1535. The Gentile World and the Two Comings

The Gentile World and the Two Comings

"Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?" (Rom_11:12).

1. In the First Coming, Israel's breaking off brought riches to the Gentiles. In the Book of Acts, in its opening chapters, Israel is given an opportunity for immediate repentance and restoration. Peter cried: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and He shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you" (Act_3:19-20).

The children of Israel, however, nationally, continued in their unbelief. Finally God turns from Israel. The Book of Acts closes with these remarkable statements from the Apostle Paul: "Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the Prophet unto our fathers, saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive: for the heart of this people is waxed gross. * * Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it" (Act_28:25-28).

Thus Israel was broken off, and the Gentiles had the opportunity of hearing the Gospel.

The commission was given: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel" (Mar_16:15). Today, God is visiting the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. Israel's fall has been the riches of the nations.

2. In the Second Coming, Israel, being grafted in again, will become, much more, the riches of the Gentiles. The conversion of the Apostle Paul presents a, beautiful type just here. He was made a pattern unto those who should hereafter believe. Paul was saved by the forthshining of a light from Heaven, and by the voice and vision of the risen Christ. Upon the salvation of Paul, Ananias was told: "Go thy way: for he (Paul) is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles" (Act_9:15).

Thus, Israel shall be saved by the forthshining of Christ's Second Coming. She shall see Him and hear His voice, and she shall be saved. Immediately she will become God's ambassador to the far corners of the earth. Under her ministry the whole earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Israel, grafted in again, will be the fullness of Gentile riches.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR