COMMONWEALTH OF ISRAEL
Wednesday – November 16, 2016
What a handsome camel and you didn’t think God had a sense of humor or imagination. Wednesday already, of course you knew that by the display of the camel for hump day. And greetings from The Three Minute Word publication and know that at least one person said a prayer for you today. Now back to our Bible study from the book of Ephesians.
Ephesians 2:11-14 (KJV)
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
The word translated ‘commonwealth’ in verse twelve above is only used twice in the New Testament and in both instances would best be translated citizenship but can also be translated as freedom as it is in Acts 22:28. Citizens of a nation or kingdom generally have more freedom in that nation then do noncitizens. Without Christ, the blood of the Cross, we were estranged, nonparticipants in the citizenship of Israel. The word ‘Israel’ here means ‘he will rule as God’. Okay, let’s go ahead and patch this together to take away the meat of this Scripture. There was a time when we Gentiles were lost without hope and no covenant with God. The children of Israel had the assurance of a good future in God through the covenant of atonement and various others. And they are the chosen vessel, the ones who brought redemption to all.
The love of God by the Blood of Jesus enclosed us (Jew and Gentile) together in The Blood Covenant initiated with Abram/Abraham, ratified by Jesus, and facilitated by the Holy Spirit. Adam ruled as God in the earth. Adam was not God like Jehovah is God, he and we are gods (little g) in the earth and by the authority given by the redemption of Jesus in Heaven as well. We are children of the Most High God, we are of the same kind (species) made in His image and likeness. I know this may ruff your fur up a little but get used to it, it was not my idea, it was God’s idea and Jesus spoke of it as well.
Psalm 82:6 (KJV)
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
John 10:34-36 (KJV)
34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?
35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;
36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
The Word of God came unto the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. Now in Christ Jesus we have the freedom to resume our mandate to rule in the earth as God (as God would rule). Or perhaps it would be more palatable to say we are to rule the earth according to Gods’ will, direction, authority, and empowerment. If you review Genesis chapter seventeen you will see how God enfolded we Gentiles into the Blood Covenant with Abraham although there was a promise of redemption from the beginning with Adam. Now let me be clear, the Jew was not made automatically a Christian, or attain saved status by virtue of being a Jew. No, they like we Gentiles must make a conscious decision to accept the Messiah, declare Jesus as Lord. The Church got its start with Jewish people. The Jewish people still have a Covenant with God and He will redeem them however today those that do not accept Jesus as Lord are lost, there is no Bosom of Abraham as before the Cross for Old Testament saints. When Jesus returns to earth at the Second Advent they will recognize Him as the Messiah and be saved. As each of us, the Jew and the Gentile accept Jesus as Lord we are one in Christ.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
