Where is your response to the question I have asked multiple times now?
When is Ephraim made desolate and barren if it's not when Assyria exiled them?
Through Adam, condemnation came for all men.
Romans 5:12-14
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned. For sin was in the world before the law was given; but sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.
Romans 5:18
Therefore, just as one trespass brought condemnation for all men, so also one act of righteousness brought justification and life for all men.
The old covenant, which was an agreement between God and the nation of Israel, did not restore the condemnation of all men through Adam. For if it did, there would be no need for Christ's 1st advent.
Hebrews 7:18-19 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (
for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Romans 5:20
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more
The law was only a guardian until Christ came.
Galatians 3:24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith
Only under the new covenant through Christ could men be restored to God.
Romans 5:19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners,
so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
***Thus, through Adam, all men were cast out from a restored relationship with God, regardless of old covenant with the nation of Israel.
I agree, but we must interpret the breaking of the old covenant in light of the new covenant, as the old covenant didn't bring about restoration.
Hebrews 7:18-19 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (
for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Romans 5:20
Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more
The nation of Israel broke the old covenant, and the curses were poured out on them. The house of Israel was divorced and they became as gentiles (not my people), but the house of Judah remained under the old covenant.
I agree the gentile nations were not made fellow heirs through the old covenant.
However, The gentiles were given a promise prior to the old covenant. **Notice Paul includes not only the adherents of the law but those who have faith: many nations, as the offspring of Abraham.
Romans 4:16-17 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all
HIS offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist
This was just not known prior to the new covenant, as the spirit and not fully revealed it yet.
Ephesians 3:4-6 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.
I agree, and I would add:
Only in regards to the old covenant. For the promises to Abraham are unconditional and the new covenant has no mention of conditional land promises.
absolutely agree
The land is God's and it's His right to do with what he pleases.
Leviticus 25:23 The land shall not be sold in perpetuity,
for the land is mine. For you are strangers and sojourners with me.
And it just so happens, that it pleased Him to unconditionally promised the land to Christ.
galatians 3:16 Now the
promises (plural) were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings,” referring to many,
but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:20
For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory
And now, through Christ, the new covenant provides better promises then the old covenant.
Hebrews 8:6 But as it is, Christ
b has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises
The belief that the old covenant was superseded by the new covenant is not "sloppy" interpretation, as scripture is very clear that this happened:
Hebrews 8:6-7 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
"sloppy" interpretation would be to replace Jesus as the heir of ALL things with national biological Israel.
I agree that being one with Christ does not destroy the prophecies of the restoration of Israel, in fact, I believe it fulfills it.
Colossian 1:18-20 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
I agree that the supersession of the old covenant by the new covenant does not end the promises to the biological descendants, in fact I believe it fulfills it.
galatians 3:17 What I mean is this: The law that came 430 years later does not revoke the covenant previously established by God, so as to cancel the promise
Both are fulfilled by Christ.
By God gathering the gentiles and grafting them into Christ, of which many of the ephraimites had been scattered to for 700 years, God fulfills his promise to Ephraim and to the many gentile nations.
This is not RT theology.
**Also you didn't address the question I had for you. As romans 11 no where mentions Ephraim, do you believe the term gentiles is equivalent to Ephraim?
It is also apparent that you are having a problem surmounting that it is Jesus who inherits the nations.
Psalm 2:7-8 will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.
Psalm 82:8 Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are Your inheritance.
It is Christ who inherits the nations and if you are in Christ, then you are co-heirs. Thus outside of Christ, we inherit nothing.
Romans 8:17 And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.
No need to apologize. It just seems we disagree on what the "restoration" is.