On May 14, 1948, after almost 1,900 years — dating back
to the time when Rome ruled the then-known world — an
Israeli nation was reborn in the Middle East. The time
when this occurred was near the end of the 6,000 years
allotted to man. That is to say, the re-emergence of
Israel in this respect was near the end of Man’s Day,
near the time which the Prophets had declared that God
would re-gather and restore His people to their land (cf.Isaiah
1:25-2:5; Ezekiel 39:25-29: Joel 3:1-21).
But, are the events of May 14, 1948 the beginning of
this restoration? And are the things which have
occurred during the more than six decades since that
time — a return of millions of Jewish people to the
land, numbering some 6,000,000 today — a continuation of
this restoration?
Then there is reclamation of parts of the land — cities
built or rebuilt and parts of the land transformed from
vast wastelands to fertile farmlands. Are these things
part of God’s restorative promises through His Prophets?
There is an inseparable connection of the Jewish
people with their capital city and their land. Both
the city of Jerusalem and the land of Israel
are, at times, spoken of in a synonymous respect with
the Jewish people (Lamentations 1:7, 8;
Jeremiah 22:8, 9; Ezekiel 14:11-13;
Hosea 1:2; Matthew 23:37). Thus,
one cannot be restored apart from the other.
That which is being taught by most Bible teachers today
concerning events in the Middle East — an on-going
restoration of the people and the land, including
Jerusalem and other cities — connect these events with
God’s restorative promises through His Prophets.
But what does Scripture have to say about the matter?
Numerous Scriptures are being used to show that the
things that have occurred and continue to occur are a
fulfillment of God’s promises. But, are these
Scriptures being used correctly? Or, are they being
misused instead?
That’s what this book is about. And Scripture is
crystal clear on the matter. There can be no
mistake when one goes to the Scriptures as the final
authority, paying attention to exactly what God
has said.
Alas,
sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity
. . .
From the sole of the foot even to the head,
there is no soundness in it, but wounds and
bruises and putrefying sores . . .
Your country is desolate,
your cities are burned with fire; strangers
devour your land in your presence . . .
How the faithful city has become a harlot!
It was full of justice; righteousness lodged
in it, but now murderers. . . .
Therefore the Lord says,
the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel,
“Ah, I will rid Myself of My adversaries,
and take vengeance on My enemies.I will turn
My hand against you, and thoroughly purge away
your dross, and take away all your alloy.I
will restore your judges as at the first, and
your counselors as at the beginning. Afterward
you shall be called the city of righteousness,
the faithful city.”
Now it shall come to pass in the latter daysthat the
mountain of the LORD’Shouseshall
be established on the top of the mountains, and
shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations
shall flow to it.Many people shall come and say,
“Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the
LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He
will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His
paths.”For out of Zion shall go forth the law,and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.He shall
judge between the nations, and rebuke many people;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall
not lift up sword against nation, neither shall
they learn war anymore.
(Isaiah
1:4a, 6a, 7a, 21, 24-26;
2:2-4)
