Lesson 36 – True Israel of God

Truth For These Times

36. THE TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD

Romans 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come out of
Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”

The Bible abounds with promises that the people of Israel will be saved. They are called “the people of
God” and “His holy nation.” Many times the promise is given that, even though they are scattered
throughout the whole world, they would be gathered again, returned to their own land, and dwell there
forever. (eg. Jer 30:3).

However, many have misunderstood the Scripture in supposing that literal Jews, the descendants of
Abraham, are the true Israel of God. As we go through this study we will see how God’s true people
are composed of all the nations of the earth. Many believe that the present Zionist movement, and the
restoration of the nation of Palestine, are a fulfillment of Bible prophecy, but any prophecy concerning
the return of the literal Jews to their homeland already has had it’s fulfillment in Old Testament times.
A literal Jew is not of spiritual Israel unless he accepts the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. It is
the second birth – conversion – that makes a man or woman an Israelite.

Galatians 6:15,16 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but
a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be
upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

Those who belong to Christ are identified as the “Israel of God.”

Genesis 32:28 And He said, “our name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have
struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

Jacob prevailed with God and became an overcomer. An Israelite is one who has overcome evil by the
blood of the lamb. (Jesus)

Romans 9:4; 6-8 Who are Israelites, to whom pertain the

adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of
the law, the service of God, and the promises;
But it is not that the word of God has taken no
effect. For they are not all Israel who are of
Israel, nor are they all children because they are
the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed
shall be called.” That is, those who are the
children of the flesh, these are not the children Job prevailed.
of God; but the children of the promise are
counted as the seed.

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 Lesson 36 – True Israel of God

Paul could not put the matter clearer. He is saying that being a literal Jew is not a passport into the
family of God. God’s family consists of the children of promise. The true Israel of God are true
Christians.

Jeremiah 31:31-33 Behold, the days are coming, says 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 that I took them by the hand to
lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was
a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with
the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their
minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My
people.

The children of Israel who came out of Egypt were God’s chosen
people. They received the oracles of God; to them the promises were
made when God entered into a covenant relationship with them. But
God planned that His people should enter into a better covenant
relationship with Him. The basis of the new covenant was not written
on tables of stone (the 10 commandments), but the same law was
written on the heart. The old covenant was given to literal Israel, but
the new covenant to spiritual Israel. Even before the cross men were
saved by virtue of the promises of the New Covenant that were God’s chosen people.
ratified by the blood of Christ at Calvary. God’s true people –
spiritual Israelites – were always those who loved God enough to obey Him. His law was written in
their hearts. Their religion was not an outward show, but an inward experience by the power of God,
which manifested itself in righteous living.

Hebrews 9:15 And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death,
for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who
are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Christ is the Mediator of the New Testament (covenant) by means of His sacrifice. The forgiveness of
sins through His blood made it possible for us to enter into a saving relationship with Him. Through the
cross we became part of His family.

In a previous study we examined the 2300 day prophecy in Daniel 8 &

9. The first seventy weeks of the prophecy gave a time limit for literal
Israel to repent of their sins and come back to God. However they
failed to do this, then they were no longer God’s chosen people. In the
margin of Daniel 9:26 it says of this time “AND THE JEWS THEY
SHALL BE NOT MORE HIS PEOPLE.” The gospel then went to the
Gentiles. Individual Jews could still be saved, but only as they
accepted Jesus Christ.
Everyone becomes part of
the family through the Jeremiah 11:16 The LORD called your name, Green Olive Tree,
blood of Christ.
lovely and of good fruit. With the noise of a great tumult He has
kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken.

The Jewish nation – or literal Israel – is likened to a cultivated olive tree.

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 Lesson 36 – True Israel of God

Romans 11:17-26. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree,
were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and
fatness of the olive tree, (verse 17).

