God promised Israel a nation, a land, and a king—the Messiah—with an everlasting kingdom.
In the Abrahamic covenant, God promised to make Israel a nation, give them a land, and provide a government with God Himself as King in the person of the Messiah. The Old Testament also promised that the Redeemer would come to Zion, that God's Spirit and words would not depart from Israel's seed, and that Israel would receive a King and Kingdom after tribulation. Though Israel rejected the King at His first coming, God has not forgotten these promises and they await fulfillment at His return.
Isaiah 59:20 — Promises that the Redeemer will come to Zion and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, directly addressing Israel's promised redemption.
Isaiah 9:6 — Promises that a Son would be given whose shoulder would bear the government, revealing Israel's promised King and Messiah.
The Old Testament reveals God's covenant promises to Israel. Isaiah 59:20 declares, 'And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.' Verse 21 continues, 'As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.' God also promised Israel a role as a light to the Gentiles. Isaiah 49:6 says, 'I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.' And Isaiah 9:6 promises, 'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'
Les Feldick teaches that the Abrahamic covenant is the foundation of Israel's promises. Within that covenant there are three basic premises: God would make Israel a nation, give them a geographical area of land, and provide a government over them—not an ordinary government, but God Himself becoming their King in the person of the Messiah, the Christ. This is why Jesus is called the King of Israel in Matthew. Les also emphasizes that all the Old Testament promises were made to Israel, and the Church was never in view. The Old Testament prophecies spoke of Christ coming as King, a tribulation period, and then the King and the Kingdom. Israel rejected the King, so the tribulation and Kingdom were postponed, but God has not forgotten His promises and Jesus will return. Les also highlights specific promises: the Redeemer will come to Zion, God's Spirit and words will remain with Israel's seed forever, and when Christ returns, the New Covenant will become a reality—God will write His commandments on the hearts of the remnant of Israel, and the nation will be born in a day.
In the Abrahamic covenant, God made three basic promises to Israel: they would become a nation, they would be placed in a specific geographical land, and God Himself would one day become their King in the person of the Messiah. This is not an ordinary government, but the Messiah Himself would rule over them. When Jesus came, He was presented as the King of Israel.
Israel rejected the King and crucified Him, so the tribulation did not come in and they did not get the Kingdom. The Old Testament promises never considered the Church; God had kept the Church a secret. However, God has not abandoned Israel. Jesus went back to glory but promised to return, as the angels declared on the Mount of Olives. Israel now approaches the day when their Messiah will come back.
Isaiah 59:20 promises that the Redeemer will come to Zion. Isaiah 59:21 says God's covenant with Israel is that His Spirit and words will remain in the mouths of Israel and their descendants forever. Israel was also promised to be a light to the Gentiles, bringing God's salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). Isaiah 9:6 promises a Son with the government on His shoulder—the King who would rule.
All Old Testament promises were lined up with a timeline: Israel would go through tribulation, and then they could have the King and the Kingdom. When Christ returns, He will set up His Kingdom, and the remnant of Jews preserved through the tribulation will believe in a moment. The nation of Israel will be born in a day spiritually, and the New Covenant will become a reality—God will put His commandments in their hearts.
Redeemer to Zion and Covenant of the Spirit
Les shows that God promised Israel a Redeemer coming to Zion and an everlasting covenant in which His Spirit and words would remain in Israel's mouth and her descendants' mouths forever.
Abrahamic Promises of Nation, Land, and King
Les explains that from Abraham would come a nation in a specific land, and God Himself in the person of the Son would be their Messiah, King, and Redeemer.
Old Testament Promises of King and Kingdom
Les emphasizes that all Old Testament promises to Israel anticipated Christ coming as King after a tribulation, and Israel's rejection postponed the Kingdom.
New Covenant for Israel at Christ's Return
Les teaches that when Christ returns and sets up His Kingdom, the remnant of Israel will believe in a moment, the nation will be born in a day, and God will put His commandments in their hearts.
Three Basic Premises of the Abrahamic Covenant
Les outlines that the Abrahamic covenant promised Israel a nation, a land, and a government headed by God Himself as King in the person of the Messiah.
Old Testament Prepared Israel for Her King
Les points out that the whole Old Testament—history, Psalms, prophets—was preparing Israel for the coming of her King, Messiah, and Redeemer.
Promised King and Kingdom Yet to Be Fulfilled
Les shows that God promised Israel a king and a kingdom repeatedly, and though they crucified the King, He will return to fulfill those promises.
Isaiah 9:6 Promises a Divine King
Les references Isaiah 9:6 as a prophetic utterance to Israel promising a government and a king who is the Son of God.
Isaiah 59:20: And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.
This verse promises Israel that a Redeemer will come to Zion, a key promise Les quotes directly.
Isaiah 59:21: As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.
God promises an everlasting covenant with Israel—His Spirit and words will remain with them and their descendants forever.
Isaiah 49:6: And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
Promises Israel's role as a light to the Gentiles, bringing God's salvation to the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Promises a Son with the government on His shoulder, identifying Israel's future King and Messiah.
Jeremiah 31:33: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Describes the New Covenant God will make with Israel, which Les says will become a reality when Christ returns and the remnant is born in a day.
God promised Israel that they would become a nation, dwell in a specific land, and have God Himself as their King in the person of the Messiah. He also promised that the Redeemer would come to Zion, that His Spirit and words would remain with them forever, and that they would eventually receive a King and Kingdom.
Les explains that Israel rejected the King and crucified Him, so the tribulation and Kingdom were postponed. The Old Testament promises were never meant for the Church, but for Israel, and they will be fulfilled when Christ returns. The nation will then be born in a day and receive the New Covenant.
The New Covenant is described in Jeremiah 31:33, where God says He will put His law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts. Les teaches that this will happen when Christ returns, and the remnant of Israel will believe in a moment and the nation will be born in a day.
Watch the Teaching: Why the Apostles Stayed in Jerusalem: Israel vs. The Church