July 1993 Personal Letter

Shalom, Dear Friend,

Even though I’d been there scores of times during the past 20 years, I’d never seen it!

This past April, I asked our Israeli production crew to select a suitable location on the Mount of Olives to film one of the eight segments for our new television series — TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS. I was amazed at what they found. They had selected a path that led to a public overlook few knew was there. Along that path was a garden — a beautiful garden with blooming flowers, shrubs, and trees typical of the Mediterranean. As many times as I’d been along that road, I’d never noticed this spot.

What a perfect place to film. The sun was just right. The flowers and foliage were stunning and would give an appropriate background for my teaching session on the significance of the Mount of Olives. We quickly set up our equipment and began filming.

In my teaching segment, I focused on the Mount of Olives and The Kingdom. I presented God’s requirement for entry — the four groups who will be part of it — what Scripture teaches about the Kingdom and the King — and the nature of His reign of Peace.

As we filmed, I noticed a gray-haired Palestinian man watching us. I’m sure he wondered who we were and why we were there. When we finished, I went over to speak with him. In his excellent English, he told me he had been educated in the United States and conducted business in America for many years. The beautiful garden we found was his. He had planted all the flowers and shrubs and personally maintained it. He’d returned to Israel some time ago and was living in a home just across the road. His family had lived there for generations. I pray the Holy Spirit will use the teaching he heard. This man certainly lives in an important, unique place.

Can you imagine eating, sleeping and living at the exact location where the Second Coming of Jesus will occur? Scripture teaches that Jesus will return to earth at the Mount of Olives and establish His Millennial reign of 1,000 years. Revelation says, “He hath on His vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev. 19:11–16). After the tribulation and the Battle of Armageddon, Zacharias tells us an earthquake will split the Mount of Olives (Zec. 14:3–4). By the way, this may be how the Tribulation Temple is destroyed. The Mount of Olives stands just East of the Temple site — actually overlooking it.

In closing conversation, I asked, “Who pays you for taking care of this beautiful garden?” He replied, “No one… I’ve just always done it.” I expressed our appreciation for being able to use the garden, and we gave him something to help with the upkeep of this unique spot on the Mount of Olives. I assured him I’d be back.

In fact, I’ll be leaving again for Israel on July 14 with our Summer Tour and will return for the Three Festival Tabernacle Tour, September 21. This will be the 42nd and 43rd times I have led a group of friends, like you, on a spiritual pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It’s like “a homecoming” for those who have never been to Israel, and an “enrichment time” for those who’ve been there more than once. The best way to learn about a Holy Land tour is to send for a brochure… even if you are just “thinking about it.” There’s no obligation. A tour brochure explains where we go and what we do.

The Summer Tour extension involves four days at a Mediterranean Sea hotel — visiting coastal sites and the Roman ruins at Caesarea. The extension tour for the fall includes a visit to Germany and the infamous Dachau concentration camp. Let me send you a brochure. For a Summer Tour brochure, call now! (1-214-690-1876)

Our new television special, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS, is scheduled for a September release. It’s an eight episode special featuring the mountains of Scripture: Mt. Moriah, Mt. Tabor, Mt. Sinai, Mt. Zion, Masada/Gamla, Mount of Beatitudes, Golgotha, and the Mount of Olives. Believe me — it’s terrific!

Filming TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS was a complicated, arduous, expensive and, yes, a dangerous project. We had to travel to areas far outside of Israel… into Palestinian and Egyptian territory, far from any tourist area. This required us to hire security as well as carry our own protection. Transportation and living expenses for our film crew, the shipment of sensitive, technical equipment and the logistics while filming were all very expensive. We’re not CNN, you know. It seemed everywhere we went we had to have a “baksheesh” ready. Only with sufficient “lubrication” for an extended palm were we able to get the action we needed. The photography is exquisite. You won’t believe the sunrise segment on Mt. Sinai! I was able to teach about each mountain as I had planned and, as I’ve said, taught wearing authentic biblical robes.

We need your financial help as all the “pieces” of TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS are technically put together this summer. The fall series will cost more than $125,000 over our normal operating expenses! I’ll say it again — we not only need your regular monthly financial support… we encourage you to be a part of this television special. Many of you have already made a special gift to this exciting project… and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

There is no way to anticipate how the Holy Spirit will use this production as an “end times” witness for Jesus Christ. As you view these programs, you’ll understand what I mean and will be glad you were a part of its development. Begin praying now that hearts will be prepared to receive the message of TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS.

Your Messenger,

PS: As you send your gift, request e brochure for the fall tour. We are also offering an interesting booklet, The Promised Land, which chronicles an “on location” filming we did several years ago.