Another convergence that will take place is the covering of the earthly form of the victorious saint with spiritual life and glory that have been formed by means of his tribulations on the earth.

It is as though a mechanic had taken a machine apart, had repaired, cleaned, and oiled the several parts, and then had put them back together. So it is that God has separated our physical nature and our spiritual nature for a season while our spiritual nature is being perfected. When our spiritual nature has been made perfect, then our personality will be joined together once again.

Yet another convergence must be considered, and that is the convergence of the Christian Church, which is the Body of Christ, and the physical land and people of Israel.

The convergence of the Christian Church and the land and people of Israel is a part of the convergence of the spiritual and material realms. The Christian Church, including both elect Jews and elect Gentiles, is the spiritual dimension of God's Israel, while the land and the people of Israel remain bound in the material realm. Yet the two dimensions of Israel are one Kingdom and are destined to converge.

When reading the Hebrew Prophets we can note that some passages apply to the physical land and people of Israel and do not lend themselves to a spiritual interpretation, except by fanciful applications.

For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people. (Isaiah 7:8)

Obviously the above verse is not to be spiritualized and applied to the Christian Church.

A second category of passages point directly toward Christ and those who are part of Christ's spiritual Kingdom.

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (Isaiah 53:12)

The second category (the passages that point directly to Christ and His Kingdom) apply to all who are of spiritual Israel—Jews and Christians alike. The term Israel refers primarily to spiritual Israel, that is, to all those (Jews and Gentiles) who are part of Christ.

There is a natural, physical Israel. When we are thinking of Israel we need to differentiate in our mind whether we are considering spiritual Israel or physical Israel.

Although the natural Jews have lost the Divine favor for a season, we must remember that the gifts and callings of God are without repentance. God never changes His mind because He knows the end from the beginning. It was from natural Israel that the first Christian church was formed. In the last days God shall turn again to natural Israel and shall take from them a people for His name. Those whom God elects in that day will become an integral part of spiritual Israel, of the Body of Christ. Let us always keep in mind that the ultimate manifestation of salvation is the new Jerusalem.

For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. (Isaiah 62:1)

To be continued.