Heroes rise to the occasion and bravely fulfill their mission. Most of our Christian Zionist heroes stood against insurmountable pressure, and some gave their lives.
Christian Zionist William Hechler was thoroughly convinced that the Jewish people would return to the land of Israel. When he met Theodore Herzl, he knew he must do all in his power to help him in his effort to establish a Jewish state in the land of Israel. He rose to the occasion, accomplished incredible feats, and is now our hero.
Corrie Ten-Boom knew it was her Christian duty to rescue Jewish people during WW2. She and her family sacrificed dearly for their unconditional love and commitment to the Jewish people. Today, she is a Christian Zionist hero.
Orde Charles Wingate, a captain and intelligence officer in the British army, served in Israel (then called “Palestine”) from 1936-1939. Because of his Christian love for God, the Bible, and the Jewish people, he trained Jews to fight against Arab marauders. Those he trained eventually became key members of the IDF. He is now one of our Christian Zionist heroes.
Notice that all three heroes listed above stood in defense of Israel. They were Israel’s defense force before there was an IDF! The other obvious thing about all three of these heroes is that they did not just stand back and observe when they had an opportunity to bless Israel/the Jewish people. Because of their firm foundation in the Bible, there was no question about what they should do when the moment arose.
To identify a counterfeit, you need to memorize every detail of the original. These three heroes knew the Bible. They were not confused by the stealthy schemes that pulled many Christians into anti-semitism.
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these Christian Zionists became the heroes we know today. Mr. Hechler leveraged his connections with high-ranking officials, influencing them to bless Israel. He spoke out in his country, community, and congregation. He even travelled to other countries, teaching and calling to action on behalf of the Jewish People.
Speaking out should not be underestimated. We all have a country, community, and congregation. Don’t let anyone tell you to stop talking about Israel. The Prophet Isaiah commands us, “For Zion’s sake, do not be silent!” (Isaiah 62:1) The urgency is even greater today. The restoration of Israel has begun. (Ezekiel 36:24-32) The “fullness of the Gentiles” must be invited to be grafted into Israel. The door will only be open for so long.
Corrie Ten-Boom knew it was her Christian duty to rescue Jewish people… She and her family sacrificed dearly for their commitment to the Jewish people.
In his book ‘Floodgates,’ David Parsons parallels Israel’s modern restoration with the building of Noah’s Ark. It took Noah approximately 70 years to build the Ark. The building process was a merciful act of God, giving humanity the opportunity to repent. Today, Israel’s restoration is also a process that is spiritually rocking the world. It is a giant ark-like billboard proclaiming God’s faithfulness and inviting the nations to enter its door and receive salvation from the God of Israel. “And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man.” (Luke 17:26)
“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him as a shepherd does his flock.’” (Jeremiah 31:10)
Ms. Ten-Boom found herself in a horrible situation right in her hometown. She was getting on in years, and she had no experience with the work of the underground. Yet because of her family’s efforts, approximately 800 Jewish people were saved. What is happening in your hometown? Is there anti-semitism? Will there be if you don’t act now? Anti-semitism is on the rise again. As a Christian Zionist, are you active in the fight and prepared for the worst? Corrie’s grandfather, Willem Ten-Boom, prepared his family by hosting a weekly prayer meeting to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and God’s chosen people.
Mr. Wingate came to the land of Israel and offered his expertise to its citizens-to-be. He learned to speak Hebrew, and his Jewish friends affectionately referred to him as “HaYedid” – the friend. When harassed by his British comrades because of his love for the Jews, Wingate boldly responded, “I am not ashamed to say that I am a real and devoted admirer of the Jews.” The famous IDF hero, Moshe Dayan, who was Defense Minister during the recapture of Jerusalem in the six-day war, was one of the men that Wingate trained.
Traveling to Israel is expensive, and fighting battles is not easy, but when you come, you begin to understand even more clearly why blessing, defending, and serving Israel is so important. Your effectiveness in striving to be a Hechler or Ten-Boom-like hero, will significantly increase when you visit; or better yet, if you become a short or long-term Wingate and throw your shoulder next to the Jewish people as they rebuild the nation of Israel.
Perhaps we can learn just as much or more from our three heroes’ neighbors. They were in similar situations, but they did not rise to the occasion. They were just ordinary people living everyday lives. Apathy has kept many a would-be-hero pinned to the ground with incredible success.
We are entering the season of Sukkot—the Feast of Tabernacles. During this festival, God commanded the children of Israel to go out of their comfort zones—their comfortable houses, rooms, and beds. They are to dwell in “sukkot”—temporary shelters—under the stars, for a whole week!
Today, in this Sukkot season, God is inviting you to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t wait for someone else to take the hero position. The land and people of Israel are still under attack. Be a modern William Hechler and speak up boldly for Israel in your country, community, and congregation. Be a Corrie Ten-Boom and actively fight anti-semitism. Be an Orde Wingate—come put your heart for Israel into action and lend your hands to rebuild the nation.
“Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14)
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