Opposition to Zionism: Biblical and Rabbinical

Biblical Opposition to Zionism

James Knox has stated that “Everything God gave to Israel before Calvary still belongs to the nation of Israel after Calvary.” Instead of supporting his claim from Scripture, Knox launched an ad hominem attack on a Christian who stated that Israel presently has no right to the land. Therefore, the question must be asked, “Does God’s Word support or refute Knox’s claims?” In a previous sermon on the evening of Oct. 29, Knox cited God’s promise to Abraham, with its blessings and curses, as a mandate for Christians to support the modern state of Israel. But what did God actually promise to Abraham?

Gen. 12:1-3, 7 “Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed… And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.”

God promised to bless Abraham and the world through his Seed, Jesus Christ, yet this blessing is continually misapplied to the Jews and to Israel to justify the counterfeit State of Israel before the return of Jesus Christ. God’s promises to Abraham were given to Jesus Christ and to those alone who believe in Him, and this condition was not subsequently changed by the giving of the Law to Israel. Salvation has always been by faith in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile, under the Adamic, Abrahamic, Old Covenant, New Covenant or the Tribulation period

Gal. 3:13-17 “Christ hath redeemed us out of the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one hanged upon a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, and to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.”

Rom. 9:6-8 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

God’s covenant with Israel was conditional on their obedience to the Law. Because of their continued unbelief and disobedience, God gave Israel and Judah a bill of divorce. (Jeremiah 3:8)

The culmination of the Jews’ rebellion against God was their crucifixion of Jesus Christ, for which their nation was desolated and the Jews dispersed and their religious system ended. (Matt. 23:37-39) For their deicide, the Jews invoked a curse upon themselves and their descendants. (Matt. 27:25)  Nor have the Jews repented for crucifying their Messiah, but have vilified and blasphemed Jesus in their Talmud.

The Tribulation period will be the “Time of Jacob’s Trouble” during which two thirds of the Jews in Israel will die. When Jesus shall descend to the Mount of Olives, He will be recognized and mourned by the Remnant of Jewry. (Zech. 12:10-11; 14:2)

Zechariah 13:6, 8-9 “And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends… And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.”

When God regathers His believing Remnant it will be in deep repentance, an inward and spiritual work of the Holy Spirit who will give them new life and new hearts. (Ezek. 36:24-28, 11:17-21, 37:12-14, and many other passages.)

Jesus will then establish His Millennial Kingdom. (Rev. 19:15; 20:4)  Israel and the Remnant of Jacob will be the head of the nations during the Millennium. (Micah 5:7-8)  Whereas ancient Israel was spoken of as divorced (Jeremiah 3:8) and as a widow (Lamentations 1:1; Isaiah 54:4), in the Millennium, Isaiah 62:4 will be fulfilled: “The Lord delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.”

Rabbinical Opposition to Zionism Historically

While many pastors today, like James Knox, are Zionists in full support of the counterfeit State of Israel, many Rabbis have lost their lives opposing Zionism. It’s shameful that these rabbis, having less light than Christians, would correctly recognize Zionism and the State of Israel for what they are: creations of the Devil.

The following quotes are from rabbis who have opposed Zionism on biblical grounds. Would these rabbis be labeled “self hating Jews” in Knox’s church? The following quotes have been taken from The Rabbis Speak Out: Religious Jewish Opposition to Zionism.

“The greatest rabbis should gather immediately and excommunicate the Zionists. They should exclude them from the Jewish people by forbidding their bread, their wine and intermarriage with them.” (Mara D’ara Yisroel v. 2 p. 43)

“(the people of) Israel must never again attempt to restore its national independence by its own power; it was to entrust its future as a nation solely to Divine Providence.” (Commentary on the Prayerbook, p. 703)… it forbids us to strive for the reunion or possession of the land by any but spiritual means.” (Horeb, p. 461)

“G-d forbid, a person must not allow himself or his children to join the defiled Zionists, for their feet run to do evil and their place is a place of defilement.” (Tzavaas Abba 10:20)

“There is a new group calling itself ‘Chovevei Tzion’ or ‘Zionists’ who entrap many people in their net, who think that their actions are for the sake of Heaven…