Article series: INTRODUCTION – WHO IS JEHOVAH? – WHO IS THE REAL ISRAEL – THE SCATTERING – THE GATHERING: ONE-FOLD – ONE ISRAELTHE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL NOT CHOSEN – DANIEL 9 AND THE PRE-TRIBULATION DECEPTION – JUDAISM ACE IS NOT A GODLY REPRESENTATION OF OT – THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN STATE OF ISRAEL – THE DIFFERENCE (between Biblical Israel taking of Canaan and modern Israel taking of Palestine)
It is essential to understand who the real Israel is because God says we are blessed if we bless them and cursed if we curse them. Israel is God’s true congregation. If the name is placed upon the wrong group, it can lead to misunderstandings, deceptions, and curses. This is naturally why Satan does it, to confuse, and to cause the real Israel to be persecuted as impostors.
Who is the God of Israel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses? As shown in the previous chapter, it is Jesus who is Jehovah Elohim. Where does the name Israel come from?
Jacob was named Israel after wrestling with a Man all night who turned out to be the Lord. It was Jesus he wrestled with and to whom he said: “I will not let thee go, except thou bless me”.
So Jacob asked for Jehovah Yeshua’s blessing. It was Christ he clung to and would not let go without a blessing.
“And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” (Gen 32:27-28)
Thus, the name Israel was given to Jacob because he had refused to let go of Christ.
If he had let go, he would not have been called Israel, and thus the name Israel is rewarded to a nation that holds on to Jehovah and won’t let go until He blesses them. Thus, the real Israel is not those who rejected Christ and let him go, but those who held on. The Jews who rejected Christ did the very opposite of Jacob. As we will investigate, when God gives a name it is a character trait of that person, and if that character trait has changed, or they do the opposite, their name changes.
The name Israel is an experience with God, a relationship with God rather than genetics.
The reason Jacob ended up in this situation in the first place was because his brother Esau was coming against him. Esau was Isaac’s firstborn, the one who normally would get the blessing of being a priest in the family. He had the genetic right, but because he was not faithful, God took away his genetic right and gave it to the secondborn. It was given to him because he held on to God in the right way.
Esau had married heathen wives and lived a religion that was part truth and part error. Although he too was a child of Abraham, the priestly right to be called God’s people followed the faithful brother and not the one with the rights of the flesh.
Now, Jacob feared his brother would harm his people because he had gotten God’s blessings, in the wrong way, which is why he ended in the prayer battle that he did. In the end, he allowed Esau to keep the material inheritance of the firstborn and instead, Jacob relied on God’s promise of a future blessing in its place. He gave up what he could see for the promise.
This fits very well with what happened between the Jewish brethren in the time of Christ. They split into two groups, one remained the stronger and had the power to persecute the minority. Yet, the persecuted brethren were content with inheriting the promise through Christ and let go of trying to rule over the physical Jewish inheritance, which included the land, the mountain of God, and the temple. The land was promised to the faithful, yet the unfaithful drove the faithful from the land. They were forced to live among pagans and the trials that came with that. The same happened in the start with Jacob and Esau. At first, Jacob, because he feared for his life, was forced to escape the land of promise, even if it would rightfully once be his, and live abroad. Esau continued to live on the land with his family until he moved east of Canaan.
When Jacob feared Esau, he clung to God, as the first church did.
Because the first Christian-Jewish church remained faithful and those who rejected Christ did not, they inherited the name Israel, which always went with the faithful in the family.
But although they inherited the name, they were also given a new and more exalted name:
“For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name. Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God” (Isa 62:1-3)
Zion is likewise a name that followed the faithful, as well as a name for Jerusalem.
God said the land would no longer be called “desolate” but Hephzibah which means “my delight is in her”. This naturally requires that they are faithful. Jesus might reveal the new name here prophesied and show that his followers would be called by his name, Yeshua, which means “Yehovah saves”. In Latin, this name has been translated to Iesus, from where we get the name, Jesus. The designation ‘Christians’ comes from the word Christ and implies following Christ, a name that means to follow the anointed. Christ and messiah are the same word for anointed from two different languages. And so a Christian just means to be a follower of the messiah. We see it used already in the New Testament: “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian” (Acts.26:28)
Christ said it differently, He said they would be called by His name, gather in His name, and receive people in His name. This is consistent with the Old Testament: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and…turn from their wicked ways…I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) Israel also contains parts of God’s name. It literally means: God perseveres or God rules. If God is denied to do both, the name does no longer represent the group, it becomes a lie unless placed upon the faithful.
The first century Christians started using the name “Christian” more and more instead of Israel for most likely two reasons. When it was first used in Antioch, the Christians were recognized as a Jewish sect. However, the Jews refused to have anything with their messianic brethren and did what they could so that Christianity would no longer be associated as a Jewish branch. It means that the first Christians would suffer harsh persecution and be misunderstood if they said they were Israel. If the majority of the Jews had remained faithful, none of this would have been a problem or confusion.
The unfaithful Jews tried to portray themselves as the faithful Israel and the followers of Christ as the apostates who lost the right to the name.
And thus Christians accepted being ostracized and felt a greater thing than being called Israel, was to be called a follower of that same God instead. This change of name was prophesied. Someone greater than Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had come, as a greater enlightenment of God’s salvation and preservation. What the name Israel prophesied, Jesus was, and His name “Jehovah Saves” was preferred. But God’s people were the same. God’s people are always called by many names, tied to their experiences.
The Jews who refused to believe and accept Jehovah’s salvation became like Esau. They had the flesh, the firstborn right to the promises, but they threw it away. They had, as Esau and Jacob, come from the same womb and dwelled together for a time. As their differences came to the surface, they parted ways and God chose the faithful younger instead of the unfaithful older, who by the flesh had the firstborn right. The leadership and priesthood were taken from the Jewish nation and given to the “younger” Jewish brethren, the fishermen, and the ordinary Jew. And they were made priests and leaders of God’s people in the place of the others. Jesus made a parable about this.
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. …But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage” (Matt.22:2-3; 8-9)
The “elder brother” had once again been rejected, the promises were no longer theirs, and the priesthood was no longer theirs, yet they claimed their birthright nevertheless and held on to the empty shell of a name, rituals, and a piece of land that no longer was rightfully theirs.
Rather than going into combat with them, the followers of Christ, the true Israel, did as Jacob. Not fight or war with their apostate brother, but allowed them to hold on to their “empty house”.
Unfortunately, because the unfaithful kept the name and upheld the history and promise with the name, many are now confused, thinking they are the real Israel of God.
But God sees them now as Esau, Jacob’s twin. There is a certain poetry in this as well, because the last kings in Judah, who reigned when Jesus was born and crucified, were partly descendants of Esau. King Herod and his descendants were raised Jewish and in part Edomites. Literally, a descendant of Esau tried to kill Jesus so that Jesus would not take his throne from him. His descendant and son also killed John the Baptist, mocked Christ, and persecuted His followers. Of him and his meeting with Jesus it is recorded: “And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate. And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves” (Luk. 23:11-12)
Had Jacob let go of Jehovah when he wrestled with him, he would not have been named Israel. If Israel let go of Yeshua, they no longer had the right to the name Israel. Only those who cling to Him have the right to use the name. Just like many Christians are not entitled to use that name as they don’t follow the way of Christ.
The Jews who rejected Christ clung to a name and their genetics as their salvation and deceived themselves that they were God’s people no matter what. The reality was they were persecuting and even killing those who had continued in God’s path. Their delusion is reflected in the second temptation of Christ. Satan quoted the Bible and Psalm 91, telling Jesus to throw himself off the elevated temple and trust God would protect Him still. Jesus said this was the sin of “testing God”. You cannot go against God’s council and claim His promises at the same time. This is a deception of the devil.
Another parable is in the actual lives of Saul and David. Saul was elected King by God, he was chosen and given the Holy Spirit for his
mission. Yet when he was unfaithful to God, God rejected him as king. He took from him the position he had been given, and his descendants were not to inherit the throne. David, who is a symbol of Christ, was elected King instead. Saul then started persecuting David and tried to kill him, just like the Jews who would not receive Christ persecuted and killed those who did. Just like in the parable, David and Jesus gathered all those considered outcasts of society who were treated badly by their King. It did not look like God would give David the kingdom, and Saul continued his reign after being rejected as a king. To many, this was a sign and a confirmation he was still chosen and favored by God. How could the rejected David be chosen when he was an outlaw living in the woods, in caves, and in pagan lands? Is it not natural to think God was with the one who was anointed in public, who had his throne in their midst? If Saul was winning over David, was this not a sign that God favored Saul? In the same way, the first followers of Christ seemed like they were rejected and that God remained with the Jewish leaders. For a while, until they met their demise, like Saul did. Against God’s council, their war against Rome caused their death, thinking God would go with them. Just like Saul went to war hoping God would go with him. He was wounded in the war and died by his own hand. Many Jews who were defeated by Rome also chose to end their own lives in the middle of their battle with Rome.
Masada is a mountain by the Dead Sea where almost one thousand Jews committed suicide while the Romans camped underneath. They persecuted Christ and His followers and kept the land and their rule until they went to war with Rome and lost, repeating the story of Saul and David.
It does not matter who rules the land today, the Bible tells us that the land will at one point be given to His faithful followers on the day of judgment. Similarly, although outcast for a while, David did take the throne and the land in the time of God’s choosing.
So the Jews that reject Christ can claim what they want, their end if they do not convert to Christ, is the same as Saul’s. The land belongs to Christ and His followers and will one day be given to them. That Jews today are temporarily in the promised land, does not change this fact. They are trespassers.
The confusion is therefore great when people today look at the descendants of those who rejected God and whom God rejected in return is to whom the future promises of Israel are directed. They look at the name and not the meaning behind the name. They reject the true Israel that is now “called by a new name”. And they think God is speaking through and blessing those who rejected Him.
Lucifer
God does not let anyone legally keep a name tied to their position once they have lost that position.
This is why Lucifer, a name meaning “light bearer”, was taken from him when he instead misrepresented God and was given the name “opponent” instead. The first name described what he used to do, and the last what he now does. We see people’s names change several times in the bible to reflect their new position. Examples are Abram changing to Abraham, Oshea to Jehoshua, and Simon given the name Peter (Rock).
Satan is the first to go from an exalted position and a name reflecting that to get a name describing his conflict with God instead. However, Satan refuses the name change, he still considers himself to be the light bearer, the one in the right, and so he has kept the name Lucifer. Those who follow him, still call him by this name. He does not call himself Satan, it is a name change made by God. Just because Lucifer kept his name given to represent him when he was faithful does not mean he is right and that he is still a light-bearer. Calling himself Lucifer does not automatically make him a Lucifer. The name cannot sanctify him or confirm his position. The name he gives himself does not change who God says he is or what he has become.
Imagine if a government here on earth gave someone the title Police Officer or Sheriff and then had to fire the person for misconduct, and they still call themselves a Sheriff or police officer to others. And portray themselves as such. It would be a terrible deception and a crime. This is because the title belongs to a position and not the person. In the bible, names and titles are often the same thing, and so names change when they change.
Israel in the flesh did the same thing as Satan. They kept the name given because of their faithfulness, but God had now given them a new name tied to their rebellion. And the faithful remnant among them was the only one to legally (by heaven) keep the place and name. Although the land now belonged to Christ’s followers, they understood that it would be hijacked by whoever took it by force until God one day restored the earth to them. They know it is not something they are to fight for, it is given to Christ to take what is His in His time (Rev.20:7-10).
The destiny of the unfaithful part of Israel was prophesied beforehand. In the Messiah prophecy in Psalms 69 it says: “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.
Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.
Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.
For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.
Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness. Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.” (Psalm 69:20-28)
“And they have rewarded me evil for good, and hatred for my love.
Set thou a wicked man over him: and let Satan stand at his right hand.
When he shall be judged, let him be condemned: and let his prayer become sin.
Let his days be few; and let another take his office”
(Psa 109:5-9).
When someone takes “your office” they also take your title and job description. This is precisely what Christ says happened multiple times and in multiple ways. This is also what happened to Saul, another took his office and thereby his title as King.
This was the office of Israel: “And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel…” (Exo 19:6)
They rejected their High Priest, Christ, the heavenly sanctuary, and His teachings of the law, and thus their “office” was taken from them. So who was given it instead?
To the Jewish followers and those converting to the Judeo-Christian faith, it is now said: “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Rev 1:5-6)
As you can see, the “office” of Israel has followed the faithful and even those who were grafted in.
Now, because the office of royalty and priesthood is given to the followers of Christ, the title Israel follows them. However, it is not used as often as the name of Christ, which is a superior title to Israel. As Christ is greater than Jacob.
It is unfortunate now that many are fooled into thinking the Jewish congregation is still the priests and teachers of God, and they go to Israel and rabbis to learn how to interpret the word of God. The Bible is clear that they are not to mediate God’s law or word anymore, and can only teach the true follower of Christ an apostate version of keeping the law. It’s like a sheriff losing his job but is still going around impersonating a sheriff. He acts without authority and provokes the leaders of the land. If we go to the one impersonating the sheriff, we betray the leadership who took his job from him for a reason, and we rebel against the new sheriff appointed. We rebel against the one who is now the sheriff. Likewise, it is rebellion against Christ and the true Israel when we go and ask Jewish rabbis to be our priests and teachers, instead of the ones God has now chosen.
If these titles and tasks are taken from those who originally held this office and name, it means that although they call themselves Israel, the promised seed and priests, God calls them something else now. God always replaces a title with a new one, describing their current state.
A name tied to their opposition and betrayal.
Even I struggle to repeat the new names they have been given instead of Israel. It is sad and overwhelming.
Jesus gives them a new name: “the synagogue of Satan”. It means, translated, “an assembly of the accuser”. (Rev 3:9; Rev.2:9) God says they are blasphemers, which again means to “defame God”. Represent him falsely or use His name together with a lie. This new name is also seen in the prophecy in Psalm 109 “Let Satan stand at his right hand”. As we will unfold more in this study, we will see how they have become Satan’s helpers to deceive and scatter.