Israel! Born to Destiny

THE TIME TO FAVOR ZION HAS COME

Israel! -Born to Destiny"

Israel is the only nation with a complete record of its past, an accurate prophetic portrayal of its present and a complete description of its destiny among the nations.

As a people, they have suffered and endured more than others, yet viewed from the standpoint of God’s purpose with his people they have been extremely favored. God’s remarkable kindness toward them cannot be appreciated except by considering the prophetic panorama of Israel’s birth, growth, decline, fall, exile, return, and ultimate roll in the Divine Plan of the Ages.

Consider the following interesting facts about this matter.

WHAT ARE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE CHOSEN FOR?

Recall this climactic scene from "Fiddler On the Roof." Tevye the poor Russian Jew, ahs just concluded arrangements for the wedding of his daughter. Filled with joy at the prospect, he suddenly is confronted by the Russian Constable, who informs him there will shortly be a destructive demonstration in the Village.

Tevye begins to quake with rage. As is his habit, he talks with God: "Dear God, did you have to send me news like that, today of all days? It’s true that we are the chosen people. But once in a while can’t you choose someone else?"

One may react with laughter to such a clever line. Or, one may pause for a moment to consider the far reaching significance of these words. Indeed, who has sympathized with Judaism and not asked himself this implied question, "WHAT HAS ISRAEL BEEN CHOSEN FOR?"

As one gazes over the pages of history, it would appear that Israel has been chosen for persecution, discrimination and exile. IS THIS THE DESTINY FOR WHICH ISRAEL HAS BEEN REBORN?

We as NON-PROSELYTIZING Christian Bible Students are friends of Jewry, and believe in but ONE GOD, the great "I AM," who will shortly fulfill the Abrahamic promise-"And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." -#Ge 22:18

It is our firm conviction that this promise is on the very brink of fulfillment! It will be the nation of Israel, with her resurrected prophets of old, who will be the earthly seed or instrumentality to fulfill this immutable promise of God.

As we trace the prophecies of Israel’s rebirth and destiny, we find that Israel became a nation not by mere chance, but by the direct overruling providences of God.

#Jer 16:13 prophesied of the diaspora of Israel which happened in A.D.70 to 135.

All Scriptures are from Leeser’s Translation

"Therefore will I hurl you out of this land into the land of which ye had no knowledge, neither ye nor your fathers."

But then in #Jer 16:14-15 God prophesied of the return of favor to Israel by their being restored back to the land from which they were driven out for nearly nineteen centuries:

"Therefore, behold, days are coming, saith the Lord, when it shall not be said any more, As the Lord liveth, who hath brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;"

"But, as the Lord liveth, who hath brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the countries whither he had driven them: and I will cause them to return unto their land which I have given unto their father."

After Israel’s promised regathering, however, all is not tranquil. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Zechariah all refer to continued strife, leading to a final attack on Israel. It will be in the midst of this battle that God will intervene for Israel and destroy all her enemies. (#Zec 12:9; 14:1-3; #Eze 38$, 39$) Following this last conflict, will come the long awaited desire of Israel and of all people-the blessing of all the families of the earth. This promise will result in a grand reconciliation between God and men. All mankind will gradually be resurrected from the tomb and be given an opportunity to come into harmony with God.

"And the Lord of hosts will make unto all the nations on this mountain a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, ..."

"He will destroy death to eternity; and the Lord Eternal will wipe away the tear from off all faces; and the shame of his people will he remove from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it."

"And men will say on that day, Lo, this is our God, for whom we have waited that he would help us; this is the Lord for whom we have waited, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." -# Isa 25:6-9

Israel is currently being transformed from a parched wilderness into prolific farmland. It is just the beginning of the time Isaiah describes in the 35th Chapter:

"The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad there-at; and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the lily."

"Then shall the lame leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing ..."

"And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with song, with everlasting joy upon their head; gladness and joy they obtain, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." -#Isa 35:2, 5, 6, 10

It will be in this kingdom of God that those who become Israelites indeed, will play a prominent part in the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise.

#Isa 1:26 tells the prophets of old will be resurrected first:

"And I will restore thy judges as at the first, and they counselors as at the beginning; after that shalt thou be called, The city of righteousness, the town that is faithful."

Then #Isa 2:3-4 shows us how Jerusalem will be the capital of the world:

"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us of his ways, and we may walk in his paths; for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord out of Jerusalem."

"And he will judge among the nations, and decide for many people; and they shall beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into pruning-knives: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, and they shall not learn any more war."

The Scriptures go on with hope filled promises of God’s blessing to Israel, and through her to all the world. We will quote but a few:

"But be ye glad and rejoice unto all eternity in what I create; for, behold, I will create Jerusalem for rejoicing, and her people for gladness." -#Isa 65:18

"In the future shall Jacob yet take root; Israel shall bud and blossom, and shall fill the face of the world with fruit." -#Isa 27:6

"And many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord."

"Thus hath said the Lord of hosts, In those days (it shall happen), that ten men out of all the languages of the nations shall take hold-yea, they shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, Let us go with you; for we have heard that God is with you." -#Zec 8:22-23

All this will come about through a covenant that God establishes with Israel, as described in #Jer 31:30-33. Under this covenant arrangement, all mankind will have the privilege of receiving God’s blessings. With Jerusalem the seat of government, Israel will teach and instruct all nations and peoples. Eventually all who will be rightly exercised will become Israelites themselves. Having God’s law written in their hearts, they will go on to live everlastingly in God’s kingdom of perfection.

WHEN WILL ALL THIS OCCUR? Centuries away? No! All this will come about in this our generation. For other prophecies go on to show that the generation which sees Israel become a nation will not pass off the scene before God’s Kingdom is set up in full power and glory.

All this has no doubt led to some questioning, just what is our specific purpose in desiring to proclaim this message, if it is not one of converting Israel to Christianity.

First of all, we believe God would be pleased for us to do so in harmony with #Isa 40:1-2 -where God admonishes us to give comfort to His people.

In addition, it is our desire that perhaps we could be an instrument to encourage a greater study, hope and faith in God’s promises that are given to Israel in His Word. For the Scriptures indicate that not all who are born Israelites will automatically be recipients of God’s blessings. Only those who will have faith in God and will strive to develop a character pleasing to Him will be "Israelites indeed." There will be used to help fulfill one of the greatest promises given to men-that of "blessing all the families of the earth."

Thus it is comforting to know that the events happening in Israel at present, and which will occur in the near future are by the overruling providences of God. It will be these experiences that will help to develp and prepare God’s chosen People for the work of that Kingdom. -#Eze 5:15; 20:33-38; 39:21-22; #Hos 5:15; #Jer 33:6-9

What a grand and glorious privilege thus awaits Israelites who will cling to the promises of God as HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE!

WHAT ARE GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE CHOSEN FOR?

If this question has ever crossed your mind, may we invite you to send for a most inspiring booklet, "The Time to Favor Zion Is Come." Trace the prophecies that have echoed down the corridors of time, as they portray the Destiny of regathered Israel!