This post begins with Chafer’s sixth point

6. COVENANTS- ISRAEL-abrahamic and all of the following; CHURCH- indirectly related to all.

So tell me how one arrives at this ambiguous indirect relationship when Scripture makes clear a very direct oneness between us Gentile believers and the saints of old. does the fact that these Covenants and promises are now ours imply indirect relationship or a direct relationship?

Ephesians 2:1-2, 4-5, 11-15 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,

 

So, Notice how Paul here makes light of the Circumcision Advocates, those born into Israel who put down the necessary Spirit birth by adding to it works, we on the other hand who are in Christ have chosen to follow and obey Gods choosing of us in Christ, by faith. We are of the heart circumcision New Covenant Israel (this is the promise to Israel of a new heart, a Spiritual rebirth), grafted in as unnatural olive branches. They the natural olive branches are cut off for their unbelief. They can only be added back through a faith honoring belief.

 

7. NATIONALITY: ISRAEL- one Nation; CHURCH- from all nations.

8. DEVINE DEALING. ISRAEL- National and Individual; CHURCH- individual only.

 

Now we need to consider just what our calling actually is? Certainly it is from all nations as God’s chosen ones, who are called to enter His Kingdom. Does not the term “all nations” include Israel? And does not the fact that we are added to some already existing entity, which is represented to us by Paul as the Olive tree, imply that we are not just dealt with individually but as a body? In fact neither is Israel just dealt with as a Nation. Abraham is saved by faith as are you and I.

Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands;

Matthew 21:43 Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.

 

The kingdom of God was not taken away from the Nation Israel, it was taken from the priesthood; who were the representative of Messiah (the word of God). Christ will still rule from Jerusalem on Israel’s throne over the land promised to Israel a land known as Zion. Only The individual makeup of Israel has changed. This includes the remnant who were in Abraham’s bosom individuals taken from physical Israel who are in Christ, following the relocation of paradise to heaven. We on the other hand are recipients with them in Messiah of this same future earthly kingdom.

 

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

 

This promise to us comes directly from the calling made to Israel. Listen:

and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”

Exodus 19:6

 

Remember it was the priesthood to whom Jesus said: “Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people, producing the fruit of it.” Did God make a mistake here? When Peter used this promise referencing you and I as believers did God know that by so doing He was allowing Peter to include us as sons of Israel? We are one with the saints.

 

Quite frankly there is so much in scripture that makes this connection that it really becomes somewhat blasphemous to refute it. So why do Gentile Christians not see it? Only God knows. Is His knowledge on the knowing revealed in Scripture? Perhaps.