“…Jerusalem, the city the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel in which to put his Name.” 2 Chronicles 12:13
Leave it to President Trump to acknowledge the elephant in the room by stating: “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel.”
But Trump didn’t stop there. He did what Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush promised to do when campaigning but never accomplished in the Oval Office. He ordered that the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv be relocated to Jerusalem.
Congress passed and Clinton signed the Jerusalem Embassy Act of 1995, which said “The United States Embassy in Israel should be established in Jerusalem no later than May 31, 1999.” But no president until Trump followed through with the order.
More: Varvel: Why Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose fell
More: Varvel: A Christian case for the Mike Pence rule
More: Sign up for ‘Views from the Right’ newsletter
Many evangelicals have celebrated Trump’s announcement, but others are concerned.
Those who are concerned fear that Trump’s directive will be viewed as demeaning to the Palestinian people.
Just as “God so loved the world…,” evangelicals are committed to love all people equally, including Israelis and their neighbors. So rejoicing at the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel could be viewed as unloving to Palestinians.
Those who rejoiced saw this event as a fulfillment of the Bible’s promises to the Jewish people.
According to a new LifeWay Research study, 80 percent of evangelicals believe that God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants are for all time. Although the study doesn’t specifically address Jerusalem as the capital city, 69 percent of Christians say Israel has a historic right to the land.
Why? There are many verses like Genesis 28:13 where God speaks to Jacob and says, “I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.”
When the United Nations passed the partition resolution that created a Jewish and Arab state on May 14, 1948, many evangelicals saw that as the fulfillment of a prophecy written 2,500 years earlier. Ezekiel 36:24 says, “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.”
Since that time, Israel, a tiny nation the size of New Jersey, repeatedly has been at war with its neighbors.
In October 2002, during the second intifada, IndyStar’s Editorial Board met with Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert, who gave us first-hand accounts of suicide bombings in his city. He blamed Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, comparing him to Osama bin Laden. I drew a cartoon showing Arafat looking into the mirror and seeing bin Laden. Two years later, Arafat was dead at the age of 75. The intifada ended the following year.
In 2006, Olmert was prime minister, and I drew him standing on a small patch of ground with Hezbollah and Hamas on each side of him. Olmert says, “But I gave you land for peace.” The Hezbollah leader points at the ground under Olmert’s feet and says, ”I want that piece.” And that has been the history of the peace talks.
In 2008, Olmert offered to make the Old City of Jerusalem an international city, but Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas rejected it.
Why? Because Israel’s neighbors do not recognize Israel’s right to exist.
After the Six Day War in 1967, the Arab states announced the famous Three Nos: No Peace With Israel, No Negotiation With Israel, No Recognition of Israel’s Right to Exist.
But in 1979, Egypt President Anwar Sadat signed a peace agreement with Israel for the return of the Sinai Peninsula. Sadat was assassinated two years later.
The international community has never recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. That was always supposed to be the final step in the peace process. President Trump just made it the first step.
Nikki Haley, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said that, “When President Reagan made that famous speech he said ‘Mr. Gorbachev, bring down this wall,’ all of the people around him, told him this was a bad idea. Sometimes you have to take risks.”
Trump’s Jerusalem gambit is a risk this evangelical is comfortable with. But whether rejoicing or concerned, all evangelicals can agree that we need to ”Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.” Psalm 122:6
Contact Varvel at [email protected] Friend him on Facebook at Gary Varvel and follow him on Twitter: @varvel.
- Palestinians fear outbreak in Jerusalem’s ‘no man’s land’
- Despite virus, Pompeo talks West Bank annexation in Israel
- US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo lands in Israel for annexation talks
- Jordan warns Israel of ‘massive conflict’ over annexation
- Amid pandemic, Pompeo to visit Israel for annexation talks
- Despite virus, Pompeo in Israel to talk West Bank annexation
- Violence overshadows Mike Pompeo's visit to Israel
- Mike Pompeo to break travel hiatus for hours-long visit to Israel
- Donald Trump marks National Day of Prayer during coronavirus crisis with his evangelical adviser Paula White who declared 'you will recover all'
- Pompeo travels to Israel amid coronavirus outbreak
- Israel lawmakers back Netanyahu-Gantz government
- EU 'to rally against Israel's West Bank annexation proposal'
- It’s Ridiculous That The United States Took So Long To Move Its Israel Embassy To Jerusalem
- US secretary of state's Jerusalem trip is meant to be noticed by the world
- Pompeo visits Israel on eve of new govt amid West Bank violence
- Trump Hits Past Presidents During Opening Ceremony Of US Embassy In Jerusalem
- Daniel Mariaschin: Europeans continue unjustified criticism of Israel but ignore real Middle East threats
- Palestine forms special committee to cope with possible land annexation by Israel: official
- Set for new term, Netanyahu eyes risky West Bank annexation
- Israeli Supreme Court: Netanyahu may form government
| Product | ★ |
| Battlefield 2 Logitech Headset [See instructions below to get this item free with purchase of game] - PC (check at Amazon) | 2.0 |
| R.L. STINE GOOSEBUMPS includes SCARY HOUSE, SHOCKER ON SHOCK STREET, and THIS TOY PLAYS WITH YOU (3 DISCS) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Standard Deviants School - English Grammar, Program 5 - Agreeing with Grammar (Classroom Edition) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Teaching Systems Grammar Module 5: Agreeing with Grammar (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Why Wal*Mart Works and why this makes some people C-R-A-Z-Y! (check at Amazon) | 2.7 |
| We Didn't Playtest This at All - With Chaos Pack (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| MONSTER HIGH Color This Pencil Pouch with 6 Markers Velvet Art (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| ZhuZhu GIANT Hamster FUN House (hamsters sold separtely) Attention: MUST have this to connect with ALL other accesseries!! (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| World War II Graphic HORRORS OF WAR Card Set (Atrocities) Children should view this set only with Adult Supervision (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Red "This Side Up" With Arrows Labels - 5" by 3" - 500 ct (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| If I Agreed With You We'd Both Be Wrong Tin Sign 16 x 13in (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| 2GB Team CF Memory Card High Performance 133x For Nikon CoolPix 700 775 800. This Card Comes with Lifetime Warranty. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| 4GB Team CF Memory Card High Performance 133x For KODAK DX3600 DX3900 DX4900. This Card Comes with Lifetime Warranty. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| 2GB Team CF Memory Card High Performance 133x For Epson Photo PC 3000Z 3100Z 850Z. This Card Comes with Lifetime Warranty. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| 4GB Team CF Memory Card High Performance 133x For Epson Photo PC 850Z. This Card Comes with Lifetime Warranty. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Furry Friends Retractable DOG Leash Furry Friends Will Enjoy This Leash Along with 3 Tenniss Balls 25 Foot Length (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Noreen Perez This handbag blends with classic elegance with superior functionality and design (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| B&D Hobo This Manmade Material With A Leather Strap Giving This Handbag A Fashion Statement (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Yair Emanuel Velvet Shofar Bag with Embroidered Jerusalem Design (Blue) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Nothing Like This: Special Edition (With Bonus Video Content) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Sons Of Champlin - Welcome To The Dance/The Sons Of Champlin/A Circle Filled With Love/Loving Is Why (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| All This Useless Beauty (With Bonus Disc) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| (This Is) Someone`s Last Day b/w Why Do You Weep, Dear Willow? (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Not Of This Earth/Surfing With The Alien (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Why Me Why This Why Now (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Enjoy this Special Deal with NuWave PIC GOLD 1500 Watts- Induction Cooktop With Healthy Ceramic 9" Fry Pan (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Gazebo 10 X 12 Large Audio Lighted Resort Style. This Kit Comes with Steel Frame Bluetooth Speakers and Built in LED Lights. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Challah Tray with Gold Jerusalem and "Shabbat VeYom Tov" in Reinforced Glass (2 Units) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Challah Tray with Blue Jerusalem and Floral Pattern in Reinforced Glass (2 Units) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Santa Barbara Design Studio WIN22-2510C JKC Long Stem Wine Glass, You Can Agree with Me (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Wood Challah Board with Colorful Jerusalem, Hebrew Text and Knife (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| BUY 2 GET 1 FREE ON THIS STYLE: Now $10.99, Gift Idea, Men's Silver Stainless Steel Whistle Pendant Necklace with a Ball Chain (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Small Sterling Silver Jerusalem Cross with Opal Stones Pendant Women's Men's Holy Land Spiritual Religious Jewelry (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Look Lovely with This Bellflower Made with Brown Cord (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Primitives By Kathy Box Sign, I'd Agree With You (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Copper mezuzah with amazing Jerusalem background Israel needs 12cm mezuza scroll (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Mini New York City Snow Globe Featuring the NYC Skyline in this Souvenir Figurine with Statue of Liberty, 2.5" Tall (45mm) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Olive Wood Box with the Jerusalem Cross (1.4"H) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Yair Emanuel Painted Matzah Cover Set With Multilevel Jerusalem (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Guiding Angel Car Charm by Ganz - God Bless This Young Driver With Safety Today (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| 3dRose Blonde Designs This Girl Likes With Thumbs - This Girl Likes Science - Ornaments (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Funny Metal Sign - If I Agreed with You, We'd Both Be Wrong (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| God Bless This Home Plaque with Easel Resin Stoneware Decorative Tabletop Plaque - Size 8" Diameter (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Tzedakah Box with 3D Jerusalem (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Shlomo Aronson: Making Peace with the Land, Designing Israel's Landscape (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Western Values versus The Gospels: what Jesus really values and why we shouldn't agree with him (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Family Writes: Parenting with Pens, Pencils, and PC’s (Capital Ideas) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| The Gospel, Evangelism, and God's Heart: Why This is Important to EVERY Christian. (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Psychobibi: Who is Israel's Prime Minister and Why Does He Want to Fail? (DeltaFourth Operations Book 2) (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
| Western Values versus The Gospels - what Jesus really values and why we shouldn't agree with him (check at Amazon) | 0.0 |
Varvel: Why this evangelical agrees with Trump, Jerusalem is Israel’s capital have 1779 words, post on www.indystar.com at December 12, 2017. This is cached page on USA Breaking News. If you want remove this page, please contact us.
