August 2016 Personal Letter

Dear Friend,

Shalom Haverim v’ Mishpochah (Warm greetings, friends and family). As the “lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer” roll on (thank you, Nat King Cole), so does the insane clash of civilizations. As I write this letter, we have recently witnessed the Orlando massacre, Istanbul’s airport suicide bombing, and a 13-year-old American-Israeli girl’s murder by a “Palestinian” terrorist. Days later, a Jewish doctor was shot and killed and his family sent into critical care … by the first murderer’s cousin! How Nice. Who’s next?

We Believers know that God is on the throne (Revelation 5:13), but free will obviously, yet temporally, runs riot on the Earth.

Daily, we hear two opposing views of the Islamic jihadist movement. On the one hand:

• “ISIS is not Islamic.”
• “Those who perpetrate these acts do not represent true Islam.”
• “The majority of Muslims are peaceful citizens.”

We also hear the counterpoint:

• “The terrorists scream, ‘Allahu akbar!’ (Allah is greater!) as they murder.”
• “The Koran and Hadith are clearly imperialist ideologies.”
• “Why doesn’t the peaceful majority speak out?”

The American news media’s ongoing surprise about the growth of Islamic terror continues to frustrate me. A “stinking rose” (reputedly the Greco-Roman description of garlic) by any other name would smell as “stinky.” Whatever name (or glaring lack of one) attaches to violent Islam, that momentous movement is alive and well. What will the Nations do? How will they react? Will our own country continue to focus on distracting issues, like gender-tolerant bathrooms and politicians’ private email servers, while barbaric enemies recruit soldiers and become the “stronger horse”? Romanticized perceptions of ISIS/Daesh’s growing power— however exaggerated they are—provide a strong attraction for too many young, disaffected men and women worldwide.

Classes sponsored by the United Nations Relief Works Agency for Palestine (UNRWA) have spent the past few decades inculcating hatred in Moslem preschoolers. Current curricula include instructions in murdering Jews. UNRWA gets almost half of its $1.2 billion budget from the U.S. In other words, your tax dollars and mine foster training for future generations of terrorists who blow themselves up, killing as many civilized innocents as possible. A video posted online in May shares examples of incitement in Palestinian classrooms. Warning: the video’s message is disturbing.

We well-meaning citizens in the West are in for some roller-coaster years as the Day of the Lord approaches. ZLM’s teaching is geared to help Believers recognize the prophetic signs; unbelievers will see the signs but either will not grasp their significance or will misattribute their miraculous origins.

Several years ago, Walid Shoebat, the former PLO terrorist whom Zola interviewed on this ministry’s television program, observed: “Myles, the only occupation in the Middle East is the occupation of young Arab minds!” I remember pondering that as the U.S., Europe, and the entire Moslem world protested Jewish building-projects in Israel. Can you imagine any nation telling America not to build in Washington, D.C.? The double standard is astounding.

Not surprising, though… it goes back to the Bible.

In my early days as a Believer, I heard many preachers denigrate Jacob as a thief and robber. I would squirm in my pew, feeling childlike discomfort in a foreign, non-Jewish environment.

It seemed clear to me that the Biblical text teaches the exact opposite. Rebecca inquired of the Lord, who gave her a prophetic promise regarding her soon-coming twin sons:

²²But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
²³Two nations are in your womb and two peoples will be separated from your body. One people shall be stronger than the other, and the older shall serve the younger.”—Genesis 25:22–23

The birthright of the firstborn was prophesied as intended for Jacob even before he came into the world.

¹¹Yet before the sons were even born and had not done anything good or bad—so that God’s purpose and choice might stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls—¹²it was said to her, “The older shall serve the ¹³As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” —Romans 9:11–13

“Hated”?! That is a hard word. My friend and mentor Peter Tsukahira, a Japanese-American-Israeli teacher of the Word, put it this way: “Jacob I have separated to Myself for My covenant purposes; Esau I have not separated for those same purposes.” This explanation expresses the loving character of God and His sovereign choice at the same time.

Katharine and I continually reach for Moslem friends with the Gospel of Yeshua. We have personally helped fund outreaches in Bethlehem and “East” Jerusalem. But our “moderate” Moslem friends need to stand up to the jihadis in a more vocal, direct, and law-assisting manner. It is time for the moderate Moslem majority to recognize that they are also at risk from the barbarian hordes, who murder indiscriminately.

As a young adult, Esau fulfilled the prophetic Word by selling his birthright to Jacob, his twin, despising spiritual benefit and choosing immediate physical comfort. (See Genesis 25:31–34.) In Genesis 27, their dying father Isaac disobeyed God’s prophetic Word and ignored the oath sworn between his two sons. He attempted to bless the son he preferred—Esau—but he got it wrong from start to finish. Esau willingly went along with the deception, plotting to rob his brother of that which he had sold and that rightly belonged to Jacob twice over.

God overruled Isaac and made sure that the patriarchal blessing rested on Jacob.

²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. ²¹By faith Jacob, as he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and he bowed in worship, leaning on the top of his staff.—Hebrews 11:20–21

The covenant was always intended for Jacob and his descendants. God in His mercy has mightily blessed the descendants of Esau with massive land, oil wealth, and multitudes of children. Yet, every day, we see the battle from the womb playing out in the news. The terrorists, UNRWA teachers of hatred, the Nations, and even the news headlines are aligning with Scripture as we watch God’s prophecies come to pass in our day. Like Jacob, today’s Jews also bought the land intended for them from former Arab owners and made it bloom. And now “Esau” wants it back.

Regardless of any political machinations, the Word of God stands true:

Then Adonai said to Abram,
“Get going out from your land, and from your relatives, and from your father’s house, to the land that I will show you. ²My heart’s desire is to make you into a great nation, to bless you, to make your name great so that you may be a blessing. ³My desire is to bless those who bless you, but whoever curses you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth will be blessed. —Genesis 12:1–3

Believers still must point out the futility of their actions to those who strive to thwart God’s plan, and encourage them to believe the evidence right in front of them that God means what He says. Knowing that God’s Word is forever keeps this ministry standing with God’s ancient land and His chosen people. We intend to remain on the frontlines against the smear campaign that works to delegitimize and even destroy Israel. For defense, we proclaim the truth and stand on God’s Word.

This ministry’s staffers, Katharine, and I are most grateful for your prayers and financial support. Please, consider an extra donation to this Bible-based outreach during this year’s slow summer months. Some wonderful television projects recently entered the final production process, anticipating funding for airtime—a costly necessity and truly efficient, effective way to bring God’s Word to anyone, anywhere with a television or Internet access.

And, by all means, come with us to the Land of Covenant, ISRAEL! Visiting the apple of God’s eye is a most practical way to bless Israelis. You will rejoice that you did as the Word comes alive for you in a new way. Please call Zola Tours manager Sandra to discuss tour options at 214-696-9760. You may also email her at travel@levitt.com, or visit www.levitt.com/tours. Our upcoming pilgrimage options include:

Spring Tour 2017

All tour prices include tips, taxes, & fuel surcharge (subject to change).

Israel	Mar 12–21	$4,288
Israel & Petra	Mar 12–24	$5,488

This month on Zola Levitt Presents, we focus on how Yeshua’s Gospel is
spreading geographically and in perpetuity:

Reaching the Next Generation

Myles and Katharine hear from Israeli singing artist Joshua Aaron (left) and from other young Messianic Believers on the importance of Israel and their ultimate hope in Yeshua.

“Aliens among us” (from our TV series Israel in Prophecy)

Myles and Katharine talk about a subject too often ignored today. The modern UFO movement has ancient, even demonic, roots. Some believe that Jesus was an extraterrestrial and that the nephilim in Genesis 6 may have a genetic link to the Beast. Believers need to exercise their authority in Christ against Satan. Guests include Gary Bates, Douglas Hamp, Doc Marquis, and L.A. Marzulli.

“Iran Alive with Hormoz Shariat.”

Dr. Shariat (right) was born in Iran but came to faith in Jesus while at college in America. He now ministers in the Farsi language via satellite broadcast to his people in Iran. Many have called him “the Billy Graham of Iran.” You briefly read about him in the August 2015 Levitt Letter (p. 5). Now, hear him tell his story; you’ll love learning how the Lord is moving in Iran.

Letters from Viewers

Myles and Katharine answer letters and emails from viewers and readers. They respond to claims that the Church has replaced Israel, complaints that government actions push us toward the End Times, and inquiries about women’s role in the Church and Believers’ obligation to keep the Feasts. Myles explains the Palestinian refugee situation and offers a solution (it’s not money)

Back to Jerusalem

Even as communism held 20th-century China in its grip, a Biblical worldview arose to call the Chinese people into end-times ministry. In this program, we interview heroes of the underground Church in China and learn about the Back to Jerusalem missions movement.

By the time you receive this letter, I will be recovering at home following a total knee replacement. I plan on being up and ministering in Israel this September. If you want some details (and perhaps a chuckle) about this surgery saga, see my blog entitled, “On My Knees” at blog.levitt.com/on-my-knees.

Please, always remember to Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim! (Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!) Psalms 122:6.

P.S. We Bible Believers must pray fervently for our national government and church leaders during this time when the devil’s minions work to subvert their wisdom and divert their focus away from our Lord.