Christ and His Followers are Symbolized by Israel
If Christ is the true New Testament Israel, then He and His followers are the Israel in the end time prophecies.
What does the Bible say?
The following texts will show that Christ relived the history of the Children of Israel and fulfilled the Old Testament statements about them. Notice the following exciting parallels comparing Old Testament Israel with our New Testament Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Joseph Has Dreams
Genesis 37:
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Joseph Has Dreams
Matthew 1:
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Joseph Goes To Egypt
Genesis 37:
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Joseph and Jesus Go To Egypt
Matthew 2:
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Israel Comes Out Of Egypt
Exodus 12:
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
Hosea 11:
1 WHEN Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Jesus Comes Out Of Egypt
This is where this study gets very exciting!
In Matthew 2:1-15 is the story of the birth of Jesus. Carefully notice Verse 15. This text states that Christ fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet (in Hosea 11:1), saying, "out of Egypt have I called my son."
Matthew 2:
1 NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ----
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Wow! The New Testament states that Christ "fulfilled" the Old Testament call for Israel to come out of Egypt. The focus is now on Christ and away from ancient Israel.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Israel Is God´s Son (Firstborn)
Exodus 4:
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Hosea 11:
1 WHEN Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Jesus Is God´s Son (First born)
Matthew 3:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
"Baptized In The Sea"
Exodus 14:
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
1 Corinthians 10:
1 MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
It seems that this would be a symbolic baptism considering that they walked through on dry ground. Notice in Verse 31 of Exodus 14 above, it is recorded that they "believed" in the Lord and in Verse 2 of 1 Corinthians 10 above, they were "baptized." It is interesting to note in the verse below that believing and being baptized is what is required to be saved.
Mark 16:
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Baptized In The Jordan
Matthew 3:
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
40 Years In The Wilderness
Numbers 14:
33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Christ The New Testament Israel
40 days In The Wilderness
Matthew 4:
1 THEN was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
It is interesting to note that while Christ was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan He quoted three Bible texts, all three of which are found in the book of Deuteronomy. In the wilderness Christ quoted from the book that was given to Israel while they were in the wilderness.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s first quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Deuteronomy 8:
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s second quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Deuteronomy 6:
16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s third quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Deuteronomy 6:
13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Christ was repeating the history of Israel and overcoming where they had failed. Christ was meeting the conditions and therefore was qualifying for the promise. Christ was fulfilling the conditions of the covenant.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
The Law On The Mountain
Exodus 19:
23 And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
Exodus 20:
1 AND God spake all these words, saying,
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour´s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour´s.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The Law On The Mountain
On a mountain Christ expounds on the law.
Matthew 5:
1 AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
God´s Servant
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Isaiah 49:
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Christ The New Testament Israel
God´s Servant
Matthew 12:
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Verse 17 says "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet." Compare Verses 18 thru 21 (above) with the texts below.
Isaiah 42:
1 BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
God´s Vine
Psalms 80:
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The True Vine
John 15:
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
The Seed Of Abraham
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The Seed Of Abraham
Galatians 3:
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Matthew 1:
1 THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Literal Israel, by rejecting Christ, illustrated that they no longer had the faith of Abraham. As one can see, in the New Testament, what originally applied to the nation of Israel, is now applied to Jesus Christ. The Messiah is now the "seed." Therefore, Jesus Christ is Israel!
The Old Testament History Of Israel
One Man Becomes Many
Israel is the name originally given to Jacob, a single man in the Old Testament
Genesis 32:
28 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.
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
In the first book of Exodus one can read all the names of the sons of Israel that went into Egypt and how God blessed them so that they multiplied greatly. Israel, which was a name given to one man, had become a multitude of people.
Exodus 1:
1 NOW these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.
5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
By the time God worked through Moses to free the children of Israel, they had become a nation.
Exodus 4:
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Christ The New Testament Israel
One Man Becomes Many
Christ was one man but He and His disciples have become a church
Galatians 3:
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Acts 11:
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 2:
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Galatians 3:
29 And if ye be Christ´s, then are ye Abraham´s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
So all that belong to Christ are spiritual Israelites and heirs to the promise that was given to Abraham. Christ is the true Israel and His followers are the true Israelites.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Old Covenant (12 tribes)
Exodus 24:
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Christ The New Testament Israel
New Covenant (12 apostles)
Matthew 26:
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Old Covenant Was Ratified By The Blood Of Animals
Exodus 24:
5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord.
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.
Christ The New Testament Israel
New Covenant Was Ratified By The Blood Of Jesus
Matthew 26:
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Compare the KJV with the NIV.
Matthew 26: NIV
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 14:
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mark 14: NIV
24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.
Luke 22:
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you".
Luke 22: NIV
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
1 Corinthians 11:
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11: NIV
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Hebrews 10:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 12:
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 13:
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
The focus of the Old Testament, Israel, was on the sacrificial lamb which represented Christ. The focus of the New Testament is on Christ, the sacrificed Lamb of God.
What does the Bible say?
The following texts will show that Christ relived the history of the Children of Israel and fulfilled the Old Testament statements about them. Notice the following exciting parallels comparing Old Testament Israel with our New Testament Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Joseph Has Dreams
Genesis 37:
5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.
9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Joseph Has Dreams
Matthew 1:
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Joseph Goes To Egypt
Genesis 37:
28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Joseph and Jesus Go To Egypt
Matthew 2:
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Israel Comes Out Of Egypt
Exodus 12:
30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead.
31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the Lord, as ye have said.
32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also.
33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
Hosea 11:
1 WHEN Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Jesus Comes Out Of Egypt
This is where this study gets very exciting!
In Matthew 2:1-15 is the story of the birth of Jesus. Carefully notice Verse 15. This text states that Christ fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet (in Hosea 11:1), saying, "out of Egypt have I called my son."
Matthew 2:
1 NOW when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, ----
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
Wow! The New Testament states that Christ "fulfilled" the Old Testament call for Israel to come out of Egypt. The focus is now on Christ and away from ancient Israel.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Israel Is God´s Son (Firstborn)
Exodus 4:
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
Hosea 11:
1 WHEN Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Jesus Is God´s Son (First born)
Matthew 3:
17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
Colossians 1:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
"Baptized In The Sea"
Exodus 14:
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
29 But the children of Israel walked upon dry land in the midst of the sea; and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.
31 And Israel saw that great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord, and believed the Lord, and his servant Moses.
1 Corinthians 10:
1 MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
It seems that this would be a symbolic baptism considering that they walked through on dry ground. Notice in Verse 31 of Exodus 14 above, it is recorded that they "believed" in the Lord and in Verse 2 of 1 Corinthians 10 above, they were "baptized." It is interesting to note in the verse below that believing and being baptized is what is required to be saved.
Mark 16:
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Christ The New Testament Israel
Baptized In The Jordan
Matthew 3:
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
The Old Testament History Of Israel
40 Years In The Wilderness
Numbers 14:
33 And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcases be wasted in the wilderness.
34 After the number of the days in which ye searched the land, even forty days, each day for a year, shall ye bear your iniquities, even forty years, and ye shall know my breach of promise.
Christ The New Testament Israel
40 days In The Wilderness
Matthew 4:
1 THEN was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
It is interesting to note that while Christ was in the wilderness being tempted by Satan He quoted three Bible texts, all three of which are found in the book of Deuteronomy. In the wilderness Christ quoted from the book that was given to Israel while they were in the wilderness.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s first quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Deuteronomy 8:
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s second quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Deuteronomy 6:
16 Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God, as ye tempted him in Massah.
Compare the following two texts. This is Christ´s third quote to Satan.
Matthew 4:
10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Deuteronomy 6:
13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you;
15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
Christ was repeating the history of Israel and overcoming where they had failed. Christ was meeting the conditions and therefore was qualifying for the promise. Christ was fulfilling the conditions of the covenant.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
The Law On The Mountain
Exodus 19:
23 And Moses said unto the Lord, The people cannot come up to mount Sinai: for thou chargedst us, saying, Set bounds about the mount, and sanctify it.
Exodus 20:
1 AND God spake all these words, saying,
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
12 Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
13 Thou shalt not kill.
14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
15 Thou shalt not steal.
16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour´s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour´s.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The Law On The Mountain
On a mountain Christ expounds on the law.
Matthew 5:
1 AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
God´s Servant
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Isaiah 49:
3 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.
Christ The New Testament Israel
God´s Servant
Matthew 12:
15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;
16 And charged them that they should not make him known:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
19 He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
21 And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
Verse 17 says "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet." Compare Verses 18 thru 21 (above) with the texts below.
Isaiah 42:
1 BEHOLD my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.
3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
God´s Vine
Psalms 80:
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The True Vine
John 15:
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
The Seed Of Abraham
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
Christ The New Testament Israel
The Seed Of Abraham
Galatians 3:
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Matthew 1:
1 THE book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Literal Israel, by rejecting Christ, illustrated that they no longer had the faith of Abraham. As one can see, in the New Testament, what originally applied to the nation of Israel, is now applied to Jesus Christ. The Messiah is now the "seed." Therefore, Jesus Christ is Israel!
The Old Testament History Of Israel
One Man Becomes Many
Israel is the name originally given to Jacob, a single man in the Old Testament
Genesis 32:
28 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.
Isaiah 41:
8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
In the first book of Exodus one can read all the names of the sons of Israel that went into Egypt and how God blessed them so that they multiplied greatly. Israel, which was a name given to one man, had become a multitude of people.
Exodus 1:
1 NOW these are the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt; every man and his household came with Jacob.
5 And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already.
7 And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
By the time God worked through Moses to free the children of Israel, they had become a nation.
Exodus 4:
22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the Lord, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
23 And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.
Christ The New Testament Israel
One Man Becomes Many
Christ was one man but He and His disciples have become a church
Galatians 3:
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
Acts 11:
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.
Acts 2:
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Galatians 3:
29 And if ye be Christ´s, then are ye Abraham´s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
So all that belong to Christ are spiritual Israelites and heirs to the promise that was given to Abraham. Christ is the true Israel and His followers are the true Israelites.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Old Covenant (12 tribes)
Exodus 24:
4 And Moses wrote all the words of the Lord, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Christ The New Testament Israel
New Covenant (12 apostles)
Matthew 26:
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
20 Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve.
The Old Testament History Of Israel
Old Covenant Was Ratified By The Blood Of Animals
Exodus 24:
5 And he sent young men of the children of Israel, which offered burnt offerings, and sacrificed peace offerings of oxen unto the Lord.
8 And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the Lord hath made with you concerning all these words.
Christ The New Testament Israel
New Covenant Was Ratified By The Blood Of Jesus
Matthew 26:
19 And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover.
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Compare the KJV with the NIV.
Matthew 26: NIV
28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Mark 14:
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
Mark 14: NIV
24 "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them.
Luke 22:
20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you".
Luke 22: NIV
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you."
1 Corinthians 11:
25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11: NIV
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
Hebrews 10:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 12:
24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
Hebrews 13:
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
The focus of the Old Testament, Israel, was on the sacrificial lamb which represented Christ. The focus of the New Testament is on Christ, the sacrificed Lamb of God.
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Friday, May 19, 2006
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