Eber versus Israel

Contents

Part VIII — The Priest-King, Translation, Name, and Inheritance

26. The Priest-King Reclaims Blessing and Inheritance

27. Translated into the Kingdom of His Dear Son

28. Babel’s Self-Made Name versus God’s Received Name

Part IX — Where Is Israel Today?

29. The Final Question: WHERE Is Israel Today?

30. Image-Bearers Filling the Earth with His Glory

Master Closing Statement

Part VIII — The Priest-King, Translation, Name, and#

Inheritance

Section 26 — The Priest-King Reclaims Blessing and Inheritance#

The promised Seed has come. The true Son has come. The Servant called Israel, who restores Israel and

becomes light to the nations, has come. The King line of Judah has reached its fulfillment, and the

priestly shadow points beyond itself.

The question now becomes: How are blessing and inheritance reclaimed?

The answer is through the Priest-King.

Psalm 110 gives the controlling picture:

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

— Psalm 110:1

“The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.”

— Psalm 110:2

“The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of

Melchizedek.”

— Psalm 110:4

The One who rules is seated by YHWH. The rule is not seized by human will. The throne and the

priesthood are joined in the One appointed by God.

This is the crown point. The fulfilled Israel, the true Son, the Seed, the Servant, and the King is also the

Priest. He rules at the Father’s right hand and ministers as Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews develops this witness:

“Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.”

— Hebrews 5:10

“For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.”

— Hebrews 7:12

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.”

— Hebrews 7:24

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him…”

— Hebrews 7:25

The way to God is through Him. The inheritance is reclaimed through Him. The blessing is secured

through Him. The righteousness is received through Him. The sons are brought by Him. The kingdom

belongs to Him.

Galatians connects Abraham’s blessing to Christ’s work:

“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

— Galatians 3:13

“That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ…”

— Galatians 3:14

“That we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”

— Galatians 3:14

Abraham’s blessing, the nations, faith, and the promise of the Spirit are gathered in Christ.

Paul then states the inheritance order:

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:26

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

— Galatians 3:29

The order matters: if ye be Christ’s, then Abraham’s seed, then heirs according to the promise.

Romans 4 joins Abraham’s faith to Christ’s resurrection. Abraham believed God’s promise, and

righteousness was imputed to him. Paul then says that this was written not for Abraham’s sake alone,

but also for those who believe on the God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

“But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from

the dead;”

— Romans 4:24

“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”

— Romans 4:25

The Anointed One’s death and resurrection reclaim blessing and inheritance. This faith is not a bare

label; it is faith that receives, trusts, obeys, and walks.

Peter then speaks of a people built into priestly identity through Christ:

“Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood…”

— 1 Peter 2:5

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people…”

— 1 Peter 2:9

“Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God…”

— 1 Peter 2:10

The people of God are made the people of God by God’s action in Christ. They receive mercy. They are

built. They are made a royal priesthood.

Revelation completes the priest-king theme:

“Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,”

— Revelation 1:5

“And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father…”

— Revelation 1:6

“And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

— Revelation 5:10

The image-bearers will rule and reign, but not by self-claim. They reign because Christ reigns. They are

priest-kings because the Priest-King makes them so. They bear the Name because God gives the Name.

They inherit because Christ reclaims the inheritance.

Psalm 110 belongs at the center because the true Israel fulfillment is Jesus at the right hand of the Father.

He rules. He priests. He blesses. He redeems. He sends the Spirit. He makes many seed. He brings sons to

glory. He shares His reign with those who are His.

Section 27 — Translated into the Kingdom of His Dear Son#

If the inheritance is reclaimed through the Priest-King, then the next question is how people are brought

into that inheritance. Scripture answers by showing the Father’s act, the Son’s redemption, and the

Spirit’s seal.

Paul writes:

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the

saints in light:”

— Colossians 1:12

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his

dear Son:”

— Colossians 1:13

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

— Colossians 1:14

The Father qualifies. The Father delivers. The Father translates into the kingdom of His dear Son.

Redemption and forgiveness are in the Son, through His blood.

This movement fits the whole witness stream. Abram is brought out. Israel is brought out of Egypt. The

leper is cleansed by another. The children of God are born from above. The Seed dies and brings forth

much fruit. God gives the Spirit. God delivers from darkness.

Ephesians speaks the same movement another way:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual

blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”

— Ephesians 1:3

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…”

— Ephesians 1:7

“In whom also we have obtained an inheritance…”

— Ephesians 1:11

“After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”

— Ephesians 1:13

“Which is the earnest of our inheritance…”

— Ephesians 1:14

In Christ: redemption, forgiveness, inheritance, and the Spirit seal. The Spirit is the earnest of the

inheritance. The inheritance is not a loose claim; it is sealed by God.

