The Jewish roots of Christianity

Home » Levitt Letter » Newsletters » February 2012 Personal Letter


Highlighting: OFF ON

Myles & Katharine Weiss

Dear Friends,

With the world embracing 2012, some eyes are fixed on the Mayan calendar. It has a peculiar blank spot, which some interpret to point to changes of cataclysmic proportions.

I don’t know. The Maya are a strong and beautiful people (I have met some), with accomplishments in art, architecture, and astronomy. But, they also have some not-so-beautiful religious traditions—like human sacrifice! And their calendar is unrelated to the one true God. The only calendar with a cosmic stamp of approval is found in the Bible.

The biblical calendar, in Leviticus 23, includes God’s instructions for three major meetings to which He calls the Israelites. He also invites the foreigner to meet with Him.

These are moedim (appointed times)—a pattern of seven feasts that God revealed to man. Whenever Katharine and I teach the Feasts, God’s Spirit moves among the attendees; we have come to expect salvation and personal growth in intimacy with the Lord at these events.

Nevertheless, because, as Zola used to say, the Feasts are “a shadow of things to come,” we do not have to keep them. Now that Yeshua paid the price for our redemption, the Feasts don’t provide the required blood for salvation. That came at the Cross, Baruch Ha Shem (Bless the Name). However, the Feasts provide Believers an opportunity to grow in faith and understand our roots. They also enable pre-believers to make spiritual connections and say “yes” to Jesus. The Feasts reach us on three levels:

  • Historical — their place in the story of Israel and God
  • Prophetic — revealing Yeshua and pointing to His Messianic work
  • Personal — their present-day application to our lives

The Feasts are a gold mine of revelation and a source of God’s wisdom. Katharine and I will be “joining” Zola to replay his television series on The Holy Days of our Lord. What a blessing to interact with Zola’s archived teachings, which are top-notch! Though we have been teaching the Feasts for years, we still glean more from them. A well of fresh water for the soul, God’s seasons are aligned with God’s Feasts. These programs are coming soon to TV and at www.levitt.tv.

We are also putting the finishing touches on The Kings of the Earth Look Up. This on-the-scene audiovisual report from Athens and the Isle of Patmos begins to answer the question, “Are these the days of Elijah?” Would you kindly send an extra measure of support as our ministry faces sizeable invoices for this television production?

Katharine and I “happened” to be in Greece at the height of their strikes and protests last fall. So Ken Berg, our TV producer, had us report “live” on Greek current events that affect the entire world. We had some close calls with the violence. In fact, you will see me reporting from the central square in Athens and being jostled by several of the half-million in attendance. Tragically, an hour after we left, the escalating tension resulted in a death.

Greek citizens openly told me they want a superhero, a man who can “fix” everything. The stage is being set for prophetic events to unfold.

The Greeks are not alone in yearning for new leadership and bemoaning their government. Today’s world stage has many dictators, many politicians, and very few statesmen. As the “Arab Spring” has demonstrated, when a secular dictator is deposed, a juggernaut of zealous Islamists is ready to institute Islam as a political system. The oppressive sharia (Islamic law) leads toward a worldwide caliphate. Oy vey!

That is another reason this ministry must provide biblical character studies and prophetic programs. The masses need our strong teaching on the Hebrew roots of the Christian faith.

Watch for these programs from The Holy Days of Our Lord series in February:

Passover
Myles and Katharine present this classic series on the seven feasts of Israel. In front of a bloodstained doorway, Zola gives us a look at the original Exodus and our own deliverance from the wilderness of a sinful life. He explains each element of the traditional Seder as it relates to Christ’s fulfillment and the Lord’s redemptive plan.
Unleavened Bread
Zola explains how this festival annually reminds the Chosen People that they did not have time to let the bread rise when the Lord delivered them out of Egypt, and how the Messiah is represented in the unique matzo itself. We visit a factory outside Jerusalem and see how matzo is made.
First Fruits
In this feast, “wave offerings”—two loaves of bread, representing the Church and the Chosen—are presented to the Lord for the new harvest season. The editor of the magazine Eretz (The Land) shares insights about the ancient similarities between modern Judaism and the present-day Church.
Pentecost
Zola explains that when Christ told His disciples to wait for the coming power of the Lord, the Jews were anticipating the celebration of Shavuot.
Trumpets
Zola teaches about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. A day of celebration, it is also a time when the seriousness of sin weighs on the hearts of the Jewish people. We see how the ceremonial horns—shofars—are made. Left Behind author Tim LaHaye gives insights about what will happen when the last trumpet sounds.

We are compelled to keep you informed as the West slumbers through the momentous changes in the Middle East. Here at ZLM, we refuse to sleep. We are going to continue to shout from the housetops:

  • Yeshua is Lord! He is Messiah of the Jews AND Savior of the world.
  • Israel’s restoration is God’s idea, and He prophesied it throughout Sacred Writ.
  • The Church needs to “do good to all [Israel], especially to those of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).

Nations rise and fall depending on their treatment of God’s children, the natural sons of Abraham through Isaac. He is sovereign, yet so kind that He restored the Jews to our ancient homeland. He didn’t forget the sons of Ishmael. He gave them untold acreage and oil wealth that is unrivaled in history. (Gen. 17:20)

He blessed the sons of Ishmael further by inviting them into relationship with Himself through Yeshua. If only they will say “yes” to the Gospel, they will experience spiritual blessing that is even more abundant than their financial blessing. Those Arabs, Persians, and Turks who say “yes” are redeemed from Islam’s hatred, and experience love for the Jews despite their brainwashing.

The West seems to function in its sleep. America’s presidential candidates are predictably vying, lying, jostling, and grousing. What begin as hints of differences, meant to distinguish a candidate, inevitably snowball into scorched-earth ads intended to extinguish other candidates.

A bloody mess. That is what will remain after the hacking and hewing in which the candidates indulge. Our society has lost the sense of true service to one’s country for the sake of the country. Those who govern seem to have their own best interests at heart, not those of the nation. How sad, and what a poignant moment in time. We are in a season that Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 5:20 — Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

How far we have strayed from the original intent of America’s Founding Fathers! The Bible-based notions of personal freedom under a loving God, with minimal government intervention, seem passé. We now have a creeping socialistic, professional class of politicians who seem to have lost their bearings.

Truly, this is a Joshua 5 season. Let me explain.

When Joshua received the call to lead the Israelites into the Land, he had an encounter with the pre-incarnate Yeshua. The Master came to Him as “Captain of the hosts of the Lord” and answered Joshua’s concern. When Joshua inquired of this formidable being, “Whose side are you on? Are you for us or our enemies?”, the angelic Soldier replied, “I have come as the Commander of the army of the Lord!”

In other words, “Who will be on the Lord’s side?”

Will our nation continue to drift from our biblical roots or return to our founders’ mandates? Their ideals of personal freedom included a reverence for the Word and the restoration of the Jews to their promised land. The Puritans, for example, thoroughly understood a Hebraic view of life, with God, family, and good living as a foundation. Contrary to the modern opinion of “Puritanism” as a stuffy philosophy, its followers were full of vigor! Many believed in the Jews’ physical return to their land.

Do we still believe that as a nation? Do we “connect the dots” and realize that Israel’s defense, security, and well-being is connected to our own? Will we elect a statesman who recognizes what is good for our country, or will we follow a path of least resistance with the limited choices set before us? Where are the statesmen?!

Our country’s founding included an understanding that people would come to the capital and serve for a season and then return to their homes, farms, businesses, and lives. There was no permanent political class!

Folks had the idea that service to the country was just that: service. They would give their all—for a season—and then return to their homes. Would that we had men (and women) like that today.

Our dependence on the Bible and its tenets framed decisions regarding service. We need to return to the protocols of God. From that basis, we can raise up leaders whose priorities are biblically aligned.

In the biblical record we have some examples of leaders who understood the ways of God:

Joshua was a type (foreshadow) of his namesake—Yeshua (Jesus)—He served for the good of the whole people. When Moses ascended the mountain to meet with God, Joshua lingered nearby to be close to God’s glory.


Benjamin Franklin

Josiah the young king was another. He celebrated the reading of the law and the restoration of Passover, turning the hearts of the people back to their Father in Heaven.

Perhaps some on the world stage have followed the difficult pattern of putting God and the people before their own ambition. “A politician thinks about the next election. A statesman thinks about the next generation.” So said James Freeman Clarke, a 19th-century theologian who worked to end slavery. Perhaps the greatest statesman in history, Benjamin Franklin certainly met that definition in the 18th century, as did Winston Churchill in the 20th.

All very human but somehow they managed to sublimate their own personal agenda. Thank God.


Benjamin Netanyahu

What about Benjamin Netanyahu? This government leader shows the spark of one who can make difficult choices in the face of diminished options. He posted a “Merry Christmas” message to the Christians who love Israel. He appears to be standing firm on the biblical heartland (Judea and Samaria) as the rightful home of thousands of Jewish people. He is unwavering on Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish State of Israel.

The Jerusalem Post reports:

Taking a page out of David Ben-Gurion and Menachem Begin’s playbook, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will begin hosting a regular Bible study group in his official residence for researchers, public officials, and invited guests. … Both Ben-Gurion and Begin, when they each served as prime minister, hosted regular Bible study groups. Netanyahu said he was establishing the class to perpetuate love of the Bible.

This is very good news. Our local congregation has been praying that government leaders in Israel and America would return to the Bible.


Netanyahu welcomes Gilad Shalit home

Let’s pray that the political leader of Israel continues to exhibit more qualities of a statesman.

Netanyahu recently released 1,027 convicted terrorists in exchange for Gilad Shalit, who was 19 when Hamas kidnapped him. For five years, his parents worked tirelessly to free him.

When he was released, pale and weakened, the entire country celebrated like a family … which it is: each house (beit) is connected to an extended family (mishpachah), which is part of a tribe (matah), and together they form the nation (am) of Israel.

So we trumpet, “Am Yisrael Chai!” (The people of Israel live!). This tiny nation is a family, descended from Abraham through Isaac, and forever knit together.

Many eloquent writers have addressed Gilad’s return home (including our own “Man in Haifa” Eitan Shishkoff in the December 2011 Levitt Letter, p. 6). Some have noted the juxtaposition of Netanyahu “the King” with Gilad “the suffering servant,” mirroring the two aspects of Messiah standing side by side. Together, Netanyahu and Gilad formed a picture of the Lion and the Lamb (Isaiah 11:6), while the whole nation rejoiced.

One of the best ways to enrich your understanding of the prophetic fulfillment of Scripture is to journey with us to Israel. Walking the Land together awakens an endless depth of revelation. If you have only thought of coming, let me say that it is like many momentous events in life—we may never feel completely ready. Life’s landmarks often come with a touch of ambivalence. Sometimes we need to leap and trust. I have never heard of anyone regretting a pilgrimage to Israel. Seats remain for our Spring 2012 Tour. Join us! Call Tracie ASAP at (214) 696-9760, or click on “Tours” at www.levitt.com. We also have tours departing on June 3 and in October.

Todah Rabah! Thank you!—for your prayers and financial gifts. We are able to bring God’s vital message to the world because you care about it. And, please—Sha’alu Shalom Yerushalayim—“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” (Psalm 122:6)

Your messenger,
Myles

P.S. The “lion-and-lamb day” is coming soon. We will look upon Him whom we have pierced and mourn as if for an only Son … and He will appear with fire in His eyes … the Lion of Judah Who is worthy to open the seals, the book, and take dominion over the Earth which He bought with His own blood! (Zech. 12:10 and Rev. 5) The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. (Psa. 24:1) Even so, Come Lord Jesus! (Rev. 22:20)

May God Smile On You Today

Featured Products

Donation

Donation

“Here is my gift for February. Please use it to awaken the slumbering West and inform Believers about events in the Middle East.”

The Warrior King: David-like Leaders in Goliath-like times

“The Warrior King: David-like Leaders in Goliath-like times” video

The Warrior King tells the story of King David’s time; but it is also the story of our own time. With challenges larger than Goliath all around us, we need Bible-based leaders now more than ever. In this eight-part series, Dr. Jeffrey Seif speaks to that need. Dramatic re-enactments — shot on location in Israel — complement the teachings in this series.

The Warrior King: David-like Leaders in Goliath-like times

“The Warrior King: David-like Leaders in Goliath-like times” book

From the eight-part TV series of the same title, this 86-page transcript of highlights includes dozens of photos and an abundance of Hebrew with translation. It can be used with the series or independently.

The Warrior King is a story about the Old Testament’s David — Israel’s greatest soldier. It’s also about the Bible’s “Son of David” — Jesus. The subtitle reveals that the story is both from all time and for all time. It’s about trials and triumphs, and how God uses abysmal circumstances to improve those who rely on Him.

Jewish Heritage Calendar

Jewish Heritage Calendar

Beautiful and useful, this lovely Jewish calendar provides the dates of all the biblical feasts and sabbaths. Learn the names of the months, the Holy Days and all the rest through the English phonetics like in our monthly Hebrew Lesson in the Levitt Letter.

Share This Page