Almost all Christian interpretations of prophecy present a very gloomy vision of Israel’s future. Furthermore, these Christians claim that all the blessings promised in the Hebrew Scriptures no longer belong to Israel, but have passed to the Christian Church! Why?

Largely because they have adopted “replacement theology” which leaves Israel—and thus all Jews— permanently cast off from God’s favor.

Certainly just before his crucifixion, Jesus said, “Your house is left unto you desolate.” (Matthew 23:38) But Apostle Paul also taught that when the Church would be completed, “All Israel shall be saved” (Romans 11:26). Now as we near the End of the Christian Age, God is calling His ancient people home in anticipation of removing their “blindness” (Romans 11:25). Christians throughout the Age, however, have not generally understood Apostle Paul’s words to the Church that “through your mercy, they [Israel] also may obtain mercy” (Romans 11:31).

Early in the Christian Era prominent church “fathers” began to describe the Jews in extremely negative terms. Justin Martyr (A.D. 100 – 165) presented the concept that Christians inherited the promises to Israel when the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as the Messiah. He reasoned that since the Christian faith is like the faith of Abraham, Christians will even inherit the Holy Land as Abraham’s “true children” instead of the Jews.

“Replacement theology” taught by Augustine (A.D. 354–430) also embraced the concept that the “House of Israel” was permanently cast off. As a result, this teaching became official Church doctrine. Remarkably, though, Augustine urged Christians to keep the Jews alive! Why? Their existence would validate the Christian claim to the authenticity of the whole Bible. During the same period John Chrysostom (A.D. 339 – c. 407) advocated, “Because… [the Jews]…killed Christ—there is no mercy—slay them.” Chrysostom’s vicious views led directly to violent persecution in Antioch (Syria). Another result of the “replacement theology” was the erroneous charge against the Jews by Christians falsely claiming that the Jews were responsible for gross “ritual murders.” One need not wonder—with such lies being spread—that the destruction of the Jewish people had become a part of Christian theology! (In modern times Arab Muslims have adopted these false anti-Semitic charges and have accused Jews of ritual murders of Arabs and others.)

Upon such a base of false teachings, the Christian Church grew more and more intolerant of the Jews. The Apostle Paul’s teaching that Israel would not be permanently cast off was ignored by the “official” Church. Even though, Paul taught, “all Israel shall be saved.” Their blindness would only continue “until the fulness of the Gentiles come in” [i.e., the full number of Gentiles come into the Church] (Romans 11:25). In other words, Israel is still God’s people! Therefore, the ominous prophecies of trouble to come upon Israel are only part of the story. God also promised that He will fight for His People and His Land as in the ancient “day of battle.” (Zechariah 14:3) And God said He will “have mercy on the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name…for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel.” (Ezekiel 39:25, 29)

Actually there are many wonderful promises yet to be fulfilled to Israel as a people. The scriptural reality is that God’s Plan for Israel’s future is beautiful and inspiring. In fact, Christians have a responsibility in the End Times to “comfort” and encourage Israel “that her iniquity is pardoned.” (Isaiah 40:1, 2) In a world of escalating anti-Semitism, faithful Christians should show sincere and enthusiastic support for Jews and Israel.