Christian Zionists believe that the return of the Jews to Israel is a necessary step in the process leading up to the “last days.” These Christians believe that the apocalyptic texts found in Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel and Revelations refer to a literal return of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel. Since 1948, some have opined that this condition has already been fulfilled.
Early British involvement in the affairs of the Holy Land was partially influenced by Christian Zionism. The British government was the first to establish a consulate in Jerusalem, in 1838. In the nineteenth century, a number of British politicians were Christian Zionists- Palmerston, Lloyd George, T.E. Lawrence and Allenby.
Christian Zionism became popular in the United States when the great Ottoman Empire began to crumble. Certain Christians supported the establishment of the State of Israel after World War II and redoubled their efforts in support of Israel after the Six-Day War. In 1980, the International Christian Embassy was founded in Jerusalem.
In contemporary American society, a number of Christian organizations have formed to support the State of Israel. For instance, Christians United for Israel (CUFI) is an organization which lobbies Congress to act in favor of Israel. Evangelical Christians are often strong supporters of Israel.
Selected Websites of Christian Zionist Organizations-
- Christian Zionist Forerunners This site includes a list of Christian Zionists from Medieval times until today.