Israel is Israel
Devotions for Growing Christians
Israel is Israel
Romans 11:26 - And thus all Israel will be saved.
Read all of Romans 11.
Israel is Israel! It's an odd title, but it’s important. Denominational boundaries have been formed over it! It’s a crucial point of hermeneutics (biblical interpretation). Every serious Bible student must work through the questions raised, and it's very important for growing Christians to grasp the concept that Israel is Israel. This topic is challenging reading, and it won't produce "warm fuzzy devotional feelings," but read on anyway!
The Important Question?
Will the unfulfilled prophecies and promises that were made to the Jewish people in the Old Testament be fulfilled literally to a literal Israel in the future? Or are these promises being fulfilled spiritually today in the Christian Church? Should Israel be viewed as the Church in the Old Testament, and the Church viewed as a "New Israel"? Does the Bible teach that there is only one "people of God" throughout human history - called "Israel" in the Old Testament and "the Church" in the New Testament? Or does the Bible consistently differentiate between Israel and the Church? How we answer these questions makes huge differences in our interpretation of the promises God made to Israel in the Old Testament. To get a handle on the subject, let's look at three passages of Scripture that illustrate important differences in interpretation.
Differences in Interpretation
Example 1 - Genesis 12. Was literal land in the Middle East promised by God to Abraham and his descendants in the Abrahamic covenant, that begins in Genesis 12? Or was God speaking figuratively of "spiritual land" that Christians would inherit? (See Genesis 13:14-17 and 15:18.) Abraham, Isaac and Jacob received this unconditional promise in a literal way. Years later, when the Jews were captives in Babylon, the prophet Ezekiel believed that, in spite of the disobedience of Israel, the ultimate literal fulfillment of the "land deal" made in the Abrahamic Covenant was not affected, and was still in force. (See Ezekiel 28:25-26.) Isn’t it logical to assume that we should interpret these promises in the same way as did the inspired prophet?
Example 2 - Isaiah 11. Read Isaiah 11. A prediction is made of a second return of Israel to its homeland from all over the world, including the islands of the sea. Isaiah 43:5 indicates that many will come "from the west" during this return. This return never took place in ancient history, because returns from Israel’s exile always came from the east. So how do we interpret this prophecy? Will this return to the Promised Land literally occur at a future time? Or should we decide that this prophecy does not refer to a literal Israel of the future, but is spiritually fulfilled as converts from all over the world are brought into the Church, a "new Israel"?
And how do we view the peaceful state of the animals in verses 6-9? Is this Eden-like description a prophecy of a literal time of future peace and harmony on the earth, or is it a figurative way of describing "wolf-like people" and "lamb-like people" getting along together peacefully in the Church?
To be consistent, we can’t interpret this passage both ways! Is it all figurative, and is being fulfilled “spiritually” today in the Church, the "new Israel”? Or it is all literal, and the promises will be fulfilled to literal Israel in the future - and Israel is still Israel?
Example 3 - Ezekiel 47. Consider Ezekiel 47. In this prophetic vision, Ezekiel predicted great physical blessings for Israel at a future time. There’s a detailed account of water flowing from the Temple area in Jerusalem down to the Dead Sea (v1-10). As a result, the Dead Sea (that presently has no aquatic life) becomes fresh, and is populated with many fish!
How do we interpret this detailed account of blessing for Israel? Should it be seen as an allegory - as great spiritual blessings for the Church, the "new Israel”? Does it mean the "gospel stream of living water" going out into this dead world? Does verse 10 refer to Christians - "fishers of men" catching converts out of a world, that is dead in sin? Does this a prophecy refer to the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Source of the river of life?
Or is Israel still Israel - and Ezekiel's prophetic vision is a clear and straightforward promise of great physical blessings that will literally come to the land and nation of Israel in the future?
When Did the Church Begin?
Many more Old Testament examples could be given, but these three should suffice to show the big differences that result in interpretation if we don't distinguish between Israel and the Church. Should the many unfulfilled promises made to Israel be spiritualized and transferred to the Church, or will these unfulfilled prophecies be fulfilled literally with Israel in the future?
