Gods Covenant With Israel Worked Out In Prophecy

Tony Pearce

Three Views in Relation to Prophecy

· A - millennial

· Post - millennial

· Pre - millennial

Millennium=1000 years - refers to reign of Christ on earth in Rev 20: 1-10. Also to such OT passages as Isaiah 2: 1-4, 11: 1-9, Ezekiel 40-48, Zechariah 14.

A - millennial - no literal millennium, passages such as Rev. 20 symbolic. Zion / Israel=the Church in this age, Christ reigning through the church.

Post - millennial - millennium, reign of Christ, through triumph of the church in this age - world evangelism converting the nations. Zion / Israel=Church.

Pre - millennial - millennium follows literal return of Messiah Jesus to Mt. Olives at Armageddon. Zion / Israel=Israel.

PRE-MILLENNIAL VIEW OF ISRAEL AND PROPHECY

Covenant with Abraham

God made an unconditional covenant with Abraham promising him multitudes of descendants and ownership of the land of Canaan (Genesis 15, 17: 6-8). This promise confirmed with Isaac (Gen.26: 1-5), Jacob (Gen 28: 13-15) and with children of Israel (Exodus 6: 6-8). Even after giving of new covenant Israel to remain an identifiable nation (Jeremiah 31: 35-37). Ishmael, though to be a great nation not included in this covenant (Gen 17: 20-21). See also Romans 9: 7-13.

Torah in relation to God's covenant with children of Israel

Prosperity, peace and finally occupation of the land conditional on obedience to the commands of the Lord (Deuteronomy 28). However, even if the people removed from the land as a result of disobedience (Deut 28: 64-68), this will not be final and irrevocable (Deut 30: 1-5).

These principles worked out in OT history

Times of faithfulness to the Lord result in blessing, defeat of enemies, peace and prosperity. Times of idolatry, apostasy result in defeat by enemies, internal strife, loss of peace and prosperity.

Final judgement for idolatry is removal from the land. Assyrian conquest of Israel (2 Kings 17). Babylon captivity of Judah (2 Chronicles 36: 12-19). Captivity of Judah not permanent (Jeremiah 25: 10-12, 31: 1-14, Daniel 9). Before the captivity God sent prophets (particularly Jeremiah).

warn that it was coming

to give reason for it (idolatry / apostasy)

to promise restoration

Are the same principles at work in New Testament?

Greater world-wide dispersion of Jews began after failed Jewish uprisings against Rome in 70 and 135 AD. Concerning this no word given in Rabbinic Judaism. Jesus related dispersion to rejection of Messiah by leaders and majority of people (Luke 19: 41-44). We cannot claim a direct promise of restoration of Jews to the land in the New Testament, as we could find in Jeremiah, but the following verses deserve consideration: Matt 23: 39 spoken in context of coming desolation of Jerusalem and destruction of temple the word 'until' suggests a reversal of this condition when the Jewish people welcome Jesus with the traditional greeting for the Messiah 'Baruch ha ba be shem adonai' - 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.' Luke 21: 24 - again note the word 'until' - a time coming when Jerusalem will no longer be 'trodden down' ruled by Gentiles. Luke 21: 29-30- fig tree is national symbol of Israel (cursing of fig tree / withering of national life of Israel). Acts 1: 6-8. When questioned directly about the restoration of the kingdom to Israel by the disciples, Jesus does not deny its possibility or correct the disciples for asking a question which shows a complete misunderstanding of the Kingdom of God which he does on other occasions (e.g. Matt 20: 20-28, Matt 22: 23-33). He directs them to God's priority - the preaching of the Gospel and implies the restoration of Israel will happen in God's time.

For the Olivet discourse concerning the Lord's return to be fulfilled literally, there has to be a Jewish entity in the land (Matt 24, Luke 21, Mark 13). In conclusion we can say that as a prophet Jesus:

warned of coming dispersion

gave reason for it (non-recognition of Messiah)

gave indication of coming restoration in end times.

OT prophecies of world-wide dispersion and restoration of Israel

Several OT passages prophesy a world-wide dispersion of the Jews and their restoration to Eretz Israel and relate this event to the end times. These prophesies go further than the prophecies relating to restoration of the Jews from Babylon under Ezra / Nehemiah. Zechariah in particular was written after the return from Babylon.

Ezekiel 36-39 Prophesies a return to Zion from all nations - barren land to be made fertile - initiative with God for his name's sake, not a reward for Israel's righteousness - physical restoration to precede spiritual rebirth (Ezek 36: 24-28, 37: 1-14). War of Gog and Magog (ch 38-39), a supernatural deliverance of Israel from great power invading from the north.

Zechariah 12-14 Conflict over Jerusalem involving all nations - humanly impossible situation resolved by coming of Messiah / spiritual revelation of Jesus brings outpouring of Spirit (Zech 12: 10-13.1). Physical return of Messiah to Mount of Olives - world government of Messiah (ch 14).

HISTORICAL NOTE

God sovereign in history - works out his purposes through unbelievers as well as believers (eg Cyrus). Before and after rebirth of Israel we can see God overruling history in significant ways:

19th century Bible believing Christians have concern for salvation of Jews and restoration of Israel. New insight into prophecy. Jews begin to find Jesus.

Within Jewish community emancipation from ghetto - new ideas, contact with European nationalism, socialism etc. - also disillusion with Europe, growing antisemitism - these factors contribute to Zionism.

Stirrings amongst Jews in Arab lands. Aliya from Europe and Orient. Nations with Biblical background (Britain, USA) gain influence in Middle East. Decline of Turkish empire. British in Palestine at crucial time. Israel established before significant rise in Arab power.

Holocaust shows Jews and Gentiles need for Jewish place of refuge. 1947 UN votes in favour of Jewish state against all expectations.

Israel's victories in wars against a numerically superior and better equipped enemy (1948, 56, 67, 73). 6 Day War (1967) brings Jerusalem and Judea / Samaria (West Bank) under Israeli control.

Rebirth of Hebrew as a living language. Israel's agricultural achievements - re-afforestation of hills, deserts bloom. 'early and latter rains' return.

Secular origin of Zionism, but growing importance of spiritual issues in Israel - Messianic Jews begin to make an impact raising issues of Jesus / Yeshua as Messiah.

Opposition to Israel from those with ideologies / religions opposed to Biblical revelation (Islam / Communism). Islamic revolution fuelled by oil wealth.

Changes in eastern Europe cause exodus of Jews from 'the north country' (Jeremiah 16: 14-15). Growing antisemitism in Russia and throughout the world causes renewed 'aliyah' (return to Israel).

Involvement of all nations in Arab Israeli conflict. World attention to problem out of all proportion to numbers involved in conflict.

Jerusalem + Judea / Samaria (West Bank) focal point of conflict. Israel says Jerusalem indivisible capital of Israel, Arabs want East Jerusalem (3rd holiest place for Islam) to be capital of Palestine state on West Bank and Gaza.

Arm race produces weapons capable of mass destruction without divine intervention.

All this taken in conjunction with other Biblical prophecies being fulfilled today makes it reasonable to conclude that the present day restoration of Israel is a prophetic fulfilment and sign of the coming of the Lord Jesus in power and glory to judge all nations (including Israel). Present distress in Israel does not contradict this. All prophets speak of time distress / tribulation to precede coming of Messiah (Jeremiah 30, Ezekiel 38-9, Joel 3, Daniel 12, Zechariah 12-14). Jesus also spoke of a time of tribulation before second coming. We need to prepare ourselves, pray for Jews and Arabs and proclaim to both the one way of salvation through the Messiah who has already come once and is coming again soon.