The ideological virus infecting young Evangelicals: Why anti-Zionism is anti-Christ

There is an ideological virus rapidly spreading, particularly on social media, infecting young evangelicals. It causes the hallucination that Israel is no longer part of God’s unfolding plan, that Israel no longer has a unique purpose on Earth, and that Israel is no different from Britain, Bahrain, or Brazil. Support for Israel among evangelicals aged 18 to 29 has plunged from 69% in 2018 to just 33.6% in 2021—and the trend is worsening.

This is why the term “Zionism” - the belief that the Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, the Land of Israel - has become a slur, and anti-Zionism is skyrocketing.

What makes this mind-virus particularly insidious is that it flies in the face of the obvious meaning of Scripture and it is an affront to Jesus Himself - the Christ, which means “Anointed One,” the Davidic King who will reign from Jerusalem over a restored Israel.

Addressing Common Misconceptions

One frequent objection is: “But didn’t Israel break the Sinai Covenant? Didn’t God reject them?” Yes, Israel broke the covenant—but God promised a new and better covenant. Jeremiah 31:31–32 declares:

“‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah… not like the covenant I made with their ancestors… because they broke my covenant.’”

This New Covenant, inaugurated by Jesus Christ on Passover, guarantees the preservation of Israel. God Himself affirms in Jeremiah 31:35–37 that the nation of Israel will never cease to exist, “as sure as the sun, moon, stars, and sea.”

Another objection: “When the Jewish nation rejected Jesus as their Messiah, didn’t God reject them forever?” Absolutely not. Paul makes it crystal clear in Romans 3:3–4:

“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!”

Paul doubles down in Romans 11:1–2:

“Has God cast away His people? Certainly not! God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew…”

He continues “…all Israel will be saved.” (Romans 11:26)

And again in Romans 11:29:

“…the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

Israel and Jesus Christ are inseparable—past, present, and future.

Understanding the Title “Christ”

It is essential to emphasize the term “Christ” (Messiah or Mashiach). This is not Jesus’ last name - it is His throne name. In the New Testament, this title appears 329 times as “Jesus Christ,” “Christ Jesus,” or “Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ (Greek: Christos) means “Anointed One”—the Davidic King anointed to reign from Zion over a restored Israel.

This is why the disciples asked after the resurrection:

“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)

Because they understood the true meaning of the title Christ!

Biblical Zionism as Prophetic Truth

Biblical Zionism is not merely a political stance; it is prophetic truth: Jesus the Christ will sit on the throne of His father David, in the land promised to Abraham, ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel and the nations beyond.

To delegitimize or deny a future for the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - or to reject Jerusalem as the seat of Christ’s coming kingdom - is not just anti-Zionist; it is anti-Christ. Why? Because anti-Zionism opposes the Davidic King (Luke 1:32–33; Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 22:42), who will reign in Jerusalem (Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 2:3–4; Zechariah 14:3–4, 9) over a restored Israel (Matthew 19:28; Isaiah 11:12; Romans 11:26; Ezekiel 37:22) and rule the nations as Lord of all (Zechariah 9:10; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 11:15; 19:16).

The Modern State of Israel as Prophecy Fulfilled

What about the Israel of today?

The modern State of Israel is a secular democracy, but Ezekiel 37 identifies a two-step prophecy: first, God will regather the Jewish people from the four corners of the earth; second, a future spiritual awakening will follow. The re-establishment of Israel on May 14, 1948 fulfilled the first part of this prophecy.

Even before the founders of Zionism - Theodor Herzl and William Blackstone - Charles Spurgeon, “The Prince of Preachers,” as far back as 1864, explained Ezekiel 37:

“The meaning of our text… is most evidently… first, that there shall be a political restoration of the Jews to their own land and to their own nationality. And then, secondly… a spiritual restoration—in fact, a repentance—of the tribes of Israel.”

How a Generation Has Been Misled

How did young evangelicals come to disregard Israel’s prophetic legitimacy? Several factors converge:

1.     Social Media Influence: Many under thirty have been shaped more by social media than by the whole counsel of God’s Word. Entire corners of the online world now echo antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric, embodied by figures such as Candace Owens - and there are thousands like her.

2.     De-Judaized Gospel: Within the church, Scripture is often studied apart from its original Jewish context, which helps to explain the title Christ being stripped of its true meaning as the Davidic King.

3.     Ignorance regarding Romans 9-11: In these chapters Paul anticipates questions regarding the future of Israel such as: “Has God’s Word failed since many Israelites rejected the Messiah?” (Romans 9:6); “Has God rejected His people, Israel?” (Romans 11:1); “Did Israel stumble so as to fall beyond recovery?” (Romans 11:11). The answer to all of these questions is a resounding no!

By the way, some suggest “Israel” here means the Church, but Paul consistently distinguishes between Israel and the Gentiles. In the New Testament, “Israel” appears 73 times and always refers to ethnic Israel when not qualified by other terms.

But it is these trends that have contributed to severing Israel from its rightful place in God’s unfolding redemptive story. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 tells us that those who do not love the truth are given over to delusion to believe the lie.

The antidote to the mind-virus that denies the Christ and distorts God’s plan through Israel - is the Word of God! Jesus said, “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17) and “The truth will set you free” (John 8:31–32).

The Cost of Standing on God’s Word

But let there be no mistaking: standing on God’s Word will come with a cost! Think of David confronting Goliath, willing to risk everything because a Philistine victory threatened Israel’s existence.

The question is: Will this generation of Jesus-followers embrace the full meaning of His title - the Christ, the Messiah - and proclaim Him with courage and clarity to face the Goliath of anti-Zionism, the new antisemitism? Will we be willing to count the cost! Will we refuse the mind-virus that, at its core, is anti-Christ because it opposes God’s plan on Earth through the Anointed Davidic King?

A word of perspective and encouragement to my younger evangelical brothers and sisters: we should not be surprised that spiritual warfare will intensify. The Lord foretold:

“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

But this also means that there is a great opportunity! So, I encourage you - and every follower of Jesus - to rise, speak, and lead with fearless conviction, knowing that the King of Israel, who is the Savior of the world, keeps every promise, and will soon return to judge the nations and reign from Zion, setting all things right.

In the meantime, follow Jesus (Yeshua) Christ (Messiah)- and make Him known to both Jew and Gentile. And by the grace of God, let us make the Kingdom of Heaven crowded!

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