Who is Israel-02
Why is this a question that needs a biblical answer? There is so much news, confusion, and contradictions flying around this subject that it needs to be addressed. God is not silent is this subject.
Over the next few weeks we will find answers in the Bible to address these questions and concerns.
Christian Zionism
Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; :7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED."
Revelation 3:9 'Behold, I will cause those of the synagogue of Satan, who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and make them know that I have loved you.
This verse tells us that there are people that have declared themselves to be Jews and actually attend a synagogue, but in reality it is a synagogue of Satan!!! Who are they and how can they hide the fact they worship Satan by stating they worship God?
John 8:39 They answered and said to Him (Jesus), "Abraham is our father." Jesus *said to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham. :40 "But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. :41 "You are doing the deeds of your father." They said to Him, "We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God."
:42 Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. :43 "Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word.
Here Jesus is condemning the leaders who incorrectly state and maintain that their ‘father’ is Abraham. Jesus tells them they are liars and deceived!!! Abraham is not their father.
:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Instead of Abraham being their father, Jesus tells them very clearly that Satan, the devil, is their true father! Aren’t all Jews children of Abraham? Who are the true children of Abraham if these Jews are not?
We began last week with the understanding of the confusion as Israel is interchangeable for a host of identities. Let us look at biblical history to understand some of this and the arguments currently in geopolitics today.
Genesis 12:1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; :2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; :3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed."
Who is God addressing in these verses? Politicians bring out these verses often as they try to look spiritual and biblical. Remember that Abraham is hundreds of years removed from the tribes of Jacob, the nation of Israel, the eventual name give to those of Judah ie. Jews, and the exodus to the Promised Land. This promise is uniquely given to Abraham.
Genesis 22:15 Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, :16 and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son, :17 indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies. :18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."
Here we read that God further clarifies His earlier promise to Abraham. From Abraham will come many nations and they will be blessed, not by family ties but by Jesus. All nations and people within nations that acknowledge Jesus as High Priest and King will be blessed. It is not solely because of physical lineage but in faith in God and His Son.
More next Saturday.