Present Day Israel – is it “Israel”?

That ’s the question.  If we buy into the idea that there is an Israel somewhere that is still near and dear to God’s heart, is what we see now in that nation called Israel the same thing?  I’d say yes and no.  Yes, because there are Jewish people living there that make up the majority of that nation.  They are living in the land promised them by God and given to them by their natural forebears centuries ago.  No, because not every Jewish person living there will say yes to Jesus.  That is the key deal.  There is so much prophetic scripture about Jesus returning to rule the world from Jerusalem, so there has to actually be a Jersualem to return to.  That’s why the reestablishment of Israel as a nation in 1948 was such a phenomenal event.  For nearly 2000 years there had been no Israel or Jerusalem on the map in any way, shape or form.  Scholars were puzzled for centuries and came up with some “interesting” interpretations of scripture to reconcile with there being no Israel or Jerusalem on the map.  Now there is, and people have trouble believing they are the same folks.  One key may be this - while Romans 11:26 says “…so all Israel will be saved (delivered)” this does not mean everyone living in Israel now will go to heaven.  The door to eternal life is still narrow, meaning one must accept Jesus Christ as savior and Lord to be able to enter in.  Not all Jewish people will do this – but some will. (Romans 11:4,5)  So pray for Israel and the peace of Jersualem.  Just like with our gentile friends and relatives, you never know who might say yes.