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God’s People
By Dahni
© 2023, all rights reserved
The question recently came up, is Israel God’s people? It is a great question.
In the Bible the words “Jew” and “Judean” are the English words most often used to translate the Greek term ioudaios (plural: ioudaioi).
The name’s usage is historic, having been used in antiquity and still into the present day; it originates from Yehudah, a Hebrew name. Yehudah was a son of Jacob, who was later given the name “Israel” and whose sons collectively headed the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Yehudah’s progeny among the Israelites formed the Tribe of Judah, with whom the Kingdom of Judah is associated.
Every one of the 12 tribes of Israel had a job so to speak. For example, normally, the priests of the temple were to come out of the tribe of Levi. The king (beginning with Saul and then David, Solomon etc. all were to come from the tribe of Judah. There are two genealogies in the four Gospels. One genealogy is in the book of Matthew and the other is in the book of Luke. Luke traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ as a “man” all the way back to Adam and Eve, the first man and woman. This is important because, man (mankind), needed a redeemer. Man blew it in the garden and only a man whom the Bible refers to as “the second Adam”, Jesus Christ could redeem man (mankind), all of mankind past, present and until the the time in the future, known only by God. The other genealogy in the Gospels is found in the book of Matthew. This lineage from his mother Mary, traces the family back to David the King. This enabled Jesus Christ to legally become a king, the King of Judea – King of the Jews.
“The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
Genesis 49:10 King James Version
It was nor is it a secret that Israel, “God’s People” were called.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
II Chronicles 7:14 KJV
Even so, Israel was God’s chosen people, but notice IF they would humble themselves, pray and seek the face of God what would happen. It is important to note that the history of the entire 12 tribes, the kings of Judea and the people of Israel were full of corruption. So what? So are all people. But also note all the things Israel did because, they believed God!
God in order to save even a few often gave “His People” things (like a king), that He, God, did not want. But God knew that through weakness, but with believing, there would one day come the perfect man, the redeemer, the High Priest and Passover Lamb, the man, the son, the Messiah, the servant (Greek doulos – bond-slave), and King of Kings— Jesus Christ.
But there was also never a secret that the gentiles would be blessed that willed to peacefully coexist with Israel.
“But glory, honour [honor], and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:”
Romans 2:10 KJV
But God had a secret that he had kept since time began. From Jew (Judean) and Gentile, God would make another people.
Out of two (Jew and Gentile), He, God, makes something new. It is not our nationality, color, religion, education, culture, traditions, that we are rich or poor, male, female, young or old that makes us God’s People. It is our spiritual DNA, being born again of God’s spirit.
“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”
Ephesians 2:14 KJV
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
I Corinthians 12:13 KJV
“ Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:”
I Corinthians 10:32 KJV
Inside the Temple area there was what is called the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is a term in the Bible that refers to the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle, where God’s presence appeared. According to tradition, four pillars that held up the veil of the covering, under which the Ark of the Covenant was held above the floor, defined the area.
Only the High Priest (descendent of Aaron of the Tribe of Levi), could go and only on a special occasion, of the sacrificial lamb for the sins of Israel, during the feast of Passover.
Then there was an area where only the priests (of the tribe of Levi), could go, which separated them from the people. Then the men and women were separated. Outside of the temple was called the Court of the Gentiles, where they that wanted to come and worship could, but they were not allowed in the temple proper. Jesus Christ entered the temple and into the Holy of Holies as the High Priest and presented himself as the Passover Lamb — Perfect sacrifice of a perfect man, for all of Israel, for all time and for any that would believe on him (Jesus Christ).
“And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;”
Matthew 27:51 KJV
This veil which separated the priests from the High Priest was ripped from top to bottom, meaning God did it as usually one would rip something apart, from bottom to top. The wall separating men from women and the “middle” wall separating the Jews (Judeans) from the Gentiles were all removed meaning that anyone could come before the direct presence of God. The temple was for all of God’s people, but the tabernacle that held the Ark of the Covenant, behind the veil, was meant to be where only God can truly dwell, in the individual.
“Having abolished in his flesh the enmity [the separation or what separates], even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;”
Ephesians 2:15 KJV
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
II Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Well, if out of Jew (Judean), and Gentile, God made the Church (Church of God), are we better than the Jew (Judean) or the Gentiles?
“What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;”
Romans 3:9 KJV
“Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth [pertains] the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;”
Romans 9:4
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. For every high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith [said] he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed [showed] to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith [said], Behold, the days come, saith [said] the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith [said] the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith [said] the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour [neighbor], and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith [said], A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth [decays] and waxeth [waxes] old is ready to vanish away.
Hebrews 8:1-13
“But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
Galatians 4:4-7
There is one huge difference between the Jew (Judean), possibly the Gentile and the Church of God. The Jews (Judeans), are still waiting for the first coming of their promised Messiah. They may believe that Jesus Christ lived and may have even been a prophet, but they do not believe he was what the book of Genesis, says that he (Jesus Christ) is. They do not believe he was the “promised seed of the woman.” I do not know about any or all of the Gentiles, but Christians, (The Church of God), do believe that Jesus was the Christ and we are waiting for his Second Coming.
“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 fullness of the Gentiles be come in.”
