The Divine Pattern...4 (Four) Steps To follow:
The reason the Bible is GREATLY misunderstood today by most Bible readers...what seems most to prevent them from gaining a true understanding of scripture, is the fact that they have not observed, the Divine Pattern God has established, as set forth in scripture.
The "Truth", Biblical Truth, has a "pattern", to which must be observed through out our reading, studying and thoughtful contemplation of the Holy Scriptures. It can prove to be a simple point...but nevertheless a very profound "truth," that really stays consistent through out. For example:
FACT: Sinful, idolatrous "Israel" became a "chosen people" before God and was undeservedly granted a Covenant Relationship With God.
The above is a cold, hard fact, that cannot be denied.
In no way was "Israel" ever considered by God, ever considered, worthy of their "calling," worthy of this Covenant relationship with God, especially at the beginning when God chose them. As Jesus said, "many are called, but few are chosen."
At Deuteronomy 9:23, 24 Moses truthfully said of the nation:
"And when Jehovah sent you out of Ka'desh-barnea saying, Go up and take possession the land that I shall certainly give you! then you behaved rebelliously against the order of Jehovah your God, and you did not exercise faith toward him and did not listen to his voice. YOU HAVE PROVED YOURSELVES REBELLIOUS IN BEHAVIOR WITH JEHOVAH FROM THE DAY OF MY KNOWING YOU."
Yes, Moses said of "Israel," that they had been a "rebellious people" from day #1, since his "knowing them." They were always known as a "rebellious" people, a disobedient people. This was Moses' opinion of God's Name People, the chosen people of God.
So then, we must ask, what spiritually redeeming qualities did this most favored "people" have in order to "qualify" for the choosing of God, the selection of being God's Chosen People?
Actually none.
So, how did "Israel" qualify to become Jehovah's Chosen People?
Well certainly not on their own merits. Certainly nothing that they as a people had done, to qualify to be chosen by God to become his "Chosen people."
Well, someone would say at this point, "well, it was because of the promise to Abraham," ... this is the reason they received this Covenant, and Covenant-Relationship with God.
And that would be a correct answer. It was because of Abraham, a man of faith. Also Isaac, Jacob, faithful men of old who were worshipers of God, and progenitors of the nation of Israel. It was on the basis of God's Covenant promised thru these men, that Israel became a favored nation. -- Deut. 7:6-8
But so far as the nation of Israel, of itself, the nation had done nothing to merit being chosen to be God's favored nation. Nothing.
To prove their unworthiness as a people, their total faithlessness as a people, just after their exodus from Egypt and great salvation from Egypt, a people who held them in slavery for hundreds of years, God effects a great deliverance for them. He saves them as a people. Shortly, after that, God had Moses go up on the mountain to receive the "Law" from Himself. But, before he could return, the nation totally had begun practicing idolatry, worshiping the "golden calf."
Moses recounts the incident by saying:
"Remember: Do not forget how you have provoked Jehovah your God in the wilderness. From the day that you went out of the land of Egypt until your coming to this place you people have proved rebellious in your behavior with Jehovah. Even in Horeb you provoked Jehovah to anger so that Jehovah got incensed at you to the point of annihilating you..."
"...And it came about that at the end of the forty days and forty nights Jehovah gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the Covenant; and Jehovah proceeded to say to me, "Get up, go down quickly from here, because your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted ruinously. They have turned aside quickly from the way about which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molten image." And Jehovah went on to say this to me, "I have seen this people, and look! it is a stiff-necked people. Let me alone that I may annihilate them and wipe out their name from under the heavens, and let me make you a nation mightier and more populous than they are." -- Deut. 9:7-14
So, we can see, the nation of Israel was totally undeserving as a people, to become a chosen nation before God.
But, here is an important point: The real purpose of the nation of Israel, God's Purpose for them was only to Produce an "Anointed Seed."
Yes to produce an "Anointed Seed", a person that God could and would "anoint" to become the "Christ," the Anointed before God. This person, a descendant of the nation of the Chosen People, the Chosen Nation, would then lead, yes, lead the Chosen People, the Chosen Nation, complete their spiritual training and instruction, and lead them into becoming a "Royal Nation," a "Royal People," yes, an "Anointed Nation," an "Anointed," "Priestly," "Royal," "Nation before God, as promised at Exodus 19:5,6.
