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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Israel Is the Church, #8
Searching what, or what manner of time the spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (I Peter 1:11)
It was the Spirit of Christ who spoke through the Hebrews Prophets.
When the Lord Jesus came, He came to His own people, the Jews. The Kingdom is their Kingdom. The Spirit of God is their Holy Spirit. The original Pentecost fell upon 120 Jews. We Gentiles are enjoying the Jewish redemption. One could wish that the Jews would receive their own bread, their own Kingdom, their own Christ!
Let us think for a moment about what the Apostle Paul stated concerning who is a true Jew, a true member of Israel. Paul, the chief Christian Apostle, was an Orthodox Jew.
I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (Romans 11:1)
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. (II Corinthians 11:22)
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (Philippians 3:5)
Paul had a deep concern for physical Israel, his own race.
For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: (Romans 9:3)
Paul was aware that at one time many (not all!) of his race were of spiritual Israel; that his was the only nation that God had chosen as the revealer of His law and Glory.
Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 9:4,5)
Our Christ came from among the Jewish people. Let us Gentiles never forget that.
Now comes a statement that is exceedingly important in terms of our concept that physical Israel and spiritual Israel are not the same people, except when physical Israel is walking in the light of God's will and under His anointing. Being a member of physical Israel does not make an individual a member of spiritual Israel.
Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. (Romans 9:6,7)
"They are not all [spiritual] Israel, which are of [physical] Israel"!
The above passage is stating that not all Jewish people are members of God's elect. God has put a great love for Jewish people in the victorious saints of today. Let us keep in mind, however, that God is selective even among the Jews concerning the Messianic Kingdom. Let us keep in mind also that God today is moving on the physical Jews to return to the land of Israel. Since we Christians are debtors to the Jews for our spiritual inheritance we ought to respond to our obligation by helping the Jewish people in every way we can as they return to their land.
For it hath pleased them [the Gentiles] of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor [Jewish] saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:26,27)
To be continued.