Does scripture completely leave out Israel from Christ’s bride, and are they then God the Fathers bride as most Dispensationalists willing to broach the subject teach? Or is their Scriptural evidence that covenant theologians are closer to the heart of the matter on this question when they see only one people of God?

Interestingly the group that scripture would tell us is wrong on this point has literal scripture on which to base their decision. Now remember I don’t agree with either group, but that does not mean that both groups don’t teach some truth within their doctrine. You all know that I place great importance on doctrine, because Paul tells us in Timothy that doctrine is critical for the salvation of not only those taught, but also (and here is the critical element) Paul says that Timothy’s teaching proper doctrine or not will determine Timothy’s own salvation as well.

I have been critiqued for putting truth possibly above Grace in my writings, but what if truth is a determination in the giving out of Grace by our God? Read 1 Timothy 4:16 and meditate on it, my words mean nothing without the truth of the Scripture to support them.

My point is: Biblical truth not a systematic doctrine of any sort is what we need in our walk with the God who disperses His Grace on His terms not on ours.

So Jesus the word was with God and all things that were made were made by Him. Certainly He being the Word knew the Word, but for those who think that He didn’t while in the flesh, you must know that He claimed His every word as being given Him by the Father while here in the flesh.

He said in John 10, that He had other sheep that He must bring, was he talking about gentiles. One thing is certain He was not eliminating Israel, because He was talking to them. Those from Israel though only a remnant, would still be in this fold He spoke of, and they would know Him. Yet He said there would be other sheep not of this fold, and He will be the Shepherd over this new flock.

What does He the word of God say about Israel in the Old Testament?

Isaiah 54:13 “All your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great. (NASB1995)

They would know His voice. He the word of God was known by His own. He continues:

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. (NASB1995)

You might realize from this, that these who are His, are called for the same calling as we in His church: we are bond servants.

Isaiah 54:1 “Shout for joy, O barren one, you who have borne no [child;] Break forth into joyful shouting and cry aloud, you who have not travailed; For the sons of the desolate one [will be] more numerous Than the sons of the married woman,” says the LORD. (NASB1995)

What was Jesus saying? He (the word) had just told them (in chapter 53) of the Messiah’s death and of their rejection of Him, and because of that rejection they of Israel would become barren, but interestingly, while they are barren (baring no sons for Israel) they in that state of barrenness are yet, still bearing sons. Is He wrong? Or is He telling us that we are somehow the sons of this barren one. One new man says Paul.

Isaiah 54:4 “Fear not, for you will not be put to shame; And do not feel humiliated, for you will not be disgraced; But you will forget the shame of your youth, And the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. (NASB1995)

When Jesus returns all will be made right no more reproach for Israel, and her being a widow will be forgotten by God. But, a widow, what does that mean? Dispensationalists say that Israel is God the Fathers bride. Did the Father die leaving her widowed? No the Son was sent by the Father He died for the sins of the world, and His rejection by Israel’s elite Sanhedrin (her religious leaders) caused Israel remaining in Judaism to be widowed. The sent Christ died a cruel death. But it does not end here:

Isaiah 54:7 “For a brief moment I forsook you, But with great compassion I will gather you. 8 “In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, But with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you,” Says the LORD your Redeemer. (NASB1995)

Jesus is the redeemer of all mankind, and Israel will once again be His bride His wife. We the children of this woman, who was barren, yet had children born unto her, we will be a part of this bride of her (Israel’s) Messiah and redeemer.

Paul understood this concept when he gave us the Olive tree illustration. We are grafted into the Israel of God. One new man. One with the saints. This bride will not be resurrected and Raptured until she is complete.

1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of [the] archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. (NASB1995)

You may want to go back and review yesterdays post if this is a new concept for you. And should this spark an interest the reading the “Foundational” posts from the MENU should help bring further understanding. Your question now should be : can the Bride be raptured before she is complete?

God bless as you study.