9 I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
This is similar language to Paul in his letter to Romans: “It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 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.”” (Romans 9:6–7, NIV).
In verse 8 of Romans 9, Paul adds another description. “In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.” (Romans 9:8, NIV). So we conclude that a real Jew, a real Israelite, a real child of Abraham is also a child of promise NOT PHYSICAL DESCENT.
Paul, when writing to the churches in Galatia makes is abundantly clear in Galatians 3:7–9 (NIV),
7 Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8 Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9 So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.
So a true Israelite is a Jew or Gentile who has faith. This faith, is a faith in Jesus Christ. “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Galatians 3:14, NIV). It is Christians of all ethnicity that are the true Israel -- the "Israel of God."[1]
All Christians who have faith in Christ are descendants of Abraham. All Christians have become real Jews. There is no dividing wall (Ephesians 2:12-14). “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28, NIV).
SO ooooooo?
1. There is but one "people of God." There always has been and always will be. Interestingly when Peter wrote the scattered Jews he also said this: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:10, NIV).
2. "The biblical view (which is sometimes mistakenly called “replacement theology”) does not say that the church “replaces” Israel. Rather, it affirms that true Israel always was, always is, and always will be comprised of those who trust in Christ alone for salvation." [2] [I would write it this way: Who trust in the promised Messiah for salvation. Just a thot!]
3. With the establishment early in the Book of Revelation that what John sees is "true Israel" -- the Church, this ought to frame our thinking when references to Israel, the prophets and the Temple emerge further on in the Revelation.
[A helpful clarification of God's future for ethnic Israel and the promises of God to the nation, in a sermon by John Piper is located HERE.]
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1. “Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16, NIV)
2. http://www.ligonier.org/learn/devotionals/people-god/
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