

Messiah Podcast
First Fruits of Zion
Welcome to Messiah Podcast—where Jesus is Jewish, and that changes everything. Dive into the heart of Messianic faith as we engage with top scholars, pastors, Messianic rabbis, musicians, and thought leaders shaping the conversation on Messianic Judaism and the Jewish roots of Christianity. Produced by First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), our mission is to deliver enriching Messianic education and reconnect disciples with God’s prophetic promises to Israel. Whether you’re exploring the Messianic Jewish perspective for the first time or deepening your faith, this podcast will illuminate the teachings and kingdom message of Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 6, 2022 • 1h 42min
21 – Did Jesus Speak Hebrew? | Dr. Brad Young
 The New Testament was written in Greek, but were its authors working from Hebrew originals? Our guest today, Dr. Brad Young, has written numerous works exploring the possibility that Hebrew ideas and Hebrew vocabulary lie behind the Greek text and that this Hebrew undertext is the key to understanding Jesus and the apostles. – Episode Chapters –0:00 – Welcome to the Messiah Podcast with hosts Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.4:49 – Introduction to Dr. Brad Young. 6:50 – The Jerusalem School of Synoptic Research is a network of scholars uncovering the original meanings of the gospel text.13:22 – Does “faith in Jesus” cancel the need to understand the “faith of Jesus?”17:00 – The origin story and inspiration behind a life of research and teaching21:42 – Did Jesus/Yeshua speak in Hebrew or Aramaic?25:40 – A few meaningful “Hebraisms.”30:05 – Was the author of the Gospel of Luke Jewish?36:53 – The purpose and intention behind authoring “The Newer Testament.”40:04 – The process behind achieving the specific goal of understanding the Jewish context.42:18 – Who was involved in creating the translation?50:00 – Did the writers of the New Testament censor their words to keep from angering Rome?54:38 – Why omit the trinitarian formula in the Great Commission of the Gospel of Matthew?1:03:51 – What was Yeshua’s teaching regarding the kingdom? Did he teach an exclusively future kingdom, or is it here now in some way? What does the Lord’s Prayer have to teach us about this?1:18:21 – Dr. Brad Young’s important future projects include updating a commentary on the New Testament from the Talmud and Midrash.1:30:00 – Is the desire to discover the Jewish Jesus and learn from his teaching still growing through all these years of advances in scholarship?1:34:06 – Rapid Fire Round – It’s what the people want to know.– Related Resources –Brad Young – Gospel Research Foundationhttp://bradyoung.orgHebrew Heritage Bible Societyhttp://hebrewheritagebiblesociety.org/Brad Young on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100056762292392The Newer Testament and other books by Dr. Brad Younghttps://www.bradyoung.org/index.php/brad-youngs-bookstoreMessiah Magazine: messiahmagazine.orgFirst Fruits of Zion: http://ffoz.org– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Aug 3, 2022 • 1h 4min
20 – Jewish Evangelism in Seven Steps | Boaz Michael
 Yeshua came with a message of salvation and redemption for the world. This salvation was offered first to the Jewish people. However, Jewish evangelism over the past two thousand years only seems to have distanced Yeshua from his people. “Missionary” is a dirty word in Judaism, and there are some good historical reasons for that. So what should we do, or what can we do to bridge the gap? This Messiah Podcast episode features Boaz Michael’s lecture on the “Seven Steps of Jewish Reconciliation,” first developed by Messianic Jewish luminary Abram Poljak in the 1950s.–  Chapters –(0:00) Damian & Jacob set the stage for a challenging topic(2:43) What happens when Jews become Christians(8:34) Boaz Michael: Seven Steps of Jewish Reconciliation(14:35) Introduction to Abram Poljak’s Seven Steps(16:48) Ceasing to condemn Yeshua(20:58) Recognizing Yeshua as a brother(21:47) Accepting Yeshua as a teacher(27:00) Acknowledging Yeshua as a prophet(28:26) Seeing Yeshua as the central Jewish figure(29:42) The problem with the classic approach to Jewish evangelism(33:41) Jacob & Damian discuss Boaz’s lecture(34:52) Why it’s so important for both Christians and Jews to know the real Jesus (39:39) The bombshell: Should Jews become Christians?(43:41) The knowledge of the real Yeshua that has emerged from academia(44:56) First Fruits of Zion excels at disseminating academic knowledge in a way that is easy to understand(45:47) First Fruits of Zion is all about repairing the reputation of Jesus to bring him home to his people(46:27) Damian’s testimony of being an evangelized Jew(48:10) How do Christians perfect their evangelistic mission?(49:48) Progress has been made with pastors and church leadership (52:48) Telling Jews about Hell as a consequence of sin does not work(55:31) Easing the burden of converting souls: encourage people one step closer(59:30) Practical recommendations–  Resources –Yeshua Matters, by Jacob Fronczak– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Jul 21, 2022 • 1h 13min
19 – The Antidote for a World in Turmoil | Aaron Eby
 It doesn’t take a particularly observant person to see that the world is broken and in desperate need of redemption. Why does this state of brokenness and exile persist? The sages of Judaism say that the Second Temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Yeshua the Messiah came with the antidote and the key to redemption: baseless love. This Messiah Podcast Selects episode features a lecture presented by Aaron Eby at the First Fruits of Zion Friends and Torah Club Leader’s summit: Malchut 2022, in Dallas TX.– Episode Timecode –0:00 – Welcome to Messiah Podcast!0:45 – Introduction to the solution of exile and a broken world4:10 – Aaron Eby: Baseless Love50:24 – Takeaways and application from Damian and Jacob– Related Resources –Malchut Conference Videoshttps://ffoz.org/messiah/watchMessiah Magazine: http://messiahmagazine.orgFirst Fruits of Zion: http://ffoz.org– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Jul 6, 2022 • 54min
