Israel Is the World’s Most Important Country

The Importance of Israel

In this article, I want to look at Israel and the Gentile nations, the realigning and remaking of kingdoms and countries in the end times, and finally, the decline of the United States as a world power.

God works through nations, particularly through the nation of Israel. To have a Biblical and proper view of history and of end times' prophecy, it is essential to understand God's laser-focus on Israel. My purpose is to summarize some foundational and historical truths regarding Israel and the Gentile nations.

The Origin of the Nations

Genesis Chapter 10 tells us that the nations of the world came forth from Noah's three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. This chapter specifically lists nations that were, and to some degree still are, relevant for God's purposes for the Jewish people and for the entire world. God's sovereign scattering of proud and rebellious nations across the face of the earth is described in Genesis 11:1-9. The remainder of Genesis 11 tells us that the nation of Israel would come from Shem's descendants, and specifically through Abram.

The Most Important Country

God chose Israel to be the greatest and most blessed nation (Deuteronomy 4:32-40). Genesis 11:10 to the end of the Old Testament makes it very clear that God loved Israel and had great plans for her, and that she was the most important country in the world. The Gentile nations were usually only spoken of as they related to the history and purposes of Israel. But during this Church Age, God is focused on the Gentiles, and in fact, for most of this time, Israel did not even exist as a nation. But things are changing, and in the next age, the Millennial Age, Jesus Christ will reign as King from Israel, and the entire world will see that she is the Number One country on Earth.

The Old Testament

Israel's history takes us from her birth in Egypt, to 40 years of testing in the desert, to conquering the Canaanites and occupying the Promised Land, and to judges delivering them from evil Gentile nations. It continues with the kings, some who were good, but most who were evil; and it was David and Solomon who led Israel during their glory years. Throughout this time, Israel was sinful and disobedient. The Lord used prophets to declare their sin to Israel and Judah (the nation was split after Solomon's death), to predict judgment and exile, and to promise her hope for the future – a Christ-led Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom, which will begin after this present Church Age.

During those Old Testament years, God's people lived in an anti-God world, sometimes being holy, but usually being wicked. But most impressive was the powerful working of God with this weak and sinful nation, and His continued mercy, kindness, love, patience, and justice towards her. As Ezra tells us, He faithfully brought Judah back from exile to her own land. Against all odds, and by God's sovereign grace, she continued through all the years, both defeating and being delivered from Gentile nations, and in particular, the satanically inspired beast nations – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome (Revelation 12:1-3).

The Time of Christ

Then it was time for Jesus, the Son of God, to be born in Israel, the land of His people. He came as a King, but He couldn't reign in a physical way until there was spiritual revival. That would have to wait, for the Jews at that time rejected Jesus Christ – they didn't see themselves as sinners in need of a Savior. But Jesus continued, fulfilling His most-important purpose; suffering, dying, and rising again for billions of people who would put their faith in Him for salvation from sin, death, and Hell. Then Jesus left Earth and went back to Heaven with the promise He'd return to be King of Israel and King of the world (Matthew 24; Acts 1:4-11).

The Current Church Age

In A.D. 70, the God-forsaking nation of Israel was severely punished, scattered throughout the nations, and was set aside for close to 1,900 years. Now we are in the Church Age, the time for the salvation of many Gentiles, and for a remnant of the Jewish people as well (Romans 11). But in the past 130 years, more than 6 million Jews have supernaturally returned to their land, and the nation of Israel has miraculously been resurrected. It is obvious that God is now actively working with both Israel and Gentile nations, for their end-times' configuration and place in the world must be in line with the prophecies of Daniel 2, 7, 9, and 11.

The Fall of the U.S. and Rise of Antichrist's Kingdom

It is apparent that the U.S. is losing stature; her pride, greed, and immorality are the principle reasons. Sometime after she is sufficiently weakened, we will see the realigning of more nations, and the eventual rise of the Antichrist and his kingdom. After his short, evil rule, the Antichrist will be crushed by Christ, and from Jerusalem in Israel, Jesus Christ will gloriously reign over a Gentile world for 1,000 peaceful and wonderful years (Revelation 20:1-11)!

Steven J. Hogan has been a pastor-teacher for the past 25 years, and at Hope Bible Church of Tampa since 2003.