On Sunday, September 18, former Circuit Overseer, Richard Rawe and other Ex-JWs hammered questions at a Bible Student Elder. The Bible Student elder answered the question, “Is the Jewish return to Israel a fulfillment of Bible Prophecy?” As you know, JWs do not believe that Jehovah’s promises of a future return to their land apply to natural Israel. Bible Students believe the opposite. Was the Bible Student able to make a compelling presentation? Was he able to stand up to hours of questions and scrutiny? Find out by listening to this remarkable discussion. Click here: 2011-09-18 God Israel MP3
The new born state of Israel was 50 years old in 1998. What a 50 years! To start with—the rebirth of the state of Israel in 1948 was a miracle of history (Ezek.37:1-11; Luke 21:29,30). Never before has a nation been destroyed, its people dispersed to the ends of the earth, and then, nearly two thousand years later, re-gathered to their homeland and re-established as a nation.
When Israel declared itself an independent state on May 14, 1948, still another miracle occurred. The armies of seven Arab nations marched on the newborn State, boasting that they would “push the Jews into the sea.” Outnumbered 100 to 1, Israel not only repelled the invaders but acquired more of Palestine than was granted in the UN partition plan. Yigael Yadin, Israel’s commander of operations in that war, had a terse explanation of Israel’s victory. “It was a miracle!”
I hope to contribute toward “the bright morning light becoming brighter” (Proverbs 4:18). In that spirit, here are some additional questions that require sincere reflection and honest prayer.
Does God reject in the last days those He has chosen from among all nations, even if they have demonstrated the greatest ability to carry out His will in the past? (Romans 11:1–2, 17–32) The answer is clearly no.
Although Amos prophesied before the Babylonian exile in Amos 9:15 that the Israelite “shall no more be pulled up of their land,” the Israelite were nonetheless displaced later, as the prophet Jeremiah predicted the occurrence of the Babylonian exile (Jeremiah 25:11). Could this promise be intended to apply to the period at the end of the last days, when Jesus is expected to return?
As of today, has the period known as “the times of the Gentiles” already ended, allowing the Jewish people to return to their land? Or will it only conclude in the future “until the appointed time of the nations are fulfilled” with Jesus’s return? (Luke 21:24)
(The Greek word for “until” (achri) typically indicates a definitive endpoint. It describes a continuous situation—namely, Gentile control of Jerusalem—that remains in place until a specific event changes it.)
Considering also the significant events that followed World War I, in the belief that 1914 marked the end of Gentile dominion, is it appropriate to interpret that this year as being considered a green light for their return to their ancestral homeland, before the anticipated Second Coming of Jesus?
Are the prophecies of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Hosea about a king of the royal line of David associated with the return of the Jews from among the nations to their land fulfilled since 1948? Also, was Isaiah’s prophetic outcome of total disarmament linked to the fulfillment of the same event?
When God promised Abraham and his offspring the land of Canaan to become their possession as an “everlasting covenant”, was that covenant linked to a total obedience to God also by his future generations, or just one sided obligation from Jehovah?
Was that “walk” besides God to be continued by Abraham’s offspring and maintained “faultless” up to 1948 AD? – (Gen 17:1,8)
Does that prospect harmonize with Ro 10:12 and Ac 15:14-17?
Hi Mihai, thank you for your deep and insightful questions regarding the Abrahamic Covenant and its relationship to the restoration of Israel. Here is an explanation of these scriptural concepts:
1. The Nature of the Abrahamic Covenant
The Abrahamic Promise (Genesis 17:1-8) is considered the “foundation” of God’s entire “Grand Plan of the Ages”. Bible Students distinguish between the Law Covenant given at Sinai, which was conditional (“If you will obey…”), and the Abrahamic Covenant, which was an unconditional promise based on God’s own oath. While the Law Covenant was eventually “put away” as a “yoke” that no man could perfectly keep, the Abrahamic promise remains an “everlasting covenant” that God is obligated to fulfill regardless of human failure.
2. The “Walk” and the 1948 Restoration
While God commanded Abraham to “walk before me and be thou perfect” (Genesis 17:1), the fulfillment of the promise did not depend on the “faultless” behavior of every subsequent generation.
• A National Chastening: Bible Students believe that Natural Israel underwent a period of “chastening” and was scattered among the nations for their disobedience.
• The 1948 Miracle: The rebirth of the State of Israel in 1948 is viewed as “one of history’s greatest miracles” and a direct fulfillment of Bible prophecy.
• Not Rejected Forever: Jehovah did not reject Natural Israel forever. Romans 11:1 is frequently cited to prove that God has not cast off His people whom He foreknew, and their regathering is evidence of His returning favor.
