July 2018 Dear Reader, Birthdays and black ops — they’re in this July issue (pages 1, 28). Plus pictures of Israel “70 years later.” Our May cover “The Real Face of Jesus?” created an influx of letters that you can sample on page 23. And meet a new side of Anne Frank (3). ZOLA LEVITT MINISTRIES P.O. BOX 12268 Zola’s timeline of the End Times continues (p. 4), and we see how Jews and DALLAS, TX 75225-0268 Israel remain targets of hatred (10, 34). Nevertheless, Israel continues providing technological advances in science and joint and bone replacement (26, 27) to OFFICE: all, not just friends (30). 214-696-8844 [email protected] On p. 12, Todd shows how the concept of “three Gods in One” (the Trinity) appears repeatedly in the Old Testament, but was clarified in the New. (Hindsight is so 24-HOUR 20/20!) Kirsten relates Yeshua undercover on the shore of the Kinneret (6), and Purchases & Donations John Parsons’s Hebrew Lesson explains that suffering can be productive if we 800-966-3377 stay connected to Messiah (16). TOURS: See our monthly TJF report of taking the Gospel to Israelis (13), crossword puzzle 214-696-9760 and answers (31, 33), plus humor (35) and cartoons galore. [email protected] When the Rapture whisks away every Believer, seeds will remain that we have WEBSITE: planted through our Gospel witness, watered by the teachings we leave. All of www.levitt.com ZLM’s video teachings and monthly letters are free at www.levitt.com. Our lessons focus on salvation issues, not controversies like harbingers and blood SECURE ONLINE DONATIONS: moons that tickle the ear but don’t save souls. And we keep producing TV series https://www.levitt.com/donate designed to reach newer generations. 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Email (optional): ________________________________ Phone ______________________ JULY 2018 Levitt Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that L E T T E R they might be saved. — Romans 10:1 i n Asrimdea: g eddon p.4 70 Years = CHANGE! To See p. 8 for more photos Index comparing 1948 with 2018 By Sandra Teplinsky / LightOfZion.org Israel’s Wars in Context PART 1: By TSVI SADAN Back to Concurrent with modern Israel’s 70th anniver­ Israel Today p. 8 sary, recent and remarkable shakings Israel’s military strongly suggest that a new era is upon operations over the Jewish State. time have become This revelation should cause little surprise. In less understood to the Scriptures, the number “70” often rep­ a broader audience, rOopenwseovfranis orettaeeshvin n onui p dndtttprisueis­ah frsa.fiIye sn Tc oamriaunhapvrale aepottj llsohuoc ecrsrine rot e cdcuoSnnhu,nppc atmbpieiintrmeroisigentttre ewastswnu n fiettnnoich teer iahetnt ssi i pm gea. I rGlussBoeo rtoufsbmahod taeao ua allnrgn y sisadtrd tyacin r ns,ooccd etnghiie anoslgarosucohcnobismeogdnalslyeeseld­ ., wcmcctflihrtohuohieeonosmisdcntiteceioh sa fexmm u nt iinbl n—loia-l utiJwsret toyaec r trr panho tylerioae nevaos .twgecp alTnciieatvth eirtrofelaip aestn tlota is sol blaeh mnwic oacskohsuo tseeosnhtdrefta e e nctd x ioorettan —mintsego txoe-t Mr. Edward J. Krasnoborski and Mr. Frank Martini, Department of History, U.S. Military Academy shakings will result in more nations aligning has allowed the media, and then Map: with His Kingdom purposes. This will likely politicians, to repaint Israel’s military include a long desired release of revival in operations as heartless war crimes. Israel, Iran, and Palestinian territories. Forces that hate Israel for what it repre- To more accurately discern what God is sents generate this distorted image. doing, Believers should view the present in The following series surveys light of Israel’s past 70 years, together with Israel’s rationale for its various (continued p.8) military operations since 1947. CELEBRATE!: (continued p.2) U.S. Independence Day is July 4th Israel’s Wars in Context (part 1) continued from cover sidebar Israel, it should be noted, is stingy with its medals and service ribbons. Despite the large number of military conflicts, just eight war service ribbons have been awarded in 70 years. A quick Google search con- firms how unadorned are the ceremonial uniforms of even the top Israeli soldiers. War of Independence (Nov. 30, 1947 – July 20, 1949) An Israeli soldier stands next to an Egyptian gun that had blocked the Tiran Straits Sinai Peninsula, France and the UK failed in their objectives. Shortly after, Israel was forced by the U.S. to withdraw fully from the Sinai. 