Premillennialism and Foreign Policy
A large percentage, I would say 35% of the population, of Americans is premillennial. Almost 100 percent of those were Trump voters in the 2024 election. Premillennialism takes literally the Old and New Testament promises to Israel. Amillennialism and postmillennialism are growing in the United States, but it is still a small, albeit loud, percentage of professing Christians.
Premillennialism takes what is called an Old Testament priority. The characters of the Old Testament, as God revealed His Word to them, understood what they heard. For instance, the promises concerning the Messiah were literal and fulfilled that way in the first coming of Jesus Christ. A very low percentage of Jews believed that, but Christians did and do.
Abrahamic Covenant
I point to the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis, which repeats itself multiple times in the book, starting with Genesis 12:1-3, but with an allusion in Genesis 3:15 and the seed of the woman. God promised a seed, a land, and a blessing. It was a unilateral, unconditional, and irrevocable covenant with an ethnic people. You can add to that the Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants by God that apply to Israel.
In the present war in the Middle East, a large part of the support of the Israel comes from premillennialists. You can add to that especially the orthodox Jews and then the Messianic Jews. If you went to an orthodox synagogue in Florida, almost 100 percent would have supported Donald Trump. The two ideas coincide. The Messiah is Jesus Christ, even if the orthodox Jews deny that. However, they both look for a Messiah, who will set up a kingdom.
A Division
How are the eschatological positions applying to foreign policy right now? A division exists in the Republican foreign policy. The neo-conservatives are a very small minority now in the Republican Party. Many went Independent or Democrat.
When I talk about the small minority, I’m saying The Lincoln Project, The Bulwark, the Bush/Rove/Cheney/Condoleezza Rice Faction, and the Romney/Murkowski/Collins/Nikki Haley/Mitch McConnell/(now) Mike Pence contingent. Some still hang with the Republicans because they support more Trump ideas than the new Democrat Party. Much of this side on foreign policy wants to keep sending billions or a trillion more to Ukraine and try to defeat Russia and Putin in a proxy war.
The same conflagration of new-conservative types support Israel in the Middle East, but they want a new world order with a muscular U. S. intervention overseas. They still support the idea of nation building, perhaps going to back to an old NATO philosophy after World War II. These are typically the classic free-traders and dollar diplomacy to force the spread of capitalism and democracy across the world.
MAGA and Historical Republicanism
The MAGA, American First foreign policy, as I see it, is split, but an avenue of cohesion exists. The biggest group would take the following position and this fits Premillennial eschatology. I would be in that thinking. First, they reject the war in the Ukraine. They want a diplomatic end to that war with the hope of better relations with Russia. This includes ending NATO expansion into Eastern Europe, threatening Russian sovereignty. This is not support of Putin.
The historical Republican foreign policy prioritizes America. It secures the borders of the nation and strengthens the national economy. Included in this is greater fairness in trade in combination with freeness and a return of strong American industrialization and business. China makes less of the stuff America needs for a secure future. This means less foreign intervention more in the spirit of George Washington in his Farewell Address.
Israel
A second aspect of the MAGA foreign policy relates to Israel. The split exists here, because there is an anti-Israel faction in MAGA. It’s also antisemitic. You can find this also in the Christian nationalism movement. It is not so totally innocent. The amillennialists and postmillennialists abide here, a few premillennialists too, but with what I’ve read as a very odd sort of premillennialism. The latter says that future support of Israel and trust in the promises of God do not necessitate, and could even preclude, present support of apostate Israel.
The premillennialist branch, the bigger one, of MAGA foreign policy can work with the smaller faction, which I believe includes now a name such as Tucker Carlson. They might agree that the United States should allow Israel freedom to win in the Middle East. The United States will continue as a supportive ally without its own military involvement, no more boots on the ground.
Premillennialists like myself would support a one state solution in Israel and an expansion of Israel territory. This mirrors a belief that the Palestinians are in practice something like the Canaanites of the Old Testament. They have no interest in cohabitation or peace with Israel in the land. Israel can’t continue to live like this. A one state solution is the most popular one in Israel today. I think Israel should be allowed to form one state with the integration of like-minded Palestinians.
Conclusion
Peace in the foreign policy of the American First Movement revolves around an anti-interventionist approach. The United States does not force its own foreign policy on Israel. It supports an Israel First Movement in Israel. At the same time, it neither sends financial aid to either Israel, Palestine, or any other Middle Eastern country. These countries can trade freely and fairly with no advantage to either side.
What I’m writing fits a premillennialist approach and, I believe, it represents the present foreign policy in the United States. It occurs in the most major way because of a belief in the promises of God to Israel. It is also optimistic. With the United States advocating for a literal approach to scripture even in its foreign policy toward Israel, it gives a greater opportunity for blessing on the country.
You’ve heard the mission credo, the church whose light shines the furthest shines the brightest at home. I agree with the same credo for the United States. Let’s stop intervening everywhere and get our own house in order. We are not ready to spread a corrupt Americanism. Only intervene against a direct threat to the security of the United States. If an African country wants to outlaw homosexuality, the United States should not punish that country, but respect its sovereignty. This will have a greater long term affect on the rest of the world, just being that original idea of a bright light shining on a hill.
As someone who differs slightly from the current majority mainstream view of premillennialism, I wonder if there isn’t an unbiblical overemphasis placed on America’s support for Israel as God’s chosen people. It seems to me that any problems Israel faces currently have twofold ramifications.
1. They face them because of God’s judgment for their spiritual whoredom as a nation (many OT passages pronounce such).
2. They face them in conjunction with clear Bible prophecy “until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
It seems that when Christians call for supporting Israel in regaining their land as God’s chosen people, they’re seemingly disregarding those two things. It seems obvious to me that God’s blessing will not return upon Israel until the close of Daniel’s 70th week. Why then would we assume that it is God’s will for us to look for, work towards, or expect something different than what He revealed in His Word?
I’m not actually saying you’re doing/saying that, but it does seem that those who support Zionism because Israel is God’s chosen people don’t believe that Israel was cut off as is stated in Romans 9-11. In my mind it would be like someone trying to fight against Nebuchadnezzar while he was taking the Jews into captivity. I just don’t see that we are to be concerned about the Jews and their land in this way during this age. I’d be willing to be corrected on my thinking here though, and my intention wasn’t to misrepresent you but rather what seems to me the general opinion among conservative premillennialists who I would say are “hung-ho” for Israel in a way that is inconsistent with any Biblical mandate for the church in this age.
Also, I hope I wouldn’t need to say this but I’m not an antisemite nor do I believe in replacement theology or amillenialism. I believe Israel should have the right to defend itself as any nation and I believe that God will save Israel one day.
Hi,
I think this is worth talking about, against this idea of eschatology being non-essential. I know I haven’t delved into all your eschatology, so I’m thankful for that too. 😀 Okay, these two ideas you are saying, I believe we can think both of them at the same time. Truly, Israel’s chastisement continues, but those doing the physical acts against them wrong for doing so, like Babylon in the OT. God both used those nations and destroyed them for doing what they did.
I won’t bring up the other aspects of eschatological differences. As I’ve grown up it’s always been deemed part of being a Christian to be strongly pro-Israel, as it seems you’re promoting in the conservative wing of the Republican Party. However, biblically it doesn’t seem to me that being pro-Israel is an important part of New Testament Christianity. However, even saying that is considered blasphemy by many in the premillennial conservative camp.
Maybe I’m misstating your support of it and please say so if I am. I also agree that God judged Babylon for what they did to Israel, but I still don’t see how that translates into being pro-Israel. I’m saying I don’t see it. I don’t understand it. In relation to the covenants Israel has been set aside for the time being, so why would we resurrect a care for them as a nation connected to their land when God hasn’t. It seems there is a lot of wasted effort by American Christians being pro-Israel rather than obeying the Great Commission (which I don’t say with pride or arrogance in my own accomplishments, more as a matter of fact).
Would you agree that many conservatives over-emphasize Israel and support for Israel?
