The Blood Moons. and the Lion s Roar. A Christian ministry helping the Jewish people return to Israel. Find us in the App Stores!

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1 Issue 2/2015 The Blood Moons and the Lion s Roar in this issue The Blood Moons and the Lion s Roar Discerning the Times From Brazil to Buffalo to Holocaust Wall Dedication at the Gesher Center The Place Will Throng With People And afterward I will send for many hunters... pg.2 pg.3 pg.4 pg.5 pg.6 pg.7 Find us in the App Stores!

2 The Blood Moons and the Lion s Roar Pete Scheller Director, Planning and Development Operation Exodus USA There has been a lot of discussion during the past two years about the series of four blood moons coinciding with Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles during 2014 and Some authors and Bible teachers have argued that these eclipses are tremendously significant and signal that something very important will take place concerning during or shortly after their arrival. They point to two similar occurrences in the 20th Century: Immediately following s Declaration of Independence Coinciding with the liberation of Jerusalem You can participate by praying, giving or spreading the message. For more details see back cover of this bulletin. Others have strongly disagreed, saying that far too much has been made of this phenomenon. Permit me to make three observations: 1. Jesus Himself stated that there will be signs in sun and moon and stars (Luke 21:25 ESV). So the idea that the blood moons may be significant is not without some biblical foundation. 2. Almost no one has claimed to know specifically what these blood moons indicate only that they signal something important, most likely in relationship to. 3. There is a much clearer sign of God s activity that many are overlooking: the return of to the Promised Land from all over the earth. Hosea 11:10 (ESV) states, They shall go after the Lord; he will roar like a lion; when he roars, his children shall come trembling from the west Male lions roar for a variety of different reasons, one of which is to announce danger. Indeed, the events we have witnessed during the past twelve months in France and Ukraine, and even the anti-semitic-inspired shootings near Kansas City, tell us that are in danger. We expect the roar of the Lion to get progressively louder over the coming years as the Lord warns of danger and calls His ancient home. 2 What exactly do the blood moons mean? It s hard to say. What does the return of to mean? It means that God is fulfilling His covenants, keeping His promises and vindicating His great Name. So let s lift up our eyes to the heavens but act here on the earth in accordance with God s revealed will to bring his ancient home. God is looking for the active participation of His in fulfilling His plans and purposes in the earth. I encourage you to get involved by praying, giving or spreading the message. For more information, please see the back cover or contact our office.

3 Discerning the Times Pastor Phil Markwardt Chairman, Officer and Director, Operation Exodus USA Warriors from each of the twelve tribes of came to Hebron to turn Saul s kingdom over to David. I Chronicles 12 describes the men as mighty men of valor, men of incredible courage who were highly skilled with weapons of war. Seemingly out of place, near the middle of the list of warriors, is verse 32: Of the sons of Issachar, men who understood the times, with knowledge of what should do,... (NAS). The men of Issachar were not known for being physical warriors, but men who knew God s heart and understood God s calendar. They were strategists with understanding. Without their alert discernment to take on the enemy, the fierce, skilled warriors could fail. As we observe the increasing craziness in our world, we need men of Issachar who understand the times. Understand in Hebrew is closely related to between. It means to have fine-tuned discernment, not just between black and white, but also between better and best. The men of Issachar understood the times. They perceived what was really going on in the world around them. They also knew God s Word, and they understood God s calendar of annual feast times. In 2015 we need to look at all the times to understand what is happening and determine what we should do. Both those with a secular mindset and those with a biblical perspective indicate that 2015 could be a year of very significant events. When we see what is happening in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and the U.S., and add in celestial events like blood moons, it is important to look beyond the events to understand how they fit together and what we are to do. To be like the sons of Issachar, we need to 1) prepare ourselves spiritually by walking/abiding in the Spirit so we can discern between better and best; 2) prepare ourselves mentally by knowing His word, which includes God s appointed times (the feasts); and 3) prepare ourselves physically by getting ready for emergencies and with Operation Exodus as we assist Jews returning to. As we seek to understand the times and know what to do, we can walk in confidence, devoid of fear, knowing that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes on the earth. David reflected in Psalm 131:2-3, But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, O, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore (NIV). If you are sensing that the Lord is calling you to get involved, please respond by making a donation to help a Jewish person. 3

