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What Is God’s Plan For Israel? LIVE Q&A for October 19, 2023

What Is God's Plan For Israel? LIVE Q&A: October 19, 2023

God’s Future for Israel

1. God has a future for Israel, the Jewish people.

Surprisingly, many Christians believe God has no future for the Jewish people, that God is finished with Israel. This is even though…

God made an everlasting covenant with Israel, the covenant descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God has promised the land of Israel to the covenant descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with everlasting promises (Genesis 17:8).

Genesis 13:15

…for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 17:8

Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Some can’t resist spiritualizing all this. For them, “land” doesn’t mean land, “descendants” doesn’t mean descendants, “forever” doesn’t mean forever, and “everlasting possession” doesn’t mean everlasting possession. They spiritualize it all as being for the church today.

While there may be a spiritual application of some of these truths, it doesn’t erase the plain, simple meaning that these words had to those whom God first spoke to them. Remember that the application of God’s promises may become more but will never become less.

God called Israel the land of Israel even when it was under Roman rule and not an independent state (Matthew 2:20-21; 10:23)

Centuries later, God confirmed His commitment to Israel in the strongest possible terms.

Jeremiah 31:35-37

Thus says the LORD,

Who gives the sun for a light by day,

The ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night,

Who disturbs the sea, And its waves roar

(The LORD of hosts is His name):

“If those ordinances depart

From before Me, says the LORD,

Then the seed of Israel shall also cease

From being a nation before Me forever.”

Thus says the LORD:

“If heaven above can be measured,

And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath,

I will also cast off all the seed of Israel

For all that they have done, says the LORD.

Some Christians mistakenly think that the truth of spiritual Israel somehow replaces or erases God’s plan for nationalor ethic Israel.

In Galatians 3, Paul makes the point that God accounted Abraham to be righteous – in right relationship with God – because Abraham believed. He trusted in, relied on, and clung to God and His promises. That’s when Paul wrote:

Galatians 3:7

Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

This is the important idea of “spiritual Israel.” A man or woman of faith is more connected to Abraham spiritually than those who are connected to Abraham genetically.

None of this replaces or erases the idea of national or ethnic Israel, the Jewish people descended from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and Gentile proselytes who became part of Israel.

The Jewish people are a chosen people (Deuteronomy 7:6), precious to God as the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). They are not chosen to universal salvation, but to have an important role in God’s unfolding plan of the ages. This role did not end with Israel’s part in bringing forth the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Deuteronomy 7:6

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.

The modern state of Israel and the Jewish people are not the same thing. One can criticize policies or actions of the state of Israel and still be supportive of the Jewish people.

However, calls to eliminate or destroy the state of Israel are unbiblical and fundamentally anti-Jewish.

2. Israel will be a burden to the nations; none will help her.

Zechariah 12:3

And it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.

Israel’s restoration to faith will happen in stages, as described in Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 37.

In Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, he saw them first gathered as bone-to-bone, then muscles and flesh came upon then, then the skin, and finally the breath of life.

We see a similar thing in the gathering of Israel. In 1948, something remarkable happened. A people who had not been a nation for 2,000 years, and for only about 100 years in the last 2,600 years became a nation again. As significant as this was, it was – and is still – a gathering of unbelief. We can say that the bones and come together and the muscles and the flesh have formed – but the breath of real spiritual life has not yet come in fullness.

3. There will be a time of Jacob’s trouble.

Jeremiah 30:7

Alas! For that day is great,

So that none is like it;

And it is the time of Jacob’s trouble,

But he shall be saved out of it.

As described in Jeremiah 30, this time of Jacob’s trouble seems beyond the catastrophe of the Babylonian invasions and exile. This is a coming time of catastrophe appointed for the Jewish people, also described vividly by Jesus in the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24:15-22), and there connected to what Jesus called the abomination of desolation.

In connecting Jeremiah 30 with Matthew 24, we note that what we often call the great tribulation is particularly the time of Jacob’s trouble; it is when a great and terrible world leader and the government he represents will try to destroy the Jewish people. Working through these, Satan himself will hope to devour the Jewish people (Revelation 12:1-6).

This does not minimize the persecution that will also be brought against the followers of Jesus, both Jewish and Gentile during that time. Yet in God’s plan of the ages, this is noted as the time of Jacob’s trouble, because God will work in and through this catastrophe to bring salvation to the Jews.

4. God will use this time to deliver Israel.

Jeremiah 30:8

‘For it shall come to pass in that day,’

Says the LORD of hosts,

‘That I will break his yoke from your neck,

And will burst your bonds;

Foreigners shall no more enslave them.

Through this time of incomparable tribulation to come against the Jewish people, God will rescue them and bring them His salvation. He will protect them (as in Revelation 12:6) and bring them to faith in their Messiah, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 23:6, Romans 11:26).

5. Israel will be attacked.

Zechariah 14:2

For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem;

The city shall be taken,

The houses rifled,

And the women ravished.

Half of the city shall go into captivity,

But the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Zechariah has the very end times in view, when Jerusalem will be surrounded and attacked by some type of international force. When the Romans came against Jerusalem in a.d. 70 they came with a multinational army and brought terrible destruction on the city and its people. Yet there was none of the deliverance that Zechariah will describe in the following verses, so it is difficult to say that this was fulfilled in the Roman attack upon Jerusalem in a.d. 70.

This attack against Jerusalem will be severe, but the city itself will not be overthrown (the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city).

6. God will protect Israel.

Zechariah 14:3-4a

Then the LORD will go forth

And fight against those nations,

As He fights in the day of battle.

And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives,

Which faces Jerusalem on the east.

And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two,

From east to west,

Just when it seems that all hope will be gone for Jerusalem and the people of Israel, then the Lord will fight for His people.

God’s defense of Israel described in Ezekiel 38-39 is hard to place in His unfolding prophetic plan, but it may very well fit in this context.

This speaks of the Lord – Jesus, as God the Son – materially returning to a material earth and setting His feet on the Mount of Olives. At that time a great split will cut the Mount of Olives in two, and the persecuted people of Jerusalem will flee through the valley made by the split.

7. The restoration of the Jewish people to repentance and faith in Jesus will be blessing and life for the church (Romans 11:15, 11:25-27).

Romans 11:12

Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

Romans 11:15

For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

Romans 11:25-27

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,

And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

For this is My covenant with them,

When I take away their sins.”

All this clearly states that Israel has an enduring role in God’s unfolding plan of the ages. God is not finished using Israel. Jesus said that the Jewish people would turn to Him in the last days, welcoming Him as the one Blessed in the name of the Lord.

Matthew 23:39

…for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!”

Individual Jewish believers will come in right relationship with God in the way established by Jesus Christ through the new covenant: repentance and faith. They will trust in, rely on, and cling to who Jesus is, and what He has done to rescue His people, especially what He did at the cross and in His resurrection.

So when all Israel will be saved, they will be saved through embracing Jesus Christ as Messiah – as unlikely as this seems. They are not saved with some peculiar “Jewish” salvation.

The Bible indicates this is a necessary condition for the return of Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:39, Zechariah 12:10–11). Jesus will not return again until God turns the focus of His saving mercies on Israel again, and Israel responds to God through Jesus Christ.

Zechariah 12:10-11

And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo.

Genesis 13:15

…for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever.

Genesis 17:8

Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

God called Israel the land of Israel even when it was under Roman rule and not an independent state (Matthew 2:20-21; 10:23)

As part of that covenant, God promised that He would bless those who bless Abraham and his covenant descendants, and curse those who curse them.

Genesis 12:3

I will bless those who bless you,

And I will curse him who curses you;

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

The truth of spiritual Israel does not replace or eliminate the truth of ethnic or genetic Israel.

Romans 11:26 says, All Israel will be saved. The all Israel of Romans 11:26 is not “spiritual Israel.” It isn’t “spiritual Israel” in Romans 11:25, because that Israel is spiritually blind. Therefore, we shouldn’t regard it as spiritual Israel in Romans 11:26.

We also know this is not “spiritual Israel” because Paul says this is a [25] mystery – and it is no mystery that spiritualIsrael will be saved.

“It is impossible to entertain an exegesis which understands Israel here in a different sense from Israel in verse 25.” (Bruce)

The modern state of Israel and the Jewish people are not the same thing. One can criticize policies or actions of the state of Israel and still be supportive of the Jewish people. However, calls to eliminate or destroy the state of Israel are unbiblical and fundamentally anti-Jewish.

Israel’s restoration to faith will happen in stages, as described in Ezekiel’s vision in Ezekiel 37.

In Ezekiel’s vision of the dry bones, he saw them first gathered as bone-to-bone, then muscles and flesh came upon then, then the skin, and finally the breath of life.

“Every promise to Israel was fulfilled.”

Ezekiel 11:16-20

[16] “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “Although I have cast them far off among the Gentiles, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet I shall be a little sanctuary for them in the countries where they have gone.”’ [17] “Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’ [18] “And they will go there, and they will take away all its detestable things and all its abominations from there. [19] “Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh, [20] “that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 36:24-28

[24] “For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. [25] “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. [26] “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. [27] “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. [28] “Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.

Jeremiah 23:3-6

[3] “But I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries where I have driven them, and bring them back to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. [4] I will set up shepherds over them who will feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, nor shall they be lacking,” says the LORD.

[5] “Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,

“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;

A King shall reign and prosper,

And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.

[6] In His days Judah will be saved,

And Israel will dwell safely;

Now this is His name by which He will be called:

THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

What are your thoughts on Martin Luther’s book “On the Jews…”?

What are your thoughts on Martin Luther’s book “On the Jews…”? Why are modern Christians Zionists when all throughout church history, the religion of Judaism was condemned?

You’re asking a very good question. It is absolutely true that for most of church history, Christianity has been largely marked by hatred of the Jews. Sometimes we use the phrase antisemitism, which is sort of interesting, because Arabic people are just as Semitic as Jewish people. But when somebody uses the phrase anti-Semite, they’re not referring to Arabs, they’re referring to Jews. I prefer to use the term Jew-hatred.

It’s true that for the majority of church history, most Christians were raised in an environment where the official policy of the church was to hate the Jewish people. In some measure, Martin Luther reflected that in his book “On the Jews and their Lies.” Now, what a lot of people don’t know about Martin Luther is that in the early days of the Reformation, Luther was very conciliatory and reaching out to the Jewish community in Germany. Luther sarcastically said things like, “If it’s a mark of a good Christian to hate the Jews, oh, then what good Christians we are.” And he criticized the Roman Catholic Church for their Jew-hatred and their persecution of the Jews.

But Martin Luther thought that by having this more generous attitude towards the Jewish people, the Jewish people would respond, take part in his great work of reformation, and receive Christ. When Jewish people of his day rejected Martin Luther’s “kind” overtures, Luther rejected the Jewish people.

Friends, I might be wrong about this. But I do know that in his old age, Martin Luther wasn’t all himself. It could be that some of his antisemitic writings, his Jew hatred writings, came out of that season in his life. But there is no denying that he wrote those things. There’s no denying that Martin Luther published terrible writings against the Jewish people, calling for Jews to be killed in their synagogues and destroyed.

That has been the approach toward Judaism throughout much of church history. I think it’s shameful. I think that is an elaborate Satanic attack upon the Christian church was to lure them into Jew-hatred. It explains a lot of some very difficult periods of church history. So, while it’s true that Christianity’s past is filled with a lot of regrettable, lamentable Jew-hatred, modern evangelicals and the Christian world today mostly show a lot of love, understanding, and acceptance towards the Jews, as it should be.

