True Israel

by Terry Wane Benton

"Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof" (Matthew 21:43).

Here, Jesus was speaking to physical Israelites, people who claimed physical lineage to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, that physical nation was only a temporary one that served as a stage for God’s larger plan for a greater nation —a spiritual people with deeper connections to God in “righteousness” (the “fruits” God always desired in His kingdom).

Abraham was the father of the Israelites. The People who had been known as "My People" (Israel) would be known as "not My People" (Hosea 1:6-11; 2:14-23). The "so all Israel will be saved" of Romans 11:26 refers to the salvation of all genuine Israelites who were not completely hardened against Christ, so that they could not remain hardened and start believing in Jesus. Those are the real Israelites who can get grafted back in. The olive tree of God's people is God's people, the righteous remnant and those with potential to unharden their hearts against Jesus, allowing the wild olive branches (Gentiles) and the natural branches that were cut off due to unbelief to join together in the righteous olive tree of God, the true Israel, the church of Christ. Jesus would build His church (assembly of people) (Matthew 16:18) on a rock of truth.

The physical nation of Israel was but a shadow of the true Israel that God planned to have in Christ. If we are "Abraham's children" through faith, then we are the true Israel of God through faith. No way around it! “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:26-29). How are we Christ’s? Through a faith that is “baptized into Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27). If you are Christ’s, then even Gentiles of such faith are the true seed of Abraham, and if we are the true seed of Abraham, then we are the true “Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16). The church of Christ is the true Israel of God, and any Jew or Gentile can be united with Christ to be the true Israel of God. Otherwise, you are cut off (Deuteronomy 18:15ff). No mere Israelite in the flesh is God’s blessed people. All spiritual blessings are for those who are in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-7). Curses remain on all who are outside of Christ. Blessings of God’s grace are upon the spiritual Israel of God!