WEDNESDAY August 3, 2022

The Restoration of Israel

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority....”
Acts 1:6-7

Jesus died, resurrected from the dead, and was with His disciples before He ascended to heaven. At this time, they presented to Him a question about the restoration of Israel, but Jesus did not come to become Israel’s King at His first coming. He came to give His life for His people. The Jews did not receive their Messiah, so salvation was given to the Gentiles (John 1:11; Acts 28:28; Romans 1:16).

God has not given up on the Jews. Israel is only a small nation; the land itself is as big as New Jersey. Yet Israel has been able to defend herself against all of her enemies. She defeated Egypt and Syria in a stunning victory known as the “Six Day War,” from June 5, 1967 – June 10, 1967, making Jerusalem their capital!

I believe there is still a great hostility toward Israel; the aggression toward her has been the same for the last 2000 years. Israel is surrounded by her enemies, but the nation will never be defeated. As an idolatrous nation, God had to chasten them. Israel went into captivity in Babylon, but after their captivity was over, they never again became an idolatrous nation. Today, they have become an atheistic nation––sad. Although there are some Jews who believe Jesus is the Messiah, and they are saved.

When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, He shed further light on the prophecies written about Jesus’ Second Coming. He gave understanding to references about the restoration of Israel. Know this: God has not forgotten Israel! He will use the Great Tribulation period to draw them back to Himself. The next time Jesus comes, it will be to rule and reign from Jerusalem (Micah 4-7). I love the blessed nation of Israel; all the nations of the earth are blessed because the Messiah came from Judah.

Jesus preached to “the lost sheep of Israel.” He died on the cross in Jerusalem. He was raised from the dead in Jerusalem. And the Bible teaches that our Savior is coming back again to reign and rule from Jerusalem. Why shouldn't we love Jews, then?
~Joel C. Rosenberg~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!