10 Reasons Christians Support Israel

Support for is Israel and the Jewish people should be the most natural and desired instinct embedded within the Christian heart. Why? That is exactly what this blog covers. Read through these ten distinct, indisputable facts about the Christian faith and the perspective we are to possess in regards to Israel and the Jews. Unfortunately, anti-Semitism has spread like a mold throughout the Christian Church for centuries, consequently developing and promoting the heretical teaching of Replacement Theology. Starting with many of the Founding Fathers* of the Christian faith, everything from vile hatred to simple disconcern has produced an anti-Semitism that has polarized in Christianity.

Yet, on the rise today is a movement of millions of Christians who’s hearts and minds have been exposed to the truth of God’s Word concerning Israel and the Jewish people. Today this genuine Christian awakening of love for Israel and the Jews is spreading across America, fueled with a voice of repentance for the Church’s past sins against Jews, a renewed stance of solidarity, and an unashamed declaration of support.

I invite you to thoughtfully and prayerfully peruse the following reasons for the Christian’s support for Israel.

1. The Bible is a predominant Jewish text.

• The Bible was written in Hebrew, by Hebrew writers, for Hebrew people, who were living in a Hebraic culture and abiding by Hebraic laws and customs.
• Scholars have identified that the New Testament is written in better Hebrew grammar than the Greek language.

2. Christian Covenants were established in Judaism.

• The covenant of Salvation was revealed with Abraham. (Genesis 15).
• The covenant of Sanctification was revealed with Moses. (Exodus 19: 5-8; Deuteronomy 28)
• Jesus even stated in John 4:22, “…salvation is of the Jews.”

3. The earliest Founding Fathers of the Christian Faith were Jewish (Judeo-Christian).

• Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were the Hebrew speaking Patriarchs of our Faith.
• David, Solomon, Ezekiel, Isaiah and Daniel were all Jewish men who laid the foundation of our faith and knowledge in God, our Heavenly Father.
• Because of this undeniable Jewish foundation, the faith of Christianity is more properly termed ‘Judeo-Christian.’

4. The Land of our faith is Israel.

• Israel is known as the ‘Land of the Bible’ – the birthplace and homeland of Jesus and the Judeo-Christian faith.

5. Jesus was a Jew.

• Jesus’ mother, Mary, was a young Jewish girl who lived in a Galilee city called Nazareth and was related to Zechariah (Luke 1) who was a Levite of the Tribe of Israel and served in the Temple.
• Jesus’ earthly father’s lineage (Joseph) traces back to Bethlehem – the birthplace of Jesus.
• The Bible records that Jesus celebrated Passover (Matthew 26:18), as well as the minor festivals of Dedication, or Hanukkah (John 10:22), and possibly Purim (John 5).
• Jesus was wearing a tallit (prayer shawl) when the woman touched the hem or fringes of His garment and was healed.
• The Christian’s Messiah grew up as a Jew, practiced His faith as a Jew, was recognized as a Jewish Rabbi (John 1:49; 3:2), died and was buried in Jewish custom, and will return as our Jewish Messiah!

6. Christians have been given opportunity to share in the Spiritual heritage of the Jews.

• In Romans 11, Paul states that Christians are ‘wild branches’ that have been grafted into the same Tree to which the Jews are connected.
• Christians have NOT replaced Israel or the Jews in God’s design, but we have been graciously given invitation and access to their spiritual supply and heritage.

7. God blesses those who choose to bless Israel.

• In Genesis 12:1-3, God declared His intended greatness for the Hebrew people/nation and further decreed either blessings or curses upon others in direct response to their treatment of the Hebrew people.

8. ‘Peace,’ ‘tranquility’ and ‘prosperity’ are all connected to praying for and loving Jerusalem.

• Psalm 122:6 instructs us to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.”

9. The Jews are the ‘apple’ of God’s eye.

• Zechariah 2:8 informs us of God’s mindset concerning the Jews when He stated, “…for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.”

10. The New Testament commands us to financially bless and support the Jews.

• Romans 15:27 states, “They (non-Jews) were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them (Jews). For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they (non-Jews) owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.” NIV
• Paul’s admonition to the followers of Jesus was to care for and support the Jews in response to the debt of heartfelt gratitude we have for the spiritual heritage and foundations of our faith made available through Judaism.

*See article, “It’s Time to Repent” at www.IsraelShallStandForever.org

(FB Page: Israel Shall Stand Forever)

My Battery is Dead!

ARGH!

