The church is part of Israel

This sounds strange. Isn’t the Church greater than Israel? Or is the Church replacing Israel? Or will Israel make a comeback at the end of times without the church? This implies a controversy that does not exist.

The mystery of the Gentiles

In the letter to the Ephesians Paul writes: “that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”

The mystery is not a secret but an unbelievable act: The Gentiles share with Israel the heritage, the same body and the promises. They are united by Christ, which is a fulfillment of Isaiah.

Jesus is the New Covenant, and Jews and Gentiles are end-time Israel. This began when Jesus died on the cross and will be completed when He returns. The end-time Israel is not a nation, but is defined by belonging to Jesus.

There are many terms used in the Old Testament for Israel that are now used for the Church, which is the new Israel, which includes ethnic Israel that believes in Jesus, which includes Gentiles that believe in Jesus. In fact, the covenant with Israel was only an intermediary between Abraham and the Church.

Beloved of the Lord

This is a term used when God calls the tribe of Benjamin, when He speaks about of Israel breaking the covenant.

But we also find this term when Paul mentions that the we are chosen. Interestingly he also uses the term “ekklesia” here, which is used in the Old Testament to describe when Israel gathers together to worship God.

In the letter of the Romans the prophet Hosea is called to calls Israel his beloved which is now fulfilled for the Gentiles.

Gods son

Israel is called God’s son,

• even the first-born son when God calls for the Exodus,
• in the introduction on how to treat yourself,
• when Israel had forgotten that God was their father,
• a confirmation of how God cares for His children,
• Israel is called in the future when they grow up as God’s children,
• when God remembers the Exodus,
• when Israel’s tribe Ephraim is called first-born,
• spoken of as first-born of David’s son.

The church is called God’s Son, just as Jesus is God’s Son and we are all His brothers because we are all adopted by Him. As Jesus is Abraham’s seed, so are we. We are children of the promise like Isaac and Jerusalem is our mother.

We are also called the descendants of Israel.

Circumcision

This is actually something that goes back to Abraham. Paul states that a Jew who is only circumcised “outwardly” but not in his heart is not a Jew, later confirming and showing that true circumcision is only possible in Christ.

The temple

Another identification is the temple which is the place where Israel had fellowship with God. We are now that temple now and should therefore take care on our lifestyle. The temple is based on Jesus.

Bride of God

Israel is called the bride of God in the Old Testament, even in times of unfaithfulness, which God even had Hosea illustrate by marrying a woman.

But the church is also called a bride, and the marriage to Christ is compared to the marriage between a man and a woman.

In Revelation the bride of Christ is the church which includes elements of the church (apostles) as well as Israel (tribes)

Kingdom of priests

Israel is called a kingdom of priests which is directly applied to the church in Peter, the introduction in Revelation and later in the worship of Christ.

Gods vineyard

God applies the image of the vineyard to Israel, which is mistreated or abundant. Jesus picks up this image and shows the failure of Israel and gives it to others who bring fruit, which is then applied by Paul to the church.

Olive tree

Israel is mentioned as an olive tree, e.g. for the northern kingdom, to remind them when they broke the covenant or when he calls Israel for restoration.

This could be individuals in Israel or leaders such as a judge in Israel or King David or Joshua and Zerubbabel.

On the other hand the Gentiles are described as becoming part of the olive tree and the church is identified as the two olive trees from the prophet Zechariah which is further elaborated in the context of the two witnesses.

Treasured possession of God

Let’s have a look at Titus: “Who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.”

God calls His Israel as His very own treasured possession, because he chose Israel to the pure so that Israel should follow His commandments.

The phrase “eager to do what is good” is a call for Israel to be obedient to God.

Redeem from all wickedness is a reference to the Psalms where Israel is promised to be redeemed from all wickedness.

The ministry

Isaiah 49 is fulfilled in the church.

Pouring out of the Spirit

You may know that the prophecy of Joel of the outpouring of the Spirit is fulfilled at Pentecost.

But if you look at the context, there is an important point. This describes the restoration of Israel from verse 18 on, especially the verse after that refers to Israel. Also the outpouring of the Spirit was promised only to Israel and the servant, never to the nations.

The outpouring of the Spirit was to take place in the last days, a phrase used in that way only in Isaiah, where it describes when the nations come to Jerusalem. These nations are listed and are a smaller version of the scattered list from the Tower of Babel, showing that this applies to all nations.

When Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit, it was so astonishing that there were no objection anymore to Peter to enter a Gentile house.

Acts 2 is fulfillment of Acts 1 (filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1/8 is fulfillment of Isaiah.

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