Throughout Israel’s existence as a nation, they have had numerous complex dealings with the nations around them. This is, at least in part, due to the closeness of their land geographically with so many bordering nations. As is true with many nations that have come and gone throughout history, some of Israel’s neighbours have gone from being foes to being allies or from being allies to being foes. As such, this complicates international deals brokered, whether in times of peace or war.
The teaching set forth in Matthew chapters 24 and 25 is commonly identified as the Olivet Discourse and contains a detailed explanation of the end-times.
Mediator as applied to Christ, is borrowed from persons, whose office it is to reconcile such parties as are at variance, being as it were in the middle, betwixt both, soliciting the cause of each to the other, till they bring them to concord or agreement.
Amongst the many metaphors that our blessed Saviour is expressed by in the holy scriptures, certainly this of the Door must carry emphasis and signification, for use and improvement; otherwise He that was wiser than Solomon, and spake as never man spake, (for excellency of matter and form) would never have likened himself to a Door.
Shortly before He drew His last breath, Jesus Christ cried out, “It is Finished”. At that place and time He bore our sins in His body on the tree, became a curse for us and paid the debt for our sins. On the cross He completed all of the physical and spiritual sufferings needed for the salvation of mankind.
Many a misguided believer or critic who opposes the death penalty will quote the well known sixth commandment, “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13) as the basis for their argument.
