Israel and the Transition to Spiritual Peoplehood

The Jewish nation ceased to be God’s chosen people as a national body following their persistent rejection of the gospel, a process that culminated after the crucifixion of Christ and the subsequent persecution of His messengers, such as StephenCOL 308.2+2. While God had long-sufferingly extended their period of probation and offered them every possible heavenly gift, their ultimate refusal to bear the fruits of righteousness led to the kingdom being given to a spiritual nation composed of both Jews and Gentiles who keep His commandmentsCOL 218.1+3.

🏛️ The Transition from a National to a Spiritual House

For centuries, Israel was the chosen depositary of God's holy law and the intended light of the world7MR 333.2+2. However, this status was conditional upon their obedience to the national constitution God had providedARSH November 18, 1858, page 205.23+1.

• A Final Opportunity: Following Christ’s ascension, the gospel was preached first in Jerusalem with the power of the Holy Spirit to give the nation a final opportunity to repentCOL 218.1+1.

• The Rejection of the Son: The parable of the vineyard illustrates that after the husbandmen killed the prophets and finally the beloved Son, the vineyard was taken from them and let out to other husbandmen Matthew 21:33-43DA 596.3+1.

• The Stoning of Stephen: The martyrdom of Stephen and James represented the nation’s scornful rejection of the offer of pardon, leading to the "great persecution" that scattered the church Acts 8:1COL 308.2.

• The End of the Prophetic Period: The 490-year period allotted to the Jewish nation, stretching from 457 B.C. to 34 A.D., concluded with the turning of the apostles to the Gentiles Daniel 9:24-27HBS 21.5.

🌳 The Spiritual Israel and the New Covenant

The privileges once held by the literal nation of Israel have been incorporated into the new covenant made with the "spiritual house of Israel"ARSH November 18, 1858, page 205.23+1.

• A New Commonwealth: Those who were once "aliens from the commonwealth of Israel" are now made "fellow-citizens with the saints" through the blood of Christ Ephesians 2:12-192T 330.1+1.

• The Olive Tree: Unbelieving Jews were broken off from the "good olive tree" due to unbelief, while Gentiles were "grafted in" by faith to partake of the root Romans 11:17-23WDUS 89.6.

• Character over Lineage: God’s chosen ones are now defined as a "commandment-keeping people" who show forth a transcript of His character to the world 1 Peter 2:91888 129.4+1.

⏳ Individual Probation and Mercy

Although the Jewish nation as a national entity lost its peculiar standing, the door of mercy remains open for every individual during their personal time of probation4BC 1143.7+2.

• No Second Trial: Probation is an individual work of character building that takes place now, and once it ends—either at death or when Christ leaves the heavenly sanctuary—there is no second trialFW 43.3+2.

• Repentance is a Gift: Christ continues to offer repentance and forgiveness of sins to all who seek Him, as there is no difference between Jew and Gentile in the work of the Redeemer Acts 5:311SM 391.1+1.

• The Promise of Restoration: All who believe in Christ and keep His commandments are considered the "true Israel of God" and will receive the eternal inheritance promised to the fathers Revelation 22:14ARSH February 1851, page 47.4+1.