Deuteronomy 29:23-28

And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath: Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt: For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book: And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

Commentary

Moses prophesied what would happen to the nation of Israel if they turned their back on God and served other gods.

Luke 21:33

Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

Romans 3:1-2

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Commentary

Jesus said His words would never pass away.

It was unto the Jews that were committed to write and keep the scriptures forever.

Ezekiel 36:8-11

But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come. For, behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown: And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded: And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

Commentary

This prophecy describes the children of Israel coming back to their land, their cities being rebuilt, and re-inhabited.

Ezekiel 36:33-36

Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded. And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by. And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited. Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.

Commentary

This is a prophecy that describes the full restoration of Israel. While the growth of Israel has been ongoing, this describes a level not yet reached.

Today, Israel is a major exporter of fresh produce and flowers.

During the time that the Jews were dispersed from the land, Israel was a wasteland.

Hosea 3:4-5

For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim: Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

Commentary

Hosea prophesied that Israel would not have a king until the Messiah begins His reign. During this time frame, there would not be a temple, nor the sacrifices, nor a priestly class. This has been the case for more than 2500 years.

Ezekiel 44:1-3

Then he brought me back the way of the gate of the outward sanctuary which looketh toward the east; and it was shut. Then said the LORD unto me; This gate shall be shut, it shall not be opened, and no man shall enter in by it; because the LORD, the God of Israel, hath entered in by it, therefore it shall be shut. It is for the prince; the prince, he shall sit in it to eat bread before the LORD; he shall enter by the way of the porch of that gate, and shall go out by the way of the same.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us that the eastern gate of Jerusalem would be shut, and it would remain shut until Christ enters through that gate to set up His reign.

This gate is still closed at this time.

Zechariah 12:6

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

Commentary

Zechariah told us that Jerusalem would be rebuilt upon the ruins of the city. This began in earnest after Israel was reborn in 1948.

Jeremiah 30:18

Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob’s tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof.

Commentary

Jeremiah also prophesied that the captivity of the Jews would end, and Jerusalem would be rebuilt on the ruins of the city.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Commentary

Jesus said that Jerusalem would be taken by the Gentiles, and occupied by them until the last days.

Jerusalem was occupied for nearly 2000 years, from 70 A.D. to 1967.

This would indicate the times of the Gentiles are coming to an end.

Joel 3:2

I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.

Commentary

Joel prophesied that the nation of Israel would be divided into parts.

The United Nations divided the newly formed nation of Israel into parts in 1947. This division was cited as one cause for the immediate Arab attack on the Jews.

Today, the West Bank is divided into Jewish, and Palestinian settlements.

Daniel 11:39

Thus shall he do in the most strong holds with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge and increase with glory: and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for gain.

Commentary

Daniel also foretold the dividing of the land of Israel. Is the strange god Allah? More likely, this is a reference to Satan and his Antichrist.

Luke 13:34-35

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Commentary

Jesus said he would have gathered the nation of Israel together had they listened to the prophets sent by God.

Jesus prophesied that the land of Israel would be left desolate, and that after His departure, He would not return until the people of Israel say, “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”

Luke 19:41-44

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

Commentary

Jesus knew He would be rejected, and knew of the coming siege and destruction of Jerusalem, causing Him to weep.

He points out that the people of Jerusalem did not recognize Him as their Messiah, and that the time of His arrival had been prophesied.

Romans 11:25-27

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.

Commentary

Paul prophesied that most of Israel would be blind to Jesus as their Messiah until the last days, and the time of the Gentiles come to an end.

Zephaniah 3:9

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

Commentary

Zephaniah prophesied that the Hebrew language would be restored. This was made prior to the Jews being dispersed throughout the world, mostly losing the language.

Hebrew has no swear words. Is this part of what makes it a pure language?

Isaiah 11:11-13

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 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. 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.

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied the names of some of the lands from which the Jews would return. These are the Biblical names with the exception of Egypt, not the modern names of the countries.

Judah and Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom) will be united together as a single nation as the Jews come back to the land.

Ezekiel 37:15-22

The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. 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: 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:

Commentary

Ezekiel prophesied that when the Jews would come back to the land, they would be a single nation.

Israel was a single nation under a single king for about 120 years (Saul, David and Solomon). The nation was divided into two kingdoms for more than 450 years.

When Jesus returns to rule, the nation will have only one King.

Ezekiel 38:8

After many days thou shalt be visited: in the latter years thou shalt come into the land that is brought back from the sword, and is gathered out of many people, against the mountains of Israel, which have been always waste: but it is brought forth out of the nations, and they shall dwell safely all of them.

Commentary

Ezekiel prophesied that in the latter years, the Jews would be re-gathered to the land of Israel from nations around the world, winning their land by warfare.

Here, we are informed that they will dwell safely in the future.

Luke 21:29-31

And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.

Commentary

Nations are sometimes likened to trees. Jesus equates the nation of Israel to a fig tree.

He said that when the fig tree would shoot forth, you would know that the end of days would be near.

Israel came forth on May 14, 1948.

Isaiah 43:5-6

Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west; 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;

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied that the Jews would be gathered from all parts of the earth.

Jeremiah 31:7-10

For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel. Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither. They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn. Hear the word of the LORD,O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us the Jews would return from “the isles afar off.” This term describe the Jews returning from distant lands across the seas.

Israel welcomes all peoples, and does not discriminate against those that are disabled, or weak.

Zephaniah 3:10

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

Commentary

Zephaniah prophesied that there would be Jews coming from Ethiopia and beyond. More than 100,000 Ethiopian Jews have emigrated to Israel.

