Good post. Yes indeed, he was at that point in time(before the cross) solely for the lost sheep. He IS the sent one, the suffering servant that the Prophets spoke abt, the promised Messiah, who's coming was anticipated. He's the fulfilment of the covenants and the promises made to the natural nation of Israel. He is the bearer of the scepter of the Kingdom which knows no end. But the lost sheep rejected him, if we'd follow Mat's account through. Their rejection(i.e of the past generations) doesn't mean that they can't have faith in him, as we see that Mat's account was indeed written to an audience of more Jewish believing constituents and beyond. And also, we learn of the mystery of Jesus Christ -- after the cross.(Rom.9&10, Eph. 3:1-7)

Pls be noted that, when one is against the OT Law as the order of the day in the NT(which includes our time and generations to come should the Lord not be here yet), AND YET refuses/refutes the fact that Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of ALL that was promised to the natural Israel(thereby making the old Covenant obsolete), or that through faith in Christ, Jesus has made himself a spiritual nation of Israel as Scriptures clearly put forth, even by principle, one still abides by the OT Law/OT Covenant(s) and annulls the fulfilment of the words of the Prophets concerning Jesus and refutes the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for all mankind(Jews and Gentiles), thereby calling on the re-establishment of all the rituals of OT worship which by a long chalk, had fallen short to make a perfect atonement for the sins of mankind in order to reconcile us to God -- the wall of hostility would have been up still, one would be putting it up again thusly, the mystery of the Gospel wouldn't have been disclosed as yet. By refuting the sacrifice and the essence of the Lord Jesus Christ, one accepts the Kingdom of God in the past and future(partly for faulty reasons) aspects but denies the present aspect of it, which would leave us in a questionable state, authority wise -- what would the Holy Spirit be doing here if Jesus never came and ascended? Wouldn't such a notion give satan/the kingdom of darkness, power over us?

I love Israel very much, for personal reasons and also for spiritual reasons which compel me to tell her of God's love and Truth for her, all the more. The first return of the Jews from exile had taken place after King Cryus had issued a decree which enabled them to do so in 537 BC, a move in which among many, Sheshbazar and Zerubabel were. Following that, the Temple foundation was laid in 536 BC(Ez.1:11, 3:2).

The second return took place in 438 BC wherein also Ezra returned. People had stopped building the Temple, turned to building their own homes and God charged them to continue with the Temple work; so it resumed in 520 BC and was completed in 516 BC(Ezra5:2, 6:14).

Nehemiah came with the third phase of returnees, which took place in 444 BC, with a mission to rebuild the wall. These accounts say/show in no way any unfulfilled promises, to enhence the claims of some for the rebuilding of an earthly Temple -- the Old Covenant(s) is made obsolete by the new one. Pls understand me -- gatherings may take place, as there was no set time of when they should end just as there is no scriptural mandate which condones the removal of those who had setlted in the land while they were saving time in exile. They were allowed to return from wherever they were exiled to. Some returned, some stayed, the book of Esther gives a good example. There was/is no scriptural mandate to bring all back either. A return of the hearts to God seem to have been more important to him regardless of where they were. God is after a holy people not a holy city. 1&2 Peter were primarily written to the Hebrews who were in dispersion. If things were otherwise, he sure would have encouraged their return, at this time also, but, he didn't.

And, no where in Scripture does it say that upon their return or in order to return and rebuild, settlers should be evacuated or killed so that the inhabitants of the land(including new converts) should be able to occupy the land -- for one to yank out some to support some political cases, religiously. I find the forcing of Scriptures to support these human endeavors, to be wrong. So then, what else is behind these plans and beliefs? I, don't know...Perhaps a slap right across the face of God and that of Christianity. After she had denounced Jesus, he had said that, her house shall remain desolate untill she calls unto him...blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord -- in a lose paraphrase.

Supporting or pursuing an ungodly cause is something that is done by some other nations and their allies too, this I'll point out for the sake of justice, applicable elsewhere beyond geographical boundaries, pertaining to international relationships/foreign policies/human rights and the, "do unto others what you'll have them do unto you". Using Scriptures wrongly to support an evil cause has nothing to do with the hand of God upon any people. God isn't in such things, Church. If you revere God you do well -- pls cosinder asking him abt these things. Pls see Jeremiah for a better understanding of how serious disobedience/forsaking allegiance with a holy God, is. See how God warned  his people, who instead of listening to him, they sought prohpets who could tell them what they wanted to hear -- all is peace, blessings, blessings etc. NO! God has nothing to do with Baal(idolatry/syncretism), injustices(bloodshed, theft etc.), corruption, treacherousness et all. Within the freedom he gave/gives us, together with Grace, there are still boundaries to regard.

