Israel's National Future

G.H. Lang

This little book covers a most important subject as suggested by its title. The opening chapter begins by raising the issue of whether Israel has a future or not. The author affirms that it has, but acknowledges that there are those who say, ‘Certainly not, Israel as a nation lost all its privileges and prospects by rejecting Christ - the Messiah.’

He then goes on to give a panoramic study of Scripture in defence of Israel’s ongoing relationship with her Creator. Beginning in the books of Moses, he focusses on Abraham and the covenants, before moving on to the Psalms and Prophets.

In both these sections of the Old Testament, he finds ample confirmation of the covenants alluded to before, along with many prophecies of a Messianic Age and a Millennial Reign, during which, Israel as a nation must play an important role. In his reference to the closing chapters of Ezekiel, the author gives nine reasons as to why these chapters must be understood to have a literal fulfilment - a matter often dismissed by sections of the Church today.

From here, he moves into the New Testament, starting with the Gospels, where the birth narratives clearly pointed toa Messianic reign over Israel. He then shows how Jesus’ teaching points to both a role for the Church, and for a restored Israel in due time.

The book of Acts, especially in the opening chapters, is quite clear in showing that the gathering of the Church, the return of Christ, and the restitution of Israel, are all part of the same Divine programme. Turning to the epistles, the author gives particular attention to Romans, Galatians, Hebrews and 1 Peter, all of which support the central theme of the book. This leaves just the Book of Revelation, where a literal approach to the Apocalypse again confirms the central truth of Israel’s future destiny.

It should be remembered that this book is a reprint of a work written prior to the establishment of the modern State of Israel. However, the events of 1948 only add weight to the arguments proposed in the book - surely a good book to have to hand in these days of Replacement Theology.

Colin Le Noury