The Church is distinct from Israel in its identity and role in God’s plan. It is a new creation, hidden from Old Testament prophets (Romans 16:25-26, Ephesians 3:3-5), predicted and built by Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18).
The age of the Church began at Pentecost (Acts 2) and will be over at the rapture when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Romans 11:25). In prophetic history, this is the period between the 69th and 70th weeks of Daniel’s vision (Daniel 9:24-27).
On the other hand, God’s covenants with the nation of Israel have not yet been fulfilled. In the future, Israel will go through the tribulation (Jeremiah 30:7), believe in Christ (Romans 11:26), and then they will experience the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the millennium (Jeremiah 23:5-8; Isaiah 2:1-5; 11:1-16).
Scripture makes a clear distinction: The Church is not Israel, nor is Israel the Church!
The Believer’s Authority
August 14, 2024
