A Bible Study of the Completed Family of God

The Israel OF God

To define who is the 'Israel of God' is of utmost importance to the understanding of Revelation and the end time events. The Jewish people of the 21st century do not need a false security -- believing that they may have a second chance because they are of the blood lineage of Abraham. 'No man comes to the Father, but through Jesus Christ.'

THE ISRAEL OF GOD

Israel is a name that has been used in several / various ways. 1) A name given by God to Jacob. 2) A name used by the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob / Israel. 3) A name used / given to the 10 northern tribes who were defeated by Assyria. 4) A name given to the true believers / followers of God. 5) A name of the 144,000 sealed part of the descendents of Abraham. 6) The name of the 20th century nation of Israel. The name Israel came from God. The name was given to Jacob, the second born twin son of Isaac and Rebekah. Jacob from birth was prophesied by God to be the faithful one to God. The first born of the twins, Esau, was prophesied to be of a different character than Jacob. The prophecies given by God would prove to be true and correct as the lives of the two are recorded in the book of Genesis. (Genesis 27:11; 35). Jacob was the favorite son of his mother, of a milder character and lived in a close relation to his mother as compared to his brother Esau. Esau being the first born, by custom would receive from his father the prominent role in the family as the first-born son. But, by persuasion and considerable help from his mother Rebekah, Jacob deceived his blind father and received from him the first son blessing, which by custom, having been given, could not be rescinded. Esau, learning that he had been cheated out of his birthright by his brother, determined to kill Jacob after the death of their father Isaac. Thus, Jacob was forced to run for his life. On his flight while sleeping in the open country with a rock as a pillow, Jacob received from God a dream. His dream was angels ascending and descending from heaven on a ladder. Jacob awoke and declared that God is in this place and I did not know it. Then God spoke to Jacob, Jacob replied and between God and Jacob a covenant was made. Jacob declared to God that if God would provide for him and bring him back to this place, then God would be his God. Jacob then continued his flight from his brother and traveled to Haran, the land of the ancestors of his parents. In the land of Haran with his kinfolk, Jacob gained 2 wives, 2 concubines, 11 children and herds of sheep etc. In time he determined to return with his family and possessions to the land of his birth. On his way returning Jacob wrestled all one night with an angel of the Lord -- desiring and not giving up until he received a blessing from the Lord. The following day he met his brother Esau, made peace with his brother, then continued his journey home. Sometime later Jacob by conviction gathered his family, prepared them physically and spiritually (removed their idols) and went to the place where he had the dream and made the covenant with God. There he built an alter, named the place Bethel and offered sacrifice fulfilling his vow to God. Having done this, God at Bethel gave to Jacob the name Israel.
Please Note – The Name Israel was not given to all the blood descendants of Abraham, but ONLY to the one – Jacob who had personally met / recognized God, personally spoken with God and personally made a vow / covenant with God and kept / fulfilled that covenant. Thus the name Israel as given by God is to a particular / peculiar believing and obedient person and to a particular /peculiar people who meet / recognize God, commit their life to God and are faithful / obedient to their God. ONLY THE PERSONS WHO BELIEVE IN GOD – OBEY THEIR LORD AND REMAIN FAITHFUL ARE QUALIFIED TO BE NAMED – ISRAEL as given by God. PLEASE NOTE – SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TO ALL, ONE BY ONE. JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR INDIVIDUALS, NOT NATIONS NOR ANCESTRAL BLOODLINE !!