Romans 11:25
Now let us look at an entire chapter of the Bible that really explains a lot. Please note that in reading the following, every time we read the word “faith” it is the Greek word pistis and means, “believing.” Believing is a verb that connotes action.
“Now faith (pistis) is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith (pistis) we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith (pistis) Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh [speaks]. By faith (pistis) Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith (pistis) it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh [comes] to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. By faith (pistis) Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith (pistis). By faith (pistis) Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith (pistis) he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith (pistis) also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith (pistis), not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. By faith (pistis) Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. By faith (pistis) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith (pistis) Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith (pistis) Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith (pistis) Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. By faith (pistis) Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward. By faith (pistis) he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith (pistis) he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith (pistis) they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. By faith (pistis) the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith (pistis) the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: Who through faith (pistis) subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith (pistis), received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.”
Hebrews 11: 1-40
These all died believing, but were not able to share in full, of the promises God made. One was the promise of paradise, a second paradise, which is always a place on earth. In the Book of Revelation we will see this new “heaven” and “new earth” (paradise). All the Old Testament believers (they believed), like Abraham, Moses, David, Ruth, Ether and more will inherit this one day in the future. This will be “when the fullness of the gentiles come in”, and Jesus Christ Returns to the earth and then there will eventually be, a new heaven and a new earth. This is also called in the Bible– ‘The Resurrection of the Just.’
Make no mistake about this, Jesus Christ came to the children of Israel and he also came to fulfill the law.
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill”
Matthew 5:17 KJV
The original disciples, the 11 that were Galileans anyway were unique. They lived during the administration of law which ended at the first coming of Jesus Christ or the Christ administration. It ended at his death and the administration of grace began of which we are still in today. But remember this…
“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou [you]
comest [come] into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23: 39-43 KJV
Jesus Christ fulfilled the law, down to the last person that will one-day be in the resurrection of the just and come into the new paradise.
Now despite the adoption of the children of Israel as adopted children and all the promises made, God chose the Christians, the Church of God in Christ, even before the foundation of the world.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Ephesians 1:4
Whether Jew or Gentile, there is no other name given among men [and women], whereby we must be made whole = salvation, saved.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
“Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth [does], this man stand here before you whole. This is the stone which was set at nought [without value or purpose], becomes the head of the corner.”
Acts 4:10, 11 KJV
Yes, the people of Israel (some of them anyway), crucified one of their own. Some of this was done ignorantly and some of this was intentional. There will be two resurrections in the future — the just and the unjust. When Jesus Christ comes “for” his Church, this is NOT called a resurrection, but a gathering together, because, not everyone will be dead when he comes back, but the dead in Christ will rise first.
Because of the long history and the events of these the Bible lands; because our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ was born there, grew up there, lived and died there and the democratic nature of modern-day Israel, many people support Israel. It does not mean that they are perfect or God’s People. As I have shown from the scriptures, the last person to receive the promise of paradise, was one of those malefactors, who was crucified with Jesus Christ, about 2,000 years ago. The promises were made to all of Israel, which included, the original 11 disciples, all from Galilee. Judas Iscariot was not from Galilee.
The administration of grace technically began when Jesus Christ ascended through the heavens and sat down on the right hand of God. Practically, it began on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2:4. But the understanding of these things was not revealed until years later. God had the apostle Paul write these things in the Church epistles, (Romans, I & II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and I & II Thessalonians). This mystery which had been hidden in God since the world began, did not fulfill the law (Jesus Christ did that). It fulfilled the word of God!
“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation
[administration] of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;”
Colossian 1:25 KJV
“Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
Colossians1:26-28 KJV
Perhaps another time we could look into this, but when Jesus Christ comes back “for” his Church, there is a period of time [the appearing administration], when the book of Revelation talks about 144,000 believer’s of that time. This will be something like the administration of law. Who are God’s people on earth at that time? I don’t know, but before Jesus Christ comes back “with” his saints (heaven’s holiest), there will be those 144,000. No offence meant, but Jehovah’s Witnesses (JW’s), have about 600,000 believers worldwide. It would be terrible to think you were not going to be part of the 144,000. Besides, JW’s believe Jesus Christ came back (invisibly), in 1914. But what does the scriptures say about that?
“But of that day and that hour knoweth [knows] no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.”
Mark 13:32
That’s pretty clear. That’s pretty simple. Even a child or a fool can understand that scripture. If no man knows, nor angels, and not even Jesus Christ what day and time this will be, then no one, but God knows, not even the JW’s.
Isn’t it great to know what the Bible, The Word of God says of itself, not opinion, theory, speculation or guesswork, but The Truth. And it is great to know who God’s People are. I encourage all Jews and Gentiles to take a look (see. Romans 10: 9, 10). By the way, Romans is the foundation epistle that transitions from the Christ administration to the grace administration, in which you and I live today. Parts of Romans are written to the Jews and parts to the Gentiles. Together, these two make a new body, the body of Christ, being born again of incorruptible seed, sons and daughters of God, the Church of God, the Body of Christ— God’s People. If I were Jewish or a Gentile, I would look to becoming a Christian and for Jesus Christ to be coming back the second time, not the first. And I would quit thinking he came back in 1914 or whenever.
Now if you want to dispute any of this, Go for it, but I did not write the Bible, I am just…
…a witness.
Dahni
Pentecost 