Yom HaAliyah (Day of Aliyah) is a soon-to-be official holiday in Israel, celebrating aliyah (Jewish immigration to Israel).  Yesterday we saw the Biblical significance of the new holiday and today we’ll direct our focus to the prophetic implications of Yom HaAliyah.

Roughly 3 million Jews returned from captivity in Egypt, the very first mass aliyah.  However, Jews were once again driven almost completely from their homeland in 70 AD following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.  Yet, in the years leading up to Israel’s independence in 1948, Jews began making aliyah once again to their homeland, only in much smaller numbers.  Since that time, over 3 million Jews have returned.  That was predicted by Jeremiah when he indicated that the first aliyah (from captivity in Egypt) would pale in comparison to God bringing His people back from the north country and all countries in which He had scattered them.  (Jeremiah 16:14-15)

Is Jeremiah alluding to a much greater aliyah to come?  If so, does Israel’s current focus on aliyah signal the groundwork to be laid for the great ingathering?  I believe so…and I want to direct you to another very interesting prophecy that includes you and me!

Thus says the Lord God:
“Behold, I will lift up my hand to the nations,
    and raise my signal to the peoples;
and they shall bring your sons in their arms,
    and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders.
~Isaiah 49:22 [emphasis mine]

The Bible indicates that somehow the nations (that’s you and me!) will bring His sons and daughters home!  Wow.  It’s another example of God Almighty allowing us to be part of His Kingdom work.  Why?  Because we deserve it?  No!  Because He loves to include His kids in His work!

Consider the task.  It is known that there are still a great many Jews in Russia (“northern” country from which God will bring them).  There are safe houses and provisions in places like Finland to assist Jews (primarily from Russia) in fleeing during an emergency.  There are Jews across Europe who, because of targeted terrorist attacks, have already made aliyah or are planning to.

What about the 6 million Jews living in America.  Most are so assimilated and comfortable, they have no intention of going anywhere.  But what happens when the bottom falls out of the American economy (which WILL happen at some point)?  Will there be mass exodus back to the homeland?  I suspect there will be!  In fact, many, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are calling for Jews everywhere to come home!

Finally, what is our responsibility as Christians?  I don’t believe it is to tell Jews to “go home!”  (I don’t think they would take that very well!)  But, I see a responsibility to befriend Jews when possible, and to encourage them in the truth of their (mostly unseen) Messiah.  You see, the “real” aliyah is not to Israel, but to the “new Jerusalem!”  God’s Word promises that, one day, believers in Jesus the Messiah will be taken out of this world (rapture), but will return (following the tribulation) to rule and reign with Him for 1000 years (Millennial Age).  (See God’s Plan of the End for details.)  The only way home to the “new Jerusalem” is through Jesus Christ the Messiah!  Let’s “carry them on our shoulders” (Isaiah 49:22) to the homeland!