THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL IN SCRIPTURE

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Part 8: The Mystery Of God Revealed To Save Both Jew And Gentile

(Gal 6:15 KJV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Paul taught that Christians are new creatures in Christ, those who had circumsized their hearts. The natural sons of Abraham who rejected Christ are not part of the Church:

(Rom 2:28 KJV) For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: {29} But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

The unbelieving Jews rebuked by John the Baptist and Jesus were cut off from the Jews who did believe and who now formed the Church. The Gentiles who came to believe later through Paul's preaching would be added to the believing Jews. These Gentiles did not become Jews. They became the spiritual sons of Abraham by faith after the Spirit. They became members of the one body of Christ. All of these believers would be counted as the spiritual children of Abraham and would be the dwelling place of God in the Spirit. According to God's plan, the unbelieving Jews would be dispersed, to be regathered in the latter days when God brings out the final remnant from natural Israel. Until then, the gospel would be preached to all nations, to the Jews and the Gentiles alike.

THE GENTILE SAINTS ARE NOW ONE BODY WITH BELIEVING ISRAEL IN CHRIST

Under the Old Covenant, the Gentiles were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" and "strangers from the covenants of promise." Under the New Covenant we are "MADE NIGH" to the "commonwealth," meaning, the heavenly one. On earth, the Jew and the Gentile become members of the one body of Christ and form the spiritual temple where God dwells while we await the Lord's personal, visible return to set up the visible kingdom of God on earth. In Christ, we are now "fellow citizens" with the Old Testament saints in heaven, and we are part of the "household of God":

(Eph 2:11-22 KJV) Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; {12} That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; {15} Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; {16} And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: {17} And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. {18} For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. {19} Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {20} And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; {21} In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Its important to note what these verses say about the Gentiles "in time past" who came to believe:

1. They were the "uncircumcision"
2. They were "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel"
3. They were strangers from the covenants of promise
4. They had "no hope"
5. They were "without God in the world"

But now, Paul says, as believing Gentiles, they are part of the one new man along with the Jews who believe, all being the spiritual sons of Abraham, who now have access to the heavenly sanctuary through the shed blood of Jesus by His Spirit:

1. They "are made nigh by the blood of Christ"
2. They are "no more strangers and foreigners"
3. They are now "fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God"
4. They are, as part of God's household, being "built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets" of which "Jesus Christ himself [was] the chief corner stone," the stone which the builders rejected
5. They are being "framed together" as a "holy temple in the Lord" along with the Jewish remnant
6. They are "also builded together [with believing Jews] for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

Paul points to the saints now being fellowcitizens of the heavenly Jerusalem, to which all who believe, Jew or Gentile, have access by faith on the basis of the shed blood of Christ by the Holy Spirit:

{18} For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. {19} Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

We have drawn near to what Abraham sought:

(Heb 11:8-16 KJV) By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. {9} By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: {10} For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. {11} Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. {12} Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. {13} These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. {14} For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. {15} And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. {16} But now they desire a better country, that is, AN HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

WE ARE CITIZENS OF THE HEAVENLY COMMONWEALTH

Before the foundation of the world God had a plan for the adoption of both Jews and Gentiles to Himself through Christ Jesus. He would do this on earth by gathering both Jew and Gentile into the Church, which is the body of Christ. It might be good to point out here that His purpose in gathering the Gentiles and adding them to the remnant Jewish Church was NOT that they would become Jewish, BUT CHRIST'S (See Other Movements). All become the SPIRITUAL seed of Abraham by faith in Christ and reception of the Holy Spirit, not by the flesh. We are reconciled to God and thus become heirs of eternal life and heirs of the promises in Christ. This was not, and is not, an entrance into the commonwealth of natural Israel. And it is not a replacement for Israel, but rather being placed in Christ through whom we are reconciled to the Father, who for 4,000 years worked for the time when He would reconcile both Jew and Gentile [all men who believe] to Himself. What it was, and is, is a drawing near to the heavenly commonwealth of spiritual Israel:

(Eph 2:12-14 KJV) That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the COMMONWEALTH of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: {13} But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. {14} For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

COMMONWEALTH 4174. politeia, pol-ee-ti'-ah; from G4177 ("polity"); citizenship; concr. a community:--commonwealth, freedom.

In Christ, who fulfills the covenants and promises made to Israel, we are now citizens of the heavenly commonwealth of Israel:

(Phil 3:20 KJV) For our conversation [citizenship] is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

(Heb 12:22-24 KJV) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, {23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

(Heb 13:12-14 KJV) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. {13} Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. {14} For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

(Gal 4:24-27 KJV) Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. {25} For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. {26} But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. {27} For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

We are presently absent from the heavenly commonwealth and therefore, sojourners upon earth as citizens of heaven. If we are alive when Jesus returns at the end of the 70th week, we'll see Him bring the spirits of the dead saints with Him to raise their bodies from the dead and unite all of us under His reign during the millennium:

(1 Th 4:15-18 KJV) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: {17} Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. {18} Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

For a supplementary article, you can read Outside The Gate."

THOSE WHO DIED IN FAITH AND ALSO THE LIVING SAINTS ARE NOW ONE BODY IN CHRIST

It was also God's purpose to gather together the saints already in Heaven (Old Testament saints and later the New Testament saints who would die before Christ returns), and those on earth [New Testament saints] into one body with Christ as head, as described in verse 10 of Ephesians 1:

(Eph 1:4-14 KJV) According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: {5} Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, {6} To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. {7} In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; {8} Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; {9} Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: {10} That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: {11} In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: {12} That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. {13} In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, {14} Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

(Eph 3:14 KJV) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

(Eph 4:4-10 KJV) There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; {5} One Lord, one faith, one baptism, {6} One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. {7} But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. {8} Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. {9} (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? {10} He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things,

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross reached back to redeem the saints who died under the Old Covenant and brought them into a relationship with Him under the New Covenant. Together we are made complete in the one body of Christ. The saints in heaven now are NOT segregated into groups of "Israel saints" and "Church saints" awaiting separate resurrections and separate destinies. They are one in Christ and all share the same eternal inheritance:

(Heb 9:14 KJV) How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? {15} And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

(Heb 11:39 KJV) And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: {40} God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

(Heb 12:22-24 KJV) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, {23} To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, {24} And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Notice the unified relationship between the New Testament saints and the Jewish saints of the Old Testament in these passages also:

(Matthew 8:11 KJV) And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. {12} But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(Mat 19:27-29 KJV) Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? {28} And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. {29} And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

(Luke 13:26-29 KJV) Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. {27} But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. {28} There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. {29} And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.

It is important to keep these scriptures in their proper frametime, which is after the seven year tribulation.

THE MYSTERY PAUL SPOKE OF IS NOW REVEALED

The fact that the Gentiles would be "fellowheirs" and of the "same body" with the Jewish saints is what the "mystery" is all about. We are united with the Old Testament saints in Christ. How can all inherit what was promised? Through having the same righteousness that comes through faith in Christ:

(Eph 3:4-6 KJV) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) {5} Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; {6} That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

There is only one body of Christ and it consists of both Jewish and Gentile believers. Scripture clearly states that Christ died for all men:

(2 Cor. 5:14 KJV) For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

THE GENTILE SAINTS WILL ALSO INHERIT THE PROMISES TO ABRAHAM

(Heb 6:12-20 KJV) That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. {13} For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, {14} Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. {15} And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. {16} For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. {17} Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: {18} That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: {19} Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; {20} Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.

When the time arrived, God established His New Covenant WITH THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE LAW [Jews] and brought the believing Jews into the grace of the New Covenant, to which the Gentiles would be added. We now have the same blessings and promises as spiritual sons of Abraham:

(Gal 4:4-7 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, {5} To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. {6} And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. {7} Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Pentecost opened wide the door of salvation to the Jews, followed later by the Gentiles, and all who believe become members of His body, with all to be gathered together (those in heaven and on earth) at Jesus' coming.

[End of Part 8.]

THE DECEPTION

Introduction
Part 1: A "New" Abraham Prophesied 300 Years Ago
Part 2: A "New" Abraham, A "New Child," A "New" Israel
Part 3: A Look At The Abrahamic Covenant
Part 4: The Abrahamic Covenant: An Ongoing, Unfulfilled Mystery?
Part 5: The Abrahamic Covenant: Everyone Failed To Fullfill It

THE CHURCH AND ISRAEL IN SCRIPTURE

Part 6: Salvation Is Of The Jews
Part 7: Israel Divided By The First Coming Of Christ
Part 8: The Mystery Of God Revealed To Save Both Jew And Gentile
Part 9: The Jews First, Then The Gentiles
Part 10: God Has Not Cast Away His People Israel
Part 11: A Closing Word

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