Gary discusses Islam, the Gospel, and the recent interview of Ted Cruz by Tucker Carlson.
Zionism is secular. Compare the return of Jews in 1948 to what is now called “Palestine,” where many Jews were living when Jews migrated before and after 1948, to the return of the Jews from the Babylonian captivity:
Then Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the lord your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people were weeping when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the lord is your strength.” So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” All the people went away to eat, to drink, to send portions and to celebrate a great festival, because they understood the words which had been made known to them (Neh. 8:9-12).
There is a stark difference between the two returns. They remain stark today. Modern-day Israel did not come into existence in a way as described in Nehemiah and that the NT requires. Compare it to the events surrounding Pentecost. Hal Lindsey wrote, “This dispersion began to draw to a close in May of 1948 when, against all odds, Israel was reborn as a nation.” As a secular nation, yes, but not in terms of what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God’” (John 3:3). In terms of what the Bible requires, the Jews are no different from the Muslims when it comes to who Jesus is. What counts is “a new creation” (Gal. 6:15; see 2 Cor. 5:17).
Isaiah was written before the events of the Babylonian exile and return. The natural or “literal” interpretation would apply the prophecy to events of those living under the Old Covenant. If not then, the NT is the next option rather than the modern-day Zionist movement to Israel.
Prophecy Wars: The Biblical Battle Over the End Times
If you’re willing to take the Bible at its word, the study of prophecy can strengthen your faith, but if your trust is in man’s speculations, you will be disappointed every time. And that is why Bible prophecy is such a crucial area for apologetics. Skeptics of all stripes have condemned the Bible as inaccurate merely because various well-meaning Christians have been in error about the End Times.
Buy NowGary discusses Islam, the Gospel, and the recent interview of Ted Cruz by Tucker Carlson. Cruz supports Israel because he says “the Bible commands it.” But is this true? Do Christians have a scriptural obligation to support Israel (financially, politically, and militarily) regardless of their reasons for going to war with the countries around them?