True Israel

Dear Christian Friend,

There is a lot of talk about “Israel” these days among Christians. There seems to be a variety of views concerning exactly who Israel is and what part Israel will play in the plan of God.

Christendom in generally divided between three views regarding Israel. Moreover, these views produce opposing attitudes towards the Jewish people. Some say Israel is comprised exclusively of the Jewish people and the Jewish State in the Middle East. Others claim that Israel is comprised exclusively of the Christian Church. Still others believe that there are actually two Israels; a “spiritual” one and a “natural” one.

The two Israel view usually sees spiritual Israel as the New Testament Church, while natural Israel is viewed as the Jewish people and the Jewish State. Who do you say Israel is? More importantly, do you know what the Scripture actually teaches concerning the identity and destiny of Israel? Do you know how you, as a believer, are to relate to the Jewish people?

Should we despise them? Should we love them? Should we be “neutral” or “indifferent?” Should we stay uninvolved and just ignore the whole issue? What about the Jewish State of “Israel?” Should we support it, oppose it or ignore it?

Today’s Christians are extremely confused about the identity and destiny of Israel. This is simply because none of the three major views are really correct - though each one is partially true. We do not believe it is God’s will that His people remain ignorant of such an important subject. Therefore, we hope you will take a few minutes to read this pamphlet.

Our divergent views of Israel are not new. Since the third century, Christendom has held opposing views regarding the identity of Israel. On the one hand, some Christians have said there is only one Israel and that Israel is now the New Testament Church. The Jews had their chance to be the “chosen people” and they blew it. God has permanently rejected them and established a new {mostly Gentile} chosen people. He has replaced the natural nation of Jews with a spiritual nation of New Testament Christians.

This view is called “Replacement Theology” because it assumes that we Gentile Christians have “replaced” completely and eternally the natural Jew as God’s chosen people. This was the position of the Roman Catholic Church, and of the vast majority of Christians for over a thousand years. Generally speaking, those who accept Replacement Theology are, or end up anti-Semitic. They become prejudiced against the natural Jew.

On the other hand, some Christians have maintained there is only one Israel and that Israel is the Jewish people. The biological seed of Abraham remains the Israel of God, no matter what kind of spiritual condition they may be in currently. Those who have viewed Israel as a geo-political entity, comprised entirely of biological Jews, usually end up becoming philo-Semitic. That is, they end up exalting the Jewish people above the Christians and practically worship them. They ascribe to them a place in the plan of God which they are not given by Scripture.

There have also been believers who were not in complete agreement with either of these two prevailing extremes. However, on a theological level they did not actually constitute a third view on Israel because they never formulated any doctrines to express how they felt. On a practical level, they never saw themselves as having anything against the Jews. They would never see themselves as anti-Semitic. But neither were they interested in getting involved with the Jewish issue or the Jewish people. They wanted to basically ignore the whole question and worry about the Gentile world. They definitely were not philo-Semitic.

In the eighteen-hundreds a leader of a religious group looked at this great division of opinion and attitude among Christians and came up with a solution that would satisfy everyone, especially those who didn’t agree with either of the two prevailing views. He invented a new concept of Israel. He said that there are actually two Israels of God. The first Israel is natural Israel, which is comprised of the biological seed of Abraham, which also would now include the modern State of Israel. The second Israel is spiritual Israel, which is comprised of the spiritual seed of Abraham, New Testament Christians.

He taught that natural Israel is, and will forever remain, a strictly biological chosen people and that after the establishment of the New Covenant, God formed a second chosen people - a spiritual chosen people called the Church. Now, said he, there are two chosen peoples and two “Israels”, one natural, one spiritual. He also taught that each Israel had its own separate eternal destiny based on different promises and covenants. The man who invented this new approach to Israel was John Nelson Darby, one of the leaders of the Plymouth Brethren Movement in Europe in the 1830s. This view became part of a wider system of interpretation known as “Dispensationalism.”

Today believers are still divided into one of these three doctrinal views. Some still accept Replacement Theology and are anti-Semitic. Others still hold to the strictly natural view of Israel and are philo-Semitic. Probably the majority of today’s Christians accept the Dispensational view - even though it is a fairly new, unbiblical view.

Also, we still have those who want to remain unconcerned and uninvolved. This group of Christians basically wants to ignore the whole issue for it has nothing to do with their current vision or religious goals.

Unfortunately however, those who claim to be neutral usually aren’t. For when you force them to look at the issue of the Jews, most of them will get highly indignant, even hostile. When you back them into a corner and press them to speak on the issue, what comes out of their mouth will reveal what is really in their heart concerning the Jews.

You see, there really is no neutral position on the Jewish question for the Scripture commands us to love the Jews and show them mercy, regardless of our particular doctrinal viewpoint or their present spiritual condition. To be neutral is to actually be “anti” because we will not or cannot obey the Scripture when it tells us to show mercy to the Jews. Deep down in our hearts there is a reason for this.

The apostle Paul taught two very important truths about Israel, especially in Romans. The first great truth he taught about Israel was that the biological, geo-political Jewish nation was divided between two groups of Hebrews. There were the “children of promise” and there were the “children of the flesh.” {Rom. 9:8} Unfortunately, the majority of the Jewish people in Paul’s day were the children of the “flesh.” Only a remnant of the nation were the children of the “promise.” These he called “the election” or the elect. The elect remnant of Jews in the nation of Israel constituted the True Israel.

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.

Romans 9:6-8

Here we have two Israels mentioned. “They are not all {True} Israel,” said Paul, which are of {National} Israel. Neither because they are the {biological} seed of Abraham are they all {counted as} children {of the promise}. They which are the children of the flesh, {the majority} these are not the children of God. But the children of the promise {the elect remnant} are counted for the seed. This seems pretty clear, does it not?

How do we know which Jew should be counted as the “seed” and which Jew should not be counted as that seed? The answer is quite simple. The children of promise walk in faith and obedience while the children of the flesh walk in rebellion and unbelief. Their deeds reveal exactly which “seed” they are of.

Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Romans 11:5-7

Here again we find Paul contrasting two Israels. Elect Israel {True Israel} obtained the promise but National Israel {the rest of the Jewish people} did not obtain it. There were indeed two Israels, just like Darby said. However, Darby was totally mistaken in his identification of who these two Israels actually were, for Both Israels were comprised of biological Jews. One was elect, one was not elect; one was faithful, one was not faithful; one was the children of the flesh, one was the children of the promise.

What then is the conclusion of this matter, asks Paul? Israel after the flesh has not obtained what they sought for but Israel after the Spirit has obtained it and the rest of the nation was blinded. As it turned out, only a remnant of biological Jews were actually “True Israel.” Only a remnant were actually the children of promise. Though the whole nation had the opportunity and the “call” to be the children of promise, only a minority answered the call.

Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Galatians 4:28

The second great truth Paul taught about Israel was that Gentile believers have, by faith in Israel’s Messiah, become children of promise. Speaking to us non-Jewish believers, our Jewish brother Paul says, “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of the promise.” We have become part of True Israel. This truth is taught repeatedly in the New Testament - and not just by Paul.

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...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: 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.

I. Peter 2:5 & 9-10

To us non-Jewish believers, our Jewish brother Peter said, we are a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, a chosen generation, a holy nation and a peculiar people. Every one of these terms refers to the Jewish people. This is what God called them in Leviticus and Deuteronomy. Peter is applying these terms to non-Jewish, New Testament believers because we have been joined to God’s original chosen people, True Israel.

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (that done in the body by the hands of men) - remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ...Conse-quently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household.

NIV Ephesians 2:11-13 &19

Paul says, remember that once you were Gentiles, excluded from citizenship in Israel. But now, through faith in Israel’s Messiah, you are included in that citizenship. You have become part of Israel. He said we Gentiles who were once “far away” have been “brought near” by the blood of Christ. Brought near to what? Brought near to Israel, God’s chosen people. We did not replace the chosen people through the blood of Jesus, we are made “fellow citizens” with them by that blood. The meaning of Paul is very obvious.

Circumcision has its value if you keep the Law; but if you keep breaking the Law, you are no more circumcised than the uncircumcised [Gentiles]. And if an un-circumcised man keeps the commands of the Law, will not his uncircumcised state count as circumcision?...Being a Jew is not only having an outward appearance of a Jew, and circumcision is not only a physical operation. The real Jew is the one who is inwardly a Jew, and real circum- cision is in the heart, a thing not of the letter but of the spirit. He may not be praised by any human being, but he will be praised by God.