“My car won’t start!” Have you ever found yourself saying those frustrating words? I once got in my car, placed the key in the ignition and attempted to start it, only to hear the sluggish sound of “ruh-ruh-ruh.” I soon discovered that my car’s interior light had been left on all night and it had succeeded in draining the battery beyond ability of starting the engine. Although my tank was full of gas, my battery was dead and I was going nowhere!

Well, “life” is much like a car. Let me explain. Every car requires a battery and fuel. The battery energizes and allows the engine to run, and fuel gives the engine something to burn or run on. Both the battery and the fuel are interdependent on each other; one will never operate unless the other is present. In like manner, every Believer’s life requires two things: a strong soul (battery) and a full spirit (fuel). 

The soul is the core/center of the human life – mind, will and emotions. This is where perceptions, decisions and attitudes are formed. On the other hand, the spirit is man’s communication center with heaven. It is there, in my spirit-man, where relationship with Holy Spirit is initiated and developed. Both the soul and spirit are direly interrelated, yet they also remain entirely distinct in purpose.

FOOD for the SOUL and SPIRIT

An erratic and unbalanced life develops when we find ourselves focused on the battery more than the fuel, or vice versa. This imbalance is destructive in every way! Check this out… an overfed soul combined with a starved spirit tilts my life towards carnality; conversely, an anemic soul paired with a well-fueled spirit creates an erratic and unproductive religiosity. Regardless of the scenario – life will never work this way! 

Intentional care MUST be given to the soul and the spirit together! What is it that feeds the soul, you ask? Relationships, laughter, accomplishment, activity and recreation are all forms of soul food. An individual who lives without in these areas of life will always experience a drain on their battery (soul). In fact, isolation, hurt, emotion pain, and heaviness are all very real symptoms of an empty soul (Prov. 23:7). God created mankind to succeed, produce, interact and celebrate in life. Of course, struggles and hardships will come, but a well-fed, well-charged soul never runs-down overnight (Read 3 John 2 in relation to your soul, not your spirit, being the balancing and determining factor of your health and wealth in life!). In addition, your spirit must be fed well, too. All the success and laughter in the world will never substitute for a starved spirit. Your spirit cries for and craves the fuel that results from interaction with the Father’s Spirit (1 Cor. 6:17; Gal. 6:8). To be filled with His Word, to give Him worship, to experience His voice and to feel His touch are all standard requirements for a healthy spirit. Anything less becomes a (soulfully) well-charged battery that remains ineffective because of a (spiritually) bone-dry fuel tank – preventing me from ever discovering destiny or the true reason for life!  (Read Prov. 20:27 as it reveals the function of the spirit to the whole body.)

Unfortunately, our churches are filled with people who are experiencing life that isn’t working. Either their souls are well-fed and their spirits are starved, or their spirits are healthy and their souls are sickly. It’s time to experience the “life more abundant” that Jesus came to give (John 10:10). It’s time to recharge our batteries and to refuel our tanks; to care for our souls while we nurture our spirits… at the same time. In other words, it’s time to get a life!  As christians we must learn to be social and spiritual; to be successful in the business world and to worship God with a passion; to nurture our relationships and our walk with Christ! We can have it all!

Just because you are alive doesn’t mean you are living. It’s time to recharge your battery and to refill your tank, because the journey that your Father has planned for your life is going to take you a long way. Enjoy the ride!

Leave the Toys and Follow Him

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.“
Luke 9:23 – NRSV

Wow! Jesus didn’t leave anything to guess-work! He plainly and unreservedly identified what the decisions and actions of His ‘followers’ will look like – (1) deny themselves, (2) take up their cross daily, and (3) follow Him. What a picture of the ‘followers’ of Christ!

But what about those people who have confessed their sin and accepted Jesus as their Savior, but are really not pursuing Christ in their lifestyle? I mean, they usually attend church on weekends, know a few Bible verses, and live good lives, but they just don’t possess an active lifestyle of change and growth in Jesus.

The Difference between CHILDREN and FOLLOWERS!

‘Followers’ are those who were identified by Jesus’ own words: deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Him. But there is another group of Believers, and they are classified as ‘children;’ different than ‘followers.’ Follow me… Children are definitely a part of the family, but they severely lack the maturity and selflessness to grow in relationship with the Father. They are loved and cared for because they belong to the Father, but they are still possessed with their ‘toys’ and easily distracted by life. The difference is identified when we understand that followers are actually ’sons,’ and children are still self-centered and infantile in faith (1 Cor. 3:1-3; 13:11; Heb. 5:13-14).

The HEBREW Hot-Spot!

‘Son’ in the Hebrew is <ben> and means, builder of the house. Different than a ‘child,’ a son is one who has grown through his childish ways and immature distractions and has learned to focus on the Father’s will and to follow in His footsteps (Jn 1:12; Rom. 8:14; Phil. 2:15). When this level of ‘following’ takes place, the child becomes a son, because the Father’s name and the Father’s will have been transferred to the next generation – which builds, increases and promotes the Father’s house! In other words, you can be a child in the house, without ever building the house! And according to Jesus in Luke 9:23 – sonship will be evidenced by those who are followers, and not just childish believers.

The END

Until Believers decide to move and mature beyond childish, carnal-Christianity, we will never live in the fullness of the promises, provision and blessings of God! Why? Because it is the act of  ‘obedience’ that releases the blessings from heaven; obedience to denying me (killing self-centeredness), obedience of taking up my cross daily (embracing God’s will over mine) and obedience of following Him (moving, advancing and increasing in the steps of the Jesus). His path is the only path that will lead you into your destiny. Let’s grow up, ‘build the house’ and follow the Father!

America MUST Wake Up!

Capturing headlines in newspapers, internet, radio and televisions networks worldwide, eyes of the international community are focused daily on a piece of real estate no larger than the state of Rhode Island – the nation of Israel. Crowded into an extreme corner of the Middle East, Israel is surrounded to her northern border by Lebanon and Syria, flanked to the east by Jordan, under-girded to the south by Egypt and covered to her west by the Mediterranean Sea. Yet, despite her antagonistic neighboring countries that are governed by dictatorships and formalized terrorist groups, Israel still thrives today as the only democracy throughout the Middle East, and her people stand strong!

Israel’s blazing light of hope, freedom and respect for humanity has attracted the violently-minded, hate-filled insects of Islamic fascism. Caped behind a blood-soiled veil of murderous terror, this sub-minded, skewed sect of humanity celebrates artificial victories behind the tactic of “hit and run.” As a bully on a playground, these terrorists prey upon non-militarized, unarmed civilians as they rake their claws through demilitarized communities, schools, and businesses. In fact, 82% of the Israeli victims who suffered terrorist attacks from 2000-2004 were civilians – namely, children, women, students and the elderly.¹ In short, such individuals who copiously enact such vile activity and atrocities have digressed to the equivalence of a cancer that must be eradicated!

Leading this degenerate list of wickedly propagating vile leadership along side of Osama Bin Laden is the Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and leader of the terrorist group known as Hezbollah, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah. Embodying the same genocidal mantra and fractured mindedness of Adolph Hilter, this diabolical chorale have blatantly snubbed their noses at the entire international community, publicly declaring their crystal clear passion and intent of totally annihilating Israel, the Jewish people and the United States of America. On October 22, 2002, Sheik Hassan Nasrallah, terrorist leader of Hezbollah, unashamedly told Lebanon’s Daily Star,

“If they (the Jews) all gather in Israel, it will save us the trouble of going after them worldwide.”(http://article.nationalreview.com)

Nasrallah’s putrid rhetoric further declared the following sentiments;

“We have discovered how to hit the Jews where they are the most vulnerable. The Jews love life, so that is what we shall take away from them. We are going to win because they love life and we love death.”(http://www.peacewithrealism.org/quotable.htm)

“The destruction of Israel and the liberation of Palestine and Jerusalem…is the principle objective of Hezbollah.”(http://thephoenix.com/article)

On October 26, 2005, Ahmadinejad further purported like sentiment when he openly stated, 

“Israel must be wiped off the map…And God willing, with the force of God behind it, we shall soon experience a world without the United States and Zionism.” (http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/10/27/ahmadinejad.reaction/)

“Anybody who recognizes Israel (their basic right to exist) will burn in the fire of the Islamic nation’s fury.”(http://www.michnews.com)

As Ahmadinejad, Nasrallah, Bin Laden and other terrorists savagely compete to acclaim credit for the next smear of Semite, American and British carnage and bloodshed, their primary purpose, passion and posturing is of no question: ethnic cleansing of the Jews and abolition of Christians. This Islamo-fascist craving is clear and plainly stated – genocide and global authoritarianism!

