No 13

(Israel during the Millennium)

As we have seen in other studies, Israel is the focal point of God’s plan for humanity. During the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth (Revelation 20), Israel will be restored and regathered; this is echoed in the words of Jesus “And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matt 24:30, 31).

This regathering is also a major subject of the following Old Testament passages:

- “ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel.” (Isa 27:12)

- “Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; Even every one that is called by my name:” (Isa 43:5-7).

- “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.” (Zeph 3:20)

Paul also establishes the fact of the restoration of Israel when he penned the following words: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.” (Rom 11: 26, 27). Israel, as a nation, will become the subjects of the long-awaited Messiah; He will reign on them and they will become God’s witnesses during the millennium: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” (Zech 8 :23). Jerusalem and by extension, Israel will be the centre of the kingdom rule (Joel 3:17). Just as Jerusalem was the center of David’s rule, so shall it be the center of David’s greater Son’s rule.