The Greatest Romance Ever! | Charles Gardner ISRAEL TODAY

The Greatest Romance Ever!

Monday, December 28, 2015 |  Charles Gardner  ISRAEL TODAY


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Topics:Bible

Romantic novels have their place in enabling us to draw comfort and joy from a well-told happy-ever-after drama. But Romance of the Hebrew Calendar does much more than that.

In his meticulous way, South African-based author Raphael Ben Levi has shown us just what an immense treasure we have in the Hebrew scriptures, and in their fulfilment by Jesus (Yeshua HaMeshiach) – an eye-opener for Jews and a hugely enriching feast for Gentiles.

This is a beautiful book which will help light up our paths (Psalm 119.105) as we are led through the true meaning of the biblical feasts and much of the Bible’s teaching, while also gaining a better understanding of the trials and tribulations of the Jewish people through millennia, with commentary and stories from the Holocaust and other dark periods of their history.

But through it all they kept the Sabbath, they gave us the Bible and now its light has reached every corner of the globe. Composed by 40 different authors over thousands of years, it is nevertheless “an integrated message system”, he writes, quoting Dr Chuck Missler. “Every detail, every number, every place name and every allusion is there by careful design and is significant.”

In this respect he also quotes Richard Wurmbrand, a Jew who suffered years of torture for Christ in a Rumanian prison, explaining the significance even of the 153 fish the disciples caught after Jesus had instructed them to cast their net on the other side of the boat – the catch was a sign of grace, a word that occurs 153 times in the New Testament.

The point being made here, and throughout this wonderfully researched treasure trove of precious biblical jewels is that, as Wurmbrand put it, “every word in the Bible has a deep meaning. Nothing is superfluous.”

With a foreword by Richard Harvey, director of training at All Nations Christian College in the UK, the book also shines a light on the dark days of ‘Christianity’ responsible for spreading the lie that God’s promises to the Jews now apply only to Gentiles which in turn fanned the flames of anti-Semitism and made the chosen people understandably wary of Christian mission.

But it is also made perfectly clear that Jesus, the Jew, was the fulfilment of over 300 prophecies in the Jewish Tenakh (the Old Testament) – the author includes references to all of them – and still has a special place in his heart for his ‘brethren in the flesh’ as he waits with outstretched arms to welcome them back.

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Raphael Ben Levi is the son of Holocaust escapees from Vienna. He was born and educated in the UK but later emigrated to Israel where he spent several years teaching. He is married, with one son, and now lives on the beautiful South Coast in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He can be contacted at roger_lenk@yahoo.co.uk

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"The Windows of Heaven: God is Pouring Out His Spirit!" - Paulette Reed

"The Windows of Heaven: God is Pouring Out His Spirit!"

Paulette Reed, Surprise, AZ

The Elijah List

On the eve of Pentecost, the Lord began to speak to me about His season of celebration and power that we are now beginning to enter into. Many have prayed, fasted and waited years, even lifetimes, to see the power of God manifest on the earth. We've cried out to the Lord, "There's more, there's more, we know it, we see it in Your Word. We see the action in the book of Acts and if it's You, Jesus, we want it!"

I believe we are about to see our prayers answered as the windows of Heaven open.

In the Old Testament the Feast of Pentecost was a time of celebration and jubilation. God had stepped down from Heaven to the top of Mount Sinai to speak to His people (Exodus 19–20), where they were blessed to have received the Law (Torah). In the New Testament, this feast took on a celebration of power when Holy Spirit descended on His people in the Upper Room (Acts 2:1–5) and the Church was birthed. (Photo via flickr)

Pentecost is the fourth of seven Biblical feasts, and it is the final spring feast. Granted, the feasts were originally intended for the worship of God in Israel, but we, as New Testament Gentile Believers, are graphed into the family of God. The Feast of Pentecost is truly a time to rejoice and a good time to reflect, remembering milestones and how far God has brought us [the Church] as we have journeyed with Him through our lives.

God established each of the Biblical feasts so that we would be able to discern the times and seasons in which we live. When we recognize and embrace those seasons we can step into our destinies as ambassadors for Christ.

Here is the Download From Heaven:

1. We must all be in one accord. Of course, this is always true, but we are not where we need to be at the present moment. It's a season of unity as God's people gather together, spiritually speaking. And when God's people dwell together in unity, there God commands His blessing. God wants to bless so that we can bless others as we share the Gospel with a hurting world, caring for the poor, the orphans and the widows.

2. We are in a time of divine reversal. Genesis 11 teaches us about the Tower of Babel and the confusion brought to the people of the land once God scattered their languages. Pentecost, on the other hand, is the reversal of that event. After receiving a fiery Spirit, the disciples found themselves proclaiming the Gospel in every language of the world so all could understand and hear them praise the Lord. We've stepped into a season of clarity. 

