Does The Church Replace Israel? Part Six

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Since Christmas is right around the corner, I’m sure you’re busy shopping, decorating, and planning. Me too! But remember...

Christmas would mean nothing without

The Baby born in Bethlehem.

 

And...speaking of Bethlehem, a group of us girls just finished studying the Book of Ruth. But why mention Ruth at Christmastime? Well…it turns out...Ruth is set in Bethlehem.

Interesting right?

So, let’s see if we can find a Christmas connection,

and conclude our series.

 

With famine in Bethlehem, Judah, Elimelech, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, fled to the pagan country of Moab. Tragedy struck, and Elimelech died. Chilion then wed Orpah, and Mahlon married Ruth. Soon after, both boys also died.

 

Naomi heard God had blessed her homeland, Bethlehem, with bread, and she decided to return. Her daughters-in-law began the journey with Naomi, but Orpah turned back to Moab and her gods. Ruth chose the One True and Living God as her own and clung to Naomi.

 

These two widows reached Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest. Out of money, Naomi sold a piece of land belonging to Elimelech, and Ruth began the exhausting work of gleaning grain.

 

On her first day, Ruth just happened to enter the field of Boaz, a wealthy and godly descendant of Abraham who, surprise—surprise,  turned out to be a kinsman or close relative of Elimelech’s. According to God’s Law, this family connection qualified Boaz to redeem or buy back Elimelech’s land and restore Naomi in Judah. However, this kinsman redeemer would also be obligated to marry Ruth and raise up a son to carry on Mahlon’s family name.

 

While Boaz was kind and generous, he was also a man. Ruth was young, lovely, and sweet. Both seemed smitten. But in their thoughts of happily ever after, a problem arose: A relative closer than Boaz must have the first opportunity to redeem. Would he? Could he?

 

It just so happened this nearer kinsman was unable to redeem, but Boaz jumped at the chance. He married Ruth and fathered a son named Obed. Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David. In time, Ruth and Boaz became the great-grandparents of King David, whose descendant, Messiah Jesus, was born in Bethlehem.

Voilà: Our Christmas connection!

 

Still, what does the TRUE account of Ruth have to do with our topic: Does The Church Replace Israel?

 

The symbolism and shadows of things to come in the Book of Ruth answer our question. Naomi represents Israel. Ruth, a Gentile bride, symbolizes the church. The nearer kinsman signifies the good Law of God in its inability to redeem and save. But Boaz, the one who was able to redeem, represents the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let me explain. Being the True Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus, God the Son, came in the likeness of human flesh, so that He would be related to us.[1] And as God, Christ Jesus was sinless. In other words, He was not a slave of sin as we are, which also qualified Him to redeem. But in addition, the kinsman had to be willing AND able to pay the price of redemption. With Ruth, it was money and a baby. For humanity, the price was death.

 

Jesus Christ was all this and more.

 

In Ruth, God's Word, our Savior, gives hope to both Jew and Gentile. How so? First, notice the timing. Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest and continued through the wheat harvest. This symbolizes Israel and the church coexisting as separate entities, just as we are doing now.

 

Weddings in Israel lasted SEVEN days. During the winnowing of barley, Ruth got her Boaz. She was redeemed, betrothed, and had a wedding in her future. Then Naomi was restored.

How does this relate to the church and Israel?

 

The church gets her Boaz, first when we receive and believe Jesus Christ as Savior, and by this we are betrothed. But then, being betrothed, later we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, in preparation for our wedding.[2] Perhaps the rapture concluded the times of the Gentiles.

Sadly, unbelieving Israel remains on earth to go through the tribulation, the final SEVEN years—Daniel’s seventieth week—known as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble, and the Day of the LORD. Here, God’s Holy Spirit again works with Israel. He calls and equips 144,000 Jewish evangelists, 12,000 from each tribe, to preach the gospel of Christ.[3]

 

In His amazing fashion, Jesus spoke of the period leading up to the rapture. He said, “But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be…Likewise, as it was also in the days of Lot…”[4]. Noah and Lot's days were evil and licentious, but in them was a glimmer of hope. How so?

Noah represents Israel – God’s chosen and covenant people.

Lot symbolizes the church.

Noah and family were carried safely THROUGH the tribulation of the flood, and Lot was removed BEFORE Sodom’s destruction.

 

In the Day of the LORD, Israel first receives the false messiah, Antichrist, the worthless shepherd, and the one Jesus said would come in his own name.[5] However, when this son of perdition enters the Holy of Holies of the rebuilt temple and declares himself God, the remnant of Israel realizes he is not their Messiah, and they flee to the wilderness.[6]

While in this prepared place, Jesus, their Deliverer and True Messiah, returns to earth and presents Himself to Israel. They then look upon Him whom they pierced, mourn for Him, repent, and bathe in the fountain of His blood.[7]

 

Israel and the church—TWO separate entities—BOTH chosen.

At the completion of God’s Plan, Israel will be saved, and these two will fully become one new man.[8]

Glory to God!

To all my wonderful Friends:

My prayer for you this Christmas season is that you would be blessed beyond measure, that your eyes would see Jesus high and lifted up, and you would come to know Him in a deeper way.

Please know I value each and every one of you, and I love you in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 

Merry Christmas

and

Happy New Year, my friends,

Anita

PS: Please subscribe and share this blog far and wide. And until next time, be safe, read your Bible, pray, and love the LORD your God, who is also Israel's God, with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

[1] Romans 8:3; Hebrews 4:14-15; Hebrews 9:11

[2] I Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 19:7-8

[3] Daniel 9:24-27; Jeremiah 30:7; Revelation 7:1-8

[4] Matthew 24:37; Luke 17:28a

[5] Revelation 6:1-2; Zechariah 11:16-17; John 5:43

[6] II Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 12:13-17

[7] Revelation 19:11-16; Zechariah 12:10 – 13:1

[8] Romans 11:25-27; Ephesians 2:14-15