Jerusaldm Vistas / IsraelVision

We Would Love to Hear From You ~ Please Email Us With Your Comments..... jvistas@gmail.com
Please Visit Us Often..... israelvisiontv.blogspot.com ~ israelvision.com ~ stillsmallvoice.tv

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Ghogha~A Beautiful Persian Song of Praise

Christians Around the World Bring Unique Music and Praise for Christmas



 - Singer~Anita
 - Lyrics by Pastor Sepehr
 - Arrangement by Edris Foroughi

Monday, December 21, 2015

Mary, Did You Know?

A Very Beautiful Song by Pentatonix


** If you like acappella you can listen to their Christmas album on their website

Byzantine Hymn of the Nativity~Sung in Arabic

Now, more than ever as Christians are being "cleansed" from their lands in the middle-east we need to be aware of  "where" the original Christians lived and worshiped since the birth of Christ. 

Regardless of what "wiki" sites say, the first Christians originated, and have remained in their lands in the Middle-East, until today. 

Sadly, we are seeing these stalwart believers being tortured and murdered for their faith. 

What is the Christian world doing about it? Where are the voices of the UN, EU and most importantly, the Church?

If we do not act now, an entire people (faith) will be removed from the Middle-East. This year, this Christmas, All Christians need to stand up and demand that tradition and freedom of worship be protected and upheld. Those who would oppress must be stopped! It cannot be, that the birth of Jesus is met with violence, bloodshed and the threat of extinction of the very people and faith that His Birth brought into our world!

Byzantine Hymn of the Nativity Sung in Arabic~With English Lyrics

Monday, December 07, 2015

An Appeal from Jay and Meridel to Our Friends and Partners

Shalom Dear Friends and Partners.

Here are three recent quotes from some of our friends and partners that we have reprinted here~Just for you...

“I can’t tell you how moved I was upon reading Meridel’s “Still Small Voice” letter. I have passed it along to my minister and to many others”...M.P.~Canada
 
“I was seeking the Lord as to what to do with my tithe, and when I came across your last “Jerusalem Vistas/Israel Vision” newsletter I was prompted to send it to you. (I can’t get out to church anymore.)  I have followed your ministry since the release of your film “Apples of Gold” in 1980”...C.K.~Canada

“Congratulations for your 2015 “Nehemiah Award” for a lifetime of excellence in the media from the International Christian Embassy – Jerusalem, appreciating your and Meridel´s untiring work of enlightenment, information, testifying and “mitzvot”! (Hebrew for“good deeds”)  May the Holy One of Israel bless you further on with wisdom, strength and provision...W. & I. B.~Israel.


For these lovely Words of Encouragement we as a family  “Give Thanks.”

The Bible says that, “it is always good to give thanks for His mercy endues forever.”

Meridel and myself and our team give thanks for people like you, many who have stood with us over the years in prayer and in finances. The work of the Kingdom of God is a team effort…indeed.  Thank you.

A Lifetime Contribution to Israel~Via You, Our Donors and Us! 
Over the last 40 years we have dedicated our lives to promoting and defending Israel and in teaching the Word of God through a variety of media. Our documentaries, TV shows, illustrated lectures, books and booklets have given a worldwide audience, Jewish and Christian alike, Biblical insights into ancient and modern Israel. The Word of God is coming to pass in Israel today, as promised, pointing to the coming of the Messiah and the completion of God’s redemptive plan for all Mankind. Thank God.

The enemy of this plan, Satan himself, knows that he must eliminate the Jews and Israel to thwart God’s eternal plan. This is called anti-Semitism and now anti-Zionism.

The ISIS terrorists are hell bent on killing off the Jews, Christians and any ethnic minority to establish their Islamic Caliphate. Thus ISIS is moving rapidly across the earth. The recent terrorist attack in Paris is an example of this curse in action. This is the “cursing” as mentioned in Genesis 12:3  “I will bless them who bless the Jews and curse him who curse (the descendants of Abraham) the Jews.”

The Next Generation
We give thanks that all of our 4 sons are here in Israel right now lending a hand to help us continue the work that God entrusted to us. Earlier this year, as an answer to years of prayer some capital funds were given to us to build a more modern and efficient studio. Our sons have embraced this challenge. They are leaders in the latest media technology and are working hard to help us achieve “the best for less.”   But our everyday expense funding for their salaries is often lacking.

