Christian Zionists

Bible Students have played an historic role as friends of Zion. Today there are many Christian Zionists—but there is a difference!

Israel faces an escalating crisis! Israel is continually threatened by terrorists, undermined by Arab propaganda, attacked by anti-Semitic voices in the U.N., Europe and elsewhere. It doesn’t take much imagination to figure out that Israel needs help. Millions of Christians around the world are potentially Israel’s best friends—yet most of the Christian world is asleep—or does not really understand Israel’s unique place in God’s Plan. Exactly what is Christian Zionism—and what should Christian be doing?

Replacement Theology’s Children

Christian Zionism is a quantum leap from the past. Through the centuries Christian churches have accused Jews of “deicide” (killing God) and have actually inspired relentless persecution. (Not a very friendly posture for “love thy neighbor” Christianity!) With institutionalized “replacement theology” (supersessionism), the Jews were demoted by the “Christian” church, effectively erasing their status as God’s “chosen…special people” (Deut. 7:6). Such persecution was rampant for almost two millennia—climaxing in the Twentieth Century with the infamous “Shoah” (the Holocaust).

How could the Holocaust happen in a Christian Europe? Europeans were primed for their role by generations of anti-Semitism. Today, Jews face a wholly “new anti-Semitism” (The New Anti-Semitism, Phyllis Chesler) which now attacks the one true haven for every living and unborn Jew—Israel. Even within the borders of this safe haven, the personal safety of Jews is threatened by terrorist attacks.

End Time Christian Zionists

Today’s Christian Zionists find their roots for their pro-Israel posture in the early 1800s when Nelson Darby introduced a “dispensational” understanding of the Bible. Darby said that the Christian Dispensation has been “a great parenthesis” between God’s past dealings with Israel and the time when the Christian church will be completed. But God’s timeline is not the Darby’s “two completely different plans for humanity” as described by David Brog in Standing with Israel. God’s plan is one harmonious Plan of the Ages! Sadly, Darby did not see the complete picture. Bible Students, however, since 1800s have understood and taught that Israel has a major role in God’s Kingdom on earth.

But what was accomplished by these other “end times” Christian Zionists? Millions of dollars have been generously donated by Christians—dollars that have brought the Jews of Diaspora to Israel. While not discrediting the good deeds towards Israel, some questions must be raised to identify the differences that do exist. Do most Christians today who enthusiastically support Israel—both politically and/or financially—understand Israel’s place in God’s Kingdom on earth? Or is their view nearsighted? What is their hope for the Jews after the “Third Temple” is built? Will only 144,000 Jews (Rev. 7:1-8) be converted to evangelize the world, resulting in 2/3 of all Jews and 3/4 of the Gentile world doomed to a burning hell? If that were a true Bible teaching, it would be worse than our last century’s Holocaust.

First and Second Coming of the Messiah

What do Christians and Jews have in common? All Christians pray “Thy Kingdom come,” and many since the 1800s have even more eagerly prayed for the “Second Coming.” But few realize that Jews—especially Orthodox Jews—hope for the same blessed Kingdom in anticipation of a first coming of their Messiah! Yes, Jews long for the promised Kingdom of God on earth. But both Jewish and Christian traditions envision a great time of trouble prior to the Messianic Age of blessings. Both understand the painful interim is the necessary preparation for the Golden Age—when the swords-to-plowshares and lion-with-lamb prophesies are fulfilled (Isa. 2:2-4; 65:25).

Most Jews, while thankful for Christian support, are nevertheless skeptical—suspecting ulterior motives. However, Jews are generally very practical! Since they do not believe the Christian Messiah is coming a second time, Jews are willing to accept all the friends they can muster in this increasingly hostile world!

First the Stars, then the Sand

Jesus came to “his own” and only a “remnant” received him and became “sons of God” (John 1:10, 11). Although the “rest [of Israel] were blinded”—after the present Christian Age “all Israel will be saved”—as Apostle Paul said. But how will they be saved? And where exactly do the Jewish people fit into God’s future plans?

The Abrahamic covenant is key to God’s big Plan: “In thee and thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed” (Gen. 3:12). That promise was repeated to Abraham’s posterity—Isaac and Jacob. But what is overlooked by most Christians and Jews is that there are two parts to Abraham’s promised seed of blessing: First the Stars—and then the Sand! “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore...And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed...” (Gen. 22:17, 18).

In Apostle Paul’s masterful discourse in Romans 11, he first identified himself as a descendant of Abraham—then explained everything! In his address to the Christians at Rome, Paul said, Israel’s rejection was not total—nor was it forever. “I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham...” (Rom. 11:1 niv) Paul also said that “wild” Gentile branches were grafted into the root tree of the Abrahamic Promise to replace all those cut off except for the “remnant.”

“At this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace…But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentiles], being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,” (Rom 11:5, 17 nas).

God’s Promises to Israel Irrevocable

Paul then told his Gentile brethren not to be arrogant that they were grafted into the Abrahamic promise—because the natural branches can just as easily be grafted in again and the Gentiles cut off!

“Do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you…And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!” (Rom 11:18, 23-24 nas).

Then the Apostle proceeds to explain a “mystery” that Israel’s blindness (hardness of heart), in fact, would only continue until the full number of the spiritual seed of Abraham would be selected!

“For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Rom. 11:25 niv).

“And thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, The Deliverer will come from Zion, He will remove ungodliness from Jacob….And this is My covenant with them, When I take away their sins....they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:26-29 nas)

All Israel will be Saved

Apostle Paul said, “All Israel will be saved.” But does this require—as many Christian Zionists think—the support and alliance of America standing with Israel? Conservative Christian Zionists feel compelled to politically steer the policies of the US to act in favor of Israel. No doubt, the Scriptural principle is valid, “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee...” Gen. 12:3. America has certainly been blessed! Those who have not blessed Israel are gone. Where are the Babylonians? The Romans? The Ottoman Empire? (Or for that matter, the British Empire—with its infamous White Paper which effectively negated much of the Balfour Declaration and the League of Nations Mandate.) But, alas, in the final analysis, even all Israel’s “lovers” will leave her, and Israel alone will survive as a national identity into God’s Kingdom:

“All your lovers have forgotten you. . .” (Jer. 30:14 NAS) “O Jacob My servant, do not fear,” declares the LORD, “For I am with you. For I shall make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you, Yet I shall not make a full end of you; but I shall correct you properly and by no means leave you unpunished.” (Jer. 46:28)

Regathering during Trouble

Yes, Israel has already been punished and disbursed to the four corners of the earth. But now Israel is miraculously gathered to her ancient Holy Land—even though the process now is gradual and painful. Both the Prophet Daniel and our Lord Jesus linked the reestablishing of Israel to unprecedented trouble at the end of the Christian Age. In reality, when Christ assumes power as King—first there is trouble before peace:

“And at that time shall Michael [“who as God,” i.e. Jesus] stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people [Israel]: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time” (Dan. 12:1)

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be… Now learn a parable of the fig tree [Israel]; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh…” (Matt 24:21, 32)

Christian Zionists are Watchmen

The “summer” of the peaceable phase of Christ’s Kingdom is close—even though before peace there is trouble not only for the world, but for Israel too. What are faithful Christian Zionists doing about supporting Israel? They are the “watchmen” on the wall praying for the time when Jerusalem will be a “praise in the earth”—as the capital of Messiah Jesus Christ’s Kingdom:

“On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; All day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the LORD, take no rest for yourselves; And give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.” (Isa. 62:6,7)

Christian Zionists also encourage their Jewish friends to believe their Prophets. Christian Zionists should publicly broadcast comforting messages in newspaper ads, distribute literature in the languages of Diaspora and make public presentations about Israel’s destiny. Christian Zionists should also stand with Israel when businesses, institutions and countries insist on boycotting Israel.

All the Nations of Earth Blessed

Surely, Christians have a destiny tied in closely with Israel. Just as God used Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt—so the faithful Christian Church, with Jesus her Head, will be as “Moses.” They will be the “Moses” bringing the children of Israel along with a “mixed multitude” (Ex. 12:38) out of the slavery and bondage of sin and death. In that deliverance Jews will be a light to the Gentiles teaching the Gentile world about Christ’ Kingdom rule (Isa. 49:6; Isa. 2:2-4). Israel will be as the “sand” of the Abrahamic Seed of Blessing. And true Christian Zionists will be as the “Stars.” In reality, Christian Zionists love Israel because God does—and because they will work together with Israel to bless “all the families of the earth” (Gen. 22:17,18)

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