0944. Israel's Temporary Rejection
Israel's Temporary Rejection
"Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in" (Rom_11:19)
In the study of the Word of God it is all-important to observe words as well as sentences. The word "until" is one word full of significance. We want to observe its use in connection with Israel's time of rejection.
1. "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, UNTIL the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled" (Luk_21:24). Let us go together to the scene on that memorable day when Christ wept over Jerusalem. "And they cast their garments on the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as He went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord:
"Peace in Heaven, "And glory in the highest" (see Luk_19:35-44).
Some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, "Master, rebuke Thy disciples." And He answered and said unto them, "I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."
Following this came the saddest hour in the life of the blessed Messiah. "And when He was come near, He beheld the city, and wept over it." O Thou Son of God, how our hearts cry out in sympathy! Thou beloved city, the city of peace, the city of promise–"they shall prosper that love thee." Jesus wept as He said: "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! But now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and * * keep thee in on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, * * because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation."
Thus, the Lord foretold the utter desolation of Jerusalem under the armies of Titus, and as He prophesied His spirit was broken within Him. Was this rejection final? Let us see.
In the 21st chapter of Luke's Gospel the story continues. The theme is taken up just where we left it, at the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus. "And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh * * and they shall fall by the edge of the sword * * and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled * * and then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory." Remember the word "until"–"trodden down * * until." Thus, Jerusalem is not to be trodden down forever. Only "until" the times of the Gentiles are full, only "until" the Son of Man comes in a cloud.
2. "Blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in" (Rom_11:25-26). This passage was spoken in answer to the question, "Hath God cast away His people?" The response was, "God forbid."
The words quoted from Act_1:25 and Act_1:26 contain one of seven proofs recorded in Romans 11, that Israel was not cast off forever.
The Holy Spirit admits that blindness happened unto Israel; but the blindness was not complete, neither was it forever.
The Holy Spirit states, "And so all Israel shall be saved." The Holy Spirit emphasizes the time of this salvation–when "the Deliverer comes out of Zion."
The Holy Spirit makes Israel's future forgiveness a basic covenant from God, "This is My covenant unto them."
Israel is to come back again a restored and forgiven people when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
The times of the Gentiles in our first verse was chronological; the fullness of the Gentiles is numerical, and has to do with gathering in of the elect people who were given by the Father unto Christ through the ingathering of the Church.
3. "Ye shall not see Me until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord" (Luk_13:35). Once more our Lord is bowed down in spirit. He has just uttered the strongest anathemas that ever fell from His lips. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites," has sounded forth again and again. Yet, in these anathemas the Master's tender grief is seen by His concluding words: "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen gathereth her brood under her wings, but ye would not!" Following these words comes the voice of alarm: "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me until the time is come when ye shall say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord."
Again we find that Jerusalem is not to be cast off forever. The word "until" is sufficient proof. They shall not see Him henceforth till He comes again, then they will say, "Blessed is He that cometh, etc.
Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR