Who Is Israel Today?
- Charles
- 1 day ago
- 14 min read
The Question That Divides
“Who is Israel?” This question has generated more theological confusion, political controversy, and divisive argumentation than perhaps any other in modern Christianity. Replacement theology answers: “The Church is the new Israel; ethnic Israel is finished.” Dispensationalism responds: “Israel is Israel and the Church is the Church; they are separate peoples with separate destinies.” Christian Zionism declares: “The modern State of Israel is the fulfillment of prophecy; support for Israel is mandatory.” British Israelism claims: “The Anglo-Saxon peoples are the lost tribes; we are Israel.”
All of these positions share a common flaw: they begin with systematic theology or political ideology rather than Scripture. They import categories foreign to the biblical text and force the evidence to fit predetermined conclusions.
The covenant framework provides a different starting point: the olive tree metaphor of Romans 11. There is one tree, the covenant people of YHWH. Natural branches are ethnic descendants of the twelve tribes. Wild branches are Gentiles grafted in contrary to nature. Both remain in the tree by faith; both are removed by unbelief. The root is the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the promises made to them. “All Israel” is the complete tree: natural branches (whether known or unknown), wild branches grafted in, all united in Messiah.
This framework answers the question clearly: Israel today is the covenant people united by faith in Messiah, comprising ethnic descendants of the twelve tribes and Gentiles grafted in by grace. But this answer requires careful unpacking, particularly understanding how the rebuilding of David’s fallen tent creates space for the sojourner to dwell with the covenant people.
All Twelve Tribes, Not Just “The Jews”
When modern people hear “Israel,” they typically think “Jews.” This equation is understandable but biblically imprecise. The term “Jew” derives from “Judah”, specifically the southern kingdom that survived Assyrian conquest and maintained recognizable identity through Babylonian exile and beyond. “Jews” are primarily descendants of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and portions of Levi, the remnant that returned from exile, rebuilt Jerusalem, and remained identifiable into the first century and beyond.
But Israel consists of twelve tribes, not three. The northern kingdom, ten tribes collectively known as “Ephraim” or “the house of Israel”, was conquered by Assyria in 722 BCE and scattered among the nations. These ten tribes lost their distinct tribal identity. They did not return from Assyrian captivity as a recognizable group.
They were absorbed into the peoples among whom they were scattered.
Replacement theology treats this as permanent rejection: the ten tribes are gone, absorbed, finished. “Israel” became only Judah, and then even Judah was replaced by the Church. But Scripture tells a different story.
Ezekiel’s Two Sticks
Ezekiel 37:15-28 provides the prophetic blueprint. YHWH commands the prophet to take two sticks, writing on one “For Judah and for the children of Israel, his companions” and on the other “For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel, his companions.” Then YHWH declares:
“Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel, his companions; and I will join them with it, with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they will be one in My hand… I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations, nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again” (Ezekiel 37:19, 22).
This prophecy has not yet been fulfilled in history. The northern and southern kingdoms were never reunited under one king after the Assyrian conquest. The partial return from Babylonian exile was primarily Judah; it did not include wholesale restoration of the ten northern tribes. The prophecy awaits fulfillment, and the fulfillment will occur when “My servant David” (Messiah, the Son of David) reigns as king over the reunited nation (Ezekiel 37:24-25).
The New Testament Expects Twelve Tribes
The New Testament consistently refers to twelve tribes, not three. James addresses his epistle “to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (James 1:1). Paul declares before Agrippa, “To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain” (Acts 26:7). Messiah Himself promised the apostles: “You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28).
If only Judah, Benjamin, and Levi remained, these references make no sense. The apostles and early believers understood that all twelve tribes existed, even if most had lost recognizable identity. YHWH had not forgotten them. The promises remained in force.
The Northern Tribes: Lost to Men, Known to YHWH
The critical truth is this: we cannot identify who belongs to which tribe, but YHWH knows every person, every lineage, every connection. There is no DNA test that can definitively identify someone as belonging to Dan, Naphtali, Asher, or any other tribe. The genealogical records were destroyed in the first century. Centuries of intermarriage and migration have obscured tribal lines beyond human recovery.
But human ignorance does not equal divine ignorance. Messiah declared, “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29-30). If YHWH numbers the hairs on every head, He certainly knows every lineage, every tribal connection, every descendant of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob.
