Who is Telling the Truth? The Word of God or Christian Zionists?

Many people believe that the Jews are God’s “Chosen People;” however, Jesus made it perfectly clear that this claim is false. We can see (and read) clearly in this group of scripture what role the Jews played in the heart and mind of Jesus Christ. In the Book of John 8:31-58 (CEB), it is ever so clearly stated what His position has been, and remains to this day.

31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”

34 Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. 36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s children, yet you want to kill me because you don’t welcome my teaching. 38 I’m telling you what I’ve seen when I am with the Father, but you are doing what you’ve heard from your father.”

39 They replied, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus responded, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do Abraham’s works. 40 Instead, you want to kill me, though I am the one who has spoken the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. 41 You are doing your father’s works.”

They said, “Our ancestry isn’t in question! The only Father we have is God!”

42 Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God. Here I am. I haven’t come on my own. God sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? It’s because you can’t really hear my words.

44 Your father is the devil. You are his children, and you want to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has never stood for the truth, because there’s no truth in him. Whenever that liar speaks, he speaks according to his own nature, because he’s a liar and the father of liars. 45 Because I speak the truth, you don’t believe me. 46 Who among you can show I’m guilty of sin? Since I speak the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 God’s children listen to God’s words. You don’t listen to me because you aren’t God’s children.”

48 The Jewish opposition answered, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon, weren’t we?”

49 “I don’t have a demon,” Jesus replied. “But I honor my Father and you dishonor me.50 I’m not trying to bring glory to myself. There’s one who is seeking to glorify me, and he’s the judge. 51 I assure you that whoever keeps my word will never die.

52 The Jewish opposition said to Jesus, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never die.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and the prophets died, so who do you make yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 You don’t know him, but I do. If I said I didn’t know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy.”

57 “You aren’t even 50 years old!” the Jewish opposition replied. “How can you say that you have seen Abraham?”

58 “I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am, (John 8:31-58).”

Millions of self-proclaimed Christians believe that the current state of Israel in the Middle East (that government that is currently dropping bombs in the Gaza region, ostensibly as a counter measure to thwart rockets being fired upon their country by a so-called "terrorist" group called Hamas) is the same "Israel" spoken of in the Old Testament. They believe that "Israel" represents the same people that God supposedly promised it a parcel of land they could keep forever, and that this current "Israel" has a divine right to do whatever it takes to keep that region forever! This belief system is known as "Zionism, Simply put Britannica World Language Dictionary puts it this way: ZIONISM, “A movement for the resettlement of the Jews in Palestine. The form, which lays stress upon the Political questions involved, is sometimes called POLITICAL ZIONISM, and the term Religious Zionism is used by those Zionists who lay a special stress upon the regeneration of the Holy Land, as a center is social and religious influence for JUDAISM.

These Christians, who have adopted the Zionist doctrine, are basically (as Mikael Knighton, founder of Christians Standing for Israel eloquently states:

...Christians who see the regathering of the Jewish people in their land, as well as the establishment of the sovereign nation of Israel in 1948, as the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy are known as "Christian Zionists". Christian Zionists see the Jewish people as the "apple of God's eye"--His Chosen people, and hold firm that God's promises, established in the Abrahamic Covenant, remain in effect today.

Christian Zionists are "Biblical advocates" for the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Furthermore, they stand in firm, diametrical opposition to land concessions of any sort which involve the forfeiture of the holy land of Israel as it is a sacred manifestation of the promises of God to the people He calls the "apple of His eye".

Christian Zionists also seek to stand with Israel, showing her unconditional support, solidarity and love whilst praying for her spiritual return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who "foreknew" her.

A common rebuttal serving to debunk and discredit the underlying objectives of Christian Zionism is the shortsighted argument purporting that Christian Zionists seek to facilitate the literal fulfillment of Bible prophecy--specifically, the end of the world and the subsequent return of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. Quick to dismiss the biblical significance of Israel as a nation and people, as well as the longevity of God's faithful and everlasting covenants with her, opponents of Christian Zionism--many of whom would call themselves "Christians"--do not recognize God's biblical commands for Christians to support the Jewish people. Source: Mikael Knighton, founder of Christians Standing With Israel.

Time and space prevents us from examining the Zionism issue any deeper, more than it has been debated for over the last 125 years, other than to state there is more than adequate scripture to counter every claim being made by both so-called Jews and their ardent Christian supporters. The Book of Joshua, Chapter 23 (for example) clearly states that God fulfilled His Land promises to the Israelites. More importantly, as we read the entire Chapter 11 in the Book of Hebrews, we can clearly see that the "true" Promised Land the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (nee Israel) were looking forward to was not a parcel of land in the Middle East, but rather it is a "Heavenly City" (New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God) whose architect is God, that will be descending to earth, His Tabernacle, to dwell among mankind. No one will be able to enter this Holy City other than those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  

For more information about the author of this blog and his published books, please click on Joe Ortiz.