Dear Citizens of God’s Kingdom,

Again this year I will celebrate Passover, Resurrection and Shavuot (Pentecost) with Beit Hasdo Messianic Congregation from Bucharest and with our small church of Puieni

As we approach one of the most holy of Biblical Feasts, The Feast of Passover, the Feast of Resurrection, we are reminded what the Almighty God of Israel told the people through Moses: "When I shall see the Blood I will PASSOVER you" (Exodus 12:13). Today 3500 years later nothing has changed. The only important thing is to stay under the blood? During the Deliverance from Egypt, The Almighty One asked the Hebrews to be covered under the Blood of the Lamb. Only through the Blood of the Lamb was the Redemption possible then as it is today, too. The only Redemption, the only Salvation that was ever given to mankind, was through the Blood of the Lamb and this has been from the beginning of time. Unfortunately, most of mankind has rejected it.

Even before Moses, Abraham said to Isaac his son, "God will provide for HIMSELF the LAMB for the burnt offering, my son." (Genesis 22:8) Soon we will celebrate Passover or Resurrection, or both. The main theme in the Passover is the Redemption through the Blood of the Lamb, but this is also true in the Resurrection despite the fact that some Christian symbols for the season are "the bunny and the eggs"! Church we do not celebrate EASTER (which is a pagan Holiday) but we Christians celebrate The Resurrection of the Lamb.

My very dearly beloved, as this season is approaching, please do not call it Easter, but Resurrection, since we celebrate the Resurrection of the Lamb. Do not forget John 3:16, “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten SON (THE LAMB) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”.
As millions of Jewish people all around the world are celebrating Passover, most of them do not realize that every year they celebrate the Lamb. In the same way, two billion Christians will celebrate His Resurrection knowing so little about HIM.

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices, which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and three days later rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest." Luke 24:1-9

I celebrate Resurrection every day, even though once a year we celebrate it as the actual Feast. This year again we celebrate Resurrection exactly in the Biblical Pascal week. The Scriptures are a unitary whole and if we take some details out we destroy the entire picture! Some may say: “We do not celebrate Passover, but Resurrection” and probably for themselves they seem right, but then I have a question: If we do not celebrate the PASCAL LAMB Resurrection, then who’s Resurrection do we celebrate?
When we see the Resurrection through the Jewish eye, then we are able to make connections and correlations between the New and the Old Testament, as ONE BOOK meant to be undivided. HAPPY RESURRECTION CONGREGATION of the FAITHFUL!

With all my love in His Mighty Grace and Love,

Teofil Smilovici
Executive Director of Jesus of Israel Ministries

Dearly Beloved Citizens of GOD’S KINGDOM,

Since I always consider you as Citizens of God’s Kingdom to come, I also have to remind you and myself that HIS Kingdom starts now – beginning in our hearts.

This past December of 2017, we had the greatest surprise of all when President Donald Trump declared that the USA acknowledged Jerusalem as the undivided capital of Israel and the Jewish people, making all efforts necessary to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem. I do not know how much of a surprise this announcement was for you, but for me this was life. Finally, the US took its role as the world leader very seriously and I know we will see many more changes in the years to come. Pray for President Donald Trump. I say all of this because I do believe everything that happens is in God’s timing. This brought an uprising in some Arab countries and surely from the Palestinians, too. Jerusalem, who is the center of God’s eyes, is now in turmoil. This kind of a picture shows us that we surely belong to the World to come. Come, O Lord Jesus! Do not forget the Scriptures teach us to Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. I say this to mean: Pray that the Prince of Peace will enter the hearts of all Jerusalemites - Israelis and Arabs.

I write this letter with a thankful heart. Last year passed so quickly - its problems and its victories. We thank the Lord for you and for your support in the ministry of JOY (“Jesus of Israel”) which has given us the possibility to fulfill the task HE has called us to.

We cannot work separately; we are bound together in this work for His Kingdom to come. Thank you for being sensitive to the call of God and supporting us in prayers, as well as financially. Because of people like you the work was able to go on for another year. Financially speaking, 2017 was a year that we have received the least support in the last 20 years. The month of January 2017 started off very well, but later the support became less and less. Some of our supporters are now in His presence, and some have had their own problems. It is clear to us that we do need new supporters. Despite the fact that we were low in income, we have still managed to make it by His mercies and His Grace. Praise Him that you have been sensitive to His call and together we made it. Thank you again for being obedient to God’s call last year.

One of the greatest accomplishments of 2017 was in the summer when we were able to finish the first stage of the new Sanctuary for the Church in Puieni. We were able to put in all the foundations, the outside wall and the roof - all is done. For this year we would like to see the rest of the building being raised up, and if we have enough finances raised, to start work on the interior.

We have started this year with a Conference about the Kingdom of God at the Messianic Congregation Beit Hasdo in Bucharest. Two great Messianic believers came from Israel for this special purpose. It took long preparations for the conference to take place, but we are pleased to share that the Conference was well attended and a great success. Praise the Lord!!!

Together with you, working for HIS Glory,

Theophilus Ben-Abraham Smilovici

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14

Dearly beloved Citizens of Heaven,
Now, when it seems that we have arrived so much closer to his Second Coming, I remind you of the words of Yeshua to His disciples: "Take heed that no man deceives you, for many shall come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah; and shall deceive many. Many false prophets will arise, and will deceive many, and because lawlessness is increased the love of many will grow cold, but the one who endures to the end, he shall be saved." (Mat. 24:4, 5, 11-13)

Soon we will celebrate Hag Hamolad, - The Feast of His Birth – but for now we celebrate The Feast of Lights, HANUKKAH, the Feast of Cleansing and Rededication of the Temple, to worship the One True GOD.
Hanukkah is also one of the Feasts of Deliverance of God’s Chosen People. During this Season, we as Messianic Jews celebrate Hanukkah not only because of the great deliverance from the wicked hands of Antiochus Epiphanes, but also because of the birth of our Messiah, who is the Light of the World. It is a time of joyful friendship, celebration and thankfulness for all the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us. Some people have asked me: “Why do we celebrate Hanukkah?” My answer always will be, because Yeshua - Jesus our Saviour has done it. It was during Hanukkah, when Yeshua made it clear who He is.

"Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him. How long do you make us to doubt? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly. Yeshua answered them, I told you, and you believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me, but you believe not because you are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life;” Surely He didn’t tell them “I am the Messiah”, but He told them “I and the Father are One” (John 10:22-39).

Now as we celebrate HIS First Advent we are also reminded that through His Sacrifice, He made us His Temple, where the true worship is to come from. Let us never forget that He was Born to Die for me and you. Praise be your name Yeshua for coming down to illuminate us, and to become our Light. Through Him we may be lights in this world that needs His LIGHT so much.

I just returned from eight fruitful weeks of ministry in Romania and Israel. While in Israel I conducted a group from Bucharest Beit Hasdo Messianic Congregation where I had the privilege to baptize one of them of whom we had been praying for, almost fifteen years. PTL!

Every single time I visit Israel I find it more and more fascinating. Jerusalem is shaping to become the capital of the world - not only of Israel. By the way, praise the Lord for President Trump who had the Courage to declare JerUSAlem the capital of Israel. Keep him in your daily prayers. He surely needs it. He not only promised that, like most of his predecessors, but he fulfilled his promises. If we keep praying for our President, America will be great again!

Will you also keep praying for the workers in Romania and in Israel that they may successfully bring the Good News to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles, as well? We are also in much need of your prayers.

Like most FAITH Ministries, we have many challenges. Still, we thank God (and all of you that have supported this ministry, either financially or and in prayers) that He has never left us alone in this struggle. I ask you to try helping us with a regular monthly gift, even if you only receive a letter every other month. WE NEED YOU. Our financial support for 2017 was a good one but we are still much behind our budget. We trust the Lord Yeshua to move upon many hearts who read this letter to send a special gift to the Jesus of Israel Ministry. Let us make a difference in this MONTH OF GIVING! Won't YOU be a part of reaching out to the Jewish people and help us?
With all our love,

Theo Ben-Abraham Smilovici
Executive Director Jesus of Israel Ministry

I want to start this letter with a word of prayer to the Almighty ONE. Despite the two hurricanes that came over the US (as a warning to return back to HIM), He took care of His own. Surely, I know that the destruction was huge, but it could have been much worse. Thank you, Father, for loving us so much and always reminding us to WHOM we belong. Forgive us of our sins and our trespasses!

All that we see and hear around us today are signs of His Beloved SON’s very soon return. You may hear He will return at this date or that date. Do not believe them, but rather be ready for the REDEEMER to appear soon. The question is though: Are we ready? Are you ready?

Shaul HaShaliach (Apostle Paul) wrote “There is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Messiah is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3:11). He tried to encourage unity within the Body of the Messiah. We are all equal in His sight and are justified by the same means- His Precious Blood! Unfortunately, the family of Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) is characterized today by divisions amongst the man-made denominations. This was not so within the assembly of the first Disciples of Yeshua in Judea. Reading through the Book of Acts, the Scriptures reveal that the original disciples were in total unity as they worshipped at the Jewish Temple, praying together and sharing in common all that they had (Acts 1:14; 2:44). “And continuing daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” (Acts 2:46) More than that, the expression of their faith was entirely in keeping with the faith of the Jewish People of God, for it was not the intention of Messiah to start a “New Religion”.

Disagreements first arose within the Congregation of the first Believers as Gentiles came to faith. What happened? What happened then is happening today when believers are not committed to the fullness of the Word of God. We have divided the Scriptures in two books which in fact is only one book; the New fulfils the Old and the Old prophesize so distinctively the New. More some of the Jewish believers of the first century thought that the Gentiles Believers should do all rituals to become fully Jewish accepting all the Oral Torah-Law (Torat b’ál Pe - which was just some interpretation of the old Rabbis of the written Torah), for a real conversion to faith in Yeshua and also to be circumcised. It was not the problem of keeping the written Torah, but the extensive one more than the commandments the Written Torah. Surely they were wrong on that, Apostle Peter stood strong against it and so did Apostle Yaakov (James) reminding them the prophecy from Amos 9:11-14, and also reminding them the Law TORAH given by God through Moses was to be read every Sabbath in their synagogues. Yaakov also asked them to: “You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” (Acts 15:29)

While the Scriptures says very clearly that Torah’s Commandments are not difficult to keep (Deuteronomy 30:11–14; see also Romans 10:8), the early Disciples of Yeshua concluded at the meeting that the "extra," traditional laws (Torat b’al Pe) are too burdensome for Gentile Believers and the conversion process to Judaism is totally unnecessary for salvation. Yaakov (James) indicated that he expected Gentile Believers to learn and obey the Law of Moses (Acts 15:21) so they would grow in their understanding of how to live a holy life. And so, we have a picture of Gentiles and Jews united in one sheepfold as Yeshua promised in John 10:16. “And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one-fold, and one shepherd.”
Shaul HaShaliach (Apostle Paul) explains in Romans 11:11–31 that Believers are grafted into ONE tree - a Jewish Tree - and ALL are nourished from the same root - Yeshua. Gentiles have been grafted into this tree as wild olive branches while Jewish believers are grafted into the same tree, which is their own tree. It seems, however, that Paul had to address some arrogance among Gentile Believers who looked down on Israel for not nationally accepting Yeshua as their Messiah. “You will say then, ‘Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in. Well, they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.”(Romans 11:19–21) Paul warns them that falling back into unbelief could cause them to be cut off: “And if they [the Jewish People] do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:23)

We can see from (Apostle Paul) Shaul HaShaliach’s analogy of the olive branches being grafted together, that the Almighty God intended the Gentile Believers in Yeshua to live in unity with the Jewish People at large, and especially so with Jewish Believers, who would naturally maintain their Jewish identity.

In the last 150 years, a move has taken place among my people, the Jewish People, God’s first-born nation that has seen many grafted into their own tree. That move continues to grow and prosper, not only in Israel, but especially in Israel, where faith in Yeshua as their Messiah is flourishing and being increasingly accepted by the Jewish people living there. You and I are part of this revival. Please pray for the non-believing Jewish people this High Holy Season to realize the truth of their Messiah. And, be ready to give account of the hope to which you have found through the Jewish Messiah in this season.

This coming week on September 20th we will celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, or as the Jewish People improperly call it Rosh HaShanah, meaning the Jewish New Year. Following a month of Repentance (as the month of Elul is supposed to be), comes the month of Tishri that begins with תרועה יום Yom Teru’ah , which is the Feast of Trumpets and the day of the sounding of the Shofar. It is the first of the High Holy Days, or Yamim Noraim ("Days of Awe"), and celebrated 10 days before Yom Kippur - The day of the real repentance. Yom Kippur is a very somber celebration that focuses on individual fasting and repentance, as well as the national repentance of the nation of Israel.

We can see the importance of “Appointed Times of the Lord” these Festivals all over the Scriptures, Old or New. If all Spring Festivals (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Shavuot) in the Scriptures speaks about our Salvation through the Blood of the Lamb, our Messiah, the Fall Festivals mainly speak unto us about His Return or second coming and it starts with the Feast of Trumpets. During a time like this He will appear. Am I ready? Are you ready? Are we ready? Let us ask ourselves this question?

Shortly, I will be leaving again for ministry in Israel, Romania and Moldova. Please keep me and my household in your daily prayers, as we surely need it. During my first 6 days in Israel, I will be leading a group of Messianic Believers from Romania through Israel. Pray that we may be a great witness to the Jewish people. Ten days after that I will be doing ministry by myself in the land of Israel, and then I will return to Romania and Moldova. There are many things I must accomplish in this trip and because of this I need your prayers, and the ministry is in desperate need of your financial support, too.

“Thank you” from the bottom of my heart for all your support in prayers, in your generous giving, or both. May the LORD of ISRAEL, the Redeemer of the WORLD, richly bless you all! I began this letter specifically on September 14th as my wife and I celebrated 42nd year of our marriage - and even more years of ministry since both of us have served many years prior to our marriage. Thank you again for everything you have done for “Jesus of Israel Ministry” and surely for us, as well!

Theo Ben-Abraham Smilovici

A month has passed since I have returned from my 7 weeks of ministry in Romania. During the Passover/Resurrection Season, I spent excellent time with the Messianic Congregation “Beit Hasdo” from Bucharest, where we celebrated Messiah in The Passover, explaining to the congregation the reason why Yeshua celebrated the Feast one day before the multitude of Pharisees and Sadducees led by the ruling of the so called High Priest. We had 90 people, some of which were new Jewish families who were quite intrigued to find out things they had never heard of in the Passover Feast. At least three of the invited Jewish families asked to know more about the great realities of the Feast. When you understand the Essene Calendar, then it is much easier to understand how and when the Feast took place. As much as John the Immerser was a part of the group of the Essenes, most probably Yeshua was also a part of the group. In the Essene Calendar both Feasts of Passover and Succoth start on a Tuesday evening, which means the beginning of Wednesday, in the Biblical understanding. Wednesday was the day of suffering and by the end of that day in the evening, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took His Body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb. Count now the three nights and three days. By the end of the Biblical Sabbath, He was no longer in the tomb since He had risen. So, you have three days and three nights, NO good Friday, but a very sacrificial long Wednesday.

Every single time I write a letter of Pentecost, I am reminded that this is the Birthday of the Church: Happy Birthday, Church! Pentecost is your Birthday! You see, Pentecost is an Old Feast in the Bible. At Pentecost, we received the TORAH, so I may say the First Pentecost was the Birthday of the Jewish faith. First we received the Law of the Lord, but later we received the Spirit of the Law, which means GRACE. I always love to stress that, because it is very important to understand both Covenants and the way that they relate to one another. Knowing that, we may find new avenues to bring the Good News to both the Jewish people and Gentiles alike.
The Feast of the Harvest (Ex. 23:16), The Feast of the First Fruits (Deut. 16:10, 16) or the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) is the fourth Feast among the seven Feasts of the Lord in the Bible. The fact that the Celebration of the Giving of the Torah and the beginning of the Church starts with this feast is not just another coincidence. Both the Law of God and the Law of Grace came from the same Tri-unitarian God, The Almighty One of Days, and The Lord of Israel.
Here are some tremendous comparisons between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant (Shavuot - the Feast of Weeks)

The 50th Day after Passover.
The writing of the Ten Commandments was done on two tablets of stone.
It was written by God’s finger.
3,000 people died because of their disobedience.
The Law unveils the sins of mankind, which automatically brings death.
The Letter of the Law of God.
The Glory of God shone on the face of Moses.

The people’s faces had to be veiled so they could not see God’s Glory.
The Glory of the Law passed from their hearts because of their unbelief.
Given on Mount Sinai.
The Feast of the Harvest.
The Feast of the First Fruits.

The New Covenant (The Pentecost)

The 50th Day after the Passover Lamb’s Sacrifice.
The writing of the Commandments of His Love is now on the heart and mind of His People.
It was written by the Spirit of God.
3,000 people repented and became alive.
The Grace of God, through Yeshua’s blood, brings life from death, covering our sins.
The Spirit of the Law of God.
The Glory of God shown on the face of His Son Yeshua – Jesus, our Messiah.
The people had unveiled faces so they can be changed into the Glory of His Image.
The Glory of God remains in the believer’s hearts and lives because of His Grace.
Took place on Mount Zion.
The harvest of souls blessed by His Spirit.
Believers, you are the First Fruits of Redemption!

Pray that the Lord will increase His harvest everywhere I will be ministering in the States. As you pray for us, please don’t forget to pray for our missionaries from Romania - Liliana, Cornel Rusinac and his family, Dr. Michal, in Bucharest; and also our workers from Israel - in Beer-Sheba, and in Jerusalem, and for my brother Emanuel and his family.
As the summer is here, PLEASE do not forget, we cannot do the job without your prayers and surely without your monthly financial support. I am writing to you because I know the summer months are always very slow in financial support although we need it so desperately when we are in the midst of the battle. Please have this ministry to the Jewish people first but also to the Gentiles always in your mind. We appreciate all your efforts to keep us going to do the job HE has called upon us to do.

All my love Theo Ben-Abraham Smilovici

My Very Dearly Beloved Prayer Partners,
As we approach the most holy of the Biblical Feast, The Feast of Passover, the Feast of Resurrection we are reminded that God Almighty told the people of Israel through Moses: “When I shall see the Blood I will PASSOVER you” (Exodus 12:13). Today, 3,500 years later, nothing has changed. The only question that remains is: Are we under the blood? During the Deliverance from Egypt, The Almighty One asked the Israelites to be covered under the Blood of the Lamb. Only through the Blood of the Lamb were the Jewish people redeemed then, and still today. The only Redemption, the only Salvation that was ever given to mankind, was through the Blood of the Lamb and this has been from the beginning of time. Unfortunately, most of mankind has rejected it.

Even before Moses, Abraham said to Isaac, his son, “God will provide for HIMSELF the LAMB for the burnt offering, my son.” (Genesis 22:8) Soon, we will celebrate Passover or Resurrection, or both. The main theme in the Passover is the Redemption through the Blood of the Lamb, and also the Resurrection, despite the fact that some so-called Christian symbols for the season are “the bunny and the eggs”! Or the wrong name given for the season such as “EASTER”. Nothing can be further from the truth! As I already mentioned, Resurrection and Passover, is nothing but the Redemption through the Blood of the Lamb. As this season is approaching very soon, my very dearly beloved, do not forget: “For GOD so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten SON (the Lamb) that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). As millions of Jewish people all around the world are approaching Passover, they do not realize that every year they celebrate the Lamb - even though they don’t know Him personally, they are celebrating the Lamb which brought Redemption to our people. In addition, as many as two billion so-called Christians celebrate His Resurrection knowing so little about it. Yes, we have a great task before us this season to no longer be silent, but to make it crystal clear to everyone WHO we really celebrate. For YESHUA the Messiah, the Sacrificial Paschal Lamb is the real Reason for this Season.

”Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices, which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and three days later rise again. And they remembered his words, and returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.” Luke 24:1-9

It is Resurrection day once again! The truth is that we celebrate Resurrection every day, even though once a year we celebrate the actual Feast, that is, Firstfruits. This year though, we celebrate Resurrection exactly in the Biblical Pascal week. The Scriptures are a unitary whole. Take some details out and we destroy the entire picture! Some may say: “We do not celebrate Passover, but Resurrection” and probably they are right. Even so, my question is: Who’s Resurrection do we celebrate, if not of the PASCHAL LAMB?
When we see the Resurrection through Jewish eyes, then we are able to make connections and correlations between the New and the Old Testament, as ONE BOOK meant to be undivided. HAPPY RESURRECTION CHURCH!
On March 8th , I left the USA to Bucharest, RO where I am currently. Thank you for your prayers. I arrived well and safe in Bucharest where I am writing this letter. Great was the joy of the Messianic Congregations and the Church in Puieni, as they have seen me. Four weeks have passed and I will still be here another three weeks. We are underway in our Preparations for the Passover/Resurrection season. Pray that through the Passover service I may be able to enrich many more Jewish souls with the Good News of Redemption. The Passover is one of the greatest tools in my hands to be able to reach, my people, His People, to a newer life. Now, let me tell you a few more stories about the 25 years of ministry with JOY.

As we continue to celebrate our 25th Year Anniversary of “Jesus of Israel Ministry”, I am reminded that I have promised to continue to tell you our adventurous story during these magnificent years of ministry.

