Part 1
Was the physical land promise forever?
To Christians that perceive the physical-land promises to Israel were forever.
Let us examine the Hebrew word “owlam” (forever) is used in describing the feast of unleavened bread (Exodus 12:17), the “sheave offering” > (Exodus 29:26-28), the “wave offering” > Exodus 29:25-28, the “meat offering”/”sin offering, > Leviticus 6:13-18, the yearly feast of “atonement”, > Leviticus 16:29-31, “the Passover”, > Exodus 12:1-4, the “burning of the lamp” in the temple, > Exodus 27:20-21, the “priesthood”, > Exodus 40:13-15, the “washing” of the priestly hands, > Exodus 30:20-21, “clothing” and “anointing” of the priesthood, > Exodus 28:40-43, the Levites “carrying the ark of God”, > 1 Chronicles 15:2, keeping the “Sabbath”, > Exodus 31:16, the children of the strangers “bondmen” of the children of Israel, > Leviticus 25:45-46, the literal “throne” of Israel (2 Samuel 7:12-13). All of these shadows were fulfilled in Christ. Thus, in the natural they were never meant to continue forever as we think of as forever, but rather until the time of fulfillment.
Of course we know these shadows have all been terminated long ago. There has been no unending (everlasting) continuance of them in the flesh. God made sure there wouldn't be because of Israel's disobedience, and His true and better provision in Christ, whereas the new covenant being more glorious superseded the old covenant that was ONCE GLORIOUS.
It was the same with the land. It is not about real estate values in Palestine, (the supposed holy-land). But rather it is about inhabiting the kingdom of God (the heavenly holy land). Even Abraham knew this, Hebrews 11-16. It is all about Christ. He is the eternal fulfillment of all these things. God has NO biological children. All of His children are descendants through the Spirit.
In the allegorical description in Galatians; Abraham had 2 sons, Ishmael and Isaac; one was born of the flesh, the other of the Spirit. Even from the beginning with Abraham, race nor physical birth-right was never the determining factor when it comes to blessings. It was spiritual lineage codified through righteous deeds done in devotion towards God was the birth right contained. Scripture says Abraham would be the father of MANY NATIONS. “ie” Ruben lost the birth right in favour of Joseph. This is Abraham’s seed by faith through Christ, an INWARD Jew Romans 2-28,29. Natural supposed Jews, will only be real Jews when they turn from unbelief and choose to be faithfulness to God through His Son, and are willing to abide by the Law of Christ. Those that do so will be grafted back in for God is able.
It doesn't say Physical-Israel as a Nation will be grafted in. It says in Romans 11:23 "And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able (dunatos)to graff them in again."
The Greek word “dunatos” means capable, possible, able, or could.
This is a conditional promise which applies to the unbelieving Jews. But nowhere in the New Testament does it say they will be returned to the land. The Old Testament passages that promise this relate to old covenant promises pertaining to old covenant Israel, not a Christ rejecting Israel.
“able to be grafted in” is a conditional promise. There is a big difference between the sayings “God is able” and ‘God will’. We know by reading the OT book of Isaiah that the children of God "limited the Holy One of Israel" through unbelief. They put limitations as to what God was able to do. Remember, Jesus could do no miracles in Nazareth. The people limited God’s grace because of their unbelief. Or as it says in the book of Isaiah the people “limited the Holy One of Israel”
The fact is: nowhere in the New Testament does it say Natural-Israel “will” return to the land of Palestine and have its former status restored. What is even more ironic is that the Palestinians themselves most likely have the most Jewish blood, maybe up to 15 %...The Old Testament passages that assure this relate to old covenant promises, pertaining to old covenant Israel, in that they should abide in God. And receiving the Messiah when He should come was part of that abiding. Notwithstanding, God still MUST keep His promise to Abraham. Of which He has. For the promise was as to his “seed” as in One”, not “seeds” as in many, Galatians 3-16. Therefore, sense Christ is the SEED of promise, it is those “IN” Christ, (a spiritual decedent), and these too are likewise Abraham’s seed by faith.
Whilst the apostle Paul said, “God is able,” there is no New Testament evidence that it will be in an Old Testament Nationalistic sense. God removed himself from the earthly nation building business long ago. The old covenant structure has been completely destroyed forever. Paul said it was ONCE GLORIOUS but now has waxed away. God’s long suffering graciously gave Israel yet another 40 years to repent and believe, but only the believing Jews did so, and the rest by their “own choice” were given over to unbelief. Acts 13:46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.
Willie
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