NJB. Romans 2:25-26 & 28-29

For Jews, the rite of circumcision was one of the primary signs that you were part of the chosen people. It was the defining characteristic of the person that was in a covenant relationship with God. It held special significance to them. Paul's statement was astonishing for he said that the Jew who kept breaking the Law became as a “Gentile” {uncircumcised} in the eyes of God. Even more staggering was his statement that the Gentile who kept the Law was, in the eyes of God, counted as one who was circumcised; he was counted as an Israelite!

This statement was staggering because circumcision was a commandment. Every male born in Israel had to be circumcised on the eighth day of his life. Paul was saying that it was possible to keep the Law without keeping the Law. It was possible to be spiritually circumcised without being physically circumcised. It was possible to be in a covenant relationship with the God of Israel without being a biological Jew. A Gentile could, in the eyes of God, be counted as the “seed of Abraham,” as a “child of promise” and as one who was “circumcised,” though he be not physically circumcised, and though he be not a biological Hebrew.

Paul said true Jewishness and circumcision were not issues of the old creation {ie. outward and physical}. Rather, they are issues of the new creation. The true Jew is the one who is a Jew inwardly; meaning, one who walks by faith and obeys God. He is one who has answered the call to the priesthood. He is pursuing righteousness. Being part of the chosen people has to do with our relationship to God not our relationship to biological Jewish ancestors. In the same way, true circumcision is inward. It is an issue of the heart not the anatomy. Circumcision has to do with obedience from a heart that loves and trusts God. [Deut. 30:6] It pertains to our worshiping God in the spirit and rejoicing in Jesus and having no confidence in the flesh.

“We are the circumcision,” said Paul, to non-Jewish believers. [Phil. 3:2-3] we are the chosen people. We are the seed of Abraham and heirs according to the promise. Why are “we” the chosen people? Are we the chosen people because the Jews are no longer the chosen people? Have we now replaced them? “God forbid” says Paul. “We” have become the “chosen people” because we have become part of the {original} chosen people through faith in their Messiah.

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. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law [faithful Jews], but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham [faithful Gentiles]; who is the father of us all.

Romans 4:13,14,16

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ... Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.

Galatians 3:16 & 19

Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham...And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 3:7 & 29

Though the opportunity to receive the promise is given first to the Jew, it is only obtained through the “righteousness of faith.” Biological lineage does not obtain anyone the promise. Neither do religious rituals, such as “circumcision.” Jew and non-Jew alike can only obtain the promise by faith. The promise is by faith so that it might be sure to all the seed, both Jew and Gentile. Every person in every age who has walked by faith is reckoned “in Christ” and counted for the seed.

Paul removes all doubt as to whether or not non-Jewish believers can be counted as the “seed” of Abraham, for he says plainly that there is only one seed, to which all the promises and the whole inheritance - spiritual and natural - belongs. That seed is Messiah, the King of Israel - and those who are His. Jesus is not merely one of two seeds or one of many seeds. He is the seed. There is no other seed!

In order to receive “the promise” a person must be Christ's. In order to receive “the inheritance” a person must be Christ's. And in order to be Christ's a person must walk by faith and obey God. Jesus Christ is the “seed” of Abraham and the “root” of the good olive tree.

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.” Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.

Romans 11:16-18

Could Paul paint a clearer picture? Some of the original chosen people {natural Jews} were broken off of the good olive tree because of unbelief. Through faith in Israel’s Messiah we who were never part of the chosen people were grafted in among them. We are now partaking of the “root” and “fatness” of the olive tree. We are now the “children of promise.”

Exactly what does the “good olive tree” represent? We know that the “root” represents Jesus Christ for Paul said the root, which is holy, makes all the branches holy. We also know that the good “branches” are the “children of promise,” both Jew and Gentile. The broken “branches” are the natural Jews who are in unbelief. Though they are still “the called” and “chosen,” they are no longer the “children of promise.” Because of their unbelief they have become the “children of the flesh” and have been “cut out” of the olive tree by God.

What then does the “fatness” represent? Fatness represents the life and blessing that the good branches partake of. And what of the stock of the tree? What does that represent? The stock of the good olive tree represents the Messianic call and destiny. From the root {Jesus} comes the destiny. The branches, whether Jew or Gentile, are attached to that destiny and call by faith - and by faith alone.

