Bible Prophecy, the Rapture, & Why Christians Should Support Israel

On this week’s episode of The Greg Laurie Show, Pastor Greg welcomes Dr. Jeremiah Johnston for a deep dive into the significance of Israel, the Jewish roots of Christianity, and why Bible prophecy—including the rapture—matters right now.

They tackle timely questions:

• Why is antisemitism rising in universities and culture?

• What happens when Christians forget Jesus’ Jewish identity?

• How should believers respond to debates about Israel’s right to exist?

• How does Romans 9–11 shape our view of Israel and the future?

With honest, challenging stories—from visiting Holocaust sites to gifting an armored ambulance to Israel in Jesus’ name—Greg and Jeremiah offer biblical clarity, historical context, and practical ways to stand with Israel and share the gospel.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between the rapture and the Second Coming

• How the regathering of Israel fits biblical prophecy

• Why supporting Israel is both historical and theological

• How hope in Christ’s return fuels holy living, not escapism

If you’re hungry for solid answers, passionate about prophecy, or seeking a deeper connection to Scripture, this episode will equip you to defend your faith and stand with Israel—rooted in God’s timeless Word.

#GregLaurie #BibleProphecy #Rapture #Israel #Antisemitism #JewishRoots #EndTimes #JeremiahJohnston

Jesus Was—and Is—Jewish: A Forgotten Truth

Greg Laurie:
And I want to remind people: when you look into Jesus’ eyes someday, you’re looking into fully Jewish eyes. Ladies and gentlemen, our Savior didn’t used to be Jewish and now He’s a Christian. No—our Savior is Jewish. Let that sink in. We seem to have forgotten some very clear distinctives of our faith.

Greg Laurie:
Hey, Greg Laurie here with my friend, Jeremiah Johnston, Ph.D. Listen, most people carry Bibles around. Jeremiah carries an actual scroll of the book of Numbers.

Jeremiah Johnston:
That’s right.

Greg Laurie:
And how old is this scroll?

Jeremiah Johnston:
Now that you’ve had me on, you’ll need to demand more of your guests! This is a 1,000-year-old Torah scroll. Not a copy—the original scroll. It was smuggled out of Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror, hidden in military tires. It came out of Iraq and was gifted to our ministry because of our love for the Word of God.

This isn’t just Scripture; it’s an artifact of the preservation of God’s Word. Torah is so fun to use because of Luke 24—Jesus on the road to Emmaus. I hope we can time travel someday, because I want to be in that Bible study Jesus did with Cleopas and the other disciple. Luke writes that Jesus began with Torah (the Law of Moses) and the Prophets and said all of it testifies of Him. Their response: “Did not our hearts burn within us?”

Often when I preach, I’ll let people touch the scroll and take a picture. It’s cowhide—very supple. It’s a scroll, so there’s no writing on the back. The ancient “pen” was like a quill with an acidic ink, almost like tattooing the hide. It was very costly.

This is where the church was so innovative. At the beginning, the church actually jumped ahead of the technological curve by adopting the codex (book form) over scrolls. I’m a tech guy—I love that.

Love for the Jewish People & Rising Antisemitism

Greg Laurie:
I was in Israel recently and had the privilege of gifting an armored ambulance. That says a lot right there—we need ambulances like tanks, because terrorist organizations have explicitly said, “Target first responders.” It was expensive, but we raised the money and gave it in the name of Jesus Christ. I told Israeli leaders—including Governor Huckabee—that my love for the Jewish people comes from the fact that I was a confused kid going the wrong way. Someone told me about Jesus Christ, and He changed my life.

So many things that matter to me came from the Jewish people—starting with the Bible. You preserved the Scriptures; and most importantly, you gave us our Messiah. He came as a Jewish man.

Yet today antisemitism is on the rise. Who would’ve thought that after the Holocaust there’d be a new hostility toward the Jewish people and their homeland? But on college campuses—your world of academia—young students hold signs like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” If you play that out: the river is the Jordan, the sea is the Mediterranean, and in between is Israel—about the size of New Jersey. Effectively they’re saying, “We don’t want Jews. We don’t want a Jewish homeland.” Why this rise in antisemitism?

