Modern Christians, mostly in the West, cry out "antisemitism" at the thought that a New Israel was created at Jesus first advent, however scripture shows us that a New Israel was indeed formed.
In the ancient world, when a new King and Kingdom was established it was described as the forming of a cosmos, which helps us understand many passages in the new testament concerning Jehoshua being the creator of such. This Kingdom cosmos is the New Israel, which is a spiritual Kingdom not a geo-political one.
Let's go to the very beginning of the forming of this new cosmos:
Mat 2:1 Now when Jehoshua was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying,
Mat 2:2 Where is he that is born King of the Judahites? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
Herod was of the line of Esau, an Edomite, and therefore was a false claimant to the throne of Israel. The throne of Israel was to be sat on by a royal offspring of David. Obviously, scripture shows that Jehoshua is of the royal seed of David.
The wise men of the east knew the star prophecy of Balaam:
Num 24:17 I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not nigh: There shall come forth a star out of Jacob, And a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite through the corners of Moab, And break down all the sons of tumult.
The birth of Jehoshua fulfilled the star prophecy given by Balaam. Jehoshua was the star that came forth out of Jacob and the sceptre of Israel as Judah was given the Kingship by his father, Jacob Israel. This is why Jehoshua, throughout the new testament, is called the day star and the bright and morning star. This language shows that the Davidic King is the light of Israel, or light of the world.
Notice that the wise men of the east already believe and claim that Jehoshua is the King of the Judahites at his birth. This shows also that Jehoshua was the Son of God from birth and not just at his baptism or resurrection. In fact, Jehoshua was the Son of God from his conception in the womb of Mary.
Mat 2:15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt did I call my son.
The words "Out of Egypt did I call my son" were quoted by Matthew from Hosea 11:1 and refer to Exodus 4:22 when Jehovah called His firstborn Son, Israel, out of Egypt. Matthew is applying these texts as a type to Jehoshua being called out of Egypt by Jehovah as a little child to return to Israel. Jesus is being identified here as Jehovah's firstborn Son and since these texts referred to Israel as Jehovah's firstborn Son, Jesus is also being identified as Israel. Therefore Jehoshua is the new Israel, Jehovah's firstborn.
This is powerful as it shows that through Jehoshua, a new Israel was being formed. Israel is now identified strictly by those who believe that Jehoshua is Jehovah's firstborn Son as he was given the title that formerly belonged to the nation. Matthew's purpose for quoting Hosea 11:1 and Exodus 4:22 and applying it to Jehoshua when his father was called to leave Egypt and return to Israel is obvious and as already stated it's identifying Jehoshua as the new Israel.
The birth accounts of Jehoshua show that there was a small remnant of Israelites that believed that Jehoshua was the Messiah and praised Jehovah God for raising up a horn of salvation out of the house of David. These are those that John describes as being given the right to be called children of God:
Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name:
This verse is primarily talking about Jehoshua's Kingdom mission but it can definitely apply to those that believed he was the only begotten Son of God and King of Israel from the time Mary was given the announcement by the angel Gabriel. This means that the wise men and all those in the birth accounts of Jehoshua who believed were made sons and daughters of Jehovah God. They believed on his name, which according to John 3:16-18 is the name "only begotten Son of God".
Gal 6:14 But far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jehoshua Messiah, through which the world hath been crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Gal 6:15 For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
Gal 6:16 And as many as shall walk by this rule, peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Paul says that circumcision doesn't avail anything proving that the law no longer is to be kept in the new covenant. He says that he only glories in the cross of Jehoshua Messiah as it is the cross that is the gospel not the law (circumcision). Paul is making a clear distinction between the cross and circumcision, one is the true gospel (the cross) and the other doesn't mean anything anymore (circumcision, the law).
The world has been crucified to Paul and by world he means old covenant Israel and it's worship system and law. This is how 'world' is often used by Paul in his epistles as well as in the book of Hebrews. Paul also says that he has been crucified to the world (Israel and it's Mosaic law) meaning that Jerusalem, Israel and the Torah (law of Moses) has no more significance to him. He has died to that system of worship and it is dead to him.
Verse 16 is key to our study as Paul says that whoever walks by this rule, glorying in the cross of the Messiah and not the law, are the Israel of Jehovah God. In order to belong to the Israel of Jehovah God you must preach the right gospel, which is centered on the cross. Preaching the law is a false gospel and thereby whoever preaches it is not part of the Israel of Jehovah God.
Heb 12:22 but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels,
Heb 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
Heb 12:24 and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaketh better than that of Abel.
Whereas Jehovah's Kingdom in the old covenant was headquartered in earthly Jerusalem and Israel, His Kingdom in the new covenant is headquartered in the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the New Jerusalem. It's common sense that if you have a New Jerusalem then you must have a New Israel.
The author of Hebrews, Barnabas, says that unlike old covenant Israel, new covenant Israel comes to the heavenly Zion for their covenant, fellowship and worship. Old covenant Israel got their covenant for Mount Sinai and worshipped in earthly Jerusalem, which Paul equated with each other in Galatians 4.
The key verse here is 23 where Barnabas refers to the new testament church as the church of the firstborn. This designation proves that the new testament church is the New Israel as that title was given to old covenant Israel (Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9).
The blood of Jehoshua is the atonement of the new covenant and that atonement was fulfilled once and for all according to the book of Hebrews. Those who mix the law with the new covenant are desecrating the blood of the Son of God as they deny his finished work on the cross and that his blood is the propitiation (mercyseat), thereby forever ending the Mosaic system.
I have covered Galatians 4 in another study (are Christians supposed to keep the law?), so in this study I will look at 1 Peter 2:9:
"But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light"
This verse also proves that the new testament church is Israel as this quotation from the old testament was about Israel (Exodus 19:6) and Peter applies it to the church.
So far there are 3 apostles that teach and preach that the new testament church is Israel, which are Peter, Paul and Barnabas. The apostle John in the book of Revelation also makes the connection between the new testament church and Israel.
Rev 1:5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins by his blood;
Rev 1:6 and he made us to be a kingdom, to be priests unto his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
By way of Jehoshua's death, burial and resurrection we (Christians) were made Kings, Queens and Priests, which again was a designation given to Israel in the old testament. Those who believe that Jehoshua is the only begotten Son are given the right to be Jehovah's children. It was Israel in the old testament that was Jehovah's children.
It was Jehoshua cleansing us with his blood and ascending to the throne of David (ruler of the kings of the earth) that inaugurated his Kingdom. Of course the Kingdom is an Israelite Kingdom (Acts 1:5-6). John reiterates this in verse 9 of Revelation chapter 1:
"I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ"
Note that John identifies himself and the brethren as being companions in the Kingdom of Jehoshua Messiah, showing that the Kingdom was a present reality in the first century. Also noteworthy is that John said that the nature of the Son of God's Kingdom is sealed by tribulation not a utopian peace.
The Kingdom of the Messiah was to be the New Davidic Kingdom, which of course is equivalent to the Kingdom of Israel :
1Ch 28:5 and of all my sons (for Jehovah hath given me many sons), he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of Jehovah over Israel.
The royal seed of David was called Messiah in the old testament, hence the Messianic Kingdom is the Davidic Kingdom and again, the Davidic Kingdom is equivalent to the Kingdom of Israel. This further proves that the church, which is the Kingdom of the Messiah, is Israel.
Rev 5:9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
Rev 5:10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.
Again, the King and Priest designation was for Israel and here John the revelator applies it to Christians of all nations, tribes, people and tongues. This shows that Israel is no longer an ethnic people, but rather a spiritual people. These Kings Queens and Priests comprise the new testament church, which is the Israel of Jehovah God.
Also, notice that this is not a future thing as John says that the bestowment of Kingship and Priesthood relate to Jehoshua shedding his blood on the cross and the subsequent pouring out of that blood on the mercyseat of heaven. This debunks the notion that this relates to some future millennial Kingdom in earthly Jerusalem.
Verse 10 proves that the Kingdom is now and that we, as Christians, reign upon the earth now not in some future Jewish utopia. The Christian Worldview embraces struggle, the Jewish worldview hates struggle and embraces utopianism.
Mat 21:42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, The same was made the head of the corner; This was from the Lord, And it is marvelous in our eyes?
Mat 21:43 Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken away from you, and shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.
Mat 21:44 And he that falleth on this stone shall be broken to pieces: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will scatter him as dust.
Mat 21:45 And when the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them.
The leaders of the Jerusalem temple religion rejected the chief cornerstone, Jehoshua Messiah, showing that a New temple was being built and that they were disqualifying themselves by being a part of it.
The chief cornerstone was the prophesied Davidic King and he was being made head of the corner (temple). The Jerusalem religious and political leadership rejected the rightful King of Israel and therefore they themselves would be rejected by Jehovah God.
The rejection of the New Davidic King was foreseen by Jehovah God and it was actually His doing. However, this rejection of the King of Israel by the temple religion and political regime of Israel was marvelous in the eyes of the saints.
The Son of God Jehoshua told the Jerusalem leadership of Judah that the Kingdom would be taken from them and given to a nation that would bring forth the fruits of the Kingdom. This is where the Ephraimite birthright comes in. Judah was promised the Kingship and that is fulfilled through Jehoshua, the royal seed of David, however it was Ephraim who was promised the birthright of the Kingdom of Jehovah.
Ephraim was prophesied to bring forth a multitude of Nations (Gentiles), therefore it was Jehovah's plan for the church to be Gentile (Nations) in spirit, faith and practice. The idea that we, as the new testament church, have to return to our Hebrew/Jewish roots is absolutely Satanic. Jehovah meant His Kingdom to be Gentile (Nation) in culture.
History has proven who has brought forth the fruits of the Kingdom of Jehovah and it clearly isn't the modern day Jews. The nations of the West have fulfilled this mandate in founding and establishing Christian nations. It was the European peoples that have brought forth the fruits of Jehovah's Kingdom since the first advent of the Son of God.
Verse 44, Jehoshua is the tried and true stone of Israel, the chief cornerstone of the new temple and anyone who rejects him as King will be broken to pieces and scattered as the dust. The reference to Jehoshua as the stone in verse 44 shows that he is the present King of Israel (in that time, first century), as the title of cornerstone is from an Israelite Kingship hymn:
Psa 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected Is become the head of the corner.
This is a verse that is within the context of the bringing forth of the Israelite King to the people and Psalm 118 was quoted in John chapter 12, which was the multitudes welcoming Jehoshua as their King.
The Pharisees and the religious-political leadership of Judea knew that Jehoshua was speaking of them in that the Kingdom of Jehovah was going to be taken from them and given to another nation. This shows indeed that the new testament church replaced old covenant Israel and Judah specifically as the inheritors of the Kingdom. In other words, the church is Israel.
