Thank you for weighing in, TB. This is a subject that interests me very much, how Christians "should" view Israel and/or the Jewish people. I am what you'd probably call a classic dispensationalist, and I hold to a belief in the rapture, the coming Millennial Kingdom, etc. I'm not going to spend column inches defending myself, but will s…
Thank you for weighing in, TB. This is a subject that interests me very much, how Christians "should" view Israel and/or the Jewish people. I am what you'd probably call a classic dispensationalist, and I hold to a belief in the rapture, the coming Millennial Kingdom, etc. I'm not going to spend column inches defending myself, but will say that it's a position I think a lot about - I don't just nebulously go along. I also (for reasons I'm not going into) attend a Presbyterian church and their theology is radically different to mine as it pertains to Israel. They are sound with the gospel, so I stay because I want to know why they believe as they do. So far I have not been convinced by the "church is spiritual Israel" doctrine, but as long as we agree that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior I hold my peace.
I think that national Israel has shown remarkable restraint. I think the claims of genocide are absurd and based on numbers provided by Israel's enemies. I believe that jews must come to God through Jesus, like everyone else. I believe it is my duty as a Christian to pray for that. I understand that Israel is currently very secular and conducts its business much as other nations do. But I believe God's got his eye on them, and when it seems like all is lost, he's going to help with a display of power that will probably make some people insane. Maybe even some who call themselves Christians.
Great. Keep studying. If you're interested, I suggest looking into Preterism (though take care that it's the orthodox variety, and not the heresy version that says that ALL prophecy is already fulfilled including the resurrection). It was eye-opening to me to discover that much of what is often seen as future prophecy is better understood as predicting 1st-century events.
Even though I don't see any specific prophecies involving Israel as a nation, I'm still on board with praying and hoping for individual Jews as well as the entire nation to turn to their Savior who, as it is written, "hold out his arms to them". Salvation through faith alone in Christ alone, y'know...
Thank you for weighing in, TB. This is a subject that interests me very much, how Christians "should" view Israel and/or the Jewish people. I am what you'd probably call a classic dispensationalist, and I hold to a belief in the rapture, the coming Millennial Kingdom, etc. I'm not going to spend column inches defending myself, but will say that it's a position I think a lot about - I don't just nebulously go along. I also (for reasons I'm not going into) attend a Presbyterian church and their theology is radically different to mine as it pertains to Israel. They are sound with the gospel, so I stay because I want to know why they believe as they do. So far I have not been convinced by the "church is spiritual Israel" doctrine, but as long as we agree that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior I hold my peace.
I think that national Israel has shown remarkable restraint. I think the claims of genocide are absurd and based on numbers provided by Israel's enemies. I believe that jews must come to God through Jesus, like everyone else. I believe it is my duty as a Christian to pray for that. I understand that Israel is currently very secular and conducts its business much as other nations do. But I believe God's got his eye on them, and when it seems like all is lost, he's going to help with a display of power that will probably make some people insane. Maybe even some who call themselves Christians.
Great. Keep studying. If you're interested, I suggest looking into Preterism (though take care that it's the orthodox variety, and not the heresy version that says that ALL prophecy is already fulfilled including the resurrection). It was eye-opening to me to discover that much of what is often seen as future prophecy is better understood as predicting 1st-century events.
Even though I don't see any specific prophecies involving Israel as a nation, I'm still on board with praying and hoping for individual Jews as well as the entire nation to turn to their Savior who, as it is written, "hold out his arms to them". Salvation through faith alone in Christ alone, y'know...
Yes, I'm familiar with Preterism, thanks.