Does Israel
Figure Into God’s Plans Today?
Introduction:
For many years…people have taken various Bible
passages and applied them to the physical nation state in the Middle East. Premillennialists
believe Jesus will return to establish a millennial reign on earth. Before this
happens, Israel will become a nation again, with the capital in Jerusalem and
the temple rebuilt. Many Americans believe that God has a special plan for
Israel that is yet to be fulfilled. Is there biblical reason to protect/defend
Israel today? Is Israel a fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham?
I. Have the
promises to Israel been fulfilled?
A.
Genesis
12:1-3: land, nation (seed), blessing promise to Abraham. Premillennialism
claims that at least two of these promises have yet to be fulfilled.
B.
All
3 promises have been fulfilled.
1.
12:1
– land promise – Deut 1:8; Josh 1:2-6; 11:23 – the land was
theirs.
2.
12:2
– seed promise – Gen. 46:3; Ex. 1:7; Deut. 1:9-11; Heb 11:11-12
3.
12:3
– blessing promise – Acts 3:24-26; 26:6-7, 22-23; Gal. 3:8-9, 13-16
C.
Other
fulfilled prophecies concerning Israel.
1.
Punishment
for disobedience: Lev. 26:37-39; Deut. 4:25-28; 8:19-20; 28:15
a)
They
were punished: Amos 4:12; 2 Kings 17:7-18
2.
prophecy
concerning 70 years of captivity w/a small remnant to return – Jer.
25:8-14; 29:10-14. Only a remnant would return – not the entire nation.
a)
This
took place in 536 BC. See 2 Chr. 36:22-23; Ezra 1-2; Neh. 1:8-10
3.
Jer.
4:27; 5:18 – Israel would be preserved as a people – but the nation
would be broken, never to be made whole again. See also Jer. 19:7-13; 22:24-30
D.
There
is no comparison between the biblical nation and the modern nation.
II. Looking at
some objections:
A.
Was
the land promised forever in an everlasting covenant as an everlasting possession?
B.
Gen.
13:14-17 – God promises to give Abraham the land forever. See also 17:7-8.
1.
is
the land promise NOT fulfilled?
2.
Forever and everlasting do not always mean “eternity.”
a)
They
most often refer to “future time” and “commonly signify ‘all the days of
life.’”
b)
When
these words are applied to a nation it comprehends “all the time until their
destruction.”
3.
In
the bible, sometimes “forever” things cease.
4.
God
also promised Israel that her holding on to the land “forever” was based upon
conditions of obedience. 1 Chr. 28:8-9.
a)
Disobedience
resulted in her being cast off forever. Deut. 28:45-46
C.
Some
believe that since Abraham did not personally inherit the promises they remain
unfulfilled.
1.
Abraham
inherited ALL of God’s promises through His descendants. See Deut. 26:5
D.
Acts
7:17 – Stephen says time for fulfillment of land promise was approaching while Israel captive in
Egypt.
Conclusion:
A.
The
Jews are no longer God’s special people.
1.
They,
like all men, must come to Jesus for salvation – Acts 4:12
2.
Their
role was to bring the Messiah. This has been completed.
B.
Jesus
is returning. Are you ready?