The Spiritual Condition of America, Politics, Culture, and Current Events Analyzed Through the Lens of Scripture. Welcome to the Alex McFarland Show. Should the church support the modern state of Israel? Should ministers preach about the support of Israel? And should we, as we say we support Israel, support the government of Israel?
Hi, Alex McFarland here. This is the first of a two-part series on Israel. And as I record this, there is a battle going on in the Middle East. We are only a few hours into the alleged ceasefire between Iran and Israel. And already Iran has broken the commitment to the ceasefire, and Israel has had to retaliate for their own survival.
And a lot of people are confused about the Middle East. And as Christians, I hear so many people say, they'll say, my minister never, ever preaches about prophecy. End times, certainly not from the pulpit, voices support for the Middle East. And then we have literally hundreds of emails that we've gotten over the years where people say, I asked my pastor, why doesn't he speak up for Israel and against the anti-Semitism that we see around and against terrorism? And literally, hundreds of people over the last decade.
Hundreds would say, My pastor told me that the modern state of Israel has nothing whatsoever to do with Bible prophecy, and in fact, the church. Has replaced Israel. I don't believe that, folks.
Now, I respect those that have what I believe is a misunderstanding not only of Scripture, but of history. But I want to respectfully yet passionately call on the church to recognize that the covenant promises of God to Israel are still in effect. And nearly 2,000 years ago, when Christ died on the cross, rose from the dead, and the majority of Jews at that time did not receive Jesus as Messiah, although many, many did. And for 1,900 plus years, we have been in what is often called the church age. I think also this is biblically the times of the Gentiles, although throughout history, there have been both Jew and Gentile saved.
Right now, there are more born-again Jews in the world than at any other time since the First century. In fact, a couple of weeks ago on this very program, I had Dr. Michael Rydelnick, who for 30 years has been a professor at Moody Bible Institute and now at Cornerstone University, a born-again Jewish believer in Messiah. And he said that some decades ago, when he first became a Christian in the aftermath of the Jesus movement, that maybe he and some Jewish friends, they were part of like Jews for Jesus, Chosen People Ministries, there were maybe 250 born-again Jewish people in the world. And he said it was possible, as far as they knew 50 years ago, to know all of the born-again Jewish people in the world.
He said, today, a born-again Jewish believer Can't possibly even know all of the Christian Jewish believers in a part of New York City. There are so many born-again Jewish people today, and of the people in the world that support Israel. That number needs to grow in terms of those that are willing to do a deep dive and look at the truth, look at the history, and realize that an ancient doctrine called supersessionism or replacement theology is not true and should not be preached.
Now, the church is the church, but Israel is Israel. And there will come a day, I believe biblically, that Israel will occupy their land in a state of belief. But we're going to, in this show and the next show, talk about how the belief came about that the modern state of Israel doesn't mean anything. America should not support Israel. And even as we face the current debacle between Iran and America, I think very courageously, and kudos to President Trump for sending the bunker buster bombs to destroy one of Iran's facilities capable of producing nuclear weapons.
No doubt there are more. Putin and China have said that if Iran is without nukes, other nations could supply them, folks. That's why I would say in the strongest possible terms, this is the time to have one's house in order, because some say we could easily escalate into World War III. I just one week ago talked to an American who regularly makes visits to the Knesset in Israel. and they say we are in World War III.
Only God knows. It's fortuitous, I really do believe, that in 60 Days, my next book comes out on 100 questions on Bible prophecy and the end times. I would ask you to please, if you would, consider going online to pre-order a copy published by Broad Street Publishers, the very same publisher that did our last two books on 100 Bible questions and answers. And then two years ago, 100 Bible Questions and Answers for Families. Bert Harper and myself that do Exploring the Word, we've done that show for 15 years.
We have got 100 Bible questions on prophecy and the end times. And it's very interesting. Exactly a year ago as I was writing that book, it was, of course, in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks. But who could have known that the world at this point would be witnessing a standoff? Between Israel and Iran.
And Iran, the Aetolla, had promised some sort of retaliation that would, quote, be talked about for centuries. You know, it's amazing, folks. I just began teaching through the book of Romans, which was written about 1450 BC. And at that point, God told Moses and Israel to take a survey. Because they were in possessing their land.
They needed to be prepared to fight. And here we are, 3,800, 3,900 years later. And it's just as it was that Israel is having to fight for its self-defense and the land that God promised to them. They have to constantly defend their right to occupy.
Well, we're going to have to take a break, and we're going to come in, we're going to get in a lot of scriptures. After this brief break, I'm going to give you the number one scripture used by those that advocate for supersessionism or replacement theology. They've really got one verse, one verse, and I will share what that verse is, and I will explain why that verse cannot be used to defend the position that the church has somehow replaced Israel and that God's promises to Israel about their land and their spiritual state are not nullified by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ nearly 2,000 years ago.
So stay tuned. The first of a two-part series on Israel and why, yes, America and certainly American Christians should support the nation. Of Israel, do not go away. Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert. Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this.
Charlie Kirk is coming to the Grand Strand August 21. He's one of the world's most influential social media voices and one of the people most responsible for the resurgence of young people standing up for America, getting registered to vote, and learning about our Constitution. Hi, Alex McFarland here. You are invited to part three in our speaker series, Conversations That Matter, with Charlie Kirk, Thursday night, August 21, 7 p.m. at the Alabama Theater on Highway 17 in North Myrtle Beach.
For tickets, visit the Alabama Theater website at alabama-theater.com. Hear Charlie Kirk, August 21, and there will be open mic question and answer. For complete information on the speaker series, go to alexmacfarlan.com slash conversations. He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show.
Welcome back to the program. Alex McFarland here. I'm going to read you a verse. that many have shared with me, saying Alex The modern state of Israel has no prophetic significance. And here is their proof text on that, Galatians six, sixteen.
And it says, And as many as walk according to this rule, the Gospel, Peace be on the Israel of God. Let's talk about that enigmatic phrase, the Israel of God.
Now, Paul makes much about the fact that we Gentiles were the wild shoot. grafted in Israel, the true vine, and Jesus, the true Messiah. And Jesus said that he is the vine, and we are the branches.
Well, the Bible also says that salvation is of the Jews, and unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God.
Now, in the first century and during the time of Christ, there were plenty of Jewish believers. The first apostles were Jewish, and there was Nicodemus. He was a ruler of the Jews and certainly a supporter of Jesus and a believer. But we all know the story of the Pharisees and the Sadducees that didn't follow Jesus and they said, Crucify him, crucify him. But the Bible is very clear that the Gentiles were complicit with this, that Jesus was crucified on a Roman cross.
But Galatians 6:16 is often set forth as exhibit A that the church Is now Israel because it contains the phrase the Israel of God. But while there is the spiritual Israel, I mean, if anything. That verse should be used to explain that the Gentiles who were not part of the covenant people of Abraham are now made seed of Abraham by faith in Messiah. I really, and I've read it so many times and tried to consider the larger context, that what Paul is doing, he's blessing all believers. In addition to the believing Jews within the church.
And Paul is actually commending the people for rejecting the false doctrine that you have to add the law of Moses to the gospel to be saved. But you can't really take Galatians 6:16 and legitimately argue that the church is now Israel. And in fact, if we go to Romans 3, 2 and 3, the Bible is very clear. Romans 3 and also Romans 11. But in Romans chapter 3, Paul says this: Has Israel's unbelief nullified the promises of God?
And he says, God forbid. I'm going to read this. He has been arguing that it's not by the keeping of the law that we're born again, but by faith in Jesus Christ. And he says, What advantage then hath the Jew? Or what profit is there of the circumcision?
Part of the Abrahamic rituals that the males would be circumcised. He said, much in every way, because unto the Jews were committed the oracles of God. And that is true. The scriptures, like in John 5:39, when Jesus said, search the scriptures, for they testify of me. At that point, these scriptures, quote unquote, were what you and I would call the Old Testament.
So the written revelation was entrusted to the Jewish people.
Now, verse three of Romans three. Paul asks, For what if some did not believe? Shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? Verse 4, God forbid, yea, let God be true and every man a liar.
Now, I want to read a couple of scriptures and talk about what many have called the everlasting covenant. Because back in Genesis 12 and elsewhere, God promised Abraham land, descendants, and the Messiah. As Dr. H. L.
Harrell Wilmington would say, seed, soil, and a savior. And God Told Abraham in Genesis 12, 1 and 2, I will bless them that bless thee and curse those who curse thee. You know, Tucker Carlson recently had Ted Cruz on, and Ted Cruz was a little bit in the hot seat because Tucker Carlson was pushing back on the idea that God would bless those who bless Israel. And he asked and embarrassed Ted Cruz, where is that in the Bible? And Ted Cruz said he didn't actually know, but he believed it.
