Introduction
When freedom is not respected, it results in conflict, war, human rights violation and peace is compromised. In this era of freedom and liberty, every member of humanity enjoys freedom of faith and freedom of religion, as long as the religious beliefs of one community do not threaten the freedom and peace of others. Zionism is an ideology which uses twisted interpretations of Hebrew Bible to colonise Palestine and oppress them, committing atrocities prohibited in the same holy text. The Zionists justify eviction, oppression, apartheid, inhuman behaviour and violence to deny the basic human rights of Palestinians on the pretext of their highly controversial interpretations of biblical texts and prophecies, that is even rejected by majority of Christians and religious Jews. If the Zionist analogy is accepted then how can we condemn other extremists who also use their controversial interpretations of their holy texts to justify their war and killing of innocent people? Hence use of religion as a tool for political gains and violence must be rejected irrespective of religion, race or country. Since this terror tactics have been initiated by Zionists in last century, it is not wrong to call Zionism as the mother of terrorism, the other groups are in reaction to Zionism directly or indirectly.
The prophecies interpreted from the holy texts are about the events in future which will unfold as per God’s plan. He is all powerful to execute His Will and plans. He is not dependent upon humans to implement His plans. There no such commandment is found in the prophecies. Some people try to take over the work of God at their own, which could be against His Will. He is well aware and knowledgeable. The Interpretation of holy texts and prophecies is a human work liable to error, it must not be allowed to override the clear unambiguous commandments for peace, safety and security of other humans.
Donald Trump’s unilateral decision to shift the US embassy to Jerusalem has been opposed at the UN Security Council which was vetoed by US, then the General Assembly rejected it with overwhelming majority vote. The US and Israel do not care for world opinion and continue with their oppressive, racious Zionist policies and human rights violations.
Humanity has to decide, either we all adhere to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), mutually evolved and agreed by all nations of world with diverse religions, races and cultures or let anyone impose its own religion, culture and values upon others through any means including power. Should the world community allow colonization, oppression, eviction of Palestinians, Kashmiris, Rohingya’s and others from their lands or stop all this to achieve world peace.
Zionist is rejected by majority Christians and religious Jews. Only the secular/ atheist Jews and a group of politically powerful fundamentalist Christians, support Zionism both due to different reasons, it will be elaborated further. While the Zionists use the Biblical text to draw support for their political claims, they deliberately ignore the same Bible, which also provide support to the Palestinian, Arabs and Muslims, who are also children of Abraham (genealogical and spiritually).
Jews in Christendom
Both Christians and Jews consider each other as apostates due to theological differences. In many parts of Europe, Jews were viewed as alien, forced to live in ghettos and had to wear distinct marks for identification. They were good in business and were also employed as tax collectors. Catholic doctrine of the time held that lending money for interest was a sin and forbidden to Christians, so Jews not being subject to this restriction, dominated the business of became money lenders. Natural tensions between creditors (typically Jews) and debtors (typically Christians) were added to social, political, religious, and economic strains. Peasants who were forced to pay their taxes to Jews could personify them as the people taking their earnings while remaining loyal to the lords on whose behalf the Jews worked. They were attacked, plundered and killed in hate. Expulsions of Jews from England, France, Germany, Spain and Portugal also took place. Crusades was the worst period. The only respite they got in the Muslims world in Spain, North Africa and Ottoman Empire.
Jesus Christ, Prophet for Israelites
Finally God sent Jesus Christ, a prophet for the Israelites, Bible affirms:
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:” (Acts;2:22).
“But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel”. (Matthew;15:24).
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew;4:17).
“These twelve (disciples) Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew;10:5-7).
Jesus said: “And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Matthew;3:9).
Jesus Christ Forewarned Jews
Jesus Christ said:
“Therefore I say unto you, the kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” (Matthew;21:43)
“Salt is good: but if the salt has lost its taste, how shall it be restored? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that has ears to hear, let him hear” (Luke;14:34-35, also Matthew;5:16, Mark;9:50).
“What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and will give the vineyard unto others.” (Mark;12:9). This may also be linked with: “Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in” (Isaiah;26:2).
These parables apply to the Jews. They had been the children of the kingdom, or under the reign of God, having his law, and acknowledging him as King. They had been his chosen and peculiar people. But he says that now this privilege should be taken away, and they cease to be the peculiar people of God; and the blessing should be given to a nation who would bring forth the fruits thereof, or be righteous. Keeping in view the Covenant with Abraham (Genesis;12:2,3, 17:10-12, 17:20-21), it obviously refers to the Children of Ishmael (Arabs), to keep the leadership within the progeny of Abraham.
Jews rejected Jesus and arranged to kill him (Luke 22:63-71, 23:1-56, John;19-42), though his innocence was also acknowledged by Pilate, the Roman ruler (John;19:4).
Jews Cursed for Disobedience to God
According to the Bible, Israelites do not qualify to be recipient of conditional promise of God with Abraham, because they repeatedly violated the Covenant with God:
1. The Israelites became unfaithful to covenant engagements (Jeremiah; 3:6-8, 31:32; Ezekiel;16:59).
2. Became rebellious against God (Deuteronomy; 32:15; 9:7; Isaiah; 1:2, Exodus;32:9)
3. They often displeased God by their sins (Numbers; 25:3; Deuteronomy; 32:16; 1 Kings; 16:2; Isaiah; 1:4; 5:24-25).
4. They were punished by God for; Idolatry (Psalms;78:58-64; Isaiah;65:3-7), Unbelief (Romans;11:20), Breaking covenant (Isaiah;24:5; Jeremiah; 11:10), Transgressing the law (Isaiah;1:4; 24:5-6), Changing the ordinances (Isaiah;24:5), and killing the prophets (Matthew;23:37-38, 27:25).
5. They were scattered among the nations (Deuteronomy;28:64; Ezekiel; 6:8; 36:19). Despised by the nations (Ezekiel;36:3), their country trodden under foot by the Gentiles (Deuteronomy;28:49-52; Luke;21:24). Their house left desolate (Matthew; 24:38) and were deprived of civil and religious privileges (Hosea; 3:4). Jews have not changed their attitude, presently in Israel their majority is secular and atheist, only 11.7% believe and try to practice Torah law, and they are against Zionism.
Christianity and Judaism – Differences & Reconciliation
Christianity was born out of Judaism, while there are some similarities, there are more differences between Judaism and Christianity, of which by far the most significant is the answer to the question of who is Jesus and consequently understanding how God is working out His promises. Jews do not accept Jesus as the promised messiah. Divisions about him started during Jesus’ lifetime and continue today.
Judaism differs with Christianity on Trinity, Messiah, Sin and Atonement. Jews were considered as Christ Killers entitled to Blood Curse and Jewish Deicide.
