Replacement Theology has been around for a long time. Throughout church history, leaders and theologians have argued that because of Israel’s sin and disobedience, the Nation of Israel has been rejected by God and replaced by the Church. But, some of the rhetoric regarding this belief is becoming very hostile and verbally abusive.

On the subject of Israel, Christians (by name) are divided into two groups: some who are pro-Israel and often called “Christian Zionists” and those who believe the Church has replaced Israel or that the modern State of Israel is not a part of Bible prophecy. The latter group of Christians is in the majority by far and is usually characterized by one or more of the following positions:

1. Covenant theology (as opposed to dispensational belief).

2. Amillennialism—there will be no future, literal 1000 years of the Messiah’s kingdom on earth.

3. Preterism—the belief that the past judgment of God upon Israel and Jerusalem in 70 AD removed God’s blessing and brought God’s rejection of Israel and its replacement by the Church.

4. The book of Revelation was written before 70 AD.

5. Old Testament references of blessing for the children of Israel refer to the “people of God,” not the State or Nation of Israel.

6. Terms like “the Great Tribulation” and “Armageddon” and “Rapture of the Church” are not treated as literal events of future prophetic fulfillment. (The “Rapture” issue is a big one since most believers equate it with the Second Coming at the end of the Tribulation.)

7. Interpretation of prophecy passages in the Bible is usually allegorical or symbolical rather than literal and historical.

There are many subjects that could be added to this list, but you get the basic idea. On the other side are believers who are committed to the following:

1. Dispensational teaching—though there are many differences of opinion within this belief system, the basic truth is the separation of Israel from the Church.

2. The 1000 years of the kingdom of Messiah is to be taken literally—the teaching of Revelation 20.

3. The book of Revelation was not written until after 70 AD.

4. The events in Revelation from chapter 4 to chapter 22 are future.

5. God has NEVER forsaken Israel—His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants is everlasting and unconditional.

6. Bible prophecies concerning Israel (and all matters) are to be taken literally unless there is clear symbolical language that would indicate otherwise.

7. There is a literal period of time (most believe it will be seven years in length) coming called “The Great Tribulation.”

8. There will be a final battle in the Middle East involving all nations of the world that the Bible calls “Armageddon.”

9. The “Rapture of the Church” will occur BEFORE the tribulation and is a separate event from the Second Coming and the end of the tribulation.

We believe that the modern State of Israel is a partial fulfillment of God’s endtime prophecies. We believe that God has NEVER rejected Israel and that this subject alone (2566 times in the Bible) is the foundation for Biblical understanding and teaching throughout the Bible.

David Hocking, Prophecy Watch

But Especially;

“And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity” (II Peter 1:5-7).

God promised that you can live a useful and fruitful life in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. He promised that not only will you join Christ in His eternal kingdom, but your entry will be rich and rewarding.

So why aren’t all Christians fruitful? And why do so many continue to stumble? How can we live now to insure our rich, rewarding entry into Christ’s eternal kingdom?

The answer is found in II Peter 1:3-11. God did not say that all Christians would be fruitful no matter what. Neither did He say that they would never stumble once they decided to follow Christ. He did make these promises, however, to those who will apply diligence in developing eight vital qualities in their lives. Indeed, these character qualities are imperative to an effective, abundant Christian life:

• Faith
• Virtue
• Knowledge
• Self-control
• Patience
• Godliness
• Brotherly Kindness
• Love