The Inheritance of the Nations

Ascending to Jerusalem and joining with those of the race of Abraham, he proclaims joy to the nations, along with victorious shouts and hymn-like cries, through the appearance of the Lord from on high, which will occur with great fear, because he will hold the earth according to the vision of Daniel, handing over the kingdom to his own saints.

Just as one of the successors of the apostles has said, that the King of the world in Jesus is not receiving some kingdom for his own glory, but for his own, those being made kings through the chosen bride of the queen, as it was foretold in David: 'He shall make them rulers over all the earth' (Ps 46:4,5). He says that he has demonstrated the kingdom to us, all of us nations, and he gave the lot to us, our inheritance from the fathers, the Israelite land, the honor which is with him.

But the Israelite land they call a private inheritance, being given to them according to their race, just as the Lord himself was not outside the succession of the fleshly race. And they say that land was beloved, not because it is able to depart from God to another which is nothing precious, nor good, nor more precious or more beautiful, but because he loved the inhabitants, being the firstfruits of piety in the world, and he preserves love toward them and toward the land to which he inhabited, having nothing that ends, but all things eternal (Ps 46:9).

He signifies divinity unswervingly in the Son. For this is he who ascends, this is he who reigns, this is he who sits on the heavenly throne, having also sat upon the earth before the ascent, gathering to himself the leaders of the nations and all the most powerful of men, and lifting them into heavenly glory (Ps 47:11c).

“This is your justice,” he says, “not having favoritism.” And Peter says, sensing the calling of the Gentiles, “I grasp the truth that God is not a respecter of persons.” But the wise Israel, having seen the Gentiles and the mercy, will not envy, but will be glad at the judgment of God (Ps 48:4,5), just as Peter and the apostles then were.

“I will touch a hidden wisdom,” he says, “mixing song with the riddle.” How did the mouth not say to open into a parable, but to incline the ear? Or is it that he wants to show himself rather as a listener of one speaking spirit, or as an interpreter, or even through his mouth he speaks the things being said? For indeed, “I will hear what God will speak in me,” as it is said in the Psalms.

But he says that he willingly faces death as much as the world facing this age (Ps 48:10a), being taken away from the earth of his life, but living for God. And the passion of death, he says, did not join with man as being natural, but happened through dishonor; for he, having been honored by increase toward immortality, did not know, having a good greater than nature from honor, that having fallen from the likeness of God which is in immortality, he becomes like the beast according to death (Ps 48:13). For as the death of this man, so the death of this man, says Ecclesiastes, and one spirit for all; and what did man exceed the beast? Nothing, for all is vanity. All things to one place; all things came from dust, and all things return to the dust.

Concerning the coming age, he says, being present, which is the morning of the coming day, the kingdom of the good shall be (Ps 48:15bc), all human power having ceased, but that from God holding sway, when the race of the good is glorious and royal, and the race of the not-good is submissive and a slave, because the strength according to wealth has passed away, but that according to virtue remains, and all the remainder of men in the earth will obey the good, ruling according to God. Therefore let nothing be counted great, wealth and glory (Ps 48:17); for those things not joining with the one who has acquired, just as justice joins...