Study – Grow – Know

Jews and Others Against Israel

Where do you stand and why?

It really never ceases to amaze me how often I hear about or run into Jews who are simply opposed to the state of Israel.  They have their reasons of course, but the amount of vitriol they can spew against the nation that God created is a bit unnerving.

I guess I should not be surprised when secular Jews speak out against Israel.  They may be doing that for a variety of reasons, chief of which may simply be the desire to avoid another holocaust, especially if we consider the fact that anti-Semitism is once again on the rise.

However, Jews are no different from other people.  They have to be taught that the nation of Israel is God’s nation, the Land of Israel, God’s Land, and the capitol of Israel – Jerusalem – is God’s capitol.  In fact, it is clear from Scripture, that as far as God is concerned, Jerusalem is the center of His world.  Ezekiel 5:5 tells us, “Thus says the Lord GOD, ‘This is Jerusalem; I have set her at the center of the nations, with lands around her.”

Ezekiel 38:12 states, “…to capture spoil and to seize plunder, to turn your hand against the waste places which are now inhabited, and against the people who are gathered from the nations, who have acquired cattle and goods, who live at the center of the world.”  I have emphasized the last portion of this verse and for good reason.  God tells us that Jerusalem is at the center of the world.

In Ezekiel 38:12, we learn of Gog’s determined plan to invade Israel.  He, along with a group of nations, will attempt to waltz into Israel to “capture spoil and to seize plunder.”  Gog here (a term used for the leader of this Northern Invasion, but is not his actual name), decides that Israel is his for the taking.  So he acts on that plan, not realizing of course, that it is the God of heaven who has placed this plan in his mind and heart (cf. Ezekiel 38:4ff).

From these two sections of Scripture alone, we see that from God’s perspective, Israel and Jerusalem especially, are at the very center of His Creation.  This should very much tell us something, but for many, it goes over their heads.  They completely miss the point of the Middle East predicament.  They see the Jews today in Israel and they somehow wrongly conclude that the Jews are the usurpers, the interlopers in that area of the world.  They have no clue about Bible prophecy, or God’s calendar of events.

When I meet Jews who are opposed to their brothers (ethnically speaking) living in the Land of Israel, I am dumbfounded, but again, I should not be.  At their core, they are unbelievers, who for the most part do not believe in God at all.  They see the problem in the Middle East as a purely political issue, one that they believe can be solved by humanity.  They believe that if the Jews living in the Middle East would simply give way to the Arabs, all would be well.  In essence then, these particular Jews – being secular – are also atheists where God and His plans are concerned.  These particular Jews are no better or worse than non-Jewish atheists who also see the problem in the Middle East as being simply a political issue.

There is another group of Jews who are not believers in Jesus.  They Jews are staunchly orthodox in belief.  For the most part (though of course, this is not always the case), these Jews believe that they are entitled to Land in the Middle East.  They believe that Jerusalem should always remain undivided (and it became united following the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israeli forces captured the entirety of the city of Jerusalem.  At that point, Jerusalem once again became the capitol of Israel.  It is interesting to note that in the End Times, God has stated that He will create problems for the world because of Jerusalem.  “Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.  It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it,” (Zechariah 12:2-3).

Matthew 24:15 tells us, “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand).”

Note that for the Antichrist to defile the Temple, Israel must have control of all of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.  This is implied in the passage from Matthew, to which Jesus alludes to Daniel 9:27, which is the last passage of the 70 weeks discussion between Daniel and the angel Gabriel.

So unlike the average person today, these Jews understand the biblical message that Jerusalem is the center of the world from God’s point of view.  However, they fail to understand the true biblical import of life today, as it is unfolding on God’s prophetic calendar.  These Jews are not only blind to the truth about Jesus, but because of that, they are blind to the plain truth about prophetic passages like the ones above.  Of course, these Jews will receive the Antichrist as if He was their messiah, not realizing that they will be literally signing a pact with the devil.  Daniel tells us this fact quite clearly in Daniel 9:27:  “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.”  Please note that he – the Antichrist (not Jesus!) – will make a covenant with “the many” (not all in Israel/Jerusalem will agree with this covenant).  It is spoken of as a “firm” covenant because it will seem as if it is fully and contractually binding.  This will give Israel a sense of false peace and security.

Because orthodox Jews of today do not accept Jesus as messiah, and believe they are still waiting for their messiah, they will fall into the duplicitous hands of the Antichrist, where he will have his way with them, though he will seem to be fully on Israel’s side of things, even able to gain peace for them.

There are two other groups, but it is the last group I want to focus on.  The group I’m referring to, is Messianic Jews.  These individuals are Jewish and authentic believers in Jesus.  They are part of the Church and as such, will be taken in the Rapture with the rest of the Church.

Within this group, there are essentially two groups:

1. Those who believe that the modern state of Israel is fulfillment of prophecy
2. Those who do not believe that the modern state of Israel is fulfillment of prophecy

Out of these two groups, I want to deal with the second.  These Jews are Christian, yes, but they have fallen prey to Replacement Theology, which among other things, teaches that the Church has replaced Israel and therefore, God has absolutely nothing to do with modern Israel.  These individuals – like most who adhere to Replacement Theology – view Scripture allegorically, when there is no good reason to do so.

I have read a number of books by Steve Wohlberg, who as a Jew is also in the unlikely position of being a Seventh-day Adventist.  He, along with Doug Batchelor (Amazing Facts, also Seventh-day Adventist), preach such a view of Scripture.  I recall in one of Wohlberg’s books, Batchelor wrote the foreword and essentially stated that of all the people who would understand the End Times, it would be Wohlberg because he is Jewish (my paraphrase).  That makes little sense.  Jews have to be taught like anyone else and simply being Jewish does not guarantee correct understanding of God’s Word.

These individuals believe that Israel today is a mistake, a happenstance, a burp on the horizon that has come and will go.  The most tragic part of people within this group (whether they are Seventh-day Adventists or simply someone who sees Scripture allegorically), is that often, my experience has been that these people can be and oftentimes are virulently anti-Semitic!  This may sound strange, but it is true.

I have personally talked to and received numerous e-mails from people who say they are Jewish Christians, who not only argue that Israel should not exist, but they became very angry about Israel and the way Israel allegedly treats people.

One individual went on and on about the perceived wrongs of Israel and because of it, how they had thrown away their birthright just as Esau had done.  I called him on the fact that he was extremely anti-Semitic, a charge he initially disputed, then agreed, only to once again dispute it.  He saw his anger as righteous anger, not anti-Semitism.

I tried to point out to this individual that his anger toward Israel and Jews in particular was far out of kilter with any anger he exhibited toward any other ethnicity or nation.  He didn’t see it.  He was blinded by the teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist beliefs, and because of it, could not see the error of that teaching, no matter how many times I tried to explain it to him.  I prayed fervently that the Lord would open his eyes, but to my knowledge, his eyes are still blind to the truth.

A person like this also fails to understand that as a Christian, my responsibility is to support what God is doing in and through the nation of Israel, regardless of whether or not they are believers.  The other issue is that I am to pray for peace in the Middle East and for the salvation of Jews in Israel.  These are two issues that while connected, are still treated individually.

If I stand against Israel – as I have said before – I stand against God.  It is that simple, though people go through all the biblical gymnastics to attempt to prove that they do not have to support Israel today.  When I hear of Jews taking this stand, I realize anew that Satan is not only alive and well, but his attempts to pit Jew against Jew are simply another one of his efforts to destroy Israel.

Consider George Soros, a Hungarian born Jew, who during Hitler’s regime did whatever he could to lure other Jews to their deaths.  We know he has stated in a “60-Minute” interview that he not only felt absolutely no remorse, but gained a tremendous sense of empowerment!  Why not, here he was working to remove Jews from the face of the earth.  Satan had gained another from God’s nation to work against that nation.

Consider again this passage in Zechariah.  Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.  It will come about in that day that I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it will be severely injured. And all the nations of the earth will be gathered against it,” (Zechariah 12:2-3).

That is God telling us what He is going to do regarding Israel and how Jerusalem will affect the nations around them.  Not only that though, please note that God will “make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples.”  It is clear that anyone who deems to get involved in the peace process better have Israel’s concerns in their heart, or they will suffer the consequences of it.

We have seen this with numerous presidents, dating back to Carter in modern history.  Including Carter, every president that has become involved in the alleged peace process has suffered great political harm because they have taken a side opposed to Israel.  In doing so, they stand opposed to God.  He will not allow that to happen.  Carter was a one-term president.  Clinton fell from grace through the Monica Lewinsky scandal that still dogs him.  It is difficult for me to watch or listen to the man knowing what he did in a room just outside the Oval Office with intern Lewinsky.  Please remember that Clinton, along with Albright, both gave PM Netanyahu the cold shoulder on his visit to Washington, DC.  They treated him much the way Mr. Obama is treating him.  Clinton also experienced impeachment proceedings.

Now we are seeing things quite possibly ramp up against Mr. Obama.  God appears to be using Mr. Obama’s own pride and ego as the weapon that will ultimately bring Mr. Obama down.  He may also wind up being a one-term president, unless he has a complete change of heart where Israel is concerned.

It is interesting to see how God deals with leaders who disrespect Israel.  It is simply a matter of time for these folks who deign to pull up the “welcome mat” for Israel and her leaders.  Those who defy Israel, defy God.

Notice though in Daniel 9:27, the Antichrist is able to make a covenant with Israel.  Why doesn’t God stop him from doing so?  Apart from the fact that it is by God’s design that this covenant occurs to further the End Times process, understand that the Antichrist – at least outwardly – supports Israel.  He wants to bring peace (so he says) and he obviously finds a way for some semblance of peace to occur in the Middle East.

In Daniel 9:27, we also learn that this same Antichrist will defile the Holy Place.  The Holy Place is inside the Temple.  This means that the Antichrist will somehow make it possible for Israel to rebuild their Temple on the Temple Mount.  How this will be done is anyone’s guess.

However, note in Ezekiel 38, the description of the Northern Invasion.  When Gog and his confederacy of nations attacks Israel and steps foot on the Mountains of Israel, God swings into action by creating such a massive earthquake that nothing will be left standing.  Imagine the utter destruction throughout the world and especially in the area of the epicenter – Israel.

What do you think will be left standing after such devastation?  I personally do not believe the Dome of the Rock mosque or the other mosque next to it (or the one the Muslims are currently building under the Temple Mount) will be left standing.  I think they will become piles of rubble, but this is simply my belief.  There is nothing in Scripture that specifically states this because Scripture does not discuss (as far as I know) the mosques that are currently sitting atop the Temple Mount.

If this scenario happens, then it is very possible that the Antichrist will somehow convince Islamists that it is for the better and they should allow the Jews to build their (stupid) Temple.  He (the Antichrist) will gain peace for them, but he has plans for the Jews too.

This is not really any different from the time during Hitler’s regime when he worked directly with the then leader of Islam to work to set up a Caliphate from Jerusalem after Hitler won WWII.  Of course, we know that this did not come to fruition, but we also know from history that this was the plan.

Is it possible for the Antichrist to do something similar?  Of course, and I believe he will.  The difference will be that Antichrist will work with the leaders of Islam behind the back of the Jews, while at the same time; he will appear to work with the Jews, specifically the leaders of Israel, to bring about the desired effect.

In short, the Antichrist will not make the same mistake as Hitler.  Hitler was obvious in his desire to rid the world of all Jews.  He had no time to “befriend” them (unless they helped him get rid of other Jews, as in the case of George Soros and many like him).  Hitler focused on ruling the world.  It was obvious from the start that this was his intent.  He preached the superiority of the Germanic people – blonde and blue-eyed, though he himself was nothing like that – and believed that the races needed to be separated so that the Germans could succeed.  The Jews were the garbage race and what do you do with garbage?

The Antichrist will not present himself in such a way.  He will woo the Jews, as a gentleman suitor woos his future bride.  He will be magnificent to the leaders of Israel and because they are so used to being a problem child to the rest of the world, they will welcome this openness by Antichrist with joy and exultation.  Remember though, according to the Scriptures, not all will be so unwise.

Today, when I see and hear so much acrimony directed at Israel and the Jews in particular, I think of how God has planned this whole set of events.  He has deliberately make Jerusalem a stumbling stone to the rest of the world.  Any leader who wades into the peace process comes out bruised and bleeding (politically) if they stand against Israel.

This is true of Mr. Obama, who remains stalwart against Israel.  He believes that the Israelites have no business in the Middle East and therefore, he works against them.  Let’s not forget that Mr. Obama is very likely the puppet of George Soros, who pulls all the strings.  I think this is one of the reasons that Mr. Obama sounds like a complete moron when he speaks extemporaneously.  When he does not have a teleprompter, he fumbles, stutters, uses the wrong verbiage, and essentially makes himself a laughing-stock (except to those who support him).  I believe that this is solely because the words he speaks and the things he supports are not necessarily his own.  He has little to no ownership in the very things he addresses.  He simply does and says what he is told to do and say.  With Mr. Obama, it is not internalized.  It is simply something he puts on and tries to make it appear as though he really believes what he is saying.

There are many factors working against Israel and the Jews today.  From atheists to politicians, they work to expel or at least remove Israel from the peace process.  They want Israel to have as little as possible and Mr. Obama was very frank in admitting this in one of his last speeches the day before Mr. Netanyahu’s last visit to DC.  Of course, after the verbal thrashing by Israel’s PM, Mr. Obama had to back pedal quite quickly.  We all know what he really believes though.

Jews against Jews is another very serious problem that affects the peace process today.  If you consider just about any newspaper or news bureau, any Jews associated with editorials there are generally outspoken against Israel.  Though this seems weird, we also know from Scripture that just because someone is Jewish, it does not make them pro-God.  Romans 9:6-7 tells us “For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants.”  Proof of this is in realizing how often God had to purge the nation from rebels.  He killed those in judgment who sided against Israel, and therefore against, Him.

For the Jews today that we constantly hear from or hear about, who stand against Israel, stand against God.  It is merely a matter of time before God judges them for their rebellious nature.

Jews who are Christians and stand against Israel, do so because (though they may mean well, believing they are standing up for God against other Jews they consider to be opposed to God), they also are in rebellion.  The only thing that keeps them safe is the fact that they are authentic believers (if that is truly the case), but the fact that they stand against God and His purposes for Israel is not something God seems to be willing to overlook.

When Jews side against Israel and against other Jews, they are doing the same thing atheists and godless politicians are doing.  They are deliberately placing themselves firmly against God.  There is no other way to say that and though someone may accuse me of “playing God” (yes, I’ve been accused of that), the reality is that if I understand Scripture rightly, there is absolutely no other way to understand this opposition to Israel.

Israel and specifically Jerusalem is the center of this world as far as God is concerned.  How many of us also see that?  How many of us acknowledge this biblical fact?  How many of us realize that everything God has done and will do comes to us through the Land of Israel?  God is not only not done with Israel yet, but to say that He is, somehow means that there is no more center of this world with respect to God.

Where in Scripture does it say that God is no longer concerned with Jerusalem?  I can’t find it in any book of the Bible.  In fact, in the last book of the Bible – Revelation – Jerusalem is also the center of this earth, when we see a New Jerusalem come down from the heavens (cf. Revelation 21).

People need to come to terms with the fact that God’s dealings with this world all emanated from the place that He considers to be the center of this world; Israel, with Jerusalem as its capitol.  I am tired of hearing Islam tell the world that the Jews never had a part in that Land.  I’m tired of hearing people say that the Jews of today are merely usurpers.  I am tired of people denigrating God because of their complete lack of biblical understanding.

I am tired of all this world has to say against Israel and ultimately, against God, though if you ask them, they will tell you that they support everything God is doing in the world.  No, they really don’t.  They are thoroughly confused about God’s purposes in and for Israel.  How can they possibly believe that God will somehow honor their erroneous beliefs?  How can they believe that God will bless them and their endeavors when He has specifically stated He will curse those who curse Abraham and by connection the nation He creates from Abraham’s loins?

In my experience the saddest group of people around is those Messianic Jews who find themselves in the unenviable position that stands against God.  I would not want to be there, folks.  It is our responsibility to pray that these Jews will come to know the truth about God’s purposes for the nation of Israel.  Will you pray with me along those lines?

Will you stand with Israel during these tumultuous times?  Now, more than ever, with a godless individual in the White House, Israel needs our support.  How can you do that?

1. You can pray.  Pray for salvation for the Jews.  Pray for peace in Jerusalem.  Pray that God will open the eyes and hearts of the leaders of our nation(s) so that they will see Israel as God sees her.
2. Stand up for Israel when others are trying to shout her down.  Don’t be afraid of any repercussions.  Just do it!  Buy a bumper sticker for your car and to HECK with any negative circumstances you might receive from it.
3. Buy products from Israel.  While some nations/cities want to boycott Israel, now is not the time.  Fill in the gap by buying products from Israeli companies.  I have and will continue to do so.
4. Pray that God would open the doors for you to support missionaries to Israel, if you cannot go there yourself.
5. Ask God to show you more ways in which you can support Israel.

To some, it might sound as if I am becoming a broken record, but it really cannot be said enough.  We must support Israel because God says that those who do will be blessed and those who do not will be cursed.  I believe above all things now that if we had leaders who fully supported Israel’s right to exist and to retain all of Jerusalem, this country would not be reeling from the direction of a godless leader like we currently have in office.

There has been and continues to be a stop-gap because of all the individuals in this country (including those in Congress) who do support Israel.  It would be much worse if this did not exist.  Ask yourself this question:  with nearly the entire world standing against Israel how is it possible that Israel could still exist as a nation?  There is only one reason:  God.  Do you support Him or are you resolutely standing against Him.  You are one or the other and there is absolutely no middle ground.  “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD,” (Joshua 24:15).

Get your eyes off the people of Israel and place them fully on God.  Stake your claim with God, promising to honor Him and support what He is doing in and through Israel.  You may not like what you see in that nation, but bear in mind, neither does God.  He has some work to do before He will have a finished product.  Support Israel or prepare to be cursed, if you have not been already.

I have just finished writing a book called Raised for His Glory.  The reality of the Middle East is that in spite of the way things look, Israel has been raised solely for God’s glory.  It is imperative that you and I understand that truth.  Once we begin to see it that way, we will be able to see God’s purposes in the Middle East.  The book is available and it is essentially a commentary on Ezekiel 36-39 and Romans 9-11.  I hope you will consider purchasing the book, as I wrote it for the layperson.  If you will but open your heart and mind the possibilities that God is fully in control of all that is occurring in the Middle East, you will find that the things you thought you knew and understood were wrong.  God is in charge.  Israel is His Land.  Jerusalem is His city.  Those two facts alone should help you see that Islam has no part in it at all.  For the sake of His Name and for His glory, ask Him to see the truth.

 

July 4, 2011 at 12:02 PM Leave a comment