Psalm 22:7-8

All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the Lord that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

Matthew 27:29

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Luke 23:35

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

Commentary

The most significant prophecies of the past are those about the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This overview covers prophecies by six authors, inspired by the Holy Spirit.

David prophesied the Messiah would be mocked and challenged that if he is the Messiah, he could deliver himself from death. This prophecy was given more than 1,000 years before its fulfillment.

Matthew describes the mocking by the Roman soldiers of the kingship of Jesus.

Luke records the crowd around the cross mocking Jesus, saying that if he was the Christ (Messiah), he could save himself if he wanted.

Micah 5:2

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:1

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Commentary

Micah’s prophecy tells us the Messiah would be the Son of God (”whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”) and that he would be born in Bethlehem Ephrata.

There were two cities of Bethlehem, and this prophecy specifies the smaller city, Bethlehem Ephrata. This is Bethlehem of Judaea.

Matthew records the city of Jesus’ birth, and tells us who the king was at the time.

Isaiah 40:3

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Malachi 3:1

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Matthew 3:1-3

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Commentary

Isaiah and Malachi both prophesied that the Messiah would have a forerunner, a messenger that would herald the Messiah’s arrival.

Matthew tells us this messenger was John the Baptist, and that he was preaching in the wilderness of Judaea.

Isaiah 35:5-6

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

Matthew 11:2-5

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Commentary

Isaiah describes the healing miracles the Messiah would perform.

Matthew records that Jesus instructed John’s disciples of the miracles of healing Jesus was performing every day. Jesus used this as His proof to John, to validate His claim as the Messiah.

Zechariah 9:9

Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Luke 19:35-38

And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as he went, they spread their clothes in the way. And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Commentary

Zechariah prophesied the Messiah would enter Jerusalem riding on a colt, the foal of an ass. He also told the Jews this would be a mark of their King.

Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt on the exact day as prophesied by Daniel. (See below).

Daniel 9:24-26

Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Commentary

Daniel gave us a very detailed prophecy.

The starting point of the time involved is when the command to restore and rebuild Jerusalem would be given.

This was fulfilled by Artaxerxes in 445 B.C. Seven weeks of years later (49 years), Jerusalem was rebuilt.

62 weeks of years (62 x7 = 434) later, brings us to 33 A.D. as there is no year 0. By counting 360 day years, as the Bible counts years, this sets the date. Some scholars have calculated this prophecy to the exact day. This prophecy review does not have the space to cover these calculations.

This prophecy also tells us that Jesus, the Messiah, would be killed (cut off) at this time. He was cut off to pay for our sins and not for himself.

Psalm 41:9

Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

John 13:26

Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.

Matthew 26:47-50

And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.

Commentary

King David prophesied that the Messiah would be betrayed by a friend, who would eat bread with Him.

This prophecy was fulfilled by Judas. Jesus called him friend even while being betrayed.

Zechariah 11:12

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew 26:15-16

And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Commentary

Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would be betrayed for thirty pieces of silver.

Matthew records that this is the exact price agreed upon for Judas to betray Jesus.

Zechariah 11:13

And the Lord said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the Lord.

Matthew 27:5-8

And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter's field, to bury strangers in. Wherefore that field was called, The field of blood, unto this day.

Commentary

Zechariah further prophesied that the thirty pieces of silver would be thrown, and given to a potter.

Matthew later records that Judas threw down the silver, and that the chief priests took the silver, and purchased the potter’s field.

Isaiah 53:7

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.

Matthew 27:12-14

And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would not speak to defend himself against the made-up charges.

Matthew records that Jesus said nothing in his own defense.

Isaiah 53:5-6

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Commentary

Isaiah’s prophecy is a clear statement that the Messiah would be killed for all of our sins, and that He would take away our sins (healed).

Paul, writing to the Corinthian church, reminds them of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and His purpose (died for our sins).

Psalm 22:16

For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

John 20:25

The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.

Commentary

King David prophesied the Messiah would be crucified by gentiles (dogs). Notice it is specifically telling us what that is; pierced hands and feet. This was written hundreds of years before crucifixion was in use.

Matthew is just one of those who recorded the crucifixion, and John records the account of Thomas being unbelieving that Jesus was resurrected. Notice the standard for how he would recognize Jesus is based on seeing the nail prints on Jesus’ hands, and the pierced area on His side.

Jesus later appearing to Thomas and telling him to inspect His wounds, indicates Jesus will have these wounds for eternity.

Psalm 22:17-18

I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.

John 19:23-24

Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

Commentary

King David prophesied that those crucifying the Messiah would divide his garments and gamble for His coat.

John records this event, and even notes the reference of the Psalm.

Psalm 34:20

He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.

John 19:32-33

Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

Commentary

King David, in another Psalm, prophesied that the Messiah would not have any broken bones.

John records that unlike the common custom, Jesus did not have His bones broken to hasten His death on the cross.

Isaiah 53:12

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Matthew 27:38

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left.

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be killed with criminals, but that He would bear the sin of many, being the intercessor for all transgressors.

Matthew notes that Jesus was crucified with two thieves.

Jonah 1:17

Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

Matthew 12:39-40

But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Matthew 20:19

And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Commentary

Jesus verified the book of Jonah, when He said that He would be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights, the same as Jonah was in the whale three days and three nights.

Jesus prophesied His own death, and His resurrection on the third day.

Psalm 16:10

For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

John 20:1-9

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.

Commentary

King David prophesied that the Messiah would be resurrected, and would not decay.

John records the resurrection of Jesus in detail. The Jews of the day did not dispute Jesus’ body was missing from the tomb.

They concocted a story that the body was stolen, but that would have been a death sentence for the Roman soldiers who were guarding the tomb.

Had the Jews produced Jesus’ body, it would have ended Christianity. Not one of the disciples ever denied the resurrection of Jesus, most even dying because of their conviction.

Jeremiah 29:10

For thus saith the Lord, That after seventy years be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Commentary

The Babylonian captivity lasted for seventy years. There are disagreements as when this seventy years occurred. Historians generally accept this period was from circa 586 to circa 516 B.C.

Isaiah 44:28

That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.

Commentary

Isaiah lived and wrote his prophecy (circa 712 B.C.) more than 170 years before Cyrus was born and took power (circa 537 B.C.).

Isaiah 45:1

Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;

Commentary

Isaiah prophesied the name of the leader who God would use to allow the Jews to go back to the land of Israel, more than 170 years before Cyrus was born.

Ezekiel 26

And it came to pass in the eleventh year, in the first day of the month, that the word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, because that Tyrus hath said against Jerusalem, Aha, she is broken that was the gates of the people: she is turned unto me: I shall be replenished, now she is laid waste: Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee, as the sea causeth his waves to come up. And they shall destroy the walls of Tyrus, and break down her towers: I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock. It shall be a place for the spreading of nets in the midst of the sea: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God: and it shall become a spoil to the nations. And her daughters which are in the field shall be slain by the sword; and they shall know that I am the Lord. For thus saith the Lord God; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people. He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee. And he shall set engines of war against thy walls, and with his axes he shall break down thy towers. By reason of the abundance of his horses their dust shall cover thee: thy walls shall shake at the noise of the horsemen, and of the wheels, and of the chariots, when he shall enter into thy gates, as men enter into a city wherein is made a breach. With the hoofs of his horses shall he tread down all thy streets: he shall slay thy people by the sword, and thy strong garrisons shall go down to the ground. And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water. And I will cause the noise of thy songs to cease; and the sound of thy harps shall be no more heard. And I will make thee like the top of a rock: thou shalt be a place to spread nets upon; thou shalt be built no more: for I the Lord have spoken it, saith the Lord God. Thus saith the Lord God to Tyrus; Shall not the isles shake at the sound of thy fall, when the wounded cry, when the slaughter is made in the midst of thee? Then all the princes of the sea shall come down from their thrones, and lay away their robes, and put off their broidered garments: they shall clothe themselves with trembling; they shall sit upon the ground, and shall tremble at every moment, and be astonished at thee. And they shall take up a lamentation for thee, and say to thee, How art thou destroyed, that wast inhabited of seafaring men, the renowned city, which wast strong in the sea, she and her inhabitants, which cause their terror to be on all that haunt it! Now shall the isles tremble in the day of thy fall; yea, the isles that are in the sea shall be troubled at thy departure. For thus saith the Lord God; When I shall make thee a desolate city, like the cities that are not inhabited; when I shall bring up the deep upon thee, and great waters shall cover thee; When I shall bring thee down with them that descend into the pit, with the people of old time, and shall set thee in the low parts of the earth, in places desolate of old, with them that go down to the pit, that thou be not inhabited; and I shall set glory in the land of the living; I will make thee a terror, and thou shalt be no more: though thou be sought for, yet shalt thou never be found again, saith the Lord God.

Commentary

In 590 B.C. Ezekiel made a number of notable prophecies concerning Tyrus (Tyre).

Many nations would attack Tyre. Babylon attacked 573 B.C. and Greece attacked in 332 B.C.

The city of Tyre would be scraped clean. This was done by Alexander the Great to build a causeway to the island fortress of Tyre.

Nebuchadnezzar was prophesied to destroy the city proper with siege engines. Four years after this was given, a 13 year siege ensued.

When Tyre was scrapped clean, stones and timber were cast into the sea to make the causeway.

Phoenician Tyre would never be rebuilt. While other nations built cities in and around the location, Phoenician Tyre ceased to exist.

Today, it is nearly impossible to find artifacts from Phoenician Tyre, as prophesied.

Daniel 11:2-4

And now will I shew thee the truth. Behold, there shall stand up yet three kings in Persia; and the fourth shall be far richer than they all: and by his strength through his riches he shall stir up all against the realm of Grecia. And a mighty king shall stand up, that shall rule with great dominion, and do according to his will. And when he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of heaven; and not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion which he ruled: for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others beside those.

Commentary

Daniel prophesied that Persia would be conquered by Greece, and that Greece would then be divided into four parts.

Leviticus 26:33-38

And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies' land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths. As long as it lieth desolate it shall rest; because it did not rest in your sabbaths, when ye dwelt upon it. And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth. And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies. And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.

Commentary

The Bible tells us that the Jews would be scattered around the world if they did not follow the Lord.

God warned them not to forget the jubilee sabbaths, or they would be forced out of the land, to allow the land the rest as He commanded.

The seventy years spent in Babylon captivity was a fulfillment of this prophecy.

Deuteronomy 28:64-67

And the Lord shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind: And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life: In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

Commentary

This prophetic warning to the Jews tells them that they would be scattered around the world, and that they would be persecuted where ever they went.

The United Nations has multiple dozens of resolutions condemning Israel for imagined affronts, while ignoring the obvious crimes committed by countries around the globe.

There has been an explosion of persecution in Europe in just the past few years, convincing an increasing number of Jews to move to Israel.

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 that the land of Israel would be desolate once God removed them from the land.

The chief reason for this would be that they would serve and worship other gods.

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

Ezekiel prophesied that the land would be re-inhabited, restored, and rebuilt. He also prophesied that the blessing would exceed those that existed when they first occupied the land.

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

The prophecy restates the restoration of the land of Israel after God has cleansed the Jews of their iniquities.

The Lord says that He will get the glory for this restoration.

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

Isaiah prophesied that Israel would be born in a day.

On May 14, 1948 Israel became a nation.

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 days (just before the last days), the Jews would be re-gathered to the land of Israel.

The population of Israel is now over 9 million, and still growing, as Jews around the world leave their current nations because of increasing hostility.

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

Jesus compared the nation of Israel to a fig tree among all the trees (other nations).

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

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

This prophecy says 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

Jeremiah uses the term “the isles afar off” to describe Jews returning from lands across the seas.

Those Jews going to Israel includes all kinds of professions, of every age, from every nation. Israel accepts all people, not just the young and strong.

Zephaniah 3:10

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

Commentary

This prophecy tells us there would be Jews coming from Ethiopia and beyond. More than 100,000 Ethiopian Jews have emigrated to Israel.

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.

Keep in mind that Israel was a single nation under the rule of only three kings, 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.

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 gives us the ancient names of some of the lands the Jews would return from.

Judah and Ephraim (representing the northern kingdom) will no longer be competitors, but united together as the Jews come back to the land.

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 reuniting of the two kingdoms.

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

Hosea too, gives us a prophecy of the two kingdoms coming together in the last days.