The Bible describes the Church and Israel as two distinct entities with different relationships with God: the Church is the heavenly, virgin bride of Christ, while Israel is the earthly, adulterous but restored wife of Jehovah.
Scripture presents Israel as the earthly covenant people of God, often pictured as the wife of Jehovah, and the Church as a heavenly body of believers joined to Christ, depicted as His virgin bride. Les Feldick emphasizes this distinction, noting that Israel's promises are earthly while the Church's are heavenly. Both are part of God's plan but with separate roles and destinies.
Ephesians 5:23 — Shows Christ as head of the church, His body, establishing a marital analogy.
Hosea 2:19-20 — Illustrates Israel as God's wife, betrothed in righteousness, despite her unfaithfulness.
The Old Testament portrays Israel as the wife of Jehovah, a people chosen for an earthly relationship with God (Hosea 1-3). She is depicted as unfaithful, but God promises restoration (Hosea 2:19-20). The New Testament introduces the Church as the Body of Christ, a separate entity of believers, both Jew and Gentile, with a heavenly calling (Ephesians 1:22-23; 2:11-22). The Church is described as a virgin bride, espoused to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2). Scripture distinguishes their positions: Israel's promises are earthly, while the Church's are heavenly (Ephesians 2:6).
Les Feldick teaches that the Church and Israel are distinct in God's program, with Israel's relationship to God being earthly and the Church's being heavenly. He uses the analogy of Hosea's marriage to illustrate Israel's unfaithfulness and eventual restoration, while the Church is presented as the virgin bride of Christ, a unique body of believers that includes both Gentiles and some Jews. Les stresses that the Church did not replace Israel; rather, God has a separate plan for each. He also notes that Old Testament believers will not be part of the Body of Christ, which is a distinct entity for the present age.
Israel's role is earthly, as the covenant people under God's sovereign thumb, with earthly promises (Clip 6). The Church's role is heavenly, with all promises heavenly, as the Body of Christ (Clip 5). Les emphasizes that Israel will not attain to the same position as the Church, which enjoys a unique relationship as children of God and co-heirs with Christ (Clip 2).
The Old Testament depicts Israel as the wife of Jehovah, unfaithful like Hosea's wife, but destined for restoration (Clip 1). The Church is described as the virgin bride of Christ, with Paul admonishing purity and separation because believers are not to be the adulterous wife (Clip 3). This distinction is terminological, not literal, and does not imply bigamy.
Les believes that Old Testament believers, like Israel, will not be members of the Body of Christ; that is a unique relationship for church-age believers (Clip 7). Old Testament saints will be resurrected at the end of Daniel's 1,335 days, after the kingdom is established (Clip 0).
Old Testament Saints Resurrection
Les explains that Old Testament saints, like Daniel, will be resurrected after the kingdom is established, distinct from Church-age believers who are already present with the Lord.
Hosea as Picture of Israel
Les uses Hosea's marriage to an unfaithful wife to illustrate Israel's adulterous relationship with God and eventual restoration.
Church's Unique Position
Les teaches that the Church has a position that Israel will never attain, being children of God and co-heirs with Christ.
Bride of Christ and Purity
Les highlights that the Church is the virgin bride of Christ, called to purity, unlike Israel who was the adulterous wife of Jehovah.
No Gentile Bride in Old Testament
Les notes that the Old Testament never hints at a Gentile bride; Israel is consistently the wife of Jehovah.
Earthly vs Heavenly
Les contrasts Israel's earthly promises with the Church's heavenly promises, clarifying the two distinct programs.
Abraham’s Test of Faith: Why God Asked for Isaac – Bible Study
And what does the Scripture say? They were a grief of mind to Isaac and Rebekah because Esau had married Canaanite women. So keep all these things in your perspective of Scripture because now, you see, God is preparing everything for the covenant people of Israel, and He's just got them under His thumb. And that's the way I like to look at the nation of Israel today. They're there in unbelief.
Old Testament Believers Not in Body
Les believes Old Testament believers are not part of the Body of Christ, which is unique to the Church age.
Ephesians 5:23: For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
This verse establishes Christ as the head of the Church, His body, and introduces the marriage analogy.
Hosea 2:19-20: And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.
God promises to restore Israel as His wife despite her unfaithfulness, illustrating His enduring covenant.
Ephesians 1:22-23: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Shows the Church as the body of Christ, distinct from Israel.
2 Corinthians 11:2: For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
Paul describes the Church as a virgin bride, emphasizing purity.
No. The Bible distinguishes the Church as the Body of Christ with heavenly promises, while Israel is the earthly covenant people with earthly promises. Les Feldick teaches that Israel and the Church are separate entities in God's program.
Yes. Israel is pictured as the wife of Jehovah, unfaithful but eventually restored, while the Church is the virgin bride of Christ. Les emphasizes that Israel's relationship is earthly, whereas the Church's is heavenly.
According to Les Feldick, no. Old Testament saints are not part of the Body of Christ; they will be resurrected after the kingdom is established, as seen in Daniel 12.
Watch the Teaching: When Will Old Testament Saints Rise? Daniel 12 Explained: