Replacement Theology

Is God finished with Israel?

The problem

When I announced that Bible Study Net was a pro-Israel site, I had no idea how many Christians are anti-Israel. The problem is a thing called Replacement Theology.

The entire family of God is saved by grace through faith. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, however there is a difference in assigned ministry.

So, is God finished with Israel?

Until His plan is finished, God is not finished with anyone.

Replacement Theology comes from the Protestant movement, but is not limited to it. For centuries Roman Catholics taught hatred for Jews. Many of today’s Protestants know how ludicrous Replacement Theology is and they reject it.

Replacement Theology is the teaching that national, blood-line Israel has been replaced by the Church in most, if not all biblical references to Israel.

Recently I received an email from a person who tried to get me to abandon all hope for Israel to support Islamic and Arabic claims to the land of Israel. The person from whom I received the email claims to be a Christian, but he supports Islam.

Is that possible?

I don’t think so!

My “friend” wrote to me that I was a hypocritical “Christian Zionist.” If, by that he means that I believe the Bible, I must plead guilty. The Bible is my main and only source of teaching material.

Let me be clear. Our conflict is not with Arabs. It is with the false religion of Islam!

Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

As part of his theory that God abandoned Israel, my “friend” quoted:
Joshua 21:43-45
43 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein.
44 And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.
45 There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.

The theory goes that if all came to pass at that time, nothing is left of national Israel. The problem with that theory is its failure to realize that prophecy may have multiple fulfillments.

The Jews of olden days did not realize that their Messiah had come. Jesus, the suffering servant, has come!

Does that mean the Jesus, the reigning King, will not come?

Absolutely not!

The Messiah has come and shall come AGAIN!

Then, to prove his point, he quoted:

Amos 3:7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

You might not have a calendar handy, so let me tell you, Amos was written some 700 years after Joshua. If all was accomplished under Joshua, why do we need to quote Amos to prove it?

Some religious theories are just plain goofy!

My “friend” assured me that he was “encouraged by Satya’s call: ‘May a thousand Hezbollahs bloom to take up the challenge of preventing this from happening.’”

The call was to prevent the Israeli state from continuing and flourishing.

Why would he hate Jews with such a vengeance?

Sadly, many so-called Christians hate Israel. Let me assure you that while some see replacement theology as hatred, many see it as a logical progression with no animosity toward Jews.

Israel is a controversial state!

We can read today’s newspapers, watch TV and listen to the radio and know that Jerusalem has become an international cup of trembling (Zech 12:2).

But why?

Israel has no oil. It has no gold or other minerals of great value.

Jerusalem is an international cup of trembling, because and only because that is God’s plan for that city!

The Scripture from Joshua is used by some to show that national Israel had been abandoned by God following Joshua’s day.

That is an interesting Bible concept.

For it to be true, all the Scriptures from Judges through Malachi would also need to be scrapped since no theologian in his/her right mind believes that all Hebrew Scriptures focus on the Church.

But then, much of the New Testament including Paul’s writings would need to be deleted, because they are taken from the verses in the Old Testament.

Why would the New Testament use scriptures from the Old?

2 Tim 3:16-17
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Scripture focuses on man’s relationship with God and with other men. We all need that teaching.

If the OT focuses on the Gentile Church, we would need to rewrite modern history to deny any Israeli Diaspora or re-gathering that takes place after Joshua.

However, the most alarming nullification would involve the Personal earthly ministry of Christ Jesus Himself! To say that God finished His work with national Israel shortly after Joshua is a denial of the work of Christ!

Jesus plainly said, “I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matt 15:24)

Some teach that modern racial Israel is not the racial Israel of Joshua’s day.

If that were true, then Jesus went to the wrong folks. Are you willing to tell God the Son that He didn’t know what He was doing?

With only a few exceptions, Christ ministered to the Israelis/Jews prior to His crucifixion and resurrection.

And, what about the majority of Apostles?

With the exception of Cornelius (Acts 10), the original Apostles were involved in an Israeli/Jew only ministry.

Acts 11:19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only.

Do you mean they had no idea that Jews were not really Jews?

The original theory of God’s lack of involvement following Joshua does not hold water! The teaching of replacement theology carries with it many problems.

Another verse use by some who hate Israel and attempt to degrade her to the point of insignificance in the plan of God is found in Jeremiah.

Jer 3:8 And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.

Those who use that verse must do so by ignoring the rest of that Chapter.

Jer 3:12-14
12 Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
13 Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
14 Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:

The emphasis is mine, but it points to some interesting thoughts. Acknowledging iniquity speaks of repentance. God promises that he will bring backsliding Israel to Zion.

Zion is the place of praise.

Will Israel praise God, because He has abandoned it?

Absolutely not!

God tells us explicitly that He will not keep His anger, and thereby His negative judgments forever.

James tells us, by the power of God, “Mercy rejoices against (triumphs over/supersedes) judgment (James 2:13a).”

As the grace of God in Christ Jesus triumphed over the negative judgment against us before we acknowledged Christ, so shall it be for national Israel.

The Biblical Facts

Here are a few verses that you may wish to evaluate.

First, look at God’s promise to national Israel.

Ps 137:5-6

5 If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.

6 If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

The Church has little interest in the physical city of Jerusalem. We look for the New Jerusalem, but we have great respect current physical Jerusalem.

If you study the history of Jerusalem, you will soon find that after the Shimon bar Kockba revolt in the 130’s AD, the entire city was torn down, except for one temple Mount retaining wall. Then, the Romans rebuilt the city according to Roman design and renamed it Aelia Capitolina.

Back to national Israel.

God’s plan is on target and on time.

God made several promises to Israel many centuries after Joshua died.

Ezek 36:10 And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:

Think for a moment about that promise. It may include the Church, but it cannot be a promise exclusively to the Church. The Church has never had cities that needed to be rebuilt!

National Israel has turned it back on God’s Messiah. For that reason it is now spiritually dead. But, things shall change!

Ezek 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.

That too was written centuries after Joshua lived. If there was no post-Joshua Diaspora and no re-gathering, that verse could hold no truth!

Gentile Christians were never in the land. So we cannot be brought back to the land.

Ezek 37:3a And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?

That question was asked some 800 years after Joshua died. It concerns national Israel, not the Church. The Church is now and always has been alive due to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Now, I ask you, can’t God breathe into Israel the breath of life at a time of His choosing?

Ezek 37:5-6
5 Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live:
6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Here, God proclaims His ability to cause those of His choosing to rise. Again, the reference is to national Israel.

Ezek 37:19-22
19 Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand.
20 And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.
21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:

As you read those verses, be aware that according to history, the northern tribes have vanished, but the southern tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, and part of Levi still remain. We do not know where the northern tribes are. That presents a problem to mankind, but not to God.

As you recall from modern history, some modern Jews were taken from African Ethiopia and are currently living in Israel.

That problem was over come by God on target and on time.

The promise of Ezekiel 37:21 is explicit. God said, “I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land.”

Wait a minute, if God abandoned Israel back in Joshua’s day, how can He fulfill that promise?

God also promised, “I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.” (Jer 16:15b)

That is a promise to Israel, but if God abandoned national Israel that promise cannot be fulfilled. Replacement Theology abandons scripture!

Replacement Theology might be logical except for one Bible verse.

Paul wrote, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” (Rom 11:29)

If God has abandoned national Israel that verse is inaccurate.

Paul wrote, “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Rom 11:2a). That promise is to national Israel.

Christ’s rejection by Israel was not without purpose.

Rom 11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Jews and Gentiles, Muslims and Christians all must come to the Father in exactly the same manner by grace through faith.

Jesus said, “I am The Way, The Truth and The Life! No man may come to the Father except through Me!” (John 15:6 personal translation)

That has not changed!

There is no other way.

We all must proclaim, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and do it openly and with joy!

The Resolution

Some so-called Christians do not see a future for national Israel. They are as blind today as national Israel is.

Are those who believe that true Christians?

Fortunately for them, an understanding of prophetic matters is not a prerequisite for salvation.

What it the main objection to Replacement Theology?

Oddly enough, the main objection is the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ!

Replacement theologists base their teachings on their understanding that Christ Jesus was ignorant of the replacement.

If national Israel has ceased to exist, was Jesus Christ a national Israelite?

If not, why didn’t He know it, and if He knew it, why didn’t He acknowledge so great a point?

To teach that in some respects Christians are spiritual Hebrews does have some validity, when we consider the Hebrew word translated Hebrew is Ivry, meaning one who has crossed over, and Christians have crossed over from death to life.

However, that fact does not in any way mean that we have replaced Israel. We have been grafted into the Vine which is Christ Jesus.

The Vine is Christ---not Israel!

All true followers of Christ, Jew or Gentile, are recipients of grace by the power of the Holy Spirit!

1 Cor 12:3b no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

The original Church was a Jew only assembly. However, most Jews never understood the gospel of grace. And, I fear that most of today’s Gentile Church attendees also do not understand grace.

When Gentiles did receive the gospel of grace, the Jewish Apostles did not lay the Law of circumcision, etc. on them.

Acts 15:24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. Peter and the rest were sent to the Jews/Israelites.

Gal 2:7-9
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)
9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

Paul represents a pause in God’s focus on Israel. His name probably comes from the Greek word Pauw. The English word “pause” comes from that Greek word. The Church age represents a pause in God’s workings among the Israelites/Jews.

Have you ever seen a NASA rocket launch?

At certain predetermined times all things are put on hold while certain other things are accomplished.

The Church age is one such predetermined hold within God’s plan for the ages. The hold, Israeli blindness, was allowed so that Gentiles could be brought into the kingdom.

Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

That verse has significance only if Judaism/Israel exists!

The blindness is “in part!”

When will Israel’s national blindness end?

I think I can tell you the exact moment.

Israel must reach a point in which no human effort will be able to help the nation to continue to exist. All political alliances must be rendered useless and/or invalid.

It shall be at that point of no human hope that an extraordinary event will take place.

Rev 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (KJV)

Yahshua haMesshiach ben Yoseph, the suffering Servant Messiah has come!

Now, we see Yahsua haMesshiach ben David, the conquering King Messiah come in total and absolute victory!

He shall come to save Israel!

If national blood-line Israel does not exist, all people are racial Gentiles with no difference between racial Jews and others. The significance only applies if there is a difference. And, if there is no difference, who is replaced by Replacement Theology?

I am not sure how many so-called teachers today proclaim that God has turned his back on the Jews. If God did abandon Israel, how do we explain the Davidic Kingdom? How do we explain Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel, and all the post-Joshua Scriptures explicit to Israel?

Let’s look for a moment at Song of Solomon.

Song of Solomon is a biblical play. It has a hero, male lead, the young man or bride groom. It also has a heroine, the female lead, the young woman, or bride. Song of Solomon also has a chorus. If you have a decent translation, it may point out the various parts.

Song 2:1 I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.

That verse is spoken or sung by the bride!

Many wrongly suppose the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys to be Christ.

That is because they have no understanding of the Song of Solomon.

The grace-filled Church represents the body of Christ Jesus, the groom.

The bride is Israel!

Israel is the rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys.

Israel is precious in God’s site. Let’s face it, Israel has not historically been faithful to God. Read Hosea!

However, that does not mean the God is also unfaithful. He is faithful under the most trying conditions.

His plead to Israel lasts until she turns to Him.

Hosea 14:1 O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.

Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.

Then we get to the bottom line.

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them? for the ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein.

As spoken of in the plan for the ages, Jews who follow Christ and the Gentile Church shall become one (Heb. echad), as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one (Heb. echad).

Deut 6:4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one! (The Shema)

John 17:17-21
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Did the Gentile Church replace Israel?

Not hardly!

God’s love for both shall become evident as we see prophecy become history.

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