Editing Holy Ecclesia of Jesus (section)

==Eschatology and Zionist Orientation==
Ōtsuki's concern for the nation of Israel clearly reflects the views of Nakada Jūji, his mentor in the [[Japan Holiness Church]], whose theology was dominated in his later years by [[eschatological]] concerns and the idea that Japan was somehow connected to the salvation of [[Israel]].<ref>"''Jews in the Japanese mind: The History and Uses of a Cultural Stereotype'', p.55</ref> Without denying this influence, Ōtsuki claims that he also received a special revelation concerning the movement's responsibilities toward Israel while he was a missionary in [[China]]. He reports that the Lord instructed him:
#To pray for the restoration of the nation of Israel;
#To pray for the spiritual renewal of Israel, which is the condition for the [[return of Christ]];
#To pray for the peace of Jerusalem, which is the key to the peace of the world; and
#To pray for the coming of the Messiah of Peace.<ref>These revelations are recorded in 聖なる道 (The Holy Way), Vol. 2, 335.</ref>

Ten years after Ōtsuki received this revelation and began praying fervently for the restoration of Israel, the nation of Israel was established as an independent state. This provided important confirmation for Ōtsuki and his followers at an early stage of this movement's development. This apocalyptic consciousness and the concern for the nation of Israel pervades all aspects of this movement today.

In 1946, Father Ōtsuki Takeji founded Beit Shalom (also known as Japan Christian Friends of Israel), according to what he said were the instructions of God. At the time, he had not met a Jew in his life; indeed, he had to wait until 1962 before he would ever meet an Israeli. Beit Shalom was created as a guest house for Israeli and Jewish visitors to Japan, where they could stay for free for up to three nights. Beit Shalom also holds concerts in the visitors' honor, presented by the Shachar Choir (Dawn Choir) composed of native Japanese members of the Sei Iesu Kai congregation. The choir sings songs in Hebrew for Israeli guests in order to "express the love of Israel and to promote friendship between Israel and Japan."<ref>''Beit Shalom, Japan'' pamphlet. Kyoto, Japan: Beit Shalom.</ref> Beit Shalom also created and runs the Holocaust Education Center in Fukuyama, near Hiroshima. Many members of the Sei Iesu Kai clergy have studied in Israel and speak Hebrew, and Father Ōtsuki himself received the Honorary Fellow of Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1994.