1. The Bible is filled with Israel
All Bible believing people should stand with Israel. The Bible
introduces The God of Israel and 2/3rds of the scriptures are dedicated to the
people of Israel, their history and their destiny.
2. Christians have A Common Destiny with Israel
Our ultimate destiny is the manifest Kingdom of God in which Jesus
rules from the throne of David in Jerusalem. If we truly believe the Bible we
must inevitably believe in the future good ofIsrael. Isaiah 2:2-5. Micah 4: 1-4
Isaiah 2:2-3 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the
mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established on the top of the mountains,
and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many
people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the
LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; he will teach us His ways, and we shall
walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem. (NKJ)
Micah 4:1-2 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the
mountain of the house of the
LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall
be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. 2 And many nations shall come, and
say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of
the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his
paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from
Jerusalem.(KJV)
3.Because Israel is A Unique and Special Nation to God
Exodus 19:5 'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and
keep My covenant, then you shall be a (peculiar) special treasure to Me above all people; for
all the earth is Mine. (NKJ)
Deuteronomy 14:2 "For you are a holy people to the LORD your
God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a (peculiar)
special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (NKJ)
Psalm 135:4 For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel
for his peculiar treasure.(KJV)
4. Christians also are A Peculiar Treasure to God
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from
all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (KJV)
1 Pet 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an
holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him
who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (KJV)
Both Israel and the church are therefore said to be “a peculiar
treasure to God.” This fact surely forges a link between the two!
5. Because God Says He will bless Those Who bless Them.
Genesis 12:3: "I will bless them that bless thee and curse them
that curse thee, and in thee shall all the nations of the earth be
blessed.".
Isaiah 60:12: 'For the nation that will not serve you will perish;
it will be utterly ruined.
Throughout human history many mighty world kingdoms have fallen and
disintegrated e.g
Egypt, Persia, Rome, Greece, Spain, Germany, Britain. In every
instance there have been factors of anti Semitism inbred in the system and this
has brought about their downfall in accordance with the Bible principle.
6. Because We Owe Them A Debt for What We have received Through Them
Through Israel the promises and covenants were given. Through them
came the law, the Prophets and the Messiah Jesus, who has opened up access to
God for all. Through the Jewish apostles the gospel first went to the nations.
To the Israelites 'pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants,
the giving of the law, the service of God and the promises, of whom are the
fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all.' (Romans
9:4-5).
"For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual
blessings, they ought also be of service them in material to them in their
material blessings" (Romans 15:27)
7. Because God's Gifts and Call On Them have never been revoked
Romans 11:28: 'As regards the gospel they are enemies of God for
our sake; but as regards the election they are beloved for the sake of their
forefathers. For the gifts and call of God are irrevocable.'
Though most Jews have not yet responded to the gospel, this has not
invalidated God's plan for them, which He will ultimately fulfill. The covenant
with Abraham has not been replaced by the New Covenant, nor been set aside
because of their failure to enter the New Covenant. Though the once for all
sacrifice of Jesus has fulfilled and replaced the Temple sacrifices, the
eternal covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their descendants
has NOT been set aside. “A hardening has come upon part of Israel, until the
full number of the gentiles has come in, and so all Israel will be
saved.”(Rom 11:26)
8. Because God has promised to bring Them Back to Their Land.
God has promised to turn, again to the Jewish people, to bring them
back to their land and to cleanse them from unrighteousness.
"I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and they shall
rebuild the ruined cities and
inhabit them; l will plant them upon their land and they shall
never again be plucked up out of the land which I have given them ' says the Lord your God.‟” (Amos
9:14-15)”
"I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they
have gone, and will gather them from all sides and bring them to their own land; and I will
make them one nation in the and, upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over
them all.” (Ezekiel 37:21-22)
The regathering of Israel is prophesied in Ezekiel, Isaiah,
Deuteronomy, Amos, Hosea, Jeremiah, by Jesus in Luke 21:24, and by Paul in
Romans 11. It is a key condition to the full flowering of the Messianic age.
God promised Abraham and his descendants the land of Israel as an everlasting
possession. He confirmed that promise with Isaac as recorded in Genesis 26:3-4
and again with Jacob in Genesis 35:12.
9. Because The Times of The Gentiles are fulfilled
Jerusalem will be trodden down underfoot by the Gentiles until the
times of the Gentiles are
fulfilled.' (Luke 21:24)
Jesus foresaw that the Roman Gentile armies would overthrow every
vestige of Jewish rule in Jerusalem; but He also saw that that Gentile domination of Jerusalem
would come to an end.
In 70 AD Jerusalem fell to the Roman army.
