God does not bless Israel and there is no Rapture coming…
This news will be catastrophic to Christians who have spent, their life in Evangelical Churches, being brainwashed by this idea that their salvation is dependant on a piece of land, which when occupied by secular and atheist people from the Jewish community; can become big enough to be called Greater Israel. The sky will break and Jesus will arrive to take all those Christians directly to Heaven ( how wonderful?); which will be followed by tribulations and suffering for the Jewish community and for those who will be left behind before a millennium (of 1000 years) period when Jesus will return and rule the world.
I would not have taken a stab at this reductionist ideology, if it not causing harm to people around the world, because this idea of salvation is easy to sell and does not require a lot of effort on the part of the individual to make a reasonable change in its attitude toward life or help imagine a better world; but its only dependant on destruction and giving power to people on that wrong belief to bring about the Apocalypse end to the world as soon as they can.
The significance of these ideas and the reductionist mindset of their followers can be determined based on the sale of these books
Late-Great-Planet-Earth , It sold more than 28 million copies by 1990, an estimated 35 million by 1999, and was translated into more than 50 languages, A 1977 movie version narrated by Orson Welles ran in theaters nationwide and was later broadcast on HBO.
and Left Behind tells an apocalyptic story about the ending of Earth (set in the contemporary era) over seven years. The true believers in Jesus Christ have been raptured (taken instantly to heaven), leaving non-believers behind on Earth, now a shattered and chaotic world.[4] As people scramble for answers, an obscure Romanian politician named Nicolae Jetty Carpathia rises to become secretary-general of the United Nations, promising to restore peace and stability to all nations. What most of the world does not realize is that Carpathia is the Antichrist foretold in the Bible.
According to James Bielo, it is based on a dispensationalist interpretation of prophecies in the Biblical books of Revelation, Daniel, Isaiah and Ezekiel.[5]
Multiple books in the series have been on the New York Times Bestseller List. Starting in 2000, Books 7 and 8 reached number one on the list followed by book 10, which debuted at number one.[9]
In 2016, several books in the series were bestsellers and 65 million copies were sold in various languages.[10]
It is a very reductionist ideology, they try to interpret every event in the world through biblical events, it is like orchestrating the events to verses in the bible as if they would exactly happen.
for example https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Babylon-Charles-H-Dyer/dp/0842356185, Sadam interpreted through bible prophecies
https://www.amazon.com/dp/078525224X, on being ready for the Rapture where Jesus will lift the Christians in the sky, before tribulations
Iranian President, Ahmadinejad was also found in the bible; https://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Ahmadinejad-Revelation-Nuclear-Prophet/dp/1601421028
If someone is looking for more background, on how this idea got popularized; these two will give more details
It's estimated that one-fourth of the Christian population in the United States subscribed to this mindset and supports, votes, and funds Congressman based on its policies toward Israel; and that is one the main reasons one can observe no matter whoever the president; in some shape or form it has to keep supporting Israel and give it a big leash and billions of dollar in donation at the behest of hard-earned America tax dollars.
Bad News, It is hard to fathom when the whole ideology, that one has built one life around, is challenged. It is as if your whole worldview is rejected and an identity crises kick in. But sadly both of these statements below are lies and fabricated;
“God loves Israel” and
“There is a rapture coming where Christians will be saved before tribulation”
You might have heard them a thousand times in your life but are unfortunately wrong; yes let that sink in for a while; if you still want to believe in a lie then please continue to; but then you will be disappointed on the day of Judgment and nobody will be there to listen to your complains.
The good thing is if you are still reading this, there is a chance that you will realize the fallacies in your belief, sincerely repent to the God of Jesus, and try to find the message of monotheism that Jesus preached and, still hope to find salvation.
Salvation,
Jesus is not a savior, nor can he help someone avoid heaven and hell; he was tasked as all the prophets before him to spread God's message of monotheism ( that there is one God; all powerful and knowing) and we are its creation and we will be Judged on Judgment day based on our actions and intentions, and then by mercy and will of God either will be put in heaven or fire.
We need to understand with all the qualities of God, it’s the most Just God as well, so if someone lives a corrupt life on this earth; causing pain and destruction to its habitant he needs to account for the actions one did and does not make sense to be let go by just believing in a Jesus.
Let's ask some basic questions; which the Church and Pastors fail to do.
- Jesus never instructed his disciples to worship him; you will not find a single sentence in the bible, that says worship me or I am God why?
When one of the Jewish teachers of the law approaches Jesus and asks him which of the commandments is the most important:
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding, and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions. [Mark 12:28–34]
2. Who was Jesus praying to when he fell on his face?
‘he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father’ (Matthew 26:39)
‘During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.’ (Hebrews 5:7)
3. God forgave sin before Jesus’ appearance. how? and He continues to forgive without any assistance.
When a believer sins, he may come before God in sincere repentance to receive forgiveness. Indeed, the offer to humble oneself before God and be saved is made to all humankind.
‘And there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside Me. Look to Me, and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.’ (Isaiah 45:21–22, Jonah 3:5–10)
4. The Bible says that Jesus denied he is God
Jesus spoke to a man who had called him ‘good,’ asking him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.’ (Luke 18:19)
And he said to him, ‘Why are you asking me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.’ (Matthew 19:17)
5. Jesus asked people to follow the commandments; because those are necessary for salvation.
(Luke 10: 25- 28):
“‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’
He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.’”
Matthew 19:17: “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” Jesus explained that the commandments are those in the law of Moses by giving examples from Toraic law.
In simple words; Jesus is a miraculous Prophet; continuing in the chain of Prophets before him; taught the message of monotheism; and specifically sent to Jews to bring them back to the covenant they took with God.
It was Paul, mostly who added the concept of Original Sin, Trinity, and Salvation through only Faith into the text; and unfortunately, as the bible got corrupted and the human mind and desire entered into it; it allowed it to be used by rulers and pastors over the centuries to derive wrong messages out of it and devoiding people of the real message of Jesus.
Wrote a piece about what Jesus' message was; and how it was twisted and turned by his followers into a completely different thing.
Even religion got a bad name because of the corruption of the Bible, by the human mind; it allows people to use it for their purposes, and it caused suffering for so many people and for so long.
Similarly, tried to argue and explain if we all are living our lives according to a real monotheist religion, how it can solve all our problems and make this world a better place for humanity; establish its domain, and reconnect it back to its history and nature and its lost self.
Deconstructing the false narrative — Those Who Bless Israel, God Will bless; Those who Curse Her, He will Curse.
We have established above that Jesus cannot determine salvation for anyone, his task was to convey the message of God to Jews, and yes one who holds on to the real message he preached can hope to achieve salvation.
So now look at the text that Evangelicals pick, and paint their whole theology with this one verse (and enter into a state of nirvana).
They pick this below promise that God made to Abraham. as the main cause of supporting Israel no matter what they do and claim since God allows it who we are to deny it or stop them?
Promise “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 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 12:2–3).
First, we need to understand Abraham and the concept of the Chosen people, Abraham (Ibrahim) was born nearly 4000 years ago in what is now Iraq. The society where he was born, was a famous center for worship of stars, the moon, and the sun and they believed that these celestial bodies had enormous influence on human destiny. In addition, they worshipped idols made of wood, stone, or any other material they could lay their hands on was idol worship; but as a young person he started questioning the wrong beliefs and concluded that there is one God; since leaders and people did not like him they try to kill him ( which they cannot) so he was let go from the society.
God tested him with trial after trial, and he accepted them sincerely and patiently; in return for his love and passion, Allah took him as a close friend (Khaleel — an intimate friend).
The Quran describes his commitment, dedication, and love of God in these glowing words “when Ibrahim’s Lord tested him with certain commandments, which he fulfilled. He said I will make you a leader of people. Ibrahim asked and would you make leaders from my descendants too? God answered my promise does not fall for those who do evil” (Baqara: 124).
Now after Abraham, every prophet (that came to earth) was born in his lineage; his elder son was Ishmael who was born and established his family in Arabia, and there was no prophet in that lineage for hundreds of years, till Muhammad PBUH was born in it.
But his younger son Issac, who was a prophet; had a continuous chain of Prophets in his lineage; so that as one Prophet is old and about to leave the earth, a new prophet was appointed; this continued till Jesus PBUH was finally appointed as a Prophet.
12 tribes of Jews are from the lineage of Yaqoob (peace be upon him), also known as Jacob, who was the son of Issac (Ishaq — peace be upon him) and the grandson of the esteemed Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him).
It is through Yaqoob; that the lineage of Bani Israel was established, and their journey began.
Tribes of Jews were sent prophet after prophet, but they kept faltering to keep the covenant with God, they even Killed Prophets, but God with his mercy gave them more chances until Jesus arrived, but still they conspired to also persecute Jesus instead of following him.
So finally God decided to remove the tag of chosenness from them and the lineage of Jacob and send his last messenger in the same lineage (seed) of Abraham but in his other son's family Ishmael.
Logical Explanation
- God does keep its Promise to Abraham since the promise was made to him; as we can see God honors his lineage by sending every prophet in his family; and giving them its revelation.
- The promise of God was never meant in terms of material and land, since we can see from many prophets' lives; that they spent their lives in quite difficult circumstances starting with Abraham, Moses to Jesus. The Promise of God is for the honor and blessing it chooses to send down on certain people ( and revealing its commandments to them).
- The concept of chosen does not mean, every person in Abraham's family will be blessed; it means some part of his family. and then again it's based on keeping the covenant and laws of God in high regard and standing firm on them.
So, why God does not bless Israel?
- First and foremost Jews did not hold the covenant and killed Prophets and tried to kill Jesus. so why would a God bless an entity who goes against its prophets?
- The last Prophet was not sent in their lineage, instead, God sent a final messenger in Abraham's other sons' family tree. If God had loved them they would have been selected for this honour?
- God even destroyed their temple multiple times so they will take heed of this and come back to monotheistic ways, which they did not so God gave them punishment after punishment and spread them across the world.
- Also, it does not make any sense, to map God's promise that he made to the Great Prophet Abraham ( based on his perseverance and obedience) to a secular country which is formed 70 years back as a colonial project.
Now if you are still, not convinced with logical reasoning and want proof from the bible to convince you please continue.
Promise “I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore… and through your seed, all nations on earth will be blessed…” (Genesis 22:17–18)
Fulfillment “The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed ( and even Muslims are part of that seed). Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ… There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:16, 28–29)
Are the Jewish people God’s “chosen people”?
Both Hebrew and Christian Scriptures insist membership in God’s people has always been open to all races based on grace, not race. In Isaiah 56, we see the Lord anticipate and repudiate the rise of an exclusive Israeli nationalism. In the New Testament the term “chosen” is used exclusively of the followers of Jesus, irrespective of race (See also Ephesians 2:14–16 and Colossians 3:11–12). Jews do not follow Jesus and instead despise him.
Was the “Promised Land” given by God exclusively to the Jewish people as their inheritance?
Contrary to popular assumption, the Scriptures repeatedly insist that the land belongs to God and that residence was always conditional. For example, God said to his people, “‘The land must not be sold permanently, because the land is mine and you reside in my land as foreigners and strangers.” (Leviticus 25:23). In Ezekiel, it seems the Lord anticipated the reasoning of those who arrogantly claimed unconditional right to the land because of the covenant originally made with Abraham.
“Son of man, the people living in those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as our possession.’ Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Since you eat meat with the blood still in it and look to your idols and shed blood, should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you do detestable things… Should you then possess the land?’ … I will make the land a desolate waste, and her proud strength will come to an end.’ (Ezekiel 33:24–26, 28–29)
The residence was open to all God’s people based on faith, not race. Indeed, the writer to Hebrews explains that the land was never their ultimate desire or inheritance, but a temporary residence until the coming of Jesus Christ. Their eternal inheritance, and ours, is heavenly, not earthly.
Is Jerusalem the exclusive, undivided, and eternal capital of the Jewish people?
The assertion that God intended Jerusalem to be the exclusive and undivided eternal capital of the Jewish people has no basis whatsoever in Scripture. God insists in Psalm 87 that Jerusalem must be a shared and inclusive city. Nations specifically mentioned include what is today, Egypt, Iraq and Lebanon. Even the hated Philistines are mentioned as “…born in Zion” based on faith, not race. Likewise, the vision of Isaiah 2 associates Jerusalem with the end of war, with peace and reconciliation among the nations.
“In the last days, the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:2–3)
Deconstructing the other false narrative — there is no rapture coming and Jesus appearing secretly to take his followers into heaven.
Let's recap from the beginning, God sends prophets to different nations, so they can explain in their native language mostly three things.
1 . God is one, all power, all knowing, all wise, all loving, and it is a creator, and everything else is created.
2. Every action on this earth is recorded, and there is a day of Judgment coming and everyone should prepare for it, and based on the weight of their deeds ( and God's mercy) they will rewarded or punished.
3. Prophets, inspire people to come toward Justice or stop them from oppressing each other; and if they witness injustice, they should try to stop it and not be part of it.
If any nation rejects the message and the Prophet; then that nation is destroyed; this is by God's unlimited wisdom, because if they exist then they would cause more corruption in the world and make the lives of other inhabitants of the earth more painful with added suffering.
Now a genuine question arises why God, does not destroy Bani Israel? if they killed Prophets and tried to Kill Jesus? By principle, they should have been destroyed, but then God can change things as it will.
So when Jesus returns, for the second time; he will return as the Messiah that Jews always wanted him to be, and he will punish them for their sins. There are other reasons since too; since he did not complete his life term when he was taken away before crucifixion; he will complete that and fill the world with Justice as it will be filled with Injustice before his arrival.
Theological Explanation of Rapture Verses
Historically Absent
Rapture is an invention of the 19th century by a man named John Darby. The earliest mention of this doctrine was in 1830. It then gained a following through the Scofield Bible. In recent times, it has gained a most general acceptance through the Left Behind series. Before all of this, the rapture was non-existent in church history. If it’s such an “obvious” important doctrine, why for 1800 years did no one see it in the Bible?
this article argues more in detail if you are looking for more answers.
Promotes Escapist Theology
One of the worst effects of the rapture theory is the continual “escape this world” mentality. The rapture theory is therefore highly Gnostic and Dualist in thought. The rapture makes this world evil, and some “other” “spiritual” world good
The Rapture teaches a high form a Gnosticism by teaching the church to wait for some mystical, secret escape from this earth, rather than living here and making this world a better place.
3. Jesus is Coming Again, But Once
For example, a big one for rapture theorists is 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18. Verse 16 implies a clear indication that Christ’s return will be public, not private. The return of Christ will not be a random disappearance done in secret, it will be a display for all to see. Jesus does not have a second and a third coming. Jesus is coming again, once.
What does the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 4:16 mean
Again it is an invention ( or misunderstanding) of Paul; The early Christians expected (as has at least some of virtually every generation of Christians since) the apocalyptic coming of the Kingdom of God in their lifetime. Jesus, as he is reported in the gospels, predicted that it would happen in the lifetime of his disciples, cf. Mark 9:1:
“Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
This has always been an element of the faith that caused tension, but perhaps at no point quite so much as in the early church, when Jesus’s prediction had not yet failed and lots of people were expecting the second coming of Christ, any day now.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul appears to be responding to a concern that has arisen among the Thessalonian Christians. We may imagine that they said something along the lines of “We are awaiting the divine rewards that the Lord will give us on his return, but some of our fellows have died; what about them?” Then Paul replies to reassure them:
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died.
1 Thess 4:13–14: This hints strongly at a context like the one I suggested above.
For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
14–16: The reassurance. “Don’t worry about the dead: They’ll be raised first of all.”
Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
This is an important passage whose implications you should not overlook. Notice that Paul uses the first person plural: “We who are alive, who are left” when the Lord returns, in contrast to those who have already died. Paul believed that the Second Coming would occur quite soon, in his lifetime or that of his correspondents.
This would later become a problem for the Church, as time wore on and the entire first generation of Christians died.
So any raptured verses, that Christian Evangelicals, use are there because Paul and early Christians expected Jesus to return, and it's a misunderstanding on their part; as were Original Sin, the Trinity, and the Concept of Faith-based Salvation.
Islam can provide a glimpse of future events
In Islamic eschatology and end-time prophecies; there are numerous references to Jesus returning, and how he will kill the false Messiah ( Anti-Christ) and then fight with the forces of Gog and Magog; The Below link refers to those references; if someone is interested in learning; So arrival of Jesus as Messiah is a common concept among Muslims.
https://www.islamicity.org/6406/the-return-of-jesus/
Note for Christians who do not subscribe to this Wrong Belief
I thought to also share, the letters Palestinian Christians are writing to their Western counterparts, to call out this wrong belief and to have some sympathy with them.
Ordinary Christians should try and convince these war-mongering Christians to understand that this belief stands on fabricated grounds; which does not have a history, or theological basis and will not earn them salvation ( but more punishment).
I came here to see if we can spread this letter from Palestinian Christians asking for help, as far as I have read it’s a literalist explanation that Evangelicals are causing pain to Christians themselves, and this goes against basic ethics of love and morality that Jesus teaches. And happening at a place where Jesus lives; this is not to peace be achieved because theology needs a greater Israel (in its days when Prophet David ruled it) and not a peaceful one, where all communities can live peacefully as has been the case before the state was created, this causes other powers to intervene for their benefits and hence a de-stable region.
It is imperative, that you make a sincere effort to help them understand and start a conversation; it's an idea that the Bible and Pastors have constructed so if you are a true believer in Christianity you should own those mistakes and try to correct them back.
Conclusion
Quote from a review of the book; https://www.amazon.com/Road-Armageddon-Evangelicals-Became-Israels/dp/B003E7F09M
Evangelical Christians are the glue that binds America and Israel together. What kind of a world, would we be living in if this movement didn’t eventuate? I think a much more peaceful one, not the author's opinion, but mine. They have added fuel to the Middle East fire and have turned Israel and the Jews into a god on earth, in doing so they have replaced the preaching of the Gospel with a love and adoration for Israel that is incomprehensible.
The lost, the lost, millions of souls perish while this love affair continues…How will we answer God on the day of Judgement? We became distracted from the only commission. The Great Commission, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.”
Ordinary Christians do not realize how deep this rabbit hole goes, for an example; Truman who was the president when Israel was created
..After his presidency, his longtime Jewish friend Eddie Jacobson introduced Truman to a group of professors by saying, “’ This is the man who helped create the state of Israel,’ but Truman corrected him: ‘What do you mean “helped to create”? I am Cyrus. I am Cyrus.’”182 Truman was comparing himself to Cyrus in the Old Testament who enabled the Jews to return to their land in the sixth century B.C. from their 70-year captivity.
Truman went against the State Department’s recommendation to support the state of Israel and voted in favor in UN, https://history.state.gov/milestones/1945-1952/creation-israel
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-99/i-am-cyrus.html
Also, Evangelicals support Aliyah (Jewish emigration to Israel) mainly because it speeds the battle of Armageddon, the mass conversion or death of the Jews, and Christ’s Millennial kingdom. And it's no wonder that with every conflict in the last 100 years or so Jewish people in the conflicted area have been moving back to Israel ( Yemen, Iraq, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Iran, ..)
Their ideology does not care about human care, or love for neighbor as Jesus teaches, because they think all this suffering is justified on the ground that it is for Jesus and arrival and should not matter if it goes against basic ethics or morality.
Evangelical Zionists’ biblical worldview allies them with extreme right-wing Israeli politicians in opposing any exchange of land for peace. since Jews are heirs to God’s promises to Israel; and that modern Israel is the fulfillment of prophecy.
Both these groups of Evangelical Zionists and Jewish extreme-right-wing Zionists; marry well with War Hawks and the Military Industrial Complex. This also serves US geopolitics and Oil interest in the area; hence we see a cycle of infinite wars in the Middle East.
Not so recently, Iran is also somehow being dug into the Bible, hence we see a constant escalation and arm-twisting with Iran as well.
I am afraid; that when Jesus arrives and calls out these wrong beliefs that Christians have resurrected on him and his God; instead of Rapturing them might disassociate himself from them; these Christians will be tempted to fight with him on these grounds.
In the end, I would urge every Christian to not let their religion be used, to create more problems for the world; the human race is already lot divided and unequal and suffered a lot because of these wrong beliefs. The Middle East has already suffered a lot and millions have died because of this idea of salvation; God is just giving a big leash so those who are participating in these cruel acts can gather more sins; and in the process show to the world how real monotheist people preservers and show patience in the face of calamity.
Please try to find, what the real message of Jesus was; and who is the God he worshiped.
The Monotheistic God can give you salvation; it requires one to sincerely repent and turn your face toward its mercy, and it's ready to respond with all its Majesty.
Sources
https://www.quora.com/What-does-the-Bible-verse-1-Thessalonians-4-16-mean
https://www.ucg.org/world-news-and-prophecy/the-rapture-a-popular-but-false-doctrine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Hechler
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1028&context=pretrib_arch
