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After the Holocaust of WW2, when one third of the Jewish population was decimated, the Jews came out with a slogan, never again. However, back in 2018, on Israel’s 70th anniversary, there was an article in the New York Times which had this to say, Today, 70 years later, you have the feeling for the first time that history could repeat itself… that it’s not out of the question.” And the article ends with the words: Never again (followed by three dots)— probably” (NYT April 8th 2018). That was 7 years ago and before the events of October 7, 2023, and today, this feeling of uncertainty has not gone away and is even stronger, as antisemitism is drastically rising before our eyes. How many Jewish people have you met who have not been affected by this feeling of being hated?
Today, we often hear the word Zionism. To some it is a beautiful word, but to many it is offensive. What is Zionism? It is a biblical term that speaks of the right of the Jews to their God given land of Israel. Zion is another name for Jerusalem. The first time it occurs is in 2Samuel 5:7 when, 3000 years ago, David captured the stronghold of Zion, this being the city of David. Since that time Jerusalem became known as the eternal city of the Jewish people.
After the Davidic period, this name is mentioned throughout scriptures another 162 times and the last time the word Zion occurs is in the Book of Revelation, where it is directly associated with Jesus at His Second Coming when He will establish His earthly kingdom. Here we read in Revelation 14:1 John saying: Then I looked, and behold, the Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.
Mount Zion is the site where Jerusalem stands today. And so, being Zionist means that whether Jew or Gentile, one believes what the Bible says, that Jerusalem belongs to the Jewish people and that it will be the capital city from where Yeshua will reign during the Messianic Times. It is because of this biblical truth that there is such so much opposition, so much spiritual warfare around this city, all with the attempt to prevent this final prophecy from being fulfilled.
In Islam, many are holding onto Jerusalem as their religious holy place. In fact, this was at the heart of Hamas’ attack on October 7th. Did you know what they named their assault on Israel? The Al Aqsah Storm. Al Aqsah is the name of the mosque on the Temple Mount, yet Gaza is far from this place.
But it is not only the Muslims who are set against Zionism and the idea of Jews having the right to this land. We see this even with the majority in nominal Christianity. These are the replacement theologians believing that Israel is today an accident of history and that she has been replaced by the church, yet when it comes to Jerusalem, they all seem to be very Zionist at heart. They are not supporting the biblical promises of God but rather advocating for Jerusalem’s special international status; that it belongs to everyone but not to Israel.
And along with them, there are many Jewish voices who fight Zionism, who fight against Israel. Just last week, it was reported that many protesters from a group called Jewish Voice for Peace, entered the Trump Towers in New York city demanding that Columbia University protest organizer Mahmoud Khalil be released. They were heard chanting, “Jews for Palestinian Freedom and “Stop Arming Israel”. It was also sad to learn that one prominent synagogue in Chicago calls itself anti-Zionist, that is, it is against the existence of the state of Israel and accuses it of crimes and genocide. This synagogue is a growing congregation which, since of October 7 2023, doubled its size to 430 families. It makes it a point to advertise its anti-Zionist stand.
When Jews turn against their own people and their land, it may stem from a deep fear; perhaps society’s pressure to fit in or a fear of antisemitism. So, to self-preserve, they join the enemy. However, this also shows us the degree to which some Jewish people and Christians have turned away from the biblical understanding of their identity and purpose. If you lack biblical insight or respect for the Word of God, then your counsel comes from the world, and this serves to fuel anti Israel sentiments.
Zion, Jerusalem, and the Temple Mount are terms that evoke strong emotions today. However, these same words ultimately affirm that this land belongs to God and has been given to the Jewish people. Seeing all these things, we are truly living in very unstable times but in all of this we know that our Lord is sovereign and in whom we can take refuge great comfort.
In the News