Chapter 5 | Completing the New Creation for the Nations

Why is it important to God that the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel? Surely if judgment and condemnation upon the world was paramount there would be no need to demonstrate his favor upon Israel and the Jews amid the nations. Unless of course God just wanted to rub their noses in it. That approach may appeal to men, but is that God’s approach? If we look carefully, God does demonstrate several reasons for revealing his grace through Israel.

1. To show his faithfulness to the people he covenanted with, even though they were unfaithful, as an example to the remaining nations.[1] This parallels the example of his firstfruits, the first to be redeemed, who were an example of Christ’s power to reward those committed and faithful to him.Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted heritage. (Deuteronomy 32:7-9)God divided the nations and took Jacob as his own people.[2] But the descendants of Jacob (Israel) grew fat and forgot the God who made and chose them from all the nations. They scoffed at the Rock of their salvation and went after other gods (vs 15-18). Like the Father to the prodigal son, God gave the nations their inheritance in the earth, each to their own region until he would again make himself known to them.[3]
2. To remove the reproach of Israel from among the nations for his name’s sake.
   Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people. The Lord answered and said to his people, “Behold, I am sending to you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.”

 

“You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”
(Joel 2:18-19,26-27)

 

In this way, God will redeem Israel from their disobedience in the presence of all the nations as an example, bring them through much tribulation, and restore them to their land. There he will enter into a new covenant with them.[4]

3. To lead the nations into belief. A restored Israel, who are now the recipients of God’s favor, will be a light to the kings of other nations. This blessing upon the nations comes as part of the promise given to Abraham.[5] It is our Lord’s desire that the nations also come to hear, see, and believe; each in their own time. Even the unity of the Godhead with the firstfruits of salvation was not for their own sake, but to glorify God among the nations as a witness.[6]

• So that the world may believe that you did send me
• So that the world may know that you did send me
• Also, that you loved them just as you loved me

 

Clearly Yeshua the Christ was building his kingdom to be delivered to the Father, not through the physical sword but through a sword of truth, his words of life. He is building his kingdom through people. He gives both his words of life and the Holy Spirit to those who respond to his call. This enables them to grow in the character and likeness of the God in whose image they were first created incomplete. Just as the firstfruits were brought into the obedience of faith through their disobedience (all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God), likewise God led disobedient Israel out of their idolatry and into the new covenant by the Lord’s righteous judgment, leading them to righteousness and eternal life.[7]

 

Certainly then, God will fulfill his promise to Abraham and bless the many nations by also leading them out of idolatry and into the obedience of faith through the gracious gift in Christ our Lord. This knowledge comes to them through the example of God’s grace toward Israel and by Christ’s righteous judgment in the new covenant. During his millennial reign on earth, Christ continues building the everlasting kingdom to be handed over to the Father at the end of the age. This kingdom-building process involves two key objectives:[8]

• Destroy every rule, authority, and power by bringing them under the rule of the King of kings. Powers in heaven as well as those on earth.
• Bring all his enemies into subjection. Those in heaven as well as those on earth.

 

What remains of the nations of the world are now under the rulership of a new and glorious King; a king who will rule with truth and justice, bringing his righteous judgment to bear. This is achieved for the nations through the same process applied for the redemption of the firstfruits and the redemption of the disobedient of Israel; by extending grace through faith in Christ our Lord. God has outlined this process as it was applied to Israel in Joel 2.

• Correction and a call to repentance (vs 1-11)
• Extending to them mercy and grace (vs 12-17)
• Making a new covenant with them (vs 18-27)
• All who call upon the Lord will be saved (vs 28-32)

 

Christ will achieve this for all the nations to one degree or another during his earthly reign with the aid of his ruling firstfruits.[9] For out of Israel and Judah and all the nations of the world he has called his kingdom of priests to rule with him, and they will lead Israel and the nations into the obedience of faith.

All in heaven and on earth will surrender to Yeshua’s lordship in one of two ways:

• As thankful servants committed to the will of God and the obedience of faith
• As ashes under the feet of those made righteous in Christ