Hi Nobleman,
Thank you for the encouragement & I`d like to follow this discussion as I see it as one that needs the Holy Spirit`s clarification across the Body. I was so pleased to read that you believed in the 3 groups that God has purposes for - the Body of Christ, Israel & the Nations.
I did read from Major that he only saw the `saved & lost.` And I do think from what I have read of Major (if you are reading too) that you have God`s heart for people - a large, caring compassionate heart. However we know from God`s word that God has not cast off Israel & that He will open their blind eyes in His timing. As to their state at the moment, however, they are either in the `saved or the lost` area.
Now I would like to ask a question which concerns the supreme purpose of God. We know from scripture that `all things` will be restored in Christ. Often we tend to view this as just the earth, but the scriptures tell us `in heaven & that which is on earth.` (Eph. 1: 9 - 10)
So what things in the heavens do you see that need restoration?
Marilyn.
Hello sister. I hope that you are well. Upon reading your comment #22 I felt like I needed to clarify my position of saved and lost. I think that you are agreeing with me but I just wanted to be clear.
IMO, the same would apply to Israel. NO- God has not forgotten them and they are in fact the jewel of God's eye which He will turn His focus to after His church if completed.
That will then be the focus of the 7 year tribulation period and His trying to save them.
IMO, the church has not replaced Israel.
Romans 11:26 plainly says........
“
All Israel will be saved.”
The question then must be ---- “What is meant by Israel?” Is the future “Israel” literal or figurative. I am a "literalist" and take the literal approach to the promises of the Old Testament and believe that the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be restored to a right relationship with God and receive the fulfillment of the covenants through the Lord Jesus Christ.
When Paul says Israel will be “saved” in
Romans 11:26, he refers to their deliverance from sin (verse 27) as they accept the Savior, their Messiah, in the end times. Moses said, “The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live” in
Deuteronomy 30:6. Israel’s physical inheritance of the land promised to Abraham will be an integral part of God’s ultimate plan again stated in
Deuteronomy 30:3–5.
However, the individual people of Israel are the same as those in Alabama. Today, they are either saved or they are not saved. There are many things in which we can take a middle of the road position on but salvation is not one of them. We are either with God or we are not with God.
Matt. 12:30 says..........
"
Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters."
Revelation 3:15-16 .....
“‘I know your works:
you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. "
I hope this helps in understanding my comment.