April 2026 Personal Letter

FROM JOSHUA & CALEB COLSON,
THE BEARDED BIBLE BROTHERS^®

Roni bat Zion — rejoice Daughter of Zion — and friends of Israel!

Though America and Israel did everything they could to avert war, that was what Iran wanted from the beginning. Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, hardcore Shia Islamists turned Iran into a religiously led, fundamentalist military nation focused on Mahdism. This apocalyptic ideology centered on the return of the 12^th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi. Iranian leaders believed that he would fight the final battle against the “infidels” (non-Muslims) to bring about a complete Islamic world. Iran’s nuclear program was the key to initiating the Mahdi’s return after they removed Israel and the West from existence.

To these genocidal Muslims, another Jewish Holocaust was essential for ushering in their messianic age. In addition, the Ayatollah Khamenei sought to destroy impure Islamic Sunni ideology. But after nearly four decades of preparation, that dogma worked against them. Iran’s fate was sealed after it fired missiles at Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE. This foolish action prompted these Muslim nations to turn against Iran in its time of need.

Had Iran succeeded in completing its nuclear program, their ballistic missiles would have included nuclear warheads. But God always has something to say about man’s futile strategies: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21).

As Iran’s delusions of grandeur appear to conclude with a fizzle instead of a bang, it’s time to give glory to the Most High God. He shook Heaven and Earth to uproot the principality of the prince of Persia and the spirit of Haman, who for centuries had planned their failed conquest. The same anti-Semitic, antiChrist spirit that prompted Haman to destroy the Chosen People has persisted through the ages. Although Haman planned to execute Mordecai on a pole, God’s supernatural intervention through Esther resulted in the death of Haman and his 10 sons. Now, Purim 2026 will forever be remembered as the time when God repeated His ongoing pattern of deliverance and modern Jews personally experienced His supernatural intervention.

Yeshua reminds us in John 16:21 that a woman forgets the anguish of labor because of the joy she experiences after her child is born. We must not forget the decades of persistent prayer by Christians interceding for the peace of Jerusalem, and God’s timing to deliver Israel and the Persian people. Initially the Persians were duped by the promise of radical change that led to the revolution. But after decades of oppression and experiencing the idolatry and false teachings of Islam, the people reached their point of desperation, allowing God to move in their midst. Indeed, the supernatural conversion of so many Persians to Yeshua is evidence of their heart change.

The Book of Esther reveals many parallels to God’s liberation of the Jews from the wrath of the modern Haman, the Ayatollah Khamenei, whose end came just as quickly as that of his spiritual forefather. The Most High not only preserved His people but also put the fear of the Jews on all the nations of Earth who sought to harm the “apple of His eye” (Zech. 2:8). In one day, He turned the tide, exposed Haman, and empowered the Hebrews to defend themselves and plunder the wealth of the wicked. Purim then continued for a second day as God showed the value of uprooting and eliminating every threat to Israel’s existence. As He did in Esther’s time, God has protected His Chosen People again. Indeed, “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Ps. 121:4).

What Satan meant for evil on October 7, 2023, God turned around for good less than three years later. Iran initiated a seven-front war — Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, the “West Bank,” Syria, and Iraq — to drive the Jews into the sea so that “the name of Israel may be remembered no more” (Ps. 83:4). This was Satan’s shot at the Psalm 83 coalition. But the Most High crippled Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, Islamic State, and the Islamic Republic as a sign to the nations that He is zealous over Zion with a great passion (Zech. 8:2). As Amos 9:13–15 promises, God will never again allow the nations to uproot the Daughter of Zion. The Jews are in their Land to stay. Although Persia will one day rise to fulfill its prophetic role in Ezekiel 38 and 39, today is not that day.

Zola Levitt Ministries will continue telling the story of God’s faithfulness and His desire for all men to come to faith in His Son Yeshua. He calls and empowers us to take the Gospel to the Jew first and then to the gentile. How appropriate for this Jewish ministry to also fulfill Isaiah 49:6 and be a light unto the Persian people. Christianity is the fastest growing religion in Iran today, and we believe that a move of God in the Middle East is long overdue. We want to take part in the next chapter, as God pours out His Spirit on all flesh the way Joel 2 describes this global Last Days revival.

Paul asks in Romans 10:15, “And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” We ask you to help send us to Israel and the nations! Our heart’s desire is to share the Gospel of Yeshua with the world, and we need your partnership. Please join with us as the vanguard against anti-Semitic hate by praying, sharing our social media messages so that others hear the truth, and financially supporting our outreaches and missionary journeys. The Body of Messiah is meant to work together in unity under the direction of our Head, Yeshua. How privileged are we not only to witness these amazing prophetic moments in history, but also to participate in God’s plan for the ages?

Some may not see the war with Iran as total victory, but we rejoice in the victory of the Most High. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Ps. 126:1-3).

Love, Joshua and Caleb

P.S. As we noted previously, our heart’s desire is to share the Gospel of Yeshua with the world, and we need your partnership. Thank you for your financial gifts and prayers that assist us in taking the Good News to those who need to hear it.

FROM SARAH, OUR SABRA
ON THE GROUND IN ISRAEL

Dear Friend,

Shalom from Israel. By the end of February, tensions in Israel were high. All Israelis had been bracing for the outcome of the nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran. We expected either a deal — in which U.S. capitulation would bring negative long-term consequences for Israel — or war.

Israelis felt stuck between a rock and a hard place in January and February as reports of “positive outcomes” and extensions in the negotiations came alongside a massive naval buildup in the Persian Gulf. Pressure intensified as American military assets streamed into the region. Here in Israel, we got a firsthand look at the impressive USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier that arrived at our northern port of Haifa. Still, Iran kept playing games, drawing out negotiations to buy time to fortify its nuclear sites.

Surprise Attack

Following the 12-Day War with Iran in June 2025, our family’s safe room had reverted to its usual function as a workout space. In January, however, I asked our son to tidy up the room in case we needed to shelter from bombs.

When we gathered for the Shabbat meal on the evening of February 27, our whole family was together. Even our army-age twins were home, which wasn’t typical. Just for fun, our son checked the “Pizza Site” — a website that tracks pizza deliveries around the Pentagon. Supposedly, pizza orders to the Pentagon surge significantly as global conflict looms.

Around the table, we speculated about when the U.S. or Israel would attack Iran. Evan, my husband, thought it would happen that night (Friday). I anticipated that it would come on Saturday night, similar to many of Israel’s previous surprise attacks. Our children expected it to occur on Sunday night, the beginning of Purim. Of course, this festival celebrates when Queen Esther and Mordecai saved the Jewish people from annihilation at the hands of the Persians. The symbolism of that day was evident to everyone.

At 8:10 on Saturday morning, we were all surprised by phone alarms and sirens blaring outside. We heard news about a preemptive strike on Iran. No one expected a morning attack, especially not the Iranians, whose government and military leadership suffered tremendous losses in the initial Israeli airstrike.

It’s War

It’s difficult to explain the jarring panic that the loud alarms trigger. You can’t help but feel stress and pressure to act. With the first alert that war had begun, everyone sprang into gear.

Our boys collected spare mattresses from a nearby house. After clearing the safe room, we set up wallto- wall mattresses, pillows, and blankets. We stored food and snacks for ourselves and our little Maltipoo dog. Likewise, we gathered important documents, laptops, chargers, and valuables; whatever we wanted to save had to be in the safe room to have any chance of surviving an attack.

Within 90 minutes, the assault began. Amidst endless sirens, massive explosions shook the windows and doors as Israel’s defense systems countered Iran’s half-ton and one-ton missiles aimed at the civilian population. We hardly slept during the first two nights and stayed in the safe room most of the days. Between sirens, we took turns running to the bathroom or downstairs to grab needed items.

We prayed and joined online prayer sessions with other community members who were also sheltering in their safe rooms. We prayed for our country, the military, safety, the U.S., and for freedom for the precious people of Iran.

By the fourth day, the frequency of the sirens diminished somewhat. Our twins returned to their military preparatory school, where each day they helped clear nearby strike sites, clean apartments filled with glass and rubble, and seal blown-out window openings. Those residents were so grateful, and we were proud of our twins for assisting during the ongoing Iranian attacks.

Memes, Streams, and Funny Things

Israelis have no choice but to be resilient. Within days, people were posting war-related jokes online. One person had statistically calculated the best time to shower based on siren patterns, ensuring that your shower wouldn’t be interrupted by a siren, which is alarming on multiple levels.

In a viral social media post, someone addressed Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran who was killed in the first Israeli airstrike. The Israeli wrote: “Poor Khamenei, you waited your whole life for this deciding war between Israel and Iran, but you don’t get to experience it. You had one minute and then you were out.”

Another person posted a list of “Eliminated” snacks and junk food. This parody of the IDF’s posts of eliminated Iranian leaders used the official “eliminated” graphics but highlighted familiar Israeli sweets and snacks. While humorous, this post was relatable because everyone was stress eating through the war.

Wider Implications

After the first 48 hours, Hezbollah joined the battle from the north. Meanwhile Iran, to the astonishment of most people, attacked many of its Arab neighbors, causing greater tension throughout the region.

As the war continues, many questions remain. Two are primary: Will this war topple the evil Iranian regime? Will it position Israel as a regional superpower, and thus expand peace agreements with additional Arab states?

I’ve heard some unfathomable stories related to this war. In future letters to you, I will share some of those accounts along with more about the internal workings of this war from within Israel.

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

Many blessings from Israel,

Sarah Liberman

P.S. Thank you for your continued support and prayers, not only for the people of Israel but also for the work of Zola Levitt Ministries. Please remember to sha-a-lu sh’lom Yeru-shalayim — “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Ps. 122:6).

Delaying but Awaiting

For obvious reasons, we cancelled our March Bible study tour to Israel. Even so, we continue planning for our Fall 2026 pilgrimage, anticipating that Iran’s threat will soon be quelled. We plan to visit sacred spots in Israel along with Greece and Ephesus. Throughout the centuries, Believers have deepened their faith as they visited these places where Scripture unfolded.

For more information or to reserve your place for our Fall Tour, please contact Sandra, our tour manager, at 214-696-9760, travel@levitt.com, or via levitt.com/tours.

Fall Tour 2026 Options

Bearded Bible Brothers^® TV programs in April

This month features an encore performance of Josiah and the Last Reformation, which was filmed in Israel just before the Hamas atrocities on October 7, 2023. As was true for Judah in the seventh century B.C., our whole world needs a spiritual reformation. People must rediscover Scripture, apply God’s instruction to our lives, and strive to purify our land with a passion for justice. Join us as we consider parallels between Josiah’s day and our time.

Josiah and the Last Reformation

Worst Grandfather Ever — In Josiah’s day, moral decline was rampant, just as we see in many people today who have rejected Biblical truth. Joshua and Caleb discuss how Josiah’s life gives us hope for our present time.

The Boy King — The Bearded Bible Brothers discuss the wickedness of Amon, Josiah’s father, along with the sin and eventual repentance of his great-grandfather Manasseh. Despite Josiah’s young age when he became king, he steadfastly sought God and initiated religious reforms.

Forewarnings of Destruction — Throughout their history, Israel experienced a recurring pattern of sin, warning, and judgment. Despite repeated admonitions from God’s spokesmen, the Southern Kingdom of Judah repeated the same mistakes as the Northern Kingdom of Israel and ultimately fell to Babylon. Unfortunately, this cycle is evident even in our time.

Beginnings of Reformation — From the Western Wall to the ruins of Tel Dan, Joshua and Caleb explore the bar mitzvah tradition, Josiah’s rise to the monarchy in Judah, and how King Josiah began transforming Judah with a limited scope of knowledge. The brothers’ teaching includes a dramatic disruption as they experience the horrors of Hamas’ October 7 assault on Israel.

Discovering the Torah — In this program, the Bearded Bible Brothers travel from the top of the Temple Mount to the depths of the Western Wall tunnels. During their journey, they reveal Josiah’s humble action that moved God’s heart and shook the nation.

For expanded descriptions of each BBB TV program, please go to levitt.com/schedule.