The Great Olive Tree Conspiracy: How Replacement Theology Got It Wrong (And Why It’s Time to Fix It) [Israel means Israel, Part 3]

Links to Parts 1-2 inside

"Tov Rose has written a resource so thorough that Bible students, ministry leaders, and every believer in Yeshua seeking to understand the unity of both the Hebrew and Apostolic Scriptures, will want a copy in their library.

In our own day, much scholarship, and certainly pulpit ministries, have moved away from advancing the truth that Yahweh’s people must understand how both Testament’s speak His revelation. The result is a rise in what I describe as abhorrent theologies that attempt to negate and reject outright Yahweh’s people Israel, argue against a literal realized eschatology where King Jesus reigns, and a misunderstanding of the role we must play as believers in these days. Tov’s book provides the biblical basis as well as the intellectual weaponry to right these wrongs."

Dr. Mike Spaulding
Pastor Calvary Chapel Lima, OH, Author and Conference Speaker

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Israel Means Israel, part 4

The Great Olive Tree Conspiracy: How Replacement Theology Got It Wrong (And Why It’s Time to Fix It)

Hey there, friend! Grab a coffee—make it strong, because we’re diving deep today—or maybe some tea if you’re feeling classy. Heck, pour a glass of that sweet Israeli wine if you’ve got it. We’re about to unpack something big, something that’s been nagging at me for years, and I’m betting it’s crossed your mind too if you’ve ever cracked open a Bible and wondered, What’s the deal with Israel and the Church? I’m Tov Rose, and this isn’t just theology for me—it’s personal. It’s about identity, God’s promises, and a story that’s been hijacked for way too long.

Let me set the scene. A few years back, I’m sitting in a dusty Jerusalem café, espresso in hand, scribbling notes on a napkin because Romans 11 won’t let me sleep. I’d grown up hearing all the usual lines: “The Church replaced Israel,” “God’s done with the Jews,” “We’re the new spiritual Israel now.” It sounded neat, tidy, like a bow on a Christmas present. But that day, with the hum of Hebrew chatter around me and Paul’s words staring me down, I realized something: We’ve been sold a lie. A big, fat, Replacement Theology lie that’s twisted the New Testament into something its Jewish writers—guys like Paul, Peter, and John—wouldn’t even recognize.

So, what’s the plan? We’re going to tear this thing apart, piece by piece. We’ll wrestle with the Olive Tree in Romans 11, unpack that tricky “commonwealth” word in Ephesians 2:12, and figure out why Jesus being King of kings doesn’t mean what you might think. We’ll tackle the “Bride of Christ” mess, dig into why Romans 9-12 is the kryptonite of Supersessionism, and even peek at how Satan’s been playing a jealousy game to keep us all confused. Oh, and we’ll take a hard look at history—because this isn’t just about ideas; it’s about real-world pain. By the time we’re done, you’ll see why this matters, not just for theology nerds like me, but for how we live, love, and look at God’s crazy, beautiful plan.

Ready? Let’s roll.

The Olive Tree: Not What I Thought (And Definitely Not Replacement)

Picture this: I’m in that café, napkin covered in coffee stains and ink, and I’m stuck on Romans 11:17-24. Paul’s talking about an olive tree—natural branches broken off, wild ones grafted in. I’d always assumed the tree was Israel. I mean, olives? That’s Israel’s thing, right? Jeremiah 11:16 calls Israel “a green olive tree, beautiful in fruit and form.” Done deal.

But then I slowed down and actually read it. Paul says, “If some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches” (Romans 11:17-18). Okay, cool. But then he hits me with, “You do not support the root, but the root supports you” (v. 18). And later, “If they do not continue in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again” (v. 23).

Wait. If the tree is Israel, and unbelieving Jews are broken off, does that mean they’re not Israel anymore? And if I’m grafted in, am I the new Israel? That’s what Replacement Theology wants you to think. But Paul’s not playing that game. The root isn’t Israel the nation—it’s the covenant promises, starting with Abraham: “In you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). The tree? It’s the family of faith, Jew and Gentile, rooted in God’s unbreakable word.

This flipped my world upside down. The tree isn’t Israel; it’s bigger. It’s Messiah’s community—Jewish believers (natural branches) and Gentile believers (wild ones like me). Unbelieving Jews aren’t “out” of Israel; they’re just not connected to the tree right now. And Paul’s clear: they can come back. Meanwhile, I’m not replacing anybody—I’m joining something ancient, something alive.

Replacement Theology says the Church took over the tree. Nope. Paul shuts that down in Romans 11:1: “Has God rejected His people? By no means!” Israel’s still Israel—land, people, promises—and I’m a guest, not the new owner. Misreading this? That’s how Supersessionism writes Jews out of their own story.

Romans 9-12: The Part Everybody Skips (But Can’t Afford To)

Here’s where it gets juicy. If you’ve ever heard a sermon that skips Romans 9-12—or worse, cherry-picks a verse to say Israel’s toast—you’ve been shortchanged. These chapters are Paul’s love letter to his people, and they’re a wrecking ball to Replacement Theology.

Romans 9: Paul’s heartbroken. “I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart… for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (9:2-3). He lists Israel’s perks: “the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the Law, the temple service, and the promises” (9:4). Notice anything? Those aren’t past tense. They’re still Israel’s, even if some don’t believe yet.

Romans 10: Salvation’s the same for everybody—“no distinction between Jew and Greek” (10:12)—but that doesn’t mean Israel’s promises got canceled. Paul’s praying they’ll see Yeshua (10:1), not that they’re replaced.

Romans 11: The grand finale. “All Israel will be saved” (11:26). Not “all the Church”—Israel. A remnant now, a fullness later. And those promises? “The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (11:29). Eternal. Done Deal.

Supersessionism ignores this. It zooms in on Romans 3-8 (justification by faith) and pretends 9-12 don’t exist. But Paul’s not schizophrenic—he’s building a case. Gentiles get in through faith (yay, YOU!), but Israel’s not out (bad, ME). Misinterpreting this writes Jews out of God’s plan and turns Paul into a liar.

Ephesians 2:12: “Commonwealth” Doesn’t Mean What You Think

Let’s hit Ephesians 2:12 hard, because this is where Replacement Theology trips over its own feet. Paul says to us Gentiles, “You were at that time separate from Messiah, excluded from the Commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the Covenants of Promise, having no hope and without God in the world.” Then, “But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off have been brought near” (v. 13).

The word “commonwealth”—politeia in Greek—gets mangled. Replacement folks say, “See? We’re part of Israel now!” Nope. Let’s break it down.

Think British Commonwealth. A used car salesman in Australia and a fisherman in the Bahamas are both in the Commonwealth, but they’re not British citizens. They’re under the Queen (or King now), share some laws, but England’s still England. Same deal here. Jesus is King of Kings—Emperor, if you will. Israel’s the sovereign nation under Him, tied to the covenants (plural—Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic, New). I’m brought near, made a “fellow citizen with the saints” (2:19), but not a citizen of Israel. My citizenship’s heavenly (Philippians 3:20), in God’s household, not Israel’s nation.

Misapplying this, Supersessionism says I’ve replaced Israel in the commonwealth. Wrong. I’ve joined the family, not stolen the deed. The New Testament’s Jewish writers—Paul included—would never dream of erasing their own people like that.

The “Bride of Christ”: A Shaky House of Cards

Now, let’s talk about this “Bride of Christ” thing. I’ve got a friend, Patrick Craig, who nailed it: it’s Replacement Theology in disguise. Scripture calls Israel God’s wife 28 times—Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Hosea, you name it. “For your Maker is your husband” (Isaiah 54:5). Clear as day. Who is the Maker? Jesus pre-incarnate as the Word of God. Same Jesus, different office and title before he become flesh and dwelt among us.

