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In reply to the discussion: U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for "Armageddon," Return of Jesus [View all]LetMyPeopleVote
(178,250 posts)127. It's all about the Apocalypse: Another disturbing reason behind the right wing's pro-Israel obsession
As a Jew, it is common knowledge the support from the American religious right is due in some part due to a belief that the existence of Israel is essential for their belief in a second coming.
Link to tweet
https://www.rawstory.com/2019/02/apocalypse-another-disturbing-reason-behind-right-wings-pro-israel-obsession
Politics professor Elizabeth Oldmixon explained in an interview with Vox the strange thread of Christianity that fosters an apocalyptic vision the inspires much of the right-wing support for Israel.
�These are the folks who believe that there will be a millennium in the future, a golden age, where Christ reigns on Earth, [and] they believe that before Christ will return, there will be a tribulation where Christ defeats evil,� she said. �There will be natural disasters and wars, and perhaps an Antichrist, as the book of Revelations notes. Then at the end of that period, the people of the Mosaic covenant, including the Jews, will convert. Then after their conversion, the great millennium starts.�
She continued: �You have this group of people looking around for signs of the end time, and in the 20th century when Israel was founded, this was seen as a major sign. This was electrifying for that community because the gathering of all the Jews in exile to the Holy Land is a prerequisite for all of these events unfolding. So for the subset of evangelicals in the 20th century, support for Israel became a really, really important political position.�
And as evangelical Christianity grew into a central part of the GOP�s coalition, pro-Israel policies became cemented in the party�s ideology.
The alliance between the evangelicals and pro-Israeli Jews, though, is a peculiar partnership. The Christians enter into the bargain with the assumption that, when they reach their goal of the apocalypse, any Jews will either become Christians or go to hell. But their pro-Israel allies don�t seem to mind this much, perhaps because they don�t believe this version of the apocalypse will ever actually come to be � and as long as it is just a fantasy, their interests and those of evangelicals remain aligned.
�These are the folks who believe that there will be a millennium in the future, a golden age, where Christ reigns on Earth, [and] they believe that before Christ will return, there will be a tribulation where Christ defeats evil,� she said. �There will be natural disasters and wars, and perhaps an Antichrist, as the book of Revelations notes. Then at the end of that period, the people of the Mosaic covenant, including the Jews, will convert. Then after their conversion, the great millennium starts.�
She continued: �You have this group of people looking around for signs of the end time, and in the 20th century when Israel was founded, this was seen as a major sign. This was electrifying for that community because the gathering of all the Jews in exile to the Holy Land is a prerequisite for all of these events unfolding. So for the subset of evangelicals in the 20th century, support for Israel became a really, really important political position.�
And as evangelical Christianity grew into a central part of the GOP�s coalition, pro-Israel policies became cemented in the party�s ideology.
The alliance between the evangelicals and pro-Israeli Jews, though, is a peculiar partnership. The Christians enter into the bargain with the assumption that, when they reach their goal of the apocalypse, any Jews will either become Christians or go to hell. But their pro-Israel allies don�t seem to mind this much, perhaps because they don�t believe this version of the apocalypse will ever actually come to be � and as long as it is just a fantasy, their interests and those of evangelicals remain aligned.
For example, the US embassy in Israel by trump to appease these nut cases. This story may be crazy but the nut cases who want an apocalypse worry me
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U.S. Troops Were Told Iran War Is for "Armageddon," Return of Jesus [View all]
Fozzledick
19 hrs ago
OP
I don't get the impression they see him as a prophet--more of a conduit maybe; or a tool.
Ol Janx Spirit
1 hr ago
#132
That's why the religious fanatics are getting desperate enough to try to start an actual...
Ol Janx Spirit
7 hrs ago
#80
I've heard the end times are happening now for decades....so far though it's still not happened.
cstanleytech
3 hrs ago
#112
Just looked it up and Country Joe McDonald is still living and kicking it around at 84...Cool...
wcmagumba
18 hrs ago
#14
I saw Barry Melton at a Gathering of the Tribe feast & concert up in Northern California in December
NBachers
16 hrs ago
#42
Brings back some good memories. Glad I got a chance to live through that.
kerry-is-my-prez
3 hrs ago
#116
Thank you so very much for sharing. I would love to get together a bunch of
cornball 24
2 hrs ago
#118
So...TSF has been anointed by Jesus and the Iran leaders have Allah on their side so this is a holy war?
Deuxcents
19 hrs ago
#9
Trump is losing supporters, even some magas, so he thinks this will shore up the fundie zealot end timers nuts
Attilatheblond
18 hrs ago
#26
TRUMP looks as much like 'the Antichrist' as much as any previous dictator---
Jack Valentino
18 hrs ago
#13
Trump is not smart enough to be the anti-christ...maybe a low level demon of some sort...
wcmagumba
18 hrs ago
#17
Nowhere in the Bible did it say that the supposed anti-christ was "smart"......
Jack Valentino
18 hrs ago
#21
I haven't read it in a long time either---- but I have 'very sinfully' asked A.I. to
Jack Valentino
18 hrs ago
#24
How will Jesus communicate with the millions of followers? By Instagram, WhatsApp, email, text?
dalton99a
18 hrs ago
#15
"A figure which looks like Jesus Christ" ??? I thought it looked like a big check mark ! nt
eppur_se_muova
9 hrs ago
#59
It takes absolutely monstrous arrogance to believe that your military actions influence God.
milestogo
18 hrs ago
#19
Because the Almighty, though almighty, is still not mighty enough to start a Mideast clusterfuck by Himself.
Mister Ed
18 hrs ago
#22
They should all be removed from command and tried for Traitorous Seditious Conspiracy.
BurnDoubt
18 hrs ago
#25
Judaism, Islam and Christianity - a three cornered Abrahamic death match...
Another Jackalope
17 hrs ago
#31
Fozzledick, I remember reding the Illuminati books, and loved that phrase, "immanentize the Eschaton!
ShazamIam
16 hrs ago
#41
The only difference between these people and the Taliban/Al Qaeda...
RetiredParatrooper
16 hrs ago
#44
MRFF is a well known and respected organization, and Larsen writes articles for their website
muriel_volestrangler
7 hrs ago
#71
What should I wear when Jesus returns? Should I cook something? How long is he staying?
twodogsbarking
8 hrs ago
#62
Unlikely, according to Bible scholars in Tennessee. But he is probably partial to tobacco
dalton99a
7 hrs ago
#68
I predict that when Jesus doesn't show up, a lot of people are going to be sorely disappointed.
Ray Bruns
7 hrs ago
#66
Nothing like telling a soldier he's (she's) dead before he (she) even leaves our country.
bluestarone
7 hrs ago
#74
Armageddon wouldn't happen unless there were people intentionally causing it.
Clouds Passing
7 hrs ago
#81
They try to force the Apocalypse to placate the Christo-fascists who will themselves be destroyed.
GreenWave
5 hrs ago
#94
My parents were evangelical. They did not believe in the Rapture or Armageddon.
HeartsCanHope
5 hrs ago
#96
I really despise mixing religion with military... same with with government!
liberalla
4 hrs ago
#107
That is some scary shit. Religious maniacs in charge of our military? What could go wrong?
Martin68
3 hrs ago
#109
So, we have people in high positions who think they are fighting for their invisible friend?
Americanme
2 hrs ago
#119
It's all about the Apocalypse: Another disturbing reason behind the right wing's pro-Israel obsession
LetMyPeopleVote
1 hr ago
#127
That sounds like the "Heaven's Gate" cult from the 70s...I'd be happy to see them leave...
wcmagumba
1 hr ago
#131