Christians around the world share Judeo-christian values and history with the nation of Israel to some extent, save Judaism and the Talmudic(the teachings of the Elders as Jesus called them) endeavors and teachings. Those who shared negative sentiments concerning her in Europe weren't/aren't Christians. Infact some lavish sentiments on her regardless of what she does, perhaps due to guilty(falsely imposed on them or undealt with) which is also another material for Christian Zionism. I know no Christian who hates Israel and we shouldn't hate her or any other nations. However, Christian Zionism is also an issue with some Christians around the world,  a sole reason for their support for her, by hooks and crooks. This isn't righteous. This isn't loving her. This, hinders, deters peace process in the region, the peace which is good for all the parties.

There are a lot of prophecies going out which aren't in line with God's Word concerning Israel and other nations in the end times. This is alarming. It grieves God. I don't think just because we may share some values, that is a reason and a ticket to comply and support Israel(or any other nation for that matter)at all cost, even to the extent of mocking God's name and tainting his intergrity. I've often asked myself whether the nation of Israel recognizes Christianity and Jesus as the Messiah, as a nation.

Let’s not reduce whom Jesus Christ is or annul what he has accomplished through his life, death, resurrection and ascension, and what he will do upon his return. Let’s not transform the Prince of Peace, Wonderful counselor,  into a Vengeful Warrior God who knows no justice, compassion or LOVE. Let's support any righteous cause, be it Israel's or that of any other nation. By all means, let's pray for peace and safety in Israel and other nations in the region, especially that all will come to know the Messiah who has come, the King whose Kingdom is here, he whom will return for all his -- whom every eye shall see and every tongue shall confess that he, Jesus Christ, is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

While I'm at it, let me say that, one of the excuses used by some false teachers and andherents of Christian Zionism -- who aren't all followers by understanding what they're into or do what they do intentionally-- is the misunderstanding of Scriptures like these:

“And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
(Gen. 12:3) - but who was God talking to here?

And pls look at these:
“And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.”(Gal. 3:8 )

“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”(Gal. 3:16) -- This seed is Jesus Christ, Church.

“Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.”(Acts 3:25-26)

“Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”(Jhn. 8:57-58 )


I thank God, he's neither cyclical, nor is he a God of confusion, glory be to his name alone!


Blessings,

NEWMERCIES

First he was sent to the jews who rejected him. He next offered salvation to the gentiles. Only a remnant of the jews will be saved. But before we are saved we are lost sheep. All jews or gentiles can be saved but God knows many jews and many gentiles will never be saved. there are a lot of false religions out there. Many fall prey and do not get saved. The sad thing is the world does not see the truth. God must open the eyes of a person to see the truth. So until they are saved they will accuse the christians of being narrowminded of their faith. The world thinks all good people go to heaven. Not true, only beleivers. But God is sovereign and will bring those who he gave jesus to salvation. Halleluhah

Do you mean leon you think all israel will be saved. Many died without the lord. There will be a revival and all who are in the remnant will be saved. All gentiles in elect too will be saved. God knows who is his. Not every jew will be or is saved. If they are not a beleiver they are unsaved if they die as an unbeleiver.

Rom. 4:11-12/11:25ff  particularly vs 26, and to the words – “And so all Israel shall be saved". The words boldly typed, in Greek mean that the statement, "all Israel shall be saved" is dependent critically upon everything Paul has just said prior to that...that Abraham being the father of all who have believed but have not been circumcised as well as the father of the circumcised who not only are they circumcised but also walk in his footsteps of faith. Mind you pls that circumcision was an outward sign of one’s faith in God. All Israel, means all God’s children of faith. Conversely all Gentiles include all those who don't have faih in Christ Jesus, be they circumcised or not.

The Law of Jesus Christ is the Law of Love/the Law of Faith.(Rom. 3:27, 13:8-10,27, Gal. 5:14, 6:2, Jam.2:8, 1Jhn.3:23, 2Jhn).

Blessings,

NEWMERCIES

Wow...this is first time in my Christian life that I hear this interpretation.
I have no intention whatsoever to debate on this, but the word means what it says: All Israel shall be saved!
I don't exactly know how God will do it, and I don't have too. He is Sovereign. He is a God of covenant and Israel is her chosen nation and nothing can change that till the end. And all children of God who believe in Jesus Christ are grafted in and are ONE with Israel. For out of two nations He made One. He is the God of Israel and His Redeemer, as well as my Redeemer! May God bless Israel mightily!

Joanmarie,

One of the Pastors I am studying with right now believes that everyone will be given another chance (Or a real chance) to come to Christ during the Millennium  Reign of Christ. They will, however, have to withstand the temptation at the release of Satan at the end of the thousand years. If they withstand, they are saved.

I am not saying this Pastor is correct, but it makes you think. Personally, I don't know if he is brilliant or delusional. LOL. I do enjoy his teachings though, they make you think outside the box.

Blessings,
Leon

NM, maybe you know, but it has slipped my mind right now. Is it Jer. where God divorces Israel? I think it is, but I will have to look. My point is, a divorce is symbolic of the breaking of a covenant. Since Israel did not keep their part, God removed His.

Blessings,
Leon