Posted on 02/22/2008 3:09:37 PM PST by forkinsocket
Israel is feeling the love from an unusual constituency.
A slice of evangelical Christendom, which spent decades trying to convert Jews, has organized in recent years to support them.
During a local show of support last Monday, 2,500 conservative Christians gathered in a Powder Springs church to wave Israeli and U.S. flags, bow their heads as a rabbi prayed, applaud local Jewish and Israeli dignitaries and shout out support for Israel, pep-rally style.
The crowning speaker was the Rev. John Hagee.
"Those who fight against Israel are fighting against God himself," he told the cheering crowd.
Hagee is an old-fashioned Texas TV preacher whose perfectly modulated baritone and fast-pitch delivery are ideal for sermons about sin and hell and for his esoteric teachings about the quickly approaching end of the world. The end is so nigh, he is fond of warning his San Antonio congregation of 18,000 and the cameras, it could come before he leaves the building.
Hagee has become one of America's best known proponents of a movement with a contradictory name: Christian Zionism. It is a marriage of politics and current events as seen though particular interpretations of biblical writings, a blend of red-blooded nationalism with evangelistic Protestantism.
Hagee uses biblical references to threaten Iran for its anti-Israel posturing as easily as he talks about the love of Jesus, and he leads a fierce opposition to Israel forfeiting so much as one more grain of sand to Palestinians.
He has organized or speaks at pro-Israel gatherings across the United States that are drawing from several hundred to several thousand people. The Powder Springs event was sponsored by Israel Always, an Israel support group founded by Christians.
Leading Jews from metro Atlanta, including Israel's ambassador to the Southeast, Reda Mansour, listened to Hagee in a sanctuary shorn of Christian symbols, such as a cross, and heard talk without a reference to Jesus.
"I think there is a great effort by the Christian community to let people feel comfortable in their event and to feel that they don't have any secret motive here," Mansour said.
Such as conversion. Many Jews had initial suspicions several years back. Now, they bus in local synagogue members to participate and bask in the love expressed for Israel, he said.
What impresses Mansour is that this is an American grass roots movement, percolating up from U.S. communities large and small, he said.
The movement is based in conservative churches that hew to literal interpretations of the Bible and sympathize with Israel out of shared religious heritage and political affinities.
Hagee said Scripture teaches that Israel is the only nation founded by divine decree, God gave Israelis the Mideast land, and the Bible directs people to help and support Israel.
"We want to be on the right side of this," Hagee said of his carte blanche support of Israel and denigration of Palestinian claims to land.
Timothy Weber of Denver, a Baptist former seminary dean, documented the rise of Christian Zionism in his book "On the Road to Armageddon: How Evangelicals Became Israel's Best Friends."
The most ardent Israel supporters hold a controversial and convoluted end-time theology called Dispensationalism. In it, Israel and Jerusalem play central roles in Jesus' eventual triumphal return to Earth, and current events can be foreseen by enlightened readers in symbolically dense biblical passages, Weber said. He said Jews pragmatically overlook theology that includes beliefs that they must either accept Jesus as messiah during the last days or perish.
Hagee didn't talk about his apocalyptic beliefs Monday, saying they had nothing to do with his support.
Weber estimated that 10 million or more of the estimated 40 million evangelicals believe in or are influenced by Dispensationalism.
With the rise of the political-religious right, the Dispensationalists discovered their political muscle.
"They have become the unbending lobby for the support of Israel," Weber said.
And their influence is substantial.
Sens. John McCain and Joe Lieberman and former congressmen Newt Gingrich and Tom DeLay are among the politicians who have showed up at events sponsored by Hagee's Citizens United for Israel group.
The support movement leaves its followers feeling like they are doing God's work and the Israelis a little baffled, but happy.
Steven A. Rakitt, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, said, "We are focusing on the support, not the theology, in a world where Israel is threatened by her immediate neighbors and by a disinformation campaign around the world."
Now if Hagee could lose his anti-Catholic bias, we’d be all set, huh?
I remember in the early 50s as a young lad in Sunday School, giving my pennies and nickles to support the planting of trees in the “new nation” of Israel. Because the Jews were God’s chosen people and it was our duty to help them in any way possible.
I never really understood how planting trees was supposed to help but I donated anyway. Olive and other fruit trees perhaps?
