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Some believe there is no difference between a spiritual and a natural Jew. They refer to Galatians 3:6-9. This is unfortunate because they not only misunderstand the symbolism, but they ignore the statement in Romans 9:8 that they are "regarded as descendants," but not actual descendants.
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That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (NASB) Romans 9:8 |
So natural Israel are those who are physically born a Jew. Spiritual Israel is everyone - Jews and Gentiles, who place their faith in Jesus.
Our Hope. Those of us who believe are all spiritual Jews. So we share in the spiritual promises together, including living eternally in heaven. Yet, there is a promise of an earthly kingdom and temple with an heir of King David reigning on the throne of David. This promise is for physical Israel. In Luke 1, the Holy Spirit tells Mary that the child born to her will be,
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. . . great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end." (NASB) Luke 1:32-33
And so when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority . . . And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. (NASB) Acts 1:6-9 |
In Luke 1:32-33, Mary would have assumed he was referring to a physical kingdom. The kingdom starts off as a physical kingdom and then becomes a spiritual kingdom. In Acts 1:6-9, Jesus' disciples asked when the kingdom was coming. Jesus does not tell them it is only spiritual and already here. He tells them it is yet future and they will need to wait and then he ascends into His spiritual kingdom. God has a kingdom that has existed since eternity past. God reigns! Where? The answer is heaven Luke 23:42)!
Conclusion: The hope of both Jews and Gentiles is an earthly and a heavenly kingdom. God's presence will exist in the earthly and heavenly kingdom. For more information on the kingdom you may want to see a study on the "Rapture and Prophecy." |
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