10/16/2023
Here is my take on Israel and current events:
My Israelology in Light of Eschatology and Current Events
For many years I have had a developing Israelology in my mind but have never sat down and systematically written it out. However, in light of current events and the reaction of many as to how they understand Israel and its role in the world today and in the Kingdom of God to come, I felt a need to put my thoughts into some type of logical order. I will attempt to do this, at least partially (this is by no means a fully developed theological statement) and for the present, in the form of questions and answers that come to my mind. I know that some (perhaps many) will disagree with my views but that is the beauty of thought and opinion, we do not have to agree but we do need to substantiate whatever thought and opinion we have with Scripture, both Old and New Testaments. This I will attempt to do.
Question: How do the Jews and the Holy Land (Israel) fit into God’s eternal eschatological plan?
Answer: First, I absolutely reject the doctrine of Replacement Theology. The New Testament Church does not replace Israel in the economy of God. God’s promises to Abraham’s biological descendants are irrevocable. God said to Abraham, “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” (Genesis 17:7-8) The Jewish deed to the land of Israel is based on God’s everlasting promise to Abraham. The entire earth belongs to the Lord and He can give any part of it to whomever he pleases. He has given this tiny spot in the Middle East to Israel. Within the economy of God, this piece of land has always been somewhat of a flashpoint and the Jewish race has been a thorn in the side of many nations. I will deal with the reasons for this as I continue to develop my Israelology.
Question: Has God always protected the Jewish race and always established their occupancy in the Land?
Answer: The answer to this is yes and no, depending on Israel’s faith and obedience to God. Jesus said this in response to the question, “Which is the greatest commandment?”: And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22: 37-40)
And on these two commandments rests Israel’s ability to live in the Land. When Israel, in the Old Testament, demonstrated faith and obedience, God protected them, fought for them, and protected their inheritance. However, when Israel lived in doubt and disobedience, God allowed them to be subjected to war and even ejection from the Land. This was always done in a redemptive fashion however, not merely punitive. Beginning in approximately 586 B.C. until 1948 A.D., the Jewish people never had full rights to the Land of Israel. However, even though the previous statement is true, it does not negate the fact of God’s promise to Abraham. Squatters may occupy a land for centuries, but God keeps the deed.
Question: Is the modern day State of Israel now the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham?
Answer: My answer to this question necessitates some other questions. Are the Jewish inhabitants of the State of Israel fulfilling what Jesus said was the two greatest commandments of faith and obedience? As a whole, the answer is in the negative. Yes, some have accepted the Messiahship of Yeshua. But they are the exception. Thus, as precedented throughout the Old Testament and into the New, modern day Israel and its inhabitants are still subject to the discipline and judgement of God. We are told, commanded actually, to pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. But, upon what is the answer to that prayer founded? It is founded upon Jesus who said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (John 14:27) The Peace of Jerusalem is predicated upon Israel accepting its Messiah. In that regard, we should also be praying for the Peace of Beirut, the Peace of Istanbul, the Peace of Moscow, the Peace of Washington D.C., etc. The New Testament Church’s focus is not on land and protection (that’s God’s venue) but on evangelization of all nations, including Israel. Until Israel, and all nations, accept God’s Messiah, there is no security and no peace. Should we stand with Israel against aggression? Yes, as much as we should stand against aggression around the world. Is the present day battle in Israel part of God’s eschatological plan that will result in the return of Christ? That, perhaps, is a question that not even Jesus could answer from an earthly perspective. We read this in the Book of Acts, So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1:6-8) And in Matthew’s Gospel we read, “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” (Matthew24:36) However, we know that all of these events are within the economy of God’s eschatological purpose for Israel and very much are a vital part of God’s plan.
Question: Does the modern day State of Israel have the right to exist and defend its borders?
Answer: Absolutely, just as any sovereign nation or state has the right to exist and defend itself against terrorism and aggression. As a political entity, Israel is justified in using force, diplomacy, and any other legitimate means to defend its people and its land. As a matter of fact, the State of Israel has more of a right to exist and defend its borders than perhaps any other nation on the earth. Why? Listen to this conversation between King Sihon and Jephthat about Israel’s right to its borders: “So you see, it was the LORD, the God of Israel, who took away the land from the Amorites and gave it to Israel. Why, then, should we give it back to you? You keep whatever your god Chemosh gives you, and we will keep whatever the LORD our God gives us.” (Judges 11:23-24) The only nation that I know of who can legitimately make the claim that the LORD God gave them their land is Israel. The Jewish people are the legitimate heirs to the Holy Land and every nation should honor that and help Israel defend its sovereignty.
Question: When and how will God ultimately fulfill all of the many promises to the descendants of Abraham and concerning the physical Land of Israel?
Answer: Within my theological and eschatological understand of Scripture, all of these promises will be ultimately fulfilled during the Millennial Reign of Christ. The Jewish people will holistically accept the Messiahship of Jesus at His Second Coming. Paul says, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ’The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob. This is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins.’” (Romans 11:25-27)
Once all Israel begins to live in faith and obedience to God, all of the promises of God to the Jews and concerning their land will be fulfilled.
