Information Related to "Who Will Restore Israel?"
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Restoration: Who Will Restore Israel?by Darris McNeelyIt was the burning question on the mind of the disciples as they gathered around Jesus for the final time before His ascension into the Father's presence. "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). This question continues to dominate headlines today as new efforts struggle to bring peace to the Middle East. World leaders seek the answer but are looking in the wrong place. Last month in Annapolis, Maryland, the Bush administration called together the leaders of the state of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas, to attempt a jump-start of the Middle East peace process. Out of the meeting came agreement to begin regular talks to arrive at a just settlement on the critical issues before the Israelis and the Palestinians. No one is making any predictions, but at least there are efforts underway to work toward some solution to the problems that have vexed diplomats since 1948. Peace talks between the Arabs and Israelis always produce interesting scenes of human behavior. Saudi Arabia and Syria sent delegates at the last minute, but the Saudis emphatically said there would be no handshaking with the Israelis. And to put emphasis to this, Israeli journalists were barred from a Saudi press conference and were forced to stand in the rain to cover the event. So much for serious fence-mending. If ever there will be peace between the descendants of Abraham, they will at least have to be willing to shake hands. The Bush administration has not focused on the peace process during its seven years in office. There was the earlier "road map to peace" effort, but no one has traveled far down that road. Now President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are making a final effort to make something happen before they leave office in January 2009. The stakes are high if they fail, but to do nothing does not reduce the risk. Relations between Israelis and Palestinians are at a turning point. The Palestinians are divided into rival factions. Hamas has taken control of Gaza while Abbas's Fatah party has control of the West Bank, two areas separated by Israel. The critical issue hinges on creating a viable two-state solution that allows an opportunity for Palestinian autonomy and a return of refugees from the wars of the past 60 years. Whether or not this can be done in a just manner that will also provide viable security for Israel is the question. No Israeli leader can trade away security for a treaty that cannot guarantee peace and safety for his citizens. Yet neither can he continue to ignore the rising tide of demand for a change from the current status. Recently Prime Minister Olmert told an Israeli newspaper that Israel's survival depends on the creation of a viable Palestinian state. "If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights (also for the Palestinians in the territories), then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished" (Haaretz, Nov. 29, 2007). He understands that support for Israel will crumble if the Palestinian issues are left unresolved. While we support efforts to end the conflict, we also understand the very real spiritual issues in play within the region. There are critical fundamentals of human nature that must be changed, on all sides, before peace will break out. At the heart of this is a true understanding of what must be restored before a just and lasting peace can be created. When Christ answered the question about restoring the kingdom to Israel, He spoke about the meaning of the Kingdom of God He would bring at His second coming. He did not speak of restoring the present Jewish homeland. What was created in 1948 was not the fulfillment of this Bible prophecy. It was only a stepping-stone to the time when Christ establishes the rule and peace of His Kingdom over all nations. We will encourage and applaud any serious human effort to end the suffering of Palestinians and Israelis. But we'll also pray "Your kingdom come." WNP |
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