Christian Beware: Religious Antisemitism is On The Rise


 🚨 Christian Beware: Religious Antisemitism is On The Rise

I have noticed a concerning rise of antisemitism from those claiming to follow the Jewish Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth. This antisemitism is not new, but its resurgence in recent times is absolutely new. And it’s alarming. Consider the following statements that I have personally encountered on social media in the last few weeks. I have screenshots of each of these posts with the full user names. I will withhold that information because I hope these users repent. The following quotes come from users who identified as Christian at some point in our interaction: “Israel is the antichrist.” “The modern state of Israel is an abomination.” "Zionists are evil!" “Christ is King and you are the Anti-Christ.” “Murdering scum is what Jewish people are.” ‼️ Ignorance & Arrogance ‼️ ✅ Paul links these 2 negative characteristics in Romans 11:25-27. In context, Paul is warning Gentiles not to be ignorant (unaware) of God’s mysterious plans for Israel and the Jewish roots of the faith. He warns Gentiles against being ignorant of God’s plans for the Jewish people. Here is the full text: 📖 Romans 11:25-27: “So that you will not be conceited [arrogant], brothers, I do not want you to be unaware [ignorant] of this mystery: A partial hardening has come to Israel until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away godlessness from Jacob. And this will be My covenant with them when I take away their sins.” ✅ Partial Hardening When Gentile Christians are unaware of (ignorance) a “partial” hardening over Israel today, they often fall prey to the wrong idea that all of Israel is hardened today. This wrong belief often leads to religious arrogance and disdain for Jewish people and the modern state of Israel. The reality is that many hundreds of thousands of Jewish people, whom Paul refers to as “the remnant” (Rom. 11:5), believe in the Messiah Yeshua [Jesus]. These Jewish believers are also important members of the global Church (Eph. 2). ✅ Temporary Hardening In addition to recognizing that Israel’s hardening is partial, Gentiles would also do well to recognize that this “partial” hardening is temporary, it is “until." In other words, Israel’s current aversion to the gospel is not forever. In verse 26, in accordance with the prophets before him, Paul predicts that “all Israel” will be saved. No other country has this unique, national promise, as does Israel. Other countries are indeed mentioned as being present in the future Millennial Kingdom. But nowhere else do we read about an entire people group being saved upon the Lord’s return. The reality of a future, national salvation for Israel places Christian antisemites in a very precarious position. Their hatred typically feeds on supposed Jewish rejection of Christ. But the Jewish people are the only people group that have 1) the promise that there will always be a remnant who believe and 2) the unique promise of the entire nation being restored to Christ in the latter days. Gentiles do not have such a promise of national restoration or the promise of a present remnant among any particular Gentile nation. ✅ Temporary Age of Gentiles Finally, when Gentiles come to this passage with humility, they can easily recognize that just as Israel’s hardness is temporary, so the age of Gentiles is temporary. Paul says there will come a time when the “full number of the Gentiles has come in.” Jesus also refers to this same limited time period when He addresses the future of Jerusalem in Luke 21:24: “They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” ✅ The Godly Response Although Gentile believers are recognizing Israel’s need for the gospel, they are not taking the appropriate action in response to their need. How do posts about how evil Jewish peple are help them come to faith in Messiah? How does repeating Hamas' blood libels against the state of Israel help them come to their Messiah? None of these social posts, videos or libels are done in love. (For those who still believe Hamas' claim that Israel is committing genocide, please read the latest blog by Dr. Michael Rydelnik at michaelrydelnik.org) Instead of assailing and vilifying the Jewish people, why not share the gospel with them? Why not pray for them? Why not give toward a gospel-based ministry that is working toward that end? ✅ Deliverance Ignorance and arrogance are a toxic blend. This toxic blend will destroy the peace, joy, love and gentleness (Gal. 5:9) that the Spirit of God intends for all believers. Ultimately, antisemitism is a spiritual issue. The Devil hates whom God especially loves. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, proper Bible instruction and a humble attitude, anyone who is struggling with the sin of antisemitism can be freed. 🙏 Pray for fellow believers to “come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will.” (1 Tim. 2:26)