ESOCS Devotional 30 January 2023
TEXT: AMOS 9: 8-15
MEMORY VERSE:
“The Lord says, ‘A day is coming when I will restore the kingdom of David, which is like a house fallen into ruins. I will repair the walls and restore it. I will rebuild it and make it as it was long ago.’” Amos 9:11 GNB
Amos’s inspiring prophecy pointed to the hopeful restoration of National Israel if the people would truly seek the Lord in a genuine manner. Moreover, God assured Amos that He would not totally destroy His people. A remnant must be saved. In this case, as in many other prophecies, within the prophecy of calamity and destruction, there was a message of hope.
In Bible scholarly circles, and with particular reference to Apostle James’s citation of this prophecy in Acts Chapter 15, the Church of Jesus Christ is pointed to be in view here. The mention of the rebuilding of the Tabernacle of David is strongly believed to refer to the establishment of the Church. This would be the manifestation of spiritual Israel on earth, in preference to expired National Israel in the year 70 AD. This prophecy has been fulfilled in view of the quotation of Apostle James in Acts 15:16-17, thus: “Afterwards, I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles – all those I have called to be mine” NLT (See also Acts Chapter Ten). The rebuilding of the tabernacle would be through the preaching of the gospel to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). As people of all nations throughout the world respond and obey the gospel, the tabernacle (The Church) would be built throughout the entire earth.
God restored the Hebrew captives, following the conquest and fall of the Babylonian Empire. In likewise manner, God would restore all true believers to eternal life, after the final judgment and imprisonment of Satan and his agents (Revelation 2:10; 3:5; 20:12, 15).
Child of God, take heed to yourself and work hard to sustain your membership of the household of faith, the Church – present-day Spiritual Israel. Time is running out, and fast too.
- Do you know that erstwhile National Israel in the plan of God has been replaced by the Church – Spiritual Israel?
- Lord Jesus, help my weakness. Sustain me in your Kingdom through Your Church.
FURTHER READING: Isaiah 51:12-23; Luke 9:28-42; 1 Corinthians 14:1-12
Read Yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
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ESOCS Devotional 30 January 2023
