The story begins with a man named Abraham a promise of land, a promise of a nation, a promise of blessing for the world. It continues through Isaac and Jacob, through Moses and David, through prophets who spoke of a kingdom on earth, a restored Israel, and a world filled with the knowledge of the Lord.
Then Christ comes the promised King offering the kingdom to Israel. A remnant believes, but the nation rejects Him. Yet Gods plan does not fail. The remnant grows at Pentecost. God fearing Gentiles are grafted in. The kingdom is still genuinely offered. But Israel continues in unbelief.
And then in a moment no prophet foresaw God reveals a mystery to Paul. A new people. A new body. A new creation. A heavenly calling. A gospel not tied to covenants, not tied to Israels rise, not tied to the kingdom.
This Body of Christ is not Israel. It is not the remnant. It is not the kingdom. It is something entirely new Gods heavenly people, blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.
Israel is set aside not cast away, not replaced, but temporarily blinded until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
When that moment arrives, God turns again to His earthly people. Israel calls upon the name of the Lord. The King returns. The covenants are fulfilled. The kingdom comes. The earth is restored. Israel becomes the kingdom of priests she was always meant to be.
And after the thousand years, after the final rebellion is judged, God makes all things new. A New Heaven and a New Earth appear. The Body of Christ shines in the heavens. Israel shines on the new earth. The nations walk in the light of the New Jerusalem. And God is all in all.
This is the story behind the story the story the Bible has been telling all along. And it matters, because it removes the veil of tradition and brings clarity to the gospel of our salvation. Thats the motivation behind this book.
The Bible tells one unified story with two distinct parts: Gods purpose for the earth through Israel, and Gods purpose for the heavens through the Body of Christ. Israels story is prophecy covenants, kingdom promises, a restored nation, and a Messiah who will reign on earth. The Body of Christs story is mystery revealed only to Paul, a new creation with a heavenly calling, saved by grace alone and sealed in Christ. These two stories run side by side. They never merge, never replace one another, and never contradict. Israel will one day call upon the Lord, and Christ will return to establish the kingdom promised from the foundation of the world. The Body of Christ will be caught up to the heavenly realm, blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
In the end in the New Heaven and New Earth both stand complete: Israel on the new earth, the Body of Christ in the heavenly places, the nations walking in the light of the New Jerusalem, and Christ supreme over all.
Its one God, one plan, one cross and two peoples, two callings, two destinies
brought together in perfect harmony under Christ.
