- May 22, 2021
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Intro
Christian Zionism is believed by many Christians (unknown percentage), and of course it is believed to have scriptural origins. I want to explore this idea here, and see if it holds up.
First we must define the belief : the return of the Jews to the Holy Land and the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 were in accordance with Bible prophecy. Also believed is that Jews are "chosen" and still have a covenant with God.
What is the supposed basis for this doctrine? There is no explicit mention of a future state of Israel anywhere in the Old or New testament, however it is interpreted from various verses.
Abrahamic Covenant
One of them is such :
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Genesis 17:7)
Seems rather clear, however the covenant (Abrahamic) has multiple parts. One is the land (Israel / Palestine). This one was already fulfilled when the ancient Kingdom of Israel was established :
41 The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands. 42 Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true for all these towns. 43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. (Joshua 21:41-43)
Salvation of Israel Covenant
This is based on Romans 11, a Zionist favorite.
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
Seems clear again, however it's important to read carefully and have some biblical knowledge as always. The covenant part starts with "as it is written", it is referencing something already written. But what?
20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 59 is what. It's a reference to Jesus first coming. He came to Zion, that was the new covenant with those who became Christians. This is no small error! Not understanding this has people believing in some third covenant with a future state of Israel, which simply does not exist.
-- edit --
Further note, Israel here refers to those who accept Christ as evidenced by other verses :
It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” (Romans 9:6-9)
Jews Still Chosen?
Christian Zionists claim that Jews are still chosen, this requires scriptural evidence in the new testament. But what does the NT actually say?
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:11-12)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. (Romans 2 : 28-29)
Abundantly clear that God has no ethnic favorites, including Jews. Also clear that faith in Christ is what makes you chosen, and most Jews do not accept Him. What happens to those who don't accept Christ?
For Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people." (Acts 3:23-24)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6)
Clear.
Conclusion
In my research I have concluded that Christian Zionism is in fact not scriptural, and is based on cherry pick, misreading, and misunderstanding of the Bible. Please share your thoughts, thanks for reading.
Christian Zionism is believed by many Christians (unknown percentage), and of course it is believed to have scriptural origins. I want to explore this idea here, and see if it holds up.
First we must define the belief : the return of the Jews to the Holy Land and the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 were in accordance with Bible prophecy. Also believed is that Jews are "chosen" and still have a covenant with God.
What is the supposed basis for this doctrine? There is no explicit mention of a future state of Israel anywhere in the Old or New testament, however it is interpreted from various verses.
Abrahamic Covenant
One of them is such :
And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee. (Genesis 17:7)
Seems rather clear, however the covenant (Abrahamic) has multiple parts. One is the land (Israel / Palestine). This one was already fulfilled when the ancient Kingdom of Israel was established :
41 The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands. 42 Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true for all these towns. 43 So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. (Joshua 21:41-43)
Salvation of Israel Covenant
This is based on Romans 11, a Zionist favorite.
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
Seems clear again, however it's important to read carefully and have some biblical knowledge as always. The covenant part starts with "as it is written", it is referencing something already written. But what?
20 “The Redeemer will come to Zion,
to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,”
declares the Lord.
21 “As for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord. “My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord.
Isaiah 59 is what. It's a reference to Jesus first coming. He came to Zion, that was the new covenant with those who became Christians. This is no small error! Not understanding this has people believing in some third covenant with a future state of Israel, which simply does not exist.
-- edit --
Further note, Israel here refers to those who accept Christ as evidenced by other verses :
It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” (Romans 9:6-9)
Jews Still Chosen?
Christian Zionists claim that Jews are still chosen, this requires scriptural evidence in the new testament. But what does the NT actually say?
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (Colossians 3:11-12)
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God. (Romans 2 : 28-29)
Abundantly clear that God has no ethnic favorites, including Jews. Also clear that faith in Christ is what makes you chosen, and most Jews do not accept Him. What happens to those who don't accept Christ?
For Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from their people." (Acts 3:23-24)
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:5-6)
Clear.
Conclusion
In my research I have concluded that Christian Zionism is in fact not scriptural, and is based on cherry pick, misreading, and misunderstanding of the Bible. Please share your thoughts, thanks for reading.
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