4 Look What the Lord Has Done From Brazil to Buffalo to Kathy Ardino Aliyah Director Operation Exodus USA We are very pleased that, with your prayers and support, we have been able to help our first oleh (immigrant) make aliyah from the Buffalo, New York, area! Meet Michail, a special young man who sent us the following letter prior to leaving for. My name is Michail, and I am a senior at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., finishing my B.S. degree in Foreign Service, International Economics. I plan to dedicate my life to becoming a leader in, to ensure the existence, security, and prosperity of State and especially the vital, mutually beneficial United States- relationship. Your prayers, comments, thoughts, ideas, advice, and constructive criticisms are welcomed and encouraged! I plan to work full-time until I begin an intensive Hebrew program. I hope to start my career in the i Foreign Ministry, move into the hi-tech startup world, and participate in the work of generations to strengthen. Between my Hebrew studies and professional career, I will proudly and willingly serve in the diplomatic or economic units of the Defense Forces (IDF). Michail sent this shortly after arriving in his new home. I was raised with a heart for. While in college I served the community at a local synagogue in Washington, D.C., promoted advocacy on campus, represented Georgetown University at the AIPAC Policy Conference, and successfully lobbied U.S. congressmen on the 2014 AIPAC Iran Policy Letter to Congress. My goal in moving to is to become part of the future leadership needed to ensure that remains the strongest U.S. ally, as well as the homeland of People. I would welcome the opportunity to further explain my goals in making aliyah, and I am deeply grateful for your time and consideration, for which I thank you in advance. Since he left, Michail has stayed in touch. He has done well with learning Hebrew and is currently training in the IDF. 4 We cannot thank you enough for your continued prayers and financial support. In the months ahead your giving will help many more Jewish realize their dream of returning to their ancient home. May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob richly bless and keep you always.

5 Holocaust Wall Dedication at the Gesher Center Reverend David Swaggerty Senior Pastor, CharismaLife Ministries, Operation Exodus USA Representative Columbus, Ohio My dream/vision for 30 years has been to bridge the divide between Jews and Christians. In 2012, within our Activity Center at CharismaLife Ministries we added an 18-foot Holocaust wall that includes three sections: one dedicated to aliyah (immigration to ), another dedicated to the twelve tribes of, and another that displays the scriptures pertaining to God bringing back to and using Gentiles to assist them. We renamed the room our Gesher Center. (Gesher is the Hebrew word for bridge.) On July 30, 2014, my good friend Rabbi Tuly Weisz and I hosted a service to dedicate the Gesher Center. Rabbi Tuly invited many of his Jewish friends, and we had a wonderful service. Approximately 30 influential from the Jewish community including President Jackie Jacobs of Federation in Columbus, Holocaust survivor Murray Ebner, and a local cantor who sang Ha Tikva (The Hope) attended. Debra Minotti, President of Operation Exodus USA, Rabbi Tuly and I spoke about our desire to bridge the gap between Jews and Christians. Our Jewish friends saw that 1) there are Christians in Central Ohio who love them, respect them and want to partner with them in bridging the divide, and 2) most importantly, they can trust us to be real friends. Pastor David and Rabbi Tuly. Holocaust Survivor Murray Ebner and his wife. God graced our meeting with His wonderful presence, and the walls of separation that had previously stood between the two groups seemed to vanish. Afterwards, the attendees visited informally and comfortably throughout the room. The atmosphere had changed as our special guests began to feel very safe among friends. In 1984, the State of Ohio created the slogan, Ohio The Heart of It All. For CharismaLife Ministries today, our Gesher Center is the heart of it all, but it is only the first step in what God is doing in Central Ohio. We believe that the kind of partnerships emerging here between Christians and community will be at the very heart of aliyah in the USA in the days ahead. To God be the glory! Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the s; and they shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders - Isaiah 49:22 (ESV) Debra Minotti with Jewish friends. 5

6 The Place Will Throng With People I will surely gather all of you, O Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with. One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the LORD at their head. Micah 2:12-13 NIV How wonderfully the Lord has taught us through His Word in these critical days when prophecies are being fulfilled before our eyes! These verses have become very relevant as they speak about bringing together like sheep in a pen. If you walk down certain streets in Brooklyn, you see how He has gathered them into close proximity so they will immigrate together to.... ; the place will throng with, is indeed an accurate description of many Jewish areas of New York City. Through Spirit-led, persistent prayer and proclamation of the Word, are we not those who break open the way and break through the gate? We will be in New York City in mid-may with Operation Exodus leaders from Latin America and Canada to stand for that major gate of aliyah (immigration to ) to be broken through. You who pray will be right there with us in the Spirit! Please do pray that: Wendy Beckett USA Prayer Coordinator Operation Exodus USA o (Our) king will pass through before (us), the LORD at (our) head. We trust Him to lead! o The Lord will enable aliyah to increase continually despite the difficulties Jewish face. o He will work through us to build relationships and trust with Community. o We will see a mighty, spiritual breakthrough in New York City as the LORD battles with us. 6 Thank you for standing with us as watchmen on the wall. If you are not a prayer partner, we invite you to be a part of our team and sign up now. For more details please see the back page of this bulletin.

7 And afterward I will send for many hunters Ebenezer Operation Exodus France Xavier Darrieutort National Coordinator France is at war against terrorism, jihad and radical Islam. Such are the very words Manuel Valls, French Prime Minister, spoke to the National Assembly the day after the slaughter at Charlie satirical weekly and Hyperkosher supermarket. Through these events of unprecedented violence, the French leaders, and most of us as well, have come to realize that war is indeed within our country. Add to this the very serious economic, social and moral crisis, as well as watching the inexorable rise of anti-semitism and the increasing number of documented acts, which doubled between 2013 and The events in the summer of 2014 were triggered in response to the Gaza war and showed that the Islamist radicals are not the only ones in our country who openly and violently declare their anti-semitism with unbearable signs, such as Death to the Jews. In fact, flags of French unions and political parties were unashamedly displayed alongside Islamist flags. Between the Merah case in 2012 and the events of this year, community has been in an ever-growing state of anxiety. The Jews in France are constantly stigmatized and pointed out, even to the point of being blamed for their alleged victimization when they are only reminding forgetful minds of the horror of the Holocaust. Sarcelles - July 2014 At Ebenezer Operation Exodus France, since the month of July 2014 we have helped more than 110, including 70 children in need, more than half of these in January 2015 alone. If the recent events have caused quite a number of families in the Paris area to hasten their leaving, the next events that are bound to happen will set off an even larger wave of departure from across France. Knowing this, we must get ready in the confidence that God will act powerfully to help us. To meet the challenge, we need financial resources; we also need to expand our teams, train volunteers to visit families, accompany them and find accommodation for them in times of emergency. Above all, we need prayer warriors for the protection of French Jews, to break every opposition to their going, for us to be equipped with courage and discernment, and to know the will of God so we do not rush before receiving specific instructions. We need to stand firm in the coming storm in France and throughout Europe. We must always be a step ahead of the events in order to be ready, whatever the circumstances, to take care of our elder brothers and sisters, and accompany them where the Lord awaits them: Eretz. Hyperkosher - January 2015 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31 NKJV) Through God, we shall do valiantly. For it is He who shall tread down our enemies. (Psalm 108:13 NKJV) 7

8 Our Purpose We are called to encourage and help Jewish and to proclaim God s purposes for their return. Our Vision We believe God is drawing back to the Land of from the USA and other nations in fulfillment of biblical prophecy (Isaiah 43:5-6), and that the Gentiles are called to assist in their return (Isaiah 49:22). So we will assist immigrants with the immigration process through prayer, encouragement and financial support. Our Values Godly character, partnership, honor, courageous service. Our History Operation Exodus USA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charity. We are affiliated with Ebenezer Emergency Fund International, a started in the United Kingdom in 1991 by Gustav Scheller. There are representatives in over 50 countries around the world. Together, we have helped over 142,000 immigrants. Get Involved! Name: Address: Phone: Add me to your mailing list Send me information about becoming a prayer partner Here is my donation in the amount of $25 $50 $100 Other Payment Options: Monthly Auto-deduction One-time Gift For monthly auto-deduction checking/savings account (ACH), please call (716) You can also call in your gift on your Credit/Debit Card or give online: operationexodususa.org Send information to my friend Friend s Name: Address: Phone: Send me extra copies of this bulletin For more information about Operation Exodus USA: Phone: (716) Address: PO Box 568, Lancaster, NY Info@OperationExodusUSA.org Website: OperationExodusUSA.org Find us in the App Stores!