Zionism

The Intertestamental period saw the rise of Zionism. When Jesus came the Jews were looking for their deliverer who would save all Israel and return the kingdom to Jerusalem. They did not care whether this was God’s plan, they were going to force it by their own legalistic “purity”. Even the disciples of Jesus seemed to think that Jesus would rule in Jerusalem (Luke 19:11). James and John wanted to sit with Jesus on the throne (Mark 10:37).

Some think that this is what Judas Iscariot was trying to achieve by betraying Jesus, i.e. trying to force His hand to overthrow Rome. However, Judas may have just been after the 30 pieces of silver. There were many bands of Jewish zealots in those days trying to establish a Zionist vision and many false messiahs stood up to lead them.

Barabbas was likely one of these. Theudas and Judas of Galilee were of this type (Acts 5:36-37). Even after Jesus rose from the dead the disciples still had no idea what His mission was. They asked Him, “Will you at this time return the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). Jesus answered with two points:

1. The seasons are not for them to know, but are in the Father’s hands (vs. 7).
2. They shall receive power to be His witnesses in all the earth (vs. 8).

This power was Jesus’ answer. Israel (the House of David) would be restored in the church, as James stated (Acts 15:13-18). After the Day of Pentecost the disciples understood this, but before then they did not know what the kingdom was, nor did they understand what Israel was. Christ reigns now in the church and He shall put down all corruption at the end, but that time is in the Father’s hands.