the place of Israel

[Robert R. Higby]

Unfortunately, I do not possess nor have I read the book--though I have certainly read J.R.'s NCT arguments over and over in other publications and also online.

This is a matter that can only be settled by intense and sound scriptural study and reasoning in the power of the Holy Spirit.

I have historically been more in agreement with the NCT than the CT 'system', however, we must remember what a man-made 'system' of theology is. It is sort of like the 'platform' of the Democratic and Republican parties--with one exception. A serious student of scripture who disagrees with even one tenet in a 'theological platform' (statement of many dogmatic beliefs) will face far more wrath and exclusion from the proponents of that platform than anyone can ever possibly experience from disagreeing with one or more tenets in a political platform! The well-published theologians have no mercy for dissenters on even one major point.

This is the reason why I have just chosen to accept the wrath of all of them and move on; I won't make the compromises needed to have the confidence or friendship of any of the well-published CT or NCT teachers. A person is far better off to study scripture and become convicted of THIRTY well-reasoned differences with such platforms; we are to study to show ourselves approved unto God. Thirty differences will bring as much wrath from such teachers as one--no less and no more! So why bother stating that we agree fully with anyone? It is useless. Having said that, I have found much of value in J.R.'s writing in the past. I thank God for the blessings I have received from his pen as much as any other person who teaches a lot of truth.

[~JM~]

My 2 cents...
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Ethnic or National Israel
In the OT the elect were called from ethnic Israel [generally speaking], now, the elect are called from all nations. In Romans 5:1 we see that believers have peace with God, in Romans 11:27 we see that a covenant with Israel is still in place and yet unfulfilled. We also see that Israel was promised salvation Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:24-28, 37:21-28; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 3:16-21; Zech. 10:6-12, 12:10.

3 Basic Aspects
1. Land (Palestinian)
2. Seed (Davidic)
3. Blessing (New)

Abraham had 8 sons by 3 different women, only through Sarah's son Isaac was the Covenant to be passed. Gen. 26:2-5, 24

Provisions to Isaac
1. Blessings Gen. 26:3, 24
2. Land Promised
3. Multiply descendants & become a 'people'
4. Gentiles would be blessed
5. Based on God's covenant with Abraham

These provisions were passed on to Jacob only. Gen. 28:13-15

Provisions to Jacob
1. Land Promised to Jacob and his seed en. 28:13,15
2. Seed multiplied v.14
3. Gentiles blessed through seed

Covenant provisions confirmed to all of Jacob's twelve sons, the fathers of the twelve tribes Gen. 49. Therefore, the covenant made by God with Abraham is the Biblical definition of Jewishness, the descendance of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob are by race Jews. The Jewish nation has yet to receive the fulfilment of their covenant with God.

Christ and the Physical Kingdom
We see in Mat 19:28 that Christ did in fact, see a physical, future Kingdom: “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” When pressed for the timing of the physical Kingdom Christ answered, “Act 1:6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.” This was after the resurrection, Christ didn’t deny a return to a physical Kingdom, on the contrary, He seems to say, “God will get to that in due time.”

Luk 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. We also know that Israel will be grafted back in Romans 11, for the promise of God to Israel are irrevocable Jeremiah 31:35-37 Gal. 4 is speaking directly to two different covenants, one is above and free, the other is still tied to the earth in the land promises as explained above. Abraham's descendents would literally inherit the land was ritually symbolized in Gen. 15:7-21. "To your descendents I have given this land, from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates" (Gen. 15:18).

Where Christ is, there is His Kingdom. Jesus repeated this to the Pharisees over and over again but they couldn’t “see” or recognize it. Luke 19:44 What it does not mean is that His disciples would not see Him coming, for Jesus clarifies that they would, or rather COULD be witness to His coming, but it would be a magnificent coming. This is not a concealed, indiscernible coming to be proclaimed by people saying "He is here or there." Christ’s Kingdom is not of this world in terms of origin and nature, not location.

All this, for what?
“I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.” It’s to provoke them. Israel's promises have yet to be fulfilled, it’s because of their rejection of Messiah, the prophetic clock was stopped. See Eze. 37 “dry bones”

“And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Not until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in, that is, until the Gospel is preached and all of God's elect are gathered in out of all nations throughout time, will Christ come again.