This Number Destroys Replacement Theology

Mark Hitchcock answers the most asked question in prophecy today: Are the Jewish people and modern Israel still biblically significant, or has the church replaced them? The answer from Scripture is unmistakable—and it changes everything about how we view current events in the Middle East.

In Romans 9:4-5, Paul uses present tense verbs to describe Israel’s status: “Theirs IS the adoption to sonship, theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises.” Not “was” but “is”—these blessings still belong to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob today. New Testament scholar Tom Schreiner confirms this means “the Jews still are Israelites and all the blessings named still belong to them.” The word Israel appears 73 times in the New Testament, and in every single case it refers to the physical Jewish people, never the church. Replacement theology—the idea that the church is the “new Israel”—cannot be found anywhere in Scripture when you let the Bible interpret itself.

Mark addresses the key question many believers are asking: Is the modern secular state of Israel the same as biblical Israel? The answer lies in understanding that both were and are the nation-state of the Jewish people. Just as biblical Israel included Gentiles living among them, modern Israel includes Arab Muslims and Armenian Christians. The similarity is that 80% of the population are Jews, making it the homeland of the Jewish people just as it was in biblical times. And according to Romans 11:28-29, “God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable”—He will never reject His people or renege on His covenant promises.

The practical implications are massive. If the Abrahamic covenant still belongs to Israel today, then the blessing-for-blessing principle still applies: “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” Christians must support Israel’s legitimate right to exist and defend itself, and we must take a stand against the mushrooming anti-Semitism sweeping the world. Psalm 83 reveals the true source of anti-Semitism—it’s ultimately hatred of God Himself. When nations conspire to “wipe them out as a nation so that Israel’s name is remembered no more,” they’re making a covenant against God.

Key timestamps: 00:00 - The critical question every Christian is asking about Israel - 02:41 - Romans 9:4-5: Present tense verbs prove covenants still belong to Israel - 05:34 - Romans 11: Did God reject His people? By no means! - 08:00 - Modern Israel IS the nation-state of the Jewish people - 11:02 - Psalm 83: Anti-Semitism is hatred of God - 11:30 - Why “Israel” means Israel all 73 times in the New Testament - 14:08 - Debunking replacement theology’s favorite verses - 19:39 - Q&A: Who are the ten horns? (Trump’s Board of Peace connection) - 23:57 - Will Elijah be one of the two witnesses? - 26:11 - Ezekiel 38-39 war timing finally explained

Referenced Scriptures: Romans 9:4-5 (covenants remain) - Romans 11:1, 28-29 (gifts irrevocable) - Psalm 83:2-5 (hatred of Israel = hatred of God) - Genesis 12:3 (blessing and cursing principle) - Galatians 6:16 (Israel of God explained) - Daniel 7, Revelation 13, 17 (ten horns) - Malachi 4 (Elijah’s return) - Ezekiel 38-39 (Gog-Magog invasion timing)

This level of systematic theology—carefully examining every use of “Israel” in Scripture, parsing Greek verb tenses, and addressing theological controversies like replacement theology—requires focused study that goes far beyond surface-level teaching. While YouTube introduces these critical doctrines, serious students of prophecy need the comprehensive biblical education available at endtimes.com. Premium subscribers access Mark’s complete systematic theology series on Israel and the church, ad-free deep-dive teachings on controversial topics that require hours of careful explanation, and a community of believers committed to letting Scripture interpret Scripture rather than following popular opinion.

Subscribe and hit the notification bell so you never miss Mark’s biblical teaching that brings clarity to the most confusing issues in prophecy. Comment below: Have you encountered replacement theology in your church, and how do you respond when someone claims the church has replaced Israel? And if you’re ready for doctorate-level prophetic teaching that transforms confusion into confidence, visit endtimes.com and join thousands studying Scripture with the depth it deserves.

Bonus Q&A in this episode: Mark explains why the ten horns of Daniel 7 are likely ten future individuals (not Trump’s current Board of Peace, though it could be a template), reveals why Moses and Elijah are probably the two witnesses based on the Transfiguration, and clarifies why the Ezekiel 38-39 war most likely occurs in the first half of the tribulation after the Antichrist’s peace treaty gives Israel false security.

#Israel #ReplacementTheology #Romans9 #JewishPeople #ModernIsrael #MarkHitchcock