January 2000 Personal Letter

Dear Friends,

This is the time of year when many charities and many ministries ask for your help, and most are sincere and really do need the help. We’re no exception.

In our case, our mission is very clear and the methods we use are seen weekly on national television. We are here, of course, to teach Bible, to witness to the Jews and the Gentiles, to continue to remind the world that the Lord is on His way, this time as a Lion and not as a Lamb, and that salvation is available “for a limited time only.”

In fact, it probably does us well to repeat our ministry’s doctrinal statement now and again so that you’re aware of our position on important Christian issues. It is as follows:

By way of a doctrinal statement, Zola Levitt Ministries holds to a strictly literal and inerrant Bible interpretation, salvation through Christ alone, a soon pre-tribulation Rapture of all believers and the establishment of a thousand-year kingdom on Earth.

Many charities and many ministries invent causes to shake dollars loose from recalcitrant givers. We’re not interested in recalcitrant givers, frankly, since Christian giving is voluntary and a privilege. Properly done, it is entirely motivated by God and, therefore, the money given is invariably used for His purposes and in His will.

The very accurate syndicated columnist, Cal Thomas, who has been on our program and whom we often quote, nailed one of these false causes eloquently in a recent column. In his powerful words:

… Christians and their “values” aren’t getting the respect they deserve from non-Christians. In fact, many say they are being persecuted for their beliefs.

The direct-mail fund-raising letters from various TV ministers and some who are ministerial wannabes speak of “religious persecution!” complete with appropriate exclamation points. They cite the religious connections in the Columbine High School killings and the Fort Worth church shooting.

They ask for money to fight the “persecution,” though specifics often are lacking beyond “restoring” prayer and Bible reading to public schools or hanging the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Blame for the persecution is laid at the doorstep of the American Civil Liberties Union, an organization that sends out its own letters requesting money to fight the “intolerant religious right.”

The presumption is that non-Christians are supposed to accept the Christian agenda and beliefs without question. Christians are surprised and offended that anyone would oppose their beliefs and tactics, because they claim to be right. When they are killed for their faith, they suggest that it is unnatural and unprecedented and that government should classify such persecution as a hate crime.

Two things. First, many in the world being beheaded, stoned, flogged and imprisoned for their faith might gladly exchange such real persecution for the mostly mere inconveniences experienced by American Christians. Second, isn’t it curious that people who claim to believe what the Bible says think it is unusual, or even outrageous, that they would be subjected to persecution for their faith? The prosperity gospel they can handle. The persecution gospel they would rather avoid.

Here is what their leader said about persecution: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12). Elsewhere, Jesus says, “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). So why does persecution come as a surprise?

The Apostles suffered greatly for their faith. Some were flogged. Others lost their liberty, and all but one lost his life, the last one suffering exile and dying a “natural” death on an island. None complained or asked the government to step in and stop the persecution. In fact, the record tells us they “rejoiced” that God counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name (Acts 5:41).

So, lighten up, Christians, and get about the business of doing the things that will bring real persecution. You aren’t being fed to the lions, but you are being fed a lot of baloney by some of your leaders who, frankly, don’t know what they are talking about when it comes to real persecution.

In a recent newsletter, I pointed out that a Messianic congregation trying to avoid persecution canceled a speaking engagement with me. I remonstrated with them much in the manner of writer Thomas above. My quarrel with Christians who worship the “gentle Jesus, meek and mild” is that they do so little in the world for the real Jesus. Catholics and liberal Protestants may criticize me up and down, but my question for them is, “What are you doing for Israel and are you witnessing to the Jews?” That is a question that we should ask every church and every seminary these days because Israel is the most polarizing issue in the world of religion. We send our bumper sticker about “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” to many donors, but I have heard that some don’t want to put it on their car because someone will persecute the car, so to speak! They don’t want to have a strong position on this difficult controversy. (But, Christians will surely be persecuted in the Tribulation Period, and that seems to be coming soon.)

Well, we stand for Israel, and that’s all there is to that. As long as I’m running this ministry, it will first and foremost promote the Promised Land and the Chosen People, no matter what the world, the President of the United States, the United Nations, or anyone else says or thinks. If you give money to us, know that it goes into the service of witnessing “to the Jew first” and, in the words of a song I wrote 15 years ago, “Father, with Israel I’ll stand!”

I can’t say that we’re fighting for putting the Ten Commandments up on classroom walls or the like, and we’re not trying to elect certain officials because they hold certain positions. But you will not find another ministry in the world as supportive of Israel as we are. Unfortunately, that means we have to go to Israel several times a year to film extremely expensive television programs. On that score, I always cite Romans 10:15:

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Gifts to us send us to Israel, and that, in turn, creates relations with Jews, a salvation message on national television, and, indeed, quite a bit of persecution. We’re glad to accept the persecution along with everything else, but we need to go. And you need to send us. Thanks.

And on the subject of going to Israel, come tour the Holy Land with us! Our next tour is April 19 through May 4 (Grand) and April 24 through May 4 (Deluxe). The Grand Tour will enjoy a cruise to the Greek islands of Rhodes, Patmos, and Mykonos, and will travel to Ephesus, Turkey, as we follow the Apostle Paul’s footsteps where he preached the Gospel of Christ. Then we will join the Deluxe Tour in Israel to see all the major Biblical sites such as the Garden of Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, the Garden Tomb, the Upper Room, Calvary, the site of the Sermon on the Mount, the Sea of Galilee where we will take a boating trip, the Dead Sea, Masada, and the Jordan River where you can be baptized just as our Lord was. We will also tour Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Memorial, and the Israel Museum where we will see the Dead Sea Scrolls. If you can join us, you will never forget the most spiritually uplifting experience of your lifetime!

And remember to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Your messenger,

P.S. Please see our new airtimes [below]. Our prayers have been answered!

Zola & Sandra Levitt and the ZLM/TEI staff

Back row (L to R): Zola Levitt, Sandra Levitt, Terry Barnett, Linda Rhea, Ruth Mann, Mark Levitt.
Front row (L to R): Dahlia Glasscock, Cynthia Clark, Jane Derrick, Becky Evans, Diana Snell, Todd Baker.