About FFOZ
FFOZ, dedicated to proclaiming the Torah and its way of life, fully centered on Messiah, to today's people of God.
Who and What is FFOZ?
First Fruits of Zion (FFOZ) is an educational ministry dedicated to proclaiming the Torah and its way of life, fully centered on Messiah, to today's people of God. A non-profit (501(c)(3)) organization with offices in North America and Israel, FFOZ has both Jewish and Gentile staff and volunteers who endeavor to restore the original faith and practice of the Apostles and first followers of Yeshua of Nazareth. We pursue our mission by publishing books, messiah magazine, in-depth Torah commentaries, discipleship programs and by presenting conferences and seminars, audio and video teachings.
We specialize in teaching Scripture from a historical, linguistic and cultural context using ancient biblical and extra-biblical sources. This approach has rejuvenated the faith of many believers by helping them discover their lost biblical heritage. As a result they have become even more zealous for the Jewish Messiah and faithful to the whole Word of God!
He gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. (Titus 2:14)
What's in our name?
Jews, Gentiles and Mount Zion
The farmer in ancient Israel was commanded to bring the first fruits of his produce to present before the LORD at the Temple in Jerusalem. The ancient name for the Temple Mount is “Mount Zion.” Although that name has been assigned to a different hill in Jerusalem today, in biblical times Mount Zion and Mount Moriah were the same hilltop. The term “Zion” generally refers to Jerusalem; specifically it refers to the Temple Mount.
The prophet Isaiah speaks of two types of people associated with Mount Zion: Jews and Gentiles. Regarding the Jews of Zion, Isaiah says that in Messianic times they will bear fruit in the form of a surviving remnant:
The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward. For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 37:31–32)
Regarding the Gentiles, Isaiah says that in Messianic times they will make a pilgrimage to Mount Zion to learn Torah:
Now it will come about that in the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that He may teach us concerning His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” For the Torah will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2–3)
The ministry of First Fruits of Zion is named for these two passages. We have already begun to see the first fruits, as it were, of both of these prophecies. We have seen the Jewish people replanted in the land and re-inhabiting Jerusalem. The modern state of Israel could rightly be called the first fruits of Zion as described in Isaiah 37:31–32. In addition, we have seen people from all nations turning toward Torah, seeking to learn the ways of Torah and to walk in its ancient paths as a component of their faith in Messiah. Today’s Gentiles who are turning to Torah could rightly be called the first fruits of Zion as described in Isaiah 2:2–3.
