One of the most disturbing results of Preterism in all its forms is the wave of anti-Semitism that follows in its wake. I don't know about you, but I will not stand quietly on the sidelines and watch this arrogant attack on Israel.

How many times did God promise Israel his covenant with them was everlasting? "I have loved you with an everlasting love" (Jeremiah 31:31). I think it's safe to say that "everlasting" qualifies as eternal. The Preterists (full or partial--take your pick--it's like saying you're partially pregnant) tell anyone who will listen that the Church is the new Israel--and God has forsaken the old one. Hank Hanegraaff calls Israel the "whore" of Revelation and Jerusalem the "Harlot City." Wow.

Paul refutes it quite effectively in Romans 11 when he says the children of God can be compared to a tree (Israel) with many natural branches, and some branches God has grafted on to the tree (Gentiles). Just because some of the natural branches are cut off, does not mean God has cut down the tree: "I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew."

Joseph Farah, an Arab-American Christian, has a unique and powerful perspective on this situation. Calling it "a lie from the pit of hell," he takes on Preterism's newest convert here:


Answering 'the Bible Answer Man'

By Joseph Farah

Hank Hanegraff, also known as "the Bible Answer Man," may know more about theology than me.

He may have memorized more Scripture than me.

He may have a deeper understanding of some Bible passages than me.

But he sure doesn't know much about the Middle East.

Therefore, today, I am going to address some issues being raised by "the Bible Answer Man" – especially insofar as they apply to the suicidal policies he is advocating with regard to this explosive area of the world.

In a new novel he has written with fiction writer Sigmund Brouwer, "Fuse of Armageddon," he makes the amazingly false case that America's support of Israel causes, at least in part, terrorism directed against Americans.

It is fitting that such a preposterous and wholly unsupportable thesis could only be marketed to the American people as a work of fiction – because that's what it is.

"Much of American Middle East policy is influenced by a huge voting bloc of evangelicals who are taught not to question Israel's divine right to the land," says Hanegraff. "God is not pro-Jew. He is pro-justice. He is not pro-Palestinian. He is pro-peace. Only a gospel of peace and justice is potent enough to break the stranglehold of anti-Semitism and racism fueled in part by bad theology."

Now let's deal with this statement. Let's talk about justice and peace.

Who is it in the Middle East that genuinely wants peace? Who is it in the Middle East that genuinely works toward justice?

There is only one nation in the Middle East that has bent over backward for peace to the point of being counterproductive and risking its own survival. That nation is Israel.

There is only one nation in the Middle East that has worked for justice – offering Arabs and all other people civil and human rights. That nation is Israel.

As an Arab-American who had the opportunity to serve as a Middle East correspondent and study the region over the last 30 years, I think I can make that statement without any equivocation or hesitation.

Full article here:
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55820


Joseph Farah is the founder, editor and CEO of WorldNetDaily.