Why are Christians such Zionists?
And why do Christians revere the Jewish people?
Distinguishing between insider and outsider groups and their differing nomenclatures is essential for accurate interpretation and translation. Jesus and his earliest followers, evidence demonstrates, were called Israelites',
Galileans' or Nazoreans' by their fellow Israelites.
Israel', Israelites' were the preferred terms of self-designation among members of the house of Israel when addressing other members—not
'Ιουδαιος', Jew' or
Judaism'. Modern interpreters and translators of the Bible, it is argued, should respect and follow this insider preference. 'Ιουδαιος , an outsider coinage, is best rendered Judaean', not
Jew', to reflect the explicit or implied connection with Judaea. It was employed by Israelites when addressing outsiders as an accommodation to outsider usage. The concepts Jew',
Jewish' and Christian' as understood today are shaped more by fourth century rather than first-century CE realities and hence should be avoided as anachronistic designations for first-century persons or groups. Use of
Christian' is best restricted to its three NT appearances. The use of appropriate nomenclature is crucial for minimizing historical and social inaccuracies and misunderstandings.
brill.com/view/journals/jshj/5/2/article-p119_3.xml?language=en
Abraham was the father of Isaac; Isaac was the father of Jacob; Jacob, who was later named "Israel," became the father of Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphthali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph and Benjamin. The 12 sons each became the head of a Tribe called after his own personal name. Jacob, one of these twin brothers had 12 sons, which came from four different mothers. None of these 12 sons were Jews. One of his 12 sons was Judah, but in the sense in which we use the word "Jew" today, the term cannot be applied to Judah, for "he was not a Jew," because of the fact that they whom we call Jews today have certain characteristics and are racially a type that came into existence hundreds of years after Israel left Egypt. This racial type or remnant we know as the Jews is only a small portion of the descendants of Judah, who was only one of the 12 sons of Jacob. There are no Jews among any of the descendants of Jacob's other 11 sons. Now Judah had three sons. "The descendants of one son, Zarah, peopled the shores of the Mediterranean, leaving Egypt before the exodus of the children of Israel." Pharez, the twin brother of Zarah, became the progenitor of the tribe of Judah. The tribe of Judah descending from Pharez was divided by the Lord into two Houses - the "House of David" and the "House of Judah."
https://www.nordiskisrael.dk/artikler/ffbosworth_distinction_israel_judah.html
Genesis 49:8-12
What do you see of this descendant of Judah? He will be praised by all. He will be as a lion. He will be one who rules over all peoples. He will be one who crushes his enemies. He will be one to whom all his brothers bow down. He is one who is feared. His kingdom is an eternal kingdom. And there will be none capable or worthy to challenge his throne. One day all nations will bring tribute and worship before him. And he is one to whom all the nations owe obedience.
Revelation 5:5
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.