strongly oppose Zionism, insisting that Judaism is not a matter of race, nationality or politics, but purely one of ethics and religion.

WHY IT MUST FAIL

Zionism must fail because Jehovah is having nothing to do with it and “unless Jehovah himself builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have labored on it.” For more than nineteen centuries Jehovah had shown the Hebrews special favor, but when they rejected God’s Son as their Messiah and had him put to death God ended his covenant with them and replaced it with a new one made with those who did accept Jesus Christ as their Messiah. What has counted since is not blood relationship with Abraham but having the faith of Abraham, which Zionism does not have. In fact, Ben-Gurion considers Jehovah, the God of the Bible, as a myth and quotes from the Bible because, as tradition, it “certainly carries a grain of truth.”—Ps. 127:1; Matt. 23:37, 38; 26:28; Gal. 3:7.

Nor is this the position of only Ben Gurion. Thus Waldo Frank, in his book on Israel, Bridgehead, shows that the youth of Israel think of themselves not at all as Jews but wholly as Israelis. There are therefore no facts to support the belief held by many that God will perform some miracle causing the Israeli Jews to accept Jesus as their Messiah. Nor do the Scriptures support such a position. As Jesus showed in his illustration of the rich man and Lazarus, if men do not heed the word of God’s prophets neither will they heed if a miracle is performed, such as the raising of one from the dead. Proof of which, it might be observed, was given when the resurrection of Jesus failed to result in a general conversion of the Israelites to their Christ.—Luke 16:31; Matt. 28:12-15.

In spite of its name Zionism is essentially a political movement, as Judge Sobeloff showed in his address at the banquet of the sixtieth anniversary of Zionism, held in New York city, reported on by The American Zionist, October, 1957. Speaking on the subject “Zionism as a Continuing Political Movement,” he stated that “Zionism is the reaffirmation of international justice. . . . Zionism has demonstrated . . . that politics can be the tool of morality, and Jewish politics is an extension of Judaism. . . . Zionism must remain a political movement, solidly and powerfully organized to wield its influence everywhere and especially on the American scene.”

Zionism is a part of this old world or system of things and therefore is doomed along with it. As Peter foretold in likening it to the world before the Flood: “The world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water. But by the same word the heavens and the earth that are now are stored up for fire and are being reserved to the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly men.” This will not mean the destruction of this globe, no more than that this globe was destroyed at the time of the Flood. Rather, it will mean a wiping out of the wicked system of things upon this earth by what is known as ‘the battle of Armageddon.’—2 Pet. 3:6, 7; Rev. 16:14, 16.

THE RESTORATION PROPHECIES

What, then, someone may ask, about all the prophecies that speak of Zion’s and Israel’s restoration and prosperity? Will these go unfulfilled, or have they already been fulfilled, or will they be fulfilled in the future, and, if so, by whom?

Jesus stated that it was impossible for any of God’s Word to go unfulfilled. (Matt. 5:17, 18) The facts show that these prophecies have had and are having fulfillment. How so? In the first place, many of them had a fulfillment on a small scale when the Jews returned from their captivity in Babylon in 537 B.C. The land that had been desolate seventy years again became fruitful and populous, and Jehovah’s pure worship was restored, at least for a time.

But these prophecies have a far more striking fulfillment in our day upon spiritual Israel and Zion, identified at Revelation 7 and 14 as the footstep followers of Christ who will gain the heavenly reward and who are limited to just 144,000. These began to be selected at Pentecost and of their number only a few, a “remnant,” remain till the present time. It is to this remnant, which belongs to heavenly Zion and spiritual Israel, that these restoration prophecies apply. The facts show that particularly since the 1870’s members of the “remnant” began to be brought together and then suffered a period of captivity during 1914-1918. At that time their “land” or condition of worship was wasted, corresponding to the seventy years’ desolation of Judah. Then in 1919 God delivered them and gradually brought them to a condition of spiritual prosperity by means of his providences, his holy spirit and his Word. Proof thereof is to be seen in their increased understanding of Jehovah’s Word and purposes, in their great happiness and in their being joined now by a great crowd of ‘aliens,’ who aid them in the spiritual ingathering.—Isa. 61:5, AV.

No, political Zionism has not returned to Palestine to restore Jehovah’s worship, the way the Jews did in 537 B.C., and the way the spiritual remnant returned to their “land” of pure worship. Political Zionism does not have the faith of Abraham as did the returning exiles from Babylon and as do Jehovah’s servants today. There being no Scriptural support for political Zionism, it is doomed to failure. It is the work of men and will come to nothing.—Acts 5:38, 39.

Let all men of good will, Jews and non-Jews, therefore, who have faith in God’s Word and in its restoration prophecies turn away from political Zionism. Instead, look to heavenly Zion, to spiritual Israel, now represented on earth by the members of the New World society of the Christian witnesses of Jehovah. Learn how you can now enjoy the blessings and prosperity of the spiritual restoration and have a sure hope of endless life in happiness in God’s paradise earth in the near future.

A Strong Witness to the Truth

Jesus said of his followers: “You will be haled before governors and kings for my sake for the purpose of a witness to them and the nations.” It is not only the rulers who receive this witness, but also other people who see the determination that the truth of God’s Word produces. These too cannot help but be impressed by it.—Matt. 10:18.

One young witness of Jehovah in Hungary, sentenced to eight years in prison for his refusal to join in the Communists’ military activity, was being taken to a work camp. On the way he had the experience he relates as follows:

“In the train the conductor, a woman, asked me: ‘Why are you prisoners?’ ‘Because of our religious convictions.’ Said she: ‘Aren’t you silly to spoil your youth like that?’ We then gave her a witness and quoted Ecclesiastes 12:1-3, showing that youths should serve Jehovah with their whole strength. From this moment, whenever she had time, she came back with her colleague to continue talking with us. When we left the train, she said with tears in her eyes: ‘Truly it is the truth for which you suffer. Be patient, I shall pray for you.’”

All of Jehovah’s witnesses are anxious to have both their words and their actions provide a similar witness for their faith.