During the past two weeks, I’ve received numerous emails responding to our understanding of Israel in the Bible, clearly indicating a need for a more comprehensive explanation of my point of view. This will require a bit more space than usual. Here’s my Biblical perspective:
Paul’s letter to the Romans addresses the issue directly. He uses the term, “Jew” 8 times, and “Gentile”, 18 times, establishing distinct definitions which require clarification. Early in the letter Paul explains that these individual identities are now subordinate to one which is far greater, the believer’s primary identity in Messiah, Jew or Gentile, no difference. Romans 3:9-26 reveals the hopeless spiritual condition of all humans, Jews and Gentiles, pointing to our justification by faith in Yeshua (Jesus) which provides every soul with a new identity in Christ.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians further reveals that this equality in spirit between Jew and Gentile was a hidden mystery, now revealed to form a new entity called the “ekklesia”, [Ephesians 3:10] or “one new man”;[Ephesians 2:15]. This truth has been sadly misunderstood to virtually eradicate the individual identities of Jew and Gentile, and confer upon the newly formed church or one new man every prophetic promise given to the nation, Israel. Paul addresses this issue in chapter 11 of his Roman letter, warning Gentile believers, especially, not to ignore or condescend to Israel and the Jewish people as a nation with a distinct, enduring identity, and an irrevocable gifting and calling; [Romans 11:11-31].
This calling of Israel and the Jewish people is irrevocable, Paul asserts. As such it behooves us to understand and appreciate it. We know from the entire testimony of the Tenach (“Old Testament”) that Israel’s calling has always been as a nation which reveals God to the world, points to His Messiah, and receives a kingdom of righteousness which never ends. Paul’s longing for the salvation of his Jewish people, [Romans 9:1-3] rests on the awareness that, “…theirs is the adoption to sonship; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Messiah, who is God over all, forever praised!” [Romans 9:4-5].
A paradox of Israel’s history is how the nation has both succeeded and failed in its calling up until now. The nation has revealed God to the world through her miraculous history, in both obedience and disobedience, also as a vessel of God’s word through Moses and the prophets, and especially through the revelation of Messiah in the New Testament. Still the irrevocable purpose of God is for Israel to endure until every calling and promise to them are fulfilled; [Jeremiah 31:35-36]. So what remains of this?
Scripture affirms the expectation for a righteous Kingdom led by a righteous King from David’s line as a future destiny for His chosen nation; [2 Samuel 7:16]. We understand that this kingdom begins in seed form with the first Advent of Messiah, the King, who came announcing that the Kingdom was at hand; [Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20; Luke 17:20-21;], but would not be fulfilled until a future time; [Mark 14:25; Luke 13:28-29; Luke 19:11; Luke 22:16-18;] in a “Millennial Kingdom” of 1000 years, [Psalm 2:6-9; Isaiah 11; Isaiah 65:19-25; Revelation 12:10] when the King comes a second time. It’s also clear that the promise of Israel’s Kingdom will include innumerable Gentiles who are given the opportunity to participate with authority and blessing, both now in its seed form, [Luke 13:28-29; Acts 8:12; Ephesians 2:12-22], and later in the establishment and governing of the Millennial Kingdom when the King returns to establish it; [Luke 19:17; Revelation 12:10].
It is our conviction that those who share God’s heart and understand His love and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people recognize the promises He has made to them, and they also realize that His commitment to Israel powerfully exemplifies and confirms all of His other promises to us NT believers. “Who shall separate us from the love of God?”, Paul writes in chapter 8 to the Roman believers. He continues then to demonstrate God’s unswerving faithfulness to us using Israel, the present Jewish nation in disobedience and unbelief, as the prime example of His enduring love; [Romans Chapters 9-11]. Paul’s almost shocking conclusion emphasizing the paradox of Israel, “Concerning the gospel they are ENEMIES for your sake, but concerning the election, beloved for the sake of the fathers”; [Romans 11:28]. Israel’s gift and calling will not be revoked, and neither will yours if you belong to Him.
What does this love for Israel involve? We see clearly from both covenants that the “promises” include the resurrection of Israel as a nation, first physically, [Ezekiel 37:8; Jeremiah 30:3; Amos 9:13-16; Isaiah 43:5-6;], and then, spiritually; [Ezekiel 37:9-14; Jeremiah 30:18-22; Romans 11:26-27]. The physical resurrection has been underway since the late 19th century when the first wave of “aliyah” (Jews returning to the Land) began, and has accelerated since the rebirth of the nation in May, 1948 after the Holocaust. The spiritual resurrection has begun, highlighted by the birth of the Messianic movement of Jewish believers in the mid 1960s of the 20th century, and will continue until the fullness of the Gentiles when “all Israel is saved”; [Romans 11:25-26]. In light of these unequivocal historical developments we come to the present time with our exhortation to all believers to respect and appreciate God’s promises to Israel and the Jewish people. God’s blessings are assured to those who do; [Genesis 12:3], and our heart’s desire is for every believer to enjoy them.
