Recently I heard a prophecy teacher –actually one of my favorite prophecy guys— say something like the following: “I hate to burst your bubble about what you probably believe about God’s promises to the church and his promises to Israel. But 2 Chronicles 7: 14 isn’t for the church. It is for Israel.”
He then went on to say that the context of that promise makes it obvious for whom it was given. It doesn’t apply to we of the Church Age was his conclusion.
I must take exception to that statement by this man, one who I respect greatly and consider one of the very top teachers and writers of Bible prophecy today. Let’s have a look at the promise that god, indeed, made to the nation Israel.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
The speaker was talking about whether the United States is in Bible prophecy. He was speaking to the many worries people have as to what will happen to America so far as concerns prophecy yet future. Particularly, as I recall, he was talking about the upcoming 2020 presidential election. People were, he said, wondering about what we should do as believers to seek God’s divine intervention in this election. There are great fears that the opposition party to that of this president has turned totally toward the dark side and is more and more anti-God in their platform goals.
The speaker was intimating that 2 Chronicles 7:14 is the scripture most invoked, but that it isn’t in effect for the Church. It was given exclusively to the Jews –to the nation Israel.
The basis for my taking exception to my friend’s pronouncement in part is truth encased within the following scriptural areas.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with who is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1: 17)
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13: 8)
God’s Word is the very Person of Jesus the Christ, the Second Person of the Godhead. God the Father sent Jesus into the world as Himself in the flesh. Jesus taught and preached ultimate truth. Jesus and the Father are one –see John chapter 17. Jesus created all that is, see Genesis chapter 1. He did so by the spoken Word. Jesus is the Word. This is made plain in John chapter 1.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1: 1-3)
Jesus and the Father, the Lord verifies through His prayer in John chapter 17, are one. Jesus also says that we who believe in Him are one with Him, as He is one with the Father. Therefore His Father’s children are Jesus’ “people,” just as they are God the Father’s “people”.
We are all “one” with God. We are His “people”.
This includes all people of God’s created order who “believe” for salvation as prescribed by God. Those who believe are His people.
Therefore, it is my Bible-based contention that in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, the “my people” is referring to God’s “people,” no matter of what era.
God changes not. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.
God’s Promise to Israel in 2 Chronicles 7: 14, in my view, apply to believers of all ages.
It is true that Israel’s “land” was healed on several occasions, after the people had drifted into backsliding and gross idolatry. America, it is equally true, for example, has not experienced what might be considered a complete healing in the sense of Israel in its ancient past.
However, America, again for example, has experienced degrees of “healing.” The great revival movements that came out of the Great Depression, was God at work in answering prayers of His “people.”
I believe the 2016 election for president was an answer to the prayers of God’s “people.” It was, to anyone possessing spiritual acuity, a miracle from the Almighty. Certainly, even the secularists –the mainstream media, and Mr. Trump’s opponents, were stunned into a form of madness!
Another friend defines the declaration that 2 Chronicles 7: 14 is not for the Church as a part of the Seminary Syndrome.
By this, he means that the products of often self-exalted seminaries sometimes can’t see the simplicity of God’s truth for feeling they have to make it complex to somehow justify their existence as the last word on interpretation of scriptural truth.
And, I mean no disrespect to the men and women who have the prestigious, seminary degrees of various flavors. Many, many of these are dear friends.
But, for the Seminary Syndrome to induce them to say such things as the things mentioned above with regard to God’s dealings with His “people,” just smacks of being wrong to my spiritual senses.
I have expressed before in my commentaries that I have the same problem with the Seminary Syndrome declarations that Matthew chapter 24 (the Olivet Discourse) is for the nation Israel only. –That the Rapture of the Church isn’t to be found in that great teaching by our Lord.
So please continue to pray in light of 2 Chronicles 7: 14 in regard to the 2020 presidential election. Our nation still needs healing, as we all know. Admittedly, as this generation seems to be at the very end of the Age of Grace, and at least half of the nation is deliberately moving away from, not nearer to God, it is unlikely that there is time to see a complete healing of America.
However, the prayers of God’s people have and can yet produce miracles within this land upon which God has so richly bestowed His blessings.
Terry James Prophecy Line 
I totally agree with you Terry and in addition to your Scriptures offer …
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ” 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
My Pastor puts it this way … Scripture may be written to a specific group of people but is profitable for all.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Thanks as always for your commentaries … 😊
I agree with your pastor. That is my belief also.
Thank you Terry. Your insights to the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, are very uplifting. I know that THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH IS VERY TRUE. I hope you do too. Aloha.
Right on Terry! Love this Scripture too. It says it all:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:28-29
God bless you! Jeri
Well said Terry and totally agree with you.Believe ongoing prayers led by Franklin Graham will not only protect your great President but ensure his re- election as well in 2020.There is no alternative.
AS always I agree with you. The Scripture is given to all believers and profitable to all, Jew and Christian.
I agree with you, too. It never struck me right when I would hear that, that verse doesn’t apply to the church.
Of course 2 Chronicles 7:14 is for the Church. This was the second Bible verse I memorized after John 3:16. Seminary teachers need to listen to God instead of their own egos. God is not pleased.
As the others who have commented, I also agree with you, Terry. I think the Chronicles passage is universal for anyone across the ages who has faithfully sought out God based on the information available in their respective eras. As time have unfolded, God has revealed more and more of himself to us, culminating with becoming incarnate in Jesus 2000 years ago, just as Paul said:
Colossians {1:19} For it pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell.
Now what about the fate of the United States? Will it turn back to God and, in so doing, save itself? well, if the radical left gains control of the White House and Congress, then I believe we will have crossed the point of no return. If, by some miracle, this doesn’t happen, a turn-around will only last until the Rapture. When the believers are gone, only the non-believers will be left, so how would it be sustained?
From my understanding of End Times, virtually the whole world will be deceived to such a degree that it’ll even accept Satan’s choice for ruler, the Antichrist. Naturally, that includes the United States.
Sorry to sound such a gloomy note about the fate of our country and planet, but I just can’t envision any other scenario, especially considering how short I believe time is for things as we know them.
I do not believe that the nation of Israel is the same as the church (redeemed believers). The way that I have heard this passage preached is that “If the church, which is called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7: 14)
The idea is presented that the reason the nation is in such a mess is the fault of the church and if the church would get in such a spiritual condition (never explained as to what this means), then God would hear our prayers and fix America. Thus, it is my fault and every “born again” believer for the mess of America.
I know that my faith is in Christ and that what God wants me to do is to live a “spiritual filled” life and use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given to me for His glory. Certainly pray without ceasing, but the idea that it is my fault that America is in the godless state that it is in because of me not “turning from my wicked ways” is not true. I did that when I repented and put my faith in Christ.
I have done door to door evangelism, taught the scriptures as a bible teacher for 48 years, shared Christ and had some to come to faith, but the vast majority has rejected the same message.
America has had the “light” of the gospel probably like no other nation and rejection of the gospel has led to darkness and reprobate minds of so many.
I continue to pray as I am instructed to do, but believe that all things are ready for the rapture and President Trump is being used by our sovereign God to expedite Christ’s return and allow the redeemed to see indeed how bad bad is.
When you disagree with a dispensationlist you need to use dispensational verses that they say is for the church. The one’s you give are not written to the church age believers.
Okay. This covers all Scriptures to all dispensations.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (1 Timothy 3: 16)
Yes, but not for theology.
Yes I agree Matt