The Way to Fulfilling God's Righteousness

Jesus showed us the steps to fulfill all of God's righteousness

Currently, in traditional Christianity, misleading concepts and doctrines about the Gospel of salvation have been circulating for centuries, confusing and preventing many believers from finding true freedom from sin and inner transformation to become a new creation in Christ Jesus and an adopted child of God the Father. 

For example, today it is common to teach and accept the deceptive and unbiblical doctrine that one is justified and accepted by God simply by believing in the mind and declaring with the mouth that Jesus died for one, and therefore accepting him as savior after formulating a simple sinner's prayer.

However, Jesus himself lived and showed us the vital steps to fulfill the will and righteous requirements of God the Father in order to be really justified and accepted by Him.  Let's read first in the Scriptures what happened the day Jesus was baptized by the prophet John the Baptist and received the fullness of the Holy Spirit of his Father:

Matthew 3:13-17

[13] Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. [14] But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” [15] Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. [16] As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. [17] And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Jesus repented something and was baptized in water

Jesus was also baptized in water.  But why did He have to be baptized in water?  Was it simply to set an example for us as a witness to others?  He did it for a deeper and more profound reason: to show us the path of total surrender and consecration to fulfilling God's righteous requirements.  In fact, just before being baptized by John the Baptist in order to start his ministry on Earth, He had to REPENT something.  Of course He did not have to repent of any sin, since He had been born without sin.

But the word REPENTANCE does not only mean that one turns away from any sinful action, but also that one surrenders and consecrates himself entirely to doing the will of God the Father.  In fact, the original biblical word of repentance in Greek is METANOIA, which means: a complete change of direction or trajectory. 

So when God's time came, Jesus was ready to dedicate himself and leave behind his former life as an extraordinary man of good reputation in the eyes of men.  He had been a person of integrity, an excellent carpenter, a Jew very well versed in the Holy Scriptures, and a faithful practitioner of the Mosaic Law.  But He was willing to pay the price of making the decision to give up his good reputation in front of everyone, including his own family.  (Luke 2:45-52; Matthew 13:53-58; Mark 6:1-6)

Jesus went all the way to see John the Baptist in order to be immersed in water by him, as a sign of full repentance.  In that moment, Jesus completely renounced being simply the son of Joseph and Mary.  He renounced being a carpenter respected by his relatives, acquaintances and fellow citizens.  He pledged then to reveal his true identity as the Son and Lamb of God his Father openly.  And right after He was baptized, his Father in Heaven honoured him by sending him the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit.  He also honoured him by declaring with an audible voice to everyone out there that Jesus was in fact his beloved Son.  From that moment, John the Baptist was openly declaring that Jesus was in fact the Lamb of God that takes the sin of the world!  (Matthew 3:13-17; John 1:29-34; 1John 5:6-8)

Jesus had to be baptized in water to show his Father that He was willing to fulfill his role of revealing his true divine identity, by proclaiming the Good News of God's kingdom and demonstrating the power of healing and miracles.  He had to do it to show openly that He was in fact the one and only Son and Messiah of the One who had sent him—God his Father.  He knew that He was going to suffer great and constant persecution, and even to die cruelly on the cross, for declaring that He was in fact the Truth, the Life, and the only Way to have access to God the Father.  (Luke 4:1-30; John 5:16-30; 14:6-11)

Jesus consecrated himself in water baptism to obey and fulfill the will of his Father, accepting the challenge of suffering and feeling anguish for us, since He had to be martyred and die cruelly three years and a half later to end his ministry and life on Earth.  What an example He gave us of giving everything unconditionally out of love for his Father and for us!  (Hebrews 10:3-10)

Jesus was filled with God's Spirit after He was baptized 

Just after Jesus was baptized in water, God his Father sent him and baptized him in his Holy Spirit so that He could receive the divine anointing and power to carry out his mission and ministry of preaching the Kingdom of God, healing the sick, casting out evil spirits, performing miracles, making disciples, suffering for our healing, and dying for our sins.  The Father completely filled him with his Spirit and power for having dedicated himself to revealing the truth of the Word and will of God, and being willing to suffer and die for humanity.  (Matthew 3:16-17; Luke 4:14-22; Acts 10:38)

This is the price Jesus had to pay in order to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: complete repentance, death to self in water baptism, and total submission and complete obedience to hear from God his Father and serve him and do his will until death:

John 5:19-21

[19] Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. [20] For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. [21] For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 

John 12:49-50

(Jesus:) [49] For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. [50] I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say.”

Philippians 2:8-9

[8] And Jesus being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.

Hebrews 5:7-10

[7] During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. [8] Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered [9] and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him [10] and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus showed us the way to entering God's kingdom and following Him

Jesus said the following about how we can enter God's Kingdom:

John 3:5-8

[5] Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. [6] Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. [7] You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ [8] The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

In other words, if we want to be saved from sin and enter God's Kingdom, we must be born from above through repenting to God the Father, getting immersed in water into Jesus, and getting filled with the very life-giving power of God's Holy Spirit.  (Matthew 3:11; Romans 8:1-4; Titus 3:3-7; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Ezekiel 36:25-27)

However, not many understand what the word REPENTANCE truly means.  As Jesus taught and showed us by example, we must not only turn away from all sinful and worldly ways, but turn towards God in full submission and surrender in order to follow his holy and heavenly ways and obey his will, even if this means to suffer opposition and persecution for spreading the Good News of God's Kingdom:

Mark 8:34-38

[34] Then Jesus called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. [35] For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. [36] What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? [37] Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? [38] If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

In other words, Jesus said that if we want to follow him and be reconciled to God, we must be willing to go out of our comfort zone and change our way of life (including abandoning wealth and unfruitful relative ties), and be ready to suffer mockery and persecution with him, even physical death, for faithfully proclaiming his name and the biblical Gospel to everyone.  This is in fact the real meaning of full repentance towards God and immersion in water in union with Jesus:

Luke 14:25-27

[25] A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, [26] “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. [27] And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

Matthew 10:37-38

[37] (Jesus:) “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. [38] If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. 

Mark 10:28-30

[28] Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” [29]  “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel [30] will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. 

God provided our salvation through Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection 

From the beginning of his ministry, Jesus suffered intense and constant persecution, primarily from the Jewish religious leaders.  About three years later He was arrested by the same Jewish persecutors who handed him over to the Roman authorities to be tortured and crucified.  On the cross, He shed his blood and died.  Right after, He was buried, but on the third day God rose him from the dead:

Matthew 20:18-19

[18] “Listen,” Jesus said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. [19] Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

[3] For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, [4] that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Out of love for us, God provided human redemption from our sins by giving us his beloved Son.  Jesus paid the heavy price of dying for the sins of all humanity and God's wrath was satisfied.  Redemption from our sins and the dominion of sin over us, that we inherited at birth because of the disobedience of the first man, is now available for every human being.  (John 3:16-17; Galatians 3:13-14; Hebrews 2:14-18; 1Peter 3:18)

And God not only provided us with redemption from our sins through the shedding of Jesus' blood on the cross, but also reconciliation to him by giving us his Holy Spirit, which is, in fact, God's glorious nature, holy presence, and miraculous power.  It is the glorious spiritual substance that proceeds from the inner Being of God the Father, which Jesus received from Him and sent to us so that He and his Father could live in us, born-again believers:

Acts 2:16-18

[16] This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] “ ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Romans 5:8-10

[8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! [10] For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

1 Corinthians 2:10-12

[10] But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. [11] No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. [12] And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

2 Corinthians 5:19

[19] For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 

Colossians 1:19-20

[19] For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, [20] and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

Titus 3:4-7

[4] But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, [5] he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, [6] whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, [7] so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Our response to Jesus' redemption and call

The disciples of Jesus gave themselves completely and were willing to suffer persecution and even die as martyrs for proclaiming his name and the Gospel.  And because of this, they received the infilling of the power of God's Spirit to be able to be witnesses of Jesus, and thus continue the work and ministry that He had begun:

Acts 1:8

(Jesus said:) [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The apostle Peter said the following, after preaching to the multitude God's Good News that Jesus is Lord and Messiah, and the crowd asking him what they should do to be saved:

Acts 2:38-39

[38] Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Jesus and the apostles made it clear that if we want to be freed from sin and reconciled to God, we must repent before God and change our way of life, be baptized in water in union with Jesus to bury our old self and wash away our sins, and receive the glorious nature, holy presence, and miraculous power of God's Spirit. 

The reason we must receive the Holy Spirit is so that, as his adopted children, we can have a personal relationship with God, and Jesus as well, through meditating on his Word and praying in his Spirit  (John 1:12-13; 4:23-24; 14:25-26; 17:3; 2Thessalonians 2:13-14; 1John 1:3; Jude 1:20-21).  And also so that we can be disciples of Jesus who obey his great commission to proclaim the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out evil spirits, and make disciples of all nations at every opportunity  (John 20:21; Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20)

We must live and do the same works Jesus did on Earth

God's Word confirm that those who claim to live in God must live, not an easy and comfortable life, but a difficult and sacrificial life in order to do the same works that Jesus did on Earth, in full faith and obedience to the Gospel:

John 12:23-26

[23] Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. [24] Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. [25] Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. [26] Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 14:12

(Jesus:) [12]  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 

John 14:23-24

[23] Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. [24] Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. 

John 15:9-10

[9]  “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

John 15:14-16

[14] You are my friends if you do what I command. [15] I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. [16] You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 

Romans 8:16-17

[16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

2 Corinthians 5:17-18

[17] This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! [18] And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. 

1 John 2:3-6

(Apostle John:) [3] And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. [4] If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. [5] But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. [6] Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.

We must believe and obey God's Good News 

Jesus lived and showed us the way to fulfill God's righteous requirements to be free from sin and be made right with God—through repentance, baptism in water, and Holy Spirit.  And we obtain this redemption and reconciliation when we believe and obey the biblical Gospel—God's powerful Good News of salvation for everyone who believes and obeys it:

Romans 1:16-17

[16] For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. [17] This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

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Why Does God Love You?

○ According to the Bible, in the beginning God created man and woman in his image, with a pure heart, clear conscience and free will, to live in harmony and enjoy sonship and fellowship with Him eternally.

But because they once disobeyed God, sin entered their hearts, and they lost the privilege of being immortal and of having sonship and communion with God.

○ As a result of the transgression of the first man and woman, we have all inherited their sinful nature of thinking negative thoughts, speaking negative words, and doing negative actions.

The power of sin is ruling our minds and hearts to the point that we do things we don't want to do, and we don't do things we want to do. And this is why we are all guilty at some point of disappointing God, of hurting others, and of being hurt by others as well.

However, God didn't completely abandon us, as He sent prophets and gave us his commandments, the moral code to show us what sin is. But man could not follow the commandments by his own strength to have a pure heart and a clear conscience. 

○ Sin separates us from God's glory and brings us to eternal perdition. 

However, according to the law God gave to Moses, forgiveness of sins is only achieved through the shedding of blood. To achieve this, animals had to be sacrificed every year. But these animal sacrifices could not purify men's consciences.

○ That’s why God sent Jesus—his divine and only Son, Messiah and Co-creator—about 2,000 years ago on a special mission. 

Jesus came from heaven and became human like the first man before he sinned. In fact, he was the only man who was born of a woman and of God's Spirit. That’s why he was sinless and could redeem us from our sinful nature and eternal perdition.

At the age of thirty, Jesus was baptized in water as a sign of his commitment to reveal his divine glory and to be persecuted and killed for openly confessing who he was. And right after, he received the fullness of God's own Holy Spirit, which descended from heaven to anoint him and empower him to fulfill his mission on earth. 

In fact, Jesus' great mission was to take upon himself the death penalty, according to God's law, that we all deserve for being sinners and for breaking his commandments.

Jesus proclaimed God's truth, healed the sick, and freed those oppressed by the devil. He continually showed his love and grace to all, until out of envy one day he was arrested, falsely accused and mistreated by the Jewish religious leaders. They then handed him over to be executed by the Romans, at the end of his ministry three and a half years later.

Jesus was cruelly beaten and whipped, then crucified, mocked, and literally cursed on a cross. And after some long hours of pain and agony, he died without mercy, rejected by all and even without the Spirit of his Father. 

Jesus was tempted in all things but never sinned, as he remained obedient to God his Father and kept holy all the way until the end. And only out of love for his Father and love for us, he shed his blood all the way until death as an offering for sin, as the perfect Lamb of God that takes all our sins away. 

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet God laid on his Son the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.

Jesus’ sacrifice, bloodshed and death was able to remove the curse of sin's power, forgive all our sins, and heal all our hurts and diseases, so that we could be made righteous before God.

After Jesus died, God raised him from the dead on the third day,  because he never sinned. He appeared to his disciples with his new glorious body for a certain time, and right after he ascended into heaven at the right hand of God. Once there, Jesus sent us his Holy Spirit so that he could live in our hearts and work through us.

○ How can we be saved from the power of sin and hurts and diseases, and be made righteous before God?

• We must believe that God sent Jesus to save us from the power of sin through his death and resurrection. 

• We must repent wholeheartedly of our sins and turn to God so that He may remove our hardened hearts and give us a tender one.

• We must be baptized in water in the name of Jesus to bury our old sinful nature and rise with him, so that our sins may be washed away and we may have a new life, and so that Jesus, who gave his life for us, may become our personal Lord and Savior.

• We must receive the gift of God's Holy Spirit (God's spiritual presence) within us. By receiving this gift, we become a new creation—adopted children of God with a divine nature.

At that moment, God will heal and set us free, and help us do good because sin no longer has dominion over us. We have a new nature, the glorious nature of God, and we want to do what pleases Him. Consequently, we will be able to think faithbuilding  thoughts, say encouraging words and perform loving actions. 

○ What is God's will for us, his adopted and born again children? 

• God wants us to have a daily personal communion with Him and with Jesus, by praying in their Holy Spirit and meditating on their Holy Word, in order to receive more of their selfless love and to become one in mind and spirit with them. 

• God wants us to love all humanity with his selfless love, and especially those of the family of faith in Jesus.

• God wants us to proclaim boldly and faithfully the Good News of God's salvation (from the power of sin and eternal perdition) and reconciliation to Him, by his marvellous grace and through faith in Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection.

• God wants us to bless and heal those who need physical and/or spiritual healing, laying on hands and commanding healing to come in the name of Jesus and the power of God.

▪︎ God wants us to build one another up, equip new believers in the faith, and work together to advance God's Kingdom by bringing Jesus to many.

○ Jesus lived a holy life on Earth, constantly thanking and praying to God in the Spirit, and loving everyone. And also he lived in obedience to God, speaking his words of truth and showing his miraculous healing power, and dying for all humanity. 

If we follow Jesus' teachings, we will also live holy and obedient lives. And consequently, we will love God and anyone around, and fulfill Jesus' command to spread God's Good News everywhere and at every opportunity, so that many may enter his marvellous heavenly Kingdom.

God loved us so much that He sent his only Son Jesus to give his whole life for our sake, so that we might live eternally. Are you willing to give Jesus your whole life, to follow him and obey his commandments of loving God intimately and those around you as you love yourself?

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God’s Truth about Israel

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 Zionist 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.

Colossians 2:11-12 ESV [11] In him (Jesus) also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, [12] having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead.

God has not rejected the Israelites, for He promised to save a remnant of them

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.”