Historical evidence suggests the ten northern tribes migrated westward after Assyrian conquest. Some were taken into captivity in Media and Mesopotamia. Others fled before the invasion or escaped afterward, moving through Asia Minor into Europe. Jacob’s blessing over Ephraim and Manasseh, “Let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth” (Genesis 48:16), and his prophecy that Ephraim would become “a multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19) suggest wide dispersion and national formation.
Many who consider themselves Gentiles today may carry Israelite ancestry without knowing it. They are natural branches by lineage but have no way to prove it. Some who are certain they have no Israelite connection may discover in eternity that they descend from the scattered tribes. YHWH knows. We do not.
Why the Uncertainty Matters
This uncertainty is not a flaw in YHWH’s plan but a feature that protects the true nature of covenant inclusion. If tribal identity were verifiable, the temptation would be overwhelming to base covenant standing on genealogy rather than faith. “I am Ephraim; I belong by birth.” “I am from Naphtali; the promises are mine automatically.” This is precisely the error John the Baptist confronted: “Do not think to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones” (Matthew 3:9).
The impossibility of verifying tribal identity forces everyone to the same entry point: faith in Messiah. There is no genealogical shortcut, no DNA test that grants covenant standing, no tribal identity that supersedes the requirement of regeneration.
The Tent of David: Making Room for the Sojourner
The key to understanding how Gentiles are included in Israel, not as a replacement people but as grafted-in members, is found in the prophecy of Amos and its interpretation by the Jerusalem Council.
Amos 9:11-12: The Fallen Tent Rebuilt
The prophet Amos, ministering during the divided kingdom period, proclaimed YHWH’s word concerning Israel’s future restoration:
“On that day I will raise up the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, and repair its damages; I will raise up its ruins, and rebuild it as in the days of old; that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says YHWH who does this thing” (Amos 9:11-12).
The “tabernacle of David” (literally “tent of David” or “booth of David”) refers to the Davidic dynasty and kingdom. At the time Amos prophesied, David’s kingdom was divided, weakened, and would soon fall completely. The northern kingdom would be destroyed by Assyria. The southern kingdom would fall to Babylon. The Davidic line would cease to rule. The tent was falling; it would soon lie in ruins.
But YHWH promised to rebuild it “as in the days of old”—to restore the Davidic kingdom to its former glory and beyond. This restoration has a specific purpose: “that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all the Gentiles who are called by My name.”
The rebuilt tent of David creates space for Gentiles to enter. The restoration of the Davidic kingdom is not exclusively for ethnic Israel but explicitly includes the nations. The sojourners, those with no ethnic connection to Abraham, will dwell in the restored house alongside the natural heirs.
Acts 15: The Tent Rebuilt in Messiah
The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) faced a critical question: Must Gentile believers undergo circumcision and keep the entire Book of the Law to be saved? Some believers from the Pharisee party insisted: “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses” (Acts 15:5).
After much dispute, Peter testified about Cornelius and the Gentiles receiving the Ruach HaKodosh by faith (Acts 15:7-11). Paul and Barnabas reported the signs and wonders among the Gentiles (Acts 15:12). Then James, the leader of the Jerusalem assembly, rendered the decisive judgment by quoting Amos 9:11-12:
“And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written: ‘After this I will return and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the LORD, even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, says the LORD who does all these things’” (Acts 15:15-17).
James’s interpretation is stunning. The rebuilding of David’s tent is happening now, through Messiah’s resurrection and reign. Yeshua, the Son of David, has been raised up, defeating death and establishing His kingdom. The fallen dynasty is being restored. And the purpose of this restoration is that Gentiles may seek YHWH and be included among His people.
The Tent Is the Davidic Kingdom in Messiah
David’s tent is not a physical structure but the kingdom, the rule of David’s heir over YHWH’s covenant people. When Messiah rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father, He took His seat on David’s throne (Acts 2:29-36). The tent that had fallen into ruin, the Davidic dynasty cut off, the kingdom scattered, the promises seemingly void, was being rebuilt.
But this rebuilt tent is different. It is not an ethnic enclosure where only biological descendants of Abraham can enter. It is a covenant dwelling where all who are called by YHWH’s Name can find refuge, regardless of their ethnic origin. The tent of David, restored in Messiah, has room for the sojourner.
DNA vs. Faith: Entry Through Messiah Alone
The covenant framework maintains a both/and truth that many find difficult to hold in tension: tribal identity matters for YHWH’s purposes, but faith in Messiah is the sole entry point into covenant relationship.
Natural Branches by Lineage
Paul identifies natural branches as those with ethnic descent from Abraham through Isaac and Jacob (Romans 11:16-24). Lineage matters. The olive tree has natural branches, those who belong to the tree by virtue of their ancestry. These are the biological descendants of the twelve tribes, whether they know their tribal identity or not, whether they are currently in the tree or broken off through unbelief.
The natural branches have covenant privileges: “To them pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came” (Romans 9:4-5). These are not taken away. “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29).
But Natural Branch Status Does Not Guarantee Salvation
However, and this is absolutely critical, being a natural branch by lineage does not guarantee salvation or covenant inclusion. Paul makes this explicit: “For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham… That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed” (Romans 9:6-8).
A person may have unbroken Israelite ancestry tracing through all twelve tribes, but without faith in Messiah, that person is a broken-off branch. Genealogy does not save. DNA does not grant covenant standing. Abraham’s physical descendants who reject the Seed receive nothing.
Sojourners Dwelling in David’s Tent
Conversely, Gentiles with no Israelite ancestry whatsoever can enter the rebuilt tent of David through faith. Paul describes this as grafting “contrary to nature” (Romans 11:24), a wild branch inserted into a cultivated tree. The wild branch brings nothing. It has no natural connection to the root. It is grafted in purely by grace.
The Old Testament provided for this. The ger (sojourner or stranger) who dwelt among Israel, who circumcised his males and kept Passover, was counted as a native of the land (Exodus 12:48-49). The sojourner who feared YHWH, kept His covenant, and observed Sabbath was welcomed into the assembly (Isaiah 56:3-8). Ruth the Moabitess declared, “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16), and became an ancestor of Messiah.
The tent of David, rebuilt in Messiah, provides the permanent dwelling place for sojourners. They are not second-class citizens. They are not probationary members. They are full heirs: “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29).
Entry Is Through Messiah Alone
Therefore: all who are in Messiah are Israel, either natural branches remaining in or grafted back into the tree, or wild branches (sojourners) grafted in contrary to nature. And all who are outside Messiah are cut off, whether natural branches broken off through unbelief or sojourners never grafted in.
Entry is through Messiah alone. Everything depends on faith, not genealogy. The rebuilt tent of David has one door, and that door is the Son of David Himself.
The 144,000: Covenant Code for the Complete Number
Revelation 7:1-8 presents one of the most debated passages in eschatological discussion. Before the sixth seal is fully opened, an angel cries: “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” John then records: “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel” (Revelation 7:3-4).
The passage proceeds to list twelve tribes with 12,000 sealed from each, for a total of 144,000.
What John Heard and What John Saw
The critical distinction comes in what John heard versus what John saw:
What John Heard: “And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel” (Revelation 7:4).
What John Saw: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9).
John heard a precise covenant number: 144,000 from twelve tribes. This is covenant symbolism, 12 (tribes) × 12 (apostles/covenant foundation) × 1,000 (completeness beyond numbering). The complete number of YHWH’s covenant people represented in Israelite terms.
John saw the reality behind the symbol: an innumerable multitude from all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues. This is the actual gathered people, more than can be counted, from every ethnic group, standing before the throne.
The 144,000 represents all covenant believers, past, present, and future. All who have ever been or will ever be in the olive tree. All who dwell in the rebuilt tent of David, natural branches and sojourners together. The believing remnant from Judah, the scattered tribes regathered, and the Gentiles grafted in, all together as one people, sealed by YHWH.
The Modern State of Israel: Political Entity, Not (Yet) Prophetic Fulfillment
The establishment of the modern State of Israel in 1948 was a significant political and historical event. After nearly two millennia of dispersion and persecution, Jewish people returned to the land and established a sovereign nation. This deserves acknowledgment.
However, the modern State of Israel is not the fulfillment of biblical prophecy concerning Israel’s restoration. It is a political entity, established through human effort and international politics, not by direct divine intervention.
What the Prophets Describe
The restoration prophecies describe:
Spiritual transformation: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26-27). This describes regeneration, not secular statehood.
Messiah visibly reigning: “David My servant shall be king over them” (Ezekiel 37:24). The restored Israel has Messiah as visible King.
All twelve tribes reunited: “I will make them one nation… no longer two nations” (Ezekiel 37:22). The modern State includes primarily Jews (Judah, Benjamin, Levi); it is not the reunion of all twelve tribes.
National recognition of Messiah: “They will look on Me whom they pierced” (Zechariah 12:10). This describes national repentance, not a secular state where most reject Him.
None of these conditions describe the modern State of Israel. True regathering, spiritual transformation, tribal reunion, Messiah reigning from Jerusalem, awaits His return.
True Regathering Occurs When Messiah Returns
The prophetic regathering of Israel, the reunion of all twelve tribes, the restoration to the land, the national recognition of Messiah, the establishment of His kingdom from Jerusalem, awaits His return.
Romans 11:25-27 provides the timeline: “Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: ‘The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.’”
The restoration occurs when the Deliverer comes from Zion, at Messiah’s return. The broken-off natural branches are grafted back in when they see Him whom they pierced (Zechariah 12:10). The scattered tribes, known to YHWH though lost to men, are gathered by His supernatural intervention. The sojourners grafted in join the restored natural branches as one people under one King, all dwelling together in the fully restored tent of David.
Conclusion: Israel Is All Who Dwell in David’s Rebuilt Tent
Who is Israel today? Israel is all who dwell by faith in the tent of David, rebuilt through Messiah’s resurrection and reign. The tent includes:
Natural branches: ethnic descendants of the twelve tribes, whether identifiable (Jews) or scattered (the northern tribes), who remain in or are grafted back into the olive tree through faith in Messiah
Sojourners grafted in: Gentiles with no Israelite ancestry, welcomed into the tent by the grace of the Son of David, made full heirs of the promise through union with Him
Entry is through faith in Messiah alone, not genealogy. The complete number will be sealed before the great tribulation, represented as 144,000 in covenant code, manifest as an innumerable multitude from every nation.
The modern State of Israel is a political entity, not prophetic fulfillment. True regathering, when all twelve tribes are reunited under Messiah’s visible reign, when the tent of David is fully restored, when natural branches and sojourners dwell together in peace, awaits His return.
Until then, the identity question is answered: Israel is all who are in Messiah, dwelling by faith in the rebuilt tent of David, standing together as one covenant people rooted in the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
——————————————————————————————————THE Who Is Israel Today? — FULL STUDY Q&A——————————————————————————————————
1. Question According to Paul, what is the olive tree, who are the natural branches, who are the wild branches, and why do branches remain or are removed? Romans 11:16–24
2. Question Why do James, Paul, and Yeshua speak as if all twelve tribes still exist, and what does this reveal about YHWH’s knowledge of scattered Israel? James 1:1; Acts 26:7; Matthew 19:28
3. Question How does Ezekiel’s prophecy of the two sticks describe the future reunion of Judah and Ephraim, and has this ever happened in history? Ezekiel 37:15–28
4. Question What is the purpose of rebuilding the fallen tent of David, and how does this restored tent create space for Gentiles to be called by YHWH’s Name?Amos 9:11–12
5. Question Why does James quote Amos in Acts 15, and how does his interpretation explain how Gentiles enter the covenant people? Acts 15:13–18
6. Question What do Paul and John the Baptist teach about trusting in genealogy, and why does Scripture insist that covenant inclusion must be by faith? Romans 9:6–8; Matthew 3:9
7. Question What do the Royal Torah and the Prophets teach about the sojourner who joins himself to YHWH and His people? Exodus 12:48–49; Isaiah 56:3–8; Ruth 1:16
8. Question What is the meaning of the 144,000 John heard, and how does it relate to the innumerable multitude John saw? Revelation 7:1–8; Revelation 7:9–10
9. Question Do the biblical prophecies about Israel’s restoration match the modern State of Israel, or do they await Messiah’s return? Ezekiel 36:24–27; Ezekiel 37:21–25; Zechariah 12:10
10. Question According to Scripture, who is Israel today—the people who dwell in the restored tent of David—and how does Messiah define their identity?Romans 11:17–24; Galatians 3:29; Acts 15:14–17
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