Chap.13
ROM 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
ROM 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Now we will address the question of who the nation of God is in this new covenant era. As has been the case with all that we have examined in relation to the transition from the old covenant to the new, that which was literal has now been replaced with that which is spiritual. For those Jews who accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God and their personal Savior, it became quickly apparent that God does not respect any person abover another, but was inviting all to be a part of His kingdom.
According to the Apostle Paul, being a Jew has nothing to do with that which is outward in the flesh, but rather that which is inward, of the heart, and the spirit. In the new covenant, circumcision of the flesh no longer carries any weight in determining who is A Jew, but rather circumcision of the heart. The heart must be circumcised in the spirit if one is to be an Israelite of the new covenant.
ROM 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation.
ROM 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be
ashamed.
ROM 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
ROM 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
GAL 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
GAL 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on
Christ.
GAL 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there
is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
GAL 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs
according to the promise.
COL 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor
uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in
all.
Paul could not have made it any clearer. Anyone who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, is a child of God. They are Christ's, and being so they are also Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel. If you are of Abraham's seed, then you are unquestionably an Israelite. Israel is now a spiritual nation. The purpose of the literal nation of Israel has been fulfilled in Christ. It has not been done away with, but rather made complete. The old testament clearly pointed to this event taking place.
GEN 26:3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee;
for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will
perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father;
GEN 26:4 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will
give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations
of the earth be blessed;
HEB 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on
him the seed of Abraham.
The prophecy in Genesis was given to Isaac. God's purpose in calling out Abraham from his brethren was not only for those who would compose the literal nation of Israel, but for the blessing of those of all nations. The purpose of the nation of Israel was to preserve a people, and a knowledge of God in the world until God Himself established salvation for all mankind through his Son. This purpose being fulfilled, the literal nation of Israel must needs give way to the spiritual nation of Israel composed of all those who are in Christ, regardless of what nation they were born into. If they choose to be born again in Christ, then they are God's children. As pointed out in the verse above from the book of Hebrews, Christ is the one prophesied in Genesis as the seed that shall be a blessing to all the nations.
GAL 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
GAL 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision, but a new creature.
GAL 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and
mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Who are the Israel of God, but those who glory only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who have become separate from the world by faith in Christ are those who compose the new covenant Israel. The only way to become separate from this world is to die. The only way to die and yet still have life, and have it more abundantly, is to die in Christ on the cross, thus allowing Him to live within us. These things we have already discussed. This is a spiritual experience. Those who are a part of the new covenant Israel, are those who have entered into this spiritual experience. The Lord Jesus Christ made it clear while here on earth, as one of us, that those that would be His were to be separate from the world.
JOH 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
JOH 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because
ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore
the world hateth you.
JOH 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
JOH 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
JOH 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Those who are Christ's are not a part of this world, they are a part of the next world, the one that will be established at Christ's second coming. This world and all that is in it is passing away. Only those who are a part of spiritual Israel, who have come out of this world by faith in Christ, will remain and be a part of the next eternal heaven and earth. We who have entered into the experience that Christ has prepared for us are already a part of eternity. This is not because of anything in us, but only as a result of connecting ourselves with the one who is eternal.
HEB 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
HEB 11:9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
HEB 11:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
We are Abraham's seed. Just as Abraham obeyed God by faith and by faith sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, so we are in this world but are not a part of it. Just as Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God, so we are awaiting the return of Christ to establish His everlasting kingdom here on earth. Our experience is the same as his, by faith waiting for the establishment of that which has been promised to us, although we can not see it.
HEB 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
HEB 11:14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.
HEB 11:15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.
HEB 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Christ has promised that He will return and receive His own. He will establish His everlasting kingdom here on the earth. His true followers, those that compose the spiritual nation of Israel, are awaiting His return to set up His kingdom. They have separated themselves from this world and are preparing to be a part of the next one. They are not trying to make another literal nation or kingdom of God here on this earth, but are calling all out of this world to prepare for the next one in which God Himself will rule for eternity.
JOH 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
JOH 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would
have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
JOH 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
PE2 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
PE2 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
The new covenant Israel is waiting upon the Lord. It is composed of those of every nation and tongue on earth that have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. They are looking for and hastening the day of the Lord. They are actively involved in the work of preparing others for His soon coming. This is not done by attempting to create literal nations of God here on earth through the power of legislation. It is done by calling people out of the literal nations of this world and into the spiritual nation of Israel. It is accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit, not the power of the state. Those who compose God's kingdom here on earth must be born again. No kind of legislation can bring about the new birth experience of the new covenant. Those who are of the flesh are not of God's kingdom, but only those who are of the spirit.
ROM 9:5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
ROM 9:6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
ROM 9:7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
ROM 9:8 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.
