The Convergence Generation: Ten Bible Prophecy Signs of 2025

Hello, friends, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to talk about something that should have every Bible-believing Christian sitting up and paying attention—we are living in what some are calling the "convergence generation."

This is a term used by Jan Markell from Olive Tree Ministries, and as I look back at 2025, I see it everywhere. Prophetic events aren't just happening one at a time anymore. They're converging. They're accelerating. They're all coming together at once.

And that should tell us something.

Today I want to walk you through ten major Bible prophecy stories from 2025—stories that demonstrate we are closer to Christ's return than ever before. Some of these will encourage you. Some will challenge you. And some might even alarm you.

But all of them point to one reality: Jesus is coming soon.

Let's start with something definitely caught the attention of prophecy watchers worldwide.

First: President Trump announced a "Board of Peace" made up of ten international leaders.

Now, stay with me here. This board is designed to oversee governance, security, and reconstruction in Gaza and the broader Middle East peace framework.

Ten leaders. Not nine. Not twelve. Ten.

Does that number ring a bell? Daniel 7 talks about ten horns—ten kings who will give their authority to the Antichrist. Revelation 17 describes ten kings who will rule with the beast.

Now, am I saying Trump's board is the fulfillment of that prophecy? No. But what I am saying is this: we're watching the infrastructure being built. We're seeing global governance structures taking shape that align perfectly with end-times prophecy.

Friends, this is the kind of thing that should make us look up.

Second: Last days mockery and scoffing is front and center.

Second Peter 3:3-4 warned us: "In the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, 'Where is this coming he promised?'"

And in 2025, we saw it everywhere. Even within the church.

Some Christians predicted specific dates for the rapture. They sold their possessions. They waited. And when nothing happened, the mockers came out in force—calling everyone who believes in biblical prophecy "End-Times Eddie" or "Gloom and Doom June."

Friends, this weakened our witness. It gave ammunition to those who want to dismiss biblical eschatology as irrelevant.

But here's what Jesus said in Matthew 24:42: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come."

We don't set dates. But we do watch. And we warn.

Third: There was much cheering for evil in 2025.

Second Timothy 3:13 says, "Evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

We saw it play out. Hamas was cheered. Politicians who openly hate Israel were elected and celebrated - just look at New York City. A man who murdered a healthcare executive in cold blood became a hero to some. Christians are being killed in shocking numbers in places like Nigeria and barely nothing is said…even from the pulpits of most Christian churches. 

Isaiah 5:20 says, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." Friends, that's where we are.

Fourth: The destruction of "people of the book"—Jews and Christians—accelerated.

Zechariah 12:3 says Jerusalem will be "a burdensome stone" to all nations. And in 2025, we saw it. Anti-Semitism exploded worldwide. Israel is surrounded by enemies on seven sides.

And at the same time, Christians are being persecuted and slaughtered more than any time in history. But here's the heartbreaking part—you're hard-pressed to find coverage in mainstream media.

Friends, we need to remember Hebrews 13:3: "Remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering."

Fifth: We are the "convergence generation."

This is the theme that ties everything together. We're on the cusp of digital currency—a cashless society where the Antichrist could control who buys and sells. Wars and rumors of wars fill our news feeds. Natural disasters are increasing. The Middle East is a powder keg. Society is declining. Love is growing cold.

It's all coming together. Converging. Accelerating.

Matthew 24:33 says, "When you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door."

Friends, we're seeing all these things.

Sixth: The rise of strong delusion.

Second Thessalonians 2:11 warns that God will send "a strong delusion, so that they will believe the lie."

In 2025, we saw intelligent people—people with platforms and influence—promoting delusional lies. Rejecting Israel. Embracing terror, Islam and pagan religions. Denying biblical truth.

When you see that kind of spiritual blindness, you know we're in the last days.

Seventh: Artificial intelligence advanced to the point where it can rule the world.

Friends, most Christians have no idea what's happening with AI. Along with Israel's rebirth, this may be the most stunning end-time development. It's the game-changer.

AI will be the Antichrist's primary tool. It can track, control, monitor, and manipulate at a scale never before possible in human history.

Revelation 13 talks about an image of the beast that can speak and cause people to worship. We now have the technology to make that happen.

Eighth: The Charlie Kirk assassination sparked a spiritual awakening.

In September, Charlie Kirk was murdered. It was meant for evil. But God used it for good.

Since that tragedy, younger people have been opening the Bible in record numbers, downloading Scripture apps, buying physical Bibles, and walking back into churches.

