Meaning of NATION

Term that corresponds to the Heb. «gõy» and with the gr. "ethnos", two terms that mean "nation, people" (2 Kings 16:3; Acts 22:21). The "nations" appear as a characteristic division of humanity after the dispersion of Babel. Israel is a separate “nation,” a holy people (Deut. 4:34; 14:2).

It is not until later that the term "gõy", "nation", takes on a pejorative meaning, designating the nations outside of Israel and, therefore, those who do not know Jehovah. Ex. 23:30 mentions the abominable conduct of the nations; Esd. 6:21 their impurity.

The ignorance of the truth, the opposition to the true religion, the sacrilege directed against it and against the people of God, the wrath of Jehovah to which they are exposed, all these characteristics of the nations are found in Ps. 79:1 , 6, 10; Jer. 10:25; Lm. 1:3, 10; Ez. 34:28, 29; 36:6, 7, 15.

The term "pagan" (from "paganus", inhabitant of towns) designates those who have not yet accepted the message of the Gospel. In fact, the towns resisted the first great effort of evangelization for longer than the cities.

This term does not have biblical origins; It cannot be translated either "gõy" or "ethnos" (which does not always have a pejorative meaning in the NT), since it has no collective connotation.

In reality, Israel had, on the one hand, to maintain a separate position with respect to the nations to preserve itself from the contamination of idolatry and immorality (Lev. 20:23; Josh. 23:7, 12; 1 Kings 11 :2). The Jews, especially after the exile, are extremely strict about the issues of ritual purity prescribed by Leviticus and the prohibition of idols and images.

They expressed their willingness not only to die rather than tolerate a statue of Caligula in the Temple (Ant. 18:3, 1), but they also opposed placing trophies in the theater or placing the Roman eagle on the door. From the temple.

Extremely detailed rules established by the scribes and Pharisees were intended to prevent any impure contact with pagans. A Gentile, not observing the laws of purification, was considered unclean, along with his house and everything he touched (John 18:28).

A strictly legalistic Israelite was never to eat at the table of a pagan (Acts 11:3; Gal. 2:12).
However, God, from the beginning, had made it known to the chosen people that he had been set apart to receive salvation, and to transmit it one day to all nations.

God said of Abraham that “in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed” (Gen. 18:18; cf. 22:18). The Messiah is promised “the nations as an inheritance” (Ps. 2:8). All nations will serve him one day (Ps. 72:11). Jehovah is the judge of all the earth, for all nations belong to him (Ps. 82:8).

Isaiah insists again and again on the universality of salvation. The Servant of Jehovah will bring it, not only to Israel, but to all nations (Is. 42:1, 6; 49:6; 51:4-5; 54:3; 55:5, etc.).

One day, the nations themselves will be converted to the Lord, and the face of the earth will be changed (Is. 2:2, 4; 11:10, 12). The Jews themselves were aware of this, because under certain conditions they allowed pagans to become proselytes of their community.

(a) The times of the nations (Luke 21:24).

Through this expression, Jesus alluded to the role of nations within God's historical plan. Since creation, the Lord has desired the blessing of all humanity. But, after the three judgments of Eden, the Flood, and Babel, he provisionally leaves the nations aside, confusing their languages and dispersing them throughout the face of the earth.

By choosing Abraham, he raises up the chosen people through whom the knowledge of the true God, the written Revelation, and the promised Messiah will be given to the world. For this reason, the Lord establishes a theocracy in Israel; But soon the people reject this theocracy and, under the leadership of their kings, they become more and more unfaithful.

This is why God finally withdraws his presence from them and puts an end to their independence, allowing Nebuchadnezzar to destroy the Temple and the city of Jerusalem (2 Chron. 36:15-21). At this time the supremacy passes into the hands of the pagan empires and Palestine is desolated and trampled as had been announced in Isaiah 5:1-7.

The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. This desolation increased, but Christ expressly intimated that it will have an end (Lk. 21:24). The time of nations will cease when Jerusalem is fully liberated and restored, according to the words of the prophets.

(b) The judgment of the nations.

While there is a glorious future for members of the nations who convert to God, a terrible judgment is reserved for those who persist in their rebellion and unbelief. One day, the Lord will gather all nations to account at Armageddon (JI. 3:2, 12; Mi. 4:11-12; Zech. 12:2-3, 9; 14:2-3, etc. .). This dark day will be “the day of punishment of the nations” (Ez. 30:3).

Great is the fortune of those who, not having had the privilege of being part of Israel (Eph. 2:12), have come by the grace of Christ to be part of the holy nation, the acquired people of the New Covenant (1 Pet. 2:9, 10). They are part of an innumerable multitude coming from all nations who in heaven will worship the Lamb who was slain (Rev. 5:9; 7:9).