The Church Is Israel Now

bereansdesk.blogspot.com ^ | Friday, June 1, 2012 | Charles D. Provan

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Church Is Israel Now

by Charles D. Provan

During this century, Christians have been told over and over that “God has an unconditional love for Old Testament Israel,” by which is meant that God’s love is directed toward persons racially descended from Abraham, regardless of faith or obedience. Membership in Israel, therefore, is viewed as a matter of race, not faith.

The Church Is Israel Now demonstrates that the Bible totally repudiates this racialist viewpoint. Being a member of Israel in the Old Testament was dependent upon faith and obedience to God. When the Israelites obeyed God, God loved them. But when the Israelites turned from Him, He hated them, stripping them of their Israelite status. After centuries of Israelite rebellion against God, culminating in their rejection of Jesus the Messiah, the titles, attributes and blessings of Israel were transferred to all who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and to no one else, regardless of Abrahamic descent. The Church is Israel now.

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the Jewish people: "Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you, and be given to a nation producing the fruit of it" (Matt. 21:43).

Jesus said to His disciples: "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).

OLD TESTAMENT TITLES AND ATTRIBUTES OF ISRAEL WHICH ARE, IN THE NEW TESTAMENT, REFERRED TO THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

THE BELOVED OF GOD
A) Israel Is Beloved Of God:
     - Ex. 15:13, Deut. 33:3, Ezra 3:11
B) Disobedient Israel Is Not Beloved Of God:
     - Lev. 3:16, Jer. 12:8, Jer. 16:5, Hos. 9:15
C) Christians Are Beloved Of God:
     - Rom. 9:25, Eph. 5:1, Col. 3:12, 1 John 3:1

THE CHILDREN OF GOD
A) Israel Are The Children Of God:
     - Ex. 4:22, Deut. 14:1, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 1:2,4, Isa. 63:8, Hos. 11:1
B) Disobedient Israel Are Not The Children Of God:
     - Deut. 32:5, John 8:39, 42, 44
C) Christians Are The Children Of God:
     - John 1:12, John 11:52, Rom. 8:14,16, 2 Cor. 6:18, Gal. 3:26, Gal. 4:5,6,7, Phil. 2:15, 1 John 3:1

THE FIELD OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Field Of God:
     - Jer. 12:10
B) Christians Are The Field Of God:
     - 1 Cor. 3:9

THE FLOCK OF GOD AND OF THE MESSIAH
A) Israel Is The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:
     - Psa. 78:52, Psa. 80:1, Isa. 40:11, Jer. 23:1,2,3, Jer. 31:10, Eze. 34:12,15,16, Mic. 5:4, Zec. 10:3
B) Christians Are The Flock Of God And Of The Messiah:
     - John 10:14,16, Heb. 13:20, 1 Pet. 2:25, 1 Pet. 5:2,3

THE HOUSE OF GOD
A) Israel Is The House Of God:
     - Num. 12:7
B) Christians Are The House Of God:
     - 1 Tim. 3:15, Heb. 3:2,5,6, Heb. 10:21, 1 Pet. 4:17

THE KINGDOM OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Kingdom Of God:
     - Ex. 19:6, 1 Chr. 17:14, 1 Chr. 28:5
B) Disobedient Israel Is Not The Kingdom Of God:
     - Matt. 8:11,12, Matt. 21:43
C) Christians Are The Kingdom Of God:
     - Rom. 14:17, 1 Cor. 4:20, Col. 1:13, Col. 4:11, Rev. 1:6

THE PEOPLE OF GOD
A) The Israelites Are The People Of God:
     - Ex. 6:7, Deut. 27:9, 2 Sam. 7:23, Jer. 11:4
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The People Of God:
     - Hos. 1:9, Jer. 5:10
C) The Christians Are The People Of God:
     - Rom. 9:25, 2 Cor. 6:16, Eph. 4:12, Eph. 5:3, 2 Th. 1:10, Tit. 2:14

