THE RESTORATION WHICH FOLLOWS THE JUDGMENT OF ISRAEL
- The Restriction Upon the Rebels in Israel
Zech. 13:8 Two parts shall be cut off and die.
"And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein."
Ezek. 20:38 These are the ones who do not enter.
"And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD."
NOTE: The main passage is Ezekiel 20:33-38, which is reproduced here in full as it appears in the American Standard Version: "As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out, will I be king over you. And I will bring you out from the peoples, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there will I enter into judgment with you face to face. Like as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I enter into judgment with you, saith the Lord Jehovah. And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me; I will bring them forth out of the land (Ezek. 20:34-35) where they sojourn, but they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am Jehovah."
First, the time of the event here described is set very definitely. It will immediately follow the regathering of Israel out of the countries unto which they have been dispersed. And the context clearly shows that the judgment will precede the actual entrance of Israel back into the land.
Second, the place is specified as "the wilderness of the peoples" (Ezek. 20:35). Certain of the commentators argue that this wilderness is a "spiritual" description of the Jews' present condition where they are now among the nations. But this introduces a flat contradiction into the prophecy. How can God gather Israel "out of the countries" and bring them into the "wilderness," if the latter is merely another name for the former? The comparison drawn between this event and that which took place during the historical march from Egypt to Palestine, fixes beyond question the geographical location. It is the well-known wilderness of the Sinaitic peninsula, which to this day is occupied by various "peoples" (Ezek. 34:3 5, ASV).
Third, the action of God here is judicial in character. He will "enter into judgment" with regathered Israel "face to face" (Ezek. 34:35). And the comparison with the historic events that occurred "in the wilderness" (Ezek. 34:36) is highly significant. For there, after God had established the Mediatorial Kingdom of Old Testament history at Sinai, organizing it as a true theocratic government, He proceeded to purge out all dissidents. Even so, in the establishment of the future Kingdom, God will renew His "face to face" dealings with Israel (cf. Deut. 5:4).
Fourth, the results of this judicial event are clearly indicated. The rebels will be purged out from the regathered nation. They shall be brought out of whatever country where they reside, but they "shall not enter into the land of Israel" (Ezek. 20:38, ASV). These rebels may desire to submerge their identity by full integration with other nations and their idolatrous ways (Ezek. 20:32), but all such attempts will be suppressed by the "mighty hand" of God (Ezek. 20:33). On the other hand, out of this judicial separation will-come a cleansed remnant who will humbly and joyfully submit to the King, and these shall enter the land as the people of God (Ezek. 20:40-44).
Finally, throughout this divine action, it should be observed that the Lord is acting in His regal capacity. His judicial work in the regathered nation is based on His determination to be their King. "As I live," He declares, "will I be king over you" (Ezek. 20:33). To this end, nothing essential will be left undone. And judgment must begin with the chosen nation.
First, the time of the event here described is set very definitely. It will immediately follow the regathering of Israel out of the countries unto which they have been dispersed. And the context clearly shows that the judgment will precede the actual entrance of Israel back into the land.
Second, the place is specified as "the wilderness of the peoples" (Ezek. 20:35). Certain of the commentators argue that this wilderness is a "spiritual" description of the Jews' present condition where they are now among the nations. But this introduces a flat contradiction into the prophecy. How can God gather Israel "out of the countries" and bring them into the "wilderness," if the latter is merely another name for the former? The comparison drawn between this event and that which took place during the historical march from Egypt to Palestine, fixes beyond question the geographical location. It is the well-known wilderness of the Sinaitic peninsula, which to this day is occupied by various "peoples" (Ezek. 34:3 5, ASV).
Third, the action of God here is judicial in character. He will "enter into judgment" with regathered Israel "face to face" (Ezek. 34:35). And the comparison with the historic events that occurred "in the wilderness" (Ezek. 34:36) is highly significant. For there, after God had established the Mediatorial Kingdom of Old Testament history at Sinai, organizing it as a true theocratic government, He proceeded to purge out all dissidents. Even so, in the establishment of the future Kingdom, God will renew His "face to face" dealings with Israel (cf. Deut. 5:4).
Fourth, the results of this judicial event are clearly indicated. The rebels will be purged out from the regathered nation. They shall be brought out of whatever country where they reside, but they "shall not enter into the land of Israel" (Ezek. 20:38, ASV). These rebels may desire to submerge their identity by full integration with other nations and their idolatrous ways (Ezek. 20:32), but all such attempts will be suppressed by the "mighty hand" of God (Ezek. 20:33). On the other hand, out of this judicial separation will-come a cleansed remnant who will humbly and joyfully submit to the King, and these shall enter the land as the people of God (Ezek. 20:40-44).
Finally, throughout this divine action, it should be observed that the Lord is acting in His regal capacity. His judicial work in the regathered nation is based on His determination to be their King. "As I live," He declares, "will I be king over you" (Ezek. 20:33). To this end, nothing essential will be left undone. And judgment must begin with the chosen nation.
- The Reentrance of the Righteous in Israel. Matt. 25:1-13
"Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in."
The five wise virgins are the righteous in Israel.
The virgins are Israel. cf. Rev. 14:1-5
"And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God."
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