Why Understanding Israel is VITAL for the Health of the Church!
- Ron Cantor
- Nov 14, 2024
- 1 min read
How can we establish an accurate ecclesiology (study of the Church), pneumatology (study of the Holy Spirit), or eschatology (end times) while ignoring Israel? For 1900 years, the Church developed its theology under the false premise that God has rejected the Jewish people forever—the Church has replaced Israel. This is called supersessionism, replacement theology, fulfillment theology, and now, some call it transference theology –God’s promises to Abraham have been transferred to the Church.
It’s understandable how early theologians rejected Israel. Jewish leadership rejected Jesus, the Temple was destroyed as Messiah predicted, Jerusalem was conquered, and the Jews scattered.
But, in 1948, Israel was rebirthed as the prophets predicted, and most theologians have failed to factor in what appears to be the greatest prophetic fulfillment since the 70 CE destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem into their theology.
I submit it is not reasonable to ignore Israel’s restoration...and here's why...
(First published August 24, 2022)
Ron, it is not reasonable to ignore what Israel is doing to the Palestinians. Not just now, when things are exponentially more terrifying and brutal than they have ever been, but for over 50 years and, really, since the start of the modern state of Israel. Keeping millions of Arab people under military rule for decades, with thousands on administrative detention because the 'might' do something, is beyond horrifying and it must be addressed. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/19/west-bank-children-killed-unprecedented-rate
Much has been said about Prophetic Actions that illustrate what God is doing or about to do, such as Hosea marrying a "loose woman" and Agabus tying himself up to show Saul what was to happen. Even Communion is a prophetic act by Yeshua to demonstrate how believers would be indwelt by Him.
An important act in John 19:33-34 illustrates that Gentiles were Grafted into God's Kingdom, ie, what God is doing with and thru Jews,
When a Roman soldier pierced Yeshua's side, I believe that was the grafting action. It shows Everybody killed Jesus, and He died and resurrected for Every sinner.
When we focus on Yeshua's commission and His commandments, we don't have time for what Paul wrote…
Dear Ron, I have completely agreed with what you wrote since the day I first had the privilege of reading the Scriptures (1998).
I have never had any doubts, perhaps because I never read any book during the first 5 years of my conversion, except the Bible. This was fundamental so that only the spirit of the Bible could fill me. Others are filled with the spirits of authors of books that have nothing to do with the truth of God, but only with the understandings of men without the Holy Spirit.
I have never trusted a PhD in theology!
Shalom.
Nice paper Ron. Thank you for sharing with us.
Amen