Why Israel Matters to Christians: A Message Inspired by Pastor Vlad Savchuk

Exploring the Biblical Foundations of Christian Support for Israel

In a world filled with diverse cultures and beliefs, one topic often sparks profound discussions and contemplation among Christians: the significance of Israel. This conversation is inspired by the teachings of Pastor Vlad Savchuk, the visionary leader of Hungry Generation Church in Washington state, whose insights shed light on the deep connection between the Christian faith and Israel.

God's Covenant with Israel

Israel, a nation the size of New Jersey and with a population that constitutes a mere 0.22% of the United States, holds a special place in the hearts of many Christians. It is vital to understand the theological foundation for this connection.

God's relationship with Israel can be traced back to His covenant with Abraham and his descendants. As outlined in Deuteronomy 7:6-8, God chose Israel as His special people due to His love for them and His promise to their ancestors. Israel is often described as the "apple of His eye" (Zechariah 2:8-10).

Deuteronomy 7:6-8 (NIV) ⁶For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. ⁷The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. ⁸But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Zechariah 2:8-10 (NIV) ⁸For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— ⁹I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. ¹⁰“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord.

This divine selection of Israel is part of a broader plan. God promised that through Abraham's seed, who is Christ (Genesis 22:18; Galatians 3:8), nations would be blessed. This blessing ultimately came to fruition when Jesus, a descendant of Israel, became a blessing to the entire world.

Genesis 22:18 (NIV) ¹⁸and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”

Galatians 3:8 (NIV) ⁸Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.”

The Promised Land

God's promise of land to Abraham and his descendants, which included regions from Egypt to Iraq (Genesis 12:7), eventually led to the entry of Israel into the Promised Land around 1,400 BCE. It's essential to recognize that Israel's historical connection to this land precedes the arrival of Islam in 636 AD. The region of ancient Israel was historically Jewish, and this land is considered a permanent gift from God.

Genesis 12:7 (NIV) ⁷The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

The Role of Jesus

Jesus, who identified Himself as the prophesied Davidic King to restore Israel (Acts 3:19-22), played a pivotal role in God's plan. However, the rejection of Jesus by the Jews, as foretold by Isaiah (Isaiah 52-53), led to a shift in His mission. He instructed His disciples to spread the good news to all nations, fulfilling Abraham's mission to bless the nations (Genesis 12:2-3).

Acts 3:19-22 (NIV) ¹⁹Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, ²⁰and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. ²¹Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. ²²For Moses said, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you.

Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV) ²“I will make you into a great nation,     and I will bless you; I will make your name great,     and you will be a blessing. ³I will bless those who bless you,     and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth     will be blessed through you.”

Debunking Replacement Theology

The concept of replacement theology, which suggests that the church has taken over Israel's role in God's plans, is incorrect. It implies that God has finished with Israel and that He broke His promises to Abraham and David. However, God is faithful to His promises.

The "hardening" of Israel's hearts, their disbelief in the Messiah, is neither complete nor permanent. Some Israelites continue to have faith, and this state will persist until the "fullness of the Gentiles" is realized (Romans 11:25). Ultimately, all of Israel will find salvation (Romans 11:26).

Romans 11:25 (NIV) All Israel Will Be Saved ²⁵I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in,

Romans 11:26 (NIV) ²⁶and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion;     he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.

The Second Coming of Jesus

Jesus' mission consists of three phases: prophet (earthly ministry), priest (the cross), and king (the second coming). His Second Coming will be a visible, personal, tangible, and glorious event, during which He will descend onto the Mount of Olives, ending the great tribulation and saving Israel (Zechariah 14:4).

Zechariah 14:4 (NIV) ⁴On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

In conclusion, God's plan for Israel is not yet complete, and it's crucial for Christians to continue praying for them. We stand with Israel, recognizing that every author of the Bible was Jewish, as is our Savior. While acknowledging that Israel, like any nation, has its imperfections, we reject whataboutism propaganda suggesting that these imperfections justify attacks against them.

As we eagerly await Jesus' Second Coming, our mission remains unchanged: to spread the good news and disciple the nations. Rather than fearing the end times, we should live on fire for Christ, passionate about our faith.

Acknowledgment

This article is inspired by the teachings of Pastor Vlad Savchuk from Hungry Generation Church in Washington state, whose insights have illuminated the significance of Israel in the Christian faith.

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