The new birth of Israel, foretold by the prophets and commanded by Jesus to Nicodemus, took place in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost A.D. 30. Israel was born a physical nation (Israel according to the flesh—1 Co 10:18) from Mount Sinai; so too, it was reborn a spiritual nation (the Israel of God—Ga 6:16) from Mount Zion (Jerusalem).
When Jesus was in Jerusalem for the first temple cleansing (Jn 2:13-25), He clashed with Israel’s religious establishment. Here, He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn 2:19). Jesus spoke two directionally: To His disciples He spoke of His resurrection, but to the Jews He spoke of a new Israel that He would raise from the dust and ashes of the old temple order. From the very first, the Jews had Him dead-to-rights: He was a revolutionary, working to bring down the Temple and all that IT stood for (Mt. 24:1-2), and to raise in its place His body—namely, His church. They watched Him choose twelve disciples—not 10, 20 or 30: twelve is the biblical number of government. His choice of twelve disciples presaged His purpose: namely, to establish a New Israel with the twelve disciples.
It is exactly to this purpose that Jesus tells Nicodemus (Jn 3:1-10) “ye must be born again” (v7). Notice the plural “ye” in v7. Jesus was speaking beyond Nicodemus. He was speaking to all Israel as represented in Nicodemus—who was a prince of Israel, a member of the Sanhedrin. When he failed to understand Jesus’ meaning, concerning the new birth, the Lord asked him how this truth had escaped him since he was a “teacher” of Israel (v10). If Nicodemus had studied the prophets with his heart unveiled (2 Co 3:14-16), he would have known of the required new birth for the nation. The prophet Jeremiah had foretold of the new covenant, that resulted in knowing the LORD in a new way, which established His laws in the heart; he told of a relationship which removed (not just covered) sin (Je 31:31). Many prophets of the Old Testament foretold of Israel becoming a NEW CREATION in the Messianic Age (see Isaiah chapter 11). “Old things are passed away and behold, all things are become new” (2 Co 5:17). Jesus, when speaking of the consummation of the Kingdom, said, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5). In Israel’s new birth, that which was physical transforms into that which is spiritual.
Therefore, when Paul writes of the cultivated olive tree in Romans 11, it is an olive tree that was born again at Pentecost. I.e. the physical nation of Israel that was transformed into the spiritual nation of Israel. Thus, when the Gentiles were/are grafted into the tree (the Israel of God) they become the tree into which they are grafted.
The Cultivated Olive Tree
As we enter into this subject I would like to ask all who hold to a futuristic view of the Messianic Kingdom (i.e., all modals of Premillennialism): In your view, who (or what) is the cultivated Olive Tree of Romans 11:24?
For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? —Romans 11:24
In a recent formal debate on this subject my opponent, when asked this question answered: “It represents the place of God’s blessings.” I would ask: Where does the Bible state such an interpretation of the Olive Tree? The truth of the matter is the Bible never gives such an interpretation of the Olive Tree.
The biblical answer to the above question is: Israel. We find this definition of the Olive Tree in Jeremiah 11:10-17 “... the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers. 11 ... Behold, I will bring evil upon them, ...12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: ... 13 ... O Judah; and ... Jerusalem have ye set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal. ... 15 What hath my beloved to do in mine house, seeing she hath wrought lewdness with many, ... 16 The Lord called thy name, A green olive tree,... 17 For the Lord of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee, for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.”
One does not need to ponder why my premillennialist friend did not give the proper, and biblical, answer, which is: Israel. Such biblical honesty is a luxury that the futurists can ill afford. If the biblical answer had been given, the debate would have been over in an instant. The conclusion of the matter would be this: The cultivated olive tree is the Remnant of Israel (Ro 11:1-5) who was the Israel of Promise; the wild olive branches are the Gentile believers who were/are grafted into Israel, therefore becoming Israel.
An unshakable proof that the Church is Israel is the 11th chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans; from this chapter, we identify the “cultivated olive tree” as Israel. (See Romans 11:24 from the NKJV: “cultivated olive tree”; the Grk word is kallielaion: the garden olive as opposed to the wild olive.) Understandably, the premillennialists, can ill afford to agree—it would prove Israel to be the Church and the Church to be Israel. Ergo, if the “cultivated olive tree” is Israel and the Gentile believers are grafted into it, then all are Israel: Jews, who are the natural branches of the tree, and the Gentiles, who are grafted into the tree (Jer 11:16). Jeremiah identified Israel as the “cultivated” olive tree: notice, Israel is the “olive tree” that God, Himself, planted (Je 11:17), i.e. cultivated. When Jeremiah introduced Israel as the olive tree which God Himself planted, he, as did Paul, referenced branches being cut out of the tree (Israel) as an act of judgement (Je 11:16 cf. Ro 11:17-21); it should be clear to anyone with one eye and walking around sense that Paul is echoing Jeremiah’s reference to Israel as the olive tree. If this were not enough, a simple walk through Romans chapter 11 demonstrates the olive tree to be Believing Israel:
- V1, Paul introduces his subject: Israelites;
- Vv4-5, believing Israelites are the remnant;
- Vv5-6, the believing Israelites (the remnant) are the “election of grace”;
- V7, national Israel did not receive (the kingdom), but the “election of grace” did receive;
- Vv16-17 the analogy of a tree is introduced for the Israelites that believed: I.e. the “remnant,” the “election of grace”;
- V17, Gentile believers are introduced as branches of a “wild olive tree” that are “grafted” into the “olive tree” which is an allegory for the Israelites that believed: i.e. the “remnant,” the “election of grace”;
- V24, this olive tree is said to be a “cultivated” (kallielaion) olive tree (The Greek text correctly translated by the NKJV).
The above seven points, taken from Romans chapter 11, establishes the “cultivated olive tree” as Believing Israel. Therefore, the believing Gentiles are grafted into Believing Israel. So, then, ALL Christians are in the “cultivated olive tree” ! Which is Believing Israel !
When the futurists posit a distinction between the Gentile Believers and the Israel of God they violate everything Paul taught about Jewish and Gentile believers’ relationship. Ephesians 2:12ff being but one example:
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: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.—Ephesians 2:12-22
Paul, writing to the Gentile Christians, states: “ye were” (before their new birth) “without Christ, being aliens” (not citizens) “from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise”; however, since being grafted into the “cultivated olive tree” (Israel) they “are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens” (of the commonwealth of Israel) “with the saints, and of the household of God.”
The Church Is Referenced As The Twelve Tribes
Adding, yet, another layer to our argument that the “Church is the Israel of God” is James (the Lord’s brother and first bishop of Jerusalem), who addresses the Church as the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He writes it this way:
“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” —James 1:1
Thus, James (our Lord’s brother), is in total agreement with Paul in this matter:. Moreover, he identifies the Church as the “Tabernacle of David” rebuilt (Ac 15:16). James makes this observation when he learns, at the council of Jerusalem (Acts ch 15), from Paul and others that the Gentiles have been received into the “Commonwealth of Israel” and made “fellowcitzens.” This, then, is a periscope into why when James writes his catholic letter to the Lord’s church, he addresses them as “the twelve tribes”.
Paul: The Church is the Israel of God
Writing to the Galatians, Apostle Paul referenced the Church as the “Israel of God.” He wrote it this way:
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.” —Galatians 6:15-16
The Apostle to the Gentiles states clearly that it is not being Jew or Gentile that is important, but being a new creature in Christ Jesus.
It is evident that Galatians 6:15-16 (above) proves the thesis of this writing;
A word should be said concerning the futurists’ attempt to twist this Pauline statement to their favor. They are fond of pointing out the English conjunction “and” in reference to the “Israel of God.” From this conjunction, the futurists aver that the “Israel of God” is something other than the Gentile church. Firstly, this assertion is not biblically allowed in the light of all Paul taught (especially in Eph. 2:12-22) about the Jewish and Gentile believers being ONE; Secondly, the futurists’ reference to the conjunction “and” is no proof at all, in that the Greek kai (which is, here, translated “and”) also means even and namely. Therefore, in the light of the Apostle’s universal teachings concerning the Jewish and Gentile believers (Ro. 2:28-29; 3:1-4; 4:9-19; 8:15; 9:6, 25, 27-23; 10:12; 11:1-36; 15:8-12, 27; 1 Co 10:11; 2 Co 3:14; Ga 3:7-18, 24-29; 4:5, 22-31; 6:15-16; Col 1:13,20, 27-28; 2:14; 3:11;4:3 cf. Ep 3:2-9; 2 Tim.1:3; He 8:6-13; Ja. 1:1; 1 Pt. 1:1; etc.), the ONLY way to understand “and” (Grk. “Kai”), from our text, is as “even” or “namely.” Thus, “kai epi ton Israâl tou theou” must be understood: “even the Israel of God” or “namely the Israel of God.” (“And,” is not an incorrect translation since it carries the meaning of ‘even” and “namely” when the context demands it.)
True Israel is faithful Israel, and only faithful Israel inherits God’s promises. Paul references them as the “remnant” and the “election of grace” (Rom 11:5). And faithful Israelites are those circumcised in their hearts, those who have trusted in the Messiah. The Apostle to the Gentiles wrote it this way: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God” (Rom 2:28-29).
When Paul associated Abraham and the patriarchs with the “root” of the cultivated olive tree (Rom 11:16-17, TPT ) he was being consistent with his theme of all believers, Jews and Gentiles, being the descents of father Abraham (Rom 4:1-16): thus, the Israel of God.
Since Abraham and the patriarchs are consecrated and set apart for God, so also will their descendants be set apart. If the roots of a tree are holy and set apart for God, so too will be the branches. 17 However, some of the branches have been pruned away. And you, who were once nothing more than a wild olive branch, God has grafted in—inserting you among the remaining branches as a joint partner to share in the wonderful richness of the cultivated olive stem. —Romans 11:16-17 TPT
Another Way of Saying It
We may present this truth yet another way: The Israel of God is comprised only of those who have faith in the only faithful Israelite who has ever lived—Christ Jesus. In fact Jesus was the true Israelite of whom all Israelites were but foreshadowings: E.g., Hosea 11:1 states, “When Israel was a Child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” The Lord’s apostle, Matthew, identifies Hosea’s “Israel” as Jesus, when he writes, “ … the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: … When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:13-15). Thus, all born as sons and daughters of Jesus Christ are born sons and daughters of Israel. By having faith in Jesus, the true Israelite, all believers can be reckoned as true Israelites. All who are united by faith to Jesus the Christ are the true “Israel of God” (Gal. 6:16).
Amen
Apostolically Speaking,
Bp. Jerry L Hayes D.D.
View the video version of this essay at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkq7Q71Ftbk&t=64s&ab_channel=BishopJerryLHayes
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