2021 July-Aug Zion's Fire Magazine

Dear Son: A Special Letter from Marv Rosenthal

Galatians: Taught by Christ

Touching Souls for Christ in Israel

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Editor-in-Chief Emeritus: Marvin Rosenthal

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JULY-AUGUST 2021

FLASHPOINT

Afghanistan, Isis, and the Black Flags of Khorasan

David Rosenthal

ISIS-K Jihadists are using Islamic prophecies to draw the Muslim world into their apocalyptic vision. Ultimately, Islamic end-time eschatology may be the catalyst for a massive Islamic invasion of Israel in the Last Days.

INSIGHT FEATURE

Dear Son

Marv Rosenthal

“Dave, God has called the Church to be salt – we are losing our savor. God has called us to be light – the voltage is awfully low. … I hope you will never confuse religious activity and external evangelism for the true working of the Holy Spirit in lives. A true faith always works.”

INSIGHT FEATURE

12 Galatians: Taught by Christ

Marv Rosenthal

Who would have believed God called Paul for a special purpose? Who would have believed God would take the murderous Paul and ordain him to be His messenger in spreading the Gospel during the formative years of the Church? Paul was trying to destroy the Church, but God had plans for him.

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Afghanistan, Isis, and the Black Flags of Khorasan

The recent U.S. military pullout from Afghanistan engendered strong reaction by Americans across the political spectrum. Many were angered by what they perceived to be an ill-conceived plan by the U.S. administration to withdraw our citizens, allies, soldiers, and military assets from the war-torn country.

We were disturbed by images of armed Islamic Taliban fighters descending upon the capital of Kabul. We were shocked to see panicked people with children and belongings storm an active runway in a desperate attempt to escape. And we were sickened by the tragic deaths of 13 American servicemen and women who were killed by an explosion set off by an Islamic jihadist group known by the acronym, ISIS-K.

After 20 years of experience in dealing with the Taliban, how is it possible that Washington would enact a plan like the one we saw unfold last month? It seems inconceivable.

In light of the mounting political pressure to pull out of Afghanistan, could it be that this administration decided to leave behind massive stores of weaponry, night-vision equipment, and a large fleet of Apache helicopters for the express purpose of arming the Taliban in the hope they serve as a deterrent and disrupter against even greater threats to our national interests?

If it seems unthinkable that America would intentionally arm a guerilla-style Islamic terror group in Afghanistan, consider the controversial CIA strategy of arming Jihadists (“Islamic holy warriors”) known as the Mujahideen in Afghanistan between 1979 and 1989. America was fighting against the spread of communism and seeking to end the Soviet occupation there.

According to widely publicized reports, the CIA launched Operation Cyclone, which involved sending billions of

dollars (in partnership with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia) to fund the Mujahideen’s religious holy war to expel the “godless Communists” of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan.

In 1989, the Soviet Red Army finally withdrew, but Afghanistan quickly descended into a civil war until the Taliban (which was formed out of the original Mujahideen) rose to power in the early 1990s. Once in control, the Taliban ruled with brutality. They implemented Islamic Sharia (religious) law, forcing women to wear burqas – covering them from head to toe – outlawing music and television, and jailing men whose beards were not trimmed to a Talibanapproved length.

In 2001, in response to the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York, the United States and its coalition partners invaded Afghanistan to target the Islamic terror groups responsible – specifically the Sunni Arab group al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama Bin Laden, who had been given a safe haven by the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan.

For the past 20 years the U.S. military has maintained an uneasy peace in Afghanistan.

Now, after America’s recent withdrawal, it seems inevitable that Afghanistan will descend into further turmoil and be targeted by various factions from within and without. Not only does Afghanistan possess vast quantities of rare earth mineral deposits valued in excess of $1 trillion, the mountainous country is a geographic hotspot, situated between three powerful nations that seek to expand their influence in the region.

China, with its massive Belt and Road Initiative, (Read: Flashpoint Report, Zion’s Fire, July-August 2020) is likely salivating at the prospect of extending its economic corridors through Afghanistan. Russia, by proxy of its former Soviet-era republics, would like to regain a foothold in the region. And Iran, with its Shia version of Islam, has concerns over the growing power of the

Sunni Taliban and the threat of another Sunni rival terror organization within neighboring Afghanistan – namely ISIS-K.

ISIS-K (or IS-K) has emerged as a significant concern not only for the Taliban in Afghanistan, but for the entire region and the West. This militant organization is an offshoot of the infamous Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) which shocked the world by its meteoric rise to power in 2014. ISIS rapidly formed an Islamic caliphate, imposed strict fundamentalist Islamic laws on those it conquered, murdered “infidels,” and beheaded Christians across the Middle East.

The “K” in ISIS-K stands for “Khorasan,” which is the name of an ancient region in eastern Persia that includes much of today’s Afghanistan, portions of southern Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and a large area of northeastern Iran. Khorasan literally means, “Land where the sun rises.”

The inclusion of the name Khorasan by this ISIS offshoot should not be overlooked. It is intended to be a call to arms for devout Muslims, linking ISIS-K to well-known Islamic prophecies that speak of a powerful Islamic army which will emerge from the region of Khorasan in the Last Days.

According to these prophecies, the Islamic messiah – known as the Caliph of Allah or the Mahdi – will lead an army of Muslim “holy warriors” on horseback and carrying black flags from Khorasan to Jerusalem. They will march into the Holy City and plant their flags in conquest (see sidebar on this page).

These apocalyptic Islamic prophecies do not originate in the Quran; rather, they are found in the Hadith, a collection of sayings and teachings ascribed to Muhammad by Muslim clerics who lived long after the Islamic prophet.

There is no question that ISIS-K jihadists are using these familiar Islamic prophecies pertaining to the black flags of Khorasan to draw the Muslim world into its apocalyptic vision for establishing an Islamic caliphate and conquering Jerusalem.

