14/12/2023
⚡️⚡️⚡️Why Israel 🇮🇱 Matters to Christians⚡️⚡️⚡️
Vlad Savchuk
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Israel is the size and population of the state of New Jersey, constituting only 0.22% of the size of the United States.
God chose Abraham and his descendants, Israel, as His special people because of His love for them and His promise to their ancestors (Deut 7:6-8). They are described as the "apple of His eye" (Zech 2:8-10).
God promised that nations would be blessed because of Abraham’s seed - Christ (Gen 22:18; Gal 3:8). He selected a family that would grow into a nation, leading to Jesus, who became a blessing to the world.
God promised land to Abraham and his descendants, spanning areas from Egypt to Iraq (Gen 12:7). Joshua entered this promised land around 1,400 BCE. Islam didn’t emerge until 636 AD. The region of ancient Israel was historically Jewish. The promised land for Israel is a permanent gift from God.
Jesus identified Himself as the prophesied Davidic King who would restore Israel (Acts 3:19-22). The Jews rejected Him, as foretold by Isaiah (Isa 52-53). Jesus instructed His disciples to spread the good news to all nations, fulfilling Abraham's mission to bless the nations (Gen 12:2-3).
Replacement theology suggests that the church took over Israel's role in God's plans. This belief is incorrect! It implies that God is finished with Israel and that He broke His promises to Abraham and David. However, God doesn’t break His promises.
The "hardening" (their disbelief in the Messiah) of Israel is neither complete nor permanent. Some Israelites still have faith, and this state will continue until the "fullness of the Gentiles" comes to pass (Rom 11:25). Eventually, all of Israel will find salvation (Rom 11:26). God will pour out on the house of David a spirit of grace, leading them to mourn the one they pierced (Zech 12:10).
Jesus’ mission consists of three phases: prophet (earthly ministry), priest (the cross), and king (the second coming).
Jesus’ Second Coming will be visible, personal, tangible, and glorious (Mt 24:27, 30). He will arrive with His saints (1 Thess 3:13). Jesus will descend onto the Mount of Olives, ending the great tribulation and saving Israel (Zach 14:4). He will destroy the Antichrist and judge the nations (2 Thess. 2:8; Mt 25:31–46).
To conclude:
• God is not finished with Israel, so we should continually pray for them.
• We stand with Israel. Every author of the Bible was Jewish, as is our Savior.
• We reject whataboutism propaganda that Israel hasn’t always acted blamelessly; therefore, they deserve to be attacked.
• As we anticipate Jesus’ Second Coming, our mission remains - to spread the good news and disciple the nations.
• We shouldn’t fear the end times; rather, we should live on fire for Christ.
