058. Tribulation for the Jew first?! (Romans 2:9-11)

Blog Post: https://wakinguptograce.com/058-tribulation-for-the-jew-first-romans-2-9-11/

Paul's pronouncement that glory, honor, peace, tribulation and distress would come "to the Jew first" has profound implications for understanding biblical prophecy about the final judgment of national Israel.

• The concept of "to the Jew first" applies to both salvation and judgment, as Christ came first to Israel before the Gentiles
• Old Testament prophecies throughout Deuteronomy, Isaiah, Amos, Malachi etc. repeatedly warned Israel of a coming "Day of Yahweh"
• First-century Jews rejected their Messiah despite prophecies predicting his arrival and the consequences of rejecting him
• The "Great Tribulation" described in Matthew 24 refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 AD
• John the Baptist fulfilled Malachi's prophecy as the "Elijah" who would come before the day of judgment
• The destruction of Jerusalem marked the complete end of the Old Covenant system, with genealogical records destroyed
• Prophetic language about darkened sun and falling stars represented the fall of governing authorities, not literal cosmic events
• The "Day of Yahweh" fulfilled all written prophecies, closing the biblical canon with the destruction of Jerusalem

Starting with our next episode, we'll explore evidence that Christ's prophesied return occurred in 70 AD alongside the destruction of Jerusalem and how this understanding transforms our view of biblical eschatology.

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