This
week in a series of special events Israel is commemorating
75 years since Jews were liberated from Auschwitz-Birkenau,
the largest concentration-death camp.
Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27th,
but already international government dignitaries have begun arriving in Israel
as the Jewish State tries to remind the world where unchecked Antisemitism ultimately leads.
75 years since Jews were liberated from Auschwitz-Birkenau,
the largest concentration-death camp.
Holocaust Remembrance Day is January 27th,
but already international government dignitaries have begun arriving in Israel
as the Jewish State tries to remind the world where unchecked Antisemitism ultimately leads.
Understanding the Holocaust
In
the graphic above is pictured a new book release of the only novel written in
real time at Auschwitz. Eddy de Wind, a survivor of Auschwitz wrote it in the
camp in the days immediately after it was liberated 75 years ago. I read Eddy de
Wind's tragic story this week in a Times of Israel
article about the book and de Wind's own struggle with the psychological
aftermath of Holocaust survival. A physician, he wrote in his book, “You are
tired sick and disgusted with yourself, because you are a human being and
because an SS-man is also a ‘human being.”
A few years later in 1949, in an essay about the “psychological consequences of persecution,” he introduced the term “concentration camp syndrome.”
Eddy de Wind struggled his whole life to understand the trauma he and other Holocaust survivors suffered, some of the post traumatic stresses did not ever manifest until some thirty years afterwards, and by then had already impacted their generations post-Holocaust. He never did fully understand or recover from the trauma, even on his death bed.
It could not be easy reading - even this article about the book is not easy reading - but I think we must try to comprehend the magnitude of Jewish Holocaust trauma. We dare not go on thinking it is just a horrible thing that happened like many other horrible things that happen to human beings in this fallen world. Especially as spiritual people who realize we are moving into times when Antisemitism is again surging internationally.
The Holocaust, and the thousands of years of anti-Semitism can never be understood apart from the eminent calling and claim of God upon the Jewish people.
As for the impact of the Holocaust upon the Jewish people, there is almost nothing that truly conveys the horror of being a people being persecuted for not just centuries, but for thousands of years, to face the most horrible persecution of all, the systematic attempt to bring Jews to a final, complete genocide.
Who can fathom such hatred? It is impossible, because it is a spiritual hatred. This is why even in other attempted genocides in history, as horrific as they are, they cannot be compared to the Holocaust. It is not a matter of what group of people suffered the most barbaric of human mistreatment, it is a matter of being singled out by evil spirits attacked the people God has promised to return to His great favor and redemption.
Antisemitism is not about racism. It is not about tribalism, human greed for land, power or domination. Antisemitism is about the Jewish people being chosen of God and destined to be perhaps one of His greatest signs of His own faithfulness as He fulfills His ancient promises to them.
After being exiled by God and scattered throughout the world, the Jews have experienced persecution in every nation they fled to. Yes, they were the chosen people to bring for the Redeemer of the world, but their setting aside was not an afterthought with God. It was for the purpose of opening salvation to the whole world - not that Jews would never taste so great a salvation.
Yet after their exile, Jews would experience persecution in every country where they were scattered. The Holocaust is so horrific because as horrific as it was, it was crescendo of all of the historical persecutions rolled into a monumental effort to decimate the Jews completely. Who can fathom that kind of hatred? and for what? What could the Jews have possibly done to have such a powerful hatred arise against them?
When I first came into the Messianic movement and began to study about the Jewish people, their resistance to the Gospel, to their own Messiah, I began to study the Holocaust and all the persecutions that came before it. Mostly I read the books of Messianic Jews on the subject, but I also read the books of other Jewish writers trying to understand the same thing I was seeking to understand too: what caused the Holocaust? what is the cause of anti-Semitism?
I have found no greater answer to my question than the prophetic passage of Zechariah 1:12-17, specifically verse 15:
Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus says the Lord of heavenly armies; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
15 And I am very sore displeased with the nations that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Therefore thus says the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, says the Lord of armies, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
The nations "helped forward" the affliction of the Jews. God was "but a little displeased" with the Jews, but men in the nations punished the Jews, often thinking they were doing God's will. It never was. Exile was God's punishment; Antisemitism is entirely man's doing.
A few years later in 1949, in an essay about the “psychological consequences of persecution,” he introduced the term “concentration camp syndrome.”
Eddy de Wind struggled his whole life to understand the trauma he and other Holocaust survivors suffered, some of the post traumatic stresses did not ever manifest until some thirty years afterwards, and by then had already impacted their generations post-Holocaust. He never did fully understand or recover from the trauma, even on his death bed.
It could not be easy reading - even this article about the book is not easy reading - but I think we must try to comprehend the magnitude of Jewish Holocaust trauma. We dare not go on thinking it is just a horrible thing that happened like many other horrible things that happen to human beings in this fallen world. Especially as spiritual people who realize we are moving into times when Antisemitism is again surging internationally.
The Holocaust, and the thousands of years of anti-Semitism can never be understood apart from the eminent calling and claim of God upon the Jewish people.
As for the impact of the Holocaust upon the Jewish people, there is almost nothing that truly conveys the horror of being a people being persecuted for not just centuries, but for thousands of years, to face the most horrible persecution of all, the systematic attempt to bring Jews to a final, complete genocide.
Who can fathom such hatred? It is impossible, because it is a spiritual hatred. This is why even in other attempted genocides in history, as horrific as they are, they cannot be compared to the Holocaust. It is not a matter of what group of people suffered the most barbaric of human mistreatment, it is a matter of being singled out by evil spirits attacked the people God has promised to return to His great favor and redemption.
Antisemitism is not about racism. It is not about tribalism, human greed for land, power or domination. Antisemitism is about the Jewish people being chosen of God and destined to be perhaps one of His greatest signs of His own faithfulness as He fulfills His ancient promises to them.
After being exiled by God and scattered throughout the world, the Jews have experienced persecution in every nation they fled to. Yes, they were the chosen people to bring for the Redeemer of the world, but their setting aside was not an afterthought with God. It was for the purpose of opening salvation to the whole world - not that Jews would never taste so great a salvation.
Yet after their exile, Jews would experience persecution in every country where they were scattered. The Holocaust is so horrific because as horrific as it was, it was crescendo of all of the historical persecutions rolled into a monumental effort to decimate the Jews completely. Who can fathom that kind of hatred? and for what? What could the Jews have possibly done to have such a powerful hatred arise against them?
When I first came into the Messianic movement and began to study about the Jewish people, their resistance to the Gospel, to their own Messiah, I began to study the Holocaust and all the persecutions that came before it. Mostly I read the books of Messianic Jews on the subject, but I also read the books of other Jewish writers trying to understand the same thing I was seeking to understand too: what caused the Holocaust? what is the cause of anti-Semitism?
I have found no greater answer to my question than the prophetic passage of Zechariah 1:12-17, specifically verse 15:
Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long will you not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which you have had indignation these threescore and ten years? And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus says the Lord of heavenly armies; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.
15 And I am very sore displeased with the nations that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction.
Therefore thus says the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, says the Lord of armies, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem. Cry yet, saying, Thus says the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; and the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, and shall yet choose Jerusalem.
The nations "helped forward" the affliction of the Jews. God was "but a little displeased" with the Jews, but men in the nations punished the Jews, often thinking they were doing God's will. It never was. Exile was God's punishment; Antisemitism is entirely man's doing.
Today
the Times of Israel carried an article on the what is unfolding as "the
biggest diplomatic event in Israel’s history" — the World Holocaust Forum
that Israel is hosting as part of the 75th anniversary of the liberation of
Auschwitz. "It was meant to be a rather small summit," the TOI
reports, that an expected 10 to 15 world leaders or top dignitaries would
attend. What has happened instead is 41 heads of state from 49 countries
attending. "Israeli diplomats said that not even the funerals of Yitzhak
Rabin and Shimon Peres drew groups of foreign dignitaries like the ones attending
this week’s Holocaust commemoration."
The
event was planned to have a dual purpose: “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting
Antisemitism.” It is to honor the memory of the Holocaust but also to combat
the rising Antisemitism we are hearing about daily in international news.
Pardon
my notice, but the event has drawn many leaders who are keen to pay their
respects as Holocaust Memorials but then return to their home countries in
full-tilt hypocrisy failing to advocate measures to curb alarming rises in Antisemitism.
France's leader Macron is happy to breakfast with Israeli Prime Minister
Netanyahu at the event, meanwhile back home the French courts dismissed charges
against a Muslim who murdered a Jewish woman because he had been smoking
marijuana. Is that a defense for murder?
Nancy
Pelosi, leader of the American House of Representatives is thrilled to make an
appearance, but refuses to specifically call out the most Antisemitic Democrat
voices in the House, namely Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib who continuously issue Antisemitic statements.
Or
how about all those nation states who are willing to continue relationship with
Iran for trade purposes knowing that Iran is racing toward nuclear capability
to make good on its promises to obliterate Israel from existence?
Perhaps
God has drawn all these international statesmen to Israel for the very purpose
of giving them one last chance to hear Israel make its case about how
Antisemitism ultimately leads to murder and even genocide. We should pray for
our nations as the sheep and goats are being counted. For to truly understand
the Holocaust, we must understand that it is the spiritual foreshadow of Armageddon.
Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly
Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli
Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
Ron Cantor sends the report on Jerusalem hosting World Holocaust Forum
which starts officially tomorrow, 1/23/20. He also reports sharing in
Barcelona, Spain as other Tikkun/Revive Israel team ministers take the messages
on Israel to Latvia. "Europe has been dominated by
replacement theology for millennia. But slowly, it is changing!" One
question Ron was asked in Spain: Do Israelis support Trump? (They do! Big
time.)
Ron also
promises to tell us soon how the new Hebrew-language gospel cable
channel, Shelanu TV, got approved on Israel's largest cable provider. Keep this
in your prayers against all opposition. Finally, the May Up to Zion Israel Tour with Ron and
Elana
Israel Pochtar gives a report on the 750 people who joined their evangelism
extravaganza in the Galilee with many healed and testified to how deeply they
felt their hearts touched. Pray for the seeds planted to bear much fruit and
for the efforts that will now go into to following up with all who
participated. "We have discipleship courses and seminars lined up that
focus on Bible studies, marriage and family, roots of our faith, and so much
more. The idea is to enable each one to find what he needs most and have the
Lord meet them right where they are in life, through these powerful
tools." Currently the Beit Hallel congregation is in their annual 21 Days
of Prayer.
April 27 - May 6 Pochtar invites you to the Voice of Judah Israel Tour with Provident Ministries. There are only 15 spots left available so Watch the video | Learn more here online
Combining a couple of Tikkun Global mailings, here are many articles that
will bless you from various ministers, I especially recommend Dan Juster's Israel’s Orthodox
Jewish Crisis and his Narratives. From
peacemaker Eitan Shishkoff, Pride Divides; Humility Heals.
A report by Yevgeni Stanukevich
on the Eagle Project Update,
discipling & equipping nextGen Israeli leaders and servants. Plus appeal
for flood relief
efforts for Nahariya which were initiated by Harvest of Asher's Guy Cohen in
nearby Acco.
Also the announcement of a Dallas-Ft Worth conference April 3-4, The Prophetic Destiny of Israel from Tikkun
International with Revive Israel, Open Door Church & GOD TV at OpenDoor
Church in Burleson. Speakers Ward Simpson, Troy Brewer, Cindy Jacobs, Ron
Cantor, with Paul Wilbur and Ana Paula Valadao. registration
open now
Chaim Malespin at Aliyah Return Center sends 2020 Kingdom Vision 3d VIDEO: Membership. DONATE
[I actually got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes watching the people from the nations talking about coming to Israel to help Jews have a place after making aliyah. - dd]
[I actually got a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes watching the people from the nations talking about coming to Israel to help Jews have a place after making aliyah. - dd]
Revive Israel sends its January Team Update with reports from
team members ministering in in Germany, France and Slovakia. Asher spoke at the
largest prayer house in Europe, founded by Johannes Hartl, a
Spirit-filled Catholic. It drew 12,000 participants of many denominations. For
many it was the first time to encounter a Messianic Jew and hear about the
restoration of the Messianic remnant. “As Israel representatives we blessed the
nation of Germany to rise into her destiny and walk forward in covenant with
Israel. Many were in tears and deeply moved as this was the first time they had
heard this message”, said Sarah from the Revive team.
In Dec, Youval Yanay taught for a week at the prophetic school at the Christian Assembly of Toulouse. “Unity amongst the believers is lacking in France, like so many other places in our world”, Youval says. “We also need to pray against the spirit of humanism and rebellion against God amongst the French people. For the veil to lift and for Yeshua to be revealed.” Also in Dec Tal Robin and Roni Rejwan brought the ‘One New Man in Messiah’ to Czechs and Slovaks in Dolný Kubín, Slovakia. Tal requests, “Please take a few moments to pray for Slovakia: For the growth of true believers in the Catholic community. Against the lies and false reporting of the prevalent anti-Semitism. For unity amongst believers in the region (Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic) and with Israel”.
In Dec, Youval Yanay taught for a week at the prophetic school at the Christian Assembly of Toulouse. “Unity amongst the believers is lacking in France, like so many other places in our world”, Youval says. “We also need to pray against the spirit of humanism and rebellion against God amongst the French people. For the veil to lift and for Yeshua to be revealed.” Also in Dec Tal Robin and Roni Rejwan brought the ‘One New Man in Messiah’ to Czechs and Slovaks in Dolný Kubín, Slovakia. Tal requests, “Please take a few moments to pray for Slovakia: For the growth of true believers in the Catholic community. Against the lies and false reporting of the prevalent anti-Semitism. For unity amongst believers in the region (Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic) and with Israel”.
Revive also sent 2 videos: Drug Rehab in Jerusalem, Grant Berry Yeshua Won’t Come Back Until This Happens
Avi Mizrachi
of Dugit Messianic Outreach (and Adonai Roi congregation) writes of their commitment
to proclaim the gospel to the 7 million Jews who live in Israel (fewer than
20,000 are followers of Yeshua). This is what the Dugit outreach and Cafe
HaOgen evangelistic coffeehouse in Tel Aviv are about. Their staff and members
are also out on the street reaching out and helping needy people because they
know that the message of Yeshua is their only hope. You can help.
The 3rd Bat-Zion women's conference, Women of Valor, is about to reach hundreds of women from all over Israel. Last year they had 250 women attend, and if you can help them, they will be subsidizing the cost for meals, lodging and transportation to bring in even more this year. If you can give to build up the Israeli women attending this conference please help.
Richard and Carolyn Hyde of Heart of G-d ministries joined in with those
who ministered
on the streets of Haifa during the Holiday of Holidays street festival. They
send many encouraging conversations with those they planted the seeds of the
gospel with during the festival. On 1/17 Carolyn got a call from Dean Bye in
Uganda asking her to come to the Africa-Israel prayer conference - so off she
went! She also wrote about their Living Stones Experience where tour
groups are invited to enjoy an evening of worship,
testimonies and dinner in our Galilee home or at your hotel. This is a real
blessing & an especially bright spot for tour groups who are seeing really
only the ancient sites and not the living stones - the current Israeli
followers of Yeshua.
They report that the Porta Nigra prayer assignment journey is really coming together (to a major stronghold in Europe where Communism and the Church as an institution were birthed). For more information please click here. If this resonates with you, please let us know. They also have ministry dates in Germany in February, North and South Carolina in May and Texas plus ? this summer!
They report that the Porta Nigra prayer assignment journey is really coming together (to a major stronghold in Europe where Communism and the Church as an institution were birthed). For more information please click here. If this resonates with you, please let us know. They also have ministry dates in Germany in February, North and South Carolina in May and Texas plus ? this summer!
When we shared the review of events at Hamaayan congregation in Kfar Saba
on 1/8 we only had the text - and the review was quite dependent on the
accompanying photos which we do not really have the space to share in our
weekly summaries. But never fear, because you can catch it all - photos and text - online at the
congregational blog now!
Chuck Cohen of Intercessors for Israel in Jerusalem send the
first 2 installments of their prayer conference going on now: VIDEO Update #1 and VIDEO Update
#2. Plus this teaching from the conference from Cohen, For Just a Time Like This
Guy Cohen
sent out a wonderful teaching from Ezekiel on the pride of kings, which seems
fitting for events like those going on in Israel. (He was thinking about the
elections, I'm thinking about the hypocrisy of leaders flocking to the
Holocaust commemorations while allowing Antismitism to run rampant at home!)
You can read it in full at the Harvest of Asher Facebook
page or in the Weekly Summary.
The weekly prayer requests from Maoz Ministries covers an unusual topic
this week, the Vulnerable in Israel's society (especially the elderly and immigrants who
don’t know the language) who are vulnerable to scams. They include many
specific prayer points, even including those in business who come into contact
with tourists, to not cheat them because they don't know the money well enough
to catch it. There are many points on this issue, including European monies
returned to Israel for Holocaust survivors...that Israel will find the rightful
owners. " Father, let the land of Israel be known for integrity, brotherly
kindness and generosity – not greed, fraud and deception." amen and amen
Also
covered in the Maoz letter is how Israel is also grappling with gender issues
and aggressive LGBTQ agendas for children. There are many points offered for
the protection of Israel's children; concerning the elections, the next
government and the Trump peace plan; also the uptick of attacks from Gaza
terrorists. See more in the Weekly Summary or connect directly with the
ministry.
Urgent HEALING Needs: Life and Death is
in the power of the tongue
Please keep in prayer these Israeli ministry leaders
and believers with urgent health needs
Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani, who remains after surgery locked in
the place of non-communication. Pray the LORD's mercies over Jacob and his dear
wife, Elisheva | Continue please to pray for Ruth Nessim Critical prayer need she is losing sight! Prayers for a
miracle for Ruth.| Olga Bikas
has longstanding severe back pain. please keep praying for Olga. Sadly, she is not getting better and
recently she has even felt worse for a period of time.
Please
continue to pray for all the Israeli ministry leaders who contracted influenza - it is a strain that really
hangs on as it has for Shlomy Abramov who is still taking breathing treatments
to try to get over it. Please pray.
Pray for Rania Sayegh who asks for prayer of
restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing. | Ronit Bender says my heart valve is still leaking but my
lungs are fine. I totally have peace about my health, although it is far from
great. I still appreciate prayer, as I need it.
THANK YOU to those who have considered this ministry worthy of financial support.
Donna Diorio donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Donations appreciated | paypal.me/DonnaDiorio
Or look up on paypal: donna@israelprayer.com
Or by postal mail make
donations payable to the order of Donna Diorio
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
P O Box 111302 Carrollton, Texas 75006 | I do not have tax exempt status.
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