Although Jesus originated replacement theology, it has become a derogatory label among those who have an Israel-focused eschatology. Dispensationalism teaches that the revival of national Israel is central to God’s end time plan. It also teaches that Israel has always been and will always be the focus of God’s kingdom on earth, but Jesus taught something very different.
Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [the Jews] and given to a people, producing the fruit of it. Matthew 21:43 (NASB95)
There is no reason for us to assume that Jesus meant that this revocation was merely temporarily.
Israel had fulfilled its purpose. It provided the bloodline for the Messiah and preserved the promises of God in the Holy Scriptures, two exceedingly important roles.
However, just as Moses could not lead Israel into the land of promise because he represented the law, Israel cannot be the focus of God’s New Covenant purpose.
That which is born of the flesh, that is, the natural descendants of Abraham, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Only those born of the Spirit will be included in God’s rule.
That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. Romans 9:8 (NASB95) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:28–29 (NASB95)
Dispensationalism attempts to syncretistically mix God’s purposes for Old Covenant Israel with the New Covenant purpose of the body of Christ. National Israel was only a shadow of the reality to come, which is the church.
Unless we have a proper understanding of national Israel’s place in the divine plan, we cannot understand the New Covenant. All legalism is an attempt to water down the gospel by adding elements from the Old Covenant. Paul made it clear, however, that if we do this we step away from New Covenant grace.
And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. Galatians 5:3–4 (NASB95)
If we try to revive national Israel’s Old Covenant purpose and stamp it upon the New Covenant, we commit a serious error against New Covenant grace which has enlarged the people of God to include people from every nation and people group. The New Covenant promises God’s people will inherit the earth, not just a sliver of land in the Near East. We dare not allow ourselves to be tricked into accepting anything else. We dare not replace a Christ-centered eschatology with one that focuses on national Israel.