This analogy reveals some simple, but very profound truths. It is only because we have been so long under the influence of erroneous doctrines that we cannot grasp them. The first truth it reveals is that the call and the destiny of the tree was intended for the original branches. The olive tree is the Jew’s tree. The call to the priesthood is their call. The covenants are their covenants. Everything that pertains to the root, the stock and the fatness of that “tree” belongs to them and was destined for them.

This is important to understand. For there are those who use the Biblical doctrines of election and predestination to try and deny the truth that the Jewish people - regardless of their present spiritual condition - are still a chosen race. They say it is not that all Jews are special, it is only that the elect Jews are special. Before the world was even created God elected some Jews and some Gentiles to be His Holy habitation. Therefore, the issue of election has nothing to do with the Jewish people as a race. Rather, it has to do with all those who are the “elect” of God - some of whom just happened to be Jews.

This mentality is a direct result of Gentile arrogance, for you see, though you may be an “elect” Scandinavian or and “elect” Italian or an “elect” African or an “elect” Briton, God never chose your race to be His own peculiar treasure. He never brought the Irish nation or the German nation to Himself at Mt. Sinai and cut an eternal covenant with them. The “election” and the “call” and everything else that pertains to the good olive tree pertains to the whole Jewish race. Of course, it is also true that Jews do not automatically fulfil their call just because they are born Jews. Unless they walk by faith and obey God they will never actually receive that promise. Nevertheless, the call to be a “holy nation” and a “peculiar people” is still their heritage by physical birth.

I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

Romans 9:1-5

Paul states beyond all question that the Messianic call and destiny, the covenants, the service to God, the adoption as sons, everything belongs to his “kinsmen” after the flesh. They don’t just belong to the “elect” Jew. They belong to every Jew. The tree is their tree, the destiny is their destiny. We have been grafted into their call and destiny.

The second truth the olive tree reveals is that God did not turn to the other trees {nations} and create a special {Gentile} destiny for us. He cut us out of our original heritages and destinies and grafted us into the heritage and destiny of someone else. Through faith in Messiah, we can now partake of everything that was destined for them.

We Christians need to re-orient ourselves to spiritual reality, for we think the olive tree is a Gentile tree! We think the “fatness” of the tree was designed for us. Not so. We have been grafted in among the children of promise. What promise are we non-Jewish “branches” grafted into and made heirs of? The same promise that Isaac is heir to, the same promise that Abraham is heir to, the same promise that the Jewish branches are heir to!

Did God promise the Jewish branches a kingdom on earth? The Gentile branches are now partakers of that promise. Did God promise the Jewish branches that they would rule the nations of the earth? The Gentile branches are now partakers of that promise. Did He promise them that the riches of the nations would come to them? We are now partakers of that promise. Did He promise the Jewish branches a literal chunk of real-estate in the Middle East? The Gentile branches are now partakers of that promise. Every promise that applies to them applies to us - as long as we remain part of the olive tree through faith.

God has used every possible illustration to show us that we are full-fledged partakers of all the promises made to the Jewish branches. We did not replace them but have been made part of their heritage, call and destiny. He has said that we are chosen, a Royal Priesthood and a spiritual house called to offer spiritual sacrifices. He has said that we are no longer strangers to Israel, but are now the people of God and part of the household of God. He has said that we have been brought near {to Israel} by the blood of Jesus, being made part of the same body and commonwealth. God has told us we are the circumcision, the children of Abraham, the seed of Abraham and the children of promise. That we have been made partakers of the promises {made to Abraham}.

He has said we have been grafted into the good olive tree - a Hebrew tree - and share the destiny, life, blessings, heritage and inheritance of that tree. We have been united through faith in their Messiah to every Jew, every Israelite, every Hebrew who has ever walked by faith or who ever will walk by faith.

It is a tragic irony that millions of non-Jewish believers have allowed Dispensationalism to “cut them off” from their Hebraic heritage and destiny! Why can’t we understand the obvious meaning of these statements? Why do we maintain that Israel is comprised only of biological Jews when the Scripture states the exact opposite? Why do we insist that the promises made to “Israel” do not apply to us when the Scripture states the exact opposite? Why do we insist that non-Jewish believers have no part in the destiny of Israel when the Scripture states the exact opposite? Why can’t we understand we are part of the same body and heirs to the same promises? It is because we have been blinded and brain-washed by Darby’s Dispensationalism.

