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The emblem which has become known as the Messianic Seal was apparently used by Believers in Mashiach in first century Jerusalem
in the Messianic Synagogue that was lead by Ya`akov ben Yosef, the half-brother of Yeshua. Discovered on artifacts that were
secretly excavated from Mt. Zion prior to the 1967 six-day war by a Greek Orthodox monk who was living as a hermit in the
Old City, the Seal consists of a menorah whose base is intertwined with the tail of a fish, creating a Magen David, or Shield
(Star) of David.
The artifacts were discovered in a grotto near the Tomb of David and the traditional site of the Upper Room in the Old
City, which was apparently used by the Miqra at Yerushalayim for their mikvah and as a place for anointing with oil for healing.
It is also speculated that new believers were anointed with oil as part of their mikvah to symbolize the immersion of the
believer by the Ruach HaKodesh into the Body of Mashiach.
The menorah reminds us of the Holy Temple (Exod. 25:31-37) and conveys the message of hope and salvation associated with
it. Seven is the number of perfection. Its seven-branched shape symbolizes the Tree of Life that stood in the middle of the
Garden of Eden, and which will stand again in the New Yerushalayim, and carries the promise of eternal life. Its seven lamps
which give the light in its fullest intensity symbolizes the light of God, assurance of Gods enlightening presence in the
middle of New Yerushalayim. (Zech 4:1-6; Rev. 22:1-5) It also speaks to us of the light of Torah and the Righteousness of
God. (Prov. 6:23; 13:9; Psalm 36:9-10; 37:6; 119:105, 130; Job 29:3; Isa. 2:1-5) It also reminds us that Yisra'el is called
by God to be a light to the Goyim (Isa. 42:6-7; 49:6; 6:1-5). The menorah has been used as a symbol for Torah for over 3,000
years.
The Messianic Seal
By Jane Diffenderfer, Messianic Home
Recently discovered artifacts found in Jerusalem reveal the Hebraic nature of the first century believers in Messiah Yahshua.
Several pieces of pottery have been found with the symbol of the Menorah and Fish intertwined together in such a way as to
reveal a Star of David in the center of artwork. What is the meaning of this symbol and why has the Holy One of Israel allowed
it to be discovered at this time in history?
The Menorah, or seven branched lampstand has been a symbol of Jewish identity from ancient times. It represents the Torah
(Instructions of the Law) given to Israel. For the commandment is a lamp; and the Torah/law is light; and reproofs of instruction
are the way of life (Prov. 6:23). Israel is destined by God to be a light unto the nations and the Menorah is a beautiful
symbol of that Light.
The fish has been a symbol of Christian identity for nearly 2000 years. Our Messiah first spoke to a small group of fishermen
with the words: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matt. 4:18). The new disciples were quick to drop their nets
to go and gather men for the Holy One of Israel because of the Hebrew Scripture: Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith
the Lord, and they shall fish them... (Jer. 16:16). The Fish has been a meaningful symbol of the followers of Yahshua who
have been commissioned by God to reveal His Grace.
For the past 1700 years the Menorah has stood alone to represent the Torah and the Fish has been swimming on its own to
represent Grace. In these miraculous days Abba is restoring His truth to His people and we are seeing the two become one in
Messiah. We are to become one people, one body, and one faith. The Two Sticks of Ezekiel (Ez. 37) are to become one in the
hand of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. When Torah and Grace are in perfect balance they reveal the Star of David, the Son
of David who is our Messiah and King.
There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel (Num. 24:17). Yahshua said of Himself: I
am the root and the offspring of David, the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16).
The Messianic Seal and its recent discovery is revealing the original intent of our Father for His People. Jews and Gentiles
are to find their identity together as one people belonging to Messiah. Yahshua is the Torah (in Hebrew -devar - the Word)
made flesh and when He is lifted up many Gentiles will come to the brightness of His rising and be captivated by the Grace
and Mercy of the Holy One of Israel. The Gentile Fish is not to continue swimming on its own but is to be caught for Messiah.
