Many believers have been taught that ethnic Israel remains God’s chosen people apart from faith in The true elect are those in Christ Jesus—grafted into the olive tree of Israel through the new covenant, born again by the Word, and marked as a chosen generation, royal priesthood, and holy nation. See Chosen People Myth
If Jews who reject Christ Jesus are not the chosen people, then perhaps 1948 was not the birth of Zion and the state of Israel today is not the result of the regathering.
If 1948 was the birth of Zion and the beginning of the regathering then Jesus can’t be the Messiah for it is the good shepherd who regathers the sheep and rules over them. Israel will have one Shepherd and one King after the regathering. If the birth of Zion happened in 1948 then what is spoken of in Romans 8 and Revelation 12 is null and void.
Why is this important? Does it really matter what one believes regarding the chosen people and the regathering?
Knowing that the adversary counterfeits the Most High is integral in understanding the end times, and living lives of holiness. Many of the things that believers do which are unholy are due to a lack of knowledge. Satan is a great counterfeiter so we see things that look religious or Christian and don’t use our discernment because of its benign nature and get caught up in something that is antichrist/anti-Scriptural.
The end times can be a difficult subject to study because of its vastness and the deception that goes along with it. Especially if we see things happening in the world today that look like they are fulfilling the words of the prophets. We need to really study the Scriptures to make sure we aren’t just going along with the religious masses when it comes to the end times because if the adversary can convince people that many of the prophecies of the end have already happened then he can convince them that we are farther along in the course of history than we are.
He can bring about a world war with Judeo-Christianity and Islam (already planned over 100 years ago) and convince man that it is Gog and Magog or Armageddon depending upon their understanding. Jews are convinced that the Messiah comes after Gog and Magog. Christians believe that Jesus comes after Armageddon, and even Muslims believe that Isa comes after the Day. Due to this deception of being farther along in the end times than we are, the adversary can convince mankind that after this next world war, which I personally believe will only be the fulfillment of the 4th horsemen of Revelation where 1/4 of mankind dies, he will be able to enthrone himself on the sides of the north (Holy Mount in Jerusalem Psalm 48) as it is spoken of by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 14 of his book. The antichrist will then bring fire down from heaven as it is written in Revelation 13 and consume the sacrifices on the altar indicating that the Most High has accepted this Temple but in reality this is all a part of the strong delusion spoken of in 2 Thessalonians 2 and Isaiah 66. All of this is being set up because we are brainwashed into believing 1948 was the birth of Zion and the sprouting of the fig tree indicating the last generation of the world. If you look at most of the end time charts and graphs and timelines they all have 1948 as a pillar.
This teaching has been propagated by eschatology teachers like Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye, whose end time interpretations have been become so mainstream that people don’t even question their validity anymore. They teach that the “church” will be raptured 7 years before the great tribulation which proceeds the 2nd coming of Christ. It is during this time that the antichrist will make a covenant with the Jews and then break it after 3 1/2 years. None of these things can be proven Biblically. The 7 year tribulation can’t even be proven without interjecting pre-supposed ideas into the text…that will be addressed in a future study, Lord willing.
The last generation starting with 1948 comes from the words of Jesus on the Mt. of Olives.
Mat 24:32 But learn the parable of the fig tree: When its branch becomes tender and it puts out leaves, you know that the summer is near;
Mat 24:33 so also you, when you see all these things, know that it is near at the doors.
Mat 24:34 Truly I say to you, In no way will this generation pass away until all these things have occurred.
Prophecy teachers teach that the state of Israel being “reborn” in 1948 was the fulfillment of this prophecy. However, they just assume that 1948 was the regathering and they assume that Jews who deny Jesus are the fig tree. Was Messiah really saying that when Israel comes back to the Land then He will come within one generation, be it 40, 70 or 120 years? Or was He saying that when you see the things that He had just spoken about in Matthew 24, Mark 15, Luke 21 that His coming is near? Also the word for generation in this verse can mean a family, tribe or age. It doesn’t necessarily mean a generation of 40 or 70 years as is taught by most prophecy teachers of today.
