TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD (3)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

1. Bible Topic

a) To learn what the Bible has to say on a variety of topics affecting our everyday lives, we may find what we are looking for here.

2. True Israel of God

a) When God creates a new heaven and a new earth, His spiritual Israelites will then inhabit the New Jerusalem. God will set this city on earth and make it the spiritual capital of the Universe. It will be a city of peace that shall never be touched by apostasy, conflict, violence, or ungodliness of any kind. It's in the Bible: "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away… And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away… . And there shall in no wise enter into anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:1-4,27.

b) Though respectful of human laws, spiritual Israelites do not regard any earthly government as God's supreme representative. Their spiritual citizenship and paramount affections are in heaven. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:21. For, "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who has called you out of His darkness into His marvelous light" 1 Peter 2:9.

c) But God's spiritual Israel does not to despise earthly government. It's in the Bible: "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities." Rom. 13:1. Yet when there is conflict between human law and divine law, it is written, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Acts 5:29.

d) Love to God, faith in Christ as a personal Savior, and reception of a new heart that gives cheerful and willing obedience to His laws is the essence of being a True Israelite. The names of all such are written the Lamb's book of Life. We have seen it in the Bible.



The End ...

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