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Israel in Prophecy
Part II
| John Hoole |
Last week we began looking at what the Bible says about the nation of Israel, with regard to the last days. We took note that the Bible does have a lot to say about:
o Who has legitimate claim to the land of Palestine.
o Why there such animosity between the Arabs and Israelis.
o The Abrahamic covenant.Let me reiterate what I said last week. The nation of Israel is one of the key signposts of end-time prophecy. What a person believes about Israel's future, with regard to the end-times, will affect what they think about a number of other end-times issues .
The story actually begins way back in the Book of Genesis.
WHAT DOES THE WORD "GENESIS" MEAN?
It means "beginnings, origins."If you had a Hebrew Bible, you would see the word "Barashith" as the title of this book. It is also the Hebrew word from which we get the first 3 words of Genesis in English…"In the beginning…."
When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, it was given the title "Genesis" pronounced "ge-NAY-sis" (with a hard "g") So our English title comes to us by way of the Greek language and simply means "origin," or "source," or "beginning."
Bible teachers often call the book of Genesis the "Book of Beginnings." The Book of Genesis gives vital information concerning the origin of all things. Things that would otherwise be inaccessible to man. The matter of origins is vitally related to one's sense of purpose, worth, and meaning in life. An understanding of the Book of Genesis is a prerequisite to an understanding of God as well as the meaning and purpose He gives to mankind. Genesis has been called the "seed plot" of the Word of God. By that, they meaning that the rest of the Bible is a blossoming out of the seed truths found there. The Book of Genesis gives the only true and reliable account of the origin of all the basic entities of the universe and of life except for the beginning of God Himself.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE THEIR ORIGIN DEPICTED IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS?
1. Origin of the universe
2. Origin of the solar system
3. Origin of life
4. Origin of man
5. Origin of marriage
6. Origin of evil
7. Origin of languages
8. Origin of government
9. Origin of culture
10. Origin of nations
11. Origin of religion
12. Origin of the sacrifice for salvation
13. Origin of poetry
14. Origin of music
15. First child is born
16. First drunkenness
17. First murder
18. First heathen temple
19. Origin of prophecy
20. and the Origin of the nation of Israel.Genesis is important not only as a history of man's origin, but also as a prophecy of man's future. For instance, "Paradise Lost" in Genesis becomes "Paradise Regained" in Revelation. The first chapters of Genesis describe a perfect world, made for man and placed under man's dominion. Had man not sinned, he would have continued to rule and develop that perfect world for man's good and for God's glory. Since God cannot be defeated in any of His purposes, even though sin and the curse have come in as intruders for a time, we can be sure that all God intended in the beginning will ultimately be consummated. The earth will be restored to its original perfection, and will continue eternally. Sin and the curse will be removed, and death will be no more.
It might be of help to compare the people and events in Genesis with those in Revelation. These worlds are not quite the same, of course. In the beginning we find mankind sinless, but yet untested. In the final world, man has experienced sin and failure but he has also experienced redemption and renewal.
In Genesis, we have the division of light and darkness (Gen. 1:4)
In Revelation, in the eternal world, there is no night there (Rev. 21:25).In Genesis we find the division of the land and sea (1:10)
In Revelation, there is no more sea (21:1).In Genesis, we find the rule of the sun and moon (1:16).
In Revelation, there is no need of the sun or moon (21:23)In Genesis, man is placed in a prepared garden (2:8-9).
In Revelation, man is placed in a prepared city (21:2).In Genesis, the river is seen flowing from Eden (2:10).
In Revelation, the river is flowing from God's throne (22:1).In Genesis, there is gold in the land (2:12).
In Revelation, there is gold in the city (21:21)In Genesis, the Tree of Life is in the midst of the garden (2:9).
In Revelation, the Tree of Life is throughout the city (22:2).In Genesis, we find the Bdellium and the onyx stone (2:12).
In Revelation, there is all manner of precious stones (21:19).In Genesis, we find God walking in the garden (3:8).
In Revelation, we find God dwelling with His people (21:3).In Genesis, we find the curse being meted out (3:17).
In Revelation, there is no more curse (22:3)In Genesis, we see the origin of daily sorrow (3:17).
In Revelation, there is no more sorrow (21:4).In Genesis, there is sweat on the face of the worker (3:19).
In Revelation, all tears are wiped away (21:4).In Genesis, man is seen eating the herbs of the field (3:18).
In Revelation, there is twelve manner of fruits (22:2).In Genesis, mankind is seen returning to the dust at death (3:19).
In Revelation, there is no more death (21:4).In Genesis, man is seen as being evil continually (6:5).
In Revelation, nothing that defiles will enter the city (21:27).In Genesis, man is dressed by God in coats of skins (3:21).
In Revelation, God dresses us in fine linen, clean and white (19:14).In Genesis, Satan is found opposing God and his creation (3:15).
In Revelation, Satan is banished (20:10).In Genesis, man is kept from the Tree of life (3:24).
In Revelation, we are given access to the tree of life (22:14).In Genesis, man is banished from the garden (3:23).
In Revelation, we have free entry to the city (22:14).In Genesis, the redeemer is promised (3:15).
In Revelation, redemption is accomplished (5:9-10).Many other similar contrasts could be noted. It is amazing how directly connected are the Books of Genesis and Revelation. A number of the personages mentioned in Genesis also reappear in Revelation. For instance, the rainbow associated with the covenant between God and Noah, in Gen. 9:16 is seen as the crown on the head of the mighty angel, (probably Christ Himself) in 10:1. The witnesses of Revelation 7 are made up of 12,000 from each of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the 12 gates of the New Jerusalem are inscribed with the names of the 12 sons of Israel and the redeemed in heaven are seen as singing the songs of Moses (Rev. 15:3). For these and many other reasons, it should be evident that an understanding of Genesis is vital to an understanding of the eternal purposes and plans of God.
When we think of the Book of Genesis, we think of the landmark events that marked the beginning of civilization. The Creation, the Fall, the first murder, the Flood, and the Tower of Babel. Yet, amazingly, these momentous events are compressed into just eleven chapters of Genesis. It is as if God were saying, "By the way, this is how the world got into the mess it is in now." The first eleven chapters of Genesis is often called the book of beginnings. It also could aptly be described as a book of human bunglings. These chapters do not paint an optimistic picture of humanity's early history.
The central theme of the first 11 chapters is man's alienation from God. In these chapters you see man moving farther and farther away from God until his act of rebellion at the Tower of Babel. Beginning in Genesis 12, and extending through the Book of Revelation, we see God's reconciliation with man. Although God would have been completely justified in destroying the world after Babel, He announced a plan that would result in salvation.
An important figure in God's rescue plan for humanity is a man named Abraham (originally Abram) Understanding God's promises to Abraham is key to understanding the rest of the Bible and the End Times. It was really more than just a list of promises. God made a covenant, swearing by an oath, that these things would occur.
The history of Israel began more than 3,800 years ago, when according to Genesis 12, a divine call was extended to a man. His name was Abram…..later to be called Abraham.
Genesis 12:1 NIV
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.WHERE WAS ABRAM FROM?
Ur. In the land of the Chaldeans.WHAT COUNTRY IS THAT TODAY?
Iraq.Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV) is where we find the first 6 of many promises that will comprise the covenant God made with Abraham.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."FROM THE VERSES WE JUST READ, WHAT WERE THE PROMISES GIVEN TO ABRAM AT THIS TIME?
1. From Abraham would come a great nation.
2. God would bless him.
3. His name would be great.
4. Abraham himself would be a blessing.
5. Special circumstances would occur where He (God) would bless those who blessed Abraham and would curse those who cursed him.
6. These blessings would extend to all the families of the earth.From these, we can see three categories of promises.
o Personal promise were made specifically to Abraham.
o National promises were given to Abraham's seed.
o And universal promises were given to all the families of the earth.
As to the question of who owns the land, or who has the right to occupy the land, it is interesting to notice that Abraham's descendants, the Jews, were promises a parcel of land. For instance, Genesis 12:7 states, "Unto thy seed will I give this land."
At the beginning, Abraham didn't have a clue as to what land was being promised to him and his family. He only knew that God would tell him when he got there. When Abraham was called by God to leave his homeland, he was 75 years old - and Sarah was 65. Abraham lived until he was 175. (Sarah was 127 when she died.). During those 100 years Abraham lived after the initial call, The Bible records many more discussions between God and Abraham. And in almost all of these conversation, God would reiterate His covenant, and almost always would add some additional information. As time went on, God also had similar conversations with Isaac, and then Jacob where He would restate the covenant and promises made to their father and grandfather.
We spend a large portion of last week's lesson looking at a genealogy chart, showing all the descendants of Abraham.
Let's look at this chart once again.
When Abraham and Sarah had obeyed God in migrating to a new land, in the next 10 years, they still had not seen anything from God related to their having a child. So they try to help God out. Sarah suggest that Abraham have a child by her handmade, Hagar. Abraham agrees, and at age 86, he finally has a son.
WHAT WAS HIS NAME? Ishmael.
Another 13 years passes, and Abraham tries to bargain with God, asking if Ishmael could be the heir to the covenant God made. God says "No!", but promises to bless Ishmael. Gen. 17:20 says that Ishmael would be the father of 12 princes. One year later, when Abraham and Sarah were 100 and 90 years of age respectively, they have their promised son.
WHAT WAS HIS NAME? Isaac.
After Sarah dies, Abraham promotes one of his concubines to be his wife. Her name is Keturah, and she has 6 sons fathered by Abraham.
When Isaac is 60 years old, he finds out his wife, Rebekah, was pregnant. Twin were born. Esau emerged from the womb first, but God had already told Rebekah that the younger would be the stronger of the two, and he would be the heir to God's covenant.
As we look at this lineage, we begin to see the forming of the Israelites, as well as most of the Arab countries.
We have most of the ARABS through his son Ishmael. Ishmael married an Egyptian……(Gen. 21:21). His mother Hagar was an Egyptian. Here is a list of present-day countries that most likely came from Ishmael. Algeria, Bahrain, Southern Iraq , Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Samili, Sudan, Tunisia, Qatar, Yemen.
Last week, we discussed that Esau had another name. EDOM. Esau married the daughter of Ishmael……(Gen. 28:6-9) Through this small bit of information, you begin to see the linkage between these two families. So, we have the EDOMITES through Esau. Today we know that as Southern Jordan.
We also have ARABS through the six sons of Keturah. In Genesis 25:5-6 NIV, we read how Abraham sent these sons and their families to the east, so they would not be near Isaac. Some of these migrated eastward into what is today, Iraq and Iran, with some, in time, going north into the southern provinces of the former Russia. (i.e., Kazakstan, Tajikastan, Uzbekastan, etc.)
We looked at two more groups of people that plays a part in this array of nations, but who are not descendants of Abraham. They are however descendants of Abraham's brothers.
The first is Lot - Abraham's nephew, and son of his brother Haran. In Genesis 19, we find an unfortunate story concerning Lot. He has an incestuous relationship with each of his two daughters, resulting in one son each. Genesis 19:37-38 tells us that from the resultant two sons, descended the Ammonites and the Moabites. This would constitute most of modern day Northern Jordan. Both lived directly east of the Dead Sea.
The last group we need to mention are the descendants of Nahor, Abraham's other brother. He migrated into the land north and east of Palestine. It is known by Syria today.
Let's now return to the descendants of Jacob.
TO WHAT WAS JACOB'S NAME EVENTUALLY CHANGE?
It was changed to Israel.
WHO ARE THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB?
He had 12 sons.
As I mentioned last week, there were 12 sons by 4 mothers.
o 6 by Leah
o 2 by Zilpah
o 2 by Bilhah
o 2 by Rachel
ARE HIS SONS THE SAME AS THE TRIBES OF ISRAEL? NO!!
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
The tribe of LEVI was not one of the twelve tribes of Israel. Levi had no inheritance to the land.
WHY WAS THIS SO? The Levites were the priests.
Deut 10:8-9 NAS
8 At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to serve Him and to bless in His name until this day.
9 Therefore, Levi does not have a portion or inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, just as the LORD your God spoke to him.)
Firstly, God would provide for the inheritance of the tribe of Levi. Secondly, they would receive a portion from every other tribe, not in land, but in sustenance.
OF WHAT TRIBE WAS JESUS? The tribe of Judah.
By the way, this shows that tribes were still identifiable at New Testament times.
OF WHAT TRIBE WAS PAUL, THE APOSTLE? Benjamin.
Let's look at the tribes of Israel with regard to End-Times prophecy. They are mentioned in a number of places. In several of those places, the Passages list the tribes that are involved.
We begin with the 12 sons of Jacob.
Reuben Simeon Judah Levi Zebulun Issachar Dan Gad Asher Naphtali Joseph Benjamin
While there were 12 sons of Jacob, and there were 12 tribes of Israel, they are not the same.
The 12 Tribes are as follows:
Reuben Simeon Judah Zebulun Issachar Dan Gad Asher Naphtali Benjamin Ephraim Manasseh
As we see in the above illustration, Levi and Joseph are not among the 12 tribes of Israel. That makes 10 of the Sons of Jacob are also names of Israeli tribes. The other two are Ephraim & Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph.
In Revelation 7, we are told about a great number of Evangelists, whose ministry occurs during the 7-year Tribulation.
WHAT ARE THESE EVANGELISTS MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS, AND WHO COMPRISES THEM?
Revelation 7:4 NIV
4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
In the verses that follow - verses 5 - 8 - we find a list of 12 tribes, from which 12,000 would come from each tribe, making a total of 144,000.
Look at the tribes that are mentioned there.
Reuben Simeon Judah Levi Zebulun Issachar Gad Asher Naphtali Joseph Benjamin Manasseh
In this list of the tribes, Levi and Joseph are included, but Dan and Ephraim have been left out.
WHY WAS DAN LEFT OUT OF THIS GROUP?
Rev. 7:3 says that the 144,000 are to be "servants" and messengers of God. It appears the tribe of Dan didn't meet the qualifications to be a mouthpiece for God.. Most bible scholars that have an opinion on this, say that it is because of Dan's extreme idolatry. We all know that all the tribes at one time or other became idolatrous, but it seems from what is prophesied and written about Dan, that they were more so. When the Israelites entered Canaan, after the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, each tribe was given a portion of the land. Dan was located in the far southwest corner. That was right next to the Philistines.
WHO IS PROBABLY THE MOST WELL KNOWN DANITE? Sampson. And we know what problems he had with the Philistines.
In Genesis 49, we see Jacob prophesying over each of his sons. In verses 17-18, NIV-- we read:
17 Dan will be a serpent by the roadside, a viper along the path, that bites the horse's heels so that its rider tumbles backward.
18 I look for your salvation, O LORD.
I don't think it is without significance that Dan is linked with a serpent. It indicates the dominance of the devil's influence upon Dan's future. In Judges 18, we find that the people of Dan didn't like the territory they had been allotted, and sent out 5 military scouts to find a portion of land more to their liking. They found a place way up north, near Mount Herman, near the border between modern-day Lebanon and Syria. They felt they could overcome the people who already lived there. A 600-man army smote the town of Laish, which they renamed Dan. They went from being the southern-most tribe, to being the northern-most tribe of Israel. But they immediately set up graven images in Dan and quickly the tribe of Dan became the cult center for idolatrous worship.
In 1 Chron. 2:2-3, we find a list of all 12 sons of Jacob. Dan is among them. But, it is interesting that in the next 9 chapters, where we find the chronicles of each tribe, and their descendants, that Dan is not mentioned at all.
It is also interesting how Jacob ends his prophecy about Dan in Genesis 49. After pondering the varied fortunes of Dan, with their propensity toward idolatry, Jacob actually addresses Jehovah concerning Dan. He expresses a longing that God would provide salvation for Dan. This is the first time in the Bible that the Hebrew word for "salvation" is used.
Here is one additional side note to keep in mind. When Jeroboam set up idols in the kingdom, he placed them among the tribes of Dan and Ephraim. These are the two tribes that are omitted from the listing of the 144,000.
