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Posts Tagged ‘Israel’

Huckabee, Israel, and The U.S!

Posted in Bible, religion, tagged , , , , , , , on September 7, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

The nice thing about being a writer is you can share/write down thoughts that are wandering around in your head. I was annoyed by a letter written defending Mike Huckabee, who is U.S Ambassador to Israel. Many get their views of God according to Christian leaders. Huckabee said in an interview “America must recognize and stand with Israel’s God-given claim to the land promised in Scripture. Many claims are made in the letter that I question.

Who is Huckabee an ambassador for?

What nation does Huckabee represent? Huckabee must defend U.S. and not be conflicted with bowing to other nations according to his religious beliefs. Nations should have relationships with any nation that is in their interest. There is a good reason to defend a relationship with Israel for important military and intelligence reasons. Those who oppose giving Israel support should consider for America’s own protection.

But one best defend their family first, so to be strong to help others.  I do not think it is wrong to feed my family first as opposed to millions of starving children. A strong family or nation is often in a better position to help others because of their good fortunes and strength. If I raised three strong, consciousness children – my hope is they will have the same passion I do to share and be kind to others.

The letter says Jesus Christ is to return.

Jesus’ return has been predicted dozens of times from 500 AD to now. No one has successfully predicted the date of Jesus’ return. Jesus explicitly warned against trying to determine the date: “About that day or hour no one knows.” — Matthew 24:36. One of the most recent famous predictions that failed to happen was by Hal Lindsay in 1988.

 In The Late Great Planet Earth, Lindsey argued that the Rapture could occur around 1988, based partly on the 1948 founding of Israel and a generation of approximately 40 years. Obviously, the prediction failed. I don’t think organizations should send out donation letter claiming Jesus’ return is definitive. Scholars don’t agree the Bible predicts Jesus is coming again in the future. See here I have a hard time believing that God is going to sit on His Hands for 2000 years with all the suffering if was coming again.

Promise #1 in the Letter – Prophecy

Prophecy is likely the proclamation of the Good News – Not fortune telling or predicting the end of the world. See here. God can’t know the future. See here. The future depends on choices made by people and nations. It is natural to think an all-knowing, powerful God knows future outcomes but if the future is settled, we humans are not truly free to make decisions. Such decisions have already been decided. To say God knows the future makes freedom nonsensical.

There is much talk of biblical prophecies coming to pass because of what is going on between Israel and Hamas. Is God coming again (rapture/tribulation/Armageddon) to destroy this world as we know it and set up God’s reign? There is some biblical evidence that the end times mentioned refer to what happened in the first century, thus having been fulfilled:

  • If the Bible teaches God is coming again to destroy the world in the future, why did Jesus tell his audience that supposed predictions about the world ending (maybe not a physical ending) would happen in their lifetime: “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass way until all these things have happened” (Mt. 24:34)?” Jesus said to his audience when asked about the last days: “watch out that no one deceives you…. you will hear of wars and rumors of war (Mt. 24:4-6). Why would Jesus use such language if the world was going to end 2000 years and counting?

Promise 2 The Letter States “a blessing like you never received before”

Often quoted is Gen 12:3. God will bless them (Nations) that bless thee (Israel). Sounds like the “get rich’ GOSPEL. God is not arbitrary in blessings. Some nations are not in any position to bless other nations. Blessings flow when accepting God’s influence. God seeks to influence us to do all the good we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as we can. Good things or blessings often happen when following God’s example.  Imagine all the friendships not destroyed by following God’s lead in not coveting, gossiping, being slow to anger, etc.  God’s blessings can flow to any nation, including the United States, when leaders and individuals allow God’s influence in their lives to help others. Above qualities seem to be characteristic of the freedom of choices God has bestowed upon us.

Finally, the letter states “What greater blessing to give a Jewish soul that the gift of the Messiah reveled in His Word.

All the disciples who lived with Jesus didn’t believe he was the Messiah at first and they witnessed Jesus’ miracles. I will cut slack those who don’t believe or interpret the Bible that Jews or anybody must believe Jesus was the Messiah. The main gospel message is blessings can flow when following Jesus’ example of love. Christians often assume the main gospel message is one must believe in Jesus is the Messiah to get in Heaven. There is an alternative view what Jesus said about eternal life that is not often taught. Jesus defined eternal life as beginning in the here and now (Jn 17:3), not what awaited in the afterlife. Jesus was asked by a religious leader how to have eternal life. (Lk.10:25-37). Jesus simply said to love God and your neighbor. Loving God is also known as loving your neighbor. Jesus answered as if “Eternal” appears to be on the quality not quantity in life. Jesus often spoke of a life worth living being a loving life empowered by God. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help. 

If you believe loving others like you want to be loved is central in living, you are good with God. That is God’s and the Bible main message. None of us act on this belief perfectly. I have suggested many get in heaven regardless of their believe in Jesus as the Messiah. Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism share common ground and thus in good standing with God —the Golden rule.  See; Who The Hell Gets In Heaven – Atheists, Agnostics, Non-Christians

Search words in blog   what-god-may-really-be-like.com/     Zionism, bless, Bible, prophecy, future

 Of course, a donation is asked for in the letter!

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the Done with Religion site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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Why Are People Pro-Israel?

Posted in christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged , , , , , , on February 23, 2026|

by Mike Edwards

There are many reasons why people support strongly America’s defense of Israel as opposed to having the same fervent for other nations. There are moral, political, religious, and personal reasons. It’s rarely just one factor. Justice reasons may be because Israel has suffered so many injustices during the centuries including the holocaust and October 7th

Why might Christians support Israel for religious reasons?

One reason that concerns me the most is that many Christians and Jews support Israel based on interpretations of the Bible. Many Christians believe Israel plays a role in biblical prophecy and to not support them would be going against God’s future plan. Many do not admit that biblical experts don’t agree on the meaning of many passages that may or may not relate to future events. Many claim dogmatically that the Bible predicts future events such as what is happening in Israel currently and the end-times when Jesus returns down to earth. We all must admit there is no consensus of beliefs about prophecies in the Bible. I trust more those who admit their interpretation of ancient literature (Bible) could be wrong. I am not certain my views are correct.

I have claimed prophecy can’t be God knowing or predicting what happens in the future. God can’t know an undetermined future. It is likely prophecy is conditional to respect freedom. God warns what could happen if Israel rebels against God’s ways or to others that don’t respect God’s morality. See:  Does Prophecy In The Bible Really Predict The Future?

Foreign policy should not be guided by disputed theological interpretations/religiosity. Assumptions about biblical prophecy and Israel can lead to foreign policy decisions in God’s name that don’t fulfill God’s desires at all. Foreign policies should not be based on theological ideology based on complex interpretations of biblical prophecy. This doesn’t represent citizens who don’t share such theological beliefs and whether believers are into God or not. Shouldn’t a nation’s policy be based on the protection of all its citizens within a moral framework?

Why might many oppose support of Isreal or favor Israel?

I understand many may especially support Israel for important military and intelligence reasons. Those who oppose Israel support should consider for America’s own protection. Many people’s views are often shaped by the media they consume. We should consider all opinions. We must encourage healthy debate. I suspect many may oppose supporting Israel over America’s own citizens for financial reasons.  We have enough financial problems without giving so much money away to other nations. I have some sympathy for this. When I have a choice, I am going to protect and support my family financially over other families. I don’t think that is totally selfish. A family or nation is often more capable of aiding others because they are strong and united.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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Is Israel Really God’s Chosen Nation Forever?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, tagged , , , , , , , , on November 9, 2025|

by Mike Edwards

Many claim dogmatically that the Bible predicts future events such as what is happening in Israel currently and the end-times when Jesus returns down to earth, allowing such interpretations to guide their foreign policy views. But many fail to recognize that biblical experts don’t agree on the meaning of many passages that may or may not relate to future events. There is no consensus of beliefs about prophecies in the Bible regarding Israel.

Prophecy beliefs impact national foreign policy which can lead to violence/wars. It is assumed in God’s name that America has a godly/theological/biblical duty to support the Jewish state. We can avoid bringing in disputed theological beliefs by supporting all people who live by moral/humane values regardless of nationality.  A nation has a duty to look out for the people of their own nation regardless of religious beliefs. Any nation can gain God’s favor by living by moral/humane values. Foreign policy should not be guided by disputed theological interpretations/religiosity. 

Prophecy can’t determine the future and value freedom 

It is natural to think an all-powerful God knows everything including the future, that prophecy is peering into the future. The Bible suggests in many passages that God doesn’t know the future. A known or set future suggests one isn’t truly free to choose otherwise. Even the Bible speaks often as if God doesn’t know the future. God hopes Israel would accept God’s guidance, but Israel often turned against God (i.e., Jer. 3:19-20). We don’t have to play mental gymnastics by assuming God is only pretending to not know future decisions. Other biblical passages refer to God changing their mind depending on what choices humans freely make. Freedom is necessary for the highest good in relationships – authenticity. It isn’t that God keeps themselves from knowing the future. It’s that an undetermined future is unknowable.

God joins us in an open future, including the future downfall or rise of nations. Futures are not predetermined. God wants us to truly feel free to pursue our own dreams without strings attached, unlike some earthly parents. God only desires to influence us to do all the good we can, in all the places we can, at all the times we can, to all the people we can, as long as we can. The future is open to God as well. God may know all possibilities, but the future must be open if we are truly free and God is truly loving.

What are biblical prophecies?

Its unlikely prophecy is peering into the future. I have written here why God can’t know the future, thus prophecies aren’t likely claiming what definitely will happen in the future. One can assume most prophecies are conditional because God changes if people will repent of their evil ways. God’s nature requires most prophecies predicated on human actions being conditional. For example, in the Old Testament Jonah advised Ninevah they would be destroyed in 40 days, but then God relented because the Ninevites turn from their evil ways. The most talked about prophecies in the Old Testament is the forthcoming of the Messiah Jesus and subsequent death. But Jesus prayed to God that He might be spared of dying on the Cross (Mt. 26:39). Such a prayer seems meaningless unless Jesus’ life could have been spared.

What about the End times?

One can’t write about prophecy without a comment about the end-time supposed predictions in the Bible. There is much talk of biblical prophecies coming to pass because of what is going on between Israel and Hamas. Is God coming again [rapture/tribulation/Armageddon] to destroy this world as we know it and set up God’s reign? There is some biblical evidence that the end times mentioned refer to what happened in the first century, thus having been fulfilled:

  • The Apostle Paul assured his audience they have not missed the “day of the Lord” (2 Thess. 2:1-12). Why was Paul’s audience fearful they could miss the coming of Jesus if such a coming is supposedly a rapture-removing, visible, world-ending coming? The disciples did not think of Jesus’ coming as being visible as they ask: “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age” (Mt. 24:3). Besides, Peter writes to his readers in the first century that “the end of all things is at hand” (1 Pe. 4:7).

Why it Matters

Assumptions about biblical prophecy and Israel can lead to foreign policy decisions in God’s name that don’t fulfill God’s desires at all. Foreign policies should not be based on theological ideology based on a complex interpretation of biblical prophecy. This doesn’t represent citizens who don’t share such theological beliefs, whether believers in God or not. A nation’s policies should be based on the protection of all its citizen within a moral framework.

A chosen nation can give a wrong view of God – God choosing to love one nation more than other nations, and not based on actions. Our understanding of God significantly influences our relationship with God and how we treat others. Finally, believing the world is coming to an end and somehow God is going to rescue you in the sky can lead to passivity. We mustn’t wait on God to “fix” things by coming again. We must do all we can for the next generation! When the Bible says God grieves with us in our suffering, we can know God agonizes with us each step of the way and deters any suffering possible without violating freedoms or acting controlling. God joins us in our joys and sorrows.

Mike Edwards was added as a writer and has been a great addition to the site. Mike provides many interesting views and various ways of looking at things. He is not afraid to ask questions and he keeps an open mind as to teachings of the institutional church. Mike also has his own site where he writes at What God May Really Be Like

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