Dear Friends,
Libya was mentioned at the very dawn of Christian experience. Libya is also named at the very dusk of human experience. Does that sound like an exaggeration?
Well, hold on to your chair. You may find your next ten minutes of reading quite revealing.
While Luke was describing the Holy Spirit’s touchdown on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:5–12, he added that Jewish pilgrims from all over the ancient Roman world gathered in Jerusalem.
Luke noted the presence in Jerusalem of residents from the farthest eastern expanse of the Roman Empire on the day that the Holy Spirit filled the disciples. Pilgrims from Parthia (modern Iran) were there (v. 9). Then, step by step westward, Luke listed others from Roman holdings. In v. 10, he mentioned—and here it is—some from “Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene.”
Libyans at Pentecost! Back then? Yes, they were there. For more on this biblical feast, see the enclosed description of Zola’s book The Spirit of Pentecost.
Libya was well known to the ancients,
and even appeared in Egyptian hieroglyphics
dating back to 2000 BC. Luke may have
referred to “parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene”
in north Africa because ancient Greeks
sometimes used the name Libya to refer to
all of Africa. This was millennia before the
violent Islamic conquest of the region, and
long before Libya became known as the
20th-century domain of Muslim terrorist
and madman Muammar Kaddafi.
Known now in Arabic as “Al-Jumhuria al-Arabia al-Libya ash-Shabiya al-Ishtirakiya al-Uzma,” the present-day North African Peoples’ Republic called Libya has a pre-history that extends back thousands of years.
The modern country of Libya came into its own when a variety of Islamic nationstates were given their independence by well-meaning Europeans near the turn of the 19th century. These countries became known as the modern “Arab League” of states. (One wonders why Arabs begrudged Jews establishing the State of Israel during the same historical season.)
Let’s look at the nations that became sovereign in that region—and then consider their prophetic significance. The historical events below are recorded in “The Arab League Since 1945” in Martin Gilbert’s Atlas of Jewish History.
They all wanted their own states, and custodial Europeans said “fine.”
What have they done with their freedom in the last century?
While it can be said that European countries tried to be increasingly accepting during that time, it is arguable that the Muslim overlords of these Islamic states have become less and less civilized. What have they done? They have raped, pillaged, and plundered their own.
Don’t take my word for it. The agitation spreading throughout these Middle Eastern populations tells it all.
The rage in the Islamic epicenter is occurring because totalitarian despots have mercilessly subjugated their people. They have made quite a mess of their affairs in the last century. To distract from their horrible oppression, these ruthless dictators have blamed the Jews for their region’s problems. This, of course, is utter fantasy. However, it is also prophetical… Ezekiel said so.
After describing Israel’s dramatic national re-emergence in chapter 37, the prophet Ezekiel details how frenzied regional powers will come together to destroy the Jewish state. He foresaw that Persia/Iran will take the lead position in attacking Israel. Then the inspired prophet declared that—you guessed it—“Libya” will follow suit, as will others.
Put this letter down and open up
your Bible. It’s right there in Ezekiel 38:5.
“Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya will join
forces with them, all of them with shields
and helmets.” (That is, the upper Nile
region.)
Libya is mentioned at the beginning of the Christian story, and it surfaces again in the Last Day’s wars. Libya is found at the sunrise and sunset of Christian history.
Back to the present: Some of today’s ministry workers are compelled to make history.
Taking his lead from the Ezekiel prophecy, Zola wrote about the anti-Jewish confederation of Islamic nations. I analyzed them too in a recent TV series called Ezekiel and the MidEast ‘Piece’ Process. Some wondered whether I meant “piece” instead of “peace” process. Yes, I did.
We hear a lot about the “Middle East peace process.” But it’s not about peace at all, of course; it is about carving up Israel piece by piece—thus, the adaptation “piece process.”
U.S. presidents don’t seem to get the message. If they’d watch Zola Levitt Presents they certainly would.
If you haven’t seen the Ezekiel series (or if you’d like to review it), then please order
it from page 3. Or you can view it online at www.levitt.tv/media/series/DEZK. If you want
to know more about the connection between history and prophecy, then you may enjoy
the following books available at www.levitt.com/store.html or by calling (214) 696-8844
during office hours or 1-800-966-3377 (1-800-WONDERS) anytime.
Last month I attended the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Each of our major television broadcasters indicated they won’t raise our airtime costs in 2011. That’s the good news. The bad news, however, is that the airtime still costs hundreds of thousands of dollars each month.
I wish that you and I didn’t have to contemplate such bills, but we must. A church can buy a building and eventually pay off the mortgage. Our ministry is different. We don’t own the airwaves (or even our office space, for that matter). Consequently, we must keep paying for our space in the electronic world each time we broadcast God’s Word. Even our Internet bandwidth costs more as increasing numbers of households watch Zola Levitt Presents at www.levitt.tv.
Speaking of which: This month, we’re airing the final segments of our spectacular new series Eretz Israel (Land of Israel). Please tune in to Zola Levitt Presents to view the following programs during April.
(Contact our office if you would like to order our Miracle of Passover DVD, study booklet, teaching CD, or Passover Haggadah.)
If you read our Levitt Letter, you’re already aware that we use the airwaves, print media, and Internet to teach the Word of God. Our website archives our news magazines, and TV programs and offers them for free, on-demand viewing. And we strive to minimize the prices of our DVDs, CDs, books, Israel maps, etc.
You know we don’t seek help very much on TV or in our magazine. This monthly letter is the primary time to ask.
Though the world seems to be coming unglued, in truth it really isn’t. Believers know that God is watching over His prophetic Word to perform biblical revelation (Jeremiah 1:12; Isaiah 55:11). ZLM is out there at the forefront helping people make sense of current events and connect them to what the Bible says. If this ministry’s teaching is helping today’s developments make sense to you, please support us financially and in prayer so that we can continue to reach an ever-growing audience.
OK, enough fundraising.
As you read this, I’m in Israel with the film crew making an essential television series on the Psalms. In it, you’ll experience the music of Messianic artist Marty Goetz and a cast of Israeli actors who are helping bring the Bible to life in this modern era.
If you think it’s time to go to Israel with us, call 1-800-WONDERS or 214-696-9760 and talk to Tracie. Our June 12–22 summer Discovery Tour may be sold out by the time you receive this letter, but call anyway: we often find room for last-minute pilgrims.
Or you can expand on your Holy Land experience by taking the optional extensions
we offer in the fall. Our Athens leg departs October 18 and joins other pilgrims in Israel on
October 23. Travelers who return after the Israel tour come home on November 2. Those
who continue to Petra—the rose-red city in Jordan—fly homeward on November 6.
The ministry’s webmaster, Greg, is contemplating ways to enhance www.levitt.com. Please take some time to explore the website’s various aspects and offer suggestions regarding its general appearance and ease of use. You are welcome to address them directly to or write to our P.O. Box. And please, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” (Ps. 122:6)
Your messenger,
Jeff
P.S. Please remember this ministry in your prayers, along with the Jews in Israel and all of the unfortunate Arab-Muslim souls who desperately need a peace that only our Jewish Messiah can bring.
April 19 marks the fifth anniversary of Zola’s graduation to Heaven. After smoking cigarettes for 25 years, he quit in 1982. Twenty-four years later, he died of lung cancer. (Please see page 7 of the November 2007 Levitt Letter, posted at www.levitt.com/newsletters/2007-11.pdf.) If you’re a smoker, you might quit smoking now as a tribute to Zola. Either way, if you designate a $10 gift to the Jewish National Fund, we’ll have them plant a tree in Zola’s honor. Of course you can plant any number of trees for each person, living or not, who has enhanced your faith in our Lord.
Dear Jeff,
It is reassuring to know that, no matter how badly the world seems to be falling apart, God remains in control.
“I want to help spread that reassurance. Here’s my gift for April. Please help TV viewers, readers, and Internet users understand the biblical context of current events.”
One of the Bible’s most mysterious and fascinating books, Ezekiel forcefully predicts Israel’s re-emergence as a nation-state at “day’s end,” and prophesies that neighboring nation-states will marshal military resources to annihilate the fledgling state.
This study of one of the first upcoming End Times prophecies is vital reading for all who believe the Scriptures. There is even a chapter on “A Strategy for Unbelievers,” to tell those who do not believe how to cope with the Tribulation Period! Steadily updated, this basic book of prophecy analyzes the world situation in most enlightening and sometimes surprising terms.
Satan in the Sanctuary book and CD (with Dr. Thomas S. McCall), Zola’s bestseller concerning the history of Israel, the Temples, and how the antiChrist will become “Satan in the Sanctuary” when he blasphemes during the Tribulation Period. A truly readable and relevant study.
