PLEASE WELCOME OUR VERY SPECIAL GUEST
JILL SHANNON
Part 3: Israel
This is the third and final part of my interview with Jill Shannon, who is an anointed Israeli author, speaker, musician and songwriter. Jill is a Jewish believer who ministers to the Body of Christ through her many written works, speaking, and music.
We have tackled subjects such as intimacy with Christ in Part I. In Part II we discussed the Church. This week Jill discusses Israel. Get ready as we dive into the prophetic journey Israel has taken, and what God has fulfilled. Learn why every believer has a vital part to play in Israel’s destiny, and discover how you can become an integral part of fulfilling it according to God’s eternal plan — and what that ultimately means for the Church, as well as the world.
To visit Jill and see the full library of her works, please visit her online at
www.coffeetalkswithmessiah.com
EP: One last thing I really… I want to uh, I want to talk about Israel briefly. I know there are a lot of believers who will be reading this, who will be like ‘Please talk about Israel’. That’s a topic I really want you to feel free to speak to.
So here’s my question I believe the LORD wants me to propose: What is going on in Israel right now? Obviously, you live there. What’s happening? I know that Israel is awakening to her Messiah. And, and, so there’s a lot of things that are happening. But I’m going to let you point out what those high points are, and how the Body of Christ can respond.
JS: Okay. It’s actually probably the hardest thing you’ve asked. And I’ll do my best. Um, it’s… in a short summation, I would say it’s: Israel is the good, the bad, and the ugly (chuckles). Okay, having said that, let me try to explain. I do know – I do believe that we’re coming into the days where every single biblical prophecy about Israel is beginning to be fulfilled now. And so in the light of that, for those who know their biblical prophecies – they know that it’s the best of times and the worst of times for Israel.
EP: Yes. That is correct.
JS: And we could say that for the Church, too! You know, and the same things we’ve been talking about. A lot of it is similar for Israel. For example: there are more people accepting the LORD, Yeshua, now in Israel. According to the statistics, which I can’t prove, but this is what the experts say, is that more are coming to the LORD Yeshua now in the past generation, than all put together since the book of Acts.
EP: Wow!!!
JS: And so salvation is growing, and those who will be bold for the LORD are growing in this land. However, the government of this nation does not – it’s not persecution like we’re talking about some of these radical countries that really, really harm the believers. It’s not like that. But there is a degree of persecution here. And people tend to be very afraid to speak about Yeshua, because at times it can have real consequences for people depending on their status, in terms of citizenship, having a tourist visa, having a short-term resident visa – there’s all kinds of implications about that. Um, they don’t tend to be warm and fuzzy toward believers that want to stay in the Land a long time, let’s just put it that way.
And, um, there are actually laws on the books called “anti-missionary laws” here. Now to some degree, they are not enforced, which is a good thing. But there are laws that are actually bad, and there are certain leaders in very highly religious sects that are agitating to make those laws stronger, sort of like give them sharper teeth, if you know what I mean. Trying to make those laws more punishable if we talk about Yeshua to others. And so, there is a lot of fear in the believing community because we don’t want to be evicted. We don’t want to be silenced. We don’t want to be, um I mean, I don’t know if a person could lose their citizenship over it. I’m honestly not sure. But I think there’s a fear of that, and especially for people who don’t have citizenship, their status is at risk, and they don’t want to be kicked out, to be honest with you. And so, there’s fear issues.
And one way I’d like to ask people to pray is that they pray for a boldness to come over those of us who live here. That we will… of course, we don’t want these things to happen to us, but the thing is, we also don’t want to be ashamed of the name of Yeshua.
