We believe Israel is the center, the focal point— geographically, politically and spiritually—of God's master plan for eternity. Without an understanding of God's plan for Israel, one will not be able to understand God's plan for the world.

GOD'S MASTER PLAN

God has a strategy for world evangelism. According to Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, evangelism is to the Jew first and then to the Gentiles (meaning the nations). Satan will always attempt to spoil God's strategy. He understands God’s plan. He would like to separate the Jew and the Gentile and take Israel completely out of the picture.

We know that much of the world is against Israel. The nightly world news reports with extreme bias against Israel. While nations are killing thousands and even hundreds of thousands through genocide, the media often ignores it. However, whenever Israel retaliates against terrorist attacks to defend herself and civilians are accidentally killed—even one—the report is that Israel is the evil aggressor. These events are blown out of proportion, with the implication that Israel is the cause of all the Arab unrest—after all, if Israel gives the Palestinians their own land, "it will create peace."

Of course the bigger picture is oil. Africa's genocides are not a threat to world oil production; Israel and Arab confrontations are. However, the real issue is spiritual, and that affects eternity. Satan understands that as soon as Israel acknowledges her Messiah, there will be a great revival and a worldwide harvest will take place. The Messiah will return and for Satan it will be all over.

THE JEWISH PEOPLE ARE THE KEY TO THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST

Satan continues his efforts to isolate and ravage the Jewish state in hopes of preventing the Jewish people from returning to their land and participating in bringing the Messiah back to Earth in His Second Coming. Satan's shock was to learn that his seductive crusade in arranging for the crucifixion of Christ only opened the way for the salvation of both the Jew and Gentile. Now Satan's battle plan continues in hopes of thwarting Christ's Second Coming from fulfilling this great event. Satan knows that when Christ comes back again, He will march straight to the Temple Mount and claim ownership.

People from every nation will come and worship the Messiah, because this is where God proclaimed His home forever.

WHY GOD CHOSE ISRAEL TO BE HIS PEOPLE

It is clear in both the Old and New Testaments that the nation of Israel and its Jewish citizens are chosen by God to be His people forever. The Bible says, "The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, King of Egypt" (Deuteronomy 7:7-9, NIV).

The tiny nation of Israel has survived three millennia of religious conflicts, horrific attempts at ethnic cleansing, and continual, insufferable persecution. This little piece of land is dwarfed by huge continents: Africa, Europe and the Near East. Israel is about 150 miles long and 75 miles wide, yet it is the focus of world news, as well as biblical prophecy. God's hand is upon this real estate. If a tiny nation of slaves can become a powerful nation, then everyone will know that God is the reason for their success. He is the true God. The Jewish people are not more important than the rest of mankind. What we are saying is that God has a plan in history and the Church needs to understand this truth.

GOD'S ORDER FOR WORLD EVANGELISM

God has an order for everything—creation, building the Ark in Noah's day, building the Ark of the Covenant, animal sacrifices, constructing the Temple of Solomon and world evangelism! We often hear this verse quoted, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes ..." However, the second half is usually omitted: "first for the Jew, then for the Gentile" (Romans 1:16, 17, N1V).

In God's plan for world revival, Israel is a type of first fruits. If we give the first part of our finances to God, then the rest of our finances are blessed. If we give the first part of our efforts in evangelism to the Jews, then the rest of our efforts will be blessed. Whatever we do for world missions needs to be an effort to win the Jewish people to their Messiah.

Paul shares God's plan of evangelism in Romans. Jesus followed this order. He said, "I've been sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He took the Gospel to the Jew first. Everywhere Paul went, he took the Gospel to the Jew first.

IT IS GOD'S COMMAND TO BRING THE GOSPEL TO THE JEWS

Satan has no problem with Christians visiting and supporting Israel, as long as it doesn't involve evangelism. "You don't have to tell the Jews about Jesus because they will be saved in the end." There are popular Bible teachers who have books on this subject. Yes, Israel will be saved, but it will not happen apart from Jesus and His army of witnesses. They must accept Jesus. He told them they would see Him no more until they said, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord" (Matthew 22:39).

GOD WILL BLESS THOSE WHO BLESS ISRAEL

"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you" (Genesis 12:3). The time will come when only true Christians will remain faithful in their support of Israel. Christians must be united to support Jewish believers and evangelize Israel. God is looking for Christians who will regularly pray, to remove the veil from their eyes so they'll turn to their Messiah. Israel began with a miracle, has been preserved with miracle after miracle, and is going to end with a miracle. The bottom line is: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee" (Psalm 122:6, ASV).

By Dannis Lindsay

source CFN the Voice