The Israel of God

            A cursory examination of the Scriptures is not sufficient to bring one to an understanding of the mysteries which are contained and revealed in the two testaments— the old and the new.  The Old Testament was written and had its application to a nation of people identified as Israel. Its purpose was to lead them forward through many outward and physical evidences, circumstances and subsequent judgments imposed upon there posterity to teach them the deeper lessons of the heart. The name of Israel is of the utmost significance because in the very essence of its meaning it reveals a condition and quality of people whom the Lord God desires to establish and bless. The name defined means; a prince with God, or to rule with God. (See Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible).

That ruler ship and its inherent blessings are bound up in a covenant relationship with the Almighty that is wholly conditional. National Israel under the tenants of the old covenant miserably failed to fulfill their intended destiny because they did not adhere nor conform to the conditions of the covenant. While they were thrice judged as a nation through the Assyrian captivity, the Babylonian captivity and the

utimate scattering of the Diaspora prophesied in Deuteronomy chapter 28, that does not mean that God’s dealings with them were wholly in vain. Always out of the many that were called there remained a few that was “chosen’. This does not mean as the modern day evangelicals have concluded that the Jews are God’s “chosen people”.  It also does not mean that they collectively retain some surety of promise to reign in a millennial kingdom yet future.  That having been said we can examine the truth in God’s vindication of the true Israel of God.

            The Old Testament lays a necessary foundation for a New Covenant. There never was an anticipation that the performance of the tenants of the law would result in the salvation of a people collectively. As we have been instructed in the tenth chapter of I Corinthians at verse 11: “Now all of these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.” Salvation has always been by faith. If you were to review the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews you would become very clear on that fact. Yes, “Wherefore, the law was a schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24) “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16)

            So when we investigate the Scriptures beyond a cursory examination of their content we will find that there is only one Israel in God’s plan. That discovery is not apparently obvious to many who profess to believe the Bible to be the word of God for they have discovered not one but two Israels, both of which according their doctrine have a kingdom destiny. They have the church in heaven for eternity and the Jewish nation (Israel after the flesh) ruling in an earthly millennial kingdom. Will the Scriptures support this heresy? Absolutely Not!!

            Let us examine the New Testament covenant to verify the truth so that the mystery of God may be revealed. Beginning in the Book of Romans written by the Apostle Paul we read at verses 28 and 29: “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.”  Paul further clarifies his argument later in the same epistle at Romans 9:6-8. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, which are of Israel: neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children: but in Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is the children of the flesh; these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” And again looking further in the Book of Galatians: “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, and to seeds, as of many: but as of one,

And to thy seed, which is Christ…….And if ye are Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  (Galatians 3:16 and 29).

            The doctrines of Christian Zionists and Dispensationalists have introduced a great heresy into the Christian church which has affected literally millions and brought great harm to the clear preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. God is not a respecter of persons as Peter so aptly declared at Acts 10:34-35 when he proclaimed: “I perceive that God is no respecter of persons. But in every nation he that feareth him, and seeketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”  And again we repeat: “And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:16).  I recommend my recent title: The Israel Deception.  It will help you immensely to understand the truths of Scripture. Unfortunately there are millions of Christians who have accepted the deceptions of Dispensational theology and Christian Zionism.

David Lance Dean                                      See my blogs:  theseprophets.blogspot.com