National Covenant

[Randy Kluth]

The Land of Israel is the heritage of the Lord’s faithful Christian believers, now the righteous Israelites of God. Galatians 6:16 They will gather and settle there, Psalms 107:1-3, after the Lord clears and cleanses the Land, as He says He will in verse 14. Deuteronomy 32:34-43, Zephaniah 1:1-18, Isaiah 35:1-10, Revelation 6:12-17

We know that nations fail. We know that it was prophesied that Israel would ultimately fail in their land, and be dispersed. We also know it was foretold that they would be restored to their land.

To say the land of Israel is the heritage of all Christian believers is false. Each Christian nation may have their own land, and each pagan nation may have their own land. The Jews have their own land in the land of Israel when God mercifully allows them to be restored, even before they become Christians.

Eze 36.22 “Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone. 23 I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.

24 “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. 32 I want you to know that I am not doing this for your sake, declares the Sovereign Lord. Be ashamed and disgraced for your conduct, people of Israel!

 

[covenantee]

I understand that this is based on your definition of "Israel" as meaning the "Church." Sorry, doesn't wash with me, though.

Israel, to me, is *not* the Church. Those who are Christians among the Jews are only a small part of the international Church.

Israel, as a nation, has yet to return to "godly" status by becoming a Christian nation. But I understand you reject the idea that nations can be truly Christian?

Israel is not the Church. Never have I claimed that it is.

But the Church is found within Israel. The number is irrelevant. "Where two or three are gathered..."

As it is found in a multitude of earthly nations.

God will accomplish His purposes for Israel in the same way that He will accomplish His purposes for all earthly nations.

Through the holy nation of His chosen people.

His Church.

 

[Keraz]

To say the land of Israel is the heritage of all Christian believers is false

To think the Jews are still the chosen, holy nation, is false: Matthew 21:43.....given to a nation that bears the proper fruit....
John 15:14-16 I have chosen you.... the followers of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Isaiah 65:9 My chosen ones will inherit the holy Land. Psalms 37:29

To think the Jews are the owners of the holy Land is false;
Jeremiah 8:10 Therefore I will give their wives to other men and their fields to new owners. From the least to the greatest, all [Jews] are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit.
Zephaniah 3:11-13 On that Day, Jerusalem, I shall wipe away your shame for all the transgressions committed in you, for I shall remove all your proud and arrogant citizens, only the humble and peaceful people will remain and those who never practise evil or speak lies, they will settle in the Land and nothing will disturb them.

People consistently fail to see the many prophesies which clearly state the virtual demise of Jewish Israel. Only a remnant will survive. Amos 2:4-5

 

[Randy Kluth]

Israel is not the Church. Never have I claimed that it is.

But the Church is found within Israel. The number is irrelevant. "Where two or three are gathered..."

As it is found in a multitude of earthly nations.

God will accomplish His purposes for Israel in the same way that He will accomplish His purposes for all earthly nations.

Through the holy nation of His chosen people.

His Church.

Oh I see. The "holy nation," which you don't believe is Israel, is the Church? Seems strange to me that the "holy nation" applied to Israel in Exo 19.6 doesn't apply to Israel in 1 Pet 2.9! Completely contradictory to me! Doesn't make sense!

 

[Randy Kluth]

To think the Jews are still the chosen, holy nation, is false: Matthew 21:43.....given to a nation that bears the proper fruit....
John 15:14-16 I have chosen you.... the followers of Christ. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Isaiah 65:9 My chosen ones will inherit the holy Land. Psalms 37:29

I keep telling you, brother, that all you're doing is proving that a nation was *temporarily* barred from its inheritance. I believe it is destined to be given that inheritance once again *by grace!*

That's how all of us are saved--*by grace!* We come to the Lord barred from the good graces of the Lord, and then are granted entry into His eternal Kingdom through repentance, which is precisely what is prophesied to happen for the Jewish nation.

Over and over again you cite the fact Israel is currently barred from its inheritance. You continually cite passages showing how evil Israel has been, and how evil nations and peoples are kept from God's inheritance. You might as well be kicking a dead horse!

