(Christadelphians do not have a political viewpoint and do not support any movement or group engaged in the politics of man. Our concern is to present what the Bible has to say about the past, present and future affairs in the kingdoms of men.)

ISRAEL GOD'S WITNESSES

We have all heard of the name Israel. If you mention this name to people and ask them for their reaction they immediately comment on the nation of modern Israel and either express admiration for that which the Israelis have achieved or, contempt for the way in which Israel opposes its Arab neighbours and treats the native Palestinians.

Whichever view you subscribe to it would be a great pity if you thought that Israel was nothing more than a political football between the Superpowers.

Israel has been around for an awful long time and has suffered more than most other nations. More importantly, their early history has been recorded in the Bible, and this history is available to us to read and learn from. Indeed, Israel also figures prominently in a lot of prophetic writing from the Old Testament - much of which as yet remains unfulfilled! If you read on you may be surprised at what the Bible has to say on Israel and its relevance to the times in which we live.

The name "Israel" is first mentioned in the book of Genesis (ch 32.28). Its first occurrence concerns the life of a man called Jacob who was the son of Isaac and twin bother of Esau. Jacob was chosen by God to carry forward his great purpose of salvation for mankind which culminated in the death and resurrection of God's son Jesus of Nazareth. Jacob like his forebears received from God "great and precious promises" concerning his own future and that of his offspring - Israel - the nation called after his own name.(compare Gen: 26:3-4; 28:4; 35:11-12)

So according to God's words through the Bible, Israel took on the distinction of being his chosen people. This singular honour brought them great privilege but also great responsibility. As God points out in Deuteronomy 28 if they followed his commandments then God would set them "high above all nations of the earth". Conversely, they would be cursed all the days of their life if they failed to meet the standard required of them. Secular and Biblical history testifies of their failure in keeping the commandments that the Lord had laid down. This divergence between the ways of God and "his nation" culminated in them rejecting Jesus as being their long awaited Messiah in around A.D. 33 and their eventual dispersal into the nations of the world in A.D. 70 under the hand of the Romans.

Isaiah, one of the great prophets of the Old Testament had much to say on God's behalf about the people of Israel. God called them "my witnesses" (Isaiah 43.10) and said of them that they were "precious in my sight", (Isaiah 43.4). The New Testament confirms that God still cares for his people and has not disowned them. Paul speaking in his letter to the Romans says " I say then hath God cast away his people? God forbid.....God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew." (Romans 11: 1-2)

Indeed, for Israel, there are some marvellous prophecies still to be realised. Zephaniah says " ... I will bring you again even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all the people of the Earth when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord " (Zephaniah 3: 20)

We said at the start that some of the things we had to say about the future destiny of this tiny Nation might surprise you. We believe that the prophecies of the Old Testament will soon be fulfilled, and the "great and precious promises " made by God himself to Jacob and others will finally be realised when Jesus returns to establish God's kingdom on Earth .

War in the Middle East?

Yes - War in the Middle East.... because before those things spoken of above are completed, there will be "a time of trouble" such as never was since the beginning of the world. Ancient Bible prophets speak of a great war before the time of the Messiah's return. Indeed Armageddon is a Biblical phrase and indicates a place in Israel where students of the Bible expect the last tremendous conflict between good and evil to take place before the establishment of the new kingdom age. Bible prophecy states that this conflict will take place when Israel has been partially regathered and are dwelling safely back in the land of Palestine. The State of Israel now exists, thereby testifying to the truth of the Bible and is one of the great signs of the nearness of Christ's return to this Earth. If you would like to know more details then please refer to Ezekiel chapters 37 through to 39, or E-Mail us at our address.

So finally, the promise of God's kingdom and his purpose with the Earth and mankind is applicable to everyone, not just to "natural" Israel. Irrespective of race, colour or creed an invitation is extended now through the gospel to all those who will listen, to be a part of this future age. If you would like to know more about this future age then follow this link.

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