Israel/Palestine.3

The title of this blog probably makes you ask yourself why I added Palestine to what I have been calling Israel. 

I had always heard of the Israeli Palestinian conflict, but honestly purposely stayed out of it, avoiding conversation and information concerning it.

But, I realized that this conflict is something that Christians need to speak truth and peace into. 

It's not just about the Middle East, but it confronts our faith very directly because whether you know it or not, what you believe about the end times is intertwined with this conflict. 

My friend Rachel is half Palestinian, which has challenged me to ask questions and understand the issues. 

Yesterday we went into Bethlehem for two reasons; one, to see the Church of Nativity which is the place where Jesus was born and second, to visit Bethlehem Bible College. 

Bethlehem Bible College is a college that trains and educates Palestinians to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus in their context.

The student here are Palestinian Arab Christians. That in itself is loaded with misunderstood identities.

I will explain details shortly, but first it is important to note that most Christians in this land are Palestinian Arabs, and therefore it is beyond important for us to engage. 

So, you ask yourself....why should we be concerned with this conflict? 

1. The church is struggling. 

2. This is the land where church was born. 

In Palestinian territories there are 3.9 million Muslims and 50,000 Christians.

The Palestinian Christians are the most vulnerable in this land. 

I know the terminology can be very confusing and misunderstood, so here are some definitions:

Palestinian: Arabs living in the land of Palestine. Mixed races and nationalities from those who invaded and intermingled. They are not the philistines, but their name comes from the Greeks and Romans who called them the philistines. In 135-136AD, emperor Adrian forced all Jews to leave Israel because of a revolt, and from then on it was called Palestine.

Messianic Jews: Jews who accept Jesus as messiah and observe Jewish customs and traditions. The majority of Christians in Israel are messianic Jews.

Arab country: land where majority of the people speak Arabic and observe Arabic culture. 

Muslims: followers of Muhammad and the holy book Quran. There are two groups of Muslims, Shia: the successor of Muhammad must be family, Sunni: successor must be most qualified.

Arab: someone who speaks Arabic and identifies with Arabic culture

Jew: born of Jewish mother or converts to Judaism. Speaks Hebrew and can be either secular or Orthodox Jew who lives in Israel. They believe in the establishment of Israel as as reigning nation for the coming of the messiah and the rebuilding of the temple. 

Christian Zionist: a view that the establishment of the nation of Israel is in concurrence with biblical prophecy and therefore support the rise of Israel and suppression of Palestine in the land. 

Also, a key note is that there were Christians in Palestine almost 500 years broke Muhammad. 

Here is some history:

The conflict didn't start in the Land, in fact it started in England with the birth of Zionism in 1897. 

In 1917, because of the rise Christian Zionism, the British parliament declared the Jews to return to their land, but because they were only 6% of the people they were not allowed to have it.

After the WW2 there were 30% Jews and 70% Palestinians living in the land, which led to the first Israel-Arab war in 1948. In that war, 800,000 Palestinians were kicked out of their homes and made refugees. 

The British parliament tried to set up a partition plan that would divide the land, but the Palestinians didn't like his because they were only given half of the land they had previously had. 

The Palestinian territory slowing decreased into what is now called the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. These are Palestinian territories with their own government, but is ruled by Israel. 

They are building walls around these areas, which in theory would be fine because it would create a two state system. 

BUT, the Israelis are building the walls in the middle of the Palestinian territory and therefore separating Palestinians from Palestinians.

So, there are families and on both sides who are not allowed to cross to see one another. 

They can apply for a permit, but it has to be almost dyer for them to be able to leave. 

The wall is built 3km too far. 

Israelis are building settlements for themselves inside the walls, and therefore causing more control and conflict.

This conflict is taking away the humanity and well being of the Palestinians. 

There is little unity among Israeli Christians and Palestinian Christians because of their view of the end times, specifically relating to Israel. 

This is crucial for the church. 

The US government's number one supported nation is Israel, in military equipment and money. 

We need to know the truth.

We need to know what scripture says. 

Covenant theology asks the question who is the nation? Who are the descendant? 

It's not about a nation or a land anymore, BELIEVERS, it's about the hearts of the people of God.

God is concerned with his chosen Israel, but God is NOT concerned with the land. 

Covenant theology is not replacement theology, but rather an extension. 

Pray for our brothers and sisters in Palestine. 

I do not have all the answers, but The Lord is revealing new things to me in this land. 

We need to be courageous Christians and fight for justice, just at God loves justice. 

Israel.2

Today was refreshing.
I was so overwhelmed for the first two days, but today was a breath of God's grace.
There is so much in Jerusalem, not even including the areas surrounding , that are filled with memories of our risen Lord.
Yesterday was the Old Testament day where we walked around Jerusalem and looked at some of the key places that are still around.
We went to the area where The City of David was said to be, where the original city of Jerusalem was, which David found.
Also, we walked around the Old City walls which were originally built by Herod the Great, but then rebuilt by the Turks when they conquered the city in the 1538! There are some stones that are still left from the time if Jesus, some of which are on the corner of our college, JUC, which at the bottom, left corner in this picture:

Today we went on a New Testament walk throughout the Old City and visited the Temple Mount, which Is the mountain where the temple was originally placed by David, then destroyed and later rebuilt. Then Herod the Great added significantly to the Temple, adding serveral courtyards and embellishments.

So, today we went outside of the walls and sat on the southern stairs. Surround the stairs there were the mikvahs, which were baths where the Jews would cleanse themselves before entering the temple. This is important because it is most likely that Jesus would have taught his disciples not those steps, because rabbis would teach their disciples outside of the temple. Also, It is thought that this is where Paul was trained by a rabbi, and then where Peter preached the Pentecost message, and 3000 were baptized. This was amazing! There are more details... But it was life changing. Here are the steps. Soak it up :) 

Israel.1

Israel has been surreal.
The fact that I'm actually here is blowing my mind, but even crazier is the fact that I'm in Jerusalem!
Emotions are flying.
I'm learning about this land, but I'm also learning about community.
Everyone on this trip is so different, with different minds, ideas of fun, and friend groups.
We laugh different, at different jokes with different friends.
But there is one thing we have in common, we are Christians in the Holy Lands.
I'm going to learn a lot... But it might not just be about this land.
I need perseverance, because I've never been stretched this much in my life.
I'm at the nearing the peak of the craziest year of my life, and there are times when I'm not sure if I'm going to make it...
By the grace of God and his sustaining Spirit, I will not only finish this trip, but I will be changed.
It's not going to be easy or glorious.
But I've learned thus far on this trip, things are only glorious when they are sanctified.
Thus land is only holy because God chose it.
I am only holy because God chose me.
This trip will change me because God is changing me.
It's about Jesus.
❤

Ps. Here is where I'm staying for 3 weeks 😊