May our spiritual eyes and ears be open like never before as we receive revelation from the Lord. (Photo by Jennifer Page "Fire Starter Poem" via elijahshopper.com)

3. The waiting is now over. Just as the original 120 followers of Jesus waited for God's power to descend upon them, we have done the same in our own day and time. We have prayed and sought the presence of God, and we have received an outpouring of His Spirit. We are now in a season of action. It is time to stop talking about our plans and actually begin doing them by the power that the Spirit gives us.

4. Miracles, signs and wonders. As we step into this new season we are about to see a demonstration of the Spirit in signs, wonders, and miracles, that hasn't been seen since the early Church. 

5. The winds of Heaven are blowing. May you feel the winds of Heaven at your back as you move from a time when things seemed difficult to a time where the assignments of God are easily entreated.

6. This is a season of new things. In this new season, try not to resist change and be sure to avoid the seven deadly words: "We never did it that way before." God is about to do a new thing in our midst, and we must be a people who recognize His presence and not get stuck in the old things. 

7. We are in a season of suddenlies. Don't think it strange as we begin to see breakthrough and answered prayers in abundance (Acts 2:2). Yes, we have been crying out for these things, longing for the Kingdom of Heaven to break into our present circumstances. Now we are in a season where God will "suddenly" show up, manifesting His power and giving us the breakthroughs we have been longing for. (Photo via Pixabay)

8. It's time to celebrate the generosity of the Lord and to be generous with what God has given to us. We find instructions for how to celebrate Shavuot [Pentecost] in Leviticus 23:22. Here is God's command to the people of Israel: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord Your God." 

9. It's a time for the bride to make herself ready. When God gave His Law, His Torah (Exodus 20–23), to His people, He took her as His bride. The Old Covenant was a marriage contract between God and the people of God (Jeremiah 3:1–6, 14). The Lord made His "vows" to protect, safeguard, prosper, and bless His bride, if they obeyed His voice. They said, in effect, "I do" (Exodus 19:4–6; 24:7–8). May we remember that in marriage, all that our Heavenly Bridegroom has is ours, and all that we have is His. So, let's each do our part to declare His Kingdom, glory and power on earth as it is in Heaven. 

10. Fire. When the disciples were in the Upper Room, praying for an outpouring of God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit descended in tongues of fire upon each person there, thus giving them fresh vision and passion to fulfill the work of God. Whenever the fire of God comes on someone, it always creates a greater passion for Him, accompanied by a greater passion to serve Him in the context God has set us in.

Let's rise up and seek Him like never before, believing that He is about to pour out His Spirit in a fresh and new way, remembering that 2015 is the Year of the Open Window.

Paulette Reed
Prophetic Arrow Ministries

Email: info@propheticarrow.org
Website: propheticarrow.org

Paulette Reed is a powerful preacher, prophetic minister, encourager, and author. She is a full-time revivalist/evangelist. Her passion is to share the love of Christ and unite people to the inexplicable love of our Heavenly Father, exhorting them to arise and shine! She is an extremely accurate prophetess who has been raised up to bring hope and healing to the Body of Christ. Without a vision the people perish, so the Lord is using this handmaiden as His mouthpiece to speak forth individual and corporate vision, catapulting people into their destinies. Paulette loves to see God's people awakened and proclaim the active extension of the Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven. She ministers in the revival anointing accompanied by revelatory ministry, healing, miracles, signs and wonders.

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Unlocking Israel's Feasts - Sid Roth with Perry Stone on IT'S SUPERNATURAL!

Perry Stone unlocks the significance of the seven Biblical feasts and why the Fall feasts are important for you today. As the Kingdom age approaches, you need to know what Perry is saying.

In his book, The Prophetic Future Concealed in Israel's Festivals, Perry Stone reveals that, not only is the future concealed in the ancient past, it is also hidden in the seven feasts. Discover truths many Christians are unaware of, and explore how patterns, cycles, and types are used to reveal future events! America and the Fullness of the Gentiles is Perry's teaching DVD in which he covers America's relationship with Israel and our final assignment for God's Kingdom. Perry clearly shows where America is headed. Also included in this offer is a DVD of Perry's personal vision of the rapture entitled,Mysterious Events Surrounding the Catching Away of the Saints.

Sid Roth's It's Supernatural! Television Show

Sid Roth, a Jewish Believer in Jesus as the Messiah, is host of It's Supernatural!television program, which features guests who have had miraculous healings and supernatural encounters with God's power.

Blood Moons Prophesy End Times - Pastor Mark Biltz

Mark Blitz - El Shaddai Ministries

Note: Blood moon interview starts at 7:45 in the video.

Published on Mar 18, 2014

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1. The Israeli Navy has captured an Iran transport ship with 150 containers of weapons intended to kill Jews.
2. I interview Pastor Mark Biltz, author of a shocking new book about end-times prophecy, The Blood Moons. Why are there four lunar eclipses in the next two years on the Jewish high holy days?
(c) 2014, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, PhD.
Airs 3/14 on four networks: NRB Network, The Walk TV Network, IPoint TV (Roku), Glorystar Satellite TV Network on WBN Revival Channel.

