Good News for Israel - www.gnfi.org
Israel in the Millennium
By Timothy J. Demy, Th.D., Ph.D. candidate
Military Chaplain, Bible Teacher, Newport, Rhode Island
The unique role of Israel in Biblical prophecy and the covenant relationship between Israel and God culminates during the Millennium. God has a blessed future for Israel. In the one thousand years following the second coming of Jesus Christ, Israel and Jerusalem will truly be a holy land and city which will be the focal point of all earthly activity: Isaiah 65.18-23. Especially prominent will be the worship of Jesus Christ in the Millennial Temple: Jeremiah 33.15-22, Ezekiel 40 – 48 and Zechariah 14.16-21. During the Millennium, Israel will have a special role at this time, Israel’s final physical and spiritual restoration, as promised throughout the Bible, will occur: Ezekiel 37.21-22.
There are four major facets of Israel’s final restoration. Each of these is tied to a specific Biblical covenant and is expanded upon by subsequent prophecies.
- The regeneration of Israel occurs during the Tribulation just prior to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The basis of the regeneration is the new covenant: Jeremiah 31.31-34. The regeneration will be comprised of the confession of Israel’s national sin: Jeremiah 3.11-18 and Hosea 5.15; and a pleading for the return of the Messiah: Zechariah 12.10 and Matthew 23.37-39. The words of Israel’s confession are found in Isaiah 53.1-9. As a result of this confession, Israel as a nation will be saved, fulfilling the prophecy of Romans 11.25-27. Israel’s pleading for the Messiah’s return is prophesied in Isaiah 64.1-12, Joel 2.28-32 and Zechariah 12.10 – 13.9. The present unbelief of the nation of Israel is not permanent and Israel’s future acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Messiah will be fully realized in the Millennium.
- The national regathering of Israel from all over the world occurs after the regeneration. The basis of the regathering is the land covenant of Deuteronomy 29.1 – 30.20, especially chapter 30 and is prophesied in other passages: Isaiah 11.11 – 12.6; Jeremiah 16.14-15; Ezekiel 11.14-18, 36.24; Amos 9.14-15; Zephaniah 3.18-20 and Zechariah 10.8-12. The regathering will be total and permanent. Never again will God’s chosen people be persecuted nor dispersed. The wrongs of history will be righted.
- The permanent possession of the entire land promised to Abraham as well as the realization of the land’s complete productivity also occurs during the Millennium. The promise of this possession and productivity is found in the Abrahamic covenant of Genesis 12.1-3 and 13.14-17. After Israel’s regeneration, all of the promises of this covenant will be fulfilled: Isaiah 27.12-13, Jeremiah 3.1-6, Ezekiel 20.42-44, Joel 2.18-27 and Matthew 24.31. For the first time in Israel’s long history, there will be permanent peace, security and productivity throughout the land.
- Jesus Christ the Son of David and King of kings will once again fill David’s throne. The promise for this event is found in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7.11-16 and 1 Chronicles 17.10-14. This covenant with David promised an eternal kingdom, an eternal throne and an eternal Ruler. All of these will be realized in the Millennium with Jesus Christ ruling over a redeemed people in their land: Isaiah 9.6-7; Jeremiah 23.5-6, 33.17-26; Amos 9.11-12 and Luke 1.32-33. The reign of Christ from the Davidic throne will extend to the gentile nations as well as Israel and all people will know Jesus Christ is Lord.