And I like Ted Cruz. I've met him a number of times. I wish I had been there to give him some cliff notes. But in Revelation 12, 1 and 2, God told Abraham, I will bless those who bless thee and curse those who curse thee. And I've said many times, the greatest favor that any American president could ever do the U.S.
citizens is to be a good friend of the nation of Israel. Because, as Paul said in Romans 3 here, even though some did not believe, that did not nullify or negate. God's promises to the Jewish people. That's why we say the land belongs to Israel, not only by historical precedent, but by divine right. In Psalm 105, let me read a couple of verses, which is about the Abrahamic covenant.
Psalm 105: Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name, make known among the nations what he has done.
Okay? Remember the wonders he has done, the miracles, the judgments he pronounced. You, his servants, the descendants of Abraham. His chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the LORD our God, His judgments are in all the earth.
Now verse 8 of Psalm 105. He remembers his covenant for ever. the promise He made for a thousand generations the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac He confirmed it to Jacob as a degree to Israel, an everlasting covenant, To you I will give the land of Canaan, as the portion you will inherit.
Okay? So this everlasting covenant. cannot be nullified by man and yes, it involves spiritual promises, but geographical promises. I will give you the land of Canaan as a portion. And of course, we know in March of AD 70, Rome ransacked Israel and the Jews were dispersed.
And Psalm 105, written a thousand years before the birth of Christ, alludes to this. They were few in number, few indeed, strangers wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another. But verses forty two through forty five of Psalm one oh five. God remembered His holy promise given to His servant Abraham. He brought out His people with rejoicing, His chosen one with shouts of joy.
He gave them the lands of the nations. And they fell heir to what others had toiled for, that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the Lord.
Now we've got to take a break. We're going to come back, and I'm going to explain how not only Did this reference the deliverance from the Egyptian captivity? But I think it foretells.
something that Isaiah 250 years after Psalm 105 was written, something Isaiah foretells.
So stay tuned. More about Israel and why we should support her after this. Fox News and CNN call Alex McFarland, a religion and culture expert. Stay tuned for more of his teaching and commentary after this. Do you know prayer is the nerve that moves the muscle of God?
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Read the book, The Assault on America, How to Defend Our Nation Before It's Too Late. He's been called trusted, truthful, and timely. Welcome back to the Alex McFarlane Show. Welcome back to the program. Alex McFarland here.
We're talking about the church, Israel, and should America and American Christians voice support for the nation of Israel? I think we absolutely should. By the way, as I record this, I'm just leaving our third of seven summer youth camps. We've been in Georgia this week with 90-plus teenagers and adults. We've had a number of kids come to faith in Christ, a number that had questions about things like creation versus evolution, atheism, and of course morality and gender, and what does God's word say about sexuality and marriage.
And yes, because as we were having our third camp, the Iran-Israel standoff was unfolding in the news. They had a lot of questions about the end times. And you know, it's really precious to see how. Honestly and innocently, a lot of young people, teenagers, they accept what God's Word says, and it's our absolute honor to do our best to proclaim that. And so, I want to thank all the people that are praying.
We've got a lot going on. Very soon, I'll be at the Cove in Western North Carolina, the Billy Graham Training Center. Please pray for that. We've got a college week this summer in Elgin, Illinois at Judson University. Of course, we've got New Jersey and Colorado and more camps coming up.
And then August 21st, Charlie Kirk in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For our adult summer speaker series, you can go to alexmacfarland.com/slash conversations. We just had a great time with Dr. Gary Chapman. We'll have a wonderful time with Charlie Kirk.
And I'm on the road preaching somewhere every weekend.
So please keep us in prayer. And our growing staff and I, we thank each one of you for your prayers and. Support if you care to invest in what we're doing to teach people of all ages, but especially young people. About God and country. You can go to alexmacfarland.com/slash donate and make a tax-deductible contribution.
If you would mail a check into AMM, as in Alex McFarland Ministries, you could mail that, AMM Alex McFarland Ministries, P.O. Box 485, Pleasant Garden, North Carolina, 27313. As we've been doing for 27 years, we're evangelizing the lost, equipping the saved, teaching, even ministers. We offer now education and tools and resources and equipping for all people to present, explain, and defend the Christian faith. And we appreciate you standing with us as we endeavor to fulfill what Christ has called the church to do, which is the Great Commission.
And you know, in Matthew 28, 18 through 20, Jesus said to teach all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
Now, Jesus taught that we are to evangelize, and Jesus established the church. When Christ was crucified and rose from the dead, the church, as we know it, at least in terms of buildings and facilities, didn't exist. But we build on the foundation that Jesus Christ laid, which is with his own death and resurrection, he gave his body and blood for redemption. But one of the common mistakes that people make is to regard the church as the nation of Israel in the Old Testament.
Now, let me explain. The word church is ecclesia, the called-out assembly. The word synagogue really means those that gather together. And so, in replacement theology, the term synagogue is used almost synonymously with the church, and that's not really an accurate handling of those words. Let me say there are two entities here: there is the church, the group of born-again, blood-bought believers who have put their faith in Christ, and they may be Jew or Gentile.
And of course, Galatians talks about the fact that we're equal in the eyes of God. And Paul in Romans 1:16 says that the gospel of salvation is to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. But God has, as we said in the previous segment, He has His promises operative to the covenant nation of Israel. And one day, Israel will occupy their land in a state of belief.
Now, we all know there is no more hotly contested piece of real estate on planet Earth than what we call the land. Land of Israel. And even calling that land Israel raises the hackles of some people because if you're on an airplane or if you look on many an online map, They misname the Holy Land as Palestine.
Now, in Genesis 12, 7, God promised Abraham that to your offspring I will give this land. And he goes on in Genesis 15, 18, to your descendants I've given this land from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. And so there's much that we can say. And in part two of this, I want to go in depth on the land that was promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob from all the way Egypt to modern-day Iraq, way more than 20,000 square miles. You know, the wilderness wanderings for 40 years when they could have crossed into the land and possessed it at Kadesh Barnea, but they did not.
The land of Israel is at least 175 miles long and 250 miles wide. Even the parcel of land occupied by the Jewish nation now does not comprise all of the land that God has promised to the nation of Israel.
Now, some assert. And I believe mistakenly so, that the church began with the call of Abraham.
Some even go back and they'll say the church began with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. But, as I said in the previous segments, the Israel of God, quote unquote, as referenced in Galatians 6:16, doesn't nullify the covenant promises that God made to Abraham.
So briefly, let me say this. Why should America support the modern state of Israel? Because it is the fulfillment of prophecy. Let me explain this. Prior to May 14, 1948, some of the strong arguments for the allegorizing of Daniel, Revelation, Ezekiel, people that advocated, and very often this is Reform theology about which I also have some things to say.
But prior to May of 1948, there was no. modern state of Israel. And people would say, oh, Revelation four and following must be allegorical. And there was a line of thought called preterism, that the book of Revelation is not prophecy, but history. And I suppose prior to the regathering of the modern nation of Israel, And since AD seventy there had been no national Israel.
And as Psalm 105 alluded to, the Jewish people wandered the earth. I suppose maybe A somewhat compelling argument could have been made that there would be no geographical Israel in the future. But now for seventy seven years. Israel has existed. And to those who say, well, this has no prophetic significance, C.I.
Schofield. Alluded to this, and the late John R. Rice, and these were otherwise good scholars, but they would have asserted that the modern state of Israel. has no significance.
Well, then who is Israel? If it's not the Jews in the land of Israel, then what is Israel? You know, Winston Churchill proposed that Israel restart in Uganda with five million acres down there. No, Israel is Israel. And they are in the land of Israel.
And this is very prophetically significant. One last verse, and then we'll have to pick it up again next time. But Isaiah 11:11. Foretells the regathering. It says, in that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, Babylonia, from Hamath, and from the islands of the Mediterranean.
What is that day?
Well, I believe in this written 750 BC. I think that Isaiah 11:11 foretells that end time period where, yes, God does reclaim and there will be his outreach a second time.
Now, I realize the vast, vast majority of Jews. around the world. and certainly in Israel, do not believe in Yeshua yet. but more and more are. Nevertheless, America has a vested interest in supporting Israel.
They are our longest ally, the only stable democracy in the Middle East, hands down, best military intel in the world. Spiritual considerations aside, We should support Israel, if for no other reason, because it is a safer world. When the believers in the Mosaic moral foundation, are the superpower in the Middle East, not a caliphate, not terrorists, not Muftis and Islamic clerics that believe in the world wide domination by Islam.
Now we've got to pull away, but we've got a book coming out: 100 Bible Questions on Prophecy in the End Times. Alex McFarlane saying, Stand strong for truth. May God bless you. And as Psalm 122 verse 6 says, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Alex McFarlane ministries are made possible through the prayers and financial support of partners like you.
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