"The Israel Of God"

 

By

Paul Schlegel

 

Gal.6:16  (Gal. 6:16  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. )

 

How often have people been asked to pray for the peace of Israel & Jerusalem?  How often have you heard the tradition that you, even though you are a Christian, are a Gentile & that the natural Jew is still the chosen of God?  We would say like Paul, "I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery." Ro.11:25.  [ Rom. 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; ]

 

"A Chosen Generation"

 

In the New Testament it is Christians only, & never natural Jews, who are revealed as God's "CHOSEN GENERATION" & God's "HOLY NATION."  [ 1Pet. 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,  5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  9 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 marvellous light:  10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ].

 

Another common fallacy which hides truth, is that natural Israel is 'THE ELECT" of God. To be as brief as possible, we will just list for your own study, a few of the main key scriptures showing beyond doubt that it can only be the New Testament "church" who are God's elect -[  Matt. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matt. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Rom. 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.  Rom. 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 1Pet. 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1Pet. 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 2Pet.1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  ] .

 

We begin this booklet with some valid biblical questions. We believe we shall give the biblical answers. Many are they who ask, 'Who are God's chosen people in the earth today?'' Who are His elect? Are they of the natural seed of the children of Israel? Are they the "Jews" according to their natural lineage? Are God's chosen biblical people the church of Jesus Christ? Are both the Jews & Christians to be rightful heirs of God's covenants of promise? A popular teaching is that the natural Jews are God's chosen covenant people & some even go so far as saying that any kind of concept of the 'kingdom of God" is strictly Jewish in nature.

 

It is commonly implied that the church must be raptured into heaven so that God can renew His separate program with the natural Jew. But is this truth? Is He going to remarry her in her present state? Is the law which is only temporary (Heb. 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. Heb. 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. ), able to somehow in the future, disannul the Abrahamic covenant / Psa. 105:6-11:  O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.  7 He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.  8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.  9 Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;  10 And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:  11 Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance: ) of which the church is now the ONLY partaker through the blood of Jesus Christ? Before one can answer these questions satisfactorily, we must find out just to whom the Abrahamic covenant pertains.

 

In the letter of the word there appears to be two chosen covenant peoples--even two major covenants. But are there? It has been well said, that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, & the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The purpose of this study is to reveal that the whole Bible teaches only ONE acceptable seed, ONE family, ONE all-encompassing covenant, ONE ISRAEL nation as the true covenant "children of the living God." ( Rom. 9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. ) This "NEW covenant" (Heb. 8:8 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: ) , "NEW Testament"  [ Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ] promised seed has been sown, & is risen to REPLACE the "OLD covenant" [Heb. 8:9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. ] , "OLD Testament"  [Heb. 9:18 Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. ] chosen seed, & its unfruitful, ineffective but once necessary life has passed out of God's present progressive workings, just as sure as have works of the Old Testament law -  [Heb. 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. Heb. 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Heb. 10:1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. ].

 

Israel, of the Old Test. is a type & shadow of the "first man Adam", "the old man", the natural body. Whereas the new Israel of the New Test. is of the "last Adam", the "new creation", a spiritual body. Also, in a general type, we see God had in Old Test. times, two chosen corporate bodies of sons for a blessing. The firstborn was Jacob, typifying Israel OF THE FLESH -[Ex. 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:  Hos. 11:1 When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. ]  The second born body [the firstborn of the N.T.] was OF THE SPIRIT - Mat. chptr.1;  [1Cor. 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.  14 For the body is not one member, but many. Gen. 25:23 And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. ] we also see two nations, a fleshly [natural Israel] & a spiritual [true "Israel of God"] wherein "the elder [in type to the regenerated spirit] shall serve [minister to] the younger [natural Israel of the flesh]."  [ Rom. 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. ]

 

"A Natural Body...A Spiritual Body"

 

Israel of old was chosen as the firstfruits nation of the fallen Adamic seed to receive & carry the revelation of the creative, redemptive, & restorative principles & promises of God Almighty -  [Is. 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. Rom. 3:2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. Rom. 9:4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; ] . It was revealed to them long ago, "I the Lord am holy, & have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.''  [Lev. 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine. Ex. 6:7 And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.  8 And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the LORD. Ex. 19:5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:  6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Ex. 33:16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Deut. 7:6 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.  7 The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: Deut. 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Is. 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Amos 3:2 You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities. ] God later divorced Israel on the grounds of fornication & adultery [ Jer. 3:1 They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.  2 Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness.  21 A voice was heard upon the high places, weeping and supplications of the children of Israel: for they have perverted their way, and they have forgotten the LORD their God.  22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God.  23 Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel.  ]  & has married another woman, the N.T. church - [Rom. 7:4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. ]

 

"I will call them my people which were not my people : & her beloved, which was not beloved."  [Rom. 9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. ]. So when Christ, the firstfruit seed of the second & last Adamic creation man of the new order kingdom came  [1Cor. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.  45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.  46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.  47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.  48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.  49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.  50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. ] , His earthly seed of the old Adamic kingdom order, received Him not - [Is. 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.  John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. ] . Nor could they. God has blinded them in part in similarity to all others  [Rom. 11:32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. ]  in their inherent unbelief -  [Rom. 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: ]  It is all according to God's great plan of redemption & eternal purpose of which He & not man is in total control -  [Eph. 1:9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:  10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:  11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:  12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.  13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,  14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. ] ; Eph. chptr. 3.   In type, "the first man [son, seed, Israel] is OF THE EARTH: the second man [Christ, seed, spirit. Israel] is [OF] THE LORD FROM HEAVEN."  [1Cor. 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. ]. The seed of Israel was first divinely sown a natural body or earthly nation. Through Christ, it is now being raised up as a spiritual body, a spiritual nation after the principle of  [John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 1Cor. 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: ]  So we see even now, "there is a natural body [in death] & there is a spiritual body" [in life] -  [1Cor. 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. ]    There was an old nature but now in God's progressive work of redemption through Christ it is becoming a new nature. Whereas at one time natural Israel was the chosen nation, now spiritual Israel is that nation. The covenant seed is no longer carried through a natural body & lineage of people but through a new order spiritual body or lineage.

 

Now, only in Christ Jesus, "BY ONE SPIRIT are WE ALL baptized into ONE [new spiritual] BODY [nation], whether we be JEWS or GENTILES whether we be bond or free; & have ALL been made to drink into ONE SPIRIT." [1Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. ] The covenant of His peace  [Is. 54:10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. ] has not been totally removed from Israel, but is superseded by the gospel of the kingdom. Now "He hath called, NOT OF THE JEWS ONLY, but ALSO OF THE GENTILES."  [Rom. 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? ]

 

The fore-ordained plan [Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. ] of redemption & restoration has been graciously expanded in provision to include not only the natural [but no longer exclusive] seed of Israel, but ALL NATIONS, peoples, kindred's & tongues of the earth. God said, I will pour out My Spirit upon ALL FLESH."  [1John 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.  Acts 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;  17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:  19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:  20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:  21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:  23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:  24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. ] See also. [Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.  36 The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.  10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?  11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. Rom. 2:10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Rom. 9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?  25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.  26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. Rom. 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Rev. 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Rev. 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ] etc. Now in God's eyes, "there is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW & the Greek" Rom. 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. in either their regenerate or unregenerate state. "There is no respect [partiality, favoritism] of persons with God  [Rom. 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God. Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Eph. 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. ] in blessing or in judgment.

 

Israel constantly broke all the old covenants under the law - [Mal. 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?  8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.  9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.  10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.  12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.  13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?  14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?  15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.  16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.  17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.  18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. ] . Now there is of necessity in effect a "NEW" and "BETTER Covenant", "established upon BETTER PROMISES" (Heb. 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.  7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.  8 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:  9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.  10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.  12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.  13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. Heb. 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. ]  wherein there has also been "A CHANGE in the priesthood & A CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW." [ Heb. 7:12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. ] . Christ, the new high priest & newly revealed King [ Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:  33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. ] , "TAKETH AWAY THE FIRST [covenant, law, even the old Adamic order of kings & priests] that He may establish the second [ Rev. 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. ]  by the which will we [of the new covenant law & nature] are sanctified [being set apart forever as kings & priests in a new holy body, city, nation, earth] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL."[  Heb. 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ] . This is now part of His continuous covenant offering for all, including natural Israel, [but this time] by a NEW & living way - [ Heb. 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;  17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.  18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.  19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; ] ; See also ..2Cor. chptr.3.

 

Jesus has been "made a surety of A BETTER TESTAMENT.'' [ Heb. 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. ] . A new kingdom seed of incorruptible life has come forth out of the shell of the old - Jn.12:24 [John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. ] ; [ 1Cor. 15:36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:  37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain:  38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. ] . Now Shiloh has come, & "the sceptre [rod, stick, branch, clan, tribe] of righteousness" has passed from the kingdom & seed of the natural Jews [Judah] to the kingdom of God & His newly created seed through Jesus Christ - Gen. 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Psa. 45:6 Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre. Heb. 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. ] . Because of Christ, "OLD things [even of the old covenant] are passed away, behold ALL THINGS [pertaining to the covenant] are become NEW." [ 2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ] .

 

The natural born Jews & Israelites ultimate inheritance as a special chosen nation is no longer in effect through their natural seed lineage & observance of the old law. It is in the new "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" [ Rom. 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. ]  wherein the promises of inheritance are found. Paul questions, "Is He the God of the Jews only?''  [ Rom. 3:29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: ] . Specifically, "the law & the prophets were UNTIL JOHN only - [ Luke 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. ] . All the O.T. law & also the prophets promises have been fulfilled, or are being fulfilled [ Matt. 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. ]  in Christ & His New Testament spiritual seed body Rom. 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:  4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Gal. 6:2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Is. 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. ] .

 

"His Seed"

 

Because of the New Covenant promises which now are only "in Christ Jesus", "neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but [only] A NEW CREATURE" [ Gal. 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. ] --a new creation man & holy nation brought forth in the living seed of "faith which worketh by love." [  Gal. 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ] . "And as many as walk according to this rule [standard of faith & practice], peace be on them, & mercy,

 

upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD." [ Gal. 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. ] .

 

The Galatians Paul spoke to were not Israel, for the most part. Israel "according to the flesh'' [ Rom. 9:3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: ] , but only through faith were become part of a new spiritual creation & a new spiritual nation. No one can be a subject or citizen of this true & now exclusive "Israel OF GOD" [Israel OF THE SPIRIT] until they become a new creature. The only way either a Jew or a Gentile can become a citizen in this new "COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL" [ Eph. 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ]  is to recognize, accept, & live under the governmental dominion of Him, who even now, is "a governor that shall rule MY PEOPLE ISRAEL." [ Matt. 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. ] . '"Therefore, if ANY MAN be in Christ, he is a NEW creature" [ 2Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ] , "born again'' [ John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. ]  of a "HEAVENLY FATHER" & of "the Jerusalem which is ABOVE.''  [ Gal. 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ] . Born of the promised seed & a higher order of man's faith, even "the faith OF Jesus Christ." [ Gal. 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom. 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ] . These now are "HIS PEOPLE.''  [ Rev. 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. ]. These are "HIS SEED" [ Is. 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. ]  according to His covenant promises.

 

If the Bible says only those who have been "born again, not of CORRUPTIBLE SEED [flesh lineage], but of Incorruptible by the word [Spirit seed] of God" (1Ptr.1:23; 1Jn.3:9), are the "Israel of God", then all others apart from this including they who are the natural flesh seed of Jews &/or Israelites, are no longer in any way a part of the now acceptable "Israel of God." It is a truth that only "IN THE LORD [Jesus Christ] shall ALL THE SEED OF ISRAEL be justified, & shall glory." Isa.45:25.  [1Pet. 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. ] [Is. 45:25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. ]

 

There shall ever be only one valid & worthy Israel people. The covenant seed no longer is propagated in natural blood but is transmitted & reproduced in the spiritual blood covenant of Christ -Heb. 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.  13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:  14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Matt. 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. ] . Jesus said that His kingdom & all that it involved was not only with the Jews of this world but only with those that hear His voice of truth - John 18:35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?  36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.  37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. ] .

 

"Israel after the flesh"

 

It is plain in the scriptures that the born again church & not the Jews, are the true Israel of God. "That which is born of the flesh is [remains] flesh [even natural Israel], & that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.... ye must be born again" [ John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.]

 to see, enter or inherit, & partake of the promises of God's new nation & kingdom. The natural seed of Israel are now nothing more than "Israel after the flesh." [ 1Cor. 10:18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? ] . "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh & blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." [ 1Cor. 15:50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.].

 

This is just as true of the freshly lineage of the Jew or any other nationality as it is of the Adamic nature of man. The word of God clearly declares that it is the present eternal spiritual body of true blood bought, born again believers called the "church"

 

(Eph. 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. ] , who alone are "Abraham's seed", "the children of promise... counted for the seed", "the elect", "Jews", "the circumcision", God's "holy nation", God's "chosen generation", and "the holy city, New Jerusalem.''

 

In the Old Testament "the children of Israel", "the children of the stock of Abraham" [ Acts 13:26 Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. ]  according to flesh descendants, through natural blood, were accounted as the righteous seed of God. It was a natural seed, & God has fulfilled some natural promises for them in the earth. But in the New Testament, only the "children of God'' who also are "the children of the resurrection", which includes born again Jews & Israelites, are counted worthy for the spiritual seed -[ Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage:  36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.]

 

The natural Israelites &/or Jews were sure that they were the lone progeny of the seed of Abraham which God had promised to bless. They still believe this, even though Jesus told them in no uncertain terms, [ John 8:37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.  38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.  39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.  40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.  41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.  43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.  44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.]  He told them of a truth that neither Abraham, nor God was their father but that they were "of your father the devil." Jn.8:44. So are all the unsaved considered to be under the power of Satan - [ Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.]

 

Those religious ones which rejected Christ, were no longer to be considered true Jews [ Rom. 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 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. ], & John saw them to be of the church of Satan - [ Rev. 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.  Rev. 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.] . They are considered the same as the unsaved Greeks or any other nationality, in contrast to "the church of God." [ 1Cor. 10:32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:]  . Flesh lineage now profits nothing -[  Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. ] . Contrary to present popular belief there is actually only ONE TRUE SEED of Abraham [ Gal. 3:16 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. ] in whom God is working. ONE CHURCH! Not two! The Lord has only ONE OVERALL PLAN and program of redemption, restoration, & salvation working in His creation. There is no longer one special plan for the Gentiles & another for the Jews.

 

Peter declared that God's present working is to "put NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US & THEM, purifying their hearts by faith." [ Acts 15:9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.   Rom. 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. ] . There is but  [ Eph.4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;]  . Does God not now justify the CIRCUMCISION and the UNCIRCUMCSION equally through ONE FAITH?  [ Rom. 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ] . Are natural Jews any better or any more worthy or righteous than non Jews? [ Rom. 11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.  32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. ]. "As it is written, there is none righteous, no NOT ONE." [ Rom. 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;  10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: ].

 

"Abraham's Seed"

 

In Christ Jesus, are we not now all made even of ONE FAITH & "ONE BODY  [ 1Cor. 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.  Col.3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.] , "where there is NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW, CIRCUMCISION OR UNCIRCUMCISION?"  [ Col. 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.] . Is God not now in the process of making both the natural Israelite & the Gentile nations "BOTH ONE, for to make IN HIMSELF OF TWAIN ONE NEW MAN"? ..."that He might reconcile BOTH [basic groups-Jew & Gentile] unto God IN ONE BODY by the cross having slain the enmity thereby.''  [ Eph. 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;  15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;  16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: .]