Yes, the nation, was to produce a "seed," that would ultimately lead the nation to the desired result, to become an Anointed nation, a "Royal, Priestly Nation." The "Seed" of the nation, would accomplish them for them. He would become their "leader." The nation's spiritual leader, the "seed" of the nation would become this. And the nation, the "chosen people," was to PRODUCE, yes produce the "seed" for God. God was using the nation, in that since, yes, to just PRODUCE THE SEED for God, at the God-Ordained, appropriate time...the "anointed seed" for God. That's was the nation's true role. To "mother", or give birth to the "Seed of God." -- Genesis 3:15
Simple.
Exodus 19:5,6 shows us the future hope for the nation, the "Chosen People," their hope, if obedient to God.
"And now if you will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly become my special property out of all other peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And you yourselves will become to me a KINGDOM OF PRIESTS and a holy nation..."
Yes, Israel, God's Chosen People, could have become, this special nation, the Anointed Priestly Nation before God, yes...if ...if they accepted instruction and training, teaching from the "seed" of God, God's Seed to be produced thru this same said nation, Jehovah's Anointed One, Jesus. -- Acts 3:25, 26
We remember, God's Seed was still produced thru the nation of "Israel." But the nation did not as a whole, respond to the "restoration" efforts of this "Seed," of God, produced through this nation. In fact, as Jesus himself said, the nation of Israel, really rejected him, as their spiritual leader. As Jesus said:
"The stone that the builder rejected is the one that has become the chief cornerstone. From Jehovah this has come to be, and it is marvelous in our eyes." -- Matt. 21:42
And yet, Jesus was truly sent to bring about "restoration", spiritual "restoration", to bring the entire nation to the status of being a "holy nation," and "Royal Priesthood," as we read above at Exodus 19:5, 6.
Acts 3:19-21 speaks of this "restoration" work, that the "Seed" of the Nation, Jesus was to carry out for the nation, in the nation's, Israel's, behalf. It states:
"Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah and that he may send forth the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven, indeed, must hold within itself until THE TIMES OF RESTORATION OF ALL THINGS of which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets of old time."
In other words, Peter promised in the quote above scripture, and at Acts 2:22-33 that a pivotal part of Jesus' role as "seed" of "Israel," or shall we the say now, the "woman of God," God's wife, the nation itself, was after being brought into being as this select "seed," he would now be in position to "pour out holy spirit," yes ANOINT THE ENTIRE NATION AS A PRIESTLY, ROYAL NATION, or at least the entire nation of obedient followers...which is exactly what he did at Pentecost. -- Isaiah 61:6; 62:2-5
So, we have then the "pattern," itself. Let's review.
Step 1. God chooses, a totally undeserved nation, even idolatrous people, first to become his "woman", His Wifely Nation...Israel.
Step 2. God gradually refines this nation, grooms this undeserved nation patiently, over a period of time, to hopefully Produce a "Seed" for Him, an Anointed "Seed."
Step 3. Then, God uses the "Anointed Seed," to lead the same Undeserved nation, by providing spiritual instructions, providing all the nation needs in a spiritual way, because "God has made life's ways known to" him, this "Anointed Seed." He has been given "spirit of wisdom," and knowledge, yes a full understanding of God's Will, so that he can bring the Nation to this most desirable point...where they can become a "nation of Priests" before God. He would now pour out Holy Spirit upon the Entire Nation, if obedient, at Pentecost. -- See Isaiah 11:1-5; Acts 3:28.
Step 4. A fourth step to be discussed below dealing with the Israel's role in the "Priestly" Administration of the Abrahamic Covenant to all nations, peoples and tongues.
This is why Peter quotes the words of the prophet Joel at Joel 2:28-32, when explaining was happening at Pentecost, in his day, what Peter says under inspiration are found at Acts 2:16-21.
This was the complete pattern...the Divine Pattern.
This was the promise...The "Seed" which would bring about spiritual "restoration" to the nation of Israel, an undeserved privilege upon a people, who were truly unworthy of the calling...by their lack of faith. A "Seed," because of the promise to Abraham, that would eventually become a "light to the nations" outside of the "Royal" family of Israel, the newly Anointed Congregation of Israel, the fulfillment of Exodus 19:5,6.
They become this "Royal Nation of Priests," when Jesus pour out Holy Spirit upon them, Anointed them, yes, now they could be rightly called "Christians," or "Anointed ones," since they had been "Anointed," as a spiritual nation. Remember the "Anointing" only comes AFTER having received the spiritual instructions from the original "Anointed Seed." The "Anointing" can only come after one has been properly taught by God...only after that.
As Isaiah 54:13 says:
"And all your sons will be persons taught by Jehovah, and the peace of your sons will be abundant."
Yes, "teaching" must be accompanied with the "Anointing", the Unction process. Yes, "teaching," instruction, before one could be "anointed" in God's Holy Spirit, and become a "Royal, Priestly" Nation. The nation of Israel, then, must be "taught," to have this great "peace," that God promised. They only possessed at that time, a "framework of knowledge of the truth," ... only that. -- Romans 2:20
And so, it was now time for God, to pour out Holy Spirit, upon the nation of "Israel," ... a one time thing. So, these few gathered, the 120 gathered, had received spiritual instructions, the ones that had been "taught by Jehovah," the true "sons" of God, taught from the "Anointed Seed," and so was qualified to become, Anointed, qualified to receive of the Holy Spirit and become even an Anointed, Royal, Priestly Nation. They were qualified for this. But the nation as a whole, did not qualify for this, since they refused spiritual instruction from the God Ordained, Anointed "Seed" of the Nation. God's choice for them. So, they remained in some "truth," but only as Paul said, the "form," or "framework of knowledge of the truth." Only that, and they progressed no further. -- See Romans 2:20.
Peter spoke of this fulfillment of Exodus 19:5,6 upon this spiritual nation, and even includes others, such as gentiles, uncircumcised Gentiles, whom now God accepts as "replacements" for the nation of Israel. These individuals, as along as they demonstrated the needed quality of "Faith," were accepted by Jesus and Jehovah God, as spiritual "Israelites," members of this Anointed, Royal Nation too.
Yes, these "Gentiles," would be the one spoken of in Romans 11:25, 26 where they would complete "Israel," or become the "full number of people of the nations to come in," to complete "Israel," and in that way, "all Israel could be saved," as promised. Yes, "all Israel" was saved, since all become spiritual "Israelites," displaying the important quality of "Faith,"...just like Abraham, the progenitor of the Nation of "Israel."
Yes, Jehovah would too, Anoint them too, as they became now, "christians," or Anointed ones, because of having "faith" in the Anointed "Seed" of the Nation.
Peter explains the entire situation this way, how this all happened for Israel, by saying at 1 Peter 2:7-10:
"It is to you, therefore, that he is precious, because you are believers; but to those not believing, the identical stone that the builders rejected has become the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling and a rock-mass of offense. These are stumbling because they are disobedient to the word. To this very end they were also appointed. but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
Now, Peter shows that the "Gentile" believers are also to be included in this "Royal" family of Anointed believers by saying:
"For you were once not a people, but are now God's people; you were those who had not been shown mercy, but are now those who have been shown mercy."
So, the Gentile Cornelius was to become the first, from among many uncircumcised Gentile believers, an uncircumcised Gentile who was become an "anointed one" of God, a Christian, a member of the Christian Congregation, the "Royal" Priesthood of God.
But, there is one more important thing about this "Pattern." Yes, one other thing.
Did you know, that after a sufficient amount of "Gentile" believers came into the Christian Congregation, to complete the number of "Israel," that God STOPPED THIS SELECTION PROCESS? Did you know this?
Why yes. But Why?
Romans 11:25, 26 says:
"For I do not want you, brothers, to be ignorant of this sacred secret, in order for you not to be discreet in your own eyes: that a dulling of sensibilities has happened in part to Israel until the FULL NUMBER OF PEOPLE OF THE NATIONS HAS COME IN, and in this manner ALL ISRAEL will be saved. Just as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion and turn away ungodly practices from Jacob."
So the purpose of having a "Royal, Priestly Nation," then, was to act the part of a "Priest," to all other nations, thus the Administering of the Abrahamic Covenant, where God's Promise of the "nations" being able to "bless themselves" by means of God's "Seed," yes, that same "seed," nations of the earth, could now "bless themselves" by means of this "Seed" that God had produced through the nation of Israel. The "Anointed Seed." -- Genesis 22:18
Isaiah 2:2-4 explains it this way:
"And it must occur in the final part of the days that the mountainof the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will certainly be lifted up above the hills; and to it all the nations must stream. And many peoples [of the Abrahamic Covenant] will certainly go and say: "Come," you people, and let us to up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the god of Jacob; and he will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion law will go forth, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem. And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sowrd against nation, neither will they learn war anymore (worldwide peace for ever, ever more)."
