June 1994 Personal Letter

Dear Friends,

Some days in the Lord’s work are better than others. I recently had a wonderful exchange of views with an Arab friend concerning Israel, and, as with the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane, God sent an “angel” to strengthen me.

I was having lunch with a West Bank settler — today’s most unpopular Israeli — when my Arab waiter, a seminary student who had served me many times, objected to the article “An Unrepentant Zionist” which I wrote in the previous Levitt Letter. That article made very clear that I felt that the Land of Israel must go to the Jews and that virtually all of the trouble over there was caused by the Palestinians. My friend, a Jordanian and thus “Palestinian” by association, wanted to argue that my support of Israel was not appropriate. Being a Dallas Theological Seminary student, he takes the view that the Israel we see today ls not a fulfillment of prophecy, a position held by liberals, Amillenialists, and some at Dallas Seminary. My friend said that Israel would indeed have its covenant promises fulfilled, but only when the Lord returns. What we see over there now ls just some political entity, a result of the affairs of men.

The Dry Bones Vision and 100 other passages clarify that the restoration of Israel ls a lengthy and gradual process and the spiritualizing of that nation a God-given blessing before the Second Coming. But my friend’s objections were on an emotional level, not theological. I have argued this elementary point with theologians, and it ls easy to persuade them that what we see in Israel ls indeed the major work of God in the world today, not just a sideline. But a Jordanian Arab — Christian or otherwise — is harder to convince.

The settler and I argued with him ineffectively about Israel being at least the Chosen People and that the land going to them was a more godly thing than it was going to pagans. But it was a standoff. Most Arab people, and many other people, argue on emotional grounds about Israel, and it ls difficult to make headway on Biblical grounds with them.

The next day my settler friend and I prepared to meet still another Arab Christian, Dr. Walid Phares, with whom I was taping a program. Dr. Phares, the President of the World Lebanese Organization and a professor of international relations, turned out to be very knowledgeable in the origins and history of Middle Eastern lands. He was very clear about the fact that Israel should go to the Jews, and the surrounding lands, if he had his way, would go back to their original holders before the Arab conquests beginning in A.D. 636. He showed a map of the Middle East prior to that date in which it was clear that the Arabs were one very small people on a very large map. There were Persians, Copts and Hebrews among a host of other nations who once held those territories. Dr. Phares made clear that the Arab invasions had taken lands from original owners and he, himself, was a Phoenician and not an Arab. I found his view extraordinary, but Lebanese Christians in general support Israel’s right to its land. Those who are Bible readers, it goes without saying, feel strongly about that. Others have been discouraged by Palestinian terrorism in their own country; they do not really wish to border a Palestinian power and would rather have the Israelis as their neighbors. The South Lebanese army, a Christian force which colludes with the Israeli Defense Force above Galilee in southern Lebanon, is an example of the cooperation of Lebanese Christians and Israeli nationals.

As soon as I heard Dr. Phares’ views I asked him if he would like to have lunch at my favorite Arab restaurant! He took me up on it, and in a short time we were back at our debate but with the help of God’s Arabic-speaking angel.

The Arabic language rang out as the two went at the subject, and I could barely tell what was going on. It was obvious, however, as they talked that the young student was beginning to listen. He nodded his head, asked questions, and learned. The conversation went on for some time. (The two even met the next day and continued their dialogue).

I’d like to say that the young man then turned to me to order our Israel’s Right to The Land booklet and Pilgrim’s Map of Israel, but actually we left on a warm note with handshakes all around and a lot of information exchanged. The whole incident left me with a very good feeling that people not knowledgeable about the vital importance of Israel, no matter where they come from, can learn it. Our denominational churches typically know little about Israel and can’t imagine why Biblical people would be so concerned about it. Naturally, if you had put.the Bible away 50 years ago, you would have lost sight of the fact that that small nation is the apple of God’s eye and is mentioned on every page. Slowly you’d begin to think that the American church is God’s major mechanism of dealing with the world today, and that is what is taught at Dallas Seminary as well as in certain Christian magazines and church letters. The foolishness called Replacement Theology — where the church is now Israel and Israel is I don’t know what — infects a majority of American churchgoing people even as God acts day-by-day in restoring Israel before their eyes.

If you have an interest in, or a problem recognizing the importance of Israel, I invite you to come on one of our tours or at least to write to us with your questions. We speak English and deal with the subject day in and day out. In my personal system of belief, the Great Commission is the most important Christian work in this world but second is the support of Israel — God’s country, the site of all end-times prophecy, and the home of the Kingdom to come. If you are willing to take up the challenge of an Israel tour, our next one is September 6 through September 21. You may write or call Karen at (214) 690-1876 or 1-800-WONDERS immediately for brochures.

God bless!

Your messenger,