So yes, it’s true that much of Christianity throughout history has been very hostile to the Jewish people. But it’s a good thing that people recognize a few things. First, it’s important to recognize the essential Jewish roots of Christianity. Secondly, it’s important that Christians recognize that God has an enduring role for the Jewish people in His unfolding plan of the ages. Thirdly, it’s important that Christians should love the Jewish people because God has a particular love for the Jewish people. Again, it’s not a love unto salvation. It’s very grieving to hear some Christian teachers explain this. I’m grateful that there are not many of these, but there are some of them out there. They teach that God has two tracks of salvation: a Christian track of salvation, and a Jewish track of salvation. That’s not true at all. Friends, there’s one way to God. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Any Jewish person who is saved is saved because they put their trust in Jesus Christ. There’s no doubt about that.

However, there is still a chosen place for the Jewish people, not unto salvation, but to have a crucial role in God’s unfolding plan. The Jewish people have a role in God’s unfolding plan of the ages that the Irish people, or Guatemalan people, or Australian people don’t have. Now, I’m not saying that these people have no role in God’s plan. Of course, they do. But there’s a special role for Israel. God has chosen the Jewish people to have this crucial and important role in His unfolding plan of the ages.

Should a person consider re-baptism if they walked away from the Lord for a season?

I was baptized at 17, and lived most of my life as a rebel. Now in my later years, I’m walking with the LORD. Should I get baptized again, because of the way I had lived my life?

I assume that when you were 17, you honestly professed faith and wanted to follow Jesus when you got baptized. It seems like you wandered away from this commitment for years but have now thankfully come back to your faith. This is truly wonderful. Your question is whether you should get baptized again, considering your previous commitment at 17.

While my views may not align with every Christian perspective, I think your initial baptism was valid and meant a genuine rebirth in your faith. I believe that the decision about being baptized again is yours to make, depending on how you interpret your situation. Also, your return to your faith strongly suggests that you were born again at 17. Therefore, I don’t think it’s necessary for you to be baptized again.

If you want to be baptized again, it’s allowed. Some Christians may disagree with multiple baptisms, but I believe differently. “One baptism” in the Scriptures (see Ephesians 4:5) means unity among Christians, not a limit of one baptism per person. In addition, some Christians see a second or third baptism as a rejection of the previous ones, but that’s not necessarily the case. Renewing your commitment is like when married couples renew their vows on important wedding anniversaries. It doesn’t cancel out your initial commitment but strengthens it.

Getting baptized on certain occasions throughout a Christian’s life is perfectly normal as long as it’s not happening too often, which would be uncommon. Baptism can represent a celebration of your faith journey rather than a denial of previous baptisms.

Can a Christian live a sinless life?

Once a person accepts Jesus as Lord and is born again, is it possible for that person to live a life without sinning, with help of the Holy Spirit?

It’s an interesting question. Can a Christian live a sinless life? The answer is a little complicated: yes and no. It depends on how we define sin. Sin can be split into two types: sins of commission (actions we consciously take that are wrong) and sins of omission (when we don’t do what we should). Avoiding omission sins is almost impossible for any Christian. We all fall short in doing what we should do.

Theoretically, if we stay focused on avoiding doing wrong or giving in to temptation, we can resist sin. There isn’t a necessity to yield to these temptations in theory. However, we often give in to them in practice. Although there is no inherent obligation to yield, encountering temptations is inevitable, and we may eventually succumb to them. In theory, Christians can lead a sin-free life, but practically, it’s challenging, and they are likely to sin.

Until we fully achieve salvation in the resurrection and are glorified, we will keep fighting against sin. Just like the analogy Jesus gave at the Last Supper, we may get spiritually unclean, but we can also be purified. Nonetheless, as believers, it’s crucial to recall that we don’t need to sin. We can choose to have faith in God when we are in temptation and ask for His help for victory. By thinking this way, we can see a big improvement in our Christian life and following what is right.

Did Jesus weep because of anger or compassion when Lazarus died?

When Jesus cried over Lazarus’ death, it showed that He was both angry and compassionate. Jesus’ anger stemmed from His profound awareness of the devastating impact of death on humanity. He understood this more deeply than anyone else who has walked the earth. Nobody else understood it as much as He did. Seeing the extensive damage that death had inflicted upon people likely stirred a righteous anger within Him.

Simultaneously, Jesus felt great compassion for the profound pain that Mary, Martha, and their companions were experiencing due to Lazarus’ death. His heart went out to them, and His compassion for their suffering was evident.

In summary, it’s accurate to say that Jesus wept with both anger and compassion when Lazarus died, as described in John chapter 12.

Why do some churches enforce Paul’s instructions for women pastors, but don’t hold male leaders to biblical instructions?

Help me understand why a church would enforce Paul’s instructions for women pastors, but make exceptions for his instructions about men having their house in order, husband of one wife, and no alcohol?

Allow me to share a few thoughts on this matter. Humans are naturally inconsistent, and churches may reflect this in their practices. We often hold different standards in different contexts. While this is regrettable, it is a common aspect of being human.

Nevertheless, there is more to consider. It’s possible to interpret Paul’s instructions in Titus 1 and 1 Timothy 3 for elder and leader qualifications in a legalistic way. For example, these passages mention an elder should not drink too much. But does one instance of excessive drinking disqualify someone from leadership permanently? I don’t think so. These qualifications often refer to an individual’s overall lifestyle and character. Sometimes people use these lists too strictly.

Most of the time, you’re absolutely right; these qualifications are simply ignored or neglected. However, there are cases where people misuse them. In those situations, the goal should be to find individuals with the desired qualities, not to exclude others through legalistic means. So, it could be either inconsistency or a misguided application of these criteria.

However, when discussing women in pastoral positions, it’s essential to emphasize that leadership roles in the church are only designated to qualified men, not just any man and excluding women. God appoints qualified men for these roles. Thank you for understanding this point and your willingness to address it.

If you want to learn more about these topics, visit my YouTube channel. I talk about 1 Timothy 2 and the role of women in teaching positions in the church. I also have a video dedicated to women pastors and my advice for them.

Is it enough to pray for lost celebrities one time?

Pastor David, when I pray for salvation for seemingly lost celebrities such as, say, Seinfeld …is one prayer for him (and others) enough?

One prayer is better than no prayers. But to be persistent in prayer is better still. I hope that makes sense to you. If you’re really burdened for the salvation of Jerry Seinfeld, then pray for him. Pray for him regularly. One prayer in better than zero prayers. Yes, it is. But Jesus encouraged us not only to pray, but to pray with persistence.

What does it mean that the knowledge of sin comes through the Law? What is the purpose of the Law?

That’s a great question. God’s law has multiple purposes. To start, as Paul states in Romans 1 and 2, God gave humans a conscience to reveal sin. This inner sense of sin is present but not always clear. Additionally, our conscience can be shaped by sin. So, God’s law reveals a much clearer, detailed account of what constitutes sin. Essentially, God gave His law to help us comprehend sin more accurately.

The law also emphasizes our reliance on a Savior by defining sin and highlighting our inability to fully comply with it, particularly in its true sense. It shows us our need for a Savior, as we realize our inability to keep the law in its entirety.

Furthermore, the law reveals how God desires us to live according to His general will for humanity. The law has multiple functions that work together to reveal God’s intentions. There is no single purpose of the law, but it plays many vital roles. It serves as a guide, or “schoolmaster,” leading us to Christ and making us aware of our need for a Savior, as Paul writes in Galatians.

The Jewish people’s future as a Christ-accepting people

Zechariah 12:10-12 – And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. In that day there shall be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning at Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. And the land shall mourn, every family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves.”

In the video’s first part, I spent a lot of time discussing God’s future plan for Israel. It’s important to know that God hasn’t abandoned or forsaken Israel and that they have a significant role in His grand design for the ages.

God’s ultimate plan for Israel is for them to believe in Jesus Christ, their Messiah. This is outlined in Romans chapter 11, where Paul affirms that “all Israel will be saved.” It is a great mystery that God is revealing to His church and His people. The plan is revealed in the Old Testament.

