Are Christians True Israelites? | Jonathan Cahn Sermon
Are Christians the True Israelites? Understanding Our Spiritual Heritage
In today’s world, the name “Israel” is never far from the headlines. From international conflict to spiritual prophecy, this small nation captures the attention and imagination of millions. But beyond the headlines, there is a profound spiritual question that touches the lives of every believer in Jesus: What does it mean to be an Israelite? Are Christians true Israelites in God’s eyes, and how does this ancient identity affect our walk with the Lord today? Let’s dive deep into the Word of God and discover what it means to be grafted into the heritage, promise, and destiny of Israel.
The Miracle and Mystery of Modern Israel
Nearly two and a half millennia ago, God declared through His prophets that Israel, though scattered, would one day be gathered and restored. The words, “He who scattered Israel will gather him and keep him as a shepherd keeps his flock,” echo in the halls of history and fulfillment. On May 14, 1948, the world witnessed nothing short of a miracle: the nation of Israel was resurrected from the ashes after being absent for nearly 2,000 years. Against all odds, God fulfilled His word. The scattered children of Israel came back from the ends of the earth and were established in their ancestral homeland—a day so significant that it continues to capture the world’s focus and controversy.
Even today, as the world’s attention is frequently pulled toward Israel—amid threats, attacks, and condemnation from global powers—we are witnessing the continued unfolding of prophecy. Nations rage against this tiny piece of land, not merely because of politics or territory, but because Israel is central to God’s eternal plan. The Bible tells us that, in the last days, the world would fixate on Israel and even rage against her.
Israel’s Unique Role in the Lord’s Plan
Why does this small nation, only the size of New Jersey, garner so much attention and condemnation from the world? The answer lies not in military might or political power, but in the supernatural reality of God’s covenant. Nations such as Babylon, Assyria, Rome, and others have come and gone. Yet, Israel remains, standing as an undeniable testament to God’s promises and His faithfulness through time.
Here’s the amazing truth: the world’s focus on Israel isn’t by accident. According to the Bible, Israel is the “landing strip” for the Messiah’s return—the eternal stage upon which God will complete His redemptive plan. The world stands poised to see prophecy fulfilled before their very eyes.
Understanding the Church’s Relationship with Israel
Throughout church history, a mistaken teaching known as “replacement theology” or “supersessionism” has spread, claiming that God is done with Israel and that the church has replaced her in His plans. Yet, the evidence both in Scripture and history powerfully speaks otherwise. Not only has Israel survived every attempt to erase her, but she now occupies the very spotlight God promised she would in the last days.
The New Testament affirms that God has not rejected His people. In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul passionately declares, “Has God rejected His people? Absolutely not!” Jesus Himself spoke of a day when the Father would restore the kingdom to Israel, though the timing would remain a mystery. From Moses to Jeremiah to Zechariah, every prophecy about the last days includes Israel’s regathering and restoration. And we, as believers in Jesus, are invited into this destiny.
Aliens to Citizens: The Spiritual Transformation in Christ
To fully grasp our identity as believers, we must turn to Ephesians 2:11-22. Paul writes to Gentile believers—those not born Jewish—reminding them that once they were “separated from the people of Israel, strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world.” But through Messiah Jesus, those who were far off have been brought near; the barrier that once separated Jew and Gentile has been torn down.
Paul uses the Greek word politeia, translated as “commonwealth” or “citizenship,” to describe this new unity. Once alienated from the “commonwealth of Israel,” every believer in Christ is now grafted in, made one people through the blood of Jesus. In essence, if you are born again in Christ, you are no longer a foreigner but a citizen of Israel—a spiritual Israelite. Your primary identity is not tied to your ethnicity, nationality, or background; it is rooted first and foremost in the body and nation of God’s people.
Our New Identity in Christ
This truth changes everything. Whether you are of Irish, Indian, African, Asian, Arab, or any other descent, your most profound identity in Christ is that of a citizen of God’s Israel. You have not replaced the natural descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; rather, you have been joined with them, complementing and completing the family of God.
The Bible declares that all who are in Christ are children of Abraham (Galatians 3:29). If you are a believer from any nation, you are, in a very real and spiritual sense, a citizen of Israel and a child of Abraham. This identity transcends borders and ancestry; it grafts us into the promises and the destiny God set for Israel from the beginning.
Grafted In: The Heritage of the Olive Tree
Paul illustrates this relationship beautifully in Romans 11, comparing Israel to an olive tree. While some natural branches (unbelieving Jews) were broken off, wild olive shoots (Gentiles) were grafted in among them, now sharing in the nourishing root. You are partaker of Israel’s blessings—not by replacing her, but by being united in her heritage.
Just as Ruth, Rahab, and countless others joined the people of God, every believer enters into the story, identity, and inheritance
