We pray and hope that this simple explanation and compilation of Bible verses will help you to clarify some questions you might have on who is the Israel of the promise, the Israel of God.
Does the flesh make us Israelites in God’s eyes? Does the secular state of Israel, as we know it today, was founded by God?
The house of Israel is left desolate
Jesus said that the house of the Jewish people was about to be abandoned and desolate for rejecting their prophets and their own Messiah, in fact until He returns:
Matthew 23:37-39 ESV
[37] “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! [38] See, your house is left to you desolate. [39] For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he (Jesus) who comes in the name of the LORD (God).’”
He also predicted the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, which in fact happened in the year 70 AC by the Roman’s army, as a punishment for the sins of the people of Israel. Since then, they were all exiled, as their house was abandoned and desolate:
Matthew 24:1-2 ESV
[1] Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. [2] But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Jesus said that his Kingdom is not of this world
Jesus said that his Kingdom is not of this world, not an earthly kingdom. The Jews didn't believe in Jesus and killed him because they expected their Messiah to free them from Romans' occupation. But we, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, are God’s people in union with Jesus the Messiah. We are a holy, spiritual nation, but we are temporary residents and foreigners on this earth, according to the Scriptures:
John 18:36 ESV
[36] Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
1 Peter 2:9-11 ESV
[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. [11] Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
A real Jew is the one who is circumcised in the heart
A real Jew is not the one who is only circumcised in the flesh, but the one who is circumcised in the heart in union with Jesus the Messiah:
Romans 2:25-29 ESV
[25] For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision.
[26] So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? [27] Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.
[28] For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. [29] But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.
Philippians 3:2-3 ESV
[2] Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. [3] For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.
God has not rejected the Israelites
God has punished but never completely rejected the Israelites for their constant rebellion and disobedience to Him, and for rejecting and killing their Messiah. The reason why is because of the promises He had made with Abraham. God has chosen and kept a remnant of Israelites who believe in God's promise of an offspring given to Abraham:
Romans 11:1-6 ESV
[1] I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? [3] “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” [4] But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”
[5] So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. [6] But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 9:27-29 ESV
[27] And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, [28] for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” [29] And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”
Not all Israel will be saved, only a remnant who believe in Jesus Christ
The children of God are not those who are born of a physical birth, but those who are reborn with a birth that comes from God through faith in his Son Jesus Christ:
John 1:11-13 ESV
[11] He [Jesus] came to his own [Israel], and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Paul says in Romans 11:25-26 that “some of the people of Israel (those who have yet to be saved by faith in Christ Jesus) have hardened their hearts.” But they will be saved after the number of the Gentiles (the remnant of non-Israelites who are saved by faith in Jesus) is complete. That is why Paul goes on to say that “then all Israel (the whole remnant of Israelites who believe in Christ) will be saved.” And then he adds that God has not rejected the people of Israel, because He chose the ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Romans 11:1-10, 28-29)
But not all Israel will be saved. Only a remnant will be saved, just as only a remnant of Gentiles will be saved; for Paul says in Romans 9:26, quoting the prophecy of Isaiah 10:22, that “though the children of Israel are as numerous as the sand on the seashore, only a remnant will be saved.”
Romans 11:25-32 ESV
[25] Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. [26] And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written, “The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”; [27] “and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.”
[28] As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. [29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. [30] For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, [31] so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. [32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all (Jews and Gentiles).
Here above it says that God will have mercy on ALL, yes, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. But this doesn't mean that all Gentiles and Jews will be saved. Only those of poor spirit, the meek, the merciful, who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers will be saved and called children of God. (See Matthew 5:1-9.) Only those whether Jews or Gentiles who believe and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal Savior, will be adopted as children of God. (See John 1:12-13; Romans 10:8-13.)
God's children are only those who are united with Jesus Christ
According to God's Word after Jesus’ resurrection, not all Israelites in the flesh are the children of God, but only those who believe in the promise are counted as offspring. And the "offspring" that God promised to Abraham is in fact his Son Jesus the Messiah:
John 1:11-13 ESV
[11] He (Jesus) came to his own (the Jews), and his own people did not receive him. [12] But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, [13] who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Galatians 3:16 ESV
[16] Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
Jews and Gentiles in Jesus are both part of the heavenly Jerusalem
As born-again believers in Jesus, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, we are all part of the same spiritual Israel. So we should not put our eyes on the physical Israel, as we are temporary residents on this earth, and we are looking for a better country, a spiritual one--the heavenly Jerusalem:
John 10:16 ESV
[16] And I have other sheep (the Gentiles) that are not of this fold (the Jews). I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.
Acts 10:25-35 ESV
[25] When Peter (a Jewish Apostle) entered, Cornelius (a Roman Officer) met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I too am a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many persons gathered.
[28] And he said to them, “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. [29] So when I was sent for, I came without objection. I ask then why you sent for me.”
[30] And Cornelius said, “Four days ago, about this hour, I was praying in my house at the ninth hour, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God. [32] Send therefore to Joppa and ask for Simon who is called Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea.’ [33] So I sent for you at once, and you have been kind enough to come. Now therefore we are all here in the presence of God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord.”
[34] So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, [35] but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
Galatians 4:22-29 ESV
[22] For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. [23] But the son of the slave was born according to the flesh, while the son of the free woman was born through promise.
[24] Now this may be interpreted allegorically: these women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; she is Hagar. [25] Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia; she corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. [26] But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. [27] For it is written, “Rejoice, O barren one who does not bear; break forth and cry aloud, you who are not in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than those of the one who has a husband.”
[28] Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. [29] But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.
Hebrews 11:10 ESV
[10] For Abraham was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.
[13] These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
[16] But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Jews and Gentiles are both united in one Spirit and part of the Israel of God
Now through the blood of Jesus, Jews and Gentiles are reconciled to God, making peace with Him. They unite in one Spirit and are part of one body, the body of Christ–the spiritual Israel of God. They neat together as a temple of God, whose foundation are the apostles, the prophets and Jesus as the Cornerstone:
Galatians 3:26-29 ESV
[26] for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. [27] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. [29] And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 6:12 -16 ESV
[12] It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. [13] For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. [14] But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. [15] For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. [16] And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
Ephesians 2:13-22 ESV
[13] But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility [15] by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, [16] and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. [17] And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. [18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
[19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, [20] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, [21] in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. [22] In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Do we need a temple to worship God?
Do we need a physical temple made of stone to worship God? The Scriptures say that we are living stones filled with God's Spirit, and the moment we are born of the Spirit, our body becomes a temple of the Holy Spirit of God:
John 2:19-21 ESV
[19] Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” [20] The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” [21] But he was speaking about the temple of his body.
John 4:21-24 ESV
[21] Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. [22] You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.
[23] But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. [24] God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
[19] Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, [20] for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
About Ezekiel 38 and 39
Ezekiel 38 and 39 prophecies talk against Gog and Magog, who are coming in multitude from the North to spoil Israel, God's people in that time. It shows that God will send fire against Gog and Magog to destroy them, and He will be magnified among all nations.
Ezekiel 38:14-16, 21-23 ESV
[14] “Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord God: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? [15] You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. [16] You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.
[21] I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Lord God. Every man’s sword will be against his brother. [22] With pestilence and bloodshed I will enter into judgment with him, and I will rain upon him and his hordes and the many peoples who are with him torrential rains and hailstones, fire and sulfur. [23] So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord."
Ezekiel 39:1-6 ESV
[1] “And you, son of man, prophesy against Gog and say, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I am against you, O Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal. [2] And I will turn you about and drive you forward, and bring you up from the uttermost parts of the north, and lead you against the mountains of Israel. [3] Then I will strike your bow from your left hand, and will make your arrows drop out of your right hand. [4] You shall fall on the mountains of Israel, you and all your hordes and the peoples who are with you. I will give you to birds of prey of every sort and to the beasts of the field to be devoured. [5] You shall fall in the open field, for I have spoken, declares the Lord God. [6] I will send fire on Magog and on those who dwell securely in the coastlands, and they shall know that I am the Lord."
When will Ezekiel 38 and 39 prophecies be fulfilled?
When will the prophecies of Ezekiel 38 and 39 against God and Magog be fulfilled? Let's take a look what the book of Revelation tells us concerning the battle of Gog and Magog:
Revelation 20:4-10 ESV
[4] Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
[5] The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. [6] Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.
[7] And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison [8] and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. [9] And they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, [10] and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.
After reading this passage in Revelation chapter 20, we can see that the battle of Gog and Magog (also mentioned in Ezekiel 38 and 39) will take place around the end of a thousand years of Jesus’ reign on the Earth, just before God's judgment day for every human being in existence. This is why spiritual Israel was living in peace during that time under Jesus’ Kingdom regime, not before that.
God restored Israel when they repented and turned to Him in the past
When we study the history of the Jews in the Bible, we can see that when they refused to repent of their idols, God sent the Babylonians to punish them. Eventually their temple was destroyed. Jeremiah was a prophet at that time. But after 70 years, they were able to rebuild their temple, which was a work of God because the people had repented and wanted to follow God's laws with all their hearts.
We see after this that the Jews rejected their Messiah and as a result, their temple was destroyed in the year 70 by the Romans and the Jews were exiled everywhere.
Luke 21:5-6 ESV
[5] And while some were speaking of the temple, how it was adorned with noble stones and offerings, he said, [6] “As for these things that you see, the days will come when there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”
Luke 23:27-31 ESV
[27] And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. [28] But turning to them Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. [29] For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren and the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ [30] Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ [31] For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”
Was Israel as a nation founded by God in 1948?
The state of Israel as we know it today is a secular state that was not formed by the will of God, but by secular Jews with a Zionist political endeavor for wealth and power. And sadly to say, Zionism since 1948 has caused constant wars in the Middle East and especially in Palestine. The real motive behind all is occupy the land by force at any cost.
Only the peacemakers will be called children of God
What is the will of God? Jesus said in Matthew 5 that only the peacemakers will be called children of God, even those who patiently endure unjust treatment:
Matthew 5:9-12 ESV
[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[11] “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. [12] Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The apostle Peter wrote about it:
1 Peter 2:19-23 ESV
[19] For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. [20] For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
[21] For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. [22] He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. [23] When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
The Jews of the present government of Israel have nothing to do with God, as they are not following Jesus’ Words of working for peace among all mankind. Instead they have continually perpetrated vengeance and killing since the occupation in 1948.
Many sincere Orthodox Jews who follow the Torah and are in exile do not accept this secular government. They are waiting for the coming of their Messiah who will put everything back in order. And by the grace of God, a number of them will see that Jesus is in fact the true Messiah in lifetime, after they will experience difficult times. Hallelujah!
OUR CONCLUSION
We are strangers (foreigners) and pilgrims (nomads) on this earth waiting like Abraham for a better country, a spiritual one, the new Jerusalem from above, not the earthly Jerusalem.
Not all Jews are Jews but the ones of the promise concerning Jesus, and the ones who are circumcised in the heart.
In Jesus we are all reconciled to God and are part of the spiritual Israel–the Israel of God–, whether we are Jews or Gentiles.
This is our current understanding about the spiritual Israel of God, and we pray that we can all come to the truth and knowledge of God concerning these events.
May God our Father and Jesus our Lord give us more and more understanding as we are approaching the coming of the true King and Ruler of the whole Earth. Amen.
Who is the Israel of God? >
Biblical Israel Vs. Modern Israel (video playlist) >
BLOG ENTRIES >