I like Hagee...it’s just the whole Rapture thing that doesn’t make any sense.
I'm more fundamentalist than Hagee, and this anti-Catholic stuff seems to me a bit childish, as you expect people of a different faith (Christianity) to overlook their theology vis a vis another faith (Catholicism). We find areas of common interest and work together, just like our support of the children of Israel, conservatism and whatever else we have in common.
The unwillingness to accept that he (and I) believe differently, is a bit like the hatred leveled toward conservatives by progressives. Just accept the differences in those areas of theology and move on.
I agree. I don't see how anyone can call themselves a Christian without considering themselves a Hebrew also.
Isn’t Hagee the one famous for saying that Hitler learned his anti-semitism from the the Catholic church and that the Catholic Church was in a conspiracy with Hitler to exterminate the Jews?
>>I agree. I don’t see how anyone can call themselves a Christian without considering themselves a Hebrew also.<<
I can see how one could believe (as I do) that God loves Israel and wants Israel to continue without being a descendant of biblical Patriarch Eber (which is apparently what Hebrew means)
“I don’t see how anyone can lay a claim on being Christian without being a Zionist.”
Perhaps not a Zionist, but certainly NOT being a friend of Islam and proclaiming that it is a ROP.
Christianity and Catholicism are `different faiths’? As in, one faith believes in the divinity of Christ and the other doesn’t? I’ve heard this from evangelicals for years, that as a Catholic I’m something other than Christian, so whoop-ti-doo.
Anyway, long live the state of Israel! For Scripture quotes the Almighty thus:
“Whosoever blesseth the Jews, him shall I also bless. But whosover curseth the Jews, him shall I surely curse!”
I think the history of the Middle East proves the truth of that line from the Bible.
I don’t have an anti-Semitic bone in my body, but should we believe Hagee or Peter and Paul?
Hagee: “One of those deadly New Testament myths is that the Jews killed Jesus, yet no justification can be found in the New Testament to support this lie.” (In Defense of Israel, p. 125)
Apostle Peter:
Ac. 2.23-26 – “Ye men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God unto you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in the midst of you, even as ye yourselves know; him, being delivered up by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye by the hand of lawless men did crucify and slay:”
Apostle Paul:
I Thes. 2.14-15 – “For ye, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus: for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews; who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men;”
This article seems like one for your ping list of christian supporters of Israel.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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Being against the Roman hierarchy is not evidence that he’s against the RC folks under that magicsterical’s power mongering edicts and control.
Have seen some of the forests grown from such monies. A wonderful ministry to Israel and to the Holy land.
Christ catching His Church away IS Biblical.
When is a whole ‘nother issue . . . though I believe the overwhelming evidence is for Pre-trib.
I just want to be walking close to Him . . . and to be where He is and wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do, regardless.
Good points.
Though as Biblical prophecies continue to unfold ever more rapidly, emphatically and precisely in our era . . .
I hope you reconsider your Spiritual beliefs.
And, at ALL costs avoid the chip implant.
Love it. Wonderful.
Interesting post.
keeper
Those verses do NOT in the slightest sub-atomic particle’s worth
detract from nor hinder nor lessen
the emphatic Scriptures about God blessing those who bless Israel and cursing those who curse Israel.
Amen to that.
Thanks thanks.
The verses I gave weren’t addressed to God’s blessings of Israel. They addressed Hagee’s credentials. Hagee says to say that the Jews killed Jesus is a lie.
Peter said that “men of Israel” crucified and slew Jesus.
Paul said that “the Jews killed the Lord Jesus.”
Is Hagee lying, or are Peter and Paul?
What do you say?
As Scripture accurately records . . . THEY SAID
let His blood be on us and on our children . . .
What’s your point? Did Paul and Peter tell the truth when they said men of Israel and the Jews killed Jesus, making a liar of Hagee?
Or is Hagee telling the truth when he implies that Peter and Paul lied when they said the Jews killed Jesus?
Keeper, help him out if you can.
No . . .
As Scripture ACCURATELY records, they said [themselves]
let his blood be on us and on our children.
THEY were responsible for Jesus’ death.
Maybe Hagee is slipping and sliding on the technicality of Roman soldiers doing their dirty work . . . but God knows the score.
However, every man, woman and child beyond accountability put Jesus on that cross.
We all killed him.
Thanks for the clarification, Quix, although I think Hagee is doing more than slipping and sliding. I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s a serious matter (particularly for one like Hagee who claims that God is speaking through him) to accuse one of Jesus’ apostles of teaching lies.
On another matter, when you spoke of “the emphatic Scriptures about God blessing those who bless Israel and cursing those who curse Israel,” do you have a particular scripture in mind?
Thanks again,
FNU LNU
There are a number of such Scriptures.
Try
KJV
Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 12:2-4 (in Context) Genesis 12 (Whole Chapter)
Is perhaps the major one. Better scholars than I may well cite more off the top of their heads.
A slice of evangelical Christendom, which spent decades trying to convert Jews, has organized in recent years to support them.
Hagee has become one of America's best known proponents of a movement with a contradictory name: Christian Zionism.
This writer is obviously an ignoramus.
The cross was strictly a Roman method of execution. The Jews during the Roman empire used stoning as a method of killing and it was usually mobs that did the deed. Such examples as Stephen show us that and it was Paul holding their coats. Christ himself evaded such as well but his time had not yet come.
As the ruling Roman governor it was well within Pilate's power and authority to release Jesus as he had violated no Roman laws as such and even stated as much about Christ. Note also that Peter by tradition died in the hands of the Romans on an inverted cross or upside down. Paul suffered a great deal of punishment and imprisonment by the Roman government as did John who was exiled later in life.
I've heard the Jews killed Jesus stuff myself in my childhood and I'm 50. A little bit of reading shows otherwise. You're right in the fact we all killed him and due to our sin are responsible for his spilled blood at the cross.
What the Jews did by their own laws was unlawful including his trail before the San Hedrin {sp} which was at night. The unlawful were both Jew and Gentile as they put to death an innocent man. Neither side can claim more innocence than the other. For both the Jewish and Roman leaders of the day it was an execution of convenience. The Jewish leader who incited the uprising were scared of His authority and feared Christ was replacing them. The Romans were fearing an uprising and Caesar getting wind of such. But I know you knew this :>}
Well put, imho.
Thx.
Good post. I’ll just add - Jesus came to teach about The Kingdom of God and then to die for us so we may live eternally w/Him (and that includes now) Jesus fulfilled prophecy that was written in the OT.
Thanks. That indeed was the whole purpose. As foretold He was rejected by this world and slain so that we may be saved. Israel's time of recognition of Christ as Savior is coming. The blinders were for our sakes so Gentile as well be included and does not in any way make Gentiles any more favored or Jews any less. GOD has not rejected Israel as He can't violate His Blood Covenant with them. We're a grafted branch into the tree of life via Christ Blood Covenant through Israel but we are by no means their replacement. Paul taught as much. When He comes again they will indeed know Him and finally understand as the veil which prevents such will be lifted.
Good article. Last year I supported the Jewish Orphans at Migdal Ohr and to help some return to ‘their land’. God will continue to bless and protect her until His Second Coming - as The King of Kings.
Thanks for your response, Quix. I asked for a passage promising blessings to those who bless Israel, and cursings to those who curse Israel. You gave
“Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
I’m afraid Israel isn’t even in this passage. God is speaking to Abram long before Israel ever existed. Furthermore the “thees” are all singular—God is speaking to Abram as an individual. Third, if you read Israel into a personal promise to Abraham, what’s to keep someone else to take the same liberty and read the Arabs (the descendants of Ishmael, Abraham’s son by Hagar) into the passage as well, then pronounce a blessing on those who bless the arabs, and curses on those who curse the arabs. Are you willing to let the arabs take the same liberty with this passage that you do?
In any event, Gen. 12.3 doesn’t promise blessings and curses on those who bless and curse Israel, but on Abraham.
Can you think of someone who cursed the Jews more than anyone else in the Bible, yet we don’t believe that God cursed him?
Thanks for reading, and considering.
Eva, you say, “I’ve heard the Jews killed Jesus stuff myself in my childhood and I’m 50. A little bit of reading shows otherwise.”
I heard the ‘Jews killed Jesus stuff’ from Paul when he said “the Jews killed the Lord Jesus” (I Thes. 4.14-15) and from Peter when he said that “men of Israel” crucified and slew Jesus (Ac. 2.22-23).
Do you really think Paul and Peter need a little bit of reading to show them otherwise? Did another New Testament author contradict what Peter and Paul said? I do know that John Hagee does, which is where this discussion started. Should we be reading more Hagee on this “Jews killed Jesus stuff”?
I think you’re putting that verse in much too tiny a box.
I have an old Navy buddy coming to visit and I doubt I’ll look any more up any time soon. Others may.
But I think that one is sufficient.
Ismael was also promised to be the father of a great Nation. And, that those descendants would be severely disciplined for what they would do to Jacob’s children.
God clarified later that He loved Isaac and Jacob and that they were the descendants of The Promise.
“I think you’re putting that verse in much too tiny a box.”
Quix, I didn’t put the verse in any box. I just pointed out that the promise was made to a single individiual—Abram. That’s what is said. You, and lots of others, are the ones that read the entire nation of Israel into it, which wasn’t said at all. It’s just a question of what the Bible says vs. what it does not say.
When you have time, please ponder my second question. If the passage was talking about the nation of Israel, who cursed Israel more than anyone else in the Bible, and therefore according to your interpretation of Gen. 12.3, deserves to be greatly cursed?
Thanks for your time in reading and considering.
FNU
I have a fierce visceral wholesale aversion
to playing guessing games . . . especially Biblical guessing games . . . I absolutely LOATHE them.
I think I know the answer but will only comment after you state what you are talking about.
GOD SAID what HE SAID.
HE WILL DO what HE SAID HE WILL DO vis a vis Israel.
That’s the whole of it, to me.
Well it is also Written in TWO different places that Jacob I loved and Esau I hated.... one place says even before they were born to do good or evil. Esau is NOT the children of Ishmael.... Esau was a twin, firstborn, who sold his birthright and LOST that blessing.
True. True.
I’m well aware that Esau was not the father of Ishmael’s children! LOL.
I suggest reading Romans very carefully for your answers. The Romans ruled Israel at the time of Christ not the Jews as they were in captivity or under Roman authority. As such beyond mob stoning they could not put a person to death especially on a cross. You obviously ignored what I wrote as well as what Christ said to Pilate. GOD has not by any means turned His back on Israel nor replaced them. The Blood Covenant of Israel is dependent on GOD not man otherwise Christ would have never came. Jews however are still under the law. The Law of which no man could carry the burden of except Christ himself.
They are not replaced nor cut off from GOD. On the contrary GOD is fulfilling His promises to them. What the Jews will soon realize is what they could have had 2000 years ago but rejected. This was for our sake that the Gentile as well be included in GOD's plan of salvation. As Paul teaches a jealousy exist because of it. Paul also states we are not better than they nor their replacement in His Covenant.
The Jews have still existed as a people and have been preserved till GOD's time for fulfillment of his plan. Our nation survived the Revolution thanks in part to the sons of Israel who funded Washington at Valley Forge. Looking up histories on ones such as Hyman Solomon tells the story. Many names which we all know. Many died broke and were not repaid.
During WW2 we allowed Jews into our nation escaping Hitlers persecution. Ever hear of the White Papers and Britain refusal to allow Jews into Britain during that time? Ever hear the old saying the sun never sets on the British Empire? Indeed it does now with Britain a skeleton of her once great might.
My wife was told something by her grandmother which was true. They lived in southeast Arkansas in the 1950's& 60's. When you see the Jews closing up their stores and leaving town beware times are fixing to be bad. Even that poverty ridden state in that era was blessed by the Sons of Israel.
I can not for the life of me understand why certain sects get so hung up on the Jews killed Christ teachings. We all killed Him and share the blame. Me, you, and everyone else were the reason as stated in John 3:16. Christ even then knew GOD's full plan of salvation. The world includes all who will believe in Him and the Bible does state this will be the Jews as well when their time comes. It was mine, yours, other Gentiles, and yes the Jews in their coming time sins for which He died for. We are all equally responsible for His death. He gave His life freely so that we may be saved. Why promote hate and division on the matter? It does nothing for the Kingdom of Heaven to do such. Thank GOD that GOD is far wiser than man.
I think Romans Chapter 11 holds the answers to the questions you ask. A Jew is your Brother in Christ whether you like it or not.
I asked, who cursed the Jews more than anyone, and therefore according to your interpretation of Gen. 12.3, would be cursed (although Israel wasn’t mentioned in the verse).
Think Jesus, in Mt. 23
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