I was asked to read a report of a typical reformist/replacementist who was giving scathing accusations against Christian Zionists for their beliefs/practices and comment on it.
Here are my observations, my rebuttals and full scriptural explanation/evidence (in defence) for our support of Israel.
I noticed that everything the report said was a clear example of the dominionists, kingdom now arguments. The dominionists tend to exaggerate and interpret scripture in a biassed way, even lying to make their point. They say they are not anti Israel, but actually they are.
They say that they support Palestinians also, but actually (generally) ONLY support Palestinians and keep attacking Israel as a state. The report in question was from a reformed theological approach. Anyway, I will now show what this author said publicly on his website report and then give my reply to each false accusation in blue. I will tackle only the most salient sections of his report, which are in serious error and do not represent the truth accurately.
(Note: This blog also contains other articles which can be used as a response to the Dominionists objection against Israel. You can find these articles at the bottom of THIS article.)
He said: Much of our Christian emphasis on foreign policy in the Middle East today is based on the promise that God made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, "And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." The first half of this verse is a promise that God made to just one person, Abraham. The original Hebrew is in the second person singular, meaning that God is speaking only to Abraham.
My Reply: He deliberately ignores the subsequent promises given later in scripture specifically to Isaac and then to Jacob which shows the promise to Abraham was carried on through Isaac (not Ishmael) and then through Jacob. God then gave special promises to Jacob and renamed Him Israel which means
"he contends (or wrestles) with God".
Incidentally that was a prophecy that although Israel (as a nation) would have a history "wrestling" with God, God would still honour them as His special chosen people and will still bless them whenever they turned back to Him.
God calls Himself "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" which shows that His chosen people Israel came through the line of Abraham and that the original promise was uniquely for them. In fact it was through Israel that the Messiah came. We then read later in Numbers 22-24 how God showed His love for Israel and indicated that His original promise to Abraham was specifically for Israel. Balak sent Balaam to curse Israel but God went to great lengths to cause Balaam to bless Israel instead. Even sending an angel and causing a donkey to speak. There are some beautiful prophesies within chapters 23-24 which show how God is going to bless Israel and how He views them. Numbers 24:9 is where we get the verse "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
"he contends (or wrestles) with God".
Incidentally that was a prophecy that although Israel (as a nation) would have a history "wrestling" with God, God would still honour them as His special chosen people and will still bless them whenever they turned back to Him.
God calls Himself "the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" which shows that His chosen people Israel came through the line of Abraham and that the original promise was uniquely for them. In fact it was through Israel that the Messiah came. We then read later in Numbers 22-24 how God showed His love for Israel and indicated that His original promise to Abraham was specifically for Israel. Balak sent Balaam to curse Israel but God went to great lengths to cause Balaam to bless Israel instead. Even sending an angel and causing a donkey to speak. There are some beautiful prophesies within chapters 23-24 which show how God is going to bless Israel and how He views them. Numbers 24:9 is where we get the verse "May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!”
He said: Matthew Henry says, This was the promise that crowned all the rest; for it points to the Messiah .........
My Reply: I used to have the whole Bible volume Matthew Henry commentaries. Therefore, I do know quite a bit about him. He wrote his commentaries in the 18th century. WELL BEFORE zionism began and therefore long beore Israel became a nation again. He commentated on the bible verse by verse from his preconceived reformed theological position, so therefore each interpretation was influenced from his GIVEN theology rather than openly allowing the Bible to dictate what his theology should be. Therefore, he was a replacementist and strongly argues that Israel will never become a nation again. How wrong he proved to be!!! Remember that God said that if a prophet prophesies falsely, then he is NO prophet but a false prophet. Therefore, we cannot use Matthew Henry as an authorative voice!!!
He Said: When it is pointed out that the various Arabs nations, including Palestine, are also descended from Abraham, the Christian Zionists say that the promise of Genesis 12:3 applies only to the descendants of Isaac (Of course, there is no mention of Isaac in Genesis 12:3. They often misquote the verse, saying it refers to "blessing Israel," but Israel is not mentioned in the verse either).
........ But in Genesis 21:13, 17-18 God also bestows His blessing on Ishmael and his descendants, saying, "For I will make him a great nation."
