Replacement Theology

Heartbeat Israel discussion with Grant Berry

Join us as Grant and Gregg dive into a really important conversation about what people believe about the end-times, and how Satan has used some of these theologies and thought strictures to sow-in subtle aspects of “replacement theology”.

*Has the Christian Church become spiritual Israel?*

And further, that such “weed seeds” take us away from our calling and purpose to see the Kingdom advanced for Jew and Gentile together.

Some Key Scriptural Considerations

Romans 9-11: One new man
Zechariah 4 and Revelation 11: The Two Olive Trees
Ephesians 2: The Commonwealth of Israel
Ezekiel 37: The awakening of & ruach into the Jewish people
Romans 11: The stirring unto jealousy is relational

What is “Replacement Theology”?

Relevant Prior Discussion: ONM Obstacles

The Ezekiel Generation p71:

“A typical definition of replacement theology can be paraphrased as such: ‘Israel has been replaced by the Christian Church, so the promises and prominent position once held by God’s chosen people are now held exclusively by the Church.'” also see www.replacementtheology.org

Well, it includes a number of things that we can capture with typical phrases uttered:

“The Church is Spiritual Israel”
“The Church is Spiritual Jerusalem”
“The Promised Land is not geographic, it’s spiritual”
“The Jewish people have their own covenant”
“Circumcision is no longer valid (Acts 15)”
“We are not under the Law (Romans 6)”
“We are now the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16)”
“The Kingdom of God is going to be taken from Israel and given to another nation (Matt 21:43)”
“‭… and do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you that from these stones God is able to raise up children (descendants) for Abraham.” (Matt 3:9)

Key phrases heard from various Christian leaders

“The Church will be raptured, and then God will deal with the Jews.”
“Israel will be saved, but after the rapture”
“The Church could be raptured at any time.”
“Every scripture has been fulfilled that needs to be fulfilled before the Church is raptured.”
“The gentile Church will complete the task of Matt 24:14 in that the gospel will be preached to the ends of the earth, then the end will come, and the Jews will become jealous as the Church is raptured.”

How Eschatology can lead to Replacement Theology

Relevant Prior Discussion: Eschatology

There are many different takes on the end-times. The study of the end-times is called eschatology, which stems from the Greek word eskhatos which means “last”. Some popular eschatology are as follows:

Pre-tribulation Rapture Premillennialism (sometimes referred to as Dispensationalism) – many Pentecostal and Charismatic denominations believe in this idea, which is to say, the end-times will be difficult, but the “Saints” or the “Church” will be raptured up to heaven with Jesus before tribulation begins in earnest. After the church has left, people can still repent, including Jewish people, but it’s their last chance.

Historical Premillennialism – the doctrine of the early church, which essentially is a more literal interpretation of Revelation and the OT prophets. The “catching up” spoken of in 1 Thessalonians 4 is somewhat simultaneous/synonymous with Jesus’ second coming. A simplified way of thinking is that the Church goes up to meet Jesus/Yeshua as He returns to the earth with the other saints riding white horses (Rev 19).

Partial Preterism – the world is getting better, and the Church will continue to rise up in authority until Revelation 11:15 – “the kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of Christ”. Much of the tribulation described in the bible was fulfilled in 70 A.D. with the destruction of the Temple.

Amillennialism – there is no literal 1000 year period. For the past 2000+ years we have been in the “Millennium”, this continues until Christ returns, which could happen well into the future.

How too short or long timing of the Second Coming can lead to Replacement Theology

Related phrases, sayings or ideas leading to replacement theology issues:

“We only have __ years left!” (fill in the blank with single or double digit numbers)
“The Church’s main job is to get all the Jews back to Israel. Then the end will come.”
“People have been saying Jesus is coming back for thousands of years.”
“The lands of Palestine have been controlled by many people and different religions for thousands of years.”

Potential Negative Effects

– romantic / fantasized view of Israel
– depersonalized perspective toward Jewish people
– God will deal with the Jews later, so I just need to stay pure and rapture ready
– preaching the gospel to the nations refers to the gentile nations

Food for thought

– How can we stand with Israel and support the Messianic branches, even at the cost of death, if we have already been raptured?
– who will share the gospel and disciple those who remain on the earth?
– who are the righteous martyrs during the tribulation?

We are all Jews Theology

Also related – the opposite issue to replacement theology can also be espoused by some gentiles – which instead of replacement theology we have the “we are all Jews” and “we will all live in Israel” ideas:

“Which tribe are you in?” (Revelation 7)
“Do I need to move to Israel?”