The Israel of God

Bible students will know the Old Testament primarily concerns Israel; their building as a nation, rise and fall, and final expulsion from Judea and Samaria, cast into the nations for deserting their God. It is also about Jerusalem: division, kings and Prophets. The Old Testament also foretells the Christ to come, drying of tears, a new kingdom and the passing away of former times. But here, we look to a different matter, another Israel and another promise.

Him that overcomes will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven… (Rev 3:12)

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he urged him to rightly divide the Word of truth. Following his advice, we will attempt to divide the old from the new, separating the Israel of God from the physical world, and in doing so, hopefully undo a few myths and difficulties along the way.

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the freewoman. Howbeit the son by the bondmaid is born after the flesh; but the son by the freewoman is born through promise. Which things contain an allegory: for these women are two covenants; one from Mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar. Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.

But the Jerusalem that is above is free and our mother…. (Gal 4:22-26)

Jerusalem that now is… speaks to the bondage of the law.

But the freewoman, carries the assurance of a seed made free from these chains of oppression. She keeps the Faith of Jesus and is not bound by doctrine or creed.

Not taking what suits to fit her belief, the freewoman believes the full Word of God, now sealed in the truth of the Gospel by the Spirit of the LORD.

But it is not as though the word of God hath come to naught. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham’s seed are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of God; but the children of the promise are counted for a seed. (Rom 9:6-8)

Here, Paul comments on the non-fulfilment in the Jews of the promise given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Israel, to whom the blessing was also given, great in number is now scattered into the nations. But, goes on to show us that the children of promise are not in flesh or lineage, but found in faith. The LORD’S Israel is another seed that comes into the promise by Him that calls, virgin born through the Word and Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For this is a word of promise, According to this season will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only so; but Rebecca also having conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; for the children being not yet born, neither having done anything good or bad, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calls… (Rom 9:9-11)

Not of Creeds

Sadly, there is great hunger for the truth of the Gospel, as the Church has closed its eyes to the LORD and his Christ. Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. (Amos 8:11)

The Apostle John also voiced his concern about the lack of understanding and disruptive teaching this time within the early church … and this is the spirit of the antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it cometh; and now it is in the world already. (1John 4:3)

As we see also in Isaiah: when I spake, you did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose wherein I delighted not. (Isa 65:12)

While Isaiah speaks of backsliding, John writes, not of a despotic ruler, but anyone opposed to Christ; the same spirit let loose in Eden now here in the world. This plague of wilfulness and doubt has come down through the generations. It is the same for us today; we accept the Gospel and the Prophets or refuse them. And, Jesus made the result of that choice extremely clear.

He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad. (Matt 12:30)

But, they of the promise believe. Paul wrote belief comes by hearing … the word of God. (Rom 10:17) So, how does this seed hear when others do not? For indeed we have had good tidings preached unto us, even as also they: but the word of hearing did not profit them, because they were not united by faith with them that heard. (Heb 4:2)

They hear by faith! They know in their heart the Word of the LORD is faithful and true.

It follows; the Israel of God cannot follow creed, doctrine or law.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. (Matt 6:24) They are troubled when they hear a Gospel not in keeping with the Scriptures, so come out of the denominations into a simple belief in Jesus Christ. They know the Kingdom of God is within them so fellowship together in a clean and easy faith. They are the ones the LORD desires; reborn, sealed and established by His Truth and Spirit.

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, … although I was an husband unto them … saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD,

I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

Now, after the LORD says He will make a Covenant with Israel and Judah; the new Covenant is with Israel only. This is not a pledge to Israel of old, but to another tribe. There is neither descent nor priesthood in them; as our High Priest (Heb 7:11; 17; 21) has purchased Himself a new priesthood by His oath and blood. So, we now see emerging a new and sanctified tribe, living by the Law of Faith.

For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law: for he of whom these things are spoken pertains to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. (Heb 7:12-14)

Peter also wrote of the new priesthood redeemed by the purchase. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1Pet 2:5)

But ye are a chosen generation (genos: breed, stock) a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (PeripoiEsin: purchased, redeemed) 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 (another tribe: Heb 7:13)

But are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1Pe 2:9-10)

And penned these timeless words for us today … whom not having seen, ye love; on whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1:6-9)

Here, Peter is speaking of the Israel of God prepared in the Gospel; not of works, but by faith made justified. The possession of Peace, the Holy City, built upon the Apostles and Prophets.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, their God. (Rev 21:3)

The Bride

And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Rev 21:2)

Now, the Bride is not the Ecclesia, as the Bride is free of doctrine and laws. The bride is not of flesh and bone, for the bride is of heavenly Spirit. The Bride is not in that sense of womanhood as often described, for faith is not of gender, nor race.

The bride then is that chaste recipient of the Word reserved in purity, for out of her are the virgin born heirs of promise.

The Bride then is sanctified by the truth, New Jerusalem thus her dwelling of faith without charge. She is the pure faith of Abraham in all that hold the LORD and His Christ unto them, for He said to Abraham: I am the Almighty God; walk before me and be thou perfect. (Genesis 17:1)

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun and the moon under her feet; and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. (Rev 12:1) The Sun she is clothed in is the Gospel, the greater light of the husband she honours. It is her adornment of splendour that shines out into the world. The lesser light is the moon beneath her feet, the Law transcended by faith. She keeps the Twelve Commandments of the LORD and Christ, her crowning glory revealing her truth of which Paul and Peter gave utterance. She is the Israel of God that came into the promise.

The Truth she keeps

And one of the scribes came and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving he had answered them well, asked him; which is the first commandment of all?

And Jesus answered him; the first of all commandments, Hear O Israel; the LORD our God is one LORD. (Mark 12:28-9)

Peter at Pentecost: For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, the LORD said unto my Lord, sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.

Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both LORD and Christ. (Acts 2:34-36)

The Israel of God holds these truths self-evident. Elect by grace, justified by faith, wearing the glory of Christ through atonement, baptism and belief; she is the tribe of the eternal priesthood, purchased by Promise Oath and Blood: the indwelling of truth sanctified to the glory of God. And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)