February 1996: Volume 18, Number 2



Contents




ZOLA LEVITT
ZOLA LEVITT

While Christmas has come and gone some time ago, I feel that we cannot leave the subject alone. This was the most historic Christmas since the original, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. On this particular Christmas, almost the entire Christian community silently watched, or even applauded, as Bethlehem was given to the Moslems.

But in a peculiar way, it was not only the city that was given to the Moslems, but also the Savior who was born there. Yasser Arafat proclaimed Jesus to be a Palestinian in front of the whole world, and the Moslems, the media and, most shamefully, the Christian church, scarcely objected.

The only strong objection that I spotted was by guest columnist Andrea Levin, writing in the January 13 issue of the Jerusalem Post International Edition. Ms. Levin, head of CAMERA (The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America), specializes in watching media biases. She is very eloquent in the piece we reprinted below.

Arafat and His Media Mock Jesus the Jew

By Andrea Levin

Jesus was a Palestinian! So, at any rate, did Yasser Arafat inform thousands of Christmas celebrants in Bethlehem as the Palestinian Authority took control of the town.

Yet the brazen lie did not cause an international scandal, with headlines questioning the PLO leader's sanity. It did not prompt journalistic comment on Arafat's chronic tendency toward fantastic invention, nor did a single commentator ask whether the word of a man prone to such bizarre statements can be trusted.

On the contrary, the appropriation of Jesus by Arafat was widely reported as if it were the most ordinary and acceptable of claims. The New York Times's Serge Schmemann led his December 24 story this way: "Fulfilling a pledge to be in Bethlehem by Christmas, Yasser Arafat declared today to a jubilant throng on Manger Square: 'We pronounce this holy land, this holy city, the city of the Palestinian Jesus, a liberated city forever, forever, forever.' "

No disclaimer, wry or otherwise, noted that Jesus was a Jew born in Judea, or that he died more than 100 years before Rome imposed the name Syria-Palestina on the area after crushing a Jewish rebellion led by Bar Kochba. The name change was meant to mock the Jews' defeat by recalling their battles with the Philistines.

All these events preceded the Arab invasion and conquest by many centuries.

The remainder of Schmemann's story reads like a press release from the PLO public relations department. Obscuring entirely the sharp tensions between Christians and Moslems in Bethlehem, the Times reporter declares that Arafat tried to "reach out" to both Christians and Jews. Apparently, rewriting the history of Jesus — the Jew who founded Christianity — was viewed as ingratiating by Schmemann.

CNN's Jerrold Kessel and Walter Rodgers both reported Arafat's expropriation of Jesus with similar nonchalance. So did ABC's Kevin Newman.

Reuters was one of the few media outlets to report that Arafat's designs on Jesus were not happily received in the Christian community. Dominic Evans noted that in addition to Christian unease at the Moslem Palestinian political takeover of Bethlehem, "eyebrows were also raised when Arafat claimed Jesus as a Palestinian."

Evans quotes a Catholic parish priest in Bethlehem as saying, "Jesus was not Palestinian. He is king of all the universe. He is the prince of peace. We may say he is from Bethlehem but is not just for one people."

Yaroslav Trofimov in The Ottawa Citizen presented a view of events in Bethlehem that contrasted with the rosy scene proffered by Serge Schmemann and others. He writes of the overwhelming Palestinian Authority/Moslem presence, and of the wary reaction of Christian tourists.

"Somewhat taken aback by the un-Christmas-like spirit and the ever-present Kalashnikov-bearing Palestinian soldiers, the few hundred Western tourists in the city huddled together in the center of Manger Square."

Although a number of reporters noted in passing that Christian Arabs are nervous about their dwindling population relative to the Moslems, only a couple devoted serious attention to the story.

Andrew Meisels in The Boston Herald and CNN's Walter Rodgers provided the most straightforward descriptions of the Christian predicament. Meisels reports that no Christian was willing to be quoted, but that many expressed concerns about rising Islamic fundamentalism. He recounted threatening incidents, including the desecration of a Christian cemetery in which headstones were destroyed and bodies dug up. He described a statue of Mary taken from a nearby convent and burned. Rodgers, too, told of intimidation by the Moslem majority, and an expectation among Christians that their community would disappear within a half-dozen years.