18 – Messiah's Hands and Feet in Ukraine | Dr Michael Schiffman
 The eruption of war in Ukraine has left millions of civilians displaced and lacking basic necessities. Many humanitarian organizations have tried to help. Our guest is Dr. Michael Schiffman, the executive director of Chevra, an organization that has spent the last twenty-nine years feeding the hungry in Ukraine and the rest of the former Soviet Union. Learn what it means to be the hands and feet of the Messiah to those in need.–  Chapters –(0:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast!(4:40) Introduction to Dr. Michael Schiffman(6:15) Witnessing the development of the Messianic movement through the years(10:04) Political state of affairs in Ukraine(13:08) Effects of the war in Ukraine(18:12) Anti-Semitism and the history of Jewish presence in Ukraine(23:43) Chevra: Being the hands that meet people’s needs (24:58) Opened doors for humanitarian help(26:34) Are there any religious strings attached to the aid provided to Ukrainians?(30:41) The core message of the Torah and true aim of living a godly life of discipleship.(33:55) Stories: Making a life and death difference(46:44) Rapid fire: What the people want to know–  Resources –Chevra– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Jun 21, 2022 • 53min
17 – The Chief Rabbi Who Met Jesus | with Brian Reed
 An Orthodox rabbi fought Nazis in his own government to secure the preservation of the Jewish community in Bulgaria during World War II. After the war, he led them to Israel. He also had a vision of the risen Yeshua and was an outspoken believer without abandoning Judaism. His name is Daniel Zion. Our guest is Brian Reed, the author of an extensive biography on this great Jewish hero.– Chapters –(0:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast!(1:00 )Introducing Brian Reed, the collector and Messianic Luminary enthusiast(4:15) What made Rabbi Daniel Zion unique?(6:37) Work as chief rabbi of Bulgaria(11:13) Rabbi Zion’s passion for Zionism(13:37) Interfacing with the writings of religious and secular philosophers and thinkers(18:32) The chief rabbi who met Jesus(23:56) A miraculous sign(25:32 )The savior of Bulgarian Jewry(31:21) A friend to all, including Nazi guards and the Orthodox Christian Patriarchy(35:23) Leading a mass Aliyah to Israel and becoming open as a follower of Jesus(43:16) Establishing a Messianic Jewish community in Israel(47:48) Rapid fire: What the people want to know–  Resources –Daniel Zion: Biography and Select Writings of Rabbi Daniel ZionVine of David– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Jun 2, 2022 • 48min
16 – Afterlife, Kingdom, and the World to Come
 Everyone wants to go to heaven when they die. But that’s not the end of the story. Reading the New Testament through Jewish eyes paints a far more detailed picture of our final destiny. After a short sojourn in Paradise, we will experience resurrection from the dead, the Messianic Kingdom, and an even greater epoch to follow: the World to Come.–  Chapters –(0:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast with your hosts, Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.(3:50) Article reading: Afterlife, Kingdom, and the World to Come(18:43) Tattoos and a bodily resurrection with deficiencies.(21:00 ) The bodily resurrection is not commonly understood in Christian homes and not talked about in Jewish homes.(26:06) The body: good or bad? Rabbis, Gnostics, and Greek Philosophers. (32:56) The resurrection is a Pharisaic idea.(34:27) Why is the afterlife not explicitly spelled out in the Torah or the Hebrew Scriptures?(39:46) The significance of the Messiah’s resurrection.–  Resources –Woe to Some of the PhariseesJen Rosner on Messiah Podcast– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

May 24, 2022 • 1h 17min
15 – What Happened When I Died | Heidi Barr
 For thousands of years, people have wondered what happens to the soul after death. Our materialistic culture rejects the existence of an afterlife, but millions of people have undergone what has come to be called near-death experiences (NDEs), and they’ve come back from the other side with incredible stories to tell. Our guest today is Heidi Barr, a Jewish girl who had nothing to do with Christianity, but who died and met Jesus.– Episode  –(0:00) Introducing Heidi Barr with your hosts Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.(2:54) A fateful horseback ride gone wrong.(4:30) Interjection: Why is the story coming out now? (7:37) The rest of the story: What happened after death?(31:39) Are near-death experiences just brain chemicals going haywire?(34:11) What are the common after-effects of near-death experiences?(40:24) What is Jesus to you as a Jewish woman who met Jesus for no apparent reason?(47:09) A discussion of the good, the bad, and the ugly in the religious spectrum.(51:52) What did Jesus look like in your experience?(57:44) Some incredible stories of being a hospice nurse.(1:06:15) Rapid-fire Q&A.(1:10:48) Damian & Jacob debrief with some perspectives and connecting insights.–  Resources –One Foot in Heaven: Journey of a Hospice Nurse:Messiah Magazine Issue 27– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

May 7, 2022 • 59min
14 – What Happens When You Die?
