Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Greetings and happy Lord’s Day to all Fishing Stage members and guests!
After finishing our series last week on “The Church: What, Why, and How”, I would like to take some time to talk about what is happening now in Israel and the Middle East.
I’m sure most everyone has heard about the vicious attacks on October 7th by Hamas terrorists on civilians in Israel, and the ensuing war over the past four weeks.
I think most Christians may already know why we (as Christians) stand by the people of Israel, the Jews.
However, I believe there are those, believers and nonbelievers alike, who may NOT stand in support of Israel, but for those who DO, today’s devotion is intended to try to explain WHY those Christians do stand for Israel. As we will point out, the reasons are both historical and Biblical.

Our Lord Jesus was and is a Jewish man from Galilee. Rage against the Jewish people is rage against Him, and, because we are in Him, against us.

No one wanted to wake up to war in what was already a tinderbox of the world order. But war has come, and we should recognize terrorism for what it is. We should also recognize the justice of a forceful response to that terrorism. However we read the prophecy passages of the Bible, and however we disagree on world politics, American Christians ought to stand together with Israel now.

Some Christians support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God's chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Some evangelicals believe Israel is key to an end-times prophecy that will bring about the return of the Christian messiah.

5 More Reasons Why Christians Support Israel :

1. God Blesses Those Who Bless Israel
By supporting Israel, Christians are living by the Word of God. And, as God promises in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

2. Christians’ Opportunity to Be Part of Biblical Prophecy
One key thing to note is that biblical prophecy comes to life in Israel. Israel is mentioned in the Bible over 2,500 times, and is where many stories, lessons, and parables throughout Scripture took place. As mentioned in the Bible, God gave the deed of this land to Abraham and Isaac. God trusted these Israelite men to not only take care for His land, but to carry on His Word.
Isaiah 11:12 says, “He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” When biblical prophecy is fulfilled, all of God’s people will come home to Israel. Supporting Israel and her people is an opportunity to take part in rebuilding God’s Promised Land. 
As mentioned above, Israel is the setting and backdrop for many Bible stories. It’s one of the few tangible things that people have to show their faith. That’s why it’s so important we do everything we can to preserve God’s Holy Land. It’s home to many biblical sites and is significant to both Jewish and Christian faiths. The people of Israel already live in a state of vulnerability, a tiny country surrounded by enemies, and they need our help.

3.  Israel is Allies with the U.S. 
Religion, democracy, and security are important values to many. In addition to supporting others of faith it’s important to support those who support us, including in matters of national security. Israel and the United States have been long-time partners in security. Both parties share a foundational bond of being democracies. The U.S. and Israel have supported one another since the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. Maintaining this relationship across all sectors is of the utmost importance.
4. A Better Understanding of the Bible
Israel also gives us a better understanding of the Bible. Being able to visit the places where so many beloved Bible stories took place can be truly enlightening for people of faith, and can even help spread God’s Word. Being able to visit Israel not only educates us on the history of our faiths, but can strengthen and provide direction to our personal lives. The feeling of connection to the Holy Land after a visit to Israel is a moving experience.

5. Christians Want to Build Bridges with Jews
The Jewish people have faced enemies for thousands of years. These people have gone through multiple trials of adversity and much of that has stemmed from their faith. The Holocaust is just one example of how Jews have been persecuted for their faith. Building bridges of fellowship and understanding between Jews and Christians honors and supports Israel, the land from which both of these faiths stemmed.

In the following video, Pastor Allen Jackson talks about the beginning of the war in Israel. (His message was taped only four days after the Hamas attack, so the figures he uses have changed dramatically since then.) He also tells us what the Bible says about what is happening - prophesy being fulfilled, in “real time”, right before our eyes!!
Before you watch this video, here’s a thought to keep in mind:
The Bible is NOT FICTION - it is an historical book, an instructional guide, and also a preview of FUTURE EVENTS. Listen closely to Pastor Allen’s message, then continue reading the Bible to see how this story ends!
God bless you all! 🙏🏻

https://www.youtube.com/live/HKHgJnmmugs?si=kjYSfXZmcd7GdJ_z

woodguru Loc: El Dorado Ca

If you are going to post religious ideology as is your right in this country, respectful responses and opinions are fair game.