Jeremiah Johnston:
I see it everywhere. Recently I flew on a OneWorld partner airline. The flight map showed us passing over Israel, but the label on the map said “Palestinian Territories.” Israel wasn’t even mentioned. I took a picture—this is why we still have work to do.

We shouldn’t be surprised, biblically. Scripture says this kind of evil will rise to new heights in the last days.

I’ve led tours through Buchenwald. It’s never enjoyable, but necessary—to understand history and not repeat it. Seeing the ovens whose sole purpose was to burn bodies—then seeing the children’s shoes—it devastates you. We were struggling with infertility at the time; it wrecked us.

Driving away, we reflected: the Scripture says it will be worse than even this in the end times. I’m not surprised we’re seeing this rise. My surprise is how ill-equipped many churches are to address basic questions like: Why do we support Israel? Why do we believe in the Jewish people, their right to exist, and their homeland? This is 101. If we don’t believe Jews have a right to their homeland, we’re doing fake history.

So instead of just talking, we’ve launched ministries to remind Christians why we support Israel.

Why Christians Should Support Israel

Greg Laurie:
Back in the ’70s when I came to Christ, Hal Lindsey’s The Late Great Planet Earth was the decade’s most popular book. In the ’90s you had Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins with Left Behind. The word “rapture” was everywhere, alongside talk of Israel and Bible prophecy, and the expectation that Christ could return at any moment.

We did the Jesus Revolution film to help a new generation feel that era—its passion for evangelism, love for Scripture, and belief in the rapture. Today, we need a balanced biblical view—not sensationalism where everything is a fulfillment, and not apathy that ignores obvious signs. But it’s not fashionable; you don’t hear it as much in pulpits—especially among younger preachers. You’re a younger preacher. What’s going on?

Jeremiah Johnston:
Permission to be transparent?

Greg Laurie:
Permission granted.

Jeremiah Johnston:
I have two seminary master’s degrees and a Ph.D., so here’s what I see in seminaries: the hyper-Reformed movement has taken strong influence. One part of that theology is replacement theology—the belief that the church has replaced Israel, so promises to Israel now apply to the Gentile church.

They’d point to Romans 9–11. But I encourage anyone: read Romans 9–11 with the Holy Spirit as your teacher. It’s clear God still has an evangelism plan for the Jews. Romans 11:26 says, “All Israel will be saved.” Satan hates everything God loves—and he hates the Jews. If he could eliminate the Jews, God’s promises would be null and void. But God’s plans are unbreakable.

There’s also the Abrahamic covenant: “In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed” (Gen. 12; repeated through Gen. 22). The regathering of Israel is foretold by the prophets. We saw the British Mandate, 1918, then 1948—Israel reborn. That set the prophetic clock. If you teach the rapture properly, 1 John says, “He who has this hope purifies himself as He is pure.” Passages on Christ’s imminent return always include an exhortation to holy living. It’s not escapism; that’s a trope. It’s hope that motivates evangelism and godliness.

Correcting Misconceptions

Greg Laurie:
Some think Christians want war in Israel to hasten Armageddon. Not true. We care about the people. The Bible tells us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Yes, we believe Israel’s existence fulfills prophecy; yes, end-times events happen in the Middle East. But our love is genuine—that’s why we gave an armored ambulance. Many Jewish people now see their best friend is the evangelical Christian. More are opening their hearts to the gospel than I’ve ever seen.

We should preach more on Jewish evangelism, the Jewish right to exist, and prophecy.

Jeremiah Johnston:
Absolutely. At our worldview conference, we asked Jordan Sekulow to speak on why Israel exists. He said, “We wouldn’t ask why Switzerland or America exists. The fact that we must answer this shows antisemitism is alive and well.”

You can’t fully understand modern Israel without understanding the Holocaust. Six million Jews—men, women, children—were murdered. This played a part in the return to the homeland and in God’s timetable. Calling Israelis “colonizers” is historically false. The Jewish people are indigenous to the land; God gave them that land.

