FROM JOSHUA & CALEB COLSON,
THE BEARDED BIBLE BROTHERS

Shalom, faithful readers!

There has never been a more opportune time than this for Zola Levitt Ministries. A quick glance at today’s news reveals the effects of these Last Days on our American “bubble” world. Numerous deadly attacks against Jewish-American citizens have just occurred here — from gunning down Israeli embassy staffers in Washington D.C. to an illegal Egyptian immigrant firebombing a peaceful Jewish march.

These acts of terrorism are occurring in our own backyard, and they aren’t diminishing. In addition, we see a polarizing split among Christians as major public voices like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens not only oppose America’s greatest ally, Israel, but also dispute the truth that Jews are God’s Chosen People. Replacement theology and anti-Semitic contempt are running rampant in American churches and on social media at levels we’ve never seen before!

Unrelated to Israel, our own country’s social and political climate indicates runaway chaos that is unrivaled in our history. Rage and dissension trigger lawlessness in broad daylight on America’s streets. Both legal residents and illegal immigrants express their rage, however unjustified, by burning businesses and vehicles and damaging private property.

On the day of the so-called “No Kings” protests — June 14, 2025 — riots occurred on the streets of Dallas and Fort Worth, not far from our ministry’s offices. At the same time, President Trump celebrated the U.S. Army’s 250^th birthday with an iconic parade in D.C. — complete with tanks, military vehicles, and aircraft. Some claimed that this display of firepower mimicked the classic Soviet or North Korean weapons parades. These days, however, with the entire world sitting on the brink of war, such a show of force appears to be the only thing that garners fear and respect from America’s enemies.

Zola Levitt, the founder of this ministry, was unique for teaching with a newspaper in one hand and his Bible in the other. He taught about the clear-as-day correlation between the two. Zola observed, however, that world events are only prophetic if they are initiated by the thermometer that is Israel. “As goes Israel, so goes the world,” Zola noted.

Since the outbreak of war after Hamas’s invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, the prophetic dominoes continue to fall. With the recent unstable truce between Iran and Israel — courtesy of President Trump — many Believers in Yeshua/Jesus are frightened. Some consider this to be a false peace treaty that will usher in the Tribulation, while others see it as the beginning of the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38–39).

Thankfully, we Bearded Bible Brothers take our lead not only from Zola Levitt but also from God’s Word. As we’ve scrutinized the trigger points of conflict during the last two years, we can safely conclude: Not just yet! Although the stage is being set for a grand conclusion of the Church Age in which we now live, the signs around us are minor “birth pangs” as described in Matthew 24:4–8. Even so, we don’t dismiss these events as insignificant in the Biblical chronology, since they revolve around Israel. That is a key reason why ZLM’s mission is more important today than ever before. The stage is being set, the actors eagerly wait in the wings, and our mission is to use all means available to urgently declare the Gospel of Yeshua and be His witnesses to all nations until the end (Matt. 24:14).

Please continue reading this letter for our Sabra Sarah Liberman’s boots-on-the-ground Israeli perspective on the deadly rocket ping-pong match between Israel and Iran.

We can’t complete our mission alone. This is your outreach, too! When you pray for Zola Levitt Ministries, “like” and follow us on social media, share our videos and newsletters, and regularly donate, you unite with fellow Believers in the ranks of Yeshua’s army. You and we were never meant to fight our spiritual and physical battles alone; we are all one in Messiah and His calling.

Love, Joshua and Caleb

P.S. Please help us run the race well (Heb. 12:1) and deliver God’s Word to as many eyes, ears, and hearts as possible by financially supporting YOUR ministry today!

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Shalom from the Holy Land.

At 3:00 a.m. on Friday, June 13, the piercing rising and falling sound of a siren outside jolted me awake. I checked my phone for news updates, wondering if Hezbollah (our closest threat here in northern Israel) was firing at us. No news there, so I checked the National Home Front Command app that normally alerts us before rocket attacks. But again, nothing.

My husband was away on a business trip; only our three kids and I were at home. Moments later, our phones erupted with a missile warning — a loud and obnoxious sound designed to wake us quickly — and we rushed to our safe room. After closing the heavy metal door, we wondered what was happening.

The news soon reported that Israel had launched a preemptive strike against Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) pilots were bombing military installations and radar systems in western Iran. Consequently, everyone in Israel was instructed to take shelter.

This wasn’t a drill; we were at war!

War with Iran

Once inside our safe room, we realized that it was no longer “war ready.” After the Hezbollah attacks ended nine months earlier, we had removed most food and survival supplies, and our boys had reclaimed it as a workout room. At 3:00 that morning, however, we knew that major changes needed to be made to accommodate longer stays. A war with Iran was not a joke.

The previous day I’d been shopping and heard the sound of many jets during their training exercises. Ironically, in an extended family chat, I sent a photo of the jets and joked about gathering snacks and “getting ready for war.” Everyone laughed because, while Iran and Israel had exchanged threats, these seemed to be typical tactics during the negotiations that the U.S. was holding with Iran seeking to end their nuclear program with a deal. None of us imagined that just hours later, Israel’s strikes would begin.

Unable to sleep after returning to bed at 4:30 a.m. that Friday, I mentally compiled a shopping list of emergency supplies. Around 7:30 that morning, I went to the local food store, where I found the parking lot jammed and no shopping carts available.

