We’re back from Wolkite (pronounced Wuhl-KEE-tay), Ethiopia, and are excited to tell you about the trip. You were a big part of all that took place there because your generosity and prayers made this Medical Outreach possible.

About four out of five patients we treated in Wolkite suffered from ear or hearing issues. The Lord expressed His love for the people by meeting this prevalent need, both in the Medical Clinic and Spiritual Care Ministry.

One mother brought her 12-year-old son, who couldn’t hear. While they waited with medical staff for hearing aids, a doctor prayed for him. And the Lord opened the boy’s ears! Their smiles were so big! Afterward, this mother and son, who were Muslim, went across the street to the prayer area, where they both heard the Gospel and prayed to receive Jesus as Messiah!

About 80% of Wolkite’s population professes Islam, including many Jewish people driven to do so by oppression and persecution. A pastor working with us – a veteran of Muslim ministry in Ethiopia – was astonished at how many Muslims came to receive prayer in the name of Jesus during this Outreach.

The Living Waters team visited Jewish villages around Wolkite, taking water education, LifeStraw water filters, and sharing the Gospel with Jewish families.

In all, 8,781 people in Wolkite received much-needed medical care, and 538 prayed to proclaim Jesus as their Messiah. Below are a few more numbers related to the Outreach, each representing individual lives – and therefore families – impacted by the care you helped us provide. Thank you!

Wolkite, Ethiopia Medical Outreach

• 8,781 Patients Seen
• 149 Family LifeStraw Water Filters Given
• 2 Community LifeStraw Water Devices Given
• 1,746 Eyeglasses Distributed
• 163 Eye Surgeries Performed
• 80 Minor Surgeries
• 1,448 Patients Visited the Spiritual Care Ministry
• 538 People Professed Faith in Jesus

Ethiopian Messianic Jewish congregations that you help support continue working in Wolkite, visiting families who received water filters, building relationships and spreading the Gospel. Please remember them in your prayers. And thank you again for your generosity that enabled such life-transforming ministry to take place.

We have news on a cause for celebration, and also a cancellation. Will you join us in praise and prayer?

PRAISE AND CELEBRATION: In our last Prayer Points, we asked you to pray for a unique gathering of Messianic Jewish leaders recently held in the U.S., with leaders from all over the world, including Israel. THANK YOU for your prayers. This was a benchmark gathering. Although the theme was general, “Healthy Leadership,” the Lord imparted specific and consistent threads throughout the teaching and encouraged those in attendance. It truly was a rich and memorable time, and many said it was the best gathering of its kind they had attended. The Lord answered your prayers.

NOW, would you please pray for congregational leaders in Africa?

A CANCELLATION: This Prayer Points was originally intended to invite you to pray for our Messianic Leadership Training trip to Africa, which would start now and cover the next several weeks. However, due to unrelated situations in both Ethiopia and Zimbabwe, this trip has been postponed.

We are disappointed because, as Paul says in Romans 1:11, we have longed to see these congregational leaders in person so we could encourage them and see them strengthened in the Lord. However, we know that our desire to see them and the trip’s timing are in the Lord’s hands, and we trust Him.

Now – all the more in light of the cancellation – we want to focus our prayers on these dear congregational leaders in Africa.

Please join us in praying for:

• The Lord to comfort any disappointment over this cancellation – on both sides – and open the way for the visits to take place in the first half of 2022
• These leaders to feel seen, known and encouraged despite the delay of our in-person visit
• Messianic Jewish leaders in each country to be further equipped to live out of their own God-given authority to govern, grow, and see supernatural provision for the work of their congregations and organizations
• The Lord to use them to strengthen and grow the Messianic Movement in their countries by networking and partnering with one another, including those from other tribes and regions
• Favor from all authorities, leaders and community members as well as protection from disease and unrest
• Faith, endurance and hope to continue fighting the good fight of faith, making the most of every opportunity the Lord provides them as they love and serve Him and each other

Let’s pray:

Lord, how we have longed to be with these brothers and sisters, leaders in the Messianic body of believers in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe. Thank You that even when we can’t be with them, You are. Please sustain, encourage and grow them in You. Help them be blameless and pure, shining like lights in the midst of their generation. May they live out the reality of knowing Yeshua and draw many to You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

As we move closer toward the end of the year, I’m writing to ask for your generous support…

I shared recently how God continues to open the doors for our Outreaches in Africa.

And in these final weeks of the year, we've set a goal of raising $209,000 by year's end to meet the urgent needs of hurting and suffering Jewish people.

The impact for the Kingdom in these areas among the Jewish people — and their neighbors — in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe is nothing short of miraculous.

People are touched by the healing power of God.

And hearts are softened and opened to the glorious truth that Jesus is their Messiah.

And after more than a year of so much isolation and distancing, the needs among the Jewish people in Africa — including those who are members of the “Lost Tribes of Israel” — are greater than ever.

But I believe as their physical needs have increased, their hearts are more open than ever before to hear the Gospel.

That’s why I’m praying you’ll give a generous year-end, tax-deductible gift today.

Believe me, this is about more than dollars and cents. This is about the Gospel of Jesus — healing bodies and saving souls.

God will use your generosity to transform the lives of more Jewish people and their neighbors through our upcoming Outreaches in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe — and all of our ministry efforts worldwide!

Thank you in advance for your support.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” 
Psalm 122:6 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

As a partner of Israel who loves the Jewish people, I’m sure you’ve been watching and waiting for this week’s start of nuclear negotiations with Iran in Vienna.

It’s no exaggeration to write that the safety of Israel, and even the world, is at stake in these discussions.

But the truth is … all of this is entirely out of our control. The only thing you and I can do – the only thing we can control – is how we respond to what God has commanded us to do: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”

That’s why I encourage you to not feel overwhelmed by the darkness or the enemy today. Don’t give in to dismay. Obey God. Obey His command. Reach out to Him now – on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people. But also with whatever challenge or heartbreak you might be facing right now. God will give you peace.

Thank you again for praying with us and for us. 

ISRAEL’S PRIME MINISTER SENDS A SHARP MESSAGE AS NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN RESUME 

World powers and Iran reconvened in Vienna on Monday, after a nearly six-month break, to negotiate an Iranian return to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israel’s Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett, sent a sharp message to the international community to be tough on Iran. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, Prime Minister Bennett said that Iran’s goal in the talks is for the U.S. to lift sanctions while the Islamic Republic does almost nothing in return.

“Iran won't just keep its nuclear program; from today, they'll be getting paid for it,” the Prime Minister warned.

Further, Bennett pointed to Iranian authorities shooting protesters in Isfahan in recent days, as well as a recent remark by Iran Armed Force spokesman Brig.-Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi as characteristic of the regime’s intentions: “We will not back off from the annihilation of Israel, not even one millimeter.”

The Prime Minister concluded by saying, “Iran deserves no rewards, no bargain deals and no sanctions relief in return for their brutality. I call upon our allies around the world: Do not give in to Iran's nuclear blackmail.”

According to The Jerusalem Post, Israel opposes the JCPOA because it insufficiently limits Iran’s uranium enrichment. Rather, it legitimizes further enrichment after the agreement expires – potentially paving the way for an eventual nuclear bomb. Lastly, the JCPOA does not address Iran’s other violent actions in the region.

However, senior Iranian officials have said they are only willing to negotiate the lifting of sanctions and not about its nuclear program.

TOP ISRAELI DEFENSE OFFICIAL ANNOUNCES UPCOMING DEFENSE DEAL WITH MOROCCO

The Times of Israel reported late last week that Israeli and Moroccan officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will bolster security cooperation between Rabat and Jerusalem. This includes sharing sensitive security intelligence and holding joint exercises.

Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz was in Morocco for the signing, making a public show of cooperation between Israel and an Arab state on sensitive security issues.

According to The Times of Israel, Jerusalem and Rabat are both deeply involved in the fight against international Islamic terror groups like Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, which operate both in Israel’s area of the Middle East and in Africa.

Israel’s primary enemy Iran and its proxy Hezbollah are also believed to be involved to a certain extent in the current Moroccan-Algerian conflict.

When asked about the importance of the historic security partnership with Morocco, Zohar Palti, the head of Israel’s Defense Ministry’s Political-Military Bureau, told The Times of Israel, “Morocco has been fighting terror on a number of fronts over the years, and it is a country that has fought Al-Qaeda and the global jihad.”

ISRAELI TREATMENT FOR SEVERE COVID-19 CAN REDUCE MORTALITY BY 70% ACCORDING TO PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL DATA

The Jerusalem Post reported late last week that Bonus BioGroup released new data showing that the 30-days survival rate of 50 severely ill hospitalized patients with oxygen saturation of 93% and below and diffuse pneumonia who received up to three doses of the company’s MesenCure treatment was 94% – meaning 47 out of 50 patients survived. 

When comparing the first 30 patients in the trial to 60 similar patients who were used as a control group, the outcome is even more striking: only 6.7% of the patients treated with MesenCure died due to COVID-19 or its complications, compared to 23.3% of the control group.

New drugs by Merck and Pfizer are showing the likelihood of success for treating mild patients in the early stages of the disease. But the MesenCure is the first potential drug of its kind that could help save the lives of the most severe COVID-19 patients. 

Beyond the mortality results, MesenCure was also found to shorten the hospitalization period of the treated patients by 45% from an average of 17.2 days to only 9.4 days – a difference of eight days. 

Based on these results, Bonus BioGroup’s CEO, Dr. Shai Meretzki said he is hopeful that soon Bonus BioGroup will be able to treat a lot more patients not only in Israel but in other parts of the world. He said the company is preparing the data to submit to regulators in the United States and Europe. 

LET US PRAY TOGETHER

Please pray with me for:

• God to move in the hearts of Iranian leaders and bring wisdom and peace to the nuclear negotiations that are currently taking place in Vienna
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah

Here are eight things to help Believers in Jesus understand and appreciate this meaningful Jewish holiday. 

1. Chanukah lasts eight days 

Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish holiday, which occurs in November or December each year. It commemorates a victory, a miracle and the rededication of the Temple after it had been defiled. 

2. The Maccabees made Chanukah possible 

In the second century B.C.E., Antiochus IV ruled the Jewish people. He persecuted them intensely, forcing them to worship idols or suffer brutal violence and even death. He took control of the Temple and desecrated it with idols and sacrificed a pig on the altar. A Jewish man named Judah Maccabee had enough. He gathered a small band of fighters and led a revolt against the ruler and his armies. The vastly outnumbered revolutionaries won back the Temple. 

3. Another Name for Chanukah is the Feast of Dedication 

Because the Hebrew word “Chanukah” means “dedication,” another name for this holiday is the Feast of Dedication. After the Maccabees took back the Temple for the Jewish people, the priests set about cleaning it up. They purged it of the idols, replaced stolen elements of worship and wanted to rededicate it back to the Lord as soon as possible.  

4. Chanukah commemorates a miracle 

According to the Chanukah story, only one thing stood in the way of rededicating the Temple and restoring it to its functions for the nation of Israel – oil. There wasn’t enough undefiled oil to keep the lampstand burning as God had commanded. It took eight days to go through the process of purifying olive oil for use in the Temple, and they could only find enough for one night. In faith, the priests lit the lamp, and the Lord miraculously made that small amount of oil last for eight until more was ready. This miracle of light gives Chanukah another of its names – the Festival of Lights. 

5. You can’t find Chanukah in the Old Testament 

The Maccabean Revolt occurred in the intertestamental period, the years between the Old and New Testament writings, so you won’t find Chanukah mentioned in the Old Testament. That being true, it becomes clear that Chanukah is not one of the biblical Feasts that God commanded Israel to observe every year. However, it is a meaningful holiday mentioned in one of the Gospels. John 10:22–24 begins, “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem….” In these verses, we see Jesus at the Temple, walking in Solomon’s Colonnade, where He would have passed the pile of stones left over from the damage Antiochus had caused centuries earlier. For generations, the priests hadn’t known what to do with the enormous Temple stones, and they passed on the confident legacy that, when the Messiah came, He would tell them what to do. In this passage, John describes how the Jewish people gathered around Jesus as He walked near these stones, and asked “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 

6. The Chanukah candleholder is not a menorah  

Many people confuse the Chanukah candleholder with a menorah, but the “chanukiah” is different. It has nine candleholders compared to the menorah’s seven. Eight candles represent the eight nights that the miraculous oil lasted. The ninth candle, called the Shamash, or Servant Candle, is used to light the other eight. Each night, one more candle is placed in the lampstand and blessings are recited as they’re lit. The candles burn for at least a half-hour and then are allowed to go out on their own. Fresh candles are used each night, placing them in the chanukiah from right to left. Messianic Jews can’t help but see the correlation between the Servant Candle and Jesus, the Light of the World, who came to serve (Matthew 20:28) and atone for our sin through His death. 

7. Traditions make Chanukah a festive holiday 

Chanukah traditions also include eating fried foods in commemoration of the Chanukah oil and exchanging gifts of increasing value as the nights progress. Another Chanukah tradition is the dreidel game, in which the dreidel, a spinning top, contains letters that stand for “A Great Miracle Happened There.” In Israel, dreidels have one different letter, changing the corresponding saying to “A Great Miracle Happened Here.”  

8. Chanukah is an excellent time to rededicate your life to the Lord 

The Bible encourages us to do everything for the Lord’s glory and, in whatever we do, to work as if directly for Him (1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:23-24). It’s easy to go about our lives forgetting these verses or perhaps even not understanding how to follow them. Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication, is an excellent time to remind and challenge ourselves to be more intentional and thoughtful about including God in the activities of our daily lives. 

Consider dedicating, or rededicating, eight things to the Lord for the coming year, one for each day of Chanukah. Spend time praying about each item, one day at a time, and take your dedication into the year ahead. What might you dedicate to the Lord? It could be an area of your life, an activity, a household chore, your time on the internet, something you desire, your sense of calling or talents? Be mindful of committing your chosen activities to the Lord and talk with Him about how you can glorify Him while doing them. 

We are full of thanksgiving to God, not just because of a holiday but also because of you. We are so grateful to each of you who earnestly sows prayers into Jewish Voice Ministries International. Some of you tell us how you faithfully pray for us daily. Others recount to us the many years you have covered us in prayer.

We thank all of you who:

• Pray through our Prayer Points emails (or read the blog posts) twice each month. We love when you tell us the specific ways you have been praying for us. You read them online or print them off and pray, and some of you even share them with your prayer groups. You are especially faithful to cover every aspect of our Outreaches in prayer.  Thank you.
• Watch “Jewish Voice with Jonathan Bernis” and pray for the topics on each program, as well as for Jonathan Bernis, Ezra Benjamin, and our many guests. Some of you let us know you have been watching the program by saying, “I prayed with Rabbi Jonathan today!” Thank you.
• Pray regularly at our headquarters. You are our dedicated onsite Prayer Partners. We sense the presence of the Lord in deep ways at our ministry headquarters because of your prayerful presence. Thank you.
• Have participated in our online prayer meetings. We have held these from time to time over the last two years and hope to do more in the year to come. We love to join in prayer with you, even when separated by miles and nations. Thank you.
• Were part of our Operation 1226 initiative this fall, covering Israel and the Jewish people in thousands of hours of prayer in a week. Also, those of you who are joining us on our ongoing Jewish Voice 24-7 Prayer Watch, praying from home like watchmen on the wall! Thank you.
• Pray for us in so many other ways, including by simply responding to the Holy Spirit’s prompting. Thank you.

So many of you praying! So very many prayers! We cannot do what we do without you and your prayers. Thank you.

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank You for each of our faithful partners who devote themselves to prayer on behalf of Jewish Voice Ministries, being watchful and thankful. Every time we think of them, we lift them up to You, grateful for their partnership in the Gospel through their prayers. Lord, pour out Your blessings in such abundance that they are overwhelmed by your goodness, and their own hearts are filled with gratitude and praise. In Yeshua’s name, AMEN. 

I believe the miracle of the Chanukah season has never been more important . . .

It’s the miracle of a single night’s supply of oil that burned for eight days so the temple in Jerusalem could be rededicated more than 2,000 years ago. God had preserved His people from complete destruction as the Greco-Syrian Emperor,
Antiochus IV, choked the Jewish people with an iron grip.

In his zeal for total control, Antiochus sought to obliterate the religious liberty of God’s people — prohibiting the study of the Torah, religious rites, kosher dietary laws, Sabbath observance and the practice of Judaism itself.

Any violation meant death.

But God heard the cries of His people. And raising up Judah Maccabee and a small number of Jewish warriors in 167 B.C., Antiochus and his violent oppression were cast aside. Jerusalem was recaptured, and the temple was rededicated to God.

The message of the miracle is clear: God will find a way. Using His people, God will bring to pass His purposes in the world.

In such turbulent times, in times of what can feel like utter darkness — God’s will can never be thwarted.

A light in the darkness . . .
Redemption of His people . . .
And sacrifice . . .

That’s what the Jewish people will celebrate during the eight days of Chanukah this year, between November 28 and December 6.

God preserved His people because He had chosen them for a glorious purpose that was yet to be fulfilled!

Almost 200 years after that first Chanukah miracle, all the glory and power of God was sent to earth, wrapped in blankets and laid in a manger.

The Messiah, Jesus, was miraculously born to ultimately purchase the salvation of humankind, proclaiming the Gospel message of the Kingdom “to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile.”

Without Chanukah, the Jewish people may have been wiped from the face of the earth forever. Without Chanukah, there may never have been a Christmas story.
And that story — the story of God’s faithfulness and power — is still miraculously transforming lives.

In fact, it’s the reason I’m prayerfully writing to you now . . .

As God continues to open doors for our Outreaches in Africa in the weeks ahead, we must be prepared to walk through them.

The impact for the Kingdom in these areas among the Jewish people, and their neighbors, in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe is nothing short of miraculous. People are touched by the healing power of God. And hearts are softened and opened to
the glorious truth that Jesus is their Messiah.

And after a year of so much isolation and distancing, the needs among the Jewish people in Africa — including those who are members of the “Lost Tribes of Israel” — are greater than ever. But I believe as their physical needs have increased, their hearts are more open than ever before to hear the Gospel.

That’s why I’m praying that you’ll give a generous year-end, tax-deductible gift today to help provide medical and eye care, dental help and more in our Outreaches in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

But more important, you’ll help share the message of salvation and redemption — and the miracle of God’s Word that became flesh and dwelt among us in Jesus.

This is about more than money. This is about the Gospel of God’s Kingdom — healing bodies and saving souls.

But the reality is this: we hope to raise $209,000 by December 31.

Here is just one example of how God will use your prayerful support . . .

Greatful had been unable to walk for over a week. Years of back-breaking work in the fields had taken a toll on this precious woman. In fact, she came to our Outreach in Zimbabwe in a wheelbarrow. The pain was too significant for her to
take a single step.

Our volunteer doctors examined her, but there was nothing medically they could do for her, no medicine they could provide to get her back on her feet.

But what medicine can’t accomplish . . . God can!

Greatful was wheeled into our Prayer Tent, and our team prayed for her.

Not only did Greatful WALK out of the Prayer Tent, she walked directly to our immersion station to publicly demonstrate her faith in Jesus by being immersed in water!

This is why your support by December 31 is so critical! God will use your generosity to transform the lives of more people like Greatful.

Thank you in advance for your generous support.

“From the LORD comes deliverance. May Your blessing be on Your people.”
Psalm 3:8 (NIV)
 

Shalom, my friend. 

Thank you for your love and compassion for Israel and the Jewish people. 

I’m so grateful that you are willing to stand with her through your ongoing prayers and financial support. I pray God’s blessing on you and His presence with you for your faithfulness toward His people. 

And I pray that, no matter what you may be facing today, you’ll embrace the Truth of the Scriptures from the Psalmist – that “deliverance” comes “from the LORD.”

Whether it’s fear or anxiety, sickness or any other challenge . . . look up to God – call out to Yeshua (Jesus), and He will hear you. May you experience His deliverance and His blessing.

Thank you again for praying with us and for us.  

U.S. VOTES “ABSTENTION” IN AFFIRMING THE RIGHT OF RETURN OF PALESTINIAN REFUGEES TO ISRAEL

According to The Jerusalem Post, in the U.N.’s General Assembly resolution voting, the U.S. abstained during the vote on the right of return for Palestinian refugees to sovereign Israel as part of a broad text in support of the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

This abstention comes after the previous administration under President Trump voted “No” to all such resolutions and texts. Historically, every US administration has sided with Israel during U.N. votes. The Obama administration in 2016 was the first to abstain on a vote related to Israel.

The Trump administration had opposed UNRWA and cut U.S. funding to the organization over charges that textbooks used in the agency’s schools are anti-Semitic and incite hatred against Israel.

According to The Jerusalem Post, prior to last week’s vote, an Israeli representative spoke out against UNRWA at the Fourth Committee meeting:

“We cannot stand idly by when a UN humanitarian agency promotes a political agenda under the guise of true assistance. UNRWA must be accountable for the hateful indoctrination of children in its classrooms. It must put an end to the spreading of anti-Semitic lies by its employees, and it must show a genuine commitment to transparency and accountability.”

She added that UNRWA resources and infrastructure must not be hijacked by Hamas in conducting acts of terror.

American Deputy Ambassador Richard Mills told the assembly’s Fourth Committee that “under President Biden, the United States announced it would restore its financial support to UNRWA, which we do believe is a vital lifeline to millions of Palestinians across the region. Since April, the U.S. government has provided more than $318 million to UNRWA in fiscal year 2021, including critical support for education, health and social services benefiting millions of Palestinian refugees registered with UNRWA.”

The Jerusalem Post reports that these resolutions are part of a package of close to 20 annual resolutions against Israel the General Assembly is set to approve before the end of the year.

The Israeli representative told the General Assembly that these texts were “disproportionate, one-sided and rooted in bias against” her country. “Israel is the only country – the only country – that is subject to such systematic discrimination in the U.N.” 

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N. TO MAKE FIRST VISIT TO ISRAEL

United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, makes her first visit to Israel this week alongside her Israeli counterpart, Gilad Erdan.

Thomas-Greenfield will be the first White House cabinet official to visit Israel since the formation of its new government in June, in a trip that will “reinforce the United States’ unwavering commitment to Israel’s security and discuss continued US-Israel cooperation at the UN and a full range of regional issues,” her office said in a statement.

Since her confirmation as U.S. President Joe Biden’s ambassador earlier this year, Thomas-Greenfield has consistently defended Israel at the U.N. and criticized the Security Council for its disproportionate focus on Israel.

“This council spends a great deal of time on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which is both understandable and consistent with the agenda. But far too often, the substance of these discussions is centered almost entirely around criticism of Israel and counterattacks,” she has said.

“I sincerely hope that going forward, council members will do their best to take a more balanced approach. Also, there are other countries and situations in the region that merit Security Council attention and should not be neglected.”

UAE, BAHRAIN, ISRAEL AND U.S. JOIN FORCES IN FIRST JOINT NAVAL DRILL

YnetNews reported last week that forces from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel and the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began a multilateral maritime security operations exercise in the Red Sea.

This is the first publicly acknowledged naval exercise between the United States, Israel and the two Gulf countries.

According to a senior Israeli naval official, as reported by YnetNews, the drill is meant to send a “direct message” to Iran and its “power projection” in the region.

“We intend to continue to cultivate relations with the countries participating in the exercise,” he said. “The Iranians are quite independent in the maritime space, and it is important to keep their activities away from the State of Israel in order to prevent terrorism.” 

The five-day exercise includes training on the USS Portland and will “enhance interoperability between participating forces' maritime interdiction teams,” a statement by the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) said.

Iran also announced that its own large-scale sea, land and air military drill will be held east of the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northern parts of the Indian Ocean.

ISLAMIC REVOLUTIONARY GUARD CORPS COMMANDER: IF ISRAEL STARTS A WAR, IT WILL END WITH ITS DESTRUCTION

The Jerusalem Post reports that Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) Aerospace Force, warned late last week that if Israel starts a conflict, Iran will “destroy” it, according to Iranian media.

“The Zionist regime officials know that they can be the initiators, but the end is with us,” said the commander. “The end of this work is the destruction of the Zionist regime, and if they give us an excuse . . . their destruction will certainly be advanced historically.”

Hajizadeh went on to boast about Iran’s growing use of drones and that the technology has become “a thorn in their side,” speaking of Israel and Western powers. 

Israeli Defense Forces OC Artillery Corps Brig.-Gen. Neri Horowitz agreed on Wednesday that drones are going to be a large part of future conflicts, an that there may even be drone vs. drone battles in future conflicts with Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. 

Israel has already established two unmanned ariel vehicle units with a third coming in the future.

ISRAEL UNVEILS STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTRONIC DEFENSE SYSTEM

According to YnetNews, in last month’s joint “Blue Flag” military exercise, Israel Aerospace Industries successfully tested a new state-of-the-art defense system called Scorpius. 

Scorpius scans a large area for targets and deploys narrowly focused electromagnetic beams to counter multiple aerial and ground threats simultaneously. This allows it to disrupt a target’s critical systems, including radar, electronic sensors, navigation and data communications.

Current electromagnetic systems can only deal with one target at a time unless they employ a wider beam that risks disrupting friendly forces.

Scorpius may eventually be deployed alongside Iron Dome and Israel’s other defense systems to increase protection for Israeli citizens. Because it only requires electricity to work, it could be crucial during future, large-scale attacks meant to exhaust Iron Dome’s missile supply. Scorpius could knock out advanced missiles and swarms of drones indefinitely, freeing up Iron Dome to intercept just the unguided rockets.

Let Us Pray Together

Please pray with me for:

• God to give wisdom and insight to Israeli leaders as they navigate threats from enemies who are surrounding them – and protection for the Jewish people
• God to move in the hearts of Iranian leaders, turning them towards peace to prevent the current nuclear hostilities from escalating
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah