 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 led 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 G-d, assurance of G-d’s
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 G-d. (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 G-d 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.
  
http://familybible.org/Articles/Messianic/Seal2.htm
was last revised at
05:58 PM on
Thursday, 11 September 2008 |
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