The widespread lack of candor about the fears of Palestinians (both Christian and Moslem) at the advent of Arafat's rule ill serves those striving to establish genuine peace. Bassam Eid, the Arab chief field investigator for B'tselem, an organization devoted to defending the rights of Palestinians, has issued reports about grave abuses against Arabs by the Palestinian Authority. For his efforts he was arrested and held for a day by Arafat's head of Preventive Security in Jericho, Jibril Rajoub. So dangerous were the Rajoub threats against Eid that Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action Appeal on his behalf to head off violence against him.

Regrettably for Arabs and Jews alike, the media which so assiduously publicize reports of misconduct by Israelis appear almost totally indifferent to the thuggery now rampant in areas under Arafat's dominion. Kidnapping, extortion, torture, murder, detention without trial and pervasive lawlessness are passed over in silence. A couple of admirably hard-hitting stories by The Washington Post correspondent Barton Gellman have been notable exceptions.

What is one to make of the indifferent journalistic response both to the potentially tragic appearance of yet another Arab police state and to Arafat's ludicrous mangling of Jewish history and Christian theology? Repetitious as the answer may be, it seems inescapable that reporter interest in the fate of the Arabs and the actions of their leaders all but evaporates if the story cannot be linked to an anti-Israel premise. That is unfortunate for both Arabs and Jews, and for all who seek reliable news.


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Israel, The Center of Divine History

Part XIV

By Thomas S. McCall, Th.D.

Tom McCall
Thomas McCall

Throughout this series, my purpose has been to concentrate on the centrality of Israel in God's plan, not only in the ancient past, but in modern history — now. The modern state of Israel did not just happen; it is not an accident of history; it is the result of the creative power of the Almighty. Just as in ancient times, when the Lord used human agencies and nations such as Egypt, Babylonia, Persia and Rome to accomplish His will concerning Israel, so He has done in our time. During the last couple of lifetimes, He has used Zionism, Britain, the U.S., Europe and the United Nations to bring about a revived Israel. And just as Satan used Pharaoh, Nebucadnezzar and Titus to attempt to thwart God's ancient plan for Israel, so he has been occupied in using Hitler, Brezhnev, Nasser and Arafat to try to disrupt the modern divine plan for Israel.

OUR MYOPIA HIDES THE FOREST FROM THE TREES

The sad thing is we are mostly too preoccupied with our own myopic concerns to realize what He has done. For most of us, our world revolves so much around our own affairs that we fail to see the big picture, especially the big picture from the divine standpoint. If we are self-centered, the only things we notice are those things that directly affect us — our jobs, our homes, our finances, etc. If we are politically motivated, our world revolves around who wins and loses on the political spectrum. If we are nationalistic, we are primarily concerned with the history of our country and its struggles. If we are spiritually oriented, our interests may spread no further than the events of our local church.

None of these preoccupations are wrong in themselves, but do they keep us from being cognizant of the great overall concerns of the Living God? After all, what has the Lord been preoccupied with throughout history? If the Scriptures are our guide, we observe that before the first coming of Christ, He was concerned about the preparation of His chosen nation, Israel, for that Advent.

THE PRIMARY DIVINE ACTIVITIES FOR TWO THOUSAND YEARS

Since His first coming, the Lord has been occupied now for almost 2,000 years with the development of His believing Church, the Body of Christ, in every nation under Heaven. Along with that, though, God has been involved in a parallel activity. There has been the careful preservation of the Jewish people through the long Diaspora, during which Satan and most nations have persecuted them relentlessly for every possible cause and for no cause whatever. The professing Church (I speak to our shame) has even been involved in this persecution, invoking the name of the Redeemer of Israel, Christ Jesus, to attack His own physical brethren.

The Diaspora, however, is coming to a close. In our time, even during the Church Age, the restoration of Israel is beginning to happen before our very eyes. It is something the world never expected or even dreamed would happen. The Church, even though it has possessed the Bible for all these centuries, has done much to suppress the oft-repeated biblical concept that Israel has a future in the plan and purpose of God. It's almost as though the Church has been jealous of Israel, and afraid that if it recognized Israel's future promises, it would somehow demean Christ and the Church. Nothing could be further from the truth.

THE DISTINCT DESTINIES OF THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL

It is when the Church recognizes Israel that the true distinctiveness and glory of the Body of Christ become evident. This called-out Body, composed of believing Jews and Gentiles during the Church Age, is the highest entity the Lord has created, superior to the universe, all the angels, the nations, and Israel. Our Head, our Husband, our Friend, is the Son of God Himself. We shall reign with Him when He rules the earth, and our 12 Founding Apostles will rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. The angels themselves will study us forever as the greatest exhibit of God's grace, and we will actually judge the angels. This is our destiny and I, for one, would not trade my position in the Body of Christ with any creature in the universe! Why, then, be disturbed over what God has promised the Jewish people? Why be jealous over the future destiny of Israel? How shortsighted of us! Indeed, the Church's finest and most distinctive hour will be when Israel is restored nationally and spiritually to the Lord at the Second Coming of Christ. We will return from Heaven with Him as His glorious Bride to rule Israel and the world. What more could we ask?

So if we are not to suffer from spiritual myopia, we must recognize what the Lord is doing with Israel, not shrinking from it as though our own interests will be overshadowed. Rather, we rejoice in these developments, with full assurance that our own redemption draws ever closer. What, then, are we to expect in the future?

THE FUTURE DIVINE SCHEDULE

The modern miracle of the restoration of Israel, although mostly in unbelief, is but the prelude of even more climactic developments. A brief outline of the events the Lord has revealed in the Bible is as follows:

The Rapture of the true Church, our Blessed Hope
The War of Gog and Magog
Antichrist's Contract with Israel (7-Year Tribulation)
The Abomination of Desolation
The War of Armageddon
The Salvation of Israel & Judgment of the Nations
The Millennial Reign of Christ
The Great White Throne Judgment
The New Heaven, New Earth and New Jerusalem

It is beyond the scope of these articles to go into the above subjects in great detail. May I suggest that you study the books that Zola and I have written on the above topics, including Raptured, Satan in the Sanctuary, and Coming: The End! Russia & Israel in Prophecy. These will give you a good working knowledge about what the Scriptures teach concerning the great future events.

Suffice it to say that we are eagerly looking forward to the imminent return of Christ in the event called the Rapture, described in I Thess. 4:16-18 and elsewhere. He could come at any moment and fulfill the Feast of Trumpets, in which He will call the believing Church to be with Him and give us (both the living and already-dead Church saints) our glorified bodies. What a great day that will be!

Nevertheless, the world will continue on without the believing Church inexorably toward its time of judgment and the wrath of God. The first event on this timetable of judgment appears to be the war described in Ezekiel 38-39, known as Gog and Magog. As we have seen earlier, the world is moving ever closer to the alignments there described. The scenario of the nation to the extreme north joining with Persia, Ethiopia and Libya, seems quite plausible with the Russo- Islamic alliance that is currently shaping up against Israel. It is well within the realm of reality that what Ezekiel described over 2,500 years ago could be mobilized quickly in today's world, and set the stage for the Antichrist and the Tribulation.

Thus, Israel as the Center of Divine History in the distant and recent past, prepares the way for Israel as the Center of Divine Prophecy in the future. We who love Christ the Messiah and believe His Word should be fully aware of the significance of these developments. It should spur us on all the more to proclaim the blessings of His Gospel to a lost world, as the days draw close to His return.

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A Note From Zola

Dear Friends,

Three terrorists were in the news as we went to press this month. One got life in prison, the second had his head blown off, and the third was made president of his people. Sheik Abdel Rahman was the cleric who inspired his disciples to blow up the World Trade Center. Without excellent police work, he would have gone on to bomb the Holland and Lincoln Tunnels, the United Nations building, etc., in New York City, targets that were also included in his preaching. He killed six and wounded 1,000 in the World Trade Center, but was really aiming for the thousands or tens of thousands available at the other targets. His trial was almost completely suppressed by our media — unwitting servants of Islam — and we were distracted by the O.J. Simpson matter instead (two dead, none injured, apparently no further plans).

Fundamentalist Moslems have sworn "revenge" because the Americans dared to try the Sheik and find him and his followers guilty. Would they like us better if we would let him go and watch more thousands die? Is he a hero to them? Would any country, even a Moslem country, acquit the Sheik and his madmen? On what grounds?

As to Ayasha, called "the Engineer" for his skill at bomb production, he committed 15 attacks on his preferred targets: innocent civilians riding buses. He killed 70 and wounded 250 and is deeply admired by his Palestinian supporters and by 60 Minutes, who chose to interview his mother. He is called a legend by the Palestinians, and they have produced T-shirts bearing his heroic image. Again, revenge is contemplated, this time by 100,000 Palestinians who mourned the Engineer. He taught many willing pupils, and in the 60 Minutes interview, one of them pointed out, "There are thousands of us . . . in America too." His mother said he was a good boy.

