Thursday, April 2, 2020

A Different Passover Arrows from Zion 4/2/2020


A Different Passover

by Donna Diorio

How is this Passover different from all the other Passovers?



Never in world history have the people of all the nations been in quarantine because of a virus plague killing people. That is one of the most remarkable ways this Passover is different from all the others ever conducted in the history of the world. Personally I do not believe that could possibly be a coincidence that has nothing to do with God.

When the Messiah Yeshua became the world's sacrifice for sin on the cross, fulfilling the prophetic sacrifice of the Passover Lamb, everything in the world changed in an instant. Many in Israel and throughout the world went on as if nothing had happened at all, but others took notice of powerful manifestations of the change. Even among those that witnessed the events firsthand, some of them went on in callous disregard; others knew they were experiencing extraordinary events.

Matthew 27:45-54 tells us what those powerful manifestations were: 
     "From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Yeshua cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
     Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Yeshua to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
     "And when Yeshua had cried out again in a loud voice, He gave up His spirit."
     "At that moment the curtain (veil) of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open.
     "The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. After Yeshua’s resurrection they came out of the tombs and went into the holy city and appeared to many people."
     "When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

Great darkness befell the land as Yeshua was dying and when He gave up His spirit, there was an earthquake that opened up the burial caves. Only three days later, after Yeshua's resurrection, were the dead awakened coming out of their tombs to show themselves in Jerusalem. First the deep darkness, then the earthshaking change, then the dead awakening in resurrection.

This is a spiritual progression, just like the spiritual progression that is rehearsed by the command of God among the Jews each Passover. The last two of the 10 plagues to strike Egypt were the plague of darkness and the death of the first born sons. There was darkness in Egypt, but not in Goshen where God's people were. Then when the death angel visited, God's people were told to 'quarantine' in their homes. They were sacrifice a lamb, put its blood on the doorposts of their houses, and to eat the Passover Lamb. Every household that did this, the death angel passed over.

Yet even after all this there was still hardness of heart in Egypt, and so will there be hardness of heart in our world as this 2020 Passover-worldwide-Crown Virus subsides. Corona is a Latin word for Crown and the Corona virus name was chosen because under the microscope the coronaviruses have a series of crown-like spikes on its surface. It is a virus that affects the respiratory system making it hard to breathe. The enemy is try to steal the breath of those that God wants to breathe the Holy Spirit of eternal life into.

Spiritually speaking these facts certainly don't seem coincidental because the battle in this world is is over who or what wears the Crown - the ruling authority - in our lives. Is it the King of kings or is it one of the many idols of the world?  This visitation is about His rule over our lives and the protection and security we have in that eternally. So much so that He crowns us with life, as Psalms 103:2-4 says, "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds— He who forgives all your iniquities, and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the Pit and crowns you with loving devotion and compassion".

This is our God, who even in this moment when fear is gripping the hearts of people worldwide, our Abba has redeemed our lives from the pit and crowned us with loving devotion and compassions. Even as life appears to return to normal, we know that spiritually everything will have changed. Just like in the day that Yeshua died as our Passover Lamb, and the tombs of spiritual darkness were broken open by the supernatural earthquake, so too in the aftermath of this pandemic, many people and I believe a huge number of them will be in Israel, will begin to emerge from their spiritual tombs, awakened by GOD to new life by the veil being lifted from their eyes and able at last to see their King for who He is.

We who know the LORD, know we are experiencing the most unusual of situations on the earth. When has there ever been any like this — and yet there is a thread of likeness to other dramatic, world changing spiritual events in Biblical history. These are events that drew the eyes of those that God had called to see, like Moses and the burning bush, or the Eastern magi who saw the star of Yeshua's birth, or the centurion guards who registered at the death of Yeshua that the darkness and the earthquake were no mere coincidence to the death of the "King of the Jews" on a Roman cross.

I believe this Passover is so different from all the others because it is the Passover that the veil is being lifted. This is the time I believe God would have us all focus on are all those who were spiritually entombed in darkness, whom God is about to spiritually awaken and send out into Jerusalem to show themselves. 


Arrows from Zion
Summarized from the Weekly Summary of Prayer Requests Israeli Ministries by subscription only donna@israelprayer.com
 



Starting this week with a powerful article from Avner Boskey that I 100% agree with —an issue that has seriously vexed my spirit for two decades. It is called Drinking the cup of poison and it is regarding the plague of conspiracy theories "an ‘equal opportunity deceiver’." As Avner points out, "Christians of all stripes (Catholics, Orthodox, Reformed, Evangelicals and Charismatics) are not immune.... Conspiracy theories are dangerous whirlpools dragging us into turbulent and deep waters. The rapids on this wild ride pour over the waterfalls of paranoia and finally collect in the cesspools of anti-Semitism."  Please read. This is a serious form of deception that effects so many Christians, it is a spiritual barometer.  

The Morning Star Fellowship in Tiberias led by Claude & Michelle Ezagouri are among the many Israeli ministries who are following the government restrictions and finding other ways to hold services, prayer meetings, discipling and keeping connected at a community. (I believe that obeying the government authorities in this is a great discipling lesson in itself!). Several things they need are more funds to meet the needs of so many of their people out of work, for keeping food charity going out to those in dire straits, and also money to buy equipment that will allow them to live stream their services. As all the congregations are becoming equipped to do this in Israel, the silver lining is, of course, that it multiplies the number of people in their communities that they can reach with the message of Yeshua in a completely private and non-threatening manner that is also fully by the choice of the person watching. This is no minor silver lining development for many of the ministries who are now becoming equipped to do their services live streaming. When Coronavirus is gone, this is one outreach that will stay in place spreading the good news of the Messiah in Israel.


FRIDAY (tomorrow) Arni Klein of Emmaus Way in Tiberias will be shown on an hour-long interview he did in the UK last month with Simon Barrett’s Middle East Report on the Revelation TV website. Friday, April 3 at 21:00 GMT | Re-airing Sunday April 5 at 15:30 GMT | Monday April 6 at 6:00 GMT

Eric Benson from the rehab House of Victory in the Carmel Congregation satellite of ministries writes that their house is full and "open to all strangers who are willing to seek the Lord and obey the rules of our program. It is only a matter of time before the personality of each man is brought to the light. Hidden motives and secret agendas eventually are revealed. It is at this time our love for each man must also arise in order for them to have a revelation of the love of God." This is a mighty work to re-claim lost lives the rest of society has given up on, but they have shining examples of how compassionate and able God is able to turn around the most wrecked of lives. Even though cut off from the many tour groups from the nations that come to see, help and bless, they are continuing in the work that is within the bounds of the current restrictions. Pray for God to meet the needs and prepare many answers to prayer for them.

In Revive Israel, Asher Intrater gives his Summary of End Times – Part 2. Also Please listen to the Live broadcast from Revive Israel that aired today because of very important prophetic message shared, and also last week Praise, Prophecy, Prayer, Preaching from Revive Israel. Also VIDEO Serving as a Leader with Cody Archer | Asher and Dan's book Israel, The Church And The Last Days

The Arad Mercy of Yeshua congregation is dealing with the health restrictions by breaking into small groups according to language and also making the messages accessible to members via private Youtube. They continue to help the needy - increasing even because so many are now without work to pay for food. By law the elderly are not to leave their houses at all so the younger people in the congregation are buying and delivering groceries to the elderly doorsteps so no potential infection. They ask prayer for everyone's protection and for the number of healthcare workers in their congregation. As always, financial donations would be welcomed. Pray for their good Mayor Nisan who tested positive for the virus.

The congregation in S'derot is also serving a poor community with much humanitarian outreach, so Michael and Dina Beener of the City of Life are following the guidelines even as they deliver bags of food to the most needy in their city. Their congregational meetings are now carried out online so them can stay in the parameters of public safety to "avoid the concentration of people in a closed place as the authorities ordered us." What a powerful witness the Israeli ministries are both to the people who so welcome their care in delivering much needed help and also to the government struggling to keep the spread of the virus as low as possible! If you can help, please donate.

From Avishalom Tekel at the Tents of Mercy in northern coastal Israel, "Even though we put our trust in God's strong arm to intervene, we are well aware that many of you are being affected by the chaos, financially and otherwise, as are we. The world is sick and in pain, from the virus, fear of catching the virus, protective sanctions that have been put in place and the resulting consequences on the world economy.... Yet in the midst of all this, I am reminded of Yeshua looking upon Jerusalem with tears in His eyes.... God’s heart aches for people in pain, while He grants them hope. Hope and brokenness can co-exist.... We are called to weep for the hurt as well as intercede to God on behalf of our nations as His priests. We need to see the pain and allow the time of brokenness to be a driving force to serve Him - especially during these times. Beloved I believe the best is yet to come!" That is why they are pressing still - within the govt guidelines - to prepare Passover baskets for 800 families in their area. "Through your faithful partnership and support we are able to feed the hurting and the needy, to be a light in dark times. We want to thank you deeply for your sacrificial commitment and support. You are in our prayers! Please pray for us."

Howard Bass of the Yeshua's Inheritance congregation in Beer Sheva is also complying with all the govt restrictions with messages recorded and uploaded to their new YouTube channel. But Howard is also thinking long term in light of the End Times things that scripture warns us will come: "I am convinced that the Scriptures encourage believers to meet together physically. (Heb 10:25), and especially as the Day approaches. THIS will be a real challenge when it is not a virus, but persecution that prevents us from gathering in significant numbers. We are going to need the wisdom, and the courage, to trust and obey the Lord when such a time comes upon us.  It will bear some resemblance to the first church that we read about in the beginning of Acts, except that we will be very much nearer to the Lord's return than what they at first hoped. The pattern begins with small house groups that grow. The natural tendency is to big a bigger house so that more people can come, and because they are coming.  What we see in the epistles, and in the letters to the seven churches, is that they were generally written to churches in a city, with joint leadership overseeing them, probably drawn from the leaders from the various groups that were meeting, or being overseen. The Bible speaks of the elders of the city. Anyway, I do believe we will be heading in that direction. How it comes about, and will be implemented in such a way to show that there is love and unity amongst those who are disciples of Yeshua/Jesus/Yasua/.... I trust the Holy Spirit to lead us as the time goes on, ready for when the real and felt need arises." Very interesting thoughts to consider for the times ahead. Bass also writes, " Here is my teaching for our second Corona service"

Israel Pochtar of the Ashdod Beit Hallel, "With less than 7 days left before Passover officially starts, we want to ensure we don’t let outward circumstances change our God-given mission: to be a blessing to people in need. Our goal is to provide 1000 families with hot meals during the Passover week, as well as 500 food packets which we will bring to families or individuals that are currently left without survival means. Currently the humanitarian need in Israel is greater than ever. We really need your help now to ensure we can help as many as possible before Passover during this nationwide lockdown in Israel. Every act of kindness matters!

The Kerem-El congregation on Mt Carmel led by Yonatan Arnold and Stefan and Keren Silver say it plainly (and I applaud them): "The ministry of Kerem-El continues in crisis and is even more necessary as our members struggle with the unexpected realities now facing them. Many are on unpaid leave due to businesses being shuttered in compliance with government regulations." Giving to Israeli ministries has already been down in the last handful of years, yet like their fellow Israeli ministries, Kerem-El is pressing on in their ministry to their congregation and community. They are live streaming services, video conferencing, prayer meetings by Zoom, and they have received city approval to continue in their volunteer network to bring food and prescriptions to the elderly. I love their honesty: "Lift up Kerem-El, for the brothers and sisters who are wrestling with their faith, struggling to trust daily needs to God, the deeper faith that is required when no explanation is available and no visible or tangible guarantee for the future is at hand." This is probably a reality going on in the whole world among people of faith. Let's pray into it - and help Kerem-El through financial help too.

The weekly prayer request letter from Maoz reflected a common problem we have also seen here in the USA as some religious groups have been defiant against public safety restrictions, and the sense among young people that they are invincible, so also defying restrictions. Both groups are now suffering major infection in their community and age group. Maoz writes, "It is no wonder then that now in Israel the highest demographic to have caught the virus is the 20-29, age group."  The ultra-Orthodox are upwards of 30% infected according to some reports. We will likely see the same increases in our nations among those who will not comply. This is not to point a finger - we need to be seriously compasionate with those who refused wisdom. God can yet redeem them through His love in the person of Messiah Yeshua. Maoz also asks, " Father turns the hearts of the children to the fathers – reconnect the generations and cause the younger generation worldwide to understand the value of the older generation."

Tikkun Global has "suspended our normal fundraising apparatus to raise funds exclusively for hurting Israelis. Please consider our “COVID-18” project to bless the needy among the household of faith in Israel and also "be an answer to prayer for those who do not yet know Yeshua." Please make a small sacrifice of $18.

Avi Mizrachi's Dugit, the "little fishing boat," is also fishing for men even in this time of worldwide Coronavirus lockdown. One way is by helping needy Israelis to by Passover food. "Your gifts to Dugit help us to be a Passover blessing and share the good news of Yeshua with the people of Israel during this difficult time. You enable us to be a light to those who are hurting, to be food to the hungry, and healing to the broken. Please help us provide for those in need and reach them with the love of God and the good news of salvation!"

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
URGENT PRAYER NEED from Ronit Bender whose cardiologist told her that her irregular heartbeat is SEVERE, and is suggesting further tests. Please intercede for Ronit: No weapon formed against her shall prosper! | Olga Bikas severe back pain has kept her in "quarantine" for the past 4 years or so! Please pray for God to do a miracle of healing for Olga. | Please pray for Rachel Netanel's brother who is in dire health | Please continue to pray for Jacob Damkani for 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.| Pray for Rania Sayegh who asks for prayer of restoration of strength, energy, and complete healing.



 Live Streaming Passover Event
Join us on the 7th of April (3pm Jerusalem)!

We’re calling the Body of Christ, from every nation, to join us as we celebrate Passover as one. It is time for the Global Ekklesia to rise and shine as one army, in holy array under the blood of our Passover Lamb.

For the King and His unshakeable Kingdom!

The event will be live-streamed on the Revive Israel Facebook account and Watchmen YouTube channel.

More information to come on the Watchmenwebsite.








Donna Diorio 
donna@israelprayer.com or donna@d10r10.com
Donations appreciated | 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.

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