The question is, Who did the rejecting? What do we mean by saying that the
nation rejected? And with that question is another; Why did not the Lord
ever announce Himself publicly that He was the King, the Messiah? Also where
does repentance come in?
From what we see of Pentecost, we would think that the nation was going to
repent. That had been the message of John, the Lord Himself, the 12, and
also the 70 who were sent out. Prophecy also seems to indicate that there
was a remnant that would finally be involved instead of the whole nation.
Malachi prophesies, as well as others, that when the Lord comes, there will
be a judging and a burning up of the chaff. There is clear evidence that
not all Israel is saved as a nation when the Lord comes. But there is a
time coming when all Israel will be saved, none unbelieving.
Now the reason that the Lord did not proclaim Himself as King is that such
a proclamation should be made by the rulers of Israel, who would then represent
the nation. The Sanhedrin (70 men) and the high priest was this ruling body.
It was their business to recognize the King from the miracles and signs
which they had in their possession.
But those who represented the people did not choose to recognize Christ.
The truth was preached to the people, as by John and by others so, that
the multitudes might get to know. But the leaders paid no attention to the
people. They were ignorant and even accursed in their estimation.
So in Judea the Lord was rejected and crucified. In response to the Lord's
last request for them, they were forgiven for that, and another offer was
made during Acts. But the same ruling body rejected again by the stoning
of Stephen, the arrest of Paul in the temple, and finally even the Synagogues
for the most part rejected not only in Judea, but even the leaders of the
Jews in Rome (Acts 28:28).
The pattern cannot be followed by looking at one side of the tapestry only.
Prophecy must be studied along with the history. The fig tree was cursed
for not having fruit when it was not the season for fruit. That makes nonsense
to most folks. Prophetically it was not time for Israel to bear fruit, but
the offer was bona fide and they refused. So there was a curse laid upon
them.
Even at the all day meeting in Rome there was still a chance that leaders
of the Jews would accept the truth and start a movement that would end up
in Jerusalem with the leaders repenting (changing their minds) and believing
that Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the Messiah. But the last chance slipped
by and the pronouncement was made that the Salvation of God was then sent
to Gentiles.
We might add that the Sanhedrin represented all 12 tribes. It ceased with
the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the Roman. When God deals with Israel
again, there will be new conditions. We have very little idea of what they
will be.