The plan is revealed in the Old Testament. The plan is revealed in the Old Testament. One captivating part is the new covenant concept. The Scriptures, such as Ezekiel 11:16, Ezekiel 36:24, and Jeremiah 23:3, depict the new covenant passages. These passages anticipate the restoration of Israel as part of the New Covenant. Restoration isn’t solely about reclaiming land or national power—it involves a revival of true faith in their covenant God, Yahweh, who is fully disclosed through Jesus Christ.

Essentially, as Paul outlines in Romans chapter 11, the Jewish people will ultimately embrace Jesus as their Messiah, leading to the redemption of “all Israel.” It’s worth noting that when Hebrews chapter 11 mentions “all Israel,” it doesn’t necessarily mean every Jewish person but rather the Jewish community as a whole shifting from rejecting Christ to accepting him with repentance and faith.

Zechariah chapter 12, specifically verse 10, is a pivotal passage in this context. It predicts a day when Jerusalem’s people will undergo a deep change. They will see the One they had pierced, mourning, repenting, and trusting Him.

Additionally, I am confident that this godly plan for Israel extends to the millennial era. They will convert to Jesus, their Messiah, just like Paul highlights in Romans 11, where “all Israel will be saved.” This prophecy shows what lies ahead for Israel. Additionally, I am confident that this godly plan for Israel extends to the millennial era. Additionally, I am confident that this godly plan for Israel extends to the millennial era. I believe that Jesus Christ will return and establish His rule over all nations on Earth. During this time, Israel will become an important nation.

Over the centuries, there have been different Christian views on the role of Israel in God’s plan, but it’s important to recognize that God has a significant and lasting plan for Israel in His overall plan for history.

Should preaching be more focused on reminding believers of Bible truths?

Do you feel like there isn’t enough reminder preaching, like Peter taught? Like, when some people know of God’s armor but don’t ever really think about it, because they heard it once before?

This can be a tough issue at times. Sometimes preachers feel like they have to be too fancy, trying to explain things that are entirely new. This need for constant change can cause problems, as teachers try to shock their audience with new ideas.

You brought up a good point. A significant part of a preacher’s job is to remind people of what they already know. It’s worth noting that this practice is supported by the Bible, and even Peter discussed it.

I want to talk directly to Christians, especially those who sometimes go to church and think, “I’ve heard this all before.” The key thing to understand is that pastors are following a biblical tradition when they offer these reminders. However, it’s essential to ask if you’re not only listening but also putting into practice the lessons your pastor teaches. It’s insufficient to claim, “I’ve heard this before.” What truly matters is whether you’re implementing your pastor’s principles. Practical application is even more vital than acknowledging that you’ve encountered these concepts before.

Should the Church give unequivocal support to Israel, even if they reject the Messiah?

Why does the Church teach that we are to give our unequivocal support to Israel, regardless of whether or not they receive Jesus as their Messiah or even stay true to the teachings of the Torah?

As I said before, it’s important to note that the modern State of Israel should not be exempt from scrutiny. Although I believe that Israel has a legitimate right to the land, based on biblical, moral, and political factors, they also have a responsibility to all of their citizens, including Jews, Arabs, and Christians. Additionally, they need to demonstrate fairness and responsibility when interacting with neighboring countries. If they do not meet the expected standards, the international community can hold them responsible. The scrutiny must be applied consistently, as it would with any other nation.

I agree that sometimes, certain Christians’ support for Israel may seem excessive. However, it’s important to understand that supporting Israel does not depend on religious beliefs because Israel is mostly a secular country with many secular Jewish residents. Even though there is a sizable Orthodox Jewish community, it is not the majority. The main reason for backing Israel is due to the ongoing part played by Jewish individuals in God’s plan for mankind, which is based on biblical and political/moral matters, particularly their rightful claim to the land.

It can be troubling when Christians place more emphasis on supporting Israel than on showing love and concern for Palestinian and Christian societies, especially for Arab populations in the region. It’s also important to avoid uncritical support of any entity, even Israel. God’s law applies to everyone.

Do you have any general advice about leading a Bible study?

When leading a Bible study, your responsibility is to teach the Scriptures clearly and understandably. Focus on explaining and applying the Scriptures in a straightforward manner, and avoid trying to be eloquent, as this can cause confusion. Many educators and preachers conducting home Bible studies can face challenges if they strive for eloquence.

Instead, focus on being clear and simple when you explain and apply the Scriptures. You might naturally sound eloquent by doing so, but remember that what people need is simple and clear teachings of God’s truth, not grand speeches.

Fill your heart and mind with the Word of God, then share it in a straightforward manner with others. I hope this guidance helps as you lead your Bible study. God bless your work, as it’s a wonderful undertaking.

Are Jesus, God, and the Lord the same?

I just started learning the Bible, so my question is, are Jesus, God, and the Lord the same?

The Scriptures sometimes use “God” or “Lord” to refer to different facets of the divine, not just Jesus Christ. It’s important to think about the specific context when these terms appear. Is the text referring to God in general? Is it specifically talking about Jesus Christ? Is it mentioning God the Father or the Holy Spirit? These phrases describe the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so the context is crucial.

If you’re new to studying the Bible, it’s great to start by learning how to understand the meaning of a passage by looking at the context. Figure out whether references to God are about Jesus, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, or the Trinity as a whole. Knowing the context is a crucial skill as you explore the Scriptures.

In referring to the Holy Spirit, why is “Helper” capitalized (John 14)? Is it a God-given title?

Why is the word “Helper” or “Advocate” in John 14, referring to the Holy Spirit, capitalized in the Bible? Is it a God-given title?

When talking about the New Testament and the Greek manuscripts, it’s important to know that there is no capitalization in the original Greek manuscripts. Capitalization of titles was included by translators. Therefore, it’s a matter of personal preference whether you consider it a fair or unfair addition.

Personally, I prefer capitalizing titles and pronouns when they refer to God. Since the Holy Spirit is God and is called “Advocate,” it’s right to capitalize the “A” in “Advocate.” However, it’s important to note that this decision was made by translators and not in the original text, which didn’t have capital or lowercase letters.

While some modern Bible translations don’t capitalize titles and pronouns when referring to God, others, such as the New King James, do. This is a matter of personal preference and the decision of the translation team.

Do you believe the earth was created with age?

Do you believe the earth was created with age? Like, at creation, the trees were already big, and Adam was not created as a child – so maybe that is why science thinks the world is so old?

I think it’s likely that God made the world seem older than it is. I have no issues with this idea. Some people don’t agree with this, and it’s a controversial subject. They believe it’s misleading for God to make the Earth look like it has a long history. But I don’t believe that’s true.

Making Adam as an adult doesn’t seem deceptive to me either. I don’t consider it dishonest for God to create Eden with mature trees that look 30 years old or for Adam to seem 20, 25, or 30 years old. This means that I have no problem accepting that God may have created a universe that appears old. Some old-earth creationists might disagree, but I don’t share their concerns.

What does the bible say about patriotism?

In the Bible, we are encouraged to be good citizens of our communities. This means paying taxes, praying for our leaders, and obeying the law. Being a good citizen also means having patriotism, which is loyalty to our country. But this loyalty is not without limits. If a country does evil things, it’s our duty to not get involved and try to change our country’s path if we can.

God divided the world into countries as shown in the Tower of Babel story in Genesis and later passages in the New Testament. This division of countries is God’s plan and indicates that having countries is a good thing. Therefore, it’s okay for citizens to feel proud of their home country. Swedes can be proud of Sweden, French people can be proud of France, Ugandans can be proud of Uganda, and Argentinians can be proud of Argentina. Americans can also feel proud of their country. However, excessive or idolatrous pride should be avoided. It’s important to have a balanced perspective.

Ultimately, the Bible urges individuals to be responsible and law-abiding citizens, and displaying a modest level of love for one’s country can be fitting for such citizens.