Antisemitism

Two Olivet Discourses?

Ken1 Comment

No, but the Holy Spirit communicated different messages (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21) by the emphasis and focus He gave the Gospel writers’ choice of words in their reporting. The difference can be as great as the Preterist insistence that all prophecy was practically fulfilled in the 70 AD Roman destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), and the opposing Futurist insistence that the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27) is coming and soon to be fulfilled (Matthew 24). 

Matthew’s Gospel was directed more to the Jewish mindset with the identification of Jesus as King, Messiah, and Savior of the Jews. Hence, Matthew points out the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27 cp. Matthew 24:15) and Luke does not. Written in 63-68 AD, Luke foretells the upcoming 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, where Jesus warned Christians to flee “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies” (Luke 21:20 KJV). Christ made possible the escape from the Roman destruction of Jerusalem of all those who believed the Gospel of Luke’s warning. In similar fashion, Christ will make possible the future escape of all those who believe His warning about the prophetic “abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), when it finally occurs. 

The crucial flaw of the Preterist position, i.e., essentially all prophecy was fulfilled in the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem, is the lack of the Abomination of Desolation fulfillment at a time future to Christ’s pronouncement on the Mount of Olives, i.e., “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation” (Matthew 24:15), and certainly not an already occurred fulfillment, i.e., Antiochus Epiphanies (“God Manifest”) sacrificing swine flesh on the Jewish Temple altar between the OT and NT eras. “3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin [Antichrist] be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2Thessalonians 2:3-4). 

Luke’s Gospel had more the Gentile readers in view, not mentioning the Abomination of Desolation (Daniel 9:27), yet, both Matthew and Luke mention a crisis with Jerusalem, causing any faithful inhabitants to flee: (1) 70 AD, “when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with [Roman] armies,” then “flee” (Luke 21:20, 21), and (2) prophetic future, Tribulation Week, Seventieth Week of Daniel, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel,” then “flee” (Matthew 24:15, 16). Matthew, Mark, and Luke foresaw “nation shall rise against nation” (Matthew 24:7; Mark 13:8; Luke 21:10). All the Synoptic Gospels recorded the betrayal of friends and family by those who do not share your loyalty to Christ (Matthew 24:10; Mark 13:12; Luke 21:16). If this turmoil took place within Christ’s Twelve Apostles, should we be surprised it would take place prior to Roman’s destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, or that it would characterize a future time in the Tribulation Week shortly before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? 

The confusion of Biblical interpreters amounts to whether we take the obvious message of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount (Olivet Discourse) and find fulfillment solely in the 70 AD Roman Destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 21), or whether we can also discern the deeper implication of a future Abomination of Desolation (Matthew 24:15) and the Seventieth Week of Daniel (Daniel 9:24-27). 

Failure to see the Futurist View of an upcoming Tribulation Week separates much of the Evangelical Church, where Israel practically has been replaced by the Church, and Israel has no future role in the Kingdom of God, but an asterisk or footnote to the future glory of the Church. Of note, this liberalization of OT prophecy is due to a distaste of taking God’s Word at face value, literally, and in my opinion, contributes to the overpowering antisemitism permeating secular society. The Church cannot restrain secular society from antisemitism because it does not view antisemitism as any worse than any other hatred. To be clear, Antisemitism is the focus of Satan’s hatred upon God’s chosen people. “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:4). Remember, only “through their [Israel’s] fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles” (Romans 11:11), but it is “for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (11:11) that Israel finally would be saved. “For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” (11:25). Luke’s Gospel instructs us, the times of the Gentiles is about to end. “And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled” (Luke 21:24).

LORD, certainly this discussion is like so much noise that must be blocked out because of the more pressing matters of day to day survival. But, Spirit of God, use this understanding to remove the blinders from our eyes, which have held us in our respective theological traditions. May the day come again where there is “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism” (Ephesians 4:6), but especially, “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and in you all” (4:7). Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen and amen.

For a more developed discussion, see our article, Do You Believe There Will Be New Heavens and New Earth?

Origin of Antisemitism

Ken

Antisemitism is essentially Satan’s attack against God’s chosen people, expressing itself in hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against Jews. “For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth” (Deuteronomy 7:6 KJV). As demonstrated by history, both the world and Israel have not always agreed with such a noble vision of Israel. Antisemitism’s opposition to God goes back to Satan despising God from the beginning and hating everything that God loves, especially Israel. LORD, “for lo, Thine enemies make a tumult: and they that hate Thee have lifted up the head. They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance” (Psalm 83:2-4). 

What’s So Unique About Antisemitism?

Ken

Hate never feels good directed against yourself. Hatred directed against Jews and Israel is in a category by itself. Islamophobia or indifference to the plight of Gaza feels no different, but for the simple observation that the satan especially hates Israel. “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called My son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1 KJV). This is not secular news analysis, but strictly biblical reasoning. “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” (Romans 11:28). Satan’s rage against Yahweh is so great, he hates whatever God loves. And, it’s kind of strange, since modern, secular Israel is not the Israel of King David. It is as if the Almighty is allowing Israel’s circumstances to become so dire, they will have to acknowledge Him, again. But, the Christians will also have to come to terms with their understanding of Daniel’s Seventieth Week (Daniel 9:27). How will Israel and the world receive the one who delivers world peace, but later requires worship as God on penalty of death (Revelation 13:15)? LORD, teach Your children who to trust and deliver them. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Exposing Antisemitism

Ken

Disagreeing with Israeli conduct in Gaza is not necessarily antisemitism. Differing with a Two State Solution does not necessarily oppose or support the Jews. Antisemitism is hatred of the Jews because they are Jews. Jews are racially traced back to the biblical Hebrews, are religiously adherents of Judaism, or both. Antisemitism is sin because it hates the Jews for being Jews, whom God loves. “Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and He chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15 KJV). Even in the NT, God continues His love for the Jews. “I say then, Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin” (Romans 11:1). “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6). Not only will you find peace, but Gaza will, too. 

Hamas Kidnapped A Gaza Imam For Refusing To Support The Resistance

Ken

Mohammed Mushtaha, imam at Dhu ‘l-Nurayn mosque in Shuja’iyah in Gaza, was kidnapped by Hamas last week, according to his son, Ala Mohammed Mushtaha, in a January 4, 2024 article in The Free Press. “He wouldn’t preach what Hamas told him to. He refused to tell Gazans that violent resistance and obedience to Hamas, is the best way out of our current hell.” Using mosques to store weapons, money, and equipment were not enough for Hamas. They required this refusing imam to support their resistance movement in his sermons. He refused for conscience sake. Pray for his safety, for men of conscience, God can reach and use. “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men” (Acts 24:16 KJV).

Antisemitism Is Not New

Ken

Antisemitism is hatred of the Jewish people, but even Jehovah hates His people, when they become arrogant and sin. “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [or, perverse] mouth, do I hate” (Proverbs 8:13 KJV). Satan especially hates the nation of Israel because God set His love upon Israel to bless them as a people representing Himself to the nations. “I say then, Have they [Israel] stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them [Israel] to jealousy” (Romans 11:11 KJV).

Canary in the Coal Mine

Ken

Just as canaries warned of dangerous levels of carbon monoxide gas in coal mines, antisemitism on American college campuses in support of Hamas and condemning Israel in the wake of the 2023 attacks against Israel from Gaza predict a future hatred for Christianity. Jews were initially targeted in Nazi Germany, but next Christians such as Dietrich Bonhoeffer were silenced, too. “And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3 KJV).