Israel occupies a singular and vital place in God’s unfolding redemptive plan for humanity. Throughout Scripture, God chose Israel as His vessel to reveal Himself to the world and to bring about His plan of salvation. This plan unfolds progressively through a series of divine covenants, beginning with the Abrahamic Covenant and culminating in the New Covenant. Each covenant builds upon the other, defining Israel’s relationship with God and expanding the scope of God’s plan to include the Gentile nations. Through Israel, God reveals His purposes for all peoples, while maintaining distinct functions for both Jews and Gentiles in the overarching unity of His redemptive plan.
The Abrahamic Covenant: Foundation
The Abrahamic Covenant is the foundational covenant in which God initiates His plan for Israel and, through Israel, for all the nations of the earth (Gen. 12:1-3, 7; 13:14-17; 15:1-18; 17:1-8). The covenant, established between God and Abraham, contains three core promises: a promise of land, a promise of descendants, and a promise of blessing to all nations (Gen. 12:1-3). This covenant is unconditional—meaning that its fulfillment depends solely on God’s faithfulness, not on human obedience.
The promise of land is explicitly tied to the geographical territory of Canaan (Gen. 13:14-17), which God declares as an everlasting possession for Abraham and his descendants (Gen. 17:8). This promise lays the foundation for the concept of Israel as a physical nation within a specific land.
The second element of the covenant is the promise of descendants. God assures Abraham that he will become the father of a great nation, despite the barrenness of his wife, Sarah (Gen. 15:5). This promise is further amplified with the declaration that Abraham’s descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Gen. 22:17). This promise creates the foundation for the people of Israel as a unique nation, chosen and set apart by God.
Finally, the Abrahamic Covenant includes the promise that through Abraham’s descendants, all the families of the earth will be blessed (Gen. 12:3). This aspect of the covenant points to the future role Israel will play in bringing salvation to the Gentiles, with the ultimate fulfillment found in the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who descends from Abraham’s line (Matt. 1:1-2; Gal. 3:16).
The status of this covenant is partially fulfilled. The promises made to Abraham concerning land, seed, and blessing will be fully realised in the future. While Israel has been regathered to their land in part, the full extent of the land promised to Abraham has not yet been possessed by the Jewish people. This future possession of the land will occur during the Messianic Kingdom, when Jesus reigns as King from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-4; Zech. 14:9).
In addition to the physical restoration of the land, the Jewish people will experience a mass conversion, as prophesied in Zechariah 12:10, when they look upon the One whom they have pierced and mourn for Him as for an only son. This national repentance and recognition of Jesus as the Messiah will bring about the complete fulfillment of the New Covenant for Israel. As Paul states, “All Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26), and they will be restored to their rightful place as a nation under the reign of their Messiah.
The blessing to the nations, promised in the Abrahamic Covenant, will also be fully realised during the Millennial Kingdom, as the Gentile nations are blessed through Israel’s restoration (Isa. 60:1-3; Zech. 8:23). In this future time, the unity of Jew and Gentile will be fully manifest, as both groups enjoy the fullness of God’s covenant blessings under the rule of Christ.
The Land Covenant: Inheritance
The Land Covenant, also known as the Palestinian Covenant, is a reaffirmation and amplification of the land promise found in the Abrahamic Covenant (Deut. 29:1-30:20). In Deuteronomy 29-30, God reaffirms that the land of Canaan is the eternal inheritance of Israel. This covenant is also unconditional, but it includes conditions for Israel’s enjoyment of the land. The Land Covenant declares that, although Israel may be exiled from the land due to disobedience, God will one day gather His people back and restore them to the land (Deut. 30:1-5).
This aspect of the covenant is significant for understanding the modern state of Israel and the Jewish diaspora. The promise of restoration following exile assures that Israel’s connection to the land is permanent and central to God’s redemptive purposes. The Land Covenant also anticipates a future time when Israel will experience full spiritual and physical restoration in the land, a theme that will be fulfilled in the Messianic Kingdom (Isa. 11:11-12; Ezek. 37:21-28).
This covenant remains partially fulfilled. While Israel has been regathered to the land in modern times (since 1948), they have not yet experienced the full possession of the land or the full spiritual renewal described in this covenant. The ultimate fulfillment of this covenant awaits the future, when Israel, in a time of national repentance, will be fully restored to their land in peace and security, as prophesied in Ezekiel 36:24-28 and Zechariah 12:10.
The Mosaic Covenant: Priests
The Mosaic Covenant, given at Mount Sinai, defines Israel’s national identity and its relationship to God as His chosen people (Exod. 19:5-6; 24:1-8; Deut. 5:1-22). Unlike the Abrahamic and Land Covenants, the Mosaic Covenant is conditional, based on Israel’s obedience to the laws God provides. These laws cover every aspect of Israel’s communal, religious, and ethical life and serve as the foundation of the Torah (Exod. 20-24).
Under the Mosaic Covenant, Israel is called to be a “kingdom of priests” and a “holy nation” (Exod. 19:5-6), acting as a mediator between God and the nations. Through Israel’s faithful obedience to the Law, the Gentile nations were to see the character of God and be drawn to Him (Deut. 4:6-8). The sacrificial system, tabernacle, and priesthood established under the Mosaic Covenant serve as types and shadows that point to the ultimate sacrifice and priesthood of Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:1-4).
The Mosaic Covenant also anticipates the failures of Israel. The covenant’s blessings and curses (Deut. 28) lay out the consequences of obedience and disobedience. Israel’s frequent disobedience would eventually lead to exile, as predicted by the prophets. However, this covenant sets the stage for the later covenants in which God promises to restore Israel and renew their relationship with Him.
The status of this covenant is completed, in the sense that Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law perfectly (Matt. 5:17), and by His sacrificial death, He brought an end to the need for the ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the Law (Heb. 10:1-10). While the moral principles of the Mosaic Law reflect God’s holiness, the covenant itself is no longer in effect for the Church or for Israel. We are now under the New Covenant, established by Christ.
The Davidic Covenant: King
The Davidic Covenant builds upon the Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants, focusing specifically on the promise of a royal line that will culminate in the Messiah (2 Sam.l 7:12-16; 1 Chron. 17:11-14; Psa. 89:3-4). In 2 Samuel 7, God promises David that his dynasty will last forever and that one of his descendants will reign on the throne of Israel for all eternity (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Psa. 89:3-4). This covenant is unconditional and guarantees that the Messiah, the ultimate Davidic King, will reign forever.
The Davidic Covenant points directly to the coming of Jesus Christ, the Son of David (Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32-33). Jesus’ kingship fulfills the promise of an eternal throne, and His reign will be fully realised in the future Messianic Kingdom when He returns to establish His rule over Israel and the nations (Rev. 19:11-16; Zech. 14:9).
The status of this covenant is partially fulfilled. Jesus, as the Son of David, has come and inaugurated His spiritual kingdom, but the full realisation of this covenant is yet to come. While Jesus currently reigns from heaven, the literal reign of Christ on David’s throne in Jerusalem is still future. This will be fully realised during the Messianic Kingdom, also known as the Millennial Kingdom (Rev. 20:4-6), when Christ will physically reign on earth as the rightful heir to David’s throne.
The New Covenant: Restoration
The New Covenant is the climax of God’s redemptive plan for Israel and the nations (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:24-27; Luke 22:20; Heb. 8:6-13). Prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34, the New Covenant promises a future time when God will write His law on the hearts of His people, forgive their sins, and give them His Spirit. This covenant is made explicitly with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (Jer. 31:31), signifying that Israel remains central to God’s plan.
Under the New Covenant, Israel will experience a national and spiritual restoration, marked by a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek. 36:24-27). While the New Covenant was inaugurated through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Luke 22:20), its complete fulfillment will occur in the future, when Israel as a nation comes to faith in the Messiah (Rom. 11:26-27; Zech. 12:10).
The New Covenant also expands to include the Gentiles, fulfilling the promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through his descendants (Gal. 3:8). Through faith in Jesus Christ, Gentiles are “grafted in” to the covenant promises (Rom. 11:17-24), sharing in the spiritual blessings of the New Covenant without replacing Israel. This leads to the concept of “One People, Two Functions,” where Jews and Gentiles are united as one people of God, but with distinct roles in God’s redemptive plan.
The status of the New Covenant is partially fulfilled. Believers today—both Jews and Gentiles—experience the blessings of this covenant through salvation in Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However, the full fulfillment of the New Covenant, particularly its promises for the nation of Israel, awaits the future. When Israel experiences national repentance and turns to Jesus as their Messiah, they will be fully restored, and the covenant promises will be fully realised (Rom. 11:25-27; Ezek. 36:24-28).
Jews and Gentiles in the Plan of God
The New Testament reveals that while Israel retains its unique role in God’s plan, the Gentiles are also brought into the covenant blessings through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:11-22; Rom. 11:11-24). Paul emphasises in Romans 11 that Israel has not been rejected but that the Gentiles have been “grafted in” to the rich root of God’s covenant promises (Rom. 11:17-24). This grafting in does not mean the replacement of Israel but rather the inclusion of the Gentiles into the blessings of salvation promised through the Abrahamic Covenant (Gal. 3:28-29).
Ephesians 2:11-22 further explains that Christ has broken down the dividing wall between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity in Himself. Jews and Gentiles are now united as the “one new man,” the body of Christ (Eph. 2:15-16). However, while Gentile believers share in the blessings of the New Covenant, including salvation, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life, this does not negate the unique role of Israel in God’s plan. As Paul states in Ephesians 2:12-14, Gentiles who were once “strangers to the covenants of promise” have now been brought near through the blood of Christ. In Christ, Jews and Gentiles are one people, the body of Christ, yet within this unity, Israel retains its distinct function in God’s overarching plan.
Therefore, in God’s redemptive plan, both Jews and Gentiles are united in one people of God, but they retain distinct roles and functions, much like a husband and wife in marriage (Eph. 5:31-32). The Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, functions as the body of Christ, proclaiming the Gospel to the nations (Matt. 28:19-20). Israel, as the original recipient of God’s covenants, remains the vehicle through which God’s covenant promises will ultimately be fulfilled.
While the Church experiences the spiritual blessings of the New Covenant, Israel will one day experience the full national and spiritual restoration promised in the covenants. God has not abandoned His chosen people, and the promises made to Abraham, David, and the nation of Israel will be fulfilled in God’s perfect timing.
The Times of the Gentiles
The concept of the “Times of the Gentiles” refers to the period during which Jerusalem and Israel are under Gentile domination (Luke 21:24; Rom. 11:25-29). Jesus alludes to this in Luke 21:24, where He prophesies that “Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” This period began with the Babylonian exile in 586 BC, when Israel lost its sovereignty and Jerusalem was destroyed, and it continues through to the present day. While the modern state of Israel exists, Jerusalem remains a point of contention and conflict, signaling that the full restoration of Israel and the end of Gentile domination has not yet occurred.
The “Times of the Gentiles” are marked by a temporary hardening of Israel’s heart, during which the focus of God’s redemptive plan has shifted toward the Gentile nations (Rom. 11:25). However, this period will end with the full restoration of Israel, when the Jewish people will collectively come to recognise Jesus as their Messiah. Paul explains that this hardening is only “in part,” and that “all Israel will be saved” when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Rom. 11:25-26). In this future time, God will bring Israel back to the forefront of His plan, fulfilling His promises to them under the Abrahamic and New Covenants.
Theological Implications of the Modern State of Israel
The modern Zionist movement, which led to the re-establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, is significant in light of biblical prophecy. While not a direct fulfillment of the covenant promises to Israel, the rebirth of the nation is seen by many as a precursor to the eventual fulfillment of those promises. The gathering of the Jewish people back to their land is a first step toward the full restoration that will take place when they recognise Jesus as their Messiah (Ezek. 36:24-28; Zech. 12:10).
It is important, however, to distinguish between political Zionism and biblical Zionism. Political Zionism focuses on the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish homeland, whereas biblical Zionism views the modern state of Israel in the context of God’s covenant promises. While the existence of Israel today is a remarkable event in world history, it is not the final fulfillment of God’s promises. The ultimate restoration of Israel will come when they repent and turn to Christ as their Messiah (Rom. 11:26-27).
So, while the modern state of Israel is important, it is not yet the fully restored nation that the Bible prophesies (Rom. 11:25-26). That future restoration will come when Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom (Zech. 12:10; Rom. 11:26). Right now, Israel is currently in spiritual rebellion, as Paul describes in Romans 10:21: “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” Jesus also wept over Jerusalem’s rejection of Him as Messiah, foreseeing the consequences of their unbelief (Luke 19:41-44). Yet, this is only a temporary state, as Romans 11:25-26 tells us that a “partial hardening” has come upon Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles is complete, after which “all Israel will be saved.”
The existence of Israel today serves as a reminder that God’s promises to the Jewish people remain intact. While Israel as a nation has not yet fully turned to Christ, the fact that they have been regathered to their land after centuries of dispersion suggests that God’s hand is still at work in preserving His chosen people. As believers, we are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa. 122:6) and for the spiritual renewal of Israel, knowing that God’s ultimate plan for them is tied to His redemptive purposes for the entire world.
Therefore, a healthy, biblically-based form of Zionism is one that acknowledges Israel’s unique role in God’s redemptive plan without idolising the modern state of Israel or conflating it with the kingdom of God. It recognises that while the current political entity of Israel holds significance in the light of biblical prophecy, it is not the final fulfillment of the promises God has made to His people. Christians who support Israel must do so with the understanding that the nation’s full restoration—both spiritually and politically—will only occur when they recognise Jesus as their Messiah.
As believers, our understanding of Israel’s place in God’s redemptive plan should compel us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psa. 122:6) and for the salvation of the Jewish people (Rom. 10:1). Paul reminds us in Romans 11 that Israel’s current partial hardening is temporary, and their eventual salvation is assured. We are to be mindful of our relationship with Israel, recognising that we are partakers of the spiritual blessings given to them, and our hope is bound up with their future redemption.
While the Church has not replaced Israel, we have a unique role in this present age as we proclaim the Gospel to all nations. As Gentiles, we should remain humble, knowing that we have been graciously grafted into the covenant blessings. Jesus was and is a Jew, and we are beneficiaries of Jewish covenants. We should therefore be filled with gratitude and a sense of responsibility to share the message of salvation, both to Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 1:16).
Understanding the Times We Live In
As we consider Israel’s place in God’s redemptive plan and the current geopolitical realities surrounding the modern state of Israel, it is crucial for Christians to remain spiritually discerning about the times we are living in. Jesus warned of wars, rumors of wars, and times of great tribulation leading up to His return (Matt. 24:6-8), but He also emphasised the importance of being vigilant and prayerful as we await the fulfillment of His kingdom.
In light of all this, we are called to live with a sense of expectation and readiness. The signs of the times remind us that God’s plan is unfolding, and we should be watchful and prayerful. Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to be alert and prepared, as no one knows the day or hour of His return (Matt. 24:42-44). As we see events in the Middle East and around the world, we are reminded that history is moving toward its culmination, and God’s promises will be fulfilled.
We must also be discerning, avoiding speculation and sensationalism, while remaining grounded in Scripture. The modern state of Israel is a significant part of God’s plan, but it is not the final chapter. We look forward to the day when Christ will return, when Israel will be fully restored, and when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10-11). Until then, we’ve got work to do spreading the Gospel to all nations (Matt. 28:19-20)!
One People of God, Two Distinct Functions
In sum, the covenants God made with Israel form the backbone of His redemptive plan for the world. Through Israel, God established a framework of promises that include both the physical nation of Israel and the spiritual reality of the Church. The Abrahamic, Land, Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenants reveal a progressive unfolding of God’s purposes, culminating in the salvation of all peoples—both Jews and Gentiles—through faith in Jesus Christ.
While Israel and the Church are united as one people of God, they retain distinct functions. Israel remains the vessel through which God’s covenant promises will ultimately be fulfilled, while the Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, carries the Gospel to the nations in the present age. Together, they form one body, like a husband and wife in a covenant marriage, distinct yet united in purpose.
As we await the full fulfillment of God’s promises, we must recognise the importance of Israel in His plan and the necessity of praying for their spiritual renewal. The “Times of the Gentiles” will one day come to an end, and when it does, God’s purposes for Israel will be completed in a way that brings blessing not only to them but to the entire world. Until then, we continue to live with hope, looking forward to the day when every promise of God will be fulfilled in Christ, the true King of Israel and the Savior of the world.