"Proclaim, give praise, and say,
'O LORD, save [Hosanna] Your people,
The remnant of Israel!'
Behold, I will bring them from the north country,
And gather them from the ends of the earth."
~ Jeremiah 31:7-8 (NKJV)
He will set up a banner for the nations,
And will assemble the outcasts of Israel,
And gather together the dispersed of Judah [Yehuda, the Jews]
From the four corners of the earth.
~ Isaiah 11:12 (NKJV)
And so all Israel will be saved... For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
~ Romans 11:26,29 (NKJV)
The multitude of prophesies which preceded Jesus' arrival on earth made clear only in retrospect the nature of His ministry. The majority of Jews presumed that He must take the throne immediately. His timing required otherwise, frustrating their limited faith.
Presumption of many faithful Christians denies that Israel shall still be saved, despite volumes of prophecy to the contrary—despite seeing the gathering of Jews from the ends of the earth back to Israel, before our very eyes!
We cannot be so presumptuous that we believe we can know in advance how all will be fulfilled. Only in retrospect will we see with accuracy the how's of God.
I don't wish to be contentious. I refuse to be divisive on matters not foundational to salvation. I freely admit my limited knowledge, which is certain we shall escape God's wrath, but cannot conclusively support that the rapture shall precede the seven-year Tribulation. I do not see such clarity in Scripture, nor do many people far more learned than I am.
Many Christians presume the Lord will gather us from the ends of the earth immediately before The Tribulation. It is my firm belief we should wait upon the Lord without presumption, expecting the tribulation Jesus said we should expect.
Father in heaven, thank You for Your multitude of reassurances that people faithful to You should always escape the brunt of Your wrath. Please unite Your people in spirit and truth. Please complete final preparations to make us one, in anticipation of Your return for Your bride.
Your feedback is appreciated. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Hi Anne,
ReplyDeleteReading through 2 Kings and Revelation, as I am now, I'm struck by the ancient histories, the future prophecies, and the jarring present. How indeed do Christians deny what is upon us--whether its conclusion comes this day or in ten million days?
I wish I had insight to share, but I am not a scholar in end times scripture. From my own study I find more verses that support Christians being present for the Tribulation than I do for us being Raptured before the Trib. But like you, I rest on the tenets of the faith and wait for the unfolding of time to know the particulars of God's plan.
In the meantime, I hear and sense the grinding of this old piece of rock on which we spin, like a train wreck in slow motion. Sorry if that seems morbid--but I, like many Christians, sense the time is coming soon. Indeed the signs are all around us! All I can do is pray for strength to overcome, no matter the challenge. I know our everlasting God is faithful to His children.
God bless you all richly this morning! Even so, come Lord Jesus!
I stand with you my friend in this prayer. I love you.
ReplyDeleteYou've probably heard of this, but recently I heard of "rib" issues and "spine" issues. Those of the rib don't influence our salvation and the spine issues are those issues of salvation. It reminded me of what you wrote today.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
Gwen, I might have expected you to so aptly capture the escence of our era--a train wreck in slow motion. Or, in the case of the U.S. economy, not-so-slow motion.
ReplyDeleteDenise, unity is one of my most heartfelt prayers. I thank you for sharing it.
Wendy, I thank you for understanding the dichotomy of what I'm saying here, and for so nicely expressing it. I'll remember the spine and rib metaphor.