David Ben-Gurion, a key founder of Israel and its first Prime Minister, On May 14, 1948, announced the establishment of the State of Israel. This marked the end of nearly 2,000 years of exile, dispersion, and persistent persecution, including the inquisitions, pogroms in Russia and Eastern Europe, and the Holocaust.
The return of the Jewish people to the land promised them by God is not merely a political development or a historical milestone, it’s the unfolding of divine prophecy.
That moment marked the fulfillment of ancient promises spoken by God Himself, revealing His unwavering covenant and laying the groundwork for the return of the Messiah and the coming of God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
- Let’s consider some of the promises of Israel’s regathering and restoration.
Ezek 37:7-12 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”’”
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel.
When the armies of the Allies liberated the concentration camps surely some asked the same question God asked Ezekiel Son of man, can these bones live?”
The rebirth of Israel is not a mere historical accident; it is the visible unfolding of God’s divine plan, fulfilling His ancient promises before our very eyes.
2700 years ago, Isaiah asked the question: “Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment?” The answer is yes, and that day was May 14, 1948, when Israel was reborn as a nation from the Dry bones of Europe.
On that day President Harry S. Truman granted recognition of the State of Israel. That made the U.S. the first country to recognize Israel. On May 14th Israel began her 78th year. Fulfilling the prophecies uttered 2,700 years earlier by Ezekiel.
- God Has Preserved Israel Through the Ages as Jeremiah said in 31:35–37:
Thus says the LORD, Who gives the sun for light by day And the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; The LORD of hosts is His name: “If this fixed order departs From before Me,” declares the LORD, “Then the offspring of Israel also will cease From being a nation before Me forever.”
This means that God has bound the survival of Israel and the Jewish people to the fabric of creation itself. Despite centuries of dispersion and relentless persecution, He has faithfully preserved His people.
A song we Jews sing beautifully captures this enduring truth: “Od Avinu Chai; Am Yisrael Chai”— “Our Father lives; therefore, Israel lives.”
Israel and the Jewish people remain a living testimony that God exists and that His Word can be trusted. God is sovereign over His creation and no weapon formed against Israel shall stand. Proving to us God’s Word is credible and faithful.
Since the day chronicled in Genesis 3 where Ha Satan the enemy of God, first appears, he has been devoted to undermining and defying God’s Will for His world and His children.
In Gen. 3:15 we read “And I will put enmity Between you (the serpent) and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel.”
He is at war with the seed of the woman; this includes Israel and the church. Antisemitism is at its root demonic, and this includes attacks against Christians. Scripture teaches that whom God loves the God of this world hates.
Paul The Jewish apostle to the Gentiles, educated as an ultra-orthodox Jewish Rabbi writes to the church in Romans 11:1–2 “Has God rejected His people? May it Never be! … God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.”
Paul affirms that God’s covenant with Israel remains intact. Israel’s survival is not merely ethnic—it’s theological. That is, it’s a Biblical teaching demonstrating to Believers that God will never forsake His firstborn sons, Israel and those who are grafted into her.
- Matthew 24:32–34 Israel’s Rebirth in the Fig Tree Prophecy.
“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
The fig tree often symbolized Israel in Scripture as in Hosea 9:10: I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your forefathers as the earliest fruit on the fig tree in its first season.
And in Jeremiah 24:5: Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Like these good figs, so I will regard as good the captives of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans. For I will set My eyes on them for good, and I will bring them again to this land; and I will build them up and not overthrow them, and I will plant them and not pluck them up. I will give them a heart to know Me, for I am the LORD; and they will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with their whole heart.
Luke 21:24 Jesus complements Matthew where he tells us “Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. We are living in the times of the Gentiles where Gentiles lead the true church of Messiah.
Jerusalem’s reunification under Jewish control in 1967 during the Six-Day War is often seen as a significant step toward the fulfillment of this prophecy, though its complete fulfillment awaits Yeshua’s second coming.
The re-establishment of Israel signals the dawn of the most significant prophetic events for the church and Israel: The rapture, the rise of antichrist and the Second Coming of Jesus.
This is what is meant by the fig tree blossoming. Yeshua urged us to watch the signs—and Israel’s rebirth as a nation is a central aspect of the “last days”.
- The Purpose of Israel in God’s Redemptive Plan is found in our father Abraham’s call in Genesis 12:3“In you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Israel was and remains chosen for a mission: Isaiah 49:5-6 God speaks to His beloved Son and says:
And now says the LORD, who formed Me from the womb to be His Servant, To bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel might be gathered to Him (For I am honored in the sight of the LORD, And My God is My strength), He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nationsSo that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”
Through Israel Jesus came, and when He returns, He will rule and reign in Jerusalem there will come the restoration of all things as Peter said in Acts 3:19-21:
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; and that He may send Jesus, the Messiah appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the period of restoration of all things about which God spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient time.
We are living in the day when the stage is being set for the restoration of Israel. They have been uniquely gifted to serve as priests of God to the Nations. However they must first come to faith in Yeshua. Individually and nationally, they remain dead in their trespasses and sins, like those Dry Bones.
That is why Jewish evangelism and prayer is so important. The only way we Jews can be what God intends us to be is in Messiah.
Now let’s consider what the Bible teaches concerning The Future of Israel and the Nations
Romans 11:15 “If their rejection (of Jesus as Messiah) brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?” The rejection of their Messiah has led to blessings to all the nations.
But Scripture speaks of Israel’s national restoration for her calling as priests to the nations described by Zechariah, Paul, and John in Revelation.
It will begin first with God’s discipline on Israel and the nations.
These events begin with the rapture of the church 1 Thess. 4:16–17: For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
The age of the Church concludes and God’s prophetic program for Israel and her calling to be a light to the nations begins.
The root of antisemitism past, present and future is demonic as I said earlier. where the seed of the serpent with be at war with the seed of woman:
Turn to Rev. 12 where we learn of the events following the rapture describing the first phase of the final battle. It is important to understand that Revelation and God’s prophetic word in the Old Testament is arranged at times by theme and vision, not strict chronology.
Chapter 12 is a “parenthetical” section that provides the backstory of spiritual warfare involving Israel, Messiah, and Satan. Verse 5 compresses Jesus’ first coming to set the stage for the end-times conflict that follows.
In vv. 1–2: A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child; and she cried out, being in labor and in pain to give birth.
This woman is Israel, echoing the imagery of Joseph’s dream in Genesis 37:9 “Lo, I have had still another dream; and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me.” Rev. 12:2 describes Israel’s role in bringing forth the Messiah.
In vv. 3–4 Then another sign appeared in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads were seven diadems. And his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth, he might devour her child.
The Dragon is described with seven heads and ten horns, identified in v. 9 as Satan. His attempt to devour the child as soon as it is born reflects Satan’s opposition to the Messiah, the seed of the woman described in In v 5:
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
This is describing Jesus who in Acts 1 with the disciples looking on was caught up to God and now sits on His throne.
In v. 6: Then the woman fled into the wilderness where she had a place prepared by God, so that there she would be nourished for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.
The woman is Israel who flees into the wilderness where God has prepared a place of refuge for her for 1,260 days (3½ years), the second half of the Great Tribulation.
In vv. 7–9 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Michael and his angels will fight against the dragon and cast him out of heaven to earth. This signals a turning point in the heavenly realm—Satan then will be confined to earth.
Then in vv. 10–13 we see The dragon persecuting the woman: Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.” And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.
Today we see the rising influence of Satan and his seed waring against Yeshua and His seed.
With rage, the dragon now intensifies his persecution against Israel, who is miraculously protected by God. God during this time will save 144,000 Jewish evangelists who will lead many to faith, according to Rev. 7
Israel remains central to God’s redemptive plan. The persecution of Israel in the latter half of the Great Tribulation is portrayed here. This will culminate in a remnant of Israel being preserved and protected by God. (cf. Zech. 13:8–9; Matt. 24:15–22).
The rapture will remove the restraining influence of the Church on the world today, this will allow Satan to escalate his attack against Israel: 2 Thess. 2:7-8 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;
The ultimate seed of Satan is the Antichrist will lead a force of United Nations that will wage war against Israel. This battle will lead to the return of Jesus who will then bring the Millennial kingdom.
Turn now to Zechariah 12 where we see the conflict, deliverance, and repentance of Israel and the Jewish people when they recognize that Jesus is their Messiah.
In v. 1 “The burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD who stretches out the heavens, lays the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him…”
In v 2 Behold, I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that causes reeling to all the peoples around; and when the siege is against Jerusalem, it will also be against Judah.
Zechariah describes Jerusalem as a “cup of reeling” — causing the nations that try to control or destroy her to stagger and fall. And a “heavy stone” — those who try to lift her will injure themselves(v. 3).
Jerusalem’s troubles are not signs of abandonment but point to her central place in God’s unfolding plan for the world.
Zechariah 12:4–9 describes God’s defense of Israel against these united nations attacking Israel, V 4: “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will strike every horse with bewilderment and his rider with madness…” God will sow confusion Among those demonic forces and supernaturally confuse and scatter Israel’s foes.
In v 8 the Lord will Strengthen Judah “The feeblest among God’s people will be like David—a warrior king. The “house of David” will be like God, empowered by His Spirit and God will strengthen His people giving them victory over those who would try to annihilate them.
In Zechariah 12:9 we learn that God Himself will destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
Finally, we see in 12:10-14 the remnant of Israel will understand and see that it was not their army that brings victory against this overwhelming force of the nations of antichrist but their Messiah.
In v 10 we read “I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced…”
This is what Paul is referring to when he said in Romans 11 “All Israel will be saved” God will pour out His Spirit: God Himself initiates their repentance by pouring out His Holy Spirit of grace and supplication.
Just as we have come to faith and life through the very same Spirit of God they too will experience his grace. Eph 2:8-9:
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. When God’s Spirit comes upon Israel the remnant will recognize the one they pierced:
The chosen among the Jewish people will recognize the one “they have pierced”—a direct reference to Messiah Yeshua. They will mourn deeply, as one mourns for a firstborn son, symbolizing true repentance.
The nation of Israel and the Jewish people are a testimony of God’s faithfulness to all His promises. In His letter to the Church the Apostle John writes in 1 John 3:
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
As we watch events in the Middle East unfold today, we are reminded: God’s hand is still on Jerusalem, and the final chapters of His redemptive plan for the world is swiftly approaching.
God’s prophetic word reminds us that He is faithful to His Word. What is happening in the Middle East is a reminder that Yeshua is returning soon. And in light of that we need abide in Him. Trust Him and Obey Him. Let’s pray.
As I close, I would like you to take out this pamphlet. If you don’t have one, raise your hand, and we’ll get you one. Inside, you’ll find a picture of me, and at the bottom is my personal website royschwarcz.org. You can go there to get the manuscript of this message.
Now, open it fully. You’ll see information about Chosen People Ministries—our beginnings, purpose, and opportunities. On the far right is a white, perforated section for your name, address, and email.
Let’s tear it off together on three—1, 2, 3! (tear)
The brochure is yours to keep. But the white slip is important —please fill it out and drop it in the offering plate to receive my monthly prayer letter. Each month I will share updates, prayer requests, and ministry events.
Here’s How You Can Reach the Jewish people in your life and around the world
1. Prayer – Commit to praying for us regularly. We believe in the power of prayer.
2. Giving – This is very important because as missionaries with Chosen People Ministries, we are responsible for raising our own support. So, the only way we are able to live and do the ministry that the Lord has gifted and called us to is through the generous gifts of our faithful brothers and sisters. No gift is too small and honestly no gift is too large. So give as the Lord leads.
If the Lord leads, you can give today or regularly. Simply write the amount on the slip. We accept cash, checks (made to Chosen People Ministries), credit cards, and other forms of giving. Every gift matters.
If you have a Jewish friend, co-worker, or relative, write their contact info on the back of the slip, and we’ll send them evangelistic literature. You won’t be identified. Drop the slip in the offering plate.
Thank you for letting me share today! Visit me at the book table for resources like Isaiah 53 Explained, a great tool for sharing the gospel. Questions? See me there.