Romans 8:28 reminds us: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Ninth: The rise of aberrant prophetic theology is staggering.

Dispensationalism is under attack. The message of a literal Antichrist, a literal Tribulation, a literal Millennial Kingdom, and a pre-Tribulation Rapture—all are being dismissed.

Instead, Preterism is rising—the belief that all prophecy was fulfilled in 70 AD. Kingdom Now theology says the church will make the world better and better until Christ returns.

Friends, that's not what Scripture teaches. And it's dangerous because it lulls people into complacency about Christ's return.

Tenth: The world is rushing toward globalism.

Violence and lawlessness are the order of the day. Israel has enemies on seven sides. All creation groans. Islam is gaining ground. Just this past week they began playing the Muslim call to prayer in New York City! 

And only a tiny remnant is looking up, keeping their eyes on the sky, watching for Christ's return.

Now let me bring this home with three lessons.

First: We must not grow weary of watching., but stand firm in our faith!

Jesus commanded us in Luke 21:36: "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen.” Paul reminds us: “But we do not belong to hose who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” (Hebrews 10:39)

Are you watching? Or have you grown complacent?

Second: Convergence is the key.

It's not just that these things are happening. It's that they're all happening at the same time. Wars, deception, persecution, technology, apostasy, Israel surrounded—all converging.

That's the sign. That's what Jesus meant when He said, "When you see all these things."

Third: We must sound the warning.

Jan Markell said it best: "It's better to sound the warnings and be mocked than have multitudes come to us and ask us, 'Why didn't you warn us of all of this and of all of the things to come?'"

Friends, we have a responsibility. We know what's coming. We know where this is headed. We cannot stay silent.

Are you warning people? Are you sharing the gospel? Are you preparing those around you for what's ahead?

Let me pray…

Thank you for joining me today. As I look at 2025, I see prophecy accelerating at a breathtaking pace. The convergence generation is here. All creation is groaning. And the signs are undeniable.

But friends, this should not fill us with fear. It should fill us with hope. Because when we see these things beginning to take place, we're to "stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (Luke 21:28).

Until next time, keep your eyes on the nations, keep watching for Christ's return, and remember—we may be the convergence generation. He is coming soon!

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If You're Going to Stand for Israel, Now Is the Time

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to follow up on my last podcast with a simple but, I hope, thought-provoking statement: If you're going to stand for the Jewish people, now is the time. If you keep silent now, you may not have another opportunity.

[September 11 vs. October 7 - the contrast]

Let me take you back to two pivotal moments in recent history. The United States was attacked in unprecedented waves of terrorism on September 11, 2001. What followed was an immediate, passionate surge of patriotism mingled with religious fervor. Many of us remember those days very clearly.

Flags flew from every house. "United We Stand" bumper stickers covered cars. Churches were packed. People talked about God and prayed together. Our nation, at least temporarily, turned back toward God.

But our patriotism ran only so deep, and the spiritual connection was extremely shallow. After six months, the enthusiasm had largely faded away. We went back to business as usual.

Now fast forward to October 7, 2023. Israel was attacked by Hamas in unprecedented waves of terrorism—the worst single-day massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust. Over 1,200 Israelis were brutally murdered. Babies were beheaded. Women were raped. Entire families were burned alive. At least 250 people—including Americans—were taken hostage and dragged into Gaza.

Given the response to 9/11, we would have expected a passionate surge of support for Israel, especially from Christians who understand the biblical significance of the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

But that support never came—at least not from society as a whole. What happened instead was near-instant handwringing driven by concern that Israel would respond with a heavy hand. The media immediately began questioning whether Israel's response would be "proportional." World leaders called for "restraint." The focus shifted almost immediately from the atrocity committed against Israel to worry about how Israel would defend itself.

[Six months later - the shocking reversal]

Now, more than two years later, the enthusiasm is building—but not for Israel. Against Israel. With no signs of slowing down. We are moving into an era of unprecedented, irrational, demonic antisemitism, causing fear in the hearts of Jewish people worldwide.

Over the past few months, antisemitism has surged in severity and visibility around the world, marked by both deadly violence and everyday harassment. In mid-December, a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach killed 15 Jewish worshippers and wounded many other. In the aftermath of the massacre, Jewish-owned businesses in Australia, such as a Jewish bakery in Sydney, have closed due to sustained antisemitic harassment and threats, and police have reported steep increases in anti-Jewish incidents including vandalism, threats, and arson. Across other nations, Jewish communities have faced hate crimes and vandalism—from menorah desecration and bomb threats to subway harassment in New York City.

Alongside physical attacks, political and cultural currents have amplified antisemitic sentiment and rhetoric. High-profile conservative media figures have drawn scrutiny for platforming or being accused of normalizing extremist voices; for example, Tucker Carlson was named “Antisemite of the Year” by a Jewish civil-rights group after interviewing white nationalist Nick Fuentes—a figure known for Holocaust denial and praise of Hitler—while similar accusations have been leveled at Candace Owens and other influencers. In public spaces and protests, chants like “globalise the intifada” have led to arrests and calls for tougher policing, reflecting heightened tensions between political expression and hate speech targeting Jews.

[What the chants actually mean]

The themes of the chanting crowds are as pompous as they are poison. Let me provide clarity about what these phrases actually mean:

When protesters identify with Hamas, they are admitting to be part of an international terrorist organization—officially declared as such by the United States Department of State. Hamas's charter explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel and the killing of Jews worldwide.

When they cry out "From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free," they are referring to the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea. This phrase is shorthand for the complete eradication of Israel and, ultimately, all Jewish people living there. It's calling for genocide, plain and simple.

When they shout "Death to America" and "Death to Israel," they are calling for the violent and gruesome annihilation of entire nations and their citizens.

And when they chant "Globalize the Intifada," they're calling for terrorist violence against Jews and Christians to spread worldwide.

[The shocking statistics - worldwide antisemitism surge]

Let me give you some statistics that should alarm every Christian:

In the months following October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents surged by over 360% compared to the same period the previous year. Jewish students on college campuses reported being spat on, physically assaulted, and prevented from attending classes.

In Europe, the statistics are equally alarming. France, which has the largest Jewish population in Europe, saw antisemitic incidents increase by 1,000% in the months following October 7. In the UK, the Community Security Trust reported over 4,100 antisemitic incidents in 2023—a 147% increase from 2022.

Germany reported over 5,000 antisemitic incidents in 2023, the highest number since they began tracking. In Amsterdam in November 2024, Israeli soccer fans were hunted down in organized attacks reminiscent of Kristallnacht.

Globally, the situation is even worse. According to the World Jewish Congress, 80% of Jews worldwide reported feeling less safe since October 7, 2023. Jewish schools, synagogues, and businesses require increased security or have been attacked.

In Muslim-majority countries and even in parts of the former Soviet Union, open calls for violence against Jews have become common. Social media platforms are flooded with antisemitic content, with some studies showing a 1,200% increase in antisemitic posts on X in the month following October 7.

[The prophecy being fulfilled]

We watch with horror as these demonstrations unfold. Perhaps more stunning than the acts of the protesters is the lack of a dignified response from those in charge at all levels of our society. University presidents give mealy-mouthed answers about "context" when asked if calling for the genocide of Jews violates their codes of conduct. Politicians equivocate. Leaders remain silent.

But we should not be surprised. The prophet Zechariah warned us twice that just before Christ's return, the entire world would be drawn inexplicably toward Israel—and all would come to oppose her.

Zechariah 12:3 says, "On that day, when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her, I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves."

Zechariah 14:2 prophesies, "For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem."

All nations. Including the United States. As we witness the spiritual status of many of our allegedly best and brightest—our nation's future leaders—on our college campuses, it does not take much to imagine our impending demise.

[The haunting question - where is the church?]

None of this is shocking if we understand the prophetic Scriptures. What really ought to haunt us is this question: What has your church had to say regarding these happenings?

If the answer is nothing, you have cause for deep concern.

Pastors, what are you teaching about these issues? Certainly, the people in your pews are looking for answers, and they are looking to you for leadership. What have you been offering them? Have you devoted even one message to this timely topic?

Have you explained from Scripture why Christians should care about Israel? Have you taught about God's covenant promises to the Jewish people? Have you addressed the rise of antisemitism from a biblical perspective? Have you warned again the lies of Replacement Theology that permeate so many congregations? Have you called your congregation to pray for Israel and to stand with the Jewish people?

Or have you remained silent, perhaps fearing controversy or political backlash?

[The lesson of history - Niemöller's warning]

I would say to all Americans, but especially to all Christians: If ever you are going to stand for the people of Israel, now is the time. If you keep silent now, you may not have another opportunity.

Nazi-era Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller famously stated:

"First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me."