 

It was revealed to Paul that all other peoples & nations also "are BUILDED TOGETHER for an habitation of God THROUGH THE SPIRIT." [ Eph. 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.] . Natural Israelites are being builded together Now in the same way & same time periods as anyone from any nationality. They must also be built on the foundation of Christ by grace & faith! "For [now] by ONE SPIRIT are we ALL baptized into ONE BODY, WHETHER WE BE JEWS OR GENTILES [Greeks]." [ 1Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.] . Paul also told the Galatian Gentiles, "There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. And IF YE BE CHRIST'S [born again of His seed of faith, into His spiritual family], [only] THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, & HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE."  [ Gal. 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.  29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. ]. Yes, ye are "HEIRS OF THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM" [ Gal. 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. ] because ye are born "HEIRS OF THE GRACE OF LIFE." [ 1Pet. 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.  Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. ]

 

There is only ONE righteous spiritual seed or people in the earth unto whom all remaining & unfulfilled covenant promises made to Abraham & his seed apply. The fulfilled earthly promises include "the uttermost part of the earth" for their possession - [ Psa. 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  Psa.37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.  10 For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.  11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.  Is. 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.] . "For the PROMISE that he should be HEIR OF THE WORLD, [not just that tiny land of Israel in the middle East], was not to Abraham or his seed [singular] through the righteousness of law but through the righteousness of FAITH." [ Rom. 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.  Matt. 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.] . "Know ye therefore that THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH [no longer Abraham's imputed faith, but Christ's], THE SAME ARE [now the only seed recognized by God as] THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM." [ Gal. 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.] . What promises? "The PROMISE which was made unto THE FATHERS, GOD HATH FULFILLED THE SAME unto US THEIR CHILDREN, in that He hath raised up JESUS" [ Acts 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,  33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. ]  to FULFILL THE PROMISE IN HIMSELF & His seed. God hath raised Him up "that the GENTILES should BE FELLOWHEIRS, & OF THE SAME BODY & PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL." [ Eph. 3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:  7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.  8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;   Rom. 15:8 Now I say that  Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: .]

 

Paul writes to the Galatian brethren who were before their conversion, Gentile & "without God", explaining "that THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM [even the gift of faith to believe], might came on THE GENTILES [Grk: ethnos" meaning--nation of heathen, pagan, unbelieving....all unbelieving nations at that time, including natural Israel - [ Luke 7:5 For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.   Luke 23:2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.   John 11:48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.  49 And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,  50 Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.  51 And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;  52 And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. ] THROUGH JESUS CHRIST: that WE might receive THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH...Now to Abraham & HIS SEED were THE PROMISES MADE. He saith not, And TO SEEDS AS OF MANY; but AS OF ONE, & TO THY SEED, which IS CHRIST." [ Gal. 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.  15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man’s covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.  16 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. ].

 

There is no separate redemptive covenant for the natural Jewish seed. This is the ONLY SEED that "should come, to whom THE PROMISE was made."  [ Gal. 3:19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.]  . This ONE SEED is "the REMNANT of Jacob" [ Mic. 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. ], "the REMNANT OF ISRAEL" [ Mic. 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. ] , even those who are saved [ Rom. 9:27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: ] "according to the election of grace."  [ Rom. 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ].

 

The yet unsaved Jew or Israelite is ABRAHAM'S [natural] SEED but no longer Christ's. Only if you, or they, "be Christ's, THEN YE ARE ABRAHAM'S SEED [also] & HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE [New Covenant] PROMISE." [ Gal. 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. ] . Therefore, in God's eye's the natural JEW is now the same as any other unbelieving Gentile in stature, because he can no longer be justified merely "by the law of Moses."  [Acts 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.   Rom. 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.   30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. ].

 

"Children of Promise"

 

In Abraham's son Isaac [a type of Christ] was THE PROMISE of God's eonian COVENANT [ Gen. 17:19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.  Gen. 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.  Gen. 22:18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice. ] which was first given to Abraham - Gen. 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. [ Gen. 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.  Gen. 15:5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.  Gen. 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:  Gen. 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.  5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.  6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.  7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.  8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.  Gen. 17:13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.  Acts 3:25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.  26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. ] etc.

 

"NOW WE [Christ's] BRETHREN AS ISAAC WAS ARE THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE."  [ Gal. 4:28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.   Rom. 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ] . The natural physical descendants of the JEWISH nationality are not! "Of this man's SEED [David - Isaac's flesh lineage] hath God ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE raised unto Israel A SAVIOUR, JESUS" [ Acts 13:23 Of this man’s seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus:  Rom.15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: ] , & through Him beloved ones born of Christ, you "THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE ARE COUNTED FOR THE SEED." [  Rom. 9:8 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.  9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son. ] . Paul's KINSMEN according to the flesh, who are Israelites, were ONLY of the natural seed of Israel. Paul was "born again" of the SPIRITUAL SEED which had its former natural roots in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc. & now finds its fulfillment only in the mature vine, branches, & fruit of Christ - Jn. chptr. 15;  [ Matt. 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.   Rom. 15:12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. ].

 

So we find not all are "Israel of God" which are of natural Israel [ Rom. 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: ] ; but now only are these people found, in the partaking of the PROMISED BLESSING of Abraham that comes of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ - Gal. 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.   Rom. 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:  6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: ] . "Therefore it is OF FAITH [the faith OF Christ alone - [ Rom. 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ] that it might be by GRACE: TO THE END THE PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE TO ALL THE SEED; not to that only which is of the law [even natural Israel], but to that [spiritual seed] also which is OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM; WHO IS THE FATHER OF US ALL" [ Rom. 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, ], both Romans [etc.] & Jew ALIKE.

 

IN CHRIST "THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN & EARTH is named."[ Eph. 3:15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, ] . ONE CORPORATE FAMILY under the headship of Christ. Yea, through Abraham's seed chosen of God in the beginning, & finally through Christ's seed in the ages end "shall ALL THE FAMILIES of the EARTH BE BLESSED" [ Gen. 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. ] . Therein, in eventual fulfillment of promise, even "ALL [natural] ISRAEL SHALL, BE SAVED." Rom.11:26 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: ] . The Lord who cannot lie saith, "My counsel shall stand & I shall do ALL my pleasure"concerning the things that are not yet done - [ Is. 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:  Psa. 33:11 The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ].

 

In summary,

• we see that the church is Abraham's promised seed, not the Christ rejecting Jews.

• All the promises in the Old Test. not yet fulfilled are for the Christians, who only, are the children of the promise.

• Isaac, the natural child of the promise, came as a result of a supernatural union & birth promised to Abraham & Sarah   (Gen.l8) pointing to Jesus Christ, the New Testament spiritual Son of promise, who also was born of a supernatural      seed & union [Luke 1:35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power      of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God]

 

• Paul said to the Galatian believers, that we, as Isaac was, are the children of promise because we too have had a supernatural election & birth, being born again from above.

 

• So who is God's Israel? They are non other than the church, the body of Christ & the bride to be. A real Israelite is one who has power with God & with man. A proven, tried, tested & faithful one - Gen. chptr. 32.

 

"The Circumcision"

 

Now take a look at who Paul said the true Jews were. 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;& CIRCUMCISION is that OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT, & not in the letter [or outward freshly lineage], whose praise is not of men, but of God." [ Rom. 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 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. ] . Speaking to the New Covenant church at Colosse he said, "Ye are CIRCUMCISED with the.... CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST."[  Col. 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  ] . These are now the blessed JEWS. These are the chosen Israelites. ONE SEED, ONE BODY, ONE NATION, who have faith in one God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Paul received all his understanding in all this by revelation from God [ Eph. 3:1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,  2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:  3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,  4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)  5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;  6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:   Gal. 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. ] , & not through vain tradition of man. The New Testament. criterion of the Lord is that Israel would bring forth fruit that is constant with the repentance they profess. Many of the prophets had said that if she rejected God she would be pulled up by the roots, & so she was -  [ Matt. 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  Matt. 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. ] ; Rom. chptr. 1. Jesus is declared to be the new vine, & "the branches"consist of a newly created people called from every nation (Jn.15) to now form "the Israel of God!' Natural Israel are "natural branches" & descendants of a natural seed only - Ro. chptr. 11.  [ John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.  9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.  11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.  18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.  20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.  21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.  22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin.  23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.  24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.  25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.  26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:  27 And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. ] [ Rom. 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.  2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,  3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life.  4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.  5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.  9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them:  10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.  11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.  12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?  13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:  14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.  15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?  16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.  17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.  20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:  21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.  22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.  23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.  24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?  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 fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  26 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:  27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.  28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.  29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.  30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:  31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.  32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.  33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!  34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?  35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?  36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. ]

 

The Christian church is also the circumcision. Paul said to the Galatian church who are not Jews by nature, brethren, "WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the Spirit, & rejoice in Christ Jesus, & have no confidence in the flesh." [  Phil. 3:1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.  2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision.  3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.  Col. 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:  2Cor. 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. ] . Now, "it is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing" [ John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. ] , neither in natural Jewish or Israelite lineage, circumcision, sacrifices, ceremonies, works of the law, works of the flesh, or whatever.

