GOD'S PROMISES TO ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH 5 PROPHETS PART 3
5 THE PROPHETS PART3 THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS IN THE END TIMES The Sovereign Lord is a God of justice and He has warned of a Day of Judgement. According to the prophetical Scriptures, a day will come when the nations and peoples (Gentiles), who have rejected the very existence of the Holy Land and have despised the people and nation of Israel, will be judged. Throughout history, all the ancient empires have engaged in wars with the Jews; and though the Chosen People have sinned exceedingly before the Lord God, He has continued faithful to His Abrahamic promises for His holy name's sake. In the closing chapters of the Book of Isaiah, the prophet describes God's judgement of Israel's many enemies. In their hatred of Israel (symbolised by Edom) the surrounding enemy countries have long wanted Israel to cease as a nation. In opposition to God's everlasting covenant promise to Abraham, the surrounding nations have always aimed to wipe out Israel. Today Israel is a small country hemmed in by hatred. As recorded in Prophets Part 4, the words of Psalm 83:3-4 are in use exactly the same today in the 21 st century! They lay crafty schemes against Your people. Come and let us wipe them out as a nation: let the name of Israel be in remembrance no more. In the End Times when the Lord restores Israel, the nations will be gathered for judgement for their disregard and cruelty to His people. Remember God's judgement of His Chosen People in allowing the horror of the Holocaust! In the book of Daniel, wars and other desolations were decreed until the End Times. In those days there will be the time of - Jacob's trouble - (the greatest trouble ever - the Great Tribulation). (Daniel 12: 2) Alas! For that day will be great, so that none will be like it; it will be the time of Jacob's trouble, but he will be saved out of it. Jeremiah 30:7 For he who touches you touches the apple or pupil of His eye. Zechariah 2:8 Thus says the Lord of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy and I am jealous for her with great wrath (against her enemies). Zechariah 8:2 As you have been a curse and a byword among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Zechariah 8:13 Yes, they (Israel) shall dwell securely when I have executed judgements upon all those around them who have despised and trodden upon them, and they shall know that I am the Lord their God. Ezekiel 28:26
THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS IN THE END TIMES continued Chapter after chapter, especially in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah, the Scriptures record in no special order, the catastrophic events of the End Times when the desperate time of The Great Tribulation is prophesied. Jerusalem will become a cup of reeling - - - a burdensome stone. Zechariah 12:2-3 In that day I will make it My aim to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. Zechariah:12:9 Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered, for in Mt. Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape and among the remnant (of survivors) shall be those whom the Lord calls. Joel 2:32 I will gather all nations and will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for their wickedness and there will I execute judgement upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land. Joel 3:2 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. Joel 3:14 Read Ezekiel 38-39 During the Great Tribulation, the prophet Ezekiel declared God's word concerning a day when the Lord will both defend Jerusalem and destroy the besieging nations gathered around Jerusalem. Then only God will hear and answer Israel's cry, for in His mercy and kindness the nation remains His Heritage and His People; Jerusalem His City and Israel His Land. Thus will I demonstrate My greatness and My holiness, and I will be known in the eyes of many nations; yes, they shall know that I am the Lord. Ezekiel 38:23 I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Ezekiel 39: 7 God 's wrath and mighty power will then arise in judgement against the invading armies of Gog from the north in an overwhelming destruction. To cleanse the land of Israel, there will be a great burial of the armies of Gog in the Valley of Hamon-gog (Gog's multitude). (Ezekiel 39:15)
THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS IN THE END TIMES continued (See Ezekiel in The Voice of the Lord Bible Studies for more detail) Then a final and unique Day will come, known only to Almighty God. On that terrible Day of the Lord, bloodshed and pestilence would bring final destruction on a colossal scale. His (the Messiah's) feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives which lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from the east to the west by a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north and half of it toward the south. Zechariah 14:4 At the end of the age, the Lord will finalise His universal Armageddon judgement of the earth's sinful inhabitants and there will be the restoration of Israel, God's heritage. They gathered them together at the place which in Hebrew is called Armageddon. Revelation 16:16 There are significant geographical factors in this geologically unstable region. From the Judean plateau (3000 feet), the ground descends in a distance of about 30 miles to the Dead Sea (1000 feet below sea level) and a further 2000 feet down to its depths. The Dead Sea, into which the River Jordan flows, is located at the northern end of the great East African Rift Valley sunk between parallel faults in the earth's crust. Thus, the prophesied catastrophic earth movements are thus more easily understood. Although the nation of Israel today is small in size and is surrounded by much larger enemy countries, the boundaries of Israel, as God promised to Abraham, will in the End Times be extended from the River of Egypt to the River Euphrates. (Genesis 15:18)
