SUMMARY OF THE LOST TRIBES - THE BIG PICTURE

Now that we have finished the study of the “lost tribes” I’d like you to take a few steps back. I want you to take an objective look at what this all means. To do that we need to step back and allow the “big picture” to reveal itself. I will try to speak clearly and simply.

The Bible is about God calling out a people. God called out Noah. He called out Abram. Abram became Abraham and God promised He would make nations out of Abraham’s seed. One of those nations was Israel.

God called Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Down through the ages He has called out individuals and nations. He called each one of us out. He calls His people out to reveal Himself to them and to be a light to the world. His people are called out to be God’s revelation to the world. To be His representatives or ambassadors. God’s people are to show His glory to the nations. That was Israel’s destiny.

The basic theme of the Bible is God calling His people out as His representatives. His people start out well but eventually fall into sin and failure. We forget His law and forget His graciousness toward us and fall away. God then chastens His people for their disobedience. A remnant return, repent, and again obey. Some find themselves falling in love with Him!

This is the cycle that is repeated throughout both the old covenant and the new covenant. This is the cycle that each one of us experiences in our personal walk. We all have times when we grow cold towards God. This is our cycle of life. This was the cycle ancient Israel went through.

In the big picture God dispersed His people (Israel) throughout the nations for their disobedience. Judah returned and rebuilt the temple while most of the ten tribes were integrated into the gentile nations over the millennia. They, or we, became a mixed multitude. We forgot who we were--but God knows who and where we are!

In the new covenant God came down and dwelled among His people. He came to the lowest part of His creation and lived like one of us. He literally gave Himself to those whom He had created. We, His creation, put Him to death. Think of this. The Creator gave Himself over to the creation and allowed them to put Him to death! This is incredibly profound.

He gave His creation free will, came and walked among them, spoke nothing but truth, and allowed Himself to be shamefully put to death for it! Step back and we look like a bunch of filthy rats scurrying around fighting over the crumbs of control. God humbled Himself and put Himself at the mercy of the creation!

God revealed Himself to us and we put him to death. We all have a part in it. The gentile rulers could have stopped it but no one stood up. Humanity as a whole is guilty. If He came in the same way today the human race would again put Him to death.

The cycle continues. Each generation since His advent refuses to accept Him. There is always a remnant in each generation that follow but they are a small percentage of the billions of people that live on the earth. They are the called out. Church is a lousy word--ekklesia means “called out” and that is what we are.

God gave us free will--we are not robots. His desire is that we lay down our way of doing things and walk in His way. At the end of the age when He returns He will bring us salvation. He will finally reveal Himself and His glory to all the nations of the earth. Until then he gently and quietly woos us to come to Him. Most of the time we are too busy to hear His call.

God scattered His people (Israel) throughout the nations. They became part of the gentile nations. The Bible says He is going to re-gather His people at the end of the age. That is exactly what He is doing today. The return to, and understanding of, our Hebrew roots is the beginning of this end time gathering. He is bringing all His children together in anticipation for His return. This is God’s eternal plan of salvation as viewed over the millennia which have passed. It is clearly laid out in the Bible.

In His anger He has chastised us (Jew and Gentile) and now in His great mercy He is gathering us together and revealing our lost identity. This final gathering is going to happen in the crucible of fire and tribulation like the world has never seen before--but for the elect‘s sake the days will be shortened.

Through this crucible of fire God will have a people--a remnant if you will. He will have a people who will follow Him into the fiery furnace if they must. The world will refuse to repent and man will come to the edge of nuclear destruction. There will, however, be a remnant who know their King and follow Him throughout this terrible time.

The “one new man” will be refined like gold in that day. The bride will become ready for the return of her husband and King. We will look to the heavens and cry out for Him to return! Hosanna! Save us!--and He will! His own right hand will bring salvation. No flesh will glory in His presence at this time. The world will be lightened by His Shekinah glory in that day!

Those who have overcome in each generation--and those in that day who are alive at His coming--will arise from the dead and be changed in an instant. What a glorious day that will be! Hallelujah! Finally there will be justice and righteousness in the earth and among the nations.

God is moving in human events toward this end. He has a purpose and a plan. This is what we have been predestined for. We have been predestined to be part of His glorious plan for the earth and ultimately the Universe! This, in a nutshell, is what the “Big Picture” is all about. I hope you can see
it.

Tomorrow: A Study on the false teaching of the rapture and what really is going to occur at the end of the age.