Obviously, a key consideration in resolving this question is determining when the Church began. Some Christians believe that the Church began in the Old Testament, and there is no distinction between "the people of God" in the Old and New Testaments. If that is true, a case could be made for transferring to the Church the promises given to Israel in the Old Testament.
For instance, if the Church began with Abraham and his response of faith to God, there would be a legitimate scriptural basis for shifting the promises of the Abrahamic covenant from the people of God in the Old Testament (the nation of Israel) to the people of God in the New Testament (the Church). In that case, we could rightly blur the distinction between Israel and the Church. Israel could be considered the "Church of the Old Testament." The Church of the New Testament could be considered the so-called "new Israel" - a term that is never found in Scripture! But did the Church begin in the Old Testament?
Taking the Bible at face value, Scripture teaches that the Church did not begin in Old Testament times, but began with the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2). The first mention of the Church in the Bible is found in Matthew 16:18, when the Lord Jesus said, "I will build My Church, and the gates of hades shall not overpower it." If the Church had come into existence in Old Testament times, the Lord would have said, "I am building my Church," rather than "I will build My Church." When the Lord made this statement, He was speaking of future activity, because the Church did not yet exist.
Another reason for believing that the Church did not begin in Old Testament times is that the New Testament refers to the Church as a "mystery" (Ephesians 3:1-12). Today we use the term mystery to describe a strange happening or a detective novel. But the New Testament uses the term mystery to refer to a truth that was concealed in the Old Testament, but is now fully revealed with the coming of Christ. If "the Church" is merely a change in terminology for the people of God throughout human history, it would not be called a mystery. The mystery of the Church includes the great truths that the Church is the Body and Bride of Christ, (Ephesians 5:30-32) so obviously it could not have existed before Christ came! The Church is unique. It must be distinguished from Israel.
Not only is the Church called a mystery in the New Testament, but the apostle Paul, to whom this mystery was revealed, put great emphasis on the newness of the Church. Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians were being brought together in the Church to form "one new man" (Ephesians 2:15). The word "new" here is not the Greek word used for "new,"meaning recent in time. It's a different Greek word that means "new" - in the sense of different. The Church is different from anything which came before - different in form, quality, character and nature!
So Paul's description of the Church as "one new man" does not convey the idea of a recent addition of Gentiles to an already existing Jewish entity. He's not describing an "old Israel," composed only of Jews, being transformed into a "new Israel," composed of Jews and Gentiles. No! The Church is something brand new! The Church is distinct in essence from Israel.
Furthermore, Ephesians 2:19-20 likens this new body of believers to a building that is being constructed on "the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone." The foundation of a building obviously comes first - the building comes after the foundation is laid. Could the Church have started in Old Testament times when this Scripture clearly states that it is being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets - with Jesus Christ Himself as the foundational cornerstone?
The Olive Tree Illustration
In Romans 9-11, the apostle Paul builds a convincing case to prove that the Church has not replaced Israel, nor has it become the so-called "new Israel." These chapters show clearly that, in the mind of God, Israel is still Israel - even though New Testament times have come and the universal Church has been formed. Jews who have come to Jesus as their Savior (Messianic Jews) are part of the Church. (They are the "Israel of God" in Galatians 6:16 and the "remnant of Israel" in Romans 11:25.) But does not mean that God no longer has plans for Israel as a nation! A careful examination of the olive tree illustration in Romans 11 confirms this conclusion.
While Romans 11 indicates that individual Jewish Christians today are part of the Church (Paul himself being "Exhibit A"), it also teaches that the Jewish people as a nation will turn to the Lord in the future. This is the "all Israel" of verse 26. The olive tree illustration is key to understanding the confusing and much-debated scriptural statement, "All Israel shall be saved."
