I confess, writing this blog has been in the offing for a while.

The reason for my delay in doing so is simple and straightforward. Firstly, many thoughts have gone through my head, some of them not fully formulated and, whatever I come up with, this will be incomplete. Secondly, ever since I entered the blogosphere, nearly 14 years ago, I have regularly posted my Israel related thoughts because the subject interests me and is a contentious yet important one. While I will be going over old ground, I wanted also to present something fresh and new. Thirdly, every day new developments are noted and it is a matter of deciding when to go with what I have.

While my views on Israel in the Bible remain essentially the same, those concerning modern day Israel have evolved over that time as I have both further reflected on what the Bible teaches and researched what is going on today. Concerning the subject of Israel, both ancient and modern, I continue to learn as new information and perspectives come to light noting, even from among knowledgeable and God-fearing Christians, there is a range of views. I have seen the tendency to be either pro-Israel or anti, when it is not that simple. The following posts of mine are from the past two years:

1. My Israel Conundrum (2)
2. Got Questions and “the Consolation of Israel”
3. Israel, Anti-Zionism, Anti-Semitism, Truth and Unity
4. Some thoughts on Israel – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
5. Coming to a view on Israel and current events from a biblical perspective

I think it is worth as a start laying my cards on the table regarding how I see Israel. Unlike (sadly) many/most Christians, especially those who have shaped opinions among believers, I believe the Covenant God made with Abraham concerning Israel (the land and the people) remains operational, there will yet be a restoration of Israel under its Messiah as part of His Millennial Kingdom and that the Church has not replaced Israel in God’s plans. Ours is not to reason why, for God has chosen Israel and, while it may only be a remnant of the faithful, the time will come when it will be saved (Romans 11:26-27). I could at this point do a theological deep dive but suggest instead that anyone wanting to know more begin by checking out my last blog, titled: “Christ in the Book of Daniel and Daniel a prophet for our times” (see here).   

While I am pro-Israel, my views do not give Israel carte blanche to do what it wants and some of what some claiming to be Jews have done ever since the emergence of the Zionist movement in the nineteenth century was not only wrong but wickedly so. On the subject of Israel and its relation to Palestine, besides not shying away from my belief that the nation of Israel was specially chosen by God as seen from the Covenants that He made with Abraham and Moses (covenants He always keeps), which included promises of the land we now call Israel (part of which being the land that was promised, e.g. see Genesis 15:18-21), despite historically most Israelis having rejected their promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth.

Where I may differ from some of my pro-Israel Christian friends is that I am not convinced that the leadership of the current nation of Israel (and before that) has acted entirely justly towards those who identify as Palestinian, living in the land of Israel. But I do not believe there has ever been a Palestinian nation; most “Palestinians” living in Israel originate from surrounding Arab nations. Even so, some can trace back their own family ties living in the land going back several generations and before most Israeli settlers. Tragically, many have been used as political pawns and have been treated badly – both by Israelis and other Palestinians. Moreover, leaders among Palestinians, e.g. living in Gaza, have been terrible people, intent on Israel’s destruction. It should also be noted that at least some Jews have always been in occupation of the land of Israel ever since Joshua conquered it 3500 years ago and, despite exiles that happened 2700-2500 years ago, Jews have always lived in the land.

I have argued in the past: not all criticism of Israel is tantamount to antisemitism despite pressure to believe that it is (although some certainly has been), and I have little doubt it is on the increase in the UK, included institutionally by banning Jewish football fans from supporting their teams and government actions showing sympathy to Muslims and not Jews (of Christians come to that). There have been and still are bad “Jewish” actors, often in position of power and influence, going back to King Herod and, in more recent times, Lord Lionel Walter Rothschild. Moreover, while Zionism can be seen laudably as merely wanting their ancestral Jewish home land, many Zionists have an agenda that is little to do with honouring El Shaddai (YHWH) and more to do with a power grab. It is also worth noting that concerning the 75% occupying Israel that identify as Jewish, it is quite possible that a good number (what per cent I can not say) are not descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (something I intend to reflect on further in a forthcoming blog) and many do not follow Abraham’s God and, conveniently perhaps, latch onto Jewish identity and Jewish claims to the land of Israel.

Concerning my own country’s approach to things Israel, my views are mixed – leaning to concern. I have noted there has been an overall pro-Palestine sentiment despite government moves to arrest demonstrators and to shut down “Palestine Action” a pro-Palestinian campaign group, targeted under anti-terrorism laws. I also note a favourite alternative news network, UK Column, is consistently anti-Israel. I note too pressure being brought to bear on those who criticise Israel, equating this to antisemitism. Yet antisemitism is a significant concern in the UK, with disturbingly high numbers. In 2023, there were 4,103 reported instances of anti-Jewish racist hatred, a 147% rise from 2022. The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 3,528 antisemitic incidents in 2024. Perhaps the worst thing the UK government did is go along with the UN and other countries in recognising a Palestinian state.

Which brings me to the latest of often failed moves for peace in the Middle East, where Israel is ever at the centre. Trump’s boast that the latest peace deal will provide a solution that can satisfy all parties already shows signs of frailty, e.g. Hamas executing dissenters after the deal and severe restrictions placed on Israel regarding their own security. Yet always there is a sense of a pantomime playing out with the well presented optics barely showing what is really going on, despite, arguably, the emphasis on reaching a deal being at the expense of doing what is right. How long that widely welcomed peace will continue, remains to be seen, especially given some of those involved, e.g. Turkey’s Erdogan, have been fiercely anti-Israel and have even been sponsors of terrorism, ideologically opposed to the State of Israel and moreover calling for an independent Palestinian state despite failed attempts in the past.

Some prophecy watchers have cited Bible passages, such as Daniel 9:27, when a deal is made that is later reneged upon that is a prelude to the reign of the Antichrist and the seven-year Tribulation period discussed in Daniel and Revelation, as evidence that the end is nigh, coupled with things like Digital IDs and the way money is controlled linked to the future Beast/666 system (Revelation 13), the roll out of AI that while having obvious benefits (e.g. it helped researching this article) can support that control system, moves afoot to rebuild the Temple and much else that is going on in the region (a subject I consider in my recent “Saudi Arabia, Muhammad bin Salman (MBS) and the coming Antichrist” (see here) blog). Some have cited Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, who has been a master mind behind the latest peace deal and, before that, the Abraham Accords, as one who could be the anticipated Antichrist.

Much else can be considered from a Bible prophecy perspective, such as Ezekiel’s Valley of Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37), relating to Israel’s rebirth and future restoration, and the future Gog and Magog war (Ezekiel 38,39) involving several nations, some identifiable, and targeting Israel, all of which we can add to the mix. As for Israel, while a period of millennial peace and prosperity under the Christ from the line of David is in prospect (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11-16, Jeremiah 30:8-9, 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:22-38, 37:24-28), before that there will be the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7) and of great distress (Daniel 12:1), and at the centre of all this is the Antichrist.

As I indicated at the beginning, so much is going on and things are changing fast. Such is the lies and propaganda constantly being seen, it is difficult to figure out what is really going on. It is also sometimes / often difficult in knowing how best to respond, especially given what we think ought to happen will likely have little bearing on what actually goes on given the people who can affect outcomes often do not honour God. I have merely shared what I see watching on my wall and warning folk concerning what I see. My own understanding from scripture is even if there will be a season of peace, along with an opportunity to preach the Gospel and seeing people respond, our own job is not to speculate on matters like the identity of the Antichrist or unquestioningly siding with one or other side on matters concerning Israel, but rather to trust and hope in the God of Israel and His Son, who will come to set up His Kingdom.