The Vigilant Citizen Forums

I have been accused of espousing replacement theology here and I've never really said anything. I will now. Replacement theology is heresy because it teaches that the Church replaced Israel. The Bible teaches that Israel is the Church. The Gentiles joined Israel is what Paul teaches in the Bible. We are all one if we accept and have faith in Christ.

What the Bible does not teach is that Jews are more loved by God, more special and holier than Gentiles. Biblically all who believe in the name of Jesus can now become the spiritual descendants of Abraham (Galatians 3:16, 29; Romans 4:16; 9:3-8).

Israel aka the Israel of God in Galatians 6 is the body of Christ. It makes no sense to believe that geographical Israel holds any special place to God if most of them reject Christ. The wrath of God is against them just like anyone else who hasnt turned to the lord. How many souls perish in Israel everyday and have perished sinxe 1948? How can we say they are Gods people if they die in their sin without Christ?

Have to disagree with that.

The bottomline is that there is no way to the father without Christ. It doesnt matter how jewish you are if you are without Christ you die in your sin and know not God.

That's true but * jacobs * trouble I believe these end times Israel is a prophetic marker. It doesn't make Jews any better it's just the way it is. Was Christ a Jew ? Yes he was. That wasn't random. Are we valued as much yes but he established a covenant and I believe the Bible tells us of generational curses and blessings. Israel is simply a reflection of the generational blessing of Abraham.

Who is the Israel of God in Galatians 6:16?

I think much like the prince of Persia references. Mystery Babylon. Modern day Sodom and Gomorrah etc. There are spiritual references and physical.

The nation of Israel is not a prophetic maker in the New Testament. Its about God's kingdom where the saints (Jews and Gentiles/Israel) are going, how to get there, how to have a relationship with Christ based on love and obedience. Israel as an earthly nation is not mentioned in end time prophecy either.

I guess I just don't see that
Pertinent questions arise. Has the Church in her history ever been scattered and exiled among the nations as the prophets foretold? Did the prophet Ezekiel really have the Church in mind when he stated “… they will live in their own land, which I gave to My servant Jacob”? (Ezekiel 28:25.

The Old covenant God made with the Jews failed because of disobedience and rebelliousness. The New Testament talks about the New covenant where God's law is written on the heart. The book of Hebrews describes the new covenant as better than the old covenant (Hebrews 8:6).

Israel's blessings are still being fulfilled in Israel. You are thinking of Israel in literal terms but Jesus, the apostles especially Paul made it clear that the Gentiles joined Israel. They joined the olive tree of Romans 11. The literal Jews who do not accept Jesus as Messiah and redeemer are out of the Israel of Christ which is about faith and accepting Christ. They are not contradicting Ezekiel 28:25.

“From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:28-31

Do not forget that Israel/the Church now includes Gentiles and they are now Israelites too. All those who are born in Christ are Israel/the Church! So all those promises in the Old Testament that were never fulfilled in literal Israel/Judah will be be fulfilled in Christ's Israel of the New covenant. That's the truth of the Bible.

I just don't agree I think the scripture teaches Israel and the church are two different things

What I am telling you is biblical. Its written of in the Bible a lot. Its God's standpoint. “there is neither Jew nor Greek, ... for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28, 29).