WEEKLY Arrows from Zion 10/22/2014

Arrows from Zion
Serving the Body of Messiah in Israel since August 2001 
& Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

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Priority Prayer Focus Oct 22, 2014

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
2 Corinthians 1:20 
The rainbow – the symbol of God’s promise of spiritual latter rains for Israel.

As Martin Sarvis wrote in his Oct 13^th prayer letter:

 Last Wednesday evening, as families, some in their sukkas, were settling down to their Erev-Sukkot meals, it began to blow in Jerusalem and down came the rains! Some rain had been forecast for parts of Israel, but the rains covering the entire country surprised the meteorologists.

The next morning there were pictures of rainbows from Haifa in the North to Eilat far to the south. In most places the rains were not heavy-but it is the first time in many years that rains began on the opening of the Feast of Tabernacles. We thank our merciful Lord for this blessing!

Contact information for all the ministries is included inside the attached Weekly Summary.
Arrows from Zion
Strategically Aimed for the Lord’s Harvest in Israel

One of the events that took place during the recent High Holy Days in Israel is the Israel-China Kingdom Destiny Conference that is co-sponsored by Maoz and Revive Israel, the latter sharing excerpts from the ministry times from one of the five “fathers” of the house church in China.  Zhang Fheng excerpts are shared on the Revive Israel website here, but inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary we share Fuheng’s part 3 “Back to Jerusalem”.

Like many among the Israeli ministries, we believe there is a special connection in these days between the Far East Christians and the Body of Messiah in Israel.  Pastor Zhang Fuheng shares the Chinese understanding of this.  Pray for great bonds to be formed as the gospel has circled the globe in its return to Jerusalem.

Shlomy and Miriam Abramov whose Jewels in the Crown congregation Rishon Le Zion report this week about the incredible influx of Christian visitors from around the world in the country for the Feat of Tabernacles.  They were blessed by the visitors and also were able to pray for and witness to many during the holidays.  The Abramov’s were also invited into the ex-minister of defense’s home Succoth and will shortly be interviewing Shaul Mofaz.  Both Miriam and Shlomy recently received their press credentials and are starting up a radio program soon.  They ask for prayers over these endeavors.

Howard and Randi Bass in the Beer Sheva Yeshua’s Inheritance congregation just wrapped up a ministry trip in Australia, a nation with deep historical ties to Beer Sheva.  In 1917 it was the valiant fighting of Australian ANZAC Lighthorsemen who broke the siege of the Turks thereby paving the way for the return of the Jewish people back to the Land of Israel.  You can read more about the ANZAC and the Battle of Beer Sheva on Howard’s website here with its numerous links to the subject. A direct link to lighthorse.org here.

Bass writes, “Once again this year, we are expecting a large number of Aussies and Kiwis coming our way for the annual commemoration on Oct 31.  With the 'world' resisting and opposing the very legitimacy of Israel's re-established presence in the very land promised to the descendants of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the victory over the Ottoman Turks and subsequent proclamation of the Balfour Declaration takes on added significance in the battle for people's hearts and minds.  Believe the Word of God, no matter what seems to be otherwise happening!” 

Howard asks prayers for a Rwandan brother, Cyprien, who is in Israel on a temporary refugee states.  He be a 1-yr overseas study program at the Israel College of the Bible in Netanya but Bass asks prayers that the government of Israel will allow Cyprien to remain at least for the year required to complete his studies. 

Bass writes, “I myself will be at ICB for four days this week, as we have the first of five 'intensives' during the year of study in pastoral ministry. A number of us will stay together at the very pleasant Christian guesthouse, the Orit Hotel, in Netanya.  There are 13 Arab pastors, and 11 non-Arabs doing this pilot program together.  A very enriching and stimulating opportunity.”

Pray for the Bass’ youngest son, Tal, who is serving in a command post in the IDF. Howard included a personal letter from Tal to those who have been covering him in prayers for this often challenging position which I will not share here – because I do not have permission and also because it contains much sensitive information that doesn’t need to be in the public realm.  I will just say that as I read the letter I was very touched by Tal’s spirit and transparency.  I would urge readers to pray for Tal and for all the believers who are serving in the Israeli Defense.  Your prayers will make a big difference in their endeavors.