Ultimately, Islamic end-time eschatology may be the very catalyst that draws a massive Islamic army from the east to attack

Israel in the Last Days in fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

In His teaching to His disciples on the Mount of Olives in Luke 21, Jesus warns of a future time when Jerusalem will be surrounded by advancing armies. This will occur near the mid-point of the coming seven-year period known as the 70th Week. However the culmination of these apocalyptic events will not occur until sometime near the end of the 70th Week.

In the context of the sixth trumpet judgment unleashed by God during the Day of the Lord, Revelation 9 indicates that four angels, bound at the Euphrates River (in modern-day Iraq), will be loosed in anticipation of the military advances of a 200 million-man army. Then, in Revelation 16, in connection to the Lord’s sixth bowl judgment, the Euphrates will run dry in preparation for the armies of the east to march on Israel at the epic battle of Armageddon.

It is more than coincidental that major Islamic prophecies seem to fit the description of end-time events prophesied in the Bible. Tragically, the apocalyptic battle Muslims long for – and the messiah-figure they eagerly await are likely the battle of Armageddon and the Antichrist. As Satan’s progeny, this cunningly deceptive, false messiah will seek to usurp the title and authority that rightfully belongs to our Lord.

In that day, the King of kings will descend from Heaven to crush Satan’s seed, establish His Kingdom, and rule the earth from Jerusalem. He is coming very soon, and His name is Yeshua HaMashiach, (Jesus the Messiah). u

ISLAMIC PROPHECIES FROM THE HADITH REGARDING THE BLACK FLAGS OF KHORASAN:

“There will emerge from Khorasan black banners which nothing will repel until they are set up in Jerusalem.”

“When the black flags come from Khorasan, go to them, even if you have to crawl on snow, for among them is the Khalifa of Allah, the Mahdi.”

“… then the black banners will come from the east, and they will kill you in an unprecedented manner. When you see them, then pledge your allegiance to them even if you have to crawl over the snow, for that is the Caliph of Allah, Mahdi.”

A Special Word from the Heart of Marv Rosenthal

Ifirst penned this letter to my son David nearly 35 years ago. He had just completed his first year of Bible College when I asked him if he would be comfortable with me writing a personal letter to him that would also be published in the ministry magazine. “Sure, Dad,” he responded, “that’s a nice idea!”

It was my hope that my heartfelt words of advice, biblical instruction, and encouragement would not only impact his heart and mind, but would also be a blessing to countless others who

might read it. My letter to him was published later that year.

It was the summer of 1987, and the world was a very different place. But I am reminded the wisdom contained in God’s Word is perfect, relevant, and necessary for every generation.

My son has shared with me how profoundly touched he was by the letter I wrote to him so many years ago. And now today, as we publish it together for the second time in Zion’s Fire, it is our hope that you, or someone you love, will be

Dear Son,

Marvin J. Rosenthal President Emeritus

equally impacted and uplifted by it.

This October, Lord willing, I will celebrate my 86th birthday. Though we are advanced in years my wife and I continue to come in to the ministry office each day as my health allows. But while my spirit is strong, my body is aging and my memory is not what it once was. Earlier this year, I, along with our godly Board of Directors, made the decision that I transition in my role to President Emeritus and my son, David, be promoted to President of Zion’s Hope. He has faithfully ministered alongside my wife and me for the past

In recent days you have been much on my heart. I find myself asking the invariable questions: Where did the years go? How did they pass so quickly? When was it that you passed from adolescence to young manhood? Has my memory played tricks on me? It is like a watch in the night since your mother and I brought you home from the hospital. Your toes, they were so small, so fragile, so perfect. And through the years you have grown – toes and all. God has given you a sound mind and a healthy body. I am reminded of King David’s insightful statement that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). In many ways your mother and I were unprepared for being parents. But we loved you so very much and were so eager to raise you in a way that would be pleasing to God. From the beginning, we viewed you as a trust.

And through the years, we prayed for many things for you. Above all, we prayed that you would come to know and trust the Savior. How thrilled I was when, on the day after your fourth birthday, your mother led you to faith in the Lord Jesus. She was a little hesitant to have you make such a momentous decision at such a young age, but you were persistent and clearly understood what was involved. She did not want to stifle the Spirit’s working in your heart and life, and the years have testified to the wisdom of that decision. It was the Lord who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14). So far as

thirty-one years, and I am confident in his ability to direct this ministry. In practical terms, he has been directing this ministry for the past few years.

This leadership decision is one I wholeheartedly embrace – not simply because David is my son, but because he genuinely walks with the Lord, has a heart to see Jewish and Gentile people come to faith in Christ, and is passionate to teach the truths of the prophetic Scriptures. I am confident that with our Lord’s guiding hand, David will lead Zion’s Hope into even greater avenues of ministry in the days ahead.

we know, you never doubted or questioned the reality of your salvation. Perhaps, in part, this is why we never experienced the “generation gap” that so many speak of. This is not to suggest we always agreed, but we could always communicate, and you have always shown respect to your mother and me.

It has been our hope that our family lifestyle, values, and teaching will help you along life’s journey. We have tried to live before you so that we could say, “Do as we do,” as well as, “Do as we say.” There were times when we failed – but never because we have not been trying. Of this I am certain – you taught your mother and me a great many important lessons. Paramount among them, you taught us of the joy we can bring to our Heavenly Father if we are obedient children (for we often experienced that joy with you). Of course, conversely, you taught us that we can hurt our Heavenly Father when we disobey His Word (for there were those occasions when we were hurt). Mostly, Dave, you taught me when you questioned some of my philosophies of life, challenged an occasional statement in a sermon, interacted with an article I had written or, through logic or persistence, forced me to see a distinction between changing culture and unchanging truth. More often than you know, you forced me to come out from behind pat clichés and simplistic answers. Music is a good example. You helped me to see the legitimacy of change and to enjoy some of the contemporary music. But I hope too

Where did the years go?

How did they pass so quickly?

When was it that you passed from adolescence to young manhood?

… you taught me when you questioned some of my philosophies of life, … interacted with an article I had written or, through logic or persistence, forced me to see a distinction between changing culture and unchanging truth.

