Every Nation

 

Introduction

In a previous article, we discussed Universalism and the idea that, based on their belief, all men will go to heaven. We refuted that argument show that; although everyone will be given the chance to hear the gospel, not all will obey it and be saved.

In this article we will look at the concept, that some hold, that Jesus didn’t come to save everyone but one specific nation; Israel. And that all other nations will be condemned to Hell.

 


To the Jew First

Israel was God’s chosen people; made up of 12 different tribes. However, this doesn’t mean that God didn’t care about the rest of the nations on the planet. All nations were created by Him and therefore all flourished on Earth.

In addition, the Jews (as they were later called) didn’t thumb their nose at other nations; declaring themselves as being the only nation that mattered. They had enough to worry about and focus on in worshipping God to every think of such a notion.

In Jeremiah 31:31-34, a prophecy was made; looking ahead to the future when both the house of Israel and the house of Judah would be reunited under one covenant. At that time, Israel was completely decimated as a kingdom; the Northern ten tribes were carried off into captivity. So how could they be reunited if they didn’t exist anymore?

The Lost Sheep of Israel

Shortly after the sermon on the mount, Jesus sent the 12 out on a limited commission and told them to visit, “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Mt. 10:6). There are some, even today, who do not know who the lost sheep are; trying to justify the use of one race or another to identify them.

The scripture clearly states the phrase is referring to the Jews as they are God’s chosen. The prophet Ezekiel preached to the captives in Babylon regarding this very thing. God spoke to him saying,

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: "Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? "You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. "The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them. "So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. "My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them."  (Ezekiel 34:2-6)

The prophet Jeremiah preached the same thing in Jerusalem about the same time in Jer. 50:6, 17,

“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; They have forgotten their resting place…Israel is like scattered sheep; The lions have driven him away. First the king of Assyria devoured him; Now at last this Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon has broken his bones."

This can’t be talking about any other group of people as the scriptures clearly identify them. To insert any other nation as the “lost sheep” is blasphemous.

The Great Commission

But it doesn’t stop with the house of Israel. Before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, he gave to his disciples what is known as the Great Commission:

Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

        At this point, though, his disciples weren’t aware that Jesus meant all nations as in ALL nations. They were looking at it from the perspective of the 12 tribes only. But in Acts 10:9-16, the apostle Peter had a vision of a white sheet descending with a variety of animals upon it. The Lord told him to rise, kill, and eat. Peter’s response is in verse 14, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” The Lord’s response is in verse 15, "What God has cleansed you must not call common." This little scenario was to prepare Peter and the others that salvation was to be offered to the gentiles as well.

You mean the Samaritans too?!

The story of Cornelius’ conversion, in Acts 10, is the first recorded conversion of a gentile. In Acts 11, when Peter returned to Jerusalem, the apostles and others there heard that he went to a gentile to preach the gospel to them. This prompted Peter to explain things and once he had finished their response was, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.” (Acts 11:18)

Of course, you can imagine that this meant that they had to visit the Samaritans as well. The Jews thought little of them; being a half-breed race of Jew/Gentile mix. If you are familiar with Old Testament history, the northern ten tribes were carried off in captivity by the Assyrians to the city of Samaria. This is where the Samaritans come from. This is also why Jesus used the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:30-37). And when he spoke to the woman at the well (Jn. 4:7-29), she was a Samaritan as well. This was foresight that the gentiles would also be accepted.

Conclusion

        I hope from this article that you have gained some perspective of what the scriptures really teach regarding salvation to all. Peter said in Acts 10:34-35, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.”

        Every nation means EVERY nation. Not just one nation or one group of people, but everyone who believes; “to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).