In the xxxi. ch. of Exod., God says, "Wherefore the children of ISRAEL shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations for a _perpetual_ 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, will assume the family name, the _whole Israel_ of God. The angel Gabriel's message, then, is clear; David is the Father of Jesus, according to the flesh, and Jacob, or rather Israel his Father, and Jesus reigns over the house of Israel forever. Paul says, 'He is not a Jew which is one outwardly, but he is a Jew which is one inwardly.' Rom. ii.