For nearly two thousand years, the church has wrestled over its identity with Israel. I say “identity” because, if we truly knew the inheritance the church has in Christ, we would not desire anything else. Paul said, “Indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Our failure to understand who we are in Christ will continue to lead to confusion and immeasurable conflict. Thus, it should not be surprising that the church is becoming increasingly divided over one of the most controversial theological issues since the Council in Jerusalem—the identity of Israel and the church.

There is a growing theological shift, especially amongst younger Evangelical Christians, that has led to the belief that the church is the fulfillment of the covenant promises given to Israel and, in a sense, has become a “new” Israel. The verses most often quoted are from Paul’s writings to the Galatians, where he closes with these words: “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God” (Galatians 6:15-16). Looking at the broader context, Paul is speaking to a mixed, but likely predominantly Gentile audience, who are being persuaded to follow the Law of Moses. The Jewish congregants were likewise being persuaded to return to the Mosaic Law. Rightfully so, Paul was correct to tell the Galatians not to return to the Old Covenant, but rather to hold steadfastly to the New Covenant, which has made us a new creation in Christ.

The land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) is often referred to as the Holy Land (Eretz Hakodesh) and “our Holy Land” (Artzeinu Hakedoshah). But Israel is more than land; it is a body for the soul of a people. In Hebrew, the God of Israel is called “Holy Israel” (Kadosh Yisrael – קדוש ישראל). The Hebrew language communicates oneness. God is holy, and He is also Israel. The implication here is that Jesus, Yeshua, the Word of God revealed in the flesh, is Holy Israel, and His land and His people are inseparably one in Him. Thus, Yeshua is the physical embodiment of Israel, which is why Paul repeatedly said, “We are in Christ.”The sages affirm this by saying that God’s Kingship (His Malchut) is also His congregation of Israel (His Knesset Yisrael). They consider Israel an aspect of God, meaning that God, Israel, and His Torah (His written word) are all one.

The Beatitudes are a series of nine blessings that are part of a more extensive order of teachings, including the Lord’s Prayer, called “The Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). The Beatitudes describe the virtues and attitudes of those who will inherit God’s Kingdom. The Latin beatitude derives from the Hebrew word ashrei (אֲשֶׁרִי), meaning blessedness or supreme happiness. Today, the Church of the Beatitudes is built on the traditional site where Jesus spoke.

The return of Christ to establish His eternal Kingdom initiates an exciting time of restoration for much, but not all, of the earth. After the final battle of Armageddon, some places will never be inhabited again. We read, “It [Babylon] will never be inhabited, Nor will it be settled from generation to generation; Nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, Nor will the shepherds make their sheepfolds there” (Isaiah 13:20).

God’s judgments are punitive, but they are also redemptive, particularly for Israel. We read, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9); “For I am with you,’ says the Lord, ‘to save you; Though I make a full end of all nations where I have scattered you, Yet I will not make a complete end of you. But I will correct you in justice, And will not let you go altogether unpunished” (Jeremiah 30:11).

The Book of Daniel gives us the timeframe for the tribulation—seven years. However, Revelation provides considerable detail and specificity about what will occur during this period. Some chapters in the Book of Revelation are parenthetical, providing a broader timeframe for more detailed events. For example, Revelation chapter twelve provides an overview of Israel’s struggle with Satan for the past two thousand years, beginning with the birth of Christ and culminating in the time of Jacob’s trouble. Another example is in chapter thirteen, where we read about the rise of the Antichrist (the beast from the sea) and the false prophet (the beast from the earth). This chapter provides more detailed information about the kingdom of the Antichrist, revealed earlier in chapter six, which begins in the first year of the tribulation. Therefore, recognizing these parenthetical chapters is essential to interpreting the prophetic timeline.

The seventieth week of Daniel is divided into two periods of three and one-half years.[i] We can associate eschatological prophecies from this mid-point with explicit signs of the seven-year tribulation called out in Revelation. We read, “Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week; But in the middle of the week He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate, Even until the consummation, which is determined, Is poured out on the desolate” (Daniel 9:27).

The Thessalonian church believed the tribulation had already begun, and considering the immense persecution they were experiencing, it is not surprising they thought so. However, Paul corrected them, saying, “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition” (2 Thessalonians 2:3). The man of sin is also called “the lawless one.” Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). While the world has seemingly been increasing in lawlessness, Jesus also said, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The disciples came to Jesus privately and asked: What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus responded by quoting the prophets, saying, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29). Notice, He said these signs in the heavens would occur after the tribulation, not before it. The word “tribulation” is used in scripture to describe the trials and persecution of believers in this world. But it also pertains to a seven-year period of God’s final dealing with Israel’s rebellion and His judgment against the nations, culminating with the destruction of the Antichrist and the armies who follow him. God will also judge the prince of this world, Satan, and all the wicked principalities of this evil age.

The Apostle Paul said, “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52); “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).