2 Chronicles 7:14 and Christians

2 Chronicles 7:14 and Christians
It is possible for Christians to understand the same passage of Scripture differently. It is also possible that both understandings are viable, though they cannot be contradictory, but it is also possible that both views could be erroneous. But sometimes the meaning of a passage precludes divergent interpretations. Of course we know that no one has the right to interpret any Scripture from their own point of view; Scripture is correctly interpreted by the Holy Spirit (see 2 Pe. 1:20-21 below) and we are obligated to discover and adhere to God's intended meaning.

A passage may have a correct interpretation which is specifically related to a certain time, person, group, location, event, but that same passage may include principles which are applicable to a variety of other situations.

For instance, I have heard people use 2 Chronicles 7:14 as a promise for national revival, if Christians would pray.
2 Chronicles 7:14
(14) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

WRONG. This passage is SPECIFIC concerning the audience (Israel) and the conditions (the nation of Israel).

YES, God did promise to forgive and heal Israel if the people would humble themselves, pray, seek God's face and turn from their wicked ways, BUT it was spoken to Israel, at the dedication of the Temple. The promise was specific to Israel as a nation. It is going beyond Scripture to apply this promise to any other nation, either in the Old Testament or the New Testament.

YES, there are principles in this passage that are applicable to other situations, because God does want people to do the right things in life, and God does want to bless rather than curse or judge. It is good for Christians (the people who are called by the name of God) to HUMBLE THEMSELVES, PRAY, SEEK GOD'S FACE, AND (if applicable) TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS. These are conditions which should be met if we want to see God intervene in behalf of a rebellious person or nation.

HOWEVER, it is not a promise to save any nation, other than Israel of the Old Testament. As Christians, our motivation should not be the saving of America as a nation (or any other nation), but rather the evangelizing of the lost, locally and world wide. Yes, it is good to have plans and programs to reach our own near neighbors and even our nation for Christ. BUT it is not the promise of God to save America as a nation. IN FACT, the Bible makes it clear that the nations of this world are not going to repent and become Christian. Therefore it is acting against the revealed word of God to ask for nations to be converted, based on this passage. To align ourselves with and commit ourselves to the nations of the world is to give a false hope to the people of the world. The sooner we realize the truth of this, the sooner we apply ourselves to the legitimate work of God.

METAPHORICALLY
The ship is sinking (kingdoms of this world), and our job is to rescue the perishing (sinners), not salvage the ship (the USA). The Old Ship of Zion (the Church) is ready to take the shipwrecked aboard.

2 Peter 1:20-21
(20) Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
(21) For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.