What is Zionism? Britanica (along with many other sources)
defines “Zionism” as the:
· Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jews (Hebrew: Eretz Yisraʾel, “the Land of Israel”). Though Zionism originated in eastern and central Europe in the latter part of the 19th century, it is in many ways a continuation of the ancient attachment of the Jews and of the Jewish religion to the historical region of Palestine. According to Judaism, Zion, one of the hills of ancient Jerusalem, is the place where God dwells.
Can Christians also be Zionists? Of course, as long as they believe that the Jewish people have a right to exist and to have a refuge from a world of Jew-hatred. However many are attempting to redirect the Evangelical Church—Israel’s only steadfast friend—away from any support for Israel.
Is there anything unbiblical about “Christian Zionism” as some allege? Not at all! Instead it can be argued that this devotion to the survival of Israel is at the heart of Jesus Christ and our Triune God. This divine commitment to His Jewish people is imprinted upon the annuls of their history. As such, they are a sign people both of the wrath of their God and His faithfulness, a light to the world of the reality of God and of His promises. Their God had promised:
· Deuteronomy 8:16–20 …to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
Today, Israel’s gods are largely atheism/agnosticism and self-trust
and not the God who has blessed and continues protect them amid worldwide
Jew-hatred. Nevertheless, their God has also promised to never entirely give up
on them. He had promised to bring them back to their Promised Land and has done
so three times: from Egypt, Babylon, and most recently when the UN voted in 1948,
against all odds, to recognize the State of Israel. These Israelite returns represent
an historical anomaly which has never happened to a single nation even once.
God has also promised to fully restore Israel to what it had been intended to
be.
· Isaiah 49:14–16 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
· Isaiah 54:5–8 For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you [Israel] like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,” says the LORD, your Redeemer.
the New Testament also promises the salvation of Israel even for those who had rebelled against their God:
· Romans 11:25–29 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.” As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
Should not the Church celebrate the faithfulness of God to
Israel ?To be anti-Jewish is also to be anti-Christian. For one thing, the
Christian faith is based upon the very Scriptures that the Jews had preserved
over the centuries.
For another thing, Jesus and all His apostles—the authors and foundation of the
New Testament—had been faithful Jews. Therefore, to discount these men is to
reject the foundation that had been created for Christianity.
Romans 3:2 …The Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
God had entrusted the Hebrew Scriptures to the Jews. Is it surprising that the Church should be grateful for this! Therefore, to hate the Jews and the Jewish writers of these Scriptures is to oppose the plan and purpose of God. It is even to hate Jesus!
Even in their rebellion, Israel remains central to God’s purposes. In the end, Israel will become one with the Gentile believers. God’s promises to the Church are even intertwined with those He had made to Israel:
· Romans 15:8–12 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people [Israel].” And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
· To be on God’s side is to seek Israel’s ultimate welfare: Psalm 122:6–8 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!”
As a Jew and a Christian, I thank God for the Evangelical Church and its love to the Jews and for Israel. May this love continue to blossom!
18 comments:
It is my belief that you cannot have the Holy Spirit in you and be against the Jewish people not the land of Israel. It is impossible.
njp, fOR THE MOST part, the Catholic and Orthodox seem to be hostile to Israel.
Israel is not hostile to Palestinians. unfortunately, there will inevitably be collateral damage in any war, but the Muslims have always started the wars, because they believe that Allah requires them to rule the world. Therefore, any form of Jihad is legitimate for them.
What about Trump & Netanyahu ?
Was Jesus against the Pharisees at Jerusalem ?
When you were living in Israel did you ever visit Gaza ?
Nope!
I've heard about some bad things happening there several years ago . - collateral damage
To be against the Jewish people is also to be against Jesus , all the Apostles and God's promises to the Jewish people.
NJP, We must be highly suspect of anything coming out the the Islamic world. Deceiving the infidel is perfectly acceptable to them. Why? because Allah was the greatest deceiver according to the Quran:
Quran 3:54 But they (the Jews) were deceptive, and Allah was deceptive, for Allah is the best of deceivers (8:30)
Quran 7:99 Are they then secure from Allah's deception (makra Allahi)? None deemeth himself secure from Allah's deception (makra Allahi) save folk that perish.
Quran 27:50 So they schemed a scheme: and We schemed a scheme (Wamakaroo makran wamakarna makran), while they perceived not.
Quran 13:42 And verily, those before them did deceive/scheme (makara), but all deception/scheming is Allah's (falillahi al-makru). He knows what every person earns, and the disbelievers will know who gets the good end.
Quran 4:142 Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He Who deceives them.
It is no wonder that faithful Muslims will also use deception, especially in regard to the infidel. Besides, Allah doesn’t like the unbeliever:
Quran 3:32 Say,"Obey Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers. (Sahih International)
Consequently, the believing Muslim can deceive and even hate the unbeliever even to use “friendship” as a form of deception for Allah:
I think Genesis chapter sixteen is interesting . Moses might have written it while he was in Egypt . There was a Pastor at NYSB from a Middle Eastern country who did a ministry called A Heart for Muslims . We are all sinners .
When you can , please read : 1 Kings 22:19-23 & 2 Chronicles 18:18-22 .
I've read somewhere that Luke was not a Jew . Should we ignore what he wrote as not being trustworthy ?
Why did King David have Bathsheba's husband killed .
Have you read about what happened with the children of his different wives ?
I've had Muslim friends at my former job for many years . I remember I asked a young Muslim woman about something in a Quran that I had and she asked her Imam about it . She told me that the Quran I had was a bad translation version .
What do you think about the New World Translation of the Bible ? Or the Roman Catholic Bible ? Or the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible ?
One more thing for now : I saw somewhere on the internet that the NYC current Mayor invited the Israel Prime Minister to the Inauguration of the newly elected NYC Mayor .
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