The Bible tells us that God views people as either a Jew, a Gentile or in the Church, the Body of Christ. If you’re unsaved, you’re either a Jew or a Gentile. If you’re saved, you’re a Jew or a Gentile that’s in the Body of Christ. God intended to use the Jews as a light to attract the Gentile (heathen). The Jews believed God’s Promises, the Law, the Sacrifices but not their Messiah when he came. Since the stoning of Stephen in Acts 6, God withdrew His offer of the Kingdom of Heaven (the physical kingdom) to the Jews, putting it on hold as He ushered in the Church Age, returning the Kingdom of God (the spiritual kingdom) to earth; which had been absent since Adam sinned. For those who think God is finished with the Jews, “God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy” (Romans 11:11). God made unconditional promises to the Jews about the land but to enjoy the land is conditioned upon living under the Law. In Romans chapter 11 Paul describes how God will still accomplish salvation for the Jews as a nation, saving the faithful remnant after Armageddon. While during the Church age, the Holy Spirit offers salvation to individuals, both Jew and Gentile.
More Illustrations: The Jews, The Church, The Kingdom of God and The Kingdom of Heaven, The Kingdom
