October 2024 – Tishrei 5785

Dear Family  in the Messiah Yeshua! Greetings and blessing from your brothers and sisters at “Holy Land Ministries in Israel”!

We are approaching the autumn festivals of Yom T’ruah (Rosh Hashannah), Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) and Sukkot (the feast of Tabernacles) records in Leviticus 23.

Rosh Hashannah will be celebrated in Israel on the 3rd September 2024 starting the new civil year of 5785.

The “appointed times” look forward. Prophetically, to the Day of the LORD, the Day of Judgement and the Millennial rule of Messiah from Jerusalem when:

“He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people;

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; 

Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,  neither shall they learn war anymore.”

Isaiah 2:4 New King James Version

But at the time of writing Israel has been engaged in an existential battle with the proxy terrorist armies of the Iranian regime for almost a year.  It has been a costly war for both sides and shows no sign of abating with the potential of an escalation of the fighting in the north. This is a war that Israel did not ask for but has to win for its own survival.

As I write more than 60,000 Israeli citizens have been displaced from their homes since the start of the war, putting a huge burden on the State of Israel’s economy.

I am writing this as I know many of our supporters pray for Israel, especially now in this time of trial.

Please continue to pray for Israel, but especially for HLM and other ministries seeking to spread the love and light of Messiah Yeshua in these dark days to the most vulnerable in Israeli society.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Jeremiah 29:11 New King James Version

We are pleased to include, once again, an article on Rosh Hashannah from our local rabbi and dear brother in Messiah.

The Feast of Trumpets instructs those who believe in the G-d of Israel, and of course His Only Begotten Son Yeshua, to remember what G-d has provided so that His people can receive the Promise of G-d. The primary commandment associated with this Festival is the sounding of the Shofar (Ram’s Horn). The purpose of hearing the Shofar directly relates to G-d’s provision, so His people can inherit His promise of the Kingdom. In regard to this article, I would like to focus on one verse from the book of Revelation,

αλλα εν ταις ημεραις της φωνης του εβδομου αγγελου οταν μελλη σαλπιζειν και τελεσθη το μυστηριον του θεου ως ευηγγελισεν τοις εαυτου δουλοις τοις προφηταις

“But in the days of the sound of the seventh angel, whenever it is about to sound and should be made complete the mystery of G-d, as He proclaimed of Himself, to the servants–the prophets.” Revelation 10:7

In order to properly understand this verse, one must remember the structure for the book of Revelation. Within this book are seven seals, seven trumpets and seven bowls. The seventh seal, when it is opened, contains the rest of the book. In a similar manner, the seventh trumpet, when it is sounded, also contains the rest of the book. It is also most essential for the reader to comprehend that the number seven relates to the concept of purpose. Therefore, when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet and the mystery of G-d shall be made complete, the reader should understand that it will be then that the purpose of G-d will be fulfilled. What is the primary objective of G-d? The establishment of His Kingdom.

When examining New Covenant Scripture, several things are called a mystery. In 1 Corinthians 15:51, the Rapture is called a mystery. In Ephesians 3:4, and in several other passages as well, the Messiah is called a mystery. In Ephesians 5:32, the mystery is both the Messiah and the Church. In Ephesians 6:19, the Gospel is the mystery. When reviewing the concept of mystery throughout the New Covenant, it becomes clear that the various things which are called a mystery are all connected to the Kingdom of G-d. In other words, when the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, one should understand that this event is directly related to the establishment of the Kingdom of G-d. One should also realize that Revelation 10:7 is not speaking about a particular moment in time, but all the events which are contained in the rest of the book of Revelation.

Also mentioned in Revelation 10:7 is that the seventh angel will sound his trumpet. In the Greek language, the word which is translated as trumpet is σάλπιγξ. In the Bible, there are two types of trumpets which are mentioned. The first type relates to the two silver trumpets (See Numbers 10:1-10). The Hebrew word which appears here is חֲצֹצְרָה (Khatzotzrah). The Hebrew word which is used to describe the second type of trumpet is שׁוֹפָר (Shofar). It is my opinion that it is the Shofar which best fits the context for the Greek word σάλπιγξ found in the New Covenant. If this is accurate, it has many important implications. The Hebrew root from which the word Shofar is derived relates to a change which is an improvement. When hearing the sounding of the Shofar, one should remember what G-d has provided so this kind of change can be brought about.

When studying the traditional readings for the Feast of Trumpets, there is an emphasis on Isaac, the son of promise (See Galatians 4:28). When reading from Genesis chapter 22, G-d looks for and provides a substitute for Isaac, that he might live and the context for this provision is found in Genesis 22:17, where it is written,

וְיִרַשׁ זַרְעֲךָ אֵת שַׁעַר אֹיְבָיו   

״And your seed will possess the gate of his enemies.”

When one takes possession of the gate of his enemies, it is an idiom for victory. Hence Isaac, the child of promise, will be victorious and this victory is based on what G-d has provided; namely His substitute. This substitute points to the Messiah being a substitute for humanity on the Cross. Therefore, as believers in Yeshua, when we hear the blowing of the Shofar during the Feast of Trumpets, our substitutionary sacrifice Yeshua should be remembered and the outcome which faith in Him will bring about; namely, eternal life in the Kingdom of G-d. In returning to our primary verse for this article (Revelation 10:7), it would serve us well to examine the contents of this Scriptural verse carefully.