Hi David,
The gospel is a cohesive whole. It’s called the gospel of the kingdom. Even though you don’t need to believe the Israel part to be saved, it is part of that overall story, even an important part to tell. Paul uses it in Romans 9-11 as part of his gospel presentation. Why trust any of God’s promises if God didn’t keep them to Israel? He argues that God was still keeping them with Israel. Whatever Jew wasn’t experiencing the blessings of salvation could do that if he confessed and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hello,
I don’t want to talk in circles here. I agree with what you said there. I think Paul’s portion on Israel held historical importance because of the Old Testament and its promises but also was of greater impact in that day because of the dramatic shift in God’s plan away from Israel to the Gentiles and the church. I believe that the kingdom will be given back to Israel. I am glad to see Israelis believing the gospel. I am even glad to see Israel back in the land in what appears to be preparation for the events of Revelation knowing that those things must be fulfilled before the Lord returns, but I still don’t see how that translates to this idea inside conservative Republican premillennialism that as Christians it is some great virtue to support the nation of Israel. I don’t believe that aspect of what you’re talking about is a New Testament emphasis. That’s my question. Where in the New Testament are we taught that as Christ’s church we are to be pro-Israel in the national sense? I’m not talking about the future kingdom or preaching them the gospel, just physical support for them as a nation. I don’t see that in the New Testament.
God Himself is not done with Israel. We know what will happen with Israel so this is believing NT prophecy, taken literally. The Abrahamic Covenant is not rescinded and is mentioned in the NT. All the covenants correlate. The blessing comes through Jesus, but Jesus Himself says salvation is of the Jews in John 4:22. The Jews are the root and the Gentiles the branches (Rom 11). Consider Rom 9:4-5: “4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.” Israel is the plan of God and I believe we should show we’re with that plan, even as we pray for His kingdom to come, a kingdom promised to David and his descendants. Yes, saved Jews will get in. They must receive the Messiah, just like unbelieving Jews were left carcasses in the wilderness in 1 Cor 10. We don’t support anything unscriptural of Israel, but it is physical Israel that is God’s elect in the OT. And God’s election is irrevocable. Just like believers would trust the promises of the first coming, we are trusting future fulfillment of prophecy and showing the world that we believe God would do what He said. Yes, that includes God’s chastisement of the Jews.
A bit of a ramble. Sorry
I attended Bible College at a school associated with J Frank Norris. If I remember correctly, as far back as the 1930s, or earlier, Norris held large Pre Millenial conferences. The school rightly assumed the Jews must be in Palestine with a temple for the 2nd Advent to occur. The creation of the 1948 Jewish state and all of its expansions is a miracle of God in fulfillment of Scripture. I never heard a word of concern for the Arabs who were being forced out. I feel about the same way.
I agree that individual Jews and the nation as a whole is apostate; but I am ecstatic that we are watching the end approach! Some folks get squeamish as the Jews take back their homeland. I would suggest not reading Joshua, it was vastly worse.
just a few thoughts
Thanks for the comment. I agree, Jim.
Thanks for the explanation. I really don’t disagree with what you said. I’m not sure that the practical ramifications of what you’re saying produces the Zionist agenda of the conservative movement/popular premillennial tv preachers/Republican party (which truly work together hand in hand). I don’t see the positive for Israel to have our support in getting their land knowing that the only purpose to which their gaining the land is to prepare the way for the Antichrist. Even if Israel gets what you’re saying, one state, which I’m fine with, that does not redound to their benefit in any way until they turn to Christ. Why would I be very happy that they have some of their land knowing that they will not keep it because they are going to be decimated by the Antichrist during Daniel’s 70th week? I am happy that it appears God is bringing to pass His prophesied plan for the world and Israel, but I still don’t see how desiring Israel’s physical benefit TODAY (I’m not discounting their future salvation) in their lost state is any concern of New Testament Christianity. Yes, the covenants concern them, but they only benefit in the covenants by faith the same as we. Since they are not in the faith and are under God’s chastening hand, I don’t see how my saying “I think America should support Israel’s right to their land” represents to the world that I believe God’s OT promises.