Speaking of irony, it is interesting to note that those who preach Dispensationalism the hardest are also those who are the most ignorant of the purpose of this present “dispensation” of “grace.”

If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel.

Ephesians 3:2-6

Paul said God supernaturally revealed a mystery to him. It was not a “doctrine” that he learned as a Pharisee or a Jewish Christian. It was a Divine revelation given to him by the Spirit of God, which was hid in ages past. No one knew it, not even the prophets. Paul called this revelation the “mystery of Christ” and said the Spirit revealed it to him because it should be fulfilled in this “dispensation” of grace. And what was this mystery? “That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the Gospel.” Is anybody listening?

What does it mean to be a “fellow-heir” of something. If you got a phone call today and the person on the other end of the line informed you that you had just been named a fellow-heir with a dead billionaire’s son, I bet you would know what it meant! What would you expect to receive as a fellow-heir to that dead billionaire? Lots of money, right? You bet. We all know what being a fellow-heir means. We just refuse to apply it to our relationship with the Jewish people.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

John 10:16

Jesus Himself said that there will only be one fold in this dispensation of “grace.” Paul asked, “is Christ divided?” {I. Cor. 1:13} No! There is only one “body of Christ,” {Eph. 4:4} only one holy calling, one holy nation, one hope in Messiah Jesus. There is only one Temple of God, one Elect and one Chosen People. There is only one inheritance of the saints, one Kingdom of God, one Good Olive Tree, one Children of Promise, one Seed of Abraham and one new man!

God is going to have a people who are truly one. He will have a corporate body of believers who will fulfill the destiny purposed for Abraham and his seed. This “seed” will be God’s Temple, His “treasure,” and His “inheritance.” Through them He will guide the nations of the earth, ages without end. If you have been joined to the Messiah through faith, then you have also become part of that seed and have been joined to that destiny.

All believers everywhere need to abandon the lies of Darby’s Dispensationalism and get back to God’s Word. For it is a fact that neither Jewish nor Gentile believers understand the plan of God. Neither can comprehend the obvious meaning of Paul’s words because they have accepted the idea that the “seed of Abraham” is destined to be divided eternally along old creation racial lines.

Of course, theologically everyone agrees that Jew and Gentile are made “one” in Christ. But in the real world we remain separated. If there is any doubt that we are divided, go into any church on Sunday morning and count the number of Jewish believers. If there are any, there will only be a few. The rest are down the street in their own Messianic Jewish Synagogues. How many Jewish believers do you know? How many do you fellowship with?

Neither believing Jews or non-Jews are obeying God’s Word with regards to each other. Not only do we remain divided, we are both content to have things go on this way. Believing Gentiles are waiting to fly off into the spirit realm and believing Jews are waiting to receive a natural kingdom on earth and rule over the “saved” Gentile nations.

Both believing Jews and Gentiles need to stop denying the Word of God and accept what the Spirit has purposed to do with us. We Gentile believers have been made fellow-heirs to the promises made to the Jews. We have our inheritance in Israel, just as they do. Israel is our land and our home, just as it is theirs. We have our inheritance in Jerusalem - spiritual and natural - just as they do and we will not be disinherited by anyone. In view of these realities, how should we non-Jewish believers relate to the “broken branches?” What should our attitude towards the “children of the flesh” be?

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”

Romans 11:30-31

We are to show the “children of the flesh” mercy! What does it mean to show someone mercy? It means to have a tender heart towards them. It means to carry a burden for them and to seek their welfare. It means to be ready to help them when God provides opportunity.

Unfortunately, mercy has been a rare commodity among Christians when dealing with the broken branches. Paul said “do not boast against the branches.” What have Christians done? Boasted against the branches. Paul said show them mercy. What have Christians done? The exact opposite! We hold them in contempt or manifest total indifference towards them.

Why do so many sincere Christians behave arrogantly towards the “broken” branches? Why do we ignore Paul’s words? Why, instead of showing them love and mercy do we do the exact opposite? Could it be because we have not been taught the truth concerning our relationship to the Jewish people? Could it be because we do not see them as our people? Could it be because we feel no kinship towards them? Could it be that the Jewish people mean nothing to us because we have been cut off, mentally, emotionally and doctrinally, from our Hebraic heritage and destiny?

