Frankly, it's just a guess, but it's not a random guess. I agree it is not explicitly implied in Scripture that this is coming, but it is not dismissable either. This course for reward and punishment is stipulated, but it doesn't mean any time something bad happens to the Jews that it will happen to the Gentiles next always. Or for good. The stipulation seems to imply this is the case, however, when it is a judgement from God as it pertains to a similar expectation God has for either party.
So, when I consider if the Holocaust was a punishment or just political/ideological happenstance, I think the former makes more sense, or at least, is a co-equal factor. It feels like it was a judgement. It also preceded the 6 day war, which was a success for Israel. And this follows the pattern of Israel,- they fall away, God corrects them harshly, and they fix themselves. Then repeat.
Now, in our modern time, we might see such punishment as too severe, but if you know the Old Testament, you know there are plenty of times when a simple error or character weakness, leads to harsh punishment. This is because, I think, God simply will not abide certain failings (in a nutshell). And the fact that most everyone would see the Holocaust as too severe if it was a punishment judgement also suggests we won't see it coming upon us. Compare early America with today and consider if there has been a falling away from Godly morality and principles. Obviously, that's the case, but we are going full bore still with no letting up in sight.
Frankly, it's just a guess, but it's not a random guess. I agree it is not explicitly implied in Scripture that this is coming, but it is not dismissable either. This course for reward and punishment is stipulated, but it doesn't mean any time something bad happens to the Jews that it will happen to the Gentiles next always. Or for good. The stipulation seems to imply this is the case, however, when it is a judgement from God as it pertains to a similar expectation God has for either party.
So, when I consider if the Holocaust was a punishment or just political/ideological happenstance, I think the former makes more sense, or at least, is a co-equal factor. It feels like it was a judgement. It also preceded the 6 day war, which was a success for Israel. And this follows the pattern of Israel,- they fall away, God corrects them harshly, and they fix themselves. Then repeat.
Now, in our modern time, we might see such punishment as too severe, but if you know the Old Testament, you know there are plenty of times when a simple error or character weakness, leads to harsh punishment. This is because, I think, God simply will not abide certain failings (in a nutshell). And the fact that most everyone would see the Holocaust as too severe if it was a punishment judgement also suggests we won't see it coming upon us. Compare early America with today and consider if there has been a falling away from Godly morality and principles. Obviously, that's the case, but we are going full bore still with no letting up in sight.