The Israel of God!

Introduction

Israel is a word that is found in scripture over 2500 times, and because of its critical importance to the Church in coming to a sound understanding of God's Covenant Promises, it carries great significance. Was the Lord's promise of an everlasting inheritance made to a middle eastern nation of geopolitical and genealogical stature, or was that promise made to an Israel that is an elect, diverse, and spiritual people? To be sure, there are those who believe that the peace, prosperity, freedom, and everlasting Kingdom reign, was promised to the literal progeny of Israel. They think that this can only be fulfilled by the literal seed of Jacob inheriting literal land. But is the Israel of God defined by genealogy, or does being a true Israelite mean anyone born of thee Seed, which is Christ. Is the Israel of God defined by having a blood relationship to Jacob, or is it defined by having a blood relationship with Christ? These are all pertinent questions that should not be lightly esteemed, nor brushed aside with old tired platitudes, clichés, or colloquialisms.

Indeed we must ask ourselves, in light of scripture, is it even possible that such a glorious and eternal promise could be fulfilled in such an earthly kingdom? Is the New Covenant Congregation kingdom a "Plan B," or is the grace of the New Covenant with Israel, the means by which God is fulfilling the previous Covenants? There is only one way to arrive at the truth of these questions, and that is by trusting the word of God itself. There are essential interpretative rules to understanding biblical eschatology. The first is that the Bible is the inerrant divine word of God, and thus absolutely and fully authoritative. The second is that, being the divinely inspired word of God to man, it is its own interpreter of what is being said. The scriptures are the ultimate and final authority that determines the faithfulness of doctrines of the Church. Sound exegesis will come only by our first understanding this principle both effectually, and intellectually. Relying on what our teachers and leaders think is right, or on blindly following popular authors, will never lead to consistent doctrines that are in total harmony with scripture. Only in rightly dividing the word of truth will we discern what was being prophesied future in God's promises to Israel, and what God has declared was fulfilled by Christ. Our interpretive paradigm must start with the "absolute" that the terms "Jews and Israel" must ultimately be defined by the Bible, and not by secular history or modern day understanding.

With this in mind, this study will examine this important issue, in the illuminating light of the divinely inspired scripture. We begin this exposition in the book of Romans, chapter nine. There the Apostle Paul deals with this very question of "The Promises made to Israel." God here answers the objection against the truth that the Jews were judged. The question is, if the promises were to Israel, why then has Israel rejected Christ and come under this judgment? Continue Reading>>>