Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news and prophecy.
“I Hashem have called thee in righteousness, and have taken hold of thy hand, and kept thee, and set thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations.” Isaiah 42:6 (The Israel Bible™)
A spectacular photo of Israel and the Middle East, taken from the Space Station and released by NASA on Wednesday, prove what much of the world already knows: Israel is quite literally a light unto the nations.
The photo, showing Northern Egypt, the Sinai Peninsula, and the whole of Israel, as well as other neighboring countries, provide a stark contrast between Israel’s tiny yet brightly glowing crescent and the large swathes of dark, empty land surrounding it on all sides.
NASA’s photo of the Middle East from space. (NASA)
The northern tip of Egypt is visible, with a network of lit and developed areas branching out from the massive glow of Cairo, though the rest of the country is noticeably dark. The vast but empty Sinai Peninsula boasts only a few pockets of light on the coasts, marking the Suez Canal and the Egyptian towns of El Tor, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Dahab.
The point of light on the eastern coast of the Sinai where it meets Jordan shows Eilat, an Israeli resort town at the country’s southernmost tip.
Israel itself, a fraction of the size of its Middle Eastern neighbors, is a brightly lit from the bottom of the Negev to its northern point. The lights of Jerusalem to the east are easily visible, and the coast is illuminated from north to south, with Tel Aviv and Haifa marking two of Israel’s largest population centers. A network of glowing towns, roads, cities and villages spreads throughout the entire country; even the barren Negev is dotted with small points of light.
Surrounding Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria are noticeably dark, with proportionally fewer signs of life.
Israel, though very small and very young, is known for its innovative technology and the “start up” culture that has made it one of the most important high-tech centers in the world. Its Middle Eastern neighbors, however, generally less prosperous and with lower standards of living, are noticeably absent from the world stage when it comes to technological and agricultural advances. This latest image illuminates a principle first spoken by God and brought to life in modern times. Israel’s fate, spiritually, intellectually and literally, is to shine a divine light unto the nations of the world.
Unique Network Brings New Light to Messianic Ministries in Israel
(Bless Israel Network )
A unique Israel-based ministry is looking to connect believers around the world to the Jewish believers in Israel in a very personal way. It's called Bless Israel Network.
The network's initial project is a program called Revelation to the Nations. It's the first-ever dedicated internet TV platform and worldwide voice for the Israeli body of Jewish believers. Hosts Daniel and Devorah Calic, who have lived in Israel for several years, discovered something which most of the body around the world might consider surprising.
A Startling Revelation
The majority of believers around the world have minimal contact with the Israeli messianic community. Most churches have little or no knowledge of what their believing brethren are doing in God's Holy Land. A small number of churches will occasionally have a leader from Israel's messianic community as a guest. Generally these guests are part of the handful of thriving Israeli congregations or ministries that have the resources allowing them to travel frequently to maintain support from believers around the world.
What the Calics have discovered is the vast majority of Israeli Messianic congregations and ministries are small, and lack the necessary resources to travel and get needed support.
They've also discovered this vibrant community of small congregations and ministries is providing much needed humanitarian aid. They're eager for their voices to be heard outside Israel. It is these unheard, underfunded congregations and ministries that the Calics are committed to provide a platform for.
Unique Program
This first-of-its-kind program has some additional interesting aspects. For example, the contact information of the guests will be provided on the program, allowing viewers to establish personal connections with the congregation or ministry of their choice, giving viewers the opportunity to bless them. That blessing will play a direct role in building the kingdom in Israel because it will allow these congregation and ministries to expand their humanitarian outreach. Scripture says, speaking to Abraham and his descendants, "I will bless those who bless you."
Forging Previously Unheard of Relationships
Bless Israel Network will focus on congregations and ministries engaged in humanitarian outreach. In spite of Israel being second only to Silicon Valley in cutting edge technology, there is widespread humanitarian need throughout a cross section of Israel's the social spectrum.
For example, almost 200,000 Holocaust survivors live in Israel. They are elderly, in frail health, many live alone and 50,000 of them live in poverty. It's a huge challenge, which is only partially being met. Israel also has many thousands of Jewish immigrants from around the world who have fled their native countries due to anti-Semitism, unhealthy living conditions and a hope for a better life.
Many make aliyah to Israel out of a desire to live in the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people. These immigrants face numerous assimilation issues, such as housing, language challenges, medical care, employment, legal assistance and so on. In fact, the need is so great the government is quietly partnering with some of the messianic ministries because they cannot meet all the needs themselves. More arrive on a regular basis.
This has fostered previously unheard of opportunities for relations between Jewish believers and the traditional Jewish community. Many of the congregations and ministries whose leaders the Calics will interview are at the forefront of this trailblazing social phenomenon. Revelation to the Nations will provide them a voice.
Well-Known Leaders Support BIN
Recently, the Calics recorded the pilot episode of Revelation to the Nations in order to provide a glimpse of what viewers can expect. Their initial guest is Eitan Shishkoff. They chose Shishkoff, but not because his congregation is small or that he is not well-known, but because Shishkoff is one of the most respected Messianic leaders in Israel. He was chosen because of the wonderful project he is heading up, which will bless the entire body of believers in Israel. The interview can be found at blessisrealnetwork.com.
Revelation to the Nations has stirred the hearts of many inside and outside Israel, creating lots of excitement and anticipation. What Daniel and Devorah are doing is unique and "necessary" according to Eitan. Some other well-known leaders have expressed their support for the up and coming ministry:
Rabbi Jonathan Bernis, president of Jewish Voice Ministries International: "I completely support the vision of Bless Israel Network to provide a platform for the leaders of Israeli congregations and ministries to share what they are doing to build the kingdom of God in Israel."
Dr. David Reagan, founder and director of Lion and Lamb Ministries: "I praise God for the visionary venture He has placed in the hearts of Daniel and D'vorah. It certainly is deserving of widespread support from the Christian community."
The Calics are in the United States through the end of August speaking and meeting with Christian churches, Messianic congregations and organizations who want to know more about this unique kingdom building venture. For more information visit blessisraelnetwork.com.
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