I read an article recently that suggested evangelical support of Israel by American believers is based on the belief that fulfillment of prophecies concerning the Jewish people will usher in the return of Christ and the beginning of His millennial reign. I thought what an odd motive for supporting Israel politically.
While I believe biblical prophecies about the nation of Israel will be fulfilled my reason for supporting Israel is more pragmatic; Israel has been the only consistently reliable ally we have in the region of the Middle East. In my mind we should trust those nations who have proven themselves to be trustworthy and when it comes to political affairs in the Middle East that would be Israel.
The idea that aiding Israel will hasten Christ’s second coming ignores the sovereignty of God in human history. Is it reasonable to believe that what we as humans do can hasten, delay or even stop what God has intended to do on His timetable?
Dr. Michael Brown evidently has written a book challenging the theology behind a pre-tribulation rapture and is getting some pushback from those who support that teaching. Probably the most debated and contested branches of theology within Christianity is eschatology, what believers think about those prophetic passages yet to be fulfilled. Dr. Brown is learning that reality.
He admits in the article his views on the “rapture” of the church were molded by the various books he had read and realized when he read the Bible his views of the rapture seemed inconsistent with what the Scriptures said. So he wrote another book on the subject, even though Solomon said, “the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body,” Ecclesiastes 12:12.
Understanding biblical prophecy was an issue even in the time of Christ. There was the misconception that the Messiah would restore the Davidic kingdom when He came, thus ending the oppressive rule of Rome.
Jesus’ followers thought this right up to the day of His ascension, Acts 1:6. When it comes to end-time prophecy there seems to be the same kind of confusion and it seems to be fostered by an “excessive devotion” to books on the subject. I am not saying reading is a bad thing but too much will only make you more knowledgeable about what other people think; it will not necessarily make you wiser on the subject.
When I am asked about recommended reading on eschatology, I recommend the Book of books.
As Jesus and His disciples are exiting the temple they remark on its beauty and Jesus tells them “not one stone here will be left upon another.” Having broached the matter of future events, they then ask Him “what will be the sign of Your coming?” Jesus then gives them an outline of coming events and begins His remarks with these words, “See to it that no one misleads you,” Matthew 24:4. Read your Bible and pray; you won’t be misled.
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