Fake Modern Israel: This is one of many terms I keep hearing from some Christians. Oddly enough, sometimes these are people who have a futuristic premillenial view.
In another article I looked at whether the future allegedly “fake tribulation temple” was unholy or not. At the time I briefly noted the above “Fake Modern Israel” syndrome.
What drives someone to place the “fake” label on Israel in particular, excluding any other nation? In some cases it is plain old anti-Semitism. Holders of this view will no doubt have their “legitimate” reasons. I’ve heard some of them and have concerns.
How does one respond to the popular lamentation that just because one is anti-Zionist, one isn’t an anti-Semite? Dennis Pager explains it in just under six minutes: If You Hate Israel, You’re No Friend of the Jews. I agree with him.
I’ve written about my experiences with professing Christian anti-Zionists. These particular folk subscribed to Replacement Theology (RT). And here I must stress that not all who hold to RT in its various forms are anti-Semites – most aren’t.
At first I thought these anti-Zionists were just biblically misinformed. I was wrong. If you’re inclined to blame the Jews for most of the world’s current and historical problems (including the Holocaust), I have a label for you.
Lately I’ve seen examples of futuristic premillennialists, who do not hold to RT, yet label modern Israel as a “false” or “fake.” In one diatribe a futuristic premillennialist claimed that the return of the Jews to the land is a False Israel created by the U.N. He’s by no means alone in that sentiment.
Frankly, this “fake” terminology is offensive and hints of an unreasonable animus against Israel and, hence, Jewish unbelievers. Typically these people attempt to defend their position by appealing to Romans 9:6 etc.
But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel… Rom 9:6-7
Aside from the fact that this animus isn’t typically expressed against other unbelieving nations, the problem is that Paul also stated of unsaved Israel:
Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Rom 11:28-32
Let’s get another thing sorted out – the U.N., or anyone else for that matter, did not create Israel in a vacuum and without God’s permission. While men brought about the return of the Jews into the land, it was God’s sovereign will and provision which decreed it. Note also how God sovereignly uses instruments to administer His wrath.
Israel must be in the land if we are to take Zechariah chapters 13 to 14 (and others) literally. See also Hos 5:15 (in fact read the whole book). Psalms 105-106, Psalm 122:6 and Psalm 136 (God’s mercy endures forever).
But regarding Israel, shouldn’t the Christian’s attitude mirror that of Moses’?
And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! “Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.” Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Exod 32:9-11
And what about Paul’s love for unsaved Israel?
I tell the truth in Christ; I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises… Rom 9:1-4
The use of terms such as “fake Israel” or “false Israel” is antagonistic to Jewish believers who love their fellow unsaved countrymen; pray for their conversion and work to get the gospel to them. Hopefully we’d do the same thing for our unsaved loved ones. These inflammatory terms should not be in the Christian’s vocabulary.
Maranatha!
Further reading:
What does Christ as “True Israel” mean for the nation Israel?
Various forms of Replacement Theology
The Miracle of Israel’s Rebirth
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