HollowofHishand
June 26th, 2007, 08:41 AM
I was doing a Bible study this morning and reading Isaiah 26. Verse 18 ends with an interesting phrase:
"neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen."
So I got to wondering about the use of the word "inhabitants" and did a search. My initial look finds that nowhere is the term used of God's people. The inhabitants are always pagan.
But the whole verse seems to be pointing to the end of the trib when Israel cries out to the Lord for deliverance. She has been fighting hard to win (like a woman giving birth works hard to deliver a baby) but she has not accomplished anything. And the inhabitants of the world still have not fallen.
I see in this verse the struggle we are beginning to face.
But the next two verses are clear references to the Rapture. So could it be that the verse actually is for all believers and the righteous Jews? Is it possible that the Rapture will not be just for the Church?
Or are the verses actually referring to the last days when God sends his angels to gather his sheep and then judge the goats (Mark 12:27)?
Thoughts?
"neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen."
So I got to wondering about the use of the word "inhabitants" and did a search. My initial look finds that nowhere is the term used of God's people. The inhabitants are always pagan.
But the whole verse seems to be pointing to the end of the trib when Israel cries out to the Lord for deliverance. She has been fighting hard to win (like a woman giving birth works hard to deliver a baby) but she has not accomplished anything. And the inhabitants of the world still have not fallen.
I see in this verse the struggle we are beginning to face.
But the next two verses are clear references to the Rapture. So could it be that the verse actually is for all believers and the righteous Jews? Is it possible that the Rapture will not be just for the Church?
Or are the verses actually referring to the last days when God sends his angels to gather his sheep and then judge the goats (Mark 12:27)?
Thoughts?