In this series, we have examined the key scriptural evidence regarding the twelve tribes of Israel. We observed that, following the return under Cyrus, Scripture speaks of a single Israel—comprising twelve tribes—and nowhere teaches that the ten tribes continue to… Lees verder
In previous blog posts, we saw that Scripture leaves no room for the idea that the ten tribes still exist today as a recognizable people. The greater part of the Ten-Tribe Kingdom was absorbed into the nations and lost its… Lees verder
In the previous blog, we saw that Ezekiel speaks of the future restoration of all Israel. Another Scripture passage frequently cited to support the doctrine of the lost ten tribes is found in Romans 9. There, Paul quotes two statements… Lees verder
In the previous blogs, we saw that under King Cyrus, representatives of all twelve tribes returned to the land. Although it was only a small part of the people, it represented all of Israel. From that time on, Scripture speaks… Lees verder
In the previous blog, we saw that Scripture makes a clear distinction between Israel and the nations. Israel is characterized by circumcision, the nations by the foreskin. We also saw that Paul describes his readers in Ephesus as people who… Lees verder
In previous blog posts, we saw that, following the exile, Scripture speaks of a single Israel consisting of twelve tribes. We also saw that the majority of the ten tribes did not return to the land but instead assimilated into… Lees verder
We have seen how, under King Cyrus, a call went out to all of Israel to return to the land of Judah and to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Regarding Judah—the two-tribe kingdom—Jeremiah had prophesied that the exile would last… Lees verder
We have seen that when the people returned during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah, although not every single member of the nation returned to the land, representatives from all twelve tribes did. In this context, the part represents the… Lees verder
In the previous blog post, we saw that 1 Kings 11 foretells the splitting of the kingdom of Israel. This division is described in 1 Kings 12. From that moment on, there is no longer a single kingdom of twelve… Lees verder
In the introduction, I already mentioned the division of Israel into two kingdoms and how one of those two—the ten-tribe kingdom—largely disappeared among the nations. In this blog post, I would like to elaborate on this and cite the relevant… Lees verder
We know from the Old Testament that the people of Israel were formed from twelve tribes, corresponding to the number of Jacob’s sons. Later, this nation acquired a royal house that ruled over these twelve tribes. Initially, this was King… Lees verder
In the previous blog, we saw that Paul says in Ephesians 1 that we are blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, and that in listing these blessings, He begins by stating that we are elect… Lees verder
In the previous blog, we saw why the ecclesia is chosen. The cause of our election lies not in ourselves, but in God. He does not choose what is wise, strong, and significant in the eyes of the world, but… Lees verder
The previous blog discussed the election of Christ; He is God’s chosen one above all others. But whoever knows the mystery that Paul reveals in his letters knows that the ecclesia (congregation) shares in the position of Christ and all… Lees verder
Jesus Christ is our Lord, the Messiah, and the Son of God. But we rarely speak of Him as the Chosen One, while Scripture calls Him so several times. He is already announced as such in the Hebrew Tanakh. Isaiah… Lees verder
Israel would rule over the nations in the Messianic Kingdom. But within it, it will not only be royal, but also priestly. What does this mean? To answer that question, we must first consider what a priest actually is according… Lees verder
God chooses individuals, groups, and even an entire people to bless others. God chose a single person as Abraham, and Abraham is the progenitor of the people of Israel, who are God’s chosen people par excellence. That Israel is God’s… Lees verder
We first encounter the concept of “choosing” in Genesis 6:2, but there it is not about God choosing someone. It states there that the sons of God took wives from all whom they “chose” (bachar). We encounter this normal use… Lees verder
We find election throughout Scripture. Although the term is not always used, God’s electing action becomes clear from the very first page of the Bible. From a human perspective, one cannot say that Adam was chosen. He was the first… Lees verder
Election is a word that carries a very unpleasant connotation for some. Just hearing it sends shivers down one’s spine. First of all, it must be established that election is a biblical concept and therefore we cannot simply ignore it.… Lees verder
In this series, it has become clear that the gospel of reconciliation has been entrusted to Paul. He proclaims that in Christ, God reconciles not a part, but the world to Himself: the entire universe. Reconciliation always presupposes change: enmity… Lees verder
In Ephesians 1, Paul speaks about the mystery of His will. This secret had not been made known to previous generations (Eph. 3:5; Col. 1:26), and its administration was entrusted to Paul. This secret has everything to do with the… Lees verder
1 Corinthians 15 is a long chapter dealing with the resurrection. Among the Corinthians were some who claimed that there is no resurrection of the dead. Paul responds by stating that if that is the case, then Christ has not… Lees verder
We have now discussed all the Scriptures that speak of reconciliation and thus also the theme of universal reconciliation. However, there are also texts that do not use this word, but do speak unambiguously about the reconciliation of the world… Lees verder
The preceding section in Colossians 1 describes the glory of the Son, through whom God created everything. He is the Firstborn of both the old and the new creation. God has the entire creation in view and, through Him, brings… Lees verder