Ronit Bender out of the Carmel Assembly was also touched by the great number of Christians around the world who come to Israel during the High Holy Days.  She writes, “Seeing thousands of Christians from all over the world loving and praying for us, it really moved me to the core. In the parade, I stood on the side of the road with thousands of Israelis, and watched with wonder how these saints were marching and cheering for us. Here in Israel we are used to seeing bad publicity in the international media, enemies on each side, from without and within, but during this week it was forgotten. I thank the Lord for those that came, and pray that every Christian will have an opportunity to come once to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast. 

She writes, “One of the highlights for me was hearing a man Jobst Bittner from Germany. When he shared my heart was so touched, as some of what he shared, the Lord shared with me in private. If you want to read more of his work, go to www.marschdeslebens.org  Please PRAY to see if this is the door the Lord opens for me.”

Ronit continues, “It has been 9 months today since Tom left us, not an easy day for either Josh or myself. However, here's some good news. This afternoon I became officially a volunteer at the Holocaust survivors home. Friday night is when I will meet them (75 of them) at a dinner welcoming the Shabbat. Please pray for me as it is a whole new chapter in my life. I want to be a blessing to them, and will ask the Lord to open a way for me to be an Ambassador for Him, however He sees fit.”  

Dov Bikas is a respected minister in evangelism and outreach to drug addicts and sex abuse victims in Tel Aviv and Beer Sheva, the latter where he also has a Russian speaking messianic congregation.  He reports that the rehab (halfway house) in Beer Sheva is temporarily closed while the work of the house is reorganized.  But in the women’s shelter the work continues on.  Dov’s wife, Olga, ministers here.

Dov writes, “Please pray for the tenants of this house: a blind refugee from Africa, who has no rights or means whatsoever, a woman with a difficult past who is very sick and has no family, and another woman with two small children. She is not an Israeli citizen, so when her partner was sent to prison she and her kids became homeless. Another woman with a heavy addiction to alcohol had her three children taken away by social services. She went through rehabilitation and she is now trying to work and get her kids back. There are also two refugees from the Ukraine, a mother and her handicapped son (20+) who is in a wheelchair. And finally, there is a woman from the Ukraine who came to Israel illegally in order to earn money for a medical operation for her sick child. She was deceived by her employers and became homeless, so the shelter welcomed her. It was there that she heard the Gospel and became a believer in Jesus!”

He also writes, “We praise God for the new financial partners He has given us since we actively started raising funds for our ministry one year ago. We are grateful to Him for putting it on the hearts of people to participle in our work this way, and ask you to keep praying for our ministry.  Thank you all and may God bless you abundantly.”

Inside the attachment of the
Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests from Israeli Ministries
Arrows from Zion can be shared freely.  Just copy and paste this email into a Word document to make it easy to print.  However, we ask the Weekly Summaries not be forwarded or information republished without consent of the specific ministries. The Weekly Summary is by subscription only, write arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com

Teaching Articles

The Fascinating History of the First Jewish Believers (Part 1)

By Ron Cantor Messiah’s Mandate/Tiferet Yeshua Tel Aviv

Praying the Headlines THINGS ARE INTENSIFYING ABOVE THE HOLY MOUNTAIN

Excerpts from prayer letter of Martin Sarvis in Jerusalem (Shortly available online here)

The Temple Mount has been a place of contention which has simmered and at times flared since Israel gained control. The King of Jordan would like to build a fifth minaret there; Israel has so far not allowed it.

During the Barak/Arafat/Clinton peace talks, the absurd proposition was floated of allowing the Palestinians to "have" the surface of the mountain and fly their flag there, and the Jews could claim what was underneath (although they mustn't attempt to go down there!).

This resulted in a massive demonstration organized by Natan Sharansky in which some 500,000 people (the authors among them) on short notice gathered around the Old City's walls to declare that the Temple Mount was integral to Israel's identity and must ever remain a part of Jerusalem and of the Jewish State.

From time to time, especially when Israel begins digging or building new structures anywhere in the vicinity, this has been seen as occasion for Muslim Arabs in Israel and the surrounding nations to sound alarms that Israel is coming in to destroy Al Aqsa, calling Muslims to arms.

The truth is that the Israeli Government has not known what to do with the Temple Mount. Although there are some relatively small religious groups which have declared to prepare for building a temple there, reports of this in the West are greatly exaggerated. Most of Israel is secular and not interested in a temple, although hesitant to 'let go' of such an ancient and vital part of our history and culture.

Among the religious there is great dispute as to what might constitute the circumstances for beginning building it. In fact, because of the present desecration by the Muslim buildings on the mountain, or fear of desecrating it by walking inadvertently in holy areas, many sects do not allow their followers to ascend it at all.