The true regathering has been happening for 2,000 years on an individual basis and will culminate when Messiah returns to earth and brings His people back to the land that was promised to them.
Was Zion really born in 1948? This belief comes from the prophecy in Isaiah 66. This prophecy begins by speaking about a false temple that is associated with a strong delusion and persecution of the true believers.
Isa 66:1 So says Jehovah: Heaven is My throne, and earth the footstool of My feet. Where then is the house that you build for Me? And where then is the place of My rest?
Isa 66:2 And My hand has made all these things, even all these things exist, declares Jehovah. But I will look toward this one, to the afflicted, and to the contrite of spirit, even trembling at My Word.
Isa 66:3 He who kills an ox is as if he struck a man; he who sacrifices a lamb is as if he broke a dog’s neck; he who offers a present is as if it were swine’s blood; he making mention of incense is as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their way, and their soul delights in their abominations.
Isa 66:4 I also will choose their vexations; and I will bring their fears to them; because I called, and no one answered; I spoke, and they did not hear. But they did the evil in My eyes, and chose that in which I had no pleasure.
Isa 66:5 Hear the Word of Jehovah, those who tremble at His Word. Your brothers who hate you, who drive you out for My name’s sake, have said, Jehovah is glorified. But He shall appear in your joy, and they shall be ashamed.
Great persecution of the saints will occur during the time that the next Temple is set up. Those who reject it and hold firm to Jesus will be seen as rebels and worthy of even death.
Isa 66:6 A roaring sound from the city! A sound from the temple! It is the sound of Jehovah repaying retribution to His enemies.
Isa 66:7 Before she travailed, she brought forth; before pain came to her, she delivered a male child.
Isa 66:8 Who has heard a thing like this? Who has seen things like these? Shall the earth be brought forth in one day? Shall a nation be born in one step ? For Zion travailed and also brought forth her sons.
Zion is born in one day. Was the state of Israel a fulfillment of this? Does a people announcing their independence considered a fulfillment of this?
Verse 8 indicates this is something extraordinary. If we are honest with ourselves, we can see that what happened in May of 1948 is not a fulfillment of this prophecy. The United States of America declared its independence on a single day…how is what happened in 1948 any more special than that? This prophecy in Isaiah is speaking of the birth of the manchild spoken of in Revelation 12, not a secular nation announcing its independence.
The verses following indicate that the birth of Zion is followed by the kingdom of Messiah.
Isa 66:9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? says Jehovah. Surely I cause birth, and hold back, says your God.
Isa 66:10 Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all who love her. Rejoice a rejoicing with her, all who mourn for her;
Isa 66:11 that you may suck and be satisfied with her comforting breasts; that you may milk out and delight yourselves with the fullness of her glory.
Isa 66:12 For so says Jehovah: Behold, I stretch out peace to her like a river, and glory of nations like an overflowing torrent. And you shall suck; you shall be carried on the side and be dandled on knees.
Isa 66:13 As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you. And you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
The true birth of Zion
Rev 12:1 And a great sign was seen in the heavens, a woman having been clothed with the sun, and the moon was underneath her feet; and on her head a crown of twelve stars;
Rev 12:2 and having a babe in womb. She cries, being in labor, and having been distressed to bear.
Rev 12:3 And another sign was seen in the heavens. And, behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns! And on his heads were seven diadems,
Rev 12:4 and his tail drew the third part of the stars of the heaven, and he throws them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman being about to bear, so that when she bears he might devour her child.
Rev 12:5 And she bore a son, a male, who is going to shepherd all the nations with an iron staff. And her child was caught away to God, and to His throne.
This prophecy is speaking of both the Messiah, and His people who will rule with Him for 1,000 years.
Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and rulership, and the greatness of the kingdom under all the heavens shall be given to the people of the saints (plural-manchild) of the Most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. And all kingdoms shall serve and obey Him (singular-Messiah).
Rev 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place, it having been prepared from God, that there they might nourish her a thousand two hundred and sixty days.
Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again to fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba! Father!
Rom 8:16 The Spirit Himself witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God.
Rom 8:17 And if children, also heirs; truly heirs of God, and joint-heirs of Christ, if indeed we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together.
Rom 8:18 For I calculate that the sufferings of the present time are not worthy to compare to the coming glory to be revealed in us.
Rom 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God.
Rom 8:20 For the creation was not willingly subjected to vanity, but through Him subjecting it, on hope;
Rom 8:21 that also the creation will be freed from the slavery of corruption to the freedom of the glory of the children of God.
Rom 8:22 For we know that all the creation groans together and travails together until now.
Rom 8:23 And not only so, but also we ourselves having the firstfruit of the Spirit, also we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly expecting adoption, the redemption of our body;
Rom 8:24 for we were saved by hope, but hope being seen is not hope; for what anyone sees, why does he also hope?
Rom 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, through patience we wait eagerly.
The Regathering
Is the state of Israel really the result of the regathing of Israel spoken of by the prophets?
Eze 36:20 And when they entered into the nations, there where they went, they even profaned My holy name, by saying to them, These are the people of Jehovah, and they are gone out of His land.
Eze 36:21 But I had pity for My holy name which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, there where they went.
Eze 36:22 Therefore, say to the house of Israel, So says the Lord Jehovah: I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but only for My holy name which you profaned among the nations, there where you went.
Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify My great name which was profaned among the nations, which you profaned among them. And the nations shall know that I am Jehovah, declares the Lord Jehovah, when I am sanctified in you in their eyes.
Is God sanctified by the state of Israel? I dare say His great name is prophaned by that secular nation
Eze 36:24 For I will take you from the nations and gather you out of all the lands and bring you into your land.
Eze 36:25 Then I will sprinkle clean waters on you, and you shall be clean. I will cleanse you from all your defilement and from all your idols.
Eze 36:26 And I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. And I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give to you a heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep My judgments and do them.
If the state of Israel is the result of the regathering then why is the majority of its society purely secular? Why do they not believe in Messiah? If after the regathering the Holy Spirit is put in the people, then why do they not believe in Messiah? Either Jesus is the Messiah and 1948 is not the birth of Zion and the aliyah of Jews over there is not the regathering…or Jesus is not the Messiah and what we see over in the middle east is the regathering. It can’t be both from what I see.
Eze 36:28 And you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. And you shall be a people to Me, and I will be God to you.
Eze 36:29 I will also save you from all your defilements, and I will call for grain and increase it, and I will not put a famine on you.
Eze 36:30 And I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the produce of the field, in order that you will not any more receive the disgrace of famine among the nations.
Eze 36:31 And you will remember your evil ways and your doings that were not good, and you will despise yourselves in your own eyes for your iniquities and for your abominations.
Eze 36:32 Let it be known to you that I am not doing this for your sake, states the Lord Jehovah. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O house of Israel.
Eze 36:33 So says the Lord Jehovah: In the day I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the wastes shall be built.
Eze 36:34 And the desolated land shall be cultivated, rather than being a ruin in the eyes of all passing by.
Eze 36:35 And they shall say, This land that was desolated has become like the garden of Eden. And the wasted and desolated and razed cities are fortified and inhabited.
The restoration of the world to Eden is what Paul spoke of in Romans 8 as a result of the revelation of the sons of Elohim (true birth of Zion). Israel is not dwelling in the same state as Eden. Creation is still groaning in travail.
Eze 36:36 And the nations left all around you shall know that I, Jehovah, built the razed places and planted that which was desolated. I, Jehovah have spoken it and will do it.
Eze 36:37 So says the Lord Jehovah: Yet for this I will be sought by the house of Israel, to work for them. I will increase them with men like a flock.
Eze 36:38 Like a holy flock, like the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the wasted cities shall be filled with flocks of men. And they shall know that I am Jehovah.
