Zionism

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 3

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Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.

You can contact Stephen Daniels at BibleBulletin@protonmail.com

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 1
Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 2

1948 or The Day of the Lord?

Did Israel’s founding in 1948 fulfill Old Testament prophecy, thereby inevitably setting modern Israel on the path to conflict in the Middle East?

As we explore this question, Part I examined five key passages often cited to support this claim—passages fundamental to Christian Zionism. We asked: When these and other prophecies are read in their proper context, do they truly describe 1948, or do they instead point to The Day of the Lord?

In Part II, we examined the Day of the Lord—the most anticipated and most misinterpreted event in Israel’s prophetic history. ‘In that Day,’ God, under the reign of the Messiah, will resurrect the remnant of Israel—those who lived by faith in the Christ-line, just as their father Abraham instructed.

Now, in Part III, we will examine these five disputed passages to determine where they truly belong in the prophetic timeline of world history.

1.  Isaiah 66:8-9

“Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” (NIV)

Some claim this verse refers to Israel’s declaration of statehood in 1948. However, Isaiah 66 is the final chapter of the book, describing the New Heavens and New Earth—the ultimate restoration of Israel, not a political event.

Verses 15-16 speak of cosmic upheaval and divine judgment, placing this prophecy in the Day of the Lord. The “nation born in a moment” refers to the instantaneous resurrection of Israel at Christ’s return, not the gradual formation of a modern state through political processes.

2.  Ezekiel 37:21-22

“Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations…and will gather them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all.” (ESV)

This passage is often used to support 1948, but the prophecy explicitly connects Israel’s gathering with a resurrection and the reign of one king—Christ.

Verse 13 makes this clear: “Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves…and brought you up from your graves.”

Since this resurrection has not yet occurred, this prophecy remains future and is tied to Christ’s return, not 1948.

3.  Isaiah 11:11-12

“In that day the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people… and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.” (KJV)

The phrase “in that day” is a prophetic marker for the Day of the Lord. The chapter describes a world where “the earth shall be full of the knowledge of God” and Christ reigns in peace.

This has not happened, as 1948 was strictly a political event. This passage speaks of a supernatural gathering under the Messiah.

4.  Zechariah 14:2-3

“I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken… Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.” (ESV)

Some link this to Israel’s modern wars, but the context reveals that this battle occurs at Christ’s return.

Verse 4 removes all doubt: “On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives.”

Modern Israel’s wars are not this final battle. The Day of the Lord is a supernatural event where Christ Himself fights for Israel. This has not happened yet.

5.  Zephaniah 3:19-20

“At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.” (NIV)

The phrase “at that time” points to The Day of the Lord—when God gathers His faithful remnant.

Verse 12 clarifies: “They will trust in the name of the Lord.”

This gathering is spiritual and global, taking place at the final resurrection. Modern Israel remains politically contested and far from receiving the global “honor and praise” described here. This prophecy awaits its full fulfillment.

1948: Not a Fulfillment

When read in context, these scriptures do not refer to 1948. Instead, they describe the future Day of the Lord, when:

  • Christ returns.
  • Israel is resurrected and spiritually restored.
  • Peace and righteousness fill the earth.

None of this occurred in 1948. While that event may have set the stage for the world-altering events described in the Book of Revelation, it was by no means the fulfillment of these Old Testament prophecies.

In fact, there is no mention of 1948—or even recent centuries—anywhere in the Bible. Any attempt to link these passages to modern political events is mere speculation.

The Want of War

When examined in their contexts, these popular Christian Zionist scriptures appear to describe—not the founding of Israel in 1948—but rather the end-times Day of the Lord, still future. While 1948 may have laid the groundwork for the rebuilding of the Temple and its occupancy by the Antichrist (2 Thes. 2:3-4), the obvious lack of resurrection and renewal, lasting peace, and the Messianic reign precludes it from being the fulfillment of these prophecies. These prophecies describe events that can only be realized at the Second Coming of Christ to the earth.

As one can imagine, a plethora of Old Testament verses can be leveraged to justify war in the Middle East and beyond.

Our endless wars in the Middle East are fueled not only by diplomatic failures, but just as much by doctrinal distortions—scriptural misinterpretations used to manipulate public sentiment. The neoconservatives, governments, and industries that profiteer from these never-ending wars rely heavily on Christian Zionism to rally the troops back home and secure financial and political backing.

While we as pastors may not agree on every interpretation of scripture, one thing we should agree on is that entering a world war based on doctrinal error would be both tragic—and the devil’s greatest triumph. We as Christian ministers must stand against any further global conflicts justified by Old Testament prophecies, to prevent the bloodshed of our children and proclaim the pathway of peace.

Christian Zionism’s March to War – Part 1

stephen daniels4 Comments
Photo via cottonbro studio at pexels.com

Editors note: the guest article appearing here does not necessarily reflect the views of Bible Rebel editors or other guest authors and contributors. Bible Rebel seeks to present a wide range of ideas and viewpoints in order to fulfill our mission to provide resources for “Curious Fearless Faith”.

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Have you ever heard a pastor expound that today’s Jews and the modern State of Israel are God’s chosen people, rightfully entitled to the “Promised Lands?” From the early 1900s onward, this belief system — known as Christian Zionism — has taken root in many churches, convincing countless believers that the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 marked the fulfillment of biblical prophecy.

According to this narrative, the Jewish citizens of present-day Israel are the direct heirs of the lands gifted to Abraham’s descendants — now their eternal homeland.

It’s a story many of us have grown up with, encouraging Christians to accept, without question, that modern Jews hold a God-ordained claim to the territories sworn to Abraham, some 4,000 years ago.

But consider the consequences: as Christian Zionism’s influence spreads throughout the U.S. and Europe, a startling number of American Christians find themselves compelled — financially, politically, and even militarily — to aid Israel’s rapidly expanding conflicts in the Middle East. Men and women who might otherwise stand firmly against war find themselves supporting armed aggression, simply because they believe it serves God’s plan.

What could drive Jesus’s peace-minded followers to champion violence in the Middle East?

The shocking answer is this: this zeal springs from a misguided interpretation of prophecy — one that twists God’s words about future end-times events into a license for unyielding military dominance today.

Christian Zionist scholars and proponents suggest that dozens, even hundreds of Old Testament prophecies point specifically to the re-establishment of Israel as a nation today — and ready for battle.

Of these, here is a sampling of popular scriptures commonly quoted to garner support:

Isaiah 66:8-9: “Who has ever heard of such things? ... Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?”
Ezekiel 37:21-22: “Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations ... and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.”
Isaiah 11:11-12: “The Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people ... and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel.”
Zechariah 14:2-3: “I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle ... Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations.”
Zephaniah 3:19-20: “At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you ... I will bring you home and give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth.”

Let’s dive deeper into these five commonly cited verses and test them against the Bible’s overarching narrative. Are these prophecies truly about 1948, or do they point to something far greater yet to come?

In my following articles, we’ll unravel the strange connection between these scriptures, the wars of Zionism, and “The Day of the Lord” — a central theme throughout the Old Testament. You won’t want to miss this revealing exploration of what the Bible really says about Israel’s prophetic future!