Yes, the wicked are barred and prohibited from inheriting God's Kingdom. But once they repent, they are forgiven and allowed full entry.

This does happen for individuals. But when the vast majority of a people and nation embrace God's ways and law as a nation, then those nations can be blessed in God's temporal Kingdom, which is what I believe is coming to this earth very soon.

To think the Jews are the owners of the holy Land is false...
People consistently fail to see the many prophesies which clearly state the virtual demise of Jewish Israel. Only a remnant will survive. Amos 2:4-5

But you're failing to see the many prophesies which clearly state the ultimate redemption of the Jewish nation! The "Jewish Hope" is a well-established concept in theological circles. It was rejected, though understood, by many Christians for many centuries, largely because the Jews were not repenting and converting en masse.

But God's enduring Israel's national obstinacy and His patience are part of the predicted process. It is apparently necessary to let such nations go their own way for a time so as to give time for all nations to respond to the Gospel message. Otherwise, immediate judgment will limit opportunity for other nations to hear and respond to the Gospel.

Then, when judgment falls upon all nations, Israel and other nations called to godliness, can be made new. The ungodliness will be removed from nations called to holiness at that time through judgment.

 

[covenantee]

Oh I see. The "holy nation," which you don't believe is Israel, is the Church? Seems strange to me that the "holy nation" applied to Israel in Exo 19.6 doesn't apply to Israel in 1 Pet 2.9! Completely contradictory to me! Doesn't make sense!

We've been over this already.

Paul is writing to the Christian churches, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, in the listed Roman provinces.

That's who "ye" are in 1 Peter 2:9.

What's your problem?

 

[Randy Kluth]

We've been over this already.

Paul is writing to the Christian churches, comprised of both Jews and Gentiles, in the listed Roman provinces.

That's who "ye" are in 1 Peter 2:9.

What's your problem?

The problem is as I stated. You are calling Christians, Jews and Gentiles, the "nation" that is mentioned in Exo 19.6 as applying to the nation Israel. So you're changing the meaning of "nation" from being Israel, a political entity, to a mishmash of people from diverse nations and peoples.

My problem is, Why can't you see the contradiction in this? You are turning what was used for a literal nation into a metaphor for something else.

 

[covenantee]

The problem is as I stated. You are calling Christians, Jews and Gentiles, the "nation" that is mentioned in Exo 19.6 as applying to the nation Israel. So you're changing the meaning of "nation" from being Israel, a political entity, to a mishmash of people from diverse nations and peoples.

My problem is, Why can't you see the contradiction in this? You are turning what was used for a literal nation into a metaphor for something else.

The Christian churches, whom Peter established at the beginning of his letter as being his audience, were not a political entity.

So "ye" in 1 Peter 2:9 were the Christian churches, and were not and could not be a political entity.

Peter was simply being consistent.

Why do you have a problem with his consistency?

 

[Randy Kluth]

The Christian churches, whom Peter established at the beginning of his letter as being his audience, were not a political entity.

So "ye" in 1 Peter 2:9 were the Christian churches, and were not and could not be a political entity.

Peter was simply being consistent.

Why do you have a problem with his consistency?

I don't see Peter as being "consistent" in addressing "churches"--plural, and then calling those churches a "nation"--singular.

This is how Peter began his letter--not to "churches" but to "God's elect:"

To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia

So where do you see the Christiana "churches" in 1 Peter 2.9?

1 Peter 2.9 9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

In all cases, the verses Peter are quoting was applied, historically, to the nation Israel--a political entity! You turn this into a metaphor for "churches"--plural. Do you not see a problem with this?

 

[covenantee]

This is how Peter began his letter--not to "churches" but to "God's elect:"

I count multiple churches in 1 Peter 1:1.

The collection of God's Churches comprises God's Church, so the expressions are interchangeable and synonymous.

Since when are God's Elect not God's Church?

In all cases, the verses Peter are quoting was applied, historically, to the nation Israel--a political entity! You turn this into a metaphor for "churches"--plural. Do you not see a problem with this?

Peter turned it into a metaphor. "Ye/you" are the listed Churches (or Elect if you wish; they are synonymous). The Churches/Elect are not a political entity. Therefore, the descriptions are metaphors for the Churches/Elect. No problem at all.

 

[Desire Of All Nations]

The only covenant God has with man is the shed blood on Calvary "Period"

God made other covenants, whether it was to a man or to nations. This is a rather simplistic view that is based on ignoring the other covenants. Did God null the covenants He made with Abraham, Israel, David, and other people end because of Jesus' sacrifice? No.

Anyone making this kind of argument can't just offer a nice-sounding platitude and logically expect anyone wto co-sign on it. God is still working with Israel, He is still keeping the promises He made to Abraham concerning his descendants, He is still keeping the promises He made to David, God's Sabbaths are still a sign that someone is following Him, and He is still keeping the promise that He made to Noah, no matter how evil this world becomes between now and Christ's return.

I disagree with you because we don't trace the 10 lost tribes by DNA. Rather, we trace Hebrew culture by the people that retain that culture. The 10 lost tribes are lost, and mixed in with many peoples, as you suggest. They are no longer relevant as Hebrew heirs.

God doesn't subscribe to this kind of asinine reasoning, and it's certainly not supported the Bible. In all of the OT prophecies where God prophesied that He would scatter the Israelites among the Gentiles, not once did He ever say that they would be excluded from the promises.

Any person or nation that can trace their physical ancestry all the way back to Jacob is an Israelite entity. Whether they practice the Hebrew culture or not is completely irrelevant because God promised in Jer. 30 that David is going to eventually rule over every last physical Israelite once Christ returns.

The missing tribes are only "lost" as far as the world is concerned because people don't believe God and they can't be bothered to do any research about where those tribes went once their Assyrian captivity ended. To God and anyone else who have put in the time to prove where those tribes went, they are anything but lost.

The fact that the prophecy Moses gave in Deut. 31:29 is playing out right now in the countries that descended from those 10 tribes inherently proves that God still considers them tribes to be Israelite heirs, otherwise they wouldn't be experiencing the rather specific curses that God said was going to come on their descendants for disobeying what was written in the Law.

 

[covenantee]

God made other covenants, whether it was to a man or to nations. This is a rather simplistic view that is based on ignoring the other covenants. Did God null the covenants He made with Abraham, Israel, David, and other people end because of Jesus' sacrifice? No.

Anyone making this kind of argument can't just offer a nice-sounding platitude and logically expect anyone wto co-sign on it. God is still working with Israel, He is still keeping the promises He made to Abraham concerning his descendants, He is still keeping the promises He made to David, God's Sabbaths are still a sign that someone is following Him, and He is still keeping the promise that He made to Noah, no matter how evil this world becomes between now and Christ's return.
God doesn't subscribe to this kind of asinine reasoning, and it's certainly not supported the Bible. In all of the OT prophecies where God prophesied that He would scatter the Israelites among the Gentiles, not once did He ever say that they would be excluded from the promises.

Any person or nation that can trace their physical ancestry all the way back to Jacob is an Israelite entity. Whether they practice the Hebrew culture or not is completely irrelevant because God promised in Jer. 30 that David is going to eventually rule over every last physical Israelite once Christ returns.

The missing tribes are only "lost" as far as the world is concerned because people don't believe God and they can't be bothered to do any research about where those tribes went once their Assyrian captivity ended. To God and anyone else who have put in the time to prove where those tribes went, they are anything but lost.

The fact that the prophecy Moses gave in Deut. 31:29 is playing out right now in the countries that descended from those 10 tribes inherently proves that God still considers them tribes to be Israelite heirs, otherwise they wouldn't be experiencing the rather specific curses that God said was going to come on their descendants for disobeying what was written in the Law.

In God's New Will and Testament, all covenants and promises are fulfilled only in Christ, and in those who are in Christ.

