Understanding Israel was Made a Proverb Opens Up Hundreds and Hundreds of Scriptures
1 Kings 9:6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
In these verses God tells us that if Israel fails to obey Him, He will cut them off and make them a byword and a proverb (parable).
Let's ask some questions:
Q. Did Israel continue to be unfaithful?
A. Yes. They continued to be unfaithful.
Q. Did God cut them off?
A. Yes, God cut them off:
Romans 11:19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Israel is referred to in Romans 11 above as the natural branches which were broken off.
Q. Since Israel was unfaithful, and since God did indeed cut them off for their unfaithfulness, did God turn them into a byword and a proverb (parable)?
A. Yes, of course. That's what God said He would do.
Therefore, when we read of Jerusalem, the house of God, Judah, Israel, etc. in the Bible, we have every expectation that God is using them as a type and figure (a proverb) of – the churches and congregations.
Compare:
1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in THE HOUSE OF GOD, WHICH IS THE CHURCH
1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God:
Q. Where does judgment begin at?
A. The church.
Also, see:
Matthew 24:15 When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)
16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:
Q. What is the holy place in the New Testament era?
A. The church.
Q. What does Judaea represent?
A. The church.
Therefore, Matthew 24:15,16 is telling us when Satan enters into the churches and the elect people of God see him with eyes of understanding ,we are to flee the churches.
And,
2 Thessalonians 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
Q. Where does the falling away (Greek apostasia) occur?
A. In the church.
Q. What does the temple represent?
A. Similar figure (or proverb) as the house of God – the church.
Q. Who is it that takes his seat in the church trying to be God?
A. Satan. Similar reference as the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24.
Once we understand that Israel/Judah is a proverb or parable, hundreds and hundreds of Scriptures open up to us revealing God's judgment upon the churches at the time of the end and the command to His people to get out and leave all the world's corrupt congregations.
Such as:
Luke 21:20 And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
21 Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.
Q. Who does Jerusalem represent?
A. The church.
Q. Who does Judaea represent?
A. The church.
Q. What does the command to "depart out" represent?
A. Get out of the church because Satan has been loosed by God to carry out the judgment upon all apostate churches.