There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

There's no question whether or not the Nation of Israel will play a unique role in End Times events. One only need look in her direction to see that she's a major focus in politics, war, and religion. The question many have is whether or not God has seperate plans for the people of Israel as opposed to the people of Christ. This distinction, or lack thereof, is critical in forming the various interpretations of Eschatological Scripture, that is, the parts of The Bible relating to The Last Days and the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

It is made very clear in the book of Revelation that there will be believers still on the Earth throughout the Great Tribulation. These are believers in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. These believers are referred to as servants of our God (Revelation 7:3), saints (Revelation 13:7, Revelation 13:10, Revelation 14:12), the remnant (Revelation 12:17), and overcomers (Revelation 2:7, Revelation 2:11, Revelation 2:17, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 17:14, Revelation 21:7), yet for some reason in the Pre-trib view these faithful have missed the rapture and were "left behind" to endure the worst time ever experienced on Earth. How could that be?

In order to satisfy the view of a Pre-Tribulation rapture it is necessary to seperate Israel and the Church (and therefore Jews and Christians) regardless of a common belief in Christ. But wait you say, Jews don't believe in Jesus as their Messiah do they? Historically no, but that is beginning to change. Groups such as Jews for Jesus [1], who are known as "Messianic Jews", have Jewish roots but see the truth of their Messiah in Jesus Christ. Obviously this isn't entirely new, the first Christians were Jews, as was Jesus Himself. What is notable now is that it is quickly becoming a widespread movement.

On the other end of the spectrum are groups like Outreach Israel Ministries [2] who are Christians that acknowledge their Hebraic roots. These folks are not saying "hey we all pray to the same God" or "c'mon we're all decendants of Abraham." The message here is that we are all united through faith in Christ Jesus. That reason alone is what gives this movement some weight and compels me to dig deeper.

A Brief Biblical History of Israel

Before I continue it is necessary to offer a quick history lesson on Israel and the Jews straight from the pages of Scripture. First we will look at Jacob, the grandson of Abraham and son of Isaac, all who are attributed to God's covenant (Exodus 2:24-25). We will start in Genesis 32 where Jacob is renamed to Israel:

Proof comes from Isaiah 12:4 that the man Jacob wrestled with was really an angel. It is stunning to imagine a man prevailing against such a being. It is important to note though that Jacob acknowledges that his life was preserved, and not that he was somehow responsible for it (Ephesians 2:8). Also inescapable is the plain text that this being was more than an angel: it was God Himself! The name Peniel in Genesis 32:30 means literally "the face of God", the same verse also reiterates this explicitly. This all adds up to suggest that Jacob was wrestling with Jesus, the Son of God; who in all reality is the face of God (2 Corinthians 4:6, Matthew 17:2). This is the first time that the name Israel appears in the Scriptures, it's meaning is "one who strives with God".

Another thing to pay attention to in Genesis 32 is that this "angel" disclocates Jacob's hip, therefore hindering his walk. The word strive can mean "fight against" as well as "fight alongside". Both make complete sense in our Christian walk. Look way back to Genesis 3:15 and you will see that the serpent bruises Eve's seed's heel. This denotes a hindering in our own walk with Christ. It is very tempting as a Christian to say our walk with Christ is nothing but obedience, but the reality is that our Christian walk is a struggle. And just as with Isaac the struggle only continues until the breaking of day (2 Peter 1:19). But even then, to say we have no sin is to lie to ourselves (1 John 1:8-10). While the devil has power only to bruise our heels, Christ Jesus ultimately crushes his head.

For a glimpse of what the Christian's ultimate outcome is we can look to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary where the name Israel translates into one "who prevails with God". Let's now take a look at the second recorded occurance of God renaming Jacob. Here we see the blessings bestowed upon him by God.

From this we see that Jacob, who is now called Israel, is to become a nation, and not only that but a company of nations. This covenant was extended from Abraham (Genesis 12:1-2, Genesis 13:15-16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 17:5-7), through Isaac, to Jacob himself. This promise from God is later extended to Moses (Exodus 6:8, Exodus 33:1, Deuteronomy 1:8) and is now given to us through faith (Romans 4:16-18, Galatians 3:6-9). A few questions then arise. Was not Jacob the seed of Abraham? Are we as Christians also the seed of Abraham? (Galatians 3:14, Galatians 3:29) And if we are of Abraham aren't we also of Jacob and therefore of Israel? The logic seems to hold up so let's explore this idea a bit further through Scripture.

These days it is commonly believed that Israel and "the Jews" are synonymous. This is only a partial truth. Jews are in fact the direct descendents of Judah, who was but one of Jacob's twelve children. These are the same twelve that fathered the twelve tribes of Israel, therefore there are 11 other tribes besides Judah. In short, all Jews are Israelites but not all Israelites are Jews. Let's take a look at the last recorded words of Jacob to his sons.

What we see here is that Jacob blesses some of his children and others he basically curses. Reuben receives harsh words and forfeits his birthright for the adultery he committed with his father's own concubine (Genesis 35:22). Simeon and Levi are devided and scattered for their harsh dealing's with their sister Dinah's rapist and his surrounding village (Genesis 34:25).

Pay special attention to the words of Jacob as directed to Judah and Joseph. Verse eight prophecizes the power that Judah will have over his enemies as well as the respect and praise given from his bretheren (Judah means praised). Judah is then compared to a Lion, who by no coincidence is the king of the jungle. The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is the same who is able to loose the seven seals of the book in Revelation 5:5; where this Lion can be none other than Jesus Christ Himself, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The prophecy in verse 10 says that the power of Judah will remain until Shiloh comes (He who the people will gather to). Shiloh is agreed to be Christ, verse 11 backs this up with the imagery of the foal and colt (Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 21:2-5) and of garments washed in wine, the blood of grapes (Revelation 1:5, Revelation 7:14). Shiloh depicts all people gathering to Christ and giving their obedience; this prophecy has only been partially fulfilled.

When it comes time for Isaac to bless Joseph we see the description of a fruitful branch. This denotes his outreaching growth. We see that even though he is hated by many he remains strong by the hands of God. It is also noted that the shepherd and stone of Israel is descended from Joseph. You guessed it, the shepherd and stone is again referring to Jesus (Matthew 25:32, John 10:11, John 10:16, 1 Peter 5:4, Mark 12:10, Romans 9:33, Ephesians 2:20, 1 Peter 2:4). We will come back to Joseph in the next part of the study.

Verses referenced in this study:

• Genesis 3:15; 12:1-2; 13:15-16; 15:5; 17:5-7; 32:24-30; 34:25; 35:9-12; 35:22; 49:1-28
• Exodus 2:24-25; 6:8; 33:1
• Deuteronomy 1:8
• Isaiah 12:4
• Zechariah 9:9
• Matthew 17:2; 21:2-5; 25:32
• Mark 12:10
• John 10:11; 10:16
• Romans 4:16-18; 9:33
• 2 Corinthians 4:6
• Galatians 3:6-9; 3:14; 3:28-29
• Ephesians 2:8; 2:20
• 1 Peter 2:4; 5:4
• 2 Peter 1:19
• 1 John 1:8-10
• Revelation 1:5; 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 5:5; 7:3; 7:14; 12:17; 13:7; 13:10; 14:12; 17:14; 21:7

Links referenced in this study: