Israel: Still God's Nation, or Completely without Hope

[Jemidon2004]

In this study, I have been asked to address the issue of whether or not Israel is still God’s nation and how it is that the Almighty will reclaim Israel. It is safe to say, at the moment, Israel is not at all the spiritual nation the Bible claims. It seems that many Christians are puzzled by Israel’s actions, and some have even gone a step further in their confusion and have substituted the Church in Israel’s place. This substitution is a grave error for the Church will never take the place of Israel…we are simply Gentiles saved by Grace through faith in Christ Jesus. So we may be graphed onto the vine and partake in a royal priesthood reminiscent of that the Jews had and to form a more Holy Priesthood with Christ at the center of our worship. This study has been written as a result of some of my studies as to why Israel is still God’s nation, and that because of Israel’s disobedience; the way was made for the Gentiles to be saved. I speak from a Christian point of view, and I will use Scripture to support what is to be said. I pray that the Lord may reveal what He wishes through this study and that in some meager way, I would be of any service to anyone who reads this. God Bless as you read this study.

The nation of Israel seems to have a cycle about itself in the matters of God. As a nation, they are currently still awaiting the Messiah to come, but they’ve been blinded because of their disobedience, so some will not see the Messiah as Yeshua of Nazareth. (Jesus of Nazareth) According to Jewish tradition, the Messiah was to be a military and political figure to arise in Judea. They were eagerly awaiting the first advent of the Messiah as a military leader, and a man by the name of Mattathias rose up and championed the cause of the Jews. Mattathias did lead a violent revolt that was sparked when he killed an apostate Jew and the emissary of Antiochus. His son, Judas (Hebrew Judah) was known as the Maccabee. This name, Maccabee, in Hebrew, means “the Hammer”. Quite a fitting name for someone who rallied the Jews against the Syrians and the Hellinistically minded Jews at Emmaus. However, the peace was short lived. The Syrian general, Lysias, defeated Maccabees, thus beginning a period of major unrest in the Judean region. History lends its voice to tell that the Jews of this period saw Judas Maccabee as a Messiah because he was a successful military leader in Palestine. However, Israel had already been blinded, so they would not see the Messiah when He came as an infant in swaddling clothes, in a manger, in a little town of Bethlehem as Micah 5:2 states it. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, but you who are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me, the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from the old, from everlasting.” It is evident that from Micah 5:3, in the period of time from the rejection of Christ at His first coming, the Lord will abandon Israel until the believing remnant appear; then He stands and shepherds in His proper strength as the Lord.  So, it seems those Jews who see Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah are indeed blessed and see that God is still true to His Word. If only the rest of the Nation of Israel could see this fact. Over and over again Israel greatly errs, and it’s a vicious cycle of sin, chastisement from God and His prophets, punishment, cries for deliverance, deliverance, holiness, then the fall into idolatry all over again. This cycle has been going since the beginning of the Jewish nation. Even before then in the wilderness of Sinai and Egypt. Israel kept turning to various different things.

Continued....

[Jemidon2004]

Here are just a few examples of what Israel turned to in her sin.

·   Israel turned to man’s religion instead of true religion – Luke 16:15-16, James 1:26-27

“And He said to them, You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows you hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.”

“If any man among you seem religious and holds not his tongues, yet deceives his own hearts, this man’s religion is useless. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”

·   Israel turned to the Law instead of the Giver and Fulfiller of the Law – Luke 18:18-27 and John 7:16-24

Luke 18:18-27

“Now a certain ruler asked Him saying, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.’ ‘You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ And he said, “All these things I have kept from my youth.” So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, and follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

John 7:16-24

Jesus answered them and said, My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent me. If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him. Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me? The people answered and said, you have a demon. Who is seeking to kill you? Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work and you all marvel. Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. If a man receives the circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the Law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.

·   Israel turned to their wretched external state rather than worrying about their spiritual state – Luke 18:9-14

Luke 18:9-14

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner! I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

In this Scripture, we see that the Pharisee was more about public show of his religion than the tax collector. The Pharisee wanted to make it a pomp and circumstance show of his religion. Thus focusing on the outside, outward appearance, instead of tending to his inward wretched appearance. The tax collector however recognized he was a sinner, and only sought God’s mercy on himself…privately.

·   Israel turned to the Law at Sinai instead of God Himself – John 5:39-47

John 5:39-47

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me, that you may have life. I do not receive honor from men. But I know you and that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you shall receive. How can you believe, ho receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? Do not think I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words”

What a powerful section in Scripture. Christ shows the Pharisees that they are blinded, because they focused 1. Too much on the Law at Sinai (Moses’ Law) rather than God’s Words to them! 2. Too much on religion. We are taught here, that we are to rest on ALL of God’s Word and not to just take bits and pieces from it and discard the rest.

