Continuing in Romans 11
In a book I read recently, the author states that a prerequisite for Messiah's return is the conversion of the Israel of God who will call on Him in the last days.
At that time Jesus will take away their (Israel's) sins. (see Ezekiel 36)
Enemies for our sakes...they were not given belief for a time so that the Gentiles could be brought in. However, the elect of Israel are not forsaken entirely.
Israel was set aside so that the gospel could go out to the world, without the world having to be proselytized into the Mosaic covenant. The disciples preached the New Covenant to the nations, a covenant that the chosen of Israel will enter into at His coming.
He let the Gentiles go their own way (for the most part) for the years during the Law of Moses and now is letting Israel go their own way (for the most part) during this age of grace.
To which at this prospect, Paul breaks out in praise:
Israel as a nation cannot and will not accept Jesus as the Messiah and King until the full amount of Gentiles that are to be co-heirs with them are saved.25For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
All Israel will be saved, not every person descended from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that ever lived, but a future generation that will say: "Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." Just as the generation of Jews living at the time of Christ were judged in 70AD by the destruction of the temple, the generation who goes through the time of Jacob's trouble will have a believing remnant that will call for His return.26And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Mat 23:37 -39 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
In a book I read recently, the author states that a prerequisite for Messiah's return is the conversion of the Israel of God who will call on Him in the last days.
27For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. (notice all the thems and theys, he's not talking about the Church here)
At that time Jesus will take away their (Israel's) sins. (see Ezekiel 36)
Ezekiel 36:23-28
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I [am] the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do [them]. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
28As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
Enemies for our sakes...they were not given belief for a time so that the Gentiles could be brought in. However, the elect of Israel are not forsaken entirely.
29For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
Israel was set aside so that the gospel could go out to the world, without the world having to be proselytized into the Mosaic covenant. The disciples preached the New Covenant to the nations, a covenant that the chosen of Israel will enter into at His coming.
But later, God will set aside (or some would argue, take out or rapture..I'm not too sure yet) the church so that He can again have mercy on Israel.31Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
Isaiah 14:1 For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel, and set them in their own land: and the strangers (I don't believe that these strangers are the church, but the sheep of the sheep/goats judgement...but let's not go there now;) shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob.
32For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
He let the Gentiles go their own way (for the most part) for the years during the Law of Moses and now is letting Israel go their own way (for the most part) during this age of grace.
To which at this prospect, Paul breaks out in praise:
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33O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!34For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?35Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?36For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
So true Ma! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I focus on myself and my own troubles or whatever (giving myself a headache) I usually find myself sinking deeper and deeper and get depressed... but when I think about the Lord and direct my thoughts to Him, He lifts me up. He is WONDERFUL. :)
I love it. Look to HIM at all times, so easy, but so hard for us to do, but always being reminded by HIS grace.
ReplyDeleteHave you any thoughts on the Hebrew 4 Christians article? Jim McClarty is really on the warpath with the replacement model and is going to be doing an in-depth study on Romans 9,10,11 in the coming weeks. It promises to be good, I'm sure.
I'm still working on it... I semi agree with what he is saying, he does say that our works do not save us, and that days (Saturday) weeks, months, etc are only for Jewish people to "keep", but more for time-keeping and to remember to pass down information to future generations, and that it won't be something to observe when we are with Jesus, just like the light of a candle is pretty much useless when you have the brightness of the sun (or Son, rather) in full blazing light and glory. That is always the way I saw it too, that Jesus and the Holy Spirit eclipse the need for the rituals of the past.
ReplyDeleteIn the first article (the one you read) it still seems to be heavy on the need to go back to the Jewish roots of Christianity. I think it is helpful but can be (and often is) overdone. I've heard alot of bad about the "Hebrew Roots" movement, which this writer seems to follow...but not completely.
I'm still working on it... I semi agree with what he is saying, he does say that our works do not save us, and that days (Saturday) weeks, months, etc are only for Jewish people to "keep", but more for time-keeping and to remember to pass down information to future generations, and that it won't be something to observe when we are with Jesus, just like the light of a candle is pretty much useless when you have the brightness of the sun (or Son, rather) in full blazing light and glory. That is always the way I saw it too, that Jesus and the Holy Spirit eclipse the need for the rituals of the past.
ReplyDeleteThat is something that is a little hard to figure when trying to reconcile the New Testament with some of the unfulfilled stuff in the OT, especially Ezekiel's temple prophecy. I know I go on and on about A. Fruchtenbaum, but the book I just finished pretty much answered (for now) all the questions I had regarding animal sacrifices during the millennium. I think I will revisit that section before taking it back to the church library.
And I agree about the Israel/Church article and his position on the Hebrew roots..there has to be some balance.
In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, bond nor free, male nor female. It's not about being proselytized into Israel's heritage but into the fulfillment of that system, into CHRIST.
Sometimes I feel like the Shulamite woman of "Song of Solomon" where she says "Don't look upon me because I am dark"...
ReplyDeleteOften I get to feeling like there is so much wrong with me and I'm still such a mess, and when I sense the horribleness of my fallen condition, I do not want to look up, I only look down and feel horrible and depressed... and then I realize it is because my focus in on myself, and that to look up I will see my help, and He never fails to help :-)