Replacement theology (also known as supersessionism) essentially teaches that the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan.
We soundly reject this teaching with strong biblical support.
Those who follow and teach replacement theology believe the Jews are no longer God’s chosen people, and God does not have specific future plans for the nation of Israel. A newer version of this unbiblical teaching draws a strong distinction between the current government of Israel, along with the Jews living in the land now, and makes an unnecessary and false distinction from “biblical Israel”. This is a distinction without a difference. You will hear the word “zionism” used incessantly to create a straw man argument in support of this false view. All they are trying to do is use smoke and mirrors in order to remove your dedication to the Word of God and what it clearly teaches.
It’s important you don’t allow the current cultural trends remove you from the solid teachings of the Bible. There are loud, popular voices today railing against the truth of God’s love for Israel, national Israel, and the Jewish people. God’s promises remain strong even under the adversity of false accusations. They come from Roman Catholicism, Reformed theology, YouTube, TikTok, political pundits, and various talking heads. The Bible teaches us to test all things and hold fast to what is good. Don’t choose to live your life apart from the Word of God. Ever. God’s plan for Israel hasn’t changed, and God remains unafraid of the current and increasing political and philosophical minefields of today. Stay tethered to the Word.
Among the different views of the relationship between the church and Israel are:
- The church has replaced Israel (replacement theology)
- The church is an expansion of Israel (covenant theology)
- The church is completely different and distinct from Israel (dispensationalism/premillennialism)
Replacement theology teaches that the church is the replacement for Israel and that the many promises made to Israel in the Bible are fulfilled in the Christian church rather than in Israel. The prophecies in Scripture concerning the blessing and restoration of Israel to the Promised Land are spiritualized or allegorized into promises of God’s blessing for the church.
Major problems exist with this view, such as the continuing existence of the Jewish people throughout the centuries, and especially with the revival of the modern state of Israel, filled with Israeli men, women, boys, and girls. If God has condemned Israel and there is no future for the Jewish nation, how do we explain the supernatural preservation and survival of the Jewish people over the past 2,000 years despite the many attempts to destroy them (rabid antisemitism)? How do we explain why and how Israel reappeared as a nation in the 20th century after not existing for 1,900 years?
The view that Israel and the church are different is clearly taught in the New Testament. Biblically speaking, the church is distinct from Israel, and the terms “church” and “Israel” are never to be confused or used interchangeably. Not only are they never to be used interchangeably, but they are also never used that way. We are taught from Scripture that the church is an entirely new creation that came into being on the day of Pentecost and will continue until it is taken to heaven at the rapture (Ephesians 1:9–11; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17). The church has no relationship to the curses and blessings for Israel. The covenants, promises, and warnings of the Mosaic Covenant were valid only for Israel. Israel has been temporarily set aside in God’s program during these past 2,000 years of dispersion (see Romans 11).
Contrary to replacement theology, dispensationalism teaches that, after the rapture (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18), God will restore Israel as the primary focus of His plan. The first event at this time is the tribulation (Revelation chapters 6–19). The world will be judged for rejecting Christ, while Israel is prepared through the trials of the great tribulation for the second coming of the Messiah. Then, when Christ does return to the earth at the end of the tribulation, Israel will be ready to receive Him. The remnant of Israel who survive the tribulation will be saved, and the Lord will establish His kingdom on this earth with Jerusalem as its capital. With Christ reigning as King, Israel will be the leading nation, and representatives from all nations will come to Jerusalem to honor and worship the King—Jesus Christ. The church will return with Christ and will reign with Him for a literal thousand years (Revelation 20:1–5).
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament clearly assert a premillennial and dispensational understanding of God’s plan for Israel. The strongest support for premillennialism is found in the clear teaching of Revelation 20:1–7, where it says six times that Christ’s kingdom will last 1,000 years. After the tribulation, the Lord will return and establish His kingdom with the nation of Israel, Christ will reign over the whole earth, and Israel will be the leader of the nations. The church will reign with Him for a literal thousand years. The church has not replaced Israel in God’s plan. While God may be focusing His attention primarily on the church in this dispensation of grace, God has not forgotten Israel and will one day restore Israel to His intended role as the nation He has chosen (Romans 11).
Israel and Replacement Theology Reliable Resources
