December 27, 2021
The apostle Paul asks, “Do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4
In light of the Lord’s patience with each of us, we must exercise patience with others. Our own slowness to receive lessons from Him, sadly, gives the unbelieving world more “excuses” to reject the message of salvation. If I will allow God’s Spirit to develop in me the character trait of longsuffering, I will also be enabled to more fully appreciate His patience with me, increasing my love for Him! The depth of my love for Him directly affects the likelihood of truly helping others toward the kingdom of God. If I disregard certain of His commandments or instructions, and teach others to do the same, I am actually displaying a lack of love and respect for Him.
The love and mercy of God are never ending. But He makes it clear that there is a limit to His tolerance of sin. God, who is deeply offended by sin, exercises incredible patience and divine restraint in order to lead His creatures to repentance.
There is a dangerous and false teaching that has gained prominence in recent decades that the last seven years of the 490 is somehow detached from the stated timeline and placed at an indefinite time in the future for the benefit of the Jews. It is based on the false notion that God failed to fulfill His promises to the nation of Israel, and that He “owes” them. Our archenemy, that master deceiver, has turned it completely around. The actual truth is that His people failed to appreciate His forbearance, despising the riches of His goodness and His patience. God has never failed in a single promise! He is truth and His Word is true. There is no precedent in Scripture for broken timelines. The book of Matthew in particular, written by a Jew for the Jews, repeatedly highlights fulfillments of prophecies and promises made by God.
Also, we are clearly taught that God does not show partiality or favoritism (Acts 10:34, Galatians 2:6, and others). If God were to show a special preference based on DNA, nationality, or even geographical boundaries, He would be contradicting His own character. God is never unfair. In fact, He is better than fair in every way!
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And [the Jews] also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. Romans 11:22-23
For there is no partiality with God. Romans 2:11