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Gentiles in the kingdom: Difference between revisions
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{{bl| Gentiles in the kingdom }} | {{bl| Gentiles in the kingdom }} | ||
Even before Abraham, Genesis contains hints that God's kingdom and blessing would extend to all nations, including the Gentiles. Here are some key passages that suggest this: | |||
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=== '''1. The Creation Mandate – God's Blessing for All Humanity''' === | |||
'''Genesis 1:28''' – ''"And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’"'' | |||
* This blessing was given to '''all of humanity''', not just Israel. It establishes God's intention for humans (both Jew and Gentile) to share in His rule and blessing over the earth. | |||
* The idea of ''dominion'' anticipates the kingdom of God, where people rule under Him. | |||
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=== '''2. The Seed of the Woman Will Crush the Serpent''' === | |||
'''Genesis 3:15''' – ''"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."'' | |||
* This is the '''first prophecy of redemption''', promising that the "seed of the woman" (Messiah) would defeat evil. | |||
* This promise is made '''before any nation exists''', meaning it applies to all humanity. | |||
* It foreshadows Christ, who brings salvation to both '''Jews and Gentiles''' (Galatians 3:16, Romans 16:20). | |||
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=== '''3. Cain and Abel – A Righteous Offering Beyond Israel''' === | |||
'''Genesis 4:3-4''' – ''"In the course of time Cain brought to the LORD an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and his offering."'' | |||
* Worship of God existed before Abraham, indicating that non-Israelites could have '''righteousness by faith''' (like Abel). | |||
* Hebrews 11:4 confirms Abel’s offering was accepted '''by faith''', just as Gentiles later enter the kingdom through faith in Christ. | |||
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=== '''4. The Line of Seth – Calling Upon the Name of the Lord''' === | |||
'''Genesis 4:26''' – ''"At that time people began to call upon the name of the LORD."'' | |||
* This suggests '''Gentiles''' were already seeking God before Abraham. | |||
* Romans 10:13 says, ''“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,”'' linking this to salvation available to all. | |||
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=== '''5. Noah and the Nations – God's Covenant with All Flesh''' === | |||
'''Genesis 9:9-11''' – ''"Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you... never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth."'' | |||
* God makes a '''universal covenant''' with Noah and his descendants (which includes all nations). | |||
* Noah is called a '''"preacher of righteousness"''' (2 Peter 2:5), showing that God's righteousness was not limited to Israel. | |||
* This covenant anticipates a '''new creation''' where all nations participate in God's kingdom (Isaiah 11:9, Revelation 21:1). | |||
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=== '''6. The Table of Nations – The Gentiles in God's Plan''' === | |||
'''Genesis 10:32''' – ''"These are the clans of the sons of Noah, according to their genealogies, in their nations, and from these the nations spread abroad on the earth after the flood."'' | |||
* Genesis 10 lists '''all the nations''' that come from Noah’s sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth. | |||
* This shows that '''God had a purpose for all peoples''', not just Israel. | |||
* Acts 17:26 confirms this: ''"And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth."'' | |||
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=== '''7. The Tower of Babel – Preparing for the Nations to Be Redeemed''' === | |||
'''Genesis 11:9''' – ''"Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth."'' | |||
* God '''scattered the nations''' at Babel, but this sets up His later plan to '''bring them back together''' in His kingdom (Pentecost in Acts 2 reverses Babel). | |||
* This foreshadows '''Gentiles being brought into the kingdom through Christ'''. | |||
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=== '''Conclusion''' === | |||
Even before Abraham, Genesis shows that God's kingdom was meant for '''all humanity'''. The blessings given to Adam, Noah, and all nations point to a '''future restoration through Christ''', where Gentiles would be included. | |||
