How shall we live?

[smac97]

56 minutes ago, stemelbow said:

Are we chosen above none?  Above some?  Above most? 

Whatever our status as members of the LDS Church means, "above" our fellow brothers and sisters who are not members of the Church is not an apt characterization.  Consider Alma 31:16-18:

Quote

16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there shall be no Christ.

17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever; and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee, our God.

18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.

This seems to be the mentality you are attributing to the teachings of the Church.  And yet the context of this passage demonstrates that above mentality is antithetical to the message of the Gospel.  Consider verses 19, 24 and 25:

Quote

19. Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure.

...

24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.

25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

With respect, may I suggest that you re-visit your perception of what the Church is teaching.  

Back to you:

Quote

I'm not saying I'm not down a dark path.  But this kind of stuff does bring into question what is really going on. 

What is it that you think "is really going on?"

Thanks,

-Smac

[stemelbow]

3 minutes ago, waveslider said:

I'm sad to see you feel so down. I think we as a church do have our things we need to work on, so does everyone else.The thing we need to remember is that Christ is the light of the world, shinning in the dark. We, for the most part, as imperfect as we are, are actually striving to follow Christ and help share His light. Christ doesn't want to lay waste to the world, He wants to heal it. This is what He meant when he said:

"46  I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world."
John 12:46-47

He also said:

"14  Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15  Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Matthew 5:14-16

Thanks for the response.

3 minutes ago, waveslider said:

It isn't about pride, even though I'm quite certain there are a few who let things go to their head because we are all human, but it is about serving others, as Smac said. I tend to think deep down inside most members of the church feel this way. I know you have said that it doesn't feel like much by helping others out, in other posts on this thread, since there are few who you can actually reach, but I'm quite certain that to the person whom you do reach, it means the whole world to them. Christ has always done things on a personal basis, out of pure love for each and everyone of us. He absolutely knows, and loves deeply, on a very personal basis every single person. This is what I think Smac was trying to get across, that we can spread that light, on a personal basis, as people who have taken His name upon us, representing Christ himself, as we offer service. This love is infectious. The person reached will be more inclined to want to spread that light as well. We have no way of knowing exactly how much of chain reaction gets started just by helping even one soul.

I agree with this type of principle.  I question whether the Church is really doing much to further this--since far more people outside the Church are furthering lovely service oriented messages are works faster than Church members can.  Part of me feels happy to be part of a large charging machine.  Some of me feels sad that the machine as large as it seems, isn't getting very far.  Part of me feels frustrated that message is more important than action and love for some of the players.  Part of me is wondering if we are really spreading much if all we do is stick in each of our own limited worlds. 

3 minutes ago, waveslider said:

I wish I knew exactly what you are feeling here, because with the written word it is hard to read emotions and body language. I think everyone born on this Earth, that are now living are part of that chosen generation, it is only our job as the ones who know this, to enlighten those who wouldn't otherwise realize this. The best thing I can think to do, is start looking for the good in things, people, the church, and in life generally, because if we only look for the bad, there is far too much bad to uncover in such a mortal and fallen world that the supply of negative things will be unexhaustible. On the same token there is a heck of a lot of good that we won't see if we aren't looking for it. Just my two cents worth anyway.

thanks for your two cents.  Helpful.

[stemelbow]

4 minutes ago, smac97 said:

Whatever our status as members of the LDS Church means, "above" our fellow brothers and sisters who are not members of the Church is not an apt characterization.  Consider Alma 31:16-18:

This seems to be the mentality you are attributing to the teachings of the Church.  And yet the context of this passage demonstrates that above mentality is antithetical to the message of the Gospel.  Consider verses 19, 24 and 25:

I'd be kidding myself if the message of verses 16-18 aren't in some measure shared among Church members, as I've seen it.  Certainly for me, there is concern that we are a bit too rameumptum-like.  And sure, I agree even with that, there is plenty to contradict that idea, in contemporary LDS teaching and in scripture.  But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist, at least in some watered down form. 

4 minutes ago, smac97 said:

With respect, may I suggest that you re-visit your perception of what the Church is teaching.  

This started out by noting perception I received through local leaders (mostly) as a youth.  Whenever I hear local leaders try and build up the youth with messages of how great they are (after all what is a measure of greatness if not to compare to others?) I cringe.  One issue we have is, "the Church" says a lot.  Sometimes the message gets all mixed up and lessons to youth or each other is a misrepresentation of the intent of "the Church".  But such lessons are nothing more than the Church to listeners, quite often. 

Interesting discussion but I'm at a loss as to where you're coming from.  It seems you are want to defend where I'm interested in something else here. 

4 minutes ago, smac97 said:

Back to you:

What is it that you think "is really going on?"

Thanks,

-Smac

Too much to really write out here. 

[smac97]

3 hours ago, stemelbow said:

I'd be kidding myself if the message of verses 16-18 aren't in some measure shared among Church members, as I've seen it.  Certainly for me, there is concern that we are a bit too rameumptum-like. 

So some of us are not living in accordance with some of the teachings of the Gospel.  is that your point?  I had understood you as more or less accusing the Church of propagating "rameumptom-like" teachings.

Quote

And sure, I agree even with that, there is plenty to contradict that idea, in contemporary LDS teaching and in scripture.  But it doesn't mean it doesn't exist, at least in some watered down form. 

Members of the Church also struggle with the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, living within their means, church attendance, magnifying callings, service to others, and so on.  In other words, we have room for improvement.  

I guess I am not understanding your grievance.

Quote

This started out by noting perception I received through local leaders (mostly) as a youth.  Whenever I hear local leaders try and build up the youth with messages of how great they are (after all what is a measure of greatness if not to compare to others?) I cringe.  

Could you explain?  Youth can feel insecure.  They can feel discouraged.  Picked on.  Not valued.  Insignificant.

So local leaders try to "build {them} up," and this is a problem?  Why?  

Quote

Interesting discussion but I'm at a loss as to where you're coming from.  It seems you are want to defend where I'm interested in something else here. 

Okay.  So what is this "something else?"

Quote

Too much to really write out here. 

I will leave you be, then.  I wish you well.

Thanks,

-Smac

Edited September 8, 2016 by smac97

[stemelbow]

7 minutes ago, smac97 said:

So we are not living in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel.  is that your point?  I had understood you as more or less accusing the Church of propagating "rameumptom-like" teachings.

Members of the Church also struggle with the Word of Wisdom, the Law of Chastity, living within their means, church attendance, magnifying callings, service to others, and so on.  In other words, we have room for improvement.  

I guess I am not understanding your grievance.

Could you explain?  Youth can feel insecure.  They can feel discouraged.  Picked on.  Not valued.  Insignificant.

So local leaders try to "build {them} up," and this is a problem?  Why?  

Okay.  So what is this "something else?"

I will leave you be, then.  I wish you well.

Thanks,

-Smac

Thanks for bearing it out some.  I wish you well as well.  See ya around.

[waveslider]

1 hour ago, stemelbow said:

Thanks for the response.

I agree with this type of principle.  I question whether the Church is really doing much to further this--since far more people outside the Church are furthering lovely service oriented messages are works faster than Church members can.  Part of me feels happy to be part of a large charging machine.  Some of me feels sad that the machine as large as it seems, isn't getting very far.  Part of me feels frustrated that message is more important than action and love for some of the players.  Part of me is wondering if we are really spreading much if all we do is stick in each of our own limited worlds. 

thanks for your two cents.  Helpful.

I think of this as a success, that others are doing good outside the church. We have to remember that the church is there to help build a unity, not to separate, in an us and them attitude. I think this scripture illustrates the place of the church within the world:

"And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;"
Ephesians 4:11

Why did Christ set up His church with all of these priesthood leaders?:

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:"
Ephesians 4:12

For how long?:

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"
Ephesians 4:13

Until we all, not just some, or just those who are LDS, but, "all," come in the unity of faith. I think it is awesome that others are doing so many great things to further the Kingdom of God here on Earth. We aren't here to tear down others, but to add to the truth they already have, after all it is:

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism,"
Ephesians 4:5

"One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Ephesians 4:6

Perhaps we can learn a lot from those others who have learned to offer charitable service, after all they are doing it out of reverence to the same God we revere. He is in us all to one degree or another. Some have certain things down, better than others. Each of us have our own strengths and weaknesses and all are welcomed unto Christ, We need those others to help us become unified, as much as, if not more than (in certain ways), they need us:

"9  I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10  And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."
John 17:9-11

Being part of a chosen generation, isn't exclusive to being LDS. Any light we have we are to share with the other chosen people who have yet to see the light. As more and more of us share what light we have, whether they be LDS or not, more and more people will awaken to the fact that they too are chosen. It isn't meant to be an arrogant thing, but a loving thing as we feed and nurture each other, getting ever closer in the light and being deceived by darkness less and less:

"14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
Ephesians 4:14-15

Christ set up His church, he uses imperfect people to run it. I think we sometimes forget that just because we have access to, and know about, the fullness doesn't make us special, it only gives us a charge to share it with others, as we learn and grow at the same time, while learning to share it.

I don't know if any of this helps, but this is how I see things anyway.

 

[Guest]

8 hours ago, stemelbow said:

How am I supposed to feel rest assured at that?  sounds terrible. 

It is factual, in the Latter-days...we are sheep or goats. I think you are sheep, on the "right hand of the Lord. You are right though, it is terrible. If on the left hand of God, punishment, if on the right you have a loving Spirit which makes you feel terrible for those who are not. Either way, it a haunting notion. I feel the same way, it is terrible. 

[Teancum]

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 11:10 AM, The Nehor said:

I think you should eat some pie and ice cream.

Ya know Nehor as much as you annoy me at times you are funnier than heck.  What was it you said to me when I said you were a legend in your own mind?  Yea maybe we should all take your approach.

[Teancum]

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 11:03 AM, stemelbow said:

Help me out.  I don't get my place in the world.  Growing up in the Church I was told that I was one of a few special people saved to come forth in this day because of my specialness and faithfulness, or whatever.  I never bought it.  Whenever that type of talk happened, even when I was young, I thought "this dude doesn't know from whence his speaks" (out of his caboose).  I've never felt I've had something more to offer than some random fellow from a thousand years ago.  Once you realize that, you learn all of this "you're special" crap is used to build you up so you can feel confident enough or superior (both feels like the most likely answer).  But confident enough for what?  I mean live a faithful LDS life and what it amounts to is you working to earn money to give your family more and more than others, while spending some of your free time sitting in meetings (each meeting becomes nothing more than a repeat of past meetings) and knocking on annoyed people's doors.  Well, until, one day, "wahoo...this door I knocked on amounted to, or potentially amounts to, some guy coming to Church, or coming back to Church".  Then when they actually come to Church, well, we have a whole other story to run through (which most often results in the new guy leaving or disappearing). 

My faith is so strong, huh?

let's go back to my youth.  The impression came to me that we were a strong people...an influential people.  But as it turned out I was so into demographics when I was a young boy I knew the leaders didn't know what they were saying about that either.  (for some reason I ranked all the countries in the world from most populous to least and memorized the order.  Then I moved onto the largest cities to the smallest--all the way until I got to my home town, Ogden, UT which is thousands down the list).  I knew there were all sorts of people, religions and non-religions out there.  That we amounted to the tiniest sliver, nearly undetectable, on a pie chart.  "But" I would be told, "we may be few but our voices our loud and influential". 

I guess.  "what happened to many being called and few chosen?  Sounds more like few are called and very few are chosen to me." 

"Oh stop it.  You're trying too hard"

"what?"

Trying what?  I still don't know.  Nations have dwindled in unbelief and more are yet to come and go.  Life feels less precious.  "better than one man die, than a nation dwindle in unbelief".  What?  Why didn't one man die so other nations didn't die?  Most likely, when Jesus died in some disaster or another, while few knew it was a sign, or something, many were just killed in the disaster.  Ah well...it's our world.  We can't change that, right?  People are poor, starving and dying of disease.  I'll give them a few bucks sure, but there are others still dying and suffering.  Oh well...God will bless them in eternity for their hardships here, I guess. 

Where am I?  I don't know.  My heart is everywhere, wondering if there is ever anything I can actually contribute.  Sometimes I'm just desperately doing anything to make me feel like I've tried, but it's nothing.  At least I can spend my time getting together with friends and family and laugh some. 

Faith becomes meaningless if there will appear in the Celestial world those who had no faith in mortality.  Impressions of the heart are more meaningful then whether one knows about Jesus or not.  "ahh but the scriptures teach, one must know Jesus".  I guess.  We'll all know Him.  We're all going to bow and knee and confess, so I fuss about it now as if it really matters?

Plus, whole societies anger God.  The BoM has peaceful people who grow happy inevitably becoming proud because of their learning and riches.  There's no way any BoM society is any less rich and learned than us, even in relative terms compared to our contemporaries.  We have out our fingertips every luxury and piece of information at any time we want.  And we're mostly just a proud selfish people.  What are we blessed to come in this time and place so we can live such comforts never before imagined?  Or are we cursed because inevitably we are the proudest and therefore most problematic to God and His ways, as we proclaim as Israel of old...we're a special people favored by God. 

Many are called and few chosen...Whose the many?  The world is called in a sense, I guess.  Why not chosen?  Well because they/we do that which we do--we love the things of the world (whatever that means, what?  make money, work, buy cars and go on vacations?) and we want people to adore us. 

I don't know too often I realize we're each just simple little products of our own time.  We can't see anything... we aren't really anything as Moses is purported to have said.  Are we?

What a mess (referring to my post and the world)

 

Well it sounds like you were a thoughtful young man and are still thoughtful. I have not solid answers for you. I know less with certainty than I thought I did 10-20 years ago. Nothing is simple for me.  I ask lots of questions others think I am odd for asking.  Life is a journey.  Personally I think anyone who thinks they really have the truth and they know what God is and what God thinks and how God acts and so on demonstrates the ultimate hubris.  And I used to be one of those.  I may be wrong, I often am.  But my take is if there is a God powerful enough to create this universe, this world, us and all the other creatures on earth, perhaps other worlds with life, well this God will understand that there really was little to go on and will welcome all of us open arms into whatever the next realm may be. 

But it has been said that God does not create man in his image.  Man creates God in the image of what we want. I think that is true and I fall into that trap like most others do as well.

[Teancum]

On ‎9‎/‎7‎/‎2016 at 5:46 PM, Pa Pa said:

Rest assured that everyone living on the earth when Christ comes again (or the building of the Kingdom of God on the Earth) is special. Either because of righteousness or unrighteousness, to receive great reward or great destruction. 

Wow. This sure make me feel better......... 

[Robert F. Smith]

On 9/7/2016 at 9:14 AM, stemelbow said:

It's still morning. 

Wrong spelling:  mourning

[Robert F. Smith]

On 9/7/2016 at 3:46 PM, Pa Pa said:

Rest assured that everyone living on the earth when Christ comes again (or the building of the Kingdom of God on the Earth) is special. Either because of righteousness or unrighteousness, to receive great reward or great destruction. 