The great truth that the Gentiles may become Israelites is here illustrated. Jeremiah and Paul likened
the Jewish nation to a cultivated olive tree and Paul also likens the Gentiles to a wild olive tree. The
branches that were broken off were the Jews who rejected Christ. They were a part of Israel, but
because of unbelief lost their standing as members of God’s household. But Christ, the stock and root
of the house of Israel remains. New branches must be found and grafted in so as to complete God’s
nation. Here the Gentiles were to have their chance. They were to take the place of those who had
fallen out. They were warned about boasting for they could fall from grace too if they stopped trusting
in Jesus. To remain a part of the cultivated olive tree they were to continue in faith and not fall into
unbelief. One’s natural birth does not count. Furthermore God will spare no one who gives up his faith
in Christ, no matter what his nationality or earthly standing.

Paul concludes by saying “And so all Israel will be saved” (verse 26). This is so true, for Israel is made
up of those whose sins Christ has taken away.

Ephesians 2:19,20 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens
with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief
cornerstone.

Gentiles cannot be saved unless they become Israelites through the new birth. Those who were once
Gentiles, and were without God and had no hope are through the blood of Christ brought into the
household of God. They are now part of God’s family. They have become one in Christ.

Romans 2:28,29. For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is
outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is
that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but
from God.

There is no room for further doubt. The house of Israel that God recognises is not literal but spiritual.
Its membership does not consist of a people of a certain race, but
people of a certain faith – in Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are

Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Every promise made to Abraham is fulfilled in Christ. When He

comes to make up His people He says “Whosoever will” may come.
In Jesus we are all Abraham’s “Look to me and be saved” is His plea. All who accept the invitation
seed: the people of faith. will be welcomed to His heart and home and counted as members of
the Israel of God.

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 Lesson 36 – True Israel of God

Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them
afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

The promises made to Abraham concerning the inheriting of the earth were not fulfilled in him or his
literal descendants. They recognized that they were strangers and pilgrims in the earth. The promises
are yet to be fulfilled and will take place when the curse of sin is removed from the earth. When the
restoration of the earth is complete God’s people will enjoy the promised inheritance. All who enter the
Holy City of God will be Israelites, not strangers or foreigners. They are not Jew and Gentile, but one
vast united nation. They are the Israel of God. Dear friend, be sure to be a part of that nation today, its
foundations are eternal for it is founded on Christ. To belong to God’s family means eternal life for you
too.

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 Lesson 36 – True Israel of God

Review Sheet – The True Israel of God

ASSIGNMENT – Read the Bible study carefully before answering the following questions.

1. How many of Israel are to be saved? Romans 11:26.

And so _____ _________ ______ ______ __________.

2. Who are identified as being the true Israel of God in Galatians 6:15,16?
Answer _________________________________________________________________________

3. What virtuous act caused Jacob’s name to be changed to Israel? Genesis 32:28
Men, and _______ _________________.

4. Who are true Israelites according to Romans 9:4; 6:8?

Answer _________________________________________________________________________

5. Where is the law of God found in true spiritual Israelites? Jeremiah 31:31-33
Answer _________________________________________________________________________

6. What prophecy in Daniel foretold the termination of the literal Jews from being God’s nation?
Explain.
Answer _________________________________________________________________________

7. What was a symbol of the Jewish nation used by God? Jeremiah 11:16
The LORD called your name, __________ ___________ _________.

8. How is the truth that Gentiles can become spiritual Israelites illustrated in Romans 11:17-26?
Answer_________________________________________________________________________

9. What wonderful promise is given to the Gentiles in Ephesians 2:19,20?

You are no longer _____________ ______ _______________, ______ __________ _________
________ ______ __________ ______ ____________ _____ ______ __________________
_____ ________.

10. What is a true Jew? Romans 2:28,29

Answer _________________________________________________________________________

11. Through whom do we receive the promise of God? Galatians 3:29

And if you are ___________, _________ _______ ________ _________________
__________, ______ __________ ______________ ______ ________ ________________.

12. When will the promises to spiritual Israelites be fulfilled?

Answer_________________________________________________________________________

Have you chosen to be a part of the family of God? YES _________ NO __________