Shabbat shalom, Guy.
What I know can probably fit in a thimble, but I do know that many of the prophecies in the Tanakh (the OT) refer to a rescue that Yeshua` will perform for His people at His second coming. I am also convinced that the word "salvation" in the Scriptures does NOT refer to personal justification but refers rather to the NR. That's not to say that I don't believe in personal justification, but that it is called "justification by God" or being "born again." A case in point is Yeshua`s parable of the Pharisee and the publican:
Luke 18:9-14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
KJV
And of course you know about John 3:1-21 where Yeshua`, talking to Nikodeemos (Nicodemus), told him he must be "born again."
Another term that is about personal justification by God is "reconciliation." The Greek term is even more telling:
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled (Greek: katallaxantos) us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (Greek: katallagees);
19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling (Greek: katallassoon) the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation (Greek: katallagees).
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled (Greek: katallageete) to God.
21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
KJV
Katallaxantos, katallassoon, and katallageete are all forms of katallassoo (Strong's 2644), the verb meaning "to change mutually," and katallagees a form of katallagee (Strong's 2643), the noun form, means an "exchange." And verse 21 describes the exchange: "He (God the Father) hath made Him (Yeshua`) to be sin for us, who (Yeshua`) knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God (the Father) in Him (Yeshua`)."
Well, that's for starters, but if you'd like my list of OT prophecies that talk about the NR, I give those to you in another post.
Shabbat Shalom Retrobyter,
I would like to hear more. However, before you continue, I would like to interject with something I wrote back in the 90’s. The following is what I see as the NR. Are we talking about the same thing?
In Yehoshua,
Guy Smith
The Jerusalem siege
Jerusalem fell to the Romans, in 70 A.D., after a 143 day siege. Over 600,000 Jews were slain with many more thousands taken into captivity/slavery. This tragedy, one of the worst to happen to the nation of Israel, provides “the end time” saints with vital survival information.
A Roman tactic for fortress sieges were similar to a modern day military tactic used in the Gulf War. Iraq attacked and occupied Kuwait under hostile circumstances in 1990-1991. The United States coordinated a multinational force for the liberation of Kuwait. The multi-nation force, prior to the conflict known as The Gulf War, spent months transporting troops and supplies to the region. When the military leaders decided that there were enough troops and supplies to fight Iraq, they attacked. The conflict was over in forty seven days.
Similarly, Roman legions, before a siege, would stage a reasonable distance away from the fortress. Rome’s military leaders would attack after accumulating enough troops and supplies. Roman roads and aqueducts that still stand today, attest to their commitment to conquering a region. These roads and aqueducts were built by the legions, not as benevolent gestures to those conquered nations, but as supply lines.
One could be sure the zealots in Jerusalem were well informed of Roman tactics. One could also be sure that the zealots were aware that Jerusalem was not an impregnable fortress. The armies of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem five hundred and fifty seven years earlier, leaving the city in ruin.
If you were alive in Jerusalem just before the 70 A.D. siege, would you have stayed or would you have fled early when Rome began to accumulate troops and supplies? If you are like most people that I’ve asked this question, you probably would have fled. So why did the Jews stay?
600,000 Jews died with the belief that the 70 A.D. Roman siege on Jerusalem was fulfilling Old Testament prophetic passages. They also believed, according to the predictions, that MESSIAH would protect Jerusalem against the assault.
Zech 14:1-3
1 Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.
2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
(KJV)
They were correct about MESSIAH coming to protect the inhabitants of “Mount Zion” from a fortress siege. MESSIAH, unfortunately for the 600,000, did not come then. Their misfortune, however, did not negate this prediction of a future siege on Jerusalem. So what is the implication?
DELIVERANCE ON MOUNT ZION
‘The Prophetic Scriptures’ graphically describe “Mount Zion” in Jerusalem as a haven for a pocket of saints which will survive to the advent of MESSIAH.
Joel 2:32
32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls.
(NIV)
The Jews have known this for thousands of years. This is why 600,000 Jews stayed in Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and this is why they flock to Jerusalem today.
GOD TO PROTECT MOUNT ZION
GOD will protect the inhabitants of “Mount Zion” during “The Great Tribulation” (with a column of smoke and a pillar of fire),,,
Isa 4:5-6
5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.
6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.
(KJV)
...just as HE protected Israel against Egypt while in the wilderness.
The 144,000
According to The New Testament, the only individuals recognized to be on “Mount Zion” at the time of MESSIAH’s advent are “The 144,000.”
Rev 14:1
1 Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads.
(NIV)
THE REDEEMED
Rev 14:3
3 And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.
(NIV)
THE FIFTH TRUMPET PLAGUE
“The 144,000” will be the only male saints alive (redeemed from the earth) at ‘The Second Coming.’ This statement can be verified by fifth trumpet plague.
Rev 9:1-4
1 The fifth angel sounded his trumpet, and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.
2 When he opened the Abyss, smoke rose from it like the smoke from a gigantic furnace. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss.
3 And out of the smoke locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of the earth.
4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those people who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads.
(NIV)
......which are “The 144,000.”
Rev 7:3,
4
3 .......Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
(KJV)
If isolated pockets of saints were located throughout the rest of the world, then those isolated saints would be affected at the sounding of the fifth “Trumpet.” Since no saint shall suffer “GOD’s Wrath,” then it can be deduced that all saints (except “The 144,000” that will be protected by the “Seal of GOD”) will be martyred during “The Great Tribulation.” Conclusion: The only saints that will be alive at the advent of MESSIAH will be on “Mount Zion” in Jerusalem.
CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
“The 144,000” will consist of 12,000 men from each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Rev 7:4-8
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
(NIV)
“The 144,000” represent the 12 tribes of Israel. However, this group of survivors is not exclusively male. During the Old Testament times, census’ only counted the males over the age of accountability. The female counter parts are known as:
THE DAUGHTERS OF ZION
According to Isaiah, there will be seven women on Mount Zion to every one man.
Isaiah 4
1 In that day seven women will take hold of one man and say, "We will eat our own food and provide our own clothes; only let us be called by your name. Take away our disgrace!"
2 In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel. 3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire. 5 Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over all the glory will be a canopy. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.
I know that I am painting a picture using a broad stroke brush, however, do you think this is somewhat of a description of the NR?