Posted on by wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical and Messianic Prophecy, Other Religions, Prefigures and Foreshadows, Q & A.

Editor’s Note: This question comes from a Muslim, which might explain the tone of the question.

Question:

1. The Christian Zionists claim that the modern Israelite state is made according to the Biblical prophecies for e.g., Ezek. 37:21-22, but the problem is: where is that king who will rule over them? Did all Jews return to Israel? If Jesus fulfilled prophecies of Israel’s restoration, then what is this?

 

2. If current prophetic books are the exact words of Israelite prophets, then why do they speak such words which might confuse coming generations for e.g., Jeremiah speaks about a King who will reign upon Jews (Jer. 23:5) and Jews will serve him (Jer. 30:9) and he will be their shepherd (Ezek. 34:23).

Answer:

Good question.   The Christian Zionists are quite simply wrong.  If one reads Ezekiel 37:21-22.  This is a prophecy about the Christian Church, with Jesus as its king.  The two “nations” of Ezekiel 37:21-22 are the Jew and the Gentile, who come together in the church.  Romans 9-11 as well as Ephesians 2-3 talk a lot about God joining Jew and Gentile into one nation.  This prophecy has absolutely nothing to do with a modern Jewish nation.  If you ask my opinion, the decision to create a Jewish state in Palestine in the early twentieth century was a political mistake, and nothing in the Bible supports the idea that a Jewish state ought to be created in the former Promised Land.  I have a feeling that your opinion about Israel and my opinion about Israel may actually be quite similar.
As for the statement that all Israel will be restored, Paul explains this well.  He says that “not all Israel are Israel” in Romans 9.  If you look at this statement it will be clear what Paul means.  Not all physical Israel are spiritual Israel.  Being physically circumcised does not make us a true faithful follower of God.  Spiritual circumcision is what matters (Romans 2:8-9).  Also, Paul says that not all the physical children of Abraham are the spiritual children of Abraham (Romans 4:11-12 and elsewhere).  Under Jesus Christ, the true Israel—the true children of Abraham—are those who follow the promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.
The fact that some people misinterpret biblical prophecy does not mean that God made a mistake or that the prophecies are confusing.  I am sure you are aware that many have misinterpreted the Qur’an as well.  You do not have to explain the false versions of Islam any more than I need to explain false versions of Christianity or false interpretations.  We are humans.  Humans are sinful.  Humans make errors.  Humans misinterpret.  The fact that people misinterpret Muhammad or Ezekiel tells us nothing about whether what they wrote is perfect.  The king of Jeremiah 23:5, or Jeremiah 30:9 and Ezekiel 34:23 is Jesus.  This is really a very easy interpretation.  If anyone mistakes this obvious interpretation, that is on them, but the meaning is quite obvious.  Jesus is the promised spiritual king of God’s people.  I hope that you will come to know him better over time.
John Oakes

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