 What happens after we die? We know that eventually we’ll be raised to life and spend eternity in the World to Come, but what happens before that? What does the soul experience in the moments after death? To answer this question, you’d have to talk to someone who died and came back to life. Well, it turns out there are millions of people who claim to have experienced just that. Our Messiah Podcast Selects article today explores the extraordinary phenomenon of near-death experiences (NDE).– Chapters  –(0:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast with your hosts Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.(3:44) What Happens When You Die, by D. Thomas Lancaster(14:48) Article discussion with Damian and Jacob: The scientific response to NDE.(20:02) Similarities and distinctions in near-death experiences.(24:46) Answering Skeptics: Despite brain and heart function ceasing, consciousness remains.(30:52) Does a near-death experience with visions of heaven challenge the belief in a bodily resurrection?(35:20) What does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus teach us about the afterlife and sharing the gospel?(43:31) How do NDEs impact our idea of Jewish evangelism?(51:14) The aftereffects of near-death experiences.(53:10) Damian and Jacob offer personal takeaways.– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Apr 26, 2022 • 1h 9min
13 – Finding Messiah | Dr. Jen Rosner
 Jesus is Jewish—but what does that mean for his billions of followers? Our guest, Dr. Jen Rosner, joins Messiah Podcast to talk about her forthcoming book, Finding Messiah, in which she documents her own struggle with her identity as a Jewish follower of Jesus and her insights from years of academic study of the New Testament. Learn how Messianic Judaism is having an impact in the academic world and how Jesus’ Jewish identity can help us all understand him better.–  Chapters –(0:00) Introducing Jen Rosner with your hosts Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.(3:10) The heart behind the new book and what readers can anticipate from “Finding Messiah.” (7:24) What is unique to the teachings of Jesus that are not found elsewhere in Judaism?(12:50) All about Yachad B’Yeshua, which unites Jews from across the ecclesiological spectrum.(18:17) How does the issue of the divinity of Jesus affect Jewish/Christian relations?(23:50) What is a Christian’s relationship to the Sabbath?(31:15) What accounts for the presence of women in the Paul-within-Judaism scholars?(35:53) Ideas of the Jewish Jesus that challenge preconceived ideas.(49:12) How does the western Christian value of liberty square with the Hebraic idea of liberation?(54:45) Rapid-fire: What the people want to know.(59:48) Damian & Jacob offer a few takeaways.– Related Resources –Finding Messiah, Jen RosnerThe God of Israel and Christian Theology, Kendall SoulenJesus and the Forces of Death: The Gospels' Portrayal of Ritual Impurity within First-Century Judaism, Matthew ThiessenJen's favorite Christian worship songMark Kinzer on Messiah Podcast– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 

Apr 9, 2022 • 41min
12 – Raised to Life
 Evangelical theology places an incredible emphasis on the atoning death of the Messiah. He died so that our sins could be forgiven so that we could have eternal life. But what about the resurrection? The Romans crucified countless Jews, but only one was raised to life, suggesting that the resurrection deserves pride of place as the cornerstone of our faith. This edition of Messiah Podcast features a select article from Messiah Magazine issue 27 by Torah Club Director, Damian Eisner.–  Chapters –(0:00) Welcome to Messiah Podcast with your hosts Damian Eisner and Jacob Fronczak.(3:03) Raised to Life: The resurrection as the culmination and cornerstone of our faith.(12:40) Jacob and Damian discuss the concept of “penal substitutionary atonement.”(19:27) The impact of the resurrection on the Millennium.(22:51) How the gospel of the kingdom intersects with individual salvation.(29:57) Kingdom living in light of the resurrection.(33:06) Sadducees vs. Pharisees. (36:50) Paul’s message of the kingdom.–  Resources –Yeshua Matters, by Jacob Fronczak– Who is Messiah Podcast? – Messiah Podcast is a production of First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ), a Messianic Jewish education organization dedicated to reconciling disciples of Yeshua with God's prophetic promises to Israel.  Messiah Podcast is made possible by the generosity of our First Fruits of Zion Friends. FFOZ Friends help advance our mission while gaining access to exclusive Messianic Jewish teachings and resources. If you want to partner with us in spreading the message of the kingdom to all nations, become an FFOZ Friend today. 