Niemöller wrote these words from personal experience. He had initially supported the Nazis but later opposed them and spent seven years in concentration camps. He lived with the regret of not speaking out sooner, especially for the Jewish people.

Dr. Tim Sigler puts it this way: Do you wonder what you would have done if you had been alive during the Holocaust? Watch what you are doing right now. You will likely find the answer to your question in the response you are offering at the present.

Think about that. Your response to today's antisemitism reveals what you would have done in Nazi Germany. Your stand or your silence today is your answer to that historical question.

[Biblical mandate - God's warning]

To anyone reading these words with a sigh and a shrug, still unconvinced about the whole issue of Israel's importance, I would simply challenge you to consider God's Holy Word through Zechariah 12:9: "It shall be in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem."

Did you hear that? God will destroy all nations that come against Jerusalem. Not might destroy. Will destroy.

Genesis 12:3 records God's promise to Abraham: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

This promise extends to Abraham's descendants—the Jewish people. How nations treat the Jewish people has consequences. History bears this out. Every empire that has persecuted the Jews has eventually fallen—Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union.

[What we must do - practical action]

So what must we do? Several things:

First, speak up! Don't remain silent. When you see antisemitism—whether on social media, in your workplace, in your community, or even in your church or your own family—call it out. Say something. Silence is complicity.

Second, educate yourself and others about Israel from a biblical perspective. Study what Scripture says about God's covenant with Israel, about the land, about God's future plans for the Jewish people. Teach your children. Share with your friends.

Third, pray for Israel. Psalm 122:6 commands, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May those who love you be secure.'" Pray for protection, for peace, for the salvation of the Jewish people.

Fourth, support Israel tangibly. Support ministries that share the Gospel with Jewish people. Visit Israel if you can—tourism helps the economy and shows solidarity.

Fifth, stand with Jewish people in your community. If there's a synagogue near you, reach out and ask how you can support them. Attend vigils for Israel. Show up when Jewish communities are under threat.

Seventh, use social media to counter the lies. Share truth about Israel. Counter the propaganda. Be a voice for truth in a sea of disinformation.

[The cost of discipleship]

Let me be clear: Standing for Israel may cost you something. You may be called an "Islamophobe" or a "warmonger." You may lose friends. You may face backlash at work or school. In some places, you may face legal consequences for speaking out.

But Jesus said in Luke 9:23, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Following Jesus means doing what's right even when it's costly.

The early church stood with the Jewish people even when it was dangerous. Many Christians throughout history have hidden Jews, protected Jews, and died defending Jews. Will we do any less?

[Closing charge and prayer]

I know where I stand. I stand with Israel because God stands with Israel. I stand with the Jewish people because they are God's chosen people, the apple of His eye (Zechariah 2:8). I stand with Israel because Scripture is clear about God's promises and warnings regarding how we treat the Jewish people.

How about you? Where do you stand?

This is not a political issue—it's a biblical issue. This is not about blind support for every policy decision Israel makes—it's about recognizing God's covenant faithfulness and standing on the right side of history and prophecy.

The hour is late. The signs are clear. All nations are turning against Israel, just as Scripture prophesied. The question is: Will you stand with God's people, or will you remain silent?

Let me pray: Lord, forgive us for our silence. Forgive the church for failing to speak up when Your people are under attack. Give us courage to stand for Israel even when it costs us something.

We pray for the Jewish people worldwide who live in fear. Protect them. Comfort them. Show them that Christians stand with them. And ultimately, open their eyes to see Jesus as their Messiah.

We pray for an end to antisemitism. We pray that those participating in these hateful demonstrations would have their eyes opened to the evil they're embracing. We pray for university leaders, government officials, and all in authority to stand for what is right.

Give Your church boldness. Raise up pastors who will teach Your Word about Israel without fear. Mobilize Christians to speak up, pray, and act. Use us to be a blessing to the Jewish people.

And come quickly, Lord Jesus. Even so, come! In Your name, amen.

Thank you for joining me today. Please don't keep silent. Speak up for Israel. Stand with the Jewish people. The time is now.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, especially Israel, and stand for God's people!

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Blessed to Be a Blessing: Understanding Israel, the Nations, and Our Mission

Hello, and welcome back to Nations 4 Jesus. Today I want to tackle a topic that's both foundational to understanding missions and increasingly controversial in our current cultural moment. It's a question I wrestled with as a Christian for years: Why the Jews? What made them so special that they were called God's chosen people? Are not all people loved by God? What did they do to deserve this distinction?

