Grace Gazette
God's Chosen People Lesson 2
What is a Zionist?
By Brother John Marshall
A Zionist is one who accepts, believes in, and supports, Zionism. Zionism is the national revival movement of the Jewish people. It holds that the Jews have the right to self-determination in their own national home, which is Eretz-. Yisrael — the Land of Israel and to develop their national cultures Zionism today, in its simplest form, is the affirmation and support for the Democratic State of Israel as the Homeland of the Jewish people. ".4 return to Zion by the Jewish people and the setting up of a Jewish state are absolute preconditions for the final redemption- " (Rabbi Meir Kahane; The Jewish Press, 1975)
"Those who set their face against God’s Chosen People Will never win the day. Anti-Semitism represents a struggle that surpasses mere human boundaries. God has designed marvelous future for the heirs of Abraham. No Satanically driven strategy Will stop the nation short of achieving all that the Lord has promised. The preservation of the Jew is a center pole in God's perfect plan for the future.” (Elwood McQuaid, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry)
There are some anti-Semites, even in America, whose sole aim in life is to link the Jewish people to every vice or vicious enterprise in existence. At its root, Zionism simply means "A commitment to the inherent right of the Jewish People to have an internationally recognized homeland in the Middle East - Eretz Yisrael." If you accept the concept of a Biblically endorsed Jewish right to the land, you are a Zionist! And that is nothing to be ashamed of!
Genesis 12:7 (KJV), “And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.” (emphasis added).
“Land rights for Israel are, from a Biblical viewpoint, non-negotiable. Whether the Jewish People are in or out of the land is irrelevant: Eretz Israel belongs to the Jewish People. " (Elwood McQuaid) And further, Mr. McQuaid states: "Jewish people as individuals, and, are to be recognized for who they are
God's Chosen People - and for what they contribute to the general well-being of the peoples of the earth. For Christians, the Biblical mandated View of the Jew is one of appreciation, support and willingness to be true friends. If God regards those who defame and persecute Abraham's heirs as worthy of being cursed, we have a binding obligation to combat anti-Semitism wherever it is manifested.” Jews and Evangelicals are obligated to present a united front. (see Jeremiah 30:5-9 [the last attempt at holocaust against the Jewish nation] See also Isaiah 59:20; Zachariah 13:9; 14:3; 8:2-23; 14:6).
"Christian Zionism is a religious belief among many Gentiles of the Christian faith that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land and the restoration of a physical Israel is in accordance with Biblical prophecy. Furthermore, Christian Zionism is motivated by a Biblically based religious conviction that the Jewish People are still God's Chosen People and are entitled to possess the land of Israel for all time!
This belief is based on a specific interpretation of Scripture." (David W. Schmidt) Christian Zionists generally believe Israel's return to their Promised Land is fulfilling dozens of Bible prophecies from the Old Testament. We believe this is an indication that God is setting the stage for the events that will take place during the future seven-year period commonly called the Tribulation. For that time period to take place, Israel must be a nation again and in control of Jerusalem. Since 1967, this has been the case concerning Israel.
Christian Zionism, properly defined, incorporates the following key elements:
J.) A clear, Biblical distinction between Israel and the Church.
2.) The any-moment pre-tribulation Rapture of the Church.
3.) The return of the Jews to the land.
4.) The rebuilding of the Temple.
5.) The rise of the Antichrist.
6.) A seven-year period known as the Great Tribulation.
7.) The national salvation of the Jews.
8.) The return of Christ to Jerusalem.
9.) The thousand-year reign of Christ on earth
God covenantally endowed the nation of Israel with the land in perpetuity, so that, ultimately, it will be populated by those Hebrews who have authentically believed in Jesus as their Messiah.
My sole objective in assembling these messages is, hopefully, to arouse in you a genuine love and burden for God's Chosen People, which is our Biblical mandate.
If at times I seem to be repeating myself, I offer no apologies! I cannot but stress the absolute importance of the Jews in relation to the unfolding of God's eternal program for the entire human race. So, if I seem to be saying the same things over and over, please bear with me!
Most of my Scripture references will be taken from the beloved King James Version of the Bible. When a segment of the KJV is particularly difficult, I may use a different version of Scripture, in which case I will so indicate. I have had well-meaning Christian brothers caution me against using any version other than the King James Version, but I believe that most of the current translations are equally as reliable. The greatest theologians, expositors, preachers and teachers of our day — including Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, David Jeremiah, and others often cite other versions of the Bible. If they are good enough for the "great ones," they are good enough for me! I personally own several different versions of Scripture, including two versions of the Jewish Tanakh, and have found much to gain by comparing various versions. I was raised on the King James Version, and for years it was the only Bible around. It wasn't until around 1989 that I learned of and began using other versions. I have read the Bible through in the King James Version, the English Standard Version, and the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and portions of it in several other versions. I realize that the King James Version, with its archaic 17th century English, is, at times, a difficult read. For ease of reading and clarity of understanding, I would recommend using the English Standard Version, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, or the New Living Translation, especially when reading the book of Revelation!
I would like to give credit for the sources of much of the material I will be discussing with you. Most notable among these resources is the help I received from Jehovah God! Other sources include: The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry (especially the writings of Elwood McQuaid); the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem; Lamb and Lion Ministries; Jewish Awareness Ministries; Zola Levitt Ministries; and Christians United for Israel, to name a few. I have also found the internet to be an invaluable source of material.
Here's What's Happening!
Good News For Dark Days
Four years ago I accepted the call of Grace Baptist Church to become their pastor. I can honestly say, I had no idea that our world would be in the condition it is just a few short years later. Have you ever seen a time of such uncertainty? We are in the middle of a pandemic like no living person has ever seen. Our country is being torn apart both politically and socially. Our history is being erased, and that's only what is happening on the home front! Our world is in chaos as well! Just yesterday I heard a report that Russia is offering "bounties" on US soldiers in Afghanistan!
These certainly are dark days we're living in! The condition of our world has a lot of us feeling "down and out". I completely understand the feeling! I know that my family and I are feeling the stress of "cabin fever". Couple that feeling of being trapped along with the news of riots and coronavirus and you have a recipe for depression.
I wish I could predict the future. I wish I could tell you that everything is going to be "Okay", but I can't. Here is what I can tell you: None of what is happening now has caught God by surprise! These are exciting times if you stop and think about it! We're living at a time when we can literally see prophecy being fulfilled!
I am not a "date-setter", but I believe that the rapture is now closer than ever. If you have any knowledge of Scripture in general, and prophecy specifically, you have to admit that the stage is being set for a one-world government. The only thing missing is an all-powerful, charismatic leader to step up and take control. He's coming!
On Sunday evenings I've been exploring the book of Revelation, and I want to invite to like our page and join us online. All you have to do is click this link, like the page and turn on the notifications. That's it! In the meantime, keep listening for the shout!
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