This would not happen for a long time—in fact, seven and a half centuries. First they must be exiled, dispersed, lose their identity, become a “multitude of nations” (Genesis 48:19) —Paul’s “fulness of the Gentiles” (Romans 11:25)—then in their new homelands, receive the Gospel, accept Messiah, and be re-covenanted to God to become a Christian people, the new Israel, nucleus of the Church and foundation of God’s Kingdom on earth. When would this be? “Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David [Messiah] their king; and shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days” (3:5)—the Christian dispensation!
Israel a Christian people “Thus saith the LORD; I remember thee, the kindness of thy youth, the love of thine espousals, when thou wentest after Me in the wilderness” (Jeremiah 2:2). “I will remember My covenant with thee in the days of thy youth, and I will establish unto thee an everlasting covenant” (Ezekiel 16:60). “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. ... For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:33–34; Hebrews 8:10, 10:16).
“I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him” (v4). He would be to Israel as the dew: they would be beautiful as the lily, strong as a mountain (v5), lovely as the olive tree, fragrant as the perfumes of Lebanon (v6). Under His shadow they would spring up as the corn, grow as the vine: be sweet as the wine of Lebanon (v7). “This people have I formed for Myself; they shall shew forth My praise” (Isaiah 43:21, cf 1 Peter 2:9).
“Who is wise, and he shall understand these things? prudent, and he shall know them?” (v9). “For the LORD will not cast off His people, neither will He forsake His inheritance” (Psalm 94:14, see also Jeremiah 31:35–37). “Hath God cast away His people? God forbid. ... God hath not cast away His people which He foreknew” (Romans 11:1–2). “Then opened He their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Only He can teach us (John 14:26). Review these notes often: History is His story!
Britain the first to receive the Gospel Church Fathers and historians claim that Britain received the Gospel in the first century. “The regions of Britain ... have received the religion of Christ” (Tertullian, AD 155–222). “The Apostles passed beyond the ocean to the isles called the Britannic Isles” (Eusebius, 260–340). “Christ, the True Sun, afforded His light, the knowledge of His precepts, to our Island in the last year, as we know, of Tiberius Caesar” (Gildas, 425–512). “Britain, partly through Joseph of Arimathaea, ... was of all kingdoms the first that received the Gospel” (Polydore Vergil, 1470–1555).
Britain in Prophecy
Britain’s Royal Throne
How the Gospel Came to Britain
What Happened to the Lost Tribes?
Will Charles ever be King?—Britain, the Crown and the Common Market
(We hope to publish these books on the web in due course.
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