True Christian Religion (Ager) n. 251

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251. It would be tedious to show from the Word that there are such dual expressions in the Word, which seem like repetitions of the same thing, for to do so would fill many pages. But to remove doubt, I will cite some passages where "nation" and "people," and "joy" and "gladness," are mentioned together. "Nation" and "people" are mentioned in the following passages:

Woe to the sinful nation, to a people laden with iniquity (Isa. 1:4). The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light, thou hast multiplied the nation (Isa. 9:2, 3). O Assyria, the rod of mine anger, I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge (Isa. 10:6, 8). It shall come to pass in that day that the nations shall seek the root of Jesse, which standeth for an ensign of the people (Isa. 11:10). Jehovah smiteth the peoples in wrath with a stroke not curable, ruling the nations in anger (Isa. 14:8). In that day shall a present be brought unto Jehovah of Hosts of people scattered and peeled, a nation meted out and trodden under foot (Isa. 18:7). The strong people shall honor Thee, the city of the powerful nations shall fear Thee (Isa. 25:3). Jehovah shall swallow up the covering cast over all peoples and the veil over all nations (Isa. 25:7). Come near, ye nations, and hearken, ye peoples (Isa. 34:1). I have called thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the nations (Isa. 42:6). Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled (Isa. 43:9). Behold I will lilt up mine hand to the nations, and set up my standard to the peoples (Isa. 49:22). I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and lawgiver to the nation (Isa. 55:4, 5). Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation from the sides of the earth (Jer. 6:22, 23). I will not cause thee to hear the shame of the nations any more, neither shalt thou bear the reproach of the peoples any more (Ezek. 36:15). All peoples and nations shall worship Him (Dan. 7:14). Let not the nations make a byword of them, and say to the peoples, Where is their God? (Joel 2:17). The remnant of my people shall spoil them, and the residue of my nation shall inherit them (Zeph. 51:9). Many peoples and numerous nations shall come to seek Jehovah in Jerusalem (Zech. 8:22). Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light for revelation to the nations (Luke 2:30-32). Thou hast redeemed us by Thy blood, out of every people and nation (Apoc. 5:9). Thou must prophesy again over peoples and nations (Apoc. 10:11). Thou shalt set Me for the head of the nations, a people whom I have not known shall serve Me (Ps. 18:43). Jehovah bringeth the counsel of the nations to naught; He overthroweth the thoughts of the peoples (Ps. 33:10). Thou makest us a proverb among the nations, a shaking of the head among the peoples (Ps. 44:14). Jehovah shall subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet; God reigneth over the nations the willing ones of the peoples are gathered together (Ps. 47:3, 8, 9). Let the peoples confess Thee, Let the nations sing for joy; for Thou shalt judge the peoples with equity, and lead the nations upon the earth (Ps. 67:2-4). Remember me, O Jehovah, with the favor that Thou bearest unto Thy people that I may rejoice in the gladness of Thy nation (Ps. 105:4, 5); and elsewhere. Nations and peoples are mentioned together, because by nations those are meant who are in good, and in the opposite sense those who are in evil; and by "peoples" those are meant who are in truths, and in the opposite sense those who are in falsities. Therefore those who are of the Lord's spiritual kingdom are called "peoples," and those who are of the Lord's celestial kingdom are called "nations;" for in the spiritual kingdom all are in truths, and in consequent intelligence, while in the celestial kingdom all are in goods, and in consequent wisdom.


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