God and the Nations

THE Lord, through the prophet, declared, “Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” (Isa. 45:22) Of Israel the Lord said, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” (Amos 3:2) The Lord said this to Israel despite the fact that he promised Abraham that through his seed “all” the families, or nations, of the earth would be blessed.

We mention this apparent disharmony of the Scriptures to emphasize that there are time elements in the plan of God, and that in the ages of the past it was not God’s due time to deal with and bless all the nations of the earth. God’s call for the nations to look unto him and be saved was not given during the Jewish age. Beginning with Pentecost, a call to repentance has gone out to the world through the church, but it has not been heeded, with the result that all the kingdoms of this world must go down in the great time of trouble which is now destroying the present evil world.

Meanwhile God has been selecting and preparing those who are to live and reign with Christ, and when this work is complete the call will go out to the world in general. The Spirit and the bride will then say “Come. … And … take of the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:17) It will be then that the nations will have their first real opportunity to look unto the Lord and be saved.

ISAIAH 1:21-28—In this passage we have brought to our attention some of the corrupting influences which brought the downfall of Israel as a nation, and the temporary withdrawal of God’s favor. In verse 23, the “princes” of Israel are shown to be judges, but these also became corrupt, giving themselves over to bribery in their dealing with the people.

In the 26th verse the Lord tells us that he will restore Israel’s judges as “at the first.” Inasmuch as Israel’s judges were called “princes” this promise to restore the judges is evidently a reference to the time when the “fathers” of Israel, who will become the children of The Christ, are to be made “princes in all the earth.” (Psalm 45:16) With this accomplished, the nation, through its capital city, Jerusalem, will be called “The city of righteousness, the faithful city.”

This is a reference to the times of restitution, when Israel shall have been fully restored to divine favor. Commenting on the work of the Lord at that time, the Apostle Peter declares that it shall come to pass that the “soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.” (Acts 3:23) This is quite in harmony with verse 28 of our lesson, which tells of the destruction of the transgressors, and that they which “forsake the Lord shall be consumed.” Here we have another evidence of the wonderful harmony of the Scriptures.

ISAIAH 19:19-25—The “altar” and the “pillar” referred to here and said to be located in the midst of the land of Egypt and also on the border thereof, has been identified by many students of the Bible as the great pyramid of Egypt. It is located on the delta of the Nile, and peculiar twistings of the river make the location of the pyramid fit this description. The inward passages of the great pyramid seem clearly to represent the divine plan of the ages; its descending passages picturing the downward course of sin and death, and its ascending passages and corridors representing the return from death of both the church and the world. See “Thy Kingdom Come,” chapter 10.

This passage of Scripture is cited with the evident purpose of showing God’s interest in all nations, and that ultimately even Egypt and Assyria are to come into harmony with him, as well as Israel. We know, of course, that this will be true.

It is understood by many students of the Bible that the Lord uses Egypt in the prophecies to symbolize the whole world of mankind, and if we take this larger view, the passage under consideration would emphasize the fact—elsewhere clearly prophesied in the Bible—that all nations are to be brought into harmony with God during the thousand-year reign of Christ.

Viewing the passage from a symbolic standpoint, the “highway” of verse 23 might very well be that wonderful provision which the Lord has made for the nations to return to him and to righteousness. In Isaiah 35:8, this “highway” is styled “The way of holiness.” In contrast to the broad way which leads “to destruction,” the “highway” is the return road to God and to life. (Matt. 7:13) How glad we are that such a loving provision has been made for all nations! No longer, then, will Israel be the only nation known of the Lord, for Egypt and Assyria, yea, the whole world will become his people.

QUESTIONS

When will all nations turn to God and be saved?

What is meant by the promise that God will restore Israel’s judges as at the first?

Show the harmony between Isaiah 1:28 and Acts 3:23.

What is the “altar” and “pillar” in Egypt?

Of what is Egypt a symbol in the prophecies?

What is the “highway” referred to in Isaiah 19:23?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |