That might be important if you believe the "Israel" of the New Testament is literally the nation of Israel, but many Christians see it as representing the entire body of Christian believers--the "new Israel" with whom God has made a new covenant.
God made the New Covenant with the House of Israel and Judah (Jeremiah 31:31, et seq.; Hebrews 8:8, et seq.). Gentiles enter into the New Covenant by faith in Jesus, although Jewish people must place their faith in Him too for salvation and for the once and for all atonement for sins.
I suppose it can be interpreted that way. One day, we will get to ask! :)
susie
You are exactly correct. Paul is adamant that believers in Christ are the true Israel.
Also the so-called "rapture" is a false theology built up around one verse in Thessalonians which is misinterpreted.
Some of the Hasids and other "Ultraorthodox" Jews --- even in Israel --- don't believe the present-day state of Israel is the nation of Israel predicted in prophecy. This is because it's a secular democratic state which does not require Jews to keep kosher and follow the Torah.
you are talking about replacement theology which believes exactly as you stated. however nowhere in the bible does it even suggest that GOD would cast away the nation of israel. he has given them a promise through abraham, issac and jacob(renamed israel) that HE would give them the land that abraham walked on and that they would be the head of all nations, that has not happened at all in the history of the world.
christians have a unique relationship with GOD through JESUS. our position is soley(sp) due to the death and ressurection of our GOD and savior and the prophesy's of the old testament, that GOD would gather for himself a people from ALL nations and languages. we are benifiting from the temporary blindness of the isralies to see their messiah so we (gentiles) can be gathered from all the world.
once the full number of believers is gathered (only GOD knows that number) then the times of the gentiles will be over, then the blinders will be removed from the isralies and they will see as prophesy states in the old testament. GOD will then turn his full attention back to israel (though believers will not be foresaken by HIM) again as it is written in the old and new testaments.
its in the BOOK.