The Jewish Nation of Israel

The Jewish nation of Israel is central both to the Bible, and end-times prophesy. In fact they are central to all of scripture and God's plan for mankind's salvation. The nation of Israel is composed of two parts - the Jewish people and the land. They cannot be treated separately. They cannot be divided. Israel is both, the people and the land. So, when I discuss Israel, it encompasses both.

A Covenant

Although the nation of Israel was not formally recognized as a nation by our world governments until 1948, it began hundreds, no thousands of years before. It all began with a single man named Abram. God chose Abram to be his chosen, to be the father of a nation of priests who would in turn show God to a lost and fallen world. Because of that, God made a covenant (an agreement) with Abraham (so renamed by God), that he would be his God, and Abraham and his descendants would be His chosen people, a holy people. Part of the covenant was the gifting of land to Abraham. That same covenant was then confirmed with Abraham's son Isaac, and then his grandson Jacob.

Genesis 13:15
15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.

Genesis 15:18
18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants, I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates—

Genesis 17:7
7 I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.

A Name is Given - Israel

It is through Jacob, that we get the name for the nation of Israel. The scripture tells us that Jacob wrestled with God, and they came out even (let's just say, God, let him win, while he tested his mettle). After that, God changed Jacob's name to Israel.

Genesis 32:28
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

From a Single Family to a Nation

In time, a great famine affected much of the land, and through various circumstances, Israel (nee Jacob), moved his family to Egypt, where he and his family were promised safety and security. A place to live, Goshen, and enough food to survive the famine. So, a single family of about 125 people moved to Egypt. Then, 400 years later, the descendants of these people, were led out of captivity in Egypt by Moses, where they had been enslaved. That single-family grew to roughly 2 to 5 million people, depending on which commentary you follow.

It was a Nation Returning to their Promised Land. Yet, it was not to be. We are all too aware of the endless battles for the land, and the persecution of the Jewish people. At last they have a land to call their own, but their battle for it has not ceased. Even today, the battle continues.

But, that is what was foretold. The wars will continue to the end. The Jews will continue to come under attack, be persecuted and hated. The story to the origin of that hate goes millennia back as well. It is a story about Isaac and Ishmael, at the very beginning. But, I think that is for another time.

Tribulation Has A Purpose for Israel

As I've studied the end times, I've come to realize or understand, that the Tribulation has a two fold purpose. The first is certainly to punish the unbelieving remnant of humanity who refuse to see God, and refuse to be obedient to His will and plan. However, the second is similar in nature, but with greater significance. Yes, it has to do with Israel.

The nation of Israel and the Jewish people are under divine blindness. When Jesus came to them, they refused to recognize Him as the Son of God and the long awaited Messiah. One they are still waiting for, to this day. Because of that, God has blinded them to the truth. Certainly some have come to see and understand and accept the truth, but most of the nation, the Jewish people, continue to wait for the Messiah.

During the Tribulation, will be their last chance to accept Christ. They will need to call to Him as the Messiah, prior to his return to earth. It is their call that God wants to hear. At that time, His Chosen People will be reconciled with God, and will take their rightful place in His Kingdom.

As the events of the future are casting long shadows to today, we can see the birth pains that Christ spoke about in Matthew 24 beginning. A new world will eventually be born out of these pains. A world that has Christ as their one and only King, ruling with justice, peace and love.

Blessings,

Jana