The New Wine System
Philip B. Brown ( www.newwine.org )

The New Wine System can be summarized simply by considering how a wise and loving Father raises his children. And of course we must remember that our Father in heaven is the most wise and the most loving of all possible fathers. Do we become a child of our Father by finding out about him and believing in him? Or do we become a child of our Father by simply being born as an infant baby? We don't have believe in or understand a father to have a Father. We are already His children because He made us.

It's true that Scripture speaks about us being "adopted" as sons of God. This is more about being "born again" into a spiritual body after we have matured in Christ at the time of the resurrection. But from the perspective of our present-day relationship with the heavenly Father, we are his children because the heavenly Father is Father of all. All are His creatures. He is the Creator. So from physical birth, we have been his children. The lost sheep are his children. And those who have professed faith and become found are also His children. Everyone is either lost of found. Everyone is a child of the Father.

Salvation has been given to everyone by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Does this mean everyone will inherit eternal life? No, because some will lose their salvation and will be tormented in the lake of fire. But what would it take for that to happen? What does it take for a child to lose his relationship with his loving Father? Can a five-year old tell his Father, "You are not my daddy!" The Father would gently correct him. Can a twelve-year old tell his Father, "I hate you! You are not my Father!" No, the Father would punish the rebellious teenager but he would still be a son to the Father. Can a thirty-year old man tell his Father, "You are not my Father?" At this stage, probably yes. The Father would reluctantly let his adult son go. And since that relationship was paid for by the death of Jesus Christ, the adult son would not be able to return. It would require the crucifixion of Christ all over again (Hebrews 6:4-6).

As we grow up, a loving Father very much desires that we become like Him. (And a loving son desires to imitate his Father.) God the Father very much desires that we become like is Son Christ Jesus. So we are commanded to take on a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ and we must learn to be exactly like Jesus. We must completely overcome all our sinful habits so that we are like Christ, who does not sin. We accomplish this by doing good works for our neighbors and for the kingdom of heaven that will be coming. Doing these good works serves to take our focus off ourselves and puts it on God and on our neighbors. When we do not focus on ourselves, we do not sin, because all sins are about self. This makes us become perfect, as the heavenly Father is perfect (Matt. 5:48). No loving farther would want us to do anything less. Our Father in heaven wants us to become perfect like he is perfect by overcoming all our sinful habits. And He will continue to discipline us as necessary for that to happen. All things are possible with the Father.

Nothing will stop this process from happening, not even death. With God, not even death is an obstacle. We die because of our sins. But Christ died in our place, and was resurrected. This paid the price for us to be resurrected, allowing God to continue to discipline us as necessary until we also become perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. In other words, all our sinful habits must be completely overcome. We must become like Christ, who does not sin.

Some people's hearts continue to be hardened, and continue in their disobedience to the Father, even to the point of death. But they will be resurrected at a time when Christ himself is reigning over the world. This will hopefully show them the truth about the loving Father, and their hearts will be unhardened. Some will never have had the opportunity to hear about Christ. They will get their chance. Others will have heard but will not have understood. Or perhaps they lived a life under the deceit of Satan. This includes all generations of all people living under other religions such as Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. But when Christ returns, Satan will be locked up so he can no longer deceive the Father's children. Most in the nations will respond and begin to mature in Christ. Those who do will inherit eternal life. Others will reject Christ's reign. Again, it will be like the thirty-year old telling his Father, "You are not my Father." It will be like telling Christ, "I don't want your salvation." They will die a second death, and will be tormented in the lake of fire.

When Christ returns to reign, who will reign with him? Who will help Christ in reigning as priests and kings over the nations, so that the Father's children can mature and become like the Father? Doesn't it need to be some of the Father's children who have already matured in a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ? Doesn't it need to be people who have already become perfect as the Father is perfect, so that they are like Christ? Doesn't it need to be people who have already overcome all their sinful habits? Of course! So the Father chooses (elects) some people he reveals His Son to, so that they devote their lives to serving Him in this age. Thus, by serving Christ in this age, they should be ready to reign with Christ in the age to come. They will be resurrected with spiritual bodies that cannot die because they are no longer under Christ's judgment. But the nations will be resurrected with natural bodies that can die again. They are still under judgment.

Of course few find the narrow gate into inheriting the kingdom and reigning with Christ. Many people falsely believe they are going through that narrow gate because they think it's just a gate of salvation. After all, they are not going to hell, it's reasoned. So they must have the narrow gate. But Christ died for everyone. The narrow gate is the gate of true discipleship, of serving the Father, and doing the will of the Father. It's a gate of completely overcome all sinful habits in one's life. It's a gate of becoming perfect as the Father is perfect. The wide gate leads to destruction. But it's not a destruction of one's soul. It's a destruction of property. It's a destruction of the house built on the sand instead of the Rock. It's the destruction of money and property made during this present age in a life of service to money instead of service to the Father.

The Resurrection of the Just and the Unjust

The wages of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life. In other words, Christ died and rose from death so that we can be raised from death even though we die because of our sins. This is what Christ purchased by dying on the cross. According to the following verses, both the just and the unjust will be resurrected. Would not the death of Christ pay for the resurrection of both the just and the unjust?

Daniel 12:1b-2 ESV But at that time your people shall be delivered [escape], everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. (2) And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Acts 24:15 ESV having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust.

In other words, what if the verses that say both the just and the unjust are to be resurrected are really true, without forcing the verse to say that the unjust are being resurrected in order to be condemned? If the unjust dead are already in hell, why will they be resurrected? The ancient Jews didn't believe that the dead go immediately to heaven or hell. According to ancient Jewish belief, they are asleep in Hades (which means the Grave) awaiting the resurrection. So the verses which speak of the resurrection of both the just and the unjust, interpreted in the context of ancient Jewish belief, would say the unjust will live again when the Messiah comes, in the age to come.

Also, consider the fact that in ancient Jewish culture, the king is the judge. In Old Testament times, Solomon was king over Israel. Yet Solomon judged cases such as when two women claimed the same baby, and Solomon ordered the baby to be cut in half to see which of the two women would give up the baby. She was the mother. The point being, in ancient Jewish culture, the king is the judge. So living under the Messianic reign was to live under Christ's judgment. With that in mind read the following passage.

In this context, these Jewish leaders are the wicked who do not hear the voice of Christ. They have eyes to see, but do not see. They have ears to hear, but do not hear. They see the miracles, but will not accept Christ. As you read this passage, don’t forget who the audience is. The audience is the Jewish leaders. The audience is the wicked.

John 5:16-30 For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. (17) But Jesus answered them, "My Father is still working, so I am working, too." (18) For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

(19) Jesus therefore answered them, "Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. (20) For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. (21) For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. (22) For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son, (23) that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn't honor the Son doesn't honor the Father who sent him.

(24) "Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word, and believes him who sent me, has eternal life, and doesn't come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (25) Most certainly, I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God's voice; and those who hear will live. (26) For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. (27) He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.

(28) Don't marvel at this, for the hour comes, in which all that are in the tombs will hear his voice, (29) and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. (30) I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is righteous; because I don't seek my own will, but the will of my Father who sent me.

The Jewish leaders were not willing to hear Christ’s voice. Thus, Jesus is saying that Jesus himself would condemn them. Jesus is not pronouncing condemnation on anybody else. Jesus is only addressing the Jewish leaders who were not willing to hear Christ’s voice, even a voice as strong as the miracles.

According to verse 25, only those who hear Christ's voice will be resurrected. Those who do not hear Christ's voice, such as the Jewish leaders to which Christ is speaking (verse 19), will not be resurrected. This happens in an hour that is coming according to verse 25. In that hour, according to verse 28, there will be two different resurrections. Verse 29 says that those who have done good will be raised to a resurrection of life. Verse 24 says they will not be under judgment. In other words, they will reign with Christ. They no longer need to be judged. Verse 29 says others who have done bad will be raised to a resurrection of judgment. They will be ruled over by those who are no longer under judgment.

The death of Christ on the cross paid the price for the resurrection of both the just and the unjust. In other words, everyone is saved. This puts everyone on a journey towards holiness. We must mature in Christ in order to complete that journey. But those who reject Christ's salvation will not be resurrected.

Jesus is the Savior of all people. Everyone who does not explicitly and knowingly reject that salvation will be saved. The fact that everyone is saved can be seen in all the following verses.

1 Timothy 4:10 KJV For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Does this verse say that Jesus is the Saviour of only the men who believe? Or does this verse say Jesus is the Saviour of all men, especially those who believe? How about this verse:

1 Corinthians 15:21-22 ESV For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

You see, I’m saved, you are saved, we all are saved. Everybody is saved. If you die in Adam, you will be made alive in Christ. Not just the believers. Here are more verses that say the same thing:

Romans 11:32 KJV For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

John 12:32 KJV And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

1 Timothy 2:3-6 KJV For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; (4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (5) For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; (6) Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

1 John 2:2 KJV And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Hebrews 2:9 KJV But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Luke 2:10-11 KJV And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (11) For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

John 6:33 KJV For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Titus 2:11 KJV For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

Titus 2:11 ESV For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; (15) and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Of course people have ways to force these verses into saying things that are not naturally being said. But doesn’t it make more sense to recognize there are two types of resurrections (for the just and the unjust), and thus two types of salvations? We are assured of salvation. But we are not assured of inheriting the kingdom. Jesus told his disciples (who are believers) to seek the kingdom of God. You can’t seek something that you already have.

Jesus paid the price for the resurrection of both the just and the unjust. The unjust will be given the opportunity to continue their journey back to the Father under Christ's reign (or judgment). Christ is the Saviour of the whole world, not just those who believe in this age. Those who believe in this age, and mature to holiness will no longer be under judgment. They will reign with Christ over the nations.

Revelation 2:26-27 NIV To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations-- (27) "He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'-- just as I have received authority from my Father.

But what happens if the resurrected unjust deliberately keep on sinning and wind up dying in their sins again? The wages of sin is death. What if they die a second death because of sin? Does the blood of Christ pay for a second resurrection? Consider the following verse:

Hebrews 6:4-6 ESV For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, (5) and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, (6) and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Hebrews 10:26-27 ESV For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, (27) but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Of course these verses in Hebrews are a warning to Christians today who have shared the Holy Spirit and tasted the heavenly gift. The entire book of Hebrews was written to some Christian Jews who were considering turning away from Christ back to Judaism. It's a warning that you can permanently lose your salvation if you deliberately reject Christ. But this doesn't happen overnight. It's not a weak moment. It's a deliberate and continuous rejection of Christ's salvation.

This verse in Hebrews is talking about those in this age, who deliberately keep on sinning after receiving the heavenly gift, the Holy Spirit, and the "powers of the age to come." Nevertheless, we can see from this verse that those who deliberately keep on sinning in the age to come will wind up dying the second death, and that it would be impossible to bring them back to repentance. It would require the crucifixion of Christ all over again.

Consider the idea that the entire Old Testament system of law, as given to Moses, was a shadow of the Messianic reign of Christ in the age to come. The Old Testament system of law was a theocracy. In other words, it was a government that was based on religion. Likewise, the world government of Christ's Messianic reign will also be a theocracy. It probably will not have all the same rules and regulations. But the Old Testament system of law was obviously a shadow of that which will come. The Son of David will reign over David's kingdom.

As you can hopefully see, the New Wine System is based on applying Old Testament Jewish eschatology to the New Testament Church. We read Scripture in the exact same way that the Jews read Scripture. The purpose of Israel was to bring the gospel to the nations by reigning over the nations when the Messiah comes. When we begin to read Scripture in the same way, applying this purpose to ourselves, we begin to interpret the Scripture in the exact same way as the ancient Jews interpreted Scripture. Those who are in the Messiah are Israel. The Messiah is Christ. Those who are in Christ are Israel. Thus, Israel is the Church.

Israel is the Church

Jesus said, "On this rock I will build my church." Does that mean Jesus was building a new thing other than Israel? The word “church” simply means “assembly.” That Greek word is used in the Septuagint in many places where you would see the word “assembly” in the Old Testament. So the “church,” as a concept, was not new with ancient Jews. Of course there is a new assembly of believers, who believe that Jesus is the Messiah (Christ). Jesus was just saying that upon Peter’s confession of Christ as the Messiah, that Jesus would build a new assembly of followers. This does not mean it’s not a part of Israel. As we will see, it’s actually the true Israel.

Galatians 3:28-29 ESV There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.

Ephesians 2:12-13 ESV remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Notice how Paul equates separation from the Messiah (Christ means Messiah) with being alienated from Israel. And notice how Paul says that we once were “strangers to the covenants of promise.” What is he talking about? God’s covenants with Israel! But now that we are in Christ, we are no longer strangers to the covenants of God’s promise to Israel. In Christ (Messiah), we become a part of Israel, so we are a part of those covenants.

The Church is Israel. But Israel is under a New Covenant. That makes the Church seem different from Old Testament Israel. But the New Covenant is not a covenant with “the Church.” It’s a covenant with “the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.”

Hebrews 8:8-13 ESV For he finds fault with them when he says: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (9) not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not continue in my covenant, and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord. (10) For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (11) And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. (12) For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more." (13) In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The author of Hebrews, here, is quoting Jeremiah 31:31. So you see, even the New Covenant is part of the Old Testament. And it’s a covenant with Israel. When the two houses (nations) are separated like that, Judah refers to the southern kingdom. They are the Jews which returned from Babylon. In this separation, Israel refers to the northern kingdom, which today are all Gentiles, scattered through all the nations.

James 1:1 ESV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

James’ letter is addressed to the twelve tribes, who are scattered in the nations. Yet James was writing to the Church. James was not addressing Jews, because they were not in the Dispersion. They had been gathered back to Jerusalem. James was addressing the twelve tribes, which would include the northern ten tribes. In doing so, James was addressing all those who are in the Messiah, which Christ calls his “Church”, which means “assembly.”

Consider what Paul said in Romans 9:6-7. In this context, Paul was agonizing over the fact that Israel, his own people, had rejected the Messiah. Basically, he thinks, that would be impossible. How can Israel reject the Messiah? Is not Israel those who believe in the coming Messiah?

Romans 9:6-7 ESV But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, (7) and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."

“Not all Israel is Israel.” How can Israel not be itself? The context of the passage is Paul asking the question, Why did Israel reject the Messiah? How is that possible? Did God’s word fail? If Israel rejected the Messiah, then it cannot be Israel !!! So only those who did not reject the Messiah are really Israel. This makes the definition of Israel be those who are in Christ (the Messiah).

This same discussion (or context) goes on for three chapters. Paul continues in chapter 9 by examining the issue of election. Israel is the elect. Israel is God’s chosen people. (The Church is also God’s chosen people – the elect. Romans 9 is a major chapter used by Calvinists to argue salvation election. Yet Romans 9 uses Old Testament patriarchs as an example of this same election. The elect are those elected to reign over the nations with the Messiah when he comes. Paul concludes that not all of Abraham’s natural descendents are really Israel. This creates a situation were sometimes the word Israel is used to mean Old Covenant Israel and sometimes it’s used to mean New Covenant Israel. Old Covenant Israel are those who believed in the coming Messiah, before he came. New Covenant Israel, of course, are those who actually did believe in the Messiah when he came.

Then Paul continues his discussion with issues about salvation. Israel’s purpose was to bring the gospel of Christ’s salvation to the nations.

Later, in chapter 11, Paul talks about being grafted into the vine. What is the vine? In context, the vine is Israel. The olive tree, in the Old Testament, is symbolic of Israel. Natural branches are removed from the vine of Israel. They are called natural branches because they have the knowledge and the covenants. (This goes back to first of chapter 9 where Paul first addresses the problem of Israel rejecting the Messiah.) The Gentiles are called “wild branches”. They didn’t have this knowledge, yet surprisingly they accepted the Messiah. But the olive tree itself is Israel. We are grafted into Israel. So we are Israel. Finally, Paul concludes by saying:

Romans 11:25 NIV I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.

In context, what are the Gentiles coming into? By the context of the verse itself, the Gentiles are coming into Israel. This is also the context of the vine (a few verses up), and of the entire discussion of chapters 9-11. When the full number of Gentiles have come into the vine of Israel, the Jews will be unhardened. This ties back to Paul’s original issue of why Israel had rejected the Messiah.

There are other Scriptural reasons why Israel is the Church. There are many Old Testament quotes in the New Testament about Israel, quotes which were applied directly to the Church. In other words, the New Testament writers wrote about the Church using the Scripture of their day that spoke about Israel. It seems to strongly indicate they believed the Church to be Israel. For example:

1 Peter 2:9-10 ESV But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Consider what Peter was quoting:

Exodus 19:5-6 ESV Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; (6) and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

Is there any doubt that Peter considered his audience to be the people of Israel?

Romans 9:23-26 applies Hosea 1:10 to the Church.

Romans 9:23-26 and that he might make known the riches of his glory on vessels of mercy, which he prepared beforehand for glory, (24) us, whom he also called, not from the Jews only, but also from the Gentiles? (25) As he says also in Hosea, "I will call them 'my people,' which were not my people; and her 'beloved,' who was not beloved." (26) "It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.' "

Acts 15:14-18 applies Amos 9:11 to the Church.

Acts 15:14-18 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name. (15) This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, (16) 'After these things I will return. I will again build the tabernacle of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up, (17) That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things. (18) All his works are known to God from eternity.'

Acts 2:1,16-21 applies Joel 2:28-32 to the Church.

Acts 2:16-21 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel: (17) 'It will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. (18) Yes, and on my servants and on my handmaidens in those days, I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy. (19) I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. (20) The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. (21) It will be, that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.'

The Church is referred to as the Bride of Christ (Mat. 9:15, 22:1-14, 25:1-13, Mark 2:19-20, Luke 5:34-35, John 3:29, Rev. 19:7, 21:2, 21:9, 22:17). The wedding banquet includes Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Mat. 8:10-13, Luke 13:28-29.) In the Old Testament, Israel is the Bride of Yahweh (Ezekiel 16). To get around this, some Dispensationalists have even argued there are two Brides. One Bride is for Christ and one Bride is for the Father. The Bride of Christ remains in heaven with the Father, and the Bride of the Father remains on earth with Christ, according to the theory. But with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remaining in heaven, they would not be a part of the Bride called Israel which is described in Ezekiel 16. Other dispensationalists (ultra-dispensationalists) have instead said that the Church is not the bride, but is only the body. In other words, the Bride of Christ imagery causes lots of problems for dispensationalists when arguing that Israel is not the Church. Bottom line is that there is only one Bride, and it’s the Bride of Christ. This includes the Bride of Ezekiel 16, making Israel be the Church.

Jeremiah 3:14 NIV "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband. I will choose you-- one from a town and two from a clan-- and bring you to Zion.

When New Testament authors spoke about the Church, they quoted Old Testament prophecies about Israel. When we observe this, there should be two conclusions. The first conclusion should be that the Church is Israel. The second conclusion should be that Old Testament promises will continue to be fulfilled in the Church.

Romans 9:6-8 ESV But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, (7) and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." (8) This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

More verses to ponder:

Matthew 3:9-10 Don't think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (10) "Even now the axe lies at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't bring forth good fruit is cut down, and cast into the fire.

Matthew 8:10-13 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and said to those who followed, "Most certainly I tell you, I haven't found so great a faith, not even in Israel. (11) I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, (12) but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (13) Jesus said to the centurion, "Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed." His servant was healed in that hour.

Luke 13:16 Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?"

Luke 13:28-29 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrown outside. (29) They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in the Kingdom of God.

Luke 19:8-9 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much." (9) Jesus said to him, "Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.

John 8:39-41 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. (40) But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham didn't do this. (41) You do the works of your father." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God."

John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn't stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and its father.

John 8:52-53 Then the Jews said to him, "Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets; and you say, 'If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.' (53) Are you greater than our father, Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?"

John 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it, and was glad." (57) The Jews therefore said to him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have you seen Abraham?" (58) Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."

Romans 9:3-8 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brothers' sake, my relatives according to the flesh, (4) who are Israelites; whose is the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service, and the promises; (5) of whom are the fathers, and from whom is Christ as concerning the flesh, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen. (6) But it is not as though the word of God has come to nothing. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel. (7) Neither, because they are Abraham's seed, are they all children. But, "In Isaac will your seed be called." (8) That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as a seed.

Romans 10:12-13 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. (13) For, "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."

Colossians 3:9-11 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, (10) and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, (11) where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

Galatians 3:16-18 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ. (17) Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect. (18) For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no more of promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by promise.

Galatians 3:26-28 For you are all children of God, through faith in Christ Jesus. (27) For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (28) There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:29 - 4:1 NIV If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (4:1) What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.

Acts 10:45-47 NIV The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. (46) For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, (47) "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have."

(Why were they astonished?)

Ephesians 2:11-13 NIV Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)— (12) remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. (13) But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus through the Good News.

Ephesians 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling; (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all.

Ephesians 4:25 NIV Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

James 1:1 NIV James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Revelation 2:26-27 He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. (27) He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:

(This verse in Revelation is part of a letter to a Gentile church. According to this verse, who rules in the millennium? Who did the ancient Jews believe would rule in the Messianic age?)

Revelation 21:10-13 He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, (11) having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; (12) having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. (13) On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

(There are no gates into the New Jerusalem for Gentiles.)

Now let me turn it around. Is there any evidence, especially using the word “Israel,” that Israel is not the Church?

Is This Replacement Theology?

When one says that Israel is the Church, many people automatically say this is "replacement theology" and thus automatically dismiss the New Wine System. But what is replacement theology?

Actually, the term "replacement theology" seems to be a term used by dispensationalists to argue against the theology. The term used by advocates of this position would generally be covenant theologians. Before dispensationalism came along in 1830, the majority of the people in the Protestant Church were amillennial, and thus would have advocated covenant theology. Thus, Luther and Calvin would have been advocates of replacement theology. The Catholic doctrines are also understood to be a form of replacement theology. Today, the Vatican would probably not consider the nation of Israel, since 1948, to be a part of the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.

Advocates of replacement theology would say the church has replaced Israel in God’s plan. They believe the Jews have been rejected as God’s chosen people and that the nation of Israel, which formed in 1948, is not part of God's plan. Replacement theology teaches that the Old Testament promises made to Israel are fulfilled in the Church, especially in the first coming of Christ. In order to do this, Old Testament prophecies about the re-gathering of Israel become allegorized as the formation of the Church. When Christ said to Peter, "On this rock I will build my Church," was Christ replacing Israel with the Church? Or was Christ building a "parenthesis" plan until God returned his attention back to Israel? The New Wine System would say neither is true.

To understand this better, let's focus our attention on a verse that replacement theologians could easily embrace. Paul was agonizing over the fact that Israel has rejected the Messiah. How could this be? Had God's word failed? How could Israel reject their own Messiah?

Romans 9:1-5 ESV I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit-- (2) that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. (3) For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. (4) They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. (5) To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Paul answers his dilemma by saying that not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. We looked at these verses in the last section to see why the Church is Israel. But now we need to look at them again and see how replacement theologians might view these verses, and how that differs from the New Wine System.

Replacement theologians might say that God has rejected the Jews as a chosen people. Therefore, Paul is redefining the term "Israel". It's no longer the physical offspring of Abraham. Those who are in Christ become the "spiritual" descendents of Abraham. Thus the definition of Israel has changed.

But how would such an interpretation solve Paul's dilemma? Does redefining a term make it so that God's word did not fail? If the word "Israel" before meant Jews, but now means those who are in Christ, the changing of the definition of the word is simply a slick way to mask the failure of God's word.

Or is this a straw man's argument? Would covenant theologians or Catholics really say that the definition of the word Israel has changed? Probably not. And yet the examination of this straw man's argument brings out an important point. Israel was never simply the Jews. The true meaning of Israel has always been God's people who will reign over the nations (Gentiles) when the Messiah comes. By that very definition, the true Israel must be those who belong to the Messiah. Since the Messiah is Jesus Christ, then the true Israel must be those who belong to Christ.

Galatians 3:28-29 NIV There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (29) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

To what promises are those in Christ heirs? Look back to Romans 9:4, quoted above. It's the Old Testament promises that were given to Paul's people, the Jews. It's the promises that were given to Israel. So let's look back at the original question. When Christ said to Peter, "On this rock I will build my Church," was Christ replacing Israel with the Church? Or was Christ building a "parenthesis" plan until God returned his attention back to Israel? The answer is that neither is true.

The promises that were given to Abraham are for Israel. But true Israel is more than simply the Jews. At the same time, true Israel includes the Jews. There is nether Jew nor Greek. If you belong to Christ, then you are Israel. But Israel has two major parts: The northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. In other words, Israel is both Judah and Ephraim. The Jews (southern kingdom) are Judah.

Israel is those who are in Christ (Messiah) prior to the Messianic age. It matters not if they are Jew or Gentile. If you are in the vine of Israel, then you are Israel. And not all of Abraham's seed are Abraham's children. As Jews come into the vine, they become a part of Israel. As Gentiles come into the vine, they become part of Israel. But Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of Gentiles have come into the vine. That part which is hardened is the Jews.

The fact that there is a full number of Gentiles in Israel means that the Jews in Jerusalem will be the last to come into the vine of Israel. Once Christ returns, we have the resurrection. Since there are two types of resurrections, then at that point, there is a judgment to determine who is in the final numbers of Israel, and who remains in the nations (Gentiles.)

People in the nations (Gentiles) can still inherit eternal life. But they will miss out on wedding banquet. So they are not a part of the Bride of Christ, which is Israel. The doors are shut, and no more can get into the wedding banquet to be a part of Israel.

Gentiles who are grafted in can be thought of as the northern kingdom of Israel. Jews are Judah, the southern kingdom.

The word "Gentile" means nations. Those in the nations who have not been grafted into the vine of Israel are still simply Gentiles. During the reign of the Messiah, Israel rules over the nations. But the nations (Gentiles) can still be saved.

The Jews of the Israel since 1948 are just that: They are Jews. But as Paul said: Not all Israel is Israel (Romans 9:6). They are Jews. But if you are not in Christ, you are not really a part of the true Israel.

Next, we need to look further into the difference between the Jewish and the Gentile part of Israel. The Jews are the southern kingdom of Judah. The Gentiles in Christ are the northern kingdom of Israel. The northern kingdom does not "replace" the southern kingdom. Both will be brought together as one kingdom when Christ returns.

The Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel

After the reign of Solomon, God split the twelve tribes of Israel into two separate kingdoms (1 Kings 11:30-12:33). The southern kingdom was the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The northern kingdom consisted of the other ten tribes. The southern kingdom was known as the house of Judah. The northern kingdom was known as Ephraim or simply the house of Israel.

The northern kingdom was scattered by Assyria to all the nations in 772 BC. They were never re-gathered. The southern kingdom was scattered to Babylon in 586 BC for 70 years. They were re-gathered back to Jerusalem until they were again scattered to all the nations in 70 AD. But they maintained their culture and today are the Jews. In other words, the Jews at the time of Christ were mostly the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. There were also some Levi. The word Jew comes from the word Judah. The northern kingdom did not maintain their culture. Today, their bloodlines have been scattered all over the world. And yet God has promised that he will gather the people from the nations. God has promised that the two kingdoms will become one, to be ruled over by Christ in the Messianic age to come.

Jeremiah 3:6-25 ESV The LORD said to me in the days of King Josiah: "Have you seen what she did, that faithless one, Israel, how she went up on every high hill and under every green tree, and there played the whore? (7) And I thought, 'After she has done all this she will return to me,' but she did not return, and her treacherous sister Judah saw it. (8) She saw that for all the adulteries of that faithless one, Israel, I had sent her away with a decree of divorce. Yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but she too went and played the whore. (9) Because she took her whoredom lightly, she polluted the land, committing adultery with stone and tree. (10) Yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense, declares the LORD." (11) And the LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel has shown herself more righteous than treacherous Judah. (12) Go, and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, "'Return, faithless Israel, declares the LORD. I will not look on you in anger, for I am merciful, declares the LORD; I will not be angry forever. (13) Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD. (14) Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. (15) "'And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. (16) And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, "The ark of the covenant of the LORD." It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again. (17) At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. (18) In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage. (19) "'I said, How I would set you among my sons, and give you a pleasant land, a heritage most beautiful of all nations. And I thought you would call me, My Father, and would not turn from following me. (20) Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the LORD.'" (21) A voice on the bare heights is heard, the weeping and pleading of Israel's sons because they have perverted their way; they have forgotten the LORD their God. (22) "Return, O faithless sons; I will heal your faithlessness." "Behold, we come to you, for you are the LORD our God. (23) Truly the hills are a delusion, the orgies on the mountains. Truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel. (24) "But from our youth the shameful thing has devoured all for which our fathers labored, their flocks and their herds, their sons and their daughters. (25) Let us lie down in our shame, and let our dishonor cover us. For we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even to this day, and we have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God."

Here we can see that the northern kingdom (Israel) will join the southern kingdom (the Jews). This is in the Messianic age to come. But the northern kingdom has be scattered all over the world. They no longer have distinctive cultural identity. And yet the northern kingdom is just as much a part of Israel, the children of Abraham, as the Jews. But not all Israel is Israel. The true Israel are those who are in Christ, the Messiah. In order for the two kingdoms to be joined with the southern kingdom, both must be united in Christ Jesus.

What part of Israel is hardened? Judah is hardened. But salvation has come to the Gentiles in order to make Judah envious (Romans 11:11,14). The Gentiles are being grafted into the vine of Israel, which means that those grafted in are part of the true Israel.

So over the centuries since Christ's first coming, Gentiles (and some Jews) have been grafted into the vine of Israel. But Israel is only the northern kingdom (Gentiles) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Before Christ set's up his earthly reign, the southern kingdom of Judah (Jews) will be unhardened. At that time, after the 1260 days the two witnesses preach, the remnant of the coming earthquake in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:13) will turn to Jesus as Messiah and give glory to the Father. Judah will be unhardened again, as Paul prophecies. Then ALL Israel will be joined. And ALL Israel will reign with Christ over the nations in the millennium.

That's the purpose of Israel, both Jewish and Gentile. Israel (both Jew and Gentile) must reign with Christ over the nations. But Israel is not the only ones who will be saved. Israel (which is the Church) is the firstfruits of the harvest (James 1:18). We are just the tip of the iceberg as to the full number of people who will be saved. But to reign with Christ, we must have already matured in a discipleship relationship with Jesus Christ. To reign with Christ we must have already become perfect as the Father is perfect, so that we like Christ. To reign with Christ, we must already have overcome all our sinful habits!

Quick Summary of the New Wine System

The gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come (Mat. 24:14). The gospel (good news) of the kingdom is that anyone can choose to completely overcome sin (all sinful habits), which is to be completely sanctified (1 Thess. 5:23), through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. No one who abides in Christ keeps on sinning (1 John 3:6), because in Christ there is no sin. No one born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God (1 John 3:9).

But what about the people who fall short of this goal? What about people who die before they have overcome every sinful habit? Does death change us and remove all sin? No verse of Scripture says this.

Traditional Christian doctrine is based on the two-type system of everyone going to either heaven or hell immediately after death. This is Greek thinking. Children are taught this, and every verse of the New Testament is interpreted in this context. The resurrection becomes simply a time when the righteous get better bodies and the wicked are judged. It's not when they become alive again.

The ancient Jews, however, did not believe this. The Old Testament teaches that both the righteous and the wicked sleep in Sheol (the grave) until the resurrection, at which time they become alive again. This allows for more than two types of people to be in the grave. Ancient Jews believed in three types: (1) The chosen people of Israel, (2) righteous Gentiles, (3) and the wicked. The New Wine System interprets the New Testament based on this Old Testament context. The New Wine System applies Old Testament Jewish eschatology to the New Testament Church.

Salvation is a journey to holiness, by faith in Jesus Christ, who is the Savior of all people, especially those who believe (1 Tim. 4:10). For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22). Therefore, everyone is saved by Christ's death on the cross, even if they are not Christian. But without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14). Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Mat. 5:48). Jesus is the road, the truth, and the life. No one journeys all the way to the Father except through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Death, however, is not the end of the journey.

The wise (Dan. 12:3,10, Mat. 7:24, 25:2) complete their journey in this age (1 Thess. 5:23). They are the saints, which means holy ones. They are the elect in both Old Testament and New. They are the Bride of Christ. They are the firstfruits of the harvest (2 Thess. 2:13, James 1:18). They will be resurrected with immortal bodies (1 Cor. 15:50), and will inherit the kingdom, when Christ returns. The saints will no longer be under judgment (John 5:24). They will reign as kings and priests over the nations (Rev. 2:26, 5:10, 20:6), here on earth (Mat. 5:5), leading the nations to righteousness (Dan 12:3).

The foolish, (Mat. 7:26, 25:2) still have sinful habits when they die. This includes believers as well as lost sheep. But all of Christ's sheep, both the just and the unjust (Acts 24:15), hear his voice (John 10:16, 27). They will hear Christ's voice from the tombs and be resurrected with mortal bodies to continue their journey of salvation to holiness (John 5:28-29). They will still be under judgment (John 5:28-29). They are saved, but they will not inherit the kingdom (1 Co. 6:9, Gal 5:21). During the millennial reign of Christ's kingdom, some will be led to righteousness (Dan. 12:3) and will receive eternal life. But others will become wicked (Rev 20:7-9), and will die the second death (Rev. 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, 21:8).

The wicked (Dan. 12:10, Mat. 24:48, 25:26) are those who harden their hearts and can no longer hear the voice of Christ (Heb. 3:7, 15, 4:7), as in taking the mark of the beast (Rev. 14:9-11). They forfeit their salvation (Mat. 12:31, Heb. 6:4-6). They will not be resurrected. Today, the dead are asleep (John 11:11, Acts 7:60, 13:36, 1 Cor. 15:6) in hades. But after the millennial reign of Christ, the wicked will come to life and be thrown in to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:5, 14), which is hell-fire (gehenna). The smoke of their torment will go up forever and ever, and they will have no rest, day or night (Rev. 14:11).

If you want to be invited to the wedding banquet, if you want Jesus to say he knows you when he returns (Mat. 25:12, 7:23), if you want to be in the Bride of Christ, if you want to be a part of the true Israel that will have authority over the nations when Christ returns (Rev. 2:26), then you must repent and seek Christ's help to completely overcome all (100%) of the sinful habits in your life. Because, without holiness no one will see the Lord (Heb. 12:14).

Overcome sin, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!