Soooooo, this blog is gonna be quite interesting. I wasn’t even looking for this but happened to stumble on it. I am curious though, I know none of you can answer this question, but I can’t help to wonder just how many of you that are reading this blog have ever seen this symbol before? I can honestly say that I haven’t, and if I had, I most likely would not have even noticed it or given it a second glance. I say it for the first time maybe a few weeks ago, maybe even a month or so. Anyway, even then it really didn’t catch my attention. So, a few nights ago, I was reading, when I came across it. For some reason it caught my attention this time. Me being me, I began to really look at it and then it suddenly opened up to me. Looking at it, I began to recognize three distinct symbols, the Menorah, which is the 7 branch candelabra that YHVH instructed Moses to make, the Star of David, which is the emblem for the Nation of Israel, and lastly, the fish, which is a symbol for Christianity. I thought it interesting that all 3 were put together as one image. Immediately, I was able to read this symbol as a symbol of Christianity and Judaism as one. However, seeing that today, both of these faiths are anything but united, I saw this symbol as that of Messianic Judaism, which is both Judaism and Christianity combined. Aw man, it’s about to get real now!
To be honest, I really thought it was a new symbol, something recently made it. As I began to dig, I found this symbol in a few other places. I was going through my library on my Kindle and noticed that one of my books called The Hebrew Matthew, had this symbol on the cover as well. At this point, my interest is piqued so now I’m in “search mode”, looking online for anything I can find out. What I found out totally blew me away. Apparently, this actually was the symbol for the Messianic Believers of the first century. It fits, but I really had an issue with it though. On the one hand, I liked the idea of the Messianic Believers choosing this as a symbol because it unites both Judaism and “Christianity”, as well as connecting the Goyim (Gentile believers) to the faith. On the other hand, the fact that the Star of David is in the symbol brings some serious conflict. Why is this, you ask? Well, according to history, the Star of David only became Israel’s symbol in 1948, when they became a nation. Prior to 1948, there is NOTHING in the annals of history that proves that Israel ever used the Star as a symbol for their nation. I have a good friend that is attending college and majoring in Hebrew studies. I asked her about this symbol. She confirmed that this symbol did date back to this first century, however, she didn’t have any sources readily available at the time. So, back to my grind again. I had to find out what was up with the Star of David on this symbol.
It didn’t take long before this question was finally answered. I found two different sources online that agree, and this indeed gave me peace. Torah teaches that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses that a thing is true. I now had my two witnesses. What I learned was that the Star in the middle really wasn’t what it appeared to be. The symbol was actually made of two distinct images, the Menorah, which we discussed earlier, that it was what YHVH had commanded Moses to make, thereby connecting it to Judaism, and the fish, which was actually a Greek concept. In any case, both the Menorah and the fish have triangle base’s. The bottom of the Menorah is a triangle, and the tail of the fish is also a triangle. When you interlock them together, you get a 6 pointed Star. It is actually coincidental that the star is formed, but very fitting in that the star symbolizes the Jews, and connects them to us non Jews. In the midst of all the “replacement theology” being taught these days, this ancient symbol, dating back to 2000 years ago shows us that the Jew and non-Jew were united together through faith in Yeshua. Anyway, according to the articles I had ready, dozens of artifacts had been excavated in Mt Zion bearing this symbol. It is further believe that this symbol was even used when James the Just (Yeshua’s brother) was alive. But that’s not all.
Seeing this symbol and the supporting evidence dating the existence of it, I began to wonder about the cross and it’s origins. I was not able to find anything dating that far back pointing to the cross and it’s use as a symbol for “Christianity”. Houston, we have a problem. Everyone know’s that the cross is the symbol for Christianity, I mean, it’s on countless paintings, churches, clothing, bumper stickers and oh, the Catholic priest use them in movies to banish demons. But when did it become a religious symbol, and who made it so? If indeed the Messianic Believers used this other symbol dating back to the first century, then what changed? Well, from what I have found, and I could be wrong, in fact, if I am, and you have other sources, please let me know. Anyway, from what I found, it was in the 4th century, during the time of Constantine that the cross became an icon. According to Constantine, he had a vision from heaven, and in the vision, he was shown a “cross”, and told that in this image would he conquer. He then put this image on the shields of his soldiers and they went forth, destroying everything in sight. As far as I can tell, he was the one that made the symbol of the cross what it is today. I can say this much, in light of him and the Romans trying to rebrand “Christianity” , this change makes sense. History records that they stripped away everything Jewish from the faith, from Sabbaths and feast days, down to dietary laws and Torah. It only makes sense that they would do away with “Jewish” symbols as well. I honestly wouldn’t even call it a Jewish symbol, I mean that has a ring of exclusivity. However, Yeshua opened the door for all to come in, both Jew and Gentile. With this in mind, I’d rather call this symbol a “Messianic” symbol. This title better expresses the right for all to be a part of this salvation.
So, what does this all mean? For starters, this beloved symbol that we have adopted to our faith actually isn’t original. It’s roots are not connected to the true church, the church that was birthed on Shavuot (Pentecost), but rather the “rebranded” church started by Constantine, forged on a questionable vision and conversion. When you really think about it, looking at the cross, and the cruel death that came by it, why would you want to make it the object of our faith? I’m not saying it’s entirely bad thing, I mean if you like it, I love it. But after seeing so much of our false theology was spawned in Rome, why keep any of it? It’s time to wake up to truth. Yeshua said if we seek, we will find. With just a little bit of seeking look what I found. Imagine how much you could find it you started seeking? The more I learn, the more my eyes open up. I find myself questioning things I was taught in the church on a daily basis. Not everything was wrong, but by the same token, not everything was right either. For myself, I can say this, crosses were never my thing, even before I left the church. I remember hearing my old bishop saying a long time ago, she didn’t wear crosses because He got off the cross. I never forgot that either. Looking at this other symbol, it really seems to fit what faith in Yeshua is all about. it is not about separation, but unification. The Apostle Sha’ul (Paul) writes,”One Lord, one faith, one baptism”. We are to be one, not many. Now that I think on the Star of David created when you interlock the two symbols, I don’t see it as accidental, but rather intentional because we are indirectly connected to them. Sooooooo much comes to mind as I ponder the Star in the middle of the two symbols. More than anything, we need to unify and stand together. As I end this, I want to share one of the ancient artifacts found that has this image on it. I’ve yet to learn what it is called, but I do know it predates the cross by more than a century. The funny thing is, the Orthodox Jews who do not believe in Messiah, and the Catholic church really did their best to keep there artifacts from emerging. Anyway, many blessings to you all, and Shabbat Shalom
