A Nation Founded On A Lie

Sent By Wm. Foster, Lisburn, N.I.

In the last 50 years the nation of Israel has come into existence through the zeal of Zionists and the help of professed Christian nations.

Faith in the Old Testament promises concerning the restoration of Israel has been the driving force behind the mighty move to re-establish the Jews in the land in Palestine.

The Christian nations have felt that they were 'doing God service' in helping on this work in the mistaken notion that they were helping 'God's chosen people' to fulfill their scriptural destiny.

Yet the tragedy behind the whole scheme is that which has been fulfilled SEEMINGLY in accordance with Divine promises is actually in contradiction of prophesy.

The Israel God had in view in Old Testament prophesy was a spiritual people and not the present race of people who are called Jews and who inhabit the land of Israel.

If   this be scripturally true then we need not be surprised if Israel after the flesh — the present nation of Israel — should suddenly disappear from the earth as quickly as it came. Whether this be so or not we are assured from scripture that no matter what prominence Israel may attain in the counsels of men, she will never again. NATIONALLY, gain prominence in the counsels of God.

Those who are furthering the cause of NATIONAL ISRAEL arc building upon sand, for they have no scriptural warrant for believing that they are "in the Will of God" in so doing. They, with blinded Israel, arc building on a lie, a false interpretation of the promises of God.

It is the duty of the Christian world to pray for the salvation of all Jews but they have no scriptural authority for helping her NATIONAL ASPIRATIONS.

If we try to understand prophesy from the Old Testament alone we come into great difficulty of interpretation.

It is universally accepted that the New Testament sheds light on the Old and in no subject is this light more needful than in interpretation of prophesy. The New Testament reveals that Israel, the tabernacle in the wilderness, the Temple, Jerusalem the sacrifices, offerings, priests and even persons were but types and shadows and examples of spiritual things in the New Testament. A study of the parallel use of such Old Testament types, names, etc., proves very enlightening to the student of prophesy. The Galatian epistle and the Hebrew epistle are very illuminating on this subject.

Firstly then let it be plainly stated that if Israel has a great future in Old Testament prophesy, the New Testament has nothing to say to support it. Only in another book of symbolic language are they mentioned prominently and that is the Revelation which like the Old Testament has to be interpreted in the light of all other NEW TESTAMENT PLAIN STATEMENTS. Revelation 1:1.

In the whole of Matthew 24 and 25 where Jesus spans the prophetic age in answering the SINGLE question "what shall be the sign (singular) of Thy Coming and the end of the world" v 3, He made no other mention of Israel than that they should experience great tribulation such as the world had never seen 15:21, forfeiting the sack of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 approximately. FROM THIS POINT THERE IS NO MENTION OF THE NATIONAL RESTORATION OF ISRAEL. Is this not a striking omission on the part of Him Who wept with such love and compassion over Jerusalem.

There are many to whom this omission seems to be unbearable so they insert the Jews and Israel between every other verse in Matthew 24.

We cannot accept a doctrine that is built INTO the Word of God and not ON it. "Adding to the Word of God" is a besetting sin of many who cannot prove their doctrines from plain statements of scripture. They would re-write the Bible and re­phrase the words of the Master Himself to bolster up their pet theories. Some are in such desperation to get Israel into the prophetic picture that they made Christ's brethren Matthew 25:40 to be Jews, in spite of the plain statement of Matthew 12:50 "whosoever will do the will of My Father which is in heaven the SAME is My brother and sister and mother" and invent a new gospel that those who are good to those 'brethren' arc rewarded with Eternal Life. So kindness to a Jew has the same Redeeming value as the Death of Christ??? Who would preach this gospel in the open air and who will answer to the Lord for the deception and damnation of souls who might believe it? WHY DOES NOT A SINGLE NEW TESTAMENT WRITER SPEAK A WORD ABOUT THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL NATIONALLY AS IT IS COMMONLY BELIEVED? Who will answer this question? Why did our Lord not mention Israel's prophetic future in Matthew 24 and 25? Is it not for the simple reason that they have none? Let us seek to prove that this is indeed so. If the fig tree is a symbol of Israel nationally as some say then let it be noted that Jesus withered it from the root up and said "Let no fruit grow on thee henceforth and FOREVER". Matthew 21:19. From such a word we assume that never again will the NATION of Israel bear fruit to God. Again there is not a word of Israel's NATIONAL restoration to Divine Favour. In Romans 9:6 he plainly states that "they are not all Israel which are of Israel . . . but in Isaac shall thy seed be called". From these words it is evident that the only Israel God takes knowledge of is the spiritual seed of Isaac. If the present inhabitants of Israel can claim to be the spiritual seed of Isaac then they may count on Divine blessing on their national aspirations. WE ALL KNOW THAT THE CLAIMS OF JESUS CHRIST ARE ABHORRENT TO PRESENT DAY ISRAEL.

Question. Will there be a future day when there will be TWO ISRAELS on earth?

To help clear up the many mysterious promises in the Old Testament concerning Israel's restoration to the land it is necessary to remember certain things. Firstly there were short-term prophesies relating to Israel's earthly inheritance and national boundaries. These have all been fulfilled. Secondly. God has had one SEED in view from the foundation of the world, the Seed Christ and His seeds "the children of Abraham the man of faith" Gal. 3:29. This SEED are all gathered into ONE in the NEW Jerusalem, the City, the Bride the Lamb's wife and in this, Israel is incorporated in tribal names. Since the church is called the "Israel of God" we ought to look for the fulfillment of all spiritual promises in her. Thirdly. The future home of the redeemed is on LAND, i.e., the NEW EARTH, Rev. 21, on which the so-called 'millennium' conditions will prevail.

Scripture has nothing DEFINITE to say about 1000 years of Christ on this earth in the midst of a restored nation of Israel.

Hebrews 11:16 tells us that the heroes of faith looked far beyond any such millennium to a "heavenly country", so let it be understood that this is the "promised land" of all men of faith.

The promise to Abraham was that he should be "heir of the world" Romans 4:13 and since he looked for a "heavenly country" it is evident what world he was heir to. He also looked forward to the "City, whose builder and maker was God" and this City is established forever on the New Earth, (Rev. 21:1,3) the goal to which the apostle Peter directs believers attention. 2 Peter 3. Poor blinded Israel! They have not only missed their Messiah but the truth of God concerning their utter ruin nationally.

Like every other nation they have no prospect on earth but destruction by fire at Christ's coming. 2 Thess. 1:7; 2 Peter 3; Matthew 25:31.

In view of such things how tragic it is for men of God to give false hope to blinded Israel especially when all agree that "without Christ there is no hope", Ephesians 2:12, of any mortal receiving future blessing.

 

Previous Article Summer 2005 Front Page Next Article