Dear Friends,
Iran’s progress toward nuclear weapons is simply intolerable. Barring last-ditch diplomatic success or a sudden change in Iranian politics, Israel may be compelled to launch a pre-emptive airstrike.
If forced to strike first, Israel will show restraint. Unlike the Islamic belligerents
who position weapons among women and children, the Israel Defense Forces
take pains to minimize civilian
casualties. An Israeli pre-emptive
strike would arouse sleeper cells
around and within Israel. Then
Israeli police would tighten security
at home, and soldiers would ramp
up defense at the borders. But Israel
will survive.
God has all things under His control. So, despite how troubling these scenarios are, we Believers must see them in light of prophecy. The Bible predicted Israel’s re-emergence as a nation-state as well as the arousal of its sleeping enemies. According to Scripture, however, their unrelenting wars are destined to fail—to serve only to advance God’s prophetic calendar and hasten our Savior’s return.
Coincidentally, Iranian extremists believe their actions are advancing the appearance of their messiah, known as the Mahdi or twelfth imam.
Afshin Ellian was born in Tehran and teaches philosophy of
law at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Here’s an excerpt
from his recent Wall Street Journal article:
“During these past months [since June 2009’s disputed election], the Iranian regime has undergone a dramatic change of character. It has eliminated all pragmatic forces within its ranks. For religious support, it relies on a small but extremely radical group of ayatollahs who are apocalyptic worshippers of the twelfth imam.
“Understanding this group is of the utmost importance for Western
policymakers. The Mahdi [who was born in 869, the son of the eleventh imam]
is viewed as a messiah-like figure whose return will bring peace on Earth.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad frequently refers to him in his
speeches, including those held before the United Nations. While most “twelver
Shiites” believe that the Mahdi will appear by his own accord, this radical
group believes that his appearance can be triggered by creating the apocalyptic
conditions necessary for his emergence. Iran’s nuclear
weapons program must be seen in this context.
“Ahmadinejad and the radical fringe group to which he belongs see themselves as the army of the Mahdi in his final jihad. The regime’s theological nature gives it a very different perception of reality. Despite the popular unrest and growing rift between the regime and the military and clergy, Ahmadinejad has no reason to see himself as weak or illegitimate. In his world view…his regime does not rely on the consent of the people or dissident ayatollahs. Instead, it gains its legitimacy by its obedience to Allah. The regime surely fears the people, but controlling the masses serves the greater cause of obedience to Allah; therefore the interests of the people are of no real importance to this regime.”
With Bible in hand and with our friends’ help, this ministry has been revealing
this sort of information for years. Zola followed this story in his day, and I’ve
been following it—as it has turned nuclear—in mine. The world needs biblical
medicine for mortal life’s hurts, so this ministry has served up all the biblical
teaching you’ve made possible.
I recently explored this unfolding drama in my book The Iranian Menace in Jewish History and Prophecy. Sensing an impending war, I wrote Guns & Moses, which sheds light on God’s instructions to those in authority. Our ministry has dealt with modern prophecy fulfillment in four television series: 1) Bad Moon Rising, 2) Daniel and the Last Days’ Battle for Planet Earth, 3) Ezekiel and the MidEast ‘Piece’ Process, and most recently in 4) The Dark Prince: When The Devil Has His Day.
Beyond books and internationally syndicated television programs, we gather news for our monthly Levitt Letter and send it to you free of charge—just because you care to read it. All of our books, videos, and newsletters are available at www.levitt.com, where you can catch up on programs you may have missed, and read Levitt Letter Extra news articles too time-sensitive for the Levitt Letter. Making this information available at no cost to readers and viewers costs us millions of dollars each year, but we think it is money well spent—tithes and offerings well invested.
Our teaching certainly isn’t all doom and gloom. After a heartening look at Jesus through Jewish eyes in the series Sar Shalom (Prince of Peace), we hiked with the Apostle Paul. We examined his rabbinic journey in our TV series In the Footsteps of the Rabbi from Tarsus—shot on location in Turkey, Greece, and Italy. We followed another role model for our relationship with each other and with God through a winning series on David, The Warrior King: David-like Leadership for Goliath-like Times.
Our work is far from done in these “Goliath-like times” however. Tune in to Zola Levitt Presents during February and March to watch:
Christians around the world support Israel even as they warn their countries
of God’s curse on those who curse Israel. These TV programs
will air as we gear up for a much-needed eight- to ten-part
series on the Book of Esther with the working title For Such
a Time as This.
Funds permitting, I feel called to examine a fascinating Old Testament book that chronicles the intentions of a Persian named Haman, hell-bent on killing Jews. In that case, the Persians were thwarted by a single woman—Esther—who took a stand for Israel. The same story is being played out in modern Persia (Iran) today. While highlighting the story for a sleepy generation, I will challenge them to take a stand for Jesus—for such a time as this.
Earlier I mentioned that delivering the Message represented “money well spent.” But I need to emphasize that the money was indeed “spent”—meaning that it is gone. If the Esther story resonates with you, please send a contribution and help us share this biblical lesson and challenge with those who need it. The world hungers for biblical truth, and I believe God will bless whoever helps us disseminate it.
If you hunger to visit the Prince of Peace’s
homeland (Israel), please call Zola Tours at 214-696-9760.
We’re heading to Israel three times again in 2010.
In mid-March, we travel from the 14th to the 24th (or to the 28th for those
who include Petra). In June we tour from the 13th to the 23rd. Our fall tours
leave on the 12th and 17th of October, and offer four options that include Petra
and/or Athens extensions. We simply must keep supporting Israel!
Please do not undervalue your support for Israel. As Iran’s nuclear progress
increasingly threatens the West and
Israel, several factors jeopardize
American and international support
for Israel. Those factors include the
passage of time since the Holocaust
and the price of oil. Yet, our nation’s
survival is linked inextricably to Israel’s.
Visit http://wp.me/pieUD-vr for an
excerpt from Why We Must Support Israel by George Berkin (of New Jersey’s
Star-Ledger). It lists eroding factors along with reasons, both biblical and
secular, why we in the West should redouble our support for the only democracy
in the Middle East. Then send for our free pamphlet, “28 Ways
You Can Help Israel.” Finally, spread the news!
Your messenger,
Jeff
P.S. Our combined effort to support Israel is a testimony to Israelis, much as your faithfulness to support Gospel ministries like ours is a testimony to Jesus. I pray that God will prosper you as you facilitate His Kingdom’s coming and His will being done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Dear Jeff,
Believer and unbeliever alike must comprehend how much the Iranian nuclear threat to Israel also affects the West.
“I accept your challenge to stand up for such a time as this! Here’s my contribution for February. Please use it to share the challenge with others.”
Dr. Jeffrey Seif takes readers through Bible texts that speak about the devil. Introductory in nature, The Dark Prince gives individuals a behind-the-scenes look at Evil’s workings at the ragged edge of human history, and its ultimate uprooting when Christ returns.
Jehovah’s Treasure presents the biblical account of the Ark and the Temple Treasures. At the same time, it uncovers the incredible mystery of tunnels that may lead to the very same treasures. Nearly five years in the making and narrated by David Dolan, a long-time friend of ZLM and one-time Jerusalem reporter for CBS.
The Rapture of the Church, discussed in full, with relevant Scriptures. The various views of when it might happen are presented in an evenhanded debate about which seems most correct.
