Where are you on "Israel?"

Whatever political climate in the Middle East is occurring, this post is about Biblical Israel not the secular state.  With that in view I'd like to offer why "Israel" is vital to biblical understanding.  Many church stream believe the church replaces Israel and there is no place in the future for them.  Paul the apostle makes it abundantly clear that Israel has a future and will be restored. Romans Ch 9-11 is clear and Paul writes this after writing the 'Gentile Book of Salvation' which is Romans essentially.

When I use the phrase 'Jewish' it doesn't mean those following Judaism but those of Israeli descent.  The Bible is a Jewish book written to Jews.   Gentiles are grafted into the New Covenant God made with Israel. There is no evidence at all that God has made a covenant with Gentiles!  There is 'one man in Christ' now but this doesn't mean Gentiles have become Jews.  All have become the New Man in Christ.

In AD70 the Jews were dispersed after Jesus warned them to flee Jerusalem when the armies surround the city (Luke 21:20).  Ezekiel said they would return (20:34) and Isaiah 11:11-12.  Not only that but it was foretold that this would happen in one day (Isaiah 66:8).  In 1948 at 9 am there was no Israel.  By 5pm there was!  This homecoming for the Jews is a significant prophetic event and to date we are 66 years ahead!

Astonishingly much of the work done by Satan throughout Scripture past, present and future is against Israel. The Messiah will come through Israel so the Enemy targets Israel.  The Second Coming will occur when Israel bow their knee to Messiah.  Therefore Satan is all out to destroy Israel.  Iran stated publically that when it gets Nuclear weapons it will fire on Israel!  Far fetched?  When the Hebrew people became too numerous in Egypt Satanic forces had Pharaoh kill children.  This also occurred when Herod found Jesus was born.  He ordered all children under two and a half be slaughtered.  Even the religious officials in the synagogue drag jesus to a cliff to kill him.  This was all the enemy trying to assassinate Jesus.   When he thinks he has done this on the cross  Satan had no idea that Jesus was going to be raised again.

All that before we mention Jesus will return and rule from Jerusalem!

There much more to say about this but many don't even take on board the 'Israel' question because they think the Church has replaced them.  Be careful!  In Jesus seven letters to the churches he mentions negatively 'those who claim they are Jews but are not.'  Is this a direct challenge to the 'replacement' crowd?

Gary Ward