Steve,
If you think 'Church is Israel Israel is Church' is a demonic belief, why do you think it is?
I find something very interesting about Israel.
Last year, I found out there is another reference verse for Matt 16:18-19. It is refer with Gen. 32:28.
Before discuss on Gen. 32:28. First look at Matt 16:18-19.
Matt 16:18-19 say, "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
THere are three key words in Matt 16:18-19 - 'church', 'prevail', and 'keys'.
Prevail means success or against. Key is a symbolic mean power.
Why there are three key words of Matt 16:18-19?
Because I found there are three key words in Gen. 32:28 that fits with Matt 16:18-19.
Gen. 32:28 says, "And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed."
The angel told Jacob, that his name is no more Jacob, change to Israel. Israel means a prince have power to build his people with success.
The angel does not say, ' a prince have power with God and with Jews'. The angel said, 'a prince have power with God and with MEN'.
Men - people could be both Jews and Gentiles.
Same with Matt 16:18 - Jesus says, he is built his CHURCH. Church is God's people both Jews and Gentiles.
Jesus already give power to us - Matt 28:18, and Acts 1:8.
Jesus tells us, the hell and Satan cannot destroy the Church. Because Jesus already have power to Church, and its successful since Early Church to present day, it will be continue last longer till second advent.
I am not postmill. I do not agree with postmill teaches that Church revolutionized or change the world into victory toward second advent.
Bible teaches us, that we shall see apotasy everywhere in the world increasing worse till second advent.
Matt 16:18-19 is the picture that we have power from Christ, that we can witness the gospel across the world for Christ.
In Eph. 2:12 tells us, Gentiles were stranger, but now Gentiles are part of the commonwealth of Israel. Because Christ already brough Gentiles to join with Jews together into one by Calvary - Eph. 2:14-16.
Romans chapter 11 tells us, that we as Gentiles are now grafting to join with believing Jews together on the same Olive Tree, so, we are all Israel.
Also, 1 Peter 2:9 tells us, that we are called out, and are a chosen generation, and an holy nation. We are God's elect. It is very clear that we are Israel same as Church.
I am not a replacement theology. I understand very clear what the Bible teaches us all about.
Now discuss on parables and Matt 25:1-12.
First of all, parables are not literal things, these are use for illustration. Jesus used parables that, he wants all people to understand what Jesus was talk about, he used parables for to apply the things with spiritual meanings.
Matt 25:1-12- 'oil' is not a literal thing. He used 'oil' for the illustration, that 5 wise persons with oil are the picture - saved persons, that 'oil' is the picture that a person already received Holy Spirit at salvation. The five foolish persons without have oil are represent not saved, because not have Holy Spirit.
Matt 25:12 is very clear tell us that there is no another chance for repent - salvation AFTER the second advent.
There will be no survive goat to enter eternality kingdom after the second advent, because Christ shall judge all goats(unbelievers), send them into the everlasting fire.
Cannot you understand the clear describe of Matthew 25:1-12; and 31-46 talking about?
Jesus does not give difficult or too deep teaching or lecture to people. He gave many simple and clear lectures to people, because h3e desires all people to understand what he talking about.
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 - Amen!