The weakness of covenant theology is its readiness to become a Replacement Theology, i.e., “God has replaced Israel, because of it’s disobedience and sin, with the Church.” This pernicious view is at the root of the disgusting anti-Semitism so frequently found in Church history.
Yes, the Old Testament is full of stories of the people of Israel being unfaithful to God, BUT exactly the same can be said of the history of the Church. Given that the Church has had greater revelation, I would argue the Church has been even MORE rebellious against God.
Some of the Covenants with Israel were conditional, others, unconditional. The promise of the Land was unconditional, therefore it still stands today(God does not lie nor break his promises). The Covenant theologians disagree. It is no coincidence that among protestants, the most anti-Israel, friendly with Hezbollah denomination, is the Presbyterian-USA. And sadly Pope Francis is following the same arrogant prideful “Replacement” view that led to the sordid anti-Jewish record of the Catholic Church.
No, I’m not Jewish.
Well said,
Replacement theology is a blasphemous heresy and responsible for much antisemitism in this world, unfortunately its also the default heritage of many mainstream denominations who believe the promises to Israel have now devolved upon the Church, that is a lie and makes God out to be a liar.
God is a covenant keeper. He made promises to David and to the Land and for his Holy name and they will be kept once the transgressors (Israel of 32 AD) have come to the full punitive measures outlined within that same covenant as it is required in Leviticus Chapter 25, Deuteronomy, Daniel Chapters 7 and 9, Zephaniah and in the Psalms, Joel, Revelation and elsewhere.
There is a set time for that restoration to be accomplished, we’re told exactly how long that time is (we will have no excuse for not knowing when it is up because we know the precise conditions to account for that time) and it will not be altered despite what this world system empowered by Satan or his synagogue attempts or desires to claim or steal away. They (the USA/UN/EU or whoever it may be along with secular Israel etc.,) are attempting to steal the Messiahs inheritance, it’s as we’re shown in the parable of the wicked tenets, he sent his only Son in the middle of the week (surely they will hear him) and by the end of the week it will all be over or else ownership is forfeited, he will not forfeit (what more could he have done)
When the restoration work of these same transgressors is undone, that is when the end of the age will come as it will be the undoing of that very legal mechanism by which they are presently being restored on this physical Earth, (today, right now in our time, in our sight and in our hearing)
The Church is not under these punitive measures and is set upon a pedestal with the Gospel (accepting that very Jubilee Israel itself rejected) and we are set down next to Jesus who is set down next to his Father and that ‘mystery’ to Satan and his angels will end when Satan is no longer allowed in Heaven to accuse the brethren on the Earth, when he no longer has a place to stand and is summarily cast out as we’re shown in Revelation Chapter 12, the court from Daniel Chapter 7 and Revelation Chapters 5 - 7 is in session to adjudicate these matters of the Kingdom of God, both in Heaven (for the Church and the Kingdom of Heaven) and now on the Earth where his promises are being kept (for Israel)
“I know your works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but you are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9
“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.” Revelation 3:9