Israel Reunited

Isaiah 11:11-12:6

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:11-12)

Since the reestablishment of Israel in 1948, there has been a massive return of Jews to Israel.  Because of the terrorist threats, and freedom in other countries many still do not return.   The tribulation period is to be a time of special judgment on Israel much like what was going on with the Assyrians in Isaiah’s day.   When it ends and the Lord sets up his Millennial kingdom, even survivors from the most welcoming countries around the world will choose to return to Israel.

“The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.  But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines toward the west; they shall spoil them of the east together: they shall lay their hand upon Edom and Moab; and the children of Ammon shall obey them.” (Isaiah 11:13-14)

After Solomon’s death, Israel split into two countries, Israel and Judah.  Israel’s capitol was in the area originally given to the tribe of Ephraim.  The two countries regularly fought for control and there was a great deal of jealousy between them that continues even to this day.   When the Lord builds his millennial kingdom, they will be united and the old jealousies forgotten.  They will control the land of the Philistines or as we know them the Palestinians on the west and the land of the Moabites and Edomites on the eastern side in present day Jordan and Saudi Arabia, with the Jordanian people (Ammonites) as tributaries, fulfilling the promise to Abraham in Genesis 15:18.  “In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates.”  Israel has never yet had all that land, and understanding the prophecy explains much of the political tension in the Middle East today. 

“And the LORD shall utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with his mighty wind shall he shake his hand over the river, and shall smite it in the seven streams, and make men go over dryshod.  And there shall be an highway for the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria; like as it was to Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.” (Isaiah 11:15-16)

Revelation 16:18-20 tells us there will be a huge earthquake just before the lord sets up his kingdom that will shake down the mountains.  “And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.  And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.  And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.”

When that happens the tongue of Red sea known as the Gulf of Suez will cease to exist, apparently rising.  The Nile River, which presently splits into two main branches, will spread oud dividing into seven streams across the delta that can easily be crossed.  Apparently at the same time the Gulf of Aqaba will deepen,  connecting with the Dead Sea, and the Mount of Olives will split, allowing ships access from the Red Sea all the way to Jerusalem, according to Zechariah 14:4-5.  “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.   And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” 

At about the same time the course of the Euphrates River will change leaving the road open for the eastern nations to attack Jerusalem according to Revelation 16:12.  “And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared.”  Once the Antichrist’s army has been defeated and the Millennial kingdom set up the way will be open for the Jews to come to Jerusalem. 

“And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:1-2)

When that day comes. Israel will praise the Lord for saving them, recognizing that he has kept his promise to them despite their constant rebellion throughout the centuries.  They will finally learn to trust him fully, realizing he will keep his promises to them.

“Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.  And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.  Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.  Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.” (Isaiah 12:3-6)

Throughout her history, the Jews have thought their salvation was through ritually keeping God’s law.  Finally they will understand that as Ephesians 2:8-9 says, salvation is by trusting God, not through their efforts.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  The works are the result of their faith, not the means of obtaining salvation.   There is nothing they can do to save themselves.  As they understand that, they will no longer complain that what they are doing doesn’t work and will recognize that it is God who has cared for them all along.