LOL Amos. And what about everybody else that comes and is baptized into Messiah? Are they not also Israel?
This is a good point. Could it be that those chosen for the upward spiritual call, become Israelites by the acceptance of Messiah? I certainly think so.
Paul confirms this thought several times, but I cannot remember the scriptures.
It has been my contention that while the law is still in effect its' nature and how we relate to it have changed. If you look through the Torah there are multiple instances of God's relationship to His people changing. Over time the way in which we approach Him has evolved according to His guidance. One of the main staples of God's Character is his Justness. In His Justice God would never put someone in a posistion that made it impossible for them to be saved from and exact punishment. And the law served one fundamental purpose other than guidance. It highlighted man's need for redemption by throwing light on his iniquity. When His people were in bondage in Babylon they were unable to completely abide by the law. And yet they still possessed the promises and favor of God. Likewise today the priesthood has changed and all the sacradfices have been concluded in Yeshua. So even though the law of God still exists its' nature is fundamentally changed effecting a change in us inwardly that gives us a the ability to be clothed in righteousness.
I most certainly agree with you about these things. It has been my contention that the Torah & complete OT was pointing toward Yashua & His fulfillment of the Law. (As the LC was perfect, it did not need to be abolished, it needed to be fulfilled)
I also believe that this then was the basis on which the "church" or "saints" were to be instructed in the new way for them to worship Yahweh, as established by Yashua during His sojourn on earth. To worship in spirit & truth.
This I believe received fulfillment with the establishment of "The New Covenant" following the last supper of Nisan 14.
This I also believe was ratified by the shed blood of our Redeemer, & with the subsequent outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
As I have often used the statement that, the "New Covenant, by definition, is an extension of the Law Covenant, a modification of the LC, to achive the purpose that Yahweh desires at this time, during the Gospel Age.