As we watch our world spiral downward into Nazi-era antisemitism, we need to recognize that the side effect of this will be and is a disdain, and eventually hatred, for those in support of the nation of Israel. This will eventually migrate into a hatred of those who love not only the Jews but also the King of the Jews, Jesus of Nazareth.
Revelation 6:9-11 – “When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’ Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”
As we watch global antisemitic thought and behavior arise, we must remember that this is not a coincidence nor happenstance. Rather it is the precursor to what John prophesied will happen during the Tribulation. We also know that at the end of the Tribulation, the treatment of the Jews by the surviving inhabitants of the earth will be judged by Jesus after His return.
Matthew 25:31-40 – “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
The righteous, those who helped Jesus’ brethren, were admitted into eternal life. Those on His left did the opposite. They did not help His brethren and they went into everlasting punishment. Keep in mind that this is not an attitude of the Lord exclusive to this moment in time. It is His attitude today as well.
Genesis 12:3 – “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Zechariah 12:3 – “And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.”
The phrase “heave it away” in Zechariah comes from a single Hebrew word that means “to impose a burden.” In the Genesis verse, the Lord says of the descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob that He will curse the one who curses them. The word “curse” means exactly what we think, “to be put under a curse.” The word “curses”, however, is a different Hebrew word that means “to think little of or to despise.” Again, this is not limited to the time of dividing the sheep and goats, but it is proven to be true historically and is thus currently true. Those who think little of Israel and despise them will be cursed.
This is not to say that loving Israel saves you, but it does tell us what the attitude of the saved should be towards Israel. It is completely inconsistent to say you love the King of the Jews but despise the Jews of the King. So don’t let the ignorant antisemites of our day bully you into silence. If God has not cast off Israel – and He hasn’t – we shouldn’t either.
In these last days it is important to stand with the few, not the many. The majority is not always right and the majority of the world is completely wrong about Israel and the Jews.
We need to have a heart for this nation [Israel]. We need a longing for them to find salvation, to find their peace between themselves and God, and to not have to go through the tribulation. Israel is going to be here whether you like them or not. Israel is going to stay here whether you love them or not. Israel is God’s people, whether you love this or not – whether you support it or not.
God never asks you whether they should be His people or not. God is asking you, “What are you doing about it? Do you love them, support them, pray for them, and share with them that which saved you?” That’s what He’s asking. So what’s next for Israel is actually something that is affecting all of us, but it’s something that is also challenging you even today.
So I hope and pray that you understand that the Bible is clear about what’s coming next. What is left for you is to do what God is expecting all of us to do, and that’s to share the good news with the people He loves so much and who He wants to be with Him forever.
Pray for the nation and people of Israel that they might be saved and have their eyes opened to the Holy One of Israel who is one and the same as the head of the church, Jesus Christ, the Son of God!
