In the previous postings I referenced numerous Old Testament Scriptures which reveal that God scat- tered His people Israel throughout the world but promised to gather them back to Himself in the end times. The scattering began with the defeat of the Northern Tribes at the hands of Assyria in 722 B.C. This was followed by the defeat of the Southern Tribes (Jews) by Babylon in 538 B.C. and their removal to that land. God promised through the prophet Joel that He would call Israel back to Himself in the latter days. That call went out on the Day of Pentecost, 31 A.D. with the establishment of the New Cove- nant Church.

The Institutional Church casts a jaundiced eye on the above-mentioned Old Testament passages, claiming that they have no relevancy in this New Covenant era. She also rejects the contention that the New Covenant Church is an Israelite institution, contending that Jesus came to establish a Gentile church and sent His apostles to Gentiles in order to bring that goal to fruition. The next several postings will reveal His  Truth in the matter for those with eyes to see and ears to hear it. Using only New Testa- ment Scriptures I will prove to God-seekers that Israel was, is and ever will be God’s predestined, fore- known, elect and called people whom Jesus came to bring back together and back to the God of their fathers–Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Matthew 1:21–Jesus came to earth to save HIS PEOPLE (ISRAEL) FROM THEIR SINS. Note that He came to save “His people”–people who were already His when He arrived on earth. Matthew 2:6–God identified His Son Who would shepherd HIS PEOPLE ISRAEL. Matthew 10:6–Jesus sent His apostles, not to Gentiles but to the LOST SHEEP OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL. Matthew 15:24–Jesus said He was sent ONLY to the LOST SHEEP OF THE (ENTIRE) HOUSE OF ISRAEL. Matthew 18:11–Jesus came to save that which was (had become) LOST–ISRAEL. Matthew 19:28–The apostles will judge the TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL. Matthew 27:42–Jesus is the King of ISRAEL. He is nowhere called the King of the Gentiles. Luke 1:16–John the baptist turned many of the SONS OF ISRAEL back to the Lord. He did not minister to Gentiles. Luke 1:54,55–God has given help to ISRAEL, HIS SERVANT. Gentiles have never been called His servants. Luke 1:68,77–Blessed is the God of ISRAEL, Who visited “US” (JEWS) and brought redemption to HIS PEOPLE (ISRAEL), to give knowledge to HIS PEOPLE. Note that redemp- tion was offered to those who were already His–ISRAEL. Luke 1:72,73–God’s goal was to show mercy to “OUR” (ISRAELITE) FATHERS and to remember His covenant and the oath He swore to ABRAHAM OUR (ISRAELITE) FATHER. No Gentiles involved. Luke 1:77–God would give HIS PEOPLE (ISRAEL) knowledge of salvation and forgive THEIR SINS. Luke 2:25–Simeon the priest was looking for the consolation (gathering together) of ISRAEL. Luke 2:34–Jesus was appointed to bring about the rise (salvation) and fall (death) of many in (of) ISRAEL. Luke 13:16–A certain woman was eligible for healing because she was a CHILD OF ABRAHAM. Compare this statement to Jesus’ words about the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:21-26. That woman had no right to His healing power because she was a “dog”–a Gentile. Luke 19:9,10–Zaccheus was eligible for salvation because he was a SON OF ABRA- HAM. He was one of the LOST SHEEP Jesus had come to save. Luke 24:21–The men on the road to Emmaus hoped that Jesus was the One whom God had sent to redeem ISRAEL. Note that Jesus did not correct them concerning the focus of His mission–ISRAEL. John 1:31–John the Baptist prepared ISRAEL for the manifesting of HER Messiah. John 1:49–Nathaniel said, “Rabbi, thou art the king of ISRAEL.” Jesus did not correct Him. John 10:14-16– Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows HIS OWN (ALREADY POSSESSED) SHEEP. He would lay down His life for HIS (OWN) SHEEP. “I have (“I possess”) other sheep (the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel), them I must bring (back to the Father) also.” They (all tribes) would become one sheep with one Shepherd. See Ezekiel 37. John 11:49-52–God used Caiphas the priest to prophesy that Jesus would die for THE NATION (OF ISRAEL).”  He would then “… gather together into one body THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WHO ARE SCATTERED ABROAD” (among the Gentiles-see the previous posting). John 12;13–Jesus came in the name (power) of God; He is the King of ISRAEL. The above New Testament Scriptures are statements made by and about Jesus Christ prior to the establishment of the New Covenant Church on the Day of Pentecost, 31 A.D. Beginning with the next posting we will study the statements made about the make-up of the church following that date. L.J.