NOTE: In the preceding lesson we have learned that the Jewish people were scattered among the nations of the earth as God said they would be. This chastisement commenced in the year 606 B.C., under Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, and the prophet said it would last for a period of twenty-five hundred and twenty (2520) years which would bring us down to the year 1914 A.D. In this year the World War broke out. With unrelenting fury it lasted for a period of over four years, and the climax having been reached, the way has been paved for the Jewish people to return to their own land; namely, the land of Palestine. In this lesson we will endeavor to find out if this gathering of the Jewish people is in accordance with the divine plan of God. If we find it to be the fulfillment of the prophetic word, we may know what to expect in the future, especially concerning this people and the land to which they are being gathered.
1. After the Jewish people had been scattered among the nations, what divine prophecy was given concerning them?
“And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed,” Isaiah 61:9.
2. What is said of the gathering of this same people?
“Behold, I will gather them out of all countries, whither I have driven them in Mine anger, and in My fury, and in great wrath; and I will bring them again unto this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely,” Jeremiah 32:37.
3. In speaking on the same subject, what does the prophet Ezekiel say?
“And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one King shall be King to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all,” Ezekiel 37:21, 22.
4. According to Joel, would the Jewish people be brought into their own land again?
“For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem,” Joel 3:1.
5. What reason is given for the gathering of this people?
“Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God: I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for Mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went,” Ezekiel 36:22.
6. As this people are being gathered to their own country, what will be their attitude toward God and His Son?
“Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is My first born,” Jeremiah 31:8, 9.
7. For whom will they be mourning?
“And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me Whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his first-born,” Zechariah 12:10.
NOTE: This prophecy we find to be in the process of fulfillment at the present time. Many of the Jewish people that have gone to the promised land weep and wail for the crime their ancestors were guilty of, in causing Christ to be nailed to the cross, where He spilled His life blood. Today that blindness is being removed, and many of them are accepting Christ, the one whom they once hated, and it is in this way they are being led by the rivers of pure water. They are being sprinkled with the pure water, which is Christ, who is declared to be the water of life.
8. After this people have been gathered to their own land, will they be allowed to dwell safely?
“And I will cause them to dwell safely,” Jeremiah 32:37.
9. Will they build the old waste places?
“And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations,” Isaiah 61:4.
10. Will they have any assistance in this great work?
“And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall minister unto thee: for in My wrath I smote thee, but in My favour have I had mercy on thee,” Isaiah 60:10.
11. When Christ comes to take charge of His kingdom, what will many of the Jewish people say?
“Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord,” Matthew 23:37-39.
12. Together with the Jewish people, what will many say at the appearing of Christ?
“And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord: we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation,” Isaiah 25:9.
Jerusalem
“City of Peace” a name resounding
Throughout the earth.
Prophetic voices now are sounding
The coming glory of thy birth.
Down-trodden city of all past ages.
Filled with the memories of the past,
Revered and loved by poets, martyrs, sages,
Thy present trouble shall be thy last.
From henceforth wear a crown of glory
Even the glory of the world’s “Great King”;
Now the first of all the earth in story,
The world shall to thy gates its homage bring.
From thy down-trodden state there shall arise
The future glory of a sinless world
Peace within thy borders, no clouds upon thy skies,
Upon thy walls the banner of the “Prince of Peace” unfurled.
Arise and shine, the glory of thy Lord
Shall make thee noble, grand and free,
And all that’s promised in prophetic word
Shall be fulfilled in thee
“City of Peace” all that hope holds dear
Is united to thy name.
Thy Gethsemane Is past; thy God will cause thy glory to appear,
Celestial light shall gild thy Calvary.
_J. A. Nugent