David Rosenthal President

A Special Word from the Heart of Marv Rosenthal

Ifirst penned this letter to my son David nearly 35 years ago. He had just completed his first year of Bible College when I asked him if he would be comfortable with me writing a personal letter to him that would also be published in the ministry magazine. “Sure, Dad,” he responded, “that’s a nice idea!”

It was my hope that my heartfelt words of advice, biblical instruction, and encouragement would not only impact his heart and mind, but would also be a blessing to countless others who

might read it. My letter to him was published later that year.

It was the summer of 1987, and the world was a very different place. But I am reminded the wisdom contained in God’s Word is perfect, relevant, and necessary for every generation.

My son has shared with me how profoundly touched he was by the letter I wrote to him so many years ago. And now today, as we publish it together for the second time in Zion’s Fire, it is our hope that you, or someone you love, will be

Dear Son,

Marvin J. Rosenthal President Emeritus

children have prestigious, high-paying careers than to follow hard after righteousness. And often Christian young people follow the advice of unregenerate guidance counselors who care little about the cause of Christ and eternal values. As a result, many of the King’s children are laboring solely for the perishable riches of this world.

Dave, your mother and I don’t know what God has for you. That path is known alone to God. But whatever it is, we pray you will pursue it with all your heart and might. And with whatever abilities and possessions we have, know, Son, you will always have our love and support.

I place on you no pressure to follow in my steps – they are far too small and unworthy of emulation. But more importantly, the ministry is a sacred calling. No man rightly chooses that for himself. But if God, in His grace, should choose to call you into the ministry, remember that there is no higher calling or honor. Renowned theologian Charles Spurgeon once told his students, “If God has called you to be His servant, don’t stoop to become a king.”

Whatever you do in this world, know now that as a citizen of Heaven it will not be easy. The world is no friend to grace. Opposition will be strong, hills will be steep, and obstacles will be large. Christ-denying, satanically-empowered humanism is on the increase. Things are going to get worse.

Our Lord told us that in the world there will be tribulation. But he also said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Dave, always view satanic opposition as an occasion for God to bare His right arm of power and magnify His name through your life. Our Heavenly

Father is available and able.

I promised myself I would not be “preachy” in this letter. Your mother and I have always tried to avoid “suffocating” you with theology and regulations while you were growing up. We wanted to give you needed regulations but with enough latitude for you to develop your own faith and Christian convictions. We knew there would come a day when you could not live on our faith.

That promise notwithstanding, permit your father to do a little preaching. Dave, God has spoken through His Word. That Word is the Bible. God did not have to speak to man. He was under no obligation. He had no debt to pay. That He chose to speak gives occasion for rejoicing.

Always revere that Word and seek to obey it. When the principles of men conflict with the Word of God, it is man who is wrong. Right doctrine must be given preeminence. Today, many are substituting experience for doctrine with disastrous consequences. When right doctrine is missing, a lack of spiritual discernment cannot be far behind. Heretical doctrine, cultic organizations, and an anemic Church will invariably follow. Throughout all of history there has always been only a remnant from among the sons of men who have followed hard after God, who maintained right doctrine.

It was true in the Old Testament, it was true in the time of Christ, it has been true during this Church age, and it will be true as we approach the end of the age. There is so very much religious broadcasting on television and radio that is endorsed by men but rejected by God. Those who suggest

No man rightly chooses that for himself. choose to call you into the ministry, no higher calling or honor. Spurgeon once told his students, servant, don’t stoop to become a king.”

Dave, always view satanic opposition as an occasion for God to bare His right arm of power and magnify His name through your life. Our Heavenly Father is available and able.

… God has spoken through His Word. That Word is the Bible

Always revere that Word and seek to obey it. When the principles of men conflict with the Word of God, it is man who is wrong.

Right doctrine must be given preeminence.

The Church is under orders to go into the world, making disciples and identifying men with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Evangelism is a divine mandate a biblical imperative.

that things are getting better, that evangelicals are taking over, that the world is going to be Christianized, may be sincere in their thinking – but they are sincerely wrong. They are going to be devastated when the winds blow, the waves roar, the storms descend, and the veneered, largely manmade super structure of the Church collapses.

marrying a believing mate of great significance, beyond that there must also be a commitment to the will of the Lord. Many promising believers have been held back by partners of shallow Christian commitment.

Love … is not only directed toward people; it can also be exercised toward things. The Lord said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).

Therefore … lay up treasure in Heaven –

… if you get your treasure there, your heart will follow right behind.

The Church is under orders to go into the world, making disciples and identifying men with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Evangelism is a divine mandate – a biblical imperative. But only a remnant will respond to the Gospel. Know that in advance, Dave, and your faith will not falter, and disillusionment will not set in when much of what is parading as biblical Christianity begins to crack and crumble.

And now, another important matter. Beware, Son, of where you put your affections. Romance has its proper place. After 25 years of marriage, I am still romantically in love with your mother. But love is far more than romance. Your mother is my friend, companion, advisor, exhorter, encourager, conscience, and so very much more. Intelligence, personality, beauty –they are all important – but towering above all priorities should be spirituality. How often I have seen Christian young people who were instructed in the importance of marrying a believer – of avoiding unequal yoking. But Mister or Miss “Right” comes along, and physical and emotional “tugging” out-pulls the divine injunction. Not only is

Love, Dave, is not only directed toward people; it can also be exercised toward things. The Lord said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21). It always seemed to me that this verse was reversed – that the treasure should follow the heart – not the heart the treasure. I always knew the Bible was right, but I think I finally understand it. I have little interest in Timbuktu, but if your mother or you were there, if our ministry headquarters were there, if I had gold or stocks there, I would become very interested in Timbuktu. If my treasure were there, so would my heart be. Therefore, Dave, lay up treasure in Heaven – because if you get your treasure there, your heart will follow right behind.

Now I want to say something to you about the Church. And, of course, you understand I am talking about the true Church; not Christendom, but believers who have been called out of this unregenerate world system and placed into the body of Christ. It is through the Church that the Lord moves, functions, and accomplishes His purposes in this world. Often the Church has been weak and beggarly, hypocritical and backbiting. But Dave, the Church has a destiny of greatness. When the Lord is done with her, she will be

David and Ilona host a Jewish history tour to the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp in Poland

Teaching at the ancient Roman theater in Caesarea, Israel

David teaching at the Jezreel Valley: site of Armageddon

purified and without spot or blemish. The Church is God’s instrument, and nothing in this world is comparable. Therefore, always love the Church, and when criticism must come, let it be that of a lover within and not an enemy without, and never over trivial things like choir robes, the color of carpeting, padded pews, or how the pastor parts his hair. We are commanded to be set for the defense of the Gospel and to stand for truth, not personal preferences or cultural distinctions.

When your mother and I were married, Dave, some of my family members did not attend the wedding. You have never met my father, your grandfather. I have always been saddened by that fact. He was embarrassed by my Christian testimony and the fact that your mother and I were married in a church. Through the years, my brothers and I made attempts to contact him, to get family ties connected once again. I regret that on my part those attempts were feeble and half-hearted. Our lives, my father’s and mine, went in such diverse directions, and we had so little in common. Still, I was the believer and should have been more diligent in making contact. Your uncles and I were burdened for his spiritual well-being. But till the end of his life, he was hardened against the Gospel. And in all of this, I am reminded that you are half-Jewish and half-Gentile. But what is truly important is that you are 100 percent Christian.

I hope, Son, you will always have pride in your Jewish heritage. Not the pride of

heritage that puffs up, but the pride which will cause you to fall prostrate on the ground before God and inquire, “Who am I, O Lord God? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?” (2 Samuel 7:18). For God has used our people, David. They have given the world God’s Word, and through them, Jesus came according to the flesh. One day, believing and restored Israel will be a faithful witness to their God. Though they have strayed from the Lord, they are still beloved for the Father’s sake. There will be increasing anti-Semitism as the end of the age approaches. Such attitudes have always been based upon perversion, distortion, and half-truth. Never forget, Son, that half-truths are whole lies.

It occurs to me that someone of great wisdom once said that if you keep your children, you will lose them; but if you let them go, you will keep them. We are letting you go because we want to keep you. We love you very much.

We have done what we can to give you a solid foundation upon which to build your future. I had in mind to share these thoughts with you several years ago as I lay in the hospital. I believe the Spirit of God had me wait until now.

Dave, don’t simply live life; attack it for God’s glory. Life is a gracious gift provided by our Heavenly Father. Marking time in place is a misuse of that divine gift.

All my love,

We are commanded to be set for the defense of the Gospel and to stand for truth, not personal preferences or cultural distinctions.

Dave, don’t simply live life; attack it for God’s glory.

Life is a gracious gift provided by our Heavenly Father.

Marking time in place is a misuse of that divine gift

Ilona & David Rosenthal host a Jewish history and Bible prophecy teaching tour to Poland and Israel

David & Ilona with Zion’s Hope Field Director John Theodor, his wife Alina during Servant’s Heart outreach

David recognizes the anniversary of his parents Marv and Marbeth Rosenthal, and thanks them for their years of faithful ministry leadership at Zion’s Hope

Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal

Once Paul realized who the Messiah was, he was ready to confess Him as his Lord and Master. So, without anyone teaching him, without any interaction with James or Peter or the other early Church leaders, Paul was equipped to go out immediately and preach Christ from the Old Testament. Yet, he still had to go into the Arabian Desert for three years to learn more.

Galatians is a forceful, emphatic, and impassioned letter. Paul’s tone from the outset is one of urgency, aggressiveness, and astonishment. He takes this tone with the church of Galatia out of necessity. He has no other option because he is fighting for the core issue of Christianity: salvation by grace alone – apart from the Mosaic Law. This core issue is too important to let pass with simple platitudes and a pat on the back for encouragement. The apostle must defend it with everything he’s got, and he does exactly that.

The Galatians had gotten it wrong, and Paul needed to correct them. Legalists had infiltrated the church and taught the Galatians that salvation was by grace AND the Mosaic Law. And, for some unexplained reason, the Galatians chose to accept this heretical teaching. Paul could not allow such an offense to go unanswered and unchallenged. He was duty-bound to write a corrective. Paul’s “corrective,” even “chastising,” tone is what makes Galatians different from Ephesians, Philippians, and his other epistles. It is not that Paul is less caring or loving, but the issue is of such importance that he must treat it with great power and authority.

Paul expressed his frustration and disappointment at the behavior of the Galatians in verses 6 and 7 of chapter 1 (covered in the previous article), then continued his powerful condemnation in verse 8:

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

This is very, very strong language. The Greek word for angel is aggelos, which means “messenger.” Angels are messengers

of God. Paul is so adamantly opposed to the legalistic teachers and their false message that he says even if God’s heavenly messengers preached such a false gospel, let them be accursed. There can be no exceptions. The doctrine of salvation by grace alone is so crucial that no human or angelic being can be acquitted for preaching anything that counters it.

All false teachers are to be accursed. The Greek word for “accursed” is anathema Henry George Liddell and Robert Scott, in their A Greek-English Lexicon, translate anathema as “something dedicated to evil and thus accursed.” In other words, Paul refers to as “evil” anyone who attempts to pervert the Gospel of grace. You may be thinking, Paul, you are not being very understanding. You are definitely not being very tolerant. Do you really believe someone should be accursed just for having a different opinion from yours?

Far from being uncaring and critical, Paul is acting in perfect accordance with the situation, just as the Lord Jesus Christ did. Jesus took on the Jewish leadership of the day and never backed down. When there was honest misunderstanding, Jesus lovingly and patiently corrected it. However, when there was obvious and malicious corruption, Jesus was bold, forceful, and authoritative. Jesus was fierce in His condemnation where corruption of the truth was involved. He roared, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:13-15). The Lord’s righteous anger was justified and appropriate, and the language and tone He employed was perfectly fitting.

The same holds true for Paul. In essence, he said, “No matter who preaches this false gospel to you, if it is a gospel other than the one I preached, then let him be accursed! This applies to Jew or Gentile, human being, or angelic messenger.” If Paul were alive today, his advisors would urge him to soften

But I certify you, brethren, that THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME IS NOT AFTER MAN. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

– Galatians 1:11-12

I don’t care who preaches this false gospel to you. If it is a gospel other than the one I preached, then let him be accursed, whether Jew or Gentile, human being or angelic messenger!

his stance, apologize on social media, and show remorse for his harsh words.

Paul, however, would never recant. Read what he writes in verse 9:

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Not only does he not recant, but repeats it in even stronger terms. It’s as if someone said to Paul, “Do you want to reconsider your words? Perhaps soften them a bit?”

Paul’s reply would have been, “Soften them? Not only do I not want to soften them, I want to repeat them, and with even more passion than the first time!”

I love Paul. Not only was he the greatest theologian and greatest missionary of human history, but Paul could never be accused of being politically correct. In verse 10, he writes:

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Another interpretation of the first part of this verse could be, “Am I trying to endear myself to men? Am I trying to win favor for myself?” An alternate reading could be, “Am I trying to win over men in order to be popular? Not on your life!”

approval; therefore he is telling you that you do not need to adhere to the Mosaic Law because not doing so will make your life easier. He is not teaching you what is right because he is trying to gain your favor.

In verses 8 through 10, Paul makes it clear that

1. what he preaches regarding salvation by grace alone is the absolute truth;

2. that anyone preaching “another,” that is, “false,” gospel is to be accursed; and

3. that in no way is he trying to please people to win their favor. He teaches what he teaches because it was the truth as given to him directly by Christ Himself.

Paul continues in verse 11:

But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.

As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, LET HIM BE ACCURSED.

– Galatians 1:9

The reason Paul is so emphatic about this point is because the legalists were accusing him of trying to please the people for the purpose of being popular. Their message is: Yes, Jesus is the true Messiah, and we need to worship Him. However, Jesus was Jewish and lived under the Mosaic Law; therefore those who follow Him need to observe the Mosaic Law. However, the Mosaic Law requires works. There are certain things you need to do, and certain things you need to refrain from. Sometimes adhering to the Mosaic Law can be a little burdensome, but our God is worth it. Paul, on the other hand, wants to gain your

This affirmation takes us back to verse 1 where Paul tells us he is an apostle “not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father.” The word “certify” can be read “assure” as in, “I assure you, brothers. I give you my absolute word.” Of what does Paul assure the Galatians? He assures them the Gospel he preaches was not taught to him by any man. He did not attend seminary and sit under the teaching of scholarly professors. No man sat Paul down and taught him the deep truths of the faith. He reaffirms this in verse 12:

For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it.

This, of course, raises a question: If Paul did not learn the Gospel from men, then from whom was he taught it? He answers this question in the second half of verse 12:

… but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

In essence, Paul is saying, This Gospel of the grace of God which I have been preaching did not come from any man. Rather, I received it directly from the resurrected Christ. He personally trained me as He trained the other apostles. I received the Gospel directly from Jesus! It was for this reason Paul could write: “If any man preach any other gospel than that I have preached to you, then let him be accursed – even if it is an angelic message sent from heaven!”

Paul’s Past Life

Paul continues the defense of his ministry – the defense of his apostleship –when he writes in verse 13:

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it.

The word “conversation” is better translated as “manner of life.” In essence, Paul is saying, You have heard about the way I lived before coming to faith in Christ.

The expression “the Jews’ religion” is interesting. Notice he does not say “the Mosaic Law” or “the Scriptures of Israel.” Instead, Paul uses the phrase, “in the Jews’ religion.” I believe the reason for this is because the Jewish people – particularly the leaders – had prostituted themselves. By Paul’s time, they had substituted the traditions of men for the truth of God. They had added so many rules and regulations to the Mosaic Law that they totally lost sight of that to which their God had called them: to live as a chosen people set apart for Him (Deuteronomy 7:6). Instead, the Israelites turned away from God’s decrees, and by the first century they were living their lives according to the traditions of the rabbis instead of the revelation of God. It was a perversion; tradition instead of truth. It was spiritual prostitution. Therefore, when Paul says “the Jews’ religion,” he was referencing Judaism in its current manifestation.

If there was anyone who could legitimately use such terminology, it was Paul.

Paul was trained under the Rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), who was the great rabbi of the day. Furthermore, Paul was steeped in the Scriptures of Israel (same verse). He was on his way to becoming a prominent leader of the Jewish people, possibly as a Pharisee (Galatians 1:14). He knew all about “the Jews’ religion” because he had been trained in it and tried to live in the light of it.

He extolled that religion; he championed it; and anything which opposed it he attacked. When the Christian faith began to grow, Paul was its fiercest enemy (Acts 8:3). But when God got a hold of Paul, he became Christianity’s staunchest defender. When the legalists were trying to get the new believers, many of them Gentiles, to conform to the Mosaic Law, Paul countered them, in essence saying, No, no, new believers in Christ, you do not want to begin adhering to the Mosaic Law. I’ve been there. I lived it. I know what it’s all about. I have something much better for you, and it has nothing to do with the Mosaic Law.

Paul fuels his argument by confessing “that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted [tried to destroy] it.” Paul, in his former life, despised the burgeoning Christian faith. He wanted it gone, obliterated from the face of the earth. Paul then reveals even more about his past when he adds in verse 14,

And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

Paul was on the rise. He was a shooting star among the Jewish hierarchy of Jerusalem. One of the areas in which Paul exceeded, by his own confession, was in his zeal for “the traditions of my fathers.” Note the word “traditions.” He did not say he excelled in his desire to know the true revelation of God, but in practicing and upholding the traditions of current Judaism.

This gospel of the grace of God which I have been preaching did not come from any man. Rather, I RECEIVED IT DIRECTLY FROM THE RESURRECTED CHRIST.