The Church as the Bride? It’s built on four shaky verses. Ephesians 5:25-27? A marriage metaphor, not a title. 2 Corinthians 11:2? Paul’s “espousing” us to Christ—another metaphor. Revelation 19:7 and 21:9-11? John says the Bride is “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven.” Sounds like Israel to me, not First Baptist Church of Paducah, or 1st Lutheran Church of Minneapolis, or 5th Assembly of God Los Angelis, or Westminster Chapel London.

Meanwhile, we’re “in Christ”—His body (Ephesians 1:23). If He’s the Bridegroom, are we the Bride and the body? That’s theological yoga I can’t stretch to. Israel’s the wife; we’re the family in Him. Supersessionism flips this, writes Israel out, and hands us the veil. It means we are in the Bridegroom, we are not the Bride. Anyone remember reading Jesus's last prayer in John? That's the context. Sorry, not buying the flip. Have you?

Matthew 23:39 and the Enemy’s Endgame

Yeshua says, “You will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord’” (Matthew 23:39). Zechariah 12:10 adds, “They will look on Me whom they pierced.” Romans 11:25-26 ties it up: “A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved.”

This is huge. Messiah’s return hinges on Israel welcoming Him. Replacement Theology undermines that—says it’s all about the Church now. But if “all Israel” means “all the Church,” why the hardening? Why the jealousy angle (Romans 11:11)? It’s nonsense.

Satan’s in on this. He flips the jealousy—makes Gentiles covet Israel’s role instead of provoking Israel to faith (Romans 11:11). Ever met a Christian obsessed with being “Jewish enough”? That’s the trap. It keeps us distracted, and it keeps Israel from seeing Yeshua. Replacement Theology’s his tool.

History’s Bloody Trail

This isn’t theoretical. Replacement Theology’s got a rap sheet—antisemitism baked into doctrine. Early church fathers like Justin Martyr pushed it. Crusades? Pogroms? Holocaust? All fueled by “Jews are out, we’re in.” Today, it’s subtler—sermons shrugging off Israel’s role—but it’s still poison. In a world where swastikas are back, we can’t play dumb.

Living It Out: Coffee, Faith, and Holy Mischief

So, what now? Love Israel—not as projects, but family. Own your heavenly citizenship—secure in Messiah, not stealing Israel’s spot. Bear fruit that makes people curious. And rejoice: one tree, two branches, one God and built on his Promise to Abraham into whom you are grafted.

Sip that coffee and ask: Am I living this? Let’s flip the enemy’s script and you be the wild, faithful people God dreamed up. Israel’s story’s alive—and so is ours.

Part 1:

Part 2: The Church is NOT Israel:

Let's take this a step futher: over on X @B_A_Purtle suggested this discussion:

This is very simple, actually. If the Church is Israel and Israel is the Church, please answer my parenthetical questions:

"...all Israel (a mostly Gentile Church?) will be saved, as it is written,

'The Deliverer will come from Zion,

he will banish ungodliness from Jacob' (A mostly Gentile Church?);

'and this will be my covenant with them

when I take away their sins.'

As regards the gospel, they (A mostly Gentile Church?) are enemies for your sake (Oh, if Israel/Jacob/They means a mostly Gentile Church, who is "your"?). But as regards election, they (A mostly Gentile Church?) are beloved for the sake of their forefathers (Forefathers, as in Origen and Augustine?). For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

Rather facetious questions, I know. But it's exegetically nonsensical to say that "the Church is the new Israel" in light of Paul's language. Rather, the flow of this whole section of Romans is clear -- Israel, the Jews, Paul's kinsmen according to the flesh, Jacob, enemies of the gospel/beloved for the sake of the fathers... These are all ways of referring to the Jewish people, upon whom a partial hardening has come, but whom "God has the power to graft in again." And He will.

No wonder Jonathan Edwards wrote, "Nothing is more certainly foretold than this national conversion of the Jews in Romans 11."