Well, good morning, or good evening, wherever you are reading this from. Let's open our hearts to the Word of God tonight, because there's something stirring in my spirit about this whole business with Israel.
You know, I've been watching the news, and listening to what's being said out there, and it grieves me. Since that terrible attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, there has been this wave of antisemitism rising up and again, people are turning against the Jewish people in ways that remind me of the dark days we've seen before.
And now, even in interviews and online chatter, folks are pushing these old, worn-out ideas that try to say the Jews today aren't really the same people God promised the land to. It's sad, but it's nothing new. The enemy has always tried to undermine God's Word.
I was thinking about that recent conversation Ambassador Mike Huckabee had with Tucker Carlson over at Ben-Gurion Airport in Israel, just yesterday.
Mike, bless his heart, is a brother who loves the Lord and stands firm for Israel. But in the interview, Tucker kept pressing on this notion that maybe the Ashkenazi Jews, the ones from European backgrounds, aren't truly descended from the ancient Israelites of the Bible.
Instead, some say they came from this old Khazar kingdom way back in the Middle Ages, a group of Turkic folks who converted to Judaism. Mike came back strong in his follow-up statement, calling it what it is: a discredited conspiracy theory, something that started in fringe circles years ago with people like David Duke and has been picked up by antisemites online, including some names we've heard lately like Candace Owens or Nick Fuentes.
Now, let's be clear, folks. Mike pointed out the facts ~ Ashkenazi Jews are only about 35-40% of Israel's population today. Most are Sephardic or Mizrahi Jews who've kept their roots right there in the Middle East all along. And science, genetics, history, and archaeology back it up.
Modern Jews trace back thousands of years to the biblical people. There's no real evidence for this Khazar origin story; it's been debunked over and over. But why does it keep coming up? Because it's a tool to delegitimise Israel, to call God's people impostors and strip away their history in the land. Don't buy it! The devil loves to twist truth to stir up hatred.
But praise the Lord, we don't have to lean on man's arguments. We have the sure Word of God! Turn with me in your Bibles to Romans chapter 11. Paul asks the question straight out: "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not!" in Romans 11:1. Paul himself was an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, tribe of Benjamin, and he says, "God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew" (vs. 2). Later he says they're "beloved for the sake of the fathers," and "the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (vv. 28-29). Irrevocable! That means God's covenants with Abraham, the land, the seed, the blessing, cannot be cancelled. God doesn't go back on His Word. Even though there's been a partial hardening for now, so the gospel could go to the Gentiles (that's us!), God hasn't finished with national Israel. "All Israel will be saved" (vs. 26). That's exciting! Isn't it!
Now flip back over to Ezekiel 36 and 37, here you will find some of the most thrilling prophecies in the Bible. In chapter 36, God tells the mountains of Israel, "I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land" (vs. 24). Then comes the spiritual part: "I will sprinkle clean water on you... I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... you shall be My people, and I will be your God" (vv. 25-28). Physical restoration first, bringing them back to the land, and then spiritual renewal.
We've seen the physical part happening since 1948, when Israel became a nation again after 2,000 years of scattering. And in 1967, when they regained Jerusalem, man, that was a fulfilment of prophecy right before our eyes! The time of the Gentiles was being fulfilled.
Then chapter 37, the valley of dry bones. God asks Ezekiel, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And Ezekiel says, "O Lord God, You know." God says prophesy, and the bones come together, flesh comes on them, breath comes in, and they live!
It's a picture of Israel ~ scattered, dead nationally for centuries, but God says, "I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves and bring you into the land of Israel" (vs. 12). He's doing it, folks, regathering them from the four corners, just like Isaiah 11 says: "The Lord shall set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant of His people... from the four corners of the earth" (vv. 11-12).
This isn't replacement theology, that the church has taken Israel's place. No, God grafted us in as wild olive branches, but don't boast against the natural branches (Romans 11:18). God's plan includes both. And in these last days, with all the deception swirling, we need to stand firm, pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6), and pray that many Jewish people will recognise their Messiah, Jesus.
So don't get sucked into these conspiracy theories that try to erase God's promises. But hold fast to the Scriptures. God is faithful. He who scattered Israel will regather them, cleanse them, and pour out His Spirit. The Lord's coming is near, and when He returns, He'll establish His kingdom with Israel at the centre. What a day that will be!
If you're reading this and your heart is stirred, just pray right now: "Lord, thank You for Your irrevocable promises. Help me stand with Your people Israel. Open eyes to the truth, and come quickly, Lord Jesus!"
God bless you all. Keep looking up ~ our redemption draws near.
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