Yet in recent months, tensions have markedly increased on both sides. More and more religious Jews are questioning the right of Israel to attempt to "keep the peace" by not allowing them openly to express their faith and to pray at this, the most holy site in Judaism.

Religious MK's have recently introduced legislation in the Knesset aimed at allowing Jews by law to be allowed to pray on the mountain, and demanding that Israel use force when necessary to insure their rights be honored. (At present, violent demonstrations most often result in the police simply closing the place down to non-Muslims for the rest of the day.)

The Muslims, meanwhile, have begun more and more to harass Jewish and even Christian visitors. Youth are enlisted to gather stones and even fire-bombs in the vicinity of the Mosque, with which to attack visitors, or those worshipping at the Western Wall below. The Israeli forces have for years had stocks of large plastic shields laid out for use in fending off the stones when they are forced to storm the Mount in order to bring order.

Groups of Muslim women position themselves at strategic positions round the top of the mount, and when they spot someone or a group in openly religious Jewish garb, they pull coverings over their faces and descend upon them shrieking abuse and demanding that they leave. Presently religious Jews visiting the mountain require police guards around them even to come for a few moments.

Last Wednesday, following intelligence suggesting Arab youth were waiting on the mountain with intention to riot, the Israeli commander ordered what is often resorted to in such circumstances, only Muslim worshippers over 50 would be allowed up that day. But this time it resulted in a massive demonstration of hundreds of Muslims, including several Arab members of the Knesset.

Some of the protestors held signs "Al Aqsa belongs to us, not to the Jews" and "We will enter the mosque with force and sacrifice our lives and our families' lives for al-Aqsa." One female Arab MK, notorious for showing up at such occasions argued with soldiers, "There is no solution without Palestinian sovereignty over Jerusalem, even if Netanyahu doesn't want this!"

On Friday Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared that Israeli "settlers" have no right to "desecrate" the mount, that Jews should be prevented from entering the site "by any means.It is our sacred place, al-Aqsa is ours, this Noble Sanctuary is ours. They have no right to go there and desecrate it."

The following day the President (Abbas) referred to Jewish visitors as "a herd of cattle." (This from the President with whom Israel is supposed to be pursuing peace.) On Sunday graffiti was discovered on the mountain equating swastikas with the Star of David.

It has been said that the last great battle will be over Who shall be worshipped on this Mountain!

On the NW side of the outer octagonal arcade of the Dome of the Rock can be found the following inscription in Arabic, "There is no god but Allah, He is One. Praise be to Allah, who hath not taken unto himself a son, and who hath no partner in the sovereignty, nor hath he any protecting friend through dependence."

In Psalm 2:6-7 of the Hebrew Bible the God of Israel declares, "Yet I have set my King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: Yehovah has said to me, 'You are my son, Today I have begotten You. Ask of me, and I will give the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.'"

A great collision is coming. Satan hates the ultimate holy destiny of the place. Israel is for the most part not yet at a place where she knows how to defend or administer the mountain which has been released into her care-or how to pray for it.

   Read more inside the attached PDF Weekly Summary

Israelprayer:  This story reminded me of a news report that I saw prior to the outbreak of the war in Gaza with Hamas.  The report in the Times of Israel was relating how a Hamas money courier who was arrested trying to infiltrate the country at the Allenby Bridge confessed that Hamas was paying the monthly salaries of young Arab men to rabble-rouse on the Temple Mount.  The young men, who are supposed to be doing Islamic studies, were paid a monthly salary of NIS 4,000 to NIS 5000 ($1,150-$1,440) for their activities, the Shin Bet said.  No doubt the many protests and other activities that have charged up again are also being funded by Hamas.  You can read more about that online here.

Israeli Ministries on Tours  |  BOOKING meetings now (See open dates)  Inside the attached Weekly Summary are itineraries and open dates for Orna Greenman of A Sign & A Wonder; and Marc Chopinsky of Future Vision Studios

Donna Diorio 
 arrowsfromzion@gmail.com or donna@d10r10.com
 
Israel Prayer Dot Com  |  Israel Watcher – A Second Opinion   Mostly political or current events commentary | Fruit of the Fig Tree   Spiritual insights 

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Make donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio and mail to: Israel Prayer  P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 Or click on the PayPal account:  donna@israelprayer.com I do not have tax exempt status.