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Answers :
Christians
are certainly instructed to preach the gospel. In fact Paul
says we should preach it to the Jew first. Romans 1:16 For
I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God
for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and
also to the Greek.
Since
our very salvation came to us through the Jewish people (Jesus
said in John 4:22 “Salvation is of the Jews), we now have
a debt to repay and are instructed to do so.
Romans
15:27 For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things,
they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.
Read
the whole of Romans 11, particularly verses 11-15 and 30 -
31.
11 I say then, they (the Jews) did not stumble so as to fall,
did they?
May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has
come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
12 Now if their transgression be riches for the world and
their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will
their fulfillment be!
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then
as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen
and save some of them.
15 For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world,
what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
30
For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have
been shown mercy because of their disobedience,
31 so these also now have been disobedient, in order that
because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown
mercy.
From
Kay Garbutt,
Bruce & Kay are the Australian National Directors (for
the
International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem
Visit their
website for more information
God's
garden has many flowers, and preaching the gospel is certainly
one of the brightest. But to ignore other aspects such as
Spiritual growth, or -- in this case -- our Lord's warning
to his disciples (and those of us who follow after them) is
naiveté at best. One has to jettison all of the Old Testament
(not to mention half of the New) in order to assume that the
regathering and eventual redemption of Israel is other than
front and centre stage in the end of days. Christian maturity
is to appropriate the whole message of the Kingdom of God,
not just the part we happened to cut our spiritual teeth on.
 This
answer was sent to us from Victor Schlatter, Director
of South Pacific
Island Ministries
Telling
people the good news about Yeshua is very important. However
Israel is also important to God. Isaiah 62 gives a clear command
on how we should view Israel. It says, For Zion's sake I will
not keep silent, for Jerusalem's sake I will not remain quiet,
till her righteousness shines out like the dawn, her salvation
like a blazing torch. The nations will see your righteousness,
and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name
that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
Now
note, how many times we have applied this to ourselves, and
rightly so for the Church has been grafted in to the Olive
Tree (Israel), however, note to whom the prophet is speaking
to : For Zion's sake I
will not keep silent, for Jerusalem's
sake I will not remain quiet, it is to Israel and
the Jewish people.
It
continues... : You will be a crown of splendour in the LORD's
hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. No longer will
they call you Deserted, or name your land (Israel) Desolate.
When
Mark Twain went to visit Israel he wrote about it and described
it as a "DESOLATE LAND" .... its certainly not that now...
" But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah;
for the LORD will take delight in you, and your land will
be married. As a young man marries a maiden, so will your
sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so
will your God rejoice over you.
NOTE
: I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they
will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD,
give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes
Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. (Isaiah
62:1-7)
God says "I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem;
they will never be silent day or night. Why is He concerned
with Jerusalem? Well, where else is Jesus going to return
to? It won’t be London or New York, or even the Vatican City
( but don’t let the Pope know ~ he’s just spent thousands
of pounds on a new red carpet). No, it’s to Israel He will
return, His feet will once again stand on the Mount of Olives,
and He will rule from Jerusalem.
Why
do you think Satan is fighting over the Land of Israel today?
Why do you think Islam is growing, demanding in the name of
Allah to give the Land to the Palestinians?
What
other reason is there to give credit to the world’s media
constantly being focused on this tiny piece of land?
Answer
from David Soakell of Christian
Friends of Israel, UK
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