Old Testament Promises and New Testament Church
Though dispensationalists hold a distinct and elevated status for Israel in God’s kingdom in the future, the Bible actually sees prophecies regarding Israel coming to fulfillment in the church. This creates serious problems for the dispensational system in that they sing:
My hope is built on nothing less
than Scofield’s notes and Moody Press.
Not only do we learn that Old Testament prophecies regarding Israel are fulfilled in the Church, but we even see that old covenant promises for Israel apply to the Church. The new covenant Church is the recipient of old covenant Israel’s blessings.
For instance, when Paul speaks to the Gentiles in his Epistle to the Ephesians, he reminds them that “formerly” they were “at that time” in the past “strangers to the covenants of promise” (Eph 2:12). That is, in their past they were devoid of God’s “promise.” But no more! “But now in Christ Jesus you who were formerly were far off have been brought near” (Eph 2:13). Interestingly, Paul is citing Isaiah 57:19, which was a promise of future blessing to Israel given though she was currently in sin. In Isaiah 56:1 through 66:24 Isaiah is focusing on the shame and glory of Zion, that is to be followed by her glory. Yet Paul applies a promise from Zion in Isaiah 57:19 to the Gentiles in Ephesus.
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