Suzanne Fields, a Washington Times columnist, quoted former Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in the November 20, 2006 edition of Townhall.com. He said, “It’s 1938 and Iran is Germany. When someone tells you he is going to exterminate you, believe him – and stop him.” Immediately chasing Netanyahu’s remarks, Ahmadinejad snidely responded, “We will soon witness [Israel’s] disappearance and destruction.” Netanyahu quickly retorted that “Israel would certainly be the first stop on Iran’s tour of destruction, but at the planned production rate of 25 nuclear bombs a year . . . [the arsenal] will be directed against ‘the big Satan,’ [Islam’s description of the U.S.], and the ‘moderate Satan,’ [Islam’s description of Europe].”² In other words, the threat of Semite annihilation that has been breathed over Israel and the Jews will never stop in the Middle East – it is headed for the epicenter of the United States and her citizens like the burning flow of molten lava!

Does this sound like the ramblings of an enflamed alarmist? Perhaps to some. However, this oncoming collision is a reality, and despite the popularized anemic posture of the United Nations and the world-wide community, the ‘strategy of denial’ has never defeated an enemy! In John Hagee’s book, Jerusalem Countdown, Brigitte Gabriel (terrorism expert and Founder of American Congress for Truth) was questioned as to whether she believed there was a residing terrorist presence existing in United States. She stated, “They are here. They are amongst us as any American living in the United States. You have shaken the hand of a terrorist. You have exchanged money with a terrorist. You have passed the terrorists on our soil. They are here.”³

Islam has duped the world! The Muslim’s faith teaches and grants allowance for its leaders to enter into a pact with their enemies (any outside of the Islamic Faith) for a period of up to ten years through an exercised tactic called hudna. Simply put, hudna is commonly translated as ‘treatise,’ ‘peace talks,’ and ‘agreements;’ however, hudna is an orchestrated, preplanned lie! This ‘agreement for peace’ is nothing more than a praised militarized strategy granting Islamo-fascists the ability to feign an act of peace (through signed treatise) in efforts of gaining concessions from their enemy and buying time to re-militarize. Yassir Arafat’s signing of the Oslo Peace Accords of 1994 epitomized the ploy of hudna.⁴ He signed the ‘peace agreement’ with Israel, but only with the intent of buying the PLO enough time to regain weaponry muscle and seize the Accord’s indulgences. Once he had reached his personal militarized and political goals, lulling the world to sleep under the guise of a ‘signed peace accord,’ he broke the treaty, and initiated war against Israeli citizens in the year 2000. History has repeatedly taught us that their word is awaste. Their handshake means nothing. Their signatures are empty. Their contracts and agreements are lies. Their leaders areliars! When will we learn from the obvious, the repetitive and the plainly spoken?

The American conscience needs an awakening to dislodge her complacent attitude and faltering stance in the face of our affirmed enemies bent on our destruction. A faction of self-absorbed America has chosen to hit the snooze bar, treating the 9-11 attacks as a brief irritation to our narcissistic slumber, as we recline back into the prone-posture of unconsciousness. While lying blissfully inebriated with blinding dreams of political power and personal gain, Ahmadinejad, Nasrallah, Bin Laden and an amassing generation of Islamic totalitarians, equipped with hudna, are presently working overtime to rebuild for the next slap against our nation. Our diplomatic ‘peace talks’ with these fascists have become laughable, and our pressure against Israel to give ‘land for peace’ has proven to simply relocate terrorists within her borders. Bring the question to America: “Which of the fifty states would you like to see the United States unreservedly turned over to Hezbollah, Al-Qaeda or Hamas?” “How safe would you feel knowing that your declared, impassioned, growing enemy – who has already killed thousands of your family and friends – was sleeping in the house next door?” Such a notion is just as ludicrous for Israel as it would be for America! Our nation must stand with Israel, support her right to exist and defend her militarily.

Taken into perspective, global Islamic-fascist leaders and their followers are not solely an Israeli issue – they are a worldwide virus. Their fraudulent promises are purposefully given with the full intent of murdering the same ones they shake hands with. They are a sect devoid of integrity; they are beyond reason; their minds are singed beyond the ability to negotiate. And, ready or not, the vying clash for our freedom against these extremists is now being fought on the battlefield of American soil. Terrorism, encouraged by anesthetized attitudes, callused convictions, and inebriated egos, has surged inside our U.S. borders and found perverse asylum within our twisted stance of ‘first amendment’ democracy. They have learned to demand ‘American rights’ (the ones they refuse to acknowledge for others) for their protection while using ‘political correctness’ as their righteous cohort. Terrorists are living in America. It’s time to wake up!