Temple Institute Moves Ahead With Plans For Third Temple ~ Tom Olago

From Prophecywatch

 BY TOM OLAGO NOVEMBER 08, 2016

    

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The Temple Institute is unrelentingly pulling out all the stops via a multi-faceted approach to ensure that the 3rd Jewish Temple will finally be built. If sheer zeal and commitment alone could accomplish the project, it would certainly have been accomplished a long while ago.

But as Andrew Tobin for the Times of Israel recently reported, the problem for proponents of this project is that the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem is sacred not only to Jews but to Muslims and Christians too. 

The site includes the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, two of the most significant shrines in Islam.

The Temple Institute s growth has coincided with increased mainstream support for Jewish access to the Temple Mount. A large minority of Israelis now opposes the restriction on Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount, according to polls. 

The ardent drive to build continues to manifest in various ways. The Temple Institute, dedicated to rebuilding the ancient holy site, is now using new internet tools to bring its message to the masses.

A new YouTube video message titled It s Time To Build was released ahead of the Jewish fast day of Tisha B Av (which commemorates the Second Temple s destruction in 70 CE by the Romans) as part of the Temple Institute s strategy of using the new tools of the internet to bring its ancient message to the masses.

The phrase encapsulates the group s controversial mission to rally Jews to reconstruct the temple that was the heart of their religion until its destruction 2,000 years ago. 

Tobin further notes that over much of those two millennia, mourning the loss of the temple and longing for its restoration has been central to Jewish thought and practice. 

Our goal is to raise the consciousness of the Jewish people and all humanity toward the central role that the holy temple plays in the life of mankind, Rabbi Chaim Richman, the Massachusetts-born co-founder and the international director of the Temple Institute said. We re very much focused on getting the message out on all the channels of social media and all the things people are into today. Most of my work is internet related.

The Temple Institute focuses on preparing the objects and skills needed for the sacrifice of animals and the esoteric rituals that were carried out by Kohanim, or priests, in front of crowds of Jewish pilgrims before the last temple s destruction. All its work is led by a rabbinical council and based on meticulous analysis of Jewish scripture and academic research.

The institute has reconstructed nearly all the sacred vessels needed to perform the services in a rebuilt Temple, including the High Priest s breastplate featuring the 12 precious stones of the tribes of Israel, the half-ton golden menorah and the musical instruments of the Levitical choir.

The group also works to build support for its mission and itself, which is where the internet comes in. After his cable television show that aired in Texas was canceled in 2006, Richman found an audience for his temple-centric scriptural exegesis online.

These days, his weekly TV and radio shows are among the 914 videos that appear on the Temple Institute s YouTube channel, which has more than 17,000 subscribers and 4.6 million views. The group s Facebook page has more than 186,000 followers. The Temple Institute email newsletter, which you can sign up for on its website, lands in 24,000 inboxes every week.

Most content is in English, to maximize reach, including to the many evangelical Christians who support the group, many through tax-exempt charities in the U.S. For many evangelicals, the construction of a third Temple fulfills a prophecy about the Second Coming of Jesus.

In a further demonstration of commitment to re-establishing the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Temple Institute announced it is opening a school for training Levitical priests for their eventual service in a new temple, based on a recent jta.org publication.

The institute ran several pilot programs in recent years and now is embarking on a mission to teach Kohanim all the practical skills required to serve in the Third Holy Temple, it said in a statement.

According to the Institute, the curriculum at the Nezer HaKodesh Institute for Kohanic Studies will include courses on the Temple service, theory and practice and the role and application of modern technology in the Third Temple.

In a separate report, David Israel for jewishpress.com noted that the curriculum at Nezer HaKodesh will also include courses such as The Sacred Temple Vessels Aspects of Engineering and Design; and The Mathematics of the Holy Temple.

We are extremely excited to announce this new step toward the restoration of the Holy Temple service. We call first and foremost upon Kohanim worldwide to support this special project, which signifies a return to their birthright. 

