Jerusalem Under the Shadow of Zionism, Judaism,
Islam and Christianity; But Christ?
President Trump’s declaration that America would recognize Jerusalem as the legitimate capital of Israel was like tossing a branch into a hornet’s nest! Everyone had a reaction. Not surprising, Islamic adherents were vehement in their opposition, not so much because of the Mosque of Omar at the Temple Mount site, but because of their racial hatred of all Jews as enshrined in their holy books. The Jewish response was also not surprising since they have been seeking support from any powerful nation to help them realize this dream that was born with the United Nations declaration that gave birth to the modern nation of Israel. Yet, it was the reaction of Christians that should give one pause to ask if they even understand the very Scriptures they claim to use to guide them in their understanding of God and His plans?
In 1947, the United Nations (UN) voted to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab enclaves. This precipitated the Civil War in Mandatory Palestine that resulted in Israel declaring its independence as a nation in 1948. The Muslims sought to destroy Israel in 1956, 1967 and 1973 though suffering defeats in each instance. Their obvious racial hatred is further inflamed by their military losses as they seek to legitimize their cause on the international stage. But, the Christians need to ask themselves if this Israel is the Israel spoken of in the Bible?
This modern Israeli nation was not the result of Messiah coming to earth and establishing His Kingdom at Jerusalem (Ze 14:4). The Israel of today has far less noble roots than is generally admitted. This nation is the result of agitation by Zionists since the latter years of the 19th century. Who are the Zionists? This documentary, The Zionist Story, gives one a broad-brush overview of Zionism. Zionism started as a non-religious but ethnic movement to obtain a homeland for Jews. Zionists for the most part were socialists in political orientation and atheistic in religious orientation. Their methods were little different from the methods of any other terrorist group: murder, bombings and targeting of innocents for propaganda purposes. In other words, they were indistinguishable in methodologies from those they fought against: Arabs and British.
Not known to most Christians there are several large movements against Israeli control of Jerusalem. One such group, Neturei Karta, is clearly outspoken in its opposition to Zionism in Israel. The name was given to a group of Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem who refused (and still refuse) to recognize the existence or authority of the so-called “State of Israel” and made (and still make) a point of publicly demonstrating their position, the position of the Torah and authentic unadulterated Judaism. These Orthodox Jews do not see the current state of Israel as the nation that Messiah will establish as written in the Tanakh (Bible-Old Testament). They oppose Zionism as being an anti-Jewish {religion} secular political organization much like many in the West now view Islam as a secular political movement with religious overtones to hide its true motivations. Thus, there is no monolithic Jewish consensus that this modern nation is the nation God spoke of in His word.
So, why do the Christians cling to the belief that this modern Israel is the Israel mentioned in the Old Testament? Usually, they believe because they do not search the matter either in the Scriptures nor in current literature. Many who claim to follow the Dispensational eschatological view see this as a sign that Christ is returning. They rush forward to meet Him without understanding what His coming actually means. But, Dispensationalism does not negate the clear teaching of the Scriptures. No one will know the time of Christ’s return (Mk 13:32). This clear statement should stop all speculation; however, cults have been founded upon ignoring this clear teaching (Seventh Day Adventist). But, more importantly, how does making Jerusalem the capital of Israel prepare for the return of Christ? Does precipitating a war of extermination require Christ to return to save the Jews? How exactly does this trigger such a response and where is this taught in the Bible?
Jesus was asked where was the correct place to worship God (Jo 4:19-24)? The Samaritans believed it was on Mount Gerizim while the Jews believed it was only at Jerusalem. These two disagreeing factions had conflated the practice of faith with worship of God. David showed the two were separate nearly 1,000 years before (Ps 51:14-19). The cultic or ceremonial sacrificial aspect of the Mosaic Law could only be performed at the Temple in Jerusalem but this pointed to the innocent sacrifice of Messiah as the payment for sin so Holy God and sinful man could join in peace (Ro 5:8-10). Christ in one statement alienated Sadducees, Pharisees, Zealots, Essences, and Samaritans against Himself when He said that there was no one place to worship God. The worship of God is not based on practice but on truth as taught by God’s Holy Spirit (1Co 2:11-14). And it is the truth being sacrificed for the sake of outward show of religiosity.
Zionist, modern, Israel is not the nation of truth seekers of the Father. They are a political entity looking for support from other political entities such as America. President Trump legitimizing Israel’s desire of having Jerusalem as their capital is simply one political entity allying with another against common enemies. There is no discussion of God, of truth, of Scripture nor concern for the convulsive consequences that are sure to follow such an ill-conceived declaration. Those who die will not be those who have a choice to agree or disagree with these declarations; they will be hapless targets chosen at random by murderous terrorists expressing their opposition against this declaration. Rather than showing belief in God in making this declaration there is an absolute rejection of protecting one’s citizens which is the responsibility of every leader.
Christian, everyone who worships the Father does so in truth. All who are saved during this New Covenant period are saved into Christ’s Church! Was not Paul the example? Why do those who call themselves Christians declare as righteous those who reject Christ? The Jews are God’s people when He calls them forth but until such a time they are not His people but enemies of the Gospel of Truth (Ro 11:11-16, 25-32). We should be taking the Gospel to all people in hopes that God will save some; otherwise, is it not ourselves who are in danger of standing in opposition to the Father and how can that end but poorly for us? As Christ alienated all men against Him by standing for truth; let us follow His example and also stand for His truth though every hand be against us and suffer bearing His shame outside the camp (He 13:12-16). If we suffer for being against God who will help us but if we suffer for doing His Will then He will receive us as revealed in His word (1Pe 2:20; 3:17; 4:19). Therefore, let us ignore these empty displays of political religiosity and continuing doing the work of the Gospel until the Lord returns; then He Himself will claim Jerusalem as His capital and who will stand against Him?