Since it seems that RJR_Fan has left the discussion, I’ll forward my question on to you, as the other defender of Preterism here.
If I understand this article correctly, the whole thrust is that because of Israel’s infidelity to God, Christ was sent to act as God’s Lawyer in establishing a case against Israel so that God could divorce Israel and marry the Church.
Am I correct in stating that this is what you believe? I’m trying to establish something here and I just need to know exactly what you believe.
I’m not sure the “so that … and” follows from the rest. If you ask your question(s) I'll see if I can help out with an answer.
History is never shaped by majorities. When Gideon went forth against the hosts of Midian, the first step was to shrink the size of his band by several increments, finally ending up with a remnant of 300 able warriors.
A remnant of first-century Israel got the point, and got with the program. God did not divorce or replace this remnant, but lavished incredible additional blessings upon faithful Israel. The faithful remnant of old Israel became the core of new Israel. Those who faithfully stewarded the OT covenant mercies that God poured upon old Israel set the standard, the pace, and the agenda in many ways for new Israel. The synagogue liturgy became the pattern for the Christian worship service. The Sacred Bridge examines clues to the continuity between Jewish psalmody and Gregorian Chant. The Bible of faithful Israel, the LXX, was embraced by new Israel with so much enthusiasm[1] that rebellious Israel went retro, and resurrected the Hebrew / Aramaic text. Which was a good thing, even if done for arguably suspect motives.
Personally, I find God's willingness to lavish blessings upon a tiny faithful remnant to be a source of immense encouragement. Today, the majority of American Christians actually participate in the cult of Caesar, worshiping that idol with offerings of their own children. But, a faithful remnant refuses to render unto Caesar that which is God's, the children entrusted to their care. The future is being shaped in millions of home-schooling families, a vigorous, irate, and energetic minority that is not content to go with the flow, to go with the majority.
God is, and always has been, faithful to His faithful people. His covenant mercies are forever, and those who are determined to be in on what God is up to can find themselves enriched from unexpected directions. In the first century, Gentiles suddenly flocked to the banner of the God of Israel, and were made welcome by the faithful remnant of believing Jews. Today, there are home school families that study Arabic, Turkish, and Persian, pray for revival among the Muslims, and befriend students from Muslim lands.
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continue to bring glory to His name and blessings to all nations through the Lord Jesus Christ.