Jehoshua is on the throne of David in New Jerusalem and He is the King of a New Israel
Galatians 6:14-16 (ASV) 14But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.15For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.16And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.17Henceforth, let no man trouble me; for I bear branded on my body the marks of Jesus.18The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen. Those who are the Israel of God glory solely in the cross of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah. This leads us to the topic of this study, who exactly is the Israel of God? In many denominations, the precious truth of who the Israel of God is has been stolen from the Church and the saints have been robbed of their true identity. The culprit of this strong arm robbery is the doctrine of dispensationalism. Without going into too much detail, this doctrine teaches that there is a distinction between Israel and the Church. This false ecclesiology leads to two different gospels, one for the Jews of the flesh and one for Gentiles of the flesh. There are many other false teachings that result from this doctrine which I won't get into here. The doctrine of dispensationalism is a new one having it's origin in the 1800's. Before this time period, there is no evidence that the Church ever taught the doctrine of dispensationalism. In this study, I will show from scripture that the Israel of God and the church are one and the same and that there is absolutely no distinction in the new covenant between Jew and Gentile. I will show from scripture that there is only one Israel and that is the church of Jehoshua Messiah. In the above passage, Paul is speaking to Messianic/Christian believers whether Jew or Gentile. The Israel of God comprises the full company of Jehovah's people regardless of their ethnic identity: Galatians 3:26-29 (ASV) 26For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.28There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus.29And if ye are Christ`s, then are ye Abraham`s seed, heirs according to promise. Paul clearly states that in Messiah there cannot be any Jewish/Gentile distinction yet much of Christendom today is putting up those distinctions again thereby being outside the commandment of Paul the apostle. Paul says we (Jew and Gentile) are one in Messiah. This one signifies absolute unity and equality among those united in the Son of God. Paul makes it crystal clear that ethnic distinctions in the body of Messiah have no place. In fact, those of us who are in union with the Messiah are Abraham's seed. The seed is spiritual as we are united to the physical seed Jehoshua. Only those baptized into Jehoshua have the privilege of being Abraham's seed. It has absolutely nothing to do with your ethnicity in the new covenant. Those of us who are baptized into Jehoshua are joint heirs with Him according to the promise made to Abraham. Again, I stress as does Paul it has nothing to do with what ethnic group you were born from. It has everything to do with if you have faith in the Son of God. Just in this passage alone, Paul destroys the ethnic barriers that many professed Christians are putting up again due to the satanic doctrine of dispensationalism. Let's go back to Galatians 6 Verse 14: "But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world." In context, Paul is rebuking the Judiazers who are trusting in the law of Moses for salvation and insisting that Messianic believers get circumcised. Verse 15 "For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature." Paul makes it clear that in the new covenant, circumcision is of no consequence. Paul emphasizes the new birth experience (new creation) of which baptism is a sign. Verse 16 "And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God." We have to ask, what rule is Paul talking about? Those to whom circumcision avails nothing and who only glory in the cross of our King Jehoshua Messiah. In other words your glory cannot be in the law and you must be a new creature by faith in the Son of God. Infact, elsewhere Paul says those still caught up in the old covenant have no inheritance with those in the new covenant. So in order to be partof the Israel of God you must meet the qaulifications set by Paul which is no boasting in the law of Moses of which circumcision is a sign. Your boast must be in the cross of our King Jehoshua Messiah of which baptism is a sign. This shows clearly that the Israel of God in the new covenant is a Spiritual nation made up of all tribes, tongues and nations that trust in the cross of Jehoshua and are new creations by faith (Galatians 3:28-29). The Israel of God does not go back to or mix in the old covenant with the new covenant. Messiah rejecting Jews are still in the old covenant and have no inheritance with the Israel of God. Let's now go to Galatians 4 for an even swifter rebuke of those promoting the satanic error of dispensaltionalism. Galatians 4:21-31 (ASV) 21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. Paul uses an allegory to make the distinction between those Jews who are still caught up in the old covenant and the true Israel which fully embraces the new covenant. Verses 21, There were those in the Church who still wanted to be under the law. What law is Paul talking about? In context, the law of Moses is in clear view. We are seeing a repeat of this with the rise of the Hebrew roots movement. Also, many dispensaltionalists support modern Jews to keep the law of Moses as a way to be justified with or sometimes without Messiah. Both are heresy! Verse 22, Paul uses Abraham's two sons as an allegory. Ishmael was born of the bondwoman (Hagar) and Isaac by a freewoman (Sarah). It's important to understand that Isaac was referred to as Abraham's only begotten son: Hebrews 11:17 17By faith Abraham, being tried, offered up Isaac: yea, he that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; This is significant because it shows us that the term "only begotten son" refers to being the son of the inheritance. Obviously its not to be taken literally as Abraham had another son. It's important to understand the meaning of the term "only begotten son" in the context of Galatians 4 as it highlights the danger of going back to the bondage of the old covenant system. You could actually lose your inheritance by going back to the old covenant system and law of Moses. Before breaking down verse 23, let's look at something Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15 which although not directly related to what Paul is preaching here in Galatians 4 still makes the point that those of the flesh have no part in the eternal Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah. 1 Corinthians 15:50 50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Now of course Paul is talking about the resurrection and the literal transformation of the body but we can also glean a spiritual understanding from it in that those not made into a new creation in this life are still of the flesh and will not inherit the Kingdom of Jehovah God. The Messiah Jehoshua confirms this in John chapter 3:5-10 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God!6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.8The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.9Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? What matters in terms of seeing the Kingdom of God is not that which is born of the flesh including Jews of the flesh but rather that which is born of water and the Spirit. Those born of water (baptism) and the Spirit i.e. begotten from above by the Spirit of Jehovah are those who will see the Kingdom of God. It is plain as day that ethnic fleshly distinction means nothing in terms of inheriting the Kingdom of God but rather being a new creature as stated in Galatians 6:15. Who are those born by the Spirit? Those to whom circumcision avails nothing and who only glory in the cross of our King Jehoshua Messiah. Those who have faith in Jehoshua. Who are they in regards to ethnicity? Jews only or mostly? Let's go to Revelation 7 for the answer: 9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; All nations are the ones who have faith in Jehoshua and inherit the Kingdom. Daniel 7 reiterates this precious truth: 13I saw in the night-visions, and, behold, there came with the clouds of heaven one like unto a son of man, and he came even to the ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.14And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. All nations, languages and peoples have and will continue to serve the Son of God into eternity. This passage was fulfilled at the ascension of the Messiah into heaven. Every time someone is saved this passage continues to be fulfilled. Notice in Jehoshua's statements to Nicodemus, that He never says being a Jew has anything to do with seeing the Kingdom of God or being "begotten from above" (born again). Jehoshua actually nulifies any possiblity that what you are in the flesh in terms of ethnicity has any bearing on you being a new creature (begotten from above). "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.8The wind bloweth where it will, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit" Jehoshua makes a sharp contrast between those of the flesh and those of the Spirit. One group will not see the Kingdom of God (those born in the flesh) i.e. including Jews who are not born of the Spirit and one group will (those born of the Spirit) i.e. all tribes, tongues and nations who are born of the Spirit. Jehoshua is removing any possiblity that one can trust in their ethnic identity for entrance into the Kingdom God including Jews. Notice the Jew Nicodemus and his response to Jehoshua after being told that the flesh, meaning what nationality, ethnicity and race you were born into will not grant you entrance into the Kingdom of God. "Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?" Nicodemus couldnt understand the spiritual things Jehoshua just told him. The same cloud is over many of those today in the Church who outright ignore the Messiah's teaching here in John 3 that your birth in the flesh means nothing in terms of seeing the Kingdom of Jehovah God. This includes being born a Jew. Many in the Church are exalting those who are Jews of the flesh completey ignoring the Son of God's teaching that your birth means nothing in terms of gaining entrance into the Kingdom. Some Christians even imply that Jews of the flesh dont need to accept Jehoshua for salvation as long as they keep the law of Moses. Jehoshua clearly said that it is the Spiritual birth that matters not the physical birth which is directly tied to your gender, ethnicity, nationality and race. These professed Christians have exalted the fleshly pride of the Jews even to the point of wanting to learn the scriptures at the feet of Messiah rejecting Jews. Let's read Jehoshua's response to Nicodemus in order to find out if we should learn the scriptures from those Jews who trust in their ethnic identity: John 3 10Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? Nicodemus lived 2,000 years ago meaning he was 2,000 years closer to how the religion of the Jews was really practiced. Yet despite his promixity to a much purer yet still corrupted Jewish religion he could not understand the spiritual teachings of Jehoshua who is Israel's Messiah. Yet many Christians today are putting their faith in Messiah rejecting Jews as having a better understanding of the faith and/or going to the Jews to learn the faith in a more Hebraic way. Nicodemus, being a Jew, was spiritually blinded yet are we really to put trust in modern Jews views of scripture just because they are Jews? If they reject the Son of God then they are worse off than Nicodemus. Why are Christians exalting the flesh i.e the Jews? Because they have been decieved by their dispensational pastors and theologians that somehow the Jews just by being Jewish are the chosen people still and have a special standing and relationship with God. This is absolutely contrary to what the Messiah said in verse 6 of John 3: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Those who are of the flesh are blinded and cannot see