A Defense of Christian Zionism

Zionism is no more than the belief that the Jews have a right to live in peace in their homeland like any other nation. Christian Zionists (CZs) would agree with this. However, some are wrongly claiming that they are violating the Bible. However, the Bible teaches the very opposite thing:

 

·       God promised the land to Abraham and the Israelites:  Genesis 17:8 “And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” Therefore, to hate Israel and to want to see it destroyed is to hate God and His eternal plan for Israel.

 

·       Even though the majority of Jews have been unfaithful to their God, He remains faithful: Romans 3:3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? (Certainly not!)

 

·       To harm Israel is to harm His chosen people: Deuteronomy 32:43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.”

 

·       We are to pray for the peace of Israel: Psalm 122:6–9 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!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. (To claim that there is something wrong with this is to oppose God’s Word.)

 

·       Even though in rebellion against God, they remain God's people: 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 all Israel 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.” (It is mis-representing God to claim that He is finished with His Chosen people.)

 

·       God will not always be angry with His Chosen People: Psalm 85:1–3 LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.

 

·       Those who bless Israel shall be blessed: Numbers 24:9 “Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you.” (CZs seek to align with God’s plans for Israel.) 

·       God talks this way about no other people group. To love God is to love Israel: Jeremiah 31:3–4 …”I [God] have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel!” (We should rejoice in the faithfulness of God and not complain against it.)

 

·       Jesus and all the Apostles had been Jews. Consequently, we are indebted to the Jewish people, with whom we will one day be one.

 

·       Christians are Israel's best and perhaps only friends. Israel needs our support. Why then are others trying to interfere with this relationship?

 

There are also numerous non-Biblical reasons to favor CZ:

 

·       Genocide is a continuing reality for this sign-people. Shouldn't we be concerned? It is the just thing to do. Israel is the only nation in the world whose very existence is challenged. Wouldn’t we be outraged by a worldwide movement to destroy Zambia?

 

·       The world is against Israel. The UN has censured Israel twice as many times as it has censured all the other nations put together.

 

·       Israel is an important ally of the USA. Israel supplies our country with intelligence and innovations. It is also the only democracy in their corner of the world, one that also shares Western values.

 

·       God had made an enduring promise to Israel about the land they now occupy. This promise is supported by the fact that the UN had voted to partition the land, thereby providing the Jewish state of Israel a legal and consensual foundation.

 

Christians who hate Jews and oppose Israel’s right to exist fail to realize that they have allied themselves with Satan:

 

Revelation 12:13–17  NLT “When the dragon [Satan] realized that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman [Israel] who had given birth to the male child [Jesus]. But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, time, and half a time. Then the dragon tried to drown the woman with a flood of water that flowed from his mouth. But the earth helped her by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that gushed out from the mouth of the dragon. And the dragon was angry at the woman and declared war against the rest of her children—all who keep God’s commandments and maintain their testimony for Jesus.

Jews and Christians have a common destiny, and, as God’s peoples, both are hated by Satan.