I was quite very young, and extremely zealous to reach out for unsaved souls. I was running from one evangelistic meeting to another. I still remember February – March of 1993, when together with Pastor Reggie Weems from TN and his team, we were running from one city to another eager to reach out to as many souls as possible. Surely some of the people on the team thought I was crazy running them all over the south-east side of Romania, but the results were incredible. Now 24 years later I still meet hundreds of believers that came to HIM during those evangelistic meetings. Those were some of the most crowded years of our ministry. Preaching the Good News, from one city to another without any respire (now I realize why some of the Americans thought I was crazy), but I sincerely wish I could live again in those same days of revivals, when tens of thousands came to find Salvation in the Blood of the Lamb.

The evil one was trying to put us down, day after day, but my Redeemer, my Lord and Saviour Yeshua was with me every single second. I remember very vividly February – March of 1994. After reaching out in many churches together this time with Pastor Mark Tackett and brother Reed Volk, both from KY, hundreds came to Him in just a few days, reaching out in the parks, on the streets, and surely in the evangelistic meetings in churches. I remember the Church of Plosca, south of Bucharest and close to Alexandria Romania; Pastor Mark Tackett preached a fantastic sermon in tears. I was his interpreter and also in tears. There were probably 110 people in the packed sanctuary of that small village.

Little did we know that the great majority of those people were total unbelievers. It came time for the altar call and Mark made the call in tears, just as he had preached, and we were both in tears, but no one came forward. We knew within ourselves that the field was full of souls to come forward, but after ten minutes of altar calls no one came. Mark was astonished and whispered in my ear, “Take over in Romanian only for those people are dead.” And, so I did.

I continued preaching for the next 15 minutes and made another altar call, but again NO ONE came forward. The old preacher that founded that extremely small congregation stood up and made an altar call and all of a sudden four people came forward. After another hymn, I made it clear again to the four souls what their decision really meant. I made another altar call, and to all of our surprise, 89 more people came forward. It was such a joy that none of us could have held back our tears. By the end of the day we found out that the church in that village that had held only seven believers had all of a sudden reached one hundred. What joy to see in a blink of eye the sanctuary full of people that were redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. I have revisited that church a number of times. What a joy for them to see me there again and to know that we care, and what a joy it was for me to know that their decision was a lifelong one.

As we finished our evangelistic meeting in Romania, we moved to Israel where we made Him known everywhere on the streets, in parks and in congregations. As I was taking Mark and Reed back to the Ben Gurion Airport, two huge trucks from both the right and left side of us almost crushed us in the middle, but it was the Hand of the Lord that took my steering wheel and braking pedal and no harm came to us. Two days later, I was with the President of the Romanian Baptist Association from America on a tour all over Israel and returning from Tiberias through Nazareth with a brand new rented car when we had a terrific accident. In the darkness of the night, we hit a cow after a curve in the middle of the Highway. That cow could not be found then nor later in that week. I was on the passenger side when I saw the cow coming toward the windshield on my side and a Hand took it and through it in the back of the car. When we came to a full stop none of the four of us was hurt, but the car was totaled. Later on, when I returned to the US a beloved sister from Longview, WA called me to ask where I was at that hour because the Lord had woken her up to pray for my safety. This was probably a few minutes prior to that accident. Even the Policeman who saw the car and made the accident report could not believe that nothing had happened to any of us. It was a miracle!
Why am I writing all of those stories to you? To make you realize the importance of your prayers.

The Lord woke up a sister from Longview, WA (when it was 5:30PM in Nazareth and 7:30AM in Longview, WA) just to pray for me and was exactly when the miracle took place. Your financial support is also extremely important for us to be sent into the ministry but your prayers remain vitally important in our fight to snatch souls from the hands of the evil one. In this fight, we are absolutely partners and we cannot make it without you. 1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour”.

As I write this letter from Romania to each of you, I want to remind you that you can always help us through your prayers – of which I personally need so much, and also through your love gifts, without which we cannot make it. You are really an intrinsic part of this ministry. I will be coming back to the USA late Thursday night April 27th, and early Friday morning April 28th. I will have preparations for some test before my new Surgery in my lower abdomen where I have suffered for some time with three Hernias - one left Inguinal, one right Inguinal and one sub-umbilical, all which are a result of my former cancer surgery from September 2010. My surgery will take place May 10th and I appreciate your prayers.

As we celebrate 25 years anniversary of Jesus of Israel Ministry”, a Ministry toward the Jewish people but not only to them, but to all that want to follow the Lord’s (Hashem) Plan of Salvation, I remember our beginning in the USA.

Let me tell you a very short story of our life of ministry in the last 36 years. First let me say “HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO JESUS OF ISRAEL MINISTRY” or as I wanted this ministry to be called by its Israeli name YESHUAT ISRAEL which really means THE SALVATION OF ISRAEL.

It was October 24th, 1980 as both Nora and I stepped for the first time in the Kennedy Airport New York, USA. I was already a Medical Doctor, by the Grace of the Almighty with some accomplishments in Medical Research in Romania and Nora was well accomplished as a Violinist and Opera singer. Great were our expectations as we first arrived in the greatest country in the world. As we defected Romania by the summer of 1980 we left behind then our almost 4 year old daughter Sharon, hoping that soon she will be able to accompany us in the USA. Even though we became Temporary Residents of USA by October 1987 and we became Permanent Residents of USA in 1989, little did we knew then, that it would take a battle of 10 years and one day involving three countries until we would see our daughter again. Had it not been for Republican Senator Jesse Helms and the Former Ambassador of USA to Romania Dr. David Funderburg’s intervention, it would have taken two or more years until the Department of State issued Sharon Smilovici a Parolee Humanitarian Visa who was at that time only 13 years and 11 months old.

When we initially arrived in the USA, it was two weeks prior to the Election of Ronald Reagan as the 40th President of the United States. Coming from a Jewish Bapticostal realm, surely most of the people we knew at that specific time wanted Jimmy Carter, the Baptist President, to be reelected. Little did we know then, how important that election was for the United States of America, when the Hollywood Artist and the former Governor of California became the new elected President of the United States. Oh, how much we miss that President with such a heart for this Land.

By the winter of 1980, we were in Brooklyn NY when we celebrated our first Hanukah in the USA with Beth Sar-Shalom Messianic Congregations. Not long after we moved from Brooklyn, NY to San Diego, CA via Los Angeles, where we just wanted to spend few weeks with my dear Uncle Richard and Aunt Sabina Wurmbrand. Leaving the cold wintery NY, NY to the beautiful weather of San Diego, CA it was quite reinvigorating, and not only that. I was so blessed to be able to be asked to work as a Fellow in Medical Research again, which was even greater.

Our Medical Research Group had to move from Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in San Diego, CA. to Cedar Sinai Hospital in NY, NY. We decided to remain in California, and little did I know then how difficult our next 9 years would be in the USA. Our Political Asylum was denied and for nine years we were citizens of no country. To return to Communist Romania would mean prison for life, and Israel had rejected me, even though I was a veteran of the Yom Kippur War - classifying me as a dangerous Missionary although I rarely kill a fly! In all that turmoil, we can really see now that this was the Plan of God for our future.

By the end of 1985 and with a very, very heavy heart I said my good-byes to the Medical Field and decided to go full-time into Ministry. Then we moved from the sunny and beautiful California to the cold and rainy but beautiful Portland, OR. By 1986 we both started our Theological training, which we accomplished quite well in only twenty-eight months. It was a miracle, His Miracle, to graduate Western Seminary in such a short time and with a Cum Laude Diploma which was unheard of. Praised be His Holy Name for His Great Miracles!

During those first eight years in the USA, being in NY, CA or OR/WA, we were very much involved in the Jewish Ministry, which was and is an intrinsic part of our being. It was in 1981 when I got very involved with Beth Sar-Shalom Ministries in the Greater Los Angeles Area which was directed at that time by Dr. Daniel Goldberg, a man that I learned to admire and love very much and is in need of all of our prayers right now. I already knew his older Brother Dr. Louis Goldberg (Professor of Jewish Studies at Moody Institute) from my involvement in the Messianic Movement in Israel in the early seventies. Dr. Louis Goldberg had always impressed us in Israel with his knowledge of the Scriptures and we enjoyed his seminaries every summer. Even though I was working with a volunteer status with Chosen People Ministries in the eighties, and I had been promised before we started our Theological training that after our graduation we would be taken on as staff of Chosen People Ministries, by 1988 as we graduated and to our big surprise that promise was not kept.

It was then that we asked the Lord what He foresaw for us in the appropriate future. Soon by September 1988 a call came from Hickory NC asking for us to come and start a new Romanian Baptist Church and be their first Pastor. We moved more than 3000 miles away from the beauty of Portland, OR to the small town of Hickory nestled in the foothills of Piedmont NC, to start the First Romanian Baptist Church in NC. It was the beginning of a great ministry among the Romanian People in NC where we still currently reside, and many more churches started since then.

It was by the fall of 1989 when “The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries” asked me to become part of their staff having in mind the overseas work among the Jewish People. Our ministry with “The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministries” started in January 1990 and by February I was asked to go by myself alone to work among the refugees that came out of the former Soviet Union in Ladispoli – Roma, Italy. My mission work took me to Rome, leaving behind my wife Nora and our American born son, Nathanael who was only eight years old at that time. I must mention that during all these 10 years in the United States, we hadn’t seen our daughter Sharon.

I had two wonderful years of ministry with “The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry” where I had ministered literally to tens of thousands of Jewish People coming out of the Former Soviet Union, Italy, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, USA, and Israel. Probably, this only the Lord knows, over ten thousand people accepted Yeshua-Jesus as their Messiah. In those two years I have been ministering in a number of countries, like Italy, Germany, Austria, Romania, Moldova, Israel and the USA.

It was Friday December the 13th, 1991 - believe me I am not superstitious, but that is the truth - I received a call from my direct Supervisor with “The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry,” letting me know that December of 1991 was the termination of my employment with FOI. That came after ten long weeks of ministry in Romania and Moldova that was crowned with great rewards in souls that accepted the Lord, as I have preached the Good News all over even in the plain as I returned from that glorious ministry. I couldn’t believe it. Was this really happening? It was just two weeks after I have sent the FOI headquarters the report of the great ministry I had in Romania and Moldova. I did not know what to think. Did the Lord have forgotten us, or what? Without any real reason the written dismissal came just a week later which made our holydays of 1991 quiet very somber.

