The church never replaced Israel. Because if the church replaced Israel, then all the promises of God to Israel were just what? Not true. And God is not happy with that theology, not happy at all.
The church’s eyes on Israel in the present is that many churches are getting back to understanding Israel’s role. I mean, a lot of churches are finally getting it.
Some churches are blind to what God is doing with Israel. We know that.
Learn this parable from the fig tree, I’m urging you. “When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass.” Why is it here? Because you see the fig tree coming back to life. 100 years ago it wasn’t. 80 years ago it wasn’t. It’s there and you live to see it.
You’re the most privileged generation since the time of Jesus Christ. The church’s eyes on Israel in the future, the church and Israel will reign together from Israel. Isn’t that interesting? Remember? “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
What a privileged people we are to live in such a time as this! A time replete with prophetic fulfillment and indications that more fulfillment is on the horizon. Millions of Christians have lived and died throughout church history without the nation of Israel regathered and without the invading nations of the Ezekiel war working in coalition together. Many Christians have lived much like the nation of Israel did with a prophetic silence for 400 years between Malachi and the last of the prophets, John the Baptist.
Yet many of these same people, without seeing the fig tree budding, would die before denying their Lord. How could they be so faithful and passionate for the Lord without seeing all the things we see today?
Psalm 119:105-112 KJV – “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.”
Christians down through the various ages of persecution endured what they endured because they had the word of God. We have that same word today with the distinct advantage of watching it unfold before our eyes. The fig tree budding would not mean anything to us if it were not written in the word of God beforehand. The wasteland of Israel blooming like a rose in the desert would not be of any significance if it were not foretold in advance.
The comfort that generations received who had not seen these things was from the word of God. We too can be comforted with that same comfort as we watch our world unravel around us. We can take the budding of the fig tree as an indication that the church age is wrapping up and that the Lord is coming to take His bride to the Father’s house soon.
As we near the end of the time of the Gentiles, let us remember the promises of God to His chosen people, Israel, as we are seeing them fulfilled and take heart.
John 16:33 KJV – “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
As we experience the pains and problems of life in a fallen world, let us remember that the entirety of God’s word is truth and one of the greatest proofs of that is modern Israel. Because of what we can see, that which previous generation of saints could not see, we should be confident that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We know that we cannot be snatched from the Father’s hand or separated from His love, and, thus, we can take comfort in the word of God, just as saints who have not seen all that we have seen have done through the ages.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV – “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
The fig tree has budded, Israel is blooming, and the word of God is proven. Thus, we can live by faith believing that He is and that He rewards the diligent seeker.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus
