How can we help to accomplish the Divine Mandate to restore David's fallen kingdom (Acts 15)?

A kingdom is composed of three elements: a king, a people, and a territory. For those who believe there will be a restored earthly kingdom there is general agreement that the King is the Greater Son of David, Messiah Yeshua. The kingdom boundaries are from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the Wilderness to the River Euphrates (Exodus 23:31). The question that is most disputed is, who are the people of this kingdom?

Some say our acronym, MIA, can be taken to mean "missing in action," This appropriately describes the vast majority of Israelites today. The questions we need to answer regarding these missing ones are: Who are they? Where are they? How many are they?

Jeremiah outlines our endtime call in chapter 23: "Then I Myself will gather the remnant of My flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fruitful and multiply....Behold, the days are coming, 'declares YHVH,' when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; and He will reign as king and act wisely and do justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely; and this is His name by which He will be called, 'Adonai our righteousness.' Therefore behold, the days are coming, 'declares YHVH,' when they will no longer say, 'As Adonai lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,' but, 'As YHVH lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil" (Jeremiah 23:3-8).

The shepherds YHVH is raising up to regather His scattered people have the same call Yeshua gave His original band of disciples: He sent them out to proclaim the Kingdom of YHVH to the lost sheep of the whole house of Israel (Matthew 10:5; Luke 9:2). We know this call has not been completed because Yeshua said to these disciples, "Truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes" (Matthew 10:23). Also, YHVH says, once all Israel is regathered to their own soil we will no long remember the Exodus from Egypt - which event we all recalled during our last Passover celebration (Jeremiah 23:7).

Yeshua's original band of disciples, used words, person to person contacts, hand written parchments, and the Roman Roads to reach the lost sheep in their day. Today, our weapons are still words, written and spoken, but we have a much more versatile and effective delivery system, via the printed word, CD's, DVD's, and the many faceted media and Internet. Our challenge is, how do we most effectively use the tools and resources available to us?

The Hallmark of Lost Sheep is that they are Lost!

Let us start with the realization that the hallmark of lost sheep is that they are lost. "Lost" is the past tense of lose, and the primary definition of lose is to be deprived of, or cease to have or retain something. These lost sheep no longer have a complete understanding of their true heritage and purpose.

At this time there are many sheep and shepherds in the "Church sheepfolds" who sense that something is missing from their lives and they are searching for fulfillment. They are questioning the stories they have been told regarding who they are, where they came from and where they are going. It is a bit like coming to the realization that the stories one was told about Santa Clause, the Tooth Fairy, and the Easter Bunny are not true.

The problem with having accepting these children's stories is, "Now that I am grown-up, what story am I going to accept?" We all face the same challenge in the area of Spiritual maturity, "Now that I am grown-up what story am I going to accept regarding my heritage, purpose and ultimate destiny?" Unfortunate, there is a seemingly never ending supply of identity stories. And it seems that the "literal biblical version" of the identity of the lost sheep that YHVH is regathering receives the least credence. For example, the attitude of the majority of these lost sheep regarding the literal biblical version is: Surely YHVH promise to Abraham, regarding the fruit from his loins is just the starting point (Genesis 15:4-7). The Angel Gabriel's description of the kingdom given Yeshua is not complete (Luke 1:31-33). Yeshua first steps in reaching the whole world were to go the lost sheep of the house of Israel (15:24). Likewise, Yeshua's command to go only to the lost sheep was only meant as a first step (Matthew 10:6). Yeshua's statement that the Father has already established the time when He will restore the kingdom to Israel needs further clarification, as does James assertion that our mission is to restore David's fallen tent (Acts 1:1-8; Acts 15:15-17). Also, we will surely find that the disciples received a kingdom far more extensive than the kingdom over Israel, and they will sit on thrones judging far more than the twelve tribes of Israel (Luke 22:29-30). Further, rest assured when we reach the heavenly Jerusalem we will find there are ample gates to accommodate the identity stories proclaimed by the 34,000 different denominations, ministries, cults, and independent churches (Revelation 21:12).

Undeniably, the difficulty of accepting a literally understanding of some Scriptures has resulted in a variety of identity stories, because it is difficult to take some things said in the Bible absolutely literally. And, different identity stories have resulted in different endtime scenarios. The best solution is to give the "literal biblical version" far more credence.

What Should We Believe?

According to a poll taken a few years ago of MIA supporters, the overwhelming majority (over 97%) basically believe the literal biblical version, with the understanding that YHVH has, and can add whomsoever He desires to the people He is gathering. After all, John the Baptist pointed out that YHVH can raise up children to Abraham from stones; but those polled fully expect that the majority will be actual fruit from Abraham's loins (Matthew 3:9).

For the most part, the lost sheep presently believe they are physically descended from anyone but Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Many have even accepted the evolution story. And, there are those that do not see themselves as being genetically connected to the people of Israel, yet believe they are part of the people of Israel. They based their belief on their faith in Jesus, which makes them not physical, but "Spiritual Israelites," and thus part of the people of Israel. They believe the Biblical story is not about genealogy, rather, it is all about faith and belief. Unfortunately, this is the identity story position accepted by the vast majority of Christians, and even a few that see themselves as Messianic Believers.

The task of the MIA is to encourage these lost sheep, who basically see themselves as Spiritual Israelites, to accept Galatians 3:29 at face value: "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants (the Greek word is sperma), heirs according to promise." So, even if they were not physical heirs, if they now belong to Jesus Christ, then they are physical heirs. Also, Paul makes the point that we New Covenant Believers, are children of promise like Isaac - who was the only child of Abraham and Sarah (Galatians 4:28).

How does the MIA accomplish this mammoth task that may eventually include some 600,000,000 lost sheep? By the way, this number is a tithe of the present world population, and a number sufficient to fulfill Scripture by populating the promise land until there is no more room (Zechariah 10:10). To begin, the first step is to get the true heritage story in the hands of the lost sheep, and what better way to accomplish this than with the books YHVH is providing through Key of David Publishing. The primary book dealing with heritage is Israel Revealed - Reunited and Restored,. by Batya Ruth Wootten. This book, and its predecessors, have a history of changing lives, by giving lost sheep a fresh understanding of their heritage.

Batya's newest book is being called "her best work yet." So, we have the "word weapon," which when put in the hands of lost sheep, will help them to understand their identity. We can accomplish this challenge by helping others, as we were helped, so that they too will be ready to respond to that soon coming "whistle" for the mighty men of Ephraim to return to the Land (Zechariah 10:7).

How Do We Make this Identity Story Available to the Lost Sheep?

In absence of further orders from the Father, our plan is to continue with the one on one "word-of-mouth-seed spreader" which concept has brought us this far. However, it would be nice to expand. It would seem that the most logical place to go at this time would be to bookstores. Unfortunately, the Christian bookstores and the vast majority of churches have not seen the need for a literal biblically oriented identity story. Their position is that identity is not important. It is not who you are, but what you believe, so accept Jesus as your Savior and wait for the rapture bus. The book, the Purpose Driven Life, which has as its goal the acceptance of Jesus as Savior has topped twenty one-million copies in sales, and the snatched away series of books, which promotes the rapture, has topped sixty million. We Messianic Believers believe in accepting Jesus (Yeshua) as our Savior, but we see ourselves as players helping to bring a Kingdom to earth, and not spectators waiting for a rapture bus.

The good news is, we have a better and more accurate story to tell. We are not ugly ducks (some sort of Spiritual Israelites with Gentile bodies)! We are beautiful swans, physical Israelites and children of promise just as Isaac is (Galatians 4:28). Realization of this truth, that we are not some sort of grafted-in second class citizens, does not change our outward physical appearance, but it sure does a work on the inside.

If you go to a bookstore today you will find that the vast majority do not carry messianic books, nor are they able to answer questions regarding the messianic movement, or questions about the two houses, or Ephraim and Judah, or the Feasts of Israel. So what must we do? We have a two-fold mission. One, establish our own bookstores/lending library - we call them Way Stations. They carry our messianic books and can answer questions. Secondly, educate Christian bookstores (there are 6500 of them), and undoubtedly several times that number of Church, fellowship, and ministry operated stores and book tables.

If you are preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, you are in essence a Way Station: you are lifting up a standard in order to help guide our people home. The MIA, can help you make your position official and more effective by listing you as a Way Station, and giving you discounts similar to the discount bookstores receive. Additionally, if you step into the role of a distributor, Key of David Publishing and the Messianic Marketplace will work with you in educating bookstores by enabling you to initially provide the bookstore(s) you are working with, with books and selected messianic materials such as menorahs, mezuzots, tallites, shofars on a discount basis, or by having them participate in the Jerusalem Marketplace vending program. (More about this program in the near future.) All bookstores, including churches and ministries can also order Key of David books from Key of David, and those that qualify as commercial stores from Spring Arbor Distributors, or Appalachian Distributors. Messianic materials can be ordered from the Messianic Marketplace.

Imagine the impact on lost sheep walking into a bookstore and seeing a display of messianic books and materials.

Way Stations can be one of the best and most effective tools at the disposal of MIA congregations, fellowships, and individual allies and friends to reach their family, friends and people in their community. Because your challenge is to change the identity story they now believe. Your mission is not to have everyone leave the various churches in your area and join your group, but for them to understand that they are part of the people of Israel. Do that and you will grow, and giant steps will have been taken towards kingdom restoration.

Preparing to Meet Your Opportunities

Keep in mind that you, every member of your family, of your group, fellowship or congregation, who can walk and talk is potentially like the Apostle Paul, a salesperson. There is even a good book for the children, One Nation Under God by Crystal Lenhart. The key requirement is that you have sufficient supplies available to equip yourself, and when applicable, your "sales people." Success requires that you have ample supplies when the Ruach arranges a contact(s) for you. You need to be prepared for the person who wants five copies of Revealed Israel - Reunited and Restored. And the one who wants a copy of each of the books. It is unlikely that the Ruach will provide you with opportunities that you are not prepared to meet.

Being prepared is extremely important. If we have not had the opportunities we would like, maybe it is because we have not been prepared for them.

With the present world situation the time is surely ripe to move out with Messianic Way Stations. Our brothers in the land need our help, and in the long run victory will be a matter of numbers. Currently, it is five-million-Israelites vs two-hundred-fifty-million Moslems in the battle for the Promised Land. YHVH's people have the numbers to turn the tide, but unfortunately the vast majority are currently lost to their identity and purpose. If you believe, as I do, that the MIA will be a key player in identifying the lost sheep and helping them to return to their own soil, then I ask that you put your hand to the plow, so that together we can plant seeds that will lead to a victorious harvest resulting in a restored Davidic Kingdom of Israel.

Join the IAF, Israel's Attack Force

Even if you are a one man or woman show, you are in essence a Way Station that is lifting up a standard to guide our people home. You are every bit a member, not necessarily of the IDF (Israel's Defense Force), but surely a member of the IAF (Israel's Attack Force). As an IAF member, how much ammo do you need on hand to accomplish your assigned mission in the War of Words? The best advice is to be led by the Ruach, He will supply the resources and the lost sheep to be reached.

Batya and I try to keep at least a half of a case of each book on hand in our garage, and a box containing several copies of each book in the trunk of our car. You will be surprised at the number of books you will be able to distribute if you have an ample supply available, and carry a supply of books in your cars.

You can contact Angus at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it