• THE HISTORY OF JEWS FOR JESUS, AND WHAT DOES THE BIBLE AND GOD SAY? CH 2
  • IN THE END TIMES, the Jews will get back to where they once belonged.
  • STARTING OUT, THE JEWS MISJUDGED JESUS AS THEIR MESSIAH.
  • SOON, THE JEWS WILL TRANSITION TO CHRISTIANITY.
  •  The organization known as Jews for Jesus was founded in 1973 by Moishe Rosen, a Baptist minister who sought to present faith in Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish identity rather than its end. While the organization is a modern entity, its core mission relies on the biblical claim that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah.
    • NPTE: IN THE MID-1970S, I WORKED IN THE CHICAGO LOOP, AND I OFTEN FLEW OUT OF O’HARE AIRPORT.
    • THE JEWS FOR JESUS ORGANIZATION HANDED OUT THEIR HANDBILLS, BILLS, AND PAMPHLETS. WHENEVER CONVENIENT.
    • THEY WORKED AT BOTH COMMUTER TRAIN STATIONS DURING THE MORNING AND EVENING COMMUTER RUSH HOUR. THEY ALSO COVERED THE LOOP AT LUNCH HOUR. DITTO FOR THE AIRPORT.
    • THEY REPRESENTED THEIR MISSION WITH STYLE AND GRACE.
  • History of the Organization
  • Founding (1970–1973): Originally formed as Hineni Ministries in 1970, it was a subsidiary of the American Board of Missions to the Jews (ABMJ). It was officially incorporated as “Jews for Jesus” in 1973 after the media popularized the slogan.
    • Tactics and Growth: Founder Moishe Rosen used creative street outreach, colorful pamphlets, and music groups like the Liberated Wailing Wall to gain attention. The headquarters moved to San Francisco in 1978 and expanded internationally by 1981.
    • Current Leadership: The organization is now a global non-profit led by Executive Director Aaron Abramson (as of 2024), with staff in 13 countries. [
  • Who are the Jews for Jesus, and what do they believe?
  •  They are not in competition with other ministries that reach out to Jewish people. They consider other organizations and individuaS.
  • What the Bible and God Say (Messianic Perspectives)
  • Jews for Jesus and its supporters argue that the Bible presents a cohesive plan where Jesus is the central figure for Israel and the world. [1, 2]
    • Prophetic Fulfillment: They point to Hebrew Scriptures like Micah 5:2 (Messiah born in Bethlehem) and Isaiah 53 (the suffering servant) as evidence that Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the Jewish Messiah.
    • “To the Jew First”: The movement often cites Romans 1:16, which states the gospel is the power of God for salvation “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
    • Identity and Salvation: Proponents highlight Romans 2:29, arguing that a “true Jew” is one whose heart is transformed by the Spirit. They believe that according to Jesus’ own words in John 14:6, faith in Him is the only path to God for all people.
    • God’s Irrevocable Call: They maintain that the Jewish people remain God’s chosen nation and that a future day is coming when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:26-29).
  • Controversies and Jewish Perspectives
  • Jul 5, 1998 — “Neither Jews nor Gentiles have priority in how they are saved: both are saved by faith in Christ.” 
    • Religious Authority: No Jewish religious authorities recognize Jews for Jesus as a Jewish organization. The Israeli Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that Messianic Jews are not eligible for citizenship under the Law of Return because belief in Jesus is considered a departure from Judaism.
    • Theological Rejection: Rabbinic Judaism argues that the Messiah must bring world peace and a return to the Land—criteria they believe Jesus did not meet. They view the worship of Jesus as a violation of the absolute oneness of God (Deuteronomy 
  • Would you like to explore specific Messianic prophecies or the organization’s Passover presentations?
  • he Bible indicates that in the end times, the Jewish people will experience a period of intense persecution known as the “time of Jacob’s trouble,” culminating in a national repentance where they recognize Jesus as their Messiah. Jesus returns to save them, ending the tribulation, and establishes a kingdom based in Jerusalem.
  • Key Biblical Prophecies Regarding Jews and Jesus in the End Times:
    • The Time of Jacob’s Trouble (Tribulation): The End Times involve a period where the Jewish people face severe persecution and conflict in the land of Israel. This is described as a time of great battle where nations gather against Jerusalem.
    • National Recognition of Jesus: A central theme is the widespread spiritual awakening of the Jewish nation. Zechariah 12:10 describes that they will look upon “him whom they pierced” and mourn, leading to national repentance and salvation.
    • Return of Jesus (Second Coming): Jesus will return visibly to Earth, bringing an end to the antichrist’s armies and saving the remnant of Israel.
    • Restoration and Kingdom: After the destruction of the enemies of Israel, Jesus will reign as King from Jerusalem, and Israel will be restored under his rule, marking a time of peace.
    • Conversion and Salvation: While salvation is a personal choice, the Bible suggests a massive, national-level acceptance of Jesus as Messiah by the Jewish people at the end of the age. [1, 2
  • The Bible portrays the end times as a period of final redemption for Israel, where the Messiah who was initially rejected is finally embraced by the nation. 
  • 1. Recognition and Repentance
  • The primary biblical theme regarding the Jews in the end times is their national recognition of Jesus as the Messiah
  • Zechariah 12:10: Prophesies that God will pour out a “spirit of grace and pleas for mercy” on Jerusalem. The Jewish people will look on the one they “pierced” and mourn for him with great bitterness, signaling a massive spiritual turning point.

  • Romans 11:26: The Apostle Paul states that “all Israel will be saved” after the “fullness of the Gentiles” has come in, suggesting a future national restoration where the “Deliverer” comes from Zion to banish ungodliness.
  • 2. The Great Tribulation
  • Prophecy indicates a period of intense suffering for the Jewish people, often called the “time of Jacob’s trouble” 
    • Persecution and Protection: The Antichrist is expected to sign a seven-year treaty with Israel but will break it halfway through, leading to war. Revelation 12 depicts Israel (symbolized as a woman) being supernaturally protected by God in the wilderness for 3.5 years.
    • Purging and Refinement: Zechariah 13:8-9 suggests a period of severe refinement where a “remnant” is brought through the fire to call on God’s name. [1, 2, 3, 4]
  • 3. Key Signs and Events
  • Specific physical events in the land of Israel are often cited as precursors to the end: [1, 2]
    • Regathering to the Land: Prophecies in Ezekiel (36:24) and Jeremiah (30:3) foretold the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral land from all nations.
    • 144,000 Witnesses: Revelation 7 and 14 mention a specific group of 144,000 “servants of God” from the twelve tribes of Israel who will be sealed and protected to serve during the Tribulation.
    • The Third Temple: Many interpret Daniel 9 and 2 Thessalonians 2 to mean a third Jewish temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, where the Antichrist will eventually demand worship. 
  • Jesus’ Return to Jerusalem.
  • The climax of the end times involves Jesus physically returning to rescue Israel. [
    • The Mount of Olives: Zechariah 14:4 states the Messiah’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, the same location from which he ascended.
    • Millennial Reign: After the final battle (Armageddon), Jesus is expected to reign as King from Jerusalem. Israel will then be the “chief of nations,” and the world will come to Jerusalem to learn from them and worship God (Isaiah 2:2-3, Zechariah 8:22-23). [, 3, 4, 5]
  • Does the Bible say that Jews will repent in the last days?
    • Founder: Moishe Rosen left the American Board of Missions to the Jews (ABMJ) to create 
    • Origin: Originally known as “Hineni Ministries” in 1970, the organization adopted the “Jews for Jesus” name after it was coined by the media.
  • Expansion: The group quickly expanded from San Francisco to cities with large Jewish populations, such as New York, Chicago, and Boston. By 2021, they had operations in 13 countries.
  • Leadership: Rosen served as executive director until 1996, succeeded by David Brickner.
  • Theology: While using Jewish terminology and cultural symbols, Jews for Jesus promotes traditional evangelical Christian theology, including the divinity of Jesus and the necessity of accepting him for salvation.
  • Controversy: The organization is controversial, with many in the organized Jewish community viewing their activities as deceptive, arguing that Messianic Judaism is not part of Judaism but a form of Christianity that targets Jews for conversion. [
    • Street Evangelism: Known for active, often provocative, street witnessing and distribution of tracts (pamphlets).
    • “Liberated Wailing Wall”: A music team formed in the early days to promote their message.
    • “Christ in the Passover”: A presentation designed to show connections between the Jewish holiday and Christian faith, frequently presented to churches.
  • Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah primarily because he failed to fulfill the explicit messianic prophecies outlined in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh). In Jewish tradition, the Messiah is expected to be a mortal human leader—not a divine being—who brings about tangible, global change in a single lifetime.
    • Universal World Peace: Ending all war and suffering (“Nation shall not lift up sword against nation”).
    • In-Gathering of Exiles: Bringing all Jewish people back to the land of Israel.
    • Rebuilding the Temple: Restoring the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
    • Universal Knowledge of God: Uniting all of humanity in the recognition of one God.
  • The Nature of the Messiah: In Judaism, the Messiah is a human king and descendant of King David who rules with justice. The Christian concept of a “God-man” or a divine savior who dies for sins is seen as a violation of strict Jewish monotheism (Deuteronomy 6:4).
  • The “Second Coming”: Jewish sources do not recognize the concept of a “second coming.” They believe the Messiah must fulfill all prophecies during his initial appearance.
  • Torah Observance: The Torah is considered an eternal covenant. Jesus’s and his followers’ perceived departures from laws like kosher and the Sabbath led many to identify him as a “false prophet” under the criteria of Deuteronomy 13.
  • Historically, the Jewish people were seeking a military or political leader to liberate them from Roman oppression. Instead of overthrowing Rome, Jesus was crucified—a “cursed” death in that era—which further signaled to many that he was not the promised redeemer.Over the centuries, this rejection was reinforced by a history of persecution by the Church, leading many Jews to view Christianity as a separate, competing religion rather than a fulfillment of their own.