I happened to confront with some arguments that still maintain the concept 'Israel as Church'. Many who follow Bible still, practically, follow the Kingdom of Israel not the Kingdom of Heaven mentioned in New Testament.
First we have to understand what Israel and what Kingdom of Heaven or The Church.
Whoever reads the Bible with any attention cannot fail to perceive that more than half of its contents relate to one nation: the Israelites. He perceives, too, that they have a distinct place in the dealings and counsels of God. Separated from the mass of mankind, they are taken into covenant with Jehovah, who gives them specific promises not given to any other nation. Their history alone is told in Old Testament narrative and prophecy; other nations are mentioned only as they touch the Jew. It appears, also, that all the communications of Jehovah to Israel as a nation relate to the Earth. If faithful and obedient, the nation is promised earthly greatness, riches, and power; if unfaithful and disobedient, it is to be scattered "among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other" (Deut. 28:64). Even the promise of the Messiah is of blessing to "all the families of the Earth."
Continuing his research, the student finds mention in Scripture of another distinct body, which is called the church. This body also has a peculiar relation to God and, like Israel, has received from Him specific promises. But similarity ends there, and the most striking contrast begins. Instead of being formed of the natural descendants of Abraham alone, it is a body in which the distinction of Jew and Gentile is lost. Instead of the relation being one of mere covenant, it is one of birth. Instead of obedience bringing the reward of earthly greatness and wealth, the church is taught to be content with food and raiment, and to expect persecution and hatred; it is perceived that just as distinctly as Israel stands connected with temporal and earthly things, so distinctly does the church stand connected with spiritual and heavenly things.
Another distinction between Israel and church is that as Israel is temporal, it was governed by laws but church is not, Church is by righteousness. Law imposes restrictions upon personal activities but righteousness does not imposes any restriction upon persons but persons should do it themselves from his own conviction of righteousness. Nothing, except God, controls them from outside. That is why Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. “ Means, it is more personal. The truth should set the person free, neither his father, his brother, his sister, his/her spouse, nor anyone else. The disciples of Jesus are not controlled by anyone to that extend, but by the word of God, the righteousness. That is the situation in Church but not in Israel and in Old Testament. Do we think that Jesus was unaware of Judas’ activities? Was it the lack of teaching or the lack of spirituality of Jesus that deviated Judas from the way? No, Jesus didn’t put any restriction upon him. Why? Not restrictions, controls, laws, but righteousness that comes from personal conviction. That righteousness leads everyone in Church, no one else. If something else or some one else is leading anyone, then he is actually not in The Church.The only thing others can do upon a person is teach and advice, the rest of the matter belongs to the person.
Most of those who claim they are in The Church and follow Jesus are actually not. By lip they are in Church by heart they are in Israel and that’s time has over. These people are neither in the Kingdom of heaven nor in the Kingdom of Israel and are on the way of destruction.
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