Israel is never far away from the news and as the events continue along its border with Gaza news stories are not hard to find. People’s view on Israel are largely influenced by these media reports but even within Christian circles the stance on Israel can vary. This is shown in a recent Guardian article about Israel and end times – In US evangelical capital, a new progressiveness and differing views on Israel.
There are many Christians who constantly look for events concerning Israel (e.g. the US Embassy move) in hope of them triggering the end time prophecies. This approach can only lead to disappointment, there have been numerous major events concerning Israel over the last 70 years but none of them has lead to the prophetic end times scenarios. It will happen one day but constantly setting expectations that are not met can affect your relationship with God. The article includes “But for McCluggage, after a slow-burn of things not coming to pass, that conviction slowly faded.” Setting up events to happen on our own timescale usually turn out to be completely wrong.
Peter gave a clear warning about God’s promise:
Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:1-4)
Israel is an important Biblical end time sign but it’s not the only one – Are we living in the end times? The fact that all of these signs have been gaining momentum should be a wake-up call to everyone, not just Christians. But as we see, the signs in society play a key role too, and these can be witnessed in Christians deviating from the Scripture on social trends such as LGBT issues and abortion. The longer events don’t happen they feel more pressure to fit into society and be more accommodation to pop culture. This is the very thing Jesus warns against!
It’s no surprise that Israel causes so much contention, this is where Jesus Christ is returning to! The fact that Israel was reestablished in 1948 is a miracle in itself and that it still exists even after many attempts by its neighbours with far superior military power to destroy it! This should make people think, but many are too concerned about Israel defending itself to worry about any facts. The reality is, Israel is far from perfect and Christian’s should not be supporting everything they do, but we should be recognising Israel as God’s chosen land and its part in God’s plan.
Whether the fulfilment of end time prophecies happens tomorrow, next month, or in 10 years doesn’t matter if we are focusing on spreading the Gospel message. God has His own timescale that is more important. It doesn’t change the fact that the end time prophecies will come true, it’s only a matter of when. We will be labelled as ‘far-right’ and many other things but that doesn’t matter either as long as we endure to the end.
God’s plan is for more people to be saved, what better encouragement do we need?!
But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)
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