As evidence of the above statements please consider Isaiah 44: 1, “Yet hear now, O Jacob My servant, and Israel whom I have chosen. There are numerous places (this is one example) where the Lord uses both names of Jacob / Israel. He is giving both names, on purpose, to state a fact as He speaks to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob / Israel. Of the blood descendants of this lineage, there are those who are believing / obedient to God and those who are not. Thus, God is defining them as Jacob, the natural person, and Israel -- the spiritual person, yet all being blood descendants. Certainly the descendants of Abraham are not all obedient to their Creator. The Old Testament is a history of God’s chosen people being rebellious – being disciplined by God and returning to a degree of faithfulness. Jesus told some Pharisees who claimed Abraham as their father that they were not sons of Abraham, but the devil was their father. (Spiritually speaking). Please Note – By no means does the Old Testament when using the names Jacob and Israel always mean Jacob == the natural man / unbelieving person -- nor does Israel always mean the spiritual man / believing person. But I believe the Lord uses both names in that manner sufficient enough to declare that not ALL who are blood descendants of Abraham are sons of Abraham – spiritually. If our Lord in His Word drew a hard fast defining line between those who are Jacob and those who are Israel, people who read the scripture would immediately begin to judge and accuse others as being Jacob or Israel. But the fact remains that the determining of who is Jacob or Israel will only be known at the opening of the Books at the Great White Throne Judgment. Although each person’s eternal destiny is set at the time of death, anyone can until the time of death repent of sin / unbelief and thus be changed from Jacob to the Israel of God.

Also in Romans the scripture is clear that the Jews were cut off because of unbelief (many but no all) and the gentiles were grafted in. --- (Some folks have a problem saying that the church replaces Israel, calling it replacement theology, it is not replacement but grafted in theology). It is clear that Jesus' death and the Gospel is for all mankind. WHOSOEVER CALLS UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED – and those who do not call upon the name of the Lord will not be saved -- and many other scriptures state that Christ’s salvation is no respecter of persons. We hear a lot of - pray for the peace of Jerusalem -- yes we should -- because Jerusalem and the descendants of Abraham whose capital city is Jerusalem are God's chosen ones to receive / bring the Word of God and our Messiah Jesus Christ into the world. The Jews were also to be a nation of priests -- thus spreading / proclaiming the message of God to all nations. Thus -- we should also pray for the peace of Moscow, Baghdad, Beijing, New York City etc, because Jesus Christ died for all mankind. Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father and life eternal in heaven for any or all of mankind.

Also in Revelation chapter 7 is given those who are sealed and standing before the throne in heaven at the time of the end. While the rebellious are being destroyed on earth (6: 12:11 - 17) the family of God is before His throne. The 144,000 are sealed. They are called Israel, because they are the believers from the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob / Israel. Also sealed are the great multitude that no one could number. The great multitude are sealed because they had washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb / Jesus Christ. They are from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues – (this would include the sons of Abraham, who are Israel, who were saved the same as the Greeks, etc. (Galatians 3: 28) during the New Testament era through the blood that Jesus shed for all mankind.).

At the Great White Throne Judgment there are only 2 groups of people – those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and those whose names were not written by Jesus Christ in His Book. In fact, the whole book of Revelation is about only 2 groups -- the believing / faithful and the unbelieving / unfaithful.

WHO IS THE ISRAEL OF GOD? ALL WHO ARE THE FAMILY OF GOD, AS BEING ALL WHO HAVE FOLLOWED / THE PATTERN OF JACOB / ISRAEL. GOD ESTABLISHED THE NAME 'ISRAEL' AS A PERSON WHO -- MET GOD, BELIEVED IN GOD, OBEYED GOD AND REMAINED FAITHFUL TO GOD. IN REVELATION GOD DIVIDED HIS PEOPLE INTO TWO GROUPS. HE DIVIDED THEM NOT BY BLOODLINE, but BY TIME ERA -- the Old Testament era, then the New Testament era.The way of salvation has always been 'to call on the name of the Lord'. (Reference Gen 4: 26, Romans 10: 13). But the covenant of the Old Testament temple era and the new covenant in Christ Jesus are different in time / method / relationship to God our Creator. Refer to Hebrews 8: 6 - 13 and 12: 24.

The 6th seal is opened in Revelation 6: 12 and its message continues through the end of chapter 7, because the 7th seal is opened in 8: 1. Thus the overall message of the 6th seal is that in the end there are 2 groups of people -- the rebellious from all nations and the faithful 'sealed' from all nations. It is a vision / prophecy of the circumstances of each group on the final day of physical mankind. The rebellious are shown as one group -- the last generation of physical mankind. All the rebellious from all of history will be seen together in their resurrected bodies only at the Great White Throne Judgment. (Rev 20: 11 - 15). The faithful, in a visionary picture, sealed by God from all history, are shown as 2 parts of the same group standing before the throne of God. They are before the throne in resurrected bodies, as they had been either raptured or resurrected before the end / the Armageddon of the last generation of the rebellious. Thus, the faithful family of God are in their resurrected bodies (in white robes) and seen before the throne prior to the Millennial (the first resurrection). At the same time the souls / spirits of the rebellious remain in hell and their bodies in the dust of the earth.

God has divided His people, those of mankind who have been 'sealed', into 2 groups. The first group are the 144,000 of the 12 tribes of Israel who are sealed. 144,000 is not a literal number. First, the scripture says clearly that 'whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is not reasonable to think that the exact number of each tribe would be saved. Second, the number 144,000 is also used in Revelation 14, but the persons in chapter 14 are described very differently compared to those in chapter 7. Thus, the number 144,000 is used as a defining number -- not a literal number. Therefore 144,000 means -- many out of a much larger number. When the children of Israel left Egypt they were counted and they numbered much more than 144,000 of this one generation -- SO, THIS GIVES TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE A VERY POWERFUL MESSAGE -- YOU WILL NOT ALL BE THERE !! Also the 144,000 in chapter 14 represents, many but not all, from the family of God that are the 'great multitude' spoken of in chapter 7: 9. They are ordinary folks as they were 'redeemed from the earth and from among men but the 144,000 live especially dedicated lives and are the persons who preach / spread the eternal Gospel' to mankind. Even in churches today these can be seen as those who share the true Gospel -- a few -- where the vast majority only occupy the pews. This vast majority are true believers, but either are not 'called' to be witnesses or cannot or just do not bear fruit in the kingdom of God.

This first group (144,000) is from the old testament era. This can be substantiated by the reality that Jesus ministry ended at about 32 AD, then the temple was destroyed at 70 AD, thus within a 40 year span a new era began -- no more temple and the Gospel is preached to all peoples. The great multitude came to Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit, as each one believed and obeyed the Gospel -- rather than the sacrificial system of the temple. Also, in Revelation 11: 1 John is told to 'Measure the temple of God, the altar, and them that worship therein'. There are 2 ways to measure -- footage / distance or time. Here it is speaking about time, because it is a measurement of the temple and the people. Thus we believe it describes the era / time of the temple and God knows all the faithful believers whom He enumerates as 144,000 -- many out of a much larger group. This can clearly be seen from the old testament. In numerous places the Old testament speaks of a 'remnant' being saved from destruction. (Ezekiel 6: 8 – Joel 2: 32 are 2 examples). Also the old Testament tells of numerous times when most of the people were not the faithful followers of their Creator. At the time of Elijah and the 400 prophets of ba-al --- Elijah thought that he was the only faithful one, yet there was still the remnant that had not bowed to ba-al. The second group comes to Christ through the New Testament era as can be seen in their description in Revelation 7: 14 - 17 -- “washed in --- the blood of the Lamb.' This group comes from 'all nations and kindreds, and people, and tongues. THUS, THE BLOOD DESCENDANTS OF ABRAHAM DURING THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA COME TO CHRIST IN THE SAME WAY / MANNER AS ALL OTHER PEOPLES. 'FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE JEW AND THE GREEK, FOR THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL WHO CALL UPON HIS NAME.' (Romans 10: 12 - 13). The Jews were 'cut off' because of unbelief and the Gentiles were 'grafted' into the family of God.

THE NATION OF ISRAEL 20TH and 21ST CENTURIES –
The nation of Israel was declared / re-established in 1948. Many, most all teachers, preachers, writers, etc. Believed that the establishment of Israel in 1948 was the fulfillment of the prophecy given to Abraham in Genesis 13: 15, ‘For all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever’. This literal statement is prophecy and must come to pass.
In the course of history the Jews have been removed from their promised land on 2 separate occasions. They were removed by acts / discipline of God that was the result of their rebellion against their Lord. The first removal from their land was at the hand of Babylon, whom God had brought against Judea because of their rebellion. After 70 years the Jews returned and rebuilt the temple and Jerusalem -- restored by acts of God. (Zech.1). The second removal came in 70 A D by the Romans –- Jerusalem being completely destroyed. With the exception of a few, the majority had rejected the Messiah / Jesus Christ. There was no more nation of the Jews / Israel until Israel was re-established in 1948. There is much evidence that the Jewish nation was restored with the helping hand of God. With the re-establishment of the nation of Israel in 1948, many, especially Christians believed that to be the sign of the end times. Many believed Jesus would return in 1988 that being 40 years / a generation. But that did not happen. Then 60 years, then 70 (Maybe a generation) -- didn't happen. (Certainly Jesus could return at any time). There remains a serious problem --- a large percentage of Jews in Israel do not believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah of God. Could they turn to Jesus Christ and become the Israel of God ? Certainly, but, God has never in history forced anyone to believe / to be obedient. Can God give the last generation a second chance to believe -- after the rapture ?? -- of course He could. But where would be justice?? 'Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap'. BUT, remember the scripture written above from Genesis 13: 15, For all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants 'forever. God said, I give to you (Abraham) and your descendants forever – Abraham has been dead for centuries and also, ‘’forever’ – is not a physical term, but a spiritual term. Thus, there is only one scenario that this statement from God to Abraham can possibly become reality and it is quite sensible . The people of the land of Israel will again be removed from their promised land BY the HAND GOD.

Because, they will all die physically by acts of God. True believers of the last generation of the descendants of Abraham will be raptured with the last generation of the gentiles, all whose names are written in the Lambs Book of life. Afterward, all the rest (the unbelievers / the unfaithful -- both Jews and Gentiles -- all mankind) will be killed by the Sword from Jesus' mouth as He and the armies of heaven come for the battle of Armageddon. Thus, the land of Israel will be desolate for the 3rd time as the result of ACTS OF GOD. Please note; the people were removed from their promised land by acts of God and in each case a remnant was saved -- the faithful. Many -- but not all out of a larger group).

THEN the Israel of God will be restored with their father Abraham and David as king in their promised land. They and all true faithful believers who are gentiles will reign with their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ / our Creator for 1,000 years, (Remember – the millennium is the first resurrection – not physical. (Revelation 20: 4 - 5). After the millennium, the final battle, the Great White Throne Judgment and then the Jews – forever in the place / land that God promised to Abraham and his descendants in the 'new heavens and new earth'. The other members of the Family of God (Gentiles) will live in the places prepared for them.

The above explanation is the only way that the scripture can be literally true. Abraham, himself and all the spiritual sons of Abraham in the land that God promised to them – FOREVER !!

The Lord God by time era divides His children / family into two groups, He explains how He fulfills His promise to Abraham and also rewards the faithful blood descendants of Abraham for their service to mankind. With the covenant between God and Abraham the whole world would be blessed, as through them the Word of God would come / be given to mankind and also the Messiah Jesus Christ would come to earth. Although the faithful were / will be blessed it was not a privilege for Abraham's descendants to be called of God, but it was a great task with great and evil opposition. In Ezekiel 20 (especially verses 32 - 38) there are examples of the struggles of Abraham's descendants. We who are the recipients of the Word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ owe a great debt of gratitude to the spiritual descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob / Israel. They paid a heavy toll under the Abrahamic covenant, (as result of their own sins) but what a great service the children of Israel did for mankind. The spiritual descendants of Israel will be rewarded with their own land / home / inheritance as a special place in God's kingdom -- forever.

There are two scriptures that are particularly relevant to the understanding of the above study and crucial to knowing who is 'The Israel of God'. The first scripture is Ezekiel 37: 11 -- the second is Romans 11: 26. The necessity of understanding these scriptures is seen in the reality that many / most preachers, teachers of prophecy interpret or accept that these refer to the last generation of the Jews as citizens of the nation of Israel. Thus, implying or teaching that this last generation who are unbelieving Jews, having rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah of God, will have a second chance after the rapture of the Church. Supposing that they see, realize after the fact of the rapture, their mistake then become believers. Thus becoming 144,000 Jewish evangelists who preach the Gospel to the whole of physical mankind who were left behind. (Consider the 'Left Behind Series' and the many other books and teachers who have taught these ideas). It would be wonderful if this were true -- I would vote for it -- but this is not the true teaching of the Bible. If these teachings were true -- where would be justice for the hundreds of generations before the last generation, who are in Hell. (Refer to examples of Lazareth the rich man and Jesus' explanations of the Pharisees). There will be justice at the Great White Throne. Matthew 25: 1 -----. There will be a just Judge on the throne at the Great White Throne.

In the context of the first scripture -- Ezekiel 37: 11 -- it is very clear by the terminology used that it is speaking about a spiritual time -- not a physical time. Thus the prophecy is about the millennial reign of Christ -- for it speaks of raising them from their graves and David being their king forever. The word 'forever' is used numerous times. ‘Forever' is not a term used about a physical life. This is prophesying the resurrection of 'the whole house of Israel'. Israel being those who were like Jacob and chose to follow the spiritual pattern of Jacob / Israel and became part of the Israel of God. Thus, this would be prophesying about the 144,000 of the children of Israel who are sealed, thus a part of the family of God as enumerated in Revelation 7. In the context of the second scripture -- Romans 11: 26 -- Paul is writing to Gentile believers to explain their relationship to the Jews, their debt of gratitude and their opportunity of ministry to them. Here in Romans 11 the scripture speaks of the Jews as two separate groups. One group we may call a 'remnant', or the minority that are the believing Jews who are part of the Israel of God. The other group is apparently the majority who are the unbelieving Jews who would be called 'Jacob'. The apostle Paul says they were 'cut off' because of unbelief in the Messiah / Jesus Christ, but not all for He Paul was a believer and faithful to his calling. In Romans 11: 25 Paul calls this circumstance of Israel a 'mystery' and indeed it has been so. He says 'that blindness in part has happened to Israel'. This statement is speaking of the Israelites as a whole from Paul's generation forward until the 'fullness of the Gentiles have come in'. First he says 'blindness in part' -- that means most, but not all for some the Jews had become believers in Jesus Christ as their Messiah. As history has unfolded most Jews / Israelites still do not accept Jesus as Messiah. Thus the 2nd statement becomes true as they will remain in blindness until the Gospel has reached the ends of the earth and all who are going to be saved are saved.

Then in Romans 11: 26 Paul says 'And so all Israel will be saved.' 'Israel' in this sentence means all of the family of God as those who are saved both Jew and Gentile. Because -- this is a continuation (And) of the previous sentence which speaks of the 'fullness of the Gentiles has come in', into the kingdom of heaven. Thus, 'Israel' here means all the family of God as enumerated in Rev. 7: 4 - 9. Then in Romans 11: 25b - 26 Paul quotes a passage from Isaiah 29 saying that 'The deliverer will come out of Zion' -- meaning that Jesus Christ will come and 'turn away ungodliness from Jacob'. Meaning that Jesus Christ will come and 'take away their sins' – of those of Jacob who believe and receive their Messiah -- Jesus Christ. Those who refuse Jesus Christ will remain as Jacob -- ungodliness -- not saved as those who believe and become part of the Israel of God. Soo -- by no means does the statement 'And so all Israel will be saved' teach nor imply that the last generation of the descendants of Abraham will have a second chance after the rapture of the church. Those who believe and call on the Name of the Lord will be saved. But those who do not believe and call upon the name of the Lord will not be saved. Jesus gave us the parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25: 1 ---- to illustrate this truth. Further study at www.prophecy-from-God.com