In 1967, in the course of defending themselves against an attack from
their Arab neighbours, the Israelis regained control of the entire City of
Jerusalem for the first time since 70 A D. thus fulfilling this prophecy of Jesus. All believers in the words of Jesus
should know that the ending of Gentile control of the city is God's plan. “When
you see these things happen look up your redemption draws nigh.” (Luke
21:28)
10. Because We are to "Comfort God’s People"
In Isaiah, God says 'Comfort, comfort my people says your God.
Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her
iniquity is pardoned that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all
her sins'. (Isaiah 40:1-2)
This is a call to Christians to comfort the Jewish people. Isaiah also
envisions that the leaders of the nations would help the Jewish people and nurture
them in their regathering.
'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I will lift up my hand to
the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons
in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Kings
shall be your foster fathers and their queens your nursing mothers. With their
faces to the ground they shall bow down to you and lick the dust off your feet.
Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put
to shame." (Isaiah 49:22-23)
God says that the Gentiles will nurture the Jewish people and assist
them in their reentry to their land. It is our divine mandate to help them for
their own sakes and for the fulfillment of their unique call. Gentile believers
must do more than observe what God is doing with the Jewish people...God is
asking us to get involved in helping them!
11. Because We Need To Make Reparation For Anti-Semitic Teachings And Actions
Throughout the history of the Church, since the second century,
Christian leaders have been guilty of the most vicious anti-Semitic remarks. These remarks have
provided the basis for despots throughout the centuries to this day to ridicule,
discriminate, and even kill the Jewish people. Often those who claimed to be followers of the Messiah
(Rescuer of Israel, and the One who has taught us how to love and forgive) have
perpetrated these actions. Can we blame the Jews for so often resisting a
Messiah whose followers were anti-Semitic? In justice as well as in charity we
need to make reparation for the tragic record of Christianity (both in its
Catholic & in its Protestant forms) in its dealings with the Jewish people.
We who should have been their nurturers; have so often been their enemies and
tormentors. The spirit of anti-Semitism did not begin or end with Adolf Hitler
but can find a landing ground on Christians who have not been awakened to their
responsibility towards Israel.
The heretical teaching that the Church has replaced Israel has been
taught since the second century. This teaching is faithful neither to the Old Testament nor
New Testament Scriptures.
Though most nations and churches denounce anti-Semitism today,
anti-Zionism is still widely acceptable. It is the new anti-Semitism. Opposition to Israel's right
to fulfill their God given destiny in the land of promise is the most dangerous
form of anti-Semitism today.
12. Because God is working with Them to Work Out His Plan for World Peace
Romans 11:15: 'For if their rejection means the reconciliation of
the world, what will their
acceptance mean but life from the dead?'
The Messiah is coming back to Israel to be reconciled with His own
people. He will reign from there with His overcoming saints 'from every tribe and tongue and
people and nation' over all the nations. (Rev. 7:9; 11:15)
Isaiah 2:3 'For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of
the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples:
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation
shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.'
World peace is coming. The fullness of the Messianic age is coming.
But first there will be the destruction of all systems and kingdoms that ignore God’s Messianic
plan.
If you want world peace, pray and help the Jewish people.
If you want to see the Church restored, pray for and help the Jewish
people:
If you want to see the Messiah return, pray for the restoration of
Israel.
If you want to see your nation and all the nations including the Arab
nations) blessed, pray and work for it to stand with Israel and the Jewish people,
and resist anti-Semitism.
If you want your own life to be blessed, help and bless the Jewish
people
If you want your life to prosper, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Seven Practical Things Believers Can Do To Help Israel
1. Study and understand what the Bible has to say about God's
plan for Israel and the Jewish people.
2. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for God's purposes for
the Jewish people. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper
that love you" (Psalm 122.6).
3. Teach your church to stand with Israel. Organize a pro
Israel event or seminar in your church or city each year to encourage biblical
solidarity with God's plan for the Jewish people and Israel. This will bring a
blessing on your church and city.
4. Support (financially and otherwise) Christian agencies that
help the Jewish people return to Israel and settle in their land. E.g. “The
International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem” – Christian Friends Of Israel,
Bridges For Peace Jerusalem etc
5. Share the Messiah with the Jewish people in the context of
their own faith, destiny, and scriptures.
6. Refuse to support anti-Semitic sentiments in public and
social life. Where appropriate speak out as the Spirit leads in wise and loving
ways e.g. notify politicians and/or media of your views.
7. Visit Israel if possible. This is a practical way to learn
about the people and support them and their economy. "Walk about Zion
and go all around her. Count her towers mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces that you may tell it to the
generations following." (Psalm 48:13)
In this time of international travel should we not all consider making
Jerusalem our destination of choice?
