Welcome back Bereans!  If you missed Is Israel in Her Land Permanently, go back and pick it up before you dive in today.  This is a continuation of yesterday’s thoughts…

So, is there a purpose to Israel’s second return to the land?  I believe there is.  As we studied a few weeks ago, Israel is God’s vehicle for world redemption. Thus, I would argue that it is only when Israel is back in her land that Jesus can return.

Why do I say that?  Because it is the Jews that God promises to use to bring blessing to every family of the earth, just as Genesis 12:3 says!  It is through the Jews that we received the Word of God.  It is through the Jews that we received our Messiah.  It will be through the Jews that we will receive the return of the Bridegroom for His bride!  The King of Kings and Lord of Lords will return for His people.  Let’s bring the King home!

We saw yesterday, from Ezekiel 36:24-28 that there is a two-phase return of the Jews to the land: a physical return (the final one being 1948), and a spiritual one in which God will pour out His Spirit (to be fulfilled in the future).  So, check out Acts 3:19-21:

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

Indeed, heaven received our Lord Jesus following His resurrection, and heaven will give Him up only when “…the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets…” is fulfilled.  Israel’s spiritual restoration will trigger the return of Jesus!  And what does that restoration look like?  Repentance, turning from sin, and return to obedience in the Lord God of Israel!  That will bring about the return of Jesus, the ultimate blessing!  (For an interesting insight from a Jewish perspective, see Are the Jewish People Ready for the Messiah?)

So, again I leave you to ponder: Is Israel in her land permanently?  Oh Lord, I hope so!  Let’s bring the King home!

Now…see you tomorrow as we tackle the second question: Why were the Jews driven out of the land, if it was promised to them in the Abrahamic Covenant?