11. God's Unconditional Promises to Israel

Key Texts:

Ezekiel 36:22 Therefore, say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God, It is not for your sakes, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but FOR MY HOLY NAME, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.

Ezekiel 36::23 And I WILL VINDICATE THE HOLINESS OF MY GREAT NAME which /has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. That the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord God, when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.

It is extremely important to understand the DIFFERENCE between "national Israel" and the "Church" in Bible prophecy. A person's firm belief, or conviction, on this one issue will determine how he or she understands a very large part of God's Word. This involves the comprehension of hundreds of prophecies, particularly in Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah and Revelation. The scope of these prophecies make their study a necessity for every serious Bible student. At each and every prophecy, the student must ask, "is this speaking about national Israel, or the Church?

Formerly I made the mistake of combining ALL of God's promises and covenants and let the majority of conditional promises outweigh the unconditional ones. I failed to "rightly divide" the Word of God and blended aspects of the Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants. By so doing, for me the Church replaced national Israel completely.

Actually, the promises made to national Israel had BOTH conditional AND unconditional aspects. Each covenant should be understood as a separate piece in God's plan for national Israel and the Church.

First, God made UNCONDITIONAL promises to Abraham concerning the nation Israel and his physical descendants. "Unconditional" means there were no "conditions" included which could annul, or cancel, the covenant promises made. In the same declaration God also made unconditional promises to Abraham concerning his Seed, Jesus Christ. Both the national promises to Israel and the spiritual salvation promises through Christ were unconditional. From Genesis 12, 13, 15 and 17 it is clear that both sets of promise have equal validity. These were foundational promises about which God would not change His mind.

Secondly, added to the unchangeable unconditional promises were CONDITIONAL promises. "Conditional" means that the promises or covenants could become void if one of the participants failed to keep their part. National Israel forgot the unconditional promises made to its forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The nation agreed to the terms of the Old Covenant, or Mosaic Law, which was imposed as a temporary child-tutor with its strict disciplinary code and harsh punishment for the disobedient. Disobedience only delayed the awaited fulfillment of God's unconditional promises to Israel through Abraham. However, it must be remembered, disobedience never reversed, or negated, the original promises that Israel would always be God's chosen physical nation.

From the Judges to AD 70, around 1500 years, the cycle of disobedience and restoration was repeated many times. When Rome destroyed the nation near the end of the 1st century, the national identity of Israel was not restored for almost 1900 years, in 1948. Total final restoration is still a future reality.

Denominational churches were started between 70 AD and 1948. Since, national Israel had ceased to exist for many centuries, humanly speaking, there was absolutely no possibility of another nation of Israel emerging. Therefore, before 1948 most churches and theologians had concluded that the Church, as spiritual Israel, was the only real Israel left. They spiritualized God's physical promises to national Israel.

Any Church that focuses the prophecies of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zechariah, and Revelation on itself, must seriously try to reconcile its teachings with the following from God's Word. This article does not present vague muddled texts wrapped with confusing context. Instead it uses the very foundation passages of the Word of God for Israel. They MUST be reckoned with before ANY church replaces national Israel with itself.

Genesis 12 (TO ABRAHAM)

:1 Now the Lord said to Abram

Go forth from your country and from your relatives and from your father's house to the land which I will show you.

:2 AND I WILL make you a great nation,

AND I WILL bless you, and make your name great;

and so you shall be a blessing.

:3 AND I WILL bless those who bless you,

and the one who curses you I will curse.

And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

:4 SO ABRAM WENT FORTH as the Lord had spoken...

Abraham (Abram) first appeared in the Bible in Genesis 11:26. While living in Ur of Chaldea, he moved to Haran in Syria with his father and nephew Lot (11:27-32). It was Abraham whom God had called from Ur to establish His special nation (15:7). While living in Haran, God called him again to leave his father's house and relatives and come to Canaan (12:1).

When national Israel is concerned, Genesis 12:1-4 is the cornerstone, the foundation, of every other promise made to Abraham! One cannot claim to be a serious Bible student without being well-acquainted with this chapter.

In God's omniscient and transcendent wisdom, He chose Abraham from every person on earth. In 12:1 the only thing God asked of Abraham was to "go forth" from Haran to Canaan! Verses 4 and 5 record that Abraham "went forth." Thus, in these few verses, the remainder of God's Word is built around God's promises to Abraham.

God promised to perform 4 specific things for Abraham after he had gone forth into Canaan.

1. I will make you A GREAT NATION. (12:2)

2. i will make your name great and you shall be a blessing. (12:2)

3. I will bless or curse those who bless or curse you. (12:3)

4. I will bless ALL the earth in you. (12:3 Gal 3:8)

The very first promise that God made to Abraham concerned the "great nation" of Israel. His name was to be great. He was to be a blessing to all mankind. Whoever cursed or blessed Abraham, and later Israel, was also cursed or blessed. "In you," that is, "in Abraham's seed, all the earth was to be blessed. This Seed promise was fulfilled in Christ.

When God kept on confirming the "land" portion of the promise, Abraham built altars to commemorate these events (12:6-9).

These promises are intertwined among each other because they are inseparable; they are part and parcel of the SAME promise. If one is unconditional, then so is the other. If one is true, then so is the other. One cannot split the one promise-set into unconditional and conditional aspects. Yet it is incredible how many churches divide this set of promises into conditional promises for national Israel and unconditional promises concerning Jesus Christ.

Genesis 13 (TO ABRAHAM)

:14 And the LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him. Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward.

:15 For all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever.

:16 And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered.

:17 Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth, for I will give it to you.

The promises of 12:1-4 are further explained here. Again, God took the initiative in promising the land "to you and to your descendants forever." When Hebrew Christians asked Paul "What advantage then does the Jew have?, he replied "Much in every way: chiefly, because unto them were committed the oracles of God" (Rom 3:1,2). To the physical Israelites "belongs the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises" (Rom 9:4). It is clear that the "land" was primarily the heritage of the believing physical descendants of Abraham forever.

Genesis 15 (TO ABRAHAM)

:5 And He took him outside and said, Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them. And He said to him, So shall your descendants be.

:6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him for righteousness.

:7 And He said unto him, I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.

:8 - :11 [God tells Abraham to prepare sacrificial animals.]

:12 Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him.

:13-16 [God tells about the coming Egyptian slavery.]

:17 And it came about when the sun was set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces [of cut sacrificial animals].

:18 On that day THE LORD MADE A COVENANT WITH ABRAM saying, 'To your descendants I have given THIS LAND, from the river of Egypt, to the great river, the river Euphrates.

This is another foundational chapter relating to God's promises to Abraham. The entire chapter should be studied carefully.

When God promised childless Abraham that his seed would be as numerous as the sand, Abraham "believed" the LORD and his faith was "reckoned," accounted to him "for righteousness" (15:6). This famous "righteousness by faith" statement has been the basis for many thousands of sermons on the subject of salvation (Rom 4:3; Gal 3:6).

However, how many sermons totally ignore the NEXT verse "I am the LORD who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it" (15:7)? Genesis 15 uses the "righteousness by faith" statement to say "BECAUSE OF" Abraham's faith, the LAND will be his forever. This is a clear and simple statement. Yet, accepting its truth would drastically affect the prophetic understanding of many churches.

When Abraham once again asked for confirmation (15:8), God instructed him to prepare a sacrifice (15:9-11). After he had prepared the sacrifice, a deep sleep and great darkness fell upon him (15:12). While he was asleep, God ALONE walked among the sacrificial pieces, thus sealing the covenant (15:17). This was not a two-party covenant in which the disobedience of one could annul the covenant. Abraham was deep asleep and did not participate, therefore, he could not break a covenant which he did not make (Gal 3:17).

God, the inspired writer of Genesis, was pre-occupied with the "land." Once again the unconditional covenant and the specific borders of national Israel was documented (15:18-21).

Genesis 17 THE COVENANT OF CIRCUMCISION

:1 - :2 [Keeping covenant]

:3 - :4 As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you. And you shall be the father of a multitude of nations.

:5 No longer will shall your name be called Abram; but your name shall be Abraham. For I will make you the father of many nations.

:6 And I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come forth from you.

:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you.

:8 And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, THE LAND of your sojournings, ALL THE LAND OF CANAAN, FOR AN EVERLASTING POSSESSION, and I will be their God.

:9 - :14 [Details of the covenant of circumcision]

:15 - :27 {Abraham, Ishmael, and servants circumcised]

After God's unconditional covenant with Abraham had been made in chapters 12, 13 and 17, a different covenant is introduced in chapter 17, the "covenant of circumcision." Circumcision set apart physical descendants of Abraham from other nations. This was a conditional covenant which could be broken by refusing to be circumcised (17:10-14). Salvation was not procured by physical circumcision because Abraham was accounted righteous before he was circumcised (Rom 4:8-13). It was to be an outward sign of inner spiritual maturity.

It is important to note that this is not the same as the Abrahamic Covenant. All of Abraham's males were circumcised, but God promised "Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac, and I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him" (17:19).

Paul clarified this by saying "For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit" (Rom 2:28,29). True faith places the "circumcision of Christ," His perfect righteousness on the believer's account (Col 2:11).

Although an element of obedience is included here, it does not destroy the previous unconditional promises made to Abraham! Disobedience only delayed the inevitable because of the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ FOR Israel and FOR all believers.

When God said, "As for Me, My covenant is with you" (17:4), He was reminding Abraham of the unconditional aspects of the previous promises. He was NOT referring to spiritual descendants from other nations, but of the true believing Israelites. In its exegetical context, the word "nations," repeated 3 times in verses 4-6, should not be spiritualized to refer to the Church, which is a spiritual nation.

Deuteronomy 30

:1 So it shall be when all of these things have come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind in all the nations where the LORD your God has banished you,

:2 and you return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and soul according to all that I command you today you and your sons,

:3 then the LORD your God will restore you from captivity and have compassion on you, and will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.

:5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; an He will prosper you and multiply you more than your fathers.

Under the Old Covenant and the Mosaic Law, national Israel faced many conditions, curses, punishments, national destruction, and slavery. They would surely be punished for their sins. Yet, after all of God's promised punishment would come to pass, He still promised national restoration! He still promised the land would be theirs.

It would have been best if Israel had freely chosen to repent and be restored; the other nations had mocked Yahweh God because of their sinfulness. However, as later prophets revealed, God would restore Israel, not because of their obedience, but because of His oath and the reputation of His name. Several prophets appealed to God to intervene and save Israel, not because of the covenant made at Sinai, but because of the covenant made to Abraham and the fathers. They understood the difference between the unconditional and conditional promises.

The resolution of these seemingly conflicting statements is found in Christ, the SEED of Abraham (Gen 12:3). In one function Christ BECAME national Israel and perfectly obeyed, thus securing even the "conditional" aspects of the old covenant! Matthew's statement, "Out of Egypt I have called my son," equated "national" Israel to "Jesus Christ" (Matthew 2:15). Therefore God will bless national Israel for 3 reasons (1) His promises to Abraham, (2) His own honor, and (3) Christ's obedience.

2nd Samuel 7 (THE DAVIDIC COVENANT)

:12 When your days [David] are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

:13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.

:14 I will be a father to him and he will be a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men.

:15 but My loving-kindness shall not depart from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

:16 And your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever.

The Davidic Covenant also is a separate covenant from the Abrahamic, the Covenant of Circumcision, and the Mosaic (Old Covenant).

However, it functions within the framework of the Abrahamic and Mosaic.

Israel's first anointed king was Saul. The kingdom and throne were taken from Saul by God; he left no descendants; his lineage became extinct. On the other hand, God promised David just the opposite! His lineage and throne would last forever. Saul lost everything by disobedience. David, Solomon, and their descendants would also disobey and be punished, but their lineage containing an eternal throne and kingdom would survive forever.

Both Joseph and Mary trace their genealogy, their lineage, back to David. The New Testament takes up where the Old Testament left off, with national Israel awaiting its Messiah. The angel who visited Mary said "And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end" (Luke 1:31-33). It is hard to believe that some say these verses refer to the Church! The angel of God was not mistaken! Jesus came to physically sit on the "throne of David" and "reign over the house of Jacob forever." Christians are in no wise excluded from these promises, but should not reapply them to something other than what is plainly taught in God's Word. Redeemed Israelites will yet constitute restored national Israel.

Jeremiah 29

:11 For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a FUTURE and a hope.

Jeremiah 30

:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king whom I will raise up for them.

:11 For I am with you, declares the LORD, to save you; For I will destroy completely all the nations where I have scattered you. Only I will not destroy you completely; but I will chasten you justly.

:17 For I will restore you to health and I will heal you of your wounds, declares the LORD, because they have called you an outcast, saying "It is Zion, no one cares for her.'

Jeremiah 31

:9 With weeping they shall come and by supplication I will lead them;

I will make them walk by streams of waters on a straight path in which they shall not stumble. For I am a father to Israel and Ephraim is my firstborn.

:11 For the LORD has ransomed Jacob, and redeemed him from the hand of him who was stronger than he.

:31-34 T H E N E W C O V E N A N T (Hebrews 8:8-12]

:35 Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day, and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the LORD of hosts is His name,

:36 IF this fixed order departs from before ME, declares the LORD, THEN the offspring of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever.

The Old Testament prophets prophesied the sure national restoration of Israel. God had specific plans for the future of national Israel. Those plans includes the nations welfare, its future, and its hope (29:11). They prophetically saw David on the throne of his house. Most believe this "David" to be Christ (Jeer 30:9; Luke 1:31-33).

Jeremiah declared that Israel, as a nation, will never be destroyed completely (30:11). This truth seemed to have been forgotten from 70 AD until 1948 AD, even though the location of millions of Jews was well-known. God described Himself as their national Father, the father of Israel and Ephraim. Ephraim led the northern split kingdom called Israel which went into captivity over 100 years before Jeremiah's prophecy. Even then, Israel's literal status as a kingdom had ceased; however, their eternal existence was assured by God's promises (31:9).

In the Passover event, God ransomed Israel out of Egypt. He bought them for Himself as His chosen nation. There was no choice or rejection involved in that decision (31:11). The "streams of waters" (31:9) remind the believer of Christ's "fountain" in John, chapter 4, and in the "river" of Revelation 22:1-3. Jeremiah looked beyond the doom of Jerusalem in his day and saw its future.

The promises to national Israel would finally be realized, not under the Old Covenant, but under the New Covenant (31:31-34; Heb 8:8-12). Read the EXACT wording of the New Covenant. It is addressed, not to the Church, but to the true believers inside the nation of Israel! Even the eternal God-built Jerusalem of Revelation 21:1-23 is primarily in the CONTEXT of national Israel. Verse 24 says "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honor into it." Here the Church is seen praising the God of Israel, who has become their God also. Here the Church is sharing the blessings of Abraham.

"IF this fixed order departs from before ME, declares the LORD, THEN the offspring of Israel also shall cease from being a NATION before Me forever" (31:36). This is a an extremely strong text that demands a hearing. There is no room to read into this text a spiritual nation called the Church. "Let God be true, but every man a liar," Romans 3:4. How much plainer can this truth be explained!

Ezekiel 16

:60 Nevertheless, I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.

:61 Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed....

:62 Thus I will establish My covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the LORD.

Ezekiel 36

:22 Therefore, say to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God,

It is not for your sakes, O house of Israel, that I am about to act, but FOR MY HOLY NAME, which you have profaned among the nations where you went.

:23 And I WILL VINDICATE THE HOLINESS OF MY GREAT NAME which /has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. That the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Lord God, when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight.

:24 For I will take you from the nations, gather out from all the lands, and bring you into your own land.

:25 Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

:28 And you will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers, so you will be My people, and I will be your God.

:32 I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Lord God....

As mentioned previously, even if ALL of the promises to Israel were conditional, such conclusion STILL would not allow Bible students to conclude that national Israel is no longer in the prophetic picture.

Why not? First, because God declared that He would still preserve them for His name's sake. And, secondly, because CHRIST obeyed all of the conditions vicariously FOR national Israel.

"Nevertheless" (Eze 16:60). “Regardless of their response, God will still remember His everlasting covenant and establish Israel. Ezekiel and Jeremiah clearly saw the New Covenant restoration. They both ministered to Israel at the same horrible time in its history. Ezekiel was among the early groups of deported slaves in Babylon; Jeremiah was inside the city when it was destroyed by Babylon. Yet they had faith in God's promises.

Ezekiel and Jeremiah both emphasized God's integrity rather than the nation's obedience. Israel will be a nation because, in so doing so, God will vindicate Himself, His own name and His integrity (36:22-32). It must occur! Otherwise God Himself would lose face! There is absolutely no justification in claiming that Ezekiel was referring to the Church.

Once again, the land is a prominent part of the restoration formula.

Jeremiah 16:60 and 36:28 reflect back to the Genesis 12 promises to Abraham.

Ezekiel 37 to 40 [FUTURE INVASIONS OF THE LAND OF ISRAEL]

In the "valley of dry bones," Ezekiel began a detailed prophetic description of the last day restoration of the house of Israel (37:12,13). Israel will be re-united and restored to its own land (37:14-17). These are not apocalyptic or disguised words; they are intended to be understood literally. These chapters cannot possibly refer to the Church in the last days! The book of Revelation uses much of the same terminology as Ezekiel and Daniel.

Chapters 38 and 39 describe the future invasion of national Israel by Gog and Magog. These powers were located to the north and northeast of ancient Israel and many believe they correspond to Russia. The "measuring rod" terminology of chapter 40 is also used in Revelation 11:1,2. The book of Revelation only makes sense when combined with Daniel and Ezekiel concerning restored national Israel.

Zechariah 14

:1 Behold a day is coming for the LORD when the spoil taken from you will divided among you.

:2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle...

:3 Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations...

:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives will be split...Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him.

:16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations who went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

According to Zechariah 14, Christ's return in glory will follow an attack on literal Jerusalem. This is also taught by Christ in Luke 21 and Matthew 24. It is strange how many churches sing and speak about Christ returning to the Mount of Olives, yet fail to teach the accompanying prophecy of Zechariah. Clearly the idea is lifted out of its intended literal context of a restored national Israel.

God would not detail events such as Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Zechariah described merely to say that they were conditional and will NEVER occur to national Israel. Such a position turns hundreds of Bible chapters into total irrelevance. Such a position forces elaborate detailed re-explanations that strain the imagination. It is much easier to accept their literal meaning as did those originally receiving the prophecies.

The prophecy of Zechariah is NOT a idealistic fantasy. Zechariah was an inspired prophet of God who wrote exactly as the Spirit of God intended. He described a literal real event which will definitely occur! The historical events of Barak, Gideon, Saul, and Josiah in the plain of Esdraelon around Megiddo shaped Israel's history in the past. History will once again repeat itself there. This is because Christ's return to the Mount of Olives and the battle of Armageddon have a national Israel context.

Luke 21 (Jesus' words)

:24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles UNTIL the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Acts 1 [at Jesus' ascension]

:6 And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?

:7 He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority. [fixed chronological times]

As seen earlier, Luke 1:31-33 continues the New Testament exactly where the Old Testament ended...with national Israel awaiting Messiah. Although Jesus taught in parables that God would turn from national Israel to the spiritual nation of the Church, He plainly did NOT teach that such was national Israel's final end! As Luke 1:31-33 declare, He Himself had come to sit on the throne of David and rule the house of Israel. "House" means a political ruler-ship; the church is not a "house."

In the prophecies about the nations (Gentiles) in Daniel 2, 7, 8 and 9, their time would end when God established His nation and His kingdom forever. The word "until" in Luke 21:24 is hard for some to accept. It means that a time is coming in which literal Jerusalem will be reclaimed as God's holy city. This occurs during the first 3 1/2 years of the tribulation.

If national Israel were no longer involved in future prophecy, then why did Jesus not correct the very last question asked before His ascension? "Is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom?" (Acts 1:6) was not answered by "Think Church, not Israel!" Instead, Jesus very last words before His ascension were that man was not to know God's chronological fixed times for the future. The restoration of national Israel was so important on the disciples minds, that it was the very last discussion topic!

Romans 1

:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Romans 3

:1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision?

:2 Great in every respect. First of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Exactly where does the Church fit into all of this prophecy about national Israel? The answer is, "exactly where God intended for it to be." In His election, God decreed that the gospel must go to the Jew first (Rom 1:16). National Israel must have the first chance to accept Him as Lord. When Jesus sent out the 12 (Matt 10:6) and the 70 (Lk 10), He sent them "only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Mt 15:24). After Calvary, the "great commission" in Matthew 28:19,20 was truly earthshaking for His Jewish disciples; He told them to take the gospel to "all nations."

Although a Jewish Christian are saved in the same manner that Gentiles Christians are saved, the "Jew," or national Israelite, still has "advantages" over Gentile converts "in every respect" (Rom 3:1,2). This can only be explained by God's election just as He elected Abraham above every man on earth in Genesis 12. Only as far as election is concerned, placing Jewish and Gentile Christian believers on the same level makes Paul's statement meaningless. This thought is continued in Romans 4, 9 and 11.

Romans 4

:16 For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.

Romans 9

:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh,

:4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises....

:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed, for they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel;

:7 neither are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: 'Through Isaac your descendants will be named.'

:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants.

:11 for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, IN ORDER THAT GOD'S PURPOSE ACCORDING TO HIS CHOICE MIGHT STAND, not because of works, BUT BECAUSE OF HIM WHO CALLS,

:12 it was said to her, 'The older shall serve the younger.'

:13 Just as it is written, 'Jacob have I loved, but Esau I hated.'

Paul's audience at Rome was mixed: part Jewish Christian and part Gentile Christian. In chapter 2 he concentrated on the Gentiles. In chapters 3, 4, 9 and 11 he focused on objections raised by Jewish Christians. The national identity of Israel is not being discussed here. Paul illustrated that, even in Israel's history, not everybody who claimed to be an Israelite was truly an Israelite. The fall of the unbelieving nation did not cancel out God's promises to the elect believing Jews.

Therefore, to the implied question, "Aren't all Israelites God's people?" Paul replied "'yes," BUT, not all Israelites are really Israelites!"

Romans 9:6-13 is a discussion of 'election" to prove Paul's point from God's Word. Ishmael was a descendant of Abraham, but not of all his promises (9:6-9)! Esau was also a descendant of Abraham, but not of all of Abraham's promises (9:10-14)! God's purpose, His choice, His calling, His election will stand! We are to accept what God has declared.

Romans 11

:1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite.....

:2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.

:5 ...there is also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice.

:7 What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it and the rest were hardened,

:9 [quotes Isaiah 29:10 where God hardened Israel]

:10 [quotes Psalm 69:22 where God hardened Israel]

:11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles to make them jealous. [the other group, the Gentiles, is introduced]

:12 Now if their transgression be riches for the world and their failure be riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!

:15 For if their rejection be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

:16 And if the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root be holy, the branches are too.

:24 ...how much more shall these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

:25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of the mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles has come in:

:26 And thus ALL ISRAEL will be saved; just as it is written. The Deliverer will come from Zion. He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.

:27 And this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins.

:28 From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, BUT from the standpoint of God's choice THEY are beloved for the sake of the fathers.

:29 FOR THE GIFTS AND THE CALLING OF GOD ARE IRREVOCABLE.

Every Christian should become familiar with Romans 11. This is a crucial New Covenant passage regarding national Israel. Any Church that leaves national Israel out of their prophetic understanding must first reconcile this chapter with all of the promises made to Abraham, David and Mary, plus Jesus' statement in Luke 21:24.

First, Israelites are still referred to as 'His people' (11:1,2). Paul knew that the Church was also 'His people,' but not in the same sense as was national Israel. "True" Israelites are those Israelites who believe in Christ (9:6). Repeating God's promises to Abraham and David, there would always be a "remnant" of believing Israelites (11:5,7). God never had any intention of letting them permanently stumble to fall from His sight (11:11).

In contrast to the Church, Israel is still referred to as a 'holy' 'first piece of dough" (11:16) and as the original 'olive tree' and 'natural branches' (11:24). Originally Israel was to accept Messiah and take the gospel to the world. Now, the 'mystery' regarding Israel is that its restoration will come when Christian Gentiles bring the gospel back to it (11:11-15). When the times of the Gentiles are over, Israel will again be restored as a nation (11:25; Dan 2:44.45; Luke 21:24).

Again, because of God's UNCONDITIONAL promises to the fathers, they are still God's first choice and beloved nation! God gave national Israel His first gifts and His first calling to be His people (11:28,29). His Word declares that He will not change His mind. The Church has joined with Israel in those promises, but has not replaced it.

Galatians 3

:6 Even so Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. (Gen 15:6)

:7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham.

:15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man's covenant; yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it.

:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, 'And to seeds, as referring to many, but rather to one. And to your seed,' that is Christ.

:17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.

:28 There is neither Jew or Greek. There is neither slave nor free man. There is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

Many believe that this passage replaces national Israel with spiritual Israel. However, Paul is clearly contrasting those who believe in salvation through the Old Covenant Mosaic Law with those who were saved by faith, as was Abraham. Unbelieving Jews believed they were saved by inheritance, circumcision and works of the Law.

"Those who are of faith" (3:7), whether believing Jews or believing Gentiles, "are sons of Abraham"...they both share equally in the spiritual promises of salvation as given to Abraham. However, because of God's election, Romans 11 and Ephesians 2, Israelite believers are "natural" sons and Gentile believers are "adopted, grafted in" sons. Even though both share in the identical spiritual promises of Abraham, they do not share equally in the "nation" promises concerning the land!...this truth was difficult for me to understand or accept! Paul's emphasis to the Galatians was "salvation equality": one is just as much a son of Abraham by faith whether he or she came from Jewish or Gentile lineage. The "firstborn" still has some priority over the "adopted son."

Consider Paul's logic: (1) The Abrahamic Covenant concerning salvation through the "Seed" was ratified 430 years before the Old Covenant (3:15-17). The Abrahamic Covenant was unconditional. Abraham was accounted righteous by faith under that covenant. (2) Therefore, the CONDITIONAL Old Covenant, with the Mosaic Law, cannot 'invalidate' God's UNCONDITIONAL covenant made to Abraham in Genesis 12, 13, 15 and 17. (3) Thus works of the Law cannot produce saving faith.

The unconditional promises made to Abraham concerning national Israel are not being discussed in Galatians. However, the SAME LOGIC should be equally valid concerning the land to national Israel! They were, in fact, part of the SAME set of promises first stated in Genesis 12:1-4!

The purpose of 3:28,29 is to remove discrimination among believers, not identity. Just as men are still men, and women are still women, these texts do not destroy the identities of the compared groups.

Hebrews 8

:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

:8 For finding fault with them, He says, [quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34]

"Behold, days are coming, says the LORD, when I will effect a NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;

:9 On the day when I took them by the hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant; and I did not care for them, says the LORD.

:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel.

After those days, says the LORD, I will put My laws into their minds;

and I will write them upon their hearts. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.....

:13 When He said, A new covenant, He has made the first covenant obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

The 'first covenant' is the Old Covenant with the Mosaic Law. That covenant was conditional and begun in Exodus, chapter 19:5,6. This 'old' covenant was made only with national Israel after its redemption from Egypt.

Few Christians realize the literal meaning of the New Covenant.

"I will effect a New Covenant" WITH the house of Israel and WITH the house of Judah." It is PRIMARILY with the true believers of national Israel, and secondarily the Church. This is a literal rendering of Jeremiah 31:31 and Hebrews 8:8. Israel, as a nation of believing Jews, has not yet received its total New Covenant blessing. That will come after Revelation 19.

While not replacing Israel, the Church has also become the people of God (1 Pet 2:9,10). The Church (the wild olive tree, the unnatural branches of Romans 11) is already receiving from its share of Israel's New Covenant blessings. The fact that the Church is already receiving of the New Covenant is proof that Israelite believers' will eventually receive their national blessings also.

Ephesians 2

:12 Remember that YOU WERE at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

:13 BUT NOW in Christ Jesus you who were formerly far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one, and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,

:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.

:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God's household,

:20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.

This is a very powerful passage about what it means to be "in Christ." Just as Abraham's "righteousness by faith" statement of Genesis 15:6, Ephesians 2 touches the very heart of the gospel itself.

This passage also produces much insight regarding the promises to national Israel. BEFORE accepting Christ, Gentiles WERE "separated from Christ" because they were (1) "excluded from' the commonwealth of Israel" and (2) "strangers to the covenants of promise" (2:12); therefore they had "no hope" and were "without God" in the world (2:12). AFTER accepting Christ, Gentile believers are "no longer strangers and aliens" but instead are "fellow citizens with the saints" and are now "of God's household" (2:19). These are very powerful comparisons.

The dividing wall, the barrier, that separated Jews and Gentiles

was NOT the Abrahamic Covenant, but that wall was the Old Covenant, the Mosaic Law, with its commandments and ordinances (2:14,14). Particularly among those ordinances were circumcision, Sabbath-keeping, and the Levitical priesthood. The Old Covenant ordinances did not encourage Israel from witnessing to Gentiles and kept Gentiles from joining Israel.

On the other hand, God wanted both to receive blessings from the "covenants of promise," referring to the Abrahamic Covenants (2:12). Both were "brought near" to those "covenants of promise" by the blood of Jesus Christ (2:13). Gentile believers are now "fellow citizens" as the "grafted unnatural branches of the wild olive tree" (2:19; Rom 11). They have been brought into fellowship with the "saints" (here meaning believing Israelites) (2:19). Just as the Gentile servants were circumcised in Genesis 17 to become part of Abraham's household, so Gentile believers are now part of "God's household" (2:19.