THE PRIESTS OF GOD
A) The Israelites Are The Priests Of God:
     - Ex. 19:6
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Priests Of God:
     - 1 Sam. 2:28,30, Lam. 4:13,16, Eze. 44:10,13, Hos. 4:6, Mal. 2:2,4,8,9
C) The Christians Are The Priests Of God:
     - 1 Pet. 2:5,9, Rev. 1:6, Rev. 5:10

THE VINEYARD OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Vineyard Of God:
     - Isa. 5:3,4,5,7, Jer. 12:10
B) Christians Are The Vineyard Of God:
     - Luke 20:16

THE WIFE (OR BRIDE) OF GOD
A) Israel Is The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - Isa. 54:5,6, Jer. 2:2, Eze. 16:32, Hos. 1:2
B) Disobedient Israelites Is Not The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - Jer. 3:8, Hos. 2:2
C) The Christians Are The Wife (Or Bride) Of God:
     - 2 Cor. 11:2, Eph. 5:31,32

THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM
A) The Israelites Are The Children Of Abraham:
     - 2 Chr. 20:7, Psa. 105:6, Isa. 41:8
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Children Of Abraham:
     - John 8:39, Rom. 9:6,7, Gal. 4:25,30
C) The Christians Are The Children Of Abraham:
     - Rom. 4:11,16, Gal. 3:7,29, Gal. 4:23,28,31

THE CHOSEN PEOPLE
A) The Israelites Are The Chosen People:
     - Deut. 7:7, Deut. 10:15, Deut. 14:2, Isa. 43:20,21
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Chosen People:
     - Deut. 31:17, 2 Ki. 17:20, 2 Chr. 25:7, Psa. 78:59, Jer. 6:30, Jer. 7:29, Jer. 14:10
C) The Christians Are The Chosen People:
     - Col. 3:12, 1 Pet. 2:9

THE CIRCUMCISED
A) The Israelites Are The Circumcised:
     - Gen. 17:10, Jud. 15:18
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not The Circumcised:
     - Jer. 9:25,26, Rom. 2:25,28, Phil. 3:2
C) The Christians Are The Circumcised:
     - Rom. 2:29, Phil. 3:3, Col. 2:11

ISRAEL
A) Israel is Israel
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Israelites:
     - Num. 15:30,31, Deut. 18:19, Acts 3:23, Rom. 9:6
C) The Christians Are Israel:
     - John 11:50,51,52, 1 Cor. 10:1, Gal. 6:15,16, Eph. 2:12,19

JERUSALEM
A) Jerusalem Is the City And Mother Of Israel:
     - Psa. 149:2, Isa. 12:6, Isa. 49:18,20,22, Isa. 51:18, Lam. 4:2
B) Jerusalem Is The City And Mother Of Christians:
     - Gal. 4:26, Heb. 12:22

THE JEWS
A) Israelites Are Jews
     - Ezr. 5:1, Jer. 34:8,9, Zech. 8:22,23
B) Disobedient Israelites Are Not Jews:
     - Rom. 2:28, Rev. 2:9, Rev. 3:9
C) The Christians Are Jews:
     - Rom. 2:29

THE NEW COVENANT
A) The New Covenant Is With Israel:
     - Jer. 31:31,33
B) The New Covenant Is With The Christians:
     - Luke 22:20, 1 Cor. 11:25, 2 Cor. 3:6, Heb. 8:6,8,10

AN OLIVE TREE
A) Israel Is An Olive Tree:
     - Jer. 11:16, Hos. 14:6
B) The Christians Are An Olive Tree:
     - Rom. 11:24

OLD TESTAMENT VERSES REFERRING TO ISRAEL WHICH ARE QUOTED IN THE NEW TESTAMENT AS REFERRING TO THE CHRISTIANS

QUOTE #1
     - Lev. 26:11,12, Eze. 37:27, 2 Cor. 6:16

QUOTE #2
     - Deut. 30:12-14, Rom. 10:6-8

QUOTE #3
     - Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5

QUOTE #4
     - Deut. 32:36, Psa. 135:14, Heb. 10:30

QUOTE #5
     - Psa. 22:22, Heb. 2:12

QUOTE #6
     - Psa. 44:22, Rom. 8:36

QUOTE #7
     - Psa. 95:7-11, Heb. 3:7-11

QUOTE #8
     - Psa. 130:8, Tit. 2:14

QUOTE #9
     - Isa. 28:16, Rom. 10:11, Eph. 2:20, 1 Pet. 2:6

QUOTE #10
     - Isa. 49:8, 2 Cor. 6:2

QUOTE #11
     - Isa. 52:7, Rom. 10:15

QUOTE #12
     - Isa. 54:1, Gal. 4:27

QUOTE #13
     - Jer. 31:31-34, Heb. 8:8-12

QUOTE #14
     - Hos. 1:10; 2:23, Rom. 9:25-26, 1 Pet. 2:10

QUOTE #15
     - Hos. 13:14, 1 Cor. 15:55

QUOTE #16
     - Joel. 2:32, Rom. 10:13

---

ADDENDUM BY TIMOTHY:
Read Romans 11:17-24 carefully and pay attention to what Paul is saying. Compare what he is saying here to what he writes in Romans 2:25-29 and Romans 9:6-8. Who are the branches that were broken off? Unbelieving Israel. Why were they broken off? Because of their unbelief. Who are the branches that remain? Believing Israel. Why do they remain? Because of their faith. Who are the wild branches? Gentiles. Into what are the wild branches grafted? Believing Israel. Why were they grafted in? Because of their faith. Into what will the natural branches that were broken off be grafted? Believing Israel.

According to Romans 2:25-29, the branches that were broken off are not true Jews: “He is not a Jew who is one outwardly.” Therefore, logically, the remaining branches are true Jews: “He is a Jew who is one inwardly.” In Philippians 3:3, Paul said that we—Christians—are the real circumcision. Why? Because we have been circumcised of the heart, just as Moses commanded them to be (Deut. 10:16). According to Romans 9:6-8, the branches that were broken off do not belong to Israel: “They are not all Israel who are descended from Israel.” Therefore, logically, the remaining branches belong to Israel. In Galatians 6:16, Paul called the church “the Israel of God.”

Although Dispensationalists want to deny this, Paul’s words are as clear as day. Paul has just divided national Israel in two—believing Israel and unbelieving Israel, of which he says they are not true Jews nor do they belong to Israel. He states in Romans 11:5 that at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. He states in verse 7 that the elect of Israel obtained what Israel sought but the rest were hardened. He says that if the broken off branches do not continue in their unbelief they will be grafted back in. Into what? Into believing Israel, which will make them true Jews belonging to true Israel.

Galatians 4:28 says, “And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise.” All Christians—Jew or Gentile—are children of the promise. Romans 4:13-16 says, “For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.” All those who believe—Jew or Gentile—are Abraham’s offspring.

John the Baptist said, “Do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire” (Matt. 3:9-10). Likewise, John records, “They answered and said to Him, ‘Abraham is our father.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. You are doing the deeds of your father.’ They said to Him, ‘We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.’ Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me. … You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.’” (John 8:39-42, 44).

These words attest to what Paul was saying in Romans chapters 2 and 9. Just because you are an ethnical Jew does not make you a true Jew, Paul said in chapter 2. Just because you are physically descended from Abraham and Israel does not make you part of true Israel, Paul said in chapter 9.

In Romans 4:13, 9:8, and Galatians 4:28, Paul speaks in regard to the “promise.” What promise? Well, Galatians 3:16, 27-29 say: “Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as referring to many, but rather to one, ‘And to your seed,’ that is, Christ. … For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.” This passage teaches us:

1. Abrahamic promises were made to Abraham and his seed (v.16).
2. His seed is Christ (v.16).
3. And his seed is all who belong to Christ (v.29).
4. Therefore, the promises belong to Christ and to all who are His (v.29). 

Ergo, this is not "Replacement Theology," it is "Expansion Theology." The Old Testament prophesied of the Gentile inclusion in several passages, predicting God’s work of taking from among the Gentiles a people for Himself. One such passage is Amos 9:11-12. So if the Old Testament prophesied about the Gentile inclusion, and Romans 11:17-24 describes that inclusion, then we must logically conclude that the true Israel is the true church and the true church is the true Israel. For God has only one people that make up one body who were baptized by one Spirit. The church does not replace Israel; the church has always been true Israel, and true Israel has always been the church. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek” (Rom. 10:12). There is no longer Jew or Gentile because God has broken down the dividing wall and made of the two one new person (Eph. 2:11-19). There are not two plans of redemption and two ways of receiving salvation. You are either in Christ Jesus or you are not. There is salvation by no other means and in no other name. Anything beyond this is heresy!

[daniel1212]

Good explanation and attitude. Being ready in prayer and preaching and not ashamed at his coming (1Jn. 2:28) is what we (I) need to focus on.

Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted [approved] of him. (2 Corinthians 5:9)

[editor-surveyor]

I know, but there some here that disregard who owns the land “from the Euphrates to the Nile.”

[redleghunter]

Thanks, other references to the “watch and be ready” which are CERTAIN for all times:

Matthew 24:44 - Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Matthew 25:13 - Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Romans Chapter 13:

11 And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to [fulfil] the lusts [thereof].

Revelation 2:11 - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

[redleghunter]

I know, but there some here that disregard who owns the land “from the Euphrates to the Nile.”

Some on the political threads might say the Rothchild bank:)

[sasportas]

A few quotes:

“Built in 1992, the Israel Supreme Court sits in Jerusalem, in front of the Knesset (Israeli legislature). The Rothschild family is an international dynasty of Jewish descent who established a worldwide banking and finance operation. By knitting close ties with the elite of England, Austria, France and Italy, the Rothschilds became a hidden force in most political events of the last centuries.

The Rothschilds are active actors in the creation of the state of Israel. James A. de Rothschild financed the Knesset, Israels main political building. Right in front of it sits the Israeli Supreme Court, donated by another member of the dynasty: Dorothy de Rothschild.

The Knesset and the Supreme Court are built by the Rothschilds, following a perpendicular ley line, several blocks away, sits the Rockefeller Museum (another elite family).”

I have yet to hear Christian Zionists and Dispensationalists bring up the blatant occult symbols present all over these main building in Jerusalem. Masonic and Illuminati principles are physically embodied in numerous instances, proving without a doubt who runs the show over there.

[unlearner]

“Therefore, we should all take Jesus Christ’s commands as emphasized by the apostles and be watchful, ready and be found worthy when Jesus Christ Comes.”

I think you summed up pretty well. I will add to this that there is a balance taught in the New Testament of expectant readiness for the Lord’s return along with a patient endurance until He returns as well. We need to be prepared as if we may meet the Lord today, but we must also be willing to patiently wait for Him if He tarries (i.e. His return is later than we expect).

[sasportas]

Another misconception is that anyone who is pre-millennial must be dispensational and believes in a pre-tribulation rapture.

The name for us is, "Historic Premillennialists." The view you find in the Ante-Nicene Fathers, quite historic. In distinction to Dispensationalism, which arose some 1700 years later.

[redleghunter]

I think you will find very few here who equate the Biblical restoration of Israel being built on the current State of Israel. Remember some one is involved with a peace pact with the anti-christ. It cannot be the faithful remnant of Israel.

[redleghunter]

I think you summed up pretty well. I will add to this that there is a balance taught in the New Testament of expectant readiness for the Lord’s return along with a patient endurance until He returns as well. We need to be prepared as if we may meet the Lord today, but we must also be willing to patiently wait for Him if He tarries (i.e. His return is later than we expect).

I agree. As I tell my pre-trib rapture brothers and sisters, I will high five them if it comes before the tribulation. As I tell my mid-trib and post-trib brothers and sisters they can count on me for shelter and pass the ammo:)

[redleghunter]

The name for us is, "Historic Premillennialists."

Yes and this is something I found on such a view from Against Heresies (St. Irenaeus) > Book V, Chapter 29:

1. In the previous books I have set forth the causes for which God permitted these things to be made, and have pointed out that all such have been created for the benefit of that human nature which is saved, ripening for immortality that which is [possessed] of its own free will and its own power, and preparing and rendering it more adapted for eternal subjection to God. And therefore the creation is suited to [the wants of] man; for man was not made for its sake, but creation for the sake of man. Those nations however, who did not of themselves raise up their eyes unto heaven, nor returned thanks to their Maker, nor wished to behold the light of truth, but who were like blind mice concealed in the depths of ignorance, the word justly reckons “as waste water from a sink, and as the turning-weight of a balance— in fact, as nothing;” Isaiah 40:15 so far useful and serviceable to the just, as stubble conduces towards the growth of the wheat, and its straw, by means of combustion, serves for working gold. And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, “There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be.” Matthew 24:21 For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption.(http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0103529.htm)

Just about any rapture view can cite the above. But it shows Irenaeus fully understood 1 Thessalonians 4 and was a literal 'futurist.'

[sasportas]

Yes, indeed Irenaeus was a futurist, and a premillennialist, and believed the church would have to face the beast (the most conspicuous event of the tribulation). He was thus what we would call today, a "post-tribber:"

And they (the ten horned beast kingdom) shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the Church to flight. After that they shall be destroyed by the coming of our Lord. Against Heresies, Book V, XXVI

Irenaeus' comment on Rev. 17:16

[editor-surveyor]

That’s “Rothschild” meaning Red Shield.

[sasportas]

I agree, God will have a remnant there, as he has here in America.

Almost from day one, the Christian and antichristian mystery Babylon elements have been locked in mortal combat, look at the occult symbols on our buildings and on our dollar bill.

Same thing in Israel, this video shows some of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Xte5wo6w8

[unlearner]

You can add me to your list as a fourth category. I hold the pre-wrath view which places the rapture somewhere between the abomination of desolation (mid-trib) and the end of Daniel’s seventieth week (which is typically called post-trib).

This view is that the Great Tribulation begins in the middle of Daniel’s seventieth week but does not last until the end of it (and is “cut short”). The rapture occurs at the end of a shortened tribulation but before the wrath of God is poured out.

Like you, I will not mind being wrong if the Lord takes us out before the Great Tribulation, but that is not my reading of it.

[KC_Lion]

Finally Home so I can post Gifs.

[redleghunter]

I love these threads where the OP disappears after a few posts.

[mitch5501]

"Revelation 2:11 - He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death"

John 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

John 13:19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.

2 Timothy 1:7,8 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.......for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. Rev 19:10

[redleghunter]

Amen and thanks.

[JadeEmperor]

"The modern state is an imposter."

You couldn't possibly have an agenda here, pray tell? You seem to be firmly fixated on Jooish Conspiracy thing on many, many threads here on FR.

[EinNYC]

"The modern state is an imposter." You couldn't possibly have an agenda here, pray tell? You seem to be firmly fixated on Jooish Conspiracy thing on many, many threads here on FR.

That is not the author's only problem by a long shot. They are fixated on saying that G-d is kicking out the Jews from their #1 spot as Chosen People and now THEY are the Chosen People. I don't think it's healthy to mess around with what G-d has already declared, frankly.