The wind of change started to blow after reconciliation efforts during last 200 years by Zionists Jews and Christians, changing the New Testament theology and corruption of scripture. Thus at the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), the Roman Catholic Church under Pope Paul VI repudiated belief in collective Jewish guilt for the crucifixion of Jesus. It declared that the accusation could not be made “against all the Jews, without distinction, then alive, nor against the Jews of today”.
The New Testament contains many themes highlighting contemptuous conduct of Jews:
1. The Children of Israel were God’s original chosen people by virtue of an ancient covenant, but by rejecting Jesus they forfeited their ‘chosen-ness ‘ and now, by virtue of a New Covenant (or “testament”) Christians have replaced the Jews as God’s chosen people, the Church having become the “People of God.”
2. The Jewish Bible (“Old Testament”) repeatedly portrays the opaqueness and stubbornness of the Jewish people and their disloyalty to God.
3. The tribulations of the Jewish people throughout history constitute God’s punishment of them for killing Jesus.
4. The Jews are culpable for crucifying Jesus as such they are guilty of “Deicide”.
5. Jesus originally came to preach only to the Jews, but when they rejected him, he abandoned them for gentiles instead.
6. The Jewish Bible contains many predictions of the coming of Jesus as the Messiah (or “Christ”), yet the Jews are blind to the meaning of their own Bible.
7. By the time of Jesus’ ministry, Judaism had ceased to be a living faith.
8. Judaism’s oppressiveness reflects the disposition of Jesus’ opponents called “Pharisees” (predecessors of the “rabbis”), who in their teachings and behavior were hypocrites.
9. Christianity emphasizes excessive love, while Judaism maintains a balance of justice, God of wrath and love of peace.
10. Judaism’s essence is a restrictive and burdensome legalism.
Abhorrent Verses of The Talmud
The Jews use highly derogatory and blasphemous language against Jesus Christ and his mother Mary, recorded in Talmud, the sacred book which is the basis for all codes of Jewish law. The Talmud supersedes the Old Testament in authority for the Jews and is the most racist, hate-mongering , blasphemous book the world has ever known. The Talmud was written in Hebrew between the 3rd & 6th Centuries as a codification of the so-called Oral Law that the Jewish rabbis claim was handed down from Moses. But the Messiah Jesus censored the “Oral Law” when He said, “By the traditions of your elders you make void the Word of God.” (St Matthew 15). The English translation of the Talmud has been watered down so as to conceal from the Gentiles the “satanic verses” (distortions) contained in the original Hebrew. Some of the selected verses of the Talmud are produced here:
Blasphemies against Jesus Christ & The Virgin Mary
Jesus as a sorcerer with disciples (b Sanh 43a-b). Healing in the name of Jesus (Hul 2:22f; AZ 2:22/12; y Shab 124:4/13; QohR 1:8; b AZ 27b). As a Torah teacher (b AZ 17a; Hul 2:24; QohR 1:8). As a son or disciple that turned out badly (Sanh 103a/b; Ber 17b). As a frivolous disciple who practiced magic and turned to idolatry (Sanh 107b; Sot 47a). Jesus’ punishment in afterlife (b Git 56b, 57a). Jesus’ execution (b Sanh 43a-b). Jesus as the son of Mary (Shab 104b, Sanh 67a). There is no Talmudic text that directly associates Jesus with Mary (Miriam), instead the association is indirect: Jesus is associated with a father (“son of Pandera”), and in other passages, Pandera is associated with Mary (as her).
Zionists Corrupted Christianity Theology
The Zionist Jews well understood that they could not achieve their goals without active support of Christians, the powerful and the largest religious community of the world. Hence it must have been their desire to get theological & political support from Christians, which was not possible without corrupting the Bible to Invent favourable doctrines with the Christians at the forefront. Any solo effort by Jews would have been rejected outrightly with a backlash against Jews. It is found that the Christian animosity towards Jews due to theological and other differences stretched over two millennia mysteriously started to crumble in the 19th century when Christian scholar John Nelson Darby (1900-1882) retranslated the New Testament in 1867, introducing changes and footnotes, the basis for new doctrine of “Dispensationalism”. Thus the heresy of “Christian Zionism” was introduced which ultimately helped in the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 by dislodging the original inhabitants the Palestinians. This concocted false ideology continues to be the perpetual support to Israel for its existence and expansion:
2nd Timothy 4:3-4. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Darby is accused of corrupting the Bible and introducing theosophical/ occult vocabulary and doctrines. His doctrines are found in Cyrus Ingerson Scofield’s Old Scofield Study Bible 1909 and 1917 and are the foundation for other dispensational works. C.I Scofield (1843-1921, an American theologian, minister, and writer whose annotated Bible popularized futurism and dispensationalism among fundamentalists like John Hagee today, had known connections with Zionism Jews, which is a major conflict of interest. Hagee is the President and CEO of John Hagee Ministries, which telecasts his national radio and television ministry carried in the United States on ten television networks. He is shown on networks around the globe, including The Inspiration Network (INSP), Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), and Inspiration Now TV John Hagee Ministries is in Canada on the Miracle Channel and CTS and can be seen in places including Africa, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Hagee is the founder and National Chairman of the Christian-Zionist organization Christians United for Israel, incorporated on February 7, 2006. Hagee is a strong supporter of Israel and has been highly critical of Islam and Catholicism. The San Antonio B’nai B’rith Council awarded Hagee with its “Humanitarian of the Year” award. It was the first time this award was given to a non-Jew. Hagee was presented with the Zionist Organization of America’s Israel Award by U.N. Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick. This award was given by the Jewish Community of Dallas, Texas. He was presented with the ZOA Service Award by Texas Governor Mark White.
Dispensationalism – The root of Christian Zionism
Dispensationalism is a theological system that emphasizes the literal interpretation of Bible prophecy, recognizes a distinction between Israel and the Church, and organizes the Bible into different dispensations or administrations. Dispensationalism is a form of premillennialism which asserts that the world will experience a period of worsening tribulations until Christ comes.
Dispensationalism is considered as a heresy. Outside of Protestantism, however, other Christian branches (e.g. Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, or Roman Catholicism) have not embraced any form of dispensationalism being misunderstanding/ misinterpretation of the Bible.
Dispensationalism laid the theological groundwork for luring the churches to unquestionably support modern-day manmade Israel. The Bible teaches that God will restore true Israel, not man. Likewise, the Jews today have taken matters into their own hands, forcing Palestinians from their homes at gunpoint in 1948 and seizing their possessions for their own, but God has refused to bless the Jews. There is nothing but continual war, bombings and killing in Palestine. The Bible plainly teaches that this would happen.
