Steve Conover: Thank you for joining us for The Friends of Israel Today. I'm Steve Conover, and with me is Chris Katulka, our host and teacher. I want to encourage you to take note of our website. That's foiradio.org. Again, that's foiradio.org org. There you can listen to over nine years worth of content on the site. It features Chris Katulka's great teaching and insightful interviews with a host of guests. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Steve, today we're going to be talking about how passion for God's Word should lead to compassion for God's Chosen People. In fact, this is The Friends of Israel's new tagline, Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People. And today we're not only going to look at the Scriptures and unpack that more, but we're also going to look at the history of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry to show that, yeah, this tagline is new, but it actually defines who we are.

It defines our DNA. Going back to 1938, when a group of businessmen, Christian businessmen, and pastors got together because of their passion for God's Word to show compassion to God's Chosen People during a very dark time in the Holocaust.

Steve Conover: Chris, we still are in dark times because in the news with the 2024 Summer Olympic set to take place starting this weekend in Paris, Thomas Portes, a left-leaning French member of parliament, was quoted saying, "No, the Israeli delegation is not welcome in Paris. Israeli athletes are not welcome at the Olympic Games." Portes' comments were swiftly met with criticism from other lawmakers welcoming Israelis to Paris.

Chris Katulka: Well, Steve, here's my take. The tagline of the 2024 Summer Olympics is “Games Wide Open.” Well, according to Thomas Portes, it's Games Wide Open for everyone but the Israelis. It's Games Wide Open for Iran. It's Games Wide Open for North Korea. Yeah, it's even Games Wide Open for China. All countries that commit countless human rights atrocities. But the only democracy in the Middle East, according to Portes, is banned from Games Wide Open for defending itself from a genocidal terrorist organization after the brutal attack on October 7th. I wonder if Portes would say Games Wide Open for Hamas. I bet he would. 

Chris Katulka: I've been hosting The Friends of Israel Today coming up on a decade soon. That's right, 10 years. And many of you have been listening to our program and you're familiar with our organization, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

Well, in light of the events that happened on October 7th when Hamas attacked Israel and the resulting rise of antisemitism, that's the targeted hatred of the Jewish people, I thought I would spend some time talking about our origin story as an organization, how God formed and created The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry because God didn't create The Friends of Israel in a vacuum.

He created the ministry in a time of crisis for the Jewish people. You don't have to be a historian to know what was going on in the world in 1938. Hitler's attempt to conquer Europe and Russia were in play and the Jewish people were a problem for him. The Jews were the scapegoats of everything wrong with German society after World War I. Antisemitism had already been embedded in German and Polish culture. What Hitler did was just inflame it.

Over the course of several years, Hitler would come to develop a manufactured killing machine to eliminate as many Jewish people as possible. Like Henry Ford developed the ability to manufacture cars quickly, efficiently, and cheap, sadly, Hitler would manufacture the death of Jewish people in the same fashion. Kristallnacht, which in German means “night of the broken glass", refers to the series of coordinated Nazi attacks on the Jewish people and their property in November of 1938.

The Nazis destroyed thousands of Jewish owned businesses, synagogues, and homes, which resulted in widespread vandalism and the arrest of approximately 30,000 Jewish men who were sent to concentration camps. The name Kristallnacht comes from the shattered glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish shops and synagogues were smashed.

This event marked a significant escalation in the Nazi campaign of the persecution against the Jewish people leading to the Holocaust. The point of Kristallnacht was to intensify the Nazi regime's campaign of antisemitic persecution and to terrorize the Jewish population into submission and immigration. It served as a brutal public demonstration of Nazi power to intentionally and systematically eliminate Jews from German society.

Hitler wanted to marginalize and dehumanize the Jewish people, publicly stripping them of their economic resources, social standing, and sense of security. In addition, Kristallnacht was used to implement harsher anti-Jewish laws and policies laying the groundwork for the eventual mass deportation and extermination of the Jewish people during the Holocaust.

On the other side of the pond in the United States, Nazi persecution of the Jewish people changed really nothing. Roosevelt's administration took a few notable actions, but nothing significant. It was in that silence that The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry was born. Seeing and hearing about the atrocities committed against the Jewish people in Europe, a group of Philadelphia-based pastors and Christian businessmen banded together with the purpose to rescue the Jewish people under Hitler's hand.

The original name of the organization was The Friends of Israel Refugee and Relief Society. The men passionately believed in what the Scriptures taught about Israel and the Jewish people. And as the world was turning a blind eye to the plight of God's Chosen People, they took a step of faith and decided to act. They passionately believed that God's Word is true.

And when God says, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you," from Genesis 12:3, they believed what God says God means. In its infancy years, The Friends of Israel Refugee and Relief Society would raise funds among churches who had the same biblical understanding of God's Chosen People, and those funds that were raised would be directed to a London-based organization that was helping Jewish people find freedom during the Holocaust.

Strict United States immigration policy severely limited the number of Jewish refugees that could make it into our country, but the few that could would travel by boat to the Port of Oswego, New York where our very first executive director, Dr. Victor Buksbazen, and his amazing wife, Lydia, would meet them. You have to imagine these Jewish people just a few years prior to meeting Victor and Lydia were established in their German and Polish society.

They were contributors to their countries. These were doctors, lawyers, professors, businessmen, politicians, administrators, bankers. They lost everything. They lost their homes, property, jobs. They lost their dignity. They even lost their family. Many have even lost the will to live. Well, Victor and Lydia would meet these beleaguered Holocaust survivors at their lowest point as they exited the boat from the world they knew into a brand new one. The Buksbazens were there ready to minister.

They came prepared with the essentials, the basics, coats, shoes, socks, clothes, and food. But the most important thing they brought with them to the Port of Oswego, New York was the message of the gospel of Jesus, the Jewish Messiah. Victor and Lydia did all that they could to help with humanitarian aid to assist the Jewish people in their darkest moment, but they knew deep down that the greatest thing that they could offer them in that moment was eternal life in Jesus.

Just like the men who founded The Friends of Israel Refugee and Relief Committee, Victor and Lydia were passionate about God's Word too. These men and women were so passionate about God's Word, they named the organization The Friends of Israel before there was even a state of Israel. That's right.

They trusted in God's Word so much, believing that God would one day reconstitute a Jewish state just as the prophets had promised, just as Jesus had promised, just as the apostles had promised, that passion for God's Word compelled them to name the organization The Friends of Israel 10 years before there was even a state of Israel. Look, they took seriously what the Word of God said. Just listen to the Prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31 starting in verse 35.

It says this, "This is what the LORD says, he who appoints the sun to shine by day, who decrees the moon and stars to shine by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar, the LORD Almighty is his name. Only if these decrees vanish from my sight, declares the LORD, will Israel ever cease being a nation before me. This is what the LORD says: “Only if the heavens can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out, will I reject the descendants of Israel because of all that they have done,” declares the LORD.”

Look, the founders of The Friends of Israel took this verse very seriously. They were passionate about it. Did you hear what the Prophet Jeremiah did here? The prophet connected the nation of Israel to the creation of the world. Jeremiah is saying, as long as the sun comes up in the morning and the moon rises at night, as long as the stars shine and as long as the tides come in and out, Jeremiah called these things the fixed order, as long as creation continues to declare the glory of God, then Israel will continue to exist as a nation.

God goes on and says, "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out, only then will God reject the people of Israel." Well, the last I checked, with all the advancements in technology, scientists are still attempting to explain the foundations of the earth. They're still trying to measure the expanse of the universe. See, our founders at The Friends of Israel were passionate about God's Word, and it was that passion for God's Word that drove them to have compassion for God's Chosen People.

Maybe over the last few weeks you've heard Steve say a new tagline at the end of the program, Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People. I wanted to spend time talking about where our new tagline comes from. It might be new to The Friends of Israel, but it only explains the DNA of our organization. That goes back to the day our founders took a step of faith to put their passion for God's Word to work, to show compassion for the Jewish people in their darkest time.

I hope that you have passion for God's Word. If you do, I want to show you why God tells us to have compassion for his Chosen People. Stick around.

Steve Conover: Friends, we have some exciting news to share with you today, something that we think you'll appreciate and use all the time.

Chris Katulka: That's right. We're excited to announce the launch of The Friends of Israel's new Digital Media App designed to provide you with immediate access to a growing library of biblical content, in-depth articles, encouraging reads and listens.

Steve Conover: Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding of the scriptures, learn how to love the Jewish people, explore God's plan for the ages, or receive daily weekday news, our app has something for you.

Chris Katulka: The Friends of Israel's Digital Media App features Israel My Glory articles, Eye on the Middle East and other online biblical teaching, relevant blog posts, upcoming volunteer trips and tours to Israel, scripture, and my personal favorite, all of The Friends of Israel Today radio programs. Steve, how can our listeners get this new amazing app?

Steve Conover: Simply search The Friends of Israel in your favorite App Store and download The Friends of Israel Digital Media App today. You can also find out more at foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Awesome. Now, listeners, don't miss out. Now more than ever, Christians need to know about God's great plan for Israel and why it matters to us today. You can find the app on Google Play, Apple App Store, Google TV, Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV.

Steve Conover: Again, simply visit your favorite app store and download The Friends of Israel Digital Media App when you search The Friends of Israel or learn more at foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Welcome back, everyone. Today we're talking about our new tagline at The Friends of Israel, Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People. I hope it's stuck in your mind now. In the previous segment of the program, I highlighted that this tagline might be new, but it's only words that best describe the DNA of The Friends of Israel that goes back to our founding in 1938. Our founders were passionate about God's Word which led them to show compassion for the Jewish people.

I want to share three quick scriptures that I believe compel us as believers who have passion for God's Word to show compassion for God's Chosen People. First, I'll mention it again, Genesis 12:3, God promises Abraham protection for both him and his descendants as they enter the land and fulfill the divine promise for choosing the Jewish people that God would use Abraham and his descendants to bless all the families of the earth. God says in that promise of protection, "I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you."

Look, if there's any reason to show compassion to the Jewish people from God's Word, it's to be on the side of God's blessing. And I'm here to say that The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry chooses to bless. I hope you choose to bless the Jewish people. Second, the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 40:1-2 says, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem." One commentator puts it this way, comfort is what human beings need when they are suffering or in some distress.

Consequently, personal attention, comfort through words is included, but comfort is not restricted to verbal consolation in the Old Testament. It also includes action, the commentator writes. The whole range of the word comfort can actually be seen In Isaiah too. We hear the word about comfort or the lack of it in the suffering and death of the Jewish people in their darkest moments in Isaiah 51:9. We hear about the comfort and revival of the land of Israel that's considered comfort in Isaiah 51:3.

Comfort is actually paralleled with Isaiah 49:13 when that word is used in connection with compassion, that God will have compassion on his afflicted. The term for comfort is wide-ranging so that when it comes to Israel and the Jewish people, it's talking about comfort for my people, the Jewish people, comfort for my land, the land of Israel. Really, again, the word could boil down to show compassion. Finally, even Jesus himself called for those who have passion for God's Word to have compassion for his Chosen People.

In Matthew 25, Jesus is talking about his judgment of the nations in the future, and he says this in Matthew 25 starting in verse 34, then the king will say to those on his right, "Come you who are blessed by my Father. Take your inheritance. The kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you invited me in. I needed clothes and you clothed me. I was sick and you looked after me. I was in prison and you came to visit me."

The righteous respond to the Lord and they say, "When did we see you in a state, hungry, thirsty, lost, unclothed, sick, or in prison?" Well, Jesus responds to the righteous, "Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Look, Jesus is talking about his Jewish brothers and sisters who suffered not only in the constant persecution and antisemitism that they faced over the millennia, but also in the context here of the future tribulation period.

Jesus, like the Prophet Joel in Joel 3, compares the compassion of the righteous, the sheep, toward his people against the hard hearts of those unrighteous who lack sympathy and compassion. Look, Jesus even highlights how passion for God's Word produces compassion for God's Chosen People. As we close here, if you're looking for a trustworthy way to show your compassion for God's Chosen People, I hope that you turn to The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry.

For more than 85 years, The Friends of Israel has ministered to Jewish people with integrity all around the world. You can visit our website, foiradio.org, to find out more ways that you can get involved in The Friends of Israel so that you can live out your passion for God's Word by showing compassion for God's Chosen People.

Steve Conover: Israel on the verge of becoming a state, a teenage Holocaust survivor arrives on her shores alone. His name is Zvi Kalisher. Little did he know his search for a new life in the Holy Land would lead him to the Messiah. Zvi, enthusiastic to share his faith, engaged others in spiritual conversations, many of which can be found in our magazine, Israel My Glory. While Zvi is now in the presence of his Savior, his collected writings from well over 50 years of ministry continue to encourage believers worldwide. Now, Apples of Gold, a dramatic reading from the life of Zvi.

