Israel and the Church share a common destiny though some Christians believe that the Church has replaced Israel while most Jews cannot believe that the Church shares in their blessings! But, Paul, a Jew by birth and a Christian, wrote to the Ephesians: ‘Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me … that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation …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.’ – (Ephesians 3:2-6) He never advocated ostracising (excluding from a society ) the Jews after he became a Christian, rather prayed for their inclusion ! He wrote: ‘My hearts desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.’ – (Romans 10:1) Infact, he exhorted the Church to help the Jews! ‘For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings.’ – (Romans 15:27) There is onething common about those on either side who disagree with Scriptures – Unbelief! They are not willing to accept the truth as stated in Scriptures and therefore have missed out on the plan and purpose of God! For instance, many Christians who understood Scriptures, supported Zionism (the religious and political movement for the re-establishment of a Jewish nation) while many Ultra Orthodox Jews who didn’t understand the plan and purpose of God, opposed the movement, so did many unbelieving Christians! Many Jews are still reluctant to return to their homeland and only 46% of the total global Jewish population of 15.7 million have returned to Israel as of 2023.
There are many things in common between Israel and the Church, starting with their calling. Both were called to be set apart from the world and to be His people who will declare His praise. The Lord said to Israel through Moses: “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” – (Exodus 19:6) So did the Holy Spirit say to the Church through Peter: ‘You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’ ( 1 Peter 2:9) Both Israel and the Church have a common mission as well; to bring salvation to the ends of the earth! The book of Isaiah spells out Israel’s ultimate destiny: “I will also make you a light to the Gentiles that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” – (Isaiah 49:6) But along the way, Israel and Judah’s desire for political greatness had obscured their original calling. But the day is coming when the Jews will be send to the nations during the millennial rule of Christ. “I will send some of those who survive to the nations and to the distant islands that have not heard of my fame or seen my glory. They will proclaim my glory among the nations. And they will bring all your brothers, from all the nations, to my holy mountain in Jerusalem …” – (Isaiah 66:19-20) So also the Church has been entrusted with the task of reaching the ends of the earth with the gospel! ‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” – (Acts 1:8) However, the Church too seems to have lost its vision because of its passion for everything else other than the Great commission!
Its not just the calling and mission that are same, but also the enemies they face! Though Israel battles it out in the physical ‘against flesh and blood’, they are actually up ‘against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms’ – ( Ephesians 6:12-), who seek the destruction of Israel and of the Church! However, we do not wage war as they do! ‘The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.’ – (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) Hence, we ought to pray for the preservation of Israel! Wars breaks out on earth when the war in the heavens spill onto the earth! ‘And there was war in heaven … The great dragon was hurled to the earth. … When the dragon saw that he was hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman ( Israel) who had given birth to the male child (Jesus) … Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring ( the Church) – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus …’ (Revelation 12:7-17) The devil hates Israel and therefore the Church because it is the offspring of Israel. Then it shouldn’t surprise us if the world hates true Christians because of its hatred for the Jews, as they both are the handiworks of God ! “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world but have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you … If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also … Infact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you think he is offering a service to God “ – (John 15:18-20,16:2) When he said this to his disciples, he was infact speaking to those who were Jews! So it applies to both, but first to the Jews and then to Christians, in keeping with this principle: ‘There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honour and peace for everyone who does good; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favouritism.’ (Romans 2:9-10) History bears witness to this truth; the most hated and persecuted people on earth are the Jews and the true Christians!
God had set Israel as a standard for the world; so also the Church! Therefore judgement begins with them; those who are of the family of God ! ‘For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with the us, what will be the outcome of those who do not obey the gospel of God? If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner? ‘ – (1 Peter 4:17-18) We need to understand that all Jews are not going to be saved but only a remnant because all those who descended from Jews are only “circumcised in the flesh” and not “circumcised in their heart”. Likewise, all Christians are not going to be saved but only a remnant because all “born” Christians are not “born-again” Christians! It takes faith to be saved (Ephesians 2:8) but all do not have faith (2 Thessalonians 3:2)! So even the standards and requirement set for both Israel and the Church are the same! Finally, the glory that the Church will share with Israel, once restored to their faith, will be the same! Speaking of the glory of the Church during the millennial rule of Christ, Scripture says: ‘In that day the Branch of the Lord (Christ and the Church, being an offshoot of Israel) will be beautiful and glorious and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. Those who are left in Zion , who remain in Jerusalem will be called holy .. Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. It will shelter and shade from the heat of the day and a refuge and hiding place from the storms and the rain.’ – (Isaiah 4:2-6) And speaking of the glory of Israel during the millennial rule of Christ, Scripture says: ‘In that day the Root of Jesse (Christ and the nation of Israel) will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him and his place of rest will be glorious ..’ (Isaiah 11:10) The Church will not replace them but will dwell amidst the people of Israel (Ezekiel 47:22-23), and will reign with Christ for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4) from Jerusalem on Mount Zion. Amen.
Site Title : Teaching of Christ 