This is a pretty heated topic within the church. I got into a discussion on Twitter about it recently, and I wanted to go ahead and cut'n'paste a response I had written on the subject a couple years ago.
Here it is from August 2015:
Responding to someone who asked a similar question about supporting Israel:
I've always been talking about their salvation. Why would I hope that they go to hell or that they don't find Christ? My entire point is to say, we don't need to support them politically and militarily, but we ought to share the Gospel with them. Here's the bottom line and the question I asked a christian elder, the same one who said they need to nuke Iran. Where does Jesus or the Apostles command us to get involved in God's plan for Israel, short of sharing the Gospel with them?
Now that is a legitimate question, but what I get in return is, "how dare you question support for Israel you anti-semite!" That's intellectual dishonesty. I am keeping an open mind, but the more I look, the more clear it is that we're not to get involved with Israel politically or militarily, but ONLY to share the Gospel with them. Don't miss that part, because people have accused me of suggesting that I am siding with Obama/Kerry...again, NO, I am not. Does Obama and Kerry wish to share the Gospel with the current state of Israel?
But follow me here... Now here's the deal, there have been DNA genetic tests done, and it's quite evident that 97% of the 17 million people who identify as Jews are not descendants of Abraham. This was conducted by scientists in Tel Aviv. On the flip side, those who do have Jewish blood have been scattered throughout the world. So it's obvious that we cannot determine who the real descendants of Abraham are based on their genetics alone. In fact, MY WIFE just learned from DNA testing that she has Jewish blood.
The same scientific study showed that it's more likely that those who reside in Palestine have more Hebraic roots than those who live in modern Israel. So it's evident that we cannot use genetics, or lineage as a way to determine who "ISRAEL" really is. It doesn't mean there aren't Jews who are descendants of Abraham in Israel now. But it's not our job to protect them, but rather, it will be God who will regather them, and deliver them.
Take a look at Zechariah 12. This passage is used often to justify our current political and military support for Israel. But notice what it says here in verse 8-9: "On that day the Lord will shield those who live in Jerusalem, so that the feeblest among them will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of the Lord going before them. On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem."
In other words, defending Israel is not the duty of the Christian, but rather of GOD in HIS time, not ours. I think all the prophecies written that people use about God regathering Israel in the promised land has been misused. It doesn't occur until the return of Jesus Christ.
And even more, what Luke 21:24 says will cause you to have to make a decision. "And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
Ok so answer me this. Are we, or are we not in the age of the gentiles? Romans 11:25 "Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."
If the fullness of gentiles has come in, then sure, Israel was regathered. But that means no one who has declared to be saved after 1948, is actually saved. But that's ridiculous. Right? We are still in the age of the gentiles, and Israel has been allowed by God to be a stumbling block SO THAT the gentiles can be saved. So in other words, if it wasn't for the stumbling of Israel, you and I would not be saved and grafted in.
The land that God promised Abraham is some 300,000 square miles (Genesis 15:18). The current nation of Israel is only 30,000 miles. So once again, I await JESUS to fulfill the prophecies concerning the regathering of Israel (including the grafted in gentiles) NOT man...especially not Freemasons and occult practitioners.
The Torah following Jews know this and that's why they protested Zionism. The orthodox Jews who actually are behind the Zionist movement, follow the Talmud and the Zohar/Kabbalah. You do know that the Talmud says Jesus is currently burning in hell right? I understand love your enemies, but that love should be to share the Gospel with them, not sending them money and guns.
Remember also, that Israel WILL exist when Jesus returns, but guess who will be running it? The man of sin. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 "who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God." Also, if you read Daniel 11 you will see the Antichrist use war to ride into Jerusalem. Look especially at Daniel 11:40-45...with verse 45 being the kicker. "And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him."
Now I can't address all 302 lines you posted earlier, but let me address some of the key verses. Genesis 12:3 "I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Here, God is blessing Abraham. People who dishonor Abraham are cursed. And through Abraham, all the families of the earth are blessed. Why? Because JESUS CHRIST comes from the line of Abraham. A lot of modern teachers replace "YOU" meaning "ABRAHAM" with "ISRAEL" as in modern Israel. And this just isn't so. It's the epitome of eisegesis. You shouldn't build a theology around one verse.
