The Shadow of anti-Semitism

By David Ettinger 

Celebrating a Massacre
There is no doubt that throughout the U.S. and other Western nations a celebratory cheer – more silent than audible – arose when the news of a Jewish massacre occurred.

On Saturday, October 27, 2018, 46-year-old Robert Bowers barged his way into the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh and let loose a spray of gunfire, slaughtering 11 men and women and wounding six.

Though outrage and sympathy poured in from all sectors of society, there was, no doubt, buried not-so-deeply into the underbelly of millions throughout the world a sense of glee and satisfaction that a handful of despised Jews were extracted from the earth.

I saw this underbelly rise to the surface in the comments sections of various websites carrying the story. Though the wording differed, the basic thought was the same: These arrogant and pompous snobs who regard themselves as “the Chosen People” got exactly what they deserved.

There were other comments along these lines, the authors of the vitriol safely concealed by a clever avatar and username. But what wasn’t concealed was the shameless, overt, and almost proud contempt harbored against the Jewish people. The shadow of anti-Semitism looms large in the West, and is growing ever larger.

An Ancient Enmity
Enmity for the Jewish people has been around for centuries, going back to ancient Israel. Even then Israel’s neighbors wanted to wipe the Hebrews off the face of the earth. In the Christian era, the skewed theology of the Reformed Church regarding the Jewish people has contributed to anti-Semitism. Just read the latter writings of Martin Luther. Sadly, much of his sentiments are still festering in many Reformed quarters.

Today, Church and secular anti-Semitism can be found in the BDS Movement. BDS stands for “Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions,” and is aimed against the nation of Israel for its alleged ill-treatment of the Palestinians. BDS advocates see Israel as the bully whose sole goal it is to oppress the Palestinian people.

The BDS movement is a pet cause of social-justice warriors who seek to end injustice. To them, Israel is among the worst of oppressors. This, of course, ignores the fact that the leaders of the various Palestinian political blocs stand resolutely on the platform of complete and utter destruction of Israel. No sharing of land whatsoever!

For the Reformed Church, God has forsaken the Jewish people because of their rejection of Christ, and has transferred Israel’s blessings to them. Though the majority of Reformed Christians are by no means anti-Semitic when it comes to the Jews as individuals, the shadow of anti-Semitism still exists by virtue of their horribly-flawed Israel theology.

The True Reason
The reason why the shadow of anti-Semitism looms so large is quite the opposite of what Reform Christianity believes. Despite their claims to the contrary, the Jewish people are still God’s Chosen People. A simple and unbiased reading of Romans Chapters 9 through 11 can lead to no other conclusion.

Of course, according to 1 Peter 2:9, the Church – Christians – are also God’s Chosen People. How can they both be? Simple. God has ordained both; they simply have two different purposes. The Church is to proclaim to the unsaved world that Jesus is Lord and Savior. The Jews – by their very existence and as-yet-unfulfilled promises made to them – are a testimony as to God’s faithfulness, goodness, and truthfulness.

The pages of the Old Testament and portions of the New are filled with as-yet-unfulfilled promises to the Jewish people. God has not transferred these promises to the Church, but has vowed them to the Jewish people, and He will deliver on them.

The redemption of the Jewish people at the end of the age is a major component of God’s end-times agenda. In order for this component to come to fruition, the Jewish people must exist. Satan wants to foil God’s plans, and would love to destroy God’s original Chosen People. So long as this is Satan’s plan, he will continue to sow the seeds of anti-Semitism.

As we draw nearer to the end of the age and the return of Jesus Christ, Satan will ramp up his efforts, desperately trying to destroy the Jewish people. Because of this, the shadow of anti-Semitism will continue to widen. This past Saturday’s shooting rampage was just a touch of what’s coming here in the West.

As believers in the Lord Jesus, we need to be faithful in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world, and this includes the Jewish people in your life who desperately need to hear this crucial and soul-saving truth!

Tagged: Bible study, christian living, Christianity, Devotion, Israel, Israel editorial, Practical, prophecy, the end-times, theology

Posted in: Ancient Israel, Apologetics, Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christianity, Culture, Devotional, Editorial/Blog, End Times, Israel, Judaism, Justice, Politics, prophecy, the end-times, The Gospel