Too many Christians are anti-Semitic. Too many are just down right prejudiced towards the Jewish people. Brethren, the God we claim to serve loves the Jewish people in a special way. He has neither forgotten them or forsaken them and He despises anti-Semitism - especially when it comes from the very ones who are supposed to be showing them mercy! We have a long, disgraceful track record when it comes to the Jew. Some of us need to admit this and ask God to forgive our arrogance and soften our hearts towards them.

Generally speaking, the heart of the Gentile, including the believing Gentile, is and has been callous and indifferent towards the Jew. We view them like enemies rather than fallen kinsman. We have no burden for them, no heart for them. We owe the Jews a great debt. It is not wrong to acknowledge this fact and treat them with some compassion. Maybe it was precisely this kind of ungrateful attitude that prompted the apostle Paul to write:

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.

Romans 11:28-29

The “broken branches” are enemies of the Gospel for our sakes! They were broken off the olive tree to make room for us. But concerning their election {as the chosen people} they are still beloved for the sake of the Patriarchs. The gifts and calling of God are without repentance.

How many of us have quoted that verse of Scripture totally out of context? The thing God is not repenting of is His choice of the Jewish people to be His peculiar treasure! They are still “the called.” Many of us have forgotten that the Father still loves them and is working with them in His own way. If God loves them for the fathers’ sakes can we not do the same?

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.

Romans 11:24-26

Many of those “branches” will answer their call once again and be grafted back into their destiny. If you, being a worthless, wild branch, can be grafted into the good olive tree, then certainly those who are the natural branches can be regrafted. Indeed, they will be grafted back in when the full number of Gentile branches have been grafted into that tree.

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?

Romans 11:11-15

The temporary rejection of the Jews became the occasion of our receiving the Gospel. Far from acting like we have triumphed over them, we should esteem their restoration as we would the salvation of an intimate friend or a lost relative. If the casting away of them brought salvation to the world, how wonderful will the receiving of them again be? It will be an event the likes of which this world has never seen.

As God’s people, we should be looking forward to that day because our God is looking forward to it. As the time for this restoration draws near our hearts should swell with joy and anticipation of an event that we know will bring great joy to the heart of our Father.

Jesus is coming again - soon! He is coming in a people and with a people and for a people. When He comes He will not come to Rome or London or Washington. He will plant His feet on the Mount of Olives. This is the reason so many believers are finding that they have a desire to go to Israel. That desire is not a fleshly desire to go see “relics” and Catholic edifices. It is a spiritual desire, though some of us may not understand it right now.

The Kingdom of God is going to be established soon on this planet. The King will come. The nations will be broken to shivers and brought into subjection to God’s Messiah. Many of those broken branches will be restored and all Israel {the good olive tree} will begin to fulfil the destiny that God has prepared for it. Jerusalem will be both a spiritual people and a literal center of the new Kingdom government.

At present, the hearts of the Jewish people are being prepared for this regrafting through great suffering. God is slowly turning up the heat on His wayward people. Their suffering will increase till the whole world actually unites in an consorted effort to destroy them.

Today God also wants to prepare our hearts for this event. Those of us who already have a heart for the Jewish people need to keep an important truth in mind. Though the Jews are special to God, and though there will be a great emphasis on their coming restoration, they are not superior to non-Jewish believers. Their specialness is that of the “prodigal son.” They have squandered their inheritance on riotous living, which has been to our advantage.

Many of them are about to regain their senses and return to the Father. When they do we should receive them with great joy. We should be anticipating that event even now. But when they return they will not be exalted over non-Jewish believers in any way. They will take their place among God’s elect. Together, we will all fulfil the purpose of God for us as His “peculiar treasure.”

Our love for the Jewish people should come from the Spirit of God and from the heart of God. It should come out of a respect for the debt we owe them. It should never come as a result of the teachings of Dispensationalism, for these teachings produce an unbalanced view of them and an improper exaltation of them.

Therefore, we encourage both those who are caught up in anti-Semitism and those who are caught up in philo-Semitism to seek the wisdom of God on this matter. For it is only as we get the “mind of the Spirit” concerning the Jewish people that we will be able to truly deal with them according to the intentions of the Spirit.