As of late there has been a great deal of discussion regarding the true identity of Israel.
First and perhaps foremost, the church has not replaced or become Israel. The western denominations may claim such a status for themselves, but they do not have a Biblical basis to do so. I know they chatter on about how the Jews rejected their own messiah and turned to the gentile nations, but is that all that is required?
Again, the question really is, who does the bible say Israel is?
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 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.
Romans 9:6-8
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 1:11-12
Israel, particularly Judah, rejected their Messiah, opening the door to the gentile world in a way that was unprecedented until that point.
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
John 1:13
This supernatural birth was rejected by the Jews first, but it has also been rejected by the majority of denominational Christianity as well.
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:3
This born-again experience is the point of entry into the kingdom of God. You can not see that, to understand or comprehend, grasp with the mind what the kingdom is about, until you have been born again
horaō (Key) G3708
- to see with the mind, to perceive, know
- to see, i.e. become acquainted with by experience, to experience
This is thought of as a “Pentecostal experience,” and indeed it is, but it did not originate with modern Pentecostalism, nor is it a guarantee that a person will be found worthy at the second coming. It is just the beginning of our walk with God.
The question still remains: who is Israel?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
Matthew 19:17
I know that at this point many will tune me out and say the commandments were just for the Jews, we are under grace.
The commandments Jesus is speaking of are the Decalogue or Ten Commandments. Surely you’re not going to try and tell me it is now permissible to kill, steal, and commit adultery, are you?
The problem with these commandments is that among them is the commandment to keep the Sabbath – the weekly Saturday Sabbath, as well as the annual high Sabbaths or Moedim, as well.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 31:15-17
There is no place in scripture that teaches the Sabbath has been done away with. The sabbath is a sign or a token of fidelity from God’s people towards the selfsame God. We keep the Sabbaths because these days are the only days Yehovah has ever established as days of communion with him. They are appointed by God himself and not man.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever:
Exodus 31:16
Who is Israel?
They that are obedient to the whole council of God.
5 Every word of God is pure:
Proverbs 30:5-6
he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
6 Add thou not unto his words,
lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.
Deuteronomy 4:2-3
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 22:18-19
Who is Israel? First and foremost, Israel is comprised of those who have obeyed from the heart the things written in the scriptures. Israel does not excuse herself from that which may seem difficult.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:37-40
Israel is born of the spirit, and that birth is biblically defined.
Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:15-18
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 2:1-4
Are you Israel? Have you repented of your sins, turned away from the wicked preoccupations of this present life, and begun to search for truth?
Are you Israel? Have you been baptized with the invocation of the name Yeshua? Have you crossed through the sea and left your sin behind you?
Are you Israel? Have you been filled with the abiding spirit of the living God?
Are you Israeli?
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