In today’s world, many Christians—especially in the West—confuse being “pro-Israel” with being faithful to the Bible. The assumption goes like this: Israel is God’s chosen nation, therefore to oppose its political actions is to oppose God. But Scripture itself tells a different story. To understand it, we need to separate three things: being anti-Jewish (which is wrong), being critical of Zionism (which is political), and being faithful to Christ (which is eternal).
The Vineyard That Was Taken Away
In Matthew 21:33–44, Jesus tells a parable of a vineyard. God planted Israel, sent His prophets, and finally His Son—but the rulers rejected and killed Him. The result? “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.”
Jesus Himself declared that the covenant privilege would not remain with ethnic Israel after rejecting the Messiah. The vineyard was not destroyed—but it was handed to others. The New Testament calls these “others” the Church: those united to Christ, whether Jew or Gentile.
Who Is the True Jew?
The Apostle Paul was explicit:
- Romans 2:26–29: “A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly … A person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit.”
- Galatians 3:26–29: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile … If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to the promise.”
The true seed of Abraham is not defined by bloodline or geography but by faith in Christ. This radical truth reframes the debate. A Palestinian who follows Jesus is, by Scripture’s own definition, more truly a “Jew” than an Israeli leader who rejects Him.
Earthly Jerusalem vs. Heavenly Jerusalem
Paul’s allegory in Galatians 4 is stunning:
- Earthly Jerusalem corresponds to Hagar—the covenant of bondage.
- Heavenly Jerusalem corresponds to Sarah—the covenant of promise.
This means modern political Jerusalem, apart from Christ, is not the city God delights in. Hebrews 12 and Revelation 21 point us forward to the Heavenly Jerusalem, the eternal city of God, descending at the end of the age. That is the Jerusalem we should long for—not a geopolitical capital caught in endless war.
The Cost of Misplaced Allegiance
When Western Christians equate loyalty to Christ with loyalty to the modern state of Israel, two tragedies follow:
- Scripture is distorted. The kingdom of God becomes a political project instead of a spiritual reality.
- Brothers and sisters are forgotten. Palestinian Christians—baptized believers, filled with the Spirit—are caught between Muslim hostility and Israeli occupation, while Western churches cheer for Israel without remembering them.
What message does that send? To the world, it says we care more about ethnicity than about Christ. To our fellow Christians, it says we will stand with their oppressors before we stand with them.
The Equal Value of Every Child
Images of fathers carrying lifeless children—Palestinian and Israeli alike—expose the folly of our tribalism. Do we really believe Jesus values one child’s life more than another’s? The Gospel answer is clear: in Christ, there is neither Jew nor Gentile. Every child is precious, every victim of war mourned by God.
The cycle of vengeance only breeds more hatred. Jesus’ call to “turn the other cheek” is not passivity—it is the only path that breaks the chain of retaliation. Without it, there will be no peace, only escalating grief.
The True Allegiance
The New Testament leaves no room for national favoritism:
- God’s chosen people are those in Christ.
- God’s chosen city is the Heavenly Jerusalem.
- God’s chosen kingdom is not of this world.
To be pro-Zionist is to fight for a nation that Scripture itself describes as bondage apart from Christ. To be pro-Jesus is to stand with His kingdom, transcending every border, ethnicity, and politics.
The question, then, is not “Are you pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?” The real question is: Are you pro-Christ? Because in the end, His kingdom will swallow every human government—Zionist, Islamic, Western, or otherwise. Only one kingdom remains. The Kingdom of Heaven.
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Here’s a point-by-point breakdown of the transcript.
1. Distinction Between Anti-Jewish and Anti-Zionist
- Speaker insists: being critical of Zionism ≠ anti-Jewish.
- Emphasizes love for Jesus (a Jew), and reverence for Mary (a Jewish woman).
- Claims that conflating criticism of Zionism with anti-Semitism is a false accusation used to silence.
2. Biblical Basis for Rejecting Modern Israel as “God’s Chosen People”
- Argues many Christians wrongly believe modern Israel remains God’s chosen people.
- Matthew 21:33–44 (Parable of the Vineyard):
- Landowner = God; Vineyard = Israel; Tenants = rulers of Israel.
- God sent prophets → rejected. Finally sent His Son (Jesus) → killed.
- Result: Kingdom of God taken away from Israel and given to others.
- Conclusion: Jesus explicitly declared that Israel’s privileged role was removed.
3. Redefinition of “True Israel” in the New Testament
- Matthew 8:10–13: Jesus praises a Roman centurion’s faith above all in Israel.
- Gentiles (from east & west) will sit with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob → Jews who reject Jesus will be “cast into outer darkness.”
- Romans 2:26–29:
- True Jew = inward transformation (“circumcision of the heart”).
- Gentiles who obey God’s law are considered “true Jews.”
- Ethnic Jews who break the law are not true Jews.
4. Argument Against Zionism
- Zionism described as anti-Christian, anti-Gospel, and abomination before God.
- Christ’s kingdom doesn’t endorse any human government (Zionist, Muslim, or otherwise).
- Christians should be pro-Jesus, not pro-Israel or pro-Palestine.
5. Galatians 4:21–31 — Earthly vs. Heavenly Jerusalem
- Paul uses allegory of Sarah vs. Hagar:
- Hagar = Mount Sinai covenant, present Jerusalem, bondage.
- Sarah = promise, freedom, Heavenly Jerusalem.
- Conclusion:
- Modern, earthly Jerusalem corresponds to bondage (Hagar).
- True Jerusalem is above, the Heavenly city, revealed at Christ’s return.
- Those clinging to Mosaic law without Christ = spiritual descendants of Hagar/Ishmael.
6. True Seed of Abraham
- Galatians 3:15–29:
- God’s promise to Abraham → fulfilled in Christ (“seed,” not “seeds”).
- All who belong to Christ (Jew or Gentile) = Abraham’s true descendants.
- “There is neither Jew nor Gentile … for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
- Example given:
- Netanyahu (rejects Jesus) vs. a Palestinian who believes in Jesus.
- In God’s eyes → the Palestinian Christian is the true Jew.
7. Critique of Western Evangelical Pro-Israel Stance
- Western Christians accused of forgetting Palestinian believers.
- Palestinian Christians suffer from both sides:
- Rejected by Muslims for being Christian.
- Neglected or harmed by pro-Israel policies.
- Evangelicals in America prioritizing Israel ignore brothers and sisters in Christ who are Palestinian.
8. Human Cost of War
- Describes images of fathers carrying dead children (both Israeli and Palestinian).
- Argues: God does not value Israeli children more than Palestinian children.
- Wars only deepen cycles of hatred and vengeance; no side “wins.”
- Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek” is presented as the only way out of endless retaliation.
9. Heavenly Jerusalem as True Hope
- Hebrews 12:22–24; Revelation 21:
- The real Jerusalem is Heavenly.
- At the end, New Jerusalem descends, God dwells with His people, and suffering ends.
- This Jerusalem—not the earthly one—is what God delights in.
10. Final Appeal
- Being “pro-Israel” in the political/Zionist sense is framed as:
- Betraying scripture.
- Neglecting suffering Palestinian Christians.
- Elevating ethnicity and land over Christ’s kingdom.
- True allegiance = to Jesus and His kingdom, which transcends ethnic, national, and political boundaries.
Core Themes
- Theological: True Israel = those in Christ, not ethnic lineage.
- Political: Zionism = distortion of scripture, incompatible with Gospel.
- Moral: All children (Israeli & Palestinian) are equally loved by Christ.
- Pastoral: Western Christians risk betraying their brothers and sisters in Christ if they blindly support Zionism.
