The Church grew rapidly in numbers and, influenced by Constantine's acceptance, many entered in large crowds, leading to a shift in theological perspective on Israel.
After Constantine embraced Christianity, the Church experienced rapid growth as Christianity became the accepted religion of the empire. This growth led some church fathers, including Origen, to conclude that God was finished with Israel and that the promises to Israel were transferred to the Church. This replacement theology removed the basis for end-time prophecy, setting aside references to prophecy directed to Israel.
Romans 11:25 — Paul reveals that a partial blindness has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, which relates to the church age and later restoration.
The Bible shows that Israel was set aside temporarily due to their rejection of the Messiah, but God promises to restore them. Romans 11:25-26 says, 'For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.' This indicates Israel's setting aside is not permanent and a future restoration is expected. Furthermore, the Abrahamic covenant promised the land to Israel as an everlasting possession (Genesis 17:8), which remains yet to be fully fulfilled in the Kingdom. The Bible records the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. as a result of Israel's rejection (Matthew 23:37-38, Luke 19:41-44), but it also promises the re-gathering of Israel in the last days (Ezekiel 37). The New Testament clearly distinguishes between the church, which is the body of Christ, and Israel. The church is a mystery revealed through Paul (Ephesians 3:3-6), and prophecy is primarily directed to Israel, not the church. The Bible does not teach the replacement of Israel by the church; rather, it shows God's continued plan for His chosen people.
Les Feldick explains that after Constantine embraced Christianity, the Church experienced rapid growth as many entered it because it was the accepted thing to do. This growth led to a change in theology, notably with Origen at a seminary in Alexandria, Egypt, who concluded that God was finished with the Jewish people. Origen believed the promises to Israel were canceled and transferred to the Church. Les emphasizes that this replacement theology removed the basis for end-time prophecy, because prophecy is directed solely to the Jew. With Israel set aside, references to prophecy were ignored. However, Les teaches that God is not through with Israel; they have been set aside for a time but will be restored in the future. He points to the regathering of Israel in modern times as evidence that God's prophetic plan for them is still active. Les also highlights that this wrong view of Israel led to persecution of the Jews throughout church history, as Christians accused them of being 'Christ killers.' He stresses that such actions were not God's intention but rather a human reaction to circumstances.
After Constantine made Christianity the favored religion, large crowds entered the church, leading to a rapid increase in numbers. This growth, coupled with the destruction of the temple and the scattering of the Jews, led church fathers like Origen to conclude that God had abandoned Israel. They believed that the promises to Israel were now transferred to the Church, thus diminishing the relevance of Israel in God's plan. This view, known as replacement theology, became prevalent and persisted through the Reformation, as seen in the anti-Semitic attitudes of some Reformers.
Since Bible prophecy is primarily directed to Israel, when the Church replaced Israel, the foundation for end-time prophecy was removed. Thus, many Christians began to de-emphasize or spiritualize prophetic passages, treating them as allegory instead of literal future events. Les Feldick emphasizes that the Bible clearly teaches that God is not finished with Israel, and He will one day restore them to the land, fulfilling all the promises made to Abraham and the nation of Israel.
Future Restoration of Israel
Les points out that God has given the land to Israel and will fulfill His promise in the future Kingdom, showing that God is not finished with Israel.
Israel's Setting Aside and Prophecy
Les explains that after Israel's rejection, God set them aside, and the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. led to a long dispersion, but he emphasizes that prophecy is not directed to the church.
PermissionError
Les notes that about 90% of Christendom believes God transferred Israel's promises to the church, but he refutes this by pointing to the Bible's clear teaching.
Israel's Rejection and Dispersion
Les details how Israel's rejection of the King and Kingdom led to their destruction and dispersion in 70 A.D., which set the stage for the church age.
The Righteousness of God Without the Law Explained
And then finally, prophecy was fulfilled to a great degree when Christ came the first time. That was prophecy. Everything had been foretold, every jot and tittle was fulfilled concerning His first coming, and then Israel under Peter and the eleven continued to reject all these offers, and when Israel was just seemingly going further and further away, God did something that even the Jew couldn't un…
God's Continuing Covenant with Israel
Les stresses that despite most of Christendom setting Israel aside, the Bible is adamant that God will bring them back and pick up where He left off.
Biblical Timeline: Creation to Christ's Kingdom!
But, you see, even though Satan may have thought that he had won the victory here, he may have thought he was close to destroying everything that was prophesied through the nation of Israel here, yet just shortly before 70 A.D., when the temple is destroyed, but sometime before that, God raises up the other apostle, the apostle Paul, and now through his preaching of the gospel of the grace of God,…
Persecution of Jews in 'Christian' Empires
Les shows that once Christianity became the empire religion, Jews faced persecution and were killed because they were labeled 'Christ killers,' contrary to God's intended purpose.
Romans 11:25: For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
This verse reveals that Israel's blindness is temporary and that after the fullness of the Gentiles, Israel will be restored.
Genesis 17:8: And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.
God's promise of the land to Israel as an everlasting possession shows that He has not forgotten His people.
Romans 11:26: And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
This confirms that Israel will be saved in the future, contradicting the idea that God has permanently replaced them with the church.
Les taught that after Constantine embraced Christianity, the Church experienced rapid growth as many people joined because it was socially acceptable. This growth led to a shift in theology, with some church fathers concluding that God had abandoned Israel and transferred the promises to the Church.
No. Les taught that God has not permanently replaced Israel with the Church. He emphasized that Israel was set aside temporarily due to their rejection, but God will restore them and fulfill His promises in the future.
Les explained that since most prophecy is directed to Israel, when the Church adopted replacement theology, they lost the basis for understanding end-time prophecy. Thus, many ignored or spiritualized prophetic passages.
Watch the Teaching: Pre-Trib vs. Amillennialism: What the Bible Really Says