Not to mention "Israel" has ALWAYS meant those who are spiritual in covenant with God. Not genetics, as we saw earlier. Think about it. God rejected Esau but accepted Jacob. Both are Abraham's descendants. So are the descendants of Esau, who could be labelled as "Jews" since they are descendants from Abraham, doomed? No. Generations who came from the line of Esau could have very well been brought back into the covenant with God. But the point is, if it's all about race, or descendants, then God lied, because He rejected the lineage of Abraham (Esau).
Galatians 3:7-9 addresses this... Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. 8And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
So IF you want to take the interpretation of "YOU" in Genesis 12 to mean "Israel" then the blessing is when Christians bless other Christians! NOT when Christians bless non-Christians. And on the flip side, we are NOT cursed when we do not bless an unbelieving nation.
And for some icing on the cake: Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
The name ISRAEL HAS ALWAYS been about those who are in spiritual covenant with God. It has never meant a nation (Ethnic), in the modern sense. Romans 2:28-29 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
The modern folks who live in the nation of Israel largely reject Jesus Christ and God. We should be preaching to them the good news. Paul tells us that by faith, we are considered Jews!!! Think about that!!! I mean that's pretty awesome. God's salvation plan was for the whole world to come to know Him.
And even more proof, Romans 9.6-8 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring."
I hope you are seeing where I am coming from. I think a lot of the modern teachings that say, "send your money to Israel" are to be totally blunt and honest, charlatans. If you follow the money trail, a lot of these ministries ARE paid by the Israeli government. And not so that these ministries can go to Israel to preach the Gospel either.
I'm scanning through all the Scripture you've cited and this one caught my attention. 1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. This applies to individuals, but I don't see how it applies to nations. They are instructions to the church body. And where is the line for "provide"? Is it money and guns so they can blow people away? Sorry but it's one thing if they are struggling, but the modern nation of Israel is one of the most advanced military and technological nations of the world. It's largely thanks to us, but our 'help' exceeds what this passage commands.
Here is the bottom line for me:
1.) We ought to pray for the nation of Israel that they will turn to JESUS CHRIST!
2.) We ought to pray for all the nations in the middle east to live peacefully, and to also turn to JESUS CHRIST!
Also, please remember Jesus' only reference to "Jews" in the Bible...I don't like using this passage very much, but I think it needs to be said here. And honestly, I can relate A LOT to the church of Smyrna. Revelation 2:9-11 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
Revelation 3:9-11 Behold, I will make those of the synagogue of Satan who say that they are Jews and are not, but lie—behold, I will make them come and bow down before your feet, and they will learn that I have loved you. Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown.
I have kept an open mind with all of this, and I am convinced that we need to be praying for Israel, sharing the Gospel as much as possible with those who identify with the state of Israel. But we should not be sending them money and guns.
One last thing: There were at one point, laws in Israel against Christians preaching to local Jews "On Dec. 29, 1977, Christians in Israel and the occupied territories protested a new law passed by the Israeli parliament making it illegal for missionaries to proselytize Jews...The law made missionaries liable to five years’ imprisonment for attempting to persuade people to change their religion, and three years’ imprisonment for any Jew who converted." http://www.ifamericansknew.org/history/rel-christians.html
This link goes on to describe several instances where Christianity has been systematically eliminated in Israel. The Christians have literally been killed off in genocidal fashion. And this is no surprise since their religious underpinning, which is Talmudic/Kabbalistic Judaism believes Jesus Christ is a false prophet, and is burning in hell right now! BOTTOM LINE We need to PRAY for these people. But that is wholly apart from SUPPORTING them politically/militarily, which is a fleshly endeavor.
GOD WILL RESTORE THE REAL ISRAEL! ROMANS 11:25-27 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
When I go back and read all the passages that people use to justify 1948, I find that ALL OF THEM only have one or two lines that refer to the regathering that make sense, and the rest are ALL ABOUT THE LORD DOING WORK. Again, it's God who will fulfill the regathering of Israel, not the Rothschilds. Hope you understand where I am coming from. I don't hate the modern Jews...I REALLY DON'T!!! And it's doubly troubling that people automatically label me as antisemitic, and clearly this issue is FAR DEEPER than that.
God Bless. Gonz