Mike Kellogg: It is hard for us to forsake the old ways. The Bible says that the people of Israel are God's Chosen People, his peculiar treasure. Israelis consider this to be a great honor, but most forget there are conditions for them to receive God's blessings. In Deuteronomy 11:26-28, the Lord said, "Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse. The blessing if you obey my commandments and the curse if you do not obey my commandments." Many Israelis believe that just because they live in Israel, God will bless them regardless of disobedience.

I recently met some who believe this way. I told them, "My friends, it is not enough that you live in Israel. Deuteronomy 12:1 states these are the statutes in judgment which you must observe in the land which the Lord God is giving you to possess all the days that you live on the earth." They responded, "We realize you are a Christian and you want us to receive Jesus as our savior as you people always say. We know you are not courageous enough to tell the rabbis what you are telling us."

I replied, "Everyone must hear the truth about our savior, and actually many times I have told rabbis what I just told you. One day, when you stand before the Lord to give an account for your life, your rabbis will not stand with you. You will stand before him alone. Neither do the rabbis have the power to forgive your sins." They became interested in what I was sharing, but one of them said, "Our fathers lived and died following these traditions. It is hard for us to forsake the old ways." "I understand your concerns," I told them.

"But if you do not change your ways, when you die, you will be lost forever with no opportunity to be saved." They seemed frightened and asked, "Do you think we have already gone too far?" "No, I answered, "This is only the beginning. When you start to fear, your eyes will be open to see biblical truth. You will see the folly of following old traditions and not accepting the responsibility for your eternal souls." One of the men said, "We have studied the Talmud all our lives. You cannot teach us anything we do not already know."

I then asked the entire group, "Which book is more important, the Talmud or the Torah? If you are good Jews, why do you not keep the law as it is written in Deuteronomy 5:7, you shall have no other gods before me? This is only one of the many commandments that Israelis do not keep. Every person is responsible for himself but for the Lord and Ezekiel 18:20 tells us that the soul who sin shall die. Our fathers and rabbis cannot save us. But if you receive the Lord, you will be blessed rather than cursed."

At the end of our conversation, one said, "We never realized that those who believe in Jesus followed the Bible so closely. This is the first time we have heard what you really believe." I pray for them that the Lord will cause them to meditate on what they hear, that they will recognize the truth as it is written in His Word, and that they will open their hearts to him as their Savior and Messiah.

Steve Conover: Thank you so much for joining us for today's episode of The Friends of Israel Today, and a quick reminder to download our app. You can learn more at foiradio.org.

Chris Katulka: Steve, next week I'm going to be interviewing Ty Perry, who is the assistant to the North American Ministries director here at The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Ty writes a regular piece in Israel My Glory all about antisemitism, so we're going to be talking about antisemitism, the rise of it, and how Christians can help combat this Jewish hatred, this targeted Jewish hatred.

You know what? You can do that now as you're listening, because during these challenging times in Israel, it's absolutely crucial to deepen our understanding of biblical teaching about Israel and the Jewish people. I really hope that you believe FOI Radio provides the essential teaching of timeless truths to support our Jewish friends. Remember, passion for God's Word should lead to compassion for God's Chosen People.

Would you please consider making a donation to help us continue this vital work and to reach more lives with the biblical message of God's heart for Israel and the Jewish people? It's really easy to do that. All you have to do is go to foiradio.org. There, there's a button for you, a donate button. You can click there to give. Again, that's foiradio.org.

Steve Conover: By mail, you can reach us at FOI Radio, PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey 08099. Again, that's FOI Radio, PO Box 914, Bellmawr, New Jersey, 08099. Again, our web address is foiradio.org. That's foiradio.org, or you can call our listener line. That number is 888-343-6940. Again, that's 888-343-6940.

Our host and teacher is Chris Katulka. Today's program was produced by Tom Gallione, engineered by Bob Beebe. Edited by Jeremy Strong, who also composed and performs our theme music. Mike Kellogg read Apples of Gold, and I'm Steve Conover, executive producer, The Friends of Israel Today is a production of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Passion for God's Word. Compassion for God's Chosen People.