We have chosen to use IndieGogo as a tool to enable as many people as possible to be a part of this historic initiative, Rabbi Chaim Richman, international director of the Temple Institute, said in a statement.

Meanwhile, many Jews and Christians await with great anticipation the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple. For Jews, a long-held passionate desire to see the temple restored will finally be fulfilled. 

For Christians, although there is some debate on the timing of the rebuilding of the temple the overall focus is more on the exciting impact of this eschatological event on God s prophetic time-clock. 

It will signal the imminent return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and the fulfillment of the new Heaven and the new Earth under His divine righteous and eternal rulership. (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1)

Signs You Have a Great Husband ~ By Hermes Alberto Carvajal

Marriage is wonderful, but at the same time it can be a challenge. Who wouldn’t want to be married to an incredible guy, like the ones you see on TV, in novels or in movies? Remember, there are two people in a marriage, so both must make an effort for the relationship to work. 

But, is there such a thing as the perfect husband? Well, nobody’s perfect, but these signs will tell you if your husband is one of the good ones. And though we’ll get into it later on, having a good husband is something you should appreciate and care for. Here are 10 signs that you have a great husband. Husbands are great people; but the best ones aren’t always on the market or easy to find. If your husband possesses these qualities, you have a wonderful man in your life. Hold onto him.

He Loves Spending Time with You

One sign that you have a great husband is if he loves being near you and tenderly shows it. No matter what you do together, he enjoys being near you. He laughs, makes jokes, takes your hand, touches your hair and makes you feel like a special woman. If your husband can stay home and watch a romantic movie with you, or go out to eat because he likes being with you, you’ve married a good man. But don’t make the mistake of thinking that a good husband is merely one who likes romantic movies and restaurants.

A great sign that there is mutual love in a marriage is the desire to adapt to the good habits and preferences of one’s spouse. Maybe you don’t like going out to the movies, but he does. Maybe you like Italian food and he likes Mexican food. A lot of happy couples adapted to activities they didn’t like before, but they now enjoy them together. Don’t focus on whether you like the activity your husband likes, just appreciate and value the fact that he wants to spend time with you.

He’s Willing to Teach You What He Knows

Another sign that you have a great husband is if he is willing to teach you what he knows and is patient through the process. Maybe your husband doesn’t have the patience to teach you automobile mechanics, but he can teach you to fish or to cook. Remember ladies, husbands can cook too! You should appreciate when he wants you to learn something, even if it seems he’s thinking you’re “not as smart” as he is when it comes to a particular craft. Your husband is showing you he’s the best guy in the world when he really wants you to learn something. If he wants to teach you, accept it.

He Always Laughs When He’s Around You

Who doesn’t love a man with a great sense of humor? If your husband knows how to make you smile at the right time, if he’s cheerful despite having a bad day and if he tells you it makes him happy to see you smile, he’s a man you should hold onto. A happy husband will laugh around you because he’s excited to be with you. You might say something to him that’s barely funny and he’ll crack up just to make you smile. There’s nothing a great husband loves more than making his wife happy.

He Worries About You

If your husband is concerned for your safety and he’s always making sure that you’re well taken care of, both physically and emotionally, you’ve won the lottery! Worrying is a sign of concern. A great husband will always want to make sure his wife is ok and out of harm’s way. Some husbands were not brought up to be emotional, creative, and romantic, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care. Here’s a suggestion: when your husband wants to protect you from something, let him. Don’t resist, don’t complain; and above all, never think he underestimates you.

He Communicates Well

If your husband can talk to you about anything from sports to your favorite reality show and he listens to what you have to say and really tries to understand you, you have a super husband! Communication is a central part of every marriage. If your husband wants to talk to you about his problems, get interested. Let your response tell him that you also love to listen to listen to his problems and you value what he’s saying. Both of you want to be heard attentively. Give him the chance to hear you, and listen to him with all your heart.

