erpetual_ covenant; it is a _sign_ between me and
the children of ISRAEL _forever_." 16, 17 v. _Who are the true
Israelites?_ Answer, God's people. Hear Paul: "Is he the God of the Jews
only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also; from
uncircumcision through _faith_." Rom. iii: 29, 30. God gave his
re-enacted commandment or covenant to the natural Jew in B. C. 1491.
They broke this covenant, as he told Moses they would, for which God
partially destroyed and dispersed them; God then brought in a new
covenant which continued the sign of the Sabbath, which was confirmed by
Jesus and his Apostle about 1525 years from the first. See Heb. viii: 8,
10, 13; Rom. ii: 13. Their breaking the first covenant never could
[46]destroy the commandments of God. Therefore this new, or second
covenant, made with the house of ISRAEL, Heb. viii: 10 v. (not the
natural Jew only,) is indelibly written upon the heart. Now every child
takes the name of his parents. Let us see what the angel Gabriel says to
Mary concerning her son: "The Lord God will give him the throne of David
_his_ Father, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever." Luke
i: 31, 33.

Now the prophecy: "There shall come a star out of _Jacob_ and a sceptre
shall rise out of _Israel_." Num. Now 1735 years before Jesus was born,
God changed Jacob's name to _Israel_, because he prevailed with him.
This then is the family name for all who overcome, or prevail. God gave
this name to his spiritual child, namely, _Israel_. Then Jesus will
'reign over the house of _Israel_ forever.' This must include all that
are saved in the everlasting kingdom. Further, Joseph was the natural
son of Jacob or _Israel_. In his prophetic view and dying testimony to
his children, he says, Joseph is a fruitful bough, from _thence is the
shepherd_ the stone of _Israel_. Gen. xlix: 22-34. Then this Shepherd
(Jesus) is a descendant, and is of the house of _Israel_. Does he not
say that he is the Shepherd of the Sheep,--what, of the Jews only? No,
but also of the Gentile, 'for the promise is not through the law (of
ceremonies) but thro' the righteousness of _faith_.' Rom. iv: 13. Micah
says, 'They shall smite the Judge of _Israel_, that IS to BE the RULER
in ISRAEL. v: 1, 2. Now Jesus never was a _Judge_ nor _Ruler_ in
_Israel_. This, then, is a prophecy in the future, that he will judge,
and be the Ruler over the whole house of _Israel_. All the family, both
natural Jew and Gentile