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I am prepared to argue - not simply claim, but argue - that the Bible predicts no wholesale large scale restoration of ethnic Israel, despite what Romans 11 appears to say.Christ is still buildng His church today.. right here, right now.. calling out a people for His name (Christians) while Israel remains blinded in part... although in the end, the Deliverer shall come from Sion and He will turn ungodliness from JACOB.. yes Jacob.. the one who wrestled with God all night and in the morning (of that Day) the sun rose upon him..
I am prepared to argue - not simply claim, but argue - that the Bible predicts no wholesale large scale restoration of ethnic Israel, despite what Romans 11 appears to say.
I cannot do this right now, but here is a glimpse of the shape of that argument - we have clear precedent for Paul using the term "Israel" (examples: Galatians 6 and Romans 9) to denote not ethnic Israel, but instead the Jew + Gentile church.
Let's see where the actual arguments go, and I would suggest that readers carefully note the difference between simply making a statement and making a statement and supporting it with an actual argument.
This promises to be an interesting thread.
I most certainly do not embrace "replacement" theology, at least as I understand the term.At least you can admit that you embrace amillennialism and replacement theolgy.. that's a good start.
I most certainly do not embrace "replacement" theology, at least as I understand the term.
As for "amillenialism", I do not even know what the term means.
I would advise readers to be wary of labels.
I will get back to this.
I believe that some Pauline uses of the term "Israel" refer to the church, but that other uses refer to "ethnic Israel".You believe that the church of God is Israel.. is that correct ?
I believe that ethnic Israel has no specific future - as of the cross, there is no one "race" or "ethnic group" or "nation" that has any special status whatsoever. But I do not believe I fall into "replacement theology" since, and I want to be crystal clear about this, I believe that all promises really made to ethnic Israel were not fulfilled for ethnic Israel. So there is no sense that ethnic Israel is being "replaced" - God has fulfilled all the promises He made to her.I agree that labels can be vague and misleading although it typically refers to those who believe that the nation of Israel has no future and that the church of God is the Israel of God.. so in that sense it 'replaces' the nation of Israel.
Well, whatever you want to call it, I do indeed embrace the position you have expressed here... either way, its basic pemise is that there is no longer any future restoration for the NATION OF ISRAEL and that all things pertain to the church of God which they also refer to as "Spiritual Israel"..
Well then, I guess that I am indeed an "amillenialist".Amillennialism is the belief that there is NO future and literal thousand year reign of Christ on earth, including the restoration of Israel.. but rather that it refers to a long period of time and includes this present time.. ie, we're in the millennial kingdom of Christ RIGHT NOW..
I believe that some Pauline uses of the term "Israel" refer to the church, but that other uses refer to "ethnic Israel".
I believe that ethnic Israel has no specific future - as of the cross, there is no one "race" or "ethnic group" or "nation" that has any special status whatsoever.
But I do not believe I fall into "replacement theology" since, and I want to be crystal clear about this, I believe that all promises really made to ethnic Israel were not fulfilled for ethnic Israel. So there is no sense that ethnic Israel is being "replaced" - God has fulfilled all the promises He made to her.
Well, whatever you want to call it, I do indeed embrace the position you have expressed here.
Well then, I guess that I am indeed an "amillenialist".
One determines the intended meaning through context:How do you determine which is which ?
Israel is JACOB.. and his twelve sons by which the twelve tribes were named..
One determines the intended meaning through context:
When, in Romans 9, Paul writes that "For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel", we conclude, from what he goes on to the say, that the first reference to Israel here is a reference to the church.
And there are other examples. I think the evidence is clear: Paul has two "Israels" in his set of concepts - one of them the nation of Israel, the other the Jew+Gentile church.
Who taught you that the church of God is Israel, Drew ?
I find 'Israel of God' (Gal 6.16) but it isn't too clear who he is referring to. The church? Or those in ethnic Israel who are faithful?