They [Jewish leaders] had added so many rules and regulations to the Mosaic Law that they totally lost sight of that to which their God had called them: to live as a chosen people set apart for Him.

Who would have ever believed God called Paul for a very special purpose? Who would have believed God would take the murderous Paul and ordain him to be His servant and messenger in spreading the Gospel during the formative years of the Church?

Then came the turn in Paul’s life (v. 15):

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace

What an amazing statement! Who would have ever believed God called Paul for a very special purpose? Who would have believed God would take the murderous Paul and ordain him to be His servant and messenger in spreading the Gospel during the formative years of the Church? Paul was the man who was trying to destroy the infant Church. But God had plans for Paul, and those plans originated before the beginning of time. At his birth, Paul had already been separated to God for God’s purposes.

The reason Paul’s testimony was so important is that he needed to convince the Galatians that he was more of an authority on Judaism than the legalists. It is as if Paul was saying, “Why are you listening to these false teachers? Do you think they know more than I do? I’ve got news for you, Galatians, I was one of them. I know all about the things they believe in and the way they live their lives. In fact, I was ahead of them. I was fast approaching a position none of them could hope to reach. I have far more knowledge and authority than they do.”

When Paul writes that God “called me by his grace,” he was echoing the sentiments of Jeremiah 1:5:

or at least rescinding His original call. But the Lord never rescinded; He had chosen Paul for a purpose and had remained faithful to His calling. God’s choosing of Paul was sheer grace; there was no merit whatsoever on Paul’s part.

For what was it Paul was chosen? The answer is in verse 16:

To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.

When Paul says “heathen,” he is referring specifically to non-Jews. Of course Paul would go to the Jews as well; after all, whenever he visited a city, he went first to the Jewish synagogue. His main “audience,” however, was the Gentile world.

Desert Experience

Paul’s reaction to his calling is fascinating. I suppose if you or I had received a special calling from God, we would go immediately to our closest family members and friends and tell them all about it; but not Paul. Instead we read, “immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” (v. 16).

Paul was well-equipped to be God’s messenger of the Gospel. He was steeped in the Old Testament Scriptures and would have been acquainted with the Messianic prophecies.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

This is divine sovereignty in action, God choosing from birth those who will serve Him. Paul had done nothing to warrant such a call. In fact, he had done everything he could to deter God from choosing him,

Do you remember how Paul received his commission? He was on the Damascus Road with letters from the high priest in Jerusalem authorizing him to persecute the Christians of the city. When he drew near to his destination, a bright light shone around him, knocking him from his horse, and blinding him. Jesus spoke to Paul asking the Jewish zealot why he was persecuting Him. Paul, trembling and astonished, asked the Lord what He would have him do. The Lord replied, “Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do” (Acts 9:1-8). Eventually, Paul would go into the Arabian desert for three years (vv. 17-18), where I believe Jesus communicated with him, just as He had communicated with the original 12 disciples.

Paul was well-equipped to be God’s messenger of the Gospel. He was steeped in the Old Testament Scriptures and would have

been acquainted with the Messianic prophecies. He knew the Scriptures foretold where Jesus would be born, how He was to be born, of what lineage He was to be born, what His ministry would be, that He would suffer, die, and be resurrected. Once Paul realized who the Messiah was, he was ready to confess Him as his Lord and Master. So, without anyone teaching him, without any interaction with James or Peter or the other early Church leaders, Paul was equipped to go out immediately and preach Christ from the Old Testament. Yet, he still had to go into the Arabian Desert for three years to learn more. We know nothing about those years.

Paul continues in verses 17 through 19:

... but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days.

But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.

Paul never received his apostleship from Peter, James, or any other apostle. By the time he reached Jerusalem, he was already an apostle, and he received his apostleship directly from the Lord Jesus. You want authority? This is as authoritative as it gets.

In the midst of this autobiographical section, Paul inserts verse 20: “Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.” He takes time out of his narrative to assure his readers that everything he is telling them is the absolute truth; that he is a faithful witness who can be trusted by the Galatians to lead them in the right path.

After this brief interlude, Paul writes in verses 21-22: “Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia [modern-day southern Turkey]; And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ.” In other words, though the church in Jerusalem had heard about Paul, they did not know who he was. If he were in

the same room as the apostles in Jerusalem and no introductions were made, no one would have known who Paul was. However, though not able to recognize him physically, they certainly had known of him by reputation:

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed (v. 23).

Yes, they knew all about Paul in his former life; how could they have not? He had made, or at least tried to make, life miserable for the believers. Yet, God in His sovereignty molded Paul into a vessel for His use, and because He did, the apostles “glorified God in [because of] me” (v. 24). This is not Paul boasting, but lauding God for the revolutionary changes He had wrought in the man who once brutally persecuted believers.

There is a great lesson in this for each of us. No matter what kind of lives we once led, God can change us, mold us, and enable us to do the work He has called us to do. And if we do that work faithfully, joyfully, and to the fullest of our abilities, we will bring glory to God. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it was said of you that others glorified God because of you; not because of what you had done, but because of what God had done inside of you?

In the next issue of Zion’s Fire: “Part 4: What About the Gentile Believers?” Paul makes his case that Gentiles are saved by faith alone, and are not obligated in any way to the Mosaic Law. u

Written by Marvin J. Rosenthal

There is a great lesson in this [Paul’s teachings] for each of us. No matter what kind of lives we once led, God can change us, mold us, and enable us to do the work to which He has called us.

Jesus is the Light and the Life!

