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Is the Bible natural or spiritual. Or is it merely the history of the dealings of the Lord with a rebellious nation which refused to do His will. It is very evident that what the Lord had in mind to do for them was not because of who they were, or even their descendents but for His own names sake. Eze. 36:23 His name is exceedingly holy, to profane or dishonor His name is the highest of insults. To protect the honor of His name He would gather them once again into the land which He had given unto Abraham. By all means do not loose sight of the fact that Ezekiel was a prophet to Israel who was in captivity in Babylon. The promise of restoration into their own land was accomplished by their return under Ezra and Nehemiah. The actuality of the fulfillment of this prophecy is history. The promise of restoration was for those who heard the prophet. Eze. 36:24.
The prophecy of Ezekiel became Messianic as the Lord promised that they would go through a process of cleansing. The Lord would sprinkle clean water upon them. We know that John was deliberately born to be a forerunner of the Lord Jesus. Luke 1:17 John the Baptist came by baptizing ìunto repentance.î For that time, such a baptism was in the order and plan of the Lord. In their act of confession and baptism their sins were remitted. Thus the waters of cleansing were brought upon Israel. Mk. 1:4-5 Jesus incorporated and extended the necessity of the act of baptism for those who would follow Him, be they Jew or Gentile. The Lord is no respecter of persons. Mt. 28:19.
All must come through the one door which has His name upon it. ìFor there is no difference between the Jew of the Greek (Gentile): for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.î Rom. 10:12 Foolishly, the Word of the Lord is violated when we exalt one race above another in the gospel of Christ. We dare do what He does not do for the Word says; ìThere is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.î
Gal. 3:28 The only thing which counts and has true value is that new creature in Christ who is made to bear His very image and His likeness. A place in the Lord Jesus where He becomes everything and all to everyone and all who are in the great SPIRITUAL family of the Lord. Col. 3:10-11 Mind you, these statements were penned by a man who declared himself to be an Hebrew of the Hebrews, a Pharisee. Phil. 3:5 a man well versed in the Law and the Prophets. He was one who totally loved his race and was willing to lay aside his salvation if only they would be saved. Rom. 9:3.