GOD'S PROMISES TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL IN THE END TIMES Read Zechariah 12:10-14 I will pour out upon the house of David and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace or unmerited favour and supplication. And they shall look upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for his only son. and shall be in bitterness for Him as one who is in bitterness for his first born. Zechariah 12:10 The house of Israel shall know, beyond all question that I am the Lord their God from that day forward. Ezekiel 39:22 Thus says the Lord God Now will I reverse the captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel and will be jealous for My holy name. Ezekiel 39:25 Then all Jews will return to Israel and no Jew will remain among the nations. (Ezekiel 39:28) Neither will I hide My face any more then from them, when I have poured out My Spirit upon the house of Israel, says the Lord God. Ezekiel 39:29 In these times there will come a day when many of the Jews, the ones who have not believed Jesus is their Messiah (unlike the Messianic Jews) will come to the truth of the Scriptures and will be reconciled; but there will be great shame. Your brethren who hate you, who cast you out for My names' sake they shall be put to shame. Isaiah 66:5 Read Zechariah 8:1-8 Zechariah also records God's most gracious promise of redemption to His people Israel. A fountain will be opened to cleanse the house of David and the people of Jerusalem. In that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem (to cleanse them from) sin and uncleanness. Zechariah13:1 I will remove the iniquity and guilt of this land in a single day. Zechariah 3:9 As on the day of Pentecost, the Spirit of grace will be poured out on His people. God's grace of loving-kindness to all peoples is clearly revealed in the Messianic Age, after the Great Tribulation. Jerusalem will then be the Throne of the Lord to which the redeemed of all nations (believing Gentiles) will come to worship. Many nations shall join themselves to the Lord in that day and shall be My people. Zechariah 2:11
GOD'S PROMISES TO THE NATION OF ISRAEL IN THE END TIMES continued I shall return to Zion and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain. Zechariah 8:3 As you have been a curse and a byword among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Zechariah 8:13 Yes, they (Israel) shall dwell securely when I have executed judgements upon all those around them who have despised and trodden upon them, and they shall know that I am the Lord their God. Ezekiel 28:26 The desire and cry of God's heart, a recurring theme throughout the Hebrew scriptures of the Old Covenant, is to dwell with His redeemed people; God's throne being the sanctuary of the Jerusalem Temple on Mount Zion. This is the place of My throne and the place of the soles of My feet where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. Ezekiel 43:7 When the Lord builds up Zion, He will appear in His glory. Psalm 102:16 God's everlasting faithfulness and His love for Israel will cause the Jewish people in a future time to weep tears of repentance for their innumerable and gross sins. The people would return and be no longer outcasts for there will be peace with God. The redeemed of the Lord shall return and come with singing to Zion; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Isaiah 51:11 As God delivered Israel from Egypt, and later Judah from Babylon, the nation in the End Times would also be delivered according to God's promised covenant of peace. Though the mountains should depart or the hills be shaken, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,says the Lord, Who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 God's Covenant of Peace is the only believable peace that can come to the Middle East. Jerusalem will then become glorious in God's holy presence, a delight and a joy forever. (Ezekiel 37:26)
THE RETURN OF BLESSING TO ISRAEL According to the unconditional and everlasting Eternal Covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all the prophets foretold numerous promises of peace, redemption, restoration, joy and glory for Israel because of God's constant love for His ancient people. Hardly a day goes by without Israel and the Middle East being in the News with Jerusalem always at the very centre. World leaders and politicians keep coming and going, but the long struggle continues and still there is no solution to the land problem between the Jews and Palestinians. However, for those who read the Scriptures, God's promises keep coming, chapter after chapter, and give a clear message for Jews and Gentiles today, that God will never forget His people. Through the prophet Nathan, God's gave His chosen King David, as the representative of the Messiah, the Prince of Peace, the promise of an everlasting house and throne. He shall come as a Redeemer to Zion and to those in Jacob (Israel) who turn from their transgression, says the Lord. Isaiah 59:20 (21) The Lord having punished Israel, will then have mercy, love and pity on His people. (Isaiah 60:10) The sons of those that afflicted you - - - shall call you the City of the Lord, the Zion of the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 60:14 Almighty God cannot deny Himself His remaining unfulfilled promises will be fulfilled. Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no man passed through you, I will make you (Jerusalem) an eternal glory, a joy from age to age. Isaiah 60:15 After the judgement on Israel of exile midst the nations and the return to the Promised Land, their sins will be forgiven and they will worship the Lord on Mount Zion. You shall know that I, the Lord, am your Saviour and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Isaiah 60:16 You shall be called the priests of the Lord. Isaiah 61:6 Though Isaiah repeatedly foretold severe punishment for the worship of idols, the prophet also gave God's promises of blessing to His faithful offspring. Instead of your (former) shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonour and reproach (your people) shall rejoice. - - - In their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs. Isaiah 61:7 Their offspring shall be known among the nations. All who see them will acknowledge they are the people whom the Lord has blessed. Isaiah 61:9
Read Psalm 122 Isaiah 62:1-12 THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM Christians who love the Jews believe Israel's glory will return at the Second Coming of Christ, as the Lord has promised. Such Christians, believing the Scriptures, love the Jews because Jesus is Jewish and the Jews have inherited God's everlasting promises. Many Christians pray regularly for the Jewish people, for the Remnant to increase and for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6 The Lord promised to set watchmen (God's praying servants) as if upon the walls of Jerusalem to pray unceasingly to God for the people and state of Israel. (Isaiah 62:6) And give Him no rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her a praise in the earth. Isaiah 62:7 As prophesied by Isaiah, the land of Judah under the Lord's protection shall no longer be called Forsaken or Desolate but will be a delight and Jerusalem a joy. (Isaiah 62:4, 12) In another revelation, given to the prophet Daniel in Babylon, the God of heaven would set up in the latter days the Messianic 5th Kingdom. The glory of this promised everlasting Messianic kingdom was revealed to Daniel to convey a message of survival and hope for all Jewish people. Daniel's prophecy awaits fulfilment. There was given Him (the Messiah) dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and His kingdom is one which shall not be destroyed. Daniel 7:14 Nearing the close of his life, Daniel was referred to as beloved of the Lord, to wait in his rest till the end of days, when Messiah would come for His people, bringing the blessings of the Everlasting Covenant. Israel, given God's salvation in His righteousness, will be vindicated and His servants will dwell in the land. I will bring forth an offspring from Jacob, and from Judah an inheritor of My mountains; My chosen and elect will inherit it and My servants will dwell there. Isaiah 65:9
THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM continued In the last chapter of the Book of Isaiah, the word of the Lord endorses His great love for Israel - the nation that has been amazingly reborn in a single day. Who has heard of such a thing? Isaiah 66:8 Throughout the centuries the Chosen People have time after time rejected the Lord. They have relied more on their surrounding enemies and given way to them as in the Peace Process. Although the Israelites have been endangered many times before, the nation has miraculously survived. Many of the Jews have put their trust more in their enemies than the God of Israel. Even so, God Almighty will ever keep His covenant of love to His Chosen People. To grant to those who mourn in Zion a garland of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning and the garment of praise - - the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem. Isaiah 61:3 Isaiah 66:13 God's promises of peace, joy and blessing as promised to King David would be fulfilled. In that day on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, God Almighty will reign in His majestic glory and holiness. The Sovereign Lord will be praised for His blessings of deliverance and worshipped as Creator, the only wise and living God. I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name any more; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One of Israel. Ezekiel 39:7 On Mount Zion (in Jerusalem) there shall be deliverance, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess its (own former) possessions. Obadiah 17 Obadiah's final prophetic word is Messianic, for the rule of the Lord will be established. Mount Zion alone will be exalted. The kingdom and the kingship shall be the Lord's. Obadiah 21
THE MESSIANIC KINGDOM continued Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O Daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King comes to you. He is just and having salvation, patient, meek, lowly and riding on a donkey, upon a, colt, the foal of a donkey. Zechariah 9:9 In that day, says the Lord, I will assemble the lame and I will gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted. And I will make the lame a remnant, and those who were cast off a strong nation; and the Lord shall reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forever. Micah 4:6-7 Although God was rejected in the Garden of Eden, Jerusalem is the City where the living God has ever deigned to place His holy name and dwell there. The cry and the purpose of God's heart, throughout the Scriptures, has been to dwell where He belongs in the midst of His people. A time of righteousness and blessings upon all the children of God will come when the Messianic Kingdom is established in Jerusalem on Mount Zion. Read Zephaniah 3:14-20 Mt. Zion which God has desired for His dwelling place. Yes, the Lord will dwell in it forever. Psalm 68:16 At that time I will bring you in; yes, at that time I will gather you, for I will make you a name and a praise among all the nations of the earth when I reverse your captivity before your eyes, says the Lord. Zephaniah 3:20 Living waters shall go out from Jerusalem and the Lord will be King and His name one over all the earth. The inhabitants of Jerusalem will be cleansed from all sin and idolatry. In God's judgement, both the hosts in heaven and the kings on earth will be punished and destroyed. The proud will be humbled and the worship of idols will cease. Isaiah gave the following prophetic words at the beginning of his ministry. Many people (Gentile believers) shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law (Torah) and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Isaiah 2:3
JERUSALEM THE CIY OF THE GREAT KING Read Isaiah 4:2-6 He who remains in Jerusalem will be called holy, everyone who is recorded for eternal life. Situated on God's holy mountain, Jerusalem will rejoice in peace and become a praise in all the earth. Isaiah 4:3 Messiah's peace and joy will extend to all people (Jew and Gentile) who trust and take refuge in Him. The Everlasting Covenant to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the constant message of all the prophets, will then be completely fulfilled. All nations shall call you happy and blessed, you shall be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:12 Instead of the harlot city, Jerusalem will become the holy City of the Lord, to which all nations will come to worship God. (Isaiah 1:21 Isaiah 52:1 Isaiah 66:23) (Jerusalem) shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth that hear of all the good I do for it - - - and all the peace, prosperity and stability I provide for it. Jeremiah 33:9 Behold, I create new heavens and a new earth. And the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. Isaiah 65:17 They will call on My name, and I will hear and answer them. I will say, It is My people; and they will say, The Lord is my God. Zechariah 13:9
JERUSALEM THE CIY OF THE GREAT KING continued The following two acrostic poems describe Jerusalem, God's holy city. JERUSALEM Joy of the whole earth is the City of our God, Everlasting throne of His peace and holiness; Royal capital of King David s promised seed, Unto us the Lord God ascribes His righteousness. Site of sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, Atonement in Jesus, the Son of God, alone; Let the light of His love to Your people be shown. Evermore in this place let Your glory be known, 'My city, My people, My delight and My own. YERUSHALAYIM Your beautiful City of Peace, O Sovereign Lord, Eternal throne of Truth and Righteousness; Royal City of great King David s promised line, Unique dwelling place of God s holiness. Site of sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins - Holy One, forgive us we humbly pray. Atonement, peace and blessings You will here provide, Lead us, Living Lord, in Your perfect way. All nations will come to seek the Lord in Zion; Your gracious Name for ever worshipped and adored - 'I will be their God and they will be My people, My City, My people, My delight,' says the Lord. Rejoice with Yerushalayim and be glad for her, all you who love her. Isaiah 66:10
THE PROMISED THIRD TEMPLE Read Ezekiel 40-44:17 Zechariah 14:8, 20 In the concluding chapters of the book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes the vision of God's detailed plan of Jerusalem's future house of the Lord. Unlike the temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel enlarged by Herod, Ezekiel's vision for the future Third Temple was larger than King Solomon's. Like the former Tabernacle in the wilderness and Solomon's Temple, the third Temple of the House of the Lord would be most holy. Read Ezekiel 47:1-12 Streams of living waters will issue forth from the Temple. Only the Lord then will be King over all the earth. The Lord's house and all Jerusalem shall be HOLY TO THE LORD. (Zechariah 14:9) Zechariah 14:20 The gates of Jerusalem will be named after the twelve tribes of Israel. The Lord will then dwell with His redeemed people, the desire of His heart; Jew and Gentile all one and righteous in Christ Jesus. The city will be given a new name; and from that day, and ever after, shall be THE LORD IS THERE. Ezekiel 48:35 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and Amen. Psalm 41:13 GOD'S PROMISES TO ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH continue in 6 THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH PART 1 NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT Scriptures taken, unless otherwise stated, from THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Old Testament copyright, 1965, 1987 by The Zondervan Corporation. The Amplified New Testament copyright 1958, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.tracts.com/biblestudies4u.html