And we see even now that the modern nation of Israel is becoming a litmus test for the entire world because of God’s calling upon them and His promises being fulfilled:
“I will also gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat And I will enter into judgment with them there on account of my people My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations They have also divided My land”, says the prophet Joel; [Joel 3:2].
Nineteen hundred years after the Jewish people have been scattered throughout the Earth (in 70AD), then restored to their ancient homeland, the prophet Joel speaks of a last days judgment in the valley which divides the modern city of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (known as the Kidron Valley, or Valley of Tears). God’s covenant promise of the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, [Genesis 13:15; 17:8; 24:7; 26:3; 28:4; 35:12; Psalm 105:8-12] is prophesied to be threatened and nullified by the nations of the world at that time, by dividing the land and bringing His judgment upon them. This judgment has never taken place in history, but the modern division of Israel established in international law by the United Nations in 1947, may be consummated in some near future covenant yet to be revealed, and Joel is warning the nations of a coming judgment which will result from this action. There is a “controversy of Zion” developing with increasing intensity in our time, which will eventuate in the day of the Lord’s vengeance; [Isaiah 34:8]. Much is written in the prophets concerning this terrible “Day”.
There are those now from the nations, Gentiles, Arabs, and Jews, who favor and marvel at the modern “miraculous” restoration of this tiny nation, which well they should, in light of the worldwide dispersion of the Jews in 70AD and the unrelenting history of antisemitism throughout this age. And many are unaware that among the over 100 nationalities represented in the returned Jewish population of roughly seven and a half million, there are also two million Arab Israelis (20% of the population) who enjoy citizenship in Israel, living in peace together with their Jewish neighbors. But a far greater number among the nations and within the land (and even some Jewish people) are incensed and even outraged that the Jews should dwell in their (well documented) ancient homeland, chanting along with the Islamic world, “From the River [Jordan] to the sea [Mediterranean]…” insisting that Israel must be destroyed and replaced by “Palestine”. We believe this opposition to Israel’s restoration has its origin in the realm of spiritual darkness.
So, consider the facts and the scriptures together, and decide. Is there sufficient evidence for God’s providential faithfulness to the Jews in restoring the nation and land of Israel to them? How in fact could Yeshua say to the Pharisees and to Jerusalem itself, “You will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of YHVH’ [Matthew 23:39; Luke 13:35], if the city and people whom He addressed were not back in the Land? The word of God is true, and those believers, churches, congregations and fellowships, who acknowledge it are full of amazement, joy and expectation, especially those who have been able to visit here. This is because Israel is a sign, once again, pointing to our Blessed Hope, Yeshua and His soon return. Believers who miss this are losing something most precious, the blessing of those who bless Israel and pray for the peace of Jerusalem [Psalm 122:6] as they await their Savior’s second coming.
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]This weekend, the Jewish people will celebrate the festival of Purim. This holiday commemorates Israel’s amazing reversal in Persia during the reign of King Xerxes (Ahasuerus) when Queen Esther and her uncle Mordecai gained victory for the Jews and protected them from annihilation at the hands of the evil Haman.
Over two decades ago, when I moved to Israel, I had the opportunity to spend considerable time with a pastor and his wife. This pastor imparted significant wisdom to me during that period, counseling me to “be like the children of Issachar,” he directed me to this specific passage in 1 Chronicles 12.
Over the past few days, I’ve been discussing the will of God and how to walk out His will daily in our lives. The Lord’s general will involves the development of our character and the ways in which we relate to Him and to our fellow man. Much of this is the same for every believer. But each of us is unique, and each has a potential life vision unlike any other. God has an individual will for every soul that belongs to Him, an individually shaped destiny which varies according to our gifting and calling and purpose in His Body.
As God worked on creation for six days and rested on the seventh day, so our seven day week is established on that pattern. If, as the scripture declares, with the Lord one day is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day, then the seven-day cycle also finds expression in a great historical “week”. As we approach the 1,000-year reign of the Messiah, this “millennium” as it is called, (described in some detail in Revelation chapter 20), is clearly understood as a time of global rest, peace, and righteousness throughout the Earth.
The word for “restitution” in this passage is the Greek word – “apokatastasis”. This is the one and only place it is found in the New Testament. The word literally means to “restore again” or “to repair”. The plan of God in sending His Son Yeshua (Jesus) was to restore that which had been broken and ruined. The Lord’s saving work is a global repair job. Each one of us has come to Him already ruined by sin. But God’s will and His promise is to restore and renew us through His Son.
These past few days, writing about the will of God, has reminded me of the prophet Jeremiah, and how the Lord knew him – even before he was in his mother’s womb, and he was sanctified by God as a prophet to the nations. A similar foreknowledge and ordination of God belongs to us who are under the New Covenant. God’s foreknowledge of His people is clearly stated in scripture. We were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless, and created in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) unto good works which He foreordained that we walk in them.
Writing daily devotions throughout the years I’ve often been asked the question, “How do I find the will of God?” There are probably many good scriptural approaches to answering this question; but I want to offer something very basic as you think about understanding the will of God. That is, simply, that you’ll know His will when you come to know the heart of God.