Friday, February 03, 2006

Why Support Israel?

Shortly after I came to Christ, I joined a Bible study. What a wonderful thing it is for a new believer to get with a bunch of folks who have studied the Bible for years. Their insights, explanations, and guidance (not to mention enthusiasm) are immeasurable for one's understanding. Of course, the Bible tells us that without the Holy Spirit, the natural man cannot understand scripture, but even with the Holy Spirit, an experienced man of Faith can accelerate a fresh believer's learning.
Somewhere along the line, I came to realize that much of the Old Testament was "over my head," since I had next to no understanding of Hebrew/Jewish history, customs, language, etc. I believe the Holy Spirit prompted me to take an interest in things Jewish, to better understand the Bible.
Over the last two years, I've found a few sources that help me gain an understanding of the Hebrew roots of my faith. Television ministry's like those of Zola Levitt and Perry Stone, authors like Ariel Fruchtenbaum, and the ministries of Friends of Israel or Jews for Jesus are a few of my "Rabbis."
With current world events pointing more and more to the tiny nation of Israel, it makes me wonder if even secular news-readers ever wonder why that nation gets so much news coverage? If anyone doubts this, just click on your news-page of choice. Can two days go by without Israel in one of the top-five headlines? Ariel Sharon's coma, Hamas winning the Palestinian election, the leader of Iran threatening to "wipe Israel off the map," etc., etc.
Now I'm no prophet, but I have read the Bible, and I feel it's safe to say this: Israel will remain in the news for the foreseeable future, and will likely become even more of the entire world's focus. Yeah, I know, hardly a profound insight, right?
For non-believer's sake, I kind of wish Israel's current visibility would fade back, for that would suggest that world events are NOT currently lining up like dominoes for Christ's soon return (which would mean there would be more time for non-believers to come to Jesus). Only God the Father knows His timetable, but regardless of when He acts, Israel will be center stage in the end of this age.
Are you a believer? Read your Bible, watch Israel, and marvel at God.
Not a believer? Dust off your Bible, watch Israel, and you too, will marvel at God.
Here is one of the best short Biblical explanations I've found for why Israel is important to followers of Christ: http://www.jhm.org/support-israel.asp
Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. Why? Because it will not happen without the Lord's help.

Maranatha (come Lord Jesus)

3 comments:

Darth Weasel said...

Just idly curious where the Bible says only the Holy Spirit allows understanding? The closest I can think of would be Peter when it says no Scripture is a matter of man's own interpretation, but contextually speaking of course it refers to the writing of it. I have always considered this an extremely important point since this was one of the rationales the catholic church used for over a thousand years to keep people from studying the Scripture for themselves, saying only priests could understand and interpret Scripture...never mind that Peter also calls all Christians "a Royal priesthood". Just some stuff to think about.

Tom said...

Hey Drew, thanks for taking the time to comment, and pardon me for taking so long to respond. Being raised Catholic myself, I appreciate your concern with this topic. The scripture that leaps to mind for me is 1 Corinthians 1:18 - "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." My overall point is that ALL matters of God (not just Bible understanding) are impossible without God's help. Here's further reading that I would point you to:
http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=698
Regardless, you sound like a man who does read the Bible. Amen brother, and thanks again for the thoughts.
Tom

Paul M. Kingery said...

Dear Tom,

Thank you for your thoughts. I look forward to following your interesting blog. I have been studying and writing about Israel with regard to the Christian future. Are you interested in topics about the apocalypse, end times, the end of the world, eschatology, last days, the horsemen of the apocalypse, the beast, prophesy, prophesies, revelation, 666, bible prophesy, prophets, Canaan, Canaan's land, Land of Canaan, or the Christian future? If so you may enjoy reading " Land of Canaan." This is a free online book. The Link is http://landofcanaan.info/book.php
Let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Paul M. Kingery, PhD, MPH