Those things which unfold in time before our faces are the same things which the LORD our GOD has fixed in the heavens and cannot be overturned. The LORD said "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." (Isa.46:10-13) Everything which the LORD intends to occur shall take place exactly as HE would have it to happen.
The redemption and salvation of HIS people was determined by the LORD long before any one of them ever drew breath. The manner and time in which HE would make this work known unto the sons of men and to the hosts of heaven was established then as well. It pleased the LORD to withhold the full revelation of the scope of HIS redemptive work until HE sent HIS SON into the world to be born of a virgin and ultimately die a sinner's death. Shrouded in mystery was the fact that those for whom the MESSIAH would come included not just the nation of Israel but every nation upon the earth. Now when HE said that HE would save Israel, it is obvious that HE did not mean that HE would save every individual in Israel, but that some in Israel would be saved and therefore Israel would be rescued. In the same fashion HE has set forth the fact that HE will save the whole world. This obviously does not mean that HE will save every individual in the world, but HE will save men from all parts of the world and therefore the world will be saved.
GOD called Abraham out of the land of Haran to go to Canaan. Along the way HE told Abraham that HE would make of HIM a great nation and HE made a covenant with Abraham's SEED. (see Gal.3:16) Then Abraham was blessed with two sons, whom he named Ishmael and Isaac. It was not possible that the son of the promise (Isaac) (see Gen.21:10-12) should dwell with the son of the flesh (Ishmael) so Ishmael was cast out. Then the LORD gave Isaac two sons, Esau and Jacob. The LORD loved Jacob but HE hated (rejected) Esau (see Rom.9:13) The LORD changed Jacob's name to Israel which literally meant "one who prevails with GOD". And then for hundreds of years the children of Israel were manifested as the chosen people of GOD. It pleased the LORD to bless the nation of Israel above all other nations on the earth. It was natural that the children which sprang from Jacob's loins should consider that they alone were the Zion and Israel of GOD. Unto them were "the oracles of GOD" committed. (see Rom.3:2) GOD delivered them time and again from destruction at the hand of their enemies. It was in their midst that temple was ultimately built. It was through them and to them that the MESSIAH came.
Yet the unfolding of the mystery "which had been kept secret from the foundation of the world" was also taking place as the promised SEED was ultimately revealed not only as the SAVIOR of ISRAEL but of all the nations of the earth. "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" (Eph 3:5-6) John saw the twenty four elders exalting CHRIST by saying; "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation." (Rev 5:9) So it is now plainly set forth that the true Israel of GOD is not that people which sprang from the loins of Abraham in the flesh but those who were given to the SON in the eternal covenant of redemption as the FATHER said to HIS only begotten SON, "Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession." (Psa 2:8) The LORD has brought this prophecy to pass :
"I will shake all nations". As a man who slumbers is awakened from his sleep so has the word of GOD gone forth to herald the rising of a new day. Just as HE told HIS disciples,"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Act 1:8) Where on earth can a man go where this gospel has not been preached? "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious." (Isa 11:10) Awake, awake O ye nations of the earth, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isa 60:1-3) Surely it has been brought to pass, "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." (Isa 9:2) This was manifested in type on the day of Pentecost as men of every nation were gathered in Jerusalem and the Gospel was heard by those who were ordained unto eternal life and brought to pass as they were scattered to the four winds. (see Acts 2)
"The DESIRE of all nations shall come". Now it seems to be quite clear that not all men in the earth have longed for HIS appearing but the "all" here is not inclusive of all individuals. Rather this has reference to the fact that HE came not just to bring deliverance to the nation of Israel but to every tribe and kindred upon the earth. The LORD JESUS CHRIST is indeed the "DESIRE" of all of those who have been quickened by the SPIRIT and made to hear the glorious good news of the gospel. They have mourned for HIM"whom they pierced" (see Zech.12:10; John 19:37) and men from all nations have sought HIS presence and even now look for HIS appearing. ( see II Tim.4:8; Heb.9:28)
"I will fill this house with glory" That which is glorious to the sons of GOD and in the FATHER's sight is that redemption which is wrought by the hand of our SAVIOR. "Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments from Bozrah? this that is glorious in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save." (Isa 63:1) The glory of GOD is manifested in the work of JESUS CHRIST in procuring redemption for HIS elect. HIS "own arm has brought salvation" (Isa.63:5) unto HIM. HE has done the work which no other could accomplish and HE has obtained eternal redemption for us. (see Heb.9:12) Is it not this glorious work which the saints in the ages to come shall magnify HIM for. "And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb forever and ever." (Rev 5:11-13) Amen and amen!
mam