On Wednesday night, a couple of young men from a nearby neighborhood saw a crowd at the church and wondered what was going on, so they came in to have a look around. They were Anglican and well-versed in many different theologies. They were probably high as well. This led to an interesting conversation with rapid-fire questions about Baptist teachings, and the topic of dispensational theology came up.
The whole conversation roamed everywhere from baptismal regeneration to some of our kids inviting one of them to church when he worked at Sam’s Club. One of them remembered some girls coming up to him and inviting him with a flyer from our church, and he marveled at the evangelistic fervor of Baptists. It was something he said he was jealous of.
The dispensational discussion came when he wondered if we were the type that believed Israel did not need to be saved because they were already God’s people. I said, “No, we are biblical.” Romans 9–11 clears that up for me. Paul’s prayer for Israel was that they might be saved. Israel is currently in a state of darkness regarding the Savior. They rejected Jesus of Nazareth, but that does not mean Jesus of Nazareth has rejected them. He died for their sins just as surely as He died for yours and mine.
What is going on in the Middle East right now ultimately traces back to Abraham’s ill-advised relations with his concubine. It has never been a DNA test that determines Jewishness, but God knows who Israel is today, and God knows what their future will be. The endurance of the people of Israel is, to me, a miracle.
We are called not to speculate or read the Bible through the lens of current events, but we are called to comfort one another with the promises of Scripture. Before you get too wrapped up in Iran, make sure you spend just as much time talking and thinking about Jesus.
-Pastor Ryan Rench