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Tensions in Israel (FAQs)

Published since 30. Jan. 2025
Bible passages:
Ps 83:3,4; Is 60:21; 2 Sam 7:16; Ezek 37:11,12; Hos 1:9; 2:25
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"They have taken crafty counsel against Your people, And consulted together against Your sheltered ones. They have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'” (Ps 83:3,4)

“Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified.” (Isaiah 60:21)

"And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Sam 7:16)

"Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel." (Ezek 37:11,12)

“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” (Matthew 24:32)

“Then God said: ‘Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.’... I will sow her in the land for Myself. I will have compassion on Lo-ruhamah. I will say to Lo-ammi, 'You are My people!' and they will say, 'My God!'” (Hos 1:9; 2:25)

 

After more than 1800 years, the state of Israel was established again on May 14, 1948. For many, this was a reason to rejoice, but for some neighboring states, it was and still is a thorn in their side. In recent months, the “perennial issue” of the Middle East conflict has become even more topical and explosive.

What does the Bible say on this subject? Does Israel have a right to the land? Will it be overrun? Will this conflict ever end? And what is our role as Christians?

1. Is Israel God's people?

The expected answer is yes. However, we need to be more precise. Israel was God's people in the past and will be again in the future. At present, however, Israel is not the “officially” recognized people of God.

  • Past: There are a number of biblical passages in which God calls the people “my people”. It is interesting that this expression is only found in Genesis 12 (for the first time in Exodus 3:7). Abraham was given great promises with regard to his descendants. Nevertheless, it is only in Egypt that there is direct mention of “God's people”.
  • Present: Israel's unfaithfulness led to a break in the people's relationship with their God. This was sealed by the Jews being deported to Babylon at the end of the time of the kings. The “times of the nations” began (cf. Luke 21:24). From then on, God calls this people “Lo-Ammi”, i.e. “not my people”. Hosea 1:9 explicitly states: “Then God said: ‘Call his name Lo-Ammi, For you are not My people, And I will not be your God.’” From a biblical perspective, there is, therefore, no reason to call the state of Israel, which has undoubtedly existed again through God's providence since 1948, “God's people”.
  • Future: However, the day is coming when God will turn to this people again. “Lo-Ammi” (not my people) will once again become “Ammi” (my people) (Hos 2:25; cf. Rom 9:26). Numerous passages that speak of Israel in the coming kingdom make this clear (cf. e.g. Isa 65:19; Jer 32:38; Joel 2:26-27; Zech 8:7-8). When the Messiah appears and brings the entire nation into the blessing of the kingdom of peace, it will once again be the recognized people of God.

2. Was the founding of the state in 1948 a fulfillment of prophecy?

The prophecies of the Old Testament clearly show that the people of Israel (at least in part, namely the two tribes at first) will be in the land of Israel before Christ appears to establish His kingdom of peace (see, for example, Zech 14). There they will suffer in the tribulation and there the Messiah will save them in the end and establish his kingdom.

The founding of the state of Israel in 1948 was a remarkable step in this direction, especially when you consider that the people of Israel had been scattered across the globe since 70 AD – i.e. for over 1800 years. But is this fulfilled prophecy or preparatory developments?

There are two biblical passages that make some interpreters think of a fulfillment: Matthew 24 and Ezekiel 37. What is this all about?

  • Matthew 24

The Lord Jesus told the disciples: “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near” (Matthew 24:32). The fig tree stands for Israel. We learn here that this “fig tree” will awaken to new life. The question is, however, whether a national or a spiritual revival is meant:

  • Nationally, Israel has certainly been “alive” since the founding of the state.
  • Spiritually, however, Israel will only awaken to new life after the Rapture (Rom 11:25b).

Without wishing to be dogmatic, we are inclined towards the second option, because the signs of life of the fig tree announce that the appearance of Christ, of which the Lord had just spoken earlier, is imminent (vv. 30-31).

The founding of the state in 1948, on the other hand, took place in unbelief and without turning to Christ. Moreover, many decades have passed since then. Consequently, it was not the signal for the appearance of Christ. Nevertheless, the emergence of a state of Israel is a necessary prerequisite for the events of the end times (for example, that the Antichrist will reign as king over Israel in the land of Israel).

  • Ezekiel 37

The question remains as to whether Ezekiel 37 prophesies this return in unbelief. The prophet reports on the “valley of the bones of the dead”, which stand for “the whole house of Israel” (Ezek 37:11). He observes how the bones of the dead (which fill an entire valley) move together, then acquire sinews, are covered with flesh and skin and finally come to life.

From this we can recognize different phases of Israel's restoration: first a return in unbelief, then a formation as a state and then life (which speaks of a spiritual revival). The founding of the state in 1948 could be part of this process, but we cannot prove it with complete certainty (because, strictly speaking, we cannot rule out the possibility of Israel being driven out again and then regathered – even if we think this is very unlikely).

In any case, the founding of the state in 1948 and the return of millions of Jews (today about 7 million Jews live in Israel) have overcome important hurdles that had stood in the way of the fulfillment of biblical prophecy for centuries.

3. Does Israel have a right to possess the land?

Whether the present-day state of Israel has a right to the land of Israel from the perspective of international law (and if so, within what exact boundaries) is not our topic.

What we can say from a biblical perspective is that God made an unconditional promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that their descendants would possess the land.

God also promised David that his descendant would sit on the throne of David forever and rule over Israel (2 Sam 7:16; Jer 23:5-8; 33:17). This descendant is Christ (Luke 1:32).

God will of course fulfill these promises. However, it must be borne in mind:

  • Only a small minority of the ethnic people of Israel will enjoy this, namely the surviving Jews after the seven-year tribulation period (Isa 10:22; Rom 9:27).
  • Today, in the time before the Rapture, Israel cannot derive any right from the Bible to possess the land. However, it does have a “guarantee certificate” in its pocket that it will possess this land in the future, undisturbed and in peace (Jer 23:6).

4. Will Israel possess the land?

There is no doubt about it. From the beginning, God had promised Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Gen 12:7). This promise was sealed with a covenant (Gen 15:18). Later, the promise was made to the whole nation (cf. Lev 20:24).

Israel's unfaithfulness does not change the fact that God keeps His promise (cf. Rom 11:29). God is different from us humans. He keeps what He promises (cf. Num 23:19). This is why Isaiah prophesies with regard to the coming kingdom: “Also your people shall all be righteous; They shall inherit the land forever, The branch of My planting, The work of My hands, That I may be glorified” (Isaiah 60:21).

Joshua 1:4 describes the borders of the land as the people were to occupy it at that time. Israel probably never possessed the land within these boundaries [1]. Only in the coming kingdom will this be literally fulfilled (cf. Ezek 47:13-23).

5. Are there biblical promises that prove that Israel will no longer be driven out of the land?

No. The Bible promises that Israel will possess the land in the 1000-year kingdom. It also assumes that there will be Jews in Israel during the tribulation period. It is silent about what will happen in this respect before the Rapture.

It is reasonable to assume that God has providentially allowed the Jews to return over the past 100 years in order to put the “chess pieces” in the right place for the “end game”. But in the end, we cannot say for sure whether they will be moved again before then. This is simply because the time of the gathering is not the subject of prophecy. The Old Testament prophecy [2] skips over the time between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel (Dan 9:24-27).

6. Will there be an invasion in which Israel is completely overrun?

Since the founding of the state in May 1948, Israel's Arab neighbors have tried several times to destroy Israel. In 1967, for example, the Egyptian president declared that all Jews should be driven into the sea (this was followed by the Six-Day War). Iran has repeatedly issued militant calls for the complete destruction of Israel. So far, all attempts have failed. The likelihood of this succeeding in the near future, of driving the Jews completely out of the land of Israel once again, is very low. What is certain is that after the rapture of the believers, there will be a state of Israel which, despite all the efforts of its enemies, will not be overrun and occupied until God allows it. Even if the political leaders of Israel do not act in faith, God in His providence will still hold His hand over this people for as long as He pleases.

Nevertheless, there will come a time when a mighty invasion will indeed come upon Israel and the land will be completely overrun. The prophetic word clearly speaks of this in several places. All the hardship and suffering that Israel has experienced up to that point will pale into insignificance. The Bible speaks of an “overflowing scourge” that will repeatedly “pass through” the land and “sweep away” the people – “by day and by night” (see Isa 28:18-22; cf. also Isa 8:8; Dan 11:41; Mic 5:4-5).

The prophetic word makes it clear that this invasion will take place in the last phase of the “time of Jacob's trouble” (Jer 30:7), i.e. shortly before the Messiah appears to save the faithful remnant. It will be a terrible time of judgment.

7. Which countries will be involved in this invasion?

Israel has many enemies who share the common goal of destroying the ancient people of God “that they may no longer be a nation, that the name of Israel may no longer be remembered” (Ps 83:5). The psalm quoted shows in detail which enemies these will be. It is the “old enemies” of Israel who will play a role again in the future. The last great invasion will be initiated by one enemy in particular, the “Assyrian” (also known as the “king of the north”). However, Zechariah 12:2 and 14:2 make it clear that other nations are also involved.

In Isaiah 10:5, Assyria is called the “rod” of God's anger and the “staff” in his hand. This makes it clear who this “overflowing scourge” is. The question naturally arises as to what power is actually behind this “Assyrian”. The ancient Assyrian empire encompassed large parts of what are now Iran, Iraq, and parts of Syria and Turkey – countries that all lie to the north of Israel. We conclude that these countries in particular will play a leading role in the coming invasion (the hatred of these countries towards Israel has been particularly strong since 1948).

However, this invasion will only appear to be successful. Israel will not be completely wiped out. Israel is the apple of God's eye. Anyone who touches this people is touching God (Zech 2:12). In times of greatest need, God will intervene and destroy the attackers in one fell swoop (Isa 14:24-27; Dan 11:40-45; Zech 14:1-5 speak of this, for example). The Messiah himself will come to help the oppressed Jews in their greatest need and destroy the attackers. This deliverance will be the beginning of the coming kingdom of peace (Zech 14:9).

8. Where do we as Christians stand on the question of Israel?

Opinions on the question of Israel are not only divided – both in society and among Christians – but also very diverse. From a biblical perspective, it can be stated:

  • The Bible condemns all anti-Semitism (Zech 2:12), but of course also undue harshness towards people of other nations.
  • Christians know what lies ahead for Israel: the masses will follow the Antichrist, a terrible time of tribulation will befall them, the unbelieving part of the people will be judged. Only then will the time of blessing come.
  • Our task as Christians is not political. We do not need to try to fulfill or hasten biblical prophecy. God himself is watching over it.
  • That is why we have no solution to offer for the Middle East conflict. There will only be real peace when the Prince of Peace comes.
  • We pray for the people of Israel – as we do for all people, including those in the Gaza Strip or in Arab countries. It would not be biblical to pray for Israel to receive the blessings today that it will only receive in the 1000-year kingdom. We know that Israel will receive these blessings after they have repented.
  • Our faith in the fulfillment of prophecy does not stand or fall with the events of the day.

Conclusion

Much of what is happening today reminds us of the “endgame” and fits right in: Israel is already present in the land and the expected adversaries from a biblical perspective (see question 7) are already positioning themselves.

Nevertheless, we should be aware that we are neither in the tribulation nor in the kingdom of peace. What we are witnessing today – tragic as it may be – is all “just” a prelude.

Our expectations for the future are not based on the events of the day but on God's word (Mt 24:34-35).

At present, it is the task of all Christians to pray for all who are afflicted and for the salvation of lost sinners and to help spread the gospel.

Footnotes:

[1]: This is not changed by the statement in 1 Kings 5:1: “Now King Solomon was king over all Israel” (1 Kings 5:1). “And Solomon was ruler over all the kingdoms, from the River to the land of the Philistines and to the border of Egypt; they paid tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life” (1 Kings 4:21). These territories were subject to tribute, but they were not part of Solomon's kingdom. Also, the territory that was tributary to Solomon did not extend to the border of the Nile mentioned in Genesis 15 (v. 18), but only to the border of Egypt, which is not the same thing; and Solomon's reign was short-lived and not eternal (cf. Gen. 17:8).

[2]: In the New Testament, there are prophetic references to the Christian period, such as the “latter times” in 1 Timothy 4:1 or the “last days” in 2 Timothy 3:1 or the description of the Christian testimony in the Epistles. However, moral developments are prophesied and no times and dates are mentioned or political events predicted. The reason for this is surely that Christians are to live in immediate expectation of the Rapture (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10; 4:17).

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