And at the same time as this good part is happening, the growth of the number of people that are receiving Yeshua because of the bold ones, there’s also a growing interest in New Age and the Occult coming through many, many avenues into Israel. Literally, satanic versions of Baal worship. All kinds of Eastern religious practices. And young Israeli’s are flocking to everything but the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And they’re seduced and enticed and led away by all manner of occult, new age, Eastern religion. And even now it’s becoming more overtly satanic. And so, I’m grieved to see many, many evil things rising up in certain sectors of Israel. Again, I don’t want to paint anything black or white, because I can get in trouble no matter what I say if I’m too extreme about it. But in some ways God’s kingdom is advancing here greatly. I see signs of it everywhere. Rabbis are secretly coming to the faith, but they’re too scared to admit it – for reasons that are – for the same reasons in the New Testament they were afraid to confess it. And so, you know, the LORD is doing a great thing here, but the enemy really wants to get his hands on the throne of the Son of David, who is our LORD Yeshua – that the enemy wants to ascend to the LORD’s throne, and he wants the heart of Jerusalem for himself. He wants his man on the throne. And Satan wants to – it’s just like in the days of Elijah. To compare it quickly, it’s like the days of Ahab and Jezebel versus Elijah. There’s growing a battle that is exactly like what Elijah faced. Except now it won’t be one man Elijah, it will be an Elijah company! And it will be a Moses company! And the companies of the faithful will be equipped with the same kind of authority and zeal and power that Moses and Elijah had when they walked the earth. And so, this company will be the prophetic company that will dare to confront the spirit of Ahab, the spirit of Jezebel, and all of the occult versions of Baal worship and child sacrifice that are going to be rising up in this land as in the days of Elijah. We really are in the days of Elijah here in Israel. And this is a country where the word becomes flesh in reality. And so, we need prayer for protection from our enemies, because if our enemies could kill us, we can’t get saved.
EP: Right.
JS: And so we need to – it’s in the LORD’s heart that we not only survive physically, but that our hearts will be turned back to the only One who is truly God; the only One who hears our cry; the only One who made us; and the only One who shed royal blood for us. But they don’t know Him. They think Jesus is some kind of a Catholic savior that’s only for Gentiles. And they just don’t have any – if they could see Him for one second! His beauty! His Jewish identity! If they could see how much He loves His brethren, just like Joseph loved his ten brothers that were so cruel to him. Joseph did nothing but love them! He said, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good. And now I’m here to save many alive.” And that’s who Yeshua is: He’s the greater Joseph to our people here in Israel.
And um, we need prayer not only for physical protection, which we desperately need, but we also need prayer that hearts will turn, and turn, and turn – back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and that this generation will not be stolen by the enemy for occult practices, and occult one-world-religion, which is raising its head right before our eyes. And sadly, Israelis, both in government levels, and in regular people levels, they will be very susceptible to embracing this one-world-religion, where they’re all merged together and ‘why don’t we all just get along.’ It’s going to be a false peace. And I’m sorry to say that I believe that biblically, Israel is going to (a large degree), is going to embrace this false religion, and this false governmental structure, and this false peace – and so we can’t pray that it won’t happen at all, because biblically, it will. But we can pray for the salvation of the Jewish people, and that many, many, many – hundreds of thousands – will give their hearts to the LORD. So, if we have His mark on our heart, we cannot accept anybody else’s mark.
EP: Yes, absolutely. And Jill, I want to ask you. I know there’s going to be people mentioned, you know, prophecies that are coming to pass that are spoken. And a lot of believers really don’t understand what those are. Can you just clarify that? What exactly has transpired prophetically in Israel that is significant to our time?
JS: Wow! (laughs) Okay, I need a deep breath for that one! Well, first of all, I mean, God stirred up a dead nation to come back to life. You know, Hebrew had not been used in the marketplace for two-thousand years. Israel had been scattered from her land for almost two-thousand years. The culture had died. The Judaism, as practiced in the temple, had died. Um, the center of life in Jerusalem had died. We were scattered. And so obviously, one of the hugest fulfillments of the prophecies is that God has restored and returned the people to the land – even though they didn’t know Him! He said in Ezekiel, “I’ll bring them back, and then I’ll sprinkle their hearts. Then I’ll circumcise their hearts. Then I’ll pour My Spirit out. But first I’ll bring them back to their land.” That’s the order. And so the people came back, largely in unbelief. But that was still prophetic. And some people think that because they didn’t come back as born-again Christian Jews, it’s not prophecy. That’s not true. He definitely brought us back! And against all odds! He preserved Israel through more than seven wars! Four of which, could have been our absolute destruction, and would have been without absolutely supernatural angelic help, which even unbelieving Israeli soldiers saw those angels!
EP: Yes! Yes!
JS: And you’ve seen, maybe, those documentaries, like Against All Odds, about the Six-Day War, and the 1948 War of Independence. And so one of the hugest fulfillments is that we’re here at all! That we’re back in this land, and that God has caused our ecology to thrive, our fertility of the land to thrive, our military to thrive, our economy to thrive, our import-exports to thrive, and the air force, and the navy, and you know, it’s just incredible what has happened in such a short time. And that is a fulfillment of prophecy because the land was stripped of its trees, stripped of its – it was swampy, and the Turks had essentially forced the Jews to cut down every tree! And now it’s like an oasis in the middle of a very brown, rocky place, you know. And so, all of those prophecies about the vineyards and the orchards and God restoring water in the desert – all of that is a ‘first fruits’ major fulfillment of a number of prophecies, which I, you know, of course I won’t try to bring them out at this moment by name.
And then you’ve got other prophecies about how the nations will come against Israel. And how Jerusalem will become a stumbling block – a heavy stone of offense – a cup of poison! Some bibles say ‘a cup of drunkenness.’ But in Hebrew it says ‘a cup of poison.’ And so, it’s like the nations are RAGING over this tiny, tiny city called Jerusalem – that has no wealth, no oil, no natural gas, no diamonds, no gold, no silver – not even a river! And the nations are raging to possess this tiny city! In fact, a tiny part of the city called the Temple Mount, which is where Abraham offered his son, but God stopped him before the final blow. But he offered his son!
And so, we see a fulfillment of Zechariah, chapter 12, which says, “All the nations will gather against Jerusalem and come against her, and they will – they will pick up Jerusalem as one would pick up a cup of poison. And they will try to heave to Jerusalem away as one would try to lift a heavy stone.” And Zechariah says that those who try to lift her will never lift anything again. They will be irreparably damaged, and those that drink that cup will never drink anything again. And he says – and so those incredible prophecies – you’ve got those in Zechariah 12 and 14 about the nations severely scheming to come and either take the Jewish people captive, or kill them, or scatter them, or disperse them again, and take over the Land. You see an international frenzy! You see it before our eyes! I mean, every other day there’s a U.N. meeting condemning Israel. And what was Israel’s crime? Their main reason they condemn Israel is because they build apartments in their own nation, in their own property, they built apartments for Jews, instead of giving that territory away in this contested battle for the land.
EP: That’s incredible, Jill. It really is.
JS: Yeah, and that’s an example of how we see this coming to a head. Just to sum it up Erin, I would say that the raging of the nations against this land, against the mountains of Israel, which the world calls the West Bank, but the Bible doesn’t say that. The Bible says, “Oh mountains of Israel, God is going to resettle your people on you, and you will thrive, and you will flourish!” And it’s those very mountains that are the center of every argument in the U.N. right now. And so, we’re going to see this come to a terrible climax, and a terrible rage, and God is going to let it get to a certain point. And I can’t – I’m not the one to define how far He’s gonna let it go, and how far the damage will go, and how bad it will get. My guess is, it’ll get pretty bad. But we will finally cry out to God, and then Zechariah, chapter 12, verse 10 will be fulfilled! Because in verse 3, the nations rage and try to heave Jerusalem away. But in verse 10, they look up to Him and they finally see Yeshua. I believe that every Jew in the Land will finally see Him with their eyes open. He will be suspended above, in high, high air, and they will mourn and beat their breasts, and the men will pluck out their beards in mourning and wailing, and they’ll say, “It was You? It was YOU? IT WAS ALWAYS YOU? YOU’RE JEWISH? YOU’RE OURS? YOU’RE JOSEPH, YOU’RE DAVID, YOU’RE OUR BROTHER?” And that moment is a tremendous day of the national salvation of Israel, which is different from individual Jews like myself, and hundreds of thousands of others getting saved one at a time, which is the normal way. But there will be a national moment in Zechariah 12:10. And I believe that will be before the LORD actually returns to set up His kingdom on earth. That moment, I believe it’s before. I won’t guess how long before. Maybe a short time.
EP: Right. Very interesting, Jill. Thank you for sharing that. That does bring clarity to, you know, some of the things going on right now. And really what God’s preparing. I mean, the salvation of Israel is one of the very last events to occur before the return of the LORD. It’s one of the very final prophetic fulfillments of the age.
JS: Yeah, it seems that way, doesn’t it?
EP: It does. And we are seeing the Jewish people come to Christ. And like you said, it’s on an individual basis right now.
JS: Exactly. Right.
EP: I call it the initial fluttering of the eyes. Where, you know, you finally awaken from sleep. I mean, it’s just very fresh. It’s very fresh. You’re not quite awake yet, but you’re definitely stirring. And so I see, I see that kind of happening in Israel right now, and it’s a beautiful thing!
JS: Yes!
EP: And I think, you know, how can the Church be a part of that in a more effective way? Is there something that we can do other than prayer? Um, of course, I advocate for the support of Israel. You know that. I mean, I love her dearly! I mean, my heart just beats so strong for Israel! I love the Israeli people there. I consider them my brethren.
So, I would love to help other people who may not really flow in that vein as much, understand: ‘what is my part? What do I have to do with Israel?’ I think that would be the general question. How would you answer that?
JS: Yeah, I would say that if we really understand the scriptures and the covenants of God, we could really get that – and one of my books really gives this overview perfectly. It’s called Israel’s Prophetic Destiny: If I forget Jerusalem. But I would say in a nutshell: If the true Church of God, the true Church of Jesus here, could understand that their future, their destiny, is inextricably bound up with the salvation of Israel. If they could understand that if Israel falls – the world falls.
EP: YES! Absolutely!
JS: Those who bless Israel will be blessed! And those who curse Israel will be cursed! And so, what I believe is the best thing to do, and yes – prayer is by far, serious prayer – praying for not only physical salvation, yes, that – protection from our enemies, yes, that. But, especially pray for spiritual salvation, that they would turn to the Jewish Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach. Beyond that, my strongest advice would be: and I know some might be bothered by this, but since you’ve asked me I’m just going to share my heart. I would ask people if their heart is to donate – in the direction toward Israel – toward the Jewish people – toward their salvation: I would urge people to give to ministries that know the LORD. I would really encourage them, and I hope this doesn’t sound wrong…
EP: Not at all! Not at all!
JS: I would just say… I’m gonna say the honest truth: I would encourage them not so much to give to governmental related projects. And not, you know, not to, not to – even rabbinic projects where the rabbi is against Yeshua. I would really discourage that, and I know some. And I know these are happening. I urge people when they say to me ‘where should I donate?’ There’s a couple ministries – and there’s many ministries in this land that are worthy, and it’s not my job to say what’s the best one.
EP: Well, I wanted to bring one up if you don’t mind. And I’m familiar with “One for Israel.” Have you heard of them?
JS: “One for Israel?”
EP: Yes.
JS: I, I’m not actually sure. I’d have to look them up. Because honestly I’m not familiar with the name, and I would just hesitate to say anything when I don’t know. I can name the one – one of many that I respect tremendously! It’s called Vision for Israel with Barry and Batya Segal. They’re beautiful believers. They make Messianic worship music, they help the poor, they help the soldiers in the army that don’t have winter coats. They help Holocaust survivors. And they help the poor more than anything. And very, very often, when people say ‘where should I give?’ I often direct them there. Um, I love them very much. The website is: www.visionforisrael.com
And in my books, I name the ministries that I feel… but I would really urge people that if they want to make a financial donation, do it with people who love Yeshua, and check out the ministry. Make sure they’re not into certain weird side trails, and have solid biblical doctrine. I’ll just say that. But make sure they are not ashamed to confess Yeshua. They love the LORD, and that they do good deeds whether for the poor or for, you know, the broken, or the orphans, or the anti-abortion movement in Israel. Donate to that. They’re excellent. It’s the Pro-Life movement here, and in Hebrew, it’s called “Be’ad Chaim.” They tremendously save lives of babies every day. And they help the moms to raise their children, or I guess they probably help them get adopted if that’s what the mother wants. Their website is: http://www.beadchaim.com But, you know, those are the ones I would say for practical help. It’s better to give to believers than to just put it out there in the general, secular, or governmental, or rabbinic pot.
