A Comparison Between Christ's Church and Israel

A Comparison and Contrast Between Israel and the Church

Israel is denoted by numbers 1,2,3, etc.

The Church is denoted by letters A,B,C, etc.

   1. Israel is a nation chosen by God and sustained

by covenant promises (Deut. 7:6-9). Not all

individuals in this chosen nation are saved

(Rom. 9:6; 11:28).

A.The Church is a called out assembly of

believers who have been baptized into the body

of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). Every member of the

body of Christ is saved, though there are

multitudes of professing Christians who may

not be saved (2 Tim. 2:19).

   2. Israel traces its origin to Abraham, Isaac and

Jacob (Jacob being the father of the twelve

tribes).

B. The Church traces its origin to the day of

Pentecost (Acts 2) when believers were first

placed into the body of Christ.

   3. In God’s program for Israel, His witnesses

comprised a nation (Isaiah 43:10).

C. In God’s program for the Church, His witnesses

are among all nations (Acts 1:8).

   4. God’s program for Israel centered in Jerusalem

(Matt. 23:37) and will again center in

Jerusalem during the Tribulation (Matt.

24:15-20) and during the Millennium (Isa.

2:1-5).

D. God’s program for His Church began in

Jerusalem and extended to the uttermost parts

of the earth (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8). The

Church is identified with the risen Christ, not

with any earthly city.

   5. The hope and expectancy of Israel was earthly,

centering in the establishment of the Kingdom

of the Messiah foretold by the prophets (Jer.

23:5-8; Isa. 2:1-5; 11:1-16).

E. The hope and expectancy of the Church is

heavenly, centering in the glorious appearing of

Christ to take His people to heaven (John

14:1-3; Phil. 3:20-21; Col. 3:1-4; 1 Thess.

4:13-18).

   6. God’s purpose and program for Israel was

revealed in the Old Testament Scriptures.

F. God’s purpose and program for the Church was

not revealed in the Old Testament, but was

revealed by the New Testament apostles and

prophets (Eph. 3:5).

   7. Israel’s history which is in view in Daniel 9:24

(the 70 weeks or 490 years) involved animal

sacrifices. The last 7 of the 490 years involves

the future Tribulation which will also involve

animal sacrifices during the first three and a

half years (Dan. 9:27). Israel’s millennial

worship will also involve animal sacrifices

(Ezek. 43:27).

G. The Church’s history does not involve animal

sacrifices. Messiah’s sacrifice is

commemorated by means of the Lord’s Table.

   8. Israel’s history which is in view in Daniel 9:24

(the 490 years including also the Tribulation)

involves a temple in Jerusalem. The same will

be true in the Millennium (Ezek. chapters

40-48).

H. During most of the Church age there is no

Jewish temple in Jerusalem. In this age God

manifests His glory in His believers, both

individually and collectively, designating them

as His temple (1 Cor. 3:16; 6:19-20; Eph.

2:21-22). This is accomplished by the

indwelling ministry of God the Holy Spirit.

   9. Israel’s history which is in view in Daniel 9:24

(the 490 years) involves a priesthood limited to

the sons of Aaron, and excluding most

Israelites. The same applies to the Millennium

when Zadokian priests (also sons of Aaron)

will serve in the temple (Ezek. 40:46; 43:19;

44:15).

I.         During the Church age every true believer is a

priest and able to offer spiritual sacrifices to the

Lord (Heb. 13:15; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6).

Whereas Israel had a priesthood, the Church is

a priesthood.

   10.          Israel’s history which is in view in Daniel 9:24

(the 490 years) will terminate with the coming

of the Messiah to the earth to establish His

Kingdom reign.

J. The Church’s history will end at the Rapture of

the Church when the fullness of the Gentiles

comes in (1 Thess. 4:13-18; Rom. 11:25).

   11.          During Israel’s history (the 490 years of Daniel

9:24 which also includes the Tribulation) the

ethnic makeup of the world is bipartite: Jews

and Gentiles. This division of all people into

Jews and Gentiles will also apply to those in

the Millennial Kingdom in natural bodies.

K. During the Church age from Pentecost to the

Rapture the ethnic makeup of the world is

tripartite: Jews, Gentiles, and the Church of

God (1 Cor. 10:32), the Church being

composed of saved Jews and Gentiles united

together in one Body (Eph. 2:15; 3:6).

   12.          During Israel’s history, from Sinai to the

Millennial Kingdom (excluding the Church

age), Israel’s role in the world will be

characterized by PRIORITY [that is, they will

have a leading role as God’s chosen

people]—see Deut. 4:6-8; Isa. 43:10; Matt.

10:5-6; Zech. 8:23.

L. During the Church age, Israel’s role in the

world will be characterized by

EQUALITY—Jew and Gentiles united together

in one body to bear testimony to a risen Christ

(Col. 3:11; Gal. 3:28).

   13.          Male Jews were circumcised as a sign of the

Abrahamic Covenant. Believing Jews were

circumcised in the heart (Jer. 4:4).

M. Believers of the Church age enjoy an internal

circumcision not made with hands (Col. 2:11;

Phil. 3:3). Physical circumcision is not

required.

   14.          Israel was under the law of Moses as a rule of

life.

N. The Church is under the “new creature” rule

(Gal. 6:15-16).

   15.          Unbelieving Jews were physical children of

Abraham and spiritual children of the devil

(John 8:37-44).

O. Every believer in Christ (every true member of

the Church, whether Jew or Gentile) is a child

of Abraham and a child of God (Rom. 4:11-12;

Gal. 3:26-29). This statement does not mean

that Church age believers are Israelites.

   16.          Israel was to observe the Sabbath Day (Exodus

20:8). Sabbath observance will also take place

in the Tribulation (Matt. 24:20) and in the

Millennium (Ezek. 46:1,3).

P. The Church is to be diligent and make every

effort to enter into God’s rest (Heb. 4:9-11).

This is a daily duty.

   17.          Membership into the Jewish nation was by birth

or by becoming a proselyte (a convert to

Judaism).

Q. Membership into the Church is by the new birth

accomplished by the baptizing ministry of God

(1 Cor. 12:13).

   18.          Believing Jews who died prior to Pentecost,

believing Jews during the tribulation, and

believing Jews during the Kingdom reign of

Christ are not members of the body of Christ.

R. Believing Jews and Gentiles from Pentecost to

the Rapture are members of the body of Christ.

   19.          Israel’s place of worship centered in Jerusalem

(Dan. 6:10; John 4:20) and this will also be true

in the Tribulation (Dan. 9:27) and in the

Millennium (Isa. 2:1-5).

S. The Church’s place of worship is “Where two

or three are gathered together in My Name”

(Matt. 18:20; John 4:21-24). Christ is in the

midst of His Churches (Rev. 1:13, 20).

   20.          Israel is likened to the wife of Jehovah, often an

unfaithful wife (Hosea).

T. The Church is the beloved Bride of Christ (2

Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7-8), and although at times

unfaithful, will one day be presented blameless

and spotless (Eph. 5:27).