Wednesday, October 19, 2016

A PILGRIM'S PRAYER FOR JERUSALEM

A Song Of Ascents. Of David


1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” 2 Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together. 4 That is where the tribes go up—  the tribes of the Lord— to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel. 5 There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.      7 May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”  8 For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” 9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.





122: 6 Prophecy and the Future of Israel, PROPHECY. Theologically, there are two different positions concerning what may be expected with regard to the future of Israel. The difference center on the question: Does Israel, as the ancient people of God, still hold a preferred place in His economy, or have they lost that place through unbelief?

Many see a continuing and distinctive role for Israel in God’s plans until the end of time. These believe that Rom. 9-11 indicates that a restoration of Israel will take place ("all Israel shall be saved," Rom. 11:26), and that the church needs to recognize its Jewish roots ("thou bearest not the root, but the root thee, Rom. 11:18)". This view, however, may also allow for a fulfillment of some OT promises and blessings in individual believers and through the church. The church is to demonstrate what it means to enjoy the full blessing of God so that Israel will be encouraged to return to the One who loves them eternally.

Others, however, have seen the church replacing Israel in the plan of God because the majority of the Jewish people refused to accept Jesus as Messiah. Thus the blessings and promises addressed to Israel may now only rightly be applied to the church. From this view, the modern State of Israel and the Jewish people are simply the same as all other nations and ethnic groups, and God will not deal with them differently than He will with any other peoples.


In Christ,

Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts

No comments:

Post a Comment