THE ISRAEL OF GOD! A Bible Study by Tony Warren Jan, 1990 Is The Israel of God made up of Jews and Gentiles alike? That is a question we hope to shed some light on in this Study. There is only one way to tackle a question like this, and that is to go to the Word of God for answers. Let the Bible tell us. Make the Bible our authority instead of men, or what men have taught us, or church tradition, or what we heard on TV last sunday. In Roman's Chaper 9, Paul is in sorrow for the Jews (Israelites) and in verse 6 we read: "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel." Now that's an interesting statement. "They are not all Israel which are of Israel." Why is Paul saying this? It's because God had made certain Promises concerning ISRAEL. God hath an everlasting Covenant with Israel. They are the Children of God. But Paul knows that Judgement has come upon "THE NATION" Israel. The Nation Israel is "NO LONGER" the representation of the congregation of God. That Ended at the cross. So the question is, what about all those promises to Israel? Have those promises become null and void? Hath the word of God become of none effect? And Paul is saying, "NO" it has not. We have to understand "WHAT" Israel those promises, and that everlasting Covenant was with. that's why he says "They are not all Israel which are of Israel." You see, God is saying, just because they were born in the nation Israel, and Literally were the seed of Jacob, DIDN'T MAKE THEM ISRAEL! That's an important point which tends to get passed over by those who don't want to face it. But we must take GOD seriously and His word equally seriously. And the word says just because you are the seed of Israel doesn't make you Israel. You see Paul is in sorrow for His kinsmen according to the flesh (as verse 3 calls them). To whom is the adoption (verse 4) and the Glory, and the covenants and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Why? Because He knows blindness in part has happened to them. But He also knows that this doesn't mean that the word of God was made of no effect concerning Israel. GOD Shall Save all Israel, but they are not all Israel which are of Israel. Israel is who GOD defines as Israel. Being born in Israel doesn't mean you're Israel according to God's word. According to "MEN" today it does. They say all sorts of things including that the whole nation will be saved. They simply don't understand that Israel is not defined by geographical borders. Not anymore. The Israel that God made these promises to, and everlasting covenants with, are a different Israel from The "NATION." In other words, it is "GOD" who will define Israel, Not Man. We will see this clearly as this Study goes along. Verse 7 of Romans Chapter 9 continues in the same vein of defining the Children, (the seed) not literally, but SPIRITUALLY. It says: "Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called." Here it is again. Just because Abraham was literally their progenitor, or just because they literally might say they are his seed, didn't mean that God defined them that way. Once again the same contrast of God's definition and Man's definition. You see, in our thinking, we look at people born in Israel and say these are the Israelites. God made the promises and prophesies to them. God says, NOT NECESSARILY, I'll define who are Israelites. In our thinking, we look at the people in israel and say, these are the seed of abraham. God says, Not necessarily, I will define who are the Seed. The language of "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" speaks clearly of the believers. This goes back to genesis chapter 21, where abraham had fathered a son by a bondwoman named Hagar, and also fathered a son by a freewoman named Sarah, which things are an allegory and CLEARLY explained to us in galatians 4:22-31. Read it. Learn what it means. It is the Church to whom the phrase "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" refers. So we better understand what Roman's 9:7 is speaking about. And verse 8 goes on again in the same vein: "That is, they which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed." Israel is the Children of the Flesh. the Jewish people of that nation are the Children of the flesh. But clearly this tells us, just being born a jew does not make you a child of God. I've heard many theologians say that the Literal seed, the Israaelites are the Children of God and that's all there is to it. well, they obviously didn't read this verse. I didn't say it, the word of God did. It says they of the flesh are not the Children of God, but they of the promise are counted for the children. Does that mean Jews are not the children of God? NO! Absoloutly not! That means the Nation of Israel is not the children of God. BIG difference. Jews are the children of God the same as any other believer is. by Promise!!!!! Not by land, nation, Birth or Heritage! Remember Paul said in Romans chapter 9:6 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect." He said that because the Promises to Israel would be kept. But he explains that all are not israel which are of Israel. You see, the promises would be kept to Israel, but they will be kept with the Israel of God. Not Israel according to the flesh. The children of the promise are "COUNTED" for the seed. Galatians 3:26: "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nore female: for ye are all ONE in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's then are ye abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." Those are God's words. Jews and greeks and all are the seed, and heirs according to the promise. It doesn't matter what nation you come from, if You are in Christ, you are Children of God and of the promise. Now lets look at the verse which says "In Isaac shall thy seed be called." Now some have tried to say, Yes that's the Church, but that's not speaking of Israel. They say the church is not the seed of Israel. But how can that be. CLEARLY in Isaac shall thy seed be called. well the seed of Isaac is Israel is it not? The only other ALTERNATIVE is the seed of ESAU. We know that can't be true! So if we are being "true" to the word of God and also true to logic, not to mention honesty, then Isacc's seed is Israel. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT! And that is the line "In Isaac shall thy seed be called" refers. In fact, before Jacob (Israel) and Esau was born they struggled in the womb and GOD told Rebekah Two nations are in her womb. What did these two nations symbolize? They symbolized the kingdom of Believers (jacob/Israel) and the Kingdom of the unbelievers (Esau). They have struggled against one another "FROM THE BEGINNING." Now, what seed of Isaac are we called in? Esau? Absoloutly Not! God says, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated! The seed is called through Jacob, through Israel. Of that there can be NO Dought. And so we can begin to get a better understanding of how the promise is fullfilled. Not through Israel in the flesh, which is why Paul was sorriful, his kinsmen according to the flesh remained in unbelief. But israel would be defined by GOD and not man. All Israel would be saved, but it will not be all israel according to the flesh, but all Israel according to the promise. We as believers are the nation israel. Of the same nation that struggled within rebekah's womb. Not a Politial nation, but a Spiritual nation. And you know, that's where many of the Jewish people made their mistake when Jesus came the first Time. They were "LOOKING" for a Political KING to come and rule a LITERAL Israel! They MISSED the point. Literal Israel is not in view, A far greater nation called Israel is in view. A Spiritual kingdom, not a earthly Kingdom. Christ "DID" come as King. He "DID" come to rule the Kingdom Israel. They just simply didn't understand. It appears even the disciples didn't understand in the beginning, as they ask Christ (Acts 1:6) if He will at this Time restore the Kingdom. Even though Christ had "PLAINLY" told them, His Kingdom was not of this world, they hadn't yet grasped what He was saying. But they would recieve Power as the Spirit of TRUTH would be poured out at pentecost and they would be wittnesses. The same thing is happening today as teachers and pastors are "LOOKING" for the Kingdom of Israel to be fullfilled Literally, for the Temple to be rebuilt Literally, for sacrifice to take place in it again Literally. Don't they understand that would be abomination. The literal nation Israel, the literal sacrifices, the circumcisions, the Temple, all these things are passed away with the coming of Christ. They were pointing to a better Holy Nation, a better sacrifice, a better cutting off of Sins, a better Temple. they don't mean anything now! Galatians 6:15: "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD." It doesn't matter if you're circumcised or not, if you are a Jew or Not, if you are in Christ, then You are The Israel of God, and heirs, and Children, and the seed of Isaac. Not in the flesh, But in the Spirit. While there are some that think The people of Israel "TODAY" are God's special People. No. The Congregation of Israel was God's special People. And that was before the cross. After the cross, The Special people are still the Congregation of the Lord. Not of the flesh, of the spirit. salvation went to the jew first, and then to the gentiles, but as Romans 2:11 tells us, there is no respect of persons with God. But people tell me, Israel has special prommises. the Jews are The Children of God. To that I say yes. But only under God's definition. Romans 2:28: "For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, IN THE SPIRIT, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." Now what does this verse say? It says someone can be born an israelite according to the flesh, but in "GOD'S DEFINITION" he is not a jew at all. Being a Jew "GOD SAYS" is being one INSIDE. So while all the teachers and pastors of the day may say the Bible refering to the Jews, refers to the jews, GOD says otherwise. God says in His book (the BIBLE) a jew is not a Jew by the flesh, but in the Spirit. Look also at verse 26 where it says if the uncircumcision keep righteousness, shall it not be COUNTED for circumcision?" In Other words, if God wants to call a Gentile, "of the circumcision" because he is righteous, that's GOD's SOVERN RIGHT to do. He Defines terms. Not preacher Joe, or dr. I-HAVE P.H.D. Don't you see, Christ "DID" come to be the KING of the Jews! He "DID" set up a kingdom! He didn't fail, He was successful and we as part of that kingdom are living proof. He Never came to set up a political nation, He came to set up a Spiritual nation. They are not all Israel which are of Israel, but this is the Israel of God. When you tell people that, they say, No, No, the children of Israel are The Chosen People. They are the Holy Nation, a kindom of priests a peculiar treasure as God perscribes in Exodus chapter 19 verses 5 and 6. They say that proves it. You know what I say? I say they're Right. It proves that they are everything stated and of the covenant (verse 5). it also proves that this ISRAEL in view, this nation, is the Church, and the covenant the everlasting covenant. They are always surprised to hear that. but let's let the Bible do the talking. Let's compare scripture with scripture and see what God has to say about it. Let God tell us what Israel exodus is talking about and what covenant (Testament). 1st Peter 2:9 speaking of the Church says: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an Holy Nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now THE PEOPLE OF GOD: which hath not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." Now compare that with Exodus 19 where it speaks of the covenant with Israel and you will see what Israel was in view. And that's why paul said, was the word of God made of none effect? NO! Because these promises to Israel will be kept. But not with Literal Isarel, with the Israel of God. In Exodus 19:5 God said "IF" you obey my voice and keep my covenant (KEEP THE WORD OF GOD), you'll be a peculiar treasure above all people, and shall be a kingdom of priests, and a Holy nation. Guess what? it's the EXACT same thing He says to the Church (Israel) Today, "IF" ye "KEEP THE WORD OF GOD." So you see, while it may appear at first glance to be talking about promises to the literal NATION of Israel, it was actually a promise to those who KEEP God's word. The Israel of God. A Holy Nation. A nation (Kingdom) not of this world. The Holy nation 1st Peter tells us all believers enter into. The question always boils down to the same thing. Are we going to ACCEPT God's word, or are we going to follow after our teachers and pastors who teach error. Who do we trust, God's word, or man's? When we look, it soon becomes abundantly clear that the Israel of prophesy in many places is the Church. There can be No Question about that. take Jeremiah 31:31: "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:" Let's stop right there for a minute. A New Covenant (TESTAMENT) with who? With Israel and Judah! That's pretty clear isn't it. You bring this verse up to people and they read it and say, weeeell ....phash, Phash, Phash, they can't tell ya. Yet they cling to their belief because that's all they know to do. I try and tell them that that is who the New Testament is with...Israel. That's the New Testament Church. But they don't want to dwell here, they want to move on to some other verse as fast as they can. But let's read on. Verse 33: "But this shall be the covenant (Testement) that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people." What New Covenant or Testament is this? It's the New Testament Church. The Word Covenant is the word testament. You see the Church is the House of Israel with whom this New Testament is. You see, the Old testament was full of faults, and Jesus came as the Mediator with a New Covenant. But let's get this DIRECTLY from the word of God. Let it tell you what this is talking about. Hebrews 8:6: "But now hath He obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also He is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, He saith, BEHOLD, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah:" And if you read on in Hebrews you will see that this is the same covenant. It's the New Testament of christ and it's spoken of here as the Covenant with Israel. Check the scriptures out yourself! Now there should be NO QUESTION, no question at all about this right? Wrong! Because people today just will not accept God's word. They will cling to a belief no matter what the Bible says. God can say something is Blue and they will sit down for hours until the rationalize it away, and then come back and tell you it actually says it's yellow. But for Him that "KEEPS" the word of God, this can't get much clearer. The New Testament is with Israel. Not LITERAL Israel, but, the Israel of God. Clearly Hebrews chapter 8 is a commentary of Jerimiah chapter 31. Jesus Christ came as the fullfillment of Jerimiah 31. We are the Israel who He has put His law into our minds, and written it on our hearts, and He is our God, and we His People. Not Literal Israel of the flesh, but The Israel of God. Where some people seem to be a little hesitant is in the language of Hebrews 8:11: "And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, know the Lord: for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest." But you see, this is the language of the Believers "NOW" being taught by the Holy Spirit of God. When people hear the Word of God, it is not truly the brethren who have shown them or taught them, it is the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus Christ Poured out the Spirit to guide us into all Truth, at Pentecost. In the old days they didn't have Bibles. A prophet would stand up and say, Thus sayeth the Lord. But Now, we all have Bibles. we read it and all know the Lord not by the words of a prophet, but by The Holy spirit of God. Therefore we all can know the Lord, for the Spirit of God hath gone out to the Ends of the earth. Didn't Jesus tell us, When I am gone I will send you the comforter, and he will teach you all things. No one has to teach us, The Comforter (The Holy Spirit) teaches us all things. That is what this language of all knowing the Lord without being taught means. These thigs are fullfilled in Christ. There is another verse which is almost always quoted by those who believe all "LITERAL" Israel will be saved, and a verse which is many times misunderstood. That is Roman's chapter 11 where Israel is pictured as an Olive Tree and the jews pictured as the branches that grow out of the olive tree. Then we read that some of the branches of the tree (some Jews of Israel) were broken off, and branches from another tree (gentiles) were grafted into the Tree. Well, if The Tree is ISRAEL, (and it is Because Ultimately it's Christ, Israel), then when the gentiles are grafted in, they become part of Israel. We are now Israel with the branches that were not broken off. We are Israel with Peter, John, Luke and all jewish people who are not broken off. Together, we make up the Tree. The Israel of God. Together we are in Christ, Israel. Jew and gentile in the "SAME" tree. There is not two Trees, one for the Jews and one for the Gentiles, there is one Tree. One Israel and we both are together in it. there is not a salvation program for the gentiles and a separate one for the jews, There is "ONE" salvation program, Christ came once to set up His Kingdom for all, One Tree and One Israel. Now comes the verse where many "WANT" it to say something it will not say. Romans 11:25: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." Israel is in part blinded. What Israel is this? Well, we've got to remember, Paul is talking to the Romans, the gentiles, saying they may not boast! The Israel that is in part blinded is literal Israel since spiritual Israel could "NEVER" be blinded. Paul is talking about the judgement that has come upon Israel. The same reason he was sorriful when he was explaining that all are not Israel who are of Israel. judgement has come upon Israel and branches have been broken off, but Paul warns the gentiles that they may not boast, lest they be broken off in like manner and the jews grafted back in. But what does the phrase Blindness in part has happened unto Israel till the fullness of the gentiles be come in mean. well, it's talking about what paul has just said. The Gentiles are coming in. They are being grafted into the tree. And when the fullness of them come in, so all Israel will be saved as it is written in the scriptures. Now some people want to try and make this say, after all the gentiles come in, then all Israel is going to be saved. Well, even on the face of it that makes no sense. "ALL" Israel will never be saved. there is only going to be a remnant saved as has already been stated. Another point is that though the language may seem ackward here, it "DOESN'T" say "THEN" all Israel will be saved. It says when the fullness of gentiles are come in so, all Israel will be saved. In other words, that's how all Israel will be saved. By the fullness of the gentiles coming in. If GOD had wanted to use the word "THEN" He would most certainly have used it. There is a perfectly good word that is translated then. God does not use that word. The Word here is "NEVER" Translated then. It means here, IN THIS WAY. When the fullness of Gentiles be come in, so all Israel will be saved. And the following words confirm it as it tells how they are saved as it was written. The Deliverer out of sion. Who is that? It's Christ of Course. Are they to think Christ is coming again to deliver Israel? Not So, Christ already came to deliver Israel. Furthermore, the words in verse26 "..As it is written, there shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." This should alert any good Bible student that this is refering to the "CROSS" not some long future event. Simply ask yourself, When did the Deliverer come out of Zion and turn ungodliness from Jacob and take away their sins? When did this happen? It happened at the cross of course. Or do they think Christ is coming back to go to the cross again? The whole idea, once examined is Crazy. As it is written! Let's compare scripture with scripture. Let's see where it is written. Well, it is written in isaiah chapter 59. read chapter 59 verses 16 to 21. in fact read as it goes into the next chapter 60 talking about the light to the gentiles. How can anyone think this is not the cross? This is the prophesy and there is no question but that it was fullfilled at the cross. Sin was taken away once, transgression was taken out of jacob once. It happened at the cross. When we believe God we know that that verse in Romans is this verse in Isaiah. as it was written in Isaiah, the deliverer came out of zion and took away the sins of Israel (Jacob) at the cross, and "SO" all israel shall be saved. In other words, Romans 11 is saying that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the gentiles come in, and so all Israel shall be saved. So = IN THIS WAY. The gentiles being grafted in. As it is written, they are saved by the Deliverer out of zion who it was prophesied would take away their sins. You see, just as Paul said. Has His word become void? NO! The Israel of God will be saved. Romans 11:27 says "For this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins." Again, If Christ going to the cross a second time? That's Crazy! of course not, so then when is this talking about? It says Covenant and "WHEN" He'd take away their sins? Well, as we've already seen, it's the New Testament covenant, and sins were taken away at the cross. End of discussion. Jesus said, I am come but to the Lost sheep of the House of Israel. Are we to say that Jesus was Lying and He didn't come for those of Israel? Acts chapter 13:23 tells us (speaking of david) "of this man's seed hath God ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE raised unto ISRAEL a Saviour, Jesus." Are we to say, NO, He didn't! Jesus will come as the saviour to Israel at a later time. It's foolishness to say such things, and yet people say them. And "NOTE" it was according to His promise to israel! Don't let anyone tell you God hasn't fullfilled His promise to raise unto Israel a saviour. Don't Let anyone tell you that the Deliverer of Romans 11 is yet to come. Forsake the word of man for the word of God. I find that whenever there is a dispute on scripture it is generally because someone wants to Ignor certain scriptures so that they can hold to views the have been taught. Don't fall into that snare. Trust God's word. It won't lead you wrong. Man will. Ask yourself, how many New Testaments or New Covenants are there? The answer is "ONLY ONE!" One salvation program. Jew and Gentile together. People have this idea that God is a respector of persons and He is going to save all Israel because they are His Chosen People. The funny part is they're right! But the ALL ISRAEL is not the Nation of Literal Israel, rather it is a Spiritual nation, a Spiritual Kingdom of Jews. There is No future salvation program for national israel. The Time of salvation is Now. The Time to be grafted back into this Tree is now, not after the tree is full with Gentiles, But Now! When the fullness of believers come in, it will be to late! For all Israel will have been saved as it was written. The Time for salvation of the Jews is Now, the same as it is for everyone. They need to get back into that Tree, Get back into Christ Now. Christ is The Israel. Anyone doughting that just read Isaiah chapter 49 verses 1, 2 and 3 of He who has a sword for a mouth named Israel. That is Christ. That is the Israel that the branches are in. that is the tree. Now if christ is Israel, then how can we be in christ and not be in Israel. GOD's Not playing word games. If Christ is Israel, then we as the body of Christ are Israel. This isn't a game, God wants us to know these things. That's why we are Exhorted in 2nd Timothy 2:15 to Study to shew ourselves approved unto God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of Truth. These words are not put here so we can practice our reading skills. God wants us to Study and Learn. Man thinks he is right no matter what, but God's thoughts are not man's thoughts. Man get's an Idea in his head and it takes a jackhammer to get it out. But we've got to start leaning on the word of God and not man. Unfortunately, just the opposite is happening. But if we let the scriptures tell us, then we know we are on the right path. Jesus came already as the King of Israel. But don't take my word for it, search the scriptures. How about John 12:13: "Took branches of Palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when He had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is Written, fear not daughter of Sion: Behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." How many times do they have to see it before they realize Chirst "ALREADY" came as King of Israel. This verse says Christ fullfilled this "As IT WAS WRITTEN." But it doesn't matter how many times you prove it to them, they will generally still hold the view Christ must come as deliverer to Israel because that's what they have been taught. Was Jesus The King of Israel? INDEED He was. This was the fulfillment. Just as we read in Romans 11. of the the deliverer of Sion. In Romans 11 Paul knows how the jews are to be saved. If only people would read the chapter in context they'd know also. paul says in verse 14: "If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them." Paul is saying he hopes some of the Jews will see his works and seek to emmulate him that some of them might be saved. You see, He knows that their salvation is now. We've got to start searching God's word for answers not man. Those who hold that Christ is coming again to Rule in Israel must not have read verses like Matthew chapter 22 verses 1 to 14. have you read it? They must not have read verses like Luke Chapter 20 verses 9 to 18. Do you know what that means? I'll tell you what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean that when He's done he's coming back again to be the deliverer of a literal Kingdom of Israel. And so for all these reasons and more, lot's more, the whole idea is based on nothing and is worth nothing. The Israel that the promises were to is the Church. The "ALL" Israel that will be saved is the Israel that the Deliverer redeamed at the cross, and that the fullness of Gentiles come in and when they do, so all Israel will be saved. The Notion that Christ is coming again as a King to Israel is silly. Christ already came and set up His Kingdom. His Kingdom is not a Earthly kingdom, but a Heavenly Kingdom which shall Never pass away. Christ came first to Literal national Israel, and now comes to all the world that the fullness of gentiles will come in. And when it does All Israel will be saved and He will return to rapture it and to judge. rapture who? ........The Israel of GOD! Tony Warren tony.warren@seekers.com - from Bible conference of SeekNet(tm) International - - Mail Network by permission -