Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Richard H Priday - 1 year ago
    National repentance vs. individual repentance

    Nineveh and Babylon appear to be two nations that had a wholesale turn toward God; initiated in both cases by the rulers at hand.

    Sackcloth and ashes were worn by the King in the first example; along with a mandatory fast. In the second case; it appears that

    Nebuchadnezzar may have recognized God's power in his declaration of Daniel 3:29; as to not saying anything against God; but his own personal understanding appears to have come later as predicted in Daniel 4:25. In our nation revivals in the 1700s seemed to eclipse even George Washington's noteriety with individuals like Whitfield and similar things happened in Europe with the Wesleyan revival.

    In both cases from scripture we see the ruler being warned about sin; with Jonah it was just a general declaration of judgment to come; with Nebuchadnezzar a direct plea from Daniel in Daniel 4:27 to turn from sin was given. I believe the same thing

    happened with a challenge to a President in our country in the 1800s; maybe someone has that information here.

    Proverbs 14:34 explains how sin is a reproach to any nation; which is contrasted by righteousness exalting a nation in the first part of the verse. Truly a nation is made up of individuals; hance as someone comes to faith it may change the balance to

    forestall judgment for a time. As with nations; individuals also can extend their lives ( 2 Kings 20:6); and the wicked as a

    principle will not live out half their days ( Psalm 55:23). Nahum shows how judgment was only forestalled and delayed not averted; and we can read the rest of Jeremiah to see how Babylon fared; with an end time parallel in Revelation 18.

    As we see from the above examples; righteous leadership can bring benefits to all; even if not all individuals are actually saved.

    The same principle applies with the wheat and the tares in churches. Some only secretly desire worldly comforts or prestige who surround themselves around repentant saints.



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