Messiah Podcast
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.
103. How We are Building for the Future in the Age of Disruption | Boaz Michael
What does it take to maintain absolute integrity and spiritual focus in an age rapidly being consumed by artificial intelligence, geopolitical chaos, and digital noise? In this engaging, wide-ranging discussion we are joined by the founder and director of First Fruits of Zion, Boaz Michael. Boaz shares how First Fruits of Zion is navigating the technological disruption of AI while deepening real-world discipleship communities around the globe. Get status updates on long-awaited projects including the Messianic Jewish prayer book (siddur) decades in the making, upcoming books, the Bram Center in Jerusalem, and the vibrant continued flourishing of Camp Tzadi...
102. What 175-Year-Old Photographs Reveal About Israel | Doug Hershey
What if the most compelling evidence for the truth of the Bible isn’t hidden in ancient manuscripts, but captured in modern side-by-side photography? Doug Hershey is an author and researcher who joins Messiah Podcast to discuss his groundbreaking visual project, Ancient Prophecy, Modern Lens. Moving past theoretical debate and allegorical interpretations, Doug shares the extraordinary story of pairing historical photos of Israel dating back to 1844 with precise modern-day reshoots to reveal how the land has physically and dramatically revived. From dodging security guards atop Jerusalem's Old City walls to sneaking into Joseph's Tomb in Nablus with a Palestinian ch...
101. What Jesus Actually Taught About Salvation | D. Thomas Lancaster
What if Jesus’ parables weren’t cryptic riddles designed to hide the truth, but practical tools meant to help us change our lives? In this episode of Messiah Podcast, host Jacob Frank and First Fruits of Zion Director of Education D. Thomas Lancaster dive directly into the heart of Yeshua’s teachings. Moving past technical theological debates, they explore what it actually means to heed the gospel message: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." By restoring the first-century Jewish context to Yeshua’s words, they unpack the true nature of the parables, the Jewish understanding of the "...
100. Paul vs Jesus: Cheap Grace or the Narrow Path? | D. Thomas Lancaster
Christians are followers of Jesus. But how well do we really understand his teachings? Are we faithful and obedient disciples? Or have we embraced a theological perspective that tells us we don't really have to do everything he said? In this special 100th episode of Messiah Podcast, host Jacob Fronczak sits down with D. Thomas Lancaster, First Fruits of Zion’s Director of Education, to unpack the upcoming Torah Club study track, "The Narrow Path". Together, they challenge common misconceptions about grace, obedience, and the teachings of Yeshua to help us understand how Yeshua’s call to repentance was neve...
99 – Reclaiming the Truth About the Puritans | Daniel Stein
Can a work of dystopian fiction completely overwrite historical reality in the public imagination? Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, portrays an American dystopia purportedly based on Puritan values in which women are enslaved to bear children for the ruling class. But what would the actual Puritans have thought of Atwood’s horrific theocracy? Daniel Stein, author of American Dystopia, joins Messiah Podcast to deconstruct the massive cultural gap between The Handmaid’s Tale fictional Gilead and actual colonial history. Puritans were not misogynistic theocrats, but many of the values we hold dear as Americans, including individual liberty...
98 – When Your Theology Fails: A Pastor’s Journey to the Jewish Jesus | Chad Oltman
Christians all over the world in every denomination have questions about the Bible. Questions their theological frameworks have trouble answering. Like how could God disavow his covenant people Israel? Why did he give a law that he said was perfect and then say, well, no one has to keep it anymore. Chad Oltman is an evangelical pastor turned chaplain who has undertaken the journey from church to Messianic synagogue. Listen in to his conversation with Jacob Fronczak and learn what changed in his theology and worldview and how the Jewish idea of Tikkun Olam or repair of the world...
97 – What To Do When You Feel Unqualified | Damian Eisner
Most leadership advice focuses on charisma and external influence, but what if the most powerful leadership qualities are rooted deep in character? Rabbi Damian Eisner unpacks the biblical blueprint of true leadership through the life of Moses, revealing how humility, resilience, and integrity shape effective leaders from the inside out. If you've ever hesitated to step up, doubted your abilities, or wrestled with failure, this episode offers a fresh perspective based on one of history's greatest leaders.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► Confidence is often a hurdle, not a virtue. Reluctance and humility are signs of authentic leaders...
96 – The Case for Biblical Languages | Austin Curtin
The Bible is the foundation of our faith. Unfortunately, the languages of the Bible are no longer in common use, and the modern equivalents are different. Engaging with Scripture in its original languages should not be reserved only for the scholars; it's foundational for anyone serious about understanding God's Word deeply. Austin Curtin from Biblingo joins Messiah Podcast to share practical insights on how learning the Bible in its original language can transform our Bible study and spur on spiritual growth.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► Mastering Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic offers a direct line to the text’s...
95 – The Most Important Word in the Bible | Dr. Kendell Soulen
For centuries the church condensed the story of the Bible into one single narrative comprised of a simple, four-act structure. God created the world, humankind sinned causing the world to fall into disrepair, Jesus died for our sins and redeemed us, and in the future God will restore all of creation. But this narrative skips over everything that happens from Genesis 3 to Matthew 1. Dr. Kendall Soulen, renowned theologian and author, joins the podcast to share how Israel’s story is a key part of this larger biblical narrative and how losing that story makes our theology incomplete somehow. Listen in...
94 – Messianic Jewish History Unveiled | Dr. Gershon Nerel
The roots of modern Messianic Judaism extend farther back into history than the cultural expression that emerged out of the 1960s. It’s a story of pioneering faith, a few missed opportunities, along with overcoming fierce challenges. Dr. Gershon Nerel is a Jewish believer in Yeshua and a historian who joins Messiah Podcast from the messianic archive center on the outskirts of Jerusalem in Israel. He has spent decades studying the history of Jewish believers in Jesus. His research informs us regarding both the past and the future. Dr. Nerel’s insights challenge us to reconsider how history, identity, and...
93 – Counting the Omer for Personal Spiritual Growth | Damian Eisner
Most disciples overlook one of the most profound spiritual opportunities of the year: the Counting of the Omer. Damian Eisner unpacks how this simple, ancient practice transcends tradition and reveals a pathway to inner growth, humility, and divine empowerment. If you’ve ever wondered how biblical festivals like Passover and Shavu’ot connect to your daily walk with God, this episode will reshape that understanding. The calendar provides both reflections of history and strategic moments for transformation.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► Come learn the core purpose of counting the Omer. It’s not just counting days but elevatin...
92 – Is Sabbath Also for Gentiles? | Ruben Ramos
Have you ever wondered if the ancient practice of observing the Sabbath holds relevance for modern-day followers of Jesus? The Jewish people have been commanded to sanctify the Sabbath day, ceasing from all creative work every week from Friday evening to Saturday night. But what about Gentiles, especially those who follow Jesus? He kept the Sabbath, but what does that mean for disciples from the nations? Our guest today is Ruben Ramos, a Gentile disciple of Jesus who honors the Sabbath every week with his family. He’s here to share how the Sabbath has transformed his life of di...
91 – Is Sabbath Just for Jews? | Aaron & Rachel Eby
The Sabbath: Is it observed on Sunday or Saturday? Is it a day of rest, worship, or both? Who is it truly for—Jews, Christians, or everyone? Are the ancient Sabbath laws still relevant today? What insights does the Bible provide? If profound questions like these cross your mind, then join Aaron and Rachel Eby as they delve into these topics, sharing their experiences as a Jewish family observing the traditional Jewish Sabbath every Saturday. Aaron, a senior educator at First Fruits of Zion, and Rachel, a prolific writer for Messiah Online and Messiah Magazine, offer a unique perspective as...
90 – The Quickening: Stephanie Quick and The Emmaus Table
As tensions continue to ferment in the Middle East, God has called some from among his flock to bring the gospel of the kingdom to the Muslim world. Our guest today, Stephanie Quick of the Emmaus Table, is a writer, teacher, songwriter, recording artist, cinematographer, filmmaker, and fierce advocate of Israel with rare and unusual political equilibrium, and a true and loyal friend to dogs everywhere. She's here to tell us about how the Emmaus Table is proclaiming the gospel in its original apocalyptic Jewish context to audiences in the Middle East and around the world.
👉 Key Dis...
89 – Is 1 Peter for Jews or Gentiles? | Dr. Kelly Liebengood
For those of us who read the Bible from a Messianic Jewish perspective, 1 Peter presents a problem. On the surface, Peter seems to be telling an audience of Gentiles that they, and not Israel, are now the chosen people. Dr. Kelly Liebengood has recently released a manuscript called Reading 1 Peter after Supersessionism, in which he shares his research on Peter’s inclusive language. Gentile followers of Jesus have always faced a challenge when forming a new identity, but the nature of this new identity does not preclude the continuing status of Israel as the people of God. Join us as...
88 – Hello, Mrs. Rachel: Breaking the Internet with Messianic Content
Can a stay-at-home mom with a gift of gab change the way the world views the Jewish Jesus? The viral @HelloMrsRachel, a third generation Messianic Jew joins Messiah podcast to reveal the David-and-Goliath reality of being a Messianic creator today. From dealing with heresy-hunting hate-watchers to answering deep theological DMs from curious Christians and searching Chasidic Jews, Rachel shares how she balances viral success with a heart-centered faith that refuses to get stuck in the "heady" world of theology.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► The Struggle of the “In-Between": Messianic Jews often experience a unique form of...
87 – Decoding Cody: Autism, Angels, and Telepathy on Trial | Pastor Joe Infranco
The Telepathy Tapes took the podcast world by storm in 2024. All of a sudden, we had falsifiable evidence that non-speaking autistic people could read minds. But this phenomenon was only the tip of a massive iceberg. What the Telepathy Tapes refused to publicize was the fact that these individuals relate messages from the God of Israel and from Jesus himself, expressions of unfathomable love, calls to repentance and reminders that Jesus is coming quickly. Our guest, Pastor Joe Infranco, exercised the intellectual rigor he learned in his first career as an attorney to get to the bottom of this...
86 – My Son Sees Angels: Revelations from Non-Speaking Autism | Tahni Cullen
In 2024, the podcast about profoundly disabled, non-speaking autistic children who knew what their caretakers were thinking debuted and skyrocketed to the top of the charts. What the “Telepathy Tapes Podcast” didn’t discuss was that these individuals were also seeing angels, demons, and Jesus himself. They even reportedly received messages from God for the rest of us. Tahni Cullen joins Messiah Podcast to share her family’s remarkable journey raising a non-speaking autistic son, and how Scripture, prayer, and discernment shaped their response to mystical experiences that challenged a material worldview. This conversation focuses less on telepathy and more on theol...
85 – Jordan Rubin on The Biblio Diet: God’s Plan for Health & Wellness
Join this conversation with Jewish follower of Jesus Jordan Rubin, for an exclusive glimpse into his faith journey and the story behind his newest NY Times best-selling book, The Biblio Diet. We delve into the ancient wisdom of the Bible that is confirmed by modern science, including food, fasting, and farming. We also explore where FFOZ’s Biblically Kosher intersects—and diverges—from The Biblio Diet. Transcending what we put on our plates, this episode delves into creation, covenant, and even the future God is preparing for us.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► The "Bibl...
84 – A Former Muslim’s Analysis of Islam, Israel, and the West | Danny Burmawi
For hundreds of years, secular thinkers in the West have considered Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to have similar claims to the Jewish patriarchs. Our guest today, Danny Burmawi, has a different perspective. A convert from Islam to Christianity, he’s here to argue that Islam’s appropriation of Jewish history is fundamentally flawed, that Islam’s core values are incompatible with democracy, and that Islam’s theological claim to the land of Israel requires a new approach at the negotiating table between Israel and the Islamic world.
