THE ISREAL OF GOD (Tolbert)

Due to the tender mercies of God, opportunity has been granted me to write some things for the consideration of the saints. May the Lord bless us with the ability to consider and, in considering, may it be done in light of the "true and faithful sayings of God."

 " For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it." Jeremiah 3o:3

These words were penned down by a "holy man of God" as he was moved by the Holy Ghost. Jeremiah is called by some the "weeping prophet", but there is also a cause for "laughing with Sarah the freewoman" when we're blessed to read the spiritual promises contained in his book. These spiritual prophesies, or promises, are unto the spiritual Israel of God. Though at times, there was a literal fulfillment in that a remnant of natural Israel returned out of Babylonian captivity, yet, there is a greater and "more sure word of prophecy" in the spiritual truth therein. We know by scripture there was a return out of the land of Babylon unto the "land He gave unto their fathers."  But, if the Lord would enable us to write of things "more excellent", I shall desire to point out the spiritual return of spiritual Israel unto their spiritual land given unto their spiritual fathers.

I have used the word "spiritual" in order to show by scripture who true Israel is. We are not dealing now with the flesh nor its offspring. Rather, to quote the apostle Paul in Galatians, verses 15 and 16:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God."

The beloved apostle, by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, did not say Israel; rather, he said "The Israel of God."  Who then must this be?  In the fifteenth verse, the answer is given to us, which is, "In Christ Jesus".  Who then is in Christ Jesus? All that the Father chose in Christ before the foundation of the world, having predestinated them to be conformed to the image of His Son. They are termed in Romans 8 as "The called according to His purpose."  Notice the use of the word "the". Israel, The called. A definite people. These are they who are born of the Spirit, for that which is born of the Spirit, is spirit. This Israel is neither male, female, bond nor free, but One in Christ Jesus. One in the Incorruptible Seed in Whom they were chosen e'er time began. Before the sun was ordained to be the greater light to rule by day, the Israel of God was in Him. Yea, before the moon began her rule as the lesser light to rule by night. Before the innumerable stars were set in their courses, the Israel of God was in Him. All on account of free grace and the good pleasure of His will, were they chosen.

Having hopefully established this much, we can declare that as children of Adam, we are born of flesh. This "flesh" is right at home here in its motherland, of the earth, and therefore earthy. So, in nature, we are of the generations of Adam. Before being quickened from death in sins, were we not held captive to serving sin, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind? Was it not the transgression of Adam that led us into this captivity? We still have the old man, and he has not changed, for he is still corrupt according to his deceitful lusts. However, when in "captivity", we did not have the wherewithal to "keep under our bodies and bring it unto subjection."  Wherein we were dead, we were held by it. But, the same grace which was given us before time, was brought unto us in accordance with the eternal purpose which He purposed in the Son. It is from this point onward, if God's willing, we shall consider the Israel of God's "return to the land that I gave to their fathers."

Before going further, let me pause and say that I fully acknowledge there are many, many more points to be made in this. Also, if I am wrong, I humbly ask to be, in manners becoming of Christians, corrected by the holy scriptures.

The Lord God declared, "I will cause them to return."  Without any help whatsoever, the Lord is the only cause. If He is not, then it would be impossible to ascribe all the greatness unto Him. He Himself being the cause, I now ask the saints, "Can you return to a place you've never previously been?"  It must necessarily mean that you've been to a particular place in order to rightly return thereunto.

Here, I trust with eyes of faith which rise above these lower skies, that we can see the precious and grand doctrine of election. Not just from the aspect of a simple choice; rather, from knowing where that actual choice was made. Remembering that it's "the Israel" in consideration, can we not see CHRIST JESUS as the "land of Israel?"  Yes, verily that "land" given them and He to them. Chosen there, all spiritual blessings given them there, in Him. Yes, having always been eternally secure in that land of heavenly "milk and honey". 

Oh, but the eternal counsel runs, and at the appointed time of the Father, He fathers them in that he brings to birth. Yea, the second or new birth. He "causes" His Israel to be born, not of water, not of blood, not of the will of man, but of Himself. Now, the Israel of God is manifestly "new creatures in Christ Jesus."  O precious saints, what a glorious return! Hear now the words of the apostle in 1 Peter 2, verse 25:  "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

Mark ye well, children of promise, how the apostle worded this verse. He says they are "returned". Did the sheep decide to do so? Were they given a choice to? No, it says ye are returned. This is the language of God in Jeremiah, "I will cause them to return". 

Having last made mention of the sheep who "are returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop" of their souls, how that the sheep are caused by their Shepherd to return, may we now look briefly at the absolute certainty of the saints "possessing" this Land unto which they have returned.

When we speak of possessing, there is absolutely no conditionalism about it. Rather, it is of and by the exceeding great and precious promises of God our Savior, our Shepherd and Bishop. If but one condition of the law of commandments contained in ordinances were placed upon the sheep, then the inheritance must be of works, and therefore the sheep must ever be and stay astray. But thanks be unto God we have a Shepherd who has taken that enmity out of the way, nailing it to His cross so that the manifest sheep can rest in the law which only the Redeemer could keep. Saints of God, whensoever you are told you "need" to be obedient; thou knowest that such a "need" has been done for thee. If and when the supposed obedience of the sheep is extolled above the perfect, matchless, indescribable obedience of the Lamb, we know that such a doctrine is not of God.

Lest there be an occasion given to gainsayers, it is of great importance that we affirm we do believe in a "godly conversation". However, any obedience in which we walk is wrought in us by the effectual grace of the Living God. Philippians 1:6, Philippians 2:12, 13, and Hebrews 13:21

This is and must be the case for, in nature, there is "none good, no not one" and "there is none that doeth good". It is an unbreakable law that "no flesh shall glory in His presence."  There is but one sense that the sheep are "against law", in the sense of "working". That is, when once the Revelator hath taught His own, they are against the impossible idea that eternal life will be gained by works of any degree on the part of sinners. 

But, to return to the text at hand...

The Israel of God possesses this Land (in which they were chosen in eternity) because it/He is their inheritance and they are His. How oft hast thou been made to sing and make melody in your hearts unto the Lord with glorious words such as: "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine". Yes, the saints return and possess Him because they were first had in possession by Him. No wonder John wrote in love to the children and elect lady "We love Him because He first loved us". This love, eternal, unconditional, beyond our comprehension, is the eternal bond between the Lord and the Israel of God. When once natural Israel possessed the Canaan land, they then went about their lives therein. Things such as eating, drinking, and all things essential to life. Even so, the sheep can say, "In Him we live and move and have our being". He is our meat and drink. He is our dwelling place. O praise His holy name and sing of its worth.

In this "Land of the Israel of God", there can not be a "turning to idol worship". Hear now the prophecy of Ezekiel 34, verses 23 and 24:

"And I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them, even my servant David: he shall feed them, and He shall be their shepherd." 

And I the Lord will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken it."

How beautiful the emphasis placed upon who does the feeding. This "David" is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ, who declared Himself to be the "root and offspring of David." This "David" and He alone is the cause whereby the sheep are fed. This is why the saints "cease from man whose breath is in his nostrils".  None but the Good Shepherd can feed them of Himself. Yea verily, no other good we know besides Him.

Also, the Lord declares He "will be their God."  This is not idol worship; nay, rather this is the true worship of the true Israel of the true God. Yea, God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. John 4

Saints of God, this is the only worship found in this heavenly Land. There are no "high hills and green trees" as in Canaan, where the children can rear up altars in rebellion against God.

Now, here is another scriptural testimony from Isaiah 10, verses 20-22.

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, 

and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more 

again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the 

LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the 

mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness."

Yes, the remnant stay upon the Holy One of Israel, in truth. See how the Mighty God is the Land unto which they've returned. Isaiah chapter 9 calls Him, "The Mighty God".

He being the Mighty God, the remnant are "a holy nation" unto Him. In Him, they presently "reign" in righteousness imputed unto them. The Israel of God overcame because He overcame.

Revelation 2:26-27

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my 

Father."

The sheep may be beaten with a "stick of works" by the "nations" of the bond woman; O but they are not destroyed. The "holy nation" has power from her David over all the schemes, systems, steps, plans, etc of the nations of antichrist. This does not mean the sheep go about exerting physical force upon others, trying to convert them. Nay, but this holy nation is the one and only nation which has written within her the very laws of her God. That alone is "power over the nations". The nations have power, but they are their power is not above that which the Lord hath given to the remnant. Saints, you've been endowed with power from on High. You and you alone can rejoice in salvation by grace. While the nations run to and fro "working" and "mocking", the only harm the sheep do to them is in humbly declaring the Gospel of the grace of God. But thanks be to God, that which is harmful to them, is meat and drink unto us.

I hope something has been written that will serve as edification to the saints. Peace be multiplied, and may the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you.

Your brother in the gospel,

Elder Steve Tolbert