The Daily Word of Righteousness

Israel—Spirit and Flesh, #2

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:17)

Today Jerusalem on the earth is in spiritual bondage with her children. But the Hebrew Prophets teach us that Jerusalem is to be restored and Christ will reign from there.

Let it be established forever that we who belong to Christ have our inheritance in Jerusalem, in Israel and we will not be disinherited by anyone. Although we once were not a people we now belong to the house of God. The Lord Jesus will do nothing apart from us because we are His Body, His fullness.

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. (Ephesians 1:22,23)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19)

Satan understands that once the Gentile Christians have been joined to Israel the Kingdom of God is ready to be established on the earth.

What is the true scriptural concept?

The true scriptural concept is that Israel is one. There is one fold and one Shepherd. There is one Body of Christ. There is one Wife of the Lamb. There is one Kingdom of God. There is one new Jerusalem. There is but one Christian Church, one Church of the Anointed, of Christ. How could there be two?

And other sheep I have, which are not of this [Jewish] fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. (John 10:16)

Speaking of the one new Man (Jews and Gentiles in Christ—Ephesians 2:15):

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6)

Will God turn again to the Jews and restore a natural kingdom? Will the Law of Moses and the animal sacrifices take the place of the Lord Jesus now that He has come who has fulfilled both in Himself?

Does the resurrected Jesus have two Brides, one Gentile and spiritual and the other Jewish and physical? Where does the Scripture speak of two brides of the Lamb?

Let us first demonstrate that each of the three misconceptions is unscriptural, and then we will discuss the true scriptural concept.

Misconception: Christianity Has To Do Primarily With Gentiles

It is believed that this unfortunate viewpoint came into being in the early centuries of the Christian Era. When great numbers of Europeans were brought into the Christian faith the Jews began to be regarded with suspicion as being murderers of God. This attitude has been largely responsible for the vicious persecution the Jews have received at the hands of the Gentiles throughout history.

To be continued.