You may never
have entertained this thought or been troubled about it…or, perhaps, you’re
like me and have often wondered about Israel in God’s plans. The 12 Tribes are, after all, God’s special
and treasured possession. They serve a
central role in Sovereign Yahweh’s hands to bring His message of hope, and His
message of judgment to the world.
However (and this is my troubling thought), as followers of Jesus
Christ, embracing the cross, with an uncompromising belief that there is only
one way to approach God[1], and that
through placing your faith in Jesus, how does that square with God’s embracing
Israel, which denies the deity of the Son?
Admittedly,
when I wonder about this, I always feel a little like Peter after the
resurrection when Jesus tells Peter about how the future will not be kind to
him, and the impetuous disciple questions Jesus about John’s future.
Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.” John 21:22
The rebuke…it’s
none ‘o your business, son…is stark, and meant to be. Peter’s question borders on challenging God’s
plans, which is to challenge God’s sovereignty.
Peter was headstrong, which is the beginning of the downward spiral
leading to separation between human and God.
Peter had to learn that responding with your emotions before putting
your brain to work never really ends well.
The Apostle
Paul’s brain always seemed to be on the job.
For me, Paul’s answer, concerning Israel’s place in prophecy and God’s
eternal plans, are enough to put my questioning to rest.
And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out, “Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth quickly and with finality.” Romans 9:27-28
Revelation[2] pictures
12,000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel as being redeemed in the end. That 144,000 is less than 2% of the 8.3
million population of Israel today, and 1 out of 100 if you consider an
estimated 14-15 million Jews globally.
For me, this
fits together with the point held by many Bible scholars, that, at the end,
these are those who once rejected Christ, but now accept Him as Lord, Messiah,
the anointed One of the lineage of David.
In their hearts they crown him King of Kings.
For You Today
Jesus told Peter not to worry about what plans God has for
other believers, it was Peter’s job to follow Jesus, not approve of Jesus’
leadership. This is especially important
for us with plagues, natural disasters (can we say earthquake, North
Carolina?), or any of the wars, famine, and other pandemics. These are but the beginning of Christ’s new
day. Hear it from Jesus’ own testimony:
So when all these things begin to happen, stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Luke 21:28
Title image Pixabay.com
∞ Unless noted, Scripture quoted from The New Living Translation©
For another post on this text see: Burning the Bridge of Integrity
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