Ephesians 2 then speaks of those once far off:

“That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel…”

— Ephesians 2:12

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

— Ephesians 2:13

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one…”

— Ephesians 2:14

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

— Ephesians 2:18

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the

household of God;”

— Ephesians 2:19

The access is through Him, by one Spirit, unto the Father. The household is of God.

God is not giving a mechanical formula for men to manipulate. Scripture reveals God’s way of transition:

the Father qualifies, the Son redeems, the Spirit seals, those far off are brought near, and the household

is of God.

John 1 therefore remains central: those who receive Him and believe on His Name are born of God.

Receiving is not self-creating. Believing on His Name is not self-naming. Being born of God is not the will

of man.

The question “Who is Israel?” must pass through this. The question “Where is Israel today?” must also

pass through this.

Those far off are brought near in Christ Jesus and by the blood of Christ.

Section 28 — Babel’s Self-Made Name versus God’s Received#

Name

The document began with the name Israel, a God-given name ending in El. The Name theme now comes

into sharp contrast.

Scripture gives two name-patterns: the self-made name and the received Name.

Babel gives the self-made pattern:

“Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven…”

— Genesis 11:4

“And let us make us a name…”

— Genesis 11:4

Babel says: let us build, let us reach, let us make, let us secure ourselves by our own name.

Immediately after Babel, God calls Abram. Babel says, “Let us make us a name.” God says to Abram:

“I will… make thy name great…”

— Genesis 12:2

Self-made name stands against God-given name. Cain goes out and builds a city. Babel builds a city and

makes a name. Abram is brought out and receives a promise. Jacob is emptied and receives a name.

Israel bears God’s Name and can profane it. The true Son bears the Father’s Name perfectly. Those who

receive Him believe on His Name.

The Aaronic blessing shows God placing His Name upon the children of Israel:

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:”

— Numbers 6:24

“The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:”

— Numbers 6:25

“The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

— Numbers 6:26

“And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

— Numbers 6:27

Name-bearing is blessing, identity, and covenant witness. It is not casual. It is not branding. The Name is

placed by God.

Revelation carries this pattern to the end. Jesus says:

“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God…”

— Revelation 3:12

“And I will write upon him the name of my God…”

— Revelation 3:12

“And I will write upon him my new name.”

— Revelation 3:12

“Having his Father’s name written in their foreheads.”

— Revelation 14:1

“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

— Revelation 22:4

This is the final contrast to Babel.

Babel: Let us make us a name.

Revelation: His Name shall be in their foreheads.

Babel is self-name. Revelation is received Name. Babel is human ascent. Revelation is God dwelling with

His people. Babel builds a city in self-glory. Revelation reveals the holy city coming down from God, lit by

the glory of God and the Lamb.

The question of Israel is therefore not merely a question of who says the name. It is a question of

whether the name is received from God or manufactured by man.

Part IX — Where Is Israel Today?#

Section 29 — The Final Question: WHERE Is Israel Today?#

After the evidence stream has been traced, the ending question can now be asked: WHERE is Israel

today?

That question follows the prior question: Who IS Israel according to God?

Scripture has already given the deeper identity filter:

“For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:”

— Romans 9:6

“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

— John 1:13

Therefore, the final question cannot be reduced to place, label, inheritance phrase, outward association,

or human will. Those categories may have earthly or historical relevance in their own places, but they

do not finally answer the God-authorized identity question being examined here.

The deeper question is: Who is of God?

If Israel, in the God-authorized sense traced through this document, is of God, then where Israel is today

must be determined by where those who are of God are found.

John says:

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that

believe on his name:”

— John 1:12

Sonship is through receiving Him and believing on His Name. It is not finally of blood, flesh, or man’s

will. It is of God.

Galatians joins this identity to Abraham:

“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”

— Galatians 3:26

“And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

— Galatians 3:29

The order matters: if ye be Christ’s, then Abraham’s seed, then heirs according to the promise.

Ephesians says those once far off are brought near:

“But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”

— Ephesians 2:13

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”

— Ephesians 2:18

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the

household of God;”

— Ephesians 2:19

The access is through Him, by one Spirit, unto the Father. The household is of God.

So where is Israel today?

In the God-authorized sense traced here, Israel is found where those who are of God are found in Christ:

those who receive the Son, believe on His Name, are born from above, indwelt by the Spirit, brought

near by His blood, translated into His kingdom, and made heirs through the Priest-King.

The Old Testament and New Testament speak together. God covers. God promises the Seed. God brings

out Abraham. God counts Abraham righteous by faith. God gives Jacob the name Israel. God calls Israel

His son. God promises cleansing and Spirit. The Seed is Christ. The true Son has come. The Spirit marks

those who belong to Christ. Those far off are brought near. God’s people receive His Name.

Where follows who. The location question follows the identity question, and the identity source is of

God.

Section 30 — Image-Bearers Filling the Earth with His Glory#

The document ends where Scripture ends: not with self-made identity, but with God’s purpose fulfilled.

In the beginning, God made mankind in His image:

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

— Genesis 1:26

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth…”

— Genesis 1:28

Image-bearers were made to bear the image of God under God’s rule. They were not made to fill the

earth with Babel, self-made names, or kingdoms detached from the King.

The fall did not cancel God’s purpose. God covered Adam and Eve. God promised the Seed. God

preserved the witness line. God brought out Abraham. God gave Jacob the name Israel. God formed

Israel as son-nation. God sent the true Son. God raised the Priest-King. God sent the Spirit. God gives His

Name. God brings many sons to glory.

Habakkuk gives the prophetic horizon:

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the

sea.”

— Habakkuk 2:14

God made mankind as His living image-bearers to fill the earth under His rule; and in Christ, the true

Image and Glory of God, fallen image-bearers are restored, Spirit-indwelt, and finally glorified, so

renewed creation is filled with God’s presence, light, kingdom, and glory.

Paul speaks of creation waiting:

“For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.”

— Romans 8:19

“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious

liberty of the children of God.”

— Romans 8:21

Creation itself is tied to the liberty of the children of God. The themes come together: children of God,

creation delivered, inheritance, glory, image-bearers restored.

Revelation gives the final picture:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them…”

— Revelation 21:3

“For the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

— Revelation 21:23

“And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it…”

— Revelation 21:24

“And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”

— Revelation 22:4

“And they shall reign for ever and ever.”

— Revelation 22:5

The final identity is received Name, not self-made name. The final light is the glory of God and the Lamb.

The final reign is under Christ.

The people of God are those washed, redeemed, born of God, indwelt by the Spirit, bearing His Name,

and brought into the kingdom and inheritance of the Son.

The earth is not finally filled with man’s self-glory. It is filled with the glory of YHWH.

Master Closing Statement — Who IS Israel?

The document began with the name Israel because Scripture itself forces the question: Who IS Israel?

The answer cannot be reduced to slogan, label, inherited phrase, human will, or outward association

alone. Romans says, “For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel.” John says the children of God are

born “not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Israel begins as a God-given name, ending in El, bound to the God who names. Jacob does not create the

name. Jacob does not claim the name. Jacob crosses over, sends everything ahead, is left alone, answers

to the name Jacob, and receives the name Israel from God.

God’s Name is severe. He identifies Himself as YHWH, I AM, El Shaddai, El Elyon, the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, and the God of Israel. When God places His Name upon a people,

that identity is covenantal, legal, holy, and accountable.

Before Israel, there was image-bearing, sin, God’s covering, and the first promise of the Seed. The Seed

comes before the nation. Galatians identifies the Seed as Christ. Those who are Christ’s are Abraham’s

seed and heirs according to promise.

Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness. The promise carried to Isaac, then

to Jacob. But Jacob was not yet Israel. Israel is the name God gives after the Jabbok transition.

Israel the man becomes Israel the people. Israel the people becomes Israel the son-nation. The sonnation points to the true Son. The Servant called Israel restores Israel and becomes light to the nations.

Christ is the true and fulfilled Israel, the Seed who dies and brings forth much fruit, the Son who brings

many sons to glory, and the Priest-King who reclaims blessing and inheritance.

The streams of Judah, Levi, and Joseph/Ephraim/Manasseh are gathered in Him. Judah carries the King

line. Levi carries the priestly shadow. Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh carry blessing and inheritance

witness. Christ gathers the streams as Lion of Judah, Priest after the order of Melchizedek, Seed of

Abraham, giver of the Spirit, and heir-maker.

Romans 9 and John 1 do not interrupt the Old Testament. They clarify it. Not all Israel are Israel. The

sons of God are born of God. John 3 adds that one must be born from above, of water and Spirit. The

Spirit marks those who belong to Christ.

Babel says, “Let us make us a name.” Revelation says, “His name shall be in their foreheads.” The

biblical movement is from self-made name to received Name, from human ascent to God dwelling with

His people, from self-glory to the glory of God and the Lamb.

Where is Israel today? In the God-authorized sense traced here, Israel is found where those who are of

God are found in Christ: those who receive the Son, believe on His Name, are born from above, indwelt

by the Spirit, brought near by His blood, translated into His kingdom, and made heirs through the PriestKing.

The final answer is not men claiming God. It is God dwelling with His people. It is not man making a

name. It is God placing His Name. It is not the earth filled with human glory. It is the earth filled with the

glory of YHWH.