Let me show you a 2nd-century bronze coin from Jerusalem, stamped Aelia Capitolina. After the Bar Kokhba revolt (AD 132–135), Emperor Hadrian razed Jerusalem, renamed it Aelia Capitolina, and renamed Israel “Palestine” to honor the Philistines—to erase Jewish history. That’s why I never call Israel “Palestine”; it’s an anachronism and propaganda. The Philistines came from Greece; the land has been Jewish for 3,000 years.

Also beware of the trope: “I don’t have a problem with Judaism; I have a problem with Zionism.” It sounds clever, but it’s a sound-bite, not substance. Jews need a homeland. The Bible promises it. And biblically faithful Christians are Israel’s best friends.

Visit Israel—And Teach Prophecy

Greg Laurie:
Pastors should lead tours again—to the biblical sites and to Yad Vashem. It helps people understand. Education matters.

Jeremiah Johnston:
Many Bible scholars oddly have no interest in going to Israel. But going changes the way you read the Bible. It comes to life. Walk where Jesus walked. You’ll also be blessed for blessing Israel.

Jesus’ Jewishness & the Temple Tax

Jeremiah Johnston:
Here’s my most valuable coin—a Tyrian silver shekel used for the temple tax. Jews had to exchange currency for half-shekel Tyrian silver. Remember when Jesus told Peter to find a coin in the fish’s mouth? That would pay the temple tax for both of them (a full shekel).

Jesus is completely Jewish. He came to the temple and saw people being ripped off by moneychangers—so He cleansed the temple. And let me repeat: when you look into Jesus’ eyes someday, you’re looking into fully Jewish eyes. Our Savior didn’t stop being Jewish.

Is “Rapture” in the Bible?

Greg Laurie:
People say, “You can’t find the word rapture in the Bible.” It’s like the word Trinity—the doctrine is biblical even if the English word isn’t.

Jeremiah Johnston:
Exactly. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul says we will be “caught up”—the Greek is harpazo. The Latin Vulgate translated it raptus—from which we get rapture. It’s biblical. Also, there’s no such thing as a purely “word-for-word” translation—translation always involves interpretation. The doctrine stands.

Greg Laurie:
I see a difference between the rapture and the Second Coming. In the rapture He comes for His church; in the Second Coming He returns with His church. The rapture is imminent; the Second Coming follows the tribulation. Some say, “I don’t believe in a secret coming.” But Jesus said He would come as a thief in the night—and also like lightning from east to west. Both are true, describing two events.

Jeremiah Johnston:
Right. And we must avoid date-setting. Even Jesus said only the Father knows the day or hour. We take clear stands where the Bible does, and we comfort one another with these words. The first Christians prayed for Christ’s return in their day. That’s biblical. And as a dad, I want my kids to understand the hope, not be spooked by it. Revelation is given to prepare, not scare. God is sovereign; we win in the end.

Eschatology & Today’s Generation

Greg Laurie:
Bible prophecy gives hope and assurance that God is in control. Gen Z needs this. Many can’t even locate Israel on a map. We should vocally support Israel, preach the gospel, and teach prophecy.

Jeremiah Johnston:
I wrote on Hamas recently and received more criticism than ever. But worldview matters for policy, politics, and pulpits. We must preach Romans 9–11, Zechariah, and the prophets. It’s also fun to study—deeply edifying.

Provoking Israel to Jealousy: A Story

Greg Laurie:
Years ago in Israel, my tour guide—Jewish—loved to debate me. One day our driver, Naftali, said, “I’ve been listening. I’m jealous of your relationship with God.” He asked me to share with his family. After an incredible meal, with some sons in uniform present, he said, “Tell them what you told David.” I shared the gospel. It reminded me of Paul’s words: we Gentiles are grafted in to provoke Israel to jealousy (holy envy) and point them to their Messiah.

We must evangelize Jewish people. They need Jesus just like anyone else. It’s unbiblical to say we shouldn’t share the gospel with them.

Final Encouragements

Jeremiah Johnston:
Speak up for the Jewish people. Visit Israel. Study and teach eschatology (the doctrine of last things). And listen to faithful Bible teachers. I’m grateful for your clear teaching, Pastor Greg. I also appreciate Jack Graham, David Jeremiah, and Mark Hitchcock.

Greg Laurie:
Thanks for your insights on the end times and our focus today. I couldn’t agree more.

Both:
Amen. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.