 

Eph. chptr. 2 also contrasts the saved & the unsaved - vs. 11, 12. "Wherefore remember, that ye [Ephesian saints & faithful in Christ -  [ Eph. 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: ] being in times past GENTILES IN THE FLESH, WHO ARE CALLED UNCIRCUMCISION. ..at that time [ye were once called Gentiles because] ye were without Christ being aliens from THE [natural & now the new creation of a spiritual] COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, & strangers from THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, having no hope...NOW IN CHRIST JESUS...ARE MADE NIGH [joined] BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST." [ Eph. 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;  12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ]

 

How often have people been asked to pray for the peace of Israel & Jerusalem?  How often have you heard the tradition that you, even though you are a Christian, are a Gentile & that the natural Jew is still the chosen of God?  We would say like Paul, "I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery." Ro.11:25. [ Rom. 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 fulness of the Gentiles be come in. ]

 

"A Chosen Generation"

 

In the New Testament it is Christians only, & never natural Jews, who are revealed as God's "CHOSEN GENERATION" & God's "HOLY NATION.". [ 1Pet. 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,  2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,  5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,  8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.  9 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 marvellous light:  10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. ] "They that are with Him [Christ] are called, & CHOSEN" (Rev. 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.  2Th. 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:  John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.  Eph. 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ] etc.) as was Christ Himself -  [ Matt. 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.  Luke 23:35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. ] . Peter was writing to Christians (vs.2), newborn babes (vs.5), "lively stones", to a spiritual, not a natural house or people, who are "an holy priesthood' ' (vs.6), "ELECT & PRECIOUS." The lord Jesus has become the chief cornerstone of all these new & living stones. He is building only ONE spiritual nation, ONE spiritual temple! "This is the Lord's doing & it is marvelous in our eyes."  [ Matt. 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? ] . Truly, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."  [ Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. ] .

 

It was before said to natural Israel, "Think not to say within yourselves, WE [only] HAVE ABRAHAM TO OUR FATHER: for I say..that God is able [out] of these stones [or any other substance that is even apart from your natural birthright & the hardness of your hearts], to raise up Children UNTO ABRAHAM. And NOW ALSO the axe is laid to the root of the trees."  [ Matt. 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.  10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. ]

 

As we have said, to be an Israelite of the promised seed, one must now be bringing forth good fruit of the spirit from "good ground" & not of the flesh, either in 30, 60, or up to 100 fold in God's spiritual measure -  [ Matt. 13:23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. ] . Because the religious system of Israel rejected Christ as the chief cornerstone & bearer of good fruit, Jesus said to the Jews, 'The kingdom of God [& the exclusiveness of all it seemed to you to involve] shall be taken from you [as a natural literal nation], & given to A [newly incorporated spiritual] NATION bringing forth the fruits thereof." . So it was!  [ Matt. 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.  Rom. 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.  Rom. 11:30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: ] .

 

Beloved in Christ, there is that portion of the kingdom & holy nation that you can partake of even now. For now, you the church, not the earthly nation of Israel are "A CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, AN HOLY NATION, a peculiar people."  [ 2Pet. 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: ]. It is true that natural Israel is still able to obtain all God's promises [ Rom. 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,  Rom. 11:23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again.  24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? ] that they might be fulfilled, but in truth, they are to be found only in & through their salvation & faith in Christ. The "fulness" of the Jews [ Rom. 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? ]  & "the fulness of the Gentiles" [ Rom. 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 fulness of the Gentiles be come in.]  shall be totally fulfilled "in the dispensation of the fulness of times." [  Eph. 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: ] . There is ONE WAY all must come - [  Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? ] . That way is not through natural lineage & inheritance but through the inheritance of God's grace found in, Jesus Christ the Lord. There is only ONE new covenant, ONE New Testament, written for all mankind.

 

"The Elect"

 

Another common fallacy which hides truth, is that natural Israel is 'THE ELECT" of God. To be as brief as possible, we will just list for your own study, a few of the main key scriptures showing beyond doubt that it can only be the New Testament "church" who are God's elect - Mat.24:22, 31; Ro.11:5-7; 8:33; 1Ptr.l:1, 2; 5:13; 2Ptr.1:10. [  Matt. 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. Matt. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Rom. 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.  6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.  7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blindedRom. 8:33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 1Pet. 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1Pet. 5:13 The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son. 2Pet. 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:  ] .  To the Colosse believers Paul states, 'There is neither GREEK NOR JEW, CIRCUMCISION OR UNCIRCUMCISION...but CHRIST IS ALL IN ALL. Put on therefore, AS THE ELECT OF GOD, holy & beloved, bowels of mercy...even as CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, so also do ye."  [ Col. 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;  13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. ] .

 

Who is now & shall yet be a part of "the New Jerusalem"? The natural Jews? Israelites? Most assuredly, but ONLY when they become a spiritual Jew in a totally new & different nation--citizens of a new city, a new government. They must come through Christ in the same manner as any nationality before they can become new citizens of this heavenly [spiritual] Jerusalem in the kingdom of God. What was Abraham looking for? -  [ Heb. 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.  12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.  13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.  15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.  16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. ] . He found the promised land of earthly Jerusalem but the fulfillment of the hope was to be part of "a city which hath foundations, whose builder & maker is God." Natural Israel "hath NOT OBTAINED [the fulfillment of] that which he seeketh for; BUT THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED) IT." [ Rom. 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded] . Ye [as Christians, the only elect] are come [through grace] unto Mount Sion; & unto THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM...[in] to the general assembly & CHURCH of the firstborn (of Christ - [ Rom. 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.  Col. 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.  Heb. 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, ] .

 

"Jerusalem Which Is Above"

 

Look what Jesus said to the woman at the well, to the church that could drink of His living water. He was saying...now that grace & truth was to come through His presence, that "the hour cometh & NOW IS when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit & in truth.'' John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  Phil. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. ] . Many say, "that in Jerusalem [or in the literal holy land, the temple, or the church building] is the place where men OUGHT to worship - [ John 4:20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. ] . But the Bible tells us of a truth that no geographical place is necessary to worship Him as a true worshipper. We must worship the Father through Christ, with our hearts in willing service, not just with our lips -  [ Matt. 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  Ezek. 33:31 And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.  Is. 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: ] . All that matters is that we give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name - that we "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" [ Psa. 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.  Psa. 95:9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my work. ] , both "in spirit & in truth."

 

Beloved, there is a natural earthly Jerusalem which now is, & she is still in bondage with her earthly children - [  Gal. 4:25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. ] . In type of Hagar, this bond- woman is Israel [both spiritual & literal] after the flesh. This parallels in type with "Babylon the great, the MOTHER of harlots", that corrupt woman & city of Rev. chapters 17 & 18. Both can only gender bondage whether it be in the flesh or in the spirit. But the NEW "JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE IS THE MOTHER OF US ALL." [ Gal. 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. ] . She is the true spiritual mother & also natural progenitor of the multiplying church, the children of the promise, even the new creation Jews of [  Rom. 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:  29 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. ].

 

The faithful & obedient children of the New Jerusalem in the true "Israel of God" are being prepared & made ready [ Rev.19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. ], "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.'' [  Rev. 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. ] . In perfect holy union , "the bride, the Lamb's wife", "that great city the holy Jerusalem" [ Rev. 21:9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.  10 And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, ]  shall be called "the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord...a city not forsaken."[  Is. 62:12 And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken. ]. Unlike the forsaken literal city, they shall be called "a city of truth'' [ Zech. 8:13 And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong. ]  & "they shall call THEE, THE CITY OF THE LORD.' [ Is. 60:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. ] . This has nothing to do with the natural city of Jerusalem. "ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE GATHERED UNTO IT [the throne - headship rulership, authority of Christ in thee], TO THE NAME [SPIRIT NATURE] OF THE LORD, TO Jerusalem." [ Jer. 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.  Jer. 33:16 In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness. ].

 

Tradition has taught us that God's chosen are still the natural Jew, & that everything for us as a Christian is in heaven; that Jesus has to hurry up & rapture us out of the earth so that He can renew His program & another covenant with the chosen Jewish nation. But, if the Bible teaches us that we are His only chosen, & that only through ABRAHAM'S SEED, THE CHURCH, shall all the families of the earth he blessed, then we had better stop & reevaluate this issue. The cop out for far too long, has been--that much of the Bible's truth concerning Israel is part of another covenant and for another day or another people. Beloved, that is actually "another gospel."

 

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, THAT I WILL PERFORM THAT GOOD THING WHICH I HAVE PROMISED UNTO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL and TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH."   [ Jer. 33:14 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. ]

 

K. Ross McKay

 

Kingdom Resources

 

Sigler Ministries

 

www.sigler.org/mckay/israel.htm

 

ORIGINAL UNEDITED (No Scriptural References Added)

 

 

"The Israel Of God"

 

Gal.6:16

 

 

 

We begin this booklet with some valid biblical questions. We believe we shall give the biblical answers. Many are they who ask, 'Who are God's chosen people in the earth today?'' Who are His elect? Are they of the natural seed of the children of Israel? Are they the "Jews" according to their natural lineage? Are God's chosen biblical people the church of Jesus Christ? Are both the Jews & Christians to be rightful heirs of God's covenants of promise? A popular teaching is that the natural Jews are God's chosen covenant people & some even go so far as saying that any kind of concept of the 'kingdom of God" is strictly Jewish in nature.

 

It is commonly implied that the church must be raptured into heaven so that God can renew His separate program with the natural Jew. But is this truth? Is He going to remarry her in her present state? Is the law which is only temporary (Heb.7:12; 8:l3), able to somehow in the future, disannul the Abrahamic covenant (Psa.105:6-11) of which the church is now the ONLY partaker through the blood of Jesus Christ? Before one can answer these questions satisfactorily, we must find out just to whom the Abrahamic covenant pertains.

 

In the letter of the word there appears to be two chosen covenant peoples--even two major covenants. But are there? It has been well said, that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed, & the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed. The purpose of this study is to reveal that the whole Bible teaches only ONE acceptable seed, ONE family, ONE all-encompassing covenant, ONE ISRAEL nation as the true covenant "children of the living God." Ro. 9:26. This "NEW covenant" (Heb.8:8), "NEW Testament" (Heb.9:15) promised seed has been sown, & is risen to REPLACE the "OLD covenant" (Heb.8:9), "OLD Testament" (Heb.9:18) chosen seed, & its unfruitful, ineffective but once necessary life has passed out of God's present progressive workings, just as sure as have works of the Old Testament law - Heb.7:18; 8:13; 10:1.

 

Israel, of the Old Test. is a type & shadow of the "first man Adam", "the old man", the natural body. Whereas the new Israel of the New Test. is of the "last Adam", the "new creation", a spiritual body. Also, in a general type, we see God had in Old Test. times, two chosen corporate bodies of sons for a blessing. The firstborn was Jacob, typifying Israel OF THE FLESH - Ex.4:22; Hos.11:1. The second born body [the firstborn of the N.T.] was OF THE SPIRIT - Mat. chptr.1; 1Cor.12:12-14. In Gen.25:23 we also see two nations, a fleshly [natural Israel] & a spiritual [true "Israel of God"] wherein "the elder [in type to the regenerated spirit] shall serve [minister to] the younger [natural Israel of the flesh]." Ro.11:31.

 

"A Natural Body...A Spiritual Body"

 

Israel of old was chosen as the firstfruits nation of the fallen Adamic seed to receive & carry the revelation of the creative, redemptive, & restorative principles & promises of God Almighty - Isa.43:10; Ro.3:2; 9:4. It was revealed to them long ago, "I the Lord am holy, & have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.'' Lev. 20:26; Ex.6:7,8; 19:5, 6; 33:16; Deut.7:6, 7; 14:2; Isa.43:1; Am.3:2 etc. God later divorced Israel on the grounds of fornication & adultery (Jer. 3) & has married another woman, the N.T. church - Ro.7:4.

 

"I will call them my people which were not my people : & her beloved, which was not beloved." Ro.9:25. So when Christ, the firstfruit seed of the second & last Adamic creation man of the new order kingdom came (1Cor.15:44-50), His earthly seed of the old Adamic kingdom order, received Him not -Isa.53:3; Jn.1:11. Nor could they. God has blinded them in part in similarity to all others (Ro.11:32) in their inherent unbelief - Ro.11:20. It is all according to God's great plan of redemption & eternal purpose of which He & not man is in total control - Eph.1:9-14; Eph. chptr. 3.

 

In type, "the first man [son, seed, Israel] is OF THE EARTH: the second man [Christ, seed, spirit. Israel] is [OF] THE LORD FROM HEAVEN." 1Cor.15:47. The seed of Israel was first divinely sown a natural body or earthly nation. Through Christ, it is now being raised up as a spiritual body, a spiritual nation after the principle of Jn.12:24; 1Cor. 15:36. So we see even now, "there is a natural body [in death] & there is a spiritual body" [in life] - Cor. 15:44. There was an old nature but now in God's progressive work of redemption through Christ it is becoming a new nature. Whereas at one time natural Israel was the chosen nation, now spiritual Israel is that nation. The covenant seed is no longer carried through a natural body & lineage of people but through a new order spiritual body or lineage.

 

Now, only in Christ Jesus, "BY ONE SPIRIT are WE ALL baptized into ONE [new spiritual] BODY [nation], whether we be JEWS or GENTILES whether we be bond or free; & have ALL been made to drink into ONE SPIRIT."1Cor.12:13. The covenant of His peace (Isa.54:10) has not been totally removed from Israel, but is superseded by the gospel of the kingdom. Now "He hath called, NOT OF THE JEWS ONLY, but ALSO OF THE GENTILES." Ro.9:24.

 

The fore-ordained plan (Ac.4:28) of redemption & restoration has been graciously expanded in provision to include not only the natural [but no longer exclusive] seed of Israel, but ALL NATIONS, peoples, kindred's & tongues of the earth. God said, I will pour out My Spirit upon ALL FLESH." J1.2:28; Ac.2:16-24. See also.. Ac.9:15; 10:34-36; 15:9-11; Ro.2:10; 9:24-26; 10:12; Rev.14:6; 22:17 etc. Now in God's eyes, "there is NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW & the Greek" (Ro.10:12) in either their regenerate or unregenerate state. "There is no respect [partiality, favoritism] of persons with God (Ro.2:11; Ac.10:34; Eph.6:9] in blessing or in judgment.

 

Israel constantly broke all the old covenants under the law - Ma1..3:7-18. Now there is of necessity in effect a "NEW" and "BETTER Covenant", "established upon BETTER PROMISES" (Heb.8:6-13; 9:15) wherein there has also been "A CHANGE in the priesthood & A CHANGE ALSO OF THE LAW." Heb.7:12. Christ, the new high priest & newly revealed King (Lk. 1:32, 33), "TAKETH AWAY THE FIRST [covenant, law, even the old Adamic order of kings & priests] that He may establish the second (Rev.5:10) by the which will we [of the new covenant law & nature] are sanctified [being set apart forever as kings & priests in a new holy body, city, nation, earth] through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ ONCE FOR ALL." Heb. 10:10. This is now part of His continuous covenant offering for all, including natural Israel, [but this time] by a NEW & living way - Heb.10:16-20; 2Cor. chptr.3.

 

Jesus has been "made a surety of A BETTER TESTAMENT.'' Heb.7:22. A new kingdom seed of incorruptible life has come forth out of the shell of the old - Jn.12:24; 2Cor.15:36-38. Now Shiloh has come, & "the sceptre [rod, stick, branch, clan, tribe] of righteousness" has passed from the kingdom & seed of the natural Jews [Judah] to the kingdom of God & His newly created seed through Jesus Christ - Gen. 49:10; Psa.45:6; Heb.1:8. Becausee of Christ, "OLD things [even of the old covenant] are passed away, behold ALL THINGS [pertaining to the covenant] are become NEW." 2Cor.5:17.

 

The natural born Jews & Israelites ultimate inheritance as a special chosen nation is no longer in effect through their natural seed lineage & observance of the old law. It is in the new "law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Ro.8:2) wherein the promises of inheritance are found. Paul questions, "Is He the God of the Jews only?'' Ro.3:29. Specifically, "the law & the prophets were UNTIL JOHN only - Lk.16:16. All the O.T. law & also the prophets promises have been fulfilled, or are being fulfilled (Mat.5:17, 18) in Christ & His New Test. spiritual seed body - Ro.8:3, 4; Gal.6:2; Isa.53:10.

 

"His Seed"

 

Because of the New Covenant promises which now are only "in Christ Jesus", "neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but [only] A NEW CREATURE" (Gal.6:15)--a new creation man & holy nation brought forth in the living seed of "faith which worketh by love." Ga1.5:6. "And as many as walk according to this rule [standard of faith & practice], peace be on them, & mercy,

 

upon THE ISRAEL OF GOD." Gal.6:16.

 

The Galatians Paul spoke to were not Israel, for the most part. Israel "according to the flesh'' (Ro.9:3), but only through faith were become part of a new spiritual creation & a new spiritual nation. No one can be a subject or citizen of this true & now exclusive "Israel OF GOD" [Israel OF THE SPIRIT] until they become a new creature. The only way either a Jew or a Gentile can become a citizen in this new "COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL" (Eph.2:12) is to recognize, accept, & live under the governmental dominion of Him, who even now, is "a governor that shall rule MY PEOPLE ISRAEL." Mat.2:6. '"Therefore, if ANY MAN be in Christ, he is a NEW creature" (2Cor.5:17), "born again'' (Jn.3:7) of a "HEAVENLY FATHER" & of "the Jerusalem which is ABOVE.'' Ga1.4:26. Born of the promised seed & a higher order of man's faith, even "the faith OF Jesus Christ." Ga1.2:16; Ro.3:22. These now are "HIS PEOPLE.'' Rev. 21:3. These are "HIS SEED" (Isa.53:10) according to His covenant promises.

 

If the Bible says only those who have been "born again, not of CORRUPTIBLE SEED [flesh lineage], but of Incorruptible by the word [Spirit seed] of God" (1Ptr.1:23; 1Jn.3:9), are the "Israel of God", then all others apart from this including they who are the natural flesh seed of Jews &/or Israelites, are no longer in any way a part of the now acceptable "Israel of God." It is a truth that only "IN THE LORD [Jesus Christ] shall ALL THE SEED OF ISRAEL be justified, & shall glory." Isa.45:25.

 

There shall ever be only one valid & worthy Israel people. The covenant seed no longer is propagated in natural blood but is transmitted & reproduced in the spiritual blood covenant of Christ - Heb.9:12-14; Jn.1:13; Mat.26:28. Jesus said that His kingdom & all that it involved was not only with the Jews of this world but only with those that hear His voice of truth - Jn.18:35-37.

 

"Israel after the flesh"

 

It is plain in the scriptures that the born again church & not the Jews, are the true Israel of God. "That which is born of the flesh is [remains] flesh [even natural Israel], & that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit.... ye must be born again" (Jn.3:6,7) to see, enter or inherit, & partake of the promises of God's new nation & kingdom. The natural seed of Israel are now nothing more than "Israel after the flesh." 1Cor.l0:18. "Now this I say, brethren, that flesh & blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God." 1Cor.15:50.

 

This is just as true of the freshly lineage of the Jew or any other nationality as it is of the Adamic nature of man. The word of God clearly declares that it is the present eternal spiritual body of true blood bought, born again believers called the "church"

 

(Eph.1:22; Co1.1:18), who alone are "Abraham's seed", "the children of promise... counted for the seed", "the elect", "Jews", "the circumcision", God's "holy nation", God's "chosen generation", and "the holy city, New Jerusalem.''

 

In the Old Testament "the children of Israel", "the children of the stock of Abraham" (Ac.13:26) according to flesh descendants, through natural blood, were accounted as the righteous seed of God. It was a natural seed, & God has fulfilled some natural promises for them in the earth. But in the New Testament, only the "children of God'' who also are "the children of the resurrection", which includes born again Jews & Israelites, are counted worthy for the spiritual seed - Lk.20:35,36.

 

The natural Israelites &/or Jews were sure that they were the lone progeny of the seed of Abraham which God had promised to bless. They still believe this, even though Jesus told them in no uncertain terms, "I know that ye are Abraham's [natural] seed, but you seek to kill me because my [New Covenant] word has [yet found] no place in you...If ye were Abraham's children then you would do the works of Abraham." Jn.8:37-39. He told them of a truth that neither Abraham, nor God was their father but that they were "of your father the devil." Jn.8:44. So are all the unsaved considered to be under the power of Satan - Eph.2:1-3.

 

Those religious ones which rejected Christ, were no longer to be considered true Jews (Ro.2:28, 29), & John saw them to be of the church of Satan - Rev.2:9; 3:9. They are considered the same as the unsaved Greeks or any other nationality, in contrast to "the church of God." 1Cor.10:32. Flesh lineage now profits nothing - Lk.3:8; Jn.6:63. Contrary to present popular belief there is actually only ONE TRUE SEED of Abraham (Gal.3:16) in whom God is working. ONE CHURCH! Not two! The Lord has only ONE OVERALL PLAN and program of redemption, restoration, & salvation working in His creation. There is no longer one special plan for the Gentiles & another for the Jews.

 

Peter declared that God's present working is to "put NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US & THEM, purifying their hearts by faith." Ac.15:9; Ro.10:12. There is but "ONE BODY, & ONE SPIRIT, even as ye are called in ONE HOPE of your calling." Eph.4:4. Does God not now justify the CIRCUMCISION and the UNCIRCUMCSION equally through ONE FAITH? Ro.3:30. Are natural Jews any better or any more worthy or righteous than non Jews? Ro.11:31, 32. "As it is written, there is none righteous, no NOT ONE." Ro.3:9, 10.

 

"Abraham's Seed"

 

In Christ Jesus, are we not now all made even of ONE FAITH & "ONE BODY (1Cor.l2:l2; Co1.3:15), "where there is NEITHER GREEK NOR JEW, CIRCUMCISION OR UNCIRCUMCISION?" Co1.3:11. Is God not now in the process of making both the natural Israelite & the Gentile nations "BOTH ONE, for to make IN HIMSELF OF TWAIN ONE NEW MAN"? ..."that He might reconcile BOTH [basic groups-Jew & Gentile] unto God IN ONE BODY by the cross having slain the enmity thereby.'' Eph. 2:14-16.

 

It was revealed to Paul that all other peoples & nations also "are BUILDED TOGETHER for an habitation of God THROUGH THE SPIRIT." Eph. 2:22. Natural Israelites are being builded together Now in the same way & same time periods as anyone from any nationality. They must also be built on the foundation of Christ by grace & faith! "For [now] by ONE SPIRIT are we ALL baptized into ONE BODY, WHETHER WE BE JEWS OR GENTILES [Greeks]." 1Cor.12:13. Paul also told the Galatian Gentiles, "There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. And IF YE BE CHRIST'S [born again of His seed of faith, into His spiritual family], [only] THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM'S SEED, & HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE." Gal.3:28, 29. Yes, ye are "HEIRS OF THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM" (Gal.3:14) because ye are born "HEIRS OF THE GRACE OF LIFE." 1Ptr.3:7; Tit.3:7.

 

There is only ONE righteous spiritual seed or people in the earth unto whom all remaining & unfulfilled covenant promises made to Abraham & his seed apply. The fulfilled earthly promises include "the uttermost part of the earth" for their possession - Psa.l:8; 37:9-11; Isa.53:4. "For the PROMISE that he should be HEIR OF THE WORLD, [not just that tiny land of Israel in the middle East], was not to Abraham or his seed [singular] through the righteousness of law but through the righteousness of FAITH." Ro.4:13; Mat.5:5. "Know ye therefore that THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH [no longer Abraham's imputed faith, but Christ's], THE SAME ARE [now the only seed recognized by God as] THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM." Ga1.3:7. What promises? "The PROMISE which was made unto THE FATHERS, GOD HATH FULFILLED THE SAME unto US THEIR CHILDREN, in that He hath raised up JESUS" (Ac.13:32,33) to FULFILL THE PROMISE IN HIMSELF & His seed. God hath raised Him up "that the GENTILES should BE FELLOWHEIRS, & OF THE SAME BODY & PARTAKERS OF HIS PROMISE IN CHRIST BY THE GOSPEL." Eph.3:6-8; Ro.15:8.

 

Paul writes to the Galatian brethren who were before their conversion, Gentile & "without God", explaining "that THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM [even the gift of faith to believe], might came on THE GENTILES [Grk: ethnos" meaning--nation of heathen, pagan, unbelieving....all unbelieving nations at that time, including natural Israel - Lk. 7:5; 23:2; Jn.11:48-52] THROUGH JESUS CHRIST: that WE might receive THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT THROUGH FAITH...Now to Abraham & HIS SEED were THE PROMISES MADE. He saith not, And TO SEEDS AS OF MANY; but AS OF ONE, & TO THY SEED, which IS CHRIST." Ga1.3:14-16.

 

There is no separate redemptive covenant for the natural Jewish seed. This is the ONLY SEED that "should come, to whom THE PROMISE was made." Ga1.3:19. This ONE SEED is "the REMNANT of Jacob" (Mic.5:7), "the REMNANT OF ISRAEL" (Mic.2:12), even those who are saved (Ro.9:27) "according to the election of grace." Ro.11:5.

 

The yet unsaved Jew or Israelite is ABRAHAM'S [natural] SEED but no longer Christ's. Only if you, or they, "be Christ's, THEN YE ARE ABRAHAM'S SEED [also] & HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE [New Covenant] PROMISE." Ga1.3:29. Therefore, in God's eye's the natural JEW is now the same as any other unbelieving Gentile in stature, because he can no longer be justified merely "by the law of Moses." Ac.18:39; Ro.3:28:30.

 

"Children of Promise"

 

In Abraham's son Isaac [a type of Christ] was THE PROMISE of God's eonian COVENANT (Gen.17:19; 21:12; 22:18) which was first given to Abraham - Gen.l2:2, 3; 13:15; 15:5, 18; 17:4-8, 13; Ac.3:25, 26 etc. "NOW WE [Christ's] BRETHREN AS ISAAC WAS ARE THE CHILDREN OF PROMISE." Gal.4:28; Ro.9:7. The natural physical descendants of the JEWISH nationality are not! "Of this man's SEED [David - Isaac's flesh lineage] hath God ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE raised unto Israel A SAVIOUR, JESUS" (Ac.13:23; Ro.15:8), & through Him beloved ones born of Christ, you "THE CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE ARE COUNTED FOR THE SEED." Ro. 9:8, 9. Paul's KINSMEN according to the flesh, who are Israelites, were ONLY of the natural seed of Israel. Paul was "born again" of the SPIRITUAL SEED which had its former natural roots in Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc. & now finds its fulfillment only in the mature vine, branches, & fruit of Christ - Jn. chptr. 15; Mat.3:9; Ro.l5:12.

 

So we find not all are "Israel of God" which are of natural Israel (Ro.9:6); but now only are these people found, in the partaking of the PROMISED BLESSING of Abraham that comes of the Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ - Gal.3:14; Ro.1:5, 6. "Therefore it is OF FAITH [the faith OF Christ alone - Ro.3:22] that it might he by GRACE: TO THE END THE PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE TO ALL THE SEED; not to that only which is of the law [even natural Israel], but to that [spiritual seed] also which is OF THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM; WHO IS THE FATHER OF US ALL" (Ro.4:16), both Romans [etc.] & Jew ALIKE.

 

IN CHRIST "THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN & EARTH is named."Eph.3:15. ONE CORPORATE FAMILY under the headship of Christ. Yea, through Abraham's seed chosen of God in the beginning, & finally through Christ's seed in the ages end "shall ALL THE FAMILIES of the EARTH BE BLESSED" Gen.12:3. Therein, in eventual fulfillment of promise, even "ALL [natural] ISRAEL SHALL, BE SAVED." Ro.11:26. The Lord who cannot lie saith, "My counsel shall stand & I shall do ALL my pleasure"concerning the things that are not yet done -Isa.46:10; Psa.33:11.

 

In summary, we see that the church is Abraham's promised seed, not the Christ rejecting Jews. All the promises in the Old Test. not yet fulfilled are for the Christians, who only, are the children of the promise. Isaac, the natural child of the promise, came as a result of a supernatural union & birth promised to Abraham & Sarah (Gen.l8) pointing to Jesus Christ, the New Testament spiritual Son of promise, who also was born of a supernatural seed & union - Lk.1:35.

 

Paul said to the Galatian believers, that we, as Isaac was, are the children of promise because we too have had a supernatural election & birth, being born again from above. So who is God's Israel? They are non other than the church, the body of Christ & the bride to be. A real Israelite is one who has power with God & with man. A proven, tried, tested & faithful one - Gen. chptr. 32.

 

"The Circumcision"

 

Now take a look at who Paul said the true Jews were. 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;& CIRCUMCISION is that OF THE HEART, IN THE SPIRIT, & not in the letter [or outward freshly lineage], whose praise is not of men, but of God." Ro.2:28, 29. Speaking to the New Covenant church at Colosse he said, "Ye are CIRCUMCISED with the.... CIRCUMCISION OF CHRIST." Col.2:11. These are now the blessed JEWS. These are the chosen Israelites. ONE SEED, ONE BODY, ONE NATION, who have faith in one God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Paul received all his understanding in all this by revelation from God (Eph.3:1-6; Gal.1:12), & not through vain tradition of man. The New Test. criterion of the Lord is that Israel would bring forth fruit that is constant with the repentance they profess. Many of the prophets had said that if she rejected God she would be pulled up by the roots, & so she was - Mat.3:7-10; Mat.21:43; Ro.chptr. 1. Jesus is declared to be the new vine, & "the branches"consist of a newly created people called from every nation (Jn.15) to now form "the Israel of God!' Natural Israel are "natural branches" & descendants of a natural seed only - Ro. chptr. 11.

 

The Christian church is also the circumcision. Paul said to the Galatian church who are not Jews by nature, brethren, "WE ARE THE CIRCUMCISION, which worship God in the Spirit, & rejoice in Christ Jesus, & have no confidence in the flesh." Phil.3:1-3; Co1.2:11; 2Cor.5:16. Now, "it is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing" (Jn.6:63), neither in natural Jewish or Israelite lineage, circumcision, sacrifices, ceremonies, works of the law, works of the flesh, or whatever.

 

Eph. chptr. 2 also contrasts the saved & the unsaved - vs. 11, 12. "Wherefore remember, that ye [Ephesian saints & faithful in Christ - Eph.1:1] being in times past GENTILES IN THE FLESH, WHO ARE CALLED UNCIRCUMCISION. ..at that time [ye were once called Gentiles because] ye were without Christ being aliens from THE [natural & now the new creation of a spiritual] COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL, & strangers from THE COVENANTS OF PROMISE, having no hope...NOW IN CHRIST JESUS...ARE MADE NIGH [joined] BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST."

 

How often have people been asked to pray for the peace of Israel & Jerusalem? How often have you heard the tradition that you, even though you are a Christian, are a Gentile & that the natural Jew is still the chosen of God? We would say like Paul, "I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery." Ro.11:25.

 

"A Chosen Generation"

 

In the New Testament it is Christians only, & never natural Jews, who are revealed as God's "CHOSEN GENERATION" & God's "HOLY NATION." 1Ptr.2:1-lO. "They that are with Him [Christ] are called, & CHOSEN" (Rev.17:14; 2Ths.2:13; Jn.15:16; Eph.1:4 etc.) as was Christ Himself - Mat.12:18; Lk.23:35. Peter was writing to Christians (vs.2), newborn babes (vs.5), "lively stones", to a spiritual, not a natural house or people, who are "an holy priesthood' ' (vs.6), "ELECT & PRECIOUS." The lord Jesus has become the chief cornerstone of all these new & living stones. He is building only ONE spiritual nation, ONE spiritual temple! "This is the Lord's doing & it is marvelous in our eyes." Mat.21:42. Truly, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Lk.3:8.

 

It was before said to natural Israel, "Think not to say within yourselves, WE [only] HAVE ABRAHAM TO OUR FATHER: for I say..that God is able [out] of these stones [or any other substance that is even apart from your natural birthright & the hardness of your hearts], to raise up Children UNTO ABRAHAM. And NOW ALSO the axe is laid to the root of the trees." Mat.3:9,10.

 

As we have said, to be an Israelite of the promised seed, one must now be bringing forth good fruit of the spirit from "good ground" & not of the flesh, either in 30, 60, or up to 100 fold in God's spiritual measure - Mat.l3:23. Because the religious system of Israel rejected Christ as the chief cornerstone & bearer of good fruit, Jesus said to the Jews, 'The kingdom of God [& the exclusiveness of all it seemed to you to involve] shall be taken from you [as a natural literal nation], & given to A [newly incorporated spiritual] NATION bringing forth the fruits thereof." Mat.21:43. So it was! Ro.11:11, 30.

 

Beloved in Christ, there is that portion of the kingdom & holy nation that you can partake of even now. For now, you the church, not the earthly nation of Israel are "A CHOSEN generation, a royal priesthood, AN HOLY NATION, a peculiar people." 2Ptr.2:9. It is true that natural Israel is still able to obtain all God's promises (Ro.11:2, 23, 24) that they might be fulfilled, but in truth, they are to be found only in & through their salvation & faith in Christ. The "fulness" of the Jews (Ro.11:12) & "the fulness of the Gentiles" (Ro.11:25) shall be totally fulfilled "in the dispensation of the fulness of times." Eph.l:l0. There is ONE WAY all must come - Ac.3:12. That way is not through natural lineage & inheritance but through the inheritance of God's grace found in, Jesus Christ the Lord. There is only ONE new covenant, ONE New Testament, written for all mankind.

 

"The Elect"

 

Another common fallacy which hides truth, is that natural Israel is 'THE ELECT" of God. To be as brief as possible, we will just list for your own study, a few of the main key scriptures showing beyond doubt that it can only be the New Testament "church" who are God's elect - Mat.24:22, 31; Ro.11:5-7; 8:33; 1Ptr.l:1, 2; 5:13; 2Ptr.1:10. To the Colosse believers Paul states, 'There is neither CREEK NOR JEW, CIRCUMCISION OR UNCIRCUMCISION...but CHRIST IS ALL IN ALL. Put on therefore, AS THE ELECT OF GOD, holy & beloved, bowels of mercy...even as CHRIST FORGAVE YOU, so also do ye." Co1.3:12, 13.

 

Who is now & shall yet be a part of "the New Jerusalem"? The natural Jews? Israelites? Most assuredly, but ONLY when they become a spiritual Jew in a totally new & different nation--citizens of a new city, a new government. They must come through Christ in the same manner as any nationality before they can become new citizens of this heavenly [spiritual] Jerusalem in the kingdom of God. What was Abraham looking for? - Heb.11:10-16. He found the promised land of earthly Jerusalem but the fulfillment of the hope was to be part of "a city which hath foundations, whose builder & maker is God." Natural Israel "hath NOT OBTAINED [the fulfillment of] that which he seeketh for; BUT THE ELECTION HATH OBTAINED) IT." Ro.11:7. Ye [as Christians, the only elect] are come [through grace] unto Mount Sion; & unto THE CITY OF THE LIVING GOD THE HEAVENLY JERUSALEM...[in] to the general assembly & CHURCH of the firstborn (of Christ - Ro.8:29; Col.1:18)." Heb.12:23.

 

"Jerusalem Which Is Above"

 

Look what Jesus said to the woman at the well, to the church that could drink of His living water. He was saying...now that grace & truth was to come through His presence, that "the hour cometh & NOW IS when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit & in truth.'' Jn.4:23; Phi1.3:3. Many say, "that in Jerusalem [or in the literal holy land, the temple, or the church building] is the place where men OUGHT to worship - Jn.4:20. But the Bible tells us of a truth that no geographical place is necessary to worship Him as a true worshipper. We must worship the Father through Christ, with our hearts in willing service, not just with our lips - Mat.l5:8, 9; Ezk.33:31; Isa.29:13. All that matters is that we give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name - that we "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness" (Psa.29:2; 95:9), both "in spirit & in truth."

 

Beloved, there is a natural earthly Jerusalem which now is, & she is still in bondage with her earthly children - Gal.4:25. In type of Hagar, this bond- woman is Israel [both spiritual & literal] after the flesh. This parallels in type with "Babylon the great, the MOTHER of harlots", that corrupt woman & city of Rev. chapters 17 & 18. Both can only gender bondage whether it be in the flesh or in the spirit. But the NEW "JERUSALEM WHICH IS ABOVE IS THE MOTHER OF US ALL." Ga1. 4:26. She is the true spiritual mother & also natural progenitor of the multiplying church, the children of the promise, even the new creation Jews of Ro.2:28, 29.

 

The faithful & obedient children of the New Jerusalem in the true "Israel of God" are being prepared & made ready (Rev. 19:7), "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.'' Rev. 21:2. In perfect holy union , "the bride, the Lamb's wife", "that great city the holy Jerusalem" (Rev. 21:9, 10) shall be called "the holy people, the redeemed of the Lord...a city not forsaken." Isa.62:12. Unlike the forsaken literal city, they shall be called "a city of truth'' (Zec.8:13) & "they shall call THEE, THE CITY OF THE LORD.'' Isa.60:14. This has nothing to do with the natural city of Jerusalem. "ALL THE NATIONS SHALL BE GATHERED UNTO IT [the throne - headship rulership, authority of Christ in thee], TO THE NAME [SPIRIT NATURE] OF THE LORD, TO Jerusalem." Jer.3:17; 33:16.

 

Tradition has taught us that God's chosen are still the natural Jew, & that everything for us as a Christian is in heaven; that Jesus has to hurry up & rapture us out of the earth so that He can renew His program & another covenant with the chosen Jewish nation. But, if the Bible teaches us that we are His only chosen, & that only through ABRAHAM'S SEED, THE CHURCH, shall all the families of the earth he blessed, then we had better stop & reevaluate this issue. The cop out for far too long, has been--that much of the Bible's truth concerning Israel is part of another covenant and for another day or another people. Beloved, that is actually "another gospel."

 

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, THAT I WILL PERFORM

 

THAT GOOD THING WHICH I HAVE PROMISED

 

UNTO THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL

 

and

 

TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH."

 

Jer.33:14

 

K. Ross McKay

 

Kingdom Resources

 

Sigler Ministries