Israel Advocate: God Will Judge U.S. Stance Toward His Chosen People
by Chad Groening
November 4, 2005
(AgapePress) - - A Jerusalem-based evangelical organization says the recent comments of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice demonstrate that America has a mixed record when it comes to protecting God's covenant land and people. Secretary Rice created a stir when she hosted a state Ramadan dinner and praised Islam as a religion of "peace and love." She has also joined others in criticism of Israel for efforts to secure its borders against Palestinian terrorist attacks.
David Parsons is a spokesman for the International Christian Embassy, Jerusalem (ICEJ), an organization created to give Christians worldwide a focal point in the State of Israel and to represent Christian concern for the Jewish people. Opened in September 1980, the Embassy exists in part to represent the concern of millions of Christians who love and honor the Jewish people and seek to obey God's Word concerning them.
Parsons says it is "a dangerous game for any nation to pressure Israel into divesting itself from land that God gave to her," and that America's role in Israel's prophetic destiny is still "hanging in the balance." He says although America has been and continues to be generous with aid to Israel, the U.S. government has not always sent a consistent message of solidarity with the Jewish state.
"I'd have to say it's a mixed record right now," Parsons observes. "We're [Israel's] friend, and yet we're pressuring her. Is America selling out Israel for oil? One day this will be judged."
On the one hand, the ICEJ spokesman says, "We bless Israel by the $3 billion in economic and military aid that we give each year, by defending Israel at the U.N., the Security Council, with our veto. In many ways we're Israel's best friend and ally; but in other ways we pressure her into divesting from land."
In the end, Parsons notes, it is God who will judge how good a friend America has been to Israel. "He promises a judgment of all nations on the issues of dividing the land and scattering his people," the Embassy spokesman says.
In addition to raising Christians' awareness of information and events of significance to Israel, ICEJ also encourages believers to travel to the Holy Land and to pray for the peace of Jerusalem as well as the land and peoples in and around Israel. In addition, the Embassy works to mobilize Christian leaders, churches and other organizations to assist in promoting understanding among Christians, Arabs and Jews through various programs.
Chad Groening, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
