In Zechariah, God promises to come and dwell in their midst, and have a universal church
“Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the LORD. “Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you. And the LORD will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. Be silent, all flesh, before the LORD, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!” Zech. 2:10-13
How must this news have sounded to the ears of those who heard Zechariah? God told them to rejoice because He was coming to dwell in their midst. But even more than that, He would cause many nations to be joined to the LORD (Gentiles) and they would also be called His people. Amazing.
Then Jesus came to earth. “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11 “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14
Then the Gentiles were joined to the church. “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.” John 10:16
“And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.” Acts 10:45
“When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, ‘Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.’” Acts 11:18
“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.” Acts 15:8,9
God has always been concerned about having a loving, family relationship with His creatures. It was promised in the Old Testament.
“I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Ex. 6:7
“I will walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people.” Lev. 26:12
“But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’” Jer. 7:23
Further, it was not just said to the Jews, but to the Gentiles.
“Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth,
And I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy;
Then I will say to those who were not My people,
‘You are My people!’
And they shall say, ‘You are my God!’ ” Hos. 2:23
It was confirmed again in the New Testament.
“And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
‘I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.
I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.’” 1 Cor. 6:16,18
The Scarlet Thread 