The Reformed Church, and including Roman Catholics, have upheld the position that there is only one people of God in the Bible—the Church.  The Church includes both Gentiles and Jews. It is made up of all those who look to Christ as Lord and Savior, whether Jew or Gentile from both the Old and New Testament periods.  “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs, according to promise (Gal. 3:29).” Those outside of the Church are not the people of God in any sense. The wrath of God abides upon them unless they repent and turn to Christ.

Christian Zionism has become a major political force in America. Through Christians holding views similar to Senator Ted Cruz and Israel Ambassador Mike Huckabee, the influence of Christian Zionism has influenced America to the point that it has made it all the way to the White House. There may be many reasons why the United States military is in the Middle East, but one reason is surely the popularity of Christian Zionism among modern evangelicals.

Christian Zionism is a theological-political view of the Christian Faith that divides the people of God into two groups—the Church and the Nation of Israel. The Church and the Nation of Israel are separately two chosen peoples of God.  With Christian Zionism, the creation of the Nation of Israel in the 20^th century was part of God’s plan that will bring about the Second Coming of Christ following the Rapture of the Church.  These views are associated with what has otherwise been called Dispensationalism.

Extreme proponents of Dispensationalism are looking for the rebuilding of a Third Temple in Jerusalem (at the Dome of the Rock) where the sacrificial system of the Old Testament will be restored.  The ashes of a red heifer are needed for this, so there is a constant watch for this red heifer being born somewhere in the world that will ultimately lead to the rebuilding of the Temple and eventually other events that will lead to Christ’s Return.

On the other hand, the Reformed Church, and including Roman Catholics, have upheld the position that there is only one people of God in the Bible—the Church.  The Church includes both Gentiles and Jews. It is made up of all those who look to Christ as Lord and Savior, whether Jew or Gentile from both the Old and New Testament periods.  “And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs, according to promise (Gal. 3:29).” Those outside of the Church are not the people of God in any sense. The wrath of God abides upon them unless they repent and turn to Christ.

A major work that refutes the Dispensational view is now available for the American Church.  It is a two-volume publication written by Dr. Kenneth Gentry entitled The Divorce of Israel.  After writing over thirty books, it is his magnum opus.  It is a commentary on the Book of Revelation that posits the theme that God divorced Israel in the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70 and ended the Old Covenant.  God divorced Israel as a covenant people and they are not today a separate chosen people. This book is written from a preterist (past) view, a perspective that the events in the Book of Revelation occurred in the period surrounding AD 70.

The Westminster Larger Catechism in Question #191 teaches us to “pray that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fulness of the Gentiles brought in…”.  The authors of the Westminster Standards did believe in the salvation of many Jews before the Second Coming of Christ, but they did not associate this with a physical nation of Israel in the Levant.  After the fullness of the Gentiles and before the Second Coming, they expected many Jews to turn to Christ as they hear the preaching of the gospel (Rms. 11:25-26).

Dr. Gentry, who was formerly a Dispensationalist, has done the Church a great service in authoring this book.  Although many people do not fall into his eschatological camp, this book is one that every serious Christian should have on their bookshelf.  It is worthy of note that the very positive Introduction to his book was written by an astute theologian who disagrees with his position.

The book not only dispels the two-groups nature of God’s people, but it is a warehouse of information surrounding controversial issues that have been parallel to the Book of Revelation since it was written.

Strangely (this was not his intent), in the modern-day crisis in the Middle-east, Dr. Gentry’s book will help any Christian, whether preterists or not. We all need to understand many basic principles before even beginning or entering into a discussion of what is happening now as the United States has entered into a war with Iran.

For me, Dr. Gentry’s book reads like a novel with many mysteries being unfolded from page to page.  However, maybe the most useful aspect of the book is that it can also be used as a standard commentary for easy reference to many of the difficult texts.

I preached through the Book of Revelation once as a pastor, and even wrote my own book on it.  However, I only wish that I had possessed Dr. Gentry’s book before I took on this Herculean task.

The book can be purchased easily on Amazon or from the Chalcedon Store.

Larry E. Ball is a retired minister in the Presbyterian Church in America and is now a CPA. He lives in Kingsport, Tenn.