God’s View of Contemporary Israel
With Israel so much in the news and tensions high in the world, it might be helpful for the Lord’s church to consider God’s view on Israel as taught in His Holy Scriptures.
1. Israel’s Present Spiritual State “blindness in part is happened to Israel”
As to knowing God’s plan as revealed in Messiah Jesus, since His crucifixion, Israel has a judgmental cover over her mind. She’s spiritually unable to see anymore (with the exception of those who repent and believe on the Lord Jesus, they are part of His church).
2. Israel’s Jesus Attitude “Let him be crucified”
They are still rejecters of Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God and risen Lord of all. Their attitude toward God’s saving gospel in Christ Jesus is: “Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost”, 1Thess. 2:15,16.
3. Israel’s Political Land Claim “the LORD spake … the land is mine”
All the nations have been given land by God but the land of Israel is God’s land. And He has chosen to give it to Israel as His own heritage on earth. He also has chosen Jerusalem as the city for His Name. Their land claim is not based on who occupied it first or won a war but God’s choice. To divide God’s land among other peoples is rebellion against God. Their claim to the land is by the unconditional covenant to Abraham. However, their blessings or cursings in that land are conditional according to their law covenant.
4. Israel’s Immediate Political Future “then shall be great tribulation”
Because she is unrepentant concerning the Lord Jesus, she is headed for her darkest hour. She is back in her land but as unbelievers in Christ Jesus (as prophesied): it is a deadly combination. She will lose her future rebuilt temple and be severely persecuted. All nations will eventually unite against her and be poised to finally destroy her.
5. Israel’s Final Political Future “all Israel shall be saved”
On the eve of destruction King Jesus will come in judgment to destroy the attacking nations and their demonic leadership. This is to fulfill God’s promises by her prophets. The Lord Jesus Christ will set up the kingdom of God on earth with Jerusalem (God’s land) as its capital. Then there will be “on earth peace, good will toward man”.
6. Israel’s Spiritual Future “they shall look upon me whom they have pierced”
Also on the eve of destruction, her national Christless self-confidence will be broken. Her reliance on other nations to help save her is gone. The survivors will then in utter brokenness realize the Lord is their Savior and His name is Jesus as they see the marks of the cross. The Lord Jesus will in mercy take away all her sins for He died for them.
So when it comes to Israel: “concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sake” – but as to God’s elected political future – “they are beloved for the father’s sake”. Be an equal opportunity gospel ambassador to all nations but don’t hate Israel. God does not. {Some Scriptures for Israel. 1.Her blindness – Romans 11:25 / 2Cor. 3:12-16 / Acts 28:26,27. 2.Her Jesus rejection – Matt. 27:22 / Acts 13:42-47 / Romans 10:1-4. 3.Her land claim – Lev. 25:1, 23 / Gen. 15 / Deut. 32:7-9 / 1Kings 11:36 / Joel 3:1-2 / Deut. 28. 4.Her immediate future – Jer. 30:7 / Matt. 24:15-22/ Dan. 9:27/ Zech. 14:2 / Rev. 12:12-17 & 16:12-16. 5.Her final future – Romans 11:26 / Zech. 14:2-9 / Rev. 19:11-21 / Isa. 2&11 / Luke 2:14. 6.Her spiritual future – Zech. 12:9-14 & 13:1 / Romans 11:26-27, 32 / Isaiah 53. Last Paragraph – Rom. 11:28 / Luke 24:47 / Col. 3:11 / Rom. 10:1.}