He Gives You Unconditional Support

Life will hit you in many ways: you’ll stumble, you’ll fall, and you’ll get back up again. A great husband will want to support you, even when the going gets tough. If your husband is the type of person who always sees the good things in life, stays positive when faced with adversity and cheers you up when you need it, you have a gem for a husband. True love and support comes from someone who challenges you, stands beside you when you need them, and gives you the support to grow as a person. They might seem like the busiest person in the world or the least affectionate at times, but when it matters, they will drop everything for you.

He’s Faithful

A great husband knows that no matter how many great looking women pass by, there is only one woman who owns his heart, and that woman is you. A faithful husband also avoids making continuous or excessive comments regarding other women’s looks. Sometimes it’s difficult and in some cultures it’s not considered ‘offensive’, but turning your gaze to another woman’s beauty is dangerous. In fact, the Bible warns us: “Do not lust in your heart after her beauty, or let her captivate you with her eyes.” Proverbs 6:25. This applies to women too. If your husband is a faithful man, show him your admiration. His commitment to you should make you love him even more.

He Admits His Mistakes

Even a great husband is bound to mistakes but when he does, he doesn’t deny them but rather admits he was wrong and works to repair the damage he’s done. Recognizing one’s mistakes is a virtue, and the first step towards freedom, forgiveness, peace and success in marriage. If he doesn’t admit to his mistakes, you must help him with your example, admitting your own. Ask for forgiveness if you’ve made a mistake and tell him you’re open to listening to him and forgiving him. Do everything you can to understand him as he begins to admit to his errors. When a man can admit to his mistakes, his wife is the luckiest woman in the world.

He Knows You and Respects Your Tastes

Does your husband know your favorite color, your favorite show or your favorite ice cream flavor? If your husband pays attention to the little things like your likes and your dislikes, and can recall them in the moments that you need him to the most, hold onto him. A husband who loves you will be able to adapt to you and set aside his own preferences to make things work. Be patient with your husband if he still struggles to recognize your preferences. Tell him how much you admire his attitude and his desire to change for you. Remember, any change he’s trying to make is out of love.

He Accepts You Just the Way You Are and Sees You as His Equal

One major sign that your husband treats you the way you truly deserve is by respecting you. The trick to a happy relationship is seeing each other as complete equals. A great husband puts his ego aside and values his wife, particularly when it comes to decision-making. It’s important that women and men take a careful look at who they marry. A marriage based on love at first sight has a greater risk of ending in disappointment than a marriage built on communication, mutual respect and understanding. If your husband is supportive, values you as his equal and loves you just the way you are, he’s a keeper.

Remember !!!

Revelation Study ~ Pastor John Hagee

The Coming FOURTH REICH

Study Chart ~ Entire Book Of Revelation

Ed's Note: The following links are a sermon series well-worth hearing by Pastor John Hagee (August 28/2016). At the moment you will have to view this through your Facebook Account; I'm still looking for this sermon in a more public format (like Youtube?), but for the moment you can open it in your Facebook (or quickly sign up to FB to see it).  If you are interested in Bible Prophecy as described in this amazing book of the bible that promises you a blessing for studying !!!

The above link is the actual chart that goes with this sermon.  It will illuminate your Revelation study significantly.


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The Final Emperor ~ John Hagee (Aug. 14/2016)

The Final Farewell ~ John Hagee (Aug. 21/2016)

From Here to Eternity ~ John Hagee (Aug.28/2016)

He gives Strength to the Weak

12 of Jesus' Leadership Principles ~ Edmonson

There are many leaders I admire who have influenced my own leadership. There are leaders from my personal life such as a former pastor, a former boss, a high school principal and leaders in my own community who have influenced me as I have watched their leadership.  The principles, however, which I admire most are found in the leadership style of Jesus. Jesus’ leadership is still impacting culture today.

Here are 12 leadership principles of Jesus that inspire me:

1). Jesus was willing to invest in people others would have dismissed.
Consider the disciples. They were not the “religious” elite, yet Jesus used them to start His church.

2). Jesus released responsibility and ownership in a ministry.
Consider how Jesus sent the disciples out on their own. No micro-management, it appears.

3). Jesus had a leadership succession plan.
Jesus consistently reminded the disciples He wouldn’t always be with them. Of course, He was still the “leader”, but He left others to take the ministry forward.

4). Jesus practiced servant leadership better than anyone.
The King of kings was willing to wash the feet of His followers.

5). Jesus was laser focused on His vision.
Regardless of the persecutions or distractions, Jesus kept on the mission God had called Him to complete.

6). Jesus handled distractions with grace.
When the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years touched His garment, Jesus stopped to heal her, even though headed to a definite purpose.

7). Jesus was into self-development.
Jesus constantly slipped away to spend time with God.

8). Jesus was into leadership development and replacement.
He very purposefully prepared the disciples to take over the ministry. He pushed people beyond what they felt they were capable of doing.

9). Jesus held followers to high expectations.
Jesus was not afraid to make huge requests of people. “Follow Me” meant the disciples had to drop their agenda to do so. He told the disciples they must be willing to lose everything to follow Him.

10). Jesus cared more about people than about rules and regulations.
He was willing to jeopardize Himself personally by breaking the “rules” to help someone in need.

11). Jesus celebrated success in ministry.
He rewarded people generously who were faithful to Him and His cause.

12). Jesus finished well.
Any questions whether His ministry was effective? Still working today.

Ron Edmondson

Ron Edmondson is a pastor and church leader passionate about planting churches, helping established churches thrive, and assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life.

Stop & Think ~ Francis Chan

The whole message of the Bible is not about this God who wants to take from you.
It’s about this God who wants to give to you. Francis Chan delivers an unforgetable
message that could change your life. 

Watch this 15 minute Francis Chan video, Just “Stop and Think” the Movie,
and see why over a million people have watched this video.

Fall 2016 ~ A Season Of Reflection

Related: I Dare You!
John Piper on JW's

UNMUZZLE!

Hear the heart of the Father!

26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

28Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29I will save you from all your uncleanness.  ~ Ezekiel 36

Wow!  This passage was intended prophetically for Israel, yet the parallel between God's plan for faithless Israel is so similar to God's plan for me....and my neighbour.  Here in this passage written 2500 years ago, God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel explaining his plan for reckless, wanton, exiled Israel to be "brought back" to their land and be restored in fellowship to the Lord who loves them dearly.  God very much wanted to straighten out their beliefs and practices!  This prophesy has yet to be entirely fulfilled, but there are signs that it could soon.  But suffice it to say that the God of the bible is in the restoration business!  Like Israel corporately, God longs to take each of us to a new place. God longs for increasing our dependence on Him.  He wants a relationship with this world who has rejected Him.  Key to this plan He has, is for each of us to be witnesses of His Gospel!  

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ~ 1 Peter 3

This season finds me yet again burdened for lost proximate people. People all around me. People I work with.  People I meet when I'm cycling or going about my daily activities.  I often wonder ...do they know about Jesus?  Could I share with them a few words that will change their destiny?   I am determined to be a witnessing Christian, someone who will not sit back and allow His Name to be trampled, but instead be lifted high.  

Because of my determination this way, the Holy Spirit allows me to have interesting conversations with people who need the gospel.  I recently prayed with a despondent colleague in a difficult work situation.  He seemed surprised, yet responded as I led in prayer.  (After we'd prayed, he reported to me that the thing he very much feared didn't come upon him after all.)  Another person is caught up in a cult and I was able to share the Gospel with him.  Yet another explained he is a professing atheist. His story is one of family separation and relational conflict.  After being brought up in Islam, he went to a Catholic school, leaving him more confused than ever.  While he was difficult to speak to, he appreciated my listening ear and my open and declared faith in Jesus.