·   Israel turned to false Messiahs instead of the True Messiah – John 5:43, Matthew 24:5, Luke 21:8




John 5:43

I am come in my father’s name, and you do not receive me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive.

Matthew 24:5

For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many

Luke 21:8

And He said: “Take heed that you do not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them.


·   Israel turned from God’s providence to her own selfishness – Luke 18:18-27 (see post of these verses above)

The previous actions are a few examples of Israel’s sin. However, God didn’t immediately cast them off to the side. He warned them.

Continued...

[Jemidon2004]

. Here are a few warnings that God gave to the people of Israel!

·   God through Moses: Exodus 32:1-35
·   God through Moses again: Deuteronomy 18:9-14 and all of chapter 29
·   God through Elijah: 1 Kings 18:20-40 and 19:10-14
·   God through Isaiah: Isaiah 39 (Whole chapter)
·   God through Jeremiah: Jeremiah 16:1-21
·   God through Ezekiel: Ezekiel 33:10-20
·   God through Christ: John 8:41-47 (The truth is that they are blind)

For the sake of space I did not write out the Scriptures to these verses…I encourage you to take a moment and read through the verses given in the above section. Then you will gain a better understanding of how God has warned Israel repeatedly. Thank you.









God warned Israel repeatedly, but Israel did not heed His warnings. So as a result, they were punished. Both punishments resulted in captivity. I will list both captivities and their respective Scriptures.

·   Captivity of Israel by Assyria – 2 Kings 17:5-23
·   Captivity of 70 years by Babylon –
o   2 Kings 24
o   2 Kings 25:1-26
o   Jeremiah 22:24-30
o   Ezekiel 19
o   Isaiah 39

Even after these captivities, Israel still disobeyed God, so God had to blind them and set them aside, after He warned them repeatedly as Isaiah 29:9-10, Matthew 13:13-17, and Romans 11:7 state.

Isaiah 29:9-10

“Pause and wonder! Blind yourselves and be blind! They are drunk, but not with wine; They stagger, but not with intoxicating drink. For the Lord has poured out on you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, namely, the prophets; and He has covered your heads, namely the seers.

Matthew 13:13-17

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed. Lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn so that I should heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.’

Romans 11:7-8

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear, to this very day.

So, here we see that Israel has been blinded because of their disobedience to God, but God has also promised not to give Israel up. According to Scripture, God will not give up on Israel. If it were any sensible human who could decide Israel’s fate, I’m sure it would have been decimated a long time ago, due to her immorality, and disobedience to God. God should have given up on Israel, but He hasn’t. His nature causes Him to hold His hand…yet to cast them aside for a time. We see in Romans chapter 11 a beautiful picture of God’s plan for Israel and in John 15:1-7 a magnificent picture of Christ, Israel and the Believer.

Romans 11:2-4, 7-10, 16-22, 25-28

11:2-4

God has not cast away his people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, “Lord they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? But what does the divine response say to him? I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the need to Baal”

7-10

What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. Just as it is written: God has given them a spirit of stupor, Eyes that they should not see and ears that they should not hear to this very day. And David says: Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and recompense to them. Let their eyes be darkened so that they may not see, and bow down their back always.

16-22

For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” Well said, because of unbelief they were broken off and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you will be cut off.

25-28

For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.

John 15:1-8

I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruits He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He, who abides in me and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them together and thrown them into the fire and they are burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in your, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.

God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5 isn’t just for Israel, but it is also for the Believer. We see in this verse that God has called us to be content, and that He would never leave us nor forsake us. Furthermore, we see in the verses above in Romans, Israel is not completely cast aside, and that by Israel being set aside and blinded, that we (Gentiles) would be saved, then Israel. The Gospel came first to the Jewish people, and they rejected it. Yet, the Gentiles received the Gospel of Jesus Christ first. Romans 1:15

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes: the Jew first, and also to the Greek

It is odd how this happens isn’t it. J Still, God should have taken Israel away from being a nation completely, but He hasn’t. Israel is still God’s nation. If it wasn’t, then Daniel 9:24 would be false and God would not be the great promise keeper, but the great promise breaker. Yet, God remembers His promises. This is seen in Ezekiel 16:59-63:


Ezekiel 16:59-63

For thus says the Lord God: “I will deal with you as you have done, who despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Nevertheless I will remember my covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you. Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of my covenant with you. And I will establish my covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, and that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I proved you an atonement for all you have done, Says the LORD GOD.

This is also evident in Psalm 106:44-46

Nevertheless He regarded their affliction, When He heard their cry; and for their sake He remembered His covenant, and relented according to the multitude of His mercies. He also made them to be pitied by all those who carried them captive.

God also promised to make Israel His special treasure in Exodus 19:5

Now therefore if you will indeed obey my voice and shall keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.

continued...

[Jemidon2004]

So Israel kept making covenants with God, and breaking them, and they are still able to become a spiritual state again. God once again fulfilled His promises when Israel became a nation once again. It is a physical nation, but not a spiritual nation as it once was. This prophecy has yet to be fulfilled completely due to Israel’s lack of spirituality at the present time.. We see that in this end period, many Jews are returning to their homeland. We know that Israel will not come back to her once glorified spiritual state until the 144,000 Jews from the 12 tribes of Israel come forth, and act as a catalyst for the national repentance of Israel. It is interesting that 144,000 Jews will go and witness. These will have the same zeal and drive that the Apostle Paul had on his missionary journeys. They will revolutionize the world 10 times over just like Paul. We see that in Revelation 7:9-17, that the multitude is a result of the awesome witnessing and revolution of these witnesses. Yet, through this all, God promises three more things:

o   Israel will be preserved: Isaiah 14:1-2
o   Israel will be delivered: Isaiah 27:1-13, Isaiah 59:20-21, Daniel 9:24
o   Israel will be restored: Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37, Romans chapter 11

All of these things will come to pass during and after the 7 years of Tribulation. So I believe that the verdict is in. Israel has not been cast completely aside. God still has His hand in the affairs of Israel, and He will deal with her when the time comes. So He has put Israel on the backburner for a bit, so that the fullness of the times of the Gentiles may come to a close. (For those who don’t know what the fullness is…it is the Church age) When the Church aged comes to a close due to the Rapture, God will turn His focus back to Israel and her redemption. So until then…we must still go and show the world that Jesus Christ is the Messiah to the Jews, and that He is Savior to both the Jews and the Gentiles in accordance to Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19.  In doing so, we allow God to do the work of convicting them of what is True and Holy according to His will. God is not done with us as Gentiles either. We are still to spread the Gospel and keep watch for the Rapture to occur. The period remaining will be God’s dealings with Israel first and foremost…and then the rest of the world, in a period known as the Tribulation period…or to the Jews as “The Time of Jacob’s Trouble” God has His hand on Israel, but we as Believers, need to pray for the salvation of those who do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and I am certain that as long as we stay allies with the nation of Israel, God’s hand will continue to bless us in a mighty way.

I pray that you can take and apply what you desire from this study and that it has met your expectations. It has been a few months in the making, but the Lord has blessed me in researching it and bringing to my attention that we need to support Israel and the Jews, but not only that, to pray for their salvation. So that they may know Jesus as Lord! May the Lord bless you as God’s leads you!


May the Lord add to the reading and study of this Thread!

Joshua

[musicllover]

Jemidon,
            I appreciate your hard work. What I read I agree. Most importantly the USA must never turn thier back on Isareal. When or if that happens I fear the US will be lost as a Christian country for ever.
   I don't understand why some get so offended when the Jews are referred to as God choosen people. What is up with that, by the shed blood of Jesus we are grafted into that vine and by adoption we are joint heirs. I am just thankful that Christ died so I could be an adotped heir. I suppose in a sense God relationship with the Jewish people is just like he has with the world as a whole, not only did the Jewish people deny him at birth, performs miracles they believe for a while end up backsliding, and get into a jam again cry out and repent to repeat this senerio over and over again. What is the difference between the Jewish people and the majority of Christians today. NOt much.
       I donot believe that if your Jewish that you are "automatically" taken into God kingdom because your part of the choosen group, don't they still, need to make that decision for themselves?.  
     THanks for all your hard work
musicllover  

[nChrist]

AMEN BROTHER JOSHUA!!

I plan to spend much more time with this study. It fits in perfectly with many of the things I am studying now, so thank you brother for all of the work.

I'm absolutely positive that Almighty God will keep all of His promises to Israel. His appointed time may be soon. Jerusalem will be the focal point for the entire world. A terrible period of 7 years approaches, and it will be followed by a 1,000 year rule and reign of Jesus Christ from the Throne of David. People won't be laughing about Bible prophecy during this 7 year period of time, nor will they be laughing about Israel. In fact, it will be a time of horror and destruction. All of Bible prophecy will be fulfilled at God's appointed time, and no power on earth will be able to stop it. It really won't matter what world leaders want to do or not do. GOD'S WILL BE DONE!

Love In Christ,
Tom

II Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

[Jemidon2004]

Hey music,

i fear that as well...if america turns it's back on God, i believe that God will take the restrainer away from this country. I think th ereason things havn't sunk as low as they could have is because there are still those Christians out there who will stand up for what is Biblically sound and true. Those who will be politically incorrect. I didn't understand why some get offended at the Jews beign God's chosen people, but I see they have various reasons. the most common one i've seen is that God has completely cast them aside and put the Church  in it's place. Which is in no way Scriptural. That's the most common one that i've seen as of late, but there are probably other reasons. anothe rone of themajor ones might be the fact that God chose them over the gentiles...there might be a sense of Jealousy that they were chosen and we weren't. HOwever this is remedy is found in the Scriptures i posted about us being graphted into the vine. I don't believe that if you are jewish you are automatically saved, no I don't bellieve that, they must come to the decision that Jesus Christ is Savior, and that they need a Savior from their sins. You are right, they will have to make the decision to reject Him or see Him as Messiah. The Savior. The Lord and King of Israel, yet many because of their pride, don't want to be convinced that God made Himself flesh so that we might be saved. It is blasphemy to them, and they won't see any other reasoning until the Lord, through one of HIs servants reveals it. This is what i'm praying for. What a glorious day that will be! Thank you for the amen and the support. Well time to pick up my father. God Bless you guys as you continue to study this and Lord willing i'll be able to post many more here. Peace.

In Christ, Under God, and on top of satan's head,
Joshua

[Bronzesnake]

 Let's also remember that the Tribulation period is a time for Jews to repent and come to Jesus. The Christians will not be on earth for that terrible time of God's wrath.

Jesus tells us that all Jews will at that time finally repent and be saved.

Now I do not believe that just because you are born Jewish that you will automatically be saved, no, Jesus tells us as much... But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring

Ishmael is the father of Islam - his father was Abram - he was not included in the promise - he is not a Jew, even though he was descended from Abram.

God will keep His promise to His chosen people - This has been my contention all along. Some of you keep arguing about who is and is not a Jew - I'm saying "whoever" God knows as a Jew will be saved, as God has promised.

Gen 17:7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed  
after thee in their generations
for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee

Gen 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.  

Rom 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

 Bronzesnake

[Shammu]

AMEN!!

Great study Joshua, you have hit the nail on the head!!
Bob

[2nd Timothy]

Amen!  


Now its time to before Reba gets here     (just funnin ya Reba!)

[Shammu]

Amen!  


Now its time to before Reba gets here     (just funnin ya Reba!)

I forgot about her.  

I to am just funning you Reba.
Bob

[Bronzesnake]

Amen!  


Now its time to before Reba gets here     (just funnin ya Reba!)

I forgot about her.  

I to am just funning you Reba.
Bob

I'm not funning, Reba scares the heck out of me!!

Just kidding, I love reba.

Bronzesnake

[ricosuave]

Normally and plainly understanding biblical prophecies in the Old Testament clearly shows that the literal nation of Israel still awaits restoration nationally and spiritually.

Yes, Israel still has a hope. What is sad is that many Bible scholars today make the Church-which is a new entity in God's program-as the fulfillment of these prophecies citing similarities between the Church and future Israel. But similarity does not always mean sameness.

Of course, it is to be expected that the Church and Israel should have similarities because the Church in this age enjoys the spiritual blessings of Israel, while Israel now has been set aside temporarily. The Church has been grafted in the Olive tree of Israel.

I agree with you that Israel still has hope. But what is sad is that some of Christendom is boasting against Israel saying that Israel has no more hope because the Church has fulfilled the prophecies.

[ollie]

"Israel: Still God's Nation, or Completely without Hope"

The Jews hope as well as all the rest of us is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Without faith and repentance in Christ they will be seperated from God and the faithful and receive recompense as God says all outside Christ will receive.

God's "nation" today, and since the happenings in Acts 2, are one in Christ neither Jew nor Greek/gentile.

ollie

[nChrist]

Normally and plainly understanding biblical prophecies in the Old Testament clearly shows that the literal nation of Israel still awaits restoration nationally and spiritually.

Yes, Israel still has a hope. What is sad is that many Bible scholars today make the Church-which is a new entity in God's program-as the fulfillment of these prophecies citing similarities between the Church and future Israel. But similarity does not always mean sameness.

Of course, it is to be expected that the Church and Israel should have similarities because the Church in this age enjoys the spiritual blessings of Israel, while Israel now has been set aside temporarily. The Church has been grafted in the Olive tree of Israel.

I agree with you that Israel still has hope. But what is sad is that some of Christendom is boasting against Israel saying that Israel has no more hope because the Church has fulfilled the prophecies.

Ricosuave,

First, I see this is your first post, so WELCOME!! to Christians Unite.

Second, AMEN! You are quite correct that it it a serious error to confuse Israel with the CHURCH which is the BODY OF CHRIST. Confusing the two makes many areas of the Bible appear to be false and contradictory. It also makes the study of Bible Prophecy impossible.

God isn't finished with Israel. In fact, Israel will be the center focus for the end of the Age of Grace. Jerusalem, specifically, will be the center focus for the entire world in the Tribulation Period and the Millennial Kingdom.

I should qualify what I said above by stating that I was talking about a location. JESUS CHRIST Himself will be the center focus in the ages to come.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 4:4-6  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. (ASV)