Only a remnant of Israelites who believe in the Messiah will be saved

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 (the Messiah), regardless of whether they are Jews or Gentiles: 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. Jesus said once to the Jews who were not listening to him nor the words of God, that they didn't belong to God but to their father the devil, the father of lies. This clearly proves that not all Jews will be saved just because they are genetically Jews. Only those who sincerely believe that Jesus is the Lord and Messiah sent by God: John 8:41-47 ESV [41] (Jesus:) You are doing the works your father did.” They (the Jews) said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”      [42] Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. [43] Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.       [44] You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. [45] But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. [46] Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?      [47] Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” Moises talked to the Jewish people about the coming of another Prophet like him. In fact, he was talking about the coming of the Messiah. And he continued saying that any Jew who doesn't listen to the Messiah will be removed from being part of God's people: Acts 3:22-23 ESV [22] Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet (the Messiah) like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. [23] And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’

The apostles Peter and John spoke with conviction and boldness when they were arrested by the Jewish religious leaders for healing a cripple man, saying that there is no salvation for Jews except by believing in Jesus the Messiah:

Acts 4:11-12 ESV

[11] This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you (the Jews), the builders, which has become the cornerstone. [12] And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Jewish people's minds were hardened and that's why they cannot understand the truth of God's Word when they read the Scriptures to this day. But as soon as they believe and turn to the Lord Jesus, the veil in their eyes will be lifted:

2 Corinthians 3:14-16 ESV

[14] But their (Jewish people) minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. [15] Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. [16] But when one turns to the Lord [Jesus], the veil is removed.

The apostle Paul explains in Romans chapter 9 that the Gentiles, who were not following God's Law, were made right with God because of their faith in Jesus. But the Israelites, who were keeping the Law, were not made right with God for not trusting in the Messiah:

Romans 9:30-33 ESV [30] What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; [31] but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.     [32] Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone (the Messiah), [33] as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

The apostle Peter writes that when we (whether Jews or Gentiles) believe and come to Jesus—who is the living cornerstone of God's temple, rejected by his people, but chosen by God for great honor—, we are then transformed into living stones, chosen people, and holy priests of God the Father, to offer him continual spiritual sacrifices through the mediation of Jesus, his Son and Messiah:

1 Peter 2:4-8 ESV

[4] As you come to him (Jesus), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

    [6] For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 

    [7] So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” [8] and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

The complete remnant of Israelites will be saved after the complete remnant of Gentiles has been saved

Paul writes in Romans 11:25-26 that “some of the people of Israel (those who have yet to repent and 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 repent and are saved by faith in Jesus) has come in. That is why Paul goes on to say that “then all Israel (the whole remnant of Israelites who repent and 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) ‭‭Romans‬ ‭11:25‭-‬27‬ ‭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.” Now here is something important to take in consideration. Notice that the verse 26 of Romans 11 is the Greek version of Isaiah 59:20 that says: Isaiah 59:20 ESV [20] “And a Redeemer will come TO Zion, to those in Jacob who TURN from transgression,” declares the Lord. The original verse in Hebrew is a bit different from the written Greek version. Here is saying in fact that NOT ALL Israel will be saved. Only a REMNANT of Israelites who REPENT will be saved at the coming of the Messiah and Redeemer.

In fact, 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.”

Here is a good passage in Micah 2:12 which confirms and clarifies what Paul was referring in Romans 11:26 that “all Israel will be saved”, which in fact is saying that ALL the REMNANT of Israel who repent and believe in Christ will be saved: Micah 2:12 ESV [12] I will surely assemble ALL of you, O Jacob; I will gather the REMNANT of Israel; I will set them together like sheep in a fold, like a flock in its pasture, a noisy multitude of men. Paul continues writing in Romans chapter 11: Romans 11:28-32 ESV [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.)

When will the complete remnant of Gentiles and Israelites be saved?

The following verses confirm that this will take place at the moment of the Rapture just after the Great Tribulation or Anguish perpetrated by the Antichrist, when EVERY PERSON in the world will SEE JESUS CHRIST coming from the clouds of heaven and mourn, including those who pierced or crucify him—the Jews. Isaiah 59:20-21 ESV [20] “And a Redeemer (Jesus) will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression (sin),” declares the Lord. [21] “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children’s offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” Zechariah 12:9-10 ESV [9] “And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. [10] “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him (Jesus) whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. Matthew 24:29-31 ESV [29] “Immediately after the [great] tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. [30] Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man (Jesus Christ), and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. [31] And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect [from all over the world], from the four winds [of the earth], from one end of heaven to the other. Revelation 1:7 ESV [7] Behold, he (Jesus) is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced (crucify) him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. Revelation 14:9-16 ESV [9] And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast (the Antichrist) and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, [10] he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. [11] And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” [12] Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. [13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” [14] Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and seated on the cloud one like a son of man (Jesus Christ), with a golden crown on his head, and a sharp sickle in his hand. [15] And another angel came out of the temple, calling with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” [16] So he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped.

Christians must preach the Gospel to Jews and non-Jews now and wherever they are

There is no Scripture that says we must currently help Jews, so that they may believe and be saved, to return to the land that God had promised to the Israelites in the Old Covenant or Testament. In fact, when Jesus the Messiah returns, everyone will see him coming, including Jews, wherever they are.

Revelation 1:5-7 NIV

[5] To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, [6] to him who has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

[7] Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him with their eyes, even those who pierced him (the Jews). And all the peoples of the earth will mourn over him. So it will be! Amen.

 The present-day Israel of God is not a physical land called Israel. Israel is actually God's chosen people from among Gentiles and Jews who repent of their sins and give their lives to Jesus the Messiah in baptism.

Galatians 3:26-29 NIV

[26] You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, [27] for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

[28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

[29] And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to promise.

Jesus will return to reign for 1,000 years over the whole earth, not just over a small land like the present-day state of Israel. God does not need us to bring Jews to the physical land of Israel. This is not biblical, but simply a dogmatic biblical interpretation.

 What God truly wants is for us to preach the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ to as many Jews as we can, wherever they are. The gospel is what Jews need to hear so that some may be saved now. In fact, they must hear it now so that many may believe that Jesus is the Messiah when he comes and descends from the clouds.

Romans 10:14-17 NIV

[14] How then will they [the Israelites] call on him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without someone preaching? [15] And how will they preach unless they are sent? For it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

[16] However, not all Israelites accepted the good news. Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”

[17] So faith comes from hearing the message [that is preached] and the message that is heard is the word of Christ.

God's children are only those who repent and receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior 

According to God's Word after Jesus’ resurrection, not all Israelites in the flesh are the children of God, but only those who repent and believe in the promise are counted as offspring. And the "offspring" that God promised to Abraham is in fact God's own Son and Messiah:

‭‭

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.

We must clarify that ONLY those Gentiles and Israelites who will repent and receive the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be saved:

Acts 2:37-41 ESV

[37] Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” [38] And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [39] For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 

    [40] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” [41] So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Romans 10:5-13 ESV

[5] For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 

    [6] But the righteousness based on faith says…[9] if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

    [11] For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. [13] For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

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 are justified before God only through faith in Christ Jesus  According to the Scriptures, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God, whether Jews or Gentiles.  We are made right with God only by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, whether Jews or Gentiles. God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight when we believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood for the forgiveness of our sins. Romans 3:9-12, 21-26 ESV [9] What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks (no Jews), are under sin, [10] as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; [11] no one understands; no one seeks for God. [12] All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”     [21] But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— [22] the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction [between Jews and Gentiles.]     [23] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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 3:7-9 ESV [7] Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. [8] And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” [9] So then, those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

‭‭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 Jesus’ body is God's Temple and that He in fact is the Living Stone, and in union with him we are also "living stones" filled with God's Spirit. When we are born of God's Spirit, our body becomes a temple of his Holy Spirit. But those Jews who do not believe that Jesus is the Cornerstone of God's Temple will be offended because they reject God's appointed Messiah through unbelief and disobedience, and consequently they will be put to shame.

‭‭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.

1 Peter 2:4-8 ESV [4] As you come to him (Jesus), a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, [5] you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.      [6] For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” [7] So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” [8] and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

God restored Israel every time they repented and turned to Him

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.

In Luke 6, Jesus sets God's clear standards about loving our enemies and never take revenge, but instead trust God to judge every situation:

Luke 6:27-36 ESV

[27]  “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. [29] To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. [30] Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. [31] And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. 

    [32]  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. [36] Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

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. 

Zionism secular ideology is based on hate and repression The Zionists members 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 the Palestinian people 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. 

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