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The apostle John reveals that Jesus “was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness…” (John 1:4-5). As lights illuminate the celebration of our Savior’s birth, let us never forget that Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the One that has pierced the darkness and filled our hearts with the radiance of His love, joy, peace – and the promise of life everlasting. However, the fullness of His glory cannot be encapsulated in a single name. He is the Alpha and Omega, the Bright Morning Star, the Prince of Peace, and Immanuel, just to name a few. Contemporary, yet elegant, this card will inspire you to rejoice in the One who brought light and life to the world!

card FeatureS: The names of Jesus are silver-foil stamped with selected names embossed. “I am the Light of the world” is embossed in red foil across the entire three-panel card. When fully opened, the card is easily displayed on a table top or mantle. Actual card size is 7”x 5” (folded). Each pack includes 10 cards, 10 envelopes plus bonus* Zion’s Fire subscription cards. inSide GreetinG: “Rejoice! Jesus was born to give light and life to the world.”

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Touching Souls for Christ in Israel

The past 18 months have been very challenging, especially for the body of Christ in Jerusalem. The toughest part, for me, was that our congregation – Jerusalem Assembly – had to stop meeting in person, and instead, met online. This included not only worship services, but children and adult ministries as well.

Here in Israel, the lockdowns were very strict as mask-wearing was mandatory everywhere. Restaurants, gyms, and shopping centers were closed, and the economy suffered – especially with the tourism industry being suspended.

Added to all this was the national election earlier this year. People were not enthusiastic about it as it was the fourth election (for Prime Minister) in two years. The people of Israel have lost trust in our leaders. And not long after the election, the war with Gaza began, which was another blow to us. Many Israelis were forced to seek safety in bomb shelters, which was traumatic.

The war impacted our church youth group, as well. After months apart, the very first time the young people were able to meet, sirens wailed due to a missile fired toward Jerusalem. They had to hurry down five flights of stairs and gather in the bomb shelter, wait 20 minutes, then return upstairs. Running for cover was the story throughout the nation as fear of attacks and hiding in bomb shelters became prevalent. Thank God this only occurred once in Jerusalem. In other parts of the country, however, it was constant.

When the war ended, things began to reopen, and our congregation was allowed to gather 20 to a room and 50 people outside [on a rooftop balcony], which was a welcome change. The government then updated their restrictions to allow 50 people per room and 100 outdoors. We conducted services from the auditorium, and those in other rooms and outside watched on TV monitors.

Finally, on June 1, everything opened, but not everything was back to normal. The government kept going back and forth regarding restrictions. Some were loosened to the point where we felt like celebrating. Then, however, our leaders decided to tighten up regulations so that meeting together became more restrictive. So, as you can see, we’ve had moments of hope, and moments of disappointment.

Nonetheless, there was reason to praise God as our congregation celebrated our 30-year anniversary. That service was very special as we were able to gather and worship, witness two baptisms, and finally meet, face-to-face, the 12 beautiful babies born to families in our congregation during the lockdowns. We are overwhelmed by God’s graciousness over three decades as

we have seen the body of believers here at Jerusalem Assembly grow and mature in Christ.

The blessings continue as we recently purchased a new building that will be a church plant on the other side of the city –approximately 30 minutes west of downtown Jerusalem. The interior construction is scheduled to be completed later this year.

Ministry Outreach

Regardless of the challenges, our work for the Lord continues.

Our congregation produces evangelical videos which we post on YouTube. The first five we released are titled: “Why Do We Need a Messiah?”; “How to Identify the Messiah”; “Who is the Messiah?”; “The Birth of the Messiah”; and “The Death of the Messiah.” Praise the Lord, by God’s grace these videos have drawn almost 5 million views in Israel over the past three years.

We recently produced our sixth video in the series, “The Resurrection,” which was released in late March and has received 131,000 views so far.

Another video we produced in addition to the Messiah series is “Five Facts You Should Know About the New Covenant.”

It has been viewed more than 1.3 million times. In all, our videos have topped the 6 million-view mark; and this is only in Israel. These life-changing videos have been funded through the Servant’s Heart ministry program of Zion’s Hope.

In addition to our media outreach, we also have a food ministry where we feed the poor. During Passover (late March to early April this year), we fed more than 150 families in Sderot. This small Israeli city of more than 27,000 is 62 miles southwest of Jerusalem, and located less than a mile from the border with Gaza. Since 2007, Sderot has been the target of tens of thousands of rocket attacks by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists. These attacks have led to multiple deaths and injuries to innocent Israelis, and have caused millions of dollars in damage.

Fortunately, our food outreach in Sderot took place before the most recent conflict with Gaza, and we were able to enter safely to distribute food to needy families.

Elsewhere, I’ve been out on the streets placing Bibles and other Christian literature in public bookstands. It’s been both a blessing as well as an eye-opener. Many Israelis with searching souls have taken our materials. But many in the Orthodox Jewish community don’t appreciate our endeavors. They know what we are doing, and they follow us. One day a friend and I approached a particular bookstand which –along with another across the street – is one of the busiest outdoor libraries in Jerusalem. Suddenly, an Orthodox man passed us and raced to the stand. I was very suspicious, and wondered whether we should wait for him to leave or continue to distribute our books.

We went to the other stand on the opposite side of the street and placed some literature there. After we left, we moved a little distance away and watched to see what would happen. The Orthodox man eventually crossed the street to the stand at which we had just been and systematically went through the books, picked up our material, walked over to a disposal bin, and tore up our books.

We then walked around for a half-hour to avoid him, came back, and he was gone.

Written by John Theodor

John

Theodor

is Zion’s Hope’s Foreign Field Director and is based in Jerusalem. He has faithfully ministered with Zion’s Hope since 1997.

Vandalism of Bibles and Christian literature at the public bookstands in Jerusalem

The anti-missionary work of the religious orthodox in Israel is powerful, but we are resolved to press on –not allowing them to discourage us from the work Christ has called us to do.

I noticed he left some of our books on the shelves, but upon closer inspection, I realized only the covers were intact; the pages were torn out. This was his way of informing us: “I know you’re here and what you’re doing, and I’m on to you.”

The anti-missionary work of the religious orthodox in Israel is powerful, but we are resolved to press on – not allowing them to discourage us from the work Christ has called us to do. Despite these setbacks, we have seen many other Israelis read our materials, and that’s encouraging.

Witnessing Opportunities

We have also had amazing opportunities to witness to a number of people.

Following a six-week lockdown, I went down to the desert near the Dead Sea to get away. On the way home I picked up an Israeli needing a ride to his town – about 30 minutes away. (This is not uncommon in Israel, and does not carry the stigma or risk typically felt in the U.S.) As we were driving, I asked him, “What does the desert remind you of?”

Following a six-week lockdown, I went down to the desert near the Dead Sea to get away. On the way home I picked up an Israeli needing a ride to his town – about 30 minutes away.

He told me how beautiful he thought the desert is and how he loves hiking in it. He then asked me what I thought of the desert. I replied, “Judgment.” He was perplexed. I said, “When our people came out of Egypt, we didn’t believe God regarding His promises and provision for going to the Promised Land. We disobeyed Him. Therefore we were judged and our people wandered in the desert for 40 years.”

He said, “I never thought of it like that.”

I began to share with him about Moses, how he told the people that God would raise up a prophet like himself, and that our people would obey him (Deuteronomy 18:15). I then asked my passenger, “Who is this prophet? That prophecy was made 3,500 years ago. Where is he?”

I told him the prophet is Jesus (or Yeshua, as the conversation was in Hebrew). I shared Messianic prophecies with the young man, telling him Moses had spoken of Jesus, and even Jesus acknowledged Moses spoke of Him (Luke 24:27, 44).

We finally arrived at the city, but he said, “Would you mind taking me to Beersheva?” which is about an hour away. “Of course,”

I said. “I’m going that way.” We had an amazing conversation as I spoke about Jesus – His virgin birth, being born in Bethlehem, His ministry, His suffering, and His death and resurrection.

The young man listened the entire time. I apologized because I thought I was rambling on, but he was soaking it all in. I dropped him off at his destination and he thanked me. I believe he generally enjoyed our time together. His name is Niv, and I ask you to pray for him.

Another opportunity arose in connection to our proposed church plant in Mevaseret Tsiyon, a suburb of Jerusalem. I was at the property doing video work for one of our Servant’s Heart projects, and a construction project supervisor asked me who I was. I told him, and explained that we were planning to start a Messianic congregation there.

He said, “I knew a Messianic Jew in the army.” He then asked me, “Are you a Christian?” I replied, “Yes! Our faith comes from the Old Testament. It comes from the prophets. It comes from Jeremiah’s words to Israel that God will establish a New Covenant. It will not be like the [Mosaic] covenant He established with us when we came out of Egypt, which is the covenant we broke – and continue to break. If God were to judge us in our sins, we would all die. But the Messiah – the Messiah Son of Joseph – came to die for our sins. And He’s coming back again – as the Messiah Son of David.”

This Jewish man was very interested in what I was saying, and I ask you to pray for him as well.

I had yet another opportunity while shopping for orthopedic shoes because of my bad back. As I was sitting in a chair while the salesman took a mold of my feet,

I said, “You have a lot of experience with soles. So do I, but I work with human souls.” He replied that he had met quite a few Christians over the years, and I asked him, “Have you read the Bible?”

He had not. I told him I had a book in the car and would be happy to give it to him

I’m looking to produce video interviews with some of the directors of ministries we will be supporting. I trust these video reports will give you and others who support these vital ministry projects through Zion’s Hope a better idea of the work we are doing.

But the Messiah – the Messiah Son of Joseph – came to die for our sins. And He’s coming back again – as the Messiah Son of David.

if he promised to read it. The book is “The Heart of the King,” jointly produced by Zion’s Hope and the Bible Society in Israel. He promised me he would read it, so I gave it to him with the understanding we would discuss it the next time I visited his shop.

These are just a few of the one-on-one witnessing opportunities with Israelis the Lord has given me in recent days.

Caring for the Elderly; Servant’s Heart

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9-10).

As a not-for-profit organization, we had permission (during the lockdown) to go out and about providing humanitarian aid to the elderly and sick (from our congregation), and this is what my wife Alina and I have been doing. We were often called at night by those needing our help. Sometimes we called an ambulance for them; other times it was necessary for us to take them to the hospital ourselves.

We were also constantly taking our elderly congregants to doctors’ appointments. We cooked food for them, cleaned their apartments, and washed their clothes. It was a lot of work, but meeting the needs of our elderly brothers and sisters in the Lord was and is a great blessing.

Elsewhere, I’m working on the details for 10 to 12 ministry projects for our upcoming Servant’s Heart 2021 outreach in October.

Thank You!

As you can see, despite all of the challenges, the Lord has given us numerous opportunities to share the Gospel with the lost, and to serve those in the body of Christ.

I want to thank our Lord for sustaining us, giving us perseverance, joy, love for one another, and for keeping our congregation united throughout this difficult time.

I also want to thank Zion’s Hope and the readers of Zion’s Fire for their prayers and support. Not only am I grateful, but so are my fellow Zion’s Hope missionary colleagues in Jerusalem, Josh and Lisa. I want to assure our Zion’s Hope family that the staff here in Israel has not slowed down; we are energetically working and serving the Lord with thankful and willing hearts. u

As a not-for-profit organization, we had permission (during the lockdown) to go out and about providing humanitarian aid to the elderly and sick (from our congregation), and this is what my wife Alina and I have been doing.

P.O. Box 783369

Winter Garden, FL 34778-3369

This fall, Zion’s Hope missionaries and volunteers will join together to share the light of the Gospel with Jewish and Gentile people throughout Israel during our Servant’s Heart missions program. Several important ministry projects will take place during this time as our team seeks to bless the people of Israel through one-to-one evangelism, food distribution to the

poor, care for the elderly, support for young mothers, providing Christian school scholarships to struggling families, and partnering with worthy ministries in the Holy Land. But we can’t do it alone. Please pray for these vital projects and consider what the Lord would have you give to help us share the light in Israel!

Please use the enclosed envelope. Donations made to the Servant’s Heart (SH) program will be used in their entirety for the various SH projects. Any funds that exceed the SH budget will be used for the ongoing missionary work of Zion’s Hope in Israel.