Israelology: The Missing Link in Systematic Theology by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum

Author:Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Religion, Israel (Christian Theology), Bible, History, Jewish Christians
ISBN: 9780914863052
Publisher: Ariel Ministries
Published: 1993-06-01T05:00:00+00:00

1. SUMMARY

a. Israel Past

Israel as a nation was the object of a national election which put them in a place of privilege and blessing. This did not guarantee the salvation of every Jew, since salvation is a result of individual election. Those individually elected become believers and make up the Remnant of Israel. While the national election did not guarantee salvation, it did guarantee Israel’s survival as a people.

Because of this national election, God entered into five covenants with Israel, four of which were unconditional and eternal, while one was conditional and temporary. The first covenant was the Abrahamic Covenant, which contained three key elements: a seed or a nation, a land, and blessings. The nation is the Jewish nation; the land is Canaan, or Palestine, or the Land of Israel; and the blessings were spiritual blessings which were also destined to extend to the Gentiles. The second covenant was the Mosaic Covenant, the only one which was conditional and temporary. It contained the Law of Moses, which was a rule of life for Israel, for the Old Testament saint, but it never was a way or means of salvation. It promised blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The third covenant is the Palestinian Covenant which amplified the land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant, promising a worldwide scattering and dispersion, followed by a worldwide regathering into the land. The fourth covenant is the Davidic Covenant, which amplified the seed aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant. When used as a collective singular, the seed refers to the Jewish nation. When it is used as an absolute singular, it refers to the Messiah. This covenant assures the continuance of the House of David, for the Messiah will come from him. Furthermore, it promised three eternal things: a house, a kingdom, and a throne. The eternity of the house, kingdom, and throne is guaranteed because the seed of David culminates in a descendant Who is Himself eternal. The fifth covenant is the New Covenant, which amplifies the blessing aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant, especially spiritual blessings. This covenant promised a national salvation of Israel. The covenant contained both physical and spiritual promises.

As for the Kingdom of God, Dispensationalists see two major facets of God’s kingdom program. The first facet is the Universal Kingdom or the Eternal Kingdom, which is God’s rule over His creation by means of His sovereignty and providence. As the names imply, it is both universal (over all creation) and eternal (God’s rule has no beginning or end). The second facet is known as the Theocratic Kingdom or Mediatorial Kingdom, which is God’s rule through human mediators. While a form of theocracy existed since Adam, it had a unique display with God’s rule over Israel. The Theocratic Kingdom over Israel began with Moses and continued in its purely mediatorial form from Moses to Joshua, through the Judges, until Samuel. It then took a monarchial form from Saul to Zedekiah. The Theocratic Kingdom ended with the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem. At that time, the Theocratic Kingdom in history ended and the Times of the Gentiles began.

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