Until All Israel Is Saved: Ministry in the Promised Land Through War and Unbelief

Psalm 122:6-7 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you. May peace be within your walls, And prosperity within your palaces.”

We certainly echo the Psalmist’s prayer. We pray for peace in Israel. We pray for justice. Most of all, we pray that God’s chosen people will recognize their messiah and embrace Christ as Lord and Savior. Through the years, The Master’s University and Seminary have been actively involved in reaching the Jewish people for Christ and teaching students at both the university and seminary the importance of the Holy Land for biblical history and the future. On the university side, the Israel Bible Extension Program in Jerusalem educates dozens of TMU students each semester, providing invaluable exposure to the world of the Bible. On the seminary side, the Center for Israeli studies supports the church of Israel by equipping the next generation of Israeli pastors.

Below, you’ll read about a graduate of The Master’s Seminary who is currently ministering in Israel, along with several alumni of TMS. These faithful men and so many others connected to the John MacArthur Charitable Trust labor in anticipation of the great promise—“so all Israel will be saved.”

NOTE: We are withholding the names of the seminary graduates in this story in order to preserve their ability to minister in Israel.

When Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, a TMS graduate ministering in Israel didn’t first consider the geopolitical consequences or try to understand the conflict’s connection to biblical prophecy. His immediate concern was specific people. He prayed for safety for the many Israelis he knows and loves, particularly at his home church in Israel. He prayed for his pastor, a doctor of ministry graduate at The Master’s Seminary. He prayed for a particular colleague, another TMS graduate who pastors a Russian-speaking congregation not far from Tel Aviv. And he prayed for his many friends who were sure to be affected by the inevitable war, including a reservist who was immediately called into the army, even as his pregnant wife and two children had to evacuate their home close to the northern border of the Gaza strip.

This seminary graduate established those relationships during seven years of teaching and ministry among the Israeli people, providing world-class theological education built on the authority of God’s Word and the lordship of Jesus Christ. Over that time, this graduate and his family came to know and love the Israeli people. And though the true church in Israel is small, this graduate saw much to admire in those Israelis who had come to see that Jesus is the true messiah.

“Christians in Israel understand that when you come to Jesus, you must be completely committed to the gospel and the lordship of Jesus,” he said. “Non-believing Jews do not like to even say the name of Jesus. Many think the New Testament is an antisemitic book. That’s just what they’ve been taught. They have never read the New Testament. They don’t know what Jesus was really like. So when someone comes to true faith in Jesus, they are often a first generation Christian and they experience a complete paradigm shift.”

This is a stark contrast to the United States, where nearly every person knows something about Jesus, or is familiar with Christianity. That’s not the case in Israel. Most people there know nothing about true faith or the true messiah. That’s why true conversion demands such a radical commitment to Jesus, a forsaking of not only former ways of thinking, but also potentially relationships with friends and family.

As Israelis grapple with one of their nation’s darkest hours since it became an independent state in 1948, they are potentially more open to the gospel than ever before.

“All these people are looking around wondering, ‘Who can help us?’” the graduate said. “Along with the war, there’s this unleashing of antisemitism around the world. The hate is causing Israelis to wonder if there’s a better way. They’re looking for answers. Why do so many people hate us? Who can help us? Who will protect us?”

This TMS graduate knows this is a critical time to minister to the Jewish people and point them to the hope of Jesus Christ.

“I’m just looking forward to helping in any way I can,” he said. “I’m eager to be part of that work. I want to help Israelites understand the gospel and help point them to Christ.”

The John MacArthur Charitable Trust continues to support sound biblical ministry in Israel through our partners. Recently, the MacArthur Trust has also provided humanitarian aid through Christian churches in Israel connected with Grace Community Church. To give toward efforts like this, please visit www.jmacarthurtrust.org/give. For more information about supporting the MacArthur Trust, please email info@jmacarthurtrust.org.