Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/73

Contributor - John J. Opmeer

Title - Israel's Silver Anniversary

Topic - Israel

Twenty five years ago, something took place which should not escape the eyes of any Christian who believes in prophetic revelation: a nation was resurrected after a death that lasted some 2500 years: the nation of Israel.

(Part of a message delivered at Hope Reformed Church, Vancouver, on May 6th, 1973.)

On May 14th, 1948, David Ben Gurion read this declaration:

"We, the members of the National Council, representing the Jewish people in the land of Israel and the Zionist movement, have :assembled on the day of the termination of the British Mandate for Palestine, and, by virtue of our national and historic right and of the resolution of the General Assembly of the United Nations, do hereby proclaim the establishment of a Jewish state in the land of Israel ' . . ."

The people of the covenant in a very human way - had returned to their promised land !

At this very moment, May 6th, a memorial torch is burning at the wailing wall, lighted only a few hours ago, at sundown in Jerusalem. Israelis everywhere are celebrating the miracle of 25 years of nation-hood, from its miraculous birth 25 years ago, to its no less miraculous quarter-century of history. The tiny nation, that was threatened with annihilation from its cradle on, has grown and prospered beyond its founders' wildest dreams!

But why should Christians be so specially interested in this nation? Aren't there all kinds of new nations in Africa and Asia? Why make statements on the nation of Israel, at the risk of being accused by both Jew and Arab of meddling in their affairs? A fair question.

The answer is that as Christians we have no choice. We MUST reflect, on the meaning of the nation of Israel! As Christians we are tied in a special way to the biblical people of Israel. God has bound Himself in la special way to the Jewish people. He promised Abraham that he would become the father of a great nation - long before that nation existed. God promised him a land for the nation, a land with which Abraham was not connected by descent. Gold called Israel to be the channel of His blessings for the world. In the history of Israel we are somehow indirectly dealing with God Himself.

Out of that history of Israel came Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ we as Christians are deeply connected with Israel. It is on this olive tree that we gentiles are grafted. Although the Jews were unfaithful, and rejected their Messiah, Gold never rejected them in their calling as covenant people. God's election was UNCONDITIONAL. The given promises are still valid (Romans 11 :28, 29). Including the unconditional promise of the land (Genesis 12:7,17:7, 8; Deut. 4:20,21 ff).

The connection with Israel still exists today. It applies to the Jewish people wherever they live. But it applies in a very explicit way to the state of Israel, which is now the home of close to 3 million of the world's 14 million Jews.

Therefore, it is not for emotional or political reasons that we reflect on the meaning of the state of Israel. It is a task laid upon us by our faith! And as we reflect, let's look again in God's Word.

The Bible speaks of the unique destiny of the Jews to be God's covenant people, and of the unique tie which binds them and the promised land together. But it says much more:

It speaks of exile as God's judgment on the people;

It speaks of a second return to the land as a sign of God's faithfulness (Isaiah 11 : 11, 12; Amos 9 : 14, 15, a.,o.);

It speaks of that return as the necessary condition, before the Jews can reach their real destiny as God's covenant people;

It speaks of a return in unbelief (Ezekiel 36 :24ff; 37);

It speaks of a later revival and turning to the Messiah;

It speaks of times of terrible hardship yet to come to the nation of Israel after these events, a time referred to as 'Jacob's trouble' (Jeremiah 30 : 4 - 7, Daniel 12 : 1), and culminating in the appearance of the anti-Christ.

And all these events: restoration, revival and tribulation, are signs of the end-time. Israel may be able to win military victories now, but in the end its position will be so hopeless that only the direct intervention of Jesus Christ will deliver it. That's why the tribulation referred to will immediately precede the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The future of Israel is certain: it will be short and dramatic, full of glory, then full of trouble.

The question we must soberly face is: Where are we now in this prophetic time-table? What significance does it have that the state of Israel exists, and already celebrates its 25th anniversary? Will there be a 100th anniversary?

We have no right to speak in terms of years, -only in terms of periods. We have no right to state categorically that the birth -of the state of Israel ushered in the final stage of world history. But we CAN and MUST agree on some things:

The return to the land is a confirmation of God's lasting purpose with the Jews; It, is a necessary condition for the events of the end-time; Things are happening now that have been predicted 2000 years and more ago.

God wants us to pay attention to these prophecies! If they were not import-ant they would not be in the Bible. So what is your response.

Does the existence of the state of Israel have anything to say to YOUR faith? Do you believe, on this and other grounds, that the return of Jesus Christ will be soon? And what does this mean in terms of the harvest that must yet be brought in? Yes, these are questions that relate to the 25th anniversary of the state of Israel! What a strange country it is. God is still speaking to us through the Jews!

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