Christ came from the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. All the children of Israel are of the seed of these fathers of Israel. However, as Paul points out, this does not automatically make them Israelites. It is the children of the promise that are counted for the seed, not the children of the flesh. Isaac was the child of promise. His birth was a miracle from God. This miracle was not for the sake of Abraham and Sarah, but for the blessing of all nations. Christ was of the seed of Abraham. In Him all nations were to be blessed. For this reason, Abraham and Sarah must have had a child of their own. Not for their own sake, but because God had chosen Abraham and his descendants for this very purpose. Through them and their descendants (namely Christ) God intended to save the entire world. This is why those of the flesh are not counted for the seed, but only those of the promise. That is to say, those who have accepted the promise, in and through the Lord Jesus Christ. These are they that compose Israel, spiritual Israel.
Isaac was the child that God had promised to Abraham and Sarah. It is God's promise that we are talking about. Abraham believed God and this was counted to him as righteousness. "ROM 4:3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Isaac was the miracle child of promise to Abraham and Sarah. Christ is the miracle child of promise to the entire world for the salvation of all. All who accept Christ as such are the children of the promise. They have believed God's promise through His Son, and it is counted unto them as righteousness.
GEN 12:1 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew
thee:
GEN 12:2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
GEN 12:3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
As we have discussed in previous chapters, the literal nation of Israel was brought about by God, and for God's glory. All of the miracles and wonders performed by God for Israel were only leading up to the greatest miracle of all, that God Himself should become a man for the salvation of all humanity. Everything about the old covenant, and the literal nation of Israel, pointed to Christ and humanities deliverance through Him. The establishment of the new covenant on the other hand, fulfilled our deliverance in Him. All things come together and are made complete in Christ. In Christ, the literal nation of Israel has become a spiritual one without walls or boundaries that separate anyone from God's blessings. Just as God brought about and established the old covenant Israel through His miraculous power, so He has brought about and established the new covenant Israel through the greatest miracle of all. In Christ all the families of the earth have been blessed and come together.
ROM 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
ROM 4:10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
ROM 4:11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness
of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
ROM 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
ROM 4:13 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.
ROM 4:14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
ROM 4:15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
ROM 4:16 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, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
ROM 4:17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
Abraham is the father of all who exercise his same kind of faith in God. In these last days, that faith is to be fixed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. God's nation on earth during this new covenant era, cannot be a literal nation, for it is composed of all those who are experiencing this faith. The gospel of Jesus Christ breaks down all barriers and walls between peoples. It is a final message to the entire world. When this message has been given to the entire world in one generation, and all have made a decision regarding which world, or kingdom, they want to be a citizen of, then the end will come. When all have made their decision, the Lord Jesus Christ will return and set up His eternal kingdom.24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
There is only one decision to be made. Am I a part of this world, of one of its many different and often warring countries or kingdoms, or am I going to choose by faith to be a part of God's kingdom here on earth? Am I a part of this world, and all of its pain and misery and corruption and abuse, brought about by selfishness? Or am I going to choose by faith to be a part of God's kingdom, ruled by the one who demonstrated selflessness and true love to the world through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ?
We can live in this world and yet not be a part of it. Stop for a moment, take a good look at what is going on in this world, do you really want to be a part of all that it stands for. I don't mean just look at your own life, I mean take a good look at just how much suffering and pain is going on in this world. It was never meant to be this way, and it is not going to be this way very much longer. This world is on its last leg, soon it will come to a complete and utter end. Come out of this world, and help others to do so. Lets get ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ, and join Him in the new heaven and earth where righteousness dwells.
Christ has established a new kingdom here on earth, one that will never end. All are invited to be citizens of the eternal kingdom of God. As is the case with all that we have discussed regarding the establishment of the new covenant, the spiritual nation of God here on earth was brought about in and through Christ. By becoming a man and taking upon Himself our flesh and nature, He has made those of us who choose to be so, citizens of the kingdom of God.
HEB 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
HEB 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;
HEB 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
HEB 2:4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?
HEB 2:5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come,
whereof we speak.
HEB 2:6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him?
HEB 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
HEB 2:8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.
HEB 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
HEB 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
HEB 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
HEB 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
HEB 2:13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.
HEB 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
HEB 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
HEB 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
HEB 2:17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Christ was made like unto His brethren in all things. He was and is one of us, and this is salvation. If we are in Him, and He is in us, then we are no longer part of that which is passing away, but are part of that which is eternal. This is a spiritual experience that separates those of the world from those of Christ's kingdom. Again, all things come together and are made complete in Christ. The literal nation of Israel's purpose was to point forward to the coming of Christ, at which point the spiritual nation of Israel was established. Christ fulfilled and completed the purpose of literal Israel, the blessing of all nations of the earth, by establishing spiritual Israel. We will examine more of the specifics of how Christ established spiritual Israel in the next chapter.
Bye for now. Y. b. in C. Keith