αλλα εν ταις ημεραις της φωνης του εβδομου αγγελου οταν μελλη σαλπιζειν και τελεσθη το μυστηριον του θεου ως ευηγγελισεν τοις εαυτου δουλοις τοις προφηταις

“But in the days of the sound of the seventh angel, whenever it is about to sound and should be made complete the mystery of G-d as He proclaimed of Himself, to the servants–the prophets.” Revelation 10:7

First, it is very important to notice that the text states, “But in the days of the sound of the seventh angel,….” The fact that the word “day” is found in the plural is very significant. This means that this event is not one moment in time, but continues for an extended period of time. This fact supports what was stated previously that the seventh trumpet contains the remaining events in the rest of the book of Revelation. Next, the verse says, “whenever it is about to sound and should be made complete the mystery of G-d…” There is no set time when this sounding will take place; but, whenever it is about to sound, its sounding will bring about the completion of the mystery of G-d.

Since it has been demonstrated that this mystery relates to the Messiah, the Church, and the Gospel, all of which are connected to the Kingdom of G-d, it is most obvious that all of these point to a Kingdom experience. A word of caution must be made at this time. One should not conclude that the Kingdom of G-d will be established on the Feast of Trumpets; rather we are simply called to remember Whom G-d has provided, the True Child of Promise, Messiah Yeshua, to which Isaac only pointed. It is because of the work of Messiah Yeshua Galatians 4:30 can be fulfilled,

αλλα τι λεγει η γραφη εκβαλε την παιδισκην και τον υιον αυτης ου γαρ μη κληρονομηση ο υιος της παιδισκης μετα του υιου της ελευθερας

“But what does the Scripture say, Cast out slave woman and her son; for he will not inherit, the son of the slave woman with the son of the free.”

This means that those who are in slavery (to sin) will not inherit the Kingdom with those who have been set free by the blood of the Messiah, Who G-d has substituted for those who believe in the Gospel. An important question which must be asked is, what will be inherited? The answer is eternal life in the Kingdom of G-d. Revelation 10:7 concludes with the words, “as He proclaimed of Himself, to the servants–the prophets.” Please notice that John states, “as He proclaimed of Himself”. This means that it was Yeshua Who is being proclaimed to His servants–the prophets. This has implications for every believer, as we are called to proclaim Yeshua in order to serve G-d. When we do this, we are proclaiming the same message which the Biblical prophets revealed through their prophecy. It is clear that the main message of the Scripture is the truth concerning the Messiah. This was Philip’s intent when he said to Nathaniel,

ευρισκει φιλιππος τον ναθαναηλ και λεγει αυτω ον εγραψεν μωσης εν τω νομω και οι προφηται ευρηκαμεν ιησουν τον υιον του ιωσηφ τον απο ναζαρετ

“Philip finds Nathaniel and says to him, ‘Whom Moses wrote in the Law and the Prophets, we have found Yeshua, the son of Joseph, the one from Nazareth.’”    John 1:45

May you remember that G-d has provided His Only Begotten Son so that those who receive Him by faith, will receive the promise of the Kingdom of G-d.

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HLM were recently contacted by a Jewish family who are also believers in Yeshua in Georgia, Eastern Europe.

They are hoping and praying that they may be able to make Aliyah to Israel under the “right of return”.  They are currently struggling to find the necessary paperwork to allow them to make the application.

We include below a letter from Michael, Natalie and their family and ask for your prayers for them , that the LORD will grant the desires of their hearts.

“… the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.”

Deuteronomy 30:3 New King James Version

“Dear friends and family in the Messiah Yeshua, We are a family of 5 and have been traveling for years around the planet trying to get to Israel.

My Dad used to live there, but went to the Lord in 2006. We’ve gone through Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Thailand, Laos, Kuwait, Qatar, and in the past 7 months, we’ve stayed in Georgia, Eastern Europe.

We have no doubt the Lord has a purpose for us. I have to admit we’re a bit tired by now and would so much like to settle down and be able to start a house – the cosiest in the world.

Traveling for so long has been challenging emotionally, financially, paperwork-wise, and many other ways. We are profoundly grateful for your  prayers for us, helping  us  come to Israel and for the opportunity to be your guests in Beer Sheva ministry house.

Every blessing in the Messiah Yeshua, your family in the Messiah Michael, Natalie, our three children”

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As you are aware, the main focus of the ministry is outreach to the elderly, poor and vulnerable in Ashqelon and Beersheva. Many of these people are Holocaust survivors who are in the closing years of their lives. There is a present need for Russian speaking volunteers with a pastoral gift to serve these dear souls to bring the Good News of Messiah to them in a way they will understand and respond to.

Please pray for wisdom and discernment for HLM staff in selecting the right volunteers to bless these precious elderly people.

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We include below, for this newsletter, updates on the work of HLM outside of Israel, in India and Kygystan.

In India Pastor Chandra and his congregations continue to minister faithfully to the poor and needy in Uttar Pradesh in India.  They are spreading the light and love of Messiah Yeshua to those in need around them by means of a soup-kitchen to give some relief to the poorest and most vulnerable people in their local area.He is also eager to translate the teaching of our local rabbi into the local Telugu language.

“He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor” (Proverbs 22:9) 

Please pray for Pastor Chandra and his congregations that the LORD will continue to bless their efforts to reach out to their community and will supply all their needs that they may continue to share the Good News of Yeshua.

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”.

Philippians 4:19. New King James Version

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In Kyrgyzstan, Amir (not his real name) and his wife continue to work with the local orphanage engaging with the orphans in craftwork and Bible teaching. It is especially challenging as even though Kyrgyzstan is a democracy it is a majority Muslim population and disinformation about Israel is rife.

Amir himself was an erudite student of Islam before coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua.

He also suffers physically with bouts of illness.

Please pray for our brother and sister and their small fellowship that the LORD’s grace will be sufficient for them and that he will provide for every need.  That they may be successful in “the work of the LORD” in their community.