I know I will receive an objection or two for calling Arafat a terrorist from those who get their news from the U.S. media, but that is certainly what he has been for 30 years; he has merely changed his tactics and targets. He led the PLO during such exploits as gunning down the helpless athletes at the Munich games in 1972, the Achille Lauro hijacking when his disciples pitched Leon Klinghoffer into the ocean in his wheelchair, and the bombing of Pan Am 103 over Scotland with more than 250 dead. More recently he has distanced himself from the terrorism, which of course still goes on, to become a Nobel Peace Prize winner in this upside-down world. One could almost accuse him of kidnapping in the case of Jesus Christ of Bethlehem. In any case, under his leadership the PLO in its prime accomplished far more murders than did the Sheik or the Engineer. We shall see what now happens to the Palestinian people who have chosen a man of such repute to be their leader in their recent "elections."

On a much happier note, it is Jerusalem's birthday and we are going to celebrate! Our Jerusalem 3000 series will begin for most of you shortly after you receive this newsletter. Be sure to tune in to these historic and valuable programs. They offer a wealth of on-site interviews and varying perspectives concerning the situation in Jerusalem. We have finished the music and you can pre-order the cassette, if you wish. The videotapes will not be available, of course, until toward the end of the series.

We have received a tremendous response for our Spring Tour, which runs from April 22 to May 1 for the Basic and April 17 - 30 for the Grand. We still have openings, but due to the large number of folks who want to come to the Holy Land with us in April, we have opted to have a second, Israel-only tour from April 29 to May 8. This additional tour will involve our Basic package, which features the major biblical sites in Israel, and the itinerary and price are the same. This second tour has the advantage of being limited to one bus (approximately 45 - 50 passengers). I highly recommend this smaller tour, which I will also lead. The Grand Tour from April 17 - 30 will be the only time we go to Greece this year. Our Fall Tour normally includes Greece, but this September we will instead offer an extended tour of Israel with a side trip into Jordan to see Mount Nebo and the ancient, "rose red" city of Petra, followed by two luxurious days at the Israeli Red Sea resort of Eilat. So if you would like to combine a trip to Israel with a Greek cruise to Mykonos, Rhodes and Patmos, along with tours of Athens (featuring the Acropolis and Mars Hill), Corinth and Ephesus, our Spring Tour is your best choice. Please contact Cynthia at (214) 690-1876 for more information, or call our answering service at 1-800-WONDERS for a full-color brochure.

Your messenger,

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Letters to Zola

Dear Mr. Levitt,

My friend J. L. wrote her essay on how she belives in satan cause my teacher said "write an essay about a toy from X-mas" but J. doesn't belive in god nor haven. Should I stay her friend or stay away from her. Cause I love and belive in god. Plese give me good advice. [Note: this is the original spelling, from an 11-year-old.]


Thank you for your letter about your friend who does not believe in God or heaven. First of all, you should pray about this situation and ask the wisdom of God. Our job as believers is to tell all people about Christ and the love of God — even those who believe in Satan and not God. If J. believes you and comes to Christ, then you two are better than friends, you are really sisters in Christ. If she does not believe you after you have sown this seed, then perhaps you should pick another friend. All of us who believe in Christ find it much easier to be close friends with other believers than with unbelievers. But even if J. does not believe in Christ, remember that God loves her. You still need to be willing to be nice to her so you can be a good example, so maybe some day she will come to Christ.


Please recommend the best way we can learn Hebrew. My husband just found out he is of Jewish descent. We want to learn of his heritage.

— Mrs. G. B.


Probably the best way to find out what is available in your area is to call a local synagogue. You might also consult your phone directory for the nearest Jewish Community Center. These centers frequently offer classes related to Jewish language and culture, and are an excellent resource. And of course, this provides an excellent opportunity to witness.


I enjoy your programs, and the wealth of insight and truth that you provide for us concerning the situations in Israel. However, I do have one question that haunts me and I'm hoping you can answer it for me. "The Star of David," "The Seal of Solomon," or "Magen David" is also known in the occult as the "hexagram," one of the strongest symbols of the occult. . . . Why is this symbol on the Israeli national flag and when was it placed on it? Do you know? Aren't they aware of its occultic significance? I have also seen this symbol prominently displayed in Masonic Lodges. . . . This is not a criticism of anyone, but please help me to understand this if you can. Thank you.

Your Brother in Christ, R. M.


The devil has always counterfeited God's ideas. The hexagram is a simple geometric figure and can be seen in the ruins of civilizations that are thousands of years old. It was placed on Israel's flag after it became a nation again in 1948 because it was a symbol the Jews have been identified with since at least the 13th century, and most notably in this century during the Holocaust. People tend to take a thing that was meant to humiliate them, and make it into a precious symbol. An example all Christians are familiar with is the use of the cross. Jesus' enemies intended it to be the final end to all that He had done, but instead it became the means for our salvation and is now used as a symbol of Christ's triumph over sin, as well as an identifying sign among Christians.


My questions are regarding the following: 1) I Cor. 11 — concerning a woman being covered when praying . . . does this mean cutting the hair very short? 2) I Pet. 3:3 — "whose adorning let it not be that outward . . . of plaiting the hair, wearing of gold, etc." — Does this mean a woman should not braid the hair nor wear jewelry? 3) I Tim. 2:9 — . . . once again the question as above. 4) Deut. 22:5 — "Woman shall not wear that which pertaineth to a man . . . nor a man put on a woman's garment." I realize that we are no longer under the law, but I have been taught that any "moral" law that was considered an abomination to God is still an abomination. So bearing this in mind, are women's pants considered men's apparel?

I have been told that our outward appearance is just as important to God as our inward condition. That if we are to wear make-up, jewelry, pants, and cut or trim our hair we are out of the will of God. I want to do the Lord's will, but am confused.

Thank you, Sis. K. R.


Your letter is a perfect example of the result of churches concentrating on cultural nonessentials rather than on the true imperatives of the Gospel. It reminds me of a family holding a tea party while the house is burning down. This is Old Covenant thinking — how to act, dress, etc. The Pharisees loved to nitpick about such things. And the belief that God is as concerned about our outward appearance as He is about our inward condition is precisely opposite to Scripture ("for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" I Sam. 16:7). Christ came to set us free from sin, and it is the inward renewing of our hearts and minds through the Holy Spirit that leads to righteous outward actions, not the other way around. God cares about 1) human souls, 2) Israel and the Church; and whether or not women braid their hair is surely on down the list. We need to be concerned above all that our hearts are right with the Lord. It is after that point that the Holy Spirit is able to lead us into all truth (John 16:13) and teach us, that we "may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).


I don't feel we can give enough to even note our gift. We are retired, on a fixed income, I have severe heart and lung problems, and we have to continuously pay for doctors, medicines and sometimes hospital. I feel so sorry that we can't do more. It hardly seems like our pittance can help. But we do want to help. We love your programs, newsletters, etc.

— E. M.


We always have a dilemma when we receive this kind of message. Obviously, our first thought is to return the money, but we have the Lord's example in the story of the widow's mite. He was deeply impressed with her gift; in proportion to what she had, it was really a wonderful gift. My preference would be that those who can afford it would give in good measure, and we have always said that we do not desire the gifts of the very poor. The Bible teaches that the church is to help the needy, and not the other way around.


I have enjoyed your ministries for four or five years since I accidentally tuned into your program on the Family Channel. Also I had the most enjoyable pilgrimage with you to Israel [in] October 1992. Jimmie Carter frequently claimed to be a born-again Christian and I considered I was too. After baptism in the River Jordan, Holy Communion at the Garden Tomb, introduction to John 6:28-29 as well as the Jerusalem experience, I claim to be born again 70 times. Your lessons were fine — I cannot recall a single one in Israel or [on] TV I did not enjoy. . . .


Zola, I am sure I am not alone when I ask you to tell us in your newsletter how those Christians [such] as J. and S. and others who were living in the West Bank [are doing]. I have prayed for their safety. I recall J. said she was not worried because Yeshua would take care of them. Please put whatever news you have in your newsletter.

In His Service, J. P. H.


Thank you for your concern. At this time, J. and S. and our other West Bank friends are still safe. But they are keeping a sharp eye out as they drive those lonely roads. Though you won't see it in the American media, Palestinians don't make particularly good neighbors. Car thefts, burglaries, and the like are routine. See the lead article in our January Levitt Letter.



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Copyright © 1996 by Zola Levitt Ministries, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. All rights reserved. Brief passages may be quoted in reviews or other article. For all other use, please get our written approval.