The Spiritual Israel

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 18, 1905

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 31, No. 42.

The Spiritual Israel

That the "Israel of God" is not the literal, or natural, seed of Jacob, is shown by the Epistle of James. It is addressed "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad," yet there is not a single reference to the literal tribes, or natural Israel, in the whole epistle. It is a letter to the church at large—"scattered abroad"—especially applicable to the church in the last days, and therefore most fitting counsel for us of to-day. "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." Gal. 6:15, 16. The psalmist says, "As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity; but peace shall be upon Israel." Ps. 125:5. And this peace comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1. Therefore it is only for the spiritual Israel, those who are in new covenant relation to God.