Jews Are Native to Israel – God’s Plan Endures, Calling All to Jesus
My heart burns for Israel and for sharing Jesus’s love through ‘Supporting Israel’ and ‘Born Again Christians’. The Bible tells us Jews are native to Israel, God’s chosen people with a 3,000-year tie to the land (Genesis 15:18). Over the centuries, Arabs and others joined them, shaping a diverse history. Yet, God’s plan for Israel shines through (Romans 11:26). Today, Israel’s religious makeup, mostly Jewish, with few Christians, shows a “partial hardening” until the end times. Some Christians think Jews are saved without Jesus, but Scripture says all need Him (John 14:6). Let’s explore this truth, pray for Israel, and reach the lost.
The Jews’ nativity to Israel is clear. God promised Abraham the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7), and by 1000 BCE, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah thrived in Judea and Samaria. The Merneptah Stele (1207 BCE) names “Israel” as a people here, and Jerusalem’s City of David proves their ancient roots. Despite exiles, like the Babylonian captivity (586 BCE) or Roman displacement after 135 CE, Jews never fully left. Small communities stayed in Galilee, Safed, and Hebron, even under Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic rule. Today, 76.6% of Israel’s 10.1 million people (about 7.73 million) are Jewish, per 2025 estimates, with Haredi (ultra-Orthodox, 11–13.3%), Zionist Orthodox (18–20%), Traditional (17–33%), and Secular (45–58%) Jews. Their presence, from biblical times to modern settlements in Judea and Samaria (May 2025), confirms their native claim.
History brought a “mixed bag” of newcomers. Around 1175 BCE, Philistines from Crete settled in Gaza, distinct from Jews and extinct by 600 BCE. Arab tribes traded in Judea by 1000 BCE, but their major influx came after Islam’s rise (636 CE), when Muslim armies conquered the region, then called “Syria Palaestina” by Romans. Locals adopted Arabic and Islam, mixing with Arab settlers, forming the roots of modern Palestinians. By the Ottoman era (1517–1917), Muslim and Christian Arabs lived alongside returning Jews, plus Circassians and Bosnians. The British Mandate (1917–1948) saw Zionist Jews arrive from Europe, followed by Soviet and Ethiopian Jews post-1948. Today, Muslims (20.9%, 2.11 million, mostly Arab) and Druze (1.6%, 152,000) add diversity, per the Central Bureau of Statistics.
Christians, sadly, are few, 1.9% (187,900), with 75.8% Arab Christians (142,000, e.g., in Nazareth) and 24.2% non-Arab (45,900, e.g., Filipino workers). Messianic Jews, who believe in Jesus (Yeshua), are even smaller, 0.2% (10,000–20,000), facing opposition from Haredi groups like Yad L’Achim. This low number fits Romans 11:25: “A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” We teach that Israel’s rejection of Jesus (John 1:11) is temporary, with many Jews turning to Christ in the tribulation (Romans 11:26). Until then, the Jewish majority, Haredi to Secular, holds fast to Judaism or culture, not Jesus.
Some Christians believe Jews are saved without Jesus, thinking God has a separate covenant for them. This “dual covenant theology” is false, and I say this with love. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Acts 4:12 adds, “There is salvation in no one else.” Judaism’s rituals, sacrifices, laws, pointed to the Messiah, but since Jesus’s death and resurrection, they’re fulfilled in Him (Hebrews 10:10). Without a temple since 70 CE, Judaism’s rules can’t save; they’re “dead towards God” apart from Christ’s grace. As bornagainchristians,org teaches, Jews, like all, need Jesus for heaven. Messianic Jews show this, blending Jewish heritage with faith in Yeshua, though their small numbers (0.2%) reflect Israel’s hardening.
God’s plan endures. Israel’s restoration, 1948 statehood, 700,000 settlers in Judea and Samaria, fulfils prophecy (Jeremiah 33:7). The land belongs to God, promised to Abraham (Genesis 12:7), and we, as Christians grafted into His covenant (Romans 11:17), honour Him by supporting it. The low Christian presence (1.9%, 187,900) is a call to action. We must pray for Israel’s salvation (Psalm 126:6), back efforts like Rock Harbor Church’s Bless Israel Fundraiser, which blesses God’s land, and share this truth on your websites. Most importantly, we reach the lost, Jew, Arab, all, with the gospel. Jesus died for everyone (John 3:16). If you don’t know Him, pray: ‘Lord Jesus, I don’t know much about You, but I want to know You more. Whether I’m a Jew, an Arab, or anyone else, please forgive my sins and open my eyes to Your truth. Show me You’re the Saviour, so I can be born again and follow You. Be my Lord and guide me to salvation. Amen.’
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Israel’s native Jews, joined by others, tell a story of God’s faithfulness. Despite history’s mix, Romans 11:26 promises, “All Israel will be saved.” Let’s pray for revival, stand with Israel, and share Jesus’ love. Join us at Supporting Israel and Born Again Christians to make an eternal difference.