Work Shop Israel

Some are saying that the Christian Church has replaced physical Israel Israel in the plan of God. This position is contrary to the Apostle Paul’s express statements in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Romans. Others are claiming that the promises of God in the Old Testament refer only to physical Israel Israel and not to the New Testament Church. This is not true according to Peter’s statement that the Prophets were not addressing themselves but us upon whom the ends of the age have come.

A Gentile Church Gentile Church is not a scriptural concept. In the Book of Galatians Paul said that the one Seed of Abraham is Christ and all who are part of Christ.

Some teach that there will be a Gentile Church Gentile Church in Heaven and a Jewish Kingdom on the earth. This is against the text of the last two chapters of the Book of Revelation that tell of the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from the new sky to remain on the new earth. That the new Jerusalem is the Christian Church can be seen by the fact that the Throne of God and of the Lamb reside in the holy city, and this could never be true of physical Israel Israel.

What, then, is the truth? The truth can be seen in the figure of the olive tree, of the eleventh chapter of Romans, and also in the "one new man" of the second chapter of Ephesians.

Primary Scriptures

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, Do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. (Romans 11:17,18)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:28,29)

By abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:15 )

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (I Peter 1:10-12)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Today the olive tree comprises a remnant of Jews and a remnant of Gentiles.

True Israel Israel includes all whom God has elected, at one time just physical Israel Israel; next, a remnant of physical Israel Israel and a remnant of Gentiles; finally, physical Israel Israel once again.

Suggested References

Israel Israel—Flesh and Spirit; The Olive Tree; One New Man

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic. 7

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

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