However, this does not destroy the "elect" advantage of believing Israelites! Although the circumcised servant was considered an Israelite and an heir, he still received his share after the firstborn natural heirs, the natural lineage. The "foundations of the prophets" (2:20) and the "other half" of the Abrahamic Covenant STILL concerned the physical seed of Abraham inheriting the land of Canaan forever. Zechariah 14 and Revelation 21:24 STILL depict saved Gentiles partaking from Israel's blessings, yet separate. For further discussion on this subject, see the "summary."

Revelation 7

:4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel.

:5 [12,000 from Judah; 12,000 from Reuben; 12,000 from Gad]

:6 [12,000 from Asher; 12,000 from Naphtali; 12,000 from Manasseh]

:7 [12,000 from Simeon; 12,000 from Levi; 12,000 from Issachar]

:8 [12,000 from Zebulun; 12,000 from Joseph; 12,000 from Benjamin]

Revelation 14

:1 And I looked, and behold, Mount Zion, and with Him one hundred and forty-four thousand, having his name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.

Most of the book of Revelation does not describe the Church. The Church, highly visible in chapters 1-3, is not seen on earth during this period reserved for national Israel. For the Church, Christ had already "prepared their place" (Jn 14:1-3); it had already been removed because of Christ's promise "Because you have kept the word of My perseverance I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell upon the earth" (3:10). Also, Christ had promised the Church "He who overcomes I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne" (3:21). After John is told to "come up here" in 4:1, the Church is depicted in 4:4, 10,11 and 5:5-10 sitting with Christ in heaven.

Revelation, chapters 6-19, is the culmination of the 70th week of Daniel 9:27. Although salvation of the Gentiles was briefly mentioned by several prophets, the Church remained a "mystery" until Israel rejected Christ at Calvary. God's plan for national Israel was but temporarily halted; the "mystery" Church, would fill the interim. After the Church is removed to heaven, the plan for national Israel will resume. The 70th week was split in half by Antichrist desecrating the Jerusalem temple (Matthew 24:15-22). The events of those half weeks are described as "3 1/2 times," "42 months," and 1260 days."

In God's omniscient election, as soon as the Great Tribulation begins, 144,000 Israelites, 12,000 from each tribe (7:4-8; 9:4), will appear on earth. They are sealed, protected from the wrath of Antichrist and from the plagues sent by God. Through their witness of Christ the "great multitude" is converted throughout all the earth (7:9,14). Believing Jews and others outside the 144,000 will endure the wrath of Antichrist and will not be immune from other suffering. Many will be killed. Since they had not been saved while the Church was on earth, this is their special place in history.

Revelation 11

:1 And there was given me a measuring rod like a staff and someone said, Rise and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and those who worship in it.

:2 And leave out the court which is outside the temple, and do not measure it, for it has been given to the nations [Gentiles], and they will tread under foot the holy city for forty two months.

Revelation 12

:1 And a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.

:2 And she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.

:3 ...a great red dragon...

:4 ...1/3 stars of heaven to earth...the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might devour her child.

:5 And she gave birth to a son, a male child....and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.

2 Thessalonians 2

:3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

:4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.

National Israel, not the Church, is prominent in Revelation, chapter 12. The "woman" of 12:1 is the nation Israel with its 12 tribes. It was national Israel who delivered Christ to the world as a baby (12:2). Satan, as pagan Rome, killed the children of Bethlehem (12:4). Christ was the "child" of Israel, not the Church" (12:4,5). After Christ's ascension, Rome continued to persecute Israel (12:13).

During the last 3 1/2 years of the Great Tribulation the 144,000 sealed Israelites will be divinely protected from Antichrist in the mountains (12:14-16). The Gentile nations will control and devastate Jerusalem and the temple (11:1,2). Antichrist will sit in the temple and claim to be God (Rev 13; 2 Thess 2:1-9). Those believing Israelites (the remnant) who are not among the 144,000 will suffer from the anger of Antichrist (12:17). The details of this persecution and martyrdom is found in chapters 11-19. When Scripture is understood literally, and one sees national Israel in these passages, Revelation makes sense.

Revelation 16

:16 And they gathered them together to the place which in Hebrew is called Har-Megeddon. [Armageddon]

Zechariah 14

:2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle...

:3 Then the LORD will go forth and fight against those nations...

:4 And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives will be split...Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him.

Revelation 20

:7 And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison.

:8 and will come out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together for the war; the number of them is like the sand of the seashore.

:9 And they came up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, and fire came down from heaven and devoured them.

As the final 3 1/2 years near an end during the 7 vials, the battle of Armageddon will occur in "the place" called "Armageddon." This "place" is located literally inside the boundary of national Israel. Also, after Christ had ruled the nations with a "rod of iron" for 1000 years (2:27; 12:5; 19:15), Satan will be loosed and will assemble a final rebellion. "Gog and Magog" were the prophesied enemies of national Israel in Ezekiel 38 and 39. The final battle also definitely involves national Israel. "The camp of the saints and the beloved city" MUST refer to Jerusalem! Once again, it is easier to just accept God's Word literally than to try and re-interpret every verse in the context of the Church.

Revelation 21

:10 ...the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

:12 It had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names are written on them, which are the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel.

:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were the twelve names of the apostles of the Lamb.

:23 And the city has no need of the sun or the moon to shine upon it, for the glory of God has illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb.

:24 And the nations [Gentiles] shall walk by its light, and the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it.

Zechariah 14

:16 Then it will come about that any who are left of all the nations [Gentiles] who went against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Booths.

Revelation 22

:6 These things are faithful and true.

Revelation 21 will take place after the Great Tribulation, after the Millennium and after the Great White Throne Judgment. Heaven and earth are renewed and the God-built Jerusalem will descend to earth (21:1,2). Even then, it is very significant to note that God will STILL distinguish between believing Israelites and believing Gentiles! He will still remember and honor His covenant with Abraham throughout eternity.

The God-built Jerusalem will exist because of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. Its foundation stones will bear the names of the 12 apostles who were both Israelites and members of the Church, the body of Christ. Entrance into the eternal city is possible only through the 12 gates, named after the 12 tribes of national Israel. We are reminded of Jesus' words "salvation is of the Jews" (Jn 4:22).

Although Zechariah 14:16 probably applies to the Millennium, both Zechariah and Revelation 21:24 teach that, even in the end times, the nations will retain their distinctiveness compared to believing Israelites. The "nations," "Gentiles," walk by the light of the Lamb. This includes most of us! This is the New Testament's closing doctrine. The Church has still not replaced national Israel in God's eternal election. "These things are faithful and true."

SUMMARY:

National Israel always has been, and always will be, God's chosen NATION. Even though Jesus joined all believers as one into His mystery body, Israelite believers have an additional special blessing because of God's election.

"Election" is a difficult, but very important doctrine for every Christian to study. God is above all: all-knowing and all-powerful. What He does and says WILL STAND. Theological dictionaries describe "election" as when God calls, when He makes special beneficiaries and when He gives special privileges. Man can only accept what God chooses to do; he is not to challenge it or try to change it. He has no choice concerning what God elects to do.

The principle of election is discerned in His Word especially in His relationship to Abraham and national Israel. In the New Testament, it is expanded to the Church and the individual believer.

"God chose": He made the decision without conferring with man! God chose Abraham from every person on earth (Gen 12:1-4; Neh 9:7); God next chose Isaac over Ishmael (Gen 17:18-21); God chose Jacob over Esau (Rom 9:13); God chose Joseph over his brothers (37:4); God chose Judah to be the direct descendant of Christ (49:10);God chose Moses from all Israel (Ex 4:1-16); David over Saul, his brothers and all Israel (l Sam 16:1-13); and Paul was chosen from among God's enemies (I Cor 15:9,10). All who truly love God are chosen in Christ (Rom 8:28,29; Eph 1:4; 2:10). God chose; man cannot reverse God's choice. As Romans 11:29 says "the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable." They are "without repentance;" God does not change His mind.

In the same manner, God, of His own volition, chose "national" Israel to be His special nation. They had no active part in God making His decision; nor do they have any ability to reject His choice! Such is God's national election!

2nd Samuel 7:23,24 "And what one nation on the earth is like Thy people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do a great thing for Thee and awesome things for Thy land, before Thy people whom Thou hast redeemed for Thyself from Egypt, from nations, and from their gods? For Thou hast established for Thyself Thy people Israel as Thine own people forever, and Thou O Lord, hast become their God." This same fact is repeated in Deuteronomy 7:6 and Isaiah 41:8,9. God swore an unconditional oath to Abraham concerning the land of Israel.

When churches leave national Israel out of God's prophetic and eternal plan for the ages, and substitutes themselves, the preceding texts strain the credibility of God's Word. Salvation is of the Jews. The Church will be saved because, by God's grace, it attaches itself to the unconditional promises made to Abraham through Jesus Christ.

The focus of last-day events in the book of Revelation, is on restored national Israel, and not the Church! Entrance into the New Jerusalem of Revelation 22:12 is STILL through the gates of Israel. Born-again Gentiles have been grafted in as unnatural branches of wild olive trees and become fellow-heirs with born-again national Israelites

(Rom 11:21-24; Eph 2:12-20). The sun, moon, and stars will still exist, and so will national Israel (Jer 31:35.36). The foundational truth of all of this is still the gospel of Jesus and His blood (Gen 12:3; Eph 2:20; Rev 22:13).

Friend, does the truth from God's Word agree with that of your church? Have you studied it prayerfully and thoroughly enough to reach your own personal conviction? If you do not agree with the logic of this article, can you go from Genesis to Revelation and explain the errors in every text used? If you do agree with the logic of this article, and your church does not, then you MUST find a church that correctly understands God's Word on this fundamental truth. You must follow the truth wherever God leads. Only by obeying God's truth can sanctification come into our lives. "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy Word is truth" (John 17:17).