Is modern Israel the people of God?

The common evangelical teaching that Christians must support modern-day Israel because they are God's chosen people is deeply flawed—both biblically and theologically. Here are several reasons why this philosophy is wrong, with Scripture-based explanations:

1. It Confuses Physical Descent with Spiritual Identity

Modern Israel is a secular nation composed of ethnic Jews—most of whom do not believe in Jesus. But Scripture clearly teaches that true Israel is not defined by physical lineage, but by faith in Christ.

Romans 2:28–29
“A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise is not from men, but from God.”

Romans 9:6-8
“Not all who are descended from Israel are Israel... it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring.”

Galatians 3:7
“Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.”

Therefore, the people of God are not determined by ethnicity or geography, but by union with Jesus through faith.

 

2. It Revives a Defunct Old Covenant

The idea that modern Jews have a special status before God apart from Christ implies that the old covenant is still valid. But that covenant was fulfilled and set aside in Jesus.

Hebrews 8:13
“By calling this covenant ‘new,’ He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.”

To give national Israel a theological status apart from Christ is to ignore the finality and supremacy of the new covenant.

 

3. It Makes Salvation Possible Without Christ

Many evangelicals who promote unconditional support for Israel implicitly teach that Jews can still be saved without believing in Jesus. But Scripture absolutely denies this.

John 14:6
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Acts 4:12
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

To claim that modern Israel has a special favor with God apart from the gospel is to teach a false way of salvation.

 

4. It Misunderstands the Promises to Abraham

Many evangelicals assume that the land promises given to Abraham are yet to be fulfilled in a literal, earthly way. But the New Testament shows that these promises pointed ultimately to Christ and to the heavenly inheritance.

Galatians 3:16
“The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed... meaning one person, who is Christ.”

Hebrews 11:9-10, 13-16 shows that even Abraham looked not for a piece of land in Canaan, but for “a better country--a heavenly one.”

 

5. It Distracts from the Gospel

This philosophy leads many Christians to focus on earthly politics, Middle Eastern nationalism, and the rebuilding of a Jewish temple, rather than on proclaiming the gospel of salvation through Christ alone. It substitutes carnal hopes for spiritual realities.

Philippians 3:20
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Church’s mission is not to fund temples or defend borders, but to preach Christ crucified.

 

6. It Divides the People of God

Ephesians 2 teaches that Jesus has broken down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and created “one new man”—the Church. To maintain a distinction between Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan is to rebuild the wall Jesus tore down.

Ephesians 2:14-16
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”

 

Conclusion:

Modern-day Israel is a geopolitical nation, not a covenant people. The only people who are truly God's people today are those united to Jesus by faith—whether Jew or Gentile. To say otherwise is to undermine the gospel, confuse the covenants, and misinterpret the promises of God. The Christian’s support must always be guided by the truth of Scripture, not political sentiment or prophetic speculation. Let us honor God's true people—those who are in Christ—and seek the salvation of all, including the Jewish people, through the gospel of Jesus.

(The article above has been AI generated.)

13 minute VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4yRH9rA3_o

Is Modern Israel "God's Chosen People"?