A multitude of the prayers in the Old Testament are answered in the New. Asaph prayed… “O God, why have You cast us off forever?” (Psalm 74:1), but the New Testament responds, “God has not cast away His people… rather, through their fall salvation is come to the Gentiles… For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?!” (Romans 11:1-15).
Israel’s waiting may seem like “forever,” but it isn’t. Think how long the people and prophets of old waited for Christ’s first appearing. The Bible says they… “enquired and searched diligently; searching what (characteristics), or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them was signifying, when He testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:10,11).
Jesus encouraged His disciples that prophecies concerning Him “have an end.” Our hearts rest in the knowledge that, while we wait, God is at work, through His Spirit and His people, fulfilling His purposes. As the Nation of Israel awaits the “fulness of the Gentiles” to come into salvation, the Church also has this encouragement… “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise (as some consider the delay); but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Our waiting will end with glories which have no end. One day soon, the Trumpet of Christ’s voice shall sound. The Church will leave this world to be “forever with the Lord,” and Israel will awaken to new life and power in her once-rejected King. And just as the Bible foretold, “He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever.”
I can hardly wait!
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