New Covenant

"...For I tell you I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes. In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you." (Luke 22:17-20)

The "you" above is the Jewish people. This "supper" occurred at a Jewish Passover meal. Passover is one of the seven feasts that Jewish people are to observe, and they have absolutely nothing to do with Gentiles, like most of us.

Jesus is telling his Jewish followers that he would not be around for any more Passovers until he had returned to earth and restored the Kingdom of Israel. Revelation tells us that this Kingdom will last 1000 years and that his Jewish followers would be raised from the dead to REIGN with him in that Kingdom.

The New and Old Covenants both have to do with God's plan for Israel (descendants of Jacob through his twelve sons).

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL and with the PEOPLE OF JUDAH. It will not be like the covenant I made with THEIR ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because THEY broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them” declares the Lord. “This is the covenant I will make with the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on THEIR hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

So, what about the rest of us - the "ecclesia" (church) among the Gentile "nations"?

Paul is our apostle, and he tells us we are saved by the GRACE of God - apart from the Law of Moses - and that we will be raised to REIGN with Jesus, not in the Kingdom of Israel on the earth, but “among the celestials." It is a great plan for us! Traveling across the universe in an immortal body, proclaiming the "grace" of God among the vast creation of our wonderful and loving God.

"...to me, less than the least of all saints, was granted this grace: to bring the evangel of the untraceable riches of Christ to the nations, and to enlighten all as to what is the administration of the secret, which has been concealed from the eons in God, Who creates all, that now may be made known to the sovereignties and the authorities AMONG THE CELESTIALS, through the ecclesia, the multifarious wisdom of God..." (EPHESIANS 3:3-10 CLNT)

Ignorant People - Not Who You Think

"I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery..that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved...God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL." (Romans 11:25-32)

The mystery was that ALL Israel would be saved, but not until the FULLNESS of the Gentiles has come into a knowledge of their Salvation. It was God who made ALL mankind disobedient so that He can show his MERCY to all.

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!...For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory...Therefore... do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, so that you may PROVE WHAT THE WILL OF GOD IS, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 11:33-12:2)

It is God's will to "show mercy to all" .  How?  By saving "all mankind".

"...trust in the living God who is the Savior of all mankind, especially believers" (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

That is totally different from present church doctrine which would only bestow salvation on those who make a free will decision to be saved. Those who believe in limited salvation are not the "believers" Paul is referring to above.  I only know a small number of these "believers".

Paul says we need to have a "RENEWING" of our minds, and see things from God's perspective. By doing so we will see that it is the "will" of God to reconcile and save "ALL mankind" by "GRACE" through Christ Jesus his Son.

"...in accordance with the riches of God’s GRACE he made known to us the mystery of his will... to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ…according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." (Ephesians 1:7-11)

His will is to save sinners and unify all mankind in Christ.  That is His "plan" and "purpose" - who is going to stop it?  So pray and be thankful for "all mankind"...

"I exhort therefore, that...prayers...and giving of thanks, be made for ALL mankind...For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself A RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity" (1 Timothy 2:1-7)

Few Christians believe the above "truth", but it is still the truth. One only has to seek the "renewing of your mind" and then conform it to the mind of Christ rather than the doctrines of religion.  Place your faith in God and reject the traditions of any Church that denies the "truth" because in the final analysis what you believe will be "manifested" at the "dais of Christ".  Failure to believe that God is showing His "mercy to all" by being the "the Savior of all mankind" and that Christ Jesus "gave himself a ransom for all" will be three of those "bad" things put into "practice through the body" by remaining "ignorant of this mystery".

"...God has shut up ALL in disobedience so that He may show mercy to ALL ...we must be manifested in front of the dais of Christ, that each should be requited for that which he puts into practice through the body...whether good or bad" (Romans 11:32; 2 Corinthians 5:10 CLNT)

Who Will Jesus Deny?

"Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)

The context is NOT salvation. Jesus was speaking to the house of Israel concerning the promise of God to Israel to reestablish the Kingdom of Israel ON THE EARTH at some time in the future. The JEWS who do not confess that Jesus is their Messiah will be denied entrance into that Kingdom when it is restored by Jesus at his 2nd coming. The timing of this restoration of the Kingdom was the last thing the JEWISH apostles asked Jesus about before he ascended into heaven after his resurrection.

"So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:1-10)

After the ascension of Jesus, Peter told the JEWS that if THEY would repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus he would immediately return and restore the Kingdom as promised by their "holy prophets from ancient time".

"...repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Christ appointed for you (Israel), whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time...It is you who are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant of God made with your fathers" (Acts 3:20-25)

We Gentiles have no part in this covenant, and Israel did not repent and eventually blindness came upon Israel and remains today - nearly 2000 years later. Paul tells us that this blindness was a "mystery", but Jesus would someday return and "all Israel shall be saved".

"For I would not, brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 11:25-26)

The Bible is full of the details of what happens just before the return of Jesus to restore the Kingdom to Israel. That is what the book of Revelation is all about. But even that age and Kingdom ends after 1000 years.

"Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection...but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Revelation 20:6)

Israel is the only nation whom God assigned "priests", despite the so called "priesthood of the believer" doctrine taught in some denominational churches.

As far as the "salvation" of ALL mankind from death (both Jew and Gentile), the knowledge of it was brought to ALL mankind when Jesus came the first time. 

“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men..." (Titus 2:11)

This "salvation" will be manifested only when those who are still dead after the "first resurrection" are raised to immortal life, and so all death is "destroyed". 

"And on this mountain He will swallow up the covering which is over all peoples, even the veil which is stretched over all nations. He will swallow up death for all time, and the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; for the LORD has spoken...This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation...The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (Isaiah 25:7-9; 1 Corinthians 15:26)

What is left after death is "destroyed"? Life. Abundant, immortal LIFE - for ALL! That is the good news we are supposed to be sharing.

So, to whom will Jesus deny this salvation? Not one soul.

"It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

Is that what is taught and believed where you assemble together? 

A place where they "prescribe and teach these things" is hard to find...I'm still looking. I agree with Jesus when he said...

"...when the Son of Man returns, will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

Very little it seems to me.

Everlasting Destruction - Not Exactly

"He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed." (2 Thessalonians 1:8-10)

I had a friend who asked me to address some of the passages used to deny the eventual salvation and reconciliation of all, like the verses above. I wanted to say why? Most Christians only believe what they are told by theologians - and I am not one. And they sure don’t believe the clear teaching of the salvation of all, regardless of how many verses I show them that clearly teach it.

But for my friend, and the handful of others who give a damn about the damned, here is the explanation, in context, of the above verses.

Paul is speaking to his fellow JEWS who believed that Jesus was their Messiah.  These Jewish believers were being persecuted for their belief, being banned from the synagogues, and the non-believing Jewish leaders wanted them dead. He was not talking to Gentile believers.

"on the day he comes" is referring to the “Day of the Lord” (also known as the Great Tribulation, the time of Jacob's trouble, and the 70th week of Daniel). It is mentioned often in the Hebrew Scriptures (old testament) and was well known to Jews as the time just before their Messiah appears to restore the Kingdom to Israel on this earth. At that time Jewish believers will be resurrected to rule over the entire earth with Jesus during this period. They are the “holy people”. All the unbelieving Jews will stay dead, along with all dead Gentiles, until the end of that age. They “perish” (stay dead) during that time only. And I mean DEAD, not confined in some mythological underworld of hell. The book of Revelation tells us that this earthy Kingdom will last 1000 years, at the close of which all dead people are resurrected and a New Heaven and Earth created. The Greek word mistranslated "everlasting" is “aionian” which means “pertaining to the age” and in this context is the 1000 year Kingdom age. The “destruction” is referring only to this period of time.

“They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years…” (Revelation 20:4-6)

However, even the unbelieving Jews who had Jesus crucified will eventually be saved when their blindness is lifted:

“Father forgive them, they don’t understand what they are doing…Blindness has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles is come, then ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED” (Luke 23:34; Romans 11:25-26).

God will save all mankind and He will be "All in All" at the close of the ages whether Christians like it or not. (1 Corinthians 15:20-29)

This teaching of the salvation and reconciliation of all is clear but has been hidden by the false teachers for 1700 years. And their students just don’t seem to care enough to question false teaching or study in detail the Bible for themselves. Guess that is part of the plan for now – but they will know someday!

Behold I Tell You A Mystery

"Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel… they all shall know Me...For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jeremiah 31:31, 33-34)

This of course is a promise to ISRAEL. Remember them? They are the ones who delivered Jesus their Messiah to the Romans to be crucified. I cannot think of a greater sin than this. However, God says He will "forgive their iniquity" and their sin He will "remember no more".

"Father forgive them, they do not know what they doing" (Luke 23:34)

Jesus said this from the cross and his request included both ISRAEL and the ROMAN empire who conspired together to crucify Jesus. Jesus asked God to forgive them because the cross was God's plan to save sinners. Christians think God is going to put them in hell and torture them forever unless they repented and accepted Jesus as their Savior before they died, because that is what they would do to them. But God delivered Jesus up "for us all"...

"He that spared not His own Son, but delivered him up for us all......this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again" (Romans 8:32; Acts 2:23-24).

All those "godless men" who had part in the crucifixion of Jesus died for their sin, just like Jesus did, and we will all eventually die for our sin. The amazing thing about God, and what separates Him from men, is he is going to save those "godless men". This truth had remained a mystery until revealed to the Apostle Paul...

”...we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people...Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable...thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57)

Now that should get a standing ovation for God and Christ Jesus, the Savior and Redeemer of the whole world!

"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)

Good Works Follow Faith

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you... I will save you from all your uncleanness... I want you to know that I am NOT doing this for your sake... I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it." (Ezekiel 36:26-36)

The above was written to Israel who was promised a New Covenant where God would save them by his GRACE after they learned they could not save themselves by doing the WORKS required in the Old Covenant. 

God saves ALL people the same way…by His Grace. When he gives us the FAITH to realize we have been saved, our hearts are "established" by His grace, and we experience the peace and joy of the salvation freely given us by GOD through CHRIST JESUS. 

"…it is good that the heart be established by GRACE." (Hebrews 13:9)

Salvation does not follow good works…but what tends to follow the realization of our Salvation is good works done in appreciation to God.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Outward and Inward Jews

“For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly…But he is a Jew who is one inwardly...” (Romans 2:28-29)

There are many who think believers in Jesus, which they refer to as the "church", are “spiritual Israel” based on this verse (ignoring the context). This false teaching assumes that because Israel as a nation rejected Jesus as the Christ (Messiah) God discarded Israel and the believers in Jesus among all nations are now the church, or “spiritual Israel”.

They are wrong.

A "Jew" who is one "outwardly" is simply a person whose linage can be traced back to Abraham through his son Isaac. A "Jew" who is one "inwardly" is any person who has ever believed what God says, just like Abraham did.

"Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.' So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." (Galations 3:7-9)

The Bible reveals a plan for God's chosen nation, the outward Jews on this earth, and that plan is referred to as the Gospel of the Kingdom. The Bible also reveals the plan for all mankind to become inward Jews and that plan was revealed to the Apostle Paul and is referred to as the Gospel of Grace (which is the promise of the final reconciliation and salvation of all mankind to God at the close of the ages ).

Mixing up the two has been going on for almost 1800 years, the result being that the Old Testament books, and those books of the New Testament written specifically to Jews "outwardly" are misapplied to mankind in general. And that error has caused mankind to be split into divisions unknown in the Scripture -the eternally saved verses the eternally lost - those bound for heaven and those bound for hell.

It is no wonder there are so many disagreements among the various sects of Christianity. They are confused because many of their teachers have not "rightly divided the word of truth".

"Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)

Knowing and believing God's plans does not save anyone. His plans for both will be carried out in His own time because He planned them. It is not up to us to fulfill them, only Jesus could, can and will do that.

"And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world." (1 John 4:14)

I do not think the confusion will be cleared up going forward, the error is too ingrained in our churches, but it will get worse...for Jesus himself lamented...

"When the Son of Man comes (returns), will he find faith on the earth?" (Luke 18:8)

The End of the Age

"So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:49-50)

I find it hard to believe that bible teachers cannot seem to understand the context of the above passage. If they would just read and study the above along with Mark 13, Luke 21, Matthew 24 and 25 and the books of Daniel and Revelation they would not apply the above verses to their horrible views about a mythological “hell” being the "furnace of fire" and a place of eternal torment for all mankind except Christians.

The above passage and those related to it deal with Israel as a Nation, the chosen people of God among all the people of the earth, most of whom rejected Jesus as their Messiah at his first coming.  And at "the end of the age" (this age in which we are still living) most in Israel will still be rejecting Jesus as they are today.  All who reject Jesus are wicked for such rejection and will be excluded from reigning with Jesus when Jesus returns to establish the Kingdom on this earth. Instead, they will be cast out into the figurative “furnace of fire”, and they will be “wailing and gnashing of teeth” because they have been excluded from reigning with Jesus. They will all die during that age and not resurrected until the end of that 1,000 year Kingdom Age. Those who followed Jesus and have believed during this age will be resurrected to immortality at the beginning of the Kingdom Age to rule and reign with Christ for the ages of the ages.

However, God is not done with unbelievers, for they will later be “made alive” and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”, all to the “glory of God” who will then make “all things new”.

"As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father...Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, Write, for these words are faithful and true." (1 Corinthians 15:22; Philippians 2:10-11; Revelation 21:1-5)

All People Will Be Saved

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.” (10:1-2)

Who is "them"?   It is Israel and he tells "them"…

“…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” (10:3-5)

To this day Israel, as a nation, has not confessed Jesus nor do they believe God raised him from the dead - so they are not saved YET - but Paul tells us that "all" of them will be saved…

“I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! ...What then? …a partial hardening has happened to ISRAEL until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so ALL ISRAEL will be saved; just as it is written, the deliverer will come from Zion, he will remove ungodliness from JACOB. This is My covenant WITH THEM, when I take away THEIR sins.” (11:1-27)

"All" Gentiles, individuals of all nations, will be saved as well…

”…there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of ALL, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for whoever will call on the name of the Lord WILL BE SAVED….I was found by those who did not seek Me, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” (Romans 10:12-20)

OK, but it says "whoever will call on then name of the Lord will be saved". Yes, and the Bible says that "every" one of us will...

“…at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)

And since most of mankind have lived and died before Jesus was born this confession must come for them after their resurrection. All ISRAEL will be saved when they confess Jesus ss their Messiah and all GENTILES when they confess Jesus is Lord.

"And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (Acts 20:32)

This “word of His GRACE” is not the same Word as the Word concerning the Kingdom. The word of His Grace is for all mankind and sets forth the Salvation of mankind by God’s grace. The word concerning the Kingdom has to do with Israel and God’s promises to them alone. Both are good news (gospels) but are completely separate. Following is how I understand and distinguish the two gospels…

THE GOSPEL (Word) OF THE KINGDOM: "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand". It was first preached to ISRAEL only by John the Baptist, then Jesus Himself and his 12 chosen Jewish disciples. It will also be preached again during the Great Tribulation (Day of the Lord) just before Jesus returns. It was directed ONLY to the Nation of Israel (God's CHOSEN nation) and to Gentile proselytes (like Cornelius). It focused on Jesus being the Jewish Messiah. It was preached by Peter, James, John and Paul to the Circumcision/Israel until blindness came to the nation of Israel at the close of the book of Acts. When the 70th week of Daniel begins, the blindness will be lifted God and God will again focus His attention on Israel's national repentance, and "ALL Israel will be saved"(Romans 3:25-32). The book of Revelation gives the conclusion to the Word of the Kingdom promised to Israel and details the Tribulation period otherwise known as the 70th week of Daniel, the time of Jacob’s trouble, and the Day of the Lord.

THE GOSPEL (Word) OF GRACE: "Christ died for the sins of all mankind, he was buried, and rose again according to Scripture." And “as in Adam all time, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...that God may be ALL in ALL” (1 Corinthians 15). To ENJOY the benefits of that good news one simply needs to "believe/have faith in” that good news. It was entrusted to Paul by our Lord who also gave him an "abundance of revelations" (2 Corinthians 12:1, 7) which were revealed only to Paul by Jesus after his ascension. Paul was chosen to preach it among individuals of ALL Nations. There was no call to repent, be baptized, or accept Jesus as Messiah but simply to believe the Salvation God is providing for mankind through Christ Jesus who was the first fruit of that salvation. It included the following revelations…that "God was in Christ reconciling to World to Himself, not counting their transgressions against them". Salvation is for those "chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world" and would become the “Body of Christ” with the heavenly destiny of displaying the marvelous grace of God among the heavens (Ephesians 2:4-10). It taught that "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God"; and that "the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord". It says that Jesus "came into the world to save sinners", and that God "wills ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the Truth"; and that there is only "one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for ALL".

It is my opinion that failing to keep these two gospels separate is the source of all error within Christianity today…and not many Christians seem to understand that or care.

“Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.” (1 John 2:22-23)

Those who DENY that Jesus is he Messiah are of the "antichrist". It says that ALL who deny that Jesus is the Christ are "liars" and not only do NOT have the Son, but do NOT have the Father either…at least in this present evil age.

This includes the NATION OF ISRAEL which at this time does not believe Jesus is the Christ, so be careful who you line up with in this world in the name of Christ. This also includes all other gentile nations of the world.

No problem being patriotic or lining up with other Nations for political or national security reasons, but defending ISRAEL or the USA because they are God’s people has only one test…EITHER they all BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ or they do not. So for me, I do not assume that failure to support modern day Israel (which I do politically and for national security reasons) will bring the curse of God on the USA.

Eventually, ALL, both Jew and Gentile, will know and confess Jesus is the Christ. God has “highly exalted HIM”, not ISRAEL, whose unbelieving citizens must wait like all other unbelievers to be delivered by Christ Jesus because God has….

“…highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that EVERY tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

Treasured Possession

“Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now IF YOU OBEY ME FULLY and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my TREASURED POSSESSION. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exodus 19:3-6)

There was a CONDITION to Israel becoming a “treasured possession” out of all the other Nations. They had to obey Him fully and keep His covenant. Obviously this did NOT happen. Even before Moses got off the mountain where he received the Commandments Israel had broken them. And the first thing God told Moses to do was to set up the Tabernacle and build the ARK with a MERCY SEAT covering. The Ark contained the broken commandments.

Thus began the requirement for all the animal sacrifices to ATONE for breaking the commandments...UNTIL the final Lamb of God, and sin bearer, came to take away the sin of the world…and he came about 1500 years later.

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

Israel is still his chosen Nation, but are NOT yet his “treasured possession”. To become God's "TREASURED POSSESSION" requires a sinless existence. Good luck with that in this present evil age...for anyone. However, in the ages to come AFTER the resurrection to immortality the Israelites and all others will become God's treasured possession. God tells Israel….

“This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people… so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but NOW you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.” (Hebrews 8:10; 1 Peter 2:9-10)

And for the rest of us Gentiles...

“…the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to ALL MEN, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, zealous for good deeds. These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:11-15)

“Now these things happened to them (Israel) as an example, and they were written for our (all of mankind) instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” (1 Corinthians 10:11)

God’s dealings with Israel are an illustration of what He intends to do for ALL. The Old and New Covenants were made and written for and to ISRAEL as an example and to instruct ALL mankind what God is going to do for us at the close of the ages.

“But now He (Christ Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8:6)

The basic promises of the old covenant Law of Moses can be summarized as "do this, and you will live." The promises under the law were contingent upon the performance of Israelites. If they were able to keep the Law, the promises of long life and blessing during this age were fulfilled. Ultimately, the children of Israel demonstrated the inability of man to live up to the standards of the Law of Moses and of course all of them died and continue to die.

"Notwithstanding, the children rebelled against me; they did not walk in my statutes, and were not careful to observe my judgments, which, if a man does, he shall live by them" (Ezekiel 20:21).

The promises under the New Covenant made to Israel are immeasurably better than those under law, because they DO NOT depend upon man's performance.

"I will make a new covenant… I will put my law in their minds…I will be their God…I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more". (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

What God has promised to do for Israel under the New Covenant he will do for ALL mankind because He has no favorites and what God does for them is an “example” for us all. It “instructs” us on what God is going to do for mankind at the end of the ages. He will forgive mankind’s iniquity and He will remember our sin no more. Paul was given this good news to tell to us Gentiles.

“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have ALL men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one MEDIATOR between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for ALL, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not ; a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.” (1 Timothy 2:3-7)

It continues to astound me as to how few in institutional Christianity understand the gospel when it is so clearly explained by our apostle Paul! Satan is indeed a clever deceiver of even the most intelligent religious leaders of mankind.