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"Kindred People"
Subject: Re: Gentiles
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 1999 16:33:02 -0500
From: Mahlon <bible@tk7.net>
To: Philip Brown <PhilipBr@newwine.org>
References: 1Philip Brown wrote:
Mahlon Wickey,
I read your piece titled "Lost Israel and the Gentiles." You equate the northern tribes, and it seems even all twelve tribes, with Anglo-Saxons. In other words, white people. Yet Revelation tells us that people "from every nation, tribe, people and language, [are to be] standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb." This would have to include people and languages from Africa, the Oriental, and Indians. While there is a lot in your teaching that I would agree with, and I have written much of the same things, it is clear that our conclusions are as far apart as the east is from the west.
Philip Brown
Dear Philip,
Thank you for the message, and your interest in my booklet "Lost Israel and the Gentiles". You obviously are referring to Rev. 7:9; which reads as follows...Revelation 7:9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (KJV).
I want to display for you the definition taken from Strong's Lexicon of the word "kindreds", which is as follows...
5443 phule {foo-lay'}from 5453 (cf 5444); TDNT - 9:245,1280; n f AV - tribe 25, kindred 6; 31 1) a tribe 1a) in the NT all the persons descending from one of the twelve sons of the patriarch, Jacob 2) a race, nation, people
Please take note that this word was translated as "tribe(s)" 25 times in the New Testament. Every time this word (phule) is used, it always makes reference to the tribe(s) of Israel. Check it out for yourself. I might add, Rev.7:9 is therefore no exception. "Kindreds" is always biblically associated, and is quoted as "all the persons descending from one of the twelve sons of the patriarch, Jacob", as was clearly explained by the Greek meaning given for the word "kindreds". It is therefore a race, nation, and people. Read it for yourself. This is not my personal definition of the word "kindreds". It is the biblical definition as used in the context of scripture. As a matter of fact, the five verses that precede Rev. 7:9, which describe the sealing of all the "tribes" (phule) of Israel, uses this same Greek word (phule); which is translated as "kindred(s)" six times in the New Testament. Read Rev.7:4-8, and check it out for yourself.
It is always best to read and believe the scriptures for yourself, and not necessarily take my word for it. Read and believe also Rev. 1:7 and 5:9, which uses the word "kindred(s)", as did Rev.7:9. The word "people" is as follows, and please take note that the word "tribe" is again used for "people" that are of the same stock and language.
2992 laos {lah-os'}apparently a primary word; TDNT - 4:29,499; n m AV - people 143; 143 1) a people, people group, tribe, nation, all those who are of the same stock and language 2) of a great part of the population gathered together anywhere
The word "people", as was used in Rev.7:9, therefore were all of the same (note the word "same") stock and language (not different stocks or races, as you have implied). The modern day Israelites are scattered in all world, and therefore can speak different languages. These Greek definitions of the words "kindreds" and "people" were of course given in a singular sense, as you are aware. Rev. 7:9 was of course referring to all the tribes of Israel, which is why nations, kindreds, and tongues (languages) are used in a plural sense.
Philip, taking into account what was explained, it is very obvious that the "great multitude", spoken of in Rev.7:9, consisted of people of all the twelve tribes of Israel, which are made up of different nations, people, and languages over all the earth. This "great multitude" were not found worthy to be protected during the great tribulation, as implied in these particular verses in Rev. I believe these people were deceived, and refused to believe that they were Israelites of the true stock of Abraham; which later they did understand (however too late). Therefore they were not in a position before the resurrection to receive the promise and inheritance of the covenant given to their biological father Abraham. They had to make their own atonement by giving themselves in death during the great tribulation. This is how they "washed their robes", and after they died and their souls and spirits went to heaven, they were worthy to come before the throne and the Lamb.
I realize that the race issue and question is a very sensitive subject to deal with in our modern Christian environment. However it must be dealt with if we choose to be honest with the Bible. Most well meaning Christians (such as yourself) would love to see salvation extended to all races and people. The fact is, all races and all people will experience their kind of salvation from a loving and just God. However according to what is plainly and repeatedly explained in the Bible, it is just the true Israelite people that were given the covenants. This truth is explained in detail in several of my booklets such as "What Is Man?". My written material is somewhat condensed, therefore please read very carefully and take note of every statement. Feel free to keep in touch, and may the God of Israel bless you richly.
http://www.tk7.net/users/bibletruths
Your servant in Christ, Mahlon
Questions or comments?... Email: wickey777@verizon.net