Who Are Israel? by W. N. Glenn

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 31, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 29.

Who Are Israel?

By W. N. Glenn

THIS is an important question, for, according to the Scriptures, Israel is a very important people. The direct answer is: They are the seed of Abraham (Rom. 11: 1), "to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever." Rom. 9: 4, 5. But in the succeeding verses we have a qualification given which is very significant: "For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel; neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children."

Now there are several prominent facts brought to view in the Scriptures: 1. All Israel is accounted as Abraham's seed. 2. All of Abraham's natural seed are not Israel. 3. There may be a seed unto Abraham not of natural descent. "God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Matt. 3: 9. 4. They that are Christ's are Abraham's seed, and "heirs according to the promise." Gal. 3: 29. There is no partition between the Israelites of all ages; they constitute one "household of God," a "building fitly framed together" (Eph. 2: 14-22), "where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all in all." Col. 3: 11. "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham." Gal. 3: 9.

It is great gain to become an Israelite. Mark our condition before conversion as contrasted with our position afterward: "At that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometime were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Eph. 2: 12, 13. Thereby we are adopted into the family of God. Rom. 8: 14-17.

In Jer. 11: 16, Israel is called a green olive tree. Modern hostility to anything "Jewish" would convey the idea that all the branches were broken off, or rather that the entire tree was removed; but Paul gives us the idea that some of the branches were broken off, and the Gentiles by faith were grafted in among those that were left, being with them partakers of the "root and fatness of the olive tree," which remained unchanged. And thus they become Israelites indeed, and Jews inwardly, circumcised in heart and spirit. Rom. 2: 28, 29.

Having found who are Israel, and that they are one in all ages, we will notice briefly how they are to be recognized. If they are Abraham's children, they will do the works of Abraham (John 8: 39); for Abraham was chosen because the Lord knew that he would command his children after him. Gen. 18: 19. Abraham not only had faith, but his faith was accompanied by works; he obeyed God's voice, and kept his commandments. Gen. 26: 5. And this is the distinguishing mark of his children down to the very end. The good Shepherd is known of his sheep, and they hear his voice. John 10: 14, 16. It is the test of love to God and to the brethren. 1 John 5: 1-3. It is the objective point against which great persecution will be directed. Rev. 12: 17. And it will be said of those who pass unscathed through the indignation upon those who worship the beast and his image (Rev. 14), "Here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus." W. N. GLENN.