In this final bulletin article about the phrase “God’s chosen people” as it pertains to the nation of Israel, I’m going to highlight some passages and verses that I have not addressed yet.
In Ephesians, Paul speaks of a mystery that had been kept hidden (by God) from previous generations, but was being revealed by God through Paul. He states, “This mystery is that through the Gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers in the promise of Jesus Christ.” Eph 3:6. This revelation was joyous news to the Gentile world of Paul’s time, but incited furious opposition from not just a few Jews. His words speak of what I have been telling you through these articles. That in God’s mind, “Jew” refers to anyone who has faith to believe in Jesus as their Savior; “Israel” refers to the church, the collection of all who have been gathered unto God through Jesus Christ their Lord.
I think we can all agree that Jesus was not sent to suffer and die for only one nation of people. He died for the sins of the whole world (1 Jn 2:2). But while that may sound obvious, those who insist that the Jews are God’s chosen people (and no one else) are denying this truth, and several verses and passages in the New Testament. The reality of the cross is that it removed physical boundaries and divisions among people:
You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ…There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3:26,28.
That passage alone should be enough to settle the debate. There are no nationalities in heaven! It was never about one nation; it was always about saving souls. When a person is saved, he begins a spiritual journey that will one day take him back to heaven as a simple soul—without gender, race, or nationality—that is fully capable of receiving and responding to the fulness of the love of God. All of time is about returning God’s chosen to that final state.
CUFI stands for “Christians United for Israel.” It is a Zionist organization with some 10 million members that was started by Pastor John Hagee years ago. I believe they are misleading many Christians down the wrong path and advocating resistance against anything that stands in the way of Israel’s sovereignty over the land they currently inhabit. This includes promoting the bloodshed and campaign of starvation ongoing in Gaza. Part of this unconditional support comes from the belief that Jesus must return to the land of Israel for Judgment Day, or to establish His earthly kingdom. But that does not agree with the Bible. Jesus said,
If anyone tells you, ‘There He is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or ‘Here He is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightening that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather. Matt 24:26-28.
Also, Paul’s testimony in Thessalonians asserts that Jesus cannot possibly return to just one place. Heaven and earth will cease to exist in the presence of the glorified Jesus who returns for Judgment Day. When He returns, He will do so as Almighty God! Do not be misled about Israel! And the CUFI? Well, they are the “vultures” Jesus was speaking about who mislead people to gather around dead bodies and chase false prophecies.
The Bible is clear that God’s chosen people will be comprised of Jews and Gentiles alike—all who receive faith to believe Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior. What we are really talking about is the body of Christ here on earth. You and I do not get to decide who belongs to that body and who does not. And we would do well to stay out of the political arena that seeks to use the name of Jesus to divide us one against another.
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