[drstevej]

Ezekiel 16 underscores the same point and in greater detail. We may come to differing conclusions but you do need to consider the statement in Ezekiel that Israel entered into a marriage (not literally but a reality none the less) by a covenant. They are adulterous yet eventually return to honor their covenant.

Ephesians 5 describes a bride awaiting her marriage to her Groom. If this is Israel, then this bride (using logic similar to CCW's charge) is either a divorcee remarrying her first husband or this is not really a marriage but a reaffirmation of vows.

Dispensationalists see a future return of adulterous Israel to covenant faithfulness. They see the Church as a distinct entity being prepared for marriage to Christ. Call this multiple wives if you want. I do not because I think both the OT and NT use marriage images to describe a spiritual relationship.

[RnMomof7]

Dispensationalists see a future return of adulterous Israel to covenant faithfulness.

Do they have to come through the cross? Or do they come their own way?

[CCWoody]

Ephesians 5 describes a bride awaiting her marriage to her Groom. If this is Israel, then this bride (using logic similar to CCW's charge) is either a divorcee remarrying her first husband or this is not really a marriage but a reaffirmation of vows. ~ drstevej

I like the Lord's explaination of what He means a whole lot better:


• "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD."

Israel voided the covenant. A new one is coming and has already arrived.

Woody.