embrace suffering to save his creation
from the very start (and to the discredit
of humanity, every step of the way
since then). Shame on any theology
that dares insinuate he thought it up
because nothing else was working.
Rather, the death of Yeshua at the hand
of rebellious men with murderous
intent testifies to the glory of his Father,
the present worth of the cosmos, and its
ultimate destiny under the care of our
Maker and rightful King.
PASSOVER - THE GIFT OF ABUNDANT
LIFE
Revelation 15:2-3 presents a stunning
picture of the overcomers singing a
song of worship. Remarkably it is one
song, which is at the same time both
the song of Moses and the song of
the Lamb. Exodus imagery provides
a vocabulary for salvation. It tells a
complete story of YHWH ransoming a
people. And at its very core is a lamb,
blood, and covenant faithfulness.
The Exodus fuels the biblical
imagination of New Testament
writers. As is so often the case, we
learn much about the apostle Paul’s
way of thinking indirectly by watching
how he applies it when dealing with
behaviour in the household of faith.
The issue in 1 Corinthians 5 is sexual
sin. While exhorting them to get their
act together he supplies us with an
awe-inspiring glimpse of the early
church, “For Christ, our Passover lamb,
has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7)
True this is a historical reference to
Jesus’ death occurring during the
season of Passover. But of equal
importance, this speaks to a profound
truth about the ongoing efficacy of his
atoning death.
ISRAEL AND THE TEMPLE -
A PEOPLE, A PURPOSE
The wealth of the Torah is
inexhaustible. Central to all the radiant
truth it conveys is YHWH’s intention
to return to earth by dwelling with a
redeemed people, offering them access
to ongoing forgiveness and worship
8 IN TOUCH • 4 th Quarter 2016
www.cfi.org.uk

through the sanctuary sacrifices. To
what end? “I will take you as my own
people, and I will be your God” (Exodus
6:7); “you shall be for me a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).
I heard a sermon describing Israel’s
Temple in Jerusalem as a horrible place
with sacrifices designed to frighten
worshippers into compliance. This
misrepresentation, based on prejudice
against people and things Jewish,
would have surprised and alarmed
John the Revelator. Indeed, his
reference points of Israel’s patriarchs
and apostles (Revelation 4:4), Israel
as a people (Revelation 12:1), and
the Tabernacle in heaven (Revelation
15:5) are unintelligible to anti-Semitic
thinking. Instead, John expects us to
understand, appreciate and learn the
lessons they teach.
And they sang a new song, saying,
“Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals, for you were
slain, and by your blood you ransomed
people for God
from every tribe and language and
people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom
and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth.”
(Revelation 5:9-10)
John the Baptiser forever connects
the Old and New Testament testimony
of covenant and new covenant history.
The one of whom Jesus said there is
none born of woman greater than he,
said himself of Jesus, “look, the Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world!”
(John 1:29)
We know that the word of the cross
is folly to those who are perishing, and
that to us who are being saved it is the
power of God. We also know that no
one comprehends the thoughts of God
except the Spirit of God. The apostle
John, in his prophetic role as pastor to
the seven churches in Asia, reminds us
that the Lamb slain is foundational to
healthy discernment, understanding
and witness. In a world hostile to
grace, can we do any better than to
emulate our Master?
Now back to the throne room (where
what we shall be in due time is hidden
with Messiah),
“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honour and power,
for you created all things, and by your
will they existed and were created.”
(Revelation 4:11)
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to
receive power and wealth and wisdom
and might and honour and glory and
blessing!” (Revelation 5:12)
“To him who sits on the throne and
to the Lamb be blessing and honour
and glory and might forever and
ever!”(Revelation 5:13)
* If you’d like to watch samples of our
new video study on Revelation, please
send an email request to James at:
thecenter@jcstudies.com.
Haverim Studies – depth and variety
As we read our Bibles we encounter many
challenges. Some of them come in direct
statements from God, such as when Jesus
said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must
deny themselves and take up their cross and
follow me” (Mark 8:34). Others come in
trying to understand exactly what particular
sections of Scripture mean; such as when
Jesus said, “From the days of John the
Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has
been subjected to violence, and violent people
have been raiding it” (Matthew 11:12).
The Haverim studies are helpful with both
types of challenge, largely by addressing
the second type. They do this by explaining
difficult passages of Scripture from the
perspective of those who lived in Israel
during the Second Temple Period, i.e. the
time when Christ came among us. Many
theologians have attempted to do this
down the centuries, but it is those who
have immersed themselves in the culture
and literature of the times who are most
effective.
The messages vary in nature, some being
single ones like the late Dr Dwight Pryor’s
‘Renewing the Christian Mind: Paul and
the Righteousness of God’, whilst others
come in the form of short series, such as the
three latest messages by Dr Steven Notley
on the Holy Spirit in both the Old and the
New Testaments. For anyone who would like
to explore the meaning of the Scriptures in
more depth, these Haverim studies can be
extremely useful. They can be purchased on
a subscription basis, or individually.
Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies
Haverim subscription
JC Studies is a Christian, educational organisation with a passion for
acclimatising Christians to the life and times of Jesus and the early church.
Are you interested in biblically based, Christ-centred instruction in the Jewish heritage of
Christianity? Consider joining our Haverim * Study Community. Founded over thirty years
ago by Dr. Dwight A. Pryor, Haverim is a subscription service that provides you with a
monthly audio recording by leading Christian scholars. Through their expertise in the
language, literature, culture and traditions of Israel during the Second Temple Period, you
will receive a treasure trove of insights into the sacred Scriptures, both Old, and New.
*Haverim is a transliteration of the plural Hebrew word for Friend. (khaverím)
For more information: Tel: 01323 410810 Fax: 01323 410211 Email: info@cfi.org.uk
Please request the Haverim subscription form
Website: www.cfi.org.uk
CFI UK is the designated distributor in the UK
facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 4 th Quarter 2016 • IN TOUCH 9

CFI UK AREA REPRESENTATIVE PROFILE
SCOTTISH BORDERS – INTERVIEW by CFI’s David Soakell
This fourth quarter 2016 issue of
the ‘In Touch’ magazine continues
with the CFI Area Representative
profiles. This time David Soakell
interviews our Scottish Borders
Area Rep – Philip Aitchison.
So Philip, can you tell us something
about yourself and why you felt you
should become an Area Rep for CFI?
“Ever since I became a Christian I always
thought that Israel was special and
that we needed to pray for the peace of
Jerusalem and for Israel but never really
understood the significance of Israel
in God’s purposes. No-one taught me
replacement theology per se, it was more
a case that Israel was never mentioned
and all the focus was on the Lord Jesus,
the Church and mission. All that was to
change when I attended a CFI conference
in 2005. I cannot remember the teaching
now but something happened that led me
to understand that I really needed to get
involved with Israel in some way. Geoffrey
Smith was looking for people to be CFI
Advocates for Israel and as I was reading
Esther at the time I believed that I needed
to volunteer and take on the responsibility.
From there my understanding of the
significance of Israel in God’s purposes
began to grow and I got more involved
with CFI. A few years later David Soakell
asked me to consider being an Area Rep.
I declined; I had other things in mind as
well as Israel. Sometime later it became
clear that Israel was to be a main point of
focus in my Christian life and when David
asked me a second time, I
knew it was from the Lord
and it was time to take on
the area rep’s job.”
So what does being an
Area Rep involve for you?
“Three months after I took
on the Area Rep position
and still trying to find my
feet in the job, I attended
an Area Reps’ conference
where Julia Soakell took
us through the passage in
Exodus where God said
to Moses, “What is that
you have in your hand?”
Julia put that question
to us. I knew I was due
to receive a copy of the
Kesher course and I sensed
that the Lord was putting
the Kesher course in my
hand. From then on I have
sought to make the Kesher
course available throughout the Scottish
Borders. I believed that it would provide
a good biblical foundation for anyone
wanting to know more about God’s
purpose for Israel and the Jewish roots
of our faith. Since then I have had the
growing conviction that there are many
who do love Israel and pray for God’s
purpose for Israel but are not confident
about taking a public stand in the face
of the current anti-Israel climate. The
Kesher course helps tremendously. In
addition to Kesher, I now have ‘Text &
Context’ and ‘Behold the Man’ courses
which can help us in the same way. I look
for opportunities to hold public meetings
for speakers/teachers who can bring us up
to date with what God is doing in Israel to
help us in our intercessions for Israel or
who can help us become more confident
in standing up for Israel. I also organised
a CFI prayer conference in the Scottish
Borders with Julia and David Soakell, and
hope to do this on a regular basis.”
All our Area Reps fulfil their roles in
different ways and all are unique, but
what would you say are the highlights of
your role and what are the challenges?
“Highlights: Being in a position to serve
others in helping them to fulfil what
God has called them to do re Israel.
Arranging meetings for people to come
to so they can hear about what God is
doing in Israel first hand from teachers
and speakers from Israel or from those
involved with ministries working in Israel.
Challenges: Getting past the perception
that Israel is primarily a political issue
rather than a spiritual one. You can
talk about reaching out to any other
community, people group, or nation and
you are accepted. It is Biblical, it is
Christian, and it is the decent thing to do.
Mention Israel and you can see and feel
the atmosphere change, it immediately
becomes political – and that’s when the
shutters come down.”
So, what would you say to someone
considering being an Area Rep?
“What do you believe the Lord is saying
to you with regards to your involvement
with Israel? Get that clear in your own
heart and mind. Then ask yourself, “Is it
in line with the twin aims of CFI to bless
Israel and to educate the church?” Can
you embrace CFI’s way of Education,
Aid and Advocacy? If the answer to the
second and third questions are yes, go for
it with all you have.”
If you are in the Scottish Borders area
and would like to contact Philip, or ask
him to come and speak at your fellowship,
you can contact him on: 07443 900244
email: philipaitchison@gmail.com
If you are a CFI Church Link in do get in
touch with your area rep(s) on their email
address. Or if you would like to become
a CFI Church Link, please email Julia
Soakell at julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk.
CHURCHLINK
Christian Friends of Israel in
the UK needs you!
We are making good progress in
developing a unique Church Link
network around the country to support
the CFI vision and to encourage
people to read our literature, sign up
to receive updates and pray with us.
We seek to inform the Church of her
Hebraic heritage and to continue to
bless the people and land of Israel.
Age is no barrier but communication is
mostly via email.
Those taking up the role can support
their CFI Area Representative
to promote exciting forthcoming
events and provide access to up-todate
CFI material by distributing
in their local church, fellowship or
meetings. It’s a small role but with
a big goal to increase awareness.
Please email julia.soakell@cfi.org.uk
to apply.
10 IN TOUCH • 4 th Quarter 2016
www.cfi.org.uk

Report
A Fruitful Festival Season for CFI
Feedback from David & Julia Soakell
The summer proved to be a great season for CFI
as we attended some of the many Christian
festivals this year.
Thanks to all those supporters who have prayed through
this time. Those staffing the stand prayed each morning and
answers came in great conversations, divine appointments,
encouraging meetings in the café at New Wine in Somerset
with people interested in getting more involved as
intercessors, Church Links and Area Representatives. This is
a Christian family-based two-week event that attracts 30,000
people each year. A video showing the beauty and diversity
of the Land of Israel (see Resources: ‘Israel Aerial Odyssey’)
ran continuously on the stand and it attracted a lot of interest
and generated many conversations – including a little girl
of five, transfixed by the pictures, who asked to come back
with her parents on other days to watch again. There was
an increased interest in books too, and the team were able to
recommend many resources – books, calendars and DVDs to
help delegates ‘dig deeper’ and learn more about Israel and
the Hebrew roots of their faith.
We also met with clergy who had been on a recent tour of
Israel with Jacob Vince earlier in the year. They shared what
a massive difference it had meant to them personally but also
within their ministry - one said he was ‘transformed’ by the
experience and it had brought great revelation and insight.
The New Wine stand was manned over the two weeks by
David and Julia Soakell and Jacob Vince, Matt Elwick and Bill
and Val Crudgington – all of whom enjoyed the time there,
however long the days were! The camaraderie with other
ministries and traders was exceptional and the atmosphere
of openness was greater than in many other years – we had
enquires from Christians who had never heard of CFI and
many signed up to receive regular CFI literature.
This was also the case at CLAN gathering in Scotland for
five days in July, where Scottish Area Representatives Paul
and Mo Hayes and Philip Aitchison manned a stand. They
too felt that hearts were very receptive and that there were
many intelligent and thoughtful questions this year. Many
CFI supporters also came to encourage the team and express
how pleased they were to see CFI represented again.
Julia Soakell – with a special role for prayer encouragement
says “we really need now to pray that each piece of
literature, every conversation and every purchase made can
bear fruit for the Kingdom and be used, digested or passed
on. I believe we are praying in faith for a great harvest from
these times at the festivals. As the apostle Paul writes to the
first century church at Ephesus, “Now to him who is able to do
immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his
power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in
Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”
(Ephesians 3:20).
Please join with us praying for a harvest in the hearts of
these people and in the ministry of CFI as a result of these
events this year.
Julia Soakell, Bill and Val Crudgington promoting CFI UK at New Wine.
Reaching the next generation at New Wine.
A popular stand at the Christian Resource Exhibition at London’s ExCeL.
Moira Dare-Edwards and friend at the CRE in London’s ExCeL.
facebook.com/cfiuk twitter.com/cfi_uk 4 th Quarter 2016 • IN TOUCH 11

Resources www.cfi.org.uk/shop
BATTLING WITH NAZI DEMONS Werner Oder
Werner Oder is an internationally renowned Lecturer and Bible teacher, inspiring and empowering people to receive hope
through learning the lessons from history. He has been Senior Pastor of Tuckton Christian Centre for over thirty years.
“Can any good thing come out of Nazi Austria? Well, one person did and his story is one of the most remarkable I have
ever come across... in a word, he is a miracle of grace. What an amazing family God has. May this book introduce you to
one of his most unusual sons with whom we will share eternity”. David Pawson.
B471 // BOOK // 140 pages // £11 (incl. UK p&p)
ISRAEL AERIAL ODYSSEY NEW EDITION
Duby Tal & Moni Haramati present a breathtaking aerial journey that brings the story of the Holy Land to life. Stunning
aerial photography reveals the vast diversity found in Israel's landscape, history and archaeology. Hear the stories of the
people, religions and cultures that passed through this land, fought over it, lived in it and prayed for it.
This one of a kind video creation conveys the experience of soaring through Israel's sky, giving you an exciting new view of
this fascinating, ancient land. This new edition includes the 50 minute Skyway Tour without commentary.
Languages: Hebrew; English; Russian; Portuguese; Spanish and German.
Produced for National Geographic Channel by Albatross Ltd.
D137 // DVD // 24 mins plus 50 mins // £17.50 (incl. UK p&p)
ISRAEL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT David Pawson
Those who believe what the Bible teaches about God's plans and purposes for the people and place of Israel are often
accused of giving more time and attention to the Old Testament than the New, and there is some truth in this.
Over 80% of the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament have been literally fulfilled. It is a simple matter of faith in
God's faithfulness to believe that he means what he says, and will do what he says he will do.
This exciting new study reveals that both the people and the place called 'Israel' have a significant role in God's future
plans for world redemption.
Six books of the New Testament are used here to illustrate this important truth; Matthew, Acts, Romans, Galatians,
Hebrews and Revelation.
B393 // Book // 347 pages // £11.50 (incl. UK p&p)
WHAT IS THE BIBLICAL HEBREW CALENDAR? R. K. Bamber
This booklet has been written in response to those who say, “We don’t need the Biblical Hebrew Calendar now because we
are not under the Law of Moses. Believers in Jesus are under grace, not under the Law.”
It presents some of the benefits that accrue from an understanding of the Hebrew Calendar - essentially helping people to
be ‘biblical’ - and then concludes by explaining why it is important for Gentile new-covenant believers to give attention to
the Biblical Hebrew Calendar.
BT117 // Booklet // 28 pages // £3.50 (incl. UK p&p)
The Beauty of the Land of Israel from Dawn to Dusk
16 Month Hebrew Heritage Calendar
Features 16 unique photographs
incorporating Scripture in NKJV, ENGLISH and HEBREW
£10
Includes free
UK P&P
• All dates in both JEWISH/LUNAR and GREGORIAN/SOLAR calendar systems, in
English and Hebrew.
• ALL MAJOR BIBLICAL/JEWISH/ISRAELI HOLIDAYS
(“The LORD’s Appointed Times”) marked and explained in a special reference chart.
• SABBATH (Shabbat) BEGINNING AND ENDING TIMES for Jerusalem.
• References shown for all WEEKLY SCRIPTURE PORTIONS (Torah and Haftarah),
plus "Gospel Portions."
• Each calendar day has a LARGE WRITING AREA. In addition, each calendar month
has one or more writing spaces for reminders and notes.
September 2016
to December 2017
Issued by: CFI Communications, PO Box 2687, Eastbourne,
BN22 7LZ. Produced and printed in Israel