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6. BECAUSE WE ARE TO "COMFORT GOD’S PEOPLE"
In Isaiah, God speaks 'Comfort, comfort my people says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins'. (Isaiah 40:1-2)
  
This is a call to Christians to comfort the Jewish people. Isaiah also envisions that the leaders of the nations would help the Jewish people and nurture them in their regathering. 'Thus says the Lord God: "Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations, and raise my signal to the peoples; and they shall bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Kings shall be your foster fathers and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you and lick the dust off your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame." (Isa 49:22-23)

God says that the Gentiles will nurture the Jewish people and assist them in their reentry to their land. It is our divine mandate to help them for their own sakes and for the fulfillment of their unique call. Gentile believers must do more than observe what God is doing with the Jewish people...God is asking us to get involved in helping them!

 
7. BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE REPARATION FOR ANTI-SEMITIC TEACHINGS AND ACTIONS
Throughout the history of the Church, since the second century, Christian leaders have been guilty of the most vicious anti-Semitic remarks. These remarks have provided the basis for despots throughout the centuries to this day to ridicule, discriminate, and even kill the Jewish people. Often those who claimed to be followers of the Messiah (Rescuer of Israel, and the One who has taught us how to love and forgive) have perpetrated these actions. Can we blame the Jews for so often resisting a Messiah whose followers were anti-Semitic? In justice as well as in charity we need to make reparation for the tragic record of Christianity (both in its Catholic & in its Protestant forms) in its dealings with the Jewish people. We who should have been their nurturers; have so often been their enemies and tormentors. The spirit of anti-Semitism did not begin or end with Adolf Hitler but can find a landing ground on Christians who have not been awakened to their responsibility towards Israel.

The heretical teaching that the Church has replaced Israel has been taught since the second century. This teaching is faithful neither to the Old Testament nor New Testament Scriptures. Though most nations and churches denounce anti-Semitism today, anti-Zionism is still widely acceptable. It is the new anti-Semitism. Opposition to Israel's right to fulfill their God given destiny in the land of promise is the most dangerous form of anti-Semitism today.


8. BECAUSE GOD IS WORKING WITH THEM TO WORK OUT HIS PLAN FOR WORLD PEACE
Romans 11:15: 'For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?' The Messiah is coming back to Israel to be reconciled with His own people. He will reign from there with His overcoming saints 'from every tribe and tongue and people and nation' over all the nations. (Rev. 7:9; 11:15)
Isaiah 2:3 'For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.' World peace is coming. The fullness of the Messianic age is coming. But first there will be the destruction of all systems and kingdoms that ignore God’s Messianic plan.

- If you want world peace. Pray and help the Jewish people;
- If you want to see the Church restored, pray for and help the Jewish people:
- If you want to see the Messiah return, pray for the restoration of Israel.
- If you want to see your nation and all the nations including the Arab nations) blessed, pray and work for it to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, and resist anti-Semitism.
- If you want your own life to be blessed, help and bless the Jewish people
- If you want your life to prosper, pray for the peace of Jerusalem.


7. PRACTICAL THINGS BELIEVERS CAN DO TO HELP ISRAEL
1. Study and understand what the Bible has to say about God's plan for Israel & the Jewish people.

2. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem and for God's purposes for the Jewish people. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love you" (Psalm 122.6).

3. Teach your church to stand with Israel. Organize a pro Israel event or seminar in your church or city each year to encourage biblical solidarity with God's plan for the Jewish people and Israel. This will bring a blessing on your church and city.

4. Support (financially and otherwise) Christian agencies that help the Jewish people return to Israel and settle in their land. E.g. “The International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem”.

5. Share the Messiah with the Jewish people in the context of their own faith, destiny, and scriptures.

6. Refuse to support anti-Semitic sentiments in public and social life. Where appropriate speak out as the Spirit leads in wise and loving ways e.g. notify politicians and/or media of your views.

7. Visit Israel if possible. This is a practical way to learn about the people and support them and their economy. "Walk about Zion and go all around her. Count her towers mark well her bulwarks. Consider her palaces that you may tell it to the generations following." (Psalm 48:13)

In this time of international travel should we not all consider making Jerusalem our destination of choice?


You may translate and copy this tract, provided no changes are made and source is acknowledged.

Address all mail to:

Paul & Nuala O'Higgins
Reconciliation Outreach
P.O. Box 2778
Stuart, FL 34995, USA

Tel: 772-283-6920

e-mail:paulandnuala@att.net

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