Eze 11:17 Therefore say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will even gather you from the people, and assemble you out of the countries where ye have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.
Eze 11:18 And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. Eze 11:19 And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:
Eze 11:20 That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
Again it is seen that after the regathering Israel walks by the Spirit obeying Torah. This is not what is seen in the state of Israel
Eze 28:25 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob.
Eze 28:26 And they shall dwell safely therein, and shall build houses, and plant vineyards; yea, they shall dwell with confidence, when I have executed judgments upon all those that despise them round about them; and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.
Is Israel dwelling safely? This is also what Ezekiel speaks of about Gog and Magog. Gog and Magog come against a land that is without walls and dwelling safely. Therefore, the next war with Iran, China, Russia etc. can not fit that prophecy. It will be a counterfeit Gog and Magog war to convince mankind that the Messiah is coming afterwards but it will be the antichrist.
Eze 34:10 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.
Eze 34:11 For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
The regathering happens during the tribulation period
Eze 34:12 As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
Eze 34:13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
Eze 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
Eze 34:15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. Eze 34:16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment. This agrees with when the Messiah returns and he divides the sheep from the goats.
Mat 25:31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
Mat 25:32 And before Him shall be gathered all the nations; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
Mat 25:33 And indeed He will set the sheep off His right, but the goats off the left hand.
This also shows that the timeframe for the regathering to occur is during the cloudy and dark day (tribulation) when the Messiah returns to rule the earth when He gathers us from the four corners of the earth.
Mat 24:31 And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from the ends of the heavens to their ends.
Eze 36:22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
Eze 36:24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.
Eze 37:21 And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:
Eze 37:22 And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
Ephraim and Judah are joined together at the regathering by ONE KING and ONE SHEPHERD. If 1948 began the regathering the Jesus is not the Messiah. Messiah said His people are the chosen people. The world says the Jews who deny (and blaspheme) Jesus are the chosen people. The Scriptures state that the Messiah bring back Israel, the world says the UN does.
Eze 37:23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.
Eze 37:24 And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
Eze 37:25 And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.
Eze 37:26 Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.
Eze 37:27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
After the regathering the true Temple will be built according to Ezekiel’s prophecy beginning in chapter 40.
Eze 37:28 And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.
Eze 39:27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies’ lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations;
Eze 39:28 Then shall they know that I am the LORD their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there.
Eze 39:29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Hos 1:11 Then shall the children of Judah and the children of Israel be gathered together, and appoint themselves one head, and they shall come up out of the land: for great shall be the day of Jezreel.
Again the regathering occurs and the Messiah is enthroned
Zep 3:20 At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD.
Bar 4:36 O Jerusalem, look about thee toward the east, and behold the joy that cometh unto thee from God.
Bar 4:37 Lo, thy sons come, whom thou sentest away, they come gathered together from the east to the west by the word of the Holy One, rejoicing in the glory of God.
Interesting that even in the apocrypha it states that the Word (Messiah) is the one who regathers Israel
The regathering occurs after Israel repents. Not as a result of a secular movement called Zionism.
Jer 3:14 Return (repent), O apostate sons, declares Jehovah; for I am Lord over you. And I will take you, one from a city, and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
Deu 32:26 I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:
Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,
Deu 30:2 And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;
Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.
Deu 30:4 If any of thine be driven out unto the outmost parts of heaven, from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee:
Deu 30:5 And the LORD thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.
Deu 30:6 And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Deu 30:7 And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.
Deu 30:8 And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his commandments which I command thee this day.
Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.
Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.
Jer 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
Jer 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Jer 23:7 Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
Jer 23:8 But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land.
The regathering is going to be so great that it will glorify God more than the exodus from Egypt. Does a bunch of people, many of which don’t follow Torah, coming to a land on boats and planes fulfill this?
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jer 29:14 And I will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the LORD; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.
When the regathering happens Ephraim and Judah come together.
Isa 11:12 And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Isa 11:13 The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
The good Shepherd gathers us
Isa 40:10 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
Isa 43:5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
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