June 1993 Personal Letter

Shalom, Dear Friend,

What can I tell you? I love the place! It’s such a wonderful country!

Just about a year ago, I remember waking at dawn in a hotel next to the Sea of Galilee. I looked out my window and was inspired to dictate a letter to those who support this ministry. I wrote:

“The first pink streaks of dawn are visible across the water. A few small fishing boats are still out and silhouetted on the horizon. It’s a scene not unlike the days when our Lord lived here. I wish every one of you could be here with me right now — and experience what I’m experiencing.”

I’ve been to a lot of places and seen a lot of things.

But there’s nothing quite like the land of Israel. I’ve been there so many times — over forty times leading friends on tours and other times alone on either business or pleasure. No matter how often I return, I always discover something new, beautiful, and insightful. There are prophecy fulfillments at every bend of the road. To me, Israel is bigger than Texas, more exciting than New York City, more surprising than California, more fun than France, and more beautiful than Ireland.

There’s something there. I can’t really explain it. I just know it gets to you — I don’t care who you are. I’ve seen it happen to thousands of people these past 20 years. The Talmud says, “if a man breathes the air of Jerusalem he grows wiser.” And why not? God has lived there!

How often have you heard someone say about a particular place, “Oh, this is God’s country!” I understand what they’re trying to say… but there’s only one “God’s Country.” He didn’t just promise it to His Chosen People; He resided there Himself!

Knowing Israel thoroughly is like having a tour guide on our ultimate trip to the Kingdom and beyond. You get a “feel” for what God is doing when you begin to know the nature of the land itself, and understand the culture, the people and the progress of events there. God regarded Israel as the “center of the earth.”

We seldom think of Israel as our, the Church’s, homeland but it will be. The Church, the Bride of Christ, will soon be the actual wife of Christ and will live with her Husband as a queen with her King. God’s country, Israel, is reserved for God’s children.

In view of that, don’t you think we ought to know something about this land? If someone told me I was going to take up residence in a certain place for a thousand years, I’d say, “Mind if I look it over first?”

Our television program, ZOLA LEVITT PRESENTS and the four annual tours to Israel I personally conduct are opportunities to “look it over first” and check out where we’ll live during the Millennium.

A visit to Israel is far more than a wonderful vacation that inspires and educates. It’s not the same as an Alaskan or Caribbean Cruise -­ it’s a spiritual pilgrimage! Departure dates for the remaining 1993 tours are: SUMMER TOUR — July 14, THREE FESTIVAL TABERNACLE TOUR —­ Sept. 21, HANUKKAH/CHRISTMAS TOUR — December 12.

Our television programs also teach about the land where we’ll reside during the Millennium. Our relevant programs, designed to educate, inspire, and bless, have been telecast into homes week after week for the past 15 years! Remember Secrets of the Scrolls, Unto the Gentiles, The Believers, and Israel: By Divine Right?

We’ve just returned from an “on location” shoot in Israel. We video taped footage for our new series, TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS. It was a complicated, arduous, and dangerous project, but so fulfilling! The mountains we visited included Sinai, Moriah, Tabor, Beatitudes, and Calvary. The photography is exquisite, and, in authentic biblical robes, I was able to teach a “pure Bible” lesson at each location.

We’ll be in post production for the next three months.

This is the time all the “pieces” are technically put together. I’ve composed new music for the series accompanied by full orchestra and chorus. TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAINS will be introduced in September.

Other television ministries are able to produce their programs by going into a studio or taping a church service. Do you know what we have to do to produce our programs? Probably not… so I’ll be sharing some of my experiences in the next two letters.

Knowing what we have to go through will increase your appreciation for the programs. You may have a hard time believing it!

The “post production” of a new television series always puts us in a “high expense” mode. This eight-part series will cost in excess of $125,000! This puts a strain on us since our normal financial support just meets our ongoing expenses. During the summer, we not only need your regular financial support… we need extra help to meet the costs for the final steps of post production.

Friends have always told me, “Zola, you always shoot straight with us and ask for help only when you have real needs.” This is one of those times. We must not only meet the growing expenses of a growing ministry during the summer… we also have to meet the high expenses of post production during the summer! Thank you for understanding this — and for responding as you are able.

Your Messenger,

PS: As you send your gift for June, request for the SUMMER TOUR! There’s no obligation and you’ll read how a tour will help you learn about Israel and allow you to “look it over first.”