231 Israeli soldiers were killed during this war over the Suez. Six-Day War Israeli soldiers in Nirim, May 15, 1948 (June 5-10, 1967) The war started a day after the UN adopted its partition plan, which was openly rejected by the Arabs. Armed Arab/Muslim gangs To initiated hostilities by attacking Jewish Index restaurants and buses. On May 15, 1948, a day after Israel declared its independence, armed forces from six Arab/Muslim countries invaded Israel to snuff out the newborn state. However, the war concluded in Arab defeat. It also left 700,000 Arab refugees scattered throughout the Middle East, while 800,000 Israeli tanks advancing on the Golan Heights, Jewish refugees from Arab countries were June 10,1967 absorbed into Israel. The war created the This war against the armies of Egypt, Jor- 1949 armistice lines, today referred to as dan, and Syria — aided by auxiliary forces Israel’s “pre-1967 borders.” At the end of from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, Sudan, the war, Israel counted 4,000 dead soldiers Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria — began and 2,373 dead civilians. with an Israeli pre-emptive strike against the air forces of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Sinai Campaign and Iraq. The war began because Egypt (Oct. 29 – Nov. 7, 1956) blockaded the Straits of Tiran and openly Coordinated between Israel, France, and the threatened to annihilate Israel. Israel’s UK, this military operation aimed to seize victory was so swift and decisive that by control of the Suez Canal. war’s end, Israel held the Sinai Peninsula, the “West Bank,” and the Golan Heights. Israel’s participation in “Operation Musketeer,” Terror attacks during the 1960s claimed as it was called by the two European super- 169 Israeli lives, and 759 Israeli soldiers powers, stemmed from Jerusalem’s fear of died in the Six-Day War. At this time, rifts Egypt blockading the Straits of Tiran, and its over the question of “occupied territories” hope of stemming terror attacks from Gaza. began in Israeli society. 1 Though Israel succeeded in capturing the 2 JULY 2018 CONTENTS Levitt L E T T E R Teaching: Classic Zola Sarah Aaronsohn 21 Today’s Israel in Prophecy: 4 (1890–1917), Spy Armageddon 4 22 Letters to ZLM Studio Co-host Breakfast with the King Science 6 Astronaut 26 8 70 Years = Change (cont’d from cover) Radiation Shield The Dangers of Looking 6 10 Medicine Jewish in Europe Lab-Grown Bones 27 Ask the Chaplain 28 The Mossad (part 1) The Trinity in God’s Word 12 TJF Report 10 30 Select Briefs 13 Repent, the Kingdom 31 Crossword Puzzle of God is at Hand Archaeology Historic Archaeological A Note from Mark 12 32 Pray About Your Two Pence Finds: DSS 14 15 ZLM Bulletin Board 34 Riots on Israel’s Border Parsons: Hebrew Lesson Torah of the Vine 16 16 35 Jewish Humor An Ordinary Girl BY MIKE CORDER, APnews.com Researchers at Anne Frank Museum, the Institute for War, Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and the Huygens Institute of Netherlands History used digital technology to decipher the writing on two pages of Anne Frank’s diary that she had covered Anne Frank’s diary with brown masking paper. They discovered four naughty jokes and a candid explanation another Jewish family went into hiding of sex, contraception, and prostitution. from the Nazis in a secret annex behind a canal-side house in Amsterdam. “Anyone who reads the [newly discovered] passages … will be unable to suppress a Later on, possibly fearing prying eyes or smile,” said Frank van Vree, director of the no longer liking what she had written, Netherlands Institute for War, Holocaust she covered them over with brown paper, and Genocide Studies. “The ‘dirty’ jokes and their content remained a tantalizing are classics among growing children. They mystery for decades. make it clear that Anne, with all her gifts, Experts on Anne’s diary said the newly was above all also an ordinary girl.” discovered text, when studied together Anne, age 13 at the