The Return of Israel
“I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph. I will bring them back because I have compassion on them, and they shall be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them. Then Ephraim shall become like a mighty warrior, and their hearts shall be glad as with wine. Their children shall see it and be glad; their hearts shall rejoice in the LORD. “I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember me, and with their children they shall live and return. I will bring them home from the land of Egypt, and gather them from Assyria, and I will bring them to the land of Gilead and to Lebanon, till there is no room for them. He shall pass through the sea of troubles and strike down the waves of the sea, and all the depths of the Nile shall be dried up. The pride of Assyria shall be laid low, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart. I will make them strong in the LORD, and they shall walk in his name,” declares the LORD.
Zechariah 10:6–12
+
The Return of Israel
Today there is a lot of confusion about the modern-day country of Israel and the Israel of old. Was the reforming of Israel a trigger for the end times? Do certain things have to happen in Israel for Jesus to come back? Does the temple have to be rebuilt? The devil loves to sensationalize these things and cause them to become our focus as opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between the Old Testament kingdom of Israel and the kingdom restored by the Messiah. Luther described the former as weak because it was based on Israel’s obedience. Of the latter he said: “This kingdom is founded on God’s mercy without our own goodness or merit, and therefore it will stand fast to all eternity.” Like Israel, we all fall short of God’s glory. Because of His compassion, He called Israel back to Him and likewise keeps calling us. And though the temple was destroyed, we are rebuilt. Through God’s Word and Sacraments, we have new life in Christ Jesus. May the Holy Spirit continue to move us to exclaim with gratitude and awe in our hearts, “The LORD … is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”
Zechariah 10:6–12
+
The Return of Israel
Today there is a lot of confusion about the modern-day country of Israel and the Israel of old. Was the reforming of Israel a trigger for the end times? Do certain things have to happen in Israel for Jesus to come back? Does the temple have to be rebuilt? The devil loves to sensationalize these things and cause them to become our focus as opposed to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between the Old Testament kingdom of Israel and the kingdom restored by the Messiah. Luther described the former as weak because it was based on Israel’s obedience. Of the latter he said: “This kingdom is founded on God’s mercy without our own goodness or merit, and therefore it will stand fast to all eternity.” Like Israel, we all fall short of God’s glory. Because of His compassion, He called Israel back to Him and likewise keeps calling us. And though the temple was destroyed, we are rebuilt. Through God’s Word and Sacraments, we have new life in Christ Jesus. May the Holy Spirit continue to move us to exclaim with gratitude and awe in our hearts, “The LORD … is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”
Recent
Archive
2024
January
The Lord Keeps for HimselfAll Day LongFaith Comes By HearingSalvation Has ComeGrafted InStand Fast By FaithKindness and SeverityThe MysteryMercy on AllUnsearchableLiving SacrificesGiftsGenuine LoveThe Meaning of LifeGod EstablishedThe Summary of the Law is LoveThe Armor of LightMade to StandLiving to the LordEvery Knee Shall BowStumbling BlockTrue FreedomServant of the ChurchOur ExampleFellow WorkersAbound in HopeA Good TeacherGod’s WorkTravel PlansThe Fullness of His BlessingStrive TogetherWelcomeGreet One AnotherWatch Out
February
GreetingsAble to StrengthenAuthorityBlessed BeRedemption in His BloodSpiritual BlessingsGive ThanksDead Men WalkingBy GraceSeparatedGod's WorkmanshipBy GraceImmeasurable RichesBrought NearNo More HostilityTotal AccessFellow CitizensFor This ReasonMystery RevealedLeast of AllEternal PurposeFaith in HimSpiritual StrengthAbundant GiftWalk in LoveGifts to MenChrist's MeasureUnity of the FaithTo and Fro
March
Truth in LoveWalking a New PathA New SelfPut Away FalsehoodNew LifeImitators of GodSons of DisobedienceChildren of LightThe Will of the LordOne FleshFilled with the SpiritThe Church SubmitsChrist LovesProfound MysteryChildren of PromiseBring Them UpBondservants of ChristYour MasterStrong in the LordThe Whole Armor of GodStand FirmLove IncorruptibleGrace and PeaceHope Laid UpRedemptionThe Fullness of GodReconciledThe Hope of GloryToilGreat StruggleRooted in Christ