A Biblical Theology of Missions (Outreach to Israel)

Though Israel was first tasked with outreach to the world, it is now necessary for the church to reach out to Israel. Because Israel as a whole has rejected Jesus as their Messiah, Paul asks in Romans 11:1 whether God has rejected Israel, and the answer from Paul is “NO!” Paul explains that there are still many Israelites who have embraced Jesus, though by and large the Jews remain “hardened” (Romans 11:8). But there is coming a day when “all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25-27), after the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. This suggests it will happen at the end of the age.

Zechariah 9:9-17, if understood as speaking of those latter days, proclaims that Yahweh will save His people on that day. Zechariah 12 suggests this will come in the midst of Israel’s attack by her enemies as she looks on the one she has pierced, Jesus, and repents (12:10).

Perhaps the witness to Israel will be the 144,000 whom God seals during the time of Great Tribulation (Revelation 7), 12,000 from each tribe of Israel whom God saves and gives power and protection for evangelizing. This is suggested by the fact that immediately after John sees these Jewish believers sealed by God, he sees a multitude from every nation standing before the Lamb in robes washed in his blood. This may be the fruit of the evangelism conducted by the 144,000. Two witnesses in particular are mentioned as ministering in the city of Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1-12).

God will have His people back.