Notes from Christian Annotator, Matthew 21:43 (21:43)
I would suggest... that "the nation intended" is the future nation of Israel under the new covenant. The proof of this from Scripture appears to me very abundant. It will be granted, I presume, that Israel at present has no national existence, Hos. 3:3.
In connection with the new covenant we find this promise: "If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me forever (Jer. 30:36)."
The Prophets who had denounced Israel as "a sinful nation." "an hypocritical nation," "a rebellious nation," "a nation not desired," "an ungodly nation," &c., apply to them such titles as "the righteous nation," the true Jeshurun (Isa. 26:2), "My nation" (Isa. 51:4), "The small one become a strong nation" Isa. 60:22, "One nation in the land" (Ezek. 37:22).
These and kindred expressions are, I believe, comprehended under the "all Israel" of Rom. 11:26. Israel as a nation will be spiritually converted. "Thy people shall be all righteous" and politically regenerated, and as such will be the pattern nation during the Millennium Isa. 2:1-4. This, I presume, is their νομοθεσια (Rom. 9:4). They will be the fountain of legislation to the nations, instead of copying them as their fathers did (1 Sam. 8:5; Hos. 13:10, 11); and instead of the nation{ s?} of Christendom being the pattern of legislation to them, as in their "high-mindedness" they now vainly imagine.
That "the kingdom is to be given" to Israel is promised (Mic. 4:8). "The daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion, the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." This interesting subject might be pursued. But I only add that Israel's national conversion and political preeminence (Isa. 60:12, appears from Scripture to be entirely sui generis, and by no means interferes with that cluster of spiritual privileges now the portion of all believers, who are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people."
Presbutes The Christian Annotator 3:320 (1856).