Almost Heaven
Well-known
The question is often asked by skeptics and by faithful Christians alike: Why Israel?
The answer is not obvious to a casual observer. Abram was not from a large or powerful family, but a clan of idol-worshippers. Isaac and Jacob were not exceptional among the ancients, and the sons of Jacob—with the exception of Joseph—were a rag-tag bunch, to say the least.
God Himself made it clear that there was nothing outwardly worthy in the children of Israel: “The LORD did not make you His beloved nor choose you because you were greater in number than any of the peoples, since you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
Far from circular reasoning, God’s explanation settles once and for all that He chose to love them. Because He did, he made an oath to the forefathers—sworn by His own Name. And, having made an oath, God’s character guarantees the fulfillment of His promises, as the next verse in Deuteronomy makes clear: “Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
The same verse also makes clear that His righteous indignation is directed against those who hate Him. Also, His wrath is invoked against those who despise those He has chosen to love.
Whose Side Are You On?
Since the time of the Patriarchs, there has been a clear line of demarcation between those who love the Lord and those who reject Him and flaunt their unrighteousness. Similarly, God weighs nations based on their attitude toward Israel. Bless the apple of His eye and be blessed; curse those He has lavished with His love (even impudently saying, “Aha” when He disciplined His chosen people) and be cursed (Ezekiel 25:2-3, 7).
In recent years, the battle lines have become clearer. Entire nations have dedicated themselves to the eradication of Israel—by which they mean the nation, the people, and the Land. Satanically inspired nations such as Iran and terrorist groups like Hamas have launched murderous attacks time after time, but their efforts will never succeed. They will do great harm and cause much pain and suffering, but God has promised to preserve Israel in order that a great remnant will cry out to Him just prior to Jesus returning to reign on the Earth.
Sadly, in the midst of this cosmic battle, many Christians sit idly on the sidelines. Indoctrinated to believe that God shifted His focus from Israel to the Church, they are ambivalent to the political and spiritual maneuvers that beset the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But God is certainly not done with them. His promise to bless those who bless Israel is still valid today because all His promises are eternally “Yes, and Amen.”
So, why Israel? Because God has lavished His love on the Land, the nation, and the people. And, because, even now, they represent the greatest sign that our Jewish Messiah is at the gates of Heaven, ready to come and collect His Bride.
The answer is not obvious to a casual observer. Abram was not from a large or powerful family, but a clan of idol-worshippers. Isaac and Jacob were not exceptional among the ancients, and the sons of Jacob—with the exception of Joseph—were a rag-tag bunch, to say the least.
God Himself made it clear that there was nothing outwardly worthy in the children of Israel: “The LORD did not make you His beloved nor choose you because you were greater in number than any of the peoples, since you were the fewest of all peoples, but because the LORD loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers” (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
Far from circular reasoning, God’s explanation settles once and for all that He chose to love them. Because He did, he made an oath to the forefathers—sworn by His own Name. And, having made an oath, God’s character guarantees the fulfillment of His promises, as the next verse in Deuteronomy makes clear: “Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9).
The same verse also makes clear that His righteous indignation is directed against those who hate Him. Also, His wrath is invoked against those who despise those He has chosen to love.
Whose Side Are You On?
Since the time of the Patriarchs, there has been a clear line of demarcation between those who love the Lord and those who reject Him and flaunt their unrighteousness. Similarly, God weighs nations based on their attitude toward Israel. Bless the apple of His eye and be blessed; curse those He has lavished with His love (even impudently saying, “Aha” when He disciplined His chosen people) and be cursed (Ezekiel 25:2-3, 7).
In recent years, the battle lines have become clearer. Entire nations have dedicated themselves to the eradication of Israel—by which they mean the nation, the people, and the Land. Satanically inspired nations such as Iran and terrorist groups like Hamas have launched murderous attacks time after time, but their efforts will never succeed. They will do great harm and cause much pain and suffering, but God has promised to preserve Israel in order that a great remnant will cry out to Him just prior to Jesus returning to reign on the Earth.
Sadly, in the midst of this cosmic battle, many Christians sit idly on the sidelines. Indoctrinated to believe that God shifted His focus from Israel to the Church, they are ambivalent to the political and spiritual maneuvers that beset the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But God is certainly not done with them. His promise to bless those who bless Israel is still valid today because all His promises are eternally “Yes, and Amen.”
So, why Israel? Because God has lavished His love on the Land, the nation, and the people. And, because, even now, they represent the greatest sign that our Jewish Messiah is at the gates of Heaven, ready to come and collect His Bride.
