“For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Rom 11:15

Bible students of the past, as well as those of the present day, have noticed that the dispersion, and ultimate restoration of the Jewish nation – literal Israel – is the subject of considerable portions of both old and New Testament prophecies. As prophecy cannot be understood with any great degree of clearness until about the time of its fulfillment; the subject has necessarily been enveloped in a good deal of mystery in the past; and it is still, with those who do not keep pace with the development of prophecy. Various attempts have been made, by those who discard the millennial reign of the kingdom of God, to show that these prophecies would never have a literal, but a mystical fulfillment.

Some have taken the position that they were conditional, and that the conditions have not been met; and others affirming that they were all fulfilled at the restoration from the Babylonian captivity. But it will be observed that the prophecies of Haggai and Zachariah were made after that; and those of the New Testament, several hundred years after. Jesus, in giving the signs which would precede the complete development of the kingdom of God, says:

“And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh…. For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. …For there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. And they shall fall by the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles [Ethnon: Nations] until the times – years – of the Gentiles be fulfilled.” Luke 21:20-24.

This prophecy involves the inference that the times – years – of the Gentiles, have been foretold, or they could not be fulfilled; that Jerusalem represents the Jews among the nations; and that the treading down will cease, when the times are fulfilled, and the kingdom established (“Is at hand”) – Luke 21:31.

“The Bible evidence is clear and strong that “The Times of the Gentiles” is a period of 2520 years, from the year B.C. 606 to and including A.D. 1914.”

“Understand this prophecy deals with who will control the Land of Israel. It is not a prophecy about the Gentiles; it is a prophecy about Jerusalem.”

“We of course could not have known in A.D. 1889 (25 years earlier); whether the date A.D. 1914, so clearly marked in the Bible as the end of the Gentile lease of power or permission to rule the world, would mean that they would be fully out of power at that time, or whether, their lease expiring, their eviction would begin. The latter we perceive to be the Lord’s program; and promptly in August, A.D. 1914, the Gentile kingdoms referred to in the prophecy began the present great struggle (WWI)…” (The Authors Forward, IX)

It is not designed to enter into an exhaustive argument as to the probability of the complete fulfillment of the large class of prophecies in regard to this wonderful people; but to glance at a few passages which state clearly the reason why God has dealt with them as he has; covering a period of hundreds of years; which will explain what has puzzled so many, why their national identity has been preserved.

In Jeremiah Chapter 16, where their dispersion and ultimate gathering, after they had been recompensed double for their sins, is foretold; the Lord explains how they will be preserved, for the fulfillment of the prophecy, in the 17 Verse: “For mine eyes are upon all their ways; they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.”

The double, in this connection, gives a positive clue, not only to their dispersion at the First Advent, but also to their gathering at the Second Advent, and the year when the comforting words of Isa 60:1-2 would begin to be spoken, as has been shown, was fulfilled in 1878. Amos Chapter 9, speaks of their being sifted among all nations, and of their permanent upbuilding. James, in quoting this prophecy, seems to understand that the rebuilding of the tabernacle of David, which fell after Jesus left their house desolate, would take place at the Second Advent. There must be a purpose in it all, worthy of an all wise and loving Father, who formed and will carry out the great plan of salvation; and it is stated by Jesus, in part, at least: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles – nations – , upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord who doth all these things – Acts 15:13-18. The work of the gospel age is expressed in the 14th verse of this same Chapter: – taking out of the nations a people for his name – the wife of Christ; selecting the kings and priests, to reign with Christ.

The kingdom was taken from them, to be given to a people bringing forth the fruits thereof – Matt 21:43. The same is expressed by Paul: “Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness.” – Rom 11:12.

That their fullness will finally embrace the dead as well as the living, is intimated in Verse 15: “For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? See, also, Ezekiel 37, where it is positively stated that the whole house of Israel will be brought up out of their graves, and placed in their own land.

Paul says further: “For I would not, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles is come in; and so all Israel shall be saved; as it is written, (Psa 14:7) There shall come out of Zion the deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes; but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes; for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. (He has promised, and He will perform.) For as you in times past have not believed – obeyed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief; even so have these also now not believed – obeyed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all –Rom 11:25-32.

Continued with next post.