So why is it considered a "Christian" responsibility to support the Jewish population of Israel? Are they not, by Christian doctrine, condemned people because of their refusal to accept Christ?
and the Bible affirms the right of Israeli land to the Jews.
Its in God's plan to return and he will return to that land first. Its sacred land and all a part of God's plan. Have to protect his plan and his people.
That implies its the people's duty to protect the plan. That's how it reads, unless Manac meant God had to protect the plan. Which then doesn't answer the OP.
Isn't that Old Testament scripture prior to Christ and the rise of Christianity? Why would God want to foster and nurture a race of people that he will ultimately condemn for their refusal to accept Christ as their savior?
does this not seem absolutely insane...that we would base foreign policy and fight wars based on an interpretation of a book best used as a moral/spiritual guide? As a Christian, I believe that those who choose to use the Bible as a literal historical/prophetical text will indeed be the death of us all.
I am not certain what you mean by "support the Jewish population of Israel" but, God still has plans for them.
By condemned i gather you mean rejected? Much too deep to discuss just in a few sentences but, Israel is still God's chosen people through the covenant with Abraham and as such are not a discarded people. Yes, they rejected Jesus, the Messiah that they waited so long for. They still reject Him as their Savior nationally today. But God will restore the nation of Israel. It will, however, be a painful process for them. Think tribulation. Think about this phrase - the time of Jacob's trouble.
The church will be raptured out of the tribulation but Israel will remain for it. Remember this too, when the Jewish people cried out for Jesus to be crucified they said, "Let His blood be on us and our children!" well...
So, in order to receive salvation, you must accept Christ as your savior. ***unless you are Jewish and reside in Israel. You are given salvation regardless****
not what I said. Are you now asking about Salvation? If so, then you should clearly state your question that way.
Further, please explain your understanding of salvation: what it is, how it is "achieved", can it be lost once it is found, are there signs to identify if one is saved, is there a limit on how many can be saved, are there restrictions on who can be saved, and.... well, i'll save a few more for you until you answer those questions.
How do you feel about the 144,000? Do you believe it will be literally 144,000 as mentioned in Revelations, or do you take this to be a figurative number? I know there are disagreeing interpretations.
to begin, I don't think it relates to anyone but the Jewish people, and by the tribes that are listed for each in Revelation (no "s"). I do think it is a literal number to the Jewish nation in that regard.
If you haven't noticed, I am on an anti-Evangelical tear.
Anyhow, as others have mentioned, the Bible does indicate the specialness of the land of Israel and the Jewish people in G-d's redemptive plan. We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, etc.
HOWEVER, like so many other things, this has been heightened and twisted to be used by unscrupulous politicians (oxymoron, that) to win the Evangelical vote.
Interestingly, if one looks at the history of religious Jews and at the beliefs of the "Ultra Orthodox" today, they are mostly NOT Zionists. They believe only G-d himself can restore Israel, not the actions of politicians.
That is not how the story unfolded. No one is rejected
Feb 15, 2021, 3:41 PM
because one rejects Jesus. We all have put ourselves in an estranged position already. An offer to return Home has been made. One accepts it or not. If not, no new judgement is made. It is all our choice.
But as to "support", that is a fair question, but would need to know what you mean by that. Do they have a right to defend their national security? Do they have a right to take lands not given to them after WWII? What exactly is the question?
The opposite of deep, actually. We are all the Prodigal Son. The door was always open for him. Had he not chosen to come home, did his father reject him because he didnt come home, or was he in the pig sty because he was the one who chose that road long before. The latter, yes?
There is no answer for Jews or Muslims, or Christians,
Feb 15, 2021, 5:36 PM
for that matter. The answer is for the person in the mirror. John 3:16 is Jesus's own words, a Jew talking to a Jew. There can be no more to know. What answer can there be other than that one?
6 Jesus said to him, “I am lthe way, and mthe truth, and nthe life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Seems pretty clear to me that Jews do not get to heaven since they reject Jesus Christ. Which begs the question, why do Evangelicals in this country feel that it's the Christian thing to help a people prosper who are destined for damnation?
That scripture is clear. Also, the Bible gives a clear example of a jewish leader talking to Jesus about the subject of eternal life. ( Nicodemus). Jesus tells him in John 3:3 that no one inherits the kingdom of heaven unless he is born again. No Jew, no Muslim, no atheist, no Baptist sitting in a pew playing church , no one unless he is born again.
Not sure if already posted, but in my experience with
Feb 16, 2021, 8:31 AM
conservative evangelical Christians who are rabidly in favor of unlimited support for the nation of Israel (and I have a lifetime of such experience, including probably 95% of my friends)
It's all about Genesis 12:3. The entire philosophy is from 14 words at the start of this verse.
"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."
I personally believe that God is talking to Abraham
Feb 16, 2021, 9:15 AM
and referring to Abraham. But I'm in a small minority on that. Most of this segment of Christians believe is he making a statement about the entire people that came from Abraham (Israel).
Even if the latter is true, to me, that's more about treating people of Jewish decent well, not supporting a government/nation-state. But again, I'm in the minority.
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