The first half of this new book, published to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s modern founding, takes us through the political developments that led up to the Jewish state’s birth in May 1948. It includes background information on key British personalities who raised support for Zionism, such as JC Ryle and other 19th Century evangelical preachers who regularly taught that the Jews scattered around the world would soon return to their ancient homeland.
The second part of the book features an interesting mixture of testimonies of Jewish men and women who have come to believe in Jesus (Helen Shapiro is one notable example), as well as examples of reconciliation between Jews and former Muslims who, though finding Christ, have come to repent of their previous attitudes towards Israel. The work of CMJ and their At the Crossroads conferences is highlighted in this section.
The remainder of the book touches on the need for repentance over Britain’s broken pledge regarding Israel, and the particular battles that lie ahead for the Jewish state as the days get darker and anti-Semitism grows across the world.
However, the book ends on a brighter note by reminding us that the real reason Israel has been reborn and the Jews re-gathered is so that Jesus can return to his homeland and reveal himself to his brothers. Once they recognise who Jesus is and receive him as Messiah then the full picture of their national restoration will be complete and the world will be at peace.
“It is a most important work which deserves to be widely read and is top of my list for anyone wanting to know about Israel…Magnificent” – Christopher Proudlove (fellow journalist)
“I wholeheartedly endorse this book…and hope it would find itself in the hands of people of influence in our nation to steer them towards thinking again…” – Dr Clifford Denton
Purchasing Information: RRP £10 + P&P (paperback). Available from the publisher or from Amazon.
About the author: Charles Gardner is a Cape Town-born journalist who spent the early years of his career as a Fleet Street-based correspondent for the South African Press Association, having been ‘called’ to write through the preaching of Rev John Stott. He has since worked mainly for the secular press in Yorkshire while at the same time launching several Christian publications.