We have a logical problem here, Pa Pa.  If everyone is special, then no one is special.  In any case, the term "special" here presumably comes from the concept offered in Deut 7:6, "thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the earth."  The KJV translation "special" here is not correct.  It should read something like "set apart, elected, dedicated," etc., based on a series of covenants made with Abraham and his descendants -- in whom all the earth is to be blessed.

Moreover, Israel was not chosen because it was powerful and great, but precisely because it was small and unimportant, and would remain so (Deut 7:7; cf. Jer 49:15, Obad 2), until it becomes that small stone cut out of the mountain which will roll forth and overwhelm the world (Dan 2:34-35).

[Robert F. Smith]

On 9/7/2016 at 9:03 AM, stemelbow said:

Help me out.  I don't get my place in the world.  Growing up in the Church I was told that I was one of a few special people saved to come forth in this day because of my specialness and faithfulness, or whatever.  I never bought it.  Whenever that type of talk happened, even when I was young, I thought "this dude doesn't know from whence his speaks" (out of his caboose).  I've never felt I've had something more to offer than some random fellow from a thousand years ago.  Once you realize that, you learn all of this "you're special" crap is used to build you up so you can feel confident enough or superior (both feels like the most likely answer).

You have exhibited good common sense here, unlike the chain of fools who have no idea that "special" is translated from Hebrew segula "elect, owned (by God) dedicated (to God)," in Deut 7:6.  It is your free choice whether you want to become one of the elect by covenant.  Just because you are born into the covenant does not mean that you must remain.  Follow your conscience.

On 9/7/2016 at 9:03 AM, stemelbow said:

 ...........................................................  

let's go back to my youth.  The impression came to me that we were a strong people...an influential people.  But as it turned out I was so into demographics when I was a young boy I knew the leaders didn't know what they were saying about that either.  (for some reason I ranked all the countries in the world from most populous to least and memorized the order.  Then I moved onto the largest cities to the smallest--all the way until I got to my home town, Ogden, UT which is thousands down the list).  I knew there were all sorts of people, religions and non-religions out there.  That we amounted to the tiniest sliver, nearly undetectable, on a pie chart.  "But" I would be told, "we may be few but our voices our loud and influential". 

I guess.  "what happened to many being called and few chosen?  Sounds more like few are called and very few are chosen to me." 

Deut 7:7, "The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:"

On 9/7/2016 at 9:03 AM, stemelbow said:

..........................................................

Trying what?  I still don't know.  Nations have dwindled in unbelief and more are yet to come and go.  Life feels less precious.  "better than one man die, than a nation dwindle in unbelief".  What?  Why didn't one man die so other nations didn't die?  Most likely, when Jesus died in some disaster or another, while few knew it was a sign, or something, many were just killed in the disaster.  Ah well...it's our world.  We can't change that, right?  People are poor, starving and dying of disease.  I'll give them a few bucks sure, but there are others still dying and suffering.  Oh well...God will bless them in eternity for their hardships here, I guess. 

Probably so.  Somehow, in the economy of God, all will be set aright.  But don't confuse the infinite Atonement with the notion that there need not be any suffering here and now.  Nature is as nature does, including the humans who erroneously consider themselves apart from nature.

On 9/7/2016 at 9:03 AM, stemelbow said:

Where am I?  I don't know.  My heart is everywhere, wondering if there is ever anything I can actually contribute.  Sometimes I'm just desperately doing anything to make me feel like I've tried, but it's nothing.  At least I can spend my time getting together with friends and family and laugh some. 

Faith becomes meaningless if there will appear in the Celestial world those who had no faith in mortality.  Impressions of the heart are more meaningful then whether one knows about Jesus or not.  "ahh but the scriptures teach, one must know Jesus".  I guess.  We'll all know Him.  We're all going to bow and knee and confess, so I fuss about it now as if it really matters?

