Christian Zionism, the Enmity of the Muslim World, and a Theology of Mercy by Ward Fenley If you are like me, and have experienced plateaus in your life since seeing the truth of fulfilled eschatology, then you also have probably taken a look around and seen many "preterists" somewhat dying on the limb--in many ways. Unfortunately preterists have not gone beyond simple time statements. It is finding Christ in the Scriptures which takes us higher. It is finding Christ in all the Scriptures, not just the theology of Paul. Paul spoke nothing new. He merely revealed what was hidden but nevertheless written. Because of Christ and Paul, we have access to every type and prophecy God ever intended for us to know. The potential for growth is endless. It is only when we draw away from seeking to find Christ in the Scriptures that we plateau. Whenever my 'spiritual' senses grow dull, God, in His miraculous way, directs my heart to find His Son in all the Scriptures. Then my mind is redirected to heavenly things and my affection is set on things above--on things that satisfy. My mind is then free to find beauty in literally everything. Finally, when we find Christ in the Old Testament and link that with Christ's and Paul's theology, we find the solution to the misery which has been brought to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. For then we show how Christ and Paul used New Testament theology to bring to light the prophecies of Jewish prophets concerning the Empire, which consisted of Jews and Arabs (at that time, Gentiles). These prophets taught the unity of the Gentiles with the Jews through faith in Christ. They prophesied this hundreds of years before Christ. If we can bring this to the table in a way which shows all the Gentiles bringing their riches to the God of Israel (the Israel of God), then, by God's grace, we will not perpetuate the repulsive and racist theology of Christian Zionism. That aberrant theology is not only bringing shame to Christianity, it is bringing death to thousands of Muslims, Jews, and Christians all over the world. Imagine if some bold politicians grasped the understanding that Christian Zionism is a form of racism and argued for the withdrawal of our funding for “Israel.” If this actually transpired and America simply apologized and acknowledged to Arab nations that creating the imagined state of Israel at the expense of Palestinians was wrong and even unbiblical, this would no doubt cause Arabs to stop their own evil in retaliation against the British-American-Israeli alliance, the true "axis of evil." Communism, Iran, Iraq, Syria, North Korea, and other terrorist nations are simply retaliating against this initial axis of evil. Retaliation is wrong. Returning evil for evil is wrong. But we must acknowledge that we started it. God destroyed Israel for her apostasy and blasphemy in killing the Lord of glory. And Christian Zionism has reestablished an apostate type of the first-century apostate nation of Israel? This is monumentally the worst thing Christians have done throughout the history of Christianity. It is nothing short of the holocaust; nothing short of Stalin's starving millions of peasants; nothing short of Sadaam's slaughter of Curds. If Christian Zionism in Britain and America would apologize and reverse their evil, this would bring humility to America and possibly encourage forgiveness from Arab nations. When that happens, it will be the demonstration of at least one biblical solution. We must remember "love is the bond of perfection." Jesus said others would know His people are His disciples by their love for one another. There is no doubt this is true today. When people see an end to "preterists" attacking each other; when they see an end to Christian Zionists supporting the slaughter of Palestinians; and finally, when God uses those great measures to testify He is in the midst of His people; then they shall know He is the Lord. God's grace works through these means. Sure, God can work through other means. But haven't we all wondered: Why isn't preterism conquering the world? Why isn't Christian Zionism conquering the world? Why isn't postmillennial reconstructionism conquering the world? It is because love is not infused with truth and truth is not infused with love. We have to capture the spirit of both to see miraculous works in the hearts of men, as far as numbers are concerned. If one meditates on the problems facing Christendom, and then examines these things in light of the Scriptures as they reveal Christ and the character of His kingdom, they will see how powerful our message really is. These are the truths which transformed my heart. It was the message of the prophets linked with the theology of Christ and Paul. That is what drove me over the edge into fulfilled eschatology and it is what continues to stir my heart, as opposed to stale bantering. There is obviously a place for discussion of all the issues, but the positive message of Christ in the prophets is what caused Paul to say in Romans 15 that the joy of Christ would make the Gentiles laud Him. This could be referred to as a theology of mercy, or a theology of forgiveness. We have tended to not practically apply theology, and we have tended to not make mercy a theology. We have too often not allowed the two to meet and transform. Mercy triumphs over judgment. That is the universal principle of divinity. It is what "buying wine and milk without price" is. It is the sum of all victorious living. It is the manifestation of God exalted on His throne. And it is how we boldly approach that throne to find grace to help in time of need. If Christ's love covered the multitude of our sins, then our mercy should do the same for others. May Muslims begin to see this and desire the truth we have come to see so that spiritual peace may dwell in their hearts and literal peace may dwell on American and Middle-Eastern soil. Printable PDF file of this article: | Ward Fenley 
Ward Fenley resides in Greenehaven, Arizona with his two boys, Austin and Trumann. He teaches for an online virtual academy and also teaches private music lessons. Ward enjoys hiking, composing, and of course, writing about and discussing theology. He has written two books and many articles dealing with the kingdom and grace of God. Ward's current focus is on the subjects of the conscience and mercy in Scripture and how those elements relate to our everyday lives and those around us. He believes that love shown through mercy is the captivating element which not only proves the existence of the kingdom of God, but is also that which draws unbelievers to inquire into our faith in Jesus Christ.
"The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has said in a fresh report that more than 1.9m Palestinian children face the threat of death, injury, displacement, detention, psychological distress, and low educational attainment because of measures taken by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territories."
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