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Buy Now: Blood Moons - Mark Blitz

Israelis eye Christian involvement in Feast of Tabernacles

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 |  Israel Today Staff  

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Christians

Every year, thousands of Christians from a round the world ascend to Jerusalem to take part in the biblical Feast of Tabernacles, known in Hebrew as Sukkot. And this year was no different, despite mounting regional instability.

The overwhelming presence of Christians at this time of year is now a common occurrence. But many Israelis are still baffled by the phenomenon, unsure what to make of so many foreigners taking part in their holiday and expressing such outright love and support for their nation.

The Times of Israel has a good write-up about how bizarre a spectacle this is for the average Israeli. But, the author also encourages his countrymen to cast aside any suspicions and see this Christian involvement in the Feast for what it is:

"It is much less complicated than many Israelis think. These Christians have come from around the world to bless Israel – ve-zehu (that is all). They believe that God loves the Jewish people and has a plan for their nation, and feel a deep spiritual obligation to show their unconditional love to the Jews."

During this time, Israel Today spent a day with one of the Christian Feast of Tabernacles groups as it visited the home base of the IDF's Givati infantry brigade. We asked the young soldiers at the base what they thought of the Christian worship, dancing, and general outpouring of love.

The full article regarding this visit will appear in the November issue of Israel Today Magazine. You don't want to miss it - SUBSCRIBE NOW >>

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Teshuvah 24 - Rosh Hashanah preparation - Curtis Loftin

Teshuvah 24

Shalom Mishpocha,

This evening (Thursday) at sundown is the beginning of Elul 24 and day 24 of Teshuvah.  Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is in 6 days.

Carolyn and I experienced our first Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) service in 1991.  We had gone to a weekend seminar in Colombia, SC, sponsored by Morning Star Drama & Dance Ministries and its founder, Helen Cregger.  The purpose of the weekend conference was to teach us about the three fall festivals - which we knew very little about at that time.  We had been asked to bring white clothing to wear Saturday night, the night we would be celebrating Yom Teruah.  I must tell you that it was an impressive sight when we walked into the conference room and there were hundreds of people all dressed in white.  They gave all the ladies white veils and all the men white kippahs as they entered the doors.  Singers, musicians, and the congregation sang, dancers danced, actors acted out their parts of the story that told of the catching away of the bride of Messiah on Yom Teruah.  At one point they brought long pieces of silk fabric over the congregation, representing the chuppa or wedding canopy.  What a wonderful experience it was.  One of the Hebrew words for "Feast" is "Mikra" which means "Rehearsal".  What a wonderful way to learn more about the Hebrew roots of your faith, and God's time-line that is so clearly pointed out in the Festivals of the Lord.

Understanding the Biblical Festivals has been a wonderful journey.  One of my favorite parts of Yom Teruah is understanding the Marriage-Relationship we have with the LORD. 

Hosea 2:19:20

I will betroth you to me forever, I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.  I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD.

Hosea 2 says that we've been betrothed to Him - and the various aspects of the ancient Jewish wedding parallel our own marriage relationship with Messiah Yeshua.  The Betrothal - The Bride Price - The Wedding Contract - The Bride's Consent - The Wedding Garments - The First Cup of Wine - The Wedding Gifts - all tell the story of our current marriage relationship with Him.  The Catching Away - The Marriage Chuppa (Canopy/Chamber) - The Second Cup of Wine - and The Wedding Feast all point to the future aspect of our marriage relationship with Yeshua.

Beit Yeshua shared "The Ancient Jewish Wedding Parallels Drama" as part of our Sukkot Celebration in 2012.  Check out the photos at:http://curtis.loftinnc.com/Yom_Teruah.htm

1 Corinthians 15

51Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Abba, Thank You for Your love for us.  Thank You for continuing to work in our hearts and lives.  As we approach Yom Teruah, make us more sensitive to Your Voice & Your Ruach (Spirit), make our ears a-tuned to the sound of the shofar.  Prepare our hearts to stand before you with clean and white wedding garments.  Take our eyes off of ourselves, our troubles, cares and worries, and turn them toward You.  Draw us ever closer to Your presence as you continue to work in our lives.  B’Shem Yeshua.

Ahava V'Brachot,

Curtis

Worship Opportunity for Today:

YouTube Video: Casting Crowns "Who Am I?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt7OZyBj5Ik

YouTube Video: Casting Crowns "East to the West"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_J34QyY0Pk&feature=related

Beit Yeshua Links:
Yom Teruah - The Feast of Trumpets - http://curtis.loftinnc.com/Yom_Teruah.htm

Biblical Festivals - http://curtis.loftinnc.com/festival_overview.htm

________________________________________________________________________

Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you prosper.

For daily e-mails: Curtis Loftin contact: curtisloftin@gmail.com