My Reply: I don't know which Christian zionists he is referring to. There are certainly some zionists who are way off beam like Word Of Faith preachers. Most Christian zionists are not from Word of Faith and do not dispute that God has promised to make the Arab nations great. We acknowledge this promise and see the evidence of it today with the Arab nations becoming very wealthy and influencing the World globally through their oil. However, the blessing to Ishmael was totally different to the one given to Abraham and was only very partly representative of the whole Abrahamic blessing which was specifically for the nation of Israel. If they compared the two blessings honestly they would have to acknowledge there is a BIG difference.
He Said: Zionists say, based on their non-literal, speculative, spiritualized interpretation of Genesis 12:3, that we are to give total, unquestioned support to some of Abraham’s children, while others of Abraham’s children are to be hated, persecuted, ethnically cleansed, bombed back into the Stone Age, maybe even nuked.
My Reply: Same answer as per my last reply. True Christian zionists DO NOT say those things.
He Said: Christian Zionists claim to have 70,000,000 followers in America, who insists that our politicians render unquestioning obedience to the military and political agenda of the Israeli Government.
My Reply: This is a terrible sweeping statement and is simply not true and at best greatly inaccurate and exaggerated. What they don't tell us is that the Christians TODAY who support the Arab nations and specifically Palestine now outweigh the numbers who support Israel.
He Said: Nowadays, liberal Jewish groups still protest human rights violations in Israel. Nevertheless, most fundamentalists Christians would never dream of doing such a thing – it is against their religion. It is their duty to either deny that such violations take place, or else to endorse and commend such violations. We have been told that God will smite us if we disagree with anything that Israel does. The lawgiver Moses commanded the Hebrews that they should not oppress the strangers or non-Jews in their lands, Exodus 12:49, 22:21, 23:9, Leviticus 19:33-34, 25:35, Deuteronomy 10:18-19, 23:7, 24:17, 27:19. That message, of course, is not mentioned today – it is considered "politically incorrect."
My Reply: Same answer to the last one. What Christian zionists actually do is expose the lies of Israel's opponents and try to show trhe truth of what is actually happening within the military and how the military/politicians etc are simply trying to protect their survival against constant islamic attacks against them. The truth is that Israel (since becoming a nation) have tried to do their very best (of course no-one is perfect) to maintain peace and at the same time try to protect the residents from Islamic threats. The media constantly spread lies in the news by showing images that have later proved to be from Palestinian/Islamic sources projecting a false picture. There is tremendous continuous activity going on regularly trying to discredit Israel but at the same time fabricate that Palestinians are victims. It simply is not true. Although Israel is certainly not perfect, it is certainly much more humane than their Islamic neighbours!!! Zionists are simply trying to present the facts!
He Said: In Jeremiah 27:6-17, the prophet advocated the surrender of Israel’s territory to the King of Babylon, in return for peace – today, we would call it "land for peace." But today, our warmongering televangelists denounce "land for peace" as unthinkable for any reason whatsoever, and threaten God’s wrath against anyone who would support such a thing.
My Reply: What nonsense. Again such wild interpretation and application of scripture. The reason Israel gave up land is because God exiled them because of their constant idolatry. God said that HE not poiltical leaders or kings would give land for peace. Israel were exiled from their land NOT FOR PEACE but because GOD did it because of sin. Israel didn't yield up their land for peace reasons!!! God later told us that HE would bring back the Jews into the Land "the desolation of MANY generations" and those people would NEVER again be replaced from the Land. God told us in Ezekiel 36 to 39 that they would become a nation because GOD will do it. They would first come in hardness of heart as dead bones, but eventually they would rise again as a spiritual army. Although they are still a sinful, secular nation, God will pour out His Spirit on them at some point. It is GOD who decides who has the Land!!!
He Said: For instance, in 1994 Christian Zionist leaders, including Pat Robertson
My Reply: Stop right there! There we have it "Pat Robertson". They are using this apostate, ecumenical, prosperity preacher who is linked to Word of Faith as an example of Christian Zionists. Well ..... He is not a good one to quote!!!
He Said: Modern-day Israelis and other Jews are well aware of the fact that the Christian Zionists believe, based on a mistaken interpretation of Zechariah 13:8,???? that there must be a devastating war in the Middle East in which two-thirds of all the Jews will be slaughtered. It is commonly understood that the Christian Zionists do not really care about what is best for the Jews,
My Reply: How are we misinterpreting that chapter? Zechariah chapters 12-14 and many other prophets tell of the same event. These events have never happened - though reformists will tell you it has already happened by spirituallisaing/allegorising the CLEAR message away. The scriptures are clear that two thirds of Jews will indeed be killed. It is untrue to say that we don't care. Of course we care and pray for the salvation of the Jews. We are not trying to deliberately cause their downfall. In fact we are trying to preach to all Israel and the Jews warning them that if they do not repent they will become part of those two thirds. We preach that they can be spared IF they receive Jesus as their Messiah. Our efforts are to try to save them and warn them about these prophesies, because GOD said IT WILL HAPPEN! Therefore, they need to repent and call upon the Lord as a Nation and then they will receiving massive spiritual blessing.
He Said: The New Testament teaches that Christians are to focus on the heavenly Jerusalem, not the earthly one, John 4:21, Galatians 4:24-28, Hebrews 12:18-24. We are told in Hebrews 11:13-16 that even Abraham has no further interest in a restored Jewish state on earth, because he is in a much better place in heaven.
My Reply: Wow, again decimation of the text. Hebrews 11 is showing us the importance of faith and that we have an eternal destination that is more important and more real. Hebrews 11 NEVER said that Abraham was not interested in a restored Jewish state. The author to the Hebrews was simply showing that the focus of our faith should be on God's promises and the future glory and not on our immediate transcient circumstances. The WHOLE scriptures teach that GOD IS INTERESTED in HiS own promises to Israel (as a Nation) and HE WILL do it.
Let us look at the context of Hebrews 11:13-16
Abraham and his whole family had received promises of future blessing which included receiving a country of their own. Although they themselves did not experience the joys of that country under God's rule, they trusted/believed God that He would bring it into being. Their hope, faith and aspirations were for this country and specifically the City of Jerusalem. In their minds it was a spiritual City and is actually a picture of the City that all believers long for. However, we are not told that the PHYSICAL country would not come into being but in fact are told that it WILL happen. It was this that Abraham etc looked forward to i.e, the natural country. For Christians it is the Spiritual country. However, the physical HAS STILL been promised. It says that Abraham had no regard for just any country otherwise he would have returned to the godless country he had just left, but he continued on until he reached Canaan (the land that was to become Israel) inspired by his faith in God's promise.
Here are the other articles which cover similar types of material as THIS article and can be used as a response to the accusations also:
Posts
17 comments:
Hi John
I was sent to read this article you wrote because a lady on my site is confused as to what a Christian Zionist is?
I'm also a bit confused, can you please explain :)
Thanks
Hi Deborah
As I understand it, a Christian Zionist (CZ) is a Christian who supports the Land of Israel as being a homeland for the Jewish people. There are different categories of CZ. Some (like John Hagee) go too far and believe that the Jews do not need salvation in Jesus.
The rest of my article tackles what true Christian Zionism (according to the Bible) is and why being a CZ is absolutely scriptural.
Here is a link which summarises it very well:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Zionism
Following on:
Let us not confuse “zionists” with Christian Zionists. Much of zionism has its roots in the Illuminati being a political movement. Many Zionists are very influenced or even controlled by the Illuminati.
Some "so called" CZ may well have the same involvement, but the actual term CZ in its simplicity is simply related to those believers who seek to bless Israel.
With that in mind, I would call myself a CZ because I seek through prayer, teachings etc to bless the Jews and support the Jewish Homeland because it was given to them by God HIMSELF.
I certainly will have NOTHING to do with the political/illuminati aspect of zionism.
John, If I may just add my twopence worth.
I am a Christian Zionist; because, briefly;
1) I am a believer in the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in His atoning blood shed at Calvary for my sins. I believe entirely that I can never be reconciled with my creator God, other than through His only begotten Son, born of a virgin, crucified, and on the third day, risen to eternal glory, where He sits at the right hand of God His Father interceding for all who call on His name.
To cut it short, I believe that I am a sinner saved ONLY by the grace of God; Ephesians 2.8. I can never be saved by works (when will I have done enough??) I believe we (all of us) are no better than the repentant thief on his cross.
2) I believe in ALL the Old Testament Scriptures that await their literal fulfillment. That the literal 1000 year Messianic reign of Christ WILL come very soon, after the darkest night of Israel's apostate history, and set up His kingdom on Mount Zion ( Isaiah 59.20, Joel 2.32,3.16,17, Amos 1.2, Zechariah 8.3,14.4 and many,many other Scriptures.
In short I am a Christian Zionist ONLY because I believe in the very fact that our blessed Lord and ONLY Saviour will come back to this earth and rule from Mount Zion in a coming literal kingdom on this planet earth. Read Isaiah 2.3; And many people shall go and say, come ye and, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His paths: FOR OUT OF ZION SHALL GO FORTH THE LAW,AND THE WORD OF THE LORD FROM JERUSALEM. Micah 4.2; Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths:for OUT OF ZION SHALL GO FORTH THE LAW, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
It is very simple. We ARE Christian Zionists because we believe in His coming, literal kingdom when the law shall literally rule from Zion, in His COMING kingdom! Read also Jeremiah 31.33,Zechariah 7.12, Hebrews 8.10,10.16. God bless
Hi Colin,
I hear what you are saying. You are correct that Zion (as described in the Bible) can be applied to the Millennial kingdom and relates to the people of God.
However, this article relates to what outsiders mean by Christian Zionism. This article (and the comments) addresses their criticisms and false presentation of who we are.
Everything written here is as related to what the public notion is of the term "CZ" i.e as it appears on
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Zionism
Hello John,
As I am sure you are now aware, it was me that asked Debs on DTW, about Christian Zionism.
I was getting confused because of some things I read. You did talk to me about it at one stage, and you also posted your article on your blog in defense of Christian
Zionism.
My enquiry to Debs was mainly because I have been reading up on the Illuminati...and I was not sure how this all fitted into Christian Zionism. I was also insulted by someone on his blog, he is a false teacher anyway, but he was saying that Christian Zionism is evil.
Thanks for your response to Debs, and thus to me.. I did not want to ask you as I know you are busy and indisposed at the moment. Also the topic of Zionism came up on DTW.
God bless you John, I hope all is well with you.
Thanks Myfanwy
Are you clear on it now? Can you now see the distinction between the different forms of zionism? Not all zionism is influenced by the illuminati/masons etc. Generally true Christian Zionists are those believers who stand alongside Israel independently and should not be illuminati/mason linked.
John, thank you for clarification on this subject. Some of the confusion is coming from certain "discernment" sites (NOT Discerning the World which is excellent) but others that have thrown Israel under the bus and in a twisted sort of way hopped on the Replacement Theology bandwagon. IMHO how one views Israel is tied to one's eschalogical views. If one tosses dispensational Bible teaching on the ash heap of false doctrine, one cannot possibly understand the significance of the land of Israel.
These "discernment" ministries connect Israel to evil acts, even the 911 attack and make claims that Israel has been an aggressor. Nothing could be further from the truth. There may be a certain element of Judaisim that is corrupt and of course Israel has rebelled against the Lord. But they are still the apple of His eye and if one chooses to villify them, they in a sense poke God in the eye. Not a smart thing to do.
God is not through with Israel yet - He keeps His covenant. They will suffer for their rebellion, but after the Church is safely home He will then begin the next chapter and focus His attention on Israel.
Hi John
>> but the actual term CZ in its simplicity is simply related to those believers who seek to bless Israel. With that in mind, I would call myself a CZ because I seek through prayer, teachings etc to bless the Jews....
Ok I understand, but what bothers me is that if you are a born again Christian you will seek to pray for Israel etc, etc, etc. But I don't see why you have to change your name. I Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. (Psalms 122:6) but I wont call myself a Christian Zionist. Nope. I am just a born again Christian.
I think the moment you add names like Zionist to 'Christian' you are opening up a can of worms. Just call yourself a Christian and keep it simple.
God knows what you are doing for Israel, no one else needs to know.
Yes I can see the distinction now.
Thanks John, I remembered that I had also watched a video that had got me slightly confused on the issue of Zionism. But you know me, I keep asking and digging until I understand! God is always good to me, He knows I seek truth in all things, and he hears me and gives me the answers. I really am blessed that I found your blog, and now DTW too!
John,
That may well be the case.
However I care not what the public perception of CZ is.
The Abiding Word of God should be our guide;not all this political, Illuminati nonsense!
Don't get me wrong, I well understand that there is wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6.12) that are controlling the events of this world.
Let us NOT depart from the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus, 2.Corinthians 11.3, and be done away with all this pseudo intelligentsia?
We are CZ's because God is coming back to rule from Mt Zion...Period!
God bless
Hi Colin
I am assuming (based on things you have said before) that you are a supporter of Israel who believes that God STILL has a special plan for the Jewish people, that 1948 was not a "political accident" (bearing in mind that nothing happens by accident without God knowing about it, His intervention and Sovereign acts) but is a fulfilment of biblical prophecy. That God is bringing the Last Days to a closure by bringing the Jews back to the Land. As it says in Ezekiel 36:22-24:
"It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.
For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land."
Colin, am I correct to assume that you believe these things? Please coinfirm.
If so, I can agree with the other things you have said. However, if you are in fact a replacementist then I cannot accept that you can call yourself a CZ.
Thanks BL and Deborah
Deborah, I agree with you. I don't actually flaunt myself as a Christian Zionist nor actually call myself that except when I need to make a point. You are right, I am just simply a Christian, a follower of Jesus.
The ONLY reason I have called myself a "Christian Zionist" here on this article is because of the subject matter and to make a point.
It is others who call us "CZ" and distort it completely. For the purpose of this article ALONE I am identifying myself with Israel, trying to correct the errors of our accusers by using "their" own term and then showing what a true CZ looks like.
Outside this article and outside the argument I NEVER call myself a CZ.
Can you see what I am trying to say?
John
I doth understandeth :)
John,
I GUARANTEE that we are singing from the SAME hymn sheet on this topic!
I have never called myself a CZ (Sounds like an old motorbike!) and never would!
Like I have said before, call me a CZ because I believe in the coming literal Messianic kingdom when the law shall go forth from Zion (Isaiah 2.3). It is a way of identifying with Israel's coming Messiah to Mt Zion,(our Messiah as well!). THAT IS ALL!
There is much misunderstanding here. Replacement theology is not biblical...PERIOD! I never have, and never can believe in replacement theology. The Church is NOT the new Israel-never can be!
There are (A-Millennial reformed theologians that teach this utter nonsense).
I believe that the Church and Israel have a common salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that there is NO other salvation, past,present or future other than through the blood of the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world (Rev 13.8).
I am not, and would not belong to or affiliate myself with ANY political organisation..period.
I believe our mandate is purely to preach the gospel and witness to a lost world.
I have no sinister hidden agenda! I am a Christian!
What next?!
It is easy to see how things get confused!
God bless you.
Thanks Colin for being so clear on the matter.
As I said, I got the impression from something you said before that you were indeed on the same page regarding this subject matter.
God bless
John,
I now make the connection! I have just logged on to DTW. I have made possibly seven or eight posts there over the last couple of months, I believe.
I entered Deborah's site through a link, and just like your site I have commented on a few subjects, mainly to do with eschatology, NOT exclusively so, I may add! Because I don't agree with the pre-tribulation rapture. There are some folk who think that I have Roman Catholic, Word of Faith, Calvinist ties because I am opposed to pretrib.
I focus a lot on eschatology because it is a very important doctrine. How can it not be? We are talking about the Saviour's return!! I agree that escatology is a very divisive subject and you would appear to handle it tactfully!
As Christians there are other issues that divide such as healing and tongues for example, but we should always try and utilize as much grace as possible in dealing with such. I am sure you would agree that James 3.1 is a good text to be aware of when writing in blogs.
God bless
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