time, wrote the with the rest of her journal, reveals more two pages on Sept. 28, 1942, less than about her development as a writer than it three months after she, her family, and does about her interest in sex. 1 ZOLA LEVITT MINISTRIES . PO BOX 12268 . DALLAS TX 75225-0268 . (214) 696-8844 . WWW.LEVITT.COM 3 Today’s Israel in Prophecy: Armageddon BY ZOLA LEVITT / Levitt.com/essays The following excerpt from a chapter that Zola wrote — ”Israel, Earth’s Lightning Rod” — for a book on prophecy, Foreshocks of Antichrist, is still relevant to current events in Israel and the world. Last month’s examination reached the halfway mark of the antiChrist’s seven­year peace treaty with Israel, when he senses the Jewish people’s suspicions of him, and attempts to assert his authority. Back to Cover Detail of The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus (1846) by Wilhelm von Kaulbach To Index Armies March Continuing our schedule of Tribulation events, the world’s armies mobilize, particularly that of the King of the East and his force of 200 million men­at­ arms (Rev. 9:16). It seems that the second half of the Tribulation is devoted to preparing for Armageddon, the world having heard enough of the antiChrist’s peace plans. Perhaps when the Israelis bolt, the Chinese and others who are watching will come to the conclusion that the antiChrist is not God after all, but is actually quite vulnerable. Since he controlled the world, those who defeat him might control the world as well. And so the fight commences as the King of the East’s army literally marches to Armageddon, robbing, raping, and pillaging as it goes through the Eastern Hemisphere. Where does a 200 million­man army march? Anywhere it likes. So the antiChrist’s forces from Western Europe and nations designated as the “King of the North” and “King of the South” arm to meet this invader in that quiet, level valley in Israel surrounding the hill “called in the Hebrew tongue Har Megiddo (Armageddon)” (Rev. 16:16). The rest of the Tribulation Period is the story of battles at Armageddon and Jerusalem, about which the Lord sadly Detail of The Destruction of (continued next page) Jerusalem by Titus (1846) 4 Detail of The Destruction of Jerusalem by Titus (1846) observed, “And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved” (Matt. 24:22). Christ Returns The Lord’s arrival at this point is, of course, the Second Coming, which initiates the thousand­year Kingdom in Israel. The Lord’s first act is to judge the nations of the earth as to whether they are sheep or goats; that is, whether each citizen had a saving faith or not. He sets up a throne of judgment and utilizes as His standard — and note again the importance of Israel — “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40). Most intensively “My brethren” refers to the Jewish people, or at least to the 144,000 “of all the tribes of the children of Israel” of Revelation 7:4. Outlawed, they still testified for Christ in the world, despite the antiChrist’s reign; and those who helped them, fed them, clothed them, visited them in prison (as the 25:35–36 passage urges), demonstrated that they are sheep. Those who did not help them are goats and are bound with Satan for the duration of the thousand­year Kingdom (25:41–46). If churches today that care little about Israel were put to the test of these Tribulation Period Believers, one wonders if they would qualify as sheep under the Lord’s standards. One can only hope that Believers in this age of relative freedom, prevalence of Bibles in many translations, and no antiChrist in power to contend with, would at a minimum be able to meet the test of the Tribulation Period Believers. The Kingdom Begins To Index When the sheep have joined with the Old Testament saints and the Church, the Kingdom has its population and begins in earnest. It will last 1,000 years, and while there will be some sin and some mischief in the world, it will be an upside­down society compared with what we have to­ day. The choice of the vast majority of the world will be to believe in the King, who may be seen in Jerusalem from year to Detail of The Destruction of year, at least on the Feast of Tabernacles Jerusalem by Titus (1846) (Zech. 14:16–19). The unbelievers in the Kingdom (the children of the “sheep,” the descendants of those who survived the Tribulation in their natural bodies and came directly to the Kingdom) will be like those born of Adam. In other words, they will have a choice between belief and unbelief, but those who choose the latter will be bound by the onerous laws of the Sermon on the Mount: “If thy right eye offend thee … if thy right hand offend thee …” (Matt. 5:29–30). At this time, the meek shall inherit the earth and those who mourn will rejoice. With that summation of upcoming events, we can begin to consider Israel as we see it today: a harbinger of prophetic fulfillment. Zola’s books are quick reads and easy to understand … yet filled with time­ less knowledge. — David 1 5 Breakfast with the King Kirsten Hart Studio co-host of Zola Levitt Presents DaFvaidll 2a0n1d7 K Zirosltae nT oHuarr tin o Ins rtaheel The Sea of Galilee, aka Lake Tiberias or the Kinneret, is one of the most peaceful spots on the planet. (Kinneret derives from kinnor, the Hebrew word for harp, the lake’s shape.) Most of Yeshua’s earthly To ministry occurred here, as did my favorite miracle Index that involved a simple breakfast of fish and bread. Yeshua/Jesus Undercover I love how Jesus, the glorious risen King of Kings, was an anonymous (at first) man cooking fish over a fire on the shore. John 21 relates this wonderful reunion with His disciples. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told the other disciples. They had just walked through the most traumatic time: the crucifixion and resurrection of their beloved Messiah. Their lives had turned upside down, and now they were returning to the Galilee to resume their original trade: fishing. Not long before, they had witnessed 5,000 people being fed with two fish and five loaves of bread — only a few hundred feet from their present fishing spot. But they spent a whole night out on the water without catching any fish. Then, at sunrise, the lone figure of a man on the shore calls out, “Friends, have you any fish?” How I love that question from our Lord! First, Yeshua uses the word friends (“children” in some translations). Those on the fishing boat were His friends ... Messiah’s closest friends, who had seen Him perform miracle after miracle, yet scattered at the time of His crucifixion — Peter famously denying Him three times. Still, the risen Savior of the world calls out to them, “Friends, …” Yeshua/Jesus Revealed I imagine Jesus smiling as He asks if they have fish. No, no fish, they admit. If only they recognized that this stranger was the One who multiplied fish. (continued next page) 6 Then, the Savior tells them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some,” as if the boat’s span of a few feet will make a difference. But it does. And the risen King once again proves His fish­multiplying prowess. Who could blame Jesus if He had called out instead, “You’ve been out all night, and not one single fish? Seriously? Three years you’ve watched miracles, and you still don’t get how to tap into the miraculous? I’m disappointed in all of you!” But then, Savior that He is, Yeshua performs my favorite miracle: God Himself cooks breakfast over a campfire for His disciples. A simple breakfast. He could prepare a feast, but Jesus keeps it basic. I’ll bet that bread and fish was the best breakfast those disciples ever tasted. Did Jesus knead the dough? Did angels prepare it and deliver it to Him? Did it just — poof — instantly appear on the fire? Jesus told Peter, “Bring some of the fish you caught.” (The origin of church pot­ lucks, perhaps?) Then the conversation around the campfire changed the world: “Feed My sheep.” The disciples had a fresh call on their lives, and it started with an unexpected cookout. He triumphed over death, yet He cooked fish and bread over a campfire. I love His ways. This same Savior calls you “friend.” No matter how you’ve sinned, He stands with arms wide, wanting you to know that He loves and welcomes you with forgiveness and eternal life. 1 To Index The First Christians Transcript The Lives and Times of Those Back to Who First Believed in Jesus p. 25 Zola explores the customs of Jesus’ day to better understand the earliest Believers, those with whom He chose to live on Earth. Though the 10-part series of the same name remains in ZLM’s archive for free viewing, this booklet offers the only means of getting this teaching into your personal library. Question: What other Bible-teaching organization offers half as much teaching at no charge? All made possible by viewers/readers like you. Offered for half price on p. 18 in honor of G.S.’s admonition on p. 24 7 Sandra Teplinsky 70 Years = Change continued from cover LightOfZion.org its future and Biblically­based destiny. Recall that 70 years ago, the Jewish state was mostly barren swamp, desert, and wasteland. Hours after its rebirth, the disorganized and traumatized country was cast into a life­or­death War of Independence. Thousands of immigrant Holocaust survivors arriving off boats were handed rifles and a day’s rations, and with no military training, sent to defend against Arab armies promising the Jewish State’s quick defeat. To the Back to world’s surprise, Israel won the war. Cover Long­dormant promises spoken through the prophet Ezekiel were being marvel­ ously resurrected: Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord ... I will make breath enter you and you will come To Index to life ... I will bring you back to the land of Israel ... and settle you in your own land. — Ezekiel 37:4–5, 12, 14 Israel’s restoration “is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23). From 1948 to 2018, the tiny frontier land survived nearly 10 wars and intifadas [see p. 1 side story]. Miraculously, during that same time, its tents expanded as it prospered and thrived. Israel blessed the world with God­i nspired technology and other innovative solutions to the problems of humankind. Today, Israel is recognized as a leading world power in many respects. Please take a moment to be refilled with the Holy Spirit and decree His desired fulfillment of Jeremiah 18:7–10, praying the points below. (continued next page) 8 1 Israel’s spiritual restoration: The latter days’ restoration of Israel foretold by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 36:11, 24–28) and others is twofold. First, a physical return of the Jewish people to their land, which has transpired to a large degree over the past 70 years. Then, a spiritual return to the Lord. While many Israelis presently fear and worship God to varying degrees, the Jewish state is not (yet) the model of righteousness He intends it to be. “O God, according to Your Word and Your set time to favor Zion, restore Israel to Yourself through the new heart covenant in Messiah. Break ancient resistance binding or blinding your people. As you glorify Yourself in Israel, be glorified in the sight of the nations.” 2 Nations are being given opportunity to align with Israel and her God. Evil and injustice is being exposed at global levels, including the nations’ past unjust treatment of Israel. Based on how governments respond to this exposure, their destiny as sheep or goat nations may be set (see Matthew 25). “Lord, please act with boldness for governments to embrace truth, turn to You, and align with Your covenant people. Let no peace plan dividing Your covenant land take effect, but be used instead to further expose truth from lies.” To Index 3 God has a peace plan. He loves the Arabs. As He offers point #2 above, would His grace not provide Arabs an opportunity as well? Is not the New Covenant sufficient for their redemption, too? Could not the Holy Spirit visit them in power, bring down their current leadership, free the people to worship Yahweh, and quell hatred for Israel? Please pray accordingly. 4 Righteousness in Government. Prime Minister Netanyahu intimated that he may not seek re­election in 2019. Ask God to prepare Netanyahu’s successor, to align Israel’s government with Biblical righteousness, and to install a new prime minister — in His time — who will serve His purposes. 5 Open doors for Christians. Ultra­Orthodox Jews, who are vehemently anti­ Messianic, serve as Israel’s official gatekeepers, denying aliyah to Messianic Jews and entry to some Christians. In effect, they are saying, “NOT blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” Pray this will change, for the good of Israel and the nations. 1 9