Daniel Unlocked #66

Daniel Unlocked #66. The Name ‘Israel.’ (Part 2)

We discussed yesterday how the name ‘Israel’ was first applied to one man, then to a nation and finally to Jesus Himself. We also noted how the story of Jesus reruns the history of Israel as they went into, and then emerged from Egypt.

The New Testament is presenting us with the idea of a new Nation. For example, the Lord told the ancient Israelites, “And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). In the New Testament, Peter applies the exact words to the church: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9)

Let’s get our heads around the significance of this.

Remember that the name “Israel” not only referred to Jacob, but also to his descendants -who became the nation of Israel.

The same principle is seen in the New Testament. Immediately after Paul’s statement in Galatians 3 about Jesus being “the seed,” he then tells his Gentile (non- Jew) converts, they are “heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:29. Thus, in the New Testament, the name Israel not only applies to Jesus Christ, but also to those who are born again in Christ—His Church! In other words, all true Christians are now God’s spiritual Israel. The Church is called the body of Christ (1Cor.12:27). James, when writing to the church, addresses it as the 12 tribes that are scattered abroad (James 1:1). From the very beginning, the church has understood Israel to mean the spiritual body of Christ.

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.” Galatians 6:15-16. According to the New Testament, there are now two Israels. One group is composed of literal Israelites “according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3, 4). The other is “spiritual Israel,” composed of Jews and Gentiles who believe in Jesus Christ. Paul writes, “They are not all Israel, which are of Israel” (Romans 9:6). That is, they which are the children of the flesh [physical descendants of Abraham], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed” (v. 8).

What this is saying is that not all are part of God’s spiritual Israel who are of the literal nation of Israel. Paul continues: The children of the flesh are only natural descendants of Abraham, but the children of the promise are counted as the true seed. Today, any person—Jew or Gentile—can become part of this spiritual nation of Israel through faith in Jesus Christ – regardless of whatever Christian denomination they belong to!.

So, the title ‘Israel’ first belongs to one man then his descendants, then to Jesus the true Israel, and then to His descendants the church of believers.

Let me close with an illustration. “Fool’s Gold,” or iron pyrites, is a mineral composed of iron sulphide and contains no gold at all. The mineral is brass yellow and has a metallic lustre. The resemblance of pyrite to gold caused many prospectors to mistake it for gold, which is how it became known as fool’s gold. Even though it is often found in the vicinity of gold, it is easily distinguished from the real thing by its brittleness. This “counterfeit gold” dynamic, is also found prevalent in the area of spiritual truth.

If you are in Christ, you belong to spiritual Israel! Millions are toting around heavy bags bulging with spiritual “fool’s gold.” The idea that literal Israel in the land of Palestine has any spiritual significance, and that the temple will be rebuilt, or that there is a seven-year tribulation with a secret rapture is “fools gold.” It obliterates the greatest prophecy for the life of Jesus from Daniel 9. The tragic fact is that the popular literal focus on Israel is a smoke screen to the real truth, and miserably fails to grasp the true power of God’s promise. The failure to recognize this principle will result in false Middle East interpretations and ultimate deception. Daniel 11 will help us clear these things up.