by Moshe Gold
During the Battle of Armageddon Messiah Jesus will return to earth destroying all armies arrayed against the Holy City of Jerusalem. Following their defeat, they will be judged and put to death. The False Messiah and the False Prophet will be thrown alive into The Lake of Fire. Satan will be bound in chains and thrown into the Bottomless Pit for 1,000 years unable to influence powers, principalities or people. There will be a resurrection of the righteous of all ages, a rewarding of martyred saints of the Tribulation and the establishment of the kingdom reign of the Messiah on earth lasting for a millennium.
Jerusalem will be the capital of this kingdom whose authority covers the whole earth. There will be topographical changes, especially in Israel. These accommodate the rebuilding of Jerusalem complete with the largest Temple ever constructed there, about 1 mile square in size. Other important changes include the Mt. of Olives splitting and creation of the River of Living Water flowing southeast into the Dead Sea year round. The ground will no longer be hostile to man and the enmity within the creation caused by the fall of mankind will be reversed. With the King of all the Earth, the Judge, and Son of God ruling this epoch will be characterized by peace, prosperity, righteousness, justice and holiness. It is as close to perfect as this world will ever be.
Once established this kingdom will fulfill the promised blessings of God pronounced through His holy prophets upon the people of Israel. Let us examine some of the shimmering rays of Messianic glory as they will fall upon the people of Israel.
Israel Regenerated
The diverse religion called Judaism developed out of determination by its adherents to maintain the Mosaic Law in a world of changing conditions. Called in Jesus’ day The Traditions of the Fathers, it was built upon legal decisions rendered first by scribes and later by leading rabbis. The major issue cited by Jesus against this well intentioned bulwark of rabbinic renderings is that it had taken the place of the Word of God (Mark 7:13). In the days of Isaiah it had turned a living worship into a rote tradition resulting in the wisdom and knowledge of God slowly disappearing from the people whose leaders became blind guides of the blind (Isaiah 29:10-13). Although there is a godly remnant of Jewish people in every generation of the present age, the vast majority are still in blindness. Yet, rejection of the Word of God did not result in God’s rejection of Israel. This age has been the occasion for God to bless the Gentiles of the world with salvation in order to cause Jewish people to jealously desire to have that same blessing (Romans 11:11).
When the Lord returns to Zion, the Jewish people who survive the Tribulation will clearly identify Him as the Lamb of God slain for their sin and the sin of the whole world. Political leaders, religious leaders, elite, judges, and ordinary people will enter a time of personal repentance so intense that family members will not be able to be comforted one by the other. The Jewish people will exhibit godly sorrow that will result in forgiveness by the Lord (Zechariah 12:10-12). The one third of the Jewish people surviving the Tribulation period enters into the New Covenant through which they will be “born-again” (Zechariah 13:9). Their salvation is foundational to the establishment of the Kingdom. If a blessing has fallen to non-Jewish people due to the disobedience of the Jewish people, then imagine the richness of the unprecedented blessings upon all peoples when Israel is restored to God in spirit and in truth (Romans 11:12,15).
The Kingdom of Israel Restored
Israel will become the world’s most important territory, Jerusalem it’s most impressive city and the Jewish people it’s most illustrious ethnicity when Messiah Jesus sets up His kingdom.
The Messiah now identified in heaven as the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David,” will reign over earth as King of Israel, the rightful heir to King David’s throne. The fallen Tabernacle of David will be restored (Amos 9:11-15; Acts 15:15-16). Israel will be respected and cared for by all other peoples in recognition of their exalted position. The nations will seek them out in a positive way, desiring their guidance in worship before the King (Zechariah 8:22-23).
Today, sad to say, the opposite is true as anti-Jewish rhetoric gains followers. Unfortunately, this is a growing trend even among Christians who are joining the chorus of those who lay blame on Israel for the world’s problems. Together with the bankrupted morality of the government this has produced self-loathing within Israeli society. Israelis once able to look to their leaders in a paternalistic manner, now see them as only politicians. In the past, Israel could find strength in national pride to stand alone in the world. Today there is a national void that can only be filled by a generation of godly national heroes.
In that day, such a generation will be raised up. As a testimony and example to its people, the territory of Israel will be governed by King David who will be a prince under the Messiah (Ezekiel 37:21-28). Beneath David will be the apostles who will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. They will represent God’s authority to the people much like the Judges of ancient Israel. So strong an effect will they have on the Jewish nation that she will truly be a light to the Gentiles that reflects the exalted glory of God.
Israel Reunited
The regeneration, establishment of the Kingdom, and godly examples in leadership will help galvanize the people of Israel into one united nation. Modern Israel is like most democratic, pluralistic and open societies. However, with one major difference; Israel is the homeland of a single people, the descendants of Jacob. Within this family are differing visions of what Israel should be and increased competition between segments of society for economic resources. Although there is an incredible sense of social responsibility to care for those in need there is a widening gap between the “haves and have nots.” These stresses have created a climate in which individual desire takes priority over the national good.
In the Kingdom there will be no religious, political, social, or economic pressures dividing the people. There will be one king over all, one pure vision, equity in the economy, no class distinctions and all will have an equal share of the benefits (Isaiah 65:17-25). There will be peace between individuals because there will be individual peace with God. Then the words of Psalm 133:1 will be a living reality! “Behold how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity.”
Israel Re-gathered
Today, many organizations, both Jewish and Christian are bringing Jewish people “home” from all countries of the world. Most are motivated by a misguided understanding that when all Jewish people are back in the land of Israel the Kingdom will be established. If one takes the Scriptures literally, then there can be no Messianic Age or Kingdom without the Messiah personally present to call the final assembly of His people Israel (Deuteronomy 30:1-5).
Concerning the efforts of these groups, a question often asked in Israel is, “If every Jew came home where would they find a place to live and how would we feed them?” The truth is that Israel is tiny and space challenged with barely enough territory to adequately house and care for the small population already living there. As a result fertile fields are being turned into condominium cities to provide housing for an already expanding population. Although the present circumstance makes absorbing the entire world Jewish population impossible, in the day of the Messianic Kingdom, Israel’s territory will increase dramatically to include all the land promised her in the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 15:18). This will provide an abundance of land on which to build cites and still allow for the bountiful produce of the earth to be brought forth.
Many traveling in Israel are amazed at the quantity of local produce harvested in such a small area. Even the wilderness blossoms with vegetables and fruits whose rich quality is apparent in color, taste and smell. Since Israel is also water challenged, this is indeed a foretaste of the Kingdom blessing. There are underground wells, but not enough to supply all the needs. Out of necessity, Israel has become a world leader in developing efficient irrigation techniques. However, the problem is so acute that if God does not give the former and latter rains in their due season there is real drought. When God re-gathers His people to the Promised Land, He will open up springs from the earth and change the weather pattern, which will produce an abundance of rain year round (Isaiah 35:1-2). This will no doubt aid in plentiful harvests that will characterize Israel in the Millennial Kingdom. Through this God will be glorified as Israel’s former enemies see His blessing upon His people.
Israel Reassured
Israel is living proof of the reality of God and His message. Therefore, Israel’s greatest enemy has always been Satan who, by using the various peoples of earth, seeks the annihilation of the Jewish people and establishment of his own kingdom (Revelation 12:9, 13).
When the future Kingdom is established only the saved of all nations will enter into it (Matthew 25:32-34). As they bear children, these offspring will have to come to faith. Without Satan to influence the already sinful nature of natural man it should be easier than today. However, at the end of the 1000 years Satan will be released and begin again to influence the nations encouraging them against Israel and Jerusalem (Revelation 20:7-9).
The battle will be swift as fire will fall from heaven and consume all those encamped around the territory of Israel. All who stand against God and His chosen will die. The curse of sin that affected the earth will be purged by the intensity of the heat from the flames; thus will be created the New Heaven and New Earth (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 21:1). The unrighteous of all times will be judged and cast together with Satan into the Lake of Fire forever (Revelation 20:13-15). The New Jerusalem will descend out of heaven adorned like the beauty of a bride. It will be pure and shining and the throne of God and the Lamb will be there. It is the city sought after by Abraham and hoped for by the righteous of Israel. Its gates are named for the tribes of Israel and it is there that Israel will serve the Lord eternally as His people and He as their God (Revelation 21 and 22).
In this short account perhaps you are able to glimpse and take hope in the glorious future for the redeemed of the Lord because His love for His own people Israel spills over to all peoples. As you have already been blessed by His overflowing love for Israel have you been His instrument of blessing to Israel?
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