The Nation of Israel is not the Kingdom

The State of Israel, as it exists today, is not the fulfillment of the biblical or messianic vision of the Kingdom of Israel. While modern Israel represents the culmination of the Zionist dream for a Jewish homeland, it is fundamentally a secular state with democratic institutions and political systems, a far cry from the religious or spiritual kingdom prophesied in the Hebrew Bible.

The messianic Kingdom of Israel is envisioned as a divinely ordained and spiritually governed entity. It would be led by Moshiach, the anointed descendant of King David, who would restore the Jewish people to the land of Israel, bring about a universal recognition of God's sovereignty, and establish an era of global peace and righteousness. This kingdom, according to Jewish tradition, will be characterized by justice, divine law (Halakha), and a deep spiritual connection between God, the Jewish people, and the entire world.

In contrast, the modern State of Israel operates as a nation-state that, while having a Jewish majority, functions within a largely secular framework. Its laws, institutions, and leadership are based on Western models of democracy, including parliamentary governance and a judiciary that operates independently of religious law. Though there are religious elements in Israeli society, such as the Chief Rabbinate and the observance of Jewish holidays as public events, the governance of the state is not explicitly bound to Halakha or divine law. Furthermore, the modern state is marked by internal divisions over religious and secular identity, politics, and issues of governance, which differ from the unity and divine guidance promised in the messianic era.

Moreover, the messianic vision of Israel is one of universal peace, where Israel serves as a beacon of light to the nations, leading the world in morality, wisdom, and spiritual elevation. The current geopolitical reality of Israel, however, is far more complex, involving ongoing conflicts, security challenges, and struggles for peace with its neighbors. This further underscores the gap between the modern state and the biblical kingdom.

While many Jews see the State of Israel as part of a broader redemptive process, its current form is not the ultimate realization of the Kingdom of Israel as prophesied. That kingdom will be established only through the arrival of Moshiach, and it will transform not only the political landscape of Israel but the entire world, ushering in an era of divine harmony, peace, and justice.