Standing by Israel is one thing...standing by as they turn the Gaza into rubble in a way that affects hundreds of thousands of Palestinians that have nothing to do with Hamas or the religiously oriented nonsense is another.

Being against tens of thousands of Hamas and their supporters as terrorists is quite different than being against hundreds of thousands of Palestinians as a race or ethnicity.

I support Israel, but I stand for them not eliminating Palestinians...it's complicated, and trying to apply religion and the bible to the solutions is exacerbating the problem. Jews should be very sympathetic to persecuting any group of people because of their terrorist affiliations...it would be like treating all Christians like White Christian Nationalists that resort to violence.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thank you for your response. Would you care to be specific about a strategy to eliminate a terrorist group who uses their own innocent citizens as shields?
That is a real dilemma, it seems…
Your analogy does not come close to an accurate comparison. Sorry…

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

BTW The Jews ARE NOT “against the Palestinians; they are, in fact, doing (and have done) everything they can to not harm them.

JDFishes Loc: Atlantic County

I’ll agree it’s very complicated, but it is all rooted in the Bible. To understand the current situation you need to understand the history of the region.
Palestine was never a nation.
But what is happening now is a direct result of a terrorist attack by Hamas that killed civilian Israeli men, women and children. They told civilians to leave. Interesting Egypt and Jordan want nothing to do w Palestinians.

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

Israel is the trigger to the end of time as it's known now, when Jesus Christ returns it will be to remove those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior, When the Antichrist appears to decieve the world to follow him and receive his.mark, Jesus will remove us to a protective fortress, We'll witness many nations coming to attack Israel and us but Christ stops being the Lamb and becomes a Lion in His high transfigured glory All Mighty and fight for Israel, many will repent and trust in Jesus Christ, many still will reject as well as everyone else over the world may call upon the Lord and be saved, but they will most likely be martyred for their faith as a testament, as Christ died once for all, it'll be on your head but Christ will redeem them. At some point all Christians will witness an New Heaven, Jerusalem and all the earth will be remade as it was in the Garden of Eden, perfect without the seas or Sun but Christ will be our Eternal Light! Israel is going to win because God never fails, His Words formed everything into existence, without Him was nothing not made. To God be the glory and Jesus worshipped as we bow before our Mighty Savior forever without end! I will gladly praise Christ at His feet day and night

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Thank you JD - you are exactly right!
It is precisely the opposite of what was suggested in a previous post; the Jews, in the past century, have been the persecuted, not the persecutors. As we have seen on the college campuses, in Washington DC today, and across the country, most of the “protestors” of the war in Israel and Gaza, have absolutely no idea what’s going on or why they’re even protesting. They all really need to at least, first learn the facts, a little history, and WHY this is happening.
Only then, will the people who oppose this war, be able to talk intelligently about it. JMO

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Amen, Passingbye!
If I don’t meet you before, I’ll meet you at the rapture!
🙏🏻

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Well put Randy. The liberal media hides the facts about Hamas. Good people get deceived. We are grafted into the blessings of Abraham through our Lord Jesus for protection, provision and health.
“The message of The Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing “

JDFishes Loc: Atlantic County

👍🏻🇺🇸

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

You are right, sir!
Thank you for responding.

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

There's one thing American Christian and Jewish faith leaders in Washington and our country, no matter what side politicians we vote, America won't stand as a superpower without backing Israel. We're going to have non-biblical prophecy believers pick a satanic stance against God's people. I pray 🙏 for Israel and the end of Hamas a terrorist murderous evil people.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

Amen!

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

I pray daily for the Lord to remember the “remnant”,…..Gods people in America.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

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