👉 Key Takeaways:
► The Quran as...
83 – Food, Faith & Freedom – Finally Finding Jesus in Messianic Judaism | Hope Egan
In the first century, Jewish believers in Jesus kept being Jewish. There was no conflict between their Jewish identity and their discipleship. Unfortunately, that changed, and for most of church history, Jewish followers of Jesus had to stop being Jewish. Today, many Jews are seeking God and are interested in Jesus, but they are not interested in giving up their Jewish identity. The solution is Messianic Judaism. Our guest today, First Fruits of Zion's Outreach Coordinator, and this very podcast's associate producer, Hope Egan, is here to share the story of how she found her spiritual home in Messianic...
82 – Pioneers of Messianic Worship | Dr. Greg Silverman
The emergence of Messianic Judaism into the American cultural milieu in the 1960s and 70s brought with it a distinct genre of sacred music with roots in Ashkenazi klezmer and traditional Jewish liturgy. Since then, Messianic music has come into its own, having been influenced by a wide variety of genres from wherever the Jewish people have been dispersed. Our guest today, Dr. Greg Silverman, has recently released a documentary called Pioneers of Messianic Worship that chronicles the humble beginnings of this now iconic sound and gives us a hint as to what’s in store for its future.
...81 – The Discovery That Transformed Our Understanding of Scripture | Dr. Rebekah Haigh
In 1947, a Bedouin goat herder stumbled on a collection of clay jars filled with ancient scrolls by the Dead Sea in Israel. When these scrolls made it to scholars and antiquity dealers, it became clear that they had been written around the time Jesus walked the earth. Today, the Dead Sea Scrolls are some of the best examples we have of Second Temple Jewish literature. Our guest on this episode is Dr. Rebekah Haigh, and she joins us to discuss how the Dead Sea Scrolls revolutionized New Testament interpretations.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
► The Discovery: The classic tale i...
80 – Jesus Is Jewish, and That Changes Everything | Damian Eisner & Jacob Fronczak
Our tagline here at Messiah Podcast is “Jesus is Jewish, and that changes everything.” But what exactly do we mean by that? What changes specifically? Our guest today, Messianic Jewish Rabbi Damian Eisner, is here for a conversation about what the Jewish Jesus means for Christians and for Jews, and how this seemingly simple historical fact opens up the world of the Bible like never before.
👉 Key Discussion Points:
The Messiah Podcast Tagline: The present-tense phrasing, “Jesus is Jewish,” is critical, drawing a parallel to Jesus’ use of the present tense when referring to t...79 – Are We Living In the End of Days? | D. Thomas Lancaster
In the final episode of our series on the end of days, we delve into the age-old question: Are we living in the last generation? Join Jacob Fronczak and Daniel Lancaster as they explore historical and contemporary signs, from the ingathering of Israel’s exiles to the global technology revolution, that suggest we might be on the brink of a new era. Discover how eschatology drives discipleship and what it means to live with the expectation of the Messiah’s imminent return. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges our understanding of prophecy and the times we live in. 👉 Takeawa...
78 – Did Jesus Believe in the Rapture? | D. Thomas Lancaster
From 88 Reasons for 1988 to the Thief in the Night films and the Left Behind franchise, the sudden disappearance of the church immediately before a seven-year tribulation has been a popular belief among Evangelicals. But is this idea truly biblical? Will the church be raptured? If so, will it happen pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib? Who exactly will be left behind? On this episode of Messiah Podcast, the third in our multi-part series on the End of Days with D. Thomas Lancaster, we delve into the prophets of Israel to discover the true source for the Rapture, the blast of the shofar...
77 – What Everyone Gets Wrong About Revelation | D. Thomas Lancaster
Revelation, the Apocalypse of John, is the last book in the Bible, and for many, it’s the most difficult. Through the ages, followers of Yeshua have taken the Revelation football and run with it in just about every conceivable direction. This second part of our series on the end times, features D. Thomas Lancaster, author of the forthcoming End of Days Torah Club study track, and together we’ll discuss the various approaches Christian interpreters have used to try to decipher the book of Revelation. We’ll pull the curtain back a little bit to reveal what we can expect...
76 – Mythbusting Revelation | D. Thomas Lancaster
For decades, eagle-eyed prophecy aficionados have scoured the headlines and the Scriptures hoping to find clues as to where we’re at on God’s prophetic timeline and how much longer we’ll have to wait before the glorious return of our Master, Yeshua. But does the Bible really predict Apache helicopters, Patriot missiles, the Chernobyl disaster, and nuclear weapons? In this, the first of a multi-part series on the end times, this podcast episode features a discussion with D. Thomas Lancaster, author of the forthcoming End of Days Torah Club study track. Jacob and Daniel explore some of the apocal...
79 – Are We Living In the End of Days? | D. Thomas Lancaster
In the final episode of our series on the end of days, we delve into the age-old question: Are we living in the last generation? Join Jacob Fronczak and Daniel Lancaster as they explore historical and contemporary signs, from the ingathering of Israel’s exiles to the global technology revolution, that suggest we might be on the brink of a new era. Discover how eschatology drives discipleship and what it means to live with the expectation of the Messiah’s imminent return. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that challenges our understanding of prophecy and the times we live in. ...
78 – Did Jesus Believe in the Rapture? | D. Thomas Lancaster
From 88 Reasons for 1988 to the Thief in the Night films and the Left Behind franchise, the sudden disappearance of the church immediately before a seven-year tribulation has been a popular belief among Evangelicals. But is this idea truly biblical? Will the church be raptured? If so, will it happen pre-trib, mid-trib, or post-trib? Who exactly will be left behind? On this episode of Messiah Podcast, the third in our multi-part series on the End of Days with D. Thomas Lancaster, we delve into the prophets of Israel to discover the true source for the Rapture, the blast of the...
77 – What Everyone Gets Wrong About Revelation | D. Thomas Lancaster
Revelation, the Apocalypse of John, is the last book in the Bible, and for many, it’s the most difficult. Through the ages, followers of Yeshua have taken the Revelation football and run with it in just about every conceivable direction. This second part of our series on the end times, features D. Thomas Lancaster, author of the forthcoming End of Days Torah Club study track, and together we’ll discuss the various approaches Christian interpreters have used to try to decipher the book of Revelation. We’ll pull the curtain back a little bit to reveal what we can ex...
76 – Mythbusting Revelation | D. Thomas Lancaster
For decades, eagle-eyed prophecy aficionados have scoured the headlines and the Scriptures hoping to find clues as to where we’re at on God’s prophetic timeline and how much longer we’ll have to wait before the glorious return of our Master, Yeshua. But does the Bible really predict Apache helicopters, Patriot missiles, the Chernobyl disaster, and nuclear weapons? In this, the first of a multi-part series on the end times, this podcast episode features a discussion with D. Thomas Lancaster, author of the forthcoming End of Days Torah Club study track. Jacob and Daniel explore some of the ap...
75. Breaking Barriers Through Music and Faith | Israeli Musician Shai Sol
Messianic Jewish musicians utilize their craft to express their faith in Yeshua in distinctly Jewish ways. Shai Sol is one such musician who brings a distinctive Israeli sound to the Messianic Jewish music world. Her musical journey began early, sparked by a childhood introduction to the darbukha. This path eventually led her to compete on the Israeli reality TV series HaKochav HaBah, where she famously and courageously revealed her discipleship to Jesus, making quite a splash. This episode explores the development of her unique sound, her extensive experience with the band MIQEDEM, her collaborations with other Israeli artists, and the...
75 – Breaking Barriers Through Music and Faith | Israeli Musician Shai Sol
Messianic Jewish musicians utilize their craft to express their faith in Yeshua in distinctly Jewish ways. Shai Sol is one such musician who brings a distinctive Israeli sound to the Messianic Jewish music world. Her musical journey began early, sparked by a childhood introduction to the darbukha. This path eventually led her to compete on the Israeli reality TV series HaKochav HaBah, where she famously and courageously revealed her discipleship to Jesus, making quite a splash. This episode explores the development of her unique sound, her extensive experience with the band MIQEDEM, her collaborations with other Israeli artists, and...
74 – I Am Israel: A Filmmaker's Journey to Zion | Filmmaker David Kiern
74 – I Am Israel: A Filmmaker's Journey to Zion | Filmmaker David Kiern by First Fruits of Zion
74 – I Am Israel: A Filmmaker's Journey to Zion | Filmmaker David Kiern
The biblical kings and prophets envisioned the Temple as a house of prayer for all nations. Right now, it’s only a house of prayer for Muslims—Jews and Christians are forbidden from praying where Jesus did. Our guest today, David Kiern, is a filmmaker whose passion is to see disciples of Jesus kindle a love for Israel and a passion for the Temple Mount. His newest film, “I Am Israel: The Mountain of the King,” comes out on May 25, and he’s here to tell us all about it.
👉 Takeaways
► Discover the Heart of the World at J...
73 – Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology | Dr. Richard Harvey
The American Messianic Jewish congregational movement as we know it today blossomed in the 1960s and ‘70s. These young congregations borrowed theological ideas from Judaism and from Christianity, but comparatively little work has been done to synthesize a truly original, authentic, relevant, and beautiful Messianic Jewish theology. Our guest today, Dr. Richard Harvey, is the only person in the world with a Ph.D. in Messianic Jewish theology, and in this conversation he discusses how far Messianic Jews have come and how far they have yet to go as they attempt to articulate their most deeply cherished beliefs in a...
73 – Mapping Messianic Jewish Theology | Dr. Richard Harvey
The American Messianic Jewish congregational movement as we know it today blossomed in the 1960s and ‘70s. These young congregations borrowed theological ideas from Judaism and from Christianity, but comparatively little work has been done to synthesize a truly original, authentic, relevant, and beautiful Messianic Jewish theology. Our guest today, Dr. Richard Harvey, is the only person in the world with a Ph.D. in Messianic Jewish theology, and in this conversation he discusses how far Messianic Jews have come and how far they have yet to go as they attempt to articulate their most deeply cherished beliefs in a ri...
72. Christian Scholars Defend the Torah Observant Jesus | Dr. Paul Sloan & Dr. Logan Williams
For centuries, supersessionist assumptions in higher education led generations of academics to assume that Jesus came to abolish the Mosaic Law. Today, a new generation of professors and researchers is producing rigorous, meticulously cited work arguing for a different perspective—that Jesus kept the Torah, valued the Torah, and instructed his disciples to keep the Torah and keep practicing Judaism. We’re joined today by Dr. Logan Williams and Dr. Paul Sloan, who have recently inaugurated a podcast of their own, called Jesus and Jewish Law, where they demonstrate how their research has led them to this pro-Torah view of Jesu...
72 – Christian Scholars Defend the Torah Observant Jesus | Dr. Paul Sloan & Dr. Logan Williams
For centuries, supersessionist assumptions in higher education led generations of academics to assume that Jesus came to abolish the Mosaic Law. Today, a new generation of professors and researchers is producing rigorous, meticulously cited work arguing for a different perspective—that Jesus kept the Torah, valued the Torah, and instructed his disciples to keep the Torah and keep practicing Judaism. We’re joined today by Dr. Logan Williams and Dr. Paul Sloan, who have recently inaugurated a podcast of their own, called Jesus and Jewish Law, where they demonstrate how their research has led them to this pro-Torah view of J...
