The Modern State of Israel and Its Biblical Roots

The modern State of Israel, founded in 1948, is often regarded by many as a continuation of the ancient biblical Israel. However, when we closely examine biblical prophecy, history, and scripture, we see that this connection is far more complex than it appears on the surface. In this post, we’ll explore some of the key points that raise questions about how the modern Israel relates to the Israel of the Bible and the spiritual significance of Jerusalem.

The Prophecies of Jerusalem’s Destruction

One of the foundational ideas in understanding the Israel of the Bible is the prophetic judgment that befell it, particularly Jerusalem. Jesus Christ, in Matthew 24:2, prophesied the complete destruction of the temple in Jerusalem: “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.” This was fulfilled in 70 AD when the Romans destroyed the Second Temple, marking an end of the Hebrew sacrificial system and the final dispersion of the Hebrew people.

Jeremiah also foretold this in passages such as Jeremiah 9:11, where God declares, “I will make Jerusalem a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, and I will lay waste the towns of Judah so no one can live there.” These prophecies speak of a complete and utter destruction, not just of the physical city but of the spiritual state of the people who had abandoned God’s covenant.

With this context, we must ask: Can the modern city of Jerusalem with its secular and political identity, be considered the same Jerusalem that faced divine judgment and destruction? If Jesus and the prophets declared that the Jerusalem of their time would be annihilated, what then is the status of the Jerusalem we see today?

Israel as a Bloodline and a Covenant

Biblical Israel wasn’t a geographic territory or a political entity. It was a people—a covenant community bound by the law of God. The Old Testament shows that Israel’s uniqueness came not from an area but from its covenant with God. The 12 Tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel), were bound to God by the Law given to them at Mount Sinai. This covenant set them apart as a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6).

However, by turning away from God and pursuing idolatry and wickedness, the people of Israel continually broke this covenant. Prophets like Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel warned of God’s coming judgment. Instead of taking heed and listening to the word of God, which at that time came to the people through the prophets, the 12 tribes persecuted and killed them. So biblical Israel was destroyed because the people had forsaken their covenant relationship with God and persecuted His word. (this was the spiritual fight behind the carnal)

In contrast, modern Israel, formed in 1948, is primarily a political state, built after World War II, based on the idea of providing a homeland for the "Jewish" people. These people are indeed called Jewish people, but they are not the descendants of the 12 tribes.  While modern Israel holds deep cultural and religious significance for many, it is not the same covenant community described in the Bible. Israel today is a diverse state, home to a group of divided people Jews, Muslims, Christians, and others due to varying degrees of religious and secular identities. It does not function under the same spiritual covenant that defined the 12 tribes.

Jerusalem Today: A City of Contention

Jerusalem remains a focal point for religious significance, particularly for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. Pilgrims travel to the city, visiting sites like the Western Wall (which is NOT part of the old temple, remember Jesus told us that no stone will be left on top of another), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. Many claim it as the sacred city of their faith, believing it to be the same city from biblical times.

But when we examine the prophecies of Jesus and the prophets, it’s clear that the Jerusalem described in the Bible was destined for destruction. The temple, the heart of religious life of the 12 tribes, was obliterated, and Jerusalem was annihilated.

So, how do we reconcile this with the bustling city we see today? I believe that the modern city of Jerusalem is not the one from the bible. While it may called "Israel", the judgment and prophecies regarding the original Jerusalem of the 12 tribes have already been fulfilled. Others see the restoration of Jerusalem as a fulfillment of prophecy, a sign that we are living in the end times, where biblical events will unfold again in that land, but these people are also waiting for a third temple to be build which is not biblical prophecy.

A New Israel and a New Jerusalem

From a Christian perspective, the New Testament introduces the idea of a spiritual Israel—a people defined not by their bloodline or land but by their faith in God (or Jesus Christ as it was the case for the people of that time when the Christ walked with them). Galatians 3:29 teaches that “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” This spiritual Israel is made up of all who believe in Christ/God, regardless of their ethnicity or national identity.

Moreover, the Book of Revelation speaks of a “New Jerusalem,” a heavenly city that will descend from God (Revelation 21:2). This New Jerusalem represents the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises to His people, a city that will never be destroyed or corrupted. For many Christians, this is the true Jerusalem they await, not the earthly city that has been marked by wars, conquests, and destruction. This city already exists and we can enter into it through faith... in God... not a doctrine.

The Israel of Today and the Israel of the Bible

The modern state of Israel and the ancient biblical Israel are distinct in many ways. Their spiritual significance and identity differ greatly. Ancient Israel was a covenant people bound by the Law of God, and its destruction was foretold due to their rejection of that covenant (God). The modern state of Israel is not the same Israel that the Bible describes.

Jerusalem today, though sacred to many, is not the same Jerusalem that was prophesied to face destruction. For humanity, the ultimate hope lies not in the restoration of earthly cities or nations, but in the New Jerusalem, the heavenly city where Eternal Life (God) dwells. Our hope is in God, to whom we go in faith and ask forgive and desire eternal life.

In the end, understanding the relationship between modern Israel and the Israel of the Bible requires both a historical and spiritual perspective. The Bible’s message points us beyond political borders and human nations to a higher, spiritual kingdom where God’s true Israel—His people—will live in peace and righteousness.