Josheb
Well-known member
I've got some time on my hands this morning so let's look at this op line by line.The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1.948, therefore, Israel as a whole suffered 1878 years of strong plagues and CURSES according Deuteronomy 28:v.15 to 68, 53 verses of severe CURSES, and severe punishments / chastisements, around the whole world.
But now, even now, and from now on, not only the rebel Israel, but all Gentile nations, are as a whole already suffering strong plagues and CURSES according the righteous Judgment of GOD - the Word is GOD - even the Judgment Seat of Christ, as JESUS said: The Father hath given Him authority to execute Judgment also, because He is the Son of man-John 5:v.27. Therefore, he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. And now, the Gentile nations and the rebel and recalcitrant Israel will be chastised for ever, the Eternal PUNISHMENT has already STARTED for all nations, be sure of this very terrible event, and the chastisement WILL BE FOR EVER AND EVER, it will never end, it will never stop, but never.
And Revelation 6:v.15-17 will fulfill LITERALLY from now on:
15 The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17 For the great Day (the Lord's Day) of his wrath is come; (that is the seventh and last Day, or seventh and last millennium) and who shall be able to stand?
Jewish Calendar - How to explain the difference of exactly 240 years in the Jewish calendar?
First, from whence does the term "rebel Israel" come? Is there scripture for such a label. Why not "covenant-breaking," or "apostate," or any number of other biblical terms God used to describe Israel (like "harlot"?).
Second, Israel wasn't banned from the land. Israel as a geo-political nation stated was destroyed, not "banned." The destruction of 70 AD did not stop Jews from living in that land. It did not stop members of Israel from living in the land, especially once we acknowledge not all Israel is Israel. The Israel that is Israel, those who live by the promises of God found in Christ Jesus have lived in the land since the land was first gifted to Abraham. After the destruction of 70 AD both bloodline Israel and promise Israel continued to live in the land. In point of fact at the turn of the 20th century there were more Jews living in the land than any other ethnic group. The facts of history contradict the op.
Then there's the statement "Israel as a whole," but since not all Israel is Israel and the Israel of the Bible is those living by the promise, not the law, then not ALL Israel suffered. God fulfilled His promises to the latter Israel. According to Peter they became the nation of priests God had first promised in Exodus.
Exodus 19:2-6
When they set out from Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and camped in the wilderness; and there Israel camped in front of the mountain. Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the sons of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings, and brought you to Myself. 'Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel."
1 Peter 2:4-10
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Who is the "you" in Peter's epistle? Peter identified his audience in the opening of the letter.
1 Peter 1:1-5
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Despite also being Christians, these people were the ones to whom, in whom God fulfilled His promise of a nation of priests, a holy nation, people possessed by God. Notice this nation was "scattered."
Now here's where I might shock you @Oseas because I wholeheartedly agree with the appeal to the curses of Deuteronomy 28. It's a very astute observation because most Christians overly influenced by the Old Testament emphasize, select, and consider only the wonder, warm and fuzzy aspects of the covenant made through the Law. They rarely if ever take all of it in and look at it because God did not just promise a bunch of nice stuff. He also promised destruction in recompense for disobedience. Not just curses, but destruction. The promise of destruction is just as everlasting as the promise of land . It gets confusing because God promises restoration so many times throughout the prophets.
And the fact of scripture is Israel never fully obeyed God. They weren't "rebels;" they were dead in sin.
Just as factual is God's promise to remove His covenant from them and give it to others. He can do that since they'd never fulfilled their end of the covenant.