Introduction

The belief that supporting Israel will hasten the return of Jesus Christ is a prominent idea in evangelical Christian theology, often intertwined with eschatology, the study of end times. This paper explores the biblical evidence evangelists use to support this claim, how these scriptures are interpreted by different Christian denominations, and the Jewish perspective on the coming of the Messiah. It also examines whether similar beliefs influenced historical events, such as the Crusades.
1. Evangelical Bible Interpretation of the Second Return of Jesus

Evangelical Christians believe that the re-establishment of Israel and the eventual rebuilding of the Third Temple are prerequisites for the return of Jesus. This belief stems from their interpretation of certain Bible verses that they claim predict the restoration of Israel as a nation and the coming of the Messiah.
Verses Used to Support the Belief

    Genesis 12:3: "I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." Evangelicals often interpret this as a mandate to support Israel.
    Isaiah 11:12: "He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth."
    Ezekiel 37:21-22: "I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel."
    Matthew 24:32-34: The parable of the fig tree is often seen as symbolic of the re-establishment of Israel.
    Zechariah 14:2-4: A prophecy of nations gathering against Jerusalem, which some evangelicals interpret as a future battle that will precede Jesus’ return.
    Revelation 11:1-2: This refers to the measuring of the temple of God and the Gentiles treading Jerusalem, seen as allusions to the rebuilding of the Third Temple.

Different Interpretations of These Verses

    Evangelical Perspective: Evangelicals interpret these verses as literal prophecies about modern Israel and the return of Jews to their homeland. They see events such as the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 as fulfilling these prophecies.
    Contextual Interpretation: Some scholars argue that many of these prophecies were fulfilled in ancient times, such as during the return of Jews from Babylonian exile, rather than in modern history.
    Catholic Interpretation: The Catholic Church, by contrast, typically interprets these passages allegorically or spiritually. For example, the parable of the fig tree (Matthew 24:32-34) is often seen as a general warning to be vigilant for the second coming, not necessarily tied to the modern state of Israel.

2. Jewish Bible Interpretation of the Coming of Their Messiah

Within Judaism, there are differing views on the coming of the Messiah, particularly regarding Israel's role in this event. Some Jews believe the Messiah will establish Israel, while others, particularly Zionists, argue that the Messiah will come after Israel is restored.
Verses and Interpretations

    Isaiah 11:1-12: Describes the Messiah as a descendant of David who will gather the exiles of Israel. Some Jews interpret this as the Messiah’s role in establishing Israel.
    Ezekiel 37:24-28: The "Prince" (Messiah) will rule over a united Israel and will be central to the building of a new temple.

Two Jewish Views

    Messiah Should Come First: Some Jews believe that the Messiah must come first to establish the Kingdom of Israel. This is rooted in a more traditional view, which holds that only the Messiah has the divine authority to gather the exiles and rebuild the Temple.
    Zionist Perspective: Zionists, particularly religious Zionists, argue that Jews must actively work to rebuild Israel and the Third Temple, which in turn will bring about the arrival of the Messiah. This is often seen in the context of the modern State of Israel being a necessary precursor to the Messianic age.

3. What Happens to the Jews After Jesus Returns?

Evangelical interpretations of what will happen to the Jews after Jesus’ return vary. Some believe that Jews will convert to Christianity, based on verses such as:

    Romans 11:25-26: "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved."
    Zechariah 12:10: "They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child."

Evangelicals often interpret these verses as indicating that, during the end times, Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah and convert.
4. Did the Crusaders in the Middle Ages Have Similar Bible Interpretation of the Verses?

The Crusades were, in part, motivated by a religious desire to reclaim the Holy Land. Some have argued that Crusaders believed their actions would help bring about the Kingdom of God on earth, though the theology was not identical to modern evangelical thought.
Bible Verses Used During the Crusades

Crusaders were primarily influenced by the Catholic Church's interpretation of verses like:

    Luke 22:36: "If you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one." This was used to justify military actions.
    Matthew 5:9: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God," reinterpreted in the context of war to imply that Christians must reclaim Jerusalem to bring peace.

At that time, the Catholic Church viewed the Crusades as a mission to defend Christendom and reclaim holy lands rather than as part of a literal interpretation of end-time prophecies. This differs from the current Catholic stance, which rejects violent crusades and interprets Bible prophecies in a more spiritual and allegorical manner today.
Conclusion

The belief that supporting Israel will result in Jesus’ return is deeply rooted in certain interpretations of biblical prophecy, particularly among evangelicals. These interpretations differ significantly from Catholic and traditional Jewish understandings. While evangelicals view modern political events as the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, the Catholic Church generally takes a more spiritual approach, and Jewish interpretations vary on the role of the Messiah in the restoration of Israel.
References:

    Genesis 12:3 Explanation
    Evangelical Bible Interpretation on the Parable of the Fig Tree
    Romans 11:25-26 Commentary
    Video Reference: YouTube, Pastor Discusses Israel's Role in End Times Prophecy, Time: 10:32 - 15:45