In the illustration, the olive tree represents the position of God's special favor. This privileged position was first occupied by Israel, is now occupied by the Gentiles, and will once again be occupied by Israel in the future. Using the olive tree illustration, the apostle Paul shows that the nation of Israel has been temporarily sidelined. Israel has been set aside temporarily from its former place of God's special favor, while the grace of God goes out to the Gentile nations (wild olive branches in the illustration). Israel will once again receive "Most Favored" status in the future, when the Jewish people turn back to the Lord. This truth is also called a mystery (11:25). It was concealed in the Old Testament, and not fully revealed until New Testament times.
In understanding Romans 11, it is very important to recognize that the olive branches do not represent believers in the Church. Remember - the olive tree does not represent the Church, but rather the position of favor in God's dealings with mankind. If the olive tree represented the Church and the branches represented the people of God throughout Old and New Testament times, we would have a big theological problem of true believers being "cut off"! No! The olive tree represents God's special place of privilege that was first occupied by Israel, is now occupied by the Gentiles, but will once again be occupied by Israel in the future.
With the olive tree illustration in mind, turn to Zechariah 13 for a clear prophecy of Romans 11:26. The "all Israel" that will be saved will consist of one third of the Jewish population. Zechariah 13 tells us that, in the process of cleansing from sin, two thirds of the people of Israel will be struck down (v8). The remaining one third will be saved. "They will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, 'They are My people,' and they will say, 'The Lord is our God'" (v9).
The groundwork for these great prophetic events is presently being prepared, but the great spiritual awakening of Israel possibly will not begin until "the fullness of the Gentiles has come in" (Romans 11:25), and the Church has been taken home to Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Then the time for the return of the natural branches to God's place of privilege will have fully arrived. The conversion of Israel at that time will lead to the return of the Messiah and the establishing of His glorious kingdom on earth. Then the unfulfilled prophecies and promises made to Israel will be literally fulfilled - because Israel is Israel!
Two questions
The first question regards Christians as the "spiritual seed of Abraham” in Galatians 3:7,29. The blessings of the covenants made with Israel in the Old Testament have been extended to the Church (2 Corinthians 7:1 and Hebrews 8) - but the unconditional promises made to the people of Israel have never been rescinded or taken away from the natural seed of Abraham!
The second question regards "typology" - seeing pictures (or types) of New Testament truth in Old Testament people, things or events. Typology is a legitimate form of spiritualization - used, for example, by our Lord Himself in John 3:14-15. In 1 Corinthians 10:1-11, the apostle Paul shows that the experiences of Israel in the wilderness are types; they are illustrations for the Christian life. Types are spiritual pictures. But notice - typology never denies or transfers the literal and historical aspects of the items pictured. Israel is never spiritualized away and replaced by the Church. In typology, Israel is still Israel!
When we read God's Word in a straightforward, normal way, the meaning becomes quite clear. Just as many Old Testament prophecies and promises have been fulfilled in a literal way to the natural descendants of Abraham, so the unfulfilled prophecies and promises will be fulfilled literally to Israel in the future. The land promised by God to the natural seed of Abraham is the literal land of Israel in the Middle East, in which descendants of Abraham will literally dwell.
In Messiah's future peaceful earthly kingdom, the lion will literally lie down with the lamb! The literal water of the literal Dead Sea will become fresh, will be populated with literal fish, and will be fished by real flesh-and-blood fishermen - not by a spiritual entity! And a literal Temple will be built in Jerusalem when the Lord returns to set up His literal kingdom on earth. The Old Testament prophecies and promises are not meant to be spiritualized or allegorized away from literal Israel and transferred to the Church as the so-called "new Israel." In fact, denying the literal fulfillment of prophecies and promises made to the historical nation of Israel by transferring them to the Church actually defames the character of God! It casts doubt on the authenticity of His clear communications with mankind! Does He, or doesn’t He, keep His promises exactly as He said?
Convoluted interpretation usually means bad interpretation! To practice consistent hermeneutics, we must differentiate between Israel and the Church all the way through the Bible. The Church is the Church, and Israel is Israel!
- Dave Reid