The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Israel being cut off

Actually, the Amil view holds that Israel as a nation has been cut off. It's purpose was fulfilled in the coming of Christ and it failed to keep covenant with God. WITHIN the nation of Israel was the TRUE Israel (Rom 9:6) which is the Church of the Living God, i.e., the elect, true believers, those predestined to salvation in Christ, the invisible Church, et al.

There are those, of course, within the Amil camp who believe that the Jews will have revival and many will be saved before Christ returns. They base this view on Rom 11:26. Personally, I do not hold to that view because I believe Paul is referring to "Israel" in that passage as the true Church, i.e., all the elect. For a defense of this view see here: Paul's Theology of Future Israel. Could there be a mass conversion of Jews sometime before Christ returns? Surely...... why not? But a large conversion of Jews does not equate to the "nation of Israel".

As for the "visible church on earth slowly dying", this is YOUR observation. But what is God's point of view about the Church given His vantage point and decree? First of all, we must come to understand, despite what our Postie brothers claim, that the true Church has been and always will be a remnant. The "size" of the Church increases and decreases as the Lord wills at various times to accomplish His purposes. Size seems to be a fascination of man but evidently not to God. Secondly, our Lord distinctly said HE will build HIS Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. So, by faith we believe that even today the true Church is being built and ALL who have been predestined to be a part of Christ's body ARE being called by the irresistible work of the Spirit, regenerated, justified and sanctified. What a glorious comfort to know this. And lastly, this building of the true Church consists of both Jews and Gentiles. But the "nation of Israel" is no more; the theocratic nation which God established with Abraham. It estranged itself due to its spiritual adultery and the curses which were part of the covenant made with them are their lot due to their disobedience. (cf. Jer 3:1) God fulfilled His part of the covenant, but Israel was and has continued to be covenant breakers.