EP: And to expound on the ministry that I’m familiar with. I would encourage you to look them up. They are about evangelizing. They have brought many Jews to Christ. They have a bible college. They are called One for Israel. You can find them online very easily.
JS: OH!!! Are they in Netanya?
EP: I’m not sure where they’re located.
JS: Oh, I think I know which one you mean! They have bible schools here.
EP: Yes!
JS: And you know what, you’re ringing my bell now. I just remember someone came from that ministry and I did look them up online, and I just saw a lot of good solid stuff there.
EP: Oh, yes!
JS: From what I saw, it did look very solid!
EP: Yes, it is solid. For sure. And um, I forget the gentleman’s name who founded the ministry, but they are making huge waves for the LORD, and they are being very successful. He has blessed them tremendously! They are bringing Arabs and Jews together. They’re studying the Word together; they’re finding the LORD together; they’re going out and evangelizing. It is profound prophetic ministry!
JS: Yeah, I did see… Yeah, I’m glad you mentioned that because I remember getting online about six months ago, and I saw a bible school. They may be in Netanya.
EP: Yeah, it may be. I’m not sure where they’re located. But they have a — it’s fully accredited! I mean, it’s a bible college! Yeah!
JS: Yeah, yeah. I’m thankful for them. And I’m sure I’ve forgotten to be aware of them because it’s just a momentary thing where I got online. But I think that’s good if you want to encourage people about that school. For sure.
EP: Yeah. Well, and just the evangelization they do is so powerful and so practical. And it’s bringing the unity of the brethren and the salvation of Israel to pass. And it’s just an incredible ministry. It’s unlike any other I’ve ever seen. Honestly. It’s very unique.
JS: Yeah, and you know there’s a number of ministries. And I feel bad that I can’t name so many others. That there’s many whose hearts are really awesome, whether it’s in the direction of soup kitchens for the poor, or evangelism, or bible schools, or, um, distribution for Ethiopian immigrants that have nothing, you know. There are a number of ministries, and it’s really good to check it out. And you know, just make sure that the person’s giving to a place where their money will really go into kingdom work.
EP: Praise God! I agree with you, Jill! That’s so important. Because we can give, and if the money is not reaching people for the LORD then um, it’s not being maximized. You know what I mean… it’s … yeah, the physical element would be there, but not the spiritual element…
JS: I do, I do. That’s not to discredit… There are other ministries that are not related to the kingdom of believers. You know, it’s strictly focused in a Jewish way. And I’m not against them at all. Of course, they’re doing good. And you know, I never want to say anything against anything that’s helping people. But my particular emphasis is going to be to bring people’s souls to salvation and not just helping their momentary circumstances here.
EP: Exactly. I agree with you on that. Absolutely. Absolutely.
JS: Yeah, yeah.
EP: Jill, I’m so thankful. I know it’s… we’re at the two hour mark here, and I wanted to give you the opportunity to wrap this up. And I am so grateful for our time. You’ve been very generous! Very generous! And I um, I’ve really tried hard to flow with the Holy Spirit. And I hope that you’re pleased with what we’ve talked about so far.
JS: Very pleased! Very pleased. I feel we had a tremendous flow together.
EP: That’s great! That’s great. I want to give you the final word. Is there anything that you would like to cap this with for the readers?
JS: Um, sure. Just following whatever the LORD will put in my mouth right now before my last battery dies here (laughs), because I’m on the edge of my seat with this battery, but praise God it held on!
So yeah, LORD, I just want to bless the people listening, Father. We’ve covered so many topics! We’ve covered intimacy with You as being the very center of our solid foundation in You – is being with You, and knowing You as an intimate friend. LORD, I pray everyone who’s really listened closely to these and says, ‘Yes! I really want to go deeper with You, LORD, but I don’t know how. I don’t know where to start. I feel distracted. I’m busy. I’m being pulled in every direction.’ Father, I pray that you’ll clarify! Clarify their minds and hearts. Give them specific and detailed (what’s the word I want?) precise strategies that will match their lives right now where they are. Precise: ‘Just give Me one hour in the middle of the night’, or, ‘Just give Me one hour from 5 to 6 in the morning and we will really move quickly into the acceleration you desire.’ LORD, You give them Your strategy. ‘Fast one meal a day,’ whatever – like You did with Erin for six months. She fasted one meal a day, but it was a huge sacrifice, but she spent all that time, and her life was changed, LORD. I pray that You will do that for each one in their own exact way, according to their needs, their heart, their desire – that You will impact people.
Father, I pray that You will stir up an understanding that these are the last days, and that things will not go on as they did. This is not our grandparents’ generation. This is not our parents’ generation. We will not see the same long-term future stretching ahead in the same way that our parents and our grandparents saw. I pray that You will light that up in people’s hearts, and that You will lead them to the prophetic teachers, and messengers, and forerunners that You have placed on this earth for such a time as this.
I pray they will not waste their time on one stream or another stream taking them into these weird branches of doctrines, LORD. I pray that You will make their eyes focused, knowing You, and Your beauty. Gazing upon You and Your beauty. One thing will they desire: to know You and be intimately known by You, LORD.
I pray for each one that’s discouraged and hurting. That You will encourage them! Even this very day, LORD. That You will do a special little surprise for them, that they will know that You’re listening to the deepest unspoken prayers and cries of their heart. You know that they want You, LORD. You know that they love You, but they don’t know how to go there with You. And they think they’re on a low level. But in Your heart, they’re not on a low level. They are precious to You, LORD. I pray you’ll encourage them this day.
And I thank You, LORD, for Erin making all of this available to her readership and her listeners. I bless Erin, LORD, I thank you for her transparency. And I thank You that we’ve really just met in a sense, but that You’ve given us tremendous agreement in the Spirit, and You’ve given us a love and a heart for Your people. I pray You will equip Your bride – You will equip her and accelerate her powers and authority of the age to come. And You will raise up your Moses and Elijah company, so that we will be able to combat the gross darkness and idolatry that is rising on the earth. Let the light of God’s glory shine brighter than the darkness.
And I bless them in Yeshua’s name. Amen.
EP: Amen, Jill. Thank you so much!
This concludes our three-part interview. Please click below to see:
PART I: Intimacy with Yeshua
PART II: The Church
Jill has an amazing spread of anointed work. Please visit Jill on her website at:
www.coffeetalkswithmessiah.com
You will surely be blessed! Here you will find the full library of Jill’s authored work,
DVD teaching, worship CD’s, YouTube videos that broadcast her teaching and worship, and much more…
Cheers & Shalom,
Check out Jill's resources on Israel below.
When you read this book, you will learn:
- Why is our modern church calendar so different from that of the first-century believers?
- Was the Lord thinking of His end-times Bride when He laid out the Feasts of Israel?
- Why is God inviting ALL people, both Jew and Gentile, to enjoy these celebrations?
- Which feast prophesies Jesus’ first coming?
- Which feast explains what must take place before the Lord can rapture His Bride?
- Which feast is a picture of the Millennial Reign of Messiah?
- Which feast prepares us for the rise of antichrist and tribulation?
- Which feast prepares the church to respond to increasing anti-Semitism?
- Which feast will announce the salvation of Israel, as Paul prophesies in Romans 11?
- What is truly in the Father’s heart concerning the Sabbath day? Is this about legalism or having a date day with Jesus?
- The five “foolish virgins” in Matt. 25 had no extra oil in their lamps…how can we ensure that we are not shut out of the Wedding Supper as they were?
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