There are two main threads concerning God's covenant promises that run in parallel throughout the narrative of the Bible, and are the principal subjects of prophecy. One is God's promise and offer of personal salvation through Jesus Christ; based on conditional promises (John 14:15; John 15:10,14; Hebrews 5:9). The fulfilment of the promise of salvation is dependant on our obedience to the commandment of Jesus Christ.
The second thread consists of God's covenant promises to His national people, Israel. Many of these national promises are entirely unconditional; i.e. they do not rely upon the obedience of individuals after the promises have been made. The latter is the case because the faith of the patriarch Abraham has established the basis for these promises (Romans 4:16).
This article is about the fulfilment of God's national promises.God has not forgotten Israel and He has continued through the course of history to uphold His promises toward His national people. However, there are many misconceptions about national Israel. Many believe that ...
1. The Jews are the sole representatives of Israel. This is incorrect - The Jews derive their name from the patriarch Judah, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob-Israel. Histroy and tyhe Bible records that the United Kingdom of Israel split into two houses in 922 BC, after the death of Solomon. The House of Judah occupied the South under Solomon's son Rehaboam, with its capital at Jerusalem. This southern Kingdom comprised the tribes of Judah and Benjamin with the majority of the Levites (priests). These became known as the Jews. The Northern House of Israel comprised the remaining 10-tribes; initially under Jereboam, with its capital at the city of Samaria. From this division the histories of the two kingdoms are quite separate and distinct.
“Israel as a kingdom was never restored from Assyria, as Judah was from Babylon after 70 years.” –Jamieson, Faucett, Brown Commentary, p.650
It is noteworthy that the Northern10-tribed House of Israel comprised the majority group, with some 5/6 of the original population. Many people, quite incorrectly, apply the term Jew to those of Northern Israel, when in fact the Bible relates the term to those of the Southern House of Judah only. Clearly, the term Jew cannot and does not apply to ALL ISRAEL.
2. The Church is Israel. This is incorrect. The apostle Paul clearly stated that his heart's desire was that the people of national Israel (i.e. the people naturally descended from Jacob-Israel) was that they might be saved. Clearly, those of the Church (whether of natural Israel or not) are saved (regardless of national descent).
3. God has cast off national Israel and they no longer are God's national people. Again, this is incorrect. The apostle Paul wrote that God has not abandoned His national people or His national promises.
1. The Jews are the sole representatives of Israel. This is incorrect - The Jews derive their name from the patriarch Judah, who was one of the 12 sons of Jacob-Israel. Histroy and tyhe Bible records that the United Kingdom of Israel split into two houses in 922 BC, after the death of Solomon. The House of Judah occupied the South under Solomon's son Rehaboam, with its capital at Jerusalem. This southern Kingdom comprised the tribes of Judah and Benjamin with the majority of the Levites (priests). These became known as the Jews. The Northern House of Israel comprised the remaining 10-tribes; initially under Jereboam, with its capital at the city of Samaria. From this division the histories of the two kingdoms are quite separate and distinct.
“Israel as a kingdom was never restored from Assyria, as Judah was from Babylon after 70 years.” –Jamieson, Faucett, Brown Commentary, p.650
It is noteworthy that the Northern10-tribed House of Israel comprised the majority group, with some 5/6 of the original population. Many people, quite incorrectly, apply the term Jew to those of Northern Israel, when in fact the Bible relates the term to those of the Southern House of Judah only. Clearly, the term Jew cannot and does not apply to ALL ISRAEL.
2. The Church is Israel. This is incorrect. The apostle Paul clearly stated that his heart's desire was that the people of national Israel (i.e. the people naturally descended from Jacob-Israel) was that they might be saved. Clearly, those of the Church (whether of natural Israel or not) are saved (regardless of national descent).
3. God has cast off national Israel and they no longer are God's national people. Again, this is incorrect. The apostle Paul wrote that God has not abandoned His national people or His national promises.
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