The Ultimate Redemption Of Israel

by Joseph Hunting

ISRAEL 'S RETURN, STAGE TWO

Beginning with Moses and the prophets the Bible abounds with glowing word-pictures of the future regathering of Israel, but with different circumstances from those we have just considered when the Lord CAUSED their return.

The final regathering of Israel will be vastly different from anything we have so far witnessed. Indeed, the entire world order will be changed. But we will consider that aspect later.

THE PROPHECY: "And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations, where the Lord your God has driven you, and shall return unto the Lord your God, and shall obey his voice according to all that I command you this day, you and all your children, with all your heart, and with all your soul; that then the Lord your God will turn your captivity, and have compassion upon you, and will return and gather you from all the nations, where the Lord your God has scattered you.

"If any of you is driven out unto the uttermost parts of heaven from thence will the Lord your God gather you, and from thence will he fetch you: and the Lord your God will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and he will do you good, and multiply you above your fathers . . . if you turn unto the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

A little reflection on the terms set forth by Moses reveals that this return depends upon Israel turning "unto the Lord with ALL your heart, and with ALL your soul". In other words a spiritual revival similar to that in the days of Ezra will sweep over the nation.

ISAIAH'S PROPHECY

In the ninth chapter Isaiah describes both the person and the manner of the reign of the coming King upon planet earth. No earthly monarch was ever given such a name as that given to the coming King of Israel.

THE PROPHECY: "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." (9:6-7).

Then in the eleventh chapter Isaiah describes the King who will be great David's greater Son and the character of His reign that will be so different from anything yet experienced upon earth.

THE PROPHECY: "In that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious. 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, from Egypt, and from Pathros (Upper Egypt), and from Cush (Ethiopia), and from Elam (Iran) and from Shinar (Babylonia), and from Hamath (Syria), 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.

"And in that day you shall say, O Lord, I will praise you: though you were angry with me, your anger is turned away, and you comfort me. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he is also become my salvation." (11:10-12; 12:1-2).