Who is Israel?

     Sadly, with the war between Israel and Hamas (Muslim terrorists) I hear that many are confused within our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregations and the question has arisen: Who is “All Israel”?  The answer is “You!  You are “All Israel.”  

     This article is a brief summary of the Scriptural meaning of Israel.  I would encourage you to have your pastor do a more in-depth Bible study on this.

     Let’s start with what St. Paul states in Ephesians 3:4-6 that we are “heirs together with Israel,” and “members together of one body.”  He is making the point that God has taken Jews and Gentiles and made them one in Christ.  Also, John the Baptist preached: “Do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our Father.’  For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham” (Luke 3:8).  Therefore, from the New Testament the true descendants of Abraham are not present-day Jews or Israelis, but rather believers in Jesus.  Again, St. Paul writes in Galatians 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  

     There are those who find support for some kind of mass conversion of the Jews prior to the day of judgment.  This removes Paul’s meaning of Israel as the church, or as the true believers in Jesus Christ.  In Romans 11 we read about the grafting of the wild olive branches. Please read Romans 11 and especially take note of verse 26.  

     The following is partially quoted from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, The End Times, September 1989, p. 37: “‘All Israel’ in v. 26 consists of the group mentioned in v. 25, the believing part of the Jews and “the full number of the Gentiles.”  “All Israel” is the whole olive tree consisting of the natural branches (Jews who believed), the wild olive branches (Gentiles who believe), and the regrafted branches (Jews who will believe).  This consists of the “all” in verse 32.  “All Israel” is made up of everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13), the elect of the Jews and Gentiles, the “New Israel.”  

     In Romans 2:28-29 we read: “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.” 

    Also, Romans 9:6-8: “It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, it is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. 8 In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”     

    Again, St. Paul says in Romans 9:27: “Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved.” 

    And then in Galatians 3:7: “Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.”     

    If this concept of Israel, that being believers in the promise, Jesus Christ, is lost, then, it becomes a political issue rather than a spiritual issue.  Otherwise, God would have two plans of salvation: One being for the Old Testament believers and the other for the New Testament believers in Jesus Christ.  This would totally void Jesus words in John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

    The error of there being two distinct peoples of God (Jewish and Christian) causes two evils.  First it becomes political in that unconditional support for the State of Israel becomes a commandment of God.  Such a commandment would justify every fanatical backing for each, and every military and expansionist move directed against the Arabs by the Israelites.  It then becomes necessary that the State of Israel be defended to the last drop of American blood.  Second, such a view puts a callous hatred against the Arabs who are Gentiles like us. 

     Rev. Nabil Noar, the Synod Vice President for the Great Plains Region, that we are in, writes: “It is important to note: Both the Jews and the Muslims fight for the land because they believe if they don’t possess the land their relationship with God is in danger.  There is a true zealotry among them that has religious over and under tones.  The fighting between them will not stop until one is extinct.  Each believes God promised to them a land, a nation, and a Messiah (in the concocted manner they have concluded).  Paradise is directly connected to their possession of that land…. Remember that the Gaza Strip was returned in 2005 by Israel to the Palestinians in exchange for peace between the two people.”

     The promise has never been about the land.  Israel is a country like any other country, but it is not the church nor the Old Testament Israel.    It does not have the center of their worship in the promised Son of God, Jesus Christ.  If Israelis want eternal life, they need Jesus as we do.  Jesus said in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me.”  Take note, Jesus is holding up and pointing to the Old Testament, because the New Testament has not yet been written.

     As a side note, allow me to say: This war is so sad, because of the death of many souls.  Most of the people who are dying on both sides are not the Church with faith in Jesus Christ, and these souls are lost. 

     I pray this has helped all to better understand that “All Israel” is you.