- In two recent debates on Christian radio, I vehemently
took issue with the prevailing evangelical policy of unconditional support
of Israel. Last Friday I debated Thor Tolo, prominent Seattle talk show
host, and Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries. This followed a debate
I had some weeks ago with Markell and her pastor on her syndicated show,
Understanding the Times. You can now listen to both of these debates at
www.truthtellers.org.
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- Despite much obfuscation especially by Markell,
at issue was a very simple, old-fashioned Biblical idea: God requires obedience
before He will bless anyone, Gentile or Jew. Just as Christians cannot
get into heaven without daily obedience and trust in God, so Scripture
makes it abundantly clear that a nation of Jews cannot dwell in the Holy
Land without the same faith. (See, Zionism:
American Idol and the video Zionism
and Christianity: Unholy Alliance)
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- This Biblical truth, however, increasingly
troubles pro-Zionist evangelicals, especially messianic Jews like Jan Markell.
I knew I would be under intense fire and probably be called anti-Semitic
for upholding such ethics. Why? Because the Biblical requirement of
obedience has enormous religious and geopolitical consequences.
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- If God still requires obedience from the Jews
in order to possess His holy land, then Christ-rejecting Zionist Jews returning
in the 20th century cannot be under divine approval. Instead, they constitute
the Biblically prophesied counterfeit return described in Ezekiel 38 and
39. Such a spiritually lawless return, Scripture reveals, will not establish
the rule of Christ in Jerusalem, but anti-Christ. It will eventually result
in Israel's "peace and safety" as she dominates the nations from
Jerusalem. However, she is so wicked and profane, Ezekiel tells us, that
God is "hiding his face" from her! The prophet says Gentile hordes
led by anti-Christ will eventually expel the Jews from Palestine, plunging
them into great tribulation. (Ezek. 39:23-29)
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- Such reversal will again fulfill God's timeless
decree that without obedience Israel cannot long dwell in a land dedicated
to holiness. Yet, Scripture is clear that a minority of repentant Jews
at Christ's second coming will be brought back to Him to occupy the land
during the millennium, but only on God's inflexible terms.
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- Listen to the Tolo-Markell debates. Discuss
this issue in your church and on talk radio and the internet. Yes, you
may have to endure degrading treatment and be called anti-Semitic, as I
was on these broadcasts. But that's nothing new. Jeremiah was roughly
treated and called an enemy of his people (an anti-Semite) for also requiring
obedience.
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- What is important is that discussions of what
the Bible really teaches about Israel begin all over the world. Such discussions
of how God requires faith and obedience, not just of Jews but all of us,
could help stimulate national repentance in America. They might also encourage
respect for the Biblical truth that no one, not even evil Jewish activists
and their leaders, is exempt from criticism.
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- Open criticism of such conspirators would
go a long way toward saving America.
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