First, Gentiles always had the option to join with Israel. That's nothing new.
True … and now Israel has the opportunity to join the Gentiles in body of Christ. During the millennial reign of Christ this situation flips once again.
Secondly, the body of Christ is NOT a nation and never will be.
Why do you say that? (scriptures would be nice)
When God is dealing with Israel (i.e., not during the dispensation of the grace of God), there are TWO types of Gentiles: those that bless Israel and those that curse Israel (Gen 12:3).
God says that He will bless those that bless Israel and curse those that curse Israel.
Actually it was Abraham but, Okay. However, I'm not real sure what your point is here.
In the body of Christ there is NEITHER Jew nor Greek (not even male nor female, Gal 3:28). That's different.
“Neither Jew nor Greek” … thank you. That has been my point all along. Jew and Gentile now worship and have access to the same God through a faith that Jesus was and that He was who he said he was. By the same token the Apostles were all talking to the same people in that they were all made one, a nation if you will, through Jesus' sacrifice. You mentioned Gal 3. Here's part of what it says:
Gal 3: 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
8 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.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Yes, eventually both God's programs for heaven and earth will be joined into one in Christ (Eph 1:10). That time is not now.
Oh, I quite agree. The point I was trying to make is that “Israel” and “the gentiles” have a common Lord, common fate and a common final mailing address. I think the notion that the faith and fate of these two being bifurcated is not supported by scripture.
Jesus told all of His disciples to sell all that they had (Luke 12:33.... the very next verse). There was a unique reason for that.
These words were recorded for the admonition of any who would hear them.
The twelve never fully understood the reason for Jesus' death on the cross and didn't find out the details until God revealed them to and through Paul.
I couldn't disagree more. Jesus plainly told them who He was at every turn. As it concerns the twelve and what they understood John alone stood at the cross and he records Jesus' words on the cross that lead you straight back to Psalm 22. The Apostle whom Jesus loved knew what he was looking at. As it concerns the rest I think Jesus' brief visit after His death sufficient to convince even Thomas. Now, if your referring to the notion that Jesus' sacrifice cleansed the gentiles as well through faith as reflected in his two dreams ... you're likely right.
Israel has been scattered a few times.
As of Acts 8:1, they (the 12) stayed in Jerusalem. They were to convert Israel first, but Israel refused.
Yes. And so now Israel has lost it's place of preeminence in God's grand scheme but they will one day reclaim it … hopefully in the not too distant future.
Read Romans... the whole thing.
I have. More times than I would care to mention. The point was “the elect” are made up of Jew and Gentile alike and Romans is one of many books to confirm this. They receive the same reward at the same time but now we have wandered into the subject of the first resurrection and that likely deserves its own thread.
Indeed, when the earthly kingdom comes (Matt 6:10), Israel will be leading the Gentiles.
And they will both be members of the same nation ... those that have taken part in the first resurrection, that is.
