Return to Zion - Blog

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Yeshua Ha-Mashiach. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV It is somehow difficult these days to read the first phrase "always rejoice". I was born and raised in the former Soviet Union. During this time, I managed to finish middle school, University, and served in the Soviet Army (2 years) - in a tank repair battalion in Siberia, not far from Khabarovsk and the border with China. The Russian military concept is not much different from the Soviet one, which was "victory at any cost". The life of a soldier is valued less than a Kalashnikov assault rifle. At that time there was no big difference between Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians, and other nations. Only Jews were kept at a distance (Slavic anti-Semitism affected). Today I watch with horror what had happened. Russia is bombing Ukraine. This was unimaginable even in a nightmare. It is clear that the Elites solv...

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Messiah, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Mashiach Yeshua: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Yeshua every kn...

20 “Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. 21 In the tent of meeting, outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come. Exodus 27:20-21 NIV 1 “Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests. 2 Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron to give him dignity and honor.” Exodus 28:1-2 NIV Each weekly chapter can be interpreted literally, looking for the essence, nuances, meaning of words, or it can be interpreted allegorically, using imagination and associations. Any method is possible, worthy, important, and can give us proper edification. Therefore, the basic desire of God's Spirit, expressed through the Scri...