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K-House USA
E News |
K-House
eNews
For The Week Of July 24, 2007
**TABLE OF CONTENTS**
This Week's 66/40
Radio Broadcast
Articles and
Commentary
- Tisha b'Av -
(Read)
- The Tribe of Levi
and the Coming Third Temple -
(Read)
- The Dark Side of
Harry Potter -
(Read)
Important News
Headlines
Memory Verse of the
Week
**THIS
WEEK'S 66/40 RADIO BROADCAST**
Philippians 3:12- 4 Radio
link
''Stand Fast''
Therefore,
my brethren dearly beloved and longed
for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in
the Lord, my dearly beloved.
Philippians 4:1 Paul instructs
Christians to ''stand fast,'' a military
term encouraging us to hold the ground
which has been won for us.
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**ARTICLES AND
COMMENTARY**
TISHA B'AV
Today, Tuesday, July 24th, is known in Israel
as Tisha b'Av - which simply means the 9th day
of the month of Av. However Tisha b'Av is much
more than just a date on a calendar. This
peculiar day holds great significance for the
Jews, as it is expressly linked with Israel's
destiny.
On the 9th of Av, in the year 586 B.C., the
First Temple, built by Solomon, was destroyed by
Nebuchadnezzar, and the Babylonian captivity
began.
On the 9th of Av, 70 A.D., the Second Temple,
that which was standing during Christ’s
ministry, was destroyed by the Romans, precisely
as Jesus predicted in Luke 19.
Also on this day, in the year 135 A.D., the
famous Bar Kokhba revolt was squelched when
Bethar, the last Jewish stronghold, fell to the
Romans.
One year later, in 136 A.D., the Roman Emperor
Hadrian established the heathen temple to
Jupiter on the site of the Jewish Temple.
Hadrian rebuilt Jerusalem as a pagan city, and
renamed the land as Palestina, to distance its
Jewish heritage. (This attempt to disavow the
land from its Jewish roots was echoed by the
British in their labeling the land "Palestine.")
The date when the Temple area was plowed under
by the Romans was the 9th of Av.
On March 31, 1492, the Spanish monarchs
Ferdinand and Isabella issued a royal decree
that all Jews must leave the Spanish
territories. The deadline was set for August 3rd
of that year. If any Jews were found in Spain
after this period they were to be killed. On the
Jewish calendar, it was the 9th of Av.
Jewish tradition also regards Tisha b'Av as the
day the Children of Israel were prohibited from
entering the Promised Land. You will recall, God
commanded Moses to send 12 spies into the land
of Canaan, one from each of the tribes of
Israel. They returned with tales of a land
flowing with milk and honey. However Israel
feared the inhabitants of the land. Of the 12
spies, only 2, Joshua and Caleb, had faith that
God would deliver the land into their hands. God
had delivered them from slavery and Egypt,
parted the waters of the Red Sea, protected
them, and miraculously provided for their every
need. Yet the nation of Israel was consumed by
fear and doubt, thus God decreed that a
generation would pass away, wandering in the
wilderness, before Israel would be allowed to
enter His Land.
If that weren't enough, the 9th of Av has
marked:
- The declaration of
the Crusades by Pope Urban II in 1095
- The burning of the
Talmud in 1242
- The signing of the
edict by King Edward I in 1290 expelling the
Jews from England
- The start of the
First World War in 1914
- The first killings
at the Treblinka extermination camp in
Poland in 1942
- And the AMIA
bombing by Arab terrorists in 1994 in Buenos
Aires, Argentina, which killed 86 and
wounded more than 120.
Thus the 9th of Av, Tisha B'Av, has become a
symbol of all the persecutions and misfortunes
of the Jewish people, for the loss of their
national independence and their sufferings in
exile. It is a day of intensive mourning for the
destruction of the Temple and for Jerusalem.
In 2005, the 9th of Av marked another milestone
in Israel’s history. That year Tisha b'Av marked
the beginning of the Israeli withdrawal from the
Gaza Strip. All 21 Gaza settlements were
evacuated along with four of 120 settlements in
the West Bank. The withdrawal marked the end of
Israel’s 38 year presence in the Gaza Strip.
Approximately 9000 Jewish settlers were made to
leave their homes, some were forcibly removed.
The withdrawal took place amid a backdrop of
widespread protests, and was accompanied by
whispers of civil war.
The withdrawal was seen as necessary for
Israel’s security. However in the eyes of the
Palestinians, the Gaza withdrawal represented
victory in their armed struggle against the
Israeli occupation. Israel’s retreat was seen as
the direct result of the sacrifice of suicide
bombers and the almost constant barrage of
mortar and rocket on settlements. The bottom
line: it was a victory for terrorism. Six months
later, after being credited for bringing about
the Israeli retreat, the terrorist organization
Hamas claimed victory in the Palestinian
parliamentary elections.
Last year, Tisha b'Av was once again marked by
violence and bloodshed as Israel was embroiled
in its war with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Tisha b'Av is indeed a day of mourning. It is
marked with sadness and fasting. On this day the
Jews are reminded of their tragic history. Yet
they will also be looking forward, toward the
ultimate rebuilding of the Temple, to a time
when the 9th of Av will become a day of joy and
gladness (as it was foretold in Zechariah 8:19).
We do know that the Temple will be rebuilt
because Jesus, John, and Paul all make reference
to it. But we also know that this Temple will be
desecrated by the Coming World Leader when he
sets himself up to be worshiped. It is possible
this prophetic event will also take place on
Tisha B'Av - and may happen in the
not-too-distant future.
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THE TRIBE OF LEVI AND
THE COMING THIRD TEMPLE -
(Print)
A group of Jews
believed to be members of the ancient tribe of
Levi gathered in Jerusalem last week to edify
one another and to bless Israel. There is more
to the gathering than a simple family reunion,
however. Moses and Aaron were Levites, and the
sons of Aaron were called to be the priests of
Israel and to minister in the Temple. These
descendants of the priestly line of Israel
cannot gather together without awakening the
hope for rebuilding the Temple.
The Romans destroyed
the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70 and, ever
since, the priests of Israel have felt a keen
hole in their calling. The sons of Aaron were
given the job of ministering in the Temple and
serving as priests to Israel, not just for a set
period, but forever:
"…and the priest's
office shall be theirs for a perpetual statute:
and thou shalt consecrate Aaron and his sons."
-Exodus 29:9
"And he shall have
it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of
an everlasting priesthood; because he was
zealous for his God, and made an atonement for
the children of Israel." - Numbers 25:13
Yet, for nearly 2000
years there has been no Temple in Jerusalem, and
the Dome of the Rock sits on the Temple Mount.
Yet, certain groups like the Temple Mount
Faithful and members of the Tribe of Levi wait
with hopeful expectation for the day when the
Temple will be rebuilt.
When that day comes,
the Aaronic priests, a "Cohen" in Hebrew, will
be necessary to minister in the Temple. They
also serve another vital function; no Jew will
be able to enter the Temple to worship without
first going through ritual purification, which
can only be accomplished by a Cohen.
The Cohen-Levi family
members who gathered in Jerusalem last week
believe that they are direct descendants of
Aaron, qualified to perpetuate the priestly holy
calling once the Temple is rebuilt. They point
to DNA research that has demonstrated that
members of the Cohen family scattered across the
world have a common set of genetic markers on
the Y chromosome - which is passed from father
to son without recombination.
Certain religious Jews
note that there are many problems still standing
in the way of building the Temple, not the least
of which is Muslim opposition. There are also
questions about the exact location of the First
and Second Temples, the precise spot to put the
altar, the ability to assemble a Sanhedrin to
appoint a high priest, and other vital issues.
They, like us, await
the arrival of Elijah and the Messiah, who will
answer all questions and put everything right.
The lack of a Temple in
Jerusalem is no difficulty for the Christian.
Paul pointed out that our bodies are the Temples
of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19). We have a High
Priest who has passed through the heavens, and
who sits on the right hand of God interceding
for us (Heb. 4:14; 7:25-28; 8:1). We do not need
the blood of lambs and goats to cover our sin,
for we serve the Lamb of God who takes away the
sins of the world (John 1:29; Heb. 9:12-14).
We do await, however,
the rebuilding of the Third Temple. The Bible
indicates it will be will be defiled by the Man
of Sin (Matt. 24:15; 2 Thess 2:4) before Christ
returns to set up his Millennial Kingdom. There
is still a future purpose for the Temple in the
service of the LORD, as the throne of the
Messiah.
Related Links:
•
Israelite priests hold
first gathering since Temple era - Israel Today
•
The Discovery of the
'Cohen Gene' - Cohen-Levi.org
•
Why Don't We Rebuild
The Holy Temple? - Being Jewish.com
•
The Temple Mount and
Land of Israel Faithful Movement -
THE DARK SIDE OF HARRY
POTTER
This past week the seventh and final book in
the Harry Potter series broke sales records to
become the fastest selling book in history. The
book Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,
written by British author J.K. Rowling, sold
more than 8.3 million copies in the US in less
than 24 hours. Since the first book was
published in 1997, Harry Potter has become a
multi-billion dollar franchise. In the past 10
years the Harry Potter series has sold more than
325 million books worldwide, making it the most
popular children's book series ever. However not
everyone is a fan of the boy wizard.
The Harry Potter books have received heavy
criticism from some Christian circles for its
dark content. Not surprisingly, many parents
object to the detailed descriptions of sorcery
found throughout the books as well as the
occasional scenes containing graphic violence.
They believe that the subject matter is not only
unsuitable for children, but also expressly
forbidden by the Word of God. What is
surprising, however, is the number of Christians
who have actually embraced the Harry
Potter phenomenon. Such fans insist that the
books are harmless, yet the Bible is very
explicit on the subject of witchcraft and
sorcery:
"There shall not be
found among you any one that maketh his son
or his daughter to pass through the fire, or
that useth divination, or an observer of
times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a
charmer, or a consulter with familiar
spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For
all that do these things are an abomination
unto the LORD: and because of these
abominations the LORD thy God doth drive
them out from before thee (Deuteronomy
18:10-12)."
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good
evil; that put darkness for light, and light
for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and
sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20)!"
"For there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall shew great signs
and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible, they shall deceive the very elect
(Matthew 24:24)."
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the
Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on
the whole armour of God, that ye may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil. For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places (Ephesians 6:10-12)."
Satan is an expert at parading as an "angel
of light." If he did not make evil look
attractive, people would not be deceived and
drawn in by it. Witchcraft is practiced in the
real world today and it has been made to look
appealing. However, the Bible absolutely
condemns witchcraft, sorcery, divination,
consulting with "familiar spirits" or attempting
to contact the dead. These practices open the
participants up to demonic deception and
oppression, from which they may not be able to
escape.
If you are among those who think that Harry
Potter is just kid stuff, and you are wondering
what all the fuss is about, read the article on
our website titled
"Just Wild About Harry" by Julie Foster for
a more detailed critique of the content of the
Harry Potter books.
Related Links:
•
Harry Potter Fastest
Selling Book in History - Reuters
•
Just Wild About Harry
by Julie Foster - Koinonia House
**IMPORTANT NEWS
HEADLINES**
China Targets
Evangelical Christian "Troublemakers"
- July 24, 2007
China's intelligence is reportedly compiling a
list of potential troublemakers at next year's
Olympics Games in Beijing that includes human
rights activists, non-governmental
organizations, and evangelical Christians.
Meanwhile, other Christian mission groups around
the world have said they plan to evangelize at
the Beijing Games despite China’s ban on foreign
missionaries. CP
Muslim Charity Goes On
Trial - July 24, 2007
The trial of what was the United States' largest
Muslim charity began on Tuesday, with federal
prosecutors saying the group aimed to destroy
Israel and the defense claiming its leaders
simply sought advice on staying true to their
humanitarian mission from Palestinian groups.
The organization and five of its top officials
are charged with aiding terrorists, conspiracy
and money laundering. Haaretz
Enterprise Joins
Carriers in Persian Gulf - July
24, 2007
The US Navy has deployed its nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier the USS Enterprise — the
longest naval vessel in the world and which
carries 66 aircraft — to the Persian Gulf near
the coast of Iran. It will join the USS John C.
Stennis and USS Nimitz carrier strike groups.
WT
US Surveillance to
Undergo a British Revolution? -
July 24, 2007
The speed with which London's surveillance
cameras helped identify bombers and would-be
bombers has prompted calls for extensive
closed-circuit TV networks in the United States.
In New York, officials announced plans to outfit
hundreds of Manhattan buses with cameras and add
3,000 motion sensors to subways and
commuter-rail facilities. CSM
Cambodia Bans Christian
Evangelism - July 24, 2007
Christians in Buddhist-dominated Cambodia are
officially banned from evangelizing because they
"disrupt society," officials said Tuesday.
Christians are restricted to only distributing
religious literatures in churches. Moreover, the
government demands that it authorize the
construction of a church before it is built.
CP
"Ye shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free." John 8:32
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