Let's now look at the Millennial reign of Christ for 1,000 years.
In Matthew 19:28 NIV, Christ is speaking to his 12 apostles.
28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, [that happens in the millennium] you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Ezekiel 48 also writes about this 1,000 years.
In verses 1 - 29, we find each tribe mentioned, as well as the apportionment of the land they will have.
Here is the list of tribes mentioned there.
Reuben Simeon Judah Levi Zebulun Issachar Dan Gad Asher Naphtali Joseph Benjamin
This list of tribes is identical to the 12 tribes of Israel. Ephraim and Manasseh, Joseph's sons, replace Joseph and Levi, the priests.
The tribes are once again mentioned in connection with the New Jerusalem.
IN WHAT WAY DO THE TRIBES COME INTO PLAY IN THE NEW JERUSALEM?
Revelation 21:12 NIV
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation does not mention the names of the tribes, but Ezekiel 48 does, with reference to "the city," which most Bible scholars take as a reference to the New Jerusalem.
Here are the tribes as mentioned there.
Reuben Simeon Judah Levi Zebulun Issachar Dan Gad Asher Naphtali Joseph Benjamin
Again, this is the same as the 12 sons of Jacob.
For a moment, let's return to Abraham. I think most everyone would agree that Abraham was the first Hebrew. --- but he is NOT the first Jew.
WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE I CAN MAKE SUCH A STATEMENT?
Today, the terms "Hebrew," "Jew," and "Israelite" have no differences in the manner in which they are used. When any of those terms are used, we all know who they are talking about. But originally they were not necessarily the same.
WHY IS IT THAT ABRAHAM COULD NOT BE CALLED EITHER A JEW OR AN ISRAELITE?
WHICH OF THESE TERMS CAME FIRST? Hebrew.
The name "Hebrew" comes from "Heber," and Heber was an ancestor of Abraham and those descending from Him are called "Hebrew." The word "Eber" means "across, or other side, or opposite side." In this case, most believe it is referring to the other side of the Euphrates River. Abraham is called a "Hebrew" in Genesis 14:13.
WHERE DID THE TERM "JEW" COME FROM?
The term "Jew" is a contraction of "Judah" and no one was called a Jew until the tribe of Judah came into existence.
WHAT IS THE ORIGIN FOR THE TERM "ISRAELITE"?
The term "Israel" was introduced first when God changed Jacob's name to Israel (Gen. 32:28).
Since the Babylonian captivity, the three terms - Hebrew, Jew and Israelite have been used interchangeably, and rightly so when we remember that Abraham was the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob, who was the father of Judah. All three are descendants of Abraham.
Last week we read a number of Scriptural passages where God reiterates his covenant with Abraham, then Isaac, then Jacob. And with each discussion, God added new information, not only about which of Abraham's descendants were heir to the covenant God made, but God also added more information about the promised land, that was part of that covenant.
First, God tells Abraham to leave his family and his homeland, and migrate to a new place that God would show him. After Abraham arrived, God tell him that all he could see was given to him and his offspring (Gen. 13:14-17). A couple of chapters later, God has another conversation with Abraham, where He says the land extends from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. He restates this covenant to Abraham's son, Isaac. And in Genesis 28, God does the same with Jacob.
Well, has this prophecy about the land ever been fully realized? Not even during the height of the kingdom under David and Solomon did they occupy all the territory promised to Israel.
What does all of this have to do with understanding Bible prophecy? God is going to fulfill the promise that He made to Abraham. Since 1948, Israel has been occupying a portion of the land God has promised but it has never possessed all of the land promised to Abraham. God has some unfinished business here on planet Earth. Some have estimated that the land promised is about 300,000 square miles. The land they now have is about 25,000 square miles. What God has promised - and what will eventually be fulfilled, is 12 times the land they now occupy.
When you consider the boundaries given to the promised land, it includes:
o all of present-day Israel
o all of Lebanon
o southern half of Syria
o northern two-thirds of Jordan
o almost all of Iraq
o northern portion of Saudi Arabia
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