4
Might it not be part of the sovereign and wholly mysterious (4) plan of the Almighty, that events for the Church and Israel during the great tribulation become increasingly plaited and fused unto the creation and raising up to full stature of the "one new man in place of the two"; something so eagerly sought by the great Paul? (Eph 2.15)
That being the case, the Church should anticipate sharing with Israel her Last Days' Passion (lashed by the storms of satan's hatred and the Lamb's "avenging fire of rejected divine love"), and her glorious Resurrection!
"Now if their (Israel's) trespasses means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean...For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead?" (Ro 11.12&15)
If this is what is going to happen, then the consequences for the Church and also for the world will be as stunningly creative as they are going to be for Israel.
(1) The Church will experience a chastening, reformation and renewal which exceeds anything previously experienced. Imagine if you will, a season of the most intense correction and restoration, which causes the great 16th C Protestant Reformation to pale into comparative insignificance? (5)
"Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for establishing (reconstituting) all that God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old." (Ac 3.19-21)
Envisage the Last Church so aligned with the Bible and so ablaze with the Holy Spirit of grace and intense prayer, that it is rendered like unto a fiery torch thrust into tinder-dry harvest fields at summer's end. What a holy conflagration for salvation will be ignited.
(2) Thus we may anticipate whole societies (even as they are withering under the unbearable blasts of the devil's jealous hatred and the intensification of God's punishment of sin) simultaneously experiencing great Awakenings which outshine all other revivals experienced throughout the Church's entire history?
"O Lord, I have heard the report of thee, and thy work, O Lord, do I fear. In the midst of the years renew it; in the midst of the years make it known; in wrath remember mercy." (Hab 3.2)
"So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them (dry bones), and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great host." (Ez 37.10)
"Many shall purify themselves, and make themselves white, and be refined; but the wicked shall do wickedly." (Da 12.10)
