Dispensationalism creates an artificial difference between the Church and Israel. According to this view, the Church consists of those trusting Christ, while Israel consists of the physical descendants of Jacob. Israel receives the benefit of the Abrahamic covenant because it is still God’s chosen people.
Dispensationalist Cyrus Scofield wrote, “The Jew was promised an earthly inheritance, earthly wealth, earthly honor, earthly power. The Church is promised no such thing, but is pointed always to heaven as the place where she is to receive her rest and her reward.”i
Dispensationalists say “the Kingdom” refers to the Jewish earthly kingdom, while the “Church” is composed of believers in Christ with a heavenly inheritance. Even conservative dispensationalist John Walvoord taught that Daniel 9:24-27 predicts the Antichrist rebuilding the temple to fulfill a covenant with the Jewish people in Israel.ii
This may help the government of Israel obtain American foreign aid, but it is at the expense of the truth of God’s Word. Dispensationalists link the destinies of the secular state of Israel with the spiritual Israel—the Church.
The Truth about God’s Kingdom
Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world...” (John 18:36). Paul emphasized that both Jew and Gentiles become children of God when he said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek...for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:28-29).
Using an olive tree to represent Israel, Paul tells believing Gentiles not to be boastful because “...if God spared not the natural branches [i.e. Jews who did not believe], take heed lest he also spare not thee” (Romans 11:21). In God’s eyes a Gentile who has faith in Christ becomes part of Israel—while a Jew who believes in Christ returns to the “natural olive tree” (See Romans 11). Both the root and the branches are part of the same Israel.
The real “Israel of God” is not a country in the Middle East, but those who trust and follow Christ. Read more about Literal versus Spiritual Israel.
Ahead to A Break in God’s Plan
i. Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, “The Biggest Failure of the Church Age.” Read this article online.
ii. John F. Walvoord, Prophecy in the New Millennium (Kregel Publications, 2001): 84.
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Progress of Reform in Germany
Protest of the Princes The French Reformation
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Revelation 2-3: Letters to Seven Churches
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The Lamb and the Sealed Book
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Revelation 5 Commentary
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Revelation 7 Commentary
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Revelation 9 Commentary
Revelation 10 Commentary
Revelation 11 Commentary
Revelation 12 Commentary
Revelation 13 Commentary
Revelation 14 Commentary
Revelation 15 Commentary
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Revelation 22 Commentary
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