Isaiah 66:8

Who hath heard such a thing? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

Commentary

On May 14, 1948 Israel became a nation, exactly as Isaiah prophesied that the nation would be born in a day.

Hosea 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.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us the remnants of the two kingdoms would come together as a single nation.

Jeremiah 3:18

In those days the house of Judah shall walk with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers.

Commentary

Jeremiah prophesied the two kingdoms would come together from lands in the north as one nation.

Joel 3:18

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us that wine will be produced again in Israel. Today, many vineyards are found on the mountains of Israel.

Amos 9:13-15

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. And I will bring again the captivity of my people of Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine thereof; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them. And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God.

Commentary

Amos starts this prophecy with a prediction of the incredible blessing that will come after the Messiah comes to rule.

It continues, noting the cities of Israel would be rebuilt and new vineyards would be planted along with gardens of fruit.

It also tells us Israel will never be dislodged completely from the land.

Ezekiel 38:12-13

To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land. Sheba, and Dedan, and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof, shall say unto thee, Art thou come to take a spoil? hast thou gathered thy company to take a prey? to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to take a great spoil?

Commentary

Ezekiel prophesied that Israel would economically prosper in the last days.

Isaiah 41:18-20

I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

Commentary

This prophecy tells us of the planting of many trees in Israel.

Since 1948 more than one billion trees have been planted in Israel.

Isaiah 27:6

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.

Commentary

Isaiah’s prophecy is specific in that the Jews would “take root” in the land, and become a major exporter of fruit; which is exactly what has happened.

Isaiah 35:1-2

The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

Commentary

This prophecy says the land that was desolate will “blossom as the rose.”

This has happened because of an increase in rainfall, and an extensive irrigation system.

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

Commentary

God told the Jews they would be noted among all nations.

Jeremiah 29:18

And I will persecute them with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and will deliver them to be removed to all the kingdoms of the earth, to be a curse, and an astonishment, and an hissing, and a reproach, among all the nations whither I have driven them:

Commentary

Jeremiah prophesied that the Jews will be persecuted and killed. They would be scattered throughout the nations of the world, becoming a curse and reproach to all nations.

The United Nations treats the nation of Israel as a curse in the world. The anti-Semitism is obvious to anyone who cares to look at how Israel is blamed for the world’s problems while other nations have their evils ignored.

Jeremiah 44:8

In that ye provoke me unto wrath with the works of your hands, burning incense unto other gods in the land of Egypt, whither ye be gone to dwell, that ye might cut yourselves off, and that ye might be a curse and a reproach among all the nations of the earth?

Commentary

God says the Jews would provoke Him because of their worshipping of false gods. They would cut themselves off, becoming a curse and reproach among all nations.

Luke 21:20-24

And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh. Then let them which are in Judæa flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Commentary

Jesus warned the disciples that in the future, Jerusalem would be surrounded by foreign armies. When this is seen, the people are told they should flee because these foreign armies will be there to take vengeance against the Jews.

While these passages seem to have been fulfilled in 70 A.D. when Roman armies destroyed Jerusalem, the verses preceding and following this passage clearly did not happen at the same time.

This fact leads to the probability that history will repeat itself, in a sense, and that Jerusalem will again be surrounded by armies.

Daniel 9:27

And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

Commentary

Many Bible scholars say this prophecy by Daniel points to a peace treaty (covenant) that the Antichrist will sign, and will later break in the middle of the Tribulation.

Another teaching puts this in the past, when Jesus was ministering on this earth, and that the covenant he confirmed, was with the nation of Israel.

Zechariah 12:2-3

Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

Commentary

This prophecy has proven to be true for many years, especially since 1947.

Israel and Jerusalem are the greatest cause of concern for the United Nations. Many nations and their leaders have tried to dictate what Israel must do. Since most of these demands are contrary to God’s Word, these plans always fall apart.

Psalm 83:4-8

They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent: they are confederate against thee: The tabernacles of Edom, and the Ishmaelites; of Moab, and the Hagarenes; Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre; Assur also is joined with them: they have holpen the children of Lot. Selah.

Commentary

Many nations will come against Israel, and make war against it. The names given are those in Israel‘s past. They will be allied against Israel.

The Bible gives us the names of these nations so that the peoples could be identified when the prophecy was given.

Today, these peoples include the modern nations of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

These nations were not allied at the same time in the past, however they will be in the future. Each of these nations will be destroyed, and everyone will know it is the work of the Lord.

Jeremiah 30:3-7

For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it. And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah. For thus saith the LORD;We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness? Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Commentary

This prophecy tells of the return of the entire Jewish nation (the previous kingdoms of Israel and Judah), returning to their land.

While the people of the nation are living in fear and war, God promises to save them from their troubles.

Zechariah 12:6-9

In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem. The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah. In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them. And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

Commentary

Zechariah foretold of the seeming invincibility of the Israeli armed forces. Though vastly outnumbered, Israel has won three major wars, and a number of lesser conflicts.

In the final battle, when it looks like they will finally be defeated, God will intervene and destroy all of the nations that come against Israel.

The ignorance of this fact will sow the seeds of destruction of many nations.

Micah 4:11-13

Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

Commentary

Micah prophesied that the gathering of the nations in the land is designed by the Lord. This gathering is so that they will be destroyed in one place.

Micah 5:7-15

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds: And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

Commentary

These passages tell us of the Lord destroying the nations that come to fight against Israel.

He will end witchcraft, fortune tellers, horoscopes, images used in worship, and areas of nature used to worship false gods.

The punishment will be at a level never seen before in the world. It will be obvious that it is from the Hand of God, similar to what Egypt experienced before the Jews were allowed to leave that land.