Good Stewards Series
SWORDS INTO PLOUGHSHARES
Christian Zionism and the Battle of Armageddon
By: David Parsons
Executive Summary
As the nation of Israel continues to struggle for legitimacy and security against an array of daunting political, moral and existential challenges, nothing seems out of bounds for her most virulent adversaries. Even the tragedy of the Holocaust has been turned into yet another blunt instrument with which to strike out against her, as many are unduly equating Israel's treatment of the Palestinians to the Nazi treatment of Jews.
In the same spirit, those who offer support to Israel in the Christian world are being delegitimized and even demonized by a growing chorus of critics in the media, the Left and even among fellow Christians. Our moral and biblical stand with Israel is under unprecedented scrutiny and most discussions on Christian Zionism inevitably seem to turn to the question of our 'real' motives. Often we are portrayed as a recent outgrowth of the American Christian Right and its supposed efforts to impose its political will in and through Washington. Even more sinister, we are accused of blocking the way to peace in the Middle East or of having some dark 'end time' agenda that seeks to hasten the Apocalypse and force one last, massive convert-or-die scenario on the Jewish people.
Regrettably, such portrayals are a gross distortion of the true heart of the Christian Zionist movement, its biblical inspiration, long and proud history, global reach and honorable aims.
This monograph addresses the criticism and charges against Christian Zionism in relation to the way this biblical belief system is understood and advocated by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, as a leading voice and vanguard for the global Christian Zionist movement.
Our theology, actions and motives are based on biblical principles and promises, which are backed up by biblical prophecies and New Testament truths. Our position is best identified as Biblical Zionism, which rests on Covenantal Theology. Our approach looks beyond the evolving concerns of 'political' Zionism in our day and views both the Jewish people and Land of Israel as chosen by God long ago for purposes of world redemption. Thus we have the interest and fate of the entire world in heart and mind when we defend Israel's restoration to her land.
This introductory work in the Good Stewards series expands on Biblical Zionism and Covenantal Theology and specifically addresses - among other issues - the urgent question of whether Christian Zionists are indeed 'thirsting for Armageddon.'
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Conclusions
Ultimately, we conclude that:
1) Replacement theology holds that the Church has completely replaced Israel as God's agent of redemption in the world. Dispensationalist teaching holds that the Church has temporarily replaced Israel as His redemptive agent for the Church age, which ends with a pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Church and God turning His attention back on Israel. Neither view is consistent with the Word of God nor the message and revelation the Church must embrace in this critical hour.
2) Christian support for Israel must rest upon "Biblical Zionism," which is based on Covenantal Theology and understands that the hope of salvation for our own Christian faith is anchored in God's immutable resolve and ability to be faithful to His covenant with Abraham, in which God sought to redeem one people from the earth.
3) Covenantal Theology holds that this eternal purpose of God is hidden and contained within His covenant promises delivered to Abraham, Moses and David, which were honored and expounded upon by the Hebrew prophets, confirmed by Jesus in His life and atoning sacrifice, revealed to the New Testament Apostles as stewards of the mysteries of God, and will find ultimate fulfillment in the return of Messiah to a Jerusalem no longer trodden down of the Gentile nations, but home to a restored Israel beckoning His return.
4) This time of restoration of Israel to her land and to her God in our day is vouched for by the holy prophets, affirmed in the faithful and true words of Jesus, and given prominent place in Peter's preaching of the Gospel and Paul's teachings as the Apostle to the Gentiles. Therefore, we can boldly state that no man's Gospel is complete without reference to and affirmation of the promised final restoration of Israel.
5) This promised time of restoration for Israel taking place in our day is also the divinely chosen and unmistakable warning sign openly seen before all nations, that He is coming to judge humanity's continuous rebellion against Him and will be justified in so doing.
6) The Battle of Armageddon foretold in the book of Revelation is to be understood as one final act of humanity's rebellion against God and will never be initiated by or result from some dark hidden agenda allegedly espoused by Christian Zionists.
7) Rather, we are Christians whose Zionism is founded upon and motivated by the promise of an epoch of righteousness and peace for the whole earth known in the Bible as the Millennial reign of Messiah, a vision of world peace that humanity has known about and aspired to for generations, while being largely ignorant of the manner in which God will birth it into being - the now raging controversy surrounding Israel's restoration.
8) The Jewish people have not returned to Israel for another appointed time of God's wrath whereby two-thirds die in the Tribulation so that one-third will call on the name of the Lord, but for an incredibly life-giving encounter with the Messiah first promised to them.
9) Therefore, we encourage our long-suffering Jewish brothers and friends not to lose heart in the midst of the current struggle over the land of Israel, nor be fearful or reticent as to the comfort and support offered by sincere Christians.
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LINK
To view the entire monograph, visit the ICEJ Web site at http://www.icej.org/news/goodsteward.html
FORWARD
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ICEJ NEWS SERVICE provides news and comment on Middle East affairs, compiled by journalists at the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Feel free to publish/broadcast, with attribution.
Editor: David Parsons
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