Christians are Spiritual Israel – Biblical Proofs
This study provides a Biblical overview of the true meaning of Spiritual Israel in prophecy. Most evangelical Christians believe in premillennialism, which teaches a future glorious age for national Israel (including another gospel on how Israel will be saved). The truth of the Bible reveals that the millennium is a spiritual portrait of the church age. National Israel (a remnant) is saved during the church age and both Jew and Gentile are one in Christ. This study is important to help remove the cloud that premillennialism places upon the truth of Biblical prophecy. Please click on the below video link or continue with the study that follows:
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Ramifications of Believing that Physical, National Israel Will Be Saved After Jesus Christ Returns
– Implication #1 – A Different Salvation Program for Israel
– Implication #2 – The Effect on Biblical Interpretation
– Implication #3 – Is God a Respecter of Persons?
– Implication #4 – The Belief about the Great Tribulation and Millennium
– Implication #5 – This teaching affects the way the church politically views national Israel today
– The New Testament Fulfillment of Israel and Judah (Hosea, Romans, 1 Peter)
– Jesus Christ is Israel, the First-Born
– The Church is the True Circumcision
– The New Covenant is Made with the House of Israel / Judah
– Israel after the flesh implies there is a spiritual Israel
– New Jerusalem – The Kingdom of God in heaven now and in eternity
– Jesus Christ will reign over the house of Jacob forever
– Christians are called Priests of God
– Prior to Christ, the Church was Israel
– Israel / Judah will end, not to Rise Again (Fig Tree Cursed)
– Israel Received all the Physical Promises
– Old Testament Promises Pointed to the New Testament Church
– Israel – the Chosen Church in the Wilderness (Same as the Church)
Introduction
A significant teaching in Christianity today is that the national Israel will one day be saved. That is, when Christ returns for His people (Christians), the entirety of those who are national Israel will turn to the Lord and be saved. By ‘national’ Israel, it is meant that those who are physical descendants of the patriarch Jacob (i.e., Israel). This teaching is very predominant in evangelical Christianity. It is widely held by most ‘conservative’ Christians.
The purpose to this essay is to examine this teaching. Is it true that God will call the physical nation of Israel such that the entire nation will call upon Christ and be saved? We will find that the Bible teaches that this is not true. Additionally, the teaching that national Israel will be saved when Jesus Christ returns to this earth results in 5 significant ramifications which affect how one interprets Biblical doctrine. These 5 ramifications are as follows:
- This teaching implies a different salvation program for national Israel than for the rest of mankind
- This teaching significantly affects how one interprets the Bible, especially the Old Testament
- This teaching implies that God is a respecter of persons (i.e. there is something special about national Israel that will cause God to save them)
- This teaching significantly affects what one believes about the nature of the tribulation and the millennium
- This teaching affects the way the church politically views national Israel today
Ramifications of Believing that Physical, National Israel Will Be Saved After Jesus Christ Returns
– Implication #1 – A Different Salvation Program for Israel
Those who teach that God will save the entirety of physical, national Israel at Christ’s coming are saying that there is a different salvation plan for national Israel. Instead of maintaining the Biblical doctrine that one is saved by faith alone that is given to the Christian by God (2 Pet 1:1, Phil 1:29, Eph 2:8-10, etc.), they teach that national Israel will be saved by seeing Jesus Christ. Therefore, this teaching is a false gospel. It denies faith since the definition of faith in Hebrews 1:1 is:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1)
Since faith is evidence of things not seen, then teaching that Israel will be saved once they see the return of Jesus Christ is not faith. Therefore, there are not saved by faith. Therefore, this teaching is a false gospel.
– Implication #2 – The Effect on Biblical Interpretation
By teaching that the current church that is being gathered out of the world is only an interlude to God’s program for Israel does great harm to the understanding of the Bible. This harm is easily seen in the teaching in most churches today. Those who teach the salvation of national Israel generally teach that the Old Testament teaching are primarily for Israel, albeit examples to Christians. Therefore, the Old Testament is limited to mostly moral truths. This significantly limits the extent of the Old Testament teaching as it relates to the church. This teaching conveniently ignores the failures of Israel and how these failures directly relate to then church. That is, if one views the Old Testament Israel as the church (Acts 7:38), then the warnings in the Old Testament (especially the major and minor prophets) become much, much more meaningful to the visible church today. In other words, if the New Testament period is just a temporary interlude, it is easier to remove oneself from the warnings to Israel in the Old Testament.
