1014. The Glory of Israel When Christ Returns

The Glory of Israel When Christ Returns

God called Israel that she might be unto Him "for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory; but they would not hear" (Jer_13:11). Israel proved disobedient to her call. She was treacherous, departing from the Lord, "as a woman who dealeth treacherously with her husband." For that cause Israel was broken off.

The question, asked in Rom_11:1, by the Holy Spirit is still upon our lips: "Hath God cast away His people?" All day long God stretched forth His hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people (see Rom_10:21). Has He cast them off forever? The answer is–"God forbid." "God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew."

Because of her sins, Israel was severely punished. She was scattered among all nations. Her table was "made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock and a recompense unto them" (Rom_11:9). Days of tribulation and of darkness have fallen upon her, she has been trampled under the feet of the Gentiles for many centuries.

This humbling of Israel, however, will not be forever. Listen again: "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. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins."

The gifts and the calling of God are without repentance. Israel shall surely turn from her unbelief, and be nationally saved. If, through the fall of Israel, "riches" came unto the world, and through the diminishing of Israel "riches" came to the Gentiles, "how much more their fulness?" It is a true word–during the past twenty centuries, Israel has been kept only by the grace of God, "the election of grace."

As surely as God sits on His throne, as surely as His Word is unbroken, Israel is yet to be unto God "for a people, and for a name and for a praise and for a glory." And the glory of Israel's latter days, will climax those of her former days. A greater than Solomon is coming, let us then search the Word together seeking visions of Israel's glory when Christ returns to reign.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR