Israel in Bible Prophecy - NetBibleStudy.com

taken into captivity 140 years later, they went to the very same area when the ten tribes had beencarried. Ezekiel was taken captive under Nebuchadnezzar just ten years before the completeconquest of Judah. But the River Chebar in the district of Gozan, he was in one of the verypoints where the people of the ten tribes had settled (Ezekiel 1:1). After 70years some of theJews return to Palestine, and they were recognized as representing the twelve tribes. In Ezra6:17, we red that the children of Israel,“For the dedication of this house of God…for all Israel, twelvemale goats, one for each of the tribes of Israel.”The history of Israel and Judah after the captivity is no longer the story of two distinctnational groups – some from all TWELVE tribes returned to Jerusalem under Ezra andNehemiah. With the accession to power of Alexander the Great, many Jews settled in when isnow known at Palestine, and also in colonies – in Asia Minor – Cyprus, – Crete – on the coastand island of the Aegean Sea – in Macedonia – and other parts of southern Europe – even inEgypt – and the northern coast of Africa – while some even made their way eastward as far asIndia and China. Wherever they went they established synagogues where they met weekly forthe reading of the Old Testament Scriptures. When the celebration of the great Jewish feastswere held, millions of Jews crowded into Jerusalem. All those whose religious faith wasconnected with Moses, and who still looked to Jerusalem as the Holy City, were consideredJews. They represented all twelve tribes. Therefore, when James wrote to Jewish Christians ofthe dispersion, he addressed them as follows:“…to the TWELVE tribes which are scattered abroad, greetings.”Occasionally you may hear something said about the Stone of Scone, the stone under thecoronation throne in Westminster Abby where the Kings and Queens of England are crowned.Legend has it that this stone, which once resided in the famous Abbey of Scone, a village ofScotland, is the stone Jacob used for a pillow when he fled from his brother Esau. Scientists whohave analyzed the stone and found it to be definitely of Scottish origin have proved this legendused to substantiate the Anglo-Israel theory, to be a ridiculous legend and completely untrue.The assertion that England and the United States are now the true Israel is without asemblance of truth. It has no foundation either in Scripture or secular history. The Jewish peopleare Israel! There are many who hate them, and who, therefore, resent the glorious destiny theBible portrays for them. We certainly do not contend that the Israelites are right in everythingthey do. On the other hand, we know that much of the hatred for, and propaganda against, theJew is Satanically inspired.Every Christian owes a great debt to the Jews, for “…they have been entrusted with thevery words of God” (Romans 3:2).Furthermore, our Lord Jesus Christ was born of the seed of David, according to the flesh,and therefore was a Jew. He lived His life in obedience to the Law, and presented Himself to theJews as their Messiah. The Jewish people, miraculously preserved by God through over 2000years of dispersion and persecution, will one day realize their glorious destiny.Today millions of Jews are living in Palestine and, to a great extent are reviving many oftheir distinctive historic features and customs. However, the religious faith of the vast majority is