  My long-time neighbour 'Rob', describes himself as a Jehovah Witness "pastor" and has at times gone out of his way to explain to me how much alike we are in regards to his belief system as a Jehovah Witness and mine as an Evangelical.  I tried not to take his bait for some time, deciding just to listen to him.  You see, I don't really think we are very much alike at all.  However the Holy Spirit has put a burden in my heart for him.  My reality sees little in common with his cult, but I sense the love in me that God has for him.  I think he sees me as a "potential convert", and well to be honest, that's how I see him. 

When I mentioned Rob to my dad a few years ago, Dad began immediately to pray for him. We have prayed for him often as a family during our evening supper devotions.  I have had a burden for his salvation for a long time and had also begun again seeking out the Holy Spirit's leading in prayer for an opportunity to share Jesus with Rob.  I was not disappointed.  Amazingly, a few weeks ago, after I'd been praying for him, he came right over to my front lawn.  Isn't it funny how that happens? Something inside said to me, "...you prayed about witnessing to him?  Well...here he is!"  I quickly jumped at the opportunity to witness to him of God's saving power.  

His immediate difficulty is that the belief system that his headquarters in Brooklyn want him to have. JW's closely follow their authority figures in the Brooklyn-based Watchtower 'Governing Body'.  Their Governing Body requires him to follow their very-distorted 'company-thinking-speaking policy' on all their talking points.  Strangely enough, they teach that Jesus isn't the Son of God, but rather a version of Michael the archangel!  Where this and their other strange information came from is a mystery, but they didn't get it from reading the bible.  It is obviously confused, man-made 'theology'.

As an aside here, it really is amazing how JW’s have ‘developed’ in denying the deity of Jesus as God and not allowing their constituency or teachings to reflect what the bible teaches plainly.  The Bible teaches that Jesus is God in many passages like Hebrews, Colossians, Revelation and elsewhere; the apostle Paul declares the deity of Christ, as does Thomas and John and others.  Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God the Father all testify to his deity. Christ’s very name ‘Yeshuva” means, ‘God is Salvation’ or ‘God Saves’ or ‘Jesus Saves’ in its translation to English.  Yet, the JW’s continue to deny something so obvious.  (Their own misguided and mis-translated ‘New World Translation’ actually even declares Christ’s deity; but they fail to see it.)

 I was however faithful to speak the words that I felt the Holy Spirit led me to speak to Rob.  He probably wasn't expecting the response he got from me, as I challenged him with the claims of the Gospel, unpacked for him the Trinity and confronted Rob with the message of Christ and salvation.  I tried to be winsome with him, yet at the same time challenging.  But, I really doubt that I can convince Rob to make spiritual changes in his life because of a good argument; he has to see God's love at work in my life.  I'm aware that without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, Rob has nothing but the head knowledge he has learned.  I have significant heavenly resources to bring to the table, including the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.  While we are both relishing this encounter, I'm immediately aware of their strategy.  The terminology JW's use, sounds similar to words evangelicals use, but with different meanings.  He soon wanted to have me attend their 'bible study' and go through with him 'a really good study book' (which wasn't the bible).  

I am not able to report that Rob or the others has accepted Christ yet.  I continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will convict them, and that something I've said will lead them to investigate the claims of Christ and that they surrender to his Lordship.

          Witnessing reminds me of a job I once had.  I remember transporting vital human organs on one of my aviation jobs flying light jet aircraft.  I'd fly in haste to an airport near a recent auto or industrial accident.  Often it was at 2am, when I was barely able to stay awake in the middle of the night.  Together, with a team of doctors, our team would carefully retrieve the vital organ from the body of a recently deceased person.  The medical team's objective was not only to remove the lung, liver, heart or priceless organ, but to then confirm that it was in good condition and a suitable match for the intended recipient.  On more than one occasion, the team would return to the airport with failure showing on their faces when they were not successful in their mission and the organ couldn't be utilized.  Our spirits would lower as we flew home empty-handed. But other times they returned carefully clutching the Coleman cooler containing the precious organ being kept cool on ice, knowing they soon would be saving someone's life when they returned to their hospital.

 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:7

Christian, you have that treasure inside you are like that "Coleman cooler" of priceless, precious life-giving organ. You have the understanding, the message of the good news of Salvation down deep in your heart. In fact God has strategically placed you where He needs you for the mission!  I am confident, if you'll ask Him for a witnessing opportunity, he will gently prompt you through his Holy Spirit. The question is are you going to respond in obedience to share that message with your world? Are you up for it? Are you praying passionately asking the Holy Spirit for an opportunity? Do you have a burden for the lost?

Not long after my encounter with Rob, I found myself reading Unmuzzle Your Inner Sheep, by Royal Hamel a Guelph, Ontario pastor.  Perhaps you need to read this excellent book on personal witnessing.  Checkout this link to his website.   This is an excellent book for practical witnessing ideas!  God bless you as you begin a great adventure sharing ...er 'unmuzzling' your faith.  I promise you it is rewarding!

~ St. Mark

Who Wants to be a Millionaire? ~ Dave Ramsay, Christian Financial Planner

Jeff and Dee of Atlanta have a net worth of $2.8 million. But they didn’t win the lottery. They became wealthy after decades of smart saving and sensible spending.

"I think the majority of millionaires are just like us—people who’ve worked and saved all their lives," Jeff says.

When he began working as a computer technician decades ago, Jeff’s salary was just $13,000. So when the opportunity came to work extra hours, he jumped at it. His workweek went from 40 hours to 80 hours—and his income doubled in the process.

"I started spending on the 80-hour level, not the 40," he says. "Then the hours went back. But the habits I’d gotten were pretty bad."

Translation: He ran up his credit cards. It was his first real taste of debt, and he hated every minute of it. Once he paid everything off, he told himself never again.

A few years later, Jeff and Dee met and married. This time, it was Dee who caught the credit card bug. She opened secret accounts and started charging without Jeff’s knowledge. Once her financial infidelity came to light, the couple went through what Dee recalls as "a very tense, emotional couple of years."

But they worked through it and came out the other side stronger and smarter.

"If you don’t agree on something, you really need to speak up on it," Dee says. "If it leads to an argument, so be it. If you don’t sit down and talk about it, you’re never going to be on the same page."

That was a major turning point in their marriage: learning how to communicate openly and honestly about money.

Jeff and Dee are millionaires from Atlanta, GA. In this Millionaire video, they share how 

they became Millionaires and give us an inside look into their current life style. 

"Once we got on the same page, we were able to do more," Jeff says. "And every raise that came in, a good portion of that went into retirement. So that’s where we started building [our retirement savings] percentage from a small number to a big number."

These days, the couple saves upwards of 25-30% of their household income for retirement. How? They don’t hoard money, but they also don’t waste it. They still shop at Walmart and buy $20 shoes. They’re just normal folks.

"It’s probably been five or six years since we’ve been millionaires" Jeff says. "But again, it didn’t change our lifestyle or what we did or how we did it."

To them, being a millionaire isn’t about hoarding your money. It’s about securing your future. It’s about leaving a legacy for your kids and giving generously. And it’s about enjoying the rest of your life without worry.

Being a millionaire isn’t about hoarding your money. It’s about securing your future.

"Being a millionaire means knowing I’ll be comfortable when he quits working," Dee says. "Knowing that I don’t have to worry about where my next meal is coming from or where I’m going to live—that’s basically what being a millionaire means to me."

Israeli Leaders Urge Jews To Read Through Entire Bible ~ Joel Rosenburg

Israeli leaders are urging Jews to read through the entire Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter? Amazing, but true. Here’s the latest.  by joelcrosenberg (Central Israel) -- You probably haven't heard this in the mainstream media, but Israel's most senior leaders are urging the Jewish people to read through the Bible, the whole Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Can you imagine President Obama or any other U.S. leader calling on American people to read through the Bible? Neither can I. Given the general trend here in Israel towards secularization, this is quite a surprising yet thoroughly encouraging development. I'm sure many of you are skeptical, but it really is true. Here's the latest. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicked off the new school year here by encouraging children to rediscover the Word of God and Biblical roots of their Jewish heritage. "First of all, the study of the Bible,” he said in August. "Knowledge is a critical word. We want to give it [knowledge of the Scriptures] to every child in Israel, Jews and non-Jews as one, religious and secular. This is the basis of the new world, and the basis of Israel as a strong nation in the world.” Last week, the prime minister and his wife, Sara, hosted another in a series of occasional Bible study groups at their official residence. They discussed -- among other things -- the Biblical connection Jews have to the Temple Mount, despite a recent U.N. vote denying Jews have any such connection. The Netanyahus organized their first home Bible study group in December 2011, as I reported at the time. In so doing, they carried on a tradition first begun by David Ben Gurion and later by Menachem Begin but rarely repeated by other Israeli premiers. Their stated goal was to set an example for the nation and to "perpetuate a love of the Bible." [See here and here for coverage of other Bible studies they have held.] Meanwhile, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and several government official have launched something they call the "929 Initiative." This is a wonderful and worthy effort to encourage all Israelis -- even the most secular and non-religious among us -- to read one chapter of the Jewish Scriptures a day, every day, until they have read all 929 chapters. Rivlin and his colleagues kicked off the $12 million initiative in December 2014. Since then, they have been encouraging Israelis to continue reading verse by verse, chapter by chapter through the full Hebrew Bible or "Tanakh" until everyone finishes together in the summer of 2018 for the 70th anniversary of the prophetic rebirth of the Jewish State. There is a pretty impressive and sophisticated website dedicated to the project, with Israelis of all kinds, from a wide variety of backgrounds, writing articles on what they think about the Bible verses they are reading. There is also an app that helps Israelis remember what chapter they're supposed to read each day and help them mark their progress. Here are several article about the initiative. I commend them to your attention. ·         National Bible project launched -- "New program aims to make Book of Books accessible to wide parts of Israeli society through daily reading of biblical versus in country's different communities and sectors." (Ynet News, December 28, 2014) ·         Crack open your Bible: 929 day study project begins in Jerusalem (Jerusalem Post, December 18, 2014) ·         Left and Right, Secular and Religious, Brought Together by Bible Study -- "Israelis from across the political and religious spectrum join a national conversation about the Tanakh, on the website 929" (Tablet Magazine, January 9, 2015) I especially wanted to bring this all to your attention as we celebrate Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles (aka, "Feast of Booths"). Why? Because in the Torah, Moses commanded the people to read through all the Scriptures in their entirety every seven years. Sadly, this is a commandment many if not most of my fellow Jews have forgotten, or never were aware of in the first place. 10 Then Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, at the time of the year of remission of debts, at the Feast of Booths, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place which He will choose, you shall read this law in front of all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and children and [a]the alien who is in your [b]town, so that they may hear and learn and fear the Lord your God, and be careful to observe all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 31:10-12) Some of my favorite stories in the Bible are when King Josiah called the nation of Judah together to hear the Word of the Lord read to them in its entirety, and when Ezra and the priests read the entire Bible to the nation of Israel after their return to the Land from Babylonian and Persian captivity. Several years ago, we organized an Epicenter conference with the theme, "The Power of The Word." Several of the speakers taught on this largely forgotten history of Jewish leaders calling the nation back to the Scriptures -- if you're interested in watching the videos of those and other messages, please click here. I'm grateful to Netanyahu and Rivlin and to the other Israeli leaders who are calling our people back to reading the Bible cover to cover. Will you join me in praying that more Jews (and Gentiles) heed their call? Thanks so much, and Chag Same'ach -- happy holidays from Israel!