I had a question asked of me the other day.
How do I explain the concept of the kingdom of God to someone who says we we need to support Israel because they’re God’s chosen people?
Here is my answer with a little more detail added for the sake of this article:
The New Testament makes it clear that God’s chosen people under the New Covenant are no longer defined by physical lineage but by faith in Jesus Christ. This teaching redefines the concept of “God’s people”, focusing on the promises made to Abraham and how the promises now extend to all who are in Christ, regardless of their ethnicity or national origin. Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28-29 beautifully summarize this truth. The distinctions of Jew and Gentile no longer divide to those who are united in Christ, for all who belong to Him are heirs of God’s promises. Also in Romans 9:6-8, Paul clarifies that not all who are descended from Israel are part of “Israel”. In the spiritual sense, true Israel consists of those who are children of the promise, which is fulfilled in Christ.
This understanding has significant implications for how Christians view the modern nation of Israel. While Christians are free to support Israel politically or for humanitarian reasons, it is important to recognize that the modern state of Israel does not hold a unique covenantal relationship with God apart from faith in Christ. Under the New Covenant, the focus of God’s work is no longer on a specific nation or ethnic group but on His church, which consists of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation who are reconciled to God through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:11-22).
Jesus Himself proclaimed in John 18:36 that His kingdom is “not of this world,” making it clear that His mission was to establish a spiritual kingdom rather than a political or earthly one. The church, which Jesus established through His death, burial, and resurrection, is the fulfillment of God’s promises. To suggest that Jesus must return to establish a physical kingdom in Jerusalem implies that He failed in His first coming, a notion that is inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture and diminishes the sufficiency of His work on the cross. Christ’s kingdom is here and now, made up of those who submit to and follow Him.
As Christians, our primary allegiance is to Christ and His spiritual kingdom, not to any earthly nation.* This perspective calls us to love all people, seek peace, and share the gospel with everyone. Our mission is not to prioritize one nation over another but to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ to all the world (Matthew 28:19-20). Supporting Israel, or any nation, should be guided by principles of justice, peace, and the common good rather than a misunderstanding of biblical prophecy or covenant theology.
By keeping our focus on the spiritual realities of the kingdom of God, we remain faithful to the mission Christ has given us and avoid being entangled in political ideologies that distract from the gospel. Our hope is not in earthly nations or borders but in the eternal kingdom of Christ, which includes all who trust in Him as Savior and Lord.
In Christ alone,
Alex Mills
*This is one reason, I personally, struggle with the idea of me pledging allegiance to a flag (any flag). The only allegiance I am really comfortable with is to pledge allegiance to Christ. If this country or any other one that I live under falls I’m still a Christian and committed to Christ.