There’s a rising chorus of voices - some hostile, others simply misinformed - claiming that modern Jews aren’t the same people God called His own in Scripture.

In this episode, we sit down with Messianic teacher Mottel Baleston to dismantle the Khazar conspiracy and explore the deeper theological question behind it: Are the Jewish people of today truly the covenant people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

Baleston traces the Jewish story through Scripture, history, and even modern genetics to show that God’s promises have never been revoked.

The Jewish people remain central to His plan of redemption, not as spiritual relics, but as living proof that God keeps His word.

This isn’t just about disproving bad history - it’s about recovering biblical clarity for the Church and real love for Israel.

• The Khazar theory is a debunked 20th-century myth rooted in antisemitism, not scholarship.
• Scripture defines Jewish identity through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - not conspiracy or culture.
• There have always been Jews in the Land of Israel - always.
• Modern DNA studies (Stanford & Wayne State) confirm genetic continuity with ancient Israel.
• The myth that “the Church replaced Israel” contradicts Romans 11, where Paul warns Gentile believers not to boast.
• Being “chosen” is not about superiority - it’s about responsibility to reveal God’s glory to the nations.
• Every believer has a calling: to reject antisemitism and stand with God’s eternal covenant people.

• 00:00 – Welcome & intro to Mottel Baleston
• 03:20 – The real question: Are modern Jews biblical Israel?
• 08:15 – Who is a Jew? Scripture’s definition
• 10:30 – The three Jewish diasporas: Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi
• 18:40 – The rise of the Khazar myth
• 26:00 – DNA, history, and debunking conspiracy
• 36:00 – The spiritual roots of antisemitism
• 45:00 – God’s covenant faithfulness in Romans 11
• 48:30 – Where to learn more from Mottel Baleston

Explore more resources and join the journey at thejewishroad.com. Dive deeper into Mottel Baleston’s teaching at messiahnj.org or on YouTube by searching “Mottel Baleston”- and discover how God’s promises to Israel still shape our faith today.

Why would God restore Israel to the Land if they don’t believe in Jesus? That’s the question many Christians wrestle with - and the one Ezekiel 36 answers head-on.

In this wide-ranging conversation with filmmaker and Bible teacher Stephen Briggs of Hatikva Films, we explore the prophetic timeline of Israel’s restoration, the continuity of God’s covenant with Abraham, and the flaws in replacement theology that blur the story of Scripture.

Together we trace how the Hebrew nuances of Genesis 12, the promises of Ezekiel 36, and the disciples’ question in Acts 1 all reveal the same truth: God’s faithfulness comes before Israel’s faith.

Stephen shares insights from life in Jerusalem, stories from the “Blessing, Curse, or Coincidence” film series, and a clear-eyed view of what God is doing in our generation.

Whether we’re talking about prophecy, politics, or discipleship, the message is the same - the restoration of Israel is the greatest evidence that God keeps His promises.

Key Takeaways

• God’s covenant with Israel is unconditional and still active.
• Ezekiel 36 sets the divine order: regather first, renew next.
• Israel’s unbelief magnifies God’s grace, not His absence.
• Replacement theology collapses when read against Scripture’s storyline.
• Modern Israel’s return is the stage for future spiritual renewal.
• Believers are invited to pray, comfort, give, and go.
• God’s faithfulness to Israel confirms His faithfulness to us.

Chapter Markers 00:00 – Cold open + welcome 02:10 – Introducing Stephen Briggs: filmmaker, Jerusalem resident 07:35 – God’s faithfulness and the modern return of Israel 13:20 – Genesis 12 and the Hebrew meaning of “bless” and “curse” 18:55 – Ezekiel 36: the order of restoration and renewal 26:40 – The flaw in replacement theology 33:25 – The “Israel Effect” and history’s witness 39:45 – Acts 1: the disciples’ question and God’s timeline 47:10 – Practical response: pray, comfort, give, go 52:00 – Closing reflections and resources

If you’ve never seen the Bible in full color, it’s time to walk the ancient paths yourself. Join us in Israel this March 21–31 and experience the story where it all began. Stand where the prophets spoke, where Yeshua walked, and where God’s promises are still unfolding. Space is limited - visit thejewishroad.com/israel to learn more and reserve your spot.

Want to see how God’s promise to bless those who bless Israel is playing out in history? Watch the full film America and the Israel Effect - free from Revelation Media. Go to get.revelationmedia.org/watchtheisraeleffect.

To explore more of Stephen Briggs’ work and the Blessing, Curse, or Coincidence series, visit israel-matters.com or follow the Israel Matters podcast on YouTube and Spotify.

Why did Paul end his masterpiece in Romans with a promise that “all Israel will be saved”? What does that mean - and has it already happened, or is it still to come?

In this wide-ranging conversation with Dr. Michael Brown, author of Our Hands Are Stained with Blood and host of The Line of Fire, we trace how Romans 9–11 reveals the continuity of God’s plan for Israel and the nations.

Dr. Brown unpacks Paul’s argument verse by verse, explains why replacement theology opened the door to antisemitism in church history, and clarifies how “all Israel” refers to a future national turning to Messiah - not merely a cumulative remnant.

We also talk about the surge of antisemitism after October 7, the confusion in the modern church, and why believers must recover a biblical vision of Israel’s role in redemptive history. This isn’t a side issue. It’s the center of the gospel’s story of mercy.

Key Takeaways

• Romans 11 completes the gospel logic: if Israel’s rejection brought salvation to the world, her acceptance will bring life from the dead.
• “All Israel” means a future national turning, not just a historical remnant.
• The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable - for Israel and for the Church.
• Replacement theology helped pave the way for centuries of antisemitism.
• Understanding Israel clarifies the gospel’s continuity from Abraham to today.
• The Church’s calling is to provoke Israel to envy, not erase her identity.
• God’s covenant faithfulness guarantees Israel’s future redemption.

Chapter Markers 00:00 – Intro + welcome to Dr. Michael Brown 05:00 – Antisemitism and replacement theology after October 7 09:30 – Romans 9–11 overview - Paul’s logic for Israel’s future 15:40 – “All Israel will be saved”: what Paul actually meant 18:00 – Grafted in vs. replaced - understanding the olive tree 24:00 – How the Church lost its Jewish roots 31:00 – The rise of antisemitism in a TikTok generation 36:00 – What believers can do now - pray, speak, stand 44:00 – Dr. Brown’s upcoming debates & resource

Romans 11 ends with worship because God’s mercy story ends in faithfulness. “All Israel will be saved” is not wishful thinking - it’s covenant reality. Listen to the full episode, explore more resources at The Jewish Road, join our Israel trip (March 21–31), and become one of The Few who help us bring clarity to the Church and comfort to Israel.