Yes, this would be the Administering of the Abrahamic Covenant, where Israel, now completely refined, purified in the sight of God, can now officiate as a Holy Priestly Nation, before God, to help "bless" all other nations...resulting in "no more war anymore," between nations, forever more...all to God's Praise.
Actually Micah 4:1-4 reveals the same thing, about the administering of the "Abrahamic Covenant," to all nations and peoples.
Also, Zechariah 8:20-23 says:
"This is what Jehovah of armies has said, "It will yet be that peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come; and the inhabitants of one city will certainly go to those of another, saying: "Let us earnestly go to soften the face of Jehovah and to seek Jehovah of armies. I myself will go also." And many peoples and mighty nations will actually come to seek Jehovah of armies in Jerusalem and to soften the face of Jehovah. This is what Jehovah of armies has said, It will be in those days that ten men out of all the languages of the nations will take hold, yes, they will actually take hold of the skirt of a man, who is a Jew, saying: "We will go with you people, for we have heard that God is with you people."
The NIV Bible correctly renders this last verse, verse 23 as "YOU," instead of saying "you people." The New World Translation renders it incorrectly, completely wrong. The NIV reads this way:
"...Let us go with YOU [and no "people" mentioned], because we have heard that God is with you [with no "people" mentioned]."
Yes, the word "people" should not have been added to the inspired text, as it has in the New World Translation, used by Jehovah's Witnesses. Yes, it should just say, "YOU," as in the "Anointed Seed" of Israel, the Anointed of God, that was the "Jew," or the "man," that God had Chosen to lead the nations of the Abrahamic Covenant. He was the one that the "ten men of all the nations" would "hold on the skirt of."
Yes, a "man," a "Jew," as it says...was to lead...and not "you people," as the WTS would have us believe. "You people," was supposed to stand for "Ten men" of the nations all, "holding on the skirt" of the "anointed remnant," as they teach, those "people", who are among themselves today, as leaders. But the verse does not indicate any such "you people," but only "you," the "man," the "Jew," the Anointed Seed, who was to lead the "nations," and become a "light" to all of the peoples and nations of the earth...only the Anointed Seed. -- Isaiah 42:6; 49:6
Also, we have Revelation 22:17 which says it again:
"And the spirit and the bride keep on saying; "Come!" and let anyone hearing say: "Come!" And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life's water free."
Yes, the same message..."let ANYONE HEARING SAY "COME!". Anyone, people of the Abrahamic Covenant, can also say "Come!" and worship Jehovah, at His Holy Mountain. Abrahamic Covenant people..."ten men out of all nations," "holding on to the skirt of a Jew." That was the promise. This is God's Purpose...to bring about world peace. This is How God Does it...His pattern...the Divine Pattern. -- Micah 4:1-4; Genesis 22:18
Genesis 22:17, 18 says:
"I shall surely bless you and I shall surely multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and like the grains of sand that are on the seashore; and your seed will take possession of the gate of his enemies. And by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves due to the fact that you have listened to my voice." -- See also Galatians 3:16.
So, then, the Christian Congregation only grew to the proportions that filled the need of completing Israel...only to complete "Israel," to the proportions that God had intended. In this way, All Israel, All Israel would be saved as God had intended...by completing the designated number (in God's Mind), the "full number" of Gentile believers to be brought in to Complete the Nation of Israel. And once that "number" had been arrived at, the spiritual nation of Israel, the now "Royal Nation," of Anointed Christians, could now began to Administrate the Abrahamic Covenant, and act the part of a "Priestly Nation," a "Royal Nation," to ALL OTHER NATIONS. -- Romans 11:25, 26
The Nation of Israel, now becomes a "Priestly Nation," to all other nation upon the earth. And that is exactly what happened in the first century. How do we know?
Let's examine Romans 8:19-23 which says:
"For the eager expectation of THE CREATION is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. For THE CREATION was subjected to futility, not by its own will but through him that subjected it, on the basis of hope that THE CREATION itself also will be set free from enslavement to corruption and have the glorious freedom of the children of God. For we know that ALL CREATION keeps on groaning together and being in pain together until now. Not only that, but we ourselves also who have the firstfruits, namely, the spirit, yes, we ourselves groan within ourselves, while we are earnestly waiting for adoption as sons, the release from our bodies by ransom."
Yes, who are these ones that Paul is speaking about here...the "Creation of God." Who are they?
The WTS admits that they are "humans," yes worshipers of God, faithful individuals that will inherit blessings and inhabit the earth in righteousness, during the 1,000 year reign. But they will not admit that these were living in the first century, contemporaries of Paul, yes, first century "believers" that was associated with the Anointed Christian Congregation of Paul's day. No, they could not exist in the first century, and become associated with the ANOINTED among the congregation. Why not? Because that would mean the "Anointed Calling" actually, ceased, yes...CEASED in the first century. And the Watch Tower Society, simply can't have that...can they? (See WT 12/1/85 pg. 12)
So the WTS dismissed the possibility, the thought that the Non-Anointed Gentile Believers could have been actually present in the first century Christian congregation.
But think...reread the verses in question in again...isn't it entirely possible...isn't it?
Were not they in "eager expectation of the revealing of the Sons of God?" And were they not patiently "waiting", in ardent anticipation of this great revelation?
Did they not manifest, Paul said "hope?" Were they not suffering and "groaning together and being in pain together until now," Paul said?
But, as Paul said, they did not possess the "firstfruits, namely the spirit," isn't that so?
No, they were not, per say, Spiritually Anointed...they were not "anointed," because...
...they were the recipients of blessings and benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant... they received their blessings from the "blessed nation, of Israel," the Spiritual Priestly Nation, as promised.
So, they did not need to be "Anointed," at all.
"Israel," the Anointed Christian Congregation was Anointed, and was to be the ones that administrated the Abrahamic Covenant in their behalf...the "nations that blessed themselves by means of the Seed."
So, then, we can see, the Anointed Christian Congregation, was in time, completed when a sufficient amount of non-Jewish, uncircumcised Gentile Believers were taken into the congregation and Anointed to show that God had accepted them to become a part of the "Priestly Nation"...
...and then, God Almighty, now decides to attach to them the "peoples of the nations," the Abrahamic Covenant People, the peoples of the nations, the ones that were promised a spiritual "blessing" by means of Abraham's Seed...His Anointed Seed...and the Administering of the Abrahamic Covenant to All Nations and Peoples...Israel acting as "Priests," as promised at Isaiah 2:2-4, Micah 4:1-4, Isaiah 61:6, Exodus 19:5,6 and 1 Peter 2:7-10.
The Pattern, again:
Step 1. Undeserved Israel Chosen, A nation truly NOT WORTHY.
Step 2. This undeserved, unworthy nation, after constant refinement, finally yes produces a "Seed," An Anointed Seed.
Step 3. The "Anointed SEED" has a mission, to complete the spiritual knowledge and training of the nation that only possesses a "form," or "framework of knowledge of God," partial knowledge, if they will let him do so, ...and bring them, the entire nation, to the point where every man, woman and child of that nation, yes could be "Anointed," or have Holy Spirit poured out upon them, as a nation, as promised by Joel the Prophet, and reiterated at Pentecost by inspired Peter. -- Joel 2nd chapter; Acts 2nd chapter
Step 4. Once the number of "Israel" had been completed based upon Romans 11:25, 26, the "full number coming in" as would be counted in the eyes of God, (only He knows this number), the "full number" of believing Gentile Converts, God Anoints them too, then and only then...God makes the "Anointed, Priestly," Nation of Israel now, at this time, in Priestly fashion, Administrate the "Abrahamic Covenant" to all the nations of the earth, as promised to Abraham. The "Anointed Seed," would take the lead in this work of using "Israel," as a "Priestly" instrument to carry out this Great Blessed Work to all nations..."to the extremitity of the earth." -- Isaiah 42:6; 49:6
This all occurred up until 70 c.e., when Jesus graphicly described how he would end the "Jewish System of things", the Mosiac Law Covenant, and the natural nation of "Israel's" Covenant relationship with God.
Luke 19:12-27 tells us how Jesus ended it...in total destruction. those "citizens that hated" Jesus, would be "slaughtered before him." to be sure, General Titus of the Roman Army had destroyed 1.1 million Jews at that time. Jehovah and Jesus, had this done...to keep a promise, a promise made in the Mosiac Law, to destroy all disobedient and transgressors of God's Law. God kept His word.
Jesus would also accomplish something else at his Second Return, in 70 c.e. too. First he would "reward," his faithful followers by giving them heavenly life. But, also he would bring punishment upon all false "Christians" who did not live up to their dedication too. All of this was accomplished in the 70 c.e., just as Jesus promised at Matthew 24:3 when asked about his second coming, and the destruction of the temple. It would all be done at the same time. It would all be accomplished in 70 c.e.
2 Thess. 1:6-10 which says:
"This takes into account that it is righteous on God's part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you, but, to you who suffer tribulation, relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance upon...
(A)those who do not know God (False Christians who fail to live up to the terms of Hebrews 8:11, thus New Covenant breakers)
and
(B)those who do not obey the good news (Natural Israel/Mosiac Law breakers...ignored the "good news" message from the "Anointed Seed.")
...about our Lord Jesus. These very ones will undergo the JUDICIAL PUNISHMENT OF EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength, at the time he comes to be glorified in connection with his holy ones and to be regarded in that day with wonder in connection with all those who exercised faith, because the witness we gave met with faith among you."
Did you notice that both groups, yes both groups, suffer "the Judicial Punishment of Everlasting Destruction" before Jesus. Yes, "Everlasting Destruction" for both groups. They would suffer the "judicial punishment" of Judicial decision of such destruction.
Since Jesus himself, promised the nation of natural Israel, would come back to life in a resurrection, an earthly resurrection...then, we must conclude the "judicial punishment" or "Judicial decision" of "everlasting destruction" toward the Jewish nation of covenant-breakers, must pertain to the complete destruction of their, special Covenant Relationship with God, based upon the Mosiac Law. The "Judicial Decision" to do so on God's part.
After God's rendering this "Judicial Punishment," this "Judicial Decision" upon the Jewish nation, as a spiritual nation, would mean it relationship with God, was now, completely destroyed, forever. They had no such spiritual arrangement with God anymore because of this "Judicial Punishment." It was as if the spiritual nation, was destroyed completely, before God. All hope for a Covenant Relationship with God, Jehovah, now gone...lost.
And too, false christians, suffered the same fate, the "Judicial Punishment" of "Everlasting destruction," not that God had them put to death, as he did with the 1.1 million Jews of that time, no, no, but God again, they underwent the "Judicial Punishment" or Judicial decision to have destroyed, their Covenant Relationship with Him...which automatically leads to "destruction" and death. No, Jesus did not put them literally to death, "everlastingly," but they died, just as God promised Adam, "in the day you eat of this fruit, YOU WILL POSITIVELY DIE." No, God did not put Adam to death, literally on that same day he ate the fruit. No, He didn't. But, in the sense of losing his Relationship with God, they both died...that same day, spiritually speaking. They lost they Relationship with God, on that "same day," they ate of the forbidden fruit...that "same day," as God had promised. This "Judicial Punishment," or Judicial Decision can be likened to the "Judicial Punishment of Everlasting fire" or destruction, which God passed on to the physical cities of Sodom and Go-mor'rah, the cities that will never be rebuilt again. -- Genesis 2:17; Jude 7
So in this sense, all false christians, face spiritual death before God, in 70 c.e. Yes, they suffered the "Judicial Punishment of Everlastingly Destruction," in 70 c.e., with the termination of their "New Covenant" Relationship with God, mediated by Jesus...these false christians. They were "Everlasting Destroyed" as promised in 70 c.e., when Jesus made his second return.
This is the Divine Pattern.
But, you must saying at this time...what does all of this mean for me? Of what value or benefit is this particular information for me?
Well, once we learn the Divine Pattern, we can better understand what God is doing today, in our time.
Yes, all of the above, will be REPEATED, the Four Steps Cited Above, all of them, will be yes repeated in our day, upon modern-day Israel, Jehovah's Witnesses as a nation, the most undeserved, unworthy People on this earth!
Praise Jah!
2 Timothy 1:13 says,
"Keep holding the PATTERN OF HEALTHFUL WORDS that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in connection with Christ Jesus."
Yes, the "Pattern of Healthful Words," the Divine Pattern of Truth, keep close hold on it. Because surely, this "Pattern," will no doubt and most assuredly REPEAT itself, repeat itself completely -- so that we can understand the Word of God, the "good news," "the thing heard," yes, The "Report". -- Isaiah 28:9; Isaiah 53:1; John 12:38 (see footnote on each verse, large print reference New World Translation.)
MDS
"Behold it you scorners and wonder at it...YOU WILL BY NO MEANS BELIEVE even if anyone relates it to you IN DETAIL." -- Acts 13:41