I appreciate your statement “we don’t support anything unscriptural of Israel.” But where is the Scriptural support that they have a right to their land before God brings about that in the New Covenant? It seems to me that Christians believe there should be a temple built in Jerusalem as if that is a good thing, but it will not be a good thing. It will be idolatry and eventually will be the place where the Antichrist sets himself up as God. Outside of the fact that all that is required to bring about Christ’s return, why would we be for the building of the temple? Why would we support Israel’s right to have a temple on the Temple Mount as if that is some net positive, when for them it is only a negative? I think it’s backward thinking to think that it will be good for them to get to build the temple. It’s part of God’s plan, yes. But it isn’t something we should be cheering it on because it will be rebellion against Christ’s sacrifice.
I don’t feel I’m ignoring any of the things you mentioned that are true in what I’m saying here. I believe what the Bible says about Israel. You haven’t stated plainly whether you agree the pro-Israel political movement spurred by conservative Christians in the Republican Party, but in my opinion they go far beyond any kind of Biblical respect/care/love for Israel into something that is not required or taught for the practice of the New Testament church. I don’t know if you’ll address their excesses in this regard or if you think there have been excesses (I.e. support for the building of the temple).
I don’t want to be unnecessarily hard-headed. I’m agreeing with almost everything you’re saying. It just seems that what you’re saying the Bible says shouldn’t produce what I observe in the Zionist movement you seem to be supporting. Thanks.
The enemies of Israel that surround them want their annihilation. We should support their defending their selves. We do that because God chose them and will save them. We should line up behind that. We are also still blessed, receiving the blessings of Israel. Think of Moses on the Supreme Court building with the two tablets. That is the Judeo of the Judeo-Christian ethic. Those with a NT priority and allegorize OT prophecies and promises maybe reject that. We know there is still a Satanic conspiracy against Israel attempting to undermine God’s veracity, His promises, and we see that happening in the opposition to Israel. Why is there a unique hatred of the Jews? Yes, chastisement, but also part of the rejection of the Bible, God’s plan. It is a supernatural enemy status as I see it. 15 million people in an 8 billion world are not a threat. This unique Jew hatred is part of the testimony. I could keep going, but hopefully you get why I believe Christians should support a pro-Israel foreign policy.
We are not a Roman Catholic country. We’re not Protestant either in the state church supporting sense. The opposition to Israel is arising much because of a long historic hatred from state church ecclesiology with no teaching on a future kingdom that includes Israel.
Thanks. This one clicked for me. I think I understand what you’re saying now. I don’t disagree.
Thanks!
I would like to add that those who bless Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob are blessed of God. I’ve heard many old preachers state that our support of Israel is the only reason America is still standing.
I think this is so.
I think that is a very valid reason for supporting the current state of Israel.
“What I’m writing fits a premillennialist approach and, I believe, it represents the present foreign policy in the United States. It occurs in the most major way because of a belief in the promises of God to Israel. It is also optimistic. With the United States advocating for a literal approach to scripture even in its foreign policy toward Israel, it gives a greater opportunity for blessing on the country.”
Two things:
1> Nationally speaking, we are in “the time of the Gentiles”- Daniel
2> All the intertestamental truth found in Daniel 11 supports “Gentile wars” and an occupied Israel or at least one that is submissive to Gentile nations.
3> Jesus Christ was rejected nationally by Israel to be their Saviour and King
4> Therefore, David Thompsons position is closer to the truth concerning the Christians response to “support” Israel.
Tom
Obviously, I’ve got some differences with you Tom on this, and David Thompson is pretty close to where I’m at. He is premillennial. Here is my belief with your added critique.
1) Time of the Gentiles. We also know that things will get worse the closer we get to the end, but that doesn’t mean that we cooperate with it. Just like we’re against apostasy, we’re against the mistreatment of the Jews, especially just because they are Jews. God has not rescinded His promises. Despite the current state of affairs where Gentile powers dominate, there is a prophetic assurance that God has not forsaken Israel and her restoration. We don’t have a tremendous amount of detail on how to take the end of this. We have some, but the return to the land in 1948, we should support. We should see it as part of an ongoing divine plan where both Jewish and Gentile believers play crucial roles leading up to future prophetic fulfillments. We should show forth the Bible as true.
2) Israel is still dependent on Gentiles nations like you explain. But nations round about also want to exterminate Israel. That is Satanic. We should stand with Israel and partake of a blessing that is not rescinded: the time of the Gentiles and the covenant blessing can be and are both true.
3) Israel has suffered for crucifying Jesus. My sin also sent Him to the cross. Many Gentiles trample over His blood.
4) Maybe you are reading into his thinking.
“Israel is still dependent on Gentiles nations like you explain. But nations round about also want to exterminate Israel. That is Satanic. We should stand with Israel and partake of a blessing that is not rescinded: the time of the Gentiles and the covenant blessing can be and are both true.”
It is Satanic? Are you saying what the prophets preached during Israel idolatry as it is today is to be forgotten? Jeremiah preached, “For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. (Jeremiah 20:8)
Why would God all of a sudden change his mind when Israel hates the God of the scriptures? Why would anyone support a nation that is a betrayer and murder of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: (Acts 7:52)
You need to consider your position. I can add a whole bunch of more scripture to prove my point.
The position a Christian should take is (1) go preach the gospel to them just like any people (neither Jew nor Gentile), (2) stay away from any position that support their political end for it was their religious politics that had the Lord Jesus Christ murdered!
Tom
Yes, Satanic like what you read in Obadiah. Edom allied itself with Babylon during the siege of Jerusalem and God would judge Edom for that. Edom was with Satan, even though Babylon was an instrument in the hand of God. God calls Nebuchadnezzar his servant in the chastisement of Judah in Jeremiah 25 and God sends Nebuchadnezzar in 2 Kings 24 among other places. God says He will judge Babylon for its actions in Jeremiah 51 and Isaiah 13-14. Even though in Lamentations God was faithful in judging Judah, God would also send retribution against Babylon for doing so. Why would Babylon get retribution, Tom? If they should do this, it was God’s sovereign will for Babylon to judge Israel, yet they would also be judged.
In the same way, it was God’s will that Rome and Israel would crucify Jesus, but this would in the end save Israel and anyone else. By killing Him, He was dying for them. Both can be true and both are true.
Here is what Paul said of the Jews:
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thessalonians 2:14-16)
He calls them murderers and those who persecute us, the church, where they “fill up their sins alway (continuously)” and therefore “wrath in come upon them to the uttermost (extensive, highest degree)”.
So, where does any Christian get his biblical position to support wicked sinners who should know better? You should “support” every other nation except them! They will be destroyed by the Devil and God will send them strong delusions until they finally repent as a nation just prior to the Lord’s second coming.
Tom
Tom,
You can also read in the OT from the prophets about judgment on Israel and Judah. The churches in Judea were Jewish churches. And Paul was opposed by the Jews in his ministry everywhere. Why were they everywhere? Because of God’s chastisement of them and their scattering abroad. No one is denying that. Two things can be right, and what you’re saying does not contradict what I’m saying. The unique opposition to the Jews is reminiscent of the woman in Revelation, opposed by the dragon. This is part of a cosmic battle between the woman and the serpent. She is adorned with twelve stars, which hearkens to Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37. We understand that only saved Jews will get into the kingdom, but God has a plan for the nation.
I’m not going on and on with you, just like with the Bible issue. We get it. You see things differently.
“I’m not going on and on with you, just like with the Bible issue. We get it. You see things differently.”
No, Kent. I see things biblically based on both OT and NT truth. Of course the nations that chose to punish Israel would also be punished. That is obvious, since all of the nations gods were of the Devil, which gods the Israelites also trusted.
The best “biblical position” is to take the course of action like Switzerland. Do nothing when it come to military action against all other nations.
Tom
Well, Tom, my problem is you don’t see things biblically, more selectively and then just wrongly at times, and you’re misrepresenting this too. You say that God punished them because they were evil. Read Obadiah. Consider verses 12-14:
He punished them because of what they did to Israel. The NT doesn’t come along and change the OT. It fulfills it, yes, but the parts not fulfilled, like with Israel, that still stands. This is the last comment on this. You do not relent when you are wrong. You dig in even deeper, and that’s not a good situation for you or for anyone here reading.