The biblical case for Christian Zionism

Part 2: Zionism was never founded on racism

Praise for the God of creation after being ‘flattened by the evolution steamroller’

Celebrating 30 years since ‘imprisoned’ Jews were freed to return to Israel

Frontline soldier’s ongoing battle to rescue Jews

Working on the frontline of the global battle to rescue Jews from persecution is not for the faint-hearted. But former head-teacher, lecturer and pastor Fred Wright will stop at nothing to help God’s chosen people make the journey back to their ancient land. And, at 72, he shows few signs of slowing down.

It was some 30 years ago that Dr Wright, of Colchester in Essex, gave up academia for the work of Aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel). He has since risked his life and endured many hardships and privations in carrying out the task he believes all Gentile Christians should share.

As he points out, the scriptures are clear that Jews from all corners of the world will eventually be gathered back to the Holy Land in preparation for their spiritual restoration to their Messiah, and that Gentiles will be called to assist them (Isa 11:11; Ezek 36:26; Isa 49:22).

And in a new book, A Banner to the Nations, launched last week to mark 30 years’ involvement in Christian-sponsored Aliyah since the fall of Communism, Fred recounts many inspiring stories of this phenomenal movement. A conference celebrating the anniversary will also be held in Sheffield on 16 November – at the Bushfire Church (427 Halifax Road, Grenoside S35 8PB), starting 10:30am – featuring Fred, myself and the Sh’ma Kingdom Dancers.

Borne up by Passion for Jesus

In the few years I have known him, Fred has suffered physical challenges, faced setbacks of all descriptions and fought endless battles with red tape in his efforts to find new life and hope in Israel for thousands of Jews, often destitute and forgotten in dark and oppressive parts of the world like Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.

Along with Chesed-IM (Messianic Chesed in the former Soviet Union), he works alongside and advises an organisation called Ezra UK, whose ministry is focused mainly on facilitating the required documentation needed – usually the biggest headache for those who have little actual proof of their Jewish heritage.

As an ex-serviceman, his military experience comes in handy for the frequent obstacles he encounters – but he is borne up by his passion for Jesus along with the knowledge that God is always there for him.

Hazardous Journeys

The first flight of Jewish emigrants from Siberia.Among Fred’s many hazardous journeys were his missions to Ethiopia in a bid to help its largely-forgotten Jews finally return to the land of their forefathers after thousands of years. On one trip he landed in a war zone as his arrival at the country’s capital, Addis Ababa, coincided with a rebel coup.

But his first visit there was almost as alarming, particularly the internal flight to Gondar, the ancient capital where there was still a significant Jewish presence.

“After the baggage check, a security interview took place in a rickety, curtained booth where I was repeatedly asked to hand over my gun, and it was difficult to convince them that I didn’t have one.

“My rapidly receding sense of safety and well-being was not encouraged when the pilot announced we would be flying at only around 600 feet as the entry door would not close properly. This was especially unnerving in view of the fact that we were in the region of Lake Tana, the headwaters of the Nile. Flying over the world’s most crocodile-infested waters in an overloaded plane with the door not properly shut is a great faith booster!

“At Gondar we saw a ragged huddle of people at the side of the road in a distressed condition. Asking our guides who they were, we were informed rather indifferently that they were Falashas – a derogatory term for Jews there. When further pressed, our informant said they would just stay there until they died because there was no-one to help them and no facilities. But we managed to arrange sleeping mats, fruit and water and subsequently transport them in two trucks to Addis to join those waiting to make Aliyah.”

Working in a Warzone

Fred’s return, a couple of months later, just happened to coincide with the aforesaid coup, having only become aware of the storm into which he was heading through an on-flight newspaper headline.

“Upon landing, we were hurried to awaiting police cars and delivered to our respective hotels. As I began to unpack, I could hear a rumbling noise; as an ex-serviceman I recognized the smell of diesel and cordite – tanks approaching!

“Throughout the night, the sound of gunshot and the familiar rattles of firing squads and double execution shots haunted the darkness as the smells of war drifted through the night air. Our focus next day was to try to reach the Israeli compound and enquire whether we could help move some of the Jewish people living in the city to their comparative safety, which we did.

Ethiopian Jewish children prepare for their flight to Israel through Operation Solomon.“The market area was strewn with an assortment of contorted bodies covered in flies and the stench of death and we were informed that all international outbound flights were cancelled as the rebels held the airport.

“But at the same time there was a flurry of activity with young boys rushing around, some barefoot, calling all the awaiting Falashas in the area to the compound. Suddenly, the sound of aircraft was heard. Groups of people were being ‘rounded up’ and surrounded by tape to keep them together as they were hurriedly rushed to the airport in special buses, each with an Israeli soldier of Ethiopian origin on board. The best-kept secret of the time, Operation Solomon, had begun.

“We worked through the night and next day, picking up people and taking them to the compound, helping with food and water supplies. We heard some news and rumours, but it was not until the initiative was completed that the enormity and scale of what had happened registered. The top-secret operation saw 34 planes, going on 41 sorties, to bring home to Israel some 14,500 Ethiopian Jews plus five more born in flight.”

Fred is married to Maria, who has accompanied him on many of his adventures along with their youngest son Daniel. ‘A Banner to the Nations’ (KDF Chesed Publishing, paperback, 182pp) is available online from Lulu or from Amazon for £9.99, or by contacting Ezra UK.

Paul Luckraft reviews 'Israel: A Sign and a Wonder' by Andrew Baguley (RoperPenberthy, 2015)

This is Baguley's second book, in which he moves on from considering the threat of Islam to the wonder of Israel, past, present and future. The author states his reason for writing this book (as well as the previous one) is that God spoke to him in 2014 and told him "to write both books as readers [primers] for the Church" (p20). He adds his personal concern is the lack of biblical knowledge and the apparent indifference of a large part of the Church to Israel, the Jews and God's love for this chosen nation.

Coverage of History

Although Israel: A Sign and a Wonder is twice the length of his first book, it is relatively compact and concise while providing a large amount of factual information. The initial chapters cover the birth and later re-birth of the nation, plus the three main covenants (Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). His claim is that "Covenant theology is important to grasp as arguments over which are conditional or unconditional lead some Christians to the view that Israel has been replaced by the Church as 'the New Israel'" (p37-38).

The next chapter is a brief biblical history of Israel but although it contains some useful timelines the author admits it is "very difficult in a short summary such as this to include every point that scholars and theologians would regard as key points" (p45). In which case, why try?! But this is only a basic reader and the author is merely trying to point out God's patient preparation and protection of his people in readiness of greater things to come.

This is a relatively compact and concise book, while providing a large amount of factual information.

Tracking Recent Anti-Semitism

The next two chapters are equally brief accounts of the 'silent' period between the two Testaments and the time of Jesus. The latter includes outlines of the other religious groups operating then, together with the various Messianic beliefs and expectations.

These are followed by two chapters on Christian Zionism, anti-Semitism and Replacement Theology. Again, much better treatment can be found elsewhere, though he does provide some good contemporary evidence of the more recent outworkings of Replacement Theology - for instance the Church of Scotland's report The Inheritance of Abraham (2010) and the launch of the Kairos Britain Network of Churches at the Greenbelt Christian youth camp in 2014. New information of this kind is always a useful addition to what is already known.

Indeed it is in discussing recent issues and events that the strengths of this book are found, as the next chapter on the contemporary history of Israel demonstrates. The author helps us discern truths and realities from the myths and fabrications that have arisen concerning the Palestinians, the Occupied Territories and the various wars and intifadas.

The financial corruptions of the Palestinian Authority regarding foreign aid are spelled out, and we are shown how the UN Security Council is heavily biased against Israel, especially in its Resolutions which the author denounces as "part of an enormous propaganda machine created to convince naïve citizens around the world" (p92). The section on the EU and Israel is equally forthright and we are left in no doubt about Israel's current plight. He concludes that the "present history of Israel is...being shaped by the attitude and actions of the international community towards both it and the PA and the rise of Muslim extremism" (p97).

It is in its discussion of recent issues and events that the strength of this book is found.

Looking to the Future

The final chapters look ahead to the return of Jesus to the land of Israel with all that this entails for the Jewish people and Jerusalem. The author holds to a pre-tribulation rapture position, admitting "I think that the Bible is clear on this in both Old and New Testaments" (p63). He doesn't go much further than this -but then this is not his main point and those who disagree with him can still benefit from what he has to say. Whether or not the Church has already disappeared is secondary to his main points on the purpose of the return of Jesus regarding Israel, the Jewish people and their ultimate restoration.

Baguley has good sections on the centrality of Jerusalem in the future and the return of the Jews (aliyah) in recent times. He states that since the emergence of modern Israel "God has done many mighty miracles, not only in the lives of the people, but also in the land which has amazingly blossomed in the hands of the Jewish people" (p113). He points to the 150 Messianic congregations as a spiritual fulfilment, especially as these continue to grow and be added to regularly with the number of believers estimated to be 20,000-30,000.

Basic, But Heart-Warming

Overall, Baguley has achieved his aim of providing a basic reader. Most of the information may be found elsewhere, but as a primer for those needing an easy way in to these topics he has provided a useful resource. In his conclusion he admits the controversial aspects of some of the theology expressed in the book but his main purpose is that we should not be ignorant of Israel's place in God's affection and plan of salvation. His prayer is that "our hearts have been warmed by the knowledge of Israel's soon salvation" (p135). Amen to that!

Israel: A Sign and a Wonder (144 pages) is available from the publisher for £6.99 + P&P.