And if the Church has replaced Israel, what has it replaced? Israel's physical DNA?
It seems they are prone to be discombobulated. In the real sense Israel was NEVER replaced, because
Israel is Christ! The congregation bearing His name
merely represents Him
in His people. First the Jews, then the Gentiles. The honor of representation of His dominion was "taken" from that nation, and given to the Church. As an analogy, the Hope Diamond is a treasure that cannot replaced. You can take it from someone and give it to another, but it cannot be replaced. Get it, people?! Because if it is replaced it, then by definition it is no longer the Hope Diamond, but something else. Again, an imperfect analogy, but this is the portrait God paints. Not I:
Matthew 21:42-43
- "Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
- Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."
So then, we don't even have to speculate, we know for sure that God took the Kingdom from that nation or Old Testament body, and gave it to the Gentiles which is now representing the New Testament Body of Israel. A
fact which is confirmed all throughout the New Testament. So the
Red Herring of "Replacement Theology" is misleading and irrelevant to the issue at hand. Israel "IS" the Church, "representing" Christ on Earth since the Cross. Israel "was" the congregation of Jews in the Old testament, but that title was taken from them along with the kingdom for which it stood.
We've all dealt with their Red Herring "Replacement Theology" for what it is! A
distraction from the truth of what God's Word actually says concerning Israel, her Restoration in Christ, and the fruitless destiny of the nation! Read carefully:
Matthew 21:19
- "And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away."
Do you want to "deal with" the fact that, according to the authoritative word of God, no fruit will "ever" come from the nation of Israel every again?! The fact is the modern nation of Israel WILL NEVER represent God's kingdom again! But THOSE in Christ. Just say Amen!