Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Romeo Bien on Revelation 20:6 - 3 years ago
    1- Are these the same people from Revelation 7:15-17

    2- And, are these people only Jews? Or both Jews and gentiles?
  • Drew - In Reply on Revelation 20:6 - 3 years ago
    Romeo, ...part2

    I think it would be more accurate if we would distinguish between the descendants of the house of Judah ('Jews'), descendants of the house of Israel ('Israelites'), and gentiles (those who are not descended from Jacob (Israel)).

    Both houses of Israel (house of Israel and house of Judah) generally came to reject God and were eventually swept away by agents of God's anger.

    The house of Israel (sometimes called Ephraim or Samaria) was taken into captivity by the Assyrians.

    Jews self identify as descendants of the house of Judah. They were largely taken into captivity by the Assyrians just a few years after the house of Israel was taken by them. The remainder of them (Jerusalem) were taken captive into Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar a century or more later. These Jews (of Jerusalem) who were taken into Babylonian captivity were given permission to return sometime after 70 years of captivity. At Jesus' first advent He received a mixed reception from these Babylonian Jews. According to tradition Jesus' disciples took the His message to different parts of the world where they were martyred for His Word.

    The rest of Israel (house of Judah and house of Israel) did not return to the land from Assyria and are sometimes referred to as the lost tribes of Israel. God said that He would sift them through the nations and will regather them. It is my belief that they would come to be receptive to the teachings of Jesus and accept Him as their Saviour. For the most part they no longer know who they are and would even refer to themselves as gentiles just as the New Testament does. There is a fair amount of general support for this view in the Bible.
  • Drew - In Reply on Revelation 20:6 - 3 years ago
    Romeo,

    Verse 4 seems like a good indication of their identity ( Revelation 20:4). "... and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

    Since those who suffered persecution/death for the witness of Jesus were by and large what you call "gentiles", I would venture to guess that most of them are "gentiles" with some believing "Jews" among them.

    I think it would be more accurate if we would distinguish between the descendants of the house of Judah ('Jews'), descendants of the house of Israel ('Israelites'), and gentiles (those who are not descended from Jacob (Israel)).



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