In the same week I have received the news from Israel, that my father who worked as a volunteer with the same ministry “The Friends of Israel” for more than 15 years was extremely sick. I could not reveal to him the sad news, but the Lord Himself revealed it to him. When I called to find out how my parents are doing, after speaking with my mom, my father told me: Theo you do not have to tell me, but I know, the Lord Himself revealed me that you are not working anymore with “The Friends of Israel”. Do not worry he said, the Lord has called you to an even greater ministry. I was astonished, I did not know what to say, but I accepted it as a sign from the Lord. And so it was. Was it more difficult? Yes, but with even greater accomplishments. Until this day 25 years later I do not know the reason behind my dismissal from the staff of FOI. But I do not have to know, since I know for sure that this was the Great Plan of The Almighty for our lives.

It was by the end of February of 1992 that I have written my first letter as an independent missionary, The Founder and Executive Director of Jesus of Israel Ministries. It was hard to find the name for the ministry in the beginning where we wanted to call it “The Brothers of Israel”. But in the last moment I have changed the name of the ministry by the request of my uncle Richard to “Jesus of Israel Ministries” which remains until this day. I wonder now after so many years why in world I didn’t named it by the Hebrew name of YESHUAT ISRAEL which would have had even a mightier impact to my Jewish friends. “Jesus of Israel Ministries” received the approval from NC Secretary of State by April 1992 and became a 501c3 ministry by August 1992. So this year is a year of great celebrations. I will always Praise My Lord for what He has done for us; all of our accomplishments during these long years were just because of His Mighty Grace. GRACE that most of us if not all of us, we will never be able to understand it completely. The rest of the story of the 25 years of accomplishments for His Glory will follow in my next letter to come.

Since I am writing about the Mission field I want to let you know that in March and April I will be gone for 7 weeks ministry in Eastern Europe and I need all your prayers. Please do keep me in your daily prayers.

I pray and hope that my next letter will come from Romania before Passover/Resurrection week in April 2016. I will be back with the Lord’s help by April 28th, 2017.

To all of you that have supported “Jesus of Israel Ministry” during 2016 and if by any chance have not received our Statement of your Donations, please let me know ASAP. Also please do forgive me for not writing to you a thank you note as I have sent the Donation Statement last month.

With all my love in His Mighty Grace and Love,

Theo Ben-Abraham Smilovici

My Beloved Prayer Partners,

I just returned home from a 7-week ministry trip in Romania and Chicago and am now preparing to leave for a 10-week ministry trip to Romania, Moldova and Israel.

My first trip began during the Resurrection Season where I had the privilege to preach in Chicago. Following my ministry there, I departed for our Romanian ministry and I was blessed to be able to be with our Messianic Congregation "Beit Hasdo" in Bucharest where we were united in celebrating The Feast of Passover.Many people came forward not only having numerous questions regarding the wonders and the Jewishness of the Scriptures, but also to accept Yeshua as their Lord and Savior. I had presented "The Messiah in the Passover" in a number of the Romanian churches there and this brought about changes in the lives of many Gentiles and also a number of Jewish people, too.Baruch Hashem – Praise the Lord! What a blessing to celebrate the Passover with our Messianic congregations there. We invited over 100 people, including Jewish people, to our five-hour long Feast and many of those Jewish people were quite intrigued to find out truths they had never heard until our special Passover Feast. At least four of the Jewish families that attended begged me to have the material in written form. Carefully and painstakingly, I re-wrote the message adding in even more of the Messianic Prophecies. Praise the Lord for that open door! Over the years, many have asked why do we celebrate the Passover? My answer is: You have to see and experience the Lord's Festival and you will eventually understand its significance in light of God's Scriptures and our Passover Lamb, Yeshua!

I will depart for our summer ministry trip to Eastern Europe and Israel. I will be gone for almost 10 weeks.As you keep me in your prayers, I especially ask that you would also keep my wife, Nora, in your prayers as she remains home by herself.Also, please pray that the Lord will increase His harvest everywhere I go. As you pray for us, please don't forget to pray for our missionaries in Romania– Liliana, Cornel Rusinac and his family, Michal, in Bucharest (she is by now a full doctor resident in their Neuro-Surgery department); and also for* Israel *and our workers there –in Beer-Sheba, and in Jerusalem and for my brother Emanuel and his family.

As I depart for our summer ministry, PLEASE do not forget that we cannot do the job without your prayers and surely without your monthly financial support.I am writing to you because I know the summer months are always very slow as far as financial support is concerned and we need them so desperately as we are in the midst of a battle.As it was last year, we are struggling this year, too.Please keep this ministry to the Jewish people, first, and equally to the Gentiles over your hearts and in your minds daily. We appreciate all of your efforts to keep us going in order to do the job HE has called us to do.

Every single time I write a letter of Pentecost, I am reminded that this is the Church's Birthday, Happy Birthday Church! Pentecost is your Birthday! You see, Pentecost is an old feast in the Bible. At Pentecost, we received the TORAH, so I can say the First Pentecost was the Birthday of the Jewish faith. First we received the Law of the Lord, but later we received the Spirit of the Law. I always love to stress that, because is very important to understand both Covenants and the way that they relate to one another. Knowing that, we may find new avenues to bring the Good News to Jewish people and Gentiles alike.

The Feast of the Harvest (Ex. 23:16), The Feast of the First Fruits (Deut. 16:10, 16) or the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) is the fourth Feast among the seven Feasts of the Lord in the Bible. The fact that the Celebration of the Giving of the Torah and the beginning of the Church started with this feast is not just another coincidence.Both the Law of God and the Law of Grace came from the same Tri-unitarian God, The Almighty One of Days, and The Lord of Israel.

Here are some tremendous comparisons between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.

The Old Covenant (Shavuot – The Feast of Weeks)

The 50th Day after Passover.

The writing of the Ten Commandments was done on two tables of stone.

It was written by God's finger.

3000 people killed because of their disobedience.

The Law unveils the sin of mankind, which automatically brings death.

The Letter of the Law of God.

The Glory of God shone on the face of Moses.

The people's faces had to be veiled, so they could not see God's Glory.

The Glory of the Law passed from their hearts because of their unbelief.

Given on Mount Sinai.

The feast of the Harvest.

The feast of the First Fruits.

The New Covenant (The Pentecost)

The 50^th Day after the Passover's Lamb Sacrifice.

The writing of the Commandments of His Love is now on the hearts and minds of His People.

It was written by the Spirit of God.

3000 people repented and became alive.

The Grace of God through Yeshua's blood brings life from death, covering our sins.

The Spirit of the Law of God.

The Glory of God shown on the face of His Son, Yeshua – Jesus, our Messiah.

The people had unveiled faces so they can be changed into the Glory of His Image.

The Glory of God remains in the believer’s hearts and lives because of His Grace.

Took place on Mount Zion.

The harvest of souls blessed by His Spirit.

Church – You are the First Fruits of Redemption!

All my love, Theo Ben-Abraham Smilovici

"HODU L’ADONAI CHI TOV, CHI LE OLAM CHASDO

Oh, give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good! For His mercy endures forever" Psalm 136:1

This is one of the Psalms that we sing quite often in our Jewish Communities and in the Messianic Congregations all around the world. How true it is and still how little we realize it day by day, in our daily lives! Yes, His Mercies endure forever!

My Romanian trip includes the preparation for the upcoming summer reconstruction of the Church building in Puieni. We are also ready to establish a few more Messianic Congregations in Romania. Pray that they will be well nourished and the Lord will be satisfied in the work for His Kingdom to come and for the Salvation of His people, Israel.

Here in the USA, we just celebrated Resurrection Day, the most important Feast in the Christian realm, or at least I think it is supposed to be so, because without the Lamb Sacrifice and His Resurrection, none of us would be where we are right now. You see the Jewish Scripture speaks of the Lamb from its’ beginning:

"God will provide for HIMSELF the LAMB for the burnt offering, my son", said Abraham to Isaac, his son (Genesis 22:8)

And so, HE, The ALMIGHTY ONE did indeed. He provided the Lamb, FIRST for HIMSELF. Nothing in His creation would have been enough to satisfy the the wrath of the ALMIGHTY ONE against sins of HIS Masterpiece, the Adam race, but HIMSELF. Soon we will all celebrate Passover.

The main theme of Passover is the Redemption through the Blood of the Lamb, and this is also in the Resurrection, despite the fact that many so-called Christian symbols for the season are “bunnies and eggs”! Nothing could be further from the truth! As I already mentioned, Resurrection and Passover, are nothing else, but the Redemption through the Blood of the Lamb and this was from the beginning of time. Unfortunately most of mankind has rejected it. As this season is fast approaching, my very dearly beloved, do not forget:

"For God so loved the world that HE gave His only begotten SON (the Lamb) that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16

As many as two billion s-called Christians celebrate His Resurrection, but little do they know about it. Also, as millions of Jewish people all around the world celebrate Passover, they do not realize that every year they celebrate the Lamb, Who does not yet exist in their lives – the Lamb, who brought Redemption to our people, and Redemption to the world. Yes, we have a great task before us this season, to no longer be silent, but to make it crystal clear to everyone, WHO we really celebrate. For HE, our Salvation, is the real Reason for this Season, and for all seasons.

"Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the tomb… Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, for He is risen." (Luke 24:1-9)

Please pray for me that the Lord will give me many opportunities to open my mouth and teach my people – God's chosen people, the Jewish People, about HIM, the Lamb, Yeshua – Jesus our Messiah.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart, for all you do for "Jesus of Israel Ministries". You mean so much to us.

My very dearly beloved Prayer Partners,

After starting this year with a number of health issues, such as my lower back which has troubled me tremendously, I now feel strong enough for my next mission trip. Next week I will depart for nine weeks of ministry in Germany, Romania, Moldova and Israel. I am looking forward to my first ministry in Germany since 2006. This time it will be in Munich, where I haven’t been since 1980. I am praying for a blessed ministry. From Munich I am flying to Bucharest where the Messianic Congregation "Beit Hasdo" and the Church from Puieni are waiting for me. The believers there are quite happy for me to spend six weeks with them. On the Sabbath I will be with the Messianic Congregation and on SONdays with the Church of Puieni. I am looking forward to spending with them the two great Spring Feasts – the Passover and Shavuot ((Pentecost). Pray with us that many more Jewish and Gentile people will be touched by the Good News. Pray for Mandy, a 98 year old Jewish man, and for his wife Hilda to come forward and accept their Saviour. Pray with us that we be able to build a new Church building in Puieni.

As I am writing this letter we found out that Bibi has slightly won the election in Israel. I pray that HIS WILL would be done and for Bibi to be the right Leader for Israel in the years to come; especially now when we all know that many things may happen. Let's pray and hope that Bibi Netanyahu will be able to put together a strong new coalition to lead the Israelis for the next four years.

As we approach the most holy of the Biblical Feasts, The Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Resurrection, I wish you all a Happy Passover and a Happy Resurrection. We need to remember that during this season (as a matter of fact, all year round) we are to celebrate Yeshua, our Messiah, our King and Redeemer.