09/03/14 2 Chronicles 7:14

09/03/14 2 Chronicles 7:14

There are some promises given to Israel that are not applicable to the Church (though the principles are appropriate to both groups), and there are promises made to the Church that were not applicable to Israel.

One of those promises made to Israel, which is not addressed to New Testament believers is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. The principle is valid for believers, but it was specifically given to Israel as God's chosen nation in the Old Testament.

Should Christians pray for our nation to turn to God? YES.
Should everyone turn from his sins? YES.
Will national repentance please God? YES.
Will God bless a people who turn to Him in faith? YES.

But there is no promise that God will heal their national homeland, though it could happen.

The whole setting, background and prophecy is Jewish. The only land, only nation that was ever a chosen nation (geographically and politically), was Israel. The Church is a spiritual nation, not an earthly kingdom. The Church has no earthly king.

Should we pray for America (or any other country) to turn to God. YES. But be Biblical and be wise in our praying. Do not expect from God what He has not promised. Do not expect from God what He specifically and uniquely promised to Israel.

By the way, this is not simply my interpretation. This is a position found in the history of the Christian Church. There are some who hold to the belief that the Church is Israel, or rather that the Church has become the Israel of the New Testament. But those groups do not believe that Israel as an ethnic/racial/national people have any special future with God. Even so, most, if not all of Christianity, believes that there are differences in the promises and responsibilities that were placed on Israel of the Old Testament and the Church of the New Testament.

I am not surprised that there is confusion concerning this passage, since there has been so little Bible preaching over the past 75 years.