The Holy Spirit & The Restoration of Israel-Part 14

In the previous article, we established that the manifestation of signs, miracles, and wonders confirmed the reality of the ongoing restoration of Israel, and the progressive establishment of the Messianic kingdom of God in the first century. Therefore, recall the logical argument which we put forth.

The “signs” were to confirm the gospel (good news) of the kingdom. (Mark 16:20, Mathew 4:23)

But, the gospel (good news) of the kingdom was that the kingdom of God was near, and would soon be established at the coming of the Lord and the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. (Mark 1:14-15, Mathew 16:28, Luke 21:20-32)

Therefore, the “signs” were given and performed to confirm the gospel (good news) that the King of Israel (Jesus) would soon return to bring desolation to Jerusalem, and to establish His kingdom in AD70, thus consummating Israel’s restoration in the Body of Christ.

In this final article, we will demonstrate that the New Testament writers and apostles proclaimed this very thing. And when we do, we will have established the restoration of Israel through the Holy Spirit in the first century, and the fulfillment of all prophecy. Let’s begin.

The prophet Daniel placed the “second-coming” of Jesus and the establishment of his kingdom in the days of the Roman empire (the fourth beast), specifically in the “last days” of the Old Covenant kingdom, which ended in AD70.

Daniel 2:28,40,44
“However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter (last) days… Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; in as much as iron crushes and shatters all things, so, like iron that breaks in pieces, it will crush and break all these in pieces. “In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever.

Daniel 7:19,22-23,27
“Then I desired to know the exact meaning of the fourth beast, which was different from all the others, exceedingly dreadful, with its teeth of iron and its claws of bronze, and which devoured, crushed and trampled down the remainder with its feet… until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. Thus he said: ‘The fourth beast will be a fourth kingdom on the earth, which will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth and tread it down and crush it…. Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’

In perfect harmony with the “time statements” of Daniel (last days”, fourth beast-Rome), we see the following in the New Testament….

In the “last days”, God spoke through Jesus to the disciples. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

In the “last days”, the Spirit was poured out upon Israel (Acts 2:1-17).

In those last days when Rome (the fourth beast) ruled, Jesus came preaching, “the kingdom of God is near”. (Mark 1:14-15)

In those last days and at that time, Jesus promised that the kingdom which was “near” would be fully established within the lifetime of his first century generation, specifically surrounding the destruction of Jerusalem in AD70. (Mathew 16:27-28, Mathew 24:30-34, Luke 21:20-22,27-32).

Then, in perfect harmony with the “time statements” of Daniel, Paul, Peter, and Jesus, we see the following….

Paul promised the Thessalonians that some of them would “remain alive” until the coming of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

Paul promised the same Thessalonians that Jesus would give them relief from their then-present sufferings, and repay their then-present persecutors when he was revealed from heaven (2 Thessalonians 1:4-9).

John said that the very ones (the generation) who pierced Jesus would see him “coming with the clouds” (Revelation 1:7, Mathew 26:64).

The list could go on and on, but this is sufficient to establish our position.

1. According to Old Testament prophecy, the righteous remnant of Israel was to be restored through the redemptive work of the Holy Spirit.

2. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon both Jesus and the disciples was the sign and proof that Israel’s restoration had begun in the first century.

3. In anticipation of the full kingdom-restoration to Israel, the disciples continued to preach the gospel (good news) of the kingdom.

4. Their gospel (good news) message that the kingdom would be established at the coming of the Lord Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem, was confirmed by signs, miracles, and wonders.

Thus, we have established the restoration of Israel through the Holy Spirit in the first century, and by implication, we have proven that the Lord Jesus returned in AD70 to establish his kingdom, into which Israel were gathered to receive their eternal inheritance.

Truly, the judgment of Israel and destruction of Jerusalem in AD70 fulfilled….

1. The biblical “days of vengeance” upon the adversaries of God

2. Brought full redemption to the body of Christ.

3. Signified the return of the covenantal presence of the Jesus.

4. Established the Messianic kingdom-reign in heaven and earth

5. Fulfilled all Old Testament prophecy, even “all that had been written”.

As it is written….

Luke 21:20,22,27-28,31-32
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that her desolation is near…. (v20)

…. because these are days of vengeance, so that all things which are written will be fulfilled… (v22)

…. Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.… (v27-28)

…. So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all things take place. (v31-32)

It is finished, and Israel has been restored in Jesus Christ.

Dan Dery
Titus 1:9

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