Here is a excellent explanation in the article 'The Remnant of God, or Spiritual Israel at the End Times' by Professor Walter J. Veith from Amazing Discoveries:
Throughout the ages, God has had a people through whom He chose to disseminate His truth. It was God's plan that all people - every nation, tribe and tongue should become partakers of His grace. In His divine plan of restoration, He chose fallen human beings to become co-workers together with Him to achieve this end. God has always had faithful followers who would stand for truth and justice even in the face of great opposition. Before the flood, Enoch walked with God, and faithful Noah became the father of the post-flood human race, when he and his family were the only remnant to be saved from the destruction of the then-time apostate world.
After the flood, the patriarch Abraham was given the promise that through his seed all peoples would be blessed.(Genesis 12:2) The Messianic promise was to be realized through Isaac and Jacob whose name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with God for divine forgiveness and blessing.(Genesis 32:28)Israel became the name of the descendants of Jacob - the chosen people in terms of the covenant between God and Abraham their forefather.(Genesis 15:18; Psalm 105:9,10)
First lets go through the Isreal of God in Old Covenant Israel.There is much confusion today as to who constitutes the Israel of God. Many denominations seek the fulfillment of the promises of God to ancient Israel in modern Israel. They expect the restoration of Israel, and the modern Israel in Palestine is seen to be integral in this process. It must be remembered that Israel is not the natural name of Jacob, but was given to him by God in recognition of a spiritual victory when he prevailed with God and secured pardon for his past sins. Jacob wrestled with the Angel and refused to let Him go unless he obtained the surety of the heavenly blessing which would grant him the pardon of his sins. Jacob prevailed and received the blessing, his was heart was renewed and he could face his brother Esau knowing that God was with him. The name change signified a change in character from the supplanter or deceiver to God contends. An understanding of the relationship between physical Israel and the covenant people of God is vital if we are to discern who Gods light-bearers are in this modern age.
Following the Exodus from Egypt, God formally entered into a covenant with the nation of Israel.(Exodus 19:1-8) Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6) and they were to spread light to all people on the face of the earth.(Isaiah 60:1-3) The covenant promises made to ancient Israel were conditional to obedience.
Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a special treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. Exodus 19:5
The promises were subject to "if". The physical throne of Israel was always conditional to obedience, and both David and Solomon were informed on this issue.
...that the Lord may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying,"If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul," He said,"there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel."1 Kings 2:4
This promise was repeated in 1 Kings 9:5-7:
...then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying "There shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel." But if ye shall at all turn from following Me, ye and your children, and will not keep My commandments and My statues which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house which I have hallowed for My name I will cast out of My sight. Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 1 Kings 9:5-7
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 contains a list of the most wonderful blessings ever pronounced to any nation or people. Again the promises were conditional to obedience.
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 28:2
Israel did, however, not heed this admonition and became more corrupt than the nations around them.(2 Kings 17:6-23) Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were spared for a while, and the other tribes were carried away captive by the king of Assyria and disappear from history, though some believe that they constitute the nations of Britain and their descendants including the USA. Without loyalty to God, the promises could not be fulfilled, and a century and a half later, even Judah was plucked up from the Promised Land and scattered in the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
Throughout the ages, God has had a people through whom He chose to disseminate His truth. It was God's plan that all people - every nation, tribe and tongue should become partakers of His grace. In His divine plan of restoration, He chose fallen human beings to become co-workers together with Him to achieve this end. God has always had faithful followers who would stand for truth and justice even in the face of great opposition. Before the flood, Enoch walked with God, and faithful Noah became the father of the post-flood human race, when he and his family were the only remnant to be saved from the destruction of the then-time apostate world.
After the flood, the patriarch Abraham was given the promise that through his seed all peoples would be blessed.(Genesis 12:2) The Messianic promise was to be realized through Isaac and Jacob whose name was changed to Israel after he wrestled with God for divine forgiveness and blessing.(Genesis 32:28)Israel became the name of the descendants of Jacob - the chosen people in terms of the covenant between God and Abraham their forefather.(Genesis 15:18; Psalm 105:9,10)
First lets go through the Isreal of God in Old Covenant Israel.There is much confusion today as to who constitutes the Israel of God. Many denominations seek the fulfillment of the promises of God to ancient Israel in modern Israel. They expect the restoration of Israel, and the modern Israel in Palestine is seen to be integral in this process. It must be remembered that Israel is not the natural name of Jacob, but was given to him by God in recognition of a spiritual victory when he prevailed with God and secured pardon for his past sins. Jacob wrestled with the Angel and refused to let Him go unless he obtained the surety of the heavenly blessing which would grant him the pardon of his sins. Jacob prevailed and received the blessing, his was heart was renewed and he could face his brother Esau knowing that God was with him. The name change signified a change in character from the supplanter or deceiver to God contends. An understanding of the relationship between physical Israel and the covenant people of God is vital if we are to discern who Gods light-bearers are in this modern age.
Following the Exodus from Egypt, God formally entered into a covenant with the nation of Israel.(Exodus 19:1-8) Israel was to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6) and they were to spread light to all people on the face of the earth.(Isaiah 60:1-3) The covenant promises made to ancient Israel were conditional to obedience.
Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a special treasure unto Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. Exodus 19:5
The promises were subject to "if". The physical throne of Israel was always conditional to obedience, and both David and Solomon were informed on this issue.
...that the Lord may continue His word which He spake concerning me, saying,"If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul," He said,"there shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel."1 Kings 2:4
This promise was repeated in 1 Kings 9:5-7:
...then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel forever, as I promised to David thy father, saying "There shall not fail thee a man on the throne of Israel." But if ye shall at all turn from following Me, ye and your children, and will not keep My commandments and My statues which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house which I have hallowed for My name I will cast out of My sight. Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 1 Kings 9:5-7
Deuteronomy 28:1-14 contains a list of the most wonderful blessings ever pronounced to any nation or people. Again the promises were conditional to obedience.
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Deuteronomy 28:2
Israel did, however, not heed this admonition and became more corrupt than the nations around them.(2 Kings 17:6-23) Only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin were spared for a while, and the other tribes were carried away captive by the king of Assyria and disappear from history, though some believe that they constitute the nations of Britain and their descendants including the USA. Without loyalty to God, the promises could not be fulfilled, and a century and a half later, even Judah was plucked up from the Promised Land and scattered in the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
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