In discovering the Hebraic roots of the faith many former Gentiles are finding themselves joined to the chosen people - the
Israel of God. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, ... That at that time ye were without
Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without
God in the world: But now in Messiah Yahshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah (Eph 2:11-13).
The Messianic Seal reveals Yahwehs original intention for His people and what Messiah has accomplished for us. For He
is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us (Eph. 14).
Yahshuas death on the cross/tree abolished in his flesh the enmity [the opposing of God and one another], even the law
of commandments contained in ordinances [dogmas]; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he
might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you
which were afar off [Gentiles/LoAmmi Israel], and to them that were nigh [Jews/Torah faithful Israel]. For through Him we
both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers [without knowledge] and foreigners
[of Gods Kingdom], but fellow citizens [same citizenship of the people consecrated unto God - the chosen people] with the
saints [Hebrews], and of the household [related by blood, kindred] of God (Eph. 2:15-18).
Yahshua did not abolish the Torah of God. We need to heed His instructions and renew our minds to: Think not that I am
come to destroy the law, or the prophets (Matt. 5:17). Yahshua came to fulfill Torah by correctly interpreting it. The Torah
represented by the Menorah will continue until as Yahshua says: For verily [truthfully] I say unto you, Till heaven and earth
pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled [come to pass]. Many of the Torahs prophecies
about Messiah, Israel and the Gentiles have not come to pass even today.
Yahshua came to abolish only the enmity caused by mans sin and the wrong interpretations of Torah that opposed God. The
sin had separated man from God. The wrong interpretations of Torah created isolationism instead of evangelism and withheld
the goodness of YHWHs Word from others. It has always been the Fathers intention for His Torah to be given to the nations/Gentiles
as well as to Israel. Israel is to be a light (menorah) to the nations. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory
of YHWH is risen upon thee ... YHWH shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come
to thy light (Is. 60:1-3).
It is through the Torah that Yahshua is revealed. In Messiahs own words He upholds Torah. For had ye believed Moshe/Moses,
ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? (John 5:46).
The Menorah is a symbol for the Tree of Life. The pattern given to Moshe describes the Menorah as being fashioned of gold
with almond buds upon its branches (see Exodus 25:33). At its roots we see the symbol for Messiah in the Star of David ...
there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest
shall be glorious (Is. 11:10).
The Star of David is only displayed in the Messianic Seal when the Menorah and Fish come together. It does not exist independent
of the Torah and Grace symbols. The Star of David has six points to it representing the six days of creation. At the center
of the perfectly balanced star we find the Sabbath rest given to us as a free gift in Messiah. And His rest (Sabbath) is glorious.
The Fish symbolizing Grace needs to be caught on the Hebraic roots of the faith. The swimming fish displayed by Christians
is separated from the Jewishness of its Messiah. Fishers of men need to go forth and preach the gospel that will be received
by the Jew first and then to the Gentile. Those who have been given the understanding of the Messianic Seal need to preach
the good news of the Torah-Grace of God available to whosover will receive it. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Messiah:
for it is the power of Elohim unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek [Gentile]
(Rom.1:16).
The Menorah is steadfast and firm. Its symbolism is of eternal value because it was created from the pattern of the heavenly.
The Fish has mobility as long as it is swimming and on its own. When captured by Yahshuas fisherman the Fish will lose its
life in Messiah. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's,
the same shall save it (Matt. 8:35).
The Fish needs to come to the Menorah. In Ezekiels Two Sticks, Ephraim (from the Church) is brought to Judah (from the
Synagogue). Thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes
of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one
in mine hand (Ez. 37:19). Yahweh is doing this work of grafting all believers in Yahshua into the same Olive Tree of Israel.
When the Star of David is in perfect balance between Torah and Grace we see the truth of who Messiah is. Torah without
Messiah as taught in rabbinic Judaism does not reveal Yahshua to the world. Messiahs Grace without Torah as taught in the
Church does not reflect the reality of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. It is time the two voices for the Holy One of Israel
unite as one. When they do the beauty of Messiah will be revealed to both Houses of Israel (Judah and Ephraim) and to the
Gentiles. The Messianic Seal reveals this message in its rich Biblical symbolism.
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