There is a very simple and basic teaching in the Word of God, that cuts right through all of the political nonsense which clouds the minds of people today regarding the topic of Israel. Once a person gains an understanding of what the true Lord requires of us all, then they will also understand the topic of Israel and the Jewish people. The Jewish apostle Paul was very qualified to speak on this topic, having been a very learned man, and a severe persecutor of Christians before he got saved on the road to Damascus.(Acts 9). Here is Paul’s description of a true Jew:
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. (Romans 2:28-29)
The Jewish apostle Paul knew what it was like to be on the other side of the argument against the people (Christians) of God, but AFTER Paul had an encounter with the RISEN Jesus Christ everything changed. Paul then began to PREACH the FAITH which he once DESTROYED! (Galatians 1:23) Paul certainly did have an amazing encounter with the Lord on that day, but what happened to him is really not that unusual. When a person is TRULY saved and born again of the Spirit there is an inward change that takes place within their heart, which can also be described as a circumcision of the heart. The majority of Jewish people throughout the world absolutely reject Jesus as being the Christ (Messiah), so they do NOT fit the description which Paul gave regarding the JEW in the passage above. That same Paul knew that the gospel was supposed to be preached to the JEW first (and it was), before it went to the uttermost parts of the earth. (Luke 24: 44-48, Acts 1:8-9) The apostle Paul had such a burden for the Jewish people because he knew that they were headed to an eternal Hell, unless they repented and placed their FAITH in Jesus Christ. Paul knew that his fellow Jews were ignorant concerning the RIGHTEOUSNESS which was necessary to enter into Heaven. Paul knew that his fellow Jews had a zeal for God (as he once did) but it was NOT according to knowledge!
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be SAVED. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being IGNORANT of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish THEIR OWN righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For CHRIST is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:1-4)
Paul knew that those who were truly circumcised in the heart were those who worshiped God in Spirit and in truth!
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (Philippians 3:1-3)
Paul was in complete agreement with the Lord Jesus Christ who told a Gentile woman at the well that God MUST be worshiped in Spirit and in TRUTH!
The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias (Messiah) cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (John 4:19-26)
Jesus Christ spoke very simply and clearly to this Gentile Samaritan woman, and he told her that the geographical location of Jerusalem had nothing to do with being saved. It was a matter of the heart, and the Lord was offering that same five-time married Gentile woman the “living waters” which she so desperately needed. Not only that but the Lord revealed himself as the Messiah to her. The true “Israel of God,” and thus the true Jews throughout the world, are those people (and only those people) who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. Those who die without Jesus Christ will certainly die in their sins, (John 8:24) and spend eternity in Hell. That is according to Jesus the Christ (Messiah) himself. Salvation is by GRACE and not by RACE. Circumcision of the flesh alone without the New Birth (John 3:1-8) will profit nothing in the day of judgment. Paul, the Jewish apostle was fortunate enough to learn that lesson BEFORE he left this world. What about you?
But God forbid that I should glory, save (except) in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature (creation). And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. To the Galatians written from Rome. (Galatians 6:14-18)
Here is the real clincher, and it came straight from the Lord Jesus Christ himself!
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (John 18:36)
Jesus the Christ (Messiah) declared that HIS Kingdom was NOT of this world, and Israel is just another part of this physical world. It is NOT about the physical circumcision, nor is about the physical land of modern day Israel! It IS all about what every man and woman (Jewish or Gentile) does with the person of Jesus Christ! All true believers in Jesus Christ are NOT looking for a city down here below, BUT they are looking for the HEAVENLY Jerusalem which is above! Be Blessed in Jesus the Messiah! Shalom!
But ye are come unto mount Sion (Zion), and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. (Hebrews 12:22-26)