What do you think was God`s Purpose in making - the Nations, Israel and the Body of Christ?
- Thread starter Marilyn C
- Start date
Isrsel: since the fall of Man, there was always a plan set in place for Christ the redeemer to come. God set apart a people Thru the preservation of Noah to the covenant with Abraham >(Israel)>Jesus (Genesis)
The OT is the fore telling of Christ the redeemer (Psalms, Isaiah, etc).
Now that Christ has come, we believers should be eagerly waiting His return.
The Body of Christ? The church? Is the result of accepting Christ and we are to be united in spreading the gospel, upholding the Great Commission, and caring for those in need. And upon Christ's return believers will be united with Him.
The OT is the fore telling of Christ the redeemer (Psalms, Isaiah, etc).
Now that Christ has come, we believers should be eagerly waiting His return.
The Body of Christ? The church? Is the result of accepting Christ and we are to be united in spreading the gospel, upholding the Great Commission, and caring for those in need. And upon Christ's return believers will be united with Him.
The purpose of making all of them at the proper time was to fulfill God's foreordained plan to redeem humanity.
Like in a predestination kind of way?
Predestination isn't quite accurately applicable here. It's more like royal decree issued in advance of events to take place.
To be with God? There's only group in the end, those who endured, whose names are written in the Lambs book of life (Revelations 21). (Isaiah 65:17:66:24)
Maybe I miss understand the the question or Im referencing the wrong scripture. But, there aren't separate groups of believers.
Hi cocoa,
`To be with God.` Yes, I agree. And `each in their own order.` (1 Cor. 15: 23)
The Body of Christ - `those who are Christ`s at His coming.` (1 Cor. 15: 23) They have their names in the Book of Life and rule with Christ on His throne in the third heaven.
The Old Testament Saints - who looked for a city God built. (Heb. 11: 16) They will receive their inheritance in the New Heavens and New Earth. (Rev. 21: 2)
Israel and the Nations - `those of the nations who are saved...` (Rev. 21: 24) They will have been to the great white Throne for their works (motives) to be judged. (Rev. 20: 12) If they are in the Book of Life they will go on the New Earth as God first purposed for man.
`To be with God.` Yes, I agree. And `each in their own order.` (1 Cor. 15: 23)
The Body of Christ - `those who are Christ`s at His coming.` (1 Cor. 15: 23) They have their names in the Book of Life and rule with Christ on His throne in the third heaven.
The Old Testament Saints - who looked for a city God built. (Heb. 11: 16) They will receive their inheritance in the New Heavens and New Earth. (Rev. 21: 2)
Israel and the Nations - `those of the nations who are saved...` (Rev. 21: 24) They will have been to the great white Throne for their works (motives) to be judged. (Rev. 20: 12) If they are in the Book of Life they will go on the New Earth as God first purposed for man.
1. God's plan was that all men be saved. That being the case, it seems to me that God established the nations so that the nation state itself would be a vehicle and a tool to lead people to God.
2. Deuteronomy 7:7-9...........
“The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your forefathers that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”
God chose the nation of Israel to be the people through whom Jesus Christ would be born—the Savior from sin and death.
3. The Body of Christ today is in the process of being created. It is not yet the fullness of God. We are learning how to partake of His life and as we do, we are being filled.
The body of Christ can also be identified as the Church because the church is the make up of those who are "IN" Christ. Then the church moving through the world with the gospel to add to the body of Christ.
I agree with your good comments. Now would you like to comment on where you believe these three groups will go in the New heavens and New earth?
Sure, be glad to do so. I am not sure I can do it in a short post though.
1. Nations;
Revelation 21:24 states that ........"the nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.”
That indicating that all nations will acknowledge God's glory and contribute to the New Jerusalem.
Ezekiel 47:12 tells us on the other, that the nations will be healed by the leaves of the tree of life, which grows along the river that flows from the throne of God.
So from the Scriptures we find a mention of “nations” and “kings.” These terms symbolize the entirety of humanity coming together under God’s sovereignty. The idea that nations will walk by God’s light suggests unity among all peoples, transcending borders and differences. Moreover, the mention of kings bringing their “splendor” highlights that even those in positions of power will acknowledge God’s authority and contribute to His kingdom. This offers a hopeful vision of global harmony and reverence for the Creator.
2. Israel:
If Isreal is not a part of the New Jerusalem, then are why the 12 Tribes of Israel are listed in Rev. 21:12............
"It had a great, high wall, with twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and on the gates the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of Israel were inscribed".
That tells me that Redeemed Israel will have a place in the New Jerusalem just as seen in Rev. 21:12. Rev. 21:12 is also as misnomer as
of course, is meant as a highly symbolic gesture. In eternity, there won't be any wickedness or unrighteousness to be protected from. Nor will there be any evil, danger, or harm from which to be protected. The existence of these walls, and gates, serve as real-but-symbolic emblems proclaiming the safety and security of those living in New Jerusalem.
3 The Body of Christ:
The body of Christ is the church and all of the redeemed. All believers in Jesus who die before 2nd Coming will first be with Him in heaven, and later live with Him on the new earth, when heaven and earth will have become one.
New Jerusalem as John calls it, is “the Holy City . . . coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” in Rev. 21:2. It is the Bride of Christ in that the Church will reside there.
This glorious city, with its streets of gold and pearly gates, is situated on a new, glorious earth. The tree of life will be there and This city represents the final state of redeemed mankind, forever in fellowship with God:
Rev. 21:2 and 22:3-4.....
“God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. . . . His servants will serve him. They will see his face”.
According to the Scriptures, This event comes after the tribulation, after the Lord’s second coming, after the millennial kingdom, after the final rebellion, after the final judgment of Satan, and after the GWTJ.
After the Last Judgment, (The GWTJ) there will be a new heaven and a new earth where we will live with our new bodies.
We will be free from sin, pain, tears, and death. The heavenly Jerusalem will come down from heaven and be on earth. God the Father and God the Son will be there (see Revelation 21). Heaven and earth have become one. Heaven has come to earth. But because when we use the word ‘heaven’ normally we do not think about dirt, trees, and rivers, it is best to use the term ‘new earth’ for the place where we will spend eternity with God.
Hi Major,
You do write well. A good read and well presented. Thank you.
Now, there are just a few points that I would like you to explain, please. We read that the New Jerusalem comes OUT of heaven FROM God. (Rev. 21: 2)
So, how is heaven, the invisible realm come to earth when the NJ leaves it?
`Then I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem coming down OUT of heaven FROM God.` (Rev. 21: 2)
Also, how is it that God will dwell on the earth when scripture says -
`...who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power.` (1 Tim. 6: 16)
We know that God, by His Holy Spirit is everywhere. That I can see how He dwells in the New Jerusalem.