Project Strait Gate New Jersey team leader challenges Pastor's letter to his followers.

Apirl 1, 2008

Dear Pastor Rizzo:

Since you did not respond to my invitation for coffee let me spell out why the Christian Zionist interpretation of the OT is incorrect.

In Jewish (or Israelite) history, there were several instances of "dispersion", or, separation from the land. The migration of Jacob and his family from Canaan to join his son Joseph in Egypt was one such. Another, much more significant one occurred in 586 BC. Then, the Babylonians conquered the Kingdom of Judah and carried most of the Jewish population off to their capital: Babylon. The Babylonians destroyed the First Temple, and left the land of the Jews in ruins. The period was known as the Babylonian Captivity. It lasted until 539 BC, when King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon. He immediately permitted Jewish leaders to return to Jerusalem and create a second Temple. Owing to pressure from their Samaritan neighbors, work was paused until 516 BC. At that point the temple proceeded to completion.

However, the small number of Jews who had either remained in Judah, or who returned to it, did not rigorously practice Judaism as before the captivity. By 444 BC, the laxity of Jewish practice in Judah rose to the concern of a Kohen in Babylon named Ezra. He persuaded the Persian Emperor to permit him to return to Judah, with a large contingent of Babylonian Jews, and restore the rigorous practice of the Jewish religion. The Persian Emperor also approved sending Nehemiah as governor, to supervise the secular management of Judah to support whatever Ezra needed. You will find all this written in the OT books of Ezra and Nehemiah. The net result of these efforts was the restoration of rigorous Jewish practices in Judah until around 330 BC, when Alexander the Great conquered the region. There was so little of note that happened during this period that scholars call it "The Quiet period of the OT" (Old Testament).

Now, when you quote Ezekiel from the OT, (the yellow sheet you gave out), you are, and please excuse me for being critical, far off base. Ezekiel lived during the Babylonian Captivity, and foretold events that would surround the return from the Babylonian Captivity. When his prophecies came true, the Kohanim, who wrote the OT, canonized his writing as "holy" and incorporated them into the OT. Ezekiel's prophecies pertain to a period 25 centuries ago! They have nothing to do with the modern era, or the modern "state" of Israel.

Now consider the three quarters of a million people who were displaced to make this Jewish exclusivist (racist) state. And consider the massacres, the rapes. Consider the total and utter progressive strangulation of Palestinian society. Consider the attacks on Lebanon, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and on the USS Liberty. Consider the siege of Gaza. Consider the checkpoints, closures, extra-judicial executions, the jails filled with Palestinian teenagers on "administrative detention"- held without charge. Consider the widespread use of torture. Consider the children that are dying every day. As a man of God, do you really want to support this? Even if you were right about scripture, do you want to support this? What kind of man of God supports a death-crazed racist program of land theft that kills so many thousands of innocents? Are you a man of God or are you hypnotized by a fantasy which is terribly destructive? Before you dismiss me, please give it some thought!

I'm a Jewish guy. Why don't I love your support for Israel? I'm either crazy or I have a legitimate complaint. What do you think?

Thank you,

Rich Siegel

PASTOR LETTER FOR HIS CONGREGATION ON VIGIL DAY, MARCH 30, 2008

Dear Strait Gate Ministries, March 30, 2008

I will address you as fellow Christians and extend my respect by briefly explaining my view re: prophecy. From a purely Biblical stance, you are missing the point. There are so many verses that I have to limit myself to the basic verses explaining Israel in the last days. The prophesied restoration clearly teaches that Israel is not restored because of worthiness. Quite the opposite is declared. Regardless of your view of Zionism and possible acts of unethical violence, it has nothing to do with Israel being restored as a nation prior to the return of Messiah. I do support Israel’s right to exist but I cannot…will not….support those who deny her that right.

The Arabs have a right to exist as well and perhaps the Nations of the world can help settle this “ancient hostility.” I doubt it. Pray for peace but Jesus said there will never be peace until He rules the world. I see bias and a clear lack of balance in your view.

Any Christian should be outraged regarding war and the death of innocents. However, I cannot see a balance in your presentation. You make it sound as if the Palestinians are entirely guiltless. Recall the recent slaughter of innocent students in Jerusalem? I saw NOTHING of Christian concern on your site. I have been to Israel 29 times since 1981 so I have a bit of a grasp concerning the conflict. Time and space will not allow an adequate refutation of the many things I have read on your site; suffice to say, I think you are WAY off biblically. Please reconsider the following verses (edited due to space concerns):

I dispersed them among the nations, and they were scattered through the countries; I judged them according to their conduct and their actions. These are the Lord’s people, and yet they had to leave His land. I had concern for My holy name, which the house of Israel profaned among the nations where they had gone. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of MY holy name, for I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land * You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be My people, and I will be your God. Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves, (Ezekiel 36 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign LORD, Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, O house of Israel!

It is not wrong for Israel to exist. It is wrong to distort or deny history. “ Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it. You have your right to protest and the sidewalk is yours. Acts of war always are tragic. No matter how hard you try to avoid civilian casualties, they will occur. If I read you correctly, you seem to suggest that no Christian can bear the sword?

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.

Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Rom 13:1;6

Finally, from a purely political point of view, I support Israel because she is a Democratic country. As a Christian, I love (agape) my enemies and I have a duty to defend and protect the helpless. Any atrocity-Muslim, Jewish or Christian must be loudly condemned. Here we agree; however, I find your talk of love of enemies quite hypocritical. Just hear yourself when talking about those EVIL (sic) Israelites vs. those poor Philistines. A few closing suggestions to consider from Romans 11; 13-22, “Branches ” were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid, for if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

I close with the words of an old rabbi and a saved Pharisee, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. The he addressed them: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody. And about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 4; 34-39

Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Titus 3:10-11

God will have to judge which is which in this case. In the meantime, I will pray for you all and continue to long for the Blessed Hope. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Agape, Pastor Charlie Rizzo

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