spiritual things including the Kingdom of God. If this is true and it is then why are Christians giving Messiah rejecting Jews some special sort of status, as if by being Jewish they have some special insight into the scriptures. Just as it was then it is now, Jews who reject the Messiah are blinded to spiritual things. They are of the flesh trusting in their Jewish heritage i.e the flesh. Those who are of the flesh are also carnal minded and thus cannot understand spiritual things. Romans 8:5-9 5For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.6For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:7because the mind of the flesh is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can it be:8and they that are in the flesh cannot please God.9But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Here in Romans 8, Paul echoes the sentiments of the Son of God in stating that those of the flesh mind the things of the flesh meaning that they won't be able to comprehend spiritual matters. This statement by Paul is an indictment of those Jews who think that just because they are Jews that they are more privileged than others and that their ethnic identity gives them a free pass to eternal life or makes them somehow more intune to the things of scripture and God. Infact, Paul says that those in the flesh ar at enmity against Jehovah and His law. This statement includes any Jew who rejects Jehovah's Messiah. Many will say that the Jews do keep Torah so this statement doesnt apply to them, but that idea is refuted by the fact that we are no longer under the old covenant system and the Mosaic law. The bible is clear that we are in the new covenant and the law of Messiah and many Jews outright reject both thereby they are law breakers. And these are the people that dispensationalists want to glean from? This delusion not only affects the dispensationalists but also the Hebrew roots and Messianic groups who put a huge emphasis on anything Jewish even if it is hearkening to rabbi's who reject the Son of God and the new covenant. A Christian/Messianic is actually taught to reject the teachings of anyone not bringing the doctrines of the Messiah and that includes any Jew no matter smart they are and how much Hebrew they know. The Church need not exalt men just because they are Jewish even if they have extensive biblical knowledge (old testament of course) . The Church is supposed to glean from the ministers who guide us into a perfect knowledge of the Son of God, the very Son of God many Jews reject. We should not even glean from any Jew that denies Messiah. Paul in Romans 8:6 says to be carnally minded is death. Isn't it something that you have professed believers in Messiah going to dead Jewish men to somehow learn more about the Messianic faith? Yet this is what is happening throughout the Church, believers in the Son of God are feeling that in order to have a deeper and more true faith that they need to sit at the feet of Jews and many times Jews that reject the Messiah. Even if a Jew does believe in the Messiah this in itself makes him no more qaulified to teach the scriptures than anyone else. Many Jews who teach the word, whether Messianic's or Messiah rejecters, often times have the law of Moses as their focus and many even teach that we need to go back to keeping the law of Moses. Yet this is what Paul says is the job duty of a new covenant minister of the Church: Ephesians 4:10-14 10He that descended is the same also that ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)11And he gave some [to be] apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12for the perfecting of the saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the building up of the body of Christ:13till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:14that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; The job of Church ministers, which we all are by the way, is to bring the saints into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God. If this is the job requirement of those in ministry then why in the world are believers going to Messiah rejecting Jews for a deeper understanding of the scriptures? Both Jehoshua and Paul teach that those not in the faith (of the flesh) have nothing to offer those who are in the faith (of the Spirit). The beloved disciple John is even stronger in this sentiment: 2 John 9-11 9 Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son.10If any one cometh unto you, and bringeth not this teaching, receive him not into your house, and give him no greeting:11for he that giveth him greeting partaketh in his evil works. John says we are to having nothing to do with those who preach false doctrine, specifically doctrine that doesn't line up with the teachings of Jehoshua i.e. the doctrine of Messiah. This statement by John removes any room for believers to go to Messiah rejecting Jews for understanding of the bible. Messiah rejecting Jews do not bring the doctrine of Messiah as they dont believe in Him and they actually believe He was a false prophet. How then do professing Christians justify sitting under these antimessiah's teachings and reading their books? John says these Messiah rejecters and false teachers (Jew or Gentile) do not have God. Why would we seek to glean biblical truth from those who dont have God? Paul says that these so called teachers have not the Father or the Son. That means that not only do Messiah rejecters have not the Son of God but they also don't have the God of Israel Jehovah. This also includes those teaching false ideas about the Messiah and His teachings. John goes one step further and says not only are se not to allow them in our house but we also are not to bid them God speed. This is a far cry from exalting and even learning from Jews of the flesh who reject the Messiah. John says we are not to have anything to do with them or there teachings. This obviously includes Jewish rabbis who reject the Son of God or even Messianic rabbis who seek to bring believers back under the old covenant system or at least some form of it.
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