Israel: Right or Wrong (Part 1)
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· 1 viewWhy do Americans, evangelical Christians in particular give Israel a free pass for whatever it does?
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I quoted Hiram Johnson Sunday that the first casualty of war is truth. Two examples will suffice for right now.
Human rights organizations say Israel has used white phosphorus in Gaza; Israel says no. For most people, the issue is not what is true; it is who is saying what.
Yesterday, a hospital in Gaza was attacked. The Israelis, and Joe Biden, say it was a Hamas misfire. Palestinians say it was Israel. Again, the issue is not truth but who said it.
Israel says it will now eradicate Hamas from the Gaza Strip which of course means death to many of the 2.2 million people who exist there whether or not they are Hamas. Lindsey Graham says “We’re in a religious war here. I am with Israel. Do whatever the hell you have to do to defend yourself. Level the place.” (i.e. kill every man, woman, boy, girl). He has tried to soften his remarks since.
In response the group Jewish Voice for Peace (a US-based anti-Zionist Jewish group) has called for the U.S. to restrain Israel, writing, “The U.S. must work to immediately de-escalate to prevent the further loss of life, and not fuel and exacerbate the violence by sending more weapons to Israel. There is only one way to end violence: to address its root cause, 75 years of Israeli military occupation and apartheid. We must end U.S. complicity in this systemic oppression.”
I absolutely do not blame Israel for everything going on right now; I am not pro-Hamas. Neither am I pro-Israel. I am pro-KOG which means I am pro-truth. I’m not focusing on the Hamas atrocities because most Americans, including MSM, have no trouble calling them out. My question is, “Why do Americans, evangelical Christians in particular give Israel a free pass for whatever it does?” Why is it Israel, right or wrong?
Because of endtime prophecy.
Because of endtime prophecy.
Disclaimer: I absolutely used to believe and teach this.
Disclaimer: I absolutely used to believe and teach this.
It derives from Daniel 9.24-27.
It derives from Daniel 9.24-27.
But it is conjoined with Revelation and some other passages [e.g. Mt 24] to develop an end-time theology.
But it is conjoined with Revelation and some other passages [e.g. Mt 24] to develop an end-time theology.
In one version of this theology, Jesus cannot come (the second time out of three) until the temple is rebuilt (or at least sacrifices are offered in Jerusalem) which for many gives Israel carte blanche for anything on the Temple Mount, the location of Islam’s third most holy site.
In one version of this theology, Jesus cannot come (the second time out of three) until the temple is rebuilt (or at least sacrifices are offered in Jerusalem) which for many gives Israel carte blanche for anything on the Temple Mount, the location of Islam’s third most holy site.
It’s weakness is it makes too many assumptions not supported by scripture (many would disagree violently with me on this).
It’s weakness is it makes too many assumptions not supported by scripture (many would disagree violently with me on this).
We look to Daniel’s 70 weeks for one example: Weeks 1-69 (1 week=7 years) happened chronologically but there has been an almost 2000 year gap, and counting, before weeks 69 and the beginning of week 70.
We look to Daniel’s 70 weeks for one example: Weeks 1-69 (1 week=7 years) happened chronologically but there has been an almost 2000 year gap, and counting, before weeks 69 and the beginning of week 70.
Even Donald Trump noted his moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem meant more to American evangelicals than to Jews world-wide.
Even Donald Trump noted his moving the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem meant more to American evangelicals than to Jews world-wide.
CORRECTION: I made a major error Sunday. Israel moved its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1949. Most embassies already established, including the US, left their embassies there.
CORRECTION: I made a major error Sunday. Israel moved its capital from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in 1949. Most embassies already established, including the US, left their embassies there.
Because of God’s promise to David.
Because of God’s promise to David.
Your house and your kingdom shall endure forever before you; your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
Most believers I know, primarily evangelicals, believe that Christ is the descendant of David who will sit on his throne forever.
Most believers I know, primarily evangelicals, believe that Christ is the descendant of David who will sit on his throne forever.
Yet, somehow, that promise still rests with Israel.
Yet, somehow, that promise still rests with Israel.
Because “Our Lord Jesus was and is a Jewish man from Galilee. Rage against the Jewish people is rage against him, and, because we are in him, against us.” (Russell More, CT, Oct 7, 2023)
Because “Our Lord Jesus was and is a Jewish man from Galilee. Rage against the Jewish people is rage against him, and, because we are in him, against us.” (Russell More, CT, Oct 7, 2023)
What the what!!??
What the what!!??
A couple of problems here.
A couple of problems here.
The logic: So should we interpret the Jews rejection of Jesus as rage against him and therefore against us?
The logic: So should we interpret the Jews rejection of Jesus as rage against him and therefore against us?
Seems to completely ignore Genesis 1.26-27 which by his reasoning would say rage against any human being constitutes rage against God which might be a legitimate conclusion. [Mt 25.31-46]
Seems to completely ignore Genesis 1.26-27 which by his reasoning would say rage against any human being constitutes rage against God which might be a legitimate conclusion. [Mt 25.31-46]
Because saying anything against Israel means you are anti-Semitic.
Because saying anything against Israel means you are anti-Semitic.
Adding a little clarity to muddy water helps here.
Adding a little clarity to muddy water helps here.
If I say she can’t drive as good as a man, I’m showing misogyny, albeit in one of its milder forms.
If I say she can’t drive as good as a man, I’m showing misogyny, albeit in one of its milder forms.
If I say he’s drunk because he’s an Indian, I’m showing bias against Native Americans.
If I say he’s drunk because he’s an Indian, I’m showing bias against Native Americans.
If I protect my wallet when passing a group of black teens but do not do the same when passing white teens, I’m showing anti-black prejudice.
If I protect my wallet when passing a group of black teens but do not do the same when passing white teens, I’m showing anti-black prejudice.
Likewise if I paint Jewish people, individually or collectively, with stereotypes or negative character attributes JUST because they’re Jewish, then I’m being anti-semitic.
Likewise if I paint Jewish people, individually or collectively, with stereotypes or negative character attributes JUST because they’re Jewish, then I’m being anti-semitic.
If I say something a Jew, either individually or collectively, does is wrong JUST because it is wrong is NOT anti-semitic in the best definition of the word.
If I say something a Jew, either individually or collectively, does is wrong JUST because it is wrong is NOT anti-semitic in the best definition of the word.
If so, then much of the OT and God’s self may be viewed as anti-semitic.
If so, then much of the OT and God’s self may be viewed as anti-semitic.
The Holocaust was one of the world’s greatest atrocities, but it does not make calling Israel out for its own atrocities anti-semitic.
The Holocaust was one of the world’s greatest atrocities, but it does not make calling Israel out for its own atrocities anti-semitic.