07/31/14 THINK ABOUT THIS AS YOU WATCH THE NEWS

07/31/14 THINK ABOUT THIS AS YOU WATCH THE NEWS
Last night, at Bible study, I pointed out the importance of understanding the place that Israel has in the plan of God today and in the future. Israel is not the people of God today (an elect nation, since God does not have a nation on the earth today), but rather the Church is God's corporate people, consisting of both Jews and Gentiles. This does not mean that the promises made to Abraham and the Jewish people are no longer valid or appropriate to the physical decedents of Abraham. Israel still holds a place in the future plan of God, and Israel still enjoys the protection of God, because of His promises to them.

Do not forget, Jesus was a Jew, the first disciples were Jews, the Apostles were Jews and the early Church was overwhelmingly Jewish. God did not expel or cut off the Jews because of some unilateral decision, but His plan was to manifest Himself through the Bride of Christ, which would include Israel. However, as the Israeli people chose not to accept Jesus as Messiah (which the Old Testament prophets foretold), then they were not any more elect to salvation than anyone else who rejected Christ.

However, God is not through with the Jews. He has kept them and will keep them and He will restore them to a special place in the future. In the mean time we will see Old Testament prophecies concerning the hatred of Israel and the suffering and disobedience of Israel increase until and into the Tribulation period (which will begin after the Rapture of the Church). Then Israel will realize their sin of rejecting Messiah, and will turn to Christ in faith. The Return of Christ to the earth will end the Tribulation and the judgment of the nations will usher in the Millennial reign of Christ, with headquarters in Jerusalem.

I explained how antisemitism has been fostered in the theology of the Roman Church and other Orthodox Christian groups and the Reformed movement. This negative view of Israel and Judaism is seen in the denial that God has made promises to Israel, which are not applicable to the Church.

A basic overview of the Bible tells us that God recognizes the uniqueness of three main groups; Israel (the physical line of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob), the Church (the body of Christ), and the World (those who have no relationship to God or claim on any of God's promises).

There are promises and responsibilities in the Bible that only apply to Israel, there are promises and responsibilities in the Bible that only apply to the Church. There are some promises and responsibilities that apply to both Israel and the Church. To confuse these lines of authority and answer-ability is to misunderstand the Bible.