These are three points that much has been written about already. I am not claiming to be writing a comprehensive summary about it, but only my own perception. In my perception, there is no way to separate the three, the Bible, Israel, and the Church. First, we have to talk about the Bible. This is something that much has been written about, but what is the Bible to you?
The Bible is more like a library, a collection of books put together for a reason. The whole Bible as we have it today was written for over one thousand years, by many writers, and several different languages. Incredibly the Bible has hundreds, and maybe thousands of cross-references, meaning that different authors quoted, or cited passages from other authors.
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). This verse clearly explains that the Bible is a source of encouragement and hope. No wonder that over fifty countries in the world have forbidden the distribution of the Bible. It brings hope for freedom and can lead people to cry out against tyrants and dictators, governments that enslave and control people. The story of Passover and the deliverance of the people of Israel from Egypt is the reality of many people in every generation.
The Bible is not only a historical book, it is also a prophetic book, it is a living book that is not limited by time. Its message and application are not limited to a geographical location or a specific time, or a specific people. The message in the letters to the New Testament churches is still a valid message for the Church today. The message of the prophets of the Old Testament is still a valid message for the Church today.
The stories of the prophets, David, Saul, and all the different characters of the Bible are not only historical and a thing of the past, but they can serve as correction, teaching, instruction, and example for each one of us today. In reading the Psalms, for example, one can learn the lesson from the examples of the lives of David and others who wrote the Psalms. They were not perfect, all the people in the Bible were just normal people going through life, making mistakes, sinning, and sometimes being good, in other words, the Bible tells the story of humanity in a relationship with God. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).
https://chrisharrison.net/index.php/Visualizations/BibleViz
https://churchleaders.com/youth/403760-how-many-countries-is-the-bible-banned-in.html
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/what-is-bible/
The Bible, Israel, and the Church