Soon, we heard the jaw-dropping details about the events in Iran:

• Around 100 Israeli fighter jets reached Iranian airspace precisely at 3:00 a.m. that day.
• At the same time, Mossad agents, already inside Iran, neutralized air defenses using attack drones.
• Fourteen Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in precision strikes on their homes.
• The Mossad had established a forward drone base outside Tehran, while both Mossad and Israeli commandos attacked on the ground during the airstrikes.

In the days and nights that followed, Israeli jets carried out precision strikes against Iranian military installations, which asserted Israeli air dominance over western Iran and Tehran within days. Later, the Israeli Air Force struck Iran’s storage facilities and missile launchers that were aimed at Israel. After about a week, it was time to address Iran’s primary nuclear facilities.

The events of that first night left us torn between pride in Israel’s military and concern over the war that we’ve anticipated for years. Overnight, everything stopped — flights, travel, schools, and work. It felt like the days of COVID lockdowns — but this time, the threat came from missiles, not microbes.

Government and IDF leaders issued sobering warnings on Friday that we must prepare for difficult days ahead. While the strike had been successful, Israel braced for severe retaliation. We realized that many people were likely to die.

Our safe room quickly became a top priority. Our kids cleaned it, then covered the floor with mattresses, covers, and pillows. We stocked the room with food, water, and even dog treats. We also added special snacks, which we normally don’t buy. For the following 12 days, whenever we heard sirens during the day and rushed into the safe room, our kids enjoyed something yummy. During nights in the room, however, no one wanted to eat.

My brother, along with many other Israelis, was activated for reserve duty. Tens of thousands of troops were mobilized to protect our borders and help with the war effort. That Friday night, my brother returned from his base to join us for Shabbat dinner. Then, around 8:30 p.m., a siren sounded, and we all rushed into our safe room.

We heard explosions outside as Israeli defense systems intercepted Iranian missiles. These blasts were louder than any we had experienced since October 7, 2023. Thus, the war became profoundly real and extremely close, and we realized that any hit in Israel would likely be lethal. Iran launched over 150 ballistic missiles on that first night, along with hundreds more in the days that followed. While most were intercepted, some struck civilian areas, causing death and destruction.

The sirens continued for 12 days. We spent hours each day in our safe room — waiting and praying. Between attacks, we often took turns running to the bathroom. At night, it was difficult for anyone to sleep.

The Power of Prayer

During those days, we prayed constantly — for our military, nation, and leaders. We were prompted to pray after hearing daily news about the devastating civilian casualties — children, mothers, fathers, grandparents — and the Israeli neighborhoods that were destroyed. We prayed not only for Israel but also for the citizens of Iran, longing for their freedom and salvation.

Our faith community couldn’t gather in person, so we organized nightly online prayer meetings. Everyone participated faithfully — just like in the pandemic days. We also realized that Believers around the world were praying for our safety and standing with Israel, which brought us strength.

We Israeli Believers are incredibly grateful for your prayers and concern for us. As the days wore on, we realized that our area was spared from many of the alerts and sirens. We are especially thankful that no missiles hit the ground anywhere in our vicinity during those 12 days. Truly God is great and greatly to be praised!

As Psalm 121:4 assures us, “Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”

Im tirdefu lada-at oto —“Press on to know HIM!” (Hosea 6:3 NLT)

Many blessings from Israel,

Sarah Liberman

 

P.S. Next month, in Part 2 of my letter to you, I’ll share insights about the war’s broader strategic implications for the Middle East, what things were like here on the ground after the war ended, and what Israeli Believers think about the war’s possible connection to End Times prophecy. In the meantime, please support ZLM; it means so much to me and numerous other Israelis.

Faith over Fear

Soon after the 12-Day War with Iran, The Israeli Ministry of Tourism announced that “Israel is open, safe, and ready to welcome tourists from around the world — responsibly and warmly.” Pilgrimages always require courage — answering God’s invitation to draw close despite uncertainties. Even during turmoil, Israel remains a place of profound peace for the soul.

Would you consider joining Joshua and Caleb Colson on our Spring 2026 Bible study tour? As a bonus, Sarah Liberman is standing by to serve as our tour host on the several days that Joshua and Caleb focus on TV production. Please contact Sandra, our tour manager, at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or visit levitt. com/tours for more information.

Bearded Bible Brothers^® TV programs in August

This month, we continue The Lobstermen. In this new series, Joshua and Caleb review Yeshua’s call for His disciples to become “fishers of men,” and consider the trailblazing ways of the Apostle Paul, the original “lobsterman.” There’s much we can learn from the first Believers, who witnessed to lost Jews and gentiles and also discipled Yeshua’s followers. Join us to discover what it takes to be a fisherman — a lobsterman.

The Lobstermen

One New Man! — Joshua and Caleb, joined by their Lobstermen crew, analyze the makeup of the first-century Church as recorded in the Book of Acts. In addition, they participate in a moving memorial to the ultimate One New Man.

And You Will Receive Power! — Before Yeshua sent His disciples into the world, He gave them supernatural power to fulfill their mission. The bearded Lobstermen participate in the Highland Games to learn more about the Holy Spirit’s equipping.

The Mobile Church! — The Bearded Bible Brothers and crew set out on ATVs to learn about the first church. Along the way, they visit the Great Maine Lumberjack Show to hone their skills at becoming Ax [Acts] men^*.

To the Jew First! — While Yeshua was sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Jews), gentiles can also become sheep in the Lord’s flock. As Joshua and Caleb hunt wild turkeys, they discuss God’s plan for the Jewish People.

Please visit levitt.com/schedule to read the expanded description of each BBB TV program.

^*Please see our DVD set Acts: Then and Now…