The OT covenants and promises are the promissory clauses of God's Old Will and Testament, and they are both revoked and fulfilled in the promissory clauses of His New Will and Testament, written in the Blood of His Son Jesus Christ, the Divine Testator, coming into full force and effect upon His death.

If you have made your own Will and Testament, you will see that the very first clause states the following or its equivalent:

"I HEREBY REVOKE all former Wills and other testamentary dispositions by me at any time therefore made and declare this to be my Last Will and Testament."

This means that all former wills and testaments, and all of their promissory clauses in their entirety, are completely null and void. In their place, the promissory clauses of the current last new will and testament are the only ones in force and effect. Any promissory clause which appeared in the old will and testament, but does not appear in the new will and testament, is irrevocably null and void unless yet another new will and testament is made which re-includes it.

Thus we see:

Hebrews 9
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.
16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

Hebrews 10
9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Hebrews 8
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

God`s New Will and Testament is everlasting:

Hebrews 13
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.

There is none greater.

We see other new promissory clauses of the New Will and Testament in:

Matthew 21:33-45
In this parable, the son, who is identified as the heir, typifies Christ.

Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.

Hebrews 1:1,2
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;

In them, we see that the Heir and Beneficiary is Christ alone, that all of the promises are affirmed and confirmed in Him, and that He is Heir of all things. All includes the OT land promises, the restoration promises, the blessings promises, and all else. There are no exceptions.

If you deny that God has appointed His Son heir of all things, you declare God to be a liar.

His New Will and Testament contains even better promises:

Hebrews 8
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

Such as:

Hebrews 11
16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

Additional promissory clauses in...:

Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 3:29
And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

...declare that we who are in Christ are joint heirs with Him.

But notice:

There are no promissory clauses for anyone, Jew or Gentile...

Who is not in Christ.

 

[Keraz]

I keep telling you, brother, that all you're doing is proving that a nation was *temporarily* barred from its inheritance. I believe it is destined to be given that inheritance once again *by grace!*

And I keep telling you that Israel and Judah are separate peoples, with separate destinies.
Judah to be the visible entity, who are now in a small part of the holy land. They face imminent Judgment and punishment from which; only a remnant will survive, to join their Christian brethren. Jeremiah 50:4-5

Israel, scattered among the nations and lost to general knowledge. THEY are the people Jesus came to save, Matthew 15:24
Jesus was successful and we continue to promote the Great Commission of evangelization.
It will be the great multitude of Christian peoples who will re-occupy all of the holy Land, soon after the Lord has cleared and cleansed it. Deuteronomy 32:34-43, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Romans 9:24-26

 

[Truth7t7]

God made other covenants, whether it was to a man or to nations. This is a rather simplistic view that is based on ignoring the other covenants. Did God null the covenants He made with Abraham, Israel, David, and other people end because of Jesus' sacrifice? No.

Anyone making this kind of argument can't just offer a nice-sounding platitude and logically expect anyone wto co-sign on it. God is still working with Israel, He is still keeping the promises He made to Abraham concerning his descendants, He is still keeping the promises He made to David, God's Sabbaths are still a sign that someone is following Him, and He is still keeping the promise that He made to Noah, no matter how evil this world becomes between now and Christ's return.
God doesn't subscribe to this kind of asinine reasoning, and it's certainly not supported the Bible. In all of the OT prophecies where God prophesied that He would scatter the Israelites among the Gentiles, not once did He ever say that they would be excluded from the promises.

Any person or nation that can trace their physical ancestry all the way back to Jacob is an Israelite entity. Whether they practice the Hebrew culture or not is completely irrelevant because God promised in Jer. 30 that David is going to eventually rule over every last physical Israelite once Christ returns.

The missing tribes are only "lost" as far as the world is concerned because people don't believe God and they can't be bothered to do any research about where those tribes went once their Assyrian captivity ended. To God and anyone else who have put in the time to prove where those tribes went, they are anything but lost.

The fact that the prophecy Moses gave in Deut. 31:29 is playing out right now in the countries that descended from those 10 tribes inherently proves that God still considers them tribes to be Israelite heirs, otherwise they wouldn't be experiencing the rather specific curses that God said was going to come on their descendants for disobeying what was written in the Law.

As Stated, the only covenant that exist between God and man is the shed blood upon Calvary, period

Perhaps you can read Covantee again and again

Quote Covantee Post #172 Below:

"In God's New Will and Testament, all covenants and promises are fulfilled only in Christ, and in those who are in Christ."

 

[Randy Kluth]

Not at all surprising.

A nation is comprised of its individuals.

Are you claiming that God made a covenant with every individual within Israel, irrespective of whether or not they were individually faithful and obedient to Him?

If so, why did He slay unfaithful disobedient rebellious Israelites by the thousands?

If they were in covenant relationship with Him, why did He slay them?

When God makes a covenant with individuals, He deals with them on a one to one basis. When He makes a covenant with nations, then He is asking for a relationship with the entire society, impacting things that affect the whole. It is the difference between, for example, a marriage covenant and a covenant a people makes with their king. In one case, the covenant is one to one. In the other, it impacts the nation.

As I said before, God made the covenant with Israel initially when the *entire nation* agreed to make covenant with God. Proving themselves faithful or not was a process taking place over time. Only when the rotten individuals in the society began to impact the majority did the nation fall into the category of "non-compliant."

When God made His covenant with Israel, the covenant itself dealt with the rebellious and determined law-breakers. The Law itself provided a means of grace and forgiveness for the repentant.

But when the majority in the nation began to go the way of the pagan, then the nation was guilty of breaking the covenant. And the consequence of breaking the covenant was national judgment and exile.

The covenant could be started up again and was. But it was started up again only with the national group that as a whole swore allegiance to God and made covenant with Him anew.

The New Covenant is an entirely new covenant, and makes the old covenant no longer renewable. But it is still a covenant in the same way.

Individuals and nations can still make covenant with God under terms of the new covenant, if they so choose. For a nation to enter into covenant with God they simply have to assume, as a nation, the Christian terms of the covenant.

Those who break that covenant should be cut off. And when the entire nation abandons real Christianity, then it also is in danger of national judgment.

 

[Randy Kluth]

God doesn't subscribe to this kind of asinine reasoning, and it's certainly not supported the Bible. In all of the OT prophecies where God prophesied that He would scatter the Israelites among the Gentiles, not once did He ever say that they would be excluded from the promises.

Any person or nation that can trace their physical ancestry all the way back to Jacob is an Israelite entity. Whether they practice the Hebrew culture or not is completely irrelevant because God promised in Jer. 30 that David is going to eventually rule over every last physical Israelite once Christ returns.

The missing tribes are only "lost" as far as the world is concerned because people don't believe God and they can't be bothered to do any research about where those tribes went once their Assyrian captivity ended. To God and anyone else who have put in the time to prove where those tribes went, they are anything but lost.

The fact that the prophecy Moses gave in Deut. 31:29 is playing out right now in the countries that descended from those 10 tribes inherently proves that God still considers them tribes to be Israelite heirs, otherwise they wouldn't be experiencing the rather specific curses that God said was going to come on their descendants for disobeying what was written in the Law.

Calling my logic "asenine" doesn't make any points with me, and certainly doesn't speak well of your demeaner. Can we disagree as brothers, if indeed you are a brother?

I've been doing this a long time, and it seems you're jumping to conclusions. Do you even know the history of the "lost tribes?" Let's hear what you know about them rather than project your preconceived theology on what you think happened?

You are certainly wrong about God's judgments upon Israel. Some of them were eternal judgment. Some of them promised grace in the future.

I happen to believe that the future of Israel is being sustained by the Jewish People, who do represent all 12 tribes. But they come through the restoration of Judah from the time of Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah.

Those in the northern kingdom of Israel abandoned the God of the temple, which was located in Judah. They broke the covenant, and abandoned their calling. They were, as I see it, lost--both historically and theologically.

The salvation of the nation comes from the restoration of Israel during the Persian Restoration. That consisted of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, along with all of those who had joined them from the other tribes.

Call it "asenine" if you want. But this will just show the weakness of your argument, that you have to insult me to communicate it. In Christianity that doesn't really work.

 

[covenantee]

When God makes a covenant with individuals, He deals with them on a one to one basis. When He makes a covenant with nations, then He is asking for a relationship with the entire society, impacting things that affect the whole. It is the difference between, for example, a marriage covenant and a covenant a people makes with their king. In one case, the covenant is one to one. In the other, it impacts the nation.

As I said before, God made the covenant with Israel initially when the *entire nation* agreed to make covenant with God. Proving themselves faithful or not was a process taking place over time. Only when the rotten individuals in the society began to impact the majority did the nation fall into the category of "non-compliant."

When God made His covenant with Israel, the covenant itself dealt with the rebellious and determined law-breakers. The Law itself provided a means of grace and forgiveness for the repentant.

But when the majority in the nation began to go the way of the pagan, then the nation was guilty of breaking the covenant. And the consequence of breaking the covenant was national judgment and exile.

The covenant could be started up again and was. But it was started up again only with the national group that as a whole swore allegiance to God and made covenant with Him anew.

The New Covenant is an entirely new covenant, and makes the old covenant no longer renewable. But it is still a covenant in the same way.

Individuals and nations can still make covenant with God under terms of the new covenant, if they so choose. For a nation to enter into covenant with God they simply have to assume, as a nation, the Christian terms of the covenant.

Those who break that covenant should be cut off. And when the entire nation abandons real Christianity, then it also is in danger of national judgment.

If an individual covenants with God, the individual represents him/her self.

If a nation covenants with God, who represents the nation?

If the US were to covenant with God, who is the king that would represent the US today?

 

[Randy Kluth]

If an individual covenants with God, the individual represents him/her self.

If a nation covenants with God, who represents the nation?

If the US were to covenant with God, who is the king that would represent the US today?

When God and a nation make covenant together, all are responsible to carry out the terms of the agreement. When you sign to buy a house, you start with a purchasing agreement. Then you make an agreement with the bank to get a loan. All who sign onto that loan are responsible. All who sign on to the purchasing agreement, Sellers and Buyers, are responsible.

It is no different with a nation. We may have representatives who represent us politically, but the collective nation is responsible. Every individual is responsible. But the nation is in violation only when the nation, as a majority, violates the covenant. The covenant isn't broken only when minorities break the covenant--they can be dismissed from the nation.

 

[Randy Kluth]

I count multiple churches in 1 Peter 1:1.

The collection of God's Churches comprises God's Church, so the expressions are interchangeable and synonymous.

Since when are God's Elect not God's Church?

Peter turned it into a metaphor. "Ye/you" are the listed Churches (or Elect if you wish; they are synonymous). The Churches/Elect are not a political entity. Therefore, the descriptions are metaphors for the Churches/Elect. No problem at all.

Metaphors are understood as such by the context. In this case, there is no contextual justification for turning "nation" into a metaphor when we are dealing with an OT quote that applied to the nation Israel.

The Elect are Christians. But context determines which group among God's elect are being talked about. We are specifically informed that he is reaching out to the elect in Diaspora. These comprise the Jewish believers--not Gentile believers.

Gal 2.7 On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

 

[covenantee]

Metaphors are understood as such by the context. In this case, there is no contextual justification for turning "nation" into a metaphor when we are dealing with an OT quote that applied to the nation Israel.

Peter turned "nation" into a metaphor. He was justified in doing so. He also metaphorized chosen generation, royal priesthood, peculiar people, darkness, and light.

You repeatedly forget that OT Israel was comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. Thus there was no ethnic difference between the audiences for Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9.

The Elect are Christians. But context determines which group among God's elect are being talked about. We are specifically informed that he is reaching out to the elect in Diaspora. These comprise the Jewish believers--not Gentile believers.

All of the churches enumerated were comprised of both Jews and Gentiles. The church in Galatia was primarily Gentile, as Paul's letter to the Galatians demonstrates.