We are your representatives in the forefront of this battle IN THE MEDIA and we need your financial help to carry on. We are a completely “faith based” ministry.

We rely entirely on regular donor participation.  Every time you pray and the Lord prompts you to join us in this BATTLE FOR TRUTH and you send us a donation you are actually a soldier in this war.  THANK YOU for listening and obeying the “Still Small Voice.”

The Financial Burden
Day by day, in addition to the stress of the daily terrorist threats, Meridel and I carry a financial burden.  It is kind of like a domino effect. When funding is down stress builds up. Without a cash flow our staff need to look for other work. You ask, “Why the slow down in funding?” Is it a falling away? Well, sadly many of our veteran donors have stopped because of age.  So we need new partners.  We also appeal to some of our donors to please restart giving again. We ask you to give a listen to the “still small voice” concerning your stewardship vision for 2016. I believe, that as a “cutting edge” ministry, we are worthy of your regular support.

Meridel and I are appealing to you to remember us in Israel at this difficult time with your tithe or offering. Here is how to give:

1) You can write us a cheque (post-dated are welcome~many of our partners choose to send 6 or 12 months at a time). Make all cheques payable to “Jerusalem Vistas” 

2) Give online via our website's “Donate Button”~Located on the right hand side of our Blog. This is a secure way to donate and PayPal takes major credit cards.

Response Form~Click to Enlarge


3) Give by filling in your credit card details as required on the Response Form to the left, and mail the information to:


Jerusalem Vistas
PO Box 40101
Mevasseret Zion, 9080500, Israel


 Together we can do it! 


Thank You for being a powerful blessing in a time of cursing,

Sincerely,
    
Jay and Meridel and sons and team

Special Offer: 
For a gift of $100 or more we will send you a copy of our award winning film “Apples of Gold”  with an added video bonus film of  Jay and Meridel receiving this years “Nehemiah Award”. Both are available in DVD format or by an online link.

Sunday, December 06, 2015

Sunday, November 29, 2015

~ 10 ~ Do Not Covet

In the past months we have posted the series "The Ten Commandments" (See Below for Links). Today we give you the final, and only "thought" commandment of "Do Not Covet".

Of all the 613 commandments, and in fact the entire Bible, this is the only one that regulates thought! The reason for this commandment is that when one holds "thoughts of coveting" this will almost always lead to the breaking others. Why is this so?

According to the Hebrew, coveting refers to "wanting to the point of seeking to take away and own" what belongs to another person. It is this type of "coveting thought" that leads to commission of more serious crimes.

There is only one Commandment that prohibits a thought, and it is this: "Do not covet." Why does the Bible, which is preoccupied with behavior, legislate a thought? Because to covet, to want what belongs to someone else, is the root of the preceding four commandments and often leads to evil. Before someone murders, steals, lies, or commits adultery, the desire to take what is rightly someone else's~coveting usually comes first...Dennis Prager

We hope you have enjoyed listening to the Ten Commandments. In these fast moving times, while many lament the number of bad things that appear on the internet, we hope this thought-provoking series will provide one example of how the "Word of the Lord" can be shared around the world.

Thursday, November 26, 2015

~ 9~ Do Not Bear False Witness

Truth Telling~is it really that hard to tell the truth? I'm referring to every day, all the time~not just in a court of law.

How many times have we told "little white lies" and justified them? Do we even think about these types of lies as breaking a commandment? Do we consider that "always" telling the truth is what it is all about?

The most important ingredient to building a moral society is truth, both inside and outside a courtroom. The prohibition against "bearing false witness" does not only demand that truth reigns supreme in a trial, but that it is a societal value throughout the culture. Bad things happen when people believe lies. With truth, we can build a decent society. Without it, even the other nine commandments won't help...Dennis Prager

~ 9 ~ Do Not Bear False Witness


Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods
~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name
~4~ Remember The Sabbath
~5~Honor Your Father and Mother
~6~Do Not Murder
~7~Do Not Commit Adultery
~8~Do Not Steal

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

~ 8 ~ Do Not Steal

With all the bad things going on in the world, this is a good time to re-visit the Word of the Lord!

The eighth commandment, "Do Not Steal" covers far more than just taking a sweet from the candy store. There are many types of stealing~all of which cause damage. For those of you who have ever had their home burgled, you will probably never forget the feelings of violation. What about the other types of stealing? How do we recover from that? Do we ever truly get over it?

There is one commandment that, if followed by all of humanity, would instantly create a peaceful world: "Do Not Steal"...the Eighth Commandment, implicitly prohibits murder (stealing a life), slavery (stealing a person's freedom), adultery (stealing a spouse), humiliation (stealing dignity), and so many other sins laid out in the Bible. If there is one Commandment that summarizes the other nine, this one is it...Dennis Prager

As we listen to this short lesson, think about this single commandment, and consider the good that obeying it could create in this world...

~ 8 ~ Do Not Steal...Prager University



Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods
~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name
~4~ Remember The Sabbath
~5~Honor Your Father and Mother
~6~Do Not Murder
~7~Do Not Commit Adultery

Monday, November 09, 2015

Terror Wave Against Israel

A Very Good Report on the State of Affairs in Israel and the Middle-East


Here is the Scripture Referred to in the Video:   Ezekiel 38 to 39 (NKJV)

Ezekiel 38
1] Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
2] “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him, 
3] and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal.
4] I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws, and lead you out, with all your army, horses, and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords.
5] Persia, Ethiopia, and Libya are with them, all of them with shield and helmet;
6] Gomer and all its troops; the house of Togarmah from the far north and all its troops~many people are with you.
7] “Prepare yourself and be ready, you and all your companies that are gathered about you; and be a guard for them.
8] After many days you will be visited. In the latter years you will  come into the land of those brought back from the sword and gathered from many people on the mountains of Israel, which had long been desolate; they were brought out of the nations, and now all of them dwell safely.  
9] You will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many peoples with you.”
10] ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day it shall come to pass that thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will make an evil plan:
11] You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates’...
12] to take plunder and to take booty, to stretch out your hand against the waste places that are again inhabited, and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and goods, who dwell in the midst of the land.
13] Sheba, Dedan, the merchants of Tarshish, and all their young lions will say to you, ‘Have you come to take plunder? Have you gathered your army to take booty, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to take great plunder?’”’
14] “Therefore, son of man, prophesy and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “On that day when My people Israel dwell safely, will you not know it?
15] Then you will come from your place out of the far north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great company and a mighty army.
16] You will come up against My people Israel like a cloud, to cover the land. It will be in the latter days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me, when I am hallowed in you, O Gog, before their eyes.”
17] Thus says the Lord God: “Are you he of whom I have spoken in former days by My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied for years in those days that I would bring you against them?
18] “And it will come to pass at the same time, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” says the Lord God, “that My fury will show in My face.
19] For in My jealousy and in the fire of My wrath I have spoken: ‘Surely in that day there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel,
20] so that the fish of the sea, the birds of the heavens, the beasts of the field, all creeping things that creep on the earth, and all men who are on the face of the earth shall shake at My presence. The mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.’ 21] I will call for a sword against Gog throughout all My mountains,” says the Lord God. “Every man’s sword will be against his brother.
22] And I will bring him to judgment with pestilence and bloodshed; I will rain down on him, on his troops, and on the many peoples who are with him, flooding rain, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.
23] Thus I will magnify Myself and sanctify Myself, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.”’
Ezekiel 39
1] “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal;
2] and I will turn you around and lead you on, bringing you up from the far north, and bring you against the mountains of Israel.
3] Then I will knock the bow out of your left hand, and cause the arrows to fall out of your right hand. 4] You shall fall upon the mountains of Israel, you and all your troops and the peoples who are with you; I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured.
5] You shall fall on the open field; for I have spoken,” says the Lord God.
6]“And I will send fire on Magog and on those who live in security in the coastlands. Then they shall know that I am the Lord.
7] So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.
8] Surely it is coming, and it shall be done,” says the Lord God. “This is the day of which I have spoken.
9] “Then those who dwell in the cities of Israel will go out and set on fire and burn the weapons, both the shields and bucklers, the bows and arrows, the javelins and spears; and they will make fires with them for seven years.
10] They will not take wood from the field nor cut down any from the forests, because they will make fires with the weapons; and they will plunder those who plundered them, and pillage those who pillaged them,” says the Lord God.
11] “It will come to pass in that day that I will give Gog a burial place there in Israel, the valley of those who pass by east of the sea; and it will obstruct travelers, because there they will bury Gog and all his multitude. Therefore they will call it the Valley of Hamon Gog.
12] For seven months the house of Israel will be burying them, in order to cleanse the land.
13] Indeed all the people of the land will be burying, and they will gain renown for it on the day that I am glorified,” says the Lord God.
14] “They will set apart men regularly employed, with the help of a search party, to pass through the land and bury those bodies remaining on the ground, in order to cleanse it. At the end of seven months they will make a search.
15] The search party will pass through the land; and when anyone sees a man’s bone, he shall set up a marker by it, till the buriers have buried it in the Valley of Hamon Gog.
16] The name of the city will also be Hamonah. Thus they shall cleanse the land.”’
A Triumphant Festival
17] “And as for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every sort of bird and to every beast of the field:
“Assemble yourselves and come;
Gather together from all sides to My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you,
A great sacrificial meal on the mountains of Israel, That you may eat flesh and drink blood.
 18] You shall eat the flesh of the mighty, Drink the blood of the princes of the earth, Of rams and lambs, Of goats and bulls, All of them fatlings of Bashan.
19] You shall eat fat till you are full, And drink blood till you are drunk, At My sacrificial meal Which I am sacrificing for you.
20] You shall be filled at My table With horses and riders, With mighty men And with all the men of war,” says the Lord God.
21] “I will set My glory among the nations; all the nations shall see My judgment which I have executed, and My hand which I have laid on them. 
22] So the house of Israel shall know that I am the Lord their God from that day forward. 
23] The Gentiles shall know that the house of Israel went into captivity for their iniquity; because they were unfaithful to Me, therefore I hid My face from them. I gave them into the hand of their enemies, and they all fell by the sword. 
24] According to their uncleanness and according to their transgressions I have dealt with them, and hidden My face from them.”’
25] Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Now I will bring back the captives of Jacob, and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name~
26] after they have borne their shame, and all their unfaithfulness in which they were unfaithful to Me, when they dwelt safely in their own land and no one made them afraid. 
27] When I have brought them back from the peoples and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and I am hallowed in them in the sight of many nations, 
28] then they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who sent them into captivity among the nations, but also brought them back to their land, and left none of them captive any longer. 
29] And I will not hide My face from them anymore; for I shall have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel,’ says the Lord God.

Murderous Hatred Towards Israel~Watch and Learn

It is stunning how wrong the news from North America and Europe is when portraying the situation in Israel. Rather than promoting peace, they are throwing gasoline on the fires of hatred.

Please watch the clip below, taken from Palestinian TV. This is only a sample of what is shown day in and day out...and do be sure to read the sub-titles. 

Apart from the fact that the Arabs are fed lies from birth, they are raised to act murderously for the sake of those lies. They are now being told that Mary and Jesus were Palestinian, and if you watch the clip below you will hear the claim that the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is also theirs. What do Muslims do to churches? They turn them into Mosques or destroy them.

As you watch the clip, remember, this is a culture that will never be satisfied with one piece of land. They want it all, and they want Islam to be the only law in the entire world. Eventually, this will be on your doorstep.

The following is a collection of MEMRI TV clips showcasing the recent wave of Palestinian incitement against Israelis and Jews as part of the "Knife Intifada." The compilation includes statements from Palestinian officials and religious figures, as well as segments from TV shows and videos posted on social media.

This is What Israel Has to Deal With~What Would You Do?


~ 7 ~ Do Not Commit Adultery

The last five commandments deal with how we must treat other human beings. We are familiar with the saying~treat others as you would treat yourself, but that does not always include the rules that God set down for us in the Ten Commandments.

Why do the Ten Commandments single out adultery as particularly harmful? Because adultery can destroy the foundational unit of a society~the family. If exposed, adultery leads to a sense of betrayal. If hidden, it forces the offending spouse to lie. Children are often the unintended victims. This may be one of the most difficult Biblical laws to follow, but it's also one of the most important...Dennis Prager

In the below video, we see a simple and easy to understand meaning behind the Seventh Commandment. In these days of free-thinking and acceptance of loose moral values, this commandment strives to protect the core of our civilization~The Family.

~7~ Do Not Commit Adultery



Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods
~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name
~4~ Remember The Sabbath 
~5~Honor Your Father and Mother
~6~Do Not Murder

Monday, October 26, 2015

Annual Nehemiah Award at the 2015 Feast of Tabernacles

On 30 September 2015, in Jerusalem, Drs. Jay and Meridel Rawlings received the Nehemiah Award in recognition of their forty-six years of documenting Israel's historic and Biblical cause via visual and print media. 

We posted the short bio from ICEJ when the award was announced. You can read the article by clicking HERE

This annual award was presented by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, at their yearly Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. In attendance were four thousand delegates from eighty countries. 

Below you can see Jay and Meridel receive their award along with some of the highlights of their vast career in sending out the Good News from Zion.

The Lord gave the word;
Great was the company of those who proclaimed it...Psalm 68:11 (NKJV)

Sunday, October 25, 2015

~6~ Do Not Murder

The Ten Commandments are always displayed as two tablets, each containing five statements. The five contained on the second tablet all refer to how we must treat our fellow human beings.

Most people would state that the sixth commandment is "Do Not Kill." This is understandable because the classic King James Bible translates it this way. But the English language has changed since 1610. Furthermore, Hebrew has two words for killing just as English does. The correct translation is "Do Not Murder." Once you grasp this, the meaning of the commandment changes entirely...Dennis Prager

Deliberately taking the life of an innocent person is the most terrible thing we can do...

~6~ Do Not Murder




Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods
~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name
~4~ Remember The Sabbath 
~5~Honor Your Father and Mother

Monday, October 19, 2015

Terror in The Holy Land~A Video by Jay & Meridel Rawlings

Here in Israel we actually "see" what is happening on a daily basis~not what the world press wants you to know. Reports online only cover more serious incidents. What the world at large is not aware of is that Jews and Christians are being targeted, for abuse and attacks on a daily basis to the point where many are now choosing to stay home behind locked doors and drawn blinds.

In the video below, Jay and Meridel Rawlings speak of the ongoing terror, and Meridel reminds us that Mahmoud Abbas also lays claim to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre!

They have said, “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation,
That the name of Israel may be remembered no more”...Psalm 83:4 (NIV)

Along with actual clips that are being shown multiple times by "Palestinian TV" you will see. that from Mahmoud Abbas to young children the spirit of hatred and incitement to "Murder" is out of control!

Please stand with us as we strive to report the news from a grassroots, Biblical perspective.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment, You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord...Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV)

A Time of Terror in the Holy Land~October 2015

Thursday, October 15, 2015

~5~ Honor Your Father and Mother

Now that the high holidays are over we will continue with the series on the Ten Commandments.

Although almost everyone is familiar with these basic rules of life, we often do not take time to actually think them through and contemplate their meaning. 

It is very easy to read a simple sentence and interpret it at face value, without seeing the deeper meaning. On the other hand it is all too easy to spend large amounts of time digging and trying to find a deeper meaning when in fact it is the simple rule that applies.

In this continuing series Dennis Prager tells us that children owe their parents one thing. Many will be surprised to learn that it is not love. The Bible does not direct us to do the impossible, and sometimes it's difficult or even impossible to love your parents. Be that as it may, it's almost always possible to honor them, and that is what the fifth commandment is all about. 

"If you build a society in which children honour their parents, your society will long survive. The opposite will lead to self-destruction."

In this short lesson we learn what the fifth commandment means and why it's so important. One important point from the lesson for you to consider: if your children see you honouring your parents they are much more likely to honor you. The importance of honour especially towards one's father is even mentioned by Sigmund Freud, the father of psychiatry~who was an aethiest. He theorized that one's attitude towards one's father largely shaped one's attitude towards God.

You can also view this Ten Commandments series at Prager University

~5~ Honor Your Father and Mother


Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods
~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name
~4~ Remember The Sabbath

Monday, October 12, 2015

Terror in Israel~This is Our Life (Only Four Days Worth)

Photo Credit: TAZPIT
The terror attacks in Israel are so frequent that only the most severe are reported, and even then, the world press manages to re-phrase the attacks to make it appear that Jews are killing Arabs. 

This is not true! 

There are people whose homes are attacked each day. Many Jews are afraid to leave their homes. It is telling, that in one neighbourhood last Shabbat, the Arabs were strolling freely through the streets and having Bar-B-Que in the parks, while the Jews were closed in their homes with the shutters down. Jews can't even sit outside on their balcony for fear of Molotov cocktails and stoning.

In a stabbing last week in the Old City of Jerusalem, two men died, a two year old toddler and mother were injured. When the mother tried to run for help, the Arabs in the surrounding shops and on the streets, spit, pushed, kicked and abused her. This is the reality.

Below is a screen capture of a poster listing "some" of the attacks that took place over a four day period. Keep in mind that the majority of terror attacks are not even mentioned. Is it any wonder that the Police and IDF are shooting back? Would you sit back and be murdered??


Sunday, October 11, 2015

This UN Council Encourages Hamas Terror Tactics~Col. R.Kemp

Col. Richard Kemp~Former Commander of British Forces in Afghanistan Addresses UN


Video is copyright of UN Watch (c) 2015.


Click for Text of Col. Kemp's Speech:

Col. Kemp's visit was hosted by UN Watch & NGO Monitor. He spoke on behalf of Amuta for NGO Responsibility.

Wednesday, October 07, 2015

Jay and Meridel Rawlings Receive the ICEJ Nehemiah Award

Photo: Reynold Mainse
The Feast of Tabernacles begins this Sept 28th in Jerusalem. That night the 4th and last of the blood moons will be visible IN ISRAEL on this, the first night of the feast. What is the Almighty saying to the earth?

Christian Celebration of the 
Feast of Tabernacles 2015
“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, ‘Let us rise up and build.’ Then they set their hands to this good work”...Nehemiah 2:18
Nehemiah spearheaded the return of the Jewish people from the Babylonian exile to Israel, arriving in Jerusalem around 445 BCE. He not only displayed great courage and zeal but he was a determined leader and above all a man of God. The book named after him in the Bible records his accomplishments in rebuilding the fallen walls of Jerusalem and leading his people in spiritual renewal.

ICEJ has established the Nehemiah Award to annually honour outstanding biblical Christian Zionist figures at the Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles each year.

This year’s Nehemiah Award is bestowed upon Drs. Jay and Meridel Rawlings in recognition of their lifetime record of excellence in promoting and defending Israel and in teaching the Word of God through a variety of media. John Victor (Jay) Rawlings has a PhD in Jewish-Christian Relations, while Meridel Rawlings holds a PhD in Psychology and Counselling.

In 1969, the Rawlings’ were drawn from their native Canada to Israel by a simple message: “If you love Me, love My people!” Their latest book, Love My People, is a historical memoir of their lives and launch into ministry in Israel. In obedience, the Rawlings set about producing documentaries telling Israel’s story, which over the past four decades have gained them a worldwide audience, from Jewish and Christian communities alike.

They produced Apples of Gold, an award-winning documentary on early Zionist history through the 1973 Yom Kippur War and into the 1980s, distributed even by Israel’s Foreign Ministry as an educational tool. The Rawlings’ laboured for twenty years to see the release of Soviet Jewry, producing the award-winning documentary Gates of Brass on the heroic refuseniks trapped behind the Iron Curtain who longed for Israel.

The Rawlings’ were involved in numerous television productions on Israel for the Trinity Broadcasting Network100 Huntley Street and the Miracle Channel in North America, and the EO Evangelical channel in Holland. In more recent years, they have produced programs for GOD-TV as well as for the Christian channels TV-7 in Finland, and Norge Visjon in Norway. Their programs have been dubbed into German for Bibel-TV, and into Chinese and Spanish for other outlets.

Jay and Meridel were among the core founders of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem in September 1980. Jay was the media coordinator for the founding of the ICEJ. His films were used far and wide by the ICEJ, especially in the early years. They have stood with the ministry ever since. Through various media tools, the Rawlings’ have sought to educate people on the importance of Israel in the light of current events and biblical history.

Meridel has also been working in the field of battling child trafficking and sexual abuse for the past thirty-five years, to teach and give counsel on this growing social ill. She has published books, documentaries and seminar workbooks on the topic, such as Honor Thy Father? Exposing the Secret World of Incest.

The unique contributions of Jay and Meridel Rawlings in educating and mobilizing Christians to stand with Israel have been enormous. For forty years now, they have pursued one overarching mission – to use the media to bring honour to the Word of God and to bless His people Israel today. The ICEJ greatly admires and commends their dedication and excellence in this work.

Based on their lifetime of achievements in inspiring Christians to stand with Israel, the ICEJ hereby honours Jay and Meridel Rawlings with the Nehemiah Award for 2015.

Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Friday, August 28, 2015

~4~Remember The Sabbath

In keeping with the fourth commandment we are posting this on Friday afternoon (Jerusalem Time) just before the Sabbath (Shabbat) begins. Anyone who has not been to the Holy Land may not remember that our calendar is slightly different from the rest of the world.

The week in Israel starts Sunday and ends Thursday. Friday morning the stores are open for half the day to allow people to do their last minute preparations for Shabbat. In Jerusalem a siren is sounded to announce sundown and the beginning of the Sabbath.

Basically, everything in the country closes down. Until recent years, even the roads were free of vehicles. Sadly, except for religious areas, the holiness of the Sabbath is all but forgotten.

The Sabbath is from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday~a mere 24 hours, some of which are spent sleeping~and yet, there are many who can't (or won't) observe this one day of rest. One day to be with family and friends, stroll the quiet streets free of traffic and simply "be".  Sadly, these people have no idea of what they are giving up!

You have been set apart as holy to the your God, and he has chosen you
from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure...Deuteronomy 14:2 (NLT)

Setting aside a day of rest each week was a revolutionary concept when it was first introduced as the Fourth Commandment. But this Commandment does more: it extends that day of rest to slaves and animals and thus set in motion the slow process of ending slavery and the compassionate treatment of animals. The power of the Fourth Commandment to change your life is no less real today than it was for our ancient ancestors. Just ask the spouse of a workaholic how she would feel if her husband took off a day each week to spend with family and friends...Dennis Prager

This weekend, as you enter into your Sabbath~whether it is Saturday or Sunday~think about the real meaning of this fourth commandment and give yourself 24 hours of total rest from the world!

You can also view this Ten Commandments series at Prager University

~4~Remember The Sabbath...


Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God

~2~ No Other Gods

~3~ Do Not Misuse God's Name

~ 3 ~ Do Not Misuse God’s Name~The Worst of the Ten?

Many of us, religious and secular alike, often look at the Ten Commandments without complete understanding. With all the translations and points of view available these days it is no small wonder that people become confused.

In this lesson on the "third statement" we see how easy it is for a simple sentence to be taken out of context or just plain misunderstood. Throughout this series the idea of "differing translations" is used to explain the difficulty in divining a clear message from the Bible.

Not all sins are equal. Some are worse than others. The worst of one of all? Committing evil in the name of God. This commandment is often misunderstood because it's mistranslated. It's not concerned with saying God's name "in vain" like "God, did I have a terrible day at the office." It's about using God's name in the commission of evil. We see this today when Islamists invoke God's name while they murder innocent people...Dennis Prager

You can also view this Ten Commandments series as well as many other lectures at Prager University.

The Third Statement: Do Not Misuse God's Name




Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ I Am the Lord Your God
~2~ No Other Gods

Thursday, August 27, 2015

~ 2 ~ No Other Gods

Continuing with the series on the Ten Commandments, we come to the second statement which deals with "Idol Worship"

Have you ever really thought about how this commandment resonates in our world today?

Today, the idea of idol worship feels ancient and remote to many people. Thus, the Second Commandment, "You shall have no other gods," doesn't seem applicable in modern society. But the opposite is true. We have more false gods than ever--art, education, fame, money, to name just a few. Over the past century the worship of false gods has led to massive evil; Communism and Nazism are just two examples. On a personal level, the worship of false gods leads to unhappiness...Dennis Prager

You can view the full Ten Commandment series as well as many other interesting courses at Prager University.

~ 2 ~ No Other Gods...



Links to Series:

The Ten Commandments~Introduction
~1~ Am the Lord Your God
 

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

~ I ~ I Am the Lord Your God...

As stated in the Introduction to the Ten Commandments, we are proceeding with the first statement or "Commandment" that we were given three thousand years ago~I Am the Lord Your God...

Although the First Commandment ("I am the Lord your God") appears simple at first glance, it actually set into motion the most revolutionary idea in human history--ethical monotheism, the belief that there is one God whose main wish is that people treat each other decently...Dennis Prager 

Dennis Prager goes on to explain that without this commandment, the following nine mean little. With it, the Ten Commandments become world-changing. You can also view the full Ten Commandments series as well as many other interesting course on a variety of topics at Prager University.

~ I ~ I Am the Lord Your God...

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Ten Commandments: An Introduction

We are all familiar with the ten commandments, and perhaps we are also sure that we know the meaning behind each of them. 

In a very interesting series, posted online some time ago, Dennis Prager explains how the Ten Commandments led to the creation of Western Civilization and why they remain relevant to our life today.

The series is so interesting that we decided to post a commandment (or statement) each day over the next two weeks, and we encourage you to relax and take five minutes to contemplate their real meaning, and how you can use these simple rules in your life.

Humanity has everything it needs to create a good world. We've had it for 3,000 years. It's the Ten Commandments; ten basic, yet profound instructions for how to lead a moral life. If everyone followed the Ten Commandments, we would not need armies or police; marriages and families would be stronger; truth would be a paramount value...Dennis Prager

This video introduces the ten-part series. You can also view the full Ten Commandments series at Prager University.

Introduction to The Ten Commandments


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Fatah's Military Wing~Gaza~3.5 km Tunnel into Israel is Ready

This is What Israel's "Peace Partners" Are Doing to Promote "Peace"...Transcript Below


* Transcript and Video~With Thanks to PMW (Palestine Media Watch)

Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fighter:
There will be a qualitative change for the unit [named after] Martyrdom-seeker Nabil Mas’oud* in the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, by using attack tunnels against the Zionist entity. We will now go through one of those tunnels to see what the Martyrs’ Brigades is preparing for this occupation (i.e., Israel)...

Iranian TV reporter: 
Here is the first tunnel...When we met the Ribat [Islamic] fighters in this tunnel, they said that the weapons in their hands and their preparations for confrontation with the Israeli enemy are what give them reason to live.

Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades fighter:
This tunnel is approximately 3.5 km long and crosses the border between the Gaza Strip and the Zionist enemy. There are tunnels inside [Gaza] through which Jihad fighters pass during war...We spend all our time trying to get money to fulfill our duty concerning our occupied lands and liberate them from the Zionist entity. This is why we are asking [for money]...especially [from] Iran, which is a known long-time supporter of the resistance and the Palestinian cause..."

Iranian TV reporter:
The book of resistance is still open... and its last line will not be written until Palestine is liberated.

Notes:
Ribat~Religious conflict/war over land claimed to be Islamic

Nabil Mas'oud~A suicide terrorist from the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades (Fatah's military wing) who, along with Mahmoud Salem from the Izz A-Din Al-Qassam Brigades (Hamas' military wing), carried out a double suicide attack at the Ashdod port on March 14, 2004, killing 10 people and wounding 13.

**Al-Alam TV (Iran) news report, posted 29 June 2015, on Wattan TV (independent Palestinian channel)

Jay and Meridel's First Stop on Canada Lecture Tour

During the months of May, June and July, Jay and Meridel traveled with their son Daniel to Canada for a cross country Ministry Tour.

The tour began in Ottawa on 02-03 May. From there, they visited partners and friends in each province to bring their message.

It was a very grueling trip, but so rewarding as many, many people were there to greet them, encourage them and listen to their poignant message.

At the first stop in Ottawa, they took time to visit Capitol Hill. Here is a short clip that they filmed.

Jay and Meridel Rawlings Outside Capital Hill