March 1993 Personal Letter

Shalom, Dear Friend,

EXPECT MESSIAH NOW!

I saw that exciting declaration written on the side of a bus just outside of Jerusalem on one of my recent trips to Israel. Can you believe it? “Expect Messiah Now!”

Contrary to what you might have been told or concluded from all the information you are given about Israel — not all the Israeli people are secular. There is a great revival of messianic expectation among the nation. All that I have written and taught on television regarding the preparations being made for the Temple is just one example of this messianic expectation.

The Jewish people have traditionally had great difficulty with the most famous and influential Jew who ever lived — Jesus Christ. Jewish people know they are to expect Messiah but few have been able to recognize that Jesus Christ IS their Messiah!

The Apostle Peter, in his second sermon, gave a clear and thorough presentation of Jesus Christ to the Jews in Jerusalem at that time and then pointed out their mistake in rejecting Christ as Messiah. Quoting Moses, he said, “The Lord your God shall raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren; to him you shall give heed in everything He says to you.” (Acts 3:17–23)

The Jewish people have interpreted the coming of Messiah many different ways since the time of Christ. Many believed the establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948 was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecy of Messiah. Others look for Messiah to be appointed by government, or come out of business, or culture. At the time of the “Six-Day War,” some thought Moshe Dayan was Messiah.

Just a few days ago, the ultra-Orthodox sect of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn, New York made international news. Grand Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the 90-year old spiritual leader of the Lubavicher sect, appeared for a service that was linked by satellite to members of the sect in major cities of the world. For some time he had preached that the time of Messiah was imminent. Many followers were hopeful Rabbi Schneerson would proclaim himself as Messiah. “I’m ready to receive him, whether on donkey-back, plane or whatever,” said Rabbi Shmuel Hefer. But when the service ended, Rabbi Schneerson had not proclaimed messiahship.

The Apostle Peter’s words to the nation of Israel in Acts 3:20–21 were clear and concise. If Israel would repent and follow Jesus Christ as Messiah there would be a time of refreshing for the nation as a whole. Everything is in place for the return of Jesus Christ. The fig tree is blossoming and it seems more Jews than ever before are looking for Messiah!

“EXPECT MESSIAH NOW!”

Israel has an essential role to fulfill when Christ returns for His bride, the Church. You and I understand this, but the majority of Christians do not – including many Evangelicals.

God has not rejected Israel for the Gentile… quite the opposite is true! Paul writes in Romans 11:2, “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew,” and continues telling how all through Jewish history there has always been a remnant of true believers who were reconciled to God and served as His instruments of love and grace. It’s interesting to note there are more Messianic Jews in Israel today than were living in the days of the early church.

In the unfolding drama of God’s redemption, the Jewish people have always been God’s first love. Gentile Christians make a terrible mistake if they don’t understand the root into which they have been grafted — the heritage of Israeli Paul writes, “and so all Israel will be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them when I shall take away their sins.” (Romans 11:26) When the Church Age ends and the true Church is gone, Israel will still be there witnessing of Messiah and holding out for the Kingdom of God!

At the appointed moment in history, “surviving Israel” will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. But this does not remove our responsibility to love and share God’s redemption with the Jewish people NOW — and explain how Jesus Christ IS their Messiah! Our concern for this eternal truth is what brings you and I together, isn’t it? We know this is God’s plant We’ve been given a burden to communicate it to our culture and world by every possible means.

When you financially support Zola Levitt Ministries each month, you become a very real part of all that we do to teach Christians who do not clearly understand God’s plan for the last days and the role He has for the Jewish people and the nation of Israel.

Apparently, you also trust the manner in which this ministry is sharing the gospel with Jewish friends.

I’d like to talk more about this with you. How about joining me for a wonderful Spring Tour to Israel April 23? We’ll participate in Israel’s 45th birthday celebration as well as the exciting season of Passover and Pentecost. Return the enclosed card for your informational brochure. It’s getting late!

Thank you for this month’s gift which allows us to minister together. Your support helps meet those ongoing financial needs we have to take care of each month as well as prepare for the exciting, new television productions for 1993. May God bless and prosper you as you deepen your relationship with Him.

Your Messenger,

PS: We’ve chosen an excellent book on the subject of Jews and Jesus. When you purchase a copy we’ll send a “Messiah bookmark” that lists 17 New Testament fulfillments of Old Testament prophecies.