End Time Israel 05

The Wall Between Jews And Gentiles Is Torn Down
THE KEY POINT OF THIS CHAPTER: If Christ tore down the wall that separated the Jews from the Gentiles, then both are now able to become spiritual Jews (spiritual Israelites) through Jesus Christ.

What does the Bible say?

Just like the Berlin Wall which separated East Germany from West Germany there was, at one time, a symbolic wall that the Jews had built between them and the Gentiles. According to the following texts, Christ broke that wall down.

Ephesians 2:
    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;

It is important to stop at this point and remember that Christ died because of all of mankind´s sins and not just because of the Jews. All of mankind is responsible for Christ´s death, and it is a gross injustice to place the entire blame on them for His death.

1 John 2:
    2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

It is also important to remember that even though some of the Jews murdered Christ, not all Jews were unfaithful. After Christ´s death there were still a remnant of Jews that remained true to Christ and their numbers steadily grew. The Holy Spirit was poured out on Jews on the day of Pentecost and about 3,000 of them were baptized.

Acts 2:
    5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
    22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
    36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
    41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
    46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Even a large number of priests accepted Christ as their savior.

Acts 6:
    7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

Was this group of faithful Jews, "Israel" or the "Church"? Obviously they were both. It was only natural that the feelings of separation between the Jews and Gentiles would die hard. When the Holy Spirit was unexpectedly poured out on the Gentiles the wall of separation started coming down.

Acts 10:
    44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
    45 And they of the circumcision (Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

As would be expected, some of the Jews started preaching that the Gentiles needed to follow certain customs of the Jews or they could not be saved. Finally, it was decided that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem and help settle this matter.

Acts 15:
    1 AND certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
    2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
    3 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
    4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

Notice the mention of circumcision and the law of Moses. It is important to note that they were desputing over the law of Moses and not the law of God. This was not a debate about the Ten-commandment Law but the ceremonial laws involving sacrifices.

    5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
    6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
    7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
    8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
    9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
    10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
    11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
    12 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
    13 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
    14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
    15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
    16 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
    17 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
    18 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
    19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:

The decision is made to ask them to follow moral and health issues but not trouble them with the other laws of Moses.

    20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Notice how Paul makes it very clear that the Gentiles which are in Christ are now one with the Jews who are in Christ.

Ephesians 2:
    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;
    15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
    16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Paul must have felt that it was important that all be clear on this issue for he wrote much concerning the oneness of the Jews and Gentiles. He wanted everyone to clearly understand the fact that the Gentile is saved exactly like the Jew, by faith in his or her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 3:
    4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
    5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
    6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Galatians 3:
    28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
    29 And if ye be Christ´s, then are ye Abraham´s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Galatians 6:
    15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
    16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Some may still have questions concerning what Paul meant when he wrote "And so all Israel shall be saved." We have been studying the fact that the Bible describes two Israels. The question is then, which Israel is Paul writing about here in Romans 11:? Will there be a mass conversion of the Jews in the last day?

Romans 11:
    26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

Paul gives some clues in the same chapter. Notice in the following text that Paul hopes to save some of his fellow Jews in the flesh.

    14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.

Notice Paul´s mention of being "grafted in." If he was referring to all natural Jews being saved, then he would not have to mention that they can be grafted back in. They can be grafted into spiritual Israel.

    23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graff them in again.

Notice in the following text the mention of the mystery and Gentiles. Gentiles are included in the context of what Paul is writing about.

    25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.

In the following text only the Jews who have been grafted back in are the Israel of God. The grafted Jews and the converted Gentiles are the "all Israel" which shall be saved.

Romans 9:
    6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:

Now notice the switch from ancient Israel to the church in the following texts. God told Moses to tell the Children of Israel that if they obey Him and keep His covenant then they would be a "peculiar treasure", "kingdom of priests", and a "holy nation."

Exodus 19:
    5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people; for all the earth is mine:
    6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

Obviously the Children of Israel did not "obey" and "keep," so now the New Testament Church, made up of both believing Jews and Gentiles, are now called a "chosen generation," "royal priesthood," "holy nation," and a "peculiar people."

1 Peter 2:
    9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
    10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Isaiah 45:
    4 For Jacob my servant´s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

After Paul reminds them that they are "neither Greek nor Jew" the New Testament Church is called the "elect of God."

Colossians 3:
    11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
    12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Both Peter and Paul took the exact words that God spoke about Israel of the Old Testament and applied them to the New Testament church. They also both taught that believing Jews and Gentiles, combined, "are now the people of God."

1 Peter 2:
    9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
    10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Colossians 3:
    11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
    12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Galatians 6:
    16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Ephesians 2:
    14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
    15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
    16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Ephesians 3:
    6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Christ, through the Cross, has torn down the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles and has provided means whereby they can become one church body by believing in Jesus Christ. Who dares to separate them again?

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