The nation of Israel is often considered God’s timepiece for the end times. Israel stands at the East end of the Mediterranean Sea and, as a nation, traces its history back to the story of Abraham beginning in Genesis 12. The original call of Abraham states,
“Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great.
And you shall be a blessing.”
This was the original covenant with the Jewish people. Israel’s history from that point on involves ups and downs; times of great glory, as seen in the times of King David and his son Solomon and times of great despair, as in the case of the Babylonian Conquest.
All this led to the coming of the Messiah Jesus, who not only laid down His life for our salvation but also rightly predicted the destruction of Jerusalem under Roman conquest in AD 70. From that time onwards, Israel no longer had control over the land for some 2,000 years. For twenty centuries, the Jews did not have a homeland, and during much of that time, they were a despised people.
CHRIST KILLERS
The Jews were regarded as killers of Christ in Latin tradition from Augustine to the friars. They were seen as knowing the truth but refusing to accept it. It is no wonder many medieval people attributed to the Jews various unnatural atrocities, including ritual murder. Not everyone thought this way, and both Popes and Emperors sought to change popular opinion. Nevertheless, The Jews were not a respected people.
In 1543, Martin Luther published ‘On Jews and Their Lies,’ in which he stated that the Jews “must assuredly be the base, whoring people, that is, no people of God, and their boast of lineage, circumcision, and law must be accounted as filth.” Luther’s attitude towards the Jews did change over the course of his life. (christogenea.org).
ISRAEL AS A NATION AGAIN
After two millennia, Israel as a nation was reestablished on May 14, 1948. President Truman declared, “The government has been informed that a Jewish State has been proclaimed in Palestine. . . . . the United States recognizes the provisional government de facto authority of the the new state of Israel” (trumanlibrary.gov).
Then in June 1967, there was what is called ‘The Six Day War,’ when Israel was at war with her neighbors and was given an incredible, miraculous victory. As a result, they recaptured the city of Jerusalem. Jonathan Cahn, author of ‘The Harbinger’ declares, “After 2,000 years, the Jewish people enter the gates of Jerusalem after the Six-Day War,” Cahn says, “. . . .When you count 50 years from 1967, it obviously takes you to 2017. Did anything happen concerning the restoration or Jubilee of Jerusalem? Well, the one thing that Israel never got in the Six-Day War was the legal rights, the legal recognition that happens when you return to the land. That didn’t happen until President Trump issued the Jerusalem Declaration. And that was historic. There’s never been such a declaration-even since ancient times” (charismamag.com).
President Trump and America issued the Jerusalem Declaration and moved its consular office from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “It was an event that caused the world to go into an uproar and the United Nations to declare it null and void. Jerusalem was again in the news. Donald Trump had done what several American presidents had promised to do but none had ever done before – He declared America’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The event was unprecedented, historic, and prophetic. It was the first time that any major power had ever recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital since the days of the Roman Empire. How was it prophetic? The ancient Scriptures foretell that in the last days Israel will be back in the world, Jerusalem will be back in Jewish hands” (hopeoftheworld.org).
In light of all this history, it is interesting to consider how the Jews and Israel are regarded by Christians in the church today. There are many different concepts regarding Judaism and Christianity. These include the idea that Gentile Christians must keep the law as best as they can in order to be saved. On the other hand, there are those who believe that when Jews convert, they should leave their Jewishness behind, as it has no special significance. Let us look more closely at some common beliefs today.
REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY
Replacement Theology, also called Dominion Theology, is the belief that Israel failed in its calling and was replaced by the church as the agent of God to proclaim His kingdom. When I have been met with this belief, I usually respond by saying, “Well, what about Romans 9, 10, and 11?” I have had people even say that they wished those three chapters were not in Scripture. Unfortunately, this view is held by many Christians today.
DUAL COVENANT THEOLOGY
Dual Covenant Theology teaches that the Jews are saved by following the Law, whereas the Gentiles are saved by trusting in Jesus and the Gospel. This is a kind of parallel but co-equal path. In other words, don’t try to evangelize the Jews. Let them be. Paul makes it clear in his epistles that this is not the case; there is no salvation outside of Christ.
ONE NEW MAN
One New Man involves understanding that the Christian faith begins with the concept of ‘salvation faith.’ That is to say God makes Himself known to us in and through His deeds and self-revelation in the stream of history. The One New Man approach sees it as spelled out in Ephesians 2:11-22. Jesus unities Jew and Gentile with Himself at the cross, creating a single ‘body’ through the working of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:15 declares, “So as to create in Himself one new man from the two thus making peace.” This approach is centered on Christ and Calvary.
NEW ANTISEMITISM
Anit-semitism has always been evident in history. However, after the Holocaust of World War II, the attitude toward the Jews changed, especially in view of the creation of the new nation of Israel.
“The Catholic Church and many American Evangelical Churches set up actively functional relationships with Judaism”(Schiffren 37). “Now things are changing. The new antisemitism doesn’t look like the old one. . . . Israel is seen as a colonial power, an ‘apartheid state,’ vicitmizing the Palestinians”(Schiffren 37). This antisemitism can be seen on college campuses and universities fed by the political left. “According to the Anti-Defamation League, there where 2,717 such actions that year (2020), marking it the highest rate of antisemetic incidents in 40 years”(Schiffren 37).
CLOSING THOUGHTS
In light of all this, what should be our attitude to the Jews and Israel today? Let me suggest a few things you might consider.
- Remember that the Jews are God’s original people and we are their descendants. Thank God for our heritage going all the way back to Abraham, the father of faith (Genesis 12:1-3).
- Realize that Jewish people, as will all people, need to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord (John 3:16).
- Confess, as Paul did in Galatians 3:28, that “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” i.e., we are the ‘new man’ in Christ.
- Recognize that we are not meant to be in conflict with the Jews, but realize they were a part of salvation history. We are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
- Recognize that the establishment of Israel in recent times is a major sign that Jesus is coming soon (Luke 21:24).
- Realize that Israel has a major place in the events of the end times (that is another story).
- Study and see what the Bible says about these things, such as in Romans 9 – 11. Also, what both Jesus and Paul taught about Israel.
RESOURCES
https://christogenea.org/references/jews-and-their-lies-part-iii
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/research-files/draft-recognition-israel
http://www.hopeoftheworld.org/Sapphires/index.php?op=single&id=2041
Schiffren, L. (2023, July). The New Antisemitism. Newsmax, 37.
Kairos Ministries 