Quote:
Originally Posted by byHismercy
Aron, since leaving the Lee ministry, and coming to the awareness of my need to know more of Gods' word and proper doctrine, I have found many believers who 'rightly divide' scripture....in who it is speaking to....Gods' chosen race, or everyone else. What is your opinion on this point? Actually I would like everybodies opinion. Perhaps this is the wrong place to ask. No doubt it is. Forgive me! Kinda typical of me, huh? Lol please move this question if need be. I do feel this goes to the understanding without context question.
|
Yes it goes to the context question. The Bible gives its own context. It is there I find the answers.
One of the most puzzling verses to me was, "And the nations shall walk by its light; and the kings of the earth bring their glory into it." Who are the nations or Revelation 21? The RecV does the strangest thing, with the footnote saying, This is people, who are "justified ones" who are "unregenerated... but live forever". Not, mind you, the believers in Jesus. But "justified unbelievers"....??? What? Justified unbelievers who live forever?
I think that John, a devout Jew, albeit a Jesus-believing one, rather meant "Jesus-believing gentiles" by this. Because notice its pair: "the kings of the earth bring their glory" to it. The greek word for "nations" is 'ethnoi' which means gentiles, or non-Jews.
Jesus is A) King of the Jews; and B) Saviour of the World (nations, or 'ethnoi'). He is both. The King of the Jews is to rule the world. See Psalm 2, for example. Why do the 'ethnoi' roar in tumult against JHWH and His King? (v.1,2) and "I (JHWH) will give you (Messiah/King) the 'ethnoi' as your inheritance" (v.8). The "prudent kings" in Psalm 2:10 are the "kings who bring their glory into the Holy City" in Revelation 21:24. They tremble before the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Redeeming Lamb of God. See Psalm 2:11, as well, for confirmation.
In OT type, the 'nations' would come to the Light of Messiah. This is in many prophetic utterances. You can look them up. The pre-figure is Solomon; if you notice, the kings of the earth bring their glory to Jerusalem when he reigns. (see, viz, 1 Kings 4; 1 Kings 10; 2 Chron 9). This was the high point of the Jewish nation, which would be matched and even surpassed by the Promised King.
The first fulfillment is found in the birth/infancy gospel story of the 'magi' from the nations who bring valuables from afar. Then, the Greeks "wish to see Jesus" before he dies (he demurs). Then, Paul's the apostle anointed to "preach him among the 'ethnoi'
(Gk)" (Gal 1:16), and he comes back bringing gifts from the ethnoi to Jerusalem. He says he's hurrying back to bring these gifts for Pentecost (the feast of gathered sheaves). (Acts 20:16)
Then, in Revelation, you have the climax - the 'ethnoi' bring their glory into the Holy City - the Holy City is now open to the nations. The gates are no longer closed.
Anyway, your question is a trick question: the answer is "Both". It's written to the chosen race, and also to the gentiles. You need two legs to run a race. God wants both, for the one new man.
Now, some object saying "there is neither Jew nor Greek"; I reply, Why was Paul sending thanks from the churches of the gentiles (Rom 16:4) if there were no gentiles? How could Paul be the apostle to the gentiles (Eph 3:1; Gal 2:8; Rom 1:5) if there were no more gentiles?
All the above, of course, is tentative, hypothesis, conjecture, not some claim to special knowledge or understanding, or "true light". But the context of the Bible seems to be suggesting this sort of narrative to me. It just seems to make the most sense. Otherwise one reads weird footnotes like the RecV in Rev 21:24.
Christian believers may indeed shout and yell, even repetitively (they may also pray in one's closet; or may do both, at different times). But what I'm offering is the opposite of "get out of your mind" spiritism, either LC version or other brands; what the thread title refers to as "charismania". I rather suggest sober, continual and unrelenting reflection, pursuit, and the humility to learn from others, until the light of understanding begins to dawn. It's a process. (And I have absolutely no idea where I am in the process. God only knows.)