In Part 1 of this newsletter, we looked at what the Bible says about Israel and the important place Israel and Jerusalem hold in the eyes of the Lord and how they will be present in the end times. But even with these truths, anti-Semitism is an ever-growing problem within the visible church. If you missed Part 1, you can find it at this link:
markcahill.org/anti-semitism-part-1/
We continue with our discussion about anti-Semitism by addressing how it can be found within the church.
Replacing the Jews?
But we have something called Replacement theology that has been going on for a while now but is becoming more prominent. Here is a basic definition of it:
“Replacement theology teaches that the church fully and finally replaces Israel in God’s covenantal purposes. Israel’s role as the people of God is over, and all the promises made to Israel are now fulfilled in the church. This view is rejected by dispensationalists and many covenant theologians who see a future for ethnic Israel (Rom 11:25–29).”
— Thomas R. Schreiner, The Gospel Coalition
This statement is easy to disprove, just by reading your Bible. The church and Israel are two different entities. They are both unique, one from the other, and they will stay unique, one from the other. You can’t blend the two together or replace one with the other. The Scriptures don’t allow you to do that.
The Coming Messiah
Zechariah 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Acts 1:11,12
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.
Jesus will return one day. Where will He set His feet? On the Mount of Olives. Where is that? Jerusalem, which is in Israel. Jerusalem and Israel aren’t going anywhere.
Cup of Trembling
Zechariah 12:1-3
The burden of the word of the Lord for Israel, saith the Lord, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.
And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.
There is a day coming when all of the peoples of the world will turn against Israel and Jerusalem. You see this with many nations already. But there is coming a time in the future when America will turn on Israel as well. I could have easily seen this with some past presidents. I don’t think it will happen with our current president, but you just never know. But the hoof beats we hear are indications that this day is probably coming sooner than we can imagine.
Groups against Israel
Another thing we learn in life is to pay attention to who someone’s enemies are. Once you learn about someone’s enemies, you have the option to side with those enemies or not. You can tell rather quickly whose side to be on. You might learn that you never want to be on the side of the fence that the enemies are on.
I believe the top two enemies of Israel and the Jews are easy to figure out. The first one is Islam. Muslims hate the Jews. They want them wiped off the face of the earth. That is why many Muslims refer to Israel as the Little Satan and the USA as the Great Satan. They have a two-part concept called Dar al-Islam (the House of Islam) and Dar al-Harb (the House of War). They break the world up into these two parts—the parts that are controlled by Sharia Law and the parts that are not. So in this concept, they are revealing their stated goal: world domination. They have to get the Jews and the Christians out of the way for that to happen.
The second major group that hates the Jews is the radical, communist, Marxist, socialist Left. This is what you have been seeing on college campuses in the last few years. This is what you witnessed happening on the campuses of Columbia and Harvard, for example. The “far left” part of the Democratic Party is dragging them in this direction. The communist left is joining the cause of Islam, in reality. And that is the destruction and annihilation of the Jewish people. And even some on the far right are joining along with them.
I cannot even think of one issue that would cause me to ever join sides with Islam or Communism.
Recognizing Anti-Semitism
As I was putting this newsletter together, I read The Berean Call’s latest newsletter. This is a great ministry to follow (www.thebereancall.org).
On the day of Pentecost, when the church was established, national Israel did not cease to exist. Israel remains God’s special people and is the beneficiary of particular promises which apply to her alone and which are in the process of being fulfilled. Yet there is a growing movement today which identifies the church as Israel, denies any place for national Israel in God’s future plans, and declares that all of the promises and unfulfilled prophecies that once referred to Israel now belong to the church. [The late] Earl Paulk, one of the leaders in this movement, [wrote],
Some of the strongest fundamental churches still preach that Christ will return to gather national Israel unto Himself, and I say that is deception and will keep the Kingdom of God from coming to pass!
In almost any Christian bookstore, about 99% of the books will say that “God’s time-clock is Israel” and that “God’s covenant is still with Israel.” …[I say that] prophecies about Israel as a nation [are] now transferred to spiritual Israel, which is the people of God [i.e., the church]….2
Christians in the West have traditionally been the major base of support for Israel. With the new “the-church-is-Israel” movement gaining a wide following, however, a drastic change is developing in the attitude of many Christians… toward Israel. While those promoting this belief deny the charge of anti-Semitism, the increasingly bold use of sarcasm, ridicule, and openly displayed antagonism by some is ominous. This trend is only in the beginning stage and is growing rapidly.
Now, what is interesting about this article is that Dave Hunt wrote it 37 years ago! Dave was way ahead of his time. He knew what was going to be coming down the pike.
Reach All People
What does this all mean? It means we should share Jesus with every Jewish person we know or run into. The same is true for every Muslim or communist person we know or run into. There are Saul-to-Paul conversions out there just waiting for the truth. They need the blood of Jesus Christ to wash away their sins. There is no other way to be right with the Father.
Proverbs 30:4
Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
Until the nets are full,
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