– Implication #3 – Is God a Respecter of Persons?
Of course, everyone would answer ‘no’ to this question since the Bible is abundantly clear that God is not a respecter of persons (Acts 10:34, Deut 10:17, 16:19, Gal 2:6, Ro 2:11, Lk 20:21, etc.). However, if God chooses to save national Israel, then He would be respecting the physical national origin of a person. This would contradict the above Scriptures and the following Biblical truth:
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: 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. (Gal 3:27-29)
– Implication #4 – The Belief about the Great Tribulation and Millennium
Those that believe that national Israel will be saved at the return of Christ also generally believe that Christians will be raptured prior to the Great Tribulation and then the Great Tribulation period of time (they teach this will last 7 literal years) will be a time of Great Tribulation on Earth. At the end of the Great Tribulation, they believe, Christ will return with His saints and He will set up an ever-lasting kingdom on earth which will be the millennium. During this time National Israel will be saved since they will see the Christ. As discussed earlier, teaching salvation of Israel due to their seeing of the Christ is a false gospel. But, the so-called, pre-tribulational, pre-millennial rapture of believers is not what the Bible teaches. Nor does the Bible teach a literal 1000 year reign of Christ o the Earth to save Israel.
– Implication #5 – This teaching affects the way the church politically views national Israel today
If one believes in a separate salvation program for National Israel, this will affect how they view National Israel today. Although a Christian’s role is not to involve themselves in politics (since they are ambassadors for Christ and belong to a heavenly kingdom), the fact of the matter is that much of world politics is shaped by what one thinks of National Israel. The so-called Christian right adamantly supports National Israel and supports politicians who do so as well.
Biblical Proofs that Spiritual Israel Consists of Christians (no matter from what nationality or race)
– The New Testament Fulfillment of Israel and Judah (Hosea, Romans, 1 Peter)
It is also important to recognize that true Christians are referred to in the Bible as being the true fulfillment of spiritual Israel and Judah. In order to understand who spiritual Israel is, we must understand that God originally made an everlasting covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (later name changed to Israel). We find that the God of Israel has made an everlasting covenant with Israel (2 Sam 23:5, 2 Sam 7:14-16, Je 32:40, 33:25-26, Eze 37:26, Heb 13:20, etc.). Also, in the Old Testament, we find repeated mention that God called Israel ‘My People’ (e.g., 1 Ki 16:2, 1 Chr 17:6, Ps 50:7, 81:8, Jer 12;14, etc.).
In the book of Hosea, we find an important parable concerning God and Israel. Hosea was commanded by the Lord to take a wife of whoredoms, which he did (Hos 1:1-3). She had three children, which all served as examples that God would put away Israel (pictured by the wife of whoredoms) (see Hos 1:4-11). For example, we find this of the third child Loammi:
Then said God, Call his name Loammi: for ye are not my people, and I will not be your God. Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God. Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel. (Hos 1:9-11)
The example of Loammi was that God was casting away Israel, such that they would not be His people. This was the nation of Israel, who committed harlotry by serving other gods and idols. But, in the passage above, the everlasting covenant with Abraham is remembered since the number of Israel shall ultimately still be as the ‘sand of the sea’ (Gen 13:16, 32:12, etc.). We also see similar promises in Hos 2:14-23, where we see the promise of God that He will have mercy upon people who previous were not God’s people and they will become His people.
These important passages in Hosea 1-2 are quoted in the New Testament (1 Pet 2:10, Ro 9:25-26) as referring to the New Testament church that contains Jew and Gentile alike:
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Pe 2:9-10, see quote from Hos 2:23)
In addition, the passage in Ro 9 even provides much more insight into who spiritual Israel is:
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles? As he says also in Hosea, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God. (Rom 9:24-26)
The above passage (see verse 24) clearly involves the inclusion of the Gentiles into the promises of God. The fulfillment of Hosea chapters 1 and 2 is found in the New Testament that both Jew and Gentile alike may become part of the household of God. Therefore, the promises to Israel in the book Hosea are fulfilled not only in those of the tribes of Israel physically, but also people from all ends of the world. Earlier in Romans chapter 9, Paul reports that he has heaviness of heart (Ro 9:2) for Israel since they are not following Christ. But Paul in Romans 9:6-8 concludes this:
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. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Rom 9:6-8, see also Gal 3:7, 16, 28‑29, Heb 2:16, Ro 4:13-16, etc. concerning the seed)
Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit concludes that it is the children of promise who are the children of God, not those of the flesh. In verse 6, Paul says that ‘they are not all Israel, which are of Israel’. In other words, there is a physical Israel and there is a spiritual Israel. Just because one may be physically descended from Jacob (Israel) does not mean that they are spiritual Israel. Later in Romans 9:9-23, the principle of God’s election and the fact that He can save and gather into the kingdom of His people is not dependent upon the flesh, but is dependent upon God’s will since he is the potter and we are merely the clay (Ro 9:21-23).
Similarly, in Romans 2:28-29, God provides us another clear definition of who is a true (spiritual) Jew (i.e., one from Judah, son if Israel):
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom 2:28-29)
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. (Rev 2:9)
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. (Rev 3:9)
This is another very clear Scripture that says that if one is really a Jew, it is because they have circumcised hearts (i.e., all true Christians, see Gal 6:15, Col 2:11-12). Therefore, a true spiritual Jew is the person who has been born again, having their hearts circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, but by Christ.
Continuing on in Ro 9:27-28, we find another citation in Romans 9 that refers to Christians (true spiritual Israel) which extracted from the book of Isaiah, which referred to Israel:
Isaiah also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (Rom 9:27-28, see Isaiah 10:22-23)
This Scripture refers to Israel of the Old Testament, but finds its fulfillment in the church of the New Testament that contains Jew and gentile alike. Finally Romans 9 has one addition citation from the Old Testament that referred to Judah, but had its fulfillment in the church of the New Testament:
And as Isaiah said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha. What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Rom 9:29-33)
The final verse in this passage regarding the stone of stumbling and rock of offence has its roots in Old Testament verses (Ps 118:22, Is 8:14-15, Is 28:16) which clearly have Israel / Judah in focus.
– The Twain shall be made One
In addition to many, many verses in the New Testament that are allusions, quotes and references to Old Testament verses that refer to Israel / Judah, the New Testament provides other clear evidence that, in Jesus Christ, there is no distinction between Jew or Gentile. Combined in Christ, they are spiritual Israel:
Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together grow unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph 2:11-22)
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. (Col 3:11)
The following Scripture refers to spiritual Israel, who have received the peace and mercy of God.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. (Gal 6:16)
The following Scripture would need to refer to Israel ‘after the flesh’ if there was not another spiritual Israel:
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
(1Co 10:18)
– One Olive Tree
Returning to the book of Romans, chapter 11 provides similar insight into the fact that the entirety of Israel is Jew and Gentile alike:
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree…(Rom 11:11-17)
The above passage informs us that not all of Israel is lost. Although by and large, a substantial portion of physical Israel / Judah have no interest in following Christ, there is always a remnant. Both Israel and Gentile can be combined into the same olive tree:
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. (Rom 11:18-32)
Both Israel and Gentile were in unbelief, but God can have mercy on all the elect, whether of Israel or Gentile.
One final example is worthwhile examining. In Acts 13:47, Paul and Barnabas, in response to opposition from Jews, preached this in Antioch:
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. (Act 13:47)
These statements are referenced from various Old Testament verses / prophecies that Israel would include the Gentiles from all over the world: Is 42:6, 49:6, 45:22-25, Is 52:9-10, Amos 9:11-15, Zeph 3:9-13, etc.).
– Jesus Christ is Israel, the First-Born
- Israel – literal meaning ‘Prince with God’ – see Gen 32:28
- Heb: H3478 (yisrael) – From H8280 and H410; he will rule as God
- H8280 – sarah – literally, prince – same as H8282 and H8283 (princess) – Sarah (H8283)
- H410 – el – God
- In Gen 32:28 – “…as a prince hast thou power with God” – Hebrew words H8280 (prince), H5973 (with) and H430 (el – literally, God)
- In Mat 2:15 (w/ Ex 4:22, Num 24:8, Hos 11:1), we find an important truth that Jesus Christ is actually the fulfillment of Israel. The name Israel literally means ‘Prince with God’. We know that Jesus is the ‘Prince of life’ (Acts 3:15), the exalted Prince (Acts 5:31), the Prince of princes (Dan 8:25) and the Prince of Peace (Is 9:6).
