The church never replaced Israel. Because if the church replaced Israel, then all the promises of God to Israel were just what? Not true. And God is not happy with that theology, not happy at all. The church’s eyes on Israel in the present is that many churches are getting back to understanding Israel’s role. I mean, a lot of churches are finally getting it. You know, Isaiah 40:1 says, “‘Comfort ye, comfort my people,’ says your God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble with,” what? “With a comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The only nation on planet Earth that can comfort Israel is the nation of the believers, because we were comforted in a way that we can comfort others. What can the world – the non-believing world – comfort Israel with? We’re going to get you tomorrow? What? Some churches are blind to what God is doing with Israel. We know that.
Learn this parable from the fig tree, I’m urging you. “When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors. Assuredly, I say to you, this generation,” you, say, ‘my generation’. Smile, because it’s you. “This generation will by no means pass.” Why is it here? Because you see the fig tree coming back to life. 100 years ago it wasn’t. 80 years ago it wasn’t. It’s there and you live to see it. You’re the most privileged generation since the time of Jesus Christ. You understand that? Yeah, but it’s hot outside. Who cares? Yeah, the restaurant is closed on Mondays now. Hello, perspective. The church’s eyes on Israel in the future, the church and Israel will reign together from Israel. Isn’t that interesting? Remember? “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.”
What a privileged people we are to live in such a time as this! A time replete with prophetic fulfillment and indications that more fulfillment is on the horizon. Millions of Christians have lived and died throughout church history without the nation of Israel regathered and without the invading nations of the Ezekiel war working in coalition together. Many Christians have lived much like the nation of Israel did with a prophetic silence for 400 years between Malachi and the last of the prophets, John the Baptist.
Yet many of these same people, without seeing the fig tree budding, would die before denying their Lord. How could they be so faithful and passionate for the Lord without seeing all the things we see today?
Psalm 119:105-112
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments. My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.
Christians down through the various ages of persecution endured what they endured because they had the word of God. We have that same word today with the distinct advantage of watching it unfold before our eyes. The fig tree budding would not mean anything to us if it were not written in the word of God beforehand. The wasteland of Israel blooming like a rose in the desert would not be of any significance if it were not foretold in advance.
The comfort that generations received who had not seen these things was from the word of God. We too can be comforted with that same comfort as we watch our world unravel around us. We can take the budding of the fig tree as an indication that the church age is wrapping up and that the Lord is coming to take His bride to the Father’s house soon.
As we near the end of the time of the Gentiles, let us remember the promises of God to His chosen people, Israel, as we are seeing them fulfilled and take heart.
John 16:33
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
As we experience the pains and problems of life in a fallen world, let us remember that the entirety of God’s word is truth and one of the greatest proofs of that is modern Israel. Because of what we can see, that which previous generation of saints could not see, we should be confident that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We know that we cannot be snatched from the Father’s hand or separated from His love, and, thus, we can take comfort in the word of God, just as saints who have not seen all that we have seen have done through the ages.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
The fig tree has budded, Israel is blooming, and the word of God is proven. Thus, we can live by faith believing that He is and that He rewards the diligent seeker.
Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus