Hi Naomi, I would say this "remnant" are citizens of national Israel. Acts 2:5 - "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." Acts 2:41 - 3000 souls, Acts 4:4 - 5000 souls. We aren't told how long Peter preached before he had the vision concerning Cornelius but all the souls saved until the gospel was offered to the Gentiles would be considered the believing remnant of national Israel of that day.
But, it's all much of a muchness, don't you see? It's the very nature of becoming one in Christ.
Yes, those 'devout' men who came to Christ were no doubt part of the 'remnant'. But, when they came to Christ, they also became part of the Church. It would have been they, in Acts 8, after the persecution arose, who spread out from Jerusalem and took the gospel to "Samaria and Judia and the ends of the earth"...or beginning to!
However, as they were still Jews, nationally, they would have retained their status as the remnant...the proof, in Paul's eyes, that even throughout those (and these) days, that God still has not abandoned 'Israel' completely.
Now it's my understanding that replacement theology sees no place in God's plan for the nation of Israel but we know the gospel to the Gentiles has a limited timeline. "a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in." We believe that this is referring to and is the same as Rev. 11:2 - "But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." So we know at some point concerning Israel there will be a final 3 1/2 yr. period of judgment.
Well, actually, you're wrong here. To start with "replacement theology" rarely means what those who toss it at us says it does. But within "our" camp, I'd say there are two types: those who see Romans 11 saying that God will, before the end, bring in large numbers of national Jews. The others see that passage as saying that by the time of the end, the number of 'remnant' over the years will have added up to "all of Israel being saved". I tend to go with the former, as I see the language being more of a "mystery", more of "if they've turned now, then they'll return" sort of thing, aimed at bringing radical glory to God.
Actually, in regards to the passage in Rev 11:2 that you referred to above, the interpreation I hold to in regards to that is quite different. All throughout the NT...after the Church was established, anyway, when the term "temple" is used, is it used in regards to the Christian, or, the Church. We are the "temple of God". When we see things being "measured" in scripture, it's not really just something being determined for size. It has theological meaning, usually one of preservation, rather than destruction. So, in Revelation when we see the inner Temple being measured, but the outter courts not, we correctly surmise something. God perserves the Christian inwardly, even though outwardly we may perish. This is something backed up by multiple scriptures...that though we suffer and die, when we belong to Christ, we triumph.
I see Revelation as literal and future when it speaks about 12,000 from each tribe in Rev. 7:4-8. One of the reasons I believe it is future as that the tribes have changed from what they originally were. The tribe of Dan was replaced by the tribe of Manassas (one of Joseph's sons). You are correct when you say that during this time until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled there is no place for national Israel, but when that time is over there will come a change.
Your words, "But if any of National Israel is to be saved it must be through Christ, which we know, how then do we make up a new, different category for them, apart from "Church of Christ"?"
The 144,000 will be born again believers but that doesn't take away their nationality. In your earlier reference Greek doesn't mean Greek, it means gentile. God has a purpose for the nation of Israel and a future prophetic fulfillment. Zech. 12:10 - "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn."
The problem with this is: while the 144000 won't loose their nationality...neither have any of the other Jews who became Christians, and therefore part of the Church. They were still Jews...still clearly Israel. But also clearly part of the Church. But now, suddenly, they are expected to have their nationality weigh more than their 'church' status? The only way that works is if the doctrine of Dispensationalism is more important than the verses that Paul has given us stating otherwise. It only works if there are verses that directly tell us that there will come a time that when they come to Christ they will not be considered part of the body of Christ. But there isn't such a verse, because every single verse in scripture that talks about a person...regardless of their nationality...coming to Christ, talks about it in a way that, by necessity, makes them part of the body of Christ. You cannot be saved by his blood, recipients of the Holy Spirit and members of his body without being a member of his Church. And there is not a single verse in the NT that excuses making a separate place or timing for these 'Jewish' believers. Paul is far too adamant about us all being one in Christ. About those in Christ being the true children of promise. To do as Dispensationalist suggest, we have to throw away all those verses. Even with the Church tucked in heaven, those verses still make too much trouble. People still come to Christ...even Jews. They still receive the Holy Spirit and become one body together. All the conditions are the same...which leaves, in my mind, very little compelling evidence for a Pretribulational rapture.
In the future, Israel will have to make a choice, follow Christ or the anti-Christ, those that choose Christ will be the 144,000+ and we see them going to safety for a period of 3 1/2 yrs. (Rev. 12:14) In Rev. 12:17, once they are out of his hands, the a/c will turn his attention to the church and that will be the beginning of the end of the GT. Jesus wants there to be a national Israeli presence in the millennium to help re-populate the earth but mainly to keep all the land promises he has made to the nation of Israel but that doesn't mean they will come to Him under any other way than Grace. God keeps His promises. I believe all this is necessary to fulfill other prophecies regarding the "Marriage and the NJ but that's for another post at a future date. So, the summation is that there will be a nation of born again Israeli's during the millennium, part of the church but still a human remnant of Israel.
Oh, boy. I really need a whole post to deal with this. I have a great deal of trouble with how the Dispensationalist sees the Millennium, partly because of how there appears to be people with natural bodies and resurrection bodies living side by side. I simply cannot see any biblical evidence anywhere for it, and when really considered, it makes such a mess. What sort of 'age' is this supposed to be? Christ will be here reigning outright, the world will have a 'sort of' makeover. In reality, it should be Eden restored. Except there will be people who are still not perfect...still able to have fallen thoughts and impulses. Still able to think of themselves and their desires rather than on Christ. People who will, in essence, spark another fall and rebellion against the great king.
I can't find any of it in scripture. To me, every bit of bible that talks about Jesus' return, speaks of finality. No more chances, no more death, no more sin. Everything will be made new...new us, new earth, new ruler, new perfection. None of this half/half stuff.
So...I just have no idea where it is found, I'm sorry.