It's only been recently that I've begun to recognize that they really didn't do anything to be called God's chosen people. God did the choosing—not them. God spoke to Abraham first. And God chose them for a very specific purpose.

But before we explore that purpose, I need to address something happening in our culture right now that deeply concerns me—a rising tide of anti-Semitism that's affecting even some corners of the church. We need to think clearly and biblically about this, because as Bible-believing Christians, anti-Semitism is something we absolutely cannot embrace.

[The current moment - rising anti-Semitism]

Let me be direct: Anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide. According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic incidents in the United States reached an all-time high in 2023, with over 8,800 reported incidents—a 140% increase from the previous year. Globally, attacks on Jewish people and institutions have surged since October 2023.

What's particularly troubling is that some of this anti-Semitism is finding a home in unexpected places. High-profile figures, including commentators like Tucker Carlson, have platformed guests who've made anti-Semitic statements or promoted conspiracy theories about Jewish influence. This has sparked significant controversy and concern.

The church itself is divided on questions related to Israel. Some denominations hold to what's called "Replacement Theology"—the view that the church has permanently replaced Israel in God's plan and that the Jewish people no longer have any special role in God's purposes. Others hold to forms of Dispensationalism that see Israel as central to end-times prophecy. Still others fall somewhere in between, trying to honor both the Jewish roots of Christianity and the universal scope of the Gospel.

These theological disagreements have real-world implications for how Christians view the modern state of Israel, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and Jewish people in general.

[What is Replacement Theology?]

Let me briefly explain Replacement Theology, also called Supersessionism. This is the view that the Christian church has replaced or superseded Israel as God's chosen people. Proponents argue that because Israel rejected Jesus as Messiah, God's covenant promises to Israel have been transferred to the church. The church becomes the "new Israel," and ethnic Israel no longer has any special place in God's plan.

This view has been held by many church fathers and continues in various forms in Catholic, Orthodox, and many Protestant traditions. It's not a fringe position—it's been mainstream Christian theology for much of church history.

However, other Christians—particularly many evangelicals—believe that God's covenant promises to Israel remain valid and that ethnic Israel still has a role in God's prophetic plan. They point to passages like Romans 11, where Paul says God has not rejected His people and that "all Israel will be saved" when "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in."

I'm not going to resolve this debate today—it's a genuine disagreement among sincere, Bible-believing Christians. But I do want to make one thing absolutely clear: Regardless of where you land on these theological questions, anti-Semitism is sin. Full stop.

[Why anti-Semitism is incompatible with Christianity]

Let me give you several reasons why anti-Semitism is absolutely incompatible with biblical Christianity.

First, Jesus was Jewish. Our Savior was born to a Jewish mother, circumcised on the eighth day, raised in Jewish traditions, taught in synagogues, celebrated Jewish feasts, and was called "Rabbi." To hate Jewish people is to hate the ethnicity of our Lord.

Second, the apostles were Jewish. Peter, John, James, Paul—all Jewish. The early church was entirely Jewish before Gentiles were grafted in. The New Testament was written almost entirely by Jews. Our faith came to us through Jewish people.

Third, the Bible came through the Jews. Romans 3:2 says the Jews were "entrusted with the very words of God." We have the Scriptures because of God's work through the Jewish people.

Fourth, salvation came through the Jews. Jesus said in John 4:22, "Salvation is from the Jews." The Gospel went "to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16).

Fifth, God still loves the Jewish people. Romans 11:28-29 says, "As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable."

Even if you hold to Replacement Theology—even if you believe the church has superseded Israel in God's plan—none of that justifies hatred, discrimination, or violence against Jewish people. That's a complete non sequitur. You can believe God's covenant has been transferred to the church while still loving Jewish people and opposing anti-Semitism.

[The tragedy of Christian anti-Semitism]

Tragically, the church has often failed here. Throughout history, Christians have persecuted Jews—from the Crusades to the Inquisition to the pogroms of Eastern Europe. Even the Holocaust happened in "Christian" Europe, and some perpetrators used theological language to justify their evil.

This history should bring us to our knees in repentance. It should make us hypervigilant against any form of anti-Semitism creeping into our churches, our conversations, or our hearts. We cannot repeat the sins of the past.

So when we see anti-Semitism rising in our culture—when we hear conspiracy theories about Jewish people controlling banks or media or governments—we must reject it completely. When public figures platform anti-Semitic voices, we must call it out. When people in our churches make anti-Semitic comments, we must lovingly but firmly correct them.

This isn't about politics or the modern state of Israel. You can have concerns about Israeli government policies without being anti-Semitic—just as you can criticize any government. But hatred of Jewish people as a group, conspiracy theories about Jewish influence, denial of the Holocaust, or calls for violence against Jews—these are evil, and Christians must oppose them.

[Now - the biblical story of blessing]

With that foundation laid, let me turn to the question I started with: Why did God choose Israel? And what does this mean for our mission today?

Let me share the biblical story as theologian Ralph Winter explained it. We were created to glorify God and to worship and love Him forever. The first humans did this for a time, but given free will, they chose to know evil and caused a curse to fall on all creation.

From that point, tremendous evil flooded humanity—murder, idolatry, worship of created things—to the point that God, looking at all He had made, was grieved and filled with pain (Genesis 6:6). Noah alone was fulfilling his purpose and found favor with God. He became the forefather of the renewed human race.

After the flood, humanity again chose to worship themselves and created things, culminating in the Tower of Babel. God intervened, scattered them, and formed the different nations. Then one man, Abraham, was singled out and called by God.

[The covenant - blessed to be a blessing]

Abraham obeyed, and he was blessed by God in the covenant promises of Genesis 12:2-3:

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Here's what God has shown me: This covenant promise to Abraham was not just for him and his children—it was for every nation! "All peoples on earth will be blessed through you." God was intervening and calling Abraham out from the rest of the nations, not just to bless Abraham and his descendants alone, but to extend His blessing, through Abraham and the Jewish nation, to all nations.

God was never exclusively for the Jews. He chose them for a purpose—to be the vehicle through which blessing would flow to all peoples. They were blessed to be a blessing.

[Throughout the Old Testament - drawing the nations]

Following Genesis 12, God gradually draws people from other nations to Himself through His miraculous interventions on Israel's behalf and through His show of power. In the process, people of other nations are drawn to Him—Rahab the Canaanite, Ruth the Moabite, the people of Nineveh, Egyptians who left with Israel in the Exodus.

Throughout the Old Testament, God is seen countering Satan's evil reign with His presence, blessings, and intervention on behalf of Israel—for the nations. Israel received the primary blessing, but they were expected to share that blessing with the nations around them.

When Israel stopped sharing God with the nations and instead worshiped the gods of the nations, God scattered them in the diaspora. But even this scattering had a purpose—it resulted in Jewish communities throughout the ancient world, bringing the message of one sovereign God to polytheistic cultures.

[Jesus - the ultimate blessing to the nations]

This counter-attack to Satan's kingdom culminated in the birth of Jesus Christ. The arrival of God in human flesh, His life among people, His atoning death and triumphant resurrection resulted in victory for God and for the human race.

Jesus was the ultimate blessing to the nations! It is through belief in Him that all nations can be grafted into Abraham's family tree and receive the free gift of salvation. Galatians 3:29 says, "If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

[The Great Commission - our responsibility]

As believers in Christ witnessed His return to heaven, Jesus assured them of His continued presence through the Holy Spirit. But He also charged them with a responsibility that went along with the blessing. Like the Hebrews, they were blessed to be a blessing to all nations.

In the Great Commission, they—and all Christians since—are directed to go into all the world and preach the good news of Jesus to everyone. For each person that receives Christ as Savior, Satan loses ground.

[Application for today - blessed to be a blessing]

So God's singling out of the Jewish nation as His chosen people was not only for Abraham and his blood descendants, but for all of us and for all nations. The same holds true today for nations like America, Korea, England, and others who have been greatly blessed by God—both in prosperity but more importantly, in Christian growth.

We are blessed not so that we can keep it to ourselves, enjoying our prosperity while failing to bring those blessings to the nations of the earth. No! We are blessed to be a blessing. We are to take the Gospel to the far corners of the world, to spread the fragrance of the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 2:14).

We have been grafted into God's chosen people, not because of anything we've done to earn this, but because He has chosen us to be a blessing to others.

[The challenge - don't keep Jesus to ourselves]

So here's my challenge: May we not keep Jesus to ourselves but share Him with the world. In the words of famous Olympian and missionary Eric Liddell: "Christ for the world; for the world needs Christ."

And as we go to the world with Christ, let us go with love for all peoples—including the Jewish people through whom our Savior came. Let us reject anti-Semitism in all its forms. Let us honor our Jewish roots while embracing God's heart for all nations. Let us be what God called Abraham to be: blessed to be a blessing.

Until next time, remember—keep your eyes on the nations, and remember: You are blessed to be a blessing.

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