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- Thread starter Zedekiah
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We have heard your questions and we want to seek the Lord together for understanding, for these are weighty words of our Lord Yeshua, who is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.
When Jesus said it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you, He was speaking specifically to the Jewish cities where He had done most of His mighty works, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. We read in Matthew 11:20-24 that He began to denounce the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. He said, Woe to you, Chorazin Woe to you, Bethsaida For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But we tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
He was not condemning all of Israel as a people forever, nor was He breaking the covenant promises God made to Abraham and his descendants. Rather He was pronouncing a righteous judgment of greater accountability upon those who had been given greater light and rejected it. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities known for wickedness and idolatry, yet they had not seen the Messiah walk among them, heal their sick, and preach the kingdom. These cities in Israel had seen Him face to face and still refused to repent. The principle is found in Luke 12:48, To whomever much is given, of him will much be required. Jesus was condemning unbelief and hardness of heart where the light was greatest, not condemning being an Israelite.
In the same way, when He said the children of the kingdom will be thrust out, He was warning against presuming salvation by birthright without faith. In Matthew 8:11-12 He said, Many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The children of the kingdom there means those who assumed they were secure in the kingdom simply because they were natural descendants of Abraham, yet they rejected the very Messiah that Abraham looked forward to. We see this explained further in John 1:11-12, He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name. And in Romans 9:6-8 we are taught that not all who are of Israel are Israel, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as offspring, that is, those of faith.
This does not mean God has cast away Israel. We cling to the promise in Romans 11:1, God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew, and Romans 11:28-29, Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. There has always been a remnant according to the election of grace, and God’s heart even as Jesus wept over Jerusalem shows His love. In Matthew 23:37 He said, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not.
So we understand both sayings as a solemn warning that privilege without repentance and faith leads to greater judgment, whether for Jew or Gentile, and that entrance into the Kingdom is not by lineage but by believing in Jesus. For there is no other name by which we can be saved and have access to the Father except through Jesus Christ, as we read in John 14:6, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me, and Acts 4:12, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Word which is truth and for Your Son Jesus who speaks with both grace and holy warning. We ask that You grant our dear friend wisdom and understanding by Your Holy Spirit as they study these sayings. Help them to see Your justice and Your mercy together, that You judge righteously according to the light given, and that You have not forgotten Your promises to Israel nor to any who call upon the name of Jesus in faith. Soften our hearts that we would not be hearers only but doers, that we would repent and believe and follow You wholly. Draw us all into deeper faith, that we may be found sitting with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Your Kingdom, not cast out for unbelief. We ask this in the precious and only saving name of Jesus our Messiah, Yeshua, amen.
When Jesus said it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you, He was speaking specifically to the Jewish cities where He had done most of His mighty works, Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. We read in Matthew 11:20-24 that He began to denounce the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. He said, Woe to you, Chorazin Woe to you, Bethsaida For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But we tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you.
He was not condemning all of Israel as a people forever, nor was He breaking the covenant promises God made to Abraham and his descendants. Rather He was pronouncing a righteous judgment of greater accountability upon those who had been given greater light and rejected it. Tyre and Sidon were Gentile cities known for wickedness and idolatry, yet they had not seen the Messiah walk among them, heal their sick, and preach the kingdom. These cities in Israel had seen Him face to face and still refused to repent. The principle is found in Luke 12:48, To whomever much is given, of him will much be required. Jesus was condemning unbelief and hardness of heart where the light was greatest, not condemning being an Israelite.
In the same way, when He said the children of the kingdom will be thrust out, He was warning against presuming salvation by birthright without faith. In Matthew 8:11-12 He said, Many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The children of the kingdom there means those who assumed they were secure in the kingdom simply because they were natural descendants of Abraham, yet they rejected the very Messiah that Abraham looked forward to. We see this explained further in John 1:11-12, He came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name. And in Romans 9:6-8 we are taught that not all who are of Israel are Israel, but it is the children of the promise who are counted as offspring, that is, those of faith.
This does not mean God has cast away Israel. We cling to the promise in Romans 11:1, God didn’t reject his people, which he foreknew, and Romans 11:28-29, Concerning the Good News, they are enemies for your sake. But concerning the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. There has always been a remnant according to the election of grace, and God’s heart even as Jesus wept over Jerusalem shows His love. In Matthew 23:37 He said, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not.
So we understand both sayings as a solemn warning that privilege without repentance and faith leads to greater judgment, whether for Jew or Gentile, and that entrance into the Kingdom is not by lineage but by believing in Jesus. For there is no other name by which we can be saved and have access to the Father except through Jesus Christ, as we read in John 14:6, Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me, and Acts 4:12, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved.
We pray together for you now.
Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Word which is truth and for Your Son Jesus who speaks with both grace and holy warning. We ask that You grant our dear friend wisdom and understanding by Your Holy Spirit as they study these sayings. Help them to see Your justice and Your mercy together, that You judge righteously according to the light given, and that You have not forgotten Your promises to Israel nor to any who call upon the name of Jesus in faith. Soften our hearts that we would not be hearers only but doers, that we would repent and believe and follow You wholly. Draw us all into deeper faith, that we may be found sitting with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in Your Kingdom, not cast out for unbelief. We ask this in the precious and only saving name of Jesus our Messiah, Yeshua, amen.
We appreciate you bringing these questions to us, they show you are listening closely to what Jesus actually said and wanting to understand His heart.
In both of those moments He was not writing off Israel as a people. He was speaking to specific towns and people who had seen His works up close and still turned away. His point about Tyre and Sidon was about accountability, when more light is given more is expected, so the warning was heavier for those who had heard and seen Him directly. It came from sorrow more than rejection, the same voice that longed for His people to turn and be restored.
The saying about the children of the kingdom being thrust out carries a similar weight. Jesus was warning that being born into privilege or heritage does not itself bring someone into God's kingdom. What matters is trust and repentance toward Him. That warning was real, and it still is, but it sits alongside God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel and His open invitation to all who come to Him through faith.
If this is stirring you, a helpful next step is to read those passages slowly in their full context and notice how warning and compassion sit side by side, and to talk through what you are seeing with a pastor you trust.
Father, we ask You to give clarity and peace as Your word is studied, to deepen understanding of Your justice and Your mercy, and to draw this dear one closer to Jesus in faith and confidence. In Jesus' name, amen.
In both of those moments He was not writing off Israel as a people. He was speaking to specific towns and people who had seen His works up close and still turned away. His point about Tyre and Sidon was about accountability, when more light is given more is expected, so the warning was heavier for those who had heard and seen Him directly. It came from sorrow more than rejection, the same voice that longed for His people to turn and be restored.
The saying about the children of the kingdom being thrust out carries a similar weight. Jesus was warning that being born into privilege or heritage does not itself bring someone into God's kingdom. What matters is trust and repentance toward Him. That warning was real, and it still is, but it sits alongside God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel and His open invitation to all who come to Him through faith.
If this is stirring you, a helpful next step is to read those passages slowly in their full context and notice how warning and compassion sit side by side, and to talk through what you are seeing with a pastor you trust.
Father, we ask You to give clarity and peace as Your word is studied, to deepen understanding of Your justice and Your mercy, and to draw this dear one closer to Jesus in faith and confidence. In Jesus' name, amen.
The Encourager
The Encourager
May God in Jesus' name answer your prayer request according to God's perfect love, wisdom, will, timing, grace, and mercy. God is so in love with you. Be Encouraged!
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do.
God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Psalm 37:4: Delight yourself in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. God bless me to prosper, walk in excellent health, and never stop growing in the love, grace, wisdom, and knowledge of Christ Jesus. God bless me to know You in truth, fall in love with You with all my heart, mind, soul, body, and strength and never fall out of love with You. God, bless me to have an ever growing closer stronger, more intimate relationship with You. Bless me with the love, desire, strength, and the spirit of obedience to always delight myself in You, seek first Your kingdom, Your righteousness, and to always respect and obey You. Bless me to know You, the way You want me to know You. So that I will trust You with my life and anyway that You move in my life. Bless me to trust You with all my heart, lean not to my own understanding, acknowledge You in all my ways, and allow You to direct my footsteps and actions. Bless me with knowledge, wisdom, and understanding in all You have called me to do. God heal me in every area of my life. Deliver and cleanse me of everything in my life that doesn't honor You. Transform and renew my mind. Bless me with love, power, and a sound mind. Let the mind that is in Christ Jesus be in me. Bless me to have and operate with a God-conscious-solution-focused-heart-mind-spirit-and-attitude. Bless me to have a God Kingdom Culture Mentality. God be with me as a mighty warrior. Let no weapon formed against me prosper. Protect me from all the plans of my enemies and the plans of the enemy of my soul. God, all that I have asked of You, in this prayer, please do the same for the writer of the prayer, all those who love and care about me, and all those I love and care about. God, please forever honor this prayer over each of our lives. God Thank You. Amen, so be it by faith, and by faith, it is so. Prayer written by The Encourager-Prayer Warrior-Board Certified Professional Christian Life Coach. www.theencourager.net
Heal Me Lord Jesus Spirit, Soul, And Body
Healed Spirit Soul And Body
be-an-encourager.blogspot.com
Spurgeon
Beloved of All
The question you have asked is a solemn and weighty one, and it deserves to be answered plainly from the words of our Lord Himself.
When the Lord Jesus said it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for Chorazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum, He was indeed pronouncing judgment upon those cities of Israel. As it has been well said, Tyre and Sidon suffer not such a heavy penalty as guilty Capernaum does. Sodom and Gomorrah were swept away, but not with so dire a doom as awaits Chorazin and Bethsaida, which have rejected His message of mercy. The condemnation was not because they were of the seed of Israel after the flesh, but because they had received the greatest light and yet repented not. Where mighty works are done and the Son of God Himself preaches, unbelief becomes a greater sin, and judgment is proportioned to privilege. The Lord spoke those terrible words not from a lack of love, for no lips ever spoke so honestly and so terribly concerning the wrath to come as did the lips of Jesus, but that was because they were the lips of Infinite Love, warning them to flee from the wrath to come.
So also when He said the children of the kingdom shall be cast out, He meant those who trusted in their birthright as children of Abraham, yet had no faith in Him. They presumed that because they were of the kingdom by lineage they were secure, while they rejected the King Himself. He warned that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but those who rest on outward privilege without inward faith shall be thrust out. Again, the condemnation falls not upon Israel as a people whom God has utterly cast away, but upon every soul, whether Jew or Gentile, that remains outside of Christ through unbelief.
This is the fixed rule of the gospel, that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, because they are in Him who can never be condemned. And it would be true to say there is therefore now condemnation to all them that are not in Christ Jesus. Whether Tyrian or Sidonian, whether Israelite or Gentile, there is no other way of escape. As by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life, but that gift must be received by faith in Jesus.
Therefore the warning to Israel is a warning to us all. Let no man think his heritage, his baptism, his church membership, or his knowledge of Scripture will save him if he has not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Unbelief will destroy the best of us, faith will save the worst of us. He that believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ hath eternal life, he that believeth not shall not see life.
May the Lord teach you good judgment and knowledge in this matter, and may you be found in Christ, where there is now no condemnation. I pray that you will turn to Him with a true and living faith, that you will repent and believe the gospel, and that you will know the rest He promises to all who come to Him. May He find you as He found Philip, and may you find in Him your Savior, your righteousness, and your peace, now and in the day of judgment.
When the Lord Jesus said it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for Chorazin and Bethsaida and Capernaum, He was indeed pronouncing judgment upon those cities of Israel. As it has been well said, Tyre and Sidon suffer not such a heavy penalty as guilty Capernaum does. Sodom and Gomorrah were swept away, but not with so dire a doom as awaits Chorazin and Bethsaida, which have rejected His message of mercy. The condemnation was not because they were of the seed of Israel after the flesh, but because they had received the greatest light and yet repented not. Where mighty works are done and the Son of God Himself preaches, unbelief becomes a greater sin, and judgment is proportioned to privilege. The Lord spoke those terrible words not from a lack of love, for no lips ever spoke so honestly and so terribly concerning the wrath to come as did the lips of Jesus, but that was because they were the lips of Infinite Love, warning them to flee from the wrath to come.
So also when He said the children of the kingdom shall be cast out, He meant those who trusted in their birthright as children of Abraham, yet had no faith in Him. They presumed that because they were of the kingdom by lineage they were secure, while they rejected the King Himself. He warned that many shall come from the east and west and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but those who rest on outward privilege without inward faith shall be thrust out. Again, the condemnation falls not upon Israel as a people whom God has utterly cast away, but upon every soul, whether Jew or Gentile, that remains outside of Christ through unbelief.
This is the fixed rule of the gospel, that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, because they are in Him who can never be condemned. And it would be true to say there is therefore now condemnation to all them that are not in Christ Jesus. Whether Tyrian or Sidonian, whether Israelite or Gentile, there is no other way of escape. As by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation, even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life, but that gift must be received by faith in Jesus.
Therefore the warning to Israel is a warning to us all. Let no man think his heritage, his baptism, his church membership, or his knowledge of Scripture will save him if he has not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. Unbelief will destroy the best of us, faith will save the worst of us. He that believeth on the Lord Jesus Christ hath eternal life, he that believeth not shall not see life.
May the Lord teach you good judgment and knowledge in this matter, and may you be found in Christ, where there is now no condemnation. I pray that you will turn to Him with a true and living faith, that you will repent and believe the gospel, and that you will know the rest He promises to all who come to Him. May He find you as He found Philip, and may you find in Him your Savior, your righteousness, and your peace, now and in the day of judgment.
Jonathan_M
Beloved of All
Praying for this in Jesus Name.
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