No — Israel in its present unbelief is spiritually no different from other secular nations, though it remains God's covenant people.
Les Feldick consistently warns that the Israeli government in Jerusalem should not be expected to be any more righteous or spiritual than any other government. It is secular, made up of ordinary human beings, and is just as much under the control of Satan as Washington or any other capital. At the same time, Les insists that God still has His eye on Israel as His covenant people and that its unique calling is not erased by its present unbelief.
Deuteronomy 7:6 — This is the verse Les explicitly points to when explaining Israel's unique set-apart position among all nations — a positional privilege, not a claim of present spiritual superiority.
Deuteronomy 7:6 declares Israel's special covenant position: "For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth." This is the verse Les uses to show that Israel has been uniquely set apart among the nations. The verse describes God's election of Israel, not the nation's moral performance. It establishes a positional distinction — Israel is God's chosen people — but it does not say that Israel is inherently more righteous or spiritual than any other nation.
Les is emphatic: do not expect the modern Israeli government to be godly or more righteous than any other government. It is secular, made up of ordinary people, and just as much under the control of "the god of this world" as Washington or any other government. He says, "They are all secular, and they are all under the God of this world, Satan, and Israel is no different tonight." He compares Israel today to Israel in Samuel's day — the nation still wants to be like the nations around it. This present spiritual condition, however, does not cancel Israel's covenant standing. Les insists God still has His eye on the nation as His covenant people, and one day it will again be the apple of His eye. Israel is now in unbelief and has been blinded to its Messiah for centuries, even when it appears religious in its practice of Old Testament Judaism. In short, Israel's unique calling is earthly and positional; its present spirituality is no different from that of the secular nations.
No. Les describes Israel as positioned as a unique set-aside nation, and he points to Deuteronomy 7:6 to ground that truth. Yet he also says Israel is out there in unbelief and that the Israeli government is as secular as any other. The covenant position is permanent; the present spiritual condition is not a source of national righteousness.
Les says no. He repeatedly warns his classes not to expect the Knesset in Jerusalem to be any more spiritual than the government in Washington or any other government. All of them are secular and under the same control of Satan. Israel, like Israel in Samuel's day, wants to be like the Gentile nations and seeks acceptance by the Gentile world.
Because all of God's Word rests on what happens to that little nation of Israel. God's covenant promises to Israel will yet come to fruition, including a glorious earthly kingdom. Satan has constantly fought God's dealings with Israel, trying to destroy the nation so that God cannot perform His prophecies. Thus Israel remains central to prophecy, even while in unbelief.
Watch Israel as the Key to Prophecy
Les teaches that all of God's Word rests on the little nation of Israel, so the world situation cannot be understood apart from Israel's place in prophecy.
Israel's Government Is Secular
Les says the government in Jerusalem is no more righteous than any other government; it is secular and as much under the control of the god of this world as Washington.
Israel Wants to Be Like Other Nations
Les compares Israel today with Israel in Samuel's day — the nation is still trying to be like the Gentile nations around it.
Israel's Unbelief and Covenant Standing
Les says Israel is no different from other secular governments tonight, but God still looks on the nation as His covenant people.
Israel's Spiritual Blindness
Les teaches that Israel has been in spiritual blindness for centuries, and even its practice of Old Testament Judaism does not remove that blindness.
Earthly Promises vs. Heavenly Promises
Les contrasts Israel's earthly promises with the Church's heavenly promises, showing that Israel's uniqueness is tied to an earthly kingdom.
Israel's Unique Set-Aside Position
Les points to Deuteronomy 7:6 to show that Israel has been positioned as a unique set-aside nation that no other people can claim.
Satan's Attack on Israel
Les explains that Satan constantly fights against Israel because all of God's prophecies rest on the nation's survival.
Deuteronomy 7:6: For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
This verse is Les's scriptural anchor for Israel's unique, set-apart national position — a privilege that does not depend on the nation's present spiritual condition.
No. He says, "Don't ever subscribe to the idea that God is through with the Jew." Israel is presently in unbelief, but God still has His eye on them as His covenant people, and all the earthly promises God has given the nation will yet come to fruition.
Les says no. He repeatedly tells his classes that the Israeli government in Jerusalem is secular and no more spiritual than Washington or any other government. It is under the same control of the god of this world, Satan, and Israel is no different tonight.
Les explains this as Satan's ploy to get rid of the nation of Israel. If Satan can succeed in eliminating Israel, God cannot perform His prophecies, because all the prophecies rest on Israel.
Watch the Teaching: The First Lie: How Satan Deceived Eve (Genesis 3 Bible Study)