Scriptural Proof of the Future Restoration of National Israel

or, "Becoming More Familiar with the Old Testament Prophets"

In July, I spent some time with our church family reading through a number of prophecies about the future restoration of Israel. Because most of them were from the Old Testament, I put the subtitle on the message to indicate the need that most Christians have of becoming more familiar with their Old Testament.

Here is the list of texts that we examined:

1. Exodus 19:5-6, and note God's initial intention for the nation which was thwarted by their sin
2. Jeremiah 31:27-40
3. Jeremiah 33:14-26, and note the kingdom/political overtones
4. Ezekiel 36:22-38
5. Ezekiel 37:1-28
6. Daniel 9:27
7. Daniel 12:1-3
8. Hosea 14:1-9
9. Joel 3:18-21
10. Amos 9:11-15
11. Obadiah 17-21
12. Micah 4:1-13
13. Zephaniah 3:8-13
14. Zechariah 12:6-14
15. Zechariah 14:3-21
16. Matthew 25:31-46
17. Acts 1:3-7, esp. v. 3
18. Romans 11:1-6
19. Romans 11:11-12, 25-32
20. Revelation 20:7-10
21. Deuteronomy 30:1-10, and note the general nature of this promise that is comes into play multiple times throughout history

At various times throughout the message, I asked some key questions:

• Have these conditions been seen or not in Israel after the exile and return?
• Do these conditions sound like spiritualized or allergorized prophecies or literal ones?
• Does it sound like a church of Gentiles and Jews could replace Israel in the fulfillment of these promises?
• Do Israel's works merit God's restorative favor? But does God grant favor based on works?

The answer to the last question ought to spur some serious thinking about the failure of Israel to obey the first covenant and how that affects their long-range prospects. Obviously, individual or national works can never merit God's favor. God sets His favor on whomever He wills. We believe, based on the numerous texts cited above and others, that He will grant grace to Israel despite their failures, just as God has set His favor upon all true Christians despite their failures.