Plus, whole societies anger God.  The BoM has peaceful people who grow happy inevitably becoming proud because of their learning and riches.  There's no way any BoM society is any less rich and learned than us, even in relative terms compared to our contemporaries.  We have out our fingertips every luxury and piece of information at any time we want.  And we're mostly just a proud selfish people.  What are we blessed to come in this time and place so we can live such comforts never before imagined?  Or are we cursed because inevitably we are the proudest and therefore most problematic to God and His ways, as we proclaim as Israel of old...we're a special people favored by God. 

Many are called and few chosen...Whose the many?  The world is called in a sense, I guess.  Why not chosen?  Well because they/we do that which we do--we love the things of the world (whatever that means, what?  make money, work, buy cars and go on vacations?) and we want people to adore us. 

I don't know too often I realize we're each just simple little products of our own time.  We can't see anything... we aren't really anything as Moses is purported to have said.  Are we?

......................................................

Somewhere along the way you missed the point, but so have many others, and your despair is understandable.  Just take a gander at Deut 7:6-7, which places us in the opposite position from what you describe.  Indeed, our modern conveniences are merely the latest thing and they will be old hat soon enough, just as the great luxuries of the Roman Empire were considered to have been so wonderful in their own time.  You are a creature of your own time, unable to bring perspective to bear.

You say "Faith becomes meaningless if there will appear in the Celestial world those who had no faith in mortality," but what is it to you if the Lord of the Harvest chooses to pay the same to those he hires at the last hour of the day?  As Hugh Nibley used to like to say, "Work we must, but the lunch is free."  We should all rejoice that our Lord and Master is so generous and noble that he wants to bring all of us back to his bosom.  There is nothing we can do to earn His grace.  But we can show our gratitude, and we can be kind to our neighbors.  And we can all rejoice on that great Day.

[Robert F. Smith]

On 9/7/2016 at 9:03 AM, stemelbow said:

............................................................................

................................................. I was so into demographics when I was a young boy I knew the leaders didn't know what they were saying about that either.  (for some reason I ranked all the countries in the world from most populous to least and memorized the order.  Then I moved onto the largest cities to the smallest--all the way until I got to my home town, Ogden, UT which is thousands down the list).  I knew there were all sorts of people, religions and non-religions out there.  That we amounted to the tiniest sliver, nearly undetectable, on a pie chart.  "But" I would be told, "we may be few but our voices our loud and influential". 

I guess.  "what happened to many being called and few chosen?  Sounds more like few are called and very few are chosen to me." 

.......................................

....................................... 

I'd like to revisit this briefly to remind us all of Jesus' early words to his disciples:

Quote

37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. Matt 9:37-38 

 

[notHagoth7]

23 hours ago, smac97 said:

Whatever our status as members of the LDS Church means, "above" our fellow brothers and sisters who are not members of the Church is not an apt characterization...

Agreed. And if I may:

The whole concept of "chosen" should beg the question, chosen *to DO what*?

 

That answer is provided in various places - to serve/benefit/minister/bless mankind, as the NT clearly teaches. Also:

 "...and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;"

So our individual and mutual quest can/should be to find in what ways we are individually (and mutually) called to serve/benefit/minister/bless others.

"...Therefore, if ye have desires to serve God ye are called to the work;..."

[Guest]

18 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

We have a logical problem here, Pa Pa.  If everyone is special, then no one is special.  In any case, the term "special" here presumably comes from the concept offered in Deut 7:6, "thou art a holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the earth."  The KJV translation "special" here is not correct.  It should read something like "set apart, elected, dedicated," etc., based on a series of covenants made with Abraham and his descendants -- in whom all the earth is to be blessed.

Moreover, Israel was not chosen because it was powerful and great, but precisely because it was small and unimportant, and would remain so (Deut 7:7; cf. Jer 49:15, Obad 2), until it becomes that small stone cut out of the mountain which will roll forth and overwhelm the world (Dan 2:34-35).

I only spoke of "special" as related to all who will see the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh, and what that means for all who witness it.