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Why Support Israel? Christianity is about the Hebrew Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), that came to his people when they were under Roman Occupation. Prophecies of this Messiah that would bless the whole world were first given to Abraham in Gen.12, when God promised him and his descendents the land. Now we live in the time of the latter day when these promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob's descendents are brought back into the land to fulfill the ancient prophecies. This includes the return of Jesus the Messiah to remove the evil and wickedness on earth that has flourished and to save the remnant that is in Israel, the Jewish people today. What we see on the world stage is a challenge to Israel to exist. It is Satan behind the scene influencing people to stop Israel's progress and being autonomous. He knows that when certain events take place his time will then be coming quickly, his reign will end. One has to ponder why are the Jews, ancient Israelites (Hebrews) are the object of such hatred? The answer is both sobering, and obvious; the Jews, are engaged in a spiritual war by God's ancient enemy. The current physical war in the Promised Land may be the most blatant ongoing conflict in the world, but don't underestimate the conflict thinking it either begins or ends there. Though it physically manifests in war, its roots are primarily spiritual, and the outcome will also be spiritual as well as physical. For this has much to do with a counterfeit Christ who is to come. Jesus said You are either for or against me. Rejecting God’s promise to Israel may not be as serious as rejecting Christ and the gospel, but it is not void of its consequences, even to those who claim the name Christ. For it is connected to God that will, bless those who bless you (Israel). Num. 24:9 “Blessed is he who blesses you, And cursed is he who curses you.” This applies to your view on Israel who are God’s covenant people whom Jesus said He was coming back to rescue and restore into the land (Mt.25:31-46). How the Church relates to Israel is key to her being blessed or judged. For the covenant in Gn. 12:3 is not void, it is still in effect, and it will be especially important during the Tribulation time when God will “test those who dwell on the earth” (Rv. 3:10). A general disregard for Israel has grown in the Christian churches. Historically, evangelical Christians, stood by Israel and the Jews, recognizing them as God's chosen people with a significant role in Bible prophecy because of His everlasting covenant with them. But today, a growing number have been convinced that Israel has no connection to bible prophecy and has been replaced by the Christian Church. The answer has been written by Paul who asks rhetorically, “has God cast away His people? Certainly not! (Rom. 11:1.) Paul, explains throughout the book of Romans 11:11-12 “through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness! V.28-31 “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” This being the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Gen.12. V.30 “For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience” Because of their unbelief that is temporary you are grafted into the olive tree. Isa. 41:8-11 “But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend. You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its farthest regions, And said to you, 'You are My servant, I have chosen you and have not cast you away: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' “Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.” Just consider how such a tiny country (about the size of the state of New Jersey) is surrounded by massive-sized countries, 19 countries in the immediate vicinity, who all want her eradicated. This has become the central focal point and constant tension of the entire world. It will find a relief that will be faked by another Christ for the world, who opposes the true Christ and his people, both Christins and Jews. The world will be punished for their unbelief in God, and I dare to say so will those of the church who take a stand against Israel's right to her land and the many promises God has written for her. Despite whatever wrongs Israel does today as a nation, a government, she still has a right to the land because of the Lord's promises in his covenant. God said the covenant was about the land and his people that began with abraham. The blessings and cursing in Gn.12 are still active. Pharaoh learned the hard way in their exodus that God is for his people. The book of Esther takes place in ancient Persia; today’s Iran. Israel was captive in Persia yet God is there to protect them and turns the tables on Haman who plotted their extinction. He made the gallows to hang the Jews, it ended up used on himself. God is still active behind the scenes and keeps His promises. blessings will come to those Ps. 129:5 “Let all those who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned back.” And God has prophesied by Zech 12:2-3 "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding peoples, when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” Zech. 13:8-9 “I will bring the one-third through the fire, (that is the tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble) Will refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them. I will say, 'This is My people'; And each one will say, 'The LORD is my God.' And then they will say “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment” (Ps 66:10-12.) Isa. 45:17 “Israel shall be saved by the LORD With an everlasting salvation.” The answer to Israel's continual survival from persecution upon them throughout history. Ps. 121:4-5 “Behold, He who keeps Israel Shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper.” God takes the protection over the nation he made from Abraham's seed personally. This is why Israel cannot removed in God’s eyes, (Gn. 32:10; Zech.2:8) “For the LORD's portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance….He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye” (Deut. 32:9-10). Why are we to bless Israel? Because the blessing for the whole world comes from them, as God ordained that the Messiah would come from the Jews. As Gen.12 states all the families of the earth will be blessed because the one promised to Adam and Eve back in Gn. 3:15 would come through a woman’s seed, from the lineage of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The true God, the Creator of all people, (and all things; Romans 3:29-30), of both Jew and Gentile, became the Messiah in His humanity. A descendant of King David as promised in His covenant. If someone hates the Jews, he logically must hate the Messiah, for Jesus himself said in Scripture salvation is of the Jews (John 4:22), meaning, he came through his covenant people, to his people first. And He will return with His church for His people; the first will be last.
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