Jesus says (about Israel): "I who come in the name of the Father they have rejected but he who comes in his own name they will accept." One can argue about the conventional understanding of the "he who comes in his own name"--my view and the Darby answer is the Anti-Christ. There is certainly no argument that this has already occurred.
Thus Christians must recognize that at some point in the near future, Israel will recognize a False Christ as Messiah--what will our view of Israel be then?
I am a firm public supporter of Israel and the Jews--not only because they are God's chosen people; including the reminant that will inherit the role described by God for His people; but from a secular political point of view, we share an ultimate common heritage and they are one of two or possibly three long term allies of the United States in the support of the Judeo Christian foundation of Western Civilization.
However our support for Israel in this time must be tempered by the knowledge that Israel and the World are searching for competing leadership, not only a political sense that would result in restoration of Israel control of the land but also monetary leadership alternative to the US Dollar. For those who have wisdom, the Anti-Christ's foundation must be recognized as an international monetary system.
With respect to Darby's general eschatological pattern, the only substantive response must be that the Bible prophecies he identifies are not meant to be read litterally--they are to be read allegorically. There may be spirtual fulfillments. But these events are just not to be expected to happen on the ground in the real world.
That whole thesis sounds to me much like the modern world's response to God and the Bible--it's just not real. I reject that. Historically, every word that has been tested--every prophecy that has come to term; has been real. God is here on the ground doing His will in accordance with His plan.
If you don't want to believe that "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air"--just fine with me. How do you suppose this is going to happen? Did Paul just make all this up?
Yes indeed, and we share a lot more common heritage than that. It's genetic cousins helping cousins...
AGREED! Not only do I support them from a biblical standpoint, but I support them politically as well. And not only that, but they also have the historical upper hand, if you can dig through all the propaganda that gets thrown around.
That whole thesis sounds to me much like the modern world's response to God and the Bible--it's just not real. I reject that. Historically, every word that has been tested--every prophecy that has come to term; has been real. God is here on the ground doing His will in accordance with His plan.
Agree again, totally.
If you don't want to believe that "we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air"--just fine with me. How do you suppose this is going to happen? Did Paul just make all this up?
Are you referring to ME as "you"? :) I do believe what Paul said, absolutely. I'm not too worried about rapture timing. I've a got a very strong interest in prophecy in general, have studied it quite a bit, and have decided to just be ready no matter what.