My Dear Friend,

As another year dawns, BE GRATEFUL AND BEWARE!

BE GRATEFUL that more and more Christian leaders and their congregants are declaring their love and support for Israel. IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING!

A quarter of a century ago, some of us felt like voices in the wilderness. I know I did—especially in confronting attacks against Jews right here in the USA. When I challenged Christians to stand up and befriend their Jewish neighbors, many followers of Jesus stood with me.

Others left me. One pastor said, “What you are doing should spread everywhere. I’ll be praying for you.” When I asked him if he was going to do more than pray—if he would join me in denouncing the swastikas and hate aimed at Jewish people, he told me his answer was no—because the haters might go after him and his church. AND HE WALKED AWAY.

BUT GOD DIDN’T WALK AWAY. He blessed Shalom—and others—who blessed the Jews and Israel and were sometimes threatened by the bad guys. But sometimes, even some of the haters came to Jesus because they saw His love and courage in us. Now you are reading and hearing of more Christian leaders and churches standing up for Israel and the People of the Book—the Jews.

How I rejoice!

BUT BEWARE! The danger these new Christian stalwarts for Israel are facing is what I faced. Does loving Israel and the Jewish people mean soft-pedaling the giver of that love—Jesus! That was my test when it was stated publicly that if I did not say that Christ was only for Gentiles—that Jews did not need Jesus as Messiah—I would not be welcomed any more in major Jewish forums.

Most of you know what happened. I answered that my love and that of those I discipled would be unconditional. No Jews or Gentiles would have to agree with us on Jesus in order to earn that support. No strings attached to God loving them through us. But do not ask us to deny our belief that Jesus is the Savior and Messiah. We cannot—we will not—deny that all people—Jew and Gentile—can find forgiveness of sin and eternal life only through Him.

Today some well-intentioned Christian leaders are trying to share their love by being wishy-washy about Jesus. Some say there should be no proclamation of the gospel—that it can only come to Jews by revelation.

Don’t tell that to the early Jewish apostles like Shaul and Shimon (Paul and Peter) who heard the Holy Spirit order the proclamation of the gospel (witnessing) in order to bring revelation (opening eyes to Jesus’ reality.)

So be grateful if your pastor and church are awakening to their call to bless the Jews and Israel. But beware if you see Jesus Christ pushed into the background and hear words that amount to, “The Jews have their own access to God. They don’t need Jesus—at least not now.”

Jesus is all or nothing. The total truth or a lie. The mediator between God and men or an imposter best pushed aside. The Savior and Messiah—NOW!—or just another religious do-gooder.

The real Jesus takes a back seat to no one . Knees can bow now of our own accord—or later when no will power will keep all knees from bowing to the King and Lord of all.

In the long run, Jews, Israel, all people, respect integrity. That’s why some—even while running away from me publicly, admit privately that they admire ministries like Shalom that cannot be bought or compromised. Pray that this shall always be.

Your prayers and financial help are vital as we launch new outreach in this new year. Please help as God directs you.

In love and appreciation,

Frank Eiklor