Australia’s Largest Christian News Site

Christians want to know: Am I pro-Israel or pro-Palestine? Where is my allegiance? Will I march – and for whom?

I am both.

I pray for the peace and protection of Israel. I pray that Jews will discover Jesus as their Messiah.

I pray for the people in Palestine. For the innocent, I pray for their protection, but far more earnestly, I pray for their salvation. I pray that they would receive godly peace and provision, being the only thing that can truly set them free from oppression.

I pray for Hamas. I pray for their salvation, too. For if they do not believe, they will be destroyed. Not by any world power, but by God Himself.

Sure, but does that mean I am for a two-state solution, or against?

It means my focus is on God, and as a result, I read His Word, seeking to understand what He says on this topic.

He has much to say about Israel, what is righteous and what is wicked, and His plan for Jesus’ second coming throughout Scripture from Genesis, through to Psalms, Isaiah, Romans and Revelation.

As a Christian, therefore, you cannot have an opinion on this topic based on political motivation, feeling, or popular opinion. Rather, you must be drawn to the Word. Which, whilst complex, is actually very clear. His Word clearly establishes the following things.

1. Competing Constructions Are Available

Holy Spirit-led scholars who are deeply grounded in the Word, who love the Lord and are committed to His truth, will describe three compelling competing constructions. One is broadly literal. One is broadly spiritual. The third is both.

For those of you unfamiliar, in a nutshell, there is a biblically-based view that Jesus will return to a literal temple in Jerusalem to rule and reign for 1,000 years from Israel (which temple is yet to be built). After this, Satan will be eternally destroyed, and the new heaven and earth will come.

There is also a biblically-based view that Jesus will not literally rule from Jerusalem. Rather, the Church is the temple, i.e. a spiritual Jerusalem. We are in the 1,000-year period already (which really means an undefined long time), and the return of Jesus will bring about the new heaven and new earth. According to this second view, the territory of Israel itself is no longer relevant.

The third view begins with the premise that we are not in the 1,000 years now, as Satan is not bound (both self-evidently and according to, amongst other verses, 1 Peter 5:8, written after Jesus’ death and after Pentecost). It construes the text on a literal and a spiritual basis, that we, the Church, are the temple and can operate now in the spirit realm with authority in the name of Jesus because of the work at the cross. But we will continue to suffer until Jesus returns to Jerusalem to reign from a temple for 1,000 years, after which the new heaven and earth will come. This view and the first view assume that when God says He will save Israel (e.g. Romans 11:26), that is literally what He means. The people and territory of Israel remain relevant.

2. God Makes Countless Promises to Israel

As a Christian, you probably think these promises to Israel are fulfilled, or spiritual, or literal and yet to come, or a mix of all these things. Moreover, what you think about these promises to Israel probably depends on what denomination you are in and whether you have read the Bible on this topic or not. It really is that simple.

And yet, we permit it to cause such division.

3. God Is Not Blindsided by the Competing Views

He foreknew it would be so. He has ordained, by His permissive sovereignty, that some of the text in His Word is tricky – and so, in some respects, different members of His body are going to see it differently.

This division of understanding in the body, this state of affairs, is not a surprise to God. What grieves Him is not that we think differently. It is the way we choose to act with our differences of opinion.

One Church

We must be a body of unity, of completeness as one, if we are to honour our Maker. This means we must lay down our grievances directed at one another on this topic. It is not biblical to blame your brother or sister for the war in the Middle East. That war is spiritual, and we all agree that God is the answer. Salvation is the message of peace.

To be a body unified, I urge us all to consider taking the following action.

Stop telling God that He can or cannot fulfil a possible construction according to reputable Holy Spirit-led Word-based theologians – because it is a construction you do not like.

Stop trying to convince your congregation that you are right, and start pointing them to the entire Word. Be Word-based and don’t skip over the difficult parts that don’t suit your construction, and teach them the compelling, legitimately open constructions.

Of course, tell them what you believe and why. However, do so with a teachable spirit. A spirit of humility that honours your brothers and sisters.

Teach others who are confused to pray and ask God to give them understanding on this topic. Direct them to sound resources and teachings, guide them on what these are to keep them safe from unrighteous teachings, and instruct them to read the Word. Here is an example:

It is important that I state: teachings that corrupt the Word, for tickling ears that may deceive even the elect must at all costs be avoided. Teachers are warned to operate with immense discernment and wisdom. If a message cherry picks or is inconsistent with the Word, that is not a teaching to be shared. It is wrong.

Start working together as one body. Invite someone you know from another denomination as a guest speaker to teach the other construction. In this way, your congregation can begin to understand where their brother or sister is coming from. It is when we take the time to listen to each other, to allow the other to be seen, that we grow in humility and compassion for each other.

It must start in the pulpit… we must demonstrate it from here.

I strongly believe that unity is the stepping stone towards worldwide salvation, in numbers that we only imagine in our dreams.

If you agree that Jesus will return, then that must bring you immense grief for every unbeliever, whether in Israel or Gaza. Pray for them all. Remember, God spared Saul, who did evil. God spared a wicked generation in Nineveh when they turned to Him and repented. And do not forget, after 100 years, God returned and destroyed Nineveh. It was not forever that they were spared.

A body divided will not stand. So lay down your sword, be humble, choose unity, choose to operate as one.

He is coming. Therefore, act now.

So, will I march? Maybe, if I am passionate. I may find myself speaking out what I believe to be the truth based on the Word in a range of suitable forums, about which I will pray. Mostly, however, you’ll see me marching in the spiritual realm – in my home, as I walk my local streets, warring against the enemy, praying for the salvation of souls, for my friends and colleagues. Praying that God will use me, that he will help me be light and salt to the world, so that all may be saved and come to a knowledge of truth. In Jesus’ name, this is my prayer, amen.

* No longer divided by inward blame, she flicks her focus. Adjusted outwards now, reminded of her purpose, she runs. Off to spread the kingdom message. “Jesus is our saviour”, they hear her yell in the streets. “He died on the cross to save you. He loves you.” *

___

Image via Adobe.