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Israel is a subject on which Christians are
sharply divided. Many Christians have said that God is finished
with Israel. They claim that all the promises to Israel are
finished, now that God is working through the church. They see
Israel as the cause of many of the problems in the Middle East. In
the past, some Christians with these views have actually
persecuted the Jews.
Over the last few decades, another group
of Christians have really grown to love Israel. They have begun to
look for ways to support and bless the Jews. This is good,
but many of these
Christians have become so supportive of Israel, that they give
blind support. Some have been declaring that Israel's judgement
has come to an end and that Israel has returned to a place of
blessing. A few are saying that Israel has never been under
judgement.
Each of these views is only partly
correct, but the full truth is far more complicated. For example,
the bible makes the following statement about Israel.
As far as the gospel is concerned,
they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is
concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs (Rom
11:28).
They are enemies of the gospel, but are
loved by God. These two ideas seem to be in contradiction, but
both statements are part of God’s word. Scriptures about Israel
include messages of judgement and mercy, tribulation and blessing. Any
teaching on Israel must include all these apparent contradictions.
The increasing love and compassion for the Jews among Christians
is good, but if it leads to denial of Israel’s sins it is
dangerous. On the other hand, to speak of Israel’s judgement
without giving hope is wrong. Read this parable to first to
undeststand how judgement and mercy, tribulation and blessing can
all fit together.
Three Sons
of the Farmer
The following articles explain how Israel
got to where it is now and where it is going in the future.
Israel's
Judgement
The State
of Israel
Israel's
Blessing
You may want to read the good news first, but to understand the
blessing you will need to read about the judgment first.
There are also some false teachings that you need
to know about.
False
Teachings
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