Antisemitism
&
Biblical Perspectives
June 2024
Part 2 of 2
Israel Cease To Be A Nation?
Many Israelis are wondering if this war could lead to their death.
Believers
who read God's Word know that Israel will never be completely
destroyed. He belongs to Almighty God, and He wants the world to know
that HE IS GOD!
God said that only when the sun, moon and stars stopped shining would
Israel “cease to be a nation before me forever” (Jeremiah 31:35-36).
Concerning all nation that have animosity against this tiny nation;
I will gather all the nations and will bring them down to the valley of
Jehoshaphat; I will argue with them there regarding My people and My
own Israel, because they scattered them among the nations and divided
My land, (Joe 3:2)
The God of Israel is written in 88 verses in the Old Testament Bible.
Some church fathers were hostile to the Jewish people of Israel through
their words and writings
St. John Chrysostom (347-407) was a church father and bishop of
Constantinople who was known for his anti-Semitic sermons. He often
criticized Jews and spread negative views towards them.
Tertullian (155-240) was a Christian theologian who is considered one
of the first Latin church fathers. Although his contributions to
Christian theology are appreciated, he also has an anti-Semitic streak
in his writings.
Origen (185-254) was a Christian theologian and biblical scholar who
was controversial in his views on Judaism. Although he had a major
influence on the development of Christian theology, Origen also engaged
in anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Jerome, or better known as St. Jerome (347-420), was a fourth century
Christian scholar who translated the Bible into Latin (Vulgate).
Although his contribution to this field is widely acknowledged, Jerome
also has anti-Semitic notes in some of his writings.
Martin Luther (1483-1546), founder of the Protestant Movement. He
frequently attacked Jews in his writings to urge harsh measures to be
taken against them. He became angry after his failed attempt that he
was called by God to save the Jewish people.
"For the severity of God's wrath is sufficient proof that they [i.e.
the Jews] must have erred and gone astray. Even a child can understand
this. For one does not dare to think that God is so cruel that He would
punish the people He Himself was so long, so terrible, so merciless…
Therefore, this deed of wrath is proof that the Jews, who were
certainly rejected by God, were no longer His people,” (“On the Jews
and Their Lies, ” Trans. Martin H. Bertram, in Luther's Works
[Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1971], p. 265).
Even though Martin Luther was used by God in extraordinary ways at that
time, unfortunately he was just an ordinary human being. His teachings
about Judaism had a dramatic impact on the churches in Germany at that
time. Hitler was a big fan of Luther and always quoted Luther's sermon:
"On the Jews and Their Lies" in order to exterminate the Israelite race.
Unfortunately, antisemitism has also penetrated Reformed theology.
Johannes Calvin (1509-1564), a French-born theologian who was one of
the famous figures of the Reformation, gave a very negative response
about the Jews. He once said “Their [the Jews'] rotten and unbreakable
obstinacy deserves to be oppressed incessantly and without limit and
that they die in misery without anyone's mercy.”
Father of All Lies
It seems that Satan holds a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial view
of the end times. He knows the Bible better than most of us. He was
well aware that, when the 'time of Jacob's tribulation' was over, his
office as world ruler who commanded darkness, and all the evil spirit
powers in the air would end Eph6:12. Some of the surviving Israelites
will call Yeshua, the Messiah who was rejected 2000 years ago by their
ancestors.
Yeshua will not come back until Israel calls on him to return.
Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who are
sent to you! Many times I longed to gather your children together, just
as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not. Indeed,
your house will be abandoned and desolate. But I say to you, you will
not see Me again until you say, Blessed is He who comes in the name of
the Lord!" (Lu 13:34-35)
Zec 12:10: “And I will pour out on the house of David and on the
inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication, so that
they will look at Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for
Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep for Him bitterly
as one mourns for a firstborn son.”
Satan is currently working hard to destroy the Jewish people and to
incite God's Church against them.
If you notice that your congregation does not talk about or discuss
eschatology (the study of the End Times), it is likely that your church
leadership adheres to amillennialism (the Millennial Kingdom does not
exist). An eschatological view that End Times prophecies are
"spiritual", not literal.
This is an easy way to avoid the promises made to Israel in the Bible.
Why? Because supporters of Antisemitism believe that the church is the
heir to the promises given to Israel. One of the supporting verses; But
God's word cannot fail. For not everyone who comes from Israel is an
Israelite (Ro 9:6). So the prophecies in the book of Revelation are
understood allegorically, metaphorically or simply symbolically.
What Will Happen Ahead
Before the seven years tribulation arrives, the redeemed Church of God
will be lifted off the face of the earth.
Seventy times seven times have been appointed over your nation and over
your holy city, to put an end to wickedness, to end sin, to wipe out
iniquity, to bring eternal justice, to fulfill the vision and the
prophet, and to anoint the most holy. (Da 9:24)
This period of persecution was designed to bring the Jews, the nation
of Israel, to repent and call back their Lord Jesus, their Messiah.
They will realize and have their spiritual eyes opened after the great
leader (Antichrist) who permitted the construction of the Temple in
Jerusalem claims that he is their God and asks to be worshiped.
And another angel, the third angel, followed them, and said with a loud
voice: "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives the
mark on his forehead or on his hand, he will drink of the wine of the
wrath of God, which is prepared without mixture in a cup his wrath; and
he will be tormented with fire and brimstone before the eyes of the
holy angels and before the eyes of the Lamb. Then the smoke of the fire
that torments them will rise forever and ever, and they will be
tormented day and night , namely those who worship the beast and his
image, and whoever has received the mark of his name." What is
important here is the perseverance of the saints, who obeyed God's
commandments and had faith in Jesus. (Re 14:9-12)
Maranatha
_______________________
https://history.as.uky.edu/christianity-and-origins-anti-semitism
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Calvin
https://centerforisrael.com/article/is-there-unknown-anti-semitism-in-your-theology/
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/martin-luther-quot-the-jews-and-their-lies-quot
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/theologycalvin1.pdf
https://www.discerningtheworld.com/2013/09/17/daniels-seventy-weeks/