to Christianity, and some to Islam?”
Christians, if you truly LOVE Israel, pray for their release from bondage.
Christians, if you truly LOVE Jesus, LOVE the people of Palestine.
“Abraham, hold on please. I’ve got a burning question … before we adjourn, do we have time; otherwise, I’ll ask you privately. I had wanted to ask but I thought someone else would have.”
“Let’s see, it’s almost midnight. It’s been a great session. Folks, is it okay if we continue this for a few more minutes?”
Everyone sits on the edge of their seat. No one is chained to their chair. “Okay … Shoot, what’s your question? Can this be the last question tonight”?
“It’s about the Second Coming.”
My pastor says, “The Jews have returned to their land … Israel’s return to its land fulfils all the biblical prophecies … now that Israel is restored to its land, is this the end … I mean, the Second Coming is around the corner, so to speak”?
“Is your question, 'The Israelites or the Jews have returned to their land ...'
Most Jews are not genetically linked to Ancient Israelites. Many indigenous Palestinians are more genetically linked to the Ancient Israelites than most modern-day Jews.
Again, in all due respect, please so not confuse modern Jews and Ancient Israelites as one and the same. They are not. Also, don’t confuse the Palestinians as being purebred Arabs. They are not. Many Palestinians are more Israelites than the Jews who have emigrated from Central and Eastern Europe.
Many of the Israelites who have remained in Palestine are not Jews who have wandered from Eastern and Central Europe. They refer to themselves as 'Israeli.' Most present-day Israelites in Israel are Palestinians, not Israelis.”
So, let me further dissect your question. First, none of the prophets in the Old Testament has ever talked about ‘Jews.’ The term ‘Jew’ is relatively new. Some may have referred to the Judeans, but the Judeans are but one tribe of the twelve tribes of Israel. The prophets talk about the Israelites, not Jews.
As I have stated earlier, most Jews are not genetically linked to the Tribe of Judah or to any other tribe of Ancient Israel.
The Jews have a spiritual link to the land, just like all Christians and all Muslims. Many, if not most indigenous Palestinians have a physical link to the land.
Third, you said: ‘their land’ … inferring that some ethnic tribe owns the land. Wrong! The Old Testament unambiguously and clearly insists the Land does not belong to anyone, not even to Ancient Israel. The Promised Land belongs to God and only God (Leviticus 25: 23) and it is entrusted to ALL of Abraham’s descendants as the Father of a Multitude of Nations, conditioned upon the Covenant, that the Israelites shine as a light among nations (Isaiah 49: 6).
Notice! The Bible stipulates a 'multitude of Nations' not one nation and certainly not one ethnocentric group. Multitude of nations foreshadow multiple ethnic groups. Abraham’s children procreate more of Abraham’s children, producing healthier gene pools that promote a wholesome humanity.
Who are Abraham’s descendants? All Bible believing Jews, Christians and Muslims hold Abraham as their common Patriarch.
Okay ... I want everyone to stand up and stretch. Relax! Go ahead and sit down! Now, try to break out of the box and connect the dots?
Are you ready?
The Promised Land is NOT only for Jews. The Promised Land for Jews-only no longer exists. The Promised Land, since the days of Jesus, is called the 'Spiritual Kingdom of God;' and, it's NOT just for Jews, it is for all of God's children, everyone. Let me be clear. There is no such thing as a Promised Land for Jews-only ... no longer, not anymore. God has fulfilled that promise.
Have I simplified or complicated matters … did I answer your question ... 'The Jews have returned to their land … Israel’s return to its land fulfils all the biblical prophecies … now that Israel is restored to its land, is this the end … I mean, the Second Coming is around the corner, so to speak?'
In short, God hasn't even begun to 'restore Israel to its land' ... so the end, the Second Coming, isn't yet on the radar, despite the hopes of many.
“What about the Second Coming?"
“I honestly don’t want to touch that with a 10-foot pole … but okay, let me make it more complicated. You cannot seriously discuss the Christian Second Coming with the Orthodox or Ultra-orthodox Jews, representing 30 per cent of the Israeli population. They're still waiting on the First Coming. I’ve got to tell you most Jews don’t give a hoot. My Israeli friends, all atheists, just laugh it off. They don’t care whether it’s the Christian version of the Second Coming or Judaism’s multiple versions of the Messiah’s First Coming. And, Islam has its version too.
Can finite mankind fully understand the Infinite God, notwithstanding that ‘people of God’ tend to tell God what to do, how, when, where and why? Jesus has patently, in no uncertain terms, set the fundamental precondition for His return:
'14And this Good News about the Kingdom will be preached [witnessed eds.] through all the world for a witness to all people; and then the end will come (Matthew 24: 14 GNT).'
'How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God's people to live together in harmony! (Psalm 133: 1 GNT)!'"
"Question! My pastor tells me that we're already in a time and place where all people on earth have heard the gospel ... through the Internet, like with smart phones, social media ..."
"Good point. Thank you! Are Evangelicals, true witnesses for Christ? Jews and Muslims don’t think so.
Let’s look at Matthew 24: 14 again! It’s God talking. How will the gospel be ‘preached?’ As a ‘witness’! In other words, not the talk but the walk. Evangelicals must focus on becoming witnesses for Christ. Action speaks louder than words.
So, it better be good, honest and thorough witnessing ‘to all the nations’ … no more superficial fear mongering: ‘You better get saved now for you may die tonight.’ God is thorough with ‘everlasting love’ (Jeremiah 31: 3) and ‘mercy that endures forever (Hebrews 12: 6, 7 GNT).’ ‘For God so loved the world … “(John 3: 16 GNT)’ must become a reality to be known and understood by all mankind as the precondition before Christ returns.
And, despite all our assumptions, ranging from the sublime to the profane, none knows the ‘day and hour:’ “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only (Matthew 24: 36; Mark 13:32-37; Luke 17: 26, 27, 34, 35; 21: 34-36 GNT).”
"I have been told of apocalyptic end times scenarios. Many people ask, 'if there is a God in heaven, why wouldn’t God think of a better way to save mankind?'”
My response: “Yes, it seems to me that God doesn’t need to go through all those hoops considering that when God create the heavens and the earth he merely: “… speaks, and it comes to be; he commands, and it stands firm’ (Psalm 33: 9 GNT).”
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