Israel And The End Times - What We Need To Know Series

Dr. Bradford Reaves

Crossway Christian Fellowship

Hagerstown, MD

www.mycrossway.org

We are going to talk extensively this morning about Israel and her role in the last days. You know about the war in Israel; you know about the horrific and barbaric assault on civilians, women, children, elderly, and infants by the Palestinian Terrorists. Most people recognize that this is more than a land dispute or a cultural war. I would go further than even to say that this is a religious war. Friends, this is an incredible spiritual battle that is directly interconnected with end times, events and biblical prophecy.

So this morning, I want to give you a biblical understanding of why this is so important and answer the question of why we should support Israel. Let me first say this. Any tragic loss of human life grieves me. The reality of war should be sobering and a painful reminder of the reality of the condition of our world. The Bible gives us times when God uses war to execute his judgment, to accomplish his will, and to awaken the apostate. In saying that, I do not mean that God delights in war or the results of war. It should be clear to us that the enemy of God and the enemy of God's people is at war with God and anyone who follows after him.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12)

They lay crafty plans against your people; they consult together against your treasured ones. 4 They say, “Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!” (Psalm 83:3-4)

Let me also say that as a church, we are unapologetically pro-Israel. At the same time, we also recognize that there are Palestinian people who are caught in the crosshairs by no fault of their own. They are being used as Human shields by evil men, and we pray for their safety. Just as there were Germans who opposed Hitler and the Nazis during World War 2, there are also Palestinian people who are opposed to the kind of things that took place earlier in October. However, the Bible, our church, and this pastor recognized that Israel and the Jewish people are part of God's covenant plan for the redemption of mankind.

The Bible is a book about Israel. More specifically, the Bible is a book about how God made an eternal covenant with the nation of his choosing, Bringing about the means of salvation to all mankind. Jesus, the Messiah, was promised To Israel; Jesus was born in Israel as a Jew, was raised as a Jew, became a Jewish rabbi, Jesus died in Israel, Jesus rose again in Israel, and when Jesus came back, he will come back to Israel in a Jewish Jerusalem. We know for certain through the scriptures and the prophets that Israel will play a central role in Jesus’s return.

And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she bore her child he might devour it. (Revelation 12:3–4)

So today, I want to answer several questions. In doing so, I will look to the Bible and history to answer those questions. You don’t have to agree with me, but you do have to allow God to speak to you through His Word.

1. What is God’s Covenant with Israel

So, the first question I want to answer is what is God’s eternal covenant with Israel. “A covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two basic types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken, and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party. (Got Questions)

God established through Abram an eternal and unconditional covenant with him to bring about a nation. That Nation is Israel as a special people for Himself, and through that nation, he would bless all people and draw those people to Himself.

And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 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.” (Genesis 12:2–3)