3. Harmonizing with Romans 10:12 and Acts 15:14-17
These scriptures are seen as harmonious when viewed through the lens of dispensational truth:
• Acts 15:14-17 (The Divine Order): This passage provides the “blueprint” for God’s plan. First, God visits the Gentiles to “take out of them a people for his name” (the spirit-begotten Church). “After this,” He returns to “build again the tabernacle of David which is fallen down”. The restoration of Israel (the rebuilding of David’s tabernacle) is the signal that the selection of the Church is nearly complete and the earthly kingdom is beginning.
• Romans 10:12 (No Difference): This verse applies to the current “Gospel Age,” where there is “no difference between the Jew and the Greek” regarding the opportunity to become part of the “New Creature” or the “Little Flock”. However, this spiritual equality does not cancel the specific earthly promises made to the fleshly seed of Abraham, who will eventually serve as the “earthly phase” of God’s Kingdom to bless all peoples the nations.
In summary, the 1948 restoration is not a reward for a “faultless walk,” but a demonstration of God’s faithfulness to His unconditional “everlasting covenant” to restore Israel to their land as a precursor to the “Ransom for ALL” being realized by the whole world.
Based on the fact that “God cannot lie”, especially on his permanently valid promise at Dt 30:3-5, 20) does this prevent any possibility for the land already given to them, to be taken away? Of course not.
-Does God have the authority to postpone their return to the promised land, as was the case with their Babylonian diaspora and not indicated after the Roman diaspora began, even though “the gifts and the calling of God are “irrevocable” and consequently their ownership to the already given land remains unchanged?
-Is there any explicit requirement in the New Testament for their return on the promised land before Jesus will return?
-Does the New Testament or the post-Babylonian exile prophets contain a clear request from God for the Jews to return to their land after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD? -Is this request mentioned in the new Christian covenant?
-According to Romans 11:26, will the offspring of Jacob be restored to divine favor, being allowed to return to their land after turning away from their ungodly practices through the Deliverer before His return, which has not yet occurred?
These questions deserve an honest self-addressed answer and prayer.
Regarding New Testament Requirements and the Return to the Land
Mihai Mos – The New Testament does not replace the promises made to natural Israel but rather clarifies the timing of their fulfillment. Our Lord Jesus Himself pointed to the restoration of Israel when He declared that “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled”. This statement implies a specific end to their dispersion and a subsequent restoration of their national identity. Furthermore, the Apostle Paul, writing long after the Roman diaspora had begun, argued forcefully in Romans 11 that God had not cast away His people whom He foreknew. He explained that a “blindness in part” had happened to Israel only until the “fulness of the Gentiles be come in,” after which favor would return to the natural seed. While the New Covenant is the basis for their ultimate spiritual restoration, their physical return to the land is a necessary “sign of the times,” indicating that the current Gospel Age is ending and the Messianic Kingdom—the “Times of Restitution”—is at the door.
Regarding the Permanence of God’s Promise and the Land
Mihai Mos – The Holy Scriptures assure us that “God is not a man, that He should lie,” and this is especially true regarding His ancient people, Israel. While it is true that their ownership of the land was subject to the conditions of the Law Covenant, the Bible also reveals that the “gifts and the calling of God are without repentance,” or irrevocable. Although they were twice driven from their land as a punishment for unfaithfulness—first by Babylon and later by Rome—these “days of vengeance” had a determined end. The “Times of the Gentiles,” a period of 2,520 years in which Israel was to be trodden down, expired in 1914, marking the legal end of the Gentile lease of power and the beginning of the return of Divine favor to the seed of Abraham. We are now living in the “set time” to favor Zion, where the “dry bones” of national hope are being reanimated by the spirit of the Lord. Therefore, while the land was taken away for a season of chastisement, the Divine decree stands: “They shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them”.
Regarding Romans 11:26 and the Restoration of Divine Favor
Mihai Mos – The restoration of the offspring of Jacob to Divine favor is a centerpiece of the Divine Plan of the Ages. According to the Apostle’s logic, “all Israel shall be saved” because the Deliverer shall come out of Zion to turn away ungodliness from Jacob. This “Deliverer” is the complete Christ—Jesus the Head and His glorified Church, the Body. It is important to note that this restoration of favor begins before the world fully recognizes the Messiah, as evidenced by the regathering of the Jews in unbelief during this “Time of the End”. The final “turning away of ungodly practices” will occur through the crucible of “Jacob’s Trouble,” a final crisis where restored Israel will be delivered by Divine intervention. Only then will their eyes be fully opened to recognize the one “whom they have pierced,” leading to a national mourning and a full entry into the blessings of the New Covenant. Thus, their return to the land is the first step in a grand process that will eventually make them the “teacher nation” for all the families of the earth.
I was looking at youtube videos and I come across this way to get to 1948 biblically. Please fast forward to 36:00 where it starts to talk about Israel or go back a little if you want. This is so logical. Perhaps there is a hole in this but it deserves a look. Enjoy. Jacqueline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqKqRHNVYb0&t=3431s
I shared this with David Rice about a year ago. Was so excited to see this.
If we add the 2483 plus 1 year for no year zero to 607 we get 1878. The First Jewish settlement in Petah Tikva
Anon CJ,
Thanks for sharing this brief exchange. I’m excited and intrigued, too.
And Jacqueline,
Thanks for the link to the video. I have yet to do some arithmetic of my own, but I enjoyed the stimulating ideas.
-greg
Did Br David answer you back?
This is amazing! Very logically explained. But I’m curious; this year is 70 years since Israel’s independence and Trump has declared Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Now a 70 years period is mentioned in the Bible and I was wondering if there was any connection or this just a coincidence.
Nubby Tope, If you have the Bible Resources app on your phone there is a notice to register for a live 90 minutes webinar on “Israel, Future Capital of the World? You can register to see Part two of this webinar on Israel. There are also more Bible talks on Israel to help understand the prophecy. I can’t seem to find it on the computer version of the App. Maybe someone else can find it.
http://bibleresources.info/christian-resources/
http://bibleresources.info/category/articles/israel-middle-east/
Yes. 70 years each time. Have you heard if David Rice chronology with 2043?
Onesimus Benny Ramlall, 71, Clarksville, TN, died 06-02-2012 / That made me very sad after reading his comments here. Expressing his desire to join his people in “the promised land”. “Next year in Jerusalem”.
God bless his soul and “homecoming”. Let me quote his comments: “I am 72 years of age tellinews about Yahweh the messiah. In 1948 Israel became a nation and theJews from all over the world returning to the promised land. I know that the holy scriptures were fulfilled. Oh how I longed to be in the promised land among my people. The land which I have dreamt about all the days of my life. Let the Lord Jesus Christ make a way for me to be there. I neede great help from any one ……..thanks”. quote end.
Dear Onesimus Benny Ramlall (and your family still living) what beautiful comments you have given. Therefore I am glad to tell you the blessings restored on Israel today and the homecoming of Jews from all over the world.
Yes, we have support of Jews worldwide helping financially going home.
https://feast.icej.org/
Many has already come and what a blessing and joy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iM7QEG9v2GQ
Israel Christian worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO6wZO2oe7c
Arabic Christian songs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEFFF6nQZGQ
Dear Onesimus Benny Ramlall, Bless you in a better place with God. From you friend Lincoln.
Lincoln you lost me on this one. What are you saying? Just want to keep an on point conversation going.
I might add most here will not click on all the song links and it throws your comment into review. I try to catch them before time passes.
Instead maybe dialogue with them. Jacqueline
Dear Jacqueline, (I quote you)
“Lincoln you lost me on this one. What are you saying? Just want to keep an on point conversation going.
I might add most here will not click on all the song links and it throws your comment into review. I try to catch them before time passes.
Instead maybe dialogue with them. Jacqueline ”
Dear Jaqueline,
Reading long the site I noticed: Read more by clicking here: 17 comments – be the next!
17 comments to – “Is the Jewish return to Israel a fulfillment of Bible Prophecy?”
”what am I saying”? (quote you) Well, I was looking through your page here on Friends of Jehovah`s Witnesses and saw this one and felt like to comment it. Then I found out that –
Onesimus Benny Ramlall has past away and that made me very sorry. Apparently he was a Messianic Jew and has been longing to go back to ”the promised land” before, but did not. Every Jew has prayed for thousands of years; “next year in Jerusalem”.
(Onesimus Benny Ramlall, 71, Clarksville, TN, died 06-02-2012)
Therefore I wrote my comment. I would have loved to talked with him.
Oh okay now I understand. I Should have gone back and read the article. lol. Thanks
Yes, I agree. Although the scripture you quoted says they WILL mourn, therefore come to realized that He is the Messiah and currently reigning King, do you thing they will then ACCEPT him? I pray that they indeed do! Either in this system or during Judgment Day that all will be resurrected into. This hope that they perhaps will realize and accept Him in this system which makes me very happy and is basis for cause to for me examine specific aspects of their study of the scriptures in the perception of as if they have accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Which my brothers, amplifies profound implications of spiritual associations!
Cazinovi,
I think the Bible evidence for the Jewish people accepting Jesus as their Messiah is overwheling. You can find some great info at this link.
https://www.friendsofjehovahswitnesses.com/category/israel-answers/
Also consider this:
ISRAEL, A BLESSOR NATION
Isa 27:6 – Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit. (NKJ)
Zech 8:22-23 – many nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem (NKJ)
Jer 3:17 – Jerusalem shall be called The Throne of the LORD (NKJ)
Isa 61:5&6 – Other nations will look to Israel as priests and will bring their wealth and services.
Isa 2:2-4 – People seek the LORD in Jerusalem and worship Him there (Zech 14:16)
Zech 14:17 – Whoever doesn’t go to Jerusalem to worship will receive no rain (blessings, see also Micah 5:7)
Zech 8:13 – Israel shall be a blessing
Gen 28:14 – In Abraham’s seed all the families of the earth will be blessed. Isaac pictures the heavenly seed and Jacob the earthly seed (natural Israel). Blessing will flow both from heaven (Christ & the Church) and earth (natural Israel).
Overwhelming indeed, however I will have to examine whether these scriptures take place before or after the prophesies of the destruction of 587BC/70AD.. and/if it applies to today as an parallel prophesy. I am open to already established research. 🙂
Cazenovi,
I like the way you think. We each need to prove these matters to ourselves from the scriptural evidence.
Quite indeed so.
This is interesting. “Messianic Jewish alliance of America”
http://www.mjaa.org/
…but they believe in the trinity how does that work?…
Cazenovi, Sadly many Jewish Christian’s have drunk the Trinity Kool-Aid. Bible Students are in contact with with and finding more Jewish Christians in Israel who accept Jesus as Messiah and the Ransom for all. Since it is illegal for a Jew to be Christian in Israel, they are an underground movement.
Wow I appreciate that insight…
The false doctrine of the trinity is worse and more damaging then man made organizations that reject it in my opinion, although steady on the lineup.
My JW wife recently told me they made an announcement in her Hall that volunteers were needed to go Israel to preach. That made my hairs stand on end!! It sounds rather suspicious to me. Any thoughts?
Yes, It seems they are asking persons to go to Israel. Also they are asking them to sell their homes and possessions to go to help build the buildings in Warwick New york also. And they will go, hope they are happy. I think the governing body should go to Israel.
Hello Onesimus, I wish you a safe journey back to your homeland. I have seen many Ads on TV seeking and receiving aid for many to return to Israel.
Because of this and learning more about Israel’s Destiny, I visited a Jewish temple last week. It was a pleasant yet different experience.The subject of the sermon was “Inscribed in the Body of “Whatever”. I wanted to see if there was any reference to Jesus at all. There was none, but the cong. was very nice and friendly to me. Most live doors or streets from me, so I knew some. I didn’t get the relationship to theme to what the Rabbi was teaching but I got some points and observation of goings on and more insight into Judaism. I have learned in life that knowledge has an important place in understanding God’s Divine Plan for Mankind, but the type of individual that you are matters also. And he did teach that. I will continue to learn more about Israel as I was not taught to consider them at all in modern times in my former religion. I hope you make your journey and thanks for commenting.
Although this is an old post, I just wanted to say as a student of scripture, the insight Judiaism has in the Old Testament, apart from the disconnect from Jesus, is very profound and has a special spiritual resonance to it. I have come to realize the interrelationship between interpretation and personal application. Judiaism uses various set forms of interpretation to get a full spectrum of examination of scripture on basis of common spiritual aspirations. Now only if they believed in Jesus… Lol
Agape in Christ,
Cazenovi
Cazenovia – It may not be many more years before the Jewish people do accept Jesus as Messiah.
Zech.12.9-10.nasb “And in that day I will set about to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”
Yes, I agree. Although the scripture you quoted says they WILL mourn, therefore come to realized that He is the Messiah and currently reigning King, do you thing they will then ACCEPT him? I pray that they indeed do! Either in this system or during Judgment Day that all will be resurrected into. This hope that they perhaps will realize and accept Him in this system which makes me very happy and is basis for cause to for me examine specific aspects of their study of the scriptures in the perception of as if they have accepted Jesus as the Messiah. Which my brothers, amplifies profound implications of spiritual associations!
I love the sincere Jewish people, the sincere rabbis and their eminent potential. That is that they WILL accept the messiah in due time, on Jah’s time table.
Since 1948 when I was 8 years old I have given my life and soul to the LORD now I am 72 years of age tellinews about Yahweh the messiah. In 1948 Israel became a nation and theJews from all over the world returning to the promised land. I know that the holy scriptures were fulfilled. Oh how I longed to be in the promised land among my people. The land which I have dreamt about all the days of my life. Let the Lord Jesus Christ make a way for me to be there. I neede great help from any one ……..thanks