Keywords: Biblical Mandate * Christian Zionism * Christians Israel * Christian Zionist * Pray for Jerusalem * Jewish Roots * Israel

The Biblical Mandate of Christian Zionism

The Biblical Mandate of Christian Zionism
by Mikael Knighton
Christians Standing with Israel

The backbone of Christian Zionism consists of a Biblical "mandate" under which Christians are directed, by the Lord, to become blessings to His people. The mandate is comprised of several, Scriptural passages in which God communicates what CSWI classifies as "standard operating procedure" not only for Christian Zionists, but for all Christians.

The directives found in the mandate are entirely unconditional. While our Christian objectives are to advance the Kingdom of God, as well as the Great Commission, our becoming blessings to the "apple of God's eye" does not depend on their conversion to Christianity. The essence of pure evil under the guise of Christian Crusaders, in centuries past, led to the complete collapse of Jewish-Christian relations. Only recently has the relationship between the Jewish people and Christians become fruitful, and the "mending" process, albeit positive, continues this very day. Even so, this portion of the mandate cannot be overstated: Christian support for the nation of Israel and the Jewish people is entirely unconditional. With all of this said, let us turn now to the mandate itself:

"And I will bless those who bless you,
and to the one who curses you I will curse" [Gen 12:3]

The Scriptures are clear: We are blessed when we are a blessing to His people, and we are cursed when we curse them. History has proven this, time and time again. We are not to support and bless Israel in the hopes of some sort of "return on our investment". God knows our hearts. When we bless His people with humble, compassionate and sincere hearts, His blessings upon us will come in accordance with His perfect timetable.

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,
they shall prosper that love thee" [Psalm 122:6 ]

God wishes for Christians to pray for the peace of His eternal and indivisible city. As the prophetic events in the Middle East continue to unfold with the end-time players assuming their roles on the world stage, the need to intercede in prayer on Jerusalem's behalf grows exponentionally each day.

"Comfort, comfort ye My people. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed,
that her sin has been paid for,
that she has received from the LORD's hand
double for all her sins." [Isaiah 40:1-2]

The Lord wishes for Christians everywhere to "comfort" His people--the Jewish people. We are to "speak" tenderly to Jerusalem. In other words, we are to comfort her with words of hope; proclaiming to her that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has not abandoned them, and His promises are still very much alive. We are to heed His call and "prepare ye the way of the Lord," for "the Deliver will come out of Zion."

"The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls,
and their kings shall minister to you;
for in My wrath I struck you,
but in My favor I have had mercy on you.
Therefore your gates shall be open continually;
They shall not be shut day or night,
that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles,
and their kings in procession.
For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish,
and those nations shall be utterly ruined." [Isaiah 60:10-12]

In this passage, as with Genesis 12:3, God promises to curse those who would curse His people. Furthermore, we see that The Lord continues to have big Plans for Israel. As the aforementioned passage illustrates, the Goyim (Gentiles) are a very big part of that Plan. We are called not only to "speak tenderly to" and "comfort" Jerusalem, but to serve and minister to her as well.

"I have set watchmen on thy walls, O Jerusalem;
They shall never hold their peace day or night.
You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent,
And give Him no rest, until He establishes
and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth." [Isaiah 62:6-7 ]

We, as Christians, are the "Watchmen" appointed by God to never keep silent "for Zion's sake". We honor this in a variety of ways. First, let us educate the nations--helping them to cultivate a sound, Biblical doctrine that recognizes not only the Biblical significance of the Jewish people, but one that recognizes our calling to serve, support and love them, as well. Two, let us "pray without ceasing" on Israel's behalf. Finally, let us walk the Land and meet His people. May the Lord bless us with opportunities to stand with His people in His land, letting them know they will always have the love and support of their Christian brothers and sisters. There are some Christians who will be afforded opportunities to accomplish all three of these obligations, while some may only have the means to fulfill one. Christians should never feel they are of a greater or lesser caliber based on the degree to which they are able to show their love and support for God's people. Pray. "If it is He that guides, it will be He that provides." May we never keep silent.

"Behold, I will lift up My hand in an oath to the nations,
and set up My standard for the peoples;
They shall bring your sons in their arms,
and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders" [Isaiah 49:22]

This prophecy continues to be fulfilled before our very eyes, for it began when the Jewish people were regathered in their Land [Ezek 34:13], and continues today...

"For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things,
their duty is also to minister to them in material things." [Romans 15:27]

We owe the Jewish people a debt of gratitude. How do Gentiles repay the people from whom the Gospel came? By taking Gospel back to its origin, through support, solidarity, service, and unconditional love. May we never keep silent.