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which is united in Christ. As those who are saved, our expectation
The Jewish nation is unique in divine is not earthly but heavenly; we await our
purpose; God’s covenantal blessings Lord from heaven. Through Him, the whole
were given to the patriarchs. These were universe, those things on earth and things in
confirmed to David and his lineage heaven, will be reconciled and brought into
forever (2Sa 7:12-14). These promises accord with the mind of God. There is no
have never been abrogated; they will mention in Colossians 1:20 of “things under
never be repealed. We affirm what the the earth” (Php 2:10). The subject in Philip-
Bible reveals about Israel, its land and pians is subjugation, not reconciliation. The
its unique place in history and prophecy, realms of the infernal world, including Satan
and we know that the Scriptures con- and those angelic beings who sinned, will
firm a coming kingdom and a monarch be subdued but will never be reconciled
reigning for God from Jerusalem. to God. The Greek word for “reconciled”
The Scriptures reveal God’s mind (apokatallasso) used in Colossians 1:20 means
concerning His purpose for the future; to reconcile completely, to change from one
however, it is in this era that God has condition to another. Nothing will be left
revealed something unique, an entity undone; this world, which was created to
called “the church, which is his body” manifest the glory of God, will be restored
(Eph 1:22-32). As part of this unique to what God designed. The Millennial King-
entity, we realize our elevated position
of having been reconciled to God. As dom of Christ will give way to “the day of
Gentiles we did not share in the national God” (2Pe 3:12); Christ will deliver up the
privileges that Jews enjoyed, we had no Kingdom; divine purpose will have reached
prospect of a future inheritance, we had its goal and universal reconciliation will be
“no hope,” and we were “without God complete.
in the world” (2:12). Through the cross, We look forward to and anticipate that
Jews and Gentiles are brought onto the day of universal reconciliation which will
common ground of being members be accomplished by our glorious Savior.
together of one body (3:6), they have a We have the opportunity of presently being
common bond of salvation, they have occupied with Him, being able to appreciate
been brought into the same privileges, His person, worship His name and glory in
share the same aspirations and goals, His cross. Like John Bowring, we can sing:
wait for the same Saviour, and are part In the cross of Christ I glory,
of the same dispensational Church.
towering o'er the wrecks of time;
Prospective Reconciliation all the light of sacred story
Based on the Cross gathers round its head sublime.

The great truth of universal recon- When the woes of life o'ertake me,
ciliation is based on the cross. We are hopes deceive, and fears annoy,
part of a troubled world; nations are never shall the cross forsake me.
divided and are at war with each other. Lo! It glows with peace and joy. 2
Antisemitism is rising; the stage is set
for the end times, the manifestation of
the man of sin and the great tribulation. 2 John Bowring (1792–1872)

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