Are the promises and program of the nation of Israel earthly or heavenly?
Israel's promises and program are earthly, not heavenly. The nation is promised a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and one day a government. By contrast, the Body of Christ, the Church, is called out with heavenly promises and has no earthly promises.
Les teaches that there is nothing heavenly connected with the nation of Israel; it is all earthly. When the New Testament comes and the Body of Christ, or the Church, is in view, everything is heavenly, with no earthly promises. He describes two anti-climactic principles: with Israel everything is earthly, but when God sets Israel aside and calls out a heavenly people, it is all heavenly promises. Les emphasizes never losing sight that everything concerning Israel is earthly, while everything concerning the Body of Christ, Grace Age believers, is heavenly. He also notes Paul uses Abraham as an example of faith, appropriate for New Testament believers, even though Abraham is part of the Old Testament program; Abraham is genetically father of the Jewish people through Isaac, Jacob, and the twelve sons. After the Abrahamic covenant in chapter 12, God promises Israel a nation of people, a geographical area of land, and one day a government.