- And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. (Mat 2:15)
- And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn. (Exo 4:22-23)
- When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Hos 11:1)
- Jesus is the first-born Son – Ro 8:29, Col 1:15, Col 1:18, Heb 1:6, Heb 12:23, Rev 1:5, Ps 89:27
- And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two women-servants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank. (Gen 32:22-32)
- Children of Israel are God’s people – names on the 12 gates of New Jerusalem (Rev 21:12-13
- Tribes of Israel – 144,000 – Rev 7:1-8
– The Church is the True Circumcision
These following verses indicate that the circumcision of the Old Testament (Gen 17:5-11) had a spiritual meaning involving the need to being circumcised in the heart:
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Php 3:3)
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. (Deu 10:16)
And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live. (Deu 30:6)
Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and take away the foreskins of your heart, ye men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem: lest my fury come forth like fire, and burn that none can quench it, because of the evil of your doings. (Jer 4:4)
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (Col 2:11)
And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity:
(Lev 26:41)
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Rom 2:28-29)
Egypt, and Judah, and Edom, and the children of Ammon, and Moab, and all that are in the utmost corners, that dwell in the wilderness: for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart. (Jer 9:26)
Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Rom 4:9-13)
And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (Col 2:10-13)
– The New Covenant is Made with the House of Israel / Judah
A comparison of Heb 8:10, 10:16‑17, Jer 31:34 clearly indicates that although the promise was addressed to Israel / Judah in the Jer 31:34, the fulfillment was in all true Christians, whether Jew or Gentile:
Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jer 31:31-34)
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away. (Heb 8:8-13)
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Heb 10:15-17)
– Israel after the flesh implies there is a spiritual Israel
Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
(1Co 10:18)
– New Jerusalem – The Kingdom of God in heaven now and in eternity
It is very important to understand that the true spiritual Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God:
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Gal 4:26)
But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, (Heb 12:22)
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Rev 3:12)
And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband…And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, (Rev 21:2, 21:10, see also Rev 22:19, Is 65:17-25)
And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.
(Rev 21:10-15, note the joining of Old Testament and New Testament saints)
All the above verses from the New Testament clearly identify for us that the true spiritual Jerusalem is the heavenly Jerusalem. This heavenly Jerusalem is the dwelling place of God and His people in the new heavens and the new earth (Rev 21:1) since the first earth and first heavens will be destroyed (2 Pet 3:7-14). The entire chapter of Revelation describes the true, new Jerusalem, which is the city of God. We find that New Jerusalem is the true church (i.e., all of God’s saved people from all times). Therefore, it is likened as a bride prepared for her Husband, who is Jesus Christ (Eph 5:22-23, 32). Additionally, in Rev 21:3, we find that this new Jerusalem is the tabernacle (i.e., tent) of God where God will dwell with His people. Therefore, we find that the true heavenly Jerusalem is the eternal dwelling place of God and His people, which was typified by earthly Jerusalem and the earthly tabernacle of Israel in the wilderness. Also, we find in Hebrews 9:24 that the Holy of Holies (i.e., the inner holy place) of the temple of God also symbolized heaven itself.
In the Old Testament, we also find that Jerusalem is the location where God would place his name forever (see also, 2 Chr 33:4, 2 Chr 6:6, 2 Chr 7:16, 1 Ki 8:29, 1 Ki 9:3, Deut 26:2, etc.):
Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: (Deu 12:11)
However, we find that when Jesus was speaking with the Samaritan woman that the worship of God occurs not only in a physical place, but all those who worship God worship Him in spirit and in truth:
Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (Joh 4:20-23)
Jesus emphasizes that earthly Jerusalem is not the focus of where we are to worship. It is God who is our focus, who dwells in heavenly Jerusalem, the city of God (Gal 4:25-26, Heb 12:22).
Moreover, we find ample evidence in the Old Testament that God dwells in heavenly Jerusalem:
Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the LORD. (Psa 135:21)
For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. (Psa 132:13-17)
Other passages that testify to spiritual heavenly Jerusalem include:
- Is 52:1-12, Is 45:11‑25, Is 65:17-25, Is 60:14-15, Is 40:1-9, Is 62:1-12, Ps 102:12-28, Ps 116:13-19, Ps 122, Ps 125, Ps 128, Ps 135:21, Ps 137, Ps 147
– The Seed of Abraham
Seed of Abraham, children of promise, heirs – Ro 9:7-8, Gen 22:17, Gal 3:7, 16, 28-29, Gal 4:26-28, Ro 4:16, Eph 3:6, Lk 1:53-55
– Jesus Christ will reign over the house of Jacob forever
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
(Luk 1:33)
– Christians are called Priests of God
Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pe 2:5)
Please compare the above verse to Is 61:6, 66:21, Rev 1:6, 5:10, 20:6
– Prior to Christ, the Church was Israel
This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:
(Act 7:38)
– Israel / Judah will end, not to Rise Again (Fig Tree Cursed)
Israel shall no more rise – Amos 5:1-2
The end of Israel and Judah – Amos 8:2, Lam 4:18, Eze 7:2,
The Fig tree is cursed – Mat 21:18-22, Mk 11:12-14
The Lord has rejected them – Jer 6:30
– Israel Received all the Physical Promises
Israel received all the physical promises – Neh 9:7-8, Josh 21:43-45, 23:14, Ps 105:43-44
– Old Testament Promises Pointed to the New Testament Church
Declare praises in the midst of congregation (church) – Ps 22:22-25 with Heb 2:12
Temple of God / House of God – 2 Cor 6:16 with Ez 37:15-28, Eph 2:19-22; 2 Cor 6:16 with Ez 37:15‑28
Pilgrims and strangers – 1 Pet 1:1, 17, 2:11 Heb 11:13 with Ps 119:19, 54, 39:12, 1 Chr 29:15, Lev 25;23
Holy nation – 1 Pet 2:9 with Ps 106:5
Peculiar people – 1 Pet 2:9, Deut 7:6, 4:20, 14:2, 26:18-19
Regathering of Lost Sheep of Israel – Mat 10:6, Mat 15:24, Ez 34:11-24, Ps 78:52 with John 10
Entering rest – Heb 3:7- 4:11 (i.e., the promised land of Israel)
Pour Spirit upon the seed of Jacob – Is 44:3-5 with Acts 2:17, 33, 39, Acts 10:45, Is 32:15, 59:21, etc.
Regathering of Tribes of Israel – John 11:50-52 and Mat 19:27‑28 with Is 11:1-4, 14, 56:8
Receive repentance and forgiveness of sins – Lk 24:47, Acts 5:31, 11:18, Ro 11:26-27, 2 Tim 2:25-26, Col 1:14 with Jer 31:31-33, Ez 36:25-38, Zech 12:10
Jesus will reign over the house of Jacob forever, a kingdom which never ends – Lk 1:33
Twelve tribes in dispersion – James 1:1
– Israel – the Chosen Church in the Wilderness (Same as the Church)
This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear. This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: (Act 7:37-38)
Kingdom of priests / holy nation:
- Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Exo 19:5-6)
- But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1Pe 2:9)
Jerusalem Chosen:
- Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. (2Sa 6:1)
- Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen. (1Ki 11:13)
- (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) (1Ki 11:32)
- And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. (1Ki 11:36)
- And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: (2Ki 21:7)
- And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there. (2Ki 23:27)
- But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2Ch 6:6)
- So king Rehoboam strengthened himself in Jerusalem, and reigned: for Rehoboam was one and forty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the LORD had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put his name there. And his mother’s name was Naamah an Ammonitess. (2Ch 12:13)
- And he set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: (2Ch 33:7)
- And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? (Zec 3:2)
Jacob (Israel) Chosen:
- For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth. (Deu 7:6)
- O ye seed of Israel his servant, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones. (1Ch 16:13)
- O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen. (Psa 105:6)
- For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure. (Psa 135:4)
- But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (Isa 41:8)
- Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: (Isa 44:1)
- Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen. (Isa 44:2)
David / Solomon chosen:
- Howbeit the LORD God of Israel chose me before all the house of my father to be king over Israel for ever: for he hath chosen Judah to be the ruler; and of the house of Judah, the house of my father; and among the sons of my father he liked me to make me king over all Israel: (1Ch 28:4)
- And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. (1Ch 28:5)
- But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel. (2Ch 6:6)