Luke 21:24, “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
The theology of dispensationalism became the root of Christian Zionism. Darby added several unique features to Way’s teachings including the doctrine of “Rapture” whereby “born-again Christians” would be literally removed from history and transferred to heaven prior to Jesus’ return. Like many other Christians, dispensationalists believe that Christ’s return is foretold in Old and New Testament prophecies and that the return of Jews to Palestine is a key event in the preordained process that will lead to the Second Coming.
Christian Zionism is grounded on an interpretation of the Bible that supports the ingathering of all Jews to Israel and their exclusive claim to the whole land of Palestine based on the gift of the Land to Abraham and the Jewish people as the “chosen people”.
As Don Wagner points out “Christian Zionists and premillennial dispensationalists have a pessimistic view of history and wait in eager anticipation for the unfolding of a series of wars and tragedies pointing to the return of Jesus. The establishment of the state of Israel, the rebuilding of the Third Temple, the rise of the Antichrist and the buildup of armies poised to attack Israel, are among the signs leading to the final battle and Jesus’ return. Leading Christian Zionists in Bible prophecy seek to interpret political developments according to the prophetic schedule of events that should uphold accordingly”
Dispensationalist Christianity, an interpretative or narrative framework for understanding the overall flow of the Bible, teaches that Christianity did not replace Judaism, but that it restored elements of it. In their view Christianity did not come into existence to replace Judaism, but to restore it. This view has surpassed replacement theology as the dominant form of Christian thought regarding Israel in America. The dispensationalist view of the Bible is that the Old Testament is foreshadowing for what will occur in the New Testament and, at the end, Jesus returns to reign on Earth after an epic battle between good and evil. Israel plays a central role in the dispensationalist view of the end of the world. That is why 1948 and 1967 mark milestones in Christian Zionist history.
Darby’s system provides for two tracks of salvation one for Jews and one for Gentiles. This had been the cause of another of the Brethren’s internal battles, centering on B. W. Newton (1807-1899), who regarded this idea as a ‘full fledged heresy. It’s all man-made junk theology! Dispensationalism is a fable. Zionism is a fable.
The Christian Zionist believe that the Jews are God’s chosen people. Israel is a special nation that has a special place in God’s heart. He will defend this nation, so Evangelical Christians stand with Israel, they say: “We believe in the promise of Genesis 12:3 regarding the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. We believe that this is an eternal covenant between God and the seed of Abraham to which God is faithful”.
Conditional Covenant
This promise is with Abraham to his seed which is conditional upon obedience to God, which is ignored by dispensionists:
Genesis 12:1-3: “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.
Deuteronomy; 28:1-2 “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God. Also evident through more verses Genesis 17:8, 14, Exodus 19:5, Numbers 14:30,Deuteronomy 4:25-26.
The other salient aspect of dispensationalism are:
Two Tracks of Salvation
Darby’s system provides for two tracks of salvation one for Jews and one for Gentiles. This had been the cause of another of the Brethren’s internal battles, centering on B. W. Newton (1807-1899), who regarded this idea as a ‘full fledged heresy.’ Newton’s voice would be echoed in our own era by modern theologian Bernard Ramm who wrote, ‘The sharp division of the church and Israel, each going its own unique course through history into eternity is a remarkable piece of theological heresy.’ Perhaps Darby had taken Rom. 11:26, ‘And so all Israel will be saved,’ out of its context a passage intended to get Gentiles in Rome who had been treating Jews as second class citizens to understand through the olive tree allegory that God’s glorious plan (the ‘mystery’ of Rom. 11:25) provided salvation for both Jews and Gentiles through Christ Jesus. Some of the Roman house churches were working at cross purposes with God by their treatment of the Christians of Jewish ancestry, and Paul wanted them to accept the Jews into their churches with the same love that they had for non-Jewish Christians (Rom 15:7).
Christ’s Return
A “particular interpretation of Christ’s return was developed by John Nelson Darby (1800-1882).” Darby saw a second coming of Christ, which he believed would precede the time of troubles, or ‘tribulation,’ mentioned in several New Testament passages, [which] he called the ‘secret rapture.’ It would be perceptible only to the true Christians, both living and dead, who would be united with Christ and protected from the tribulation. This rapture could occur at any time, Darby felt, a belief which added a sense of immediacy to his message. The prophecies relating to non-Christians, such as the binding of Satan and the Battle of Armageddon, would occur later. Christ would come a third time and conclude the history of the world. Furthermore, Darby believed that no denomination could encompass all of the present and past Christians who would be caught up in the secret rapture; hence, he believed that the true church was a spiritual entity, not a physically perceptible structure. Finally, like many other nineteenth-century millenarians and non-millenarians, Darby divided the history of the world into a series of eras, or ‘dispensations.’”
John Nelson Darby spread his beliefs while visiting the United States and Canada 1862-1877. “He was a very appealing speaker and also intolerant to criticism. At first he tried to win members of existing Protestant congregations to his sect, but met with little success. He then spread his end-times message to influential clergymen and laymen in churches in major cities without insisting they leave their denominations.”
Evil
“The foundation of the Darbyite message was that when evil is seen in society, Christians are to rejoice because that is a sign of the imminent return of Christ.” The “very foundation of the Darbyite philosophy was a belief that all manifestations of the decay or degeneration of civilization were but further signs of the imminent return of Christ to ‘rapture’ His saints.“
Seven age Dispensationalism
Darby’s “system eventually became known as ‘dispensationalism,’ although it is more properly described as ‘seven age dispensationalism’ to distinguish it from the biblical ‘two age dispensationalism’ that recognizes two ‘ages’” (Mt. 12:32, Gal. 1:4, Heb. 6:5).
“Darby divided the Bible into seven periods of time (dispensations) and eight ages. The present ‘age’ is not among them, it being unforeseen by Daniel and the rest of the Old Testament prophets and which is a great parenthesis inserted between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel. Advocates vary on whether the ‘secret rapture‘ is to occur in the beginning, middle, or end of the 70th week.”
This resulted in acceptance of Jews as the chosen people of God with a separate plan in His scheme. Ultimately it resulted into Christian Zionism and establishment of state of Israel in Palestine in 1948, at mass expulsion of native Palestinians, colonization, genocide, human right violations, apartheid, injustice and oppression of Palestinians is a permanent threat to world peace.
Non Biblical Doctrine
Dispensationalism is a hotbed of false doctrine and confusion in the churches today. Dispensationalism is a fable. It is about as “deeper life,” a dead sort of formalism, as you can get! We’ve got deeper life theologians all across America, deader than a corpse with rigor mortis, who never build a hotdog stand for God, never win a soul to Christ, and do absolutely nothing to preach the Gospel to the poor. Instead of Standing On The Promises, they are Sitting On The Premises!
It’s all man-made junk theology!!! Dispensationalism is a fable. Zionism is a fable.
The “Times of the Gentiles” will end at the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! This event happens after the 7-year Tribulation period. There is no Biblical basis for divine protection for secular Israel at this present time. This goes totally contrary to 99% of what’s being taught in today’s Zionist churches. The culprit is Mr. Scofield’s Dispensationalism heresy as propagated in the Scofield Reference Bible. Let’s stick with Jesus Reference Bible John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
Dispensationalism may be fascinating as a work of art, but as a revelation it rests on a foundation of sand. The entire system of dispensational teaching is modernistic in the strictest sense; it is modernism, moreover of a very pernicious sort, such that it must have a Bible of its own (i.e., the Scofield Reference Bible) for the propaganda of its peculiar doctrines since they are not in the Word of God.
In connection with the Scofield Bible it has been said; “It is a matter of great concern to many Christians that a book should exist, and be offered for sale, wherein corrupt words of mortal men are printed and set as positive statements in the midst of the Holy Word of God Almighty. Is not this an affront before God Himself? ‘Let God be true and every man a liar’ (Romans 3:4)”
Israel, A Secular State
None of this happened in 1948 when Israel was made a secular state! Of the estimated 12 million Jews in the world today, 37% of them live in Israel.
These are not the “faithful remnant” which Dr. Ironside spoke of. The vile and promiscuous Huffington Post (Jewish owned) refers to Tel Aviv, Israel as “A Gay Paradise” for homosexual tourists worldwide. Less than 2.5% of Israel’s citizens profess faith in Jesus Christ. Notice carefully that all of the things which Dr. Ironside says, clearly DID NOT HAPPEN IN 1948 WHEN PRESENT-DAY ISRAEL WAS FORMED!
1948 was not the end of the Church age! Dr. Ironside clearly teaches that only saved Jews and Gentiles are UNITED in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26-29).
Modern Israel is a cesspool of homosexuality, atheism, ungodly reprobates, arrogant pride, idolatry, blasphemers and non-Christians.
Dr. Ironside teaches that the restoration of Israel will be the restoration of THE FAITHFUL REMNANT! That didn’t happen in 1948, nor has it yet! And no new covenant between God and that faithful remnant has happened as of yet (that new covenant is the Gospel). Present-day Israel is still in unbelief. The “faithful remnant,” at the close of the Tribulation period, will believe the Gospel.
Clearly, manmade present-day Israel is a satanic counterfeit and not the restoration of the true nation of Israel. So Dr. Harry Ironside WAS NOT A ZIONIST. Princeton University defines “Zionism” as, “A policy for establishing and developing a national homeland for Jews in Palestine.” This is man’s policy, not God’s. God’s policy is the inspired Word of God, His promise (i.e. to restore the true nation of Israel), in His time (i.e. when Jesus Christ returns after the 7-year Tribulation period). Today’s Zionists worship the wicked man-made 1948 state of Israel. Dr. J. Vernon McGee has it 100% correct concerning Israel today. Present-day Israel is not the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. God will honor His kingdom promises to the patriarch (Abraham), but not until the Jesus Christ returns to the earth.
Speeding Up the Second Coming of Christ – Not Commanded by God
Zionist Christians favor and support Israel in the attempt to facilitate the second coming of Christ. It is worth noting at this point that Dispensationalist theologian John S. Feinberg has cautioned against trying to speed the Messiah’s return through support of Israel. Some are so excited about things to come that they unfortunately think they can somehow bring them to pass sooner, rather than later—at least they want to try. Any human effort won’t make the end-times come any sooner than God has planned. Unless you happen to be the Anti-Christ, there is probably little you can do to make these events happen, and no one can move God’s sovereign timetable one moment faster or slower than He wants.
Supporting Israeli hostilities toward the Palestinians
“God blesses those who bless Israel” is quoted frequently. The original text does not say that God will bless those who bless Israel, but rather those who bless Abraham, to whom God is speaking (Genesis 12:1-3). However not everything Israel currently does blesses God. Israel as a nation is hardly seeking the blessing of the Palestinians. “Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” (Galatians 3:7) Moreover, Arabs are descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, whom God also blesses (Genesis 17:19-21, Genesis 21:13, 17-18).
Exodus 23:22: “But if you truly obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”
Exodus 23:25-26: “But you shall serve the LORD your God, and He will bless your bread and your water; and I will remove sickness from your midst. “There shall be no one miscarrying or barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.
Exodus 15:26: And He said, “If you will give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.”
Palestinians Genetic Relationship with the Jewish people
A number of pre-Mandatory Zionists, from Ahad Ha’am and Ber Borochov to David Ben-Gurion and Yitzhak Ben Zvi thought of the Palestinian peasant population as descended from the ancient biblical Hebrews, but this belief was disowned when its ideological implications became problematic. Ahad Ha’am believed that:
“The Moslems [of Palestine] are the ancient residents of the land who became Christians on the rise of Christianity and became Moslems on the arrival of Islam.“
Israel Belkind, the founder of the Bilu movement also asserted that the Palestinian Arabs were the blood brothers of the Jews. Ber Borochov, one of the key ideological architects of Marxist Zionism, claimed as early as 1905 that, “The Fellahin in Eretz-Israel are the descendants of remnants of the Hebrew agricultural community,” believing them to be descendants of the ancient Hebrew- residents ‘together with a small admixture of Arab blood’”. He further believed that the Palestinian peasantry would embrace Zionism and that the lack of a crystallized national consciousness among Palestinian Arabs would result in their likely assimilation into the new Hebrew nationalism, and that Arabs and Jews would unite in a class struggle. David Ben-Gurion and Yitzhak Ben Zvi, later becoming Israel’s first Prime Minister and second President, respectively, suggested in a 1918 paper written in Yiddish that Palestinian peasants and their mode of life were living historical testimonies to Israelite practices in the biblical period. Tamari notes that “the ideological implications of this claim became very problematic and were soon withdrawn from circulation.” Salim Tamari notes the paradoxes produced by the search for “nativist” roots among these Zionist figures, particularly the Canaanist followers of Yonatan Ratosh, who sought to replace the “old” diasporic Jewish identity with a nationalism that embraced the existing residents of Palestine.
In his book on the Palestinians, “The Arabs in Eretz-Israel“ Belkind advanced the idea that the dispersion of Jews out of the Land of Israel after the destruction of the Second Temple by the Roman emperor Titus is a “historic error” that must be corrected. While it dispersed much of the land’s Jewish community around the world, those “workers of the land that remained attached to their land,” stayed behind and were eventually converted to Christianity and then Islam. He therefore, proposed that this historical wrong be corrected, by embracing the Palestinians as their own and proposed the opening of Hebrew schools for Palestinian Arab Muslims to teach them Arabic, Hebrew and universal culture. Tsvi Misinai, an Israeli researcher, entrepreneur and proponent of a controversial alternative solution to the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, asserts that nearly 90% of all Palestinians living within Israel and the occupied territories (including Israel’s Arab citizens and Negev Bedouin) are descended from the Jewish Israelite peasantry that remained on the land, after the others, mostly city dwellers, were exiled or left. This stalls the Zionist Jewish claim that the Holy Land belongs to them.
Christian Palestinians
Furthermore, many Palestinians are Christians, a point often lost on many Christian Zionists (Don Belt, “The Forgotten Faithful: Arab Christians,” in National Geographic, vol. 215, no. 6, June 2009). Those who believe in Jesus are sons and daughters of God, irrespective of their people group. [Palestinian Muslims believe in Jesus as Messiah and Prophet]. In Galatians 3:28, we are told that in Christ there is no division between Jews and Gentiles as a result of Christ’s atoning work. As a result, all who believe in Jesus are children of the free woman of whom Paul speaks (Galatians 4:21–31), not just the descendants of Isaac who believe. As much as we should be concerned for all people and all Arabs, for all are blessed by God, our concern should be heightened for those who are fellow brothers and sisters in Jesus.
The Faith of Abraham and in Jesus
Speaking of Jesus, we find him often challenging his own Jewish people. Their national identity or ancestral connection to Abraham is not sufficient (John the Baptist makes a similar point Matthew 3:9). He exhorts them to have the faith of Abraham (John 8:31–58). The Canaanite woman (Matthew 15:21–28) and Centurion (Matthew 8:5–13) are sterling examples of those who have the faith of Abraham. Those of Abraham’s faith are Abraham’s spiritual children, according to Paul (Galatians 3:7). We must also account for Jesus’ exhortation to the Jewish religious teacher who sought to test Jesus about what is required to inherit eternal life. Jesus tells him to love his neighbor as himself and shares with him the parable of a lowly Samaritan who exemplifies righteousness caring for a man (likely a Jewish man) who was beaten and robbed and left for dead (Luke 10:25–37).
God Loves All People
The point of referencing these biblical accounts is to point out that God loves all people and that God is no respecter of persons. While Israel is the people of promise, God blesses all people and calls everyone to account to believe like Abraham in the promised Messiah and to live like the unnamed Samaritan as people of the promise. To believe like Abraham entails living like the Samaritan. As Jesus the Messiah makes clear, my neighbor is not the person like me or the person I like, but the person in need even my enemy. I am responsible to care for him or her. Thus, the Christians, should promote concern for the well-being of all peoples and pray that the Jews and Palestinians will care deeply for one another.
Bad Treatment of Palestinians and Oppression
Scripture specifies that Israel is to care for the foreigners in the land, granting them an inheritance and treating them as native-born (Ezekiel 47:21–22): How much more noteworthy is this text when the people in question the Palestinians have lived in the land for generations prior to the Jewish people’s return? Mark Bailey, President of Dallas Theological Seminary maintains that “when Israel is restored to the land, they are to treat the aliens and strangers as if they were Israelites.” In this light the modern state of Israel is challenged: Do you know what is lacking in Israel? Just a minor, little plank in God’s program: treating others as you would like to be treated The bottom-line principle is so powerful, so biblical: Israel needs to treat others as they would like to be treated. The Palestinian authority needs to treat Israel as they would like to be treated. This applies to all peoples”. While Israel considers to live in peace and security in the land, it must not take those rights from others such as the confiscation of property and increase of settlements in violation of international law.
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Many Evangelicals have a strange view of what it means to bless and not curse Israel. To do what Egypt did to Jacob’s descendants in enslaving them is “cursing” Israel. Cursing in the biblical sense is not refusing to be in favor of all that Israel does. In this sense, the prophets could have been accused of cursing Israel. Related to this point, many Christians fail to place “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem” in its biblical context (Psalm 122). Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is never separated from biblical justice (See Psalm 122:5), including concern for those who reside in Israel’s midst (Ezekiel 47:21–22). The best way that one can bless Israel is to pray and call for Israel and the Palestinians to live together peacefully as equals in the land. In that way, whether Christian Zionist or not, all who claim to be Christians can be biblical.
Eschatological Fact and Fiction: Catholicism on Dispensationalism
The Catholic Church says relatively little about future events leading up to Christ’s Second Coming. Many of the Church’s teachings are rejections (either implicit or explicit), not affirmations of particular beliefs such as the dispensational dichotomy between the Church and Israel, the “secret” Rapture, and the earthly millennial kingdom. What Catholics does teach is quite clear, as well as succinct:
1. There will be a Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
2. A time of trial which the Church must endure.
3. An Antichrist, a conversion of Israel to Christ, a definitive judgment of all people, and the fulfillment of the Kingdom that has already begun in the Church.
Within those parameters, Catholics may freely roam, search the Scriptures, and seek to better understand the Word of God.
Catholics do not approve the Christian Zionism but the centuries old stigma on Jews as killers of Jesus Christ was repudiated in 1965, (17 years after creation of Israel in Palestine) when the Catholic Church under Pope Paul VI issued the document “Nostra aetate” as a part of Vatican II. It states that even though some Jewish authorities and those who followed them called for Jesus’ death, the blame for this cannot be laid at the door of all those Jews present at that time, nor can the Jews in our time be held as guilty, thus repudiating an indiscriminate charge of Jewish deicide; ‘the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God’.
Nostra Aetate
Nostra aetate (In our Time) is the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions of the Second Vatican Council. Passed by a vote of 2,221 to 88 of the assembled bishops, this declaration was promulgated on 28 October 1965, by Pope Paul VI. Part four speaks of the bond that ties the people of the ‘New Covenant’ (Christians) to Abraham’s stock (Jews). It states that even though some Jewish authorities and those who followed them called for Jesus’ death, the blame for this cannot be laid at the door of all those Jews present at that time, nor can the Jews in our time be held as guilty, thus repudiating an indiscriminate charge of Jewish deicide; ‘the Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God’. The Declaration also decries all displays of anti-Semitism made at any time by anyone.
The document also declared that the Catholic Church regards the Muslims with esteem, and then continues by describing some of the things Islam has in common with Christianity and Catholicism: worship of One God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Merciful and Omnipotent, Who has spoken to men; the Muslims’ respect for Abraham and Mary, and the great respect they have for Jesus, whom they consider to be a Prophet and not God. The synod urged all Catholics and Muslims to forget the hostilities and differences of the past and to work together for mutual understanding and benefit.
Anti-Zionist Movement of Orthodox Jews-Neturei Karta
There are many Jews who recognize that the diaspora, or dispersion of the Jewish people from the land of Israel, was a divine punishment for their apostasy. Groups such as the Neturei Karta, (“Guardians of the City”) a religious group like Haredi Jews] an anti-Zionist movement of orthodox Jews, profess a belief that:
The Jewish people have no right to the land of Israel, given to them by the generosity of God in the Old Testament because they were not faithful to God’s covenant.
This was the general understanding of Catholics at the beginning of the 20th century, as well. On the Neturei Karta (Jewish) website, they state:
“The Creator gave us the Holy Land thousands of years ago. Yet, when we sinned, He took it away and sent us into exile. Since that time our task is to wait for Him to send the Messiah. At that time, the Creator alone, without any human being lifting a hand or saying a word, will bring us together and take us out of exile.”
“Judaism Rejects Zionism” and “We are against ‘Israel’ because we are Jews.” Arguing that Zionism is a novel idea without precedent in Jewish tradition until the end of the 19th century, these anti-Zionist orthodox Jews hold that all Jews had this understanding of the diaspora previous to the modern manifestations of Zionism.
The Neturei Karta and other orthodox anti-Zionist Jews make an observation that all Catholics and Protestants should also make:
“The modern state of “Israel” has no right to the name “Israel.” The name “Israel” was given to the land promised to the descendants of Abraham. It is a name that represents the Old Testament covenant between God and the Jews, so it has a clear connotation of religious obligation.”
However, at the root of modern Zionism is the idea that the Jews, religious or not, have a right to the land once called Israel. This is an idea that does not hold water in orthodox Judaism or traditional Catholicism. The modern Zionist state is secular in nature, only giving lip service to religious observations. [Israel’s present population demography confirms it].
It turns Judaism into a matter of race and culture rather than religion. In fact, anti-Zionist Jews claim that the majority of Zionist Jews are atheists. Thus, to call the modern Zionist state, which does not hold the essence of ancient Israel (i.e. the covenant with God), by the name of “Israel” is to mock both Judaism and Christianity. To accept its use of the name “Israel” would be like conceding to a pretender the crown of a rightful heir.
Violation of Hebrew and Christian Scripture
The Zionist Israelis are persecuting the Palestinians, in pursuit of man made interpretation of few verses by three men with insertions and footnotes. They are treating them in inhuman way. Christian Zionists support of Zionism is blatant violation of clear unambiguous verse from Holy Scripture:
“Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.”[Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5; Yerushalmi Talmud 4:9, Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 37a]
“What is hateful to thee, do not unto thy fellow; this is the whole law. All the rest is a commentary to this law; go and learn it.”[Shabat 30a.]
“They taught the law but did not practice some of the most important parts of the law justice, mercy, faithfulness to God. They obeyed the minutiae of the law such as tithing spices but not the weightier matters of the law.” (Matt 23:23-24)
Romans 14:19: So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Hebrews 12:14: Pursue peace with all men, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
1 Peter 3:11: He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
3 John 1:11: Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.
Psalm 37:27: Depart from evil and do good, So you will abide forever.
Psalm 97:10 : Hate evil, you who love the LORD, Who preserves the souls of His godly ones; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Proverbs 14:16: A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
Isaiah 1:16 : “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil,
Isaiah 1:17 : Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.
Psalm 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.
Job 28:28 : “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.'”
Proverbs 3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogance, and the …
Proverbs 13:14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.
Proverbs 16:16,17 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
Isaiah 1:16,17 “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.…
Romans 12:9,10: Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.…
2 Timothy 2:19: Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Ignoring these verses, to do what is totally opposite, is to reject them. How can such people claim to be obedient to God?
Jewish Scholars Opposed to Zionist Narrative
Rabbi W. Gunther Plaut, in Kolel, The Adult Centre for Liberal Jewish Learning says: “The text [Exodus 19:5] makes clear that this special status [Chosen People] is conditional: Israel must uphold their end of the deal and maintain the terms of the covenant. As the text states, ‘IF you will obey Me faithfully and keep my covenant, THEN you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples.’ It is not Israel as a people who are special, but rather it is their behaviour, their commitment to and adherence to the laws of the covenant, which sets them apart from all other people.” God did promise to bless the nations of the world through Israel, which He did by giving the Law, the Bible and even Jesus Christ Himself (the Messiah) through Israel. God has kept His promises to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), and will continue to do so (Romans 11:28). The nation of Israel is still beloved by God for the sake of His promises to the patriarchs, but this does not include unsaved, blaspheming, arrogant, hateful, Jews.
God Doesn’t need human effort to fulfill His Plans
Prophecies are about the events in future which will unfold as per God’s plan. He is all powerful to execute His Will and plans. He is not dependent upon humans to implement His plans. There no such commandment in prophesies. Some people try to take over the work of God at their own, which could be against His Will. He is well aware and knowledgeable. The Interpretation of holy texts and prophecies is a human work liable to error, it must not be allowed to override the clear unambiguous commandments for peace, safety and security of other humans.
The Commandments for Peace and Human Rights Deliberately Ignored
Taking some verses from Bible out of context, to support Zionism, while ignoring other verses related to obedience of God, peace and human rights is distortion, corruption of scripture and hearsay: Psalm 34:14: “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked”. Psalm 122:6-8: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love you… Hebrews 12:14: Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. Romans 12:18: If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 14:19: So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Rejection of Zionism by Majority Christians
Presently there are over 2 billion Christians, majority 1.2 billions are Roman Catholics, the oldest group. About 90 millions are Protestants and other denominations. Zionism is popular among Protestants with no central religious authority similar to the Pope among Catholics.
Seven Biblical Answers to Popular Zionist Assumptions
A very scholarly response to the Zionists is given by Dr. Stephen Robert Sizer, the former vicar of the Anglican parish of Christ Church, Virginia Water, in Surrey, England. Sizer is known for his opposition to Christian Zionism, which is the basis of his 2004 PhD thesis and the focus of his published works. He has provided “Seven Biblical Answers to Popular Zionist Assumptions”, excerpts:
1. God promises to bless those who bless Israel and curses those who curse Israel: This popular if misguided assumption is based on Genesis 12:3. “Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.[Genesis 12:1-3] It shows how vital it is we allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. First, the original promise was made to Abram (that is Abraham) and no one else. Second, there is nothing in the promise to indicate God intended it be applied to Abraham’s physical descendants unconditionally, or in perpetuity. Third, in the New Testament we are told explicitly that the promises were fulfilled in Jesus Christ and in those who acknowledge Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). The promise at (Genesis 12:2-3 &. (Genesis 22:17-18) was fulfilled (Galatians 3:16, 28-29).
2. The Jewish people are God’s “chosen people”: The assumption that the Jewish people are God’s “chosen people” is so deeply ingrained, to question it sounds heretical or anti-Semitic. Yet both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures insist membership of God’s people is open to all races on the basis of grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 56, we see the Lord anticipate and repudiate the rise of an exclusive Israeli nationalism. In the New Testament the term “chosen” is used exclusively of the followers of Jesus, irrespective of race (See also Ephesians 2:14-16 and Colossians 3:11-12 concerning the unity of God’s people).
3. The “Promised Land” was given by God to the Jewish people as an everlasting inheritance: Contrary to popular assumption, the Scriptures repeatedly insist that the land belongs to God and that residence is always conditional. For example, God said to his people, “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.” (Leviticus 25:23). In Ezekiel, it seems the Lord anticipated the reasoning of those who arrogantly claimed rights to the land because of the covenant made originally to Abraham.
“Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you do detestable things… Should you then possess the land?’ I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end.’ (Ezekiel 33:24-26,28-29)
The scriptures insist, residence was open to all God’s people on the basis of faith not race. Indeed, the writer to Hebrews explains that the land was never their ultimate desire or inheritance any way. The land was only ever intended as a temporary residence until the coming of Jesus Christ. Our shared eternal inheritance is heavenly not earthly. [See; Ezekiel 47:21-23, Hebrews 11:9-10; 39-40, Ephesians 3:4-6 ]
4. Jerusalem is the exclusive and undivided, eternal capital of the Jewish people: The Christian Zionist assertion that God intended Jerusalem to be the exclusive and undivided eternal capital of the Jewish people has no basis whatsoever in Scripture. As we have already seen, God insists in Psalm 87 that Jerusalem must be a shared and inclusive city. Nations specifically mentioned as having residence rights include those living in what is today, Egypt, Iran and Lebanon. Even the hated Philistines are mentioned as “born in Zion” on the basis of faith not race. Likewise, the vision of Isaiah 2 associates Jerusalem with the end of war, with peace and reconciliation between the nations.
“In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:2-3)
The Old Testament vision of Jerusalem is of an international, shared, inclusive city of faith, hope and love. But what of Luke 21:24, “Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled”? Many Zionists like to think this prophecy came true in 1967. This is problematic since, Revelation 11:2 says the Gentile ‘trampling’ of Jerusalem would last only ’42 months’. The context of Luke 21 shows Jesus was referring to the events of 70 AD and God’s sovereign use of foreign tyrants to fulfil his purposes (see Isaiah 63:3-6 for the meaning of ‘trampling’). It is more likely Jesus means deliverance will come at his return and not before. The focus of the New Testament instead moves away from the earthly Jerusalem toward the new, heavenly Jerusalem as the home of all who trust in Jesus (Hebrews 12:22-23; Revelation 21:2; 22-27).
5. The Jewish Temple must be rebuilt before Jesus returns: Prophecy pundits like to quote Daniel 9 and Matthew 24 to suggest a future temple will be built and desecrated by the anti-Christ, before Jesus returns to Jerusalem in order to set up his kingdom. The only problem is, Christian Zionists require a 2,000-year gap between Daniel 9:26 and 9:27 and between Jesus’ words in Matthew 24:1-2 and 24:15-16 in order to explain why, after the destruction of the temple in 70 AD, another temple is needed. But there is absolutely nothing in either text, or anywhere else in Scripture, to suggest a gap of 2,000 years, or that a future temple is predicted, let alone needed. Just the reverse the old temple was declared redundant the moment Jesus put on the cross when the curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Hebrews 1:3; 10:1-3, 11). The true and lasting temple is revealed to be the Jesus himself and his followers. [John 2:19-21, Ephesians 2:19-21].
The true temple, therefore, is under construction. Quoting Old Testament temple imagery, the Apostle Peter writes, “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5-7)
6. Believers will soon be ‘raptured’ to heaven before the ‘end-time’ battle of Armageddon: The rapture is a popular idea that Jesus will actually return twice: first of all secretly, to rescue true believers out of the world, then later visibly with his saints to judge the world. There is, again, no basis in Scripture for this novel idea. The Bible is emphatic: the return of Jesus will be personal, sudden, public, visible and glorious. [ Also, Matthew 24:30-31, 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17]
The idea of a secret rapture is actually based on a misreading of Matthew 24:40-41 and Luke 17:34-35 where Jesus warns that one person will be taken and the other left behind. Rapture proponents insist it is the believers who will be taken and that unbelievers left behind. However, in the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13, Jesus provides the key to interpreting the later parable, “Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” (Matthew 13:30). So it will be unbelievers who are ‘taken’ first and believers who are ‘left behind’ to be with Christ. However we understand the ambiguous apocalyptic language of Matthew 24, or Revelation, about the future, we must hold on to the clear promises of Jesus. He will never leave us nor forsake us (John 10:27-30; 14:14-27). The biblical vision of the future is of paradise restored and healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:1-2). Our mandate is to be peacemakers not windowmakers (Matthew 5:3-10). We are ‘God’s co-workers’ entrusted as ambassadors with a ministry of reconciliation not speculation (2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2).
7. God has a separate plan for the Jewish people apart from the Church: Christian Zionists typically believe that God has a continuing covenant with Israel, separate from the Church. They usually base this on passages like Romans 9-11, although they invariably ignore the context. In Romans 2:28-29, for example, the Apostle Paul defines the word ‘Jew’.
“A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.” (Romans 2:28-29)
That is why in Romans 9, the term ‘Israel’ is limited to those who acknowledge Jesus Christ..(Romans 9:6-8)
In the letter to the Philippians, Paul explicitly identifies the church as the true ‘circumcision’ (Philippians 3:3). This is entirely consistent with the Old Testament, where, as we have already seen, citizenship of Israel was open to all ‘those who acknowledge me’ (Psalm 87:4). And here is the clue to understanding Romans 9-11. Of course, God has not rejected the Jewish people. His covenant purpose for them, as with every other race, has always been ‘that they may be saved’ (Romans 10:1), to create one people for himself, made of both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 11:26). God’s covenant purposes are fulfilled only in and through Jesus Christ. This is most fully explained in Ephesians 2: 11-16. Stephen Robert Sizer quotes many passages to which show that there is a harmony between God’s purposes for his Old Testament saints and for his New Testament saints a clear continuity between Israel and the Church. [www.stephensizer.com]
Roman Catholicism and Zionism:
In 1904, Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, met with Pope St. Pius X. In his article, David Martin, (DC Dave) writes that; he wanted to gain support for the founding of a Jewish state in what was then known as Palestine. As Herzl recorded in his diary, the Pope gave an unfavorable response, saying:
“We are unable to favor this movement. We cannot prevent the Jews from going to Jerusalem – but we could never sanction it. The ground of Jerusalem, if it were not always sacred, has been sanctified by the life of Jesus Christ. As the head of the Church, I cannot answer you otherwise. The Jews have not recognized our Lord, therefore we cannot recognize the Jewish people. And so if you come to Palestine and settle your people there, we will be ready with churches and priests to baptize all of you.” (This response might smack of “anti-Semitism” to modern ears, which are ultra-sensitive to criticisms of Zionism).
The Catholics, should give deep consideration to the theological and moral implications of the words of this pope-saint. While many Protestant groups are now giving wholesale support of Zionism, Catholics must recognize the inherent dangers to their faith that Zionism presents.
It has been the traditional Catholic understanding that this title, “New Israel,” belongs to the Church. Implicitly, the Jewish people are no longer “the chosen people” or the “most beloved children of God.” To confirm this, the temple of Jerusalem was providentially destroyed by the Romans in the year 70 AD. This essentially destroyed the old Israel as a nation, because without a temple, it could no longer offer sacrifices to please God.
Vatican and Diplomatic Relations with Israel
For the majority of the modern Israeli state’s short history, the Vatican did not maintain formal diplomatic relations with the Israeli government, nor did it even recognize its right to exist. The reasons behind this are unclear, but on December 30, 1993, the Vatican reversed this policy and formally recognized Israel, opening diplomatic relations. This decision seemed to fly in the face of what Pope St. Pius X told Theodor Herzl 89 years earlier. How could the Church, which represents Christ, give consent to the existence of a state that bases itself on the premise that the Jews are still “the chosen people” with a right to the land of Israel, despite their apostasy and failure to accept the Messiah? Such an act seems to give assent to the false idea that Jews do not have to convert and recognize Christ as the Messiah (an idea that has been popular among some high-ranking Church prelates). [Some suspect penetration of Freemasonry, conspiracies]
Regardless of the prudence of this decision, the Vatican has consistently remained critical of Israel’s repressive policies towards Palestinians (both Muslim and Christian). This is an absolutely necessary measure, because the Church, as the ultimate Christian moral authority on earth, must maintain its moral credibility. If the Vatican is going to accept Israel’s right to exist, it must at least hold Israel to the same moral standards that it holds any other Western country.
While the Vatican has been openly critical of Israel’s policies regarding the Palestinians, it seems that some American Catholics, who have been tainted by the pro-Zionist political influences that dominate American politics, would have liked Vatican to overlook the injustices committed by the Israeli government. George Weigel, a prominent Catholic political commentator, is a prime example. Weigel has consistently lauded the Vatican’s efforts at dialogue with Israel, while rarely, if ever, acknowledging the rights of Christian and Muslim Palestinians to dwell there.
Because of Israel’s heavy influence on world politics, Catholics must be prudent in their approach to the question of Zionism. In a time when most Europeans see Israel as a threat to world peace, American Catholics, in particular, need to be cautious about allowing “national policy” to be their moral compass in matters of international politics. For the sake of the one true faith, Catholics must not come down on the side of injustice, irreligion, and apostasy.
Vatican-Palestinian Relations
Vatican-Palestinian relations are governed at present by the agreement concluded between the two parties in 2000. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Israeli control of most of the West Bank territory are the major considerations in these relations. The Holy See has maintained relations with Palestine since before 1948. On 11 February 1948, the Holy See created the office of Apostolic Delegate to Jerusalem and Palestine, with jurisdiction over Palestine, Transjordania (now Jordan), and Cyprus. Before the creation of the office of Apostolic Delegate, the Custodian of the Holy Land, which has had a presence in the Holy Land since after the Crusader period, and by the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, which was re-instituted in 1847, represented the interests of the Vatican in the region.
Vatican policy has long held that a two-state solution is the best road to peace in the Holy Land, and Francis has taken steps to raise the profile of a Palestinian state. In May 2009, Pope Benedict XVI expressed support of a two-state solution of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. A treaty facilitating relationships between Vatican and Palestine referred to as a “state” in the text has entered full force, sealing de-facto recognition of Palestinian statehood by the Holy See. The Vatican announced its “Comprehensive Agreement” with the “State of Palestine” signed in June 2015 has come into full force, in which the Holy See bolstered support for the two-state solution of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Referring to Palestine as “state” means Vatican has recognized it as an equal partner, thus sealing support for 2012 UN General Assembly resolution granting Palestine a non-member observer status. Vatican believes in safeguarding the holy sites in Palestine, equally important for all three Abrahamic religions. In April 2014, a Catholic monastery was vandalized not far from Jerusalem in a hate crime carried out by Israelis. Slogans condemning peace talks with Palestine as well as graffiti disparaging Jesus and Mary were also frequent there recently.
Patriarchates of Jerusalem
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem (Catholic), the Syrian Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, have recently joined together in order to proclaim and to publish the Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism (August 22, 2006). This Declaration rejects Christian Zionism for substituting a political-military program in place of the teachings of Jesus Christ. The statement is very critical of Christian Zionism because it provides a worldview where the Gospel is identified with the ideology of empire, colonialism and militarism. Palestinian Christian leaders have also been very vocal in supporting the “Kairos Palestine” document calling for a boycott against Israel until it stops its discriminatory policies in the Palestinian territories.
0 The General Assembly of the National Council of Churches of USA, in November 2007 approved a resolution for further study which stated that the “theological stance of Christian Zionism adversely affects:
0 justice and peace in the Middle East, delaying the day when Israelis and Palestinians can live within secure borders
relationships with Middle Eastern Christians {prior reference to the Jerusalem Declaration on Christian Zionism}
0 relationships with Jews, since Jews are seen as mere pawns in an eschatological scheme
0 relationships with Muslims, since it treats the rights of Muslims as subordinate to the rights of Jews
0 interfaith dialogue, since it views the world in starkly dichotomous terms”
The Reformed Church in America:
The Reformed Church in America at its 2004 General Synod, Found: “the ideology of Christian Zionism and the extreme form of dispensationalism that undergirds it to be a distortion of the biblical message noting the impediment it represents to achieving a just peace in Israel/Palestine.” The Mennonite Church published an article that referenced what is called the ongoing illegal seizure of additional Palestinian lands by Israeli militants, noting that in some churches under the influence of Christian Zionism the “congregations ‘adopt’ illegal Israeli settlements, sending funds to bolster the defense of these armed colonies.”
As of September 2007, churches in the USA that have criticized Christian Zionism include the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Church of Christ.
[To be concluded …… ]
References/Links
http://SalaamOne.com/christian-zionism
