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 is a story relayed by Corrie Ten Boom, “It was Christmas, 1944. My sister, Betsie, had died. I was in a hospital barracks in Ravensbruck, a Nazi prison camp. Dark it was in my heart, and darkness was around me. There were Christmas trees in the street between the barracks. Dead bodies of prisoners had been thrown under the Christmas trees. I tried to talk to the people around me about Christmas, but they mocked and sneered. At last I kept quiet.
I came across an old legend about three cowboys crossing the desert on horseback by night. Suddenly, as they reached a rocky spot, a voice came from heaven and commanded them: “Friends, pick up some pebbles, put them in your pockets and do not look at them till morning.” The men looked at each other in astonishment and began to do as they were told. The voice went on to promise that if they obeyed, they would be both glad and sad. The perplexed men put a few pebbles each in their pockets and went on their way.
Once upon a time, there was a prince who received a very rare and beautiful bird. He named her Goldie and placed her in a lovely, 14K gold cage. But the poor creature was not impressed by the gold at all. She pleaded for her freedom but the prince loved her much too much to part with her. Still, she continued to beg. In final desperation, she asked that he at least allow her go to her relatives and tell them that, though captive, she was still alive.
The baby that came into the world through the scenario above was named Ishmael. According to Islamic belief, it was Ishmael that was offered as a sacrifice by Abraham, and through him that they became the rightful inheritors of the promises of God. In other words, Ishmael was the seed through which Islam was born. Hmmm.
When Jim Burke became the head of a new products division at Johnson & Johnson, one of his first projects was the development of a children’s chest rub. The product failed miserably, and Burke expected that he would be fired. When he was called in to see the chairman of the board, however, he met a surprising reception. “Are you the one who just cost us all that money?” asked Robert Wood Johnson. “Well I just want to congratulate you. If you are making mistakes, that means you are taking risks, and we won’t grow unless you take risks!” Apparently, Mr. Johnson wasn’t joking! Years later, Johnson & Johnson remains one of the largest multi-national manufacturers of pharmaceutical, diagnostic, therapeutic, surgical, personal hygiene, baby and biotechnology products.
In her book, Let Me Be a Woman, Elizabeth Elliot records the story of a friend who had great difficulty accepting the looks God had given her. While everyone this girl knew had grown beautiful golden hair, hers was black. And while they were all still growing, she had stopped. She grew to be only about four feet ten inches tall.
“A young man enlisted, and was sent to his regiment. The first night he was in the barracks with about fifteen other young men, who passed the time playing cards and gambling. Before retiring, he fell on his knees and prayed, and they began to curse him and jeer at him and throw boots at him. So it went on the next night and the next, and finally the young man went and told the chaplain what had taken place, and asked what he should do. ‘Well,’ said the chaplain, ‘you are not at home now, and the other